Big Things OFF Little Awaji: Thirst for Adventure
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Big Things OFF Little Awaji: Thirst for Adventure

Sometimes when you’re homesick and nothing is working to keep you motivated and happy, you need to do something out the ordinary. Similar to most of you, I decided to go traveling around Japan for spring break. Even though I love Awaji, every now and then I get island fever. I prepared for this trip…

Harima Happenings: Wisteria/Aioi Peron Festival
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Harima Happenings: Wisteria/Aioi Peron Festival

Our cherry blossoms may have been here in an instant, gone with a flash, but if you missed out on Yabu’s thousand-year-old sakura blooms, you can still get your ancient (but still going strong) flora on in the Yamasaki (Shiso) area early in May. Shiso’s thousand-year-old wisteria is a beautiful sight to behold. Typically, the…

English Sensei Spirit: Hi, Friends!
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English Sensei Spirit: Hi, Friends!

Those of you who teach in elementary school have probably already gotten your first taste of “Hi, Friends!” – the book they’re using to replace good ol’英語ノート(EIGO NOTO).  Hi, Friends!, which in no way lends itself to funny mock-titles, is dragging my elementary school kicking and fighting into the 21st century. Because while the book…

Karaoke!
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Karaoke!

The lights are dim. Drinks litter the table. People are laughing and talking somewhere in the dark. Suddenly, the TV screen changes and music swells – it’s the opening of  “My Heart Will Go On.” Someone hands me a microphone. “Ganbatte!” excited voices shout, chuckling, waiting. Ugh. We’ve all been there. Karaoke is an integral…