Today 1 year ago! Congratulations to all the ETPers

Hello everyone,

I have realized that I have not written for 1 month. Many things have happened, good things (of course!). Well, there is one that is not so good, one day, after coming back from Omotesando I switched on the computer and denied to work. I did everything I knew but ended up phoning my brother in Spain for help. We did not managed and I preferred to wait for Christmas and take the laptop home than going to a shop and explaining my case in Japanese :o
Sorry for having you there. I have made nice pictures the last days but I cannot upload them to show them to you. Hopefully by the end of the year.

Let's continue. End of November... we finished the language component!!
Now we are ready to work and communicate in Japanese and in a working place! :-) A few days off at the end of November and I went to Korea (Seoul) and besides shopping and having my tailor made suit done for my first working day, I met the ETP Participants that are spending the year ni Korea.

Then, first day of work. Really good, speech in Japanese in front of 50 people and "welcome party" in the afternoon. Everyday a couple of three of the department colleagues came to pick me up and take me for lunch. I have met so many people in such short period of time that I can recognize the faces but don't remember the names and that's quite embarrasing!
Everybody is super nice to me and I think that they can say the same :-) Although sometimes we have difficulties with the language, or some people are very shy, we always managed to understand each other or overcome all kind of barriers.

During the last 3 weeks, I have been going out everyday, eating fantastic food and discovering new restaurants around work (located in an area surrounded of offices and Embassies and I pass everyday in front of the house of Prime Minister, Mr Hatoyama-san). Now I commute like millions of Japanese everyday from Shinjuku station (one of the most crowded places in the world, around 3.000.000 people pass every day). I go through the "experience" of getting on packed trains at peak time and arrive tired and sweaty to work. This week I took the courage to go to work by bike (only 35 min) but looking for shorcuts the only thing that I do is getting lost and the way is quite dangerous.

Last weekend I was invited to a Japanese house. It was sort of "Christmas party" and everyone had to cook. So in the morning on Saturday I spent some time in the Kitchen, then I met Taira-san (my private Japanese teacher -sensei-) and then passed by home to pick up the food and move 45 min by train for the party. It was very interesting to see a Japanese family in their context!

This week we had our "end of the year party". Nice hotel, buffet dinner, Karaoke -of course- and bingo. We had lots of fun and I joined the "second party" -continued partying with 7 more colleagues- until it was time for the last train (one of them unfortunately missed it!).

Next year I start a Shiatsu course in the evenings. I already visited the school some weeks ago and managed to understand the information that I was given. I will follow this training in Japanese! (I cannot believe that I can communicate in such a short time! It is a great achievement!).

The weather in Japan is still ok. Today is the only night that my hands were really feeling that temperatures are going down but we are always in positive temperatures (considering the low temperatures in Europe and the snow, this is fantastic!).

Time to go, I have to finish the suitcase. I will not take many things because I need to bring winter clothes (thanks to the few things that I kept from my sister, I have been able to pass through the autumn). Although I am happy to be back to Europe and see many of you, I will be happy to come back and continue this exciting moment of my life. Today, is exactly 1 year ago that I learnt that I was accepted to come to Japan. I was so happy... do you remember, Robbie, that we had lunch, we were so nervous because we did not know anything yet... do you remember, Patrick, when I phoned you inmediately? All the work from 2008 preparing for it had been worth... and although sometimes not really easy, one year later, in this side of the world... I am living one big dream... and keep dreaming! ;-)

To all of you, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!! O yasumi nasai!!

Final week in Waseda... and holiday next week

(Note: I wrote this post 4 days ago but kept in in "draft" -never published-. I still have lots of things to say, therefore, I warn that in the next couple of days I am posting everyday. Now is Saturday and I am getting ready for a international dinner and party organized by a fellow colleague to celebrate our final "language module". Mata ashita! Tot morgen! Hasta mañana! À demain! See you tomorrow!

As the title says, this is the final week in Waseda. Actually tomorrow we have an oral presentation in Japanese and on Friday written language exam. This week is also full of deadlines and quite busy but the reward is around the corner because we are off most of next week. On Monday is National Holiday (this time "Labour thanksgiving day") and I will go to Korea (among others, I will check if Koreans are really the "latins" of Asia! ;-))



Last week I had to go to Kyoto for work. I met colleagues from my office in Europe and spent some time with my colleagues-to-be (starting to work in Tokyo on Monday, November 30th!). It was a pleasant time in Kyoto (worth to visit city -for those who want to visit it-). During the weekend I stayed in the area and went also to Osaka. I had a curious experience with a couple of Japanese men that, at different times on Saturday afternoon, approached me (but I will tell you the rest of the story in private since there are kids reading this blog!! ;-))

Yesterday we visited the factory of Nissan in Yokohama. I particulary enjoyed a lot. I love visiting factories that have lots of automotion and complicated machines! I came back home with a replica of a beautiful sports-car :-)

Yokohama is the second largest city in Japan. It is located so close to Tokyo that it seems it is a "neighbourhood" of the capital. Yokohama has a harbour and was there were 150 years ago Japan decided to "open their frontier to the rest of the world". It is a very recent historical moment and in Yokohama many events are being organized this year. I remember Yokohama because there there is a big Chinese community but above all because last month there was a huge "Oktoberfest"!!



