What to Wear in Japanese Schools

credit: http://vanceqberkowitzs.blogspot.jp/

In the pre-departure orientation before I came to Japan, the speaker heavily emphasized how the Japanese are very strict with overall appearance in the workplace. Hence, I was quite formal during my first months in Japan. I was always wearing suits and button-down shirts. My hair and face were always made up. I was even wearing pearl earrings. Then I noticed how I was even formal than the principal. I realized I was overdressed.

Perhaps, if I was working in a company, what I wore were just fine. But in the schools, I didn't need to be so formal all the time.

So if you're working or planning to work in Japanese schools, here's a more manageable guidelines: 

A. Hair

• If you have long hair, always tie it in a pony tail. In schools, you will notice that all pony tails are not too low nor too high. The rule is to tie your hair as high as your ears. 
• You can dye your hair 1 shade darker or lighter.   
• For men, keep it short. 

5 Common News Stories in Japan

Reminder in case of emergency, Tokyo Station

It's my habit to read the news since I was in high school. 

I love holding and reading the newspaper. Here in Japan, I have to resort to online news since I can't read Japanese. 

For more than 3 years of reading Japanese news, I can already predict what the news would be. 

Here are the top 5 common news in Japanese online newspapers: 

Repost: 5 Depressing Side Effects No One Tells You About Moving Abroad

Nakatajima Sakyu, Hamamatsu

Just about this time last year, most of my closest friends in Japan left one by one. By the end of August, I've only had 1 friend. I still know a number a people but I wouldn't consider them as "friends." When I said goodbye to my friend who left last, I felt abandoned. I felt like I was left behind and it was painful.

This sense of abandonment surprised me. I've never felt this way when I parted with friends back in the Philippines. Perhaps because I know I can easily find other friends. But living in another country is a different matter. I have limited choices. Friendships abroad is like sand castles. You spend time building them only to be washed by the waves at the end of the day. This is one sad reality of living abroad.

Other sad realities I realized about living abroad were perfectly captured by an article in Elite Daily. 

5 Depressing Side Effects No One Tells You About Moving Abroad

This is written by Manon de Heus, a woman who lived in different countries for 10 years. In her list, she mentioned: