milestone2 OLD

Period: January-March 2008

Obejctives: (tentative)

1. Work: will going to another section, will just do my best, not sure what to expect

2. Neighbourhood: will try to join a cell group?

3. Japanese: will go to the next 300 kanji, making it 600 altogether. This will definitely take more than 3 months . Will try to finish the beginner level.

4. Fashion. Will master the art of make-up and fashion. Will not go out of the house without make-up!

5. Travel: will be greatly reduced! stay home months! Honey moon has ended

Summary of the 3 months:

1. Oh c’mon, give me a break. This is what I can say about work. Starting this year, the work has been really hectic as in really really hectic! I have started to see what working means to Japanese. It is their life, it is perhaps the center or almost the center of life of every men or women as well. I see the total devotion of work and the good spirit towards work. Yeah, most of them do good works. I have to say it is a thumbs up. I guess that is why Japanese products do have refined quality. It has to pass through so much strict testing and re-testing and double and triple check. yeah, but they come with a huge cost. Everyman works long hour.

Ok, so what have I learnt? I guess whatever I am learning is basically the Japanese style of working/ training. It is definitely not what I think before, so it is not to be compared. There are defnitely ups and downs moments, times when I could not take it anymore. yeah, not if one does not understand the culture, it is tough. I said once again, tough!

Anyway, everything is generally ok. I met new friends in the office and they are nice to me.

2. Ah, I have also joined a cell group in my church. well, it is not as I expected, but I learn to understand what it is done in a certain way. =). I have been trying to build my spiritual life here too. Not easy, I have been missing bible reading and praying, but I keep trying. Hang on…

As for neighborhood, it is just no time! However, I did go out with my japanese friend from the church. But I guess that is as far as I go to know the people.

3. Japanese language is just tough. Kanji-wise, no way. I only know around 200 kanji. The bottom line is, no time to revise the kanji. It is hard enough to have time to learn Japanese. yeah, tough. Besides, language  must be used frequently of which I need to meet more people. However, starting this year, things have been pretty tiring, taihen desu ne.

I will work harder on the next quarter, defnitely will use it more often and learn new grammar and words.

4. fashion and make-up. Improving, I guess I have used light make-up when I went out. However, fashion wise is not yet. I need to set budget for clothes. -_-”

5. Travell… hehhehe I have just visited the area in my perfecture, hakone, odawara.. The only routine leisure I did was onsen, it is relaxing considering the cold weather. hehhehehe…

that’s alll..

milestone1 OLD

 Objectives:

1. Adjustment to the new environment both neighbourhood and office

2. Building relationships with the the people I come into contact with, in the office, apartment, neighbourhood and church

3. Doing my job

4. Learning Japanese (basic, first 300 kanji)

5. Learning fashion (basicc)

6. Travelling

Progress:

Summary of the quarter:

1. As far as adjustment is concerned, it is good. I have found good shopping malls, supermarkets, wet markets, convenience stores and many things in the neighbourhood. I have even been to the library in my area. The library is indeed way below singapore’s sophisticated library. Over here, the library is small, almost run down (IMHO) in terms of book collection, not many visitors and almost no english books except a small 2-level shelf. Apparently, Japanese does not borrow books from the library, either rent or simply buy. However, I do believe the library in the university must be of good selection.

As for office, it is good. I knew all the people in the group and have talked and tried to build relationship with them. It is interesting to know about the company structure in the Japanese company and again we can see the imperfection in the seemingly perfect scenario. The poeple here is nice and helpful. I love their hard-worked and serious attitude towards work and their spirit of ownerships. Amazing! It is a hard virtue to be observed in singapore and perhaps in many other countries.

2. Relationships is a hard topic. I have quite a little problem with the people with whom I come with because of language barrier. However, in general everything is good. I have met several interesting people be it in the office, in the japanese class and in the church. It is great. I have to admit that I love meeting new people and start a chitchat. Hehehhe. I love to hear new things, to know what happens at the other side of the world and the kind of works people are doing. Yeah, really glad to be able to meet people of various background and nationalities.

3. Job-wise, it is ok. I have learnt quite a bit of new things and the work is good. I am glad that I do not have to do over-time as other colleagues.

