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Hello everyone, Benson here. How is everyone doing? How was everyone’s July? Did it fly by for you or did it feel slow? Maybe July went by just at the right speed. I hope you all had a fantastic July filled with experiences you wanted to have.

On the last day of July, we can take the time to reflect on what to do moving forward! Maybe try to journal or record some of your answers to reflect better on your July experiences. What are you looking forward to in August? How did your efforts and experiences in July set you up for happiness in August? Were there any special moments in July you swear you’ll never forget? Now of course, I’m a cat, so I have nine more lives to experience July again. But let’s all do our best to move forward and see what other activities or curiosities we can all look forward to in August! Take care everyone, see you next month.


  

Hello everyone, Benson here. I hope everyone is doing well as we approach the tail end of July. July brings long, warm evenings, which I hear is perfect for stargazing. Gazing at the vast expanse of the night sky filled with stars is a humbling and awe-inspiring experience. Of course, I’m a cat so I’m already a star of many people’s social media (SNS) posts. Regardless, here are some thoughts on your stargazing adventure.

First of all, it can be difficult to engage in stargazing depending on where you live. Some places have an overwhelming amount of light pollution, so you’ll have to make do sometimes. Generally however, I gather that the darker the place, the better the stargazing experience. Perhaps this can be a good reason to travel a bit! You could try to escape the city lights and find a spot with minimal light pollution for the best view of the night sky. Also, I found out there are many interesting apps to use for stargazing, specifically with helping you identify constellations, planets, and other celestial objects.

I think stargazing sessions can be lengthy at times, especially if you are in awe of the view above you. Blankets, chairs, and possibly some insect repellant would be helpful I think! I’m certainly going to try it out sometime this month. As you gaze at the stars, discuss the constellations, learn about different planets in our solar system, or simply marvel at the vastness of the universe. It's a fantastic opportunity to remind yourself of the significance of your existence in the universe! Have a good week everyone, take care.


  

Hello everyone, Benson here. How is everyone doing? We are about mid-July, is your month going just as you envisioned? What are some things you have done so far this July? Rainy days can sometimes disrupt your carefully crafted outdoor plans, but they don't have to be boring. Now, I’m a cat so I generally prefer the dry indoors during rain. Regardless, I’m sure there are many fun activities to try when the weather isn’t cooperating.

One such activity is sinking into the deep comforts of a self-constructed pillow fort. Gather blankets, pillows, recliners, and possibly chairs while your imagination runs wild constructing a cozy and creative fort. Garnish it with drawings, stuffed animals, and other fun items to help you weather the storm as necessary.

Afterwards, you’ll probably want to explore the world through books. Rainy days are perfect for curling up with a good, preferably hefty book. You can find such books in the depths of your closet or ornamentally organized on the bookshelf for your IG posts. Do some dusting if necessary and open the book to hopefully spark your curiosity about different cultures, historical events, or scientific wonders. Proceed to read and see what you learn and discover.

So next time it rains, don't worry! There are plenty of ways to have fun and learn indoors. Have a great rest of your week and take care.


  

Hello everyone, Benson here. How is everybody doing? Is your July starting off well? Mine is going well, I think. Now, my good friend Google told me that July 7th was apparently World Chocolate Day, a day dedicated to celebrating the deliciousness of chocolate. Of course, I’m a cat so I can’t eat chocolate, but I’m told it’s very delicious. Chocolate comes in a variety of flavors and forms, from creamy milk chocolate squares to rich dark chocolate bars. What’s your favorite chocolate?

Here are some ways you can celebrate chocolate day in 2025 and beyond: Start off by baking some incredibly delicious chocolate treats. There are a variety of chocolate treats you can bake, such as chocolate chip cookies, chocolate cakes, or even chocolate bread. How decadent. Afterwards, you should visit a chocolate shop. There are many great, local chocolate shops that offer exquisite tastings and you can also learn a lot about how chocolate is made. I would imagine you can also sample a variety of chocolate products that they have available too. There’s a chocolate shop named Soma in Toronto (where I’m from) and it was my go-to place when I needed a nice gift of the chocolate variety. Or if I just wanted their rich hot chocolate for a cold winter day before I headed back to the office of excitement and opportunity. Regardless, there are many ways to indulge in chocolate, what’s yours? Have a nice rest of your week everybody, take care!


