Tuesday, 1st April 2003
Today marks the brand new start here in Japan for all companies. Today, we saw the formal introduction of the new Macro employees. There was a ceremony carried out and it was all very interesting as it is completely different to anything that goes on in a western company. Lots of bowing, speeches and very formal. Also, today (soon) there will be the Macro Welcome Party, which should be quite good.
Wednesday, 2nd April 2003
Last night, we had to leave in a bit of a rush to get to the Macro Welcome Party, although I don't quite know why. Maybe they just like being prepared. Anyway, the party was very good, the drinks flowing freely and the food was good too. The K Band made an appearance and played a good set. Also, there was an impressive showing from the ladies doing their traditional Japanese drumming. Macro is expanding, which can only be a good thing. In times of uncertainty like this, it's nice to see that there are still new opportunities around.
Thursday, 3rd April 2003
The atmosphere at work is filled with an air of excitement and nervousness as the new employees are settling in. I suppose that I must have been the same too when I first arrived here. I'm sure that after a little while, things will settle down and everything will fall into place. Where I sit, I feel as if though I am surrounded! Mind you, I kind of feel sorry for them, as they aren't doing any computer work, but are just reading. I'm not sure that I would be able to do that for a whole day.
Friday, 4th April 2003
This weekend, I'm scheduled to go on a trip with Phoebe, Fumino (+ her husband), Saori, Amil and Mika. I'm not too sure about the plans, but we'll be staying in a cottage someplace. It should be good. The weather in Japan now is picking up a bit and it really feels like Spring has finally arrived. Now in Japan, it is 'hanami', which means that the Sakuras are beginning to appear. It's come late this year, probably because it's been rather cold. I'm not sure how long the period is supposed to last for, but I've been told that they are very pretty and everyone seems very much to be looking forward to seeing them.
Monday, 7th April 2003
Our trip away for the weekend was very good. Unfortunately, Mika couldn't make it but the place was really nice and very quiet. Also, I went to another onsen, this time it was a bit better, I also have the feeling that it was a bit more 'normal' than the last onsen that I went to! After we left the cottage, we went to do a little bit of sight seeing, we visited the 'meganebashi' and also the lake, of which I forget the name. Finally, after all that, we returned to Takasaki and went to the park for a little bit to see the cherry blossoms beginning to bloom. It was a shame that it was so sindy though, otherwise it would have been a lot more enjoyable. However, that didn't stop all the other people already there.
Tuesday, 8th April 2003
Today, I'm feeling a lot better than yesterday.. possibly a case of it being a Monday. However, as it is always, it's during the week and so I don't have much else to do apart from work. However, I suppose that I should really start thinking about my plans to return home. I'll have to go and check plane tickets and start planning ahead. However, if you know me at all, you'll know that I leave everything to the absolute last minute! I will try this time to get things sorted out before the time comes. (I always say that...)
Wednesday, 9th April 2003
The world seems to have gone a little bit crazy, but I won't let the issues distract me from what I want to do. After all, if you worry too much about everything, where's the fun in that? Most days, I have nearly all but forgotten about the war and also about SARS. If it wasn't for Phoebe keeping me up to date, then I would probably not notice at all. Of course I am worried for my family members in Hong Kong, but realistically, I cannot do all that much about it. I wish them well and I wish that I could do more, but I cannot. I just hope that everything will clear up quickly and get back to a more normal state of affairs.
Thursday, 10th April 2003
It's the middle of the week and I don't have anything to do! We all got another invitation to a party coming up soon, which is the Macro Group Festival. I think that it is going to involve a bowling tournament of some sort. I just know that one of my bosses is supposedly very good, so I'll be looking forward to it!
Friday, 11th April 2003
Today is Friday, which is always good to hear! This weekend, I don't plan on doing all that much, but I will get some things prepared for going home, such as checking flight prices and availability. Yet another week has gone by and I've hardly realised.
Monday, 14th April 2003
The Monday of another week. Over the weekend, I didn't actually do all that much. James and I have both kind of started preparing for the time to return home. Both of us have a fair few things to take back with us to the UK and obviously we can't take everything back home with us, so we are going to send bulky back first. I also checked the availability of flights, which isn't a problem really. I just have to come up with the money! I've never been one to plan ahead too much and so I can see myself come May 20-something, rushing around trying to get stuff packed up!!
Tuesday, 15th April 2003
Same old Tuesdays, I haven't much to look forward to. I had to make up flex-time yesterday because I applied for an early finish on Friday. I have to get some personal matters sorted out, which isn't any worry. On a different note, Japanese class will begin again, although we won't be able to complete the course this time, as it runs for 10 weeks and we only have about 6 left now. It's such a shame.
Wednesday, 16th April 2003
Last night, I spoke to Lynn and so we (James and I) are going to meet up for a while. Lynn's been on a trip and only just recently returned, so it will be nice to catch up on things while she has been gone. As the sakuras are still blooming and are coming into full force, it's a nice time to go see them. I think that's what we will do tonight. It'll be nice to get out and about.
