Ice Cream

Japanese and innovation comes hand in hand. They are a creative bunch who can think of the weirdest thing; like this….

This is ice cream wrapped in a balloon, you have to cut it open at the top and suck all the goodness from the wrapper.

Ahh, the japs…they start from young.

Some thoughts

Different things I note about Tokyo....

The people (mainly guys) are mad about Pachinko. It is like pinball with metal balls. People actually queue up before the place open to get their favourite seats. The metal balls they win are used to echange for goods. This is done to get around the law as exchanging for money is illegal. The goods are usually sold for cash at some shops. The place is loud and smoky. Hmm, I want to learn and try it once.

They are not as efficient as I thought they will be. Applying for internet will prob take at least 2 weeks for it to be activated. Handphone process will take abt 2-3 hours.The forms to fill up is very tedious, you even have to write your working address. Applying for internet / credit cards is through the mail, and if you made a mistake, it will be sent back to you and you have to correct it and send it back. This is come and go a few times before it is approved. Banks don’t even give you the atm card immediately. You have to wait for a about 1 week and find your card in the mailbox.

I recalled the last time I came over here for interview, they have really cool handphones. But now, I don't see one which wows me. They currently have digital tv live streaming and good internet surfing, that is about it, nothing really mind blowing. The big difference is that they have a huge range of phones to choose from. The most innovative phone I see is Casio 5.1mp phone. One other thing is that they are not big for PDA phones at all. The choices for such phones are limited to abt 5-8. And the operators which hold them are usually the small players with smaller coverage.

Phone plans over here sucks. They have only abt 60mins of free minutes. They cannot send sms to different providers; as such they email each other instead. They charge by 30sec blocks which actually adds up to alot. They have very complicated signing up system and 3 times more types of plans (does not help it is all in jap). Another thing is the phone models are exclusive to providers. As such, it is actually better to decide the providers then choose a phone they have.

The japs don't really slow down their speaking or use simpler terms even when they know you do not know the language well. I end up nodding my head and saying ' hai hai' often. It is really a difficult language to learn.

Recycling is a big thing over in Japan. Infact, it is the only way to throw your rubbish. It is a pain; you have to carefully seperate your thrash, which also means you have at least 2 bins. Everytime I go to bins, I will have to take some time to figure out which one is the proper one to throw my rubbish. Till now, I still have not figure out the correct procedure. An irritating thing is that there are not many bins along the road. I have to lug the rubbish till I find one after some time.

There is abundant walking. 20mins to the train from my dorm and another 20mins from the train station to the training center. The heat just makes is worst. I hate to arrive at a place already dripping and the whole day you feel sticky and gross. There is a bus, but it cost about $2.50 per ride. Taxis here are insane; flag down rate is about $8.50.

They are not very big on the NETS and Credit card culture. The banks even charge you for drawing out money when it is not working hours. But you can link your transport farecard and payment method to your handphone.

All in all, life over here is pretty good. I have not much complains. The biggest disappointment is that the dormitory rules are even stricter then hall in uni days. I have no idea why they are being such a pain. 30% of the people here are middle aged and the rest are all adults. I understand they are alittle more vigilant due to a case of a drunken man stalking a girl back to her room. But now there are extreme, no access to the girls rooms unless you sign a book. No visitors after 10pm. Security cameras everywhere. Plus the person in charge looks as if he is constipated every single second of the day. It is not as if we are kids, we are all adults here. Oh well, sorry guys…no free accommodation when you come over (not that my room is very big). Anyway, this place is probably not convenient for tourist.

Here are some photos of my dorm...

Need 2 bins to facilitate in the recycling

Recycling room with many different bins for the various kinds of rubbish

Kitchen

Place to hang out, buy some drinks etc

My comfy bed

Study table and the fridge

And it all begins

We went to Toshiba HQ for orientation and paper work at the HR department. The amount of people walking from the train station was overwhelming. We had to queue to use the lifts even though they have at least 12 lifts going to different parts of the building. The paper work was tedious as writing the address in Jap is difficult (I still have not memorise my address). In japan, they use signature together with a chop (slightly smaller than a 5 cent coin). Forms are all in Jap which is almost unreadable. Their year comes in many different counting forms depending on the Kings. I really don't understand which cant they just stick to a single form format.

My friends did something that has never been tried before in the HQ.....

Japan Trains...

We went to check out their version of Courts - Big Camera and Odobashi Camera at Kawasaki. They use a point system where you can accumlate points (10% of the price) and exchange them as credits. Both places are huge; they sell everything you can think of. Things you can consider getting over here; cameras (Fuji F50 for $480), hot water dispenser (about $60), mouse (logictech mouse are abt $60-70 cheaper), harddisk. There are probably more, but I did not check the prices and you can get points to offset for future products. Let me know if you want to check the price difference of a certain product. I can probably get it cheaper when I go to Akihabara (Think simlim square but many times bigger). I got myself a fridge which had free delivery because we bought 5 at a go. And I used my points to purchase an additional 4 years guarantee, which also means it is free. Delivery usually takes 2-4 days depending if they can fill the truck, but since we bought 5, they delivered it the next day.

Along the way, I pass a place with the branded shops like Gap, Zara etc. I saw something I never see in Singapore other on ‘America’s Next Top Model’....Banana Republic.

An interesting note I saw

Japan have Mister Donuts and I must say, I really like to more then whatever I tried. It is not very sweet, not very oily and they even have chewy versions. I even have their point card; hopefully I can get enough points to exchange for something.

