fuchsia fragments

Not bored or homesick yet

11/16/2015 01:06:00 pm

One month away from home really isn't such a long time. It's the equivalent of a longer holiday and it many respects, a lot of the things can kind of just be 'put on hold' for a few days longer until you are home.

And during this time away I haven't felt bored yet. I still have so much of Tokyo that I can see and easily get to and spend time around. One thing is for sure: I haven't really experienced much of the Tokyo nightlife (since I'm really not that kind of person... on my own anyway) and after walking around shopping centres or tourist attractions for 7 or 8 hours straight, you're kind of tired by the time the evening rolls around.

It's hard to believe that I've already spent 3 weeks here. I've tried to do some things that the locals do - still hard considering most of my colleagues do not live within Tokyo - and I've also done a number of touristy things. It's kind of obvious when you're at a tourist attraction. You don't hear much Japanese. In fact, its lots of mainland Chinese thrown in with the odd English phrase or two. I hear more American accents than Australian. I've managed to be at a couple of locations where there was some festival: Tokyo Dog Festival day yesterday for example. Pampered pooches everywhere but no matter how dolled up they look, I firmly believe that Nessie & Maxxie have a much happier life with a garden, real walks (not being pushed around in a stroller), real friends and real parks to see.

I've done a lot of shopping. And even more window shopping but I should probably assess the space in my suitcase before I go out this last weekend for last minute purchases. I think I have also done more shopping for others than for myself.

I've even managed to find a better supermarket and places where I will probably stock up on necessities when I come back. Toyko is not a cheap city and when you think about it, the subway for that matter is not cheap. 200 Yen or so for a 10 minute ride a few stations and if you are hopping on and off it a few times a day, that is easily over 1,000 Yen in transport fees. Of course, a taxi is even more expensive...

I've felt very safe here. I think I felt a slight tremor on Saturday evening in my building (wasn't sure if it was the washing machine though) as there was an earthquake off the south coast of Japan - very far from Tokyo. It kind of just highlights the need to be aware I guess. You can't very well live in fear.

I am definitely looking forward to some warmer weather although it has been very mild albeit wet. And Christmas BBQs and new year drinks. And I also am dreaming about Hawaii... I wonder when will be the next time we meet oh beautiful island(s).

expat

Week 2 has come and gone

11/11/2015 04:36:00 pm

It's Remembrance Day back home. And apparently here, there is something called National Pocky Day. Say what?

Halfway here and halfway home and I can safely that time has flown. Learning to take the small wins and to take every win for what it is because the culture here is so different. I'm not experiencing a culture shock and so many people said I would but I have embraced this with both eyes open and without judgement. Perhaps it is the forewarning that I received that I am not surprised.

Things are slow here. And vastly different. It's a genuine surprise when I run into the odd one or two familiar faces from home.

My mommy came to visit this week after visiting HK. We did a day trip and lots of shopping (window shopping). She agrees that everything is a lot more expensive that the previous times we'd been here. Prices have risen sharply (their consumption tax has gone up 3%) and our dollar's buying power is weaker. That makes things significantly more expensive. The two things that we consider affordable in Australia: Meat and Fruit/Veg are ridiculously overpriced here. We paid almost 600 Yen the other night for 5 chicken wings and for the same price in Australia, we could get 3 whole kg! Similarly, fruit is sold by the piece here and you are probably looking at 400 or 500 yen for an apple or a pear (they are noticeably ginormous though).

We also had to buy another suitcase (LOL). We always seem to be doing this with the exception of Hawaii earlier this year where my sister and I were totally prepared. Suitcase inside a suitcase plus a Country Road bag each for the win. To be fair, there are a few that are old and we should look at throwing out. And digressing, I would love to own my own suitcase collection - we just have a few that are either just too small or just too big. Each to their own but I want my own hand carry and suitcase (needless to say, preferably a brand-y one...).

Then onto my handbag search. I'm going to do it. I even asked my aunt before my mum left HK if it was cheaper to get there and it's not. It is cheaper in Japan by about A$400... yeah! Now to get paid so I can buy. Huge month of spending and whilst I am excited that December (and Christmas and New Years is coming), I am really not looking forward to getting back to my Sydney office. One crisis at a time... the more I observe, the more that I feel I'm a minority in Gen Y. What has happened to taking accountability and responsibility? And pride in one's work. And here's a good one: how about using your own brain instead of always asking someone else?!

expat

Expat Life Begins!

10/30/2015 06:49:00 pm

It wasn’t so long ago that I was pulled into a quiet room and not expecting too much, was asked if I wanted to go on a trip (for business) to Japan. I was very surprised but of course jumped at the opportunity. And it wasn’t just one trip – it was 2 trips over a period of 6 months. And it was a project.

I’ve been saying to everyone that my boss is ‘sending me away’ (you know, like when a spoilt child is sent to boarding school because his or her parents can’t discipline them) but officially it was for my own personal (career) development and because Japan genuinely need help (“Hellloooooo… is there anybody out there?”). Unofficially… well, I better not say.

