fuchsia fragments

Think the air con / hot weather / air con temperature fluctuation finally caught up to me and I was hit pretty hard for a few days with a cold that really knocked me out. Was home from Monday afternoon until Thursday and although I knew I'd be fine, my colleagues were genuinely concerned with a few of them offering to drop by with food, medication and company. Didn't expect that!

So a couple of them did come by on Wednesday evening and took me out to dinner (knowing that I don't cook here). It was nice but they were pretty mean and said I looked like crap :( Embodying the 'tell it like it is' mindset...

Got asked some funny questions like 'do I have a buddy here?' (someone who will check up on me if i go AWOL). Do I know where the doctor is? What's the emergency number?.... slightly aghast to admit that I don't know!

Got a busy busy week coming up and having to prepare for it feels like going back to uni again. I have been studiously reviewing case studies and writing notes... it is so tiring! Today was also the first full Sunday I spent at all without going anywhere, not even a walk along the river.

I've been in Singapore for just shy of 4 weeks now and it's been a relatively easy transition so far. My colleagues (and friends) have been pretty supportive from offering to help me move in, go shopping with me, go out for lunch and set up bank accounts etc.

Setting up a bank account here without a new place is a bit of a nightmare and a catch-22. I need a bank account to be able to put down a security deposit and bond but I can't set up a bank account without an address! And to top it off, had issues with my name since all my Australian bank accounts had first name + last name but passport and EP had first name + middle name + last name.

Work hiccups included not being able to download my emails (which turned out to be stored locally on my old laptop). Luckily I was able to get my laptop written off in oz and have it sent here or I might have cried... that's over 3 years worth of emails! Plus my laptop was so much better than the one they gave me here... haha.

I found a place within the first 3 weeks of arriving which was awesome. In the area I was looking in, within my budget and reasonably sized. I was so excited to go to IKEA on Friday evening to get things for my new place!!! Another thing I'm grateful for: my jetsetting parents for spending a few days here and doing all the heavy lifting and transporting all my stuff (and I managed to bring a LOT) to the new apartment while I went to work. Seriously would have taken me all weekend without them.

Bought some appliances today and most things are cheaper here but the sales people really try to push you towards one direction to the point it gets annoying!

Hanami parties or picnics (literally to mean: 'flower viewing') is a really big thing here. Like, seriously mega where companies will send out their most junior employee sometime in the morning to go and reserve an area for evening festivities which involves eating and drinking under the Sakura Trees (essentially, the employee will wait by their reserved area for anything between 3 and 8 hours!). As the weather is only just warming up, it usually can still be very cold in the outdoors but this does not deter people from having these parties. They take them very seriously and with lots of enthusiasm. Likely, they are such a big things because it gives employees and friends an open space to relax and enjoy each other's company, it allows them to drink and with so many people's homes in such small confined spaces, the only other option is to be able to have these parties in parks or other such designated areas.

I was so happy to have organised one for work people and with almost a 100% attendance rate. We had lunch under the cherry trees by the Imperial Palace and we were lucky enough to get a spot to sit for an hour or so and just enjoy it. The weather wasn't the best - it was cloudy and it was a little bit cold but luckily, there was no rain! We had a nice time and it was great just to get together as a group since it doesn't happen so often (people love to keep to themselves here).

On the weekend, I visited Shinjuku Gardens and it was a pretty cold and gloomy day. Despite this, it seemed half of Tokyo was out to enjoy hanami!!! It was so crazy inside the garden even with an admission fee and no alcohol! Hats off to all the people who were there sitting in the cold (absolutely no sun!) and cool breeze and socialising. I had a short walk around, took a few photos and decided I was better off going home!

Probably one of the quietest quarter-ends I've experienced and it seemed we were done by around 7 PM which is really early...

And as it was so quiet, Ken and I actually went for sushi, sake and bowling the day before the last day of the quarter for some mid-week entertainment. We both played really poorly that we didn't even reach 100 points. Ken should have probably won but he somehow managed to get only 1 of the 2 pins lefts standing on his last bowl when the two pins were directly in line... no idea how he missed the second one! A tie was definitely not what we expected...

Spent some time testing the oven out this weekend. After realising how expensive butter is (if you can find it at all btw as there is a huge shortage of butter in Japan...), I was determined to make some cookies for our hanami picnic. And success! I could only bake around 12 mini cookies at a time so I had to make around 7 batches but they worked and they were yummy according to my colleagues. :-)

 Next up, trying to make a cake!

This past week, I've been reviewing quotes! I've been asked questions... and and and I'm going to get my own accounts instead of feeling like a 'consultant'. WOOHOOO!!! Albeit, the reason behind this is because there has been a resignation. But it's not for another 6 weeks so there will be (hypothetically) plenty of time for a handover.

