Hey – against my better judgement, I’m blogging about our move to Japan. If you’re here, you’re most likely a family member or friend that is interested in our unique view of the world and understand it’s somewhat skewed toward abnormal. I’ll do my best to protect the identities of those individuals described within by assigning them code names which I think characterize their role in this comedic portion of our lives. Thus far it has been more comedy than drama. Although I could rant, I don’t find that particularly entertaining to write and even less to read so you won’t find that here. Please feel free to comment. Peace to you all.
Thanks to WordPress for highlighting the Blog on “Freshly Pressed” although the feelings of the Japanese on this new-found attention remain to be seen….
Hey from Japan- or wherever the moving van arrives- Emily Cannell 
So glad you commented on my site…. so I could find THIS awesome blog! From my couch in Tennessee, your adventures in Japan are thrilling!
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Thanks Tori- Really- Tennessee is where the real adventure is…I’m from AL and all my truly wild friends came from TN.
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Hello! I found you through Kristen Lamb’s Blog and it makes me feel happy. I’m very much interested in Japan, so if you don’t mind, I’ll include you on my blogroll and return to read. 🙂
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Thanks! I’m so glad you find it worthwhile for you blog! I do try to keep it factual….
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Just found your blog on WordPress, while updating my own blog, on my couch in Memphis, TN . Our prayers and thoughts are with you over there! I am new to your site, and wondering what motivated you to move to Japan.
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My husband’s company moved us over here. We expect to be here for a few years. Then- who knows? We are always up for a move!
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I am glad that you were chosen to be Freshly Pressed. I am so sad for you guys. My family (we live in Montpelier, Vermont) and we think about you every day. How is it that you are okay? I do not think that the news coverage is that great. A lot of sensationalism and not enough detail. Japan is a pretty small island, right?
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Congrats on getting Freshly pressed…though, I feel you’re probably more interested in getting back to some level of normality. The coverage back here in Nigeria on cable TV (Sky News to be exact) is like something straight out of a Hollywood movie trailer. Every 10minutes there is a 1-minute commercial tagged ‘Japan Tsunami’ and includes pictures of fires, floods, buildings shaking, people running from falling debris, and a colossal tidal wave racing across the coastline….I’m terrified everytime I watch it. Please continue to give us an insight into your experiences and my prayers go out to you, your family and all residents of Japan. God bless…
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Sounds like it’s the same everywhere because my family is begging us to come home to the US. But- things are improving as time goes on….
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Jollof that is exactly what I have been seeing on my lap top. That is why I am so happy about amberangel’s survival story.
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What is the picture on your title page of your website? Did you post that before the earthquake.
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They’re called ema and they are blocks one buys at shrines. Each one has a stamp particular to that shrine- in the case Meiji Shrine in Tokyo. People buy them at the shrine, write messages to the gods, and hang them on a stand by the shrine- which is partially pictured above.
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I would love to have one of those hanging in my home in UT!
(Found you on “Freshly Pressed” and loving reading about your journey!) Thank You!
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Thanks Sycamore! Love your Gravator….
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I hope so. Please let us know how things are improving. I would love to hear the details in that way.
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maybe I can visit one someday
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Hi! I am from Indonesia, found your blog by accident (yeah!), and loving every words in it. I always have this interest for Japan, and I find your account on life in Japan as an alien (Gai-jin, right?!) is very amusing. Looking forward to your post in the near future (even the big quake could ‘t shake the internet connection haha!).
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Gaijin is correct and I certainly fit that description well! Thanks for reading Widya.
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Do they have bentos in Japan or China? Fast food boxes right? I heard about them on The Disney channel. They usually have gomer-eye in them or something like that? Spinach with sesame seeds as a side.
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Exactly- they are here- I don’t know about China.
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Interesting to read a blog about life in Japan from a perspective quite a bit different from mine. I hope you’re enjoying life in Tokyo!
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As someone looking to teach overseas, I’m glad I came across your blog. I’m not sure where I’ll end up exactly but hopefully I will in the next couple of months. Still getting everything pepped on this end right now. I think I see that you lived in Atlanta. Small world.
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It is such a great experience- living overseas- it really forces one to view your native culture and country in a new light- which is not a bad thing. We’ve had such a great time learning about the Japanese and traveling around the country. Good luck- it will be a wonderful experience! Thanks for stopping in!
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really interesting post. nice to stumble upon people who share the same passion of blogging about their new experiences in a foreign land. keep up the good work!
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Thanks! Glad to see you and will come over to check yours out as well..
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Japan is a culture I know not tons about, as my travels and living abroad experiences have taken place mainly in Europe. look forward to following along…and learning something along the way!
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Thanks for stopping in-I peeked on your blog- maybe through Michi? and really enjoyed it!
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Well done! My husband and I are on our own little adventure here in Korea… teaching little munchkins whatever we can explain about how to speak English. Even our seven year olds are sickeningly smart–heres a presentation imagining our what our breakup and intervention would look like? http://everythingbutkimchi.wordpress.com/ Thanks for the great read!
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Thanks for the stop in EBK- I love Korean food! And kimchi too. Will take a read.