4. Japanese. Sigh, this is hard. Japanese is not an easy language and well, there has been absence of classes for the past 3 weeks, so I have not been using it. So, the state of my Japanese is pretty bad and there are so many things yet to learn and catch up. Kanji-wise, it is tough, I think I only managed to know around 150 kanji. Not easy. At the moment I am not able to spend the time for the kanji, it needs tremendous amount of time. Anyway, I will work harder this year. yeah, very very hard.

5. Fashion. This is an interesting topic . Yeah, there is a slight change now. I have been learning about fashion and make-up. Errrr practically I use my free time to read magazine and learn about how to do the make-up. Yeah, much time has been spent. I have done many window-shopping as well. I have yet bought the clothes as I need to think carefully what I need. I plan to buy a pair of boots, but it is so expensive and many clothes which are equally expensive. -_-” how to solve this issue of pricing? However, interestingly I have grown interest in shopping and all the ladies-stuff. It is interesting.

6. Travelling. Hmmm hehehe, ok lah. I went to Hakone, a village near mount Fuji. It is a place where mt Fuji can be seen clearly. I have gone to Nikko as well, a beautiful place. I love to sightsee, but now I realise that everywehere in Japan is almost the same. Errrr…. it is just equally beautiful .

First 6 weeks  

1. Office: working on it. It has not been that easy especially the language barrier. Both of us speak either broken english or broken japanese. Friends: working on it. A little trouble in understanding each of us, all are apparently very different. Neighborhood: quite ok. Have been familiar with the complicated train systems, have been adjusted to the life of convenience store, supermarkets, bento, cheaper eating establishment and simple cooking.

2. Relationships is hard. It takes time and effort and trust. Working on it. As for church, sigh… not yet know anybody. I am quite shy to approach them. Definitely need to put more effort.

3. Training… so far so good. Still a long way to go. The only problem is my sleeping behaviour. I fall asleep very easily, problem still unsolved.

4. Japasene. Working on it. Attending 3 times japanese class. I must be nutz or total nerd. It is quite stressful and tiring, but well, I do not have anything to do at night. I better maximise the time into good use. As for kanji, it is a real sturggle. Currently, I know around 100 kanji, basic grammar and simple comversation.

5. Fashion: a BIG problem. I do not have an interest in shopping, but will try to find the solution.

6. Travelling: Kyoto (the city and Nijo castle covered), Yokohama (the bay area), Tokyo (Tokyo disneyland, Odaiba, Factory outlet, Tokyo Dome, Shinjuku, Harajuku, Shibuya, Akihabara, Tokyo tower, Asakusa and Ueno).  Note: transportation is really painful on the budget.

The first 6 weeks:

target and milestone OLD

ok, so I am setting some targets and milestones. It is divided into 5 parts, i.e. quarterly milestones.

Will be writing about japan adventure, japanese people, japanese language column, work and IDEAS. After a heated conversation with ms h, I have decided to be more sophisticated. Yeah, sophisticated.

So, the target will be likewise (15 months):

- technically-inclined- making positive contributions

- intermediate japanese, good conversation, intermediate reading and writing.

- good english language writing, err not enough.. must be sophisticated!!!

- weekly ideas on the blog- again IDEAS!!

- japan travelogue (north-south, east-west), simple ones will do, I am not popagandhi

- compiling japan survival guide (daily life- especially for gaijin), this should be useful…

- good fashion sense and make up expert

- hmmmm

About OLD

I am currently living in Yokohama, Japan. Well, I will spend my time here for 15 months and I have decided to allocate this blog to record my sojourn in Japan, perhaps a large portion on my activities, groups and sight-seeing.

As for who I am. Errr.. not much and I prefer to be a low profile.

