Welcome to my Japan
I’m very happy that you’ve decided to virtually join me in Japan. My goal is to share my little corner of Japan and adventures with you. Whether you are planning a trip, moving to Japan, or looking to learn more about life in Japan, this blog will have something for you.
To get you started, here are six things about me:
1. I am obsessed with food. I literally plan entire trips based around food. Most weekdays I cook at least two meals. I will try almost any food even if it makes others squeamish. This is how I learned that I like durian and chicken tataki, a very rare/mostly raw chicken dish (more on that later). I do have a few food allergies, but mine are very obvious and easily navigated in Japan.
Chicken Tataki
2. The celebrities who influenced my life the most were Mr. Rogers and Anthony Bourdain. Being kind to others, respecting other cultures, and appreciating people are all things I strive to do. From both, I learned that showing an appreciation for people and just being kind to others is a great way to build relationships and spread kindness.
3. I studied Japanese history in graduate school and am currently working on a few research projects. Until my current position, I never worked in a job directly related to my degree. I get lost in castles and museums here when I’m not working. It’s actually one of my goals to visit all of the original castles in Japan.
4. My career background is a combination of technology, business, and education. I use my skills from each of these in a variety of ways in my current position. I have been working since I was 21 years old with a short break at the start of graduate school. The most unexpected job I’ve held was working at a preschool.
5. My favorite sport is ice hockey. Go HAWKS! I have a nice jersey collection that I rarely get to wear since I do not live remotely close to any ice hockey teams anymore. In grad school, I had season tickets for an NHL team and would often drive two and a half hours back home at 11pm to sleep for a couple hours before working at the university.
6. I grew up in the southern United States. While I never had a strong accent, I spent much of my life trying to rid myself of what little I had. I also often try to dispel the stereotypes that so many people have about the South. In recent years, I have come to embrace my upbringing and appreciate the good things from it. I will admit that it isn’t a perfect place but also realize no place is. I regularly share Southern food with my friends, and I can be polite even in the tensest situations. I’m sure, at times, you will see some of that influence in this blog.
I hope that you enjoy learning about Japan and life here. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask. I look forward to sharing my journey with you all.
