Cool Biz

Having lived in both incredibly dry heat and super wet heat, I can say with certainty that life in these places without air conditioning is quite the challenge. Having a fan makes it manageable, but for how long? In Japan, there is an effort that started back in 2005 in order to help cut energy […]

Finding an Apartment in Japan

First coming to Japan can be incredibly daunting, especially since you may not have any housing when you first arrive. I’ve heard stories of professors coming over and having to settle their housing the first day after arrival! The process can be dizzying and confusing, but hopefully, sharing my experience will help other foreigners out […]

Apartment Life in Winter

While nowhere near as challenging as living in a ger during the most frigid of months, apartment living can be a bit problematic, especially if you’re not in one of the larger cities in Mongolia. Infrastructure problems can be challenging. Let’s see if any of you apartment dwellers out there outside of Mongolia face similar […]

Ger Districts

On the cusp of every large city in Mongolia, you will find a hodgepodge of fences, wooden houses, and gers. Many describe it as a shanty town that expands for miles beyond the city proper, showing no signs of slowing its expansion. City planners were concerned about this ever since the 1960s, according to Owen […]

Power Outage

Swelling with irritation That pains my knuckles And that soft spot Behind the knee, I look at candles burning In the dimming light Of a setting sun Behind rain-spent clouds. Earlier, when the candles Were slightly taller Than they are now, They told me to speak Without knowing What exactly to say. The muted whispers […]