  

Hello everyone, Benson here. How was everyone’s June? I hope you all had a great June and are looking forward to an even better July. The summer heat can sometimes be overwhelming, although I imagine most of you here are well-suited for the scorching summers. What are some ideas that you all have to beat the summer heat? Even better, what ideas do you all have to beat the summer heat and make it fun at the same time?

Are water balloon fights a thing in Japan? Do people fill up water balloons and head to a park or a friend’s backyard for a fun-filled water battle? It's a guaranteed way to cool down, at least temporarily, and create some lasting summer memories. I personally would never willingly partake in a water balloon fight because I’m a cat and I don’t enjoy being wet. Similarly, I suppose you could set up a sprinkler in the yard. Although I think lawns over here aren’t as gigantic as those elsewhere, delighting in the cool spray of a sprinkler on a hot summer day would be relaxing and soothing in theory. I wonder if there are public water parks available as a way to beat the heat and have some outdoor fun. I think I would prefer to take a dip in a cool pool or enjoy the thrilling rides and slides at a themed water park. Yes, everybody wants fireworks in the summer until we all get too hot, then who’s asking for waterworks now? Enjoy your July everybody, take care!



  

Hello everyone, Benson here. Did you know June 21st is World Music Day? It's a global celebration of the power and joy of music!

Music transcends language and culture, bringing people together in a beautiful way, usually anyway. It’s also a great topic of discussion and a fantastic opportunity to celebrate our similarities and differences.

There’s an opportunity here to explore different genres. You could try listening to music from different parts of the world. Exposing yourself to new sounds and broadening your musical horizons can potentially be rewarding.

Or you can retrace your steps to your favorite songs and genres. Put on your favorite tunes and let loose, have fun together, and experience the pure joy of movement and music. I know there are many music festivals happening back home for me and I miss attending them! There are some in Japan as well, so perhaps try to attend a local music festival! Many cities hold outdoor music festivals in June. It's a fantastic opportunity to discover new artists and enjoy live music. Anyway, more on music in a future entry. See you all next month, take care.


  

Hello everyone, Benson here. How is everyone doing? The month of June is really flying by! Summer is a great time to get your hands dirty, specifically starting some sort of garden. I hear that gardening teaches valuable lessons about responsibility, nurturing life, and the joy of harvesting your own fruits and vegetables, but I guess it depends on the person.

One popular thing to grow seems to be cherry tomatoes. These compact plants are easy to care for and produce delicious cherry tomatoes throughout the summer, providing a sense of accomplishment as you watch them grow.

Sunflowers are another fun option. These tall, bright flowers are a beautiful addition to any garden and provide endless entertainment as they grow, towering over your children and other small creatures. I wonder where you can source sunflowers? Can you simply plant a bag of sunflower seeds? I guess not, most of the time they are roasted I think.

Finally, try planting herbs like basil, mint, or parsley. Using fresh herbs in cooking adds a delightful touch to summer meals, and you will take unfathomable pride in knowing you helped grow the ingredients.

Gardening can be a rewarding and educational experience, let me know if you all have tried it because I certainly won’t. See you all next week, take care!


  

Hello everyone, Benson here. How is everyone’s June so far? Summer in Japan can get quite warm, to say the least. A lot is said about the sweltering heat and high levels of humidity in Japan. However, in Canada, it can also get similarly hot and humid, depending on where you are located.

That got me thinking, what are some delicious and refreshing treats to help you cool down and enjoy?

Imagine the cool relief of shaved ice on a hot summer day. This light and fluffy dessert with various flavored syrups is a classic summer treat.

What about water jelly? I think this is an underrated option, it’s delightful to those who try it and isn’t mentioned among the pantheon of outdoor summer snacks. This refreshing jelly dessert is made with agar agar and comes in various flavors like green tea and other fruit flavors.

