Author Archives: Lynda Philippsen

First Days in Tokyo

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Be Creative. It’s fun.

After he returned from his International Space Station mission, Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield told Zoomer magazine (May 2017), “It’s an intoxicating and completely engrossing environment. It was how I imagined, but better. It was richer, more profound and more stimulating.”

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Nine Steps to Organizing 90 Days in Tokyo

Organizing a 3-month private stay to study Ikebana (flower arranging) in Tokyo is not unlike other major event planning.

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Five Weeks to Lift Off for Tokyo

I shared with a friend that from time to time the idea of going to Tokyo alone for three months was daunting. That said, over the years I’m almost inured to being a jigsaw piece in the wrong box. In … Continue reading

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New Mug Shots

It’s been a year and a bit now of sloughing off the skin of the past and undertaking the new on many fronts. On account of getting new eye glasses, into that mix was an update of my business head … Continue reading

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AdrenaLINE (aka High-speed Forest Bathing)

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Shinrin-yoku (Forest Bathing) in Mt. Douglas Park

In addition to practicing pick-up lines for potential nameless encounters during my next visit to Japan, I have begun a walking regimen. I won’t be able to hop in the car to get where I’m going during my three-month stay. … Continue reading

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Happy Thoughts on Father’s Day

For decades I faithfully created a special and memorable celebration for Father’s Day. Now six years after his death, it’s an empty spot on the calendar—like a tooth you’ve lost. It doesn’t ache as it did in the beginning; still, … Continue reading

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Learning to Speak Japanese: Frustration 101

One of the things we know is that a positive attitude toward a subject we wish to learn contributes greatly to our success in that endeavor. Successful language acquisition depends on two main factors: the motivation of the student and … Continue reading

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PWAC BC Regional Volunteer Award 2016-17

From mid-April last year much of my life revolved around my mother’s hospitalization, death, memorial, selling her condo, settling her estate, selling my home and moving from Abbotsford to Victoria within a period of five months. After that I focused … Continue reading

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