It was also surprising to see in Osaka, next to the impressive "Umeda Sky Building" http://www.kuchu-teien.com/english/index.html that some people were working on setting a typical German Christmas market.



Speaking about events and important dates, I would like to mention that this year also it is celebrated the 400th anniversary of the Japan-Dutch relations. I knew about this commemoration before I came to Japan but unfortunately I haven´t been able to visit any of the exhibitions or participate in the events neither in The Netherlands nor in Japan . For more info http://www.400jaarhandel.nl/

Around three one month ago the Dutch Prime Minister visited Japan but it was a "express" visit.



Ah! Japan is "the place to be". Besides Zidane and before him Scarlett Johansson, later on it was Brad Pitt´s turn. We had chances to see him because we had an "exclusive" event in Ginza that weekend, actually on the Bulgari building. And last weekend, the turn for Barack Obama!

A few pictures of the last days

Chewing gum with "rose" flavour. Original but not my taste!













Traditional restaurant in Kyoto













Bullet train













With sis












Halloween night in Tokyo.... with somebody that I admire :-)

Ready for Halloween

Hello everyone.
As mentioned earlier in some post, time goes fast. A few days ago we "passed the Equator" ;-) of my official stay in the country of the rising sun(Spanish expression to say that half of the time has been already spent).

Everyday enjoying more and more. Language skills are improving rapidly at this stage. Vocabulary is growing and I feel I have lots of resources to communicate or to try to say what I want to say.

Currently, the distance with Europe is bigger than before. Last weekend in Europe the change to the "winter time" took place but in Asia we don´t have such a event. Now, 8 hours difference (we are ahead, now beginning Friday).

Regarding the weather, mild temperatures. Last Monday it rained like hell (and, I don´t know why, I decided that I would be brave and went to Waseda by bike!). I learnt during the day that it was a "typhoon" but only lasted the day. Next day, back to "springlike" weather. Gorgeous. Days and nights are still fine. When I check temperatures in The Hague or back in my hometown in Spain, the best ones are here in Tokyo :-)

The last weeks have been very intense. Besides the visit to Kansai area (with typhoon included) that was super interesting, my sister Yvette arrived to Japan. We did have a great time and she took splendid pictures that I will borrow to post here very soon.

Now my friend Raul is around (we met in a very "funny" situation, as a few months ago after flight was cancelled and we had to queue for several hours until the airline company fixed our next flight). He is at the moment visiting some places outside Tokyo but is coming tonight and I have quite some plans for the weekend.

Life in Tokyo is very interesting. You can do so many things!! (of course it takes time to know what´s happening and where). I cannot complain. I am not bad at finding sources of information. I feel active and have a fulfilling life here :-)

This weekend is Halloween. For more than a month many shops (as "Don Quijote" -interesting place to visit when in Japan!) have been promoting the event and have been selling plenty of stuff regarding this celebration. Tomorrow, together with some colleagues from "work" we are going to a huge party in Roppongi. On Sunday we will go to a Baseball match (Baseball is the most popular sport in Japan although all young male people that I have met told me that they love "soccer").

I have to go to class. I apologize for being so short. I wanted to let you know that I don´t forget you and that I appreciate how much you care for me. I promise to bring more stories and thoughts this weekend (with pictures, now I am having some problems with uploading them!)

Knowing a little bit more of Japan

Hello everyone.
It´s autumn in Japan. The last two days have been a very bit rainy and I have had to leave my bike at home and look for warmer clothes (remember that I came in June and only brought summer clothes!). Oh, shopping in Japan, terrible, I don´t like it at all. Lots of offer, yes, lots of nice things, yes but also lots of people, quite expensive most of the things and sizes too small (they told me that I had "men" shoe size!. Definetly, not my passtime.
I have to say that I enjoy going to the "100 Yen" shop :-) Some many useful (and not so much as well) and cheap things! :-)

When the weather allows, it is great to cycle around and discover the city from a different perspective and I love it, specially the weekends, when there are hardly "salary men and women" or school boys-girls and everybody is more relaxed and wears casual clothes.

It seems that back in Europe, most people are back to work as well.
Thanks to all of you who have written during the last weeks asking how was I doing :-)

On the other hand, my sister is coming this Friday and another friend in two weeks. It is exciting and looking forward to sharing with them so many things. A couple of weeks ago I also met some colleagues from work in Europe. It was so nice to see them and taking them to some of my favourite places as well. I am expecting more in the near futures.

During the last weeks, not only the government has changed, we also had "the silver week" (surprinsingly so many things closed in the city!). One note about this holidays, one of them is devoted to the "elderly people", never heard of such a day before.
This time I stayed in Tokyo, I followed what was happening back in Europe through the net (Film Festival in San Sebastian -where my family always spends the last weeks of the summer-, the Eurobasket championship -where Spain, although a disastrous beginning ended up champion on Europe-, or the last days before the final election of the site for the Olympic games in 2016 -Tokyo was candidate city as well as Madrid, I had divided my heart! ;-)) but finally Rio won and I have to say that I am very happy as well-.

