Game   An active interest or pursuit, especially one involving competitive engagement or adherence to rules. Three Card Monte is a confidence trick that originates from the turn of the 15th century and is, ostensibly, an easy chance to make quick money. The dealer, or shill, in the local parlance, usually aided and…
Spring is here! That means a brand new school year with new students and staff, your un-insulated house is finally livable again, and you can day-drink under the cherry blossoms. It also marks the return of something else incredibly important: baseball season! I was first introduced to Kansai’s most famous team during my…
If you grew up in the States and are of my generation, you may remember that KFC once sold the most delicious corn bread ever! So in honor of the ãªã¤ã‹ã—ã„ (nostalgic) food memories of times passed, and the beautiful pink sakura of spring, I present a new creation! Tada! Strawberry Corn Muffins! …
 Much like Buffy before me, I’ve decided to split my Graduation episode in two. Also, to bring a stake to school.  At time of writing (about three weeks before time of publishing, if you’re interested, which I know you’re not), I have just finished watching my third year JHS students graduate. I…
By the time you see this, gentle readers, the third years will have graduated and the school year will be over. Unless you’re exclusively an ES ALT at which point, the sixth years will have graduated and the school year will be over; also have a drink on me, you must be exhausted. …
April has always seemed to be one of the most standout months in Japan. Since my time coming here, I have thought of it as Japan’s “second New Year’s.†It is certainly a season of rebirth, as the Sakura come out for its annual celebration, the animals come from their hibernation to nab the picnic…
As some of you know, CLAIR is holding a video contest for JET Program participants about the communities in which we all live. The winners haven’t been decided yet, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy all the great videos of places throughout Japan. Plus, voting continues until March 31. Click through the links in…
As many fellow nerds may know, the Snow Troupe of the all-female theater troupe of Hyogo has been performing a musical version of the manga Rurouni Kenshin. The aforementioned is the story of a samurai with a bloody past, wandering during the first several years of the Meiji Era to atone for his many…
Hello fellow JETs, this is Gina reporting to you for duty. I’m a JET Alumnus who was stationed on beautiful Okinawa from 2012-2015. Some of you may believe I sold my soul for my awesome placement, but it was actually third on my list! Being based in Okinawa, I had an experience completely different from…