April 2025
Spring is here and with it comes comes holidays, cherry blossoms, and a brand new school year! Whether you're collecting Easter eggs, viewing flowers, trying to get used to new teachers, or just trying to avoid the allergies,Ā there is a lot happening. So, this month's ZINE focuses on all the ways we adapt and change with the season!
Christian *lofolax*
About The Mikan
Christian
Mikan Status: 2nd year ES/JHS ALT in Matsuyama, from Castlerock , Colorado
“All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.”
J.R.R. Tolkien
Why Japan?
Ā
Didnāt have job
Sounded really cool -> Then accepted
Ā
Applied to other things and hadnāt gone through -> Must be destiny
Ā
Learned a little bit about Japanese language and culture -> Loved history before it and found it very nice and interesting -> Like how the samurai actually were
Ā
Especially movies since he loves movies -> Mostly watched Ghibli
Education
Ā
Had just graduated social science teaching after a pretty long 6 years of education classes
Ā
Was studying the Shikoku Henro in his 2nd year class -> Wanted to do it with study abroad -> Hey I should learn basic Japanese and took language course
Ā
Wanted to do engineering hated it absolutely Took a writing class and history at the same time and loved it so so so much
Creative Writing
Ā
Creative writing was his passion and realized that he could teach English at a collegeĀ
Ā
Could teach high school because he loves that vibes and thinks its better than doctorate work more hirable and flexible
2nd novel in the works
Christian Time:
Books: Heretics of Dune , History of Rome to AD 565 by Sinning and Boak
Video Games: Wolfenstein 1 & 2,Ā and MGS3 Snake EaterĀ
Movies: TBW: Battles Without Honor and Humanity *Japanese Godfather*
Travel: In Japan finish the pilgrimage *next in Kochi*, visit Tsushima, Tohoku, Kyushu
Free Time: Spend time with friends : hang, movies, do hobbies with the friends and people he likesĀ
Japan Life/Realizations
Living here made him find more things about himself
Confidence boost to just do crazy things like live in a foreign country by himself
Aspirations have become more solidified
Everything is really cool but also mundane after awhile
Some things you didn’t care about are now just getting annoying
Get a tutor faster, study and do things sooner
Buy a washing machine immediately
Staying in Japan is nice but desk warming can be tough
So do your best with all the struggles
Get passed summer vacation and spend time with yourself while being creative
Family & Future
Family
Did a lot with family back home, like hiking, board games, etc.
Family is coming to japan for almost 2 weeks
Brother is excited about food -> Sisters are excited to see historical places and where he lives -> Mom , been to japan, excited to see how it changed ->Ā Dad geeking on the history stuff, driving will be interestingĀ
He misses concerts and good food from family/restaurants in America -> McDonald’s is goooooooooood
Future
Would love to stay here for as long as he can but tough because of the economy
Would be nice to go back to America and make good money then come backĀ Ā
Try international schools maybe and see where that takes himĀ Ā
Career wise dreams to write full fledged novels and stories and publish themĀ
Teach internationally ?
Hey, Mikans!
We hope you’re having a great start to the new school year and are enjoying this month’s ZINE. Much like the teachers at everyone’s schools, the Mikan Blog/ZINE team has also been shuffled. This year I (Justin) will be stepping into the roll as editor and I can’t wait to help bring even more amazing content from our talented mikans to the blog. If you have a story to tell, an idea to share, or just want to contribute we’d love to hear from you! I look forward to working with everyone this year š
See you next month!
– Justin
Weāll have a new maga(ZINE) post for you on the first of each month, so keep an eye out!
Interested in having your own ZINE? Reach out to us atĀ themikanblog@gmail.com!
