Looking back on the bright side of life in lockdown (part 2, a long-awaited update)
I posted part 1 (back then, I didn't know it was part 1) nearly a year ago. A lot's changed since then, and a lot has stayed the same. To...
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How comedy writing can make you a more confident copywriter
When I meet people, I tell them that I’m a freelance copywriter and comedy writer. Mid-handshake, they stop and give me an odd look. A...
Looking back on the bright side of life in lockdown (part 1? we'll have to wait and see...)
With everything 2020's thrown at us so far, I wanted to bring positivity back to my blog. I can't do Japanese food reviews for the time...
上衣下 (灰白質) の異所形成 (ヘテロトピア) : 病気になっても、日本語の勉強が止まらない
最近から、私には頭の中でたくさんのことが起こっていた (文字通りに)。そして今、私はそれをすべて頭の中からこの投稿に取り入れようと思った… 日常の途中に悪夢、楽しくない？(ホンマに楽しくないねん) 2016年から、私はたまにパニック症 (と思ったこと) がある。日常生活中...
Subependymal (grey matter) heterotopia: 2 big words I'm still trying to wrap my brain around
There's been a lot happening in my head lately. Literally. And now I'm going to try and get it all out of my head and into this blog...
Hitting the 'pause' button on my Japan adventure
Time for a short break, I reckon. I'm leaving Japan temporarily, because of changes to my mental health (and some changes to the way I...
Getting sick and needing a doctor, hospital, or ambulance in Japan - learn from my experience
Being unwell is no fun, no matter where you live. When you’re in another country, far from your family, friends, and a more...
Do you need to learn Japanese to live in Japan? - the long answer
Every so often, a quote or article comes along that has the foreigner population in Japan up in arms. Like this NYT piece on Pico Iyer, a...
Escape Osaka: Japan's best escape room game
I hope you're not claustrophobic... or the type who gets easily frustrated. A 2018 addition to Osaka's entertainment and tourist...
How to work in marketing - or a job that's not teaching English - as a foreigner in Japan
I found a 'how to work in marketing in Japan as a foreigner' blog post linked by someone on Twitter, liked and RT'd by several friends....
Japanese visa renewal, part 2: application form fun
(Part 1, about the joy of tax forms, is right here.) To apply for a visa renewal ('extension of period of stay') in Japan, you need to...
Japanese visa renewal, part 1: tax forms (kazeishoumeisho and nozeishoumeisho)
A few weeks ago, I put in my 'application for extension of period of stay' to renew my visa. It all went well, and now I can remain in...
Taking my sweet time with the JR Seishun 18 train ticket
As lovely as any air-conditioned building can be, the chance to take some time out and enjoy the summer holidays in Japan is definitely...
On the internet, you can be anybody... dude
So, I have a job that involves running social media accounts. I try to do this without sounding too much like myself. That's the point of...
50% response rate to a cold marketing email: what worked for me
Since April, in between working on other things, I've sent out exactly 100 marketing emails. Before starting, I checked out what the...
My #1 tip for fitting in as a foreigner in Japan...
Visit a public bath. Okay, you'll feel more like you fit in. Tiny difference. But trust me, a good, healthy mental state is extremely...
5 incredible reasons why clickbait-y listicles with stupid titles like this need to get in the sea
Yes, I know. But you clicked, didn't you? So here we are. 1. They're overdone, overrated, unoriginal, and uninspired Listicle. Noun. "A...
How to REALLY be a successful freelance writer in Japan
After nearly a year on a Working Holiday visa, picking up bits of work where I can., remaining here as a freelance copywriter isn't...
Debunking the 3 big lies about Japanese food
Every time I come to Japan, I put on weight. Every time other people come to Japan, they magically lose weight. Why is that? Japan has a...
Does it matter if you're blue or white?
For Halloween this year, I dressed up as a blue alien. Jumpsuit, funky shoes, LED antenna headband, the works. Even painted my face blue...