I wake up around 5:40 every weekday morning. A bit later on weekends but I do not sleep until midday.(which I used to) This is a big change as well. It's been such a healthy life. I go to bed sometimes as early as 9:00pm because I'm sooooooo tired from work and cannot stay awake. No surprise my days start early.
---
Belatedly, I'm learning touch typing. Belatedly. My typing speed and accuracy is OK. But OK is not enough here. I have to be an expert at typing. So I'm modifying my own old way of typing, using every finger of mine. My left hand doesn't move as smoothly as I want it to. It's frustrating.
---
I cannot wait to go back home during the Golden Week. I've already started to wonder what to buy for little gift for my family and friends, what to talk about my new job. There are a lot to do actually. In less than a week I'll be home, mum!
---
I've decided to try some Korean cosmetic finally because quite a lot of people around me use it and they just love it. I gave up spending so much money on cosmetics long time ago, but they say Korean cosmetics are so affordable with high cost performance. Why not try then?
---
So, I'm going to Ginza this week again for books and Korean cosmetics.
4.25.2010
4.09.2010
Change
Someone once said, a person will not change dramatically after the age of three. It tells us the importance of children education until they become three. It determines how they're going to behave for the rest of their lives.
As for me I was born in a family which everybody's blood type is O. OO to be exact. I don't like talking about blood types and personalities but generally, O's are easy-going and happy people, and they don't care much. As a result, my house is a mess. Well they clean every day and it's neat. But if somebody wishes to come stay at my house, my mum would have to spend half a day cleaning, tidying up and concealing things that she didn't want him to see. They don't throw things they keep. And they keep things for years.
So, I've been a messy person. I've been a this-is-my-mess-and-I-love-it kind of person.
BUT I've changed. I don't know why. I vacuumed the floor three times a week. This is soooooo not me. I even have a small handy mop to clean my desk. I even clean the dust on my electric tea pot with that mop. What is going on? This feels so strange to me.
But this could be temporal. Let's wait and see if my room is still clean after 3 months.
As for me I was born in a family which everybody's blood type is O. OO to be exact. I don't like talking about blood types and personalities but generally, O's are easy-going and happy people, and they don't care much. As a result, my house is a mess. Well they clean every day and it's neat. But if somebody wishes to come stay at my house, my mum would have to spend half a day cleaning, tidying up and concealing things that she didn't want him to see. They don't throw things they keep. And they keep things for years.
So, I've been a messy person. I've been a this-is-my-mess-and-I-love-it kind of person.
BUT I've changed. I don't know why. I vacuumed the floor three times a week. This is soooooo not me. I even have a small handy mop to clean my desk. I even clean the dust on my electric tea pot with that mop. What is going on? This feels so strange to me.
But this could be temporal. Let's wait and see if my room is still clean after 3 months.
4.06.2010
Work Life
I was a full time student and a part time waitress for a year and then unemployed for several months. After that period, I am so glad that now I wake up every morning and know exactly where to go. I've missed that feeling.
After morning session we have lunch break and go get some cheap bento boxes at 380 yen. Have coffee and a chat after lunch and then, afternoon session.
Jump on a train back home and booooooom! I'm back home in half an hour. Quick dinner and review what I did on the day. Take a shower and do this and that. Then I look at the time and it's still eight.
This is great, isn't it? Training is so tough and every day I realize more and more that I've stepped into a unusual industry but I feel like I can even embrace the difficulties.
This is the second week. Two months later I'd be feeling a lot different from now.....
After morning session we have lunch break and go get some cheap bento boxes at 380 yen. Have coffee and a chat after lunch and then, afternoon session.
Jump on a train back home and booooooom! I'm back home in half an hour. Quick dinner and review what I did on the day. Take a shower and do this and that. Then I look at the time and it's still eight.
This is great, isn't it? Training is so tough and every day I realize more and more that I've stepped into a unusual industry but I feel like I can even embrace the difficulties.
