Monday, October 8, 2007
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Early October update
October is finally here. I can see the Halloween promos in the store windows. The weather has been noticeably cooler with the exception of yesterday and today which have felt more like summer. Along with the change of seasons, there have been changes with me as well. I have officially been fully transferred as a Japanese employee. Previously, I was getting paid and everything going to my US accounts, but now I look forward to using cash more than my CC. It is just in time also, because I am starting to go low on the flow and unfortunately, a lot of places especially the small establishments that I go to during lunch time do not accept CC. So this is very good timing. I have moved desk locations again, by recommendation of the HR manager to a more social location in the office. Now I am starting to get to know a lot of the employees and have established a few lunch buddies which is great, but also contributes for my dwindling cash resource. I am starting to get more friendly with the HR guy, which I would have never imagined after the whole debacle that occurred earlier this year. As far as my work load, things are smooth sailing. There have been a few occasions where I lost a weekend due to working, this may also include tomorrow, where I am scheduled for a conference bridge in the afternoon for a production implementation. I am hoping that the event will go smoothly so I will be able to finish before my friend arrives to Tokyo, but with this position, its always hope for the best but prepare for the worst.
Later this month I will look forward in being a sports maniac. There is another soccer tournament scheduled and I have also planned to play with one of my co-workers and his team in Saitama. This will be the first time I'll be playing basketball in an actual team environment. All my other basketball sessions at the local community center consisted of just playing 2 on 2 or 3 on 3. So I'm excited to play a real full court game.
Other than that, nothing else really going on. I was requested to put more pictures, but I looked through my cell phone and did not find anything interesting. I promise I'll be more camera happy and post some pictures in my next entry. So please stay tuned!
Later this month I will look forward in being a sports maniac. There is another soccer tournament scheduled and I have also planned to play with one of my co-workers and his team in Saitama. This will be the first time I'll be playing basketball in an actual team environment. All my other basketball sessions at the local community center consisted of just playing 2 on 2 or 3 on 3. So I'm excited to play a real full court game.
Other than that, nothing else really going on. I was requested to put more pictures, but I looked through my cell phone and did not find anything interesting. I promise I'll be more camera happy and post some pictures in my next entry. So please stay tuned!
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Fall approaching
The air is starting to get cooler and the humidity is fading. This is a sign that fall is approaching. I did not say that it is here because I am still sweating through my clothes during the daytime. I can't wait until the temperatures are consistently below 24 Celsius so that I don't have to worry about being drenched when I arrive at the office.
Fall is also the sign that the windows are opened a lot more often in order to receive the refreshing cool breeze. Unfortunately, having the windows opened made me realize how loud and obnoxious my neighbors are. I think two guys live next door to me. Not really sure if they are just friends or a "couple". I've met them a few times in the hallway, but all we did was exchange Konichiwa. These guys love to get drunk at night time between 1 - 3 am, especially in the weekends and just yell at each other. In the day time, they love to sing what appears to be Japanese show tunes, hence the "couple" possibility. I have no objections to their lifestyle, but I would like for them to have some respect, especially when they have their windows opened. We share a balcony, which is separated by a thin wall, so sounds are easily heard. Also my balcony entrance and theirs are just feet apart. I am very respectful and lower my volume when I have the windows opened and know they are at home. In Japan, it seems that direct confrontation is a "No-no" so usually I have to get a 3rd party involved (land lord/maintenance dude) in order to indirectly tell them to "Shut The.....front door".
Yep, fun times.
Fall is also the sign that the windows are opened a lot more often in order to receive the refreshing cool breeze. Unfortunately, having the windows opened made me realize how loud and obnoxious my neighbors are. I think two guys live next door to me. Not really sure if they are just friends or a "couple". I've met them a few times in the hallway, but all we did was exchange Konichiwa. These guys love to get drunk at night time between 1 - 3 am, especially in the weekends and just yell at each other. In the day time, they love to sing what appears to be Japanese show tunes, hence the "couple" possibility. I have no objections to their lifestyle, but I would like for them to have some respect, especially when they have their windows opened. We share a balcony, which is separated by a thin wall, so sounds are easily heard. Also my balcony entrance and theirs are just feet apart. I am very respectful and lower my volume when I have the windows opened and know they are at home. In Japan, it seems that direct confrontation is a "No-no" so usually I have to get a 3rd party involved (land lord/maintenance dude) in order to indirectly tell them to "Shut The.....front door".
