While some weekends are dedicated to errands, chores, and relaxing, many of my weekends are solely carved out for short excursions to remind me why life is worth living. Back in 2017, I made a personal goal to take at least one trip every month. This slowly turned into taking trips every other weekend. Then, I moved to Japan and the urge to explore plagued me even further. Now, I go places as often as I can based on my…
Since July 2017, I have been fortunate enough to work in Japan through the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program. The process of getting to Japan started months prior to arrival and the learning curve continues to this day. I have compiled a list of 10 questions I commonly receive about the JET Program and working in Japan, as well as provide my answers. Please note that these answers do not account for every JET participant’s experience, but have been formed…
One day is definitely far from enough time to appreciate Zion National Park’s unsurpassable beauty. However, one day is better than none. If you have the opportunity to experience Zion’s magnificence, take advantage of your time in this natural wonderland. My limited time in Zion was just enough to hike The Narrows and learn a smidge about the park’s unique geographical history. I admit, my knowledge of America’s national parks and natural landscapes is pretty minimal. (It’s really a shame…
It’s no secret that Japan is known for green tea. Aside from chado (tea ceremony), another way to experience this cultural aspect is to go tea picking. Tea picking teaches you about the cultivation process while also presenting a tangible experience of picking tea leaves in traditional attire. Where and When to Go Tea Picking Shizuoka Prefecture is the perfect place to experience tea picking while in Japan. It is widely known as the country’s leading tea producing prefecture due…
Hey wonderful people! In August 2018, I traveled to America from Japan for a two week vacation. During this time, I visited my hometown, spent time by the beach in Los Angeles, hung out with family and friends, and went on an epic USA road trip. Here you will find a general idea of what happened over those eight days, the total cost, and some travel tips. Happy reading! Road Trip Route Los Angeles >> Las Vegas >> Zion National…
Hello, lovely humans! A few months ago, I purchased a MUZMM backpack. I’ve used this bag on several trips throughout Japan, a trip to Taiwan, as well as my recent two-week America trip. I am extremely pleased with my purchase, and feel it’s now appropriate to review this MUZMM backpack after it’s seen some action. Please note that this review expresses my personal opinions and is not influenced or sponsored by MUZMM. As a thank you for reading this review,…
The Seishun 18 Kippu is a special train ticket that can be used during certain times in Japan. It is a flat price of 11,850 JPY (~$115 USD) and allows travel for up to five, non-consecutive or consecutive 24-hour periods on the JR lines throughout the country. When using it, the stationmaster will stamp the ticket with a date stamp. You are free to use any JR lines throughout the day from then on with that stamp. Seishun 18 Kippu Perks The…
Hello, everyone! Are you wondering how you can spend less, save money, and experience more? It seems nearly impossible to do all of the above while living a life you’re proud of, but it’s completely possible to achieve when you minimize spending. To minimize spending is not equivalent to no spending. It’s pretty difficult to survive without spending some money, whether that’s on food, bills, or daily necessities. Once you figure out how much money you usually spend each month…