Tried to call back from the phone booths, really expensive I must say. 100 yen probably gets you 30 seconds to call back Singapore.

A fresh new start as I stepped off SQ 638. Did some documentation for the air freight and got ourselves to Yokohama airport using the bus. The weather was not really good, it was hot and humid. Met the HR persons and grabbed a cab to the dormitory (If you want the address, email me) at Tsurumi. The HR brought us for lunch near the train station which takes 20mins on foot, the weather did not help the long walk at all. I had Tempura Soba which cost me 700 yen ($9), which is so much better then the $12 ramen in Singapore. Saw an interesting thing at the dinning table, 100 yen fortune telling machine. Apparently, the Japs love such things. After which, we went around to get necessities like toilet papers, hangers and soap etc. Visited the 100 Yen shops which will be my best friend for the next few years I guess.

Walked out for dinner at Matsuya, a place where you purchase tickets for food you want from a machine and then present it to the waitress. The seat is usually like a bar and the food comes really fast. Food is not fantastic, but price is cheap for Japan standard and the quantity is decent if you choose the correct food. Many such restuarants are littered around Tokyo. This is usually for the busy workers (Salary man) who want to grab a quick meal and for someone hoping to save some cash. I foresee myself standing without any expression and munching the food down in future.

I realized I forgot to bring my laptop power adapter when unpacking . How stupid can that be? I had to ask my sister to DHL it over. Not much of a rush for it as the next few days will be busy with paper work and etc.

Goodbye

THE DAY finally came. The mover came to take my stuff for air freight. I said my final goodbye to my friends and decided to spend the last few days alone or with my family. My dad came back from Cambodia to send me off. He even lugged lots of winter wear back for me, which I did not have space for all.

The night before, my heart started to feel jittery. A heavy pressure seemed to press me down. I feel so weighted as I walked around my house soaking in every detail of the place. I finally understand what it feels to leave your own country for somewhere so foreign. I desperately tried to find something to occupy my mind. Went out for supper with friends, chatted online, packed my bag, watched TV and just daydreamed. I could not sleep which is very unusual for me. Finally manage to grab an hour nap after reading the next morning newspaper.

As the time to leave for the airport arrives, I felt really heavy hearted. I desperately wanted to spend some alone time with the girl, but I could not as my whole family was around. I had my hands filled with the two princesses. They probably will not remember me by the time I come back for a visit. That is such a sad thought for me. I want to be there for them, I want to bring them out to Sentosa, to eat ice cream and to give them Christmas presents. I want to do so many things with them, to be the uncle my relatives were to me and even more.

As I sat in the car towards the airport, I was silent. I just sat there looking at the images zoom pass me. I recalled the times when I was young, when I was growing up and when I finally graduated. I remembered so much. Everything flashed past me. I was sms-ing replies to well wishes I received. I sms the girl, even though she was just behind. Something to remember me I hope.

I was pretty suprised by the number of friends that came to send me off. Different groups from different parts of my life. I had to run round and round talking to them. Truly, thank you. I was really grateful to hang on to a little piece of my history. Thank you and all the best to you all. I'm sorry that I could not spend more time chatting at the airport. Thanks for the gifts, spending a few hours to say goodbye. As I said before, Thanks for everything and I apologize for times I was an ass, for the times I was the unfeeling bastard. Hey, that is why I’m your friend right?

My family decided to leave earlier as my 2 nieces needed to sleep. The two girls kissed me, threw me flying kisses without knowing that I will not be around anymore. My heart sank as I watched them wave to me. I could not prolong the goodbyes with my family. I sweeped through the handshakes and hugs as my eyes watered. I hope none of them wondered why I did not speak much to them, it really took a lot to just say goodbye without breaking down.

Saying goodbyes to my friends at the gates was 'easy' as I cracked jokes. As I hugged the girl, my mouth dried. Nothing came out. I knew I could not stay long. I turned and laughed my way through the gates. I don’t really have much recollection of the journey to Tokyo. My mind was blank as I walked to the plane. I slept on the plane as exhaustion took over.

Thank you my friends, for the time we spent together and for being there.
Sorry for the times I faulted. I hope we leave those times behind.

Thank you my family, for everything. You molded me to who I am.
Sorry for being difficult and aloof.

Thank you my girl, for being there for me.

Sorry.

Goodbye……for now.

Words before I leave

The last 1.5 months have been really hectic, with me running around meeting people and preparing for 'The day'. I was running about saying my final fairwell and preparing myself mentally till the visa was postponed. I went for another round of drinks with my good friends. They are probably wondering if I was really leaving (In fact I was wondering if I was leaving). With all the good food and drinks, I manage to gain alot of weight, which hopefully will be gone really soon.

I will like to thank those who made time to meet up with me. At least I hope they really want to meet me. And i apologise to the people whom I want to meet but did not have the chance too. I want to give you a good excuse, but I really can’t. The truth is by the time I am really ready to go; I am physically and mentally really tired of going out.

Gone

Gone away; to a land so diffferent,
where the culture is uniquely theirs.
Some place where no one knows me,
where I can start afresh.
A brand new me;
Another Ansley.

Leaving behind the past,
trotting away in the unused path.
The front looks so dark,
so cold as I walk with my shadow as company.
I bring only memories,
with the presence of me fading away.

Going with some regrets,
of the friends
of the family,
of the girl.

Hoping the time I return,
I will be a better man.