Tuesday, 5 January 2010
Friday, 18 December 2009
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!!
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!!
Wednesday, 18 November 2009
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!
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!
Wednesday, 4 November 2009
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 :-)
Friday, 30 October 2009
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!)
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!)
Wednesday, 7 October 2009
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!
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!
Thursday, 10 September 2009
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!
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