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Well, thank you! I’m quite honored! Still enjoying your blog… really like the most recent wedding pictures and the account of visit with your sister “The Nose”, especially the picture caption that claims you’re praying. Be blessed in Japan!
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Nice to meet you. Your blog is very interesting to me. I’m looking forward to reading your posts.
I’m Japanese and I live in Kawagoe in Saitama prefecture. The town has old traditional architecture.
http://www.koedo.or.jp/foreign/english/index.html
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Just tagged you in a “getting to know you” blogger series, should you choose to participate. Happy weekend! I hope you’re trying out some strange fruits today! 🙂
http://iheartmondegreens.com/2012/04/28/getting-to-know-you/
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Hiya – Kathryn from ‘reinventing’ sent me over to check out your expat blog. Looking forward to finding out more about your life in Tokyo!
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Thanks Jennifer! I`m glad you stopped in. Kathy`s was one of the first blogs I ever started reading- and still always do!
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I absolutely love your blog! It’s so entertaining going through your Cultural lessons learned tab.. I can’t wait to move onto my next adventure now. Loving your glass-half-full approach!
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Thanks Petroleumwife! I appreciate your comments and the encouragement!
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Hi there! I’ve nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award. Your blog is truly so inspiring and creative. Thank you! If you’d like to accept, here are the rules:
http://petroleumwife.com/2012/12/03/very-inspiring-blogger-award/
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Why thank you! I`ll go check it out. Thanks for thinking of me PW!
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You’re most welcome Emily! Must give credit where it’s deserved 🙂
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Hi Emily, Thanks for stopping by my site. Looks like you’re set up for your own bicultural adventures in Japan. Hope you’re enjoying your time there. I’m sure you’re learning lots about Japan and about your own country!
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Nice reading about you
Thanks for visiting my blog Ajaytao2010@wordpress.com. Browse through the category sections, I feel you may definitely find something of your interest.
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I will be interested to learn about your adventures in Japan. I am a Chinese Canadian living in Canada and have Japanese friends in Japan.
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Why did you decide to move there, work? Adventure?
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Great stuff…. Absolutely love the photographs as well… Keep them coming!
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Hi! Just wanted to let you know that I’ve nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award! I hope you keep on writing XD
http://bitterpunch.com/954/
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Nice read 🙂
Curious on how you manage the culture shocks. I just started my blog, but Japan is absolutely my next destination! And you just convinced me on that 😀
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Hmmm- the key thing to me with Culture Shock is to understand that you will have it, it comes in stages, and it goes away with time. I also think it sometimes comes back in short bursts. But I always tell myself- home is a pain in the a… too sometimes!
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I’m based in Japan and I’m looking forward to reading your past posts 🙂
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Well- my posts on Japan will coming to an end soon…. But- I`m glad you liked what`s here so far! Thanks!
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Just somehow I found my way in here…and I am so glad I did (: Nice blog..
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Dear Emily,
I nominated your blog for the Miracle Blogger Award! 🙂
Please get the badge at http://wp.me/p3z6Kf-Ey and get more info.
Happy Friendship Day! 😉
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Why thank you! I so appreciate your thoughtfulness!
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🙂
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Back at ya!
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Congratulations, Emily!
I have nominated your blog for the Blog Of The Year 2013 Award.
More on this nomination is at
http://skolender.wordpress.com/awards/
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Thanks so much Skolender! I am honored…
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Clearly I’m three years behind in discovering your blog! Really enjoying the posts I’ve stumbled through so far… sounds like you have been on quite the adventure madame master mover! 😉
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Well EA as you can see I’ve been on an extended hiatus! Glad you came over and I’ll run over to your site to check it out! Glad you enjoyed it!
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We all earn a good hiatus every once n awhile! Welcome back and enjoying it already!
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Hi
My name is Joyce, I am a marketing executive at expatfinder.com which is a leading expat information and services website.
I saw on your blog that you are and expat. I wish to interview you to further share some of your tips. The questions are mainly about the housing, the daily life etc.
It just takes 5 minutes (or more depending if you have lots to say 🙂
Of course, if you accept we can add a link to your blog or some of your website.
If you are interested to participate at this project, please send me an email at interview@expatfinder.com.
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Hi, I am not your family member but I probably will be your new friends. I was looking for a Japan photos and your blog looks nice. I just follow. cheers.
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Frejatravels so glad to have you along! Thanks so much!
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Hi Emily. I happened to see your name on a comment on Susie Lindau’s blog. Is Cannell your maiden or married name? Our daughter and granddaughters are Cannells through marriage. Do you or your husband have Northern California roots, by chance? That’s where our son-in-law is from. Have a great day.
P.S. Enjoyed reading about your move to Japan. Quite the culture shock I’m sure!
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Hey Al! Thanks for stopping by. Yes we do. My husband is originally from the Pacific Northwest but his grandfather was originally from California. Not many Cannells running around! They all hail from the Isle of Mann…..
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Thanks for the response. Our SIL is from Palo Alto. He has three married sisters still living in SF area as well as his mother who is 94. Would be interesting if there was some kind of connection. Hmmmm…
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I’ll check in with one of Spouse’s aunts and see if they’ve still got kin down there. What’re the odds? Stay tuned
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