I arrived on Sunday morning at around 4:30 AM. So I am not caring what people think of me “wasting” my points on an upgrade. To me, it was worth every single point!!! Lounge access, dining before boarding and getting some sleep way more important than being cramped in the back on a full flight! So have gathered the name ‘princess’. Haha, tell me something I don’t know! I got a cab to my serviced apartment (it is a tiny studio about 30 square metres) – thank goodness it is self check-in and 24 hours. I got my keys and crashed for a few hours. So good – and I think that’s how I managed to beat jetlag. I spent the rest of the day walking around the city visiting Harajuku and Ometesando which is like a trendy area. Tried to get set up for the week by picking up a few groceries but they are so expensive. The only supermarket around my area was one that specialised in imported products. Imported = expensive.

So I’d had my first work week in Tokyo working Monday to Friday in the office. And I have to say that a lot of the belief around the Japanese culture is simply untrue. They come in late (between 9 and 10) and many of them leave around 6-7. This means that I consistently work 2 hours more everyday in Sydney. Granted, there are some who have stayed later (since the latest I’ve stayed so far in the office is 7:20 PM). I’m beginning to think there is a “Japanese Culture” and a “Company Specific Japanese Culture” for where I work… “flexible” working hours indeed. Also, I am still trying to understand (and this is my project here) why it takes 3 times the manpower to do something that one person in ANZ can do.

Loving my morning runs – about a 6 km loop around the Imperial Palace and it’s great! Its flat – one side is water and parkland and the other side is the road. There are a lot of expats who run this route in the wee hours of the morning (like 7 AM) when I suspect many Japanese are still snuggled in bed after their late nights drinking (or working?). I am absolutely love love loving living a few hundred metres away from the office – in terms of getting to work anyway. It’s a 7 minute walk. There’s no need to get all stressed about transport in the morning and evenings and I get in so early that no one else is in the office. It also lets me have enough sleep whilst also being able to fit in an hour of exercise and do some laundry if I have to. On the other hand, where we’re located isn’t so convenient. Sure, it is the middle of city (literally the most central ward) however it isn’t so populated and there are no big brand shops or department stores. I have to save my shopping for the weekend but I am finding many things quite expensive here with the dollar not doing so well. Nevertheless, I look forward to Saturday, Sundays and the two Public Holidays I scored during my time here! Day trips!

I’m learning to eat out by myself! For those of you who don’t know me so well – I have serious issues of doing anything of the like back home. I just don’t feel like it is that normal in Sydney. But it is totally and absolutely the norm here so I’m pretty comfortable doing it. I’ve had lunch out and managed to order off a Japanese menu a few times now. Woohoo! Haven’t tried to ramen vending machines yet but it is definitely on my list. And I am so going to hunt down some takoyaki! Ironically, as I’m in an ‘expat’ district, there are more foreign and Western style food than your typical Japanese cuisine like sushi, ramen, udon, tempura, tonkatsu, etc. I think I even saw a store selling Hainan Chicken Rice. I’ve had Italian twice with my colleagues – I don’t even like Italian at home. Having said that, I have had a few really good Japanese meals. And I also paid almost $10 AUD for a kilo of rice… BUT the alcohol here is so cheap. So cheap. I pretty much picked one of the more expensive bottles of wine and it still didn’t break the budget. It was a good bottle too.

And to top it off, I get to go to Osaka for the last week! As the CFO here says (and he’s the one sending me there…), even he in his 12-month tenure here hasn’t been done there yet. Haha get a move on! I love Osaka so I’m super excited to go. I’ll get to go to Kyoto for a day or something on the weekend. Going to have an awesome time and my mummy’s coming to visit since she’s in HK at the moment anyway. Yay!

day off

Snaps & Snippets

10/17/2015 10:14:00 pm

Time. You really don't realise how valuable it is until you run out of it. I am constantly trying to fit 30 hours into a day and its not working. Juggle, shift, reshift and cancel. Repeat. How much time is one person worth? Are others worth more? (and yes, of course) Who do you cut off? How many work hours is enough for secure that promotion? How much time off is appropriate?

It's so difficult to balance so I greatly appreciate when people are on time and say they will do something or be somewhere at a given time. Today's cake pick up was perfection. Yesterday's cake coordinator a nightmare.

I've also never appreciated 'taking time out' (i.e., a holiday) until now. When you are disconnected from the world, it is amazing how much you can do. How your thoughts reside and having 'me' time is so important. I had 2 days in lieu this week yet I feel far from refreshed. Quite the opposite in fact. Driving takes time. Baking takes time. Resting and recovering takes time.

What is the value?

I spent a whole afternoon with my grandmother today. But it is not nearly enough. I would give so many of my hours just to know that she will be well - healthy and strong - for the next few weeks while I am gone. We don't know what tomorrow will bring... today was a tough day for her. I'd also give so much to understand why (but children should be seen and not heard...).

I had lunch with my mum and sister today. Not just to get my vietnamese fix for the next few weeks but we hadn't done lunch together in a while. It's hard between jobs and errands and weekends (just imagine if I had a family of my own... :O). Marrickville is such a bustling place - I love it. Not sure I'd want a tiny terrace to live in but the area is nice.

I need to pack. And clean. And gear myself up for a bit of a culture shock. Do some research on getting around Tokyo and basic set ups like phone and transport, etc. Time time time. Maybe I need a time out?

And a few happy snaps from my last getaway: