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.