Yep, fun times.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Busy weekend
The weekend was kicked off with a work sponsored nomikai (drinking party). I got a chance to meet more coworkers as well as enjoy some good food and drinks. The party started from the office where food was ordered in, and moved to an izakaya in Shinjuku. The VP of the company, the primary reason why the nomikai was held wanted to end the night with a crazy time at karaoke.
Saturday was my sports filled day. I was suppose to play both basketball in the morning and soccer in the evening. Unfortunately, but as expected, I had a huge hangover. I could barely move and felt very sick. I ended up bypassing the basketball session in order to recover in time to participate in the soccer tournament. The tournament went better than I expected. Our team ended up in 3rd place, with less players than we had in our previous try where we placed at the bottom. Afterwards, my friends and I enjoyed a nice dinner of yaki-niku. The yaki-niku restaurant was one of the best I have ever eaten. Though, expensive, the meat was so soft and tender that it literally melted in my mouth when I ate it. It gave me memories of my first time eating kobe beef. Yep, it was that good!
Sunday, I went to Yokohama. The visit was well worth it. I had the opportunity re-visit some of the sites and meet people that I have not seen in a few years as well as reminiscing memories of when I first came to Japan.
It was a great but busy weekend.
Saturday was my sports filled day. I was suppose to play both basketball in the morning and soccer in the evening. Unfortunately, but as expected, I had a huge hangover. I could barely move and felt very sick. I ended up bypassing the basketball session in order to recover in time to participate in the soccer tournament. The tournament went better than I expected. Our team ended up in 3rd place, with less players than we had in our previous try where we placed at the bottom. Afterwards, my friends and I enjoyed a nice dinner of yaki-niku. The yaki-niku restaurant was one of the best I have ever eaten. Though, expensive, the meat was so soft and tender that it literally melted in my mouth when I ate it. It gave me memories of my first time eating kobe beef. Yep, it was that good!
Sunday, I went to Yokohama. The visit was well worth it. I had the opportunity re-visit some of the sites and meet people that I have not seen in a few years as well as reminiscing memories of when I first came to Japan.
It was a great but busy weekend.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Kunoichi
Today I was stoked to find out that Kunoichi or, "women of ninja warrior" as we know it from the states on television tonight. I never watched this show when I first lived in Japan, and I never had any interest in Japanese crazy variety shows but last year, G4 introduced me to Ninja Warrior (Sasuke as its known in Japan) and later "Women of Ninja Warrior". Ever since they showed the first marathon, I have been hooked. its not much the athletic abilities that intrigue me, but the type of contestants that compete to the show and their wacky falls that they endure through the obstacle courses. I even started keeping up with the athletes and their progress through the ever challenging Midori Yama. Like the one guy who works at his local government office and built a replica of the course in his own backyard. Every time they show that course, I keep thinking of how similar it looks to the training grounds you see in the Taliban propaganda video clips. Yeah, I know, I iz krazy, anyways, so when they showed the show tonight and fact that I was actually watching the most recent version (they only show the previous years versions in the U.S.), I was really excited. Since I'm now living in Japan, I definitely want to try to go watch a taping of Sasuke or Kunoichi one day. I know I sound like a maniac by revealing my obsession of this show, and though it may be somewhat true, I am actually a normal average joe... I swear!
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
The hilarious thing so far this year
I know I may be about a week late and most of you already know about this, but I just saw this clip and I could not stop laughing. I know people may feel sorry for her, but she came on another talk show to defend herself but "personally" for me she failed to change my perception about her. Anyways, this has to be the best clip of the year:
Monday, September 3, 2007
Weekend Recap
Saturday –
Met up J and A at Shinjuku. The last time we saw each other, I was riding my bicycle back home from their apartment after our last time we all hung in Yonago over 3 years ago. When I saw them coming out of Yodabashi camera, I felt like I was transported back in time. Both of them did not change at all. Actually, that is how it was for almost all of my friends that I met again in Tokyo. It seems, phyiscally everyone is stuck in time, which is a good thing. Must be all the fresh fish that is keeping everyone young. Anyways, we went to eat at a Vietnamese restaurant in Lunime. My coworkers recommended me this place as being very authentic and good. I made a quest to find a decent Pho place in Tokyo since I arrived and unfortunately the quest is still continuing. The food at the restaurant was decent but it catered heavily to the Japanese taste. The Pho combo I had looked almost like Ramen except for it had rice noodles. The soup didn't have any beef but it had the same cut of pork as you would find in ramen. It didn't even come with lemon, herb leaves and bean sprouts. Also I couldn't find any hoisin sauce which I usually overindulge myself when I eat Pho. Needless to say, the Pho and restaurant was subpar, though I did notice that there were Vietnamese people making the food. Anyways, back to the min topic, so we all talked for a good amount of time just shooting crap and catching up. Afterwards, we headed to Aoyama and Omotesando to go to chill and eat cake at a café. The place we went to was called Anniversary.
