Category: Wisdom
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Once Upon a Time… Life: A Lesson in Education and Responsibility
Read more: Once Upon a Time… Life: A Lesson in Education and ResponsibilityOnce Upon a Time… Life was a French educational animated television series that captivated the minds of children and adults alike. Among similar series that explored topics like history or space, this particular show stood out for its focus on the human body. It was my personal favorite. Despite its simplified explanations tailored for children,…
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Case Closed: The Power of Stories in Shaping Mindsets
Read more: Case Closed: The Power of Stories in Shaping MindsetsWe recently attended an event organized by the local police department. The purpose was to showcase their activities, especially for children, with a school group seated in the front row. A police orchestra performed arrangements of well-known songs, including the iconic theme from Case Closed. This renowned manga, written by Gosho Aoyama, began in 1996…
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Jin: A Journey Through Time, Medicine, and Society
Read more: Jin: A Journey Through Time, Medicine, and SocietyToday’s post delves into the acclaimed Japanese drama “Jin”, first broadcast in 2009 on TBS, with a second season following in 2011. My wife and I are currently engrossed in it, and the story so far has proven to be both captivating and thought-provoking. The drama is a compelling mix of time travel, history, and…
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Puzzle and Dragons: Breaking Free from the Gacha Grip
Read more: Puzzle and Dragons: Breaking Free from the Gacha GripI started playing Puzzle and Dragons in 2014, during my first year in Japan on a working holiday visa. While I’ve genuinely enjoyed the game for years, I recently decided it was time to stop. After reflecting on my habits, I realized I could better use my time—even just a few minutes daily—for more meaningful…
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Inside Out: Understanding Emotions and Embracing Balance
Read more: Inside Out: Understanding Emotions and Embracing BalanceWe recently watched the movie Inside Out, released in 2015, produced by Pixar Animation Studios for Walt Disney Pictures, and directed by Pete Docter. The sequel was released on streaming platforms recently, and on a recommendation from my wife’s sister, we decided to watch the first installment before diving into the second. The story centers…
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Love Hina Christmas Special: A Tale of Romance, Growth, and Brain Health
Read more: Love Hina Christmas Special: A Tale of Romance, Growth, and Brain HealthToday is Christmas Eve, and while Christmas is not a public holiday in Japan, the celebrations and marketing surrounding the occasion are surprisingly vibrant. In 2000, the Love Hina X’Mas Special: Silent Eve was released as a special OVA (Original Video Animation) to mark the festive season. This heartwarming episode brings back all the beloved…
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The Power of Dreams: From Warcraft 3 to Global Unity
Read more: The Power of Dreams: From Warcraft 3 to Global UnityDreams, often overlooked as mere byproducts of sleep, hold remarkable potential for creativity and self-discovery. Over the past few months, I’ve immersed myself in self-help literature and podcasts, particularly those focusing on sleep, such as Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker. Many of these resources highlight the benefits of maintaining a dream diary, especially for…
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Finding Purpose in Redemption: Lessons from Ordinary Angels
Read more: Finding Purpose in Redemption: Lessons from Ordinary AngelsDuring a recent flight to Paris, I stumbled upon the movie Ordinary Angels, starring Hilary Swank. I hadn’t heard of it before but decided to give it a try—and it spoke to me deeply for numerous reasons. Inspired by a true story that took place during the 1994 North American cold wave, the movie follows…
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How a Manga, a Middle School Friendship, and a Global Perspective Shaped My Vision
Read more: How a Manga, a Middle School Friendship, and a Global Perspective Shaped My VisionMy short trip to Paris to visit my dad also gave me the chance to reconnect with my best friend from middle school. We met at a prestigious middle school in Paris, located near the Eiffel Tower, surrounded by stereotypically wealthy French students. He comes from Algerian ancestry, and I am of Chinese descent, which…
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Kickboxer, Jean-Claude Van Damme, and the Power of Awareness
Read more: Kickboxer, Jean-Claude Van Damme, and the Power of AwarenessI met a good friend recently, someone I’ve known since we both joined the same IT course 12 years ago. He’s not just a friend but also a martial arts champion of France, which immediately brought to mind a movie I loved as a child: Kickboxer, directed by David Worth and starring Jean-Claude Van Damme.…