Thursday, 17th April 2003
Last night was great fun as is always with Lynn. We went to Takasaki Park to see the sakuras and it was nice. We also went to the top of the City office (where I will be returning tomorrow to get some things done) and saw Takasaki by night. James had a great time on the swings in the park too! Tonight, Japanese class is back, which I always look forward to. So, like usual, I'll have to dash off early to make the class. See ya!
Friday, 18th April 2003
The japanese class last night was fun as always. We had a big turnout, what with it being the first class of the Spring/Summer. I got a big shock last night, which was quite funny. I was studying with my teacher, when someone new arrived and was assigned to my group. The person sat down, to which the teacher asked him, "Won't you introduce yourself?" He replied, "Nah, I don't need to, I already know him!" I just looked at him, completely bewildered and in complete surprise. How could he know me? I certainly didn't recognise him! Then he said, "It's me, Gordan!!" It turns out that I met him before from football practise, but that time, he was wearing a hat and no glasses!
After the class, I was talking to Gordan and he told me about a football tournament taking place this weekend in Tochigi. He actually invited me to go, and I accepted the invitation and so with any luck, I'll be playing too! Today, I get to leave work early as I have got flex time (which I made up earlier in the week), as I have to go to the city office to register myself. Should be fun...
Monday, 21st April 2003
Today, I feel absolutely dead. My legs don't work and I don't think that I can get up even if I wanted to. Over the weekend, I joined the Japan English Teachers (JETs) from Gunma to participate in a football tournament in Tochigi (the next prefecture). We had a good team and everyone was very friendly, team spirit was great. We got all the way to the final, but we lost 1-0, to Nagano. Despite this, it was a great tournament, where I met many interesting people and I had a great time. The event was held in Utsunomiya, which was a big city (in comparison to Takasaki anyway). The tournament was held over 2 days, with teams from 8 prefectures, some coming as far away as Aomori (near Hokkaido!). The first day was the group stages and we turned up fashionably late, in fact so late that we would have had to forfeit our first game if we were 5 minutes later! Not all of our team was quite there and ready and so we started the game with about 7 men! Fortunately, rolling subs were allowed and so we went on to win the game 2-0. A good start. The weather was really warm and so it was very tiring out there. The next game, we played Nagano and we held out for a draw, but they beat us in the shootout. The strange thing was, it wasn't a normal penalty shootout, it was an ice-hockey style shootout, one on one with the keeper. We went down 2-1 (Best of 3). We won out next two games and finished the day in 3rd, top 3 would progress onto the finals.
On Saturday night, we all went out exploring around Utsunomiya, and we ended up grabbing something to eat, getting a few drinks in and going to the park for hanami, then crashing back at the hotel for the night. Obviously some lads went a bit over the top and were feeling the effects the next morning - luckily not from our team, but it was very humourous all the same! The next day, We had to play Nagano and Saitama and beat them both to win the event. First off, Saitama pulled off a victory over Nagano in a shootout, the keeper managing to tip the Nagano effort onto the bar in sudden death. Next up, we were up against Saitama - who we had beaten the previous day, 2-1. They scored first and we weren't getting anywhere. with 6 minutes left on the clock, Saitama were set to win, when Mike hit a fierce shot from outside the box, which took a deflection which gave their keeper no chance. 1-1, game on. 1 minute left on the clock, a slick passing move found Paul in the box, who had the strength to hold off the defender, and dig the ball out from under his feet and then fluff his shot, but the ball had just enough power so the keeper was unable to stop the ball going in. One nil down, 2-1 up!!
In the final, all we needed was a draw to win the event. We came up against Nagano, who we did a huge favour by beating Saitama. For much of the match, I would say that we were quite even. I fluffed a chance from a corner and also mishit a shot from about 30 yards out after their keeper mistakenly threw the ball out to me. Luck seemed to be on our side, as my mishit shot pulled to the right, but it managed to find Justin (Manger) storming in and he took the shot on the half volley which went just over. In the last 5 minutes, after soaking up a lot of pressure, we conceded a rather soft goal and from there on in, we couldn't really find much of a way past them. 1-0 was the final score.
I had a great time over the weekend, although I'm feeling the effects today. Our team was really great, supporting each other and everyone knew their job. So, I'll give them all a mention here: Ben, our keeper, Josh, the captain, Jamie, Bryan, Mark, Allistair, Rob, Mootz, Manger, Mike, Dale, Paul, Amber and of course, Gordon! My personal highlight of the event would have been when Gordan got fouled and the ref didn't blow the whistle but instead said play on, to which Gordon screamed, "Play on?! WHAT PLAY ON???!!!" I'm sure the whole ground heard that one! There's another tournament coming up in June, unfortunately I won't be able to make it as I will be gone by then. However, I had a really good time and I hope to have many more.
