Coffee and Comfy: Garage Bakery and Cafe

photo credit: http://www.hamamatsu-pippi.net/shiritai/blog/odekake/docs/2014030303060/

Tired of crowded Starbucks? Try this new cafe in Hamamatsu- Garage Bakery and Cafe.

Far from what its name means, Garage Bakery and Cafe is a cozy place to hang out. It's spacious with several tables outdoors and stuffed couches indoors. The general feel is vintagey but the design is eclectic, interestingly.

Repost: 10 Types of Japanese Men

Did you know that Japanese men are labeled as Carnivourous? Creamy? Soy milk? and Fasting? There's also the Cabbage Roll and Hyena? 

I didn't know this until I came across this article. To be honest, I'm not even sure if I understood the types of Japanese men at all. Still, I'm reposting this article from Japan Today in case someone out there is interested. I find the labels funny, too. Tells you something about Japan!

For ALT's: What to Do in School When There's Nothing to Do

Temple at Mishima-cho, Hamamatsu

What's harder than doing overtime?

It's going to work and doing nothing for 8 hours, believe me. Worse is, I have to pretend that I'm doing something. Such is my life as an ALT on some days. I used to like these ''free days'' because I can really prepare for my lessons. Still, 8 hours is too long to just prepare for lessons.  I can twiddle my thumbs, daydream and blog and I would still have time on my hands. The thoughts, ''What to do? What to do? I can't just drool!,'' swirls through my head driving me nuts.

Japan, Brace for Vongfong!

Vongfong, the Perfect Storm
photo credit: High resolution infrared satellite image of Typhoon Vongfong on Tuesday via
The Washington Post

When it rains, it pours. 

This is literally what's about to happen in Japan. After a strong typhoon early this week, the most powerful typhoon of 2014 will hit Japan this weekend until early next week. Reports state that Vongfong (the incoming typhoon) will most likely pass the same track as Phanfone (the typhoon that passed). This means Vongfong might hit Hamamatsu before it slams to Tokyo and further north. The names Vongfong and Phanfone sound funny to me but their magnitude is no laughing matter.

How Working in Japan is Different from the World

Shizuoka Police Mascot.

I've recently learned about how Japanese companies operate. My business class students are only too happy to explain how different Japanese companies are from the rest of the world. Aside from asking employees to work overtime, everyday, Japanese companies also have unusual practices in hiring employees,in negotiating with clients, in how long they stay their companies, in how employees get paid and in how companies regulate overtime.