When living in Japan, one of my favorite end of year customs was “oosouji,” the “big cleaning” that takes place between mid-December and the New Year’s holiday. Rooted in Shinto concepts of purification and the belief that gods of fortune won’t visit dirty houses, it’s also practical: New Year’s is when the family gathers, and […] Continue reading… from How to Ring in the New Year – Japanese Style
We all know air travel is a major driver of global pollution, but it is also a necessity for many industries. To fight this, most major airlines now offer “carbon offset” programs. Check a box, and you can pledge a certain amount of money to reduce the impact your flight has on the environment. What’s […] Continue reading… from Can Aviation have a Positive Environmental Impact?
Among other opportunities, an assignment abroad may offer a bonus that some would pay good money for: immersion in a language other than your native one. This can be exciting, but also overwhelming. When trying to memorize new words and grammar points, things can easily slip from your memory. If you’re working in a language […] Continue reading… from Did Something Slip Your Mind?
Moving Across the Ocean Returning to the US after fifteen years of living in Japan was an undertaking. There were lots of forms, lots of checklists, lots of tears. There were also lots of boxes. Even after selling off appliances and furniture, there were still so many boxes of books, clothes, and sundry items that […] Continue reading… from Does This Sound Familiar?
