Japan has long been regarded by foreigners as an enigma, a land with a complex web of social expectations and relationships, yet a land of hospitality and a people of unmatched kindness. In this candid book, Anne Crescini explores both well-known and not-so-well-known aspects of Japanese culture through personal experience, both good and bad, gained through spending most of her adult life in the Land of the Rising Sun. Through reading this book, readers will gain insight into this enigmatic country, and hopefully, come to understand how the people and culture have captivated her heart and...

Bathhouses and Bodybags is Anne Crescini's second book about life as a foreigner in the Land of the Rising Sun. This collection of 100 short readings covers both serious topics like gender issues and religion, and more humorous issues like toilets, bread, and the maddening lack of air conditioning and heat. Drawing on more than 13 years of experience living and working among the Japanese people, Anne aims to build on the information and insight from her first book, Driving Me Crazy About It. Whether you are living in Japan, planning on moving here, or just interested in learning the...

We all experience ups and downs in life: times of encouragement and despair, success and failure, strength and weakness. In Weak Sauce, Anne Crescini takes you on her journey with Jesus, giving a candid account of her struggles with food, exercise addiction and chronic illness. Using intensely personal stories, witty anecdotes, and blunt honesty, Anne takes you on her journey to find Jesus' strength in her weakness. This is her testimony, but more than that, it is His--a testimony of God's unending faithfulness and constant care in the midst of the ups and downs of life, and His ability to...

Japan is a Country at a Crossroads. A variety of factors, from globalization to an increase of women in the workforce to a dissatisfied younger generation are contributing to a rapidly changing society. And these changes are bringing with them new social issues that Japan is struggling to deal with as they try to maintain their traditional culture in an increasingly globalized society. In this book, ten undergraduate students enrolled in a Japanese Culture class at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA explore in depth various issues that are shaping modern Japanese society. This compilation...

In Home, Anne takes you on the journey she traveled from the summer of 2013 to the summer of 2015, a two-year period that not only changed how she saw Japan and the United States, but transformed her life and ministry in powerful and unexpected ways. Back in Japan after her year abroad in her home country, Anne finally understands what it means to be home.

In today's increasingly global society, it is more important than ever for university students to engage with those from other countries and cultures. In this intermediate textbook, which is aimed at native Japanese English learners, students will acquire basic skills to talk about themselves and others. They will also learn not only about other cultures, but also how to explain their own culture to others.

In modern Japan, students are interacting with the global community more than ever. Good English communication skills, including the ability to express opinions clearly and succinctly, have never been more important. In addition, many young people have the opportunity to present at international conferences, and many employers are looking for people capable of giving solid presentations in English.

This textbook is designed for native Japanese English learners who desire to improve their ability to present information clearly, communicate their opinions, and construct solid English...

Pain & Parasols is Anne Crescini's second in a series of essays about life in Japan. In it, she explores various aspects of Japanese culture that she both admires and finds perplexing. The theme of many of her writings is continued in this book; namely, how does one respect the culture in which she is guest while remaining true to her own convictions and identity.

Through exploring serious issues such as medical care and education, and much lighter ones like melon-flavored Kit Kats and donut sundaes, Anne provides balanced insights into the worldview of the...

We all experience ups and downs in life: times of encouragement and despair, success and failure, strength and weakness. In Weak Sauce, Anne Crescini takes you on her journey with Jesus, giving a candid account of her struggles with food, exercise addiction and chronic illness. Using intensely personal stories, witty anecdotes, and blunt honesty, Anne takes you on her journey to find Jesus' strength in her weakness. This is her testimony, but more than that, it is His--a testimony of God's unending faithfulness and constant care in the midst of the ups and downs of life, and His ability to...