Free Time

I haven’t been working since the third week of February. It’s been six weeks since I’ve been teaching actual students. We’ve had meetings and informal sessions at work, but I haven’t been back in the classroom to interact with any of my students.  And to be honest, I don’t really miss it. I think I really am ready to move on from this job. Which … Continue reading Free Time

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’s how life is. Still, that moment of silence is all … Continue 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’ve lost two weeks of work. On Friday, around 6pm the … Continue reading More Coronavirus Woes: Lessons I’m Learning

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 in Japan and all around the world. People are stocking up … Continue 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 knows that preparation is key when you’re in the teaching field. … Continue reading Catching Up

Five Things I’m Grateful For This Thanksgiving

Today is Thursday, November 28, 2019 in Japan. In the US, it is celebrated as Thanksgiving. In that spirit, I wanted to write about things that I’m grateful for.   I’ve written before how gratitude is my superpower. But I wanted to re-visit it today. It only seems fitting. So here are five things that I’m grateful for this season: Knowledge I am grateful that … Continue reading Five Things I’m Grateful For This Thanksgiving

Rushing the Process

So I just hung up the phone with my nephew. Or more like: I just switched off Facetime with Baby Boy. Baby Boy is in college, in his second year of the University of Connecticut’s Business Program. He texted me this weekend, out of the blue, exclaiming that Robert Kiyosaki’s Rich Dad, Poor Dad was one of the best books he’s ever read. I’m so … Continue reading Rushing the Process

End of the Year

So we’re coming up on the last two months of 2019. Frankly, I have lots to do on my list, and I feel like I’m bowing to the pressure. For the past few weeks, every morning I wake up, I review the things that I have to do for the day. I start the day motivated and then I lose steam later on. I become … Continue reading End of the Year