5 books you should read this month  Find a perfect place outside during the great weather, grab a book, and start reading.  Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith It’s not always tempting to read a novel before its film release, but when Tom Hardy plays the leading role it’s another matter. Hardy, like…
Message from the Editor May 2015                   After adjusting to new teachers, new students, and perhaps even new schools this past April, Golden Week came as a welcomed reward. Although a much busier time of year for the hotspots in Japan hopefully you found worthwhile activities to spend your four days off. This month’s Naha…
Ivy Tripp by Waxahatchee (7 Apr 2015) Just one of the many female vocalists who have been taking indie music to unique places in recent years, Katie Crutchfield has been on a roll with the upcoming release of her third album in the last five years. Her soft voice, with an underlining raspiness supported…
Message from the Editor, April 2015            After flailing about at PunkSpring 2015 and relaxing in what may have potentially been my last overseas trip while on the JET Programme (shameless plug and thank you for Brittany Teodorski’s Cambodia review), I can’t help but hear Alien’s voice whisper, “Spring break forever,†over and over again…
By now most of us are well aware of the results for the 2015 Academy Awards. However, unlike the times we are in our home countries for the Oscars and there is ample time to view the films before the ceremony, here in Japan we are left playing catch up since most of the movies…
While everyone else usually hopes to get away from Japan during its coldest month, a number of local and foreign musicians poured into the Kansai area. Although there are always plenty more performances to see than time and funds permit, I was fortunate enough to see four amazing concerts this past February, visiting many venues…
Message from the Editor March in Japan is an incredibly difficult month to define and I can’t tell if it is one of the best or worst. With winter still lingering and spring not completely established (though my renewed runny nose and itchy eyes seem to say differently), March can be an enormously relaxing…
American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History by Chris Kyle with Scott McEwen and Jim DeFelice Choosing between 50 Shades of Grey and American Sniper as the book to read before its movie adaptation is released in Japan wasn’t too hard of a decision this month. Although I’m sure…
A month into the new year and it’s already almost time to bid farewell to your students. 3 nensei have their graduation ceremony in late February and most ALTs will wrap up their lessons before the month’s end. Similar to your students making it through their elementary, junior, and high school careers, you too will…