You may have heard of the All Blacks, New Zealand's national rugby team. Even if you haven't, you've probably heard of something called sport. Well, the New Zealand All Blacks have the highest win percentage for any professional team in sport. 77%. That means they win more than three out of every four games. It …

Comparing yourself to others Read More »

That rustling in the bushes? It might be a lion. That storm brewing? Get inside. Not have enough food for the winter? Get ready now. Lions and storms and lack of food were very real fears for our ancestors. These fears were the difference between life and death. Take this point to its logical conclusion, …

Primal fear Read More »

Back in 2016, a friend and I ran an experimental cafe. Every other week, on the day that my chef friend had off, which was always a Monday, we would borrow our mutual friends' cafe and run a cafe for a day. I was in charge of making coffee and waiting on people. My friend …

Mingle Cafe Read More »

Don't go too slow. Always keep momentum. Look ahead to check you're travelling in the right direction. Don't stop suddenly. Slow your pace down gradually. You may not be moving straight, but as long as you're moving in the right direction, that's all that matters. You may come across some bumps. Go over them if …

Shut up and drive Read More »

Does the phrase 'Every Situation Is Different' mean anything to you? This is the unofficial motto of the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme, and describes how wherever you go in the country, you will be in a different position to someone else on the programme. In my case, I was sent to Shonai town …

The right to complain Read More »

A couple of weeks ago I arrive home, walk into the kitchen, and I was presented with a toaster. Now, you may not think much of this, but if you've ever been to Japan, you would know that they have the weirdest, but still tasty, bread. Bread is typically sold in supermarkets based on number …

Bred for bread Read More »

In the middle of the rice fields on the edge of Tsuruoka City in the Shonai region of Yamagata, Japan, lies Suiden Terrasse, a newly built hotel designed to blend into the surrounding rice paddies. It was designed by world-renown architect, Shigeru Ban, who also designed Christchurch's Cardboard Cathedral, and was won numerous awards for …

Local business, local knowledge Read More »