Also a few days ago the bit "Games Show" exhibition was held. Lots of people over(lovers of videogames) from around the world.

Two weeks ago I had a wedding in Spain. Unfortunately I could not go but already got all the report. Congratulations M & O!

On the "professional side", I also visited and met some people at the Japan Patent Office, went to JETRO last week or yesterday went to the most important advertising agency in Japan and one of the best in the world.

Today I go with all the classmates to the Kansai area (Kobe and Tokyo) to visit companies and from there, together with my sister Ivette, will do some tourism (next Monday -national holiday in Spain- is also national holiday in Japan!).

Time goes fast, we ended up last week the "second term" and we only have less than 6 more weeks before all the group splits to start working in different places in the country. I am going to miss them :-(

Finally I have bought a telephone in Japan! It is incredible but so far I have lived with a borrowed telephone and with no GPS (this is the most incredible, I have developed such a sense of intuition and orientation that I am even surprised of -taking the circumstances of how difficult is to find addresses in Japan!-
If you want to reach me, take note: + 81 80 4187 7744 (if phoning from outside Japan), 080 4187 7744 if in Japan.

Summarizing, busy life and "enjoying the moment" :-))

Since I will be away for almost one week and then I have people over, it will be quite difficult for me to update this blog or write e-mails. It does not mean that I don´t think about you! Take care for now!

Beautiful day, 09-09-2009

Big hello, everyone!

Today is a special day! :-) At least it "looks" like it when writing it. This brings me the idea of the difference between Japan and other countries when writing the dates. Actually here is a bit like in the United States (first the month and then the day). I keep making mistakes but today it does not matter! ;-)

I am excited, the first visits are about to arrive. Well, actually there are not really "visits" but colleagues from work that are coming. I look forward to seeing them and enjoy the time here.

The weather is beautiful today. I have to say that since the beginning of September, the temperatures have dropped a lot. Now I don´t have the feeling of sweating all the time and even yesterday night had the need to use a sweater. I have not used sweter, jacket or closed shoes for 3 months. Yes, almost 3 months already here and I can say that I feel settled now.

Thanks God my computer problem (Internet) is fixed and I will try to come by more often.
It seems as everybody "is back to work". Back in Europe I received more messages, here the streets are crowdier than in August (specially the first half you could notice everywhere a lot that people were on annual leave).
I see back the school girls and boys in their uniforms (the girls with their traditional skirt over the knee, socks under the kneww, sweater and necktie or bow tie). It had been a while I did not see ladies (normally "salary women" wearing black tights under the knee (I don´t like the way it looks!). I have noticed as well that there are less and less people wearing masks (I don´t wonder, I guess that during summer the use of it drops naturally because it must make you sweat even more!).

I have to thank Tsubayama-san and the TA for their kind help to solve for the problems on the phone. I feel so powerless to make myself understood when I cannot see the people! :-( Without them it would have been impossible. Yesterday I also asked a lady in the supermarket what was the product that was announced on a label with a price because I could not see the difference between to tags. She was very kind.

I am watching the news. I feel that I am in a "historical moment". After the elections a couple of weeks ago and after 50 years of the same government, Japanese people have decided to "change" the party that rules the country!!! :-)) I think this is a good sign (although I did not see the people too enthusiastic about it before or after the poll) and let´s see what it brings.

Before going and joining some pictures, I want to congratulate V & K for their baby!

I´ll come back soon. Be good!

Back to Tokyo, full week of work and assignments

How is everyone? I am here again! I feel a bit "disconnected". Internet connection at home is not working yet (already mad about it I have checked and I have been told that I had been phoned while I was in Taiwan but my Japanese phone did not work there and therefore not trace of missed calls.. :-(
The reason for phoning me? Checking my long name! I am sick about it, yes, my last names are complicated and before I came to this country I just simplified them to my first name and first last name but it has even given me more problems!

I have been told that Monday 24th everything will be fixed... and I pray and cross fingers for it to happen, finally!

Enfin!
This week, back from Taiwan, where I had a great time and met lots of young, enthusiastic and interesting people from the Asia-Pacific region. I was gladly surprised by the quality of the events and fellows as well as the country. Taiwan is an amazing country and the people really were very kind. I felt more comfortable there with my poor Chinese but communicating in English was much better there than it is in Tokyo!

As you can see above, I have posted one picture. It is about the class I took before the vacacion "Global Business Leaders". Nice memories!!
By the way.... little quiz... who are the only 3 Japanese people in the class? ;-)

After this week full of exams and assignments of all kinds I am taking the time to discover my new neighborhood. I have done a "little plan" (things to do and places to visit) that will most probably be useless because I will improvise along the day.
I wish you a fantastic weekend!

Where is the people?