This is the second week. Two months later I'd be feeling a lot different from now.....
4.05.2010
Training: Day Three
The beginning of a new week. Another five full days of in-class training. I'm just so impressed every day because the training is so well-structured and the trainer is really trained.
Everything comes into my head without any difficulties. The trainer talks so much but it doesn't feel like I am being crammed with information.
The more I learn the stronger I feel that what I'm required in this role is so tough and full of responsibility and commitment. Hope I'll fit into this.
Everything comes into my head without any difficulties. The trainer talks so much but it doesn't feel like I am being crammed with information.
The more I learn the stronger I feel that what I'm required in this role is so tough and full of responsibility and commitment. Hope I'll fit into this.
4.03.2010
Tokyo Sky Tree
Because of Sakura, more people were out in Asakusa. Couldn't find a seat at Starbucks. And people make lines and wait for meal. I always admire Japanese people's patience and passion for food.
The latest assignment is tough..... looks like I have to study really really hard. I have to remember so many abbreviations first..... I cannot understand a word in a meeting. But I will. I will understand in three months' time.
4.02.2010
Weekend
What's exciting about my new life is that I have weekends at least for few months from now.
Ever since I graduated from college and started to work full-time, I've always worked over the weekends. When I was in Australia I worked at a restaurant on Sat and Sun, usually all day, taking care of foods and crazy drunken people. I used to envy some Aussie classmates talking about which club they'd go on Friday night.
So, now I can actually plan my weekend, go out and have fun. How great is that?!
But here is the thing. I don't drink so I don't go to bars. I don't like noisy place so I don't go to clubs. I don't like crowds because I'm a bona fide country girl and am not used to be in there. I've been to bars, clubs and shopping in a crowd so many times but I never liked those things. Some people think that I am missing all the fun I could have in life, but none of them fascinates me.
So I realize that I am kind of looking forward to shift work. Then I can go shopping on week days, I will have to wait less. Movies are cheaper. Karaoke is cheaper too. Maybe I can take some lessons and learn new things. I have so many things in mind and they're keeping me really, really happy.
Ever since I graduated from college and started to work full-time, I've always worked over the weekends. When I was in Australia I worked at a restaurant on Sat and Sun, usually all day, taking care of foods and crazy drunken people. I used to envy some Aussie classmates talking about which club they'd go on Friday night.
So, now I can actually plan my weekend, go out and have fun. How great is that?!
But here is the thing. I don't drink so I don't go to bars. I don't like noisy place so I don't go to clubs. I don't like crowds because I'm a bona fide country girl and am not used to be in there. I've been to bars, clubs and shopping in a crowd so many times but I never liked those things. Some people think that I am missing all the fun I could have in life, but none of them fascinates me.
So I realize that I am kind of looking forward to shift work. Then I can go shopping on week days, I will have to wait less. Movies are cheaper. Karaoke is cheaper too. Maybe I can take some lessons and learn new things. I have so many things in mind and they're keeping me really, really happy.
4.01.2010
On Probation
First day at work or at school is always exciting. I used to feel nervous on the first day but now that I'm older I know better. I've made good friends and known good people through all my school and work life. This will be another great opportunity for me.
My new work include lots of matters that need to be kept confidential so let me be very careful here. I have to go through very hard training for a while before I officially start to work in a team. Until then, I'm on probation. Lots of homework, reading, and exams.
I try my best not to worry like "what if...." Just as somebody said "Have thought for the morrow". I do not worry. I'll just do what I can do when I can do it.
Weekend's coming!
My new work include lots of matters that need to be kept confidential so let me be very careful here. I have to go through very hard training for a while before I officially start to work in a team. Until then, I'm on probation. Lots of homework, reading, and exams.
I try my best not to worry like "what if...." Just as somebody said "Have thought for the morrow". I do not worry. I'll just do what I can do when I can do it.
Weekend's coming!
3.31.2010
what's for dinner?
