Introducing the people who help produce Mie is Cool!
Claire Usmar – Head Editor, writer/photographer
Claire is an Australian, from Brisbane, who has come to find herself quite at home among the rice fields as opposed to the gum trees (eucalyptus). After graduating with a degree in journalism, she opted to venture to Japan to make her own stories rather than write wistfully about the adventures others were having. Claire’s blog: inakabiking.com
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Vipin Shankar – writer/photographer
Born in India, brought up the ‘Indian way’, fell in love with ‘life at the molecular level’ sometime back in the late 90’s and still living the dream… Love travelling, and going on long drives, and at times writing too.. and like calling myself a ‘student of life & life sciences’. Vipin’s blog: cgvipin.wordpress.com/
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Janelle Weibelzahl – writer/photographer
Janelle lives, sleeps, eats, plays, writes, and teaches English in Yokkaichi, Japan. She originally hails from Vancouver, Canada, where she studied Communications and International Studies, and served as Managing Editor for Mars’ Hill Newspaper. Her raison d’être for being in Japan, as it is for most other things, is ‘adventure.’ Janelle blogs as ‘genkiduck’ at: thejwsdojapan.wordpress.com
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Daniel Nicholls – writer/photographer
I’ve spent most of my life in Melbourne, Australia, and am now heading into my third year in Japan as an ALT in Suzuka. I have a background in science and IT but have previously taught in South Korea where I met my lovely wife (a fellow teacher also from Australia).
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Pilar Gutierrez – writer/photographer
Pilar Gutierrez has lived her life in California from down south of San Diego, to central Los Angeles, and even up north of San Francisco. She has a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in World and Comparative Literature. Her hobbies include reading lots of book, castle hunting, hiking, and traveling. She is currently living in a small community in Taki, Mie, JAPAN.
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James Fichera – writer/photographer
Coming from South Florida, braving the cold winters of Japan has been quite a change. So, why leave the warmth of my hometown to move to Minamiise, Mie in Japan? Because, it’s awesome being here! If you have the time, I am looking forward to sharing my experiences with you here and on my personal blog. Jame’s blog: theforeignelement.wordpress.com
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Gloria Tang – writer/photographer
Gloria grew up and went to art school in Toronto, Canada, from where she graduated with more questions than answers and a year of Intensive Introductory Japanese under her belt. She is completely in love with Kyoto and Singapore, and travels to satisfy her inner history geek whenever she can. Gloria’s blog: http://momijidiary.wordpress.com/
Mie! 