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