Feeling adventurous? Why not get creative and make your own popsicles? You can try different combinations for a fun and delicious activity that everyone can enjoy.

These treats are not only delicious but also a good opportunity to try different kinds of treats on a hot summer day. Take care, stay cool, and see you all next week.


  

Hello everyone, Benson here. How is everyone doing? Are you all ready to welcome the official start of summer in Japan later in June? With longer days and warmer weather, it's the perfect time to create lasting memories.

Imagine the joy of hitting the beach with your loved ones. I hear there are many beautiful beaches in Japan that offer swimming, sandcastle building, and relaxing picnics. Pack a lunch, sunscreen, and some beach toys for a day of fun in the sun.

Or, perhaps you'd prefer to explore the beauty of nature. Hiking through scenic trails or visiting a national park is a fantastic way to appreciate the stunning natural beauty available to us. Many parks offer kid-friendly trails and educational programs, making it a learning experience for the whole family. In Canada, there are similarly available natural parks, offering breathtaking views and numerous hiking trails.

What about attending summer festivals? Summer is festival season and there are summer festivals of different kinds available around the world. I hear there are many with vibrant decorations, delicious food stalls, exciting games, and traditional performances. Immerse yourselves in the lively atmosphere and oftentimes, you’ll also get to experience different cultural aspects too. So get outside, soak up the sunshine, and enjoy the “magic” of summer. Take care all, until next time.



  

Hello everyone, Benson here. Welcome to the end of May! How is everyone doing? How are you all feeling? What has everyone done this month? Wherever you are, whatever you are doing or have done, I sincerely hope you are doing well right now, at this moment.

As we approach another month this year, please know this: You are enough. This is not some saccharine, trendy, positive pep talk that’s littered all over social media. There is no impeding the barrage of reality at times, but at the core of it all, you are enough. You won’t always remember this and you might not even believe it, but you are enough. By all means, continue to march towards whatever you want to be and whatever you want to do, but at this moment, you are enough. And being enough is good. See you all in June!


  

Hello everyone, Benson here. How is everyone doing today? I hope everyone is having a fantastic May. What do we all think about museums? Do you like visiting museums or galleries? If so, do you usually only go to a museum when there’s an exhibit you want to see or there’s a specific artist’s work you want to experience? Are there general museum enthusiasts?

I think there certainly are many interesting museums in Japan. There seem to be many interesting exhibits and I’ve encountered many people here that have some sort of connection to either a museum or a gallery. Of course, those are two different experiences, but nonetheless I’m referring to going to a physical space to observe and see things you normally wouldn’t or aren’t normally curated together in “natural” environments. Back in Toronto, I really enjoyed the museums available to me and would often visit each one in the city once a year. There are several really well-known ones, such as the Royal Ontario Museum or the Bata Shoe Museum. There are also exhibits for other areas of interest too, I’ve attended many exhibits for (video) game jams and specific pop-culture themed exhibits. There are also historical exhibits too, not just for world history but even for specific companies. I remember attending the Ikea pop-up exhibit/museum in Toronto, it was really interesting. What about here in Japan? What kinds of museums or exhibits do you enjoy seeing? Are there any exhibits you have seen in the past that were truly memorable? Why were they memorable? Take care everyone.


  

Hello everyone, Benson here. Halfway through May already, how is everyone doing? Last month, I briefly mentioned birds, specifically what kinds of birds are in Japan and if birdwatching is popular in Japan. Today, I was pondering about migratory birds and if there were any such birds in Japan.

