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Another day, another gacha! This time, I found one of my favorite Camera brands, Nikon, showcased in miniature form. I have been shooting with Nikon since high school and all throughout my career and degree in photography, so this was an exciting find. I bought one for myself, and one for my Dad, who gave me his old camera in high school which was a wonderful influence in my life. We both got the camera with the giant lens, which is cool. I definitely can't afford that lens in actuality--they are so expensive! I'll have to post my camera collection someday--I have found some great secondhand cameras here in Japan.
  

Another day, another gacha! This time, I found one of my favorite Camera brands, Nikon, showcased in miniature form. I have been shooting with Nikon since high school and all throughout my career and degree in photography, so this was an exciting find. I bought one for myself, and one for my Dad, who gave me his old camera in high school which was a wonderful influence in my life. We both got the camera with the giant lens, which is cool. I definitely can't afford that lens in actuality--they are so expensive! I'll have to post my camera collection someday--I have found some great secondhand cameras here in Japan.
  

I finally got to visit Matsuyama without having to be in an ambulance or hospital lol. I was very pleased with the trip and the arduous trek up the mountain to get to the castle. Furthermore, we couldn't have picked a better hotel to stay in as it was literally across the street from the castle!









  

Hello everyone, Benson here. How is everyone doing today? I hope everyone has been warm and bundled up. Speaking of being warm, let me tell you a bit about winter walks in the snow, something that I miss back home.

January is a wonderful month for winter walks. The snow crunches underfoot, the air is crisp and refreshing, and the landscape is often beautifully quiet. I find that these walks offer a perfect way to clear my mind and appreciate the serene beauty of winter. There’s something special about walking through a park or wooded area, where the trees are bare but draped in snow, creating an almost otherworldly atmosphere. Winter walks also provide a great opportunity to get outside and enjoy nature, even when the world is cold and still. It’s a peaceful way to embrace the season’s beauty. So go out and enjoy some winter beauty, whatever that might be for you. Take care everyone.


  

Hello Everyone it's Teacher Bear! Here with another blog just for you!


Last week, I found this gem at a convenience store, a honey whip croissant featuring none other than Mikazuki Munechika from Touken Ranbu! It’s part of the 10th-anniversary celebration for the franchise.

The croissant itself looks so tempting, soft, golden, and filled with a sweet honey whip. Honestly, I couldn’t resist grabbing it when I saw the beautifully designed packaging. The first bite? Pure heaven. The honey whip filling is creamy and just the right amount of sweet. A perfect snack, I highly recommend checking this out. It was delicious and it doesn’t get better than this. Until next time, happy snacking with Teacher Bear





  

Hello Everyone It's Teacher Bear!! Here with another blog just for you!



There’s something magical about sunsets by the sea. It’s a moment where time seems to slow down, and the world becomes a golden glow over the calm waves reflecting the colors of the ocean. Imagine you are standing watching it with me hearing the gentle waves lapping at the shore, the sound of water adding to the beautiful atmosphere. This is the kind of moment that makes you forget everything else. As the day ends, the sunset leaves behind a sense of peace. There’s no better way to recharge our souls than seeing this natural wonder. Let’s keep celebrating the beauty of our world together. Stay tuned for more adventures, and as always, thank you for being a part of this amazing journey with Teacher Bear







  

I've made progress on planning for my family coming to visit! I think I've narrowed down a few things that we're going to do in Tokyo, besides going to Disney, so now I want to try and turn my focus to what we should do in Osaka and Kyoto. I'm going to do a lot of research over the next few weeks and give my family some suggestions on what we should do. I'm really excited to see Kyoto, especially the shrines! I have a feeling my mom is going to take a huge amount of pictures! I can't wait to see her and show her why I love living here so much!  

This weekend, I found myself revisiting the works of the legendary David Lynch after hearing of his passing. I watched some of his films and interviews, reflecting on the strange, magnetic energy he brought to the screen.

Growing up, Lynch’s work was a staple in our household. My dad introduced me to original recipe DUNE, with its sprawling deserts and surreal visions. Meanwhile, my mom and I bonded over Twin Peaks, navigating its dreamlike absurdity together. These moments shaped me, fostering a deep love for the bizarre, the unsettling, and the inexplicable beauty that lives within chaos.

Lynch had a way of making the strange feel familiar, and the familiar feel strange, a gift that will leave a lasting mark on anyone who’s experienced his art. It’s bittersweet to say goodbye to someone who taught so many of us to embrace the bizarre and absurd with open arms.