It's so easy to live with mum. I didn't have to worry about eating, cleaning and everything. Mum does them all. I didn't have to even think about what to eat for dinner. I just went down to the dining room when she calls and ate whatever that was on the table. Heaven.
Well, that was until last week.
Now I have to plan my meal, again. I didn't do that much in Perth because I was working in a thai restaurant four days a week. So my dinner usually consisted of steamed rice and curry, or fried rice with tom yum, or yummy pad thai. (Where can I eat delicious pad thai in Tokyo??? I wonder...)
I don't have my mum or Aunty Om with me anymore. Looks like no one is going to do that for me, except for myself.
As I walked around my neighborhood I felt better. Within the walking distance there are three family restaurants and one of them serves main from 299 yen which is really really cheap. I could find a 100 yen convenience store that's open 24 hours. And noodle (ramen, udon and soba) bars everywhere.
I've given up cooking long time ago. I'll do it when I have a family. Not now. I'll buy. Okay that's too expensive, so how's this? I'll buy lots of ingredients which don't need any more cooking, like tofu, natto and so on. And I will fix them into a nice and healthy dinner. Let's see how it goes.
I'm a little tired after a day of shopping in a crowd.
I take Panadol and relax.....have another look at my assignment that is to be submitted to my new boss tomorrow.... then go to bed!
Well, that was until last week.
Now I have to plan my meal, again. I didn't do that much in Perth because I was working in a thai restaurant four days a week. So my dinner usually consisted of steamed rice and curry, or fried rice with tom yum, or yummy pad thai. (Where can I eat delicious pad thai in Tokyo??? I wonder...)
I don't have my mum or Aunty Om with me anymore. Looks like no one is going to do that for me, except for myself.
As I walked around my neighborhood I felt better. Within the walking distance there are three family restaurants and one of them serves main from 299 yen which is really really cheap. I could find a 100 yen convenience store that's open 24 hours. And noodle (ramen, udon and soba) bars everywhere.
I've given up cooking long time ago. I'll do it when I have a family. Not now. I'll buy. Okay that's too expensive, so how's this? I'll buy lots of ingredients which don't need any more cooking, like tofu, natto and so on. And I will fix them into a nice and healthy dinner. Let's see how it goes.
I'm a little tired after a day of shopping in a crowd.
I take Panadol and relax.....have another look at my assignment that is to be submitted to my new boss tomorrow.... then go to bed!
3.30.2010
Moving On...
Sooooooooo, I left Perth 2 months ago. That seems like a looooooooong time ago. Sometimes I wonder, Was I really in Australia??? Winter in Japan isn't very pretty. I hate snow and rain. And it snowed and rained.
And then,
Job hunting, grandfather's funeral, best friend's wedding and lots of arguments with my mother about my future career plan (and about having a baby!).... today I happily find myself relaxed in a small room in Asakusa on my very first day in Tokyo.
I'm starting a new life here. I miss my friends and family at home but I chose to come to the capital because one company kindly offered me a position which is challenging and exciting (well, hopefully) and I thought I'd be a fool if I decline especially when the economy is so bad like this.
Anyway, I'm doing this. So, I'm recording this.
--
Day One: I got a set of brand new sheets and towels. Had dinner with my high school friend. Planned my room interior and made a shopping list. Good start. Wish me luck.
And then,
Job hunting, grandfather's funeral, best friend's wedding and lots of arguments with my mother about my future career plan (and about having a baby!).... today I happily find myself relaxed in a small room in Asakusa on my very first day in Tokyo.
I'm starting a new life here. I miss my friends and family at home but I chose to come to the capital because one company kindly offered me a position which is challenging and exciting (well, hopefully) and I thought I'd be a fool if I decline especially when the economy is so bad like this.
Anyway, I'm doing this. So, I'm recording this.
--
Day One: I got a set of brand new sheets and towels. Had dinner with my high school friend. Planned my room interior and made a shopping list. Good start. Wish me luck.
