Tag: Awareness
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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 2: Navigating the Emotional Rollercoaster of Puberty
Read more: Inside Out 2: Navigating the Emotional Rollercoaster of PubertyWe watched the sequel to Inside Out the next day with my wife, and as expected, following the conclusion of the first movie, the story centers on Riley, now 13 years old, as she begins her journey through puberty. With this pivotal life stage come new emotions—Anxiety, Envy, Embarrassment, and Ennui—joining the core cast of…
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Castle in the Sky: A Reflection on Environmentalism and Collective Awareness
Read more: Castle in the Sky: A Reflection on Environmentalism and Collective AwarenessI was recommended to watch Castle in the Sky from Studio Ghibli, directed by Hayao Miyazaki and released in 1986, while I was studying Japanese at university in Paris. I had already seen Princess Mononoke and The Cat Returns from the same studio, but I had not yet watched this one. It was a delightful…
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The Dark Side of the Moon: A Timeless Masterpiece by Pink Floyd
Read more: The Dark Side of the Moon: A Timeless Masterpiece by Pink FloydI first heard of the album The Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd, released in 1973, through a live version of a cover by Dream Theater, which I was listening to frequently after high school. Once I experienced the “real material,” I was utterly amazed. This album has since become one of my…
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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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Bohemian Rhapsody: A Timeless Masterpiece and a Mirror of Society
Read more: Bohemian Rhapsody: A Timeless Masterpiece and a Mirror of SocietyI remember owning the Greatest Hits I & II set from Queen, released in 1994 in France. At the time, I was still in primary school, unfamiliar with the band’s background and with limited understanding of the English language, yet I enjoyed the music immensely. However, like many children, I was impressionable. When peers told…
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Avengers Endgame: A Decade of Marvel Cinematic Brilliance
Read more: Avengers Endgame: A Decade of Marvel Cinematic BrillianceI went to see Avengers: Endgame, released in 2019, with a French friend also living in Japan who is a big fan of Marvel movies. This film marvelously concludes the Infinity Saga, which began with the first Iron Man movie released in 2008. At three hours long, the movie’s runtime felt anything but lengthy while…
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Woman: A Japanese Drama About Healing, Motherhood, and Emotional Growth
Read more: Woman: A Japanese Drama About Healing, Motherhood, and Emotional GrowthWe watched the drama Woman a few months ago, my wife and I. My wife admires the main actress, Hikari Mitsushima, and she was eager to share this drama with me as one of her favorites. For those unfamiliar with Japanese dramas, they are typically mini-series of 10 to 12 episodes, broadcast weekly on television.…
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Climbing and Balance in Life: Lessons from Patrick Edlinger
Read more: Climbing and Balance in Life: Lessons from Patrick EdlingerThe end of the year, with Christmas and New Year festivities, often becomes a time of overindulgence in food and drink while neglecting exercise. For many, the cold weather only dampens motivation. However, these are precisely the moments when we should remind ourselves of our daily habits, particularly maintaining fitness. While reflecting on ideas for…
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How Relationships Shape the Brain: Unlocking Emotional Blind Spots
Read more: How Relationships Shape the Brain: Unlocking Emotional Blind SpotsThe impact of relationships on our emotional and cognitive development is profound, as discussed in a fascinating podcast where Andrew Huberman interviewed Dr. Allan Schore. They explored how relationships shape our brain, particularly emphasizing the role of the right brain in housing our unconscious mind, which governs much of our decision-making. What struck me was…