Author Archives: Emily Cannell

Panic and the KonMari Method

Posted on January 30, 2019 by Emily Cannell

Have any of you read The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo? I haven’t either. The title is enough to induce an immediate panic of the type usually requiring medication. For those of you who don’t know, … Continue reading →

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“Mono no aware”

Posted on May 16, 2018 by Emily Cannell

Japan changed me. In a bad way. If you had told college-aged Ouisar-san that she would skip her daily afternoon nap in order to take pictures of a flower field, I would have instructed you to put down the crack … Continue reading →

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It’s That Time of Year Again- Cherry Blossom Season

Posted on March 31, 2018 by Emily Cannell

My annual emergence from MIA status usually coincides with Cherry Blossom Season, also known more commonly as Easter Season. Inspired by the fleeting nature of the cherry blossoms, sakura, and the boisterous celebrations of hanami – cherry blossom viewing- in … Continue reading →

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Politics as Usual- Always Stange and Getting Stanger

Posted on November 18, 2016 by Emily Cannell

I voted. But this time, I voted on things I never thought I`d consider thirty years ago. And it just continues to be as strange as it always has been. My own experience with politics has become progressively more absurd. … Continue reading →

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An Enviable Finger Fetish; Nails Japanese Style

Posted on September 6, 2016 by Emily Cannell

Japanophiles think they know all there is to know about what makes Japan so uniquely unlike every place else on earth. We`ve all seen the “Top 10” lists that include the vending machines, the manga, the robot bar, and the … Continue reading →

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Going Down In Flames-Hirezake

Posted on May 27, 2016 by Emily Cannell

There are a few things which should only be done in a lab setting. With safety glasses, a lab coat, and a glass hood under which flammables and other explosives are tested; maybe a hazmat suit for added precaution. Certain … Continue reading →

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Kawaii Construction- I Need This in My Neighborhood

Posted on April 10, 2016 by Emily Cannell

There`s construction going on in my neighborhood. It`s noisy, dusty, and worst all it makes my dogs bark. This is a problem for all the neighbors because they also hear the construction, the dogs barking, and me yelling “Shut up” … Continue reading →

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Posted in Culture, Moving to Japan | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

Elbowing Our Way Through Easter

Posted on March 27, 2016 by Emily Cannell

It`s Easter. The time when we Catholics roll our eyes, put on a colorful outfit, and drag our families out of bed to show up at mass. It also happens at Christmas. The folks who attend more regularly get annoyed … Continue reading →

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Just How Rude are You? The Chopstick Test

Posted on March 21, 2016 by Emily Cannell

Originally posted on Hey from Japan- or wherever the moving van arrives- Emily Cannell:
As if the Offspring didn`t cause enough raised eyebrows at home with their barn like behavior at the trough supper table, now the Japanese we encounter…

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Repatriation During the Holidays is Harder Than Being Overseas….

Posted on December 9, 2015 by Emily Cannell

The pitfall of living overseas is the inevitability of coming home. Dull. And with that the recalibration of expectations that the Offspring have regarding holidays and how they are spent. Some expats have a problem living overseas during traditional American … Continue reading →

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