It’s amazing that there are birds that will migrate to entirely new places every year. Back in Canada, I was most familiar with the geese. Before winter, the geese in Canada will migrate south to warmer weather. I always found it interesting to watch the geese migrating for the winter season. It was mesmerizing for me to see the geese fly in a ‘V’ formation, I would often look up and watch until the flock of geese was out of sight. I think it is mesmerizing because it’s a unique formation to fly in and from what I understand, it’s a more efficient way to travel for geese, specifically in terms of conserving energy. But geese are huge, relatively speaking, so I would imagine they are well-built for such migratory journeys. Geese are also fiercely protective of their eggs and locals are often warned not to engage or even walk too close to geese that were nursing young (there are many hilarious stories regarding this). But what about Japan? Are there known migratory birds here? What kinds of birds are they? And where do they travel to? Have a good week everyone and please enjoy your time.



  

Hello everyone, Benson here. How was everyone’s first week of May? What kinds of things have you experienced or plan to experience this month? I was wondering lately about the flowers that bloom in May or are considered in-season. Are April showers a thing in Japan? And if so, do they directly lead to the blooming of many flowers in May?

Which flowers are known to be in full bloom in May? I’m the farthest thing from an expert on flowers, so I would love to hear what kinds of flowers you all look forward to seeing in May. Back in my hometown Toronto, there are several popular gardens that people flock to in May to see the blooming of certain flowers. I have many memories of spending time in such large gardens back in Toronto, which were essentially really big public parks. People would go to do some walking or even have a picnic amongst the beautiful flowers and nature. While I didn’t visit those gardens as much as an adult, it remains a thriving spot to spend your time in the city. What about in Japan? What flowers tend to bloom in May and are there different flowers throughout different parts of Japan? Do you have a favorite flower? When looking upon flowers in full bloom, how does that make you feel? Hope everybody has a good week, take care.


  

Hello everyone, Benson here. How was everybody’s April? Spring is in full swing now that the month of May is upon us. What does the month of May mean for you? Is there any significance to the month of May itself? Or maybe there are events or celebrations that are held in May that you keep tabs on. Either way, let’s march onwards into May!

Back in April, I had asked if anybody participated in activities, particularly outdoor activities. While the weather will continue to heat up, I’m sure there are many more activities, both indoors and outdoors, that you can take part in. What do you associate with the month of May? What kinds of words would you use to describe May? Refreshing? Warm? Breezy? Maybe it’s not as simple as reducing an entire month to a few choice words, but what does May mean to you? Can you remember what May was like throughout different years in your life? Are there specific sights you look forward to seeing in May? What do you tend to think about in May? I also wonder about the meaning behind May, so let’s discover May together this year! See you next week and take care everyone.


  

Hello everyone, Benson here. I can’t believe we’re approaching the end of April already! How has everyone’s April gone so far? Have any of you been able to do activities you wanted to do in April? Has anybody here tried anything new in April? I know my April has been pretty good!

Today, I want to talk about bees. I’ve seen a few bees here and there during my time in Japan, but are bees commonly found everywhere here? I am fascinated by these small creatures, they seem like such hardworking, tiny creatures and some bees also help produce honey. Are there many apiaries in Japan? I would love to visit one and see how the beehives are kept here in Japan. I wonder if there are similar processes for keeping bees here in Japan versus the rest of the world. Do you know of anybody that has a beehive? I wonder how the bees got here in Japan in the first place! Where are bees originally from? There are so many things to read about and learn regarding bees. I definitely will look into it more. I think during springtime is when I think about bees the most. From what I understand, spring is an important season for bees. In any case, I hope everybody had a great April and see you all in May! Take good care.


  

Hello everyone, Benson here. Halfway through April, how is everyone doing today? I hope some of you have had a chance to enjoy April, whether that be through activities or hobbies. As for myself, I think I’m curious about birds this week.

Does anybody here go birdwatching? Birdwatching is usually considered an outdoor activity, so it might not be for everyone. What kind of things do you need to bring to go birdwatching? Also, how long do you usually go birdwatching for? I’m guessing someone who goes birdwatching will have to have good knowledge of where specific birds can be spotted and plot a trail to see them. I’ve never formally gone birdwatching, but it’s always interesting to notice what birds are out and about during the day. I am not a bird expert unfortunately, but I’ve noticed some interesting looking birds on my daily walks. There are some really small birds that are mostly white, I’m not sure what their name is, does anybody here know? I don’t see those back home in Canada. Also, has anybody seen birds flying around at night? I believe birds usually sleep at night, but again, I’m not an expert. I’ve seen some big, ominous black birds gliding around at night before, maybe they are ravens or crows? I believe ravens, since they were quite large. Do you have any birdwatching or bird stories to share? Have a great week everyone and take care!