Konnichiwa!　こんいちは！　

I am writing to you from the Uni. Although I moved last Saturday, the Internet connection is not yet available.
I love my new apartment. I have a kitchen, lovely bathroom full of buttons that I still have to understand, huge bed and giant TV screen. The view to the Tokyo skyline is impressive.
Since I moved I sleep like a baby (before I did not have problems but now... I sleep like a bear! ;-)
I have to say that I miss the hostel (and specially their staff) where I spent more than 6 weeks! (they were about to make a "farewell" party just for me! :-)

In Tokyo, still warm. The first night in my new "a-pa-to" I woke up sweating like a chicken. In the middle of the night I had to go and check which one of the remote controls belong to the air-conditioned. Every night I have more or less the same problem (I dont dare -yet- to leave the machine working while I am sleeping).

Speaking of machines... this morning I have had a big problem with the waschine machine. I could not make it work further than the 1st stage and I dont have instructions in English :-/
Since one of the good things of Tokyo is that many shops dont close or close late at night, I thing that I will go to a "laundry with coins" if I want to have washed and dried my clothes for my trip tomorrow.

Ah, speaking of my apartment... is very special. I am living on the 14th floor of a 32floor building. We have a reception as if it was a hotel and a wonderful hall and reading room on the ground floor. On the basement a gym and a "onzen" (温泉 －or japanese style bath-). To my surprise, on the first floor next door, a golf-club. Yes, you understood well, a place where I can practise my golf skills... any time because it is open 24 hours!

By the way, I have not forgotten that my city: Vitoria-Gasteiz (for those that did not know it) is celebrating the festivities!! :-)
In Tokyo, plenty of "matsuries" as well and of course a matsuri (祭)is nothing without fireworks (I remember when I was a kid that in all the festivities in Spain that I went to I expected the night where the turn was to the famous Japanese fireworks!).
To the fireworks is quite usual to see the ladies dressed in Yukata （浴衣　－casual summer kimono made of cotton－). Girls look incredibly beautiful when dressed with Yukata but I dont find it comfortable for myself and one I used it I did not stop sweating...

Last Sunday I had the chance to see some of them. It was an amazing scene but not the fireworks but us. We gathered in Biergarden, yes, we are in Japan! We had a BBQ outdoors... and it started raining! but.. nothing happens! we got umbrellas, transparent raincoats and continued cooking and eating. As you can imagine... we went back home wet, very wet!

This week, my first day from my new apartment to Waseda. The first thing I notice... where is the people? Everything was quite calm. The trains were packed but not "over-packed" as usual. On the streets I did not have to step on others peoples feet to go my direction... the answer? Holiday time!!! Yes, many companies are on holiday period and many "salary men" as well (not to mention universities, that will enjoy almost 2 months of free time! -not our case-).

This week I have attended a special course from the Waseda Business School. It was about developing Global Business Leaders and some of the ETP Students have joined the rich group of students coming from China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Mongolia, Japan and some names of countries that was only the second time that I heard (ex-Soviet Union ones). My first impression... this boys and girls looke so young.... my surprise... most had around 30 years old and some of them had even family and kids! We have had the chance to work together with them preparing a presentation for today which means that we have spent time exchanging views and ideas. The opportunity has been very positive.
From today... one week holiday!

Yes, but my holiday are almost always a bit "special";-)

I applied for an Asia-Pacific Seminar being held in Taipei (Taiwan) and I got a place. Since one of my ambitions since long has been to get to know better what is going on in the Asia-Pacific area mainly because as it is so far from Europe we dont really pay attention, this time I will have a real insight from the other participants with whom I will live for more than a week.

When I come back from Taiwan we resume the classes and lots of assignments are due in that week.
Now that I am settled in my new place and neighborhood I need to start doing sports (nothing done for almost 2 months!!! shame on me!) Yes, its true. However, it does not mean that I dont do exercise everyday (I promise that going to the train station with 30 degrees at 8:30a.m., travelling in a packed wagon almost smashed against the other travellers and going up and down the stairs for the right platform is quite exhausting!).

I go now. Following my motto "do a new thing everyday" I will go home through a different path, I will buy some food that I have never tasted before and I will try to make visual contact with the people (very hard thing to do in this country... but it has worked very well the last days! :-))

Take care and have a great weekend!

End of July... already!

and suffering from the temperatures going up! ;-)

I will be short today. Days are hectic here and everything goes so fast (interesting thought! :-))

I am finally moving to my new apartment on Saturday, I cannot wait! From there I will feel more settled (I have had to check out and in from the hostel several times during the last weeks and I have reached the moment that my things are on the suitcase all the time, wrinkled and some of them cannot find them anymore). Books and notes are also piling up and I have had to buy another suitcase only for them!

There are things and pictures I want to share with you but about my homestay in Hitachi with a Japanese family two weekends ago, my experience wearing a Japanese "Yukata", how I won a dance festival, the trip to Shanghai where I met friends and colleagues from work in The Netherlands, the daily experience of riding on the tube in Tokyo... etc... everyday I am more and more amazed of how I can understand the mindset of Japanese people, they are not so different!!
Yesterday, in a lecture on "Japanese Organization and Business Culture" I also realized how Japanese is the EPO! (and I am serious about it:-))

Today... although I know they cannot read it.... mum and dad´s wedding anniversary, Congratulations!!! おめでとう:-)

Some people have told me that they cannot post comments on this blog. I apologize. I have done nothing. Don´t know what can be the problem but will investigate.