  

Usually I don't have a preference for Japanese body creams, mostly they don't make my skin feel particularly hydrated, but recently I decided to pick up a new brand and it was a gosh darn good choice! This Nivea soft product made my skin feel so soft that I couldn't believe I hadn't tried it before, and it didn't leave me with a gross slimy feeling. I don't even have to use a lot to moisturize my whole arm, just a little dab and I'm good to go. Looks like February will be off to a smooth start.


  

It's been kind of a small dream of mine, but I was finally able to see some capybaras in person! I've always really liked the animal. It's just so chill and at peace with everything. I bet they were having an extra good time in the water considering how cold it was when I visited.  

Celebrating American Festivals and Holidays Take a closer look at the various festivals and holidays celebrated across the United States. Explore the origins and traditions of holidays like Thanksgiving, Fourth of July, and Halloween, and discuss how they reflect the values and history of American society.  

Target is a popular department store in America and one of my favorite places to go shopping. On my most recent trip to Target, I found some extremely interesting things for sale. One was a yard long Snickers chocolate bar- a yard is a unit of measurement equal to 92 centimeters. I don`t know why anyone would need 92 centimeters of Snickers. Another thing I found was a kit for making your own gummy pizza. American stores never fail to surprise me.  

This one almost always is used in a negative context, unless someone is being sarcastic.


(AN) ACHILLES HEEL

a weak point or fault in someone's character, which can be attacked by other people.


EXAMPLES

The desire for publicity became her Achilles heel.

The enemy had an Achilles heel somewhere, if only he could find it.



HISTORY

The phrase "Achilles' heel" comes from the Greek legend of Achilles, a warrior who was left vulnerable on his heel after his mother dipped him in the River Styx to make him immortal:
Achilles' mother, Thetis, held him by the heel while dipping him in the River Styx to make him immortal. The waters of the Styx made Achilles invulnerable everywhere except on his heel.
During the Trojan War, Achilles was killed by an arrow shot into his heel by Paris, the son of King Priam.
The phrase "Achilles' heel" is a metaphor for a person's vulnerability or fatal weakness. For example, you might say "His Achilles heel is his quick temper

  

This is a Peruvian dish called Ceviche! It’s made of raw fish with lots of lemon juice, red onions, and other spices. I had it while I was in Miami for the holidays. It’s incredible!  

During my travels, I was so shocked to see how extensive the options and restaurants were at the Tokyo airports! I stopped at a Japanese style restaurant and the meal was delicious.
  

I really enjoy cooking and recently I tried making something I had never made before - french toast! It turned out so good!
  

I recently took a short trip on New Years Day to a local shrine called Ubushina (in Utazu where I live) to ring in the new year. The first visit to a shrine during New Years is called Hatsumode in Japan.

The procedure to make a small financial offering for good wishes for the New Year typically involves the following:

1. Walking up to the main hall entrance and bowing (respect).
2. Clapping your hands twice (to wake up the gods).
3. Throwing in a small monetary donation (usually small coins - 5 yen coins are best since 5 is considered a lucky number here in Japan),.
4. Saying a small, silent prayer.
5. Clapping twice again (to notify the gods you are finished).
6. Taking one step back, and then bow again and leave.

You can also purchase, for a small fee, a fortune card predicting your upcoming year; although it is only written in the Japanese language. Visiting shrines in Japan are done at various times of the year, but New Years is a special time with most Japanese people paying a respectful visit to their local shrine. This was a simple and pleasant experience that added to my cultural learnings about Japan. I enjoyed it very much.
  

Imagine my surprise as I stumbled upon a gacha machine featuring food from my first job. That's right! At the ripe age of 16, a sophomore in high school, my mom forced me to start working at Subway instead of joining marching band. What fun!

Still, I was excited to find these miniature treats and bought one for my Dad. Maybe I should get one for my Mom too!

P.S. If you are craving Subway, there is a restaurant located in the gigantic Aeon mall near Okayama station. It's tasty and surprisingly similar to America Subway.  

Imagine my surprise as I stumbled upon a gacha machine featuring food from my first job. That's right! At the ripe age of 16, a sophomore in high school, my mom forced me to start working at Subway instead of joining marching band. What fun!

Still, I was excited to find these miniature treats and bought one for my Dad. Maybe I should get one for my Mom too!

P.S. If you are craving Subway, there is a restaurant located in the gigantic Aeon mall near Okayama station. It's tasty and surprisingly similar to America Subway.  

I was invited on my friend's trip to Kochi and Matsuyama with their mother and I had a blast. I got to see Kōchi castle, but from the outside lol. The weather was phenomenal and the ryokan was fantastic.