The cakes and tea we had were amazing. We later walked to Shibuya to look at some more shops before heading to my neck of the woods to eat dinner and end the night with karaoke! Yep, the infamous karaoke. I haven't gone in so long, actually never gone since I arrived in Tokyo so I was really excited in going this time.
As expected, we ended the night with a bunch of laughter and embarrassing but memorable moments.
Sunday –
I had to wake up early to head to Kawasaki to catch my friend's American football game. It was the first game of the season. Going to Kawasaki was not so bad, but I did have difficulty in trying to find which way the stadium was since the station had multiple exits. I failed to identify which exit I had to take when I was looking up for the directions earlier. I tried to use my super human directional instincts but as usual, they were useless. I ended up taking a taxi to the stadium. I was a bit late but I made it to the beginning of the second quarter. This is the first football game I ever saw in Japan so it was refreshing.
My friend's team ended up winning the game by 6 points. Actually the score was 6 – 0. The kicker failed to score on the PAT. After the game, I joined him and his team to a victory yaki-niku extravaganza at a local restaurant. Everyone pigged out, including yours truly. This was the first time I ate raw beef liver. It was interesting. It was a good time but I was so stuffed from the food that I couldn't do anything else. I headed home afterwards just to crash and sleep until I had to get ready for work today.
Met up J and A at Shinjuku. The last time we saw each other, I was riding my bicycle back home from their apartment after our last time we all hung in Yonago over 3 years ago. When I saw them coming out of Yodabashi camera, I felt like I was transported back in time. Both of them did not change at all. Actually, that is how it was for almost all of my friends that I met again in Tokyo. It seems, phyiscally everyone is stuck in time, which is a good thing. Must be all the fresh fish that is keeping everyone young. Anyways, we went to eat at a Vietnamese restaurant in Lunime. My coworkers recommended me this place as being very authentic and good. I made a quest to find a decent Pho place in Tokyo since I arrived and unfortunately the quest is still continuing. The food at the restaurant was decent but it catered heavily to the Japanese taste. The Pho combo I had looked almost like Ramen except for it had rice noodles. The soup didn't have any beef but it had the same cut of pork as you would find in ramen. It didn't even come with lemon, herb leaves and bean sprouts. Also I couldn't find any hoisin sauce which I usually overindulge myself when I eat Pho. Needless to say, the Pho and restaurant was subpar, though I did notice that there were Vietnamese people making the food. Anyways, back to the min topic, so we all talked for a good amount of time just shooting crap and catching up. Afterwards, we headed to Aoyama and Omotesando to go to chill and eat cake at a café. The place we went to was called Anniversary.
The cakes and tea we had were amazing. We later walked to Shibuya to look at some more shops before heading to my neck of the woods to eat dinner and end the night with karaoke! Yep, the infamous karaoke. I haven't gone in so long, actually never gone since I arrived in Tokyo so I was really excited in going this time.
As expected, we ended the night with a bunch of laughter and embarrassing but memorable moments.
Sunday –
I had to wake up early to head to Kawasaki to catch my friend's American football game. It was the first game of the season. Going to Kawasaki was not so bad, but I did have difficulty in trying to find which way the stadium was since the station had multiple exits. I failed to identify which exit I had to take when I was looking up for the directions earlier. I tried to use my super human directional instincts but as usual, they were useless. I ended up taking a taxi to the stadium. I was a bit late but I made it to the beginning of the second quarter. This is the first football game I ever saw in Japan so it was refreshing.
My friend's team ended up winning the game by 6 points. Actually the score was 6 – 0. The kicker failed to score on the PAT. After the game, I joined him and his team to a victory yaki-niku extravaganza at a local restaurant. Everyone pigged out, including yours truly. This was the first time I ate raw beef liver. It was interesting. It was a good time but I was so stuffed from the food that I couldn't do anything else. I headed home afterwards just to crash and sleep until I had to get ready for work today.
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