An Irish journalism graduate teaching English in Nagoya, though I lived in Seville, Spain for a year and a half before coming here. Contender for the tallest, palest female in Japan, with a weakness for travelling, cooking, writing and reading. Working on my collection of photos of bad translations and kitsch memorabilia.
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- A Gaijin’s Guide to Traveling Solo
- November 30th, 2012Category: Arts & Entertainment, Culture, Play, Travel
- Fresh from an amazing weekend in Kyoto, I have just realized that it was my first time travelling solo in Japan. And I’m still alive! Here’s my gaijin guide for traveling alone: DO stare bewilderedly at maps and your guidebook and generally stick out like a forei ... » Continue Reading
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- The Leaves, They Are A-Changin’ – Magome-Tsumago Trail: A Day Trip from Nagoya
- November 20th, 2012Category: Outdoor/Sports, Photography, Travel
- When the city smog gets a bit much, this is a scenic and easy hiking trail to do – perfect for seeing the autumn leaves at their best. If Japan was mentioned before I had any notion that I was coming here, I immediately thought of city life. Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka – cha ... » Continue Reading
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- In It for the Treats
- October 31st, 2012Category: Arts & Entertainment, Culture, Play
- “So, do you like Halloween?” “YEAH!” “Why?” “Cause I can eat lots of candy!” “I have a general knowledge question. How old is Halloween?” “Eh…ten years?” Thus went every conversation with my students last Friday in our Halloween themed class (also known as t ... » Continue Reading
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- More Than Just an English Class
- October 30th, 2012Category: Teaching in Japan
- At the risk of sounding a little self-important, sometimes being an English teacher is about teaching more than just the language. And week by week, I’m finding that to be truer than ever here in Japan. Yesterday, I set up what I thought would be a fun little gam ... » Continue Reading
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- Teaching English in Japan: Approach with (only a little) Caution
- October 23rd, 2012Category: Teaching in Japan, Work Tips
- The knowledge that you are going to work in Japan for the first time can bring equal parts excitement and apprehension, teetering on the edge of sheer terror (or maybe I just speak for myself) for the ever-travelling English teacher. After the initial happiness at th ... » Continue Reading
