Author Archives: Rochelle

A Moment of Silence

March 11, 2020. Today is the anniversary of the Great Tohoku Earthquake that claimed the lives of thousands of Japanese people. Events had been planned to remember the lives lost this day, but they’ve been canceled due to the coronavirus. Instead, we’re asked to observe a moment of silence. It’s very sad, but unfortunately, that’sContinue reading “A Moment of Silence”

More Coronavirus Woes: Lessons I’m Learning

I’m struggling to keep balance. Things are happening at a rate that I can’t keep up. But I’m attempting to keep a level head with all the panic happening around me. The best way to do this is to list what I can learn from this experience: Having multiple sources of income is important I’veContinue reading “More Coronavirus Woes: Lessons I’m Learning”

Vice and Money

According to dictionary.com, vice is defined as “an immoral or evil habit or practice.” That could mean anything, but I’m thinking more along the lines of alcohol, gambling, and tobacco. This past Wednesday was Ash Wednesday, which means Lent is upon us–or for those who follow this Christian practice. I’m not really religious, but thisContinue reading “Vice and Money”

Coronavirus

Okay, I’m jumping on the bandwagon. It’s just inescapable. I’m inundated everyday on the news about the coronavirus and its spread all over Japan. Everyday, new cases are reported. The worrying thing is that it’s affecting even those who had no direct contact with people from China’s Wuhan province. There’s a lack of masks inContinue reading “Coronavirus”

Catching Up

It’s funny how work always gets in the way of the things I want to do. The last few weeks have been very busy for me. As an English teacher here in Japan, I had to prepare for our special Christmas lessons at school as well as other End-of-Year activities. I think every educator knowsContinue reading “Catching Up”

Black Friday, Japan

Things that make you go, hmm… Last week was Thanksgiving in the US, but I live here in Japan and there was hardly any mention of the holiday except from fellow Americans. However, the big thing that was on people’s minds was Black Friday–which made me go, “Huh?” Black Friday is such an American thing:Continue reading “Black Friday, Japan”