Tag Archives: ExPat

The Office- Every Sunday was Halloween. And then…..

Every family has unique rituals. Our`s is no different- except our rituals might be unusual  compared to others. A long-established ritual for the Clampitts is the weekend trip to Spouse`s office. Spouse catches up on work while the Offspring catch … Continue reading

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Posted in Food, Moving to Japan | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 25 Comments

Wedding Stalkers Anonymous Welcomes Two New Members

Hi, my name is Ouisar-san and I`m a wedding stalker. I have a fetish for Japanese Shinto weddings. The urge to ambush elated couples during their nuptial celebration stems from experiences as a child. I don`t recall which ones exactly. … Continue reading

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Posted in Moving to Japan | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 37 Comments

The Nose Visits Japan- A Guest`s Reaction

Many of you are familiar with my younger sister, the Nose, so nicknamed for her savant type recall of maps, ability to identify geographical landmarks, and unsurpassed skill at navigating around a place with which she has no familiarity. In … Continue reading

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Posted in Moving to Japan | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 36 Comments

Only in Japan

No matter what the country of origin, religious preference or family upbringing, there are certain irrefutable facts about boys. 1) They always take unnecessary risks, 2) stay dirty until the age of 18 3) prefer eating with fingers and using … Continue reading

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Posted in Moving to Japan | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 38 Comments

Please- Don`t Make Me Eat That- Monjayaki

As I slowly and deliberately eat my way through Japan, I`ve discovered two certainties regarding the food- first, Japanese food does not include chicken teriyaki, and second, sample even the most repulsive in appearance- it could rank as one of … Continue reading

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Posted in Food, Moving to Japan | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 61 Comments

Harassing the Nose….

My younger sister, the Nose, is coming in town. Never let it be said that I passed an opportunity to harass a younger sister when the situation presented itself. One is never too old, or too mature, to practice this … Continue reading

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Posted in Moving to Japan | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 29 Comments

Even the Plants in the Rain Forest of Borneo will Eat You….

Several years ago, Offspring #1 experienced a “Save the Rain Forest” unit in school which lasted several weeks and culminated in an epic- and by that I mean long and painful- Broadway show highlighting the students` learnings. He was as … Continue reading

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Posted in Moving to Japan | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

We Interrupt Our Usual Programming to Provide This Emergency Message- Typhoon

An emergency message from the US Embassy is always an unwelcome addition to one`s inbox. Next came an email from school announcing its closure and the imminent arrival of the elated Offspring and their celebrating compadres. This was more distressing … Continue reading

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Posted in Moving to Japan | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 20 Comments

Borneo Sounds Great! Now where the Hell is it?

A long time ago, in a land far away, Spouse and I concocted yet another scheme designed to pique the interest of our Offspring in lands and people beyond the cul-de-sac. Offered at the feet of these future UN leaders … Continue reading

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Posted in Moving to Japan | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 28 Comments

Hoist the Sails- Kentucky`s Not Just for Horse Lovers

What do two tired middle-aged sisters do when faced with the dilemma of entertaining 4 kids each capable of rendering an adult speechless in under 60 seconds and too big for confinement within a dog crate? Hoist the sales and … Continue reading

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Posted in Moving to Japan, Offspring | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 31 Comments