2.15.2010
Ginza: Shopping heaven
My good Aussie friend Amy visited Tokyo last week. I was, and still am, in Tokyo for job interviews so we went to Ginza for some shopping.
Amy and I met each other in Japan. She was an exchange student and I was her host sister. We had such a good time together, although our friendship grew relatively slowly after she went back to Australia. Now married to a wonderful husband, she loves traveling the world with him, mainly to enjoy skiing.
Since she was staying in a hotel in Shinbashi and she had only several hours before heading for Narita, we decided to walk to Giza to find something nice and Japanese.
As it turned out, I was a fantastic guide. (I believe so)
First, she wanted to try some Japanese sweets and green tea, so I took her to a major department store called Mitsukoshi, where we could try some sweets and tea before buying.
Second, we went to the traditional stationery specialty store, Kyukyodo, where we found some beautiful writing paper and envelopes. Other things you can find here are beautiful boxes decorated with Japanese paper and postcards with traditional Japanese flowers. You can also find beautifully printed pieces of paper which can be used for gift wrapping.
"And what else?" I asked.
Amy said, "Shoes."
"Alright. I know exactly where to go!"
Then we went to Diana, a good quality Japanese shoe maker. Diana is not a very expensive brand but they make really good shoes. Most shoes are priced between $150 to $200. Amy's shoe size was 26cm, which was in the "L size room" on the top floor.
There we were, on the top floor. A shoe heaven for tall girls.
30 minutes went so quickly. We were lucky as winter shoes were on sale. Sales person was kind enough to show all the other stocks that were hidden in the store room. Amy was so excited and said,
"You took me to a baaaaaaaaaaad place!"
"If I buy six pairs, do you think that's too many?"
"Brian's going to kill me if he knows this...!"
......and ended up buying four pairs, instead of six. She looked so happy.
I felt like doing something very helpful. If you need a shopping guide in Japan, please give me a call.
Amy and I met each other in Japan. She was an exchange student and I was her host sister. We had such a good time together, although our friendship grew relatively slowly after she went back to Australia. Now married to a wonderful husband, she loves traveling the world with him, mainly to enjoy skiing.
Since she was staying in a hotel in Shinbashi and she had only several hours before heading for Narita, we decided to walk to Giza to find something nice and Japanese.
As it turned out, I was a fantastic guide. (I believe so)
First, she wanted to try some Japanese sweets and green tea, so I took her to a major department store called Mitsukoshi, where we could try some sweets and tea before buying.
Second, we went to the traditional stationery specialty store, Kyukyodo, where we found some beautiful writing paper and envelopes. Other things you can find here are beautiful boxes decorated with Japanese paper and postcards with traditional Japanese flowers. You can also find beautifully printed pieces of paper which can be used for gift wrapping.
"And what else?" I asked.
Amy said, "Shoes."
"Alright. I know exactly where to go!"
Then we went to Diana, a good quality Japanese shoe maker. Diana is not a very expensive brand but they make really good shoes. Most shoes are priced between $150 to $200. Amy's shoe size was 26cm, which was in the "L size room" on the top floor.
There we were, on the top floor. A shoe heaven for tall girls.
30 minutes went so quickly. We were lucky as winter shoes were on sale. Sales person was kind enough to show all the other stocks that were hidden in the store room. Amy was so excited and said,
"You took me to a baaaaaaaaaaad place!"
"If I buy six pairs, do you think that's too many?"
"Brian's going to kill me if he knows this...!"
......and ended up buying four pairs, instead of six. She looked so happy.
I felt like doing something very helpful. If you need a shopping guide in Japan, please give me a call.
2.13.2010
Botan (poeny flower)
In Ueno Park, Tokyo, we can see beautiful Botan (poeny) flowers.
Their bright colors are really something to see in winter.
I like this flower cuz my kimono has lots of botan flowers....!
The botan festival will continue until mid February.
Don't forget your camera!
