Articles written by Karyn Campbell

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About me - Karyn Campbell

In June 2007 I returned for a year of living in Japan with my seven-year-old daughter who was adopted from China.

I love travel and learning about cultures around the globe. Trained as a journalist, I have also taught writing for more than 25 years and taught

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Travel > Asia Travel Diaries Cultural experiences in Japan: 3 of 16

Japan is a society of complicated relationships and obligations. I feel really scholarly writing that, but the truth is that even after living here for more than six years, I barely have a clue how it all works. It can drive you crazy, but sometimes you catch a glimpse into the Japanese mindset and if you're lucky, you can e...
Education > Primary School (Other) How to prepare a child for elementary school: 5 of 13

Caitlyn and her mother carried a stack of clothes into the dressing room. The five-year-old was buying a new outfit for her first day of kindergarten. She tried on a pink T-shirt and a pair of pink overalls with her favorite cartoon character embroidered cheerfully on the pockets. Her mother thought they were the cutest thin...
Travel > Asia Travel Diaries Travel experiences: Cherry blossoms in Japan: 1 of 2

Trying to see cherry blossoms in Japan isn't as easy as you might think. The year I lived there with my daughter, I was determined that she would experience an "ohanami" or cherry-blossom-viewing party, but we had to give up our good ole American Easter Sunday to do it. Originally, I wanted to have the party near the end of ...
Society & Lifestyle > Asian Culture Examples of Japanese attitudes toward honesty: 1 of 1

You're leaving the mall after a hard day of shopping, balancing three heavy bags full of the bargains you found, watching for parking lot traffic and warning your 10-year-old to keep up with you when you suddenly realize that you left your wallet on the counter when you paid. Just as you are getting an empty feeling in the p...
Religion & Spirituality > Spiritual Insights Thoughts on thankfulness: 15 of 29

It's Thanksgiving Day and the Lucky family sits down to a five-course meal at the family table. All of the family is present from Great-Aunt Edna, the widow of Mr. Lucky's uncle once removed, to little Davey, the first grandson. Little Davey will be eating with a silver spoon this year quite appropriate for the child who is ...
Society & Lifestyle > Asian Culture China's one child policy: 6 of 10

I sat in my hotel room in Nanning, China, listening to the cry of a baby in the hallway. Unable to remain still, I was propelled through the doorway. To my right another American woman was rolling film of a Chinese toddler walking toward her new daddy. On the left, an infant wailed as she was assaulted by the chilly air of a...
Society & Lifestyle > Social Values & Norms Most popular baby girl names in the US: 22 of 33

Walk into any elementary classroom across the United States this year and chances are you will find a little girl named Emily. Or Emma. For the past four years these two names have been the most popular for baby girls in the U.S., according to the Social Security Administration. Emily has been number one since 1996 and in th...
Food & Drink > Food & Drink (Other) Turkey alternatives for Thanksgiving: 3 of 4

Little known Thanksgiving fact: There probably was no turkey at the first Thanksgiving. What? You mean I've been eating this bland meat smothered in gravy every November since I was old enough to chew for no reason? Yep. According to Anthony Gauquier, a former guide at Plymouth Rock and author of Pilgrim Recipes, much of wha...
Travel > Travel Services & Resources Website reviews: Voluntourism.com: 2 of 2

Voluntours: Exploration with inspiration. If you type "Voluntourism.com" into your browser, it will take you a while to find any information on "voluntours". Instead, you will be taken to a site that screams out in garish red and yellow, "Travel Around the World! Thailand Travel! San Diego Hotel & Conventions!" Adding to the...