Melissa > Recent Status Updates

I didn’t realise Japan was large enough to have some places that grind to a halt at the sight of snow, especially with how the first town had been. Also, a viral video about chocolate French fries? Weird!

The end of an era

I have never understood why people have to talk for another culture as if they need to defend it when that culture doesn’t want or need defending.

It’s also interesting how Japanese women are pressured into marrying young and starting a family before the age of 25.

Possibly the most heartbreaking chapter in the book. Japan has an extreme problem with bullying…

It’s amazing how fast Chris came along with the Japanese language. I don’t think I’d be able to get anywhere close to his level of fluency that quickly.

Reframing what a messy house means about you is valuable but hard to accomplish task.

The five things method is really good, but I hated the way this chapter ended. Throw it away over donating? Not a chance. If it’s worth it, it’s getting donated. It’s the same with the recycling that needs to go to the recycling centre. I’d rather hold it and do it right than just throw it in the bin.

It’s nice to see a book that says “just do it” isn’t the right way. You can’t white knuckle life like that and make a stable long term change.

It’s curious how different visiting the doctor is in Japan. I am actually curious if it is the entirety of Japan that’s like this or just specialists or even if it was just the area he was in.

Note to self: if I ever climb Mount Fuji, book the accommodation well in advance and even if it’s the middle of summer expect freezing temperatures.

Hostess clubs are certainly something…

Japanese truth serum (alcohol) and societal pressures not to get fat (3.3% obesity rate in Japan at the time). It continues to be fascinating learning about Japan through the eyes of an English dude.

The second hand embarrassment was strong this time, but it was inspiring to see someone so dedicated to self-improvement

I thought I knew winter, I’ve read about blizzards before and seen a few myself, but hearing a normal winter in Japan was interesting, especially after it snowed all day here.

A very kind and gentle approach to helping you reframe your mind to make cleaning a bit easier to start

It’s so engaging I sometimes forget it’s a real account of living in Japan as a foreigner.

Learning a lot I didn’t know about the Disney Channel I grew up with