Tuesday, 22nd April 2003
At the moment in Japan, it seems to be election time and so there are many of the candidates driving around in minivans with loudspeakers attached to them, shouting out their sayings and stuff. They are very loud and in my view very annoying! I have no ide how long the elections run for, but from what Phoebe told me, she mentioned that it might be a knockout process? I won't even try to begin to understand how this would work! On a completely different note, I am recovering, slowly but surely! I'm feeling much better than I did yesterday and I think that I will be 100% more or less by tomorrow. (Thank God...)
Wednesday, 23rd April 2003
Today is a happy day for Phoebe because earlier, the (ice) hockey team that she supports (Canucks) won their series. Whatever that means... In any case, she's going to be coming round tonight just because she's feeling a bit chirpy. It makes a change to the usual boring weekday nights that we usually have. Just a shame that we don't have tomorrow off, otherwise we'd see Phoebe plastered!
Thursday, 24th April 2003
Japanese class again tonight. Weeks are coming by thick and fast. I don't believe that it's Thursday already! Tomorrow will be Friday and so the end of another week! It sounds quite scary really. Anyway, I'll try enjoy it all while I can. The nice weather has started to arrive in Japan now, it's getting warmer by the day.
Friday, 25th April 2003
It's Friday today, but I don't feel that I have the Friday feeling somehow. It just doesn't feel like a Friday at all - it's come here too fast. It feels like it was Monday only yesterday. I went to Japanese class last night, which was great as always. My sensei gives me a lot of encouragement even when I say or do something completely wrong. She is only a volunteer, ie. no real teaching qualifications, but she wants to become a teacher one day. I think that she has what it takes to become a teacher; she'll make a good Japanese teacher one day. I feel as if though I am progressing with my Japanese, only now, at this time, when it is nearly time to leave it happens. Sod's law really.
Earlier today, I had to make a bank transfer to pay for my flight home. I kind of assumed that all you had to do was to go to the bank and tell them your account details and the recipient account details and that would be it. How wrong I was. I discovered that you can make a bank transfer through an ATM! Being a bit out of my depth at this level (in terms of Japanese), I was lucky enough that a member of staff walked me through the whole process. To say that I felt stupid would be an understatement.
This weekend, I have no real plans. It's just started raining today - hopefully, it's not a sign of things to come. I'll just go to my Japanese class this saturday (I missed the first class because of the football tournament last week) and I'll do my best to study up. It'll be May before I know it and recently people have been asking me about when I leave and so on. The upside of this is that I think that everyone is looking for an excuse to hold a soubetsukai (farewell party)!! Or maybe a party to say, "Phew, finally! He's gone.. woohoo.. Let's Party!!" Any excuse for a party, eh? Still I don't quite understand my own feelings about my time here in Japan right now. Maybe even closer to the time?
Monday, 28th April 2003
Over the weekend, I attended my first Saturday Japanese class for this spring/summer. There were many new faces there this time round. I didn't even recognise anyone from before! The teachers remained the same, thankfully - that made it a little bit easier. The people in my Saturday class are generally a lot older than I am, some of whom have been in Japan a lot longer than I have too - up to 15 years! I wonder what my Japanese would be like if I stayed here for that long too? As always, we had to do an introduction as nobody seemed to know anybody. I introduced myself as always, however, I always seem to bring up a little bit of confusion when I say that I am English. I may not look English, I agree - but I feel English in every other way - the way I act, the way I think, the way I speak - there's little difference. This time a further interesting debate came about when I said that I hold dual nationality for now; we spent almost half an hour discussing about me!
This week is the start of a 'disjointed' week really, for tomorrow we will have a day off. Quite why I'm not sure yet, but any day off is good, right? Also, at the beginning of May here in Japan, we have a 'Golden Week', which means that from the 1st May through to the 3rd of May are public holidays. Great, except that this year, the 1st and 2nd of May are Saturday and Sunday, which we receive off anyway and so we will only have a Monday free. Still, better than nothing, right? I haven't actually got anything planned for this coming holiday. Phoebe, on the other hand has just left to go the Kyushu and won't be returning until the 13th May! Whatever are we going to do without her around?? It's alright for some, isn't it?
Wednesday, 30th April 2003
Yesterday, I saw Lynne and her mother. They were headed off to Kyoto for a few days. What's going on? Everyone's leaving me here! I didn't do much relaxing on our day off, probably because it didn't really feel like a day off. Last night, I watched a neat variation on 'London Hearts' - the show where you find out if your boyfriend is a good boyfriend and will be faithful to you or not! This time round, the 'Trap girl' wasn't just any old girl, it was a model!! The outcome was blatantly obvious from the start of the program and to be honest, I can't say that I blame the poor guy really. I really wonder what actually happens to their relationships after that show? Mind you, I wouldn't mind if they tried to pull a stunt like that on me! (Just kidding)
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