できるだけ、少し頑張れば、できると思います

皆さんこんにちは。私はセリナと申します。インドネシア人ですけれどもシンガポールで働いていました。実は一年半前は日本で書くのと話すのはあまり考えませんでした。長い間ぐらい新しい言葉は勉強しないほうがいいと思いました。なぜでしょうか？

１２年前に、私にはトラウマがありました。子供のころ私はずっとインドネシア語を使っていたので、英語は少しだけできました。でも、中学校から、シンガポールで勉強したので、英語で使ってしまったんです。そんな時、英語のことはとてもむずかしかったんですが、試験のことはほとんど’failed‘しました。４年ぐらい、一生懸命したのに、英語ができなかったんので、そのあたぜんぜんほかのこたばは勉強したくないと思いました。

１年半前、日本へ来た時、日本語をきくと、すごくすきになりました。言葉はきれいだし、かわいし、面白い言葉なんですが、話せるようになりたかったんです。でも、むかしの“failure”を思い出しました。もし、英語もできないのに、どうやって日本語ができるようになりますか。いつも考えたのはとてもたいへんだった。日本語はどうですか、だめかな。。。

でも、実はこころから、日本語ができるようになりたかった。時々わるいこてを思い出しました，そんな時、自分で言いて　’できないくても大丈夫だ、今日本にすんでいるけど、特別な機会がないんです、がんばってだ’。

だから、１年ぐらい日本にすんでいると，日本語ができるように、色々なことをやりました。日本語の教室へ行ったり、テレビを見たり、日本人と話したりなどです。今までも、日本語がまだまだです。いっぱい間違えちゃっんですけれども、少しで気るといいかんじです。昔のこわいのことはぜんぜん亡くなりました。

いまから、なにかしたいですが、したほうがいいとおもいます。できるだけ、少しがんばれば、何でもできるとおもいます。みなさんも、がんばりましょう。

先生たちも、今まで色々教えていただきまして、本当にありがとうございました。

the land where my father once walked

Yeah, I have gotten pretty sentimental recently. I have been thinking what I have done here and what I have actually achieved in this 15 months. One of the things that makes Japan unforgettable is the fact that my father lived here before for 7 years. Yeah, during his university day. However, my father rarely talked about Japan and the people here. I guess it is because Japan and Indonesia are vastly too different. Japan had potable tap water and shinkansen in the days when Indonesia had yet able to provide clean tap water and barely any train. So, no matter what he said when we were young, we could not comprehend it perhaps.

Anyway, it always amazed me that I live in Japan and travelled to places here and more importantly, learning the local language. I have gained many things here and in a way, it is a strong reminder of how complacent I have been in Singapore. I have been in a status quo for many years, if I did not go to Japan, I would still live in my ignorance and of course my comfort zone.

I did receive many favour here, I wonder why. The people here are generally kind, especially older people, I guess because they have time and money. The young people here is also nice, but the pressure of life may make them a little hard.

It is in Japan I realised the importance of doing something well-done, even for the smallest point. I like to do things fast and totally forgot about it. But it is not so in Japan. In Japan, people is careful with what they do. Time is not exactly the essence or the most important thing like Singapore. What is important is, it is well-done.

In Japan, I learn to appreciate beauty and to see simple things. I have to say that it is a totally different experience. I see a different point of view, different priorities and interesting compliments. People here will always say the food is delicious, the scenery is beautiful and appreciate almost everything. I am surprised. I am poor when it comes to compliment. Unless something is very delicious, otherwise I will not say delicious. Hmmm..

It is in Japan I realise I have many gifts and learn things very fast. I never realise that I am that good. ERRRRR…. I have no intention to be arrogant of course. It is just a fact that perhaps I know, but never want to admit it. However, it is in Japan I realised that it is OK to show your gift and talents. In the past I have not been confident in many things. In Japan, I learn to shine and just do my best. Well, probably I did experience bad things before that caused me to stay at the back and let others shine.

Anyway, Japan is a memory and everytime I could always recall that when I was 29 years old, I lived in Japan.

so what’s up november

Well, this blog has surely been neglected.  hehhe, yeah, there have been many many happenings here and I can only thank God for bringing me to Japan. I have learnt things surpassed all that what I have known before. It is in Japan that I get confidence about myself. In Japan, people say I am pretty. Well, it is a simple thing. But it is in this country where beauty is almost the only important thing for women, it is where people think I am attractive. I am really really surprised. Well, of course I never think I am not pretty. It is just something I don’t like to talk about. I think it is over-rated and I really do not like people who see outer beauty as more important that character and virtue.

Yeah, I look highly on virtue where beauty is of no equal. However, in Japan I see another side of beauty. I have come to realise why outer beauty is important. I have come to notice and outer beauty is equally important because God created all of us and we are beautiful creatures. Realising that, I have to say that I have been beguiled all these years. I have been deceived not to appreciate the beauty of nature. Of course I know when things are beautiful, but I never literally appreciate it. Yeah, I was wrong.