2.01.2010
Eat THE eel n rice
One of the things that I missed about Japan was eel. Sometimes it was available in Australia, usually in rolled sushi with cucumber. I tried once and couldn't swallow the eel which was like rubber. Yuck! If you can't fix it right then don't serve it anyway.
Japanese eel is beautiful. It's steamed and char-grilled with special thick sauce (usually each restaurant has a story for that sauce, such as "we've used the same sauce for over 100 years!( by adding new ingredients to the old one)" Eel goes lovely with white steamed rice. It's just delicious that way, but in this particular restaurant my friend and I religiously go to eat, we can have more fun with that.
OK-...so this is it! Called Hitsumabushi. On the right is the eel on top of white rice. Behind the bowl is a soup to eat WITH eel and rice. Next to the soup us some toppings - seaweed, chive, and wasabi. On the center of the tray is another soup. And some pickles.
You can enjoy about 3 to 4 bowls of "eel and rice" but each servings can be different. First you eat the eel and rice as they are. This is delicious enough. Second you put some topping and eat it. This is what I like the best. Third you put some topping and pour the soup (the one that's behind the big bowl) on top of it, making it look like a porridge. This is also very good. And you can enjoy the last servings just as you like.
You can enjoy eel like this in Nagoya. The restaurant I go is the most famous one, I think. The name is Atsuta Horaiken. (I wonder who need this info but anyway)
It is a luxury for Japanese to eat eel. Well at least for me it is. Since I am unemployed and have no money, my friend was kind enough to buy me the lunch. YAY!
Phone interview coming up later this week. Research, research, research......
Japanese eel is beautiful. It's steamed and char-grilled with special thick sauce (usually each restaurant has a story for that sauce, such as "we've used the same sauce for over 100 years!( by adding new ingredients to the old one)" Eel goes lovely with white steamed rice. It's just delicious that way, but in this particular restaurant my friend and I religiously go to eat, we can have more fun with that.
You can enjoy about 3 to 4 bowls of "eel and rice" but each servings can be different. First you eat the eel and rice as they are. This is delicious enough. Second you put some topping and eat it. This is what I like the best. Third you put some topping and pour the soup (the one that's behind the big bowl) on top of it, making it look like a porridge. This is also very good. And you can enjoy the last servings just as you like.
You can enjoy eel like this in Nagoya. The restaurant I go is the most famous one, I think. The name is Atsuta Horaiken. (I wonder who need this info but anyway)
It is a luxury for Japanese to eat eel. Well at least for me it is. Since I am unemployed and have no money, my friend was kind enough to buy me the lunch. YAY!
Phone interview coming up later this week. Research, research, research......
New Mobile
I've got myself a new mobile. It's OMNIA VISION by Samsung. It looks like iPhone with large touch panel with only three buttons. My father got me the first one when I was 16, and since then I've used ７, count them, SEVEN mobiles so far. Among them, this new mobile of mine is the best and the coolest. I cannot be happier.
I got this one the next day I came back to Japan. I was still missing Australia a great deal, especially because I felt like I've left a half of my heart in my ex's hand.... but I knew I had to move on and start something new immediately. After I got my new number and getting several "welcome home" messages from my Japanese friends, I started feeling excited. This phone will bring back my Japanese connection, this phone will make me meet new people, this phone will help me find a job, a place to live, and hopefully, a person to call a boyfriend.
Late at night my mate gave me a call after work. He's my ex-work colleague and a really good personal friend. Married with one daughter and another on the way.
"When did you get back?"
"Just yesterday. How are you?"
"Tired. You should know. I feel horrible to think that I'm going to be USED by the company until I retire. I'm paid slightly more than before, but busy like hell. Oh, and by the way, are you coming back (to the company)? The president mentioned you at the meeting this week."
I was surprised. That president wants me back? Looks like I already have a job offer, which is nice to know in this economic situation.
I'm going to apply some today.