Have a good day everyone and for those that start holiday soon.... make the most of your time and enjoy!!

My first month in Japan... today!! (Summary of my stay so far)

I do this post commemorating my first month in Japan. Yes, already 30 days and "lovin'it" :-)
I would like to make a special mention to my mum, that early every morning checks if there´s something new added.

I am trying to make an easy-to-read blog so that everyone that wishes it can follow me. Mum has been studying English for years and this is an opportunity for her to practise as well ;-)

Furthermore, I apologize for taking so long but there are so many things to be done and so little time free left...

Thanks to all of you who have been writing to me with interest asking how it everything going. I will go one by one but patience, I have a huge list to answr

In short, I will summarize my last 30 days

- Amazing. Best thing I could have ever done. I feel like "fish in water” ;-)
- Although not found an apartment, I am not worried(but today I found a great one that is beautiful, well located and easy to reach for Uni and for work.! ;-)
- Also incredible interaction with Japanese people. At the beginning, the language barrier and the help of my more advance colleagues. Now, after getting "alone with the danger" I manage better and better. Japanese are in general shy and avoid eye contact but I have managed to understand them somehow and our "interaction" is improving everyday...
- As I am learning about their mindset and behaviours I understand them quite well. I think we have lots of things in common.
- Right after arriving, we celebrated our "graduation ceremony". Beautiful location and greatly organized (picture leading this post).
- Visited the EU-Office of the Commission in Japan.
- Several opportunities to interact with Japanese professionals.
- Super professional and well organized programme (the language as well as the business component), purely spoilt! ;-)
- The last days, incredible opportunities and "connection" with Japanese (yes, mainly male!) like Tomy, Shinichi, Hiro, Nichi...
- Surprising that I keep have magnet to football-related people (soccer - in Japanese sounds "So-Ka").
- Improving my evolution on my future working experience.
- The people from the hostel, super! I am meeting plenty of people also among the guests, practising all kind of languages and experiences, learning a lot with all them. Almost feel like Public relations!
- Celebrated "Tabanata" festival.
- I want to buy a Yukata (traditional summer dress -for girls-)
- The experience with the food: great!.
- No shopping paradies. Yes, sales going on but I am very crafty. "100 Yen shop" found thought and getting fantastic deals!
- Japanese language, long way to improve (I speak now better Dutch than ever because all the words that I don´t know in Japanese I know them in Dutch!!)
- Warm temperatues.
- Crossing with thousands of people every minute!
- Super happy, fresh and in good mood in the mornings but after goint to the train, pure Sauna!! (I understand now why they are so thin!!)
- Lately I am doing a research on the hands of Japanese men, I find them beautiful!!
- Visited the new and nice area of Odaiba, the beach of Tokyo, yes! (Statue of Liberty included!)
- The “technological” toilets... deserve another chapter.
- The university, one of the most famous and best private Universities in Japan has a huge campus and the organization is very good.
- Found several exchange partners (Japanese-English, Spanish-Japanese) meeting new people and with whom I share conversations.
- Good contact in the Pilates world and building already an "empire".
- I still don´t have the routine of the daily exercises but will very soon buy a bike to move around.
- Met some Dutch students from Delft at hotel. They come back this Friday and will go out with them.
- Met some people from my hometown that are with their families here living and working.
- I feel privileged by Mr Watanabe, a Japanese man that every morning comes to the terrace of the hostel where I have breakfast. He takes care of me, teaches me a lot and we have nice talks.
- I will go this weekend on a home-stay (3 days with a Japanese family).
- Various networking events held. Met nice and interesting people.
- Got acquainted with computers in Japanese and writing rapports in that language (lots of patience needed!
- Dinner on 52th floor (higher than my farewell party! ;-)
- Recently selected to go to Taiwan to participate in the Asia-Pacific seminar 2009 and supper happy for it.
... and some more..
As I have mentioned, lots of things, great people and hot... very hot! :-)

More thoughts and experiences soon!
Hugs and kisses,
M.

Alive, coming back soon with a lot of stories!!!

Hello everyone!!
I have not forgotten you!
Yesterday we turned 2 weeks here, in Tokyo. Only two weeks and it seems longer. We have done lots of things and these days have been intense and full of very nice moments. I will come back to you soon with many stories and information.
I am still looking for an apartment but comfortable in the hostel because they treat me well (may be my subconscious doesn´t want to move??).
Some days it pours rain and others super warm and sticky (so rainy yesterday that I finally did not go to the famous match between the two better private Universities in Japan Waseda (where I study) and Keio.

Last Friday, birthday party celebration from our colleague and friend Stephen (26 people going out!). Dinner at Italian restaurante, Karaoke night (what a experience!) and clubbing to the Japanese style. Really good time.
The rest of the weekend, relaxing and spending some time with Silviya and Regina.

Good bye Europe... hello Japan!

Tokyo. Day 1.
I will be short and summarize the last hours in order to update you.