Anyway, this is really one important thing that I learnt in Japan. There are more things that I have learnt and I would love to share it in this blog, but for the moment I am done.

what en experience

YAYYYYY… I wore a KIMONO. Hua… I am touched.

For anyone who does not know why I am so happy, let me explain. Kimono wearing is almost unseen in the city life in Tokyo and Yokohama. Only grandmothers wear it once in awhile. There are several reasons for this:

1. Kimono is soooooooooooooooo difficult to wear. One could not wear it alone, someone else must give assistance. Gosh, troublesome isn”t it? On top of that, not many people know how to wear it. TRUE. You can search all of over Tokyo and only a handful old ladies know how to connect the Obi. heheeh

2. It is damned expensive. The cheapest one is perhaps 1 mth salary and the better ones, don’t ask!

3. The kimono can’t be washed. If you send it to the laundry, it has to be a special laundry service and cost a few hundred dollars.

For these reasons, I never thought I will ever wear a kimono because even rental is a few hundred dollars. Unbelievable, isn”t it? But it is Japan. It practically has no price tag for nice things. Everything with quality is priceless.

Anyway, for some reasons, I managed to buy a kimono with a reasonable price (no comment how much) and wore it! Everyone was so surprise to see me and give me compliments. Yeah, I guess I do not receive that much compliments before, so it was really a beautiful experience for me.

WakuWaku Matsuri Speech

Thema: 日本の生活をどのように楽しくしましたか。

皆さん、こんにちは。今日はスピ－チの機会をいただいて、本当にありがとうございます。私はセリナともうします。インドネシア人ですけれども、シンガポールで働いていました。そして今は、１年ぐらい日本に住んでいます。

実は１年半まえまでは、日本に住むことになるなんて考えたこともありませんでした。シンガポールでは、私の生活は楽なので、そのまま働いていたかったんですが、仕事で日本ヘ行くことになりました。私は、本当は、行きたくなかったのですが、会社が決めたことで、私に選択の余地はありませんでした。

日本来る前に、いろいろな事を聞きました。日本はすごくきれいな国です、いろいろなところが面白くて、ほかの国ではあまりないものがあります。温泉とか、さしみとか、さくらです。インドネシアではずっと夏ですが、日本は秋と冬と春もあります。行ってみたい・・・でも、心配なこともききました。たとえば、日本では、男性に比べると女性の地位は低く、毎朝、女の人はお茶をいれなければなりません。仕事もながい時間しなければなりません。＊上司が帰らないと、部下も帰れません。女の人は‘Fashion’　に気をつけなければなりません。きれいな事が一番大事です。ずいぶん、いろいろなことがわかないし、ぶんかもこたばも違うし、どうしよう・・・

どうしたら日本での生活を快適にできるのでしょうか？本当に、いろいろなこと聞くとこわくて、不安になりました。

でも、１年日本に住んで見ると、日本で体験したことはとても面白くて、忘れられない思い出になっています。どうしてそうなったか、私の秘訣(ひけつ)を、少しだけお話しましょう。

１番目

日本へくる３ヶ月前からに、いろいろな事を準備しました。日本語の勉強もそのひとつです。外国に住むにはその国の言葉が一番大事です。言葉がわからないと、全てのことがわかりません。言葉がわかってくると生活するのも楽になるし、その国の文化もわかってきます。

インドネシアの諺に ‘Dimana bumi dipijak, disitu langit dijunjung’ .　と言うのがあります。日本のことわざの「郷に入っては、郷に従え」と同じ意味です。たぶん、私たちは自分の国の文化や習慣が一番いいとおもいますけれども、自分の国とは別の文化や習慣も、その国に住んでみると、なるほどな…と思えるのです。

たとえば、日本では名字(みょうじ)family nameが大切ですね。でも、インドネシアでは名字(みょうじ)のない人も居ます。いつも自分の名前first nameを使います。日本では人を呼ぶときは、名字に‘さん’をつけます。木村 さんとか、たなかさんとか、User さん、誰でも‘さん’をつけますね。初