I got this one the next day I came back to Japan. I was still missing Australia a great deal, especially because I felt like I've left a half of my heart in my ex's hand.... but I knew I had to move on and start something new immediately. After I got my new number and getting several "welcome home" messages from my Japanese friends, I started feeling excited. This phone will bring back my Japanese connection, this phone will make me meet new people, this phone will help me find a job, a place to live, and hopefully, a person to call a boyfriend.
Late at night my mate gave me a call after work. He's my ex-work colleague and a really good personal friend. Married with one daughter and another on the way.
"When did you get back?"
"Just yesterday. How are you?"
"Tired. You should know. I feel horrible to think that I'm going to be USED by the company until I retire. I'm paid slightly more than before, but busy like hell. Oh, and by the way, are you coming back (to the company)? The president mentioned you at the meeting this week."
I was surprised. That president wants me back? Looks like I already have a job offer, which is nice to know in this economic situation.
I'm going to apply some today.
1.31.2010
Start a blog
So I start this blog on a cold winter day somewhere in Japan.
I am currently looking for a job. I've just come back from a city in down-under and missing that country so much that I can't explain.
I used to think that after I realize my big dream - studying overseas for a while- I'd just get married with someone okay and have children. Now that idea just makes me scared.... I am still 27 and I'm craving more excitement in life. I mean, I can have excitement by getting married and raising my kids but the problem is....
I don't have a partner.
I'll talk more about this later.
I'm 100% Japanese but nobody says I look like Japanese. Most people think I am Malaysian.... strangely enough, but probably that's because of my look. Thanks to the good pronunciation class my college provided and Sex and the City dvds, I speak good English with an American accent, and one year in Australia gave me some Aussie accent as well. As a result, two people have actually asked me "So which part of CANADA are you from???" Funny enough. I love maple syrup, though.
I'll write this blog in English out of three reasons. One: I want to be using English so that it doesn't deteriorate. Two: I want to have opportunities to build up my vocabulary by using new words such as "deteriorate". Three: I just love writing English. For a girl whose dream had been "being a bilingual", using English comfortably on everyday basis is just a dream come true.
I am just wondering who my readers are going to be.... Mostly they would be random visitors, or maybe they would be interested in Japanese culture..... Please do me a favor if you have time. When you see a mistake or find funny expression on this blog, PLEASE LET ME KNOW by leaving a comment. I'd appreciate your help so much as I want to improve my English more and more. Thank you.
Okay so for today my message to you readers:
Don't come to Japan in winter. It's just so cold and dark. Wait until March.
I am currently looking for a job. I've just come back from a city in down-under and missing that country so much that I can't explain.
I used to think that after I realize my big dream - studying overseas for a while- I'd just get married with someone okay and have children. Now that idea just makes me scared.... I am still 27 and I'm craving more excitement in life. I mean, I can have excitement by getting married and raising my kids but the problem is....
I don't have a partner.
I'll talk more about this later.
I'm 100% Japanese but nobody says I look like Japanese. Most people think I am Malaysian.... strangely enough, but probably that's because of my look. Thanks to the good pronunciation class my college provided and Sex and the City dvds, I speak good English with an American accent, and one year in Australia gave me some Aussie accent as well. As a result, two people have actually asked me "So which part of CANADA are you from???" Funny enough. I love maple syrup, though.
I'll write this blog in English out of three reasons. One: I want to be using English so that it doesn't deteriorate. Two: I want to have opportunities to build up my vocabulary by using new words such as "deteriorate". Three: I just love writing English. For a girl whose dream had been "being a bilingual", using English comfortably on everyday basis is just a dream come true.
I am just wondering who my readers are going to be.... Mostly they would be random visitors, or maybe they would be interested in Japanese culture..... Please do me a favor if you have time. When you see a mistake or find funny expression on this blog, PLEASE LET ME KNOW by leaving a comment. I'd appreciate your help so much as I want to improve my English more and more. Thank you.
Okay so for today my message to you readers:
Don't come to Japan in winter. It's just so cold and dark. Wait until March.
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