Saturday: 13th June

- I went to bed very late. An "accident" with the computer and had to restore everything. It was 4:00 a.m.... does not matter, I will catch up on the planes!
Up at 6:00. Last things to double check and organize. At 9:00 to the airport. Warm day again in Vitoria.
- Vitoria - Bilbao. Mum, dad and sister with me to the airport. I am getting very nervous. Special moment. Very emotional. I won´t see them until Christmas!
- Check in: Hard moment, life in 20 Kg. I only take the necessary and still had to get rid of a few kilos! No compassion. I had to leave some of my most precious things. This is unfair, the same luggage for a trip when you go for a weekend 1000 Km away or for a removal 10000 :-(
- One police woman at the security check in the airport thought that it was my first time flying ;-)... and I used it in my advantage... but almost lost the flight because of the long goodbye!
- Bilbao - Munich in a couple of hours. By coincidence my neighbour on the plane is an elegant Japanese lady that lives in Santander. I put into practice a bit of Japanese
- In Munich, phoned home announcing that I am ok. Bad news, a good friend of the family (and somebody I adored) that became sick could not overcome the intensive care and died. I am shocked and sad. I remembered again the hard moments 5 years ago... with my own family... the moment that I realized how important is health. The breakthrough moment in which I told myself that while health is there you should enjoy life, your moment and fight for your dreams. Happiness is not everywhere at the same time...
-While on my way to the terminal where the flight to Tokyo is departing, I met Silvia, she has just arrived from Sofia. From now we will spend a few days together until we get installed in Tokyo.
Not possible to fly together but both so tired that slept the whole way only up for food and a bit of the movies.
The plane was full of Japanese people. I recognized some faces in the sense that they reminded me to actors or singers that I know but with the "Japanese eyes" ;-)
I ask my neighbour the proper way to eat what we were served for dinner
- Landed in Tokyo after almost 12 hours of flight. The immigration procedure and everything, very fast. I got and SMS from Robbie while he was in Europe. His flight delayed and we waited for him 1 hour. The perfect time to check the airport, buy and is delayed. He was the one that was supposed to arrived early and wait for us but this time is the other way around. We check with the officers, around 1 hour waiting. It is not too long and worth to enjoy this amazing experience with somebody I have been sharing this dream for long. In the meanwhile, we organize the luggage, get acquainted with the aiport, use and get surprised by some of the vendor machines, eat something, get excited about the whole situation that we have longed and worked hard the last months and... Robbie est là :-)!!
- Fantastic to be in a group of 3. We bought the discounted ticket to to Tokyo and had to wait for our train a bit while drinking something and chatting.
- About 1 hour long train ride to Ikebukuro, where our hotel is located. Then a bit of confusion due to the huge size of the station and the exit we had to take (remember that we are packed with heavy luggage among the Tokyo crowd).
- Arrived to hostel. Straightforward check in. Installation in the room (great, Internet connection, television, private bathroom... and very economical).
- Tour around the hotel and "immersion" in their culture. Let´s go to eat to the Japanese style! Cheap, very cheap :-)
- More walking around and started raining. Back to hotel for a drink before going early to bed (it was 20:30 in Tokyo)
====
Good morning!!!
- I had a nice sleep. I got up at 5 in the morning. Completely daylight but greyish sky.
We are meeting for breakfast at 8:00. I take the time and patience to check Internet, to update the blog and to download some of the computer programmes lost with the last minute "formatting" back at home.
- The plan for today: Main purpose, get registered in the city (that will give us the right permit to live here) and buying a cell phone. In the afternoon, meeting the other colleagues and discover with them more of this amazing city.
Have a good day yourselves!

Steady, ready... go!!

Dear all,

if you wonder where am I and what I am doing.... I came "finally"! to Spain. I delayed the whole thing. Hectic since last Tuesday at home.
It was difficult to come with so little stuff. In Tokyo definetly I will have to shop.... until I drop?? ;-) Time for reinvention! :-)
Most of my fellow-colleagues are already there, enjoying a lot. Tomorrow, outing that Silvia, Robbie and myself will miss because we are flying.
On Monday, another outing... my agenda starts getting fuller and fuller again

In Vitoria, 29ºC. I have seen some friends and some family. One of the good things about this city is that you are very likely to bump into somebody you know (neighbour, school mate, University mate, old relative... without making any appointment!). I like and enjoy this spontaneity!

Unfortunately, hardly seen my family (brother and sister working and mom and dad with their chores). I've spent my time dealing with businesses, banks, health checks, insurances, preparing life for Tokyo's first days, repairing the computer, other last minute problems, things still from The Netherlands, some social life.... Tonight... all for the closest :-)!!
... I feel like a dynamo, the more I do, the more energy I get... until I sit tomorrow on the plane... Silvia, wake me up only for lunch and dinner!! ;-)

That´s all for now. Many more thoughts (positive this time!;-)) in the last days but I have to go. I wish you a nice weekend and please, allow me some time to settle in Japan. I will most probably be "missing" for about a week before I can share with you the first impressions...
Take care,
M.

Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. ' ~ Schweitzer

Customer Service in The Netherlands: Long way to improve

I am mad, angry and frustrated.
I am leaving this country and in the last 5 days I have had the worse experiences ever regarding customer service.
Under normal circumstances I am positive, I can understand things but I also require service. I don't think I am asking too much, service is service... and the definition of this word is far too different to the definition I have.

What I have realized is that nobody gets committed to selling. People BUY but the shops don't sell, in the sense that workers do not try to help and support the sale. I am mainly talking about shops.

Everyday I had to contact a different company to arrange paperworks, to book things or to order. Results, failed, failed, failed. Always a excuse or impossible to reach them.

- Either the phone number they had on the website was not working (and when I tell them they don't care!!)

- I order personally something making sure that they get committed (face to face is much better)or that they contact me if cannot make it. Say yes and yesterday they say it was not possible (not even warning me to go to plan B)... but they don't care and admit it with a happy face!!

- I try to contact via website to other places and no way to contact them by e-mail, only by phone (costly, difficult to reach and, ladies and gentlemen, I will be sleeping when you have your "office hours", Monday to Friday... but about the support online for the rest of the time??

8 years ago I was surprised and disappointed about customer service... and I gave it a chance... (may be the language barrier, the way of communicating...I thought).
I have had some good experiences though but again, 8 years later... I can only say that it is still very, very bad and if there is something out of million things I have experienced, lived and extracted from living in NL, the failure in this aspect is the more relevant thing I can take with me. I am really sorry about that. I hope next time I come to visit I can say something different.
Perhaps I have a high benchmark, which I don't think so, perhaps here the benchmark is not existing.... please, have a look at your neighbouring countries, even to southern countries work better in this aspect!!

If anybody wants or needs more example or suggestions, I can do it in a private way. For now, that's it. I will tell you how it works in Japan.
Now, less than 24 hours to leave... with a bitter feeling to be honest (thanks God that there are people that are pampering and taking care of me all the time until the last second!! ;-))I feel honoured and appreciated. I have the same feeling towards them. After all, the best thing. Don't forget, treat well the people that treat you well, it's precious!
For the rest, looking forward to Tokyo. Some of my colleagues have already arrived and semi-installed. We (the ones still in Europe) are receiving updated information on how things are going there, plenty of tips, support and suggestions to make our arrival friendlier. Looking forward to it. All this fits very much into my personality. I am excited (not nervous), overwhelmingly happy about it.
Bye for now, take care!
M.

Tribute to my adventure companions

And we will take care and learn from each other!! My new family now and very happy with it! :-)

Manchester-Barcelona

I deserve a break tonight. Why not?? I am sure the atmosphere will be great. If I don't do it I will regret it and I have a philosophy... "never regret of the things that you have done but the ones you didn't".
Thus, I am joining some of my fellow-adventurers for some drinks and enjoyment of football in downtown London in a couple of hours (it's true, as we are 1 hour behing for me seemed too early!. I have already seen numerous Barca t-shirts around... I* wonder why... it's gonna be fun... and we will behave however the result :-)!!!

I will tell you how it went!
Ganbatte! :-)

I love London

Hello everyone,
I hope that those who had a long weekend could enjoy it a lot.

I missed this year the "Inter Office" event in Dresden.. :-(

However, although in London the holiday is moved to Monday (bank holiday) -therefore, yesterday-, we DID have class as usual.
Our speed is fast (the shinkansen is slow compared to us ;-( and now that I am getting back into the rythm (after not a very fruitful last week)... is almost time to go! :-(
Yes, in 72 hours we will have our final exam!!

For the rest, life in London, great. Not much time for experiencing or behaving as a tourist but great. The cosmopolitan atmosphere attracts me a lot (not to speak of the ambiance at the school -SOAS really packed of interesting, intellectual and diverse people from quite remote places all around the world).
Balls, parties and other celebrations are being held everywhere as the students are taking these days their final exams.

Among all the busy schedule and despite the lesson on Saturday... yes, we had time to go out. My call to the rest of the fellow-colleagues to do something together was very successful but as happens in big groups, it was very complicated to adapt to all tastes. In the end, each person went in small groups for dinner and meeting at 21:30 at Picadilly Square for drinks (irrealistic to my experience.... and I proved it right!!). Only 5 of us were at that time at the given place... the rest... finishing dinner or still getting ready. We went to a huge and nice pub that Gus knew (I liked the music there!:-)) and then we spent quite some time gathering the people that were approaching to the center. What happened? that by the time we moved the Pubs were closing. We were then around 15 people and thanks to Steve we could find a place were we could sit for some drinks... (quiet at that moment) and then go down to the club to dance... until I decided to retire and went home very well accompanied by two of my favourite ETP-Japan males! :-))

Sunday, quiet, Oxford street, walking around, relaxing, no plan, letting myself go, treating me and enjoying the beautiful day that London offered.
After all, I love London... and I think London loves me! ;-)

As for the International Hall where I live, also cool place to meet lots of people that stay for one reason or the other in London for a while(all ages!!)

The weather has been sunny and warm the last days but yesterday night there was a muggy weather... result?? heavy and long rain during the night and today morning (at least it makes the air fresher!

Well, I think I have made a fair summary of the last days!! Best wishes... and keep smiling!!!