Got my first taste of late nightlife in Tokyo. We had a few drinks with some colleagues and then a colleague and I went on to another bar for one more drink. And it really was one more drink! Tried to get the boss to come along but not this time. Anyway, we were hanging around Roppongi and there were not-so-welcome touts on every corner on the streets in Roppongi. So not cool and I would personally never venture to that part of town in the evening on my own. Anyways, we went to a Brazilian bar which did all these different types of Capirinhas - all looked really good! It wasn't all that busy for a Wednesday night so we had a bar table to ourselves and had a good chat. Good thing I remember things cause it will help me with working with the team later on!

Thursday's language class was a bit boring this week. All the students were different except one girl which was strange to me. Maybe a lot of people rotate days... I think I'll just keep going on Thursday evenings until work commitments get in the way.

It is sale time in a lot of the shops! I got a massive haul at H&M on Saturday evening... wasn't a lot of items but the majority were less than half price. I need to build my wardrobe here so it was a GREAT start! Think I should also plan my weekends so I see more. I was in Ueno today (absolutely hated it) and then Ginza (much more refined). I didn't realise until reading up on it that Ueno is one of the most run-down areas of Central Tokyo and I could feel it. It was just crowded and dirty and not exactly pleasant. A bit like China or HK maybe?

I also started using my smoothie machine. It's so awesome!!! Except now my fridge feels overstocked cause of all the fresh fruit and veg I have in there for my week's supply of juice. I have a tiny tiny fridge... and also I made pasta so I have midweek meals. Speaking of housework, I have designated Sunday evening to be ironing night. I HATE IRONING. And the dryer makes your clothes extra wrinkly. NOT COOL. It would be wise to buy clothes that don't require ironing...

Arriving at 5 AM has its advantages such as no traffic in the morning and being able to rest for a few hours and freshen up before the new day. I certainly think red-eye flights are the better ways to go as it saves a potentially a day and if you are travelling, that's potentially one night's accommodation you save. The jetlag is another story but I've been getting use to working to my bones up to the time that I travel that it's not overly difficult to catch a few z's when flying. It doesn't mean I don't have jetlag though but it beats being bored for hours on end. This is the third flight in a row where I have not watched any of the entertainment on-board and declined meals/drinks - maybe I could do the whole budget traveller thing?

So I've gotten through week 1 - settled into my apartment. Got some essentials and realised as I was unpacking that I didn't actually pack as much as I had thought. Excellent news, means I can shop more! Here's the part where I hope the Aussie dollar starts making up its lost ground and fast.

This week has been about meeting the team again and I can already sense a firmer barrier between us that last time. I know that they are shutting me out. However, everyone is telling me to let it go for now and that I should plan lunches instead. So I have been!

I've already managed to secure two harder-to-find bottles of whiskey (Yamazaki 12 & Hibiki 17) so that is a major item off my list. Can't wait to try it. No good wine in Japan means I am learning to drink whiskey. It's not so bad as I am starting off with like 1 part whiskey to 10 parts ginger ale. I happen to like ginger ale. But bad whiskey is well... really bad. My sister is planning to visit in March and I'm wondering if we will have time / want to go and visit the Nikka distillery in Yoishi.

I visited Yokohama on the weekend. It rained out so was a bit boring. Also, the Chinatown isn't as cool as the ones in San Fran or New York. It probably doesn't even stack up to Sydney. It was all about the buns and Shanghai dumplings it seemed and very tourist orientated. I walked into one of the Asian grocery stores and it was really only selling snacks and drinks and a few dry goods. A little bit disappointing. One thing I really wish I'd brought with me is a jar of mum's chilli!!!


I'm not liking the current season's clothes at Zara or H&M or Uniqlo so haven't stuck into the shopping yet. May go and venture out on the weekend. My colleagues tell me it is outlet sale time... I kind of need to get paid first...! Can't bankroll myself forever.

Have already tried a few interesting things in the supermarket. I bought what I thought was fish cake which turned out to be this rice or tofu cake thing. Wasn't particularly pleasant. And then this is my bad as I should have known when it said 700g but still stupidly thought it was milk when it was drinking yoghurt. At least with the yoghurt, I can pour that over my granola!

Generally and especially with the exchange rate, I am finding most things expensive. Except alcohol as you'd expect as they don't have additional taxes etc. But fresh fruit, veg and meat will cost you $$$. Their strawberries are AMAZING though. Got a couple of familiar faces in the office with me this week so should be an interesting week. We have a team dinner tomorrow and then I'm off to Japanese Language school on Thursday evening!

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).

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?!