  

Hello everyone, Benson here. How is everyone’s April going so far? One thing I always wonder about is what people like eating during April or springtime. Are there recipes or dishes that people enjoy more in spring weather or maybe it depends on what ingredients are in season.

I’m not an expert in cooking and especially not an expert in seasonal ingredients, so I’m interested in what everyone’s experiences are for cooking in the springtime. Are there specific vegetables that grow best or only grow during the springtime? Does it make a difference in terms of taste? Like, how do you describe the taste of an ingredient that’s available in season versus out of season? I’m assuming ingredients that are in season would be more readily available for purchase in supermarkets, but how is the price of each ingredient affected? I wonder if I’m missing any of the major factors to what people cook during the springtime and also why. I suppose some people will just cook whatever they like no matter what time of year it is and that’s also great! I’m interested to hear about all of your experiences! Take care this week everybody.


  

Hello everyone, Benson here. Did everyone have a nice March? It’s finally April, when the weather continues to get warmer and probably more comfortable for a lot of people. Let’s talk about outdoor activities!

Back in March, I asked if anybody had any activities that they wanted to do in the warmer weather. I think the spring weather in April would be perfect to continue to do as many activities as possible. This is especially true before the weather becomes scorching hot. Or if you didn’t get a chance to do much in March, you can think of April as a catch-up month for activities in the spring weather! What are some popular outdoor activities that people do in Japan? One activity I’ve been hearing a lot about is hiking. People seem to like hiking, or the idea of hiking, regardless of where they are located. It’s a nice, simple activity to do outdoors and it can be done alone or with friends! What about biking? I have also heard people enjoy biking in the spring and you can cover longer distances too. It’s also a fun way to exercise. Maybe simply visiting different parks and enjoying the outdoors is your cup of tea. I think April holds many possibilities for outdoor activities, I hope people find ways to enjoy this month!


  

Hello everyone, Benson here. Wow, March is almost over already! That’s incredible to me, this year is really flying by. At the beginning of the month, I mentioned there’s some notable sporting events in March. One event I used to follow more closely was NCAA March Madness, which is a college basketball tournament in America.

This tournament is a single-elimination tournament played every year around the same time in March. It features some of the best men’s college basketball teams and players at the Division 1 level and the tournament will decide which school will be the national champion that year! Basketball has always been one of my favorite sports, so naturally this tournament is usually exciting for me to follow. It provides a glimpse of future stars and present day glory in the sport of competitive basketball. Many people even have their favorite teams and players in college basketball! Do you have major sporting events in the month of March in Japan? What kinds of sports do you like to watch? Are there players that you like to follow in Japan? I hope you all had a great month of March! See everyone in April and take care.


  

Hello everyone, Benson here. How is everyone doing? Has your March been everything you wanted it to be so far? Last time, we talked about dump months. January and February are typically quieter months for movie releases. With March here now, movie enthusiasts can look forward to an increase in new movies coming out. Today, we’ll focus more on the present and another type of “dump month.”

March can also be a type of dump month too! What do I mean by that? Spring cleaning! Around this time, many people will begin their spring cleaning, which would be similar to cleaning before the start of a new year here in Japan. It’s the perfect time to “dump” your garbage or other things that you may not need anymore! Donating gently used items could also be something people do as part of their March spring cleaning dump. What kind of things do you think you would dump if you did spring cleaning? How long do you think it would take to do a proper spring cleaning? Some people take months! What benefits do you think there might be to cleaning in spring? What about cleaning digitally too? Do you think deleting old files can be part of spring cleaning too? Regardless, I hope everyone can find some time to do some cleaning this spring! See you folks next time.