London, day 4

Yesterday I had a really bad day in terms of concentration for the language. However, it's not my style to give up. I have the right to have weak days. Today I feel better :-) No holiday or bank holiday for us. Not even to the British way (on Monday).

I attach a beautiful statement that I totally share. It's another of my mottos. Have a good day!

Japanese learning in London

Back to London. 2 more weeks. Intense, intense, intense. Full concentration is needed. Lots of hours in class and at the library. I need full concentration and after the hectic last weeks I am kcackered. The programme is quite tough. Still waiting for confirmation on the apartment in Tokio. London keeps being one of my favourite cities in thye world. I feel very comfortable here. Tomorrow, again kanji exam, I have to practice, practice, practice if I want to follow the rythm. I encourage myself.... Gambatte! :-) Cheers,

Thanks!

Hello again. Today, 16th May (Sunday)
I want to thank to everyone that came on Friday. It was a very pleasant evening full of great people, people that I care for. I would like to apologize because I could not spend all the time that I would have liked with you. I forgot as well many things that I had prepared. Among one of them, the cake. The cake that I wanted to share with you and that you can see above this text. Here you have a picture. I have placed it on the fridge at work, in case you want to visit (S02G06)-but do it soon!-. I've left the cake and everything you need to enjoy it. I say "I've left" because unfortunately I won't be there to join you.

From tomorrow I will be in London following an intensive Japanese language training at SOAS, getting more acquainted with the language this time and improving communications skills in Japanese :-) I was at SOAS already 4 weeks ago and it was really an intense fortnight. The education is excellent, the Japanese teachers professional and motivating and I feel more confident now once I will be landing in Tokyo (in one month!) and will have to get hold of what I have learnt in the last months to survive!
The language programme so far is quite though. The whole day following lessons, from Monday to Saturday (and I promise that you have to have all the senses focused and concentrated -the Pilates principles help! ;-)). After the lessons, a little break with the colleagues and back to doing homework, revise the lessons and getting ready for the next day, new lesson and exam.

I am looking forward to meeting again my "adventure mates". In my class we are 8 people (from Hungary, Greece, Italy, France, Bulgaria and Spain). My colleagues come from different backgrounds and type of companies. The same for the rest. We are in total 36 people getting ready to become "Business Samurais". In total 5 groups of different levels. Amazing to see how many of them are so fluent and know so much about the complexities of the language, people and country. It is very enriching :-)I hope that this week we will finally find and have the approval on the apartment in Tokyo for the first weeks (meaning that I will have a postal address!).

That's all for now. You will here from me soon. Regards, M.

Welcome/ Bienvenido/ Irasshaimase/ Welkom

Hello everyone/Konnichiwa minna-san !

Welcome to my blog. If you came to this point is because you must know that I am moving to Japan very soon.
I have to say that I couldn-t be more happy and excited about it :-)

Getting to this point has not been easy. Going to Asia to spend some time and work there in order to have a global education and professional experience have been in my mind for many years.

I have been preparing this adventure for very long time but especially the last months everything went in my favour and helped to shape my dream and make it come true.

I consider the timing could not be better and I am looking forward to sharing with you my next moves! :-)

As some of you know I have been travelling quite a lot the last months. Preparing for Japan has taken me to Paris, Milan and London, where I have learnt tons about culture, history, politics, religion and society, business & management, work, life, protocole and of course... Japanese!!
At the same time I've got to know my new colleagues, the ones that will go to Japan with me (or me with them!) and the ones that will move to Korea with the same programme and the ones from Japan. Young and enthusiastic people from all over Europe, different companies, similar mindsets, same destination.

So far great time together and learning a lot from everyone (specially the ones that have already some experience with Japanese culture!). Enjoying every minute of it!!

What I knew and what I have added to my knowledge in the last months have not only motivated more to enjoy this journey but also to discover the country and its people.

I can imagine that you have plenty of questions: Why Japan? What are your interests? What will you do there? Where will you live? Do you go alone? When will you come back?... and I have plenty of answers!!!... but you will discover by yourselves if you follow regularly my postings ;-)

I admit that I am not very fond of computers, cell phones or other gadgets and that I prefer and value far more human interaction face to face. However, since this will be quite difficult from now and I am going to live in one of the most technologically advance countries in the word, I have decided to create this blog so that you can keep track of what I am up to.

You know (if not you will know soon) I am not in favour of making strict plans in life but just have a line that fits my principles and values. I think I am quite flexible and tolerant, I enjoy meeting people and broadening horizons, I love to surprise myself every day by doing something new... I like enjoying life, discovering new things, sharing experiences, better myself off, grow as a person... in short, I need to feel I am alive! :-)

This is all for the moment.
This blog will become more active from June 1st 2009.
Don't forget to drop by from time to time and leave a word if possible. I would like to know how do you do! :-)

Any idea for this blog is more than welcome. Thanks in advance!

Dewa mata suguni ne/ See you soon,
マルタ Marta


One of my favourite mottos:
“Imagine that the key to happiness is following your own intuition instead of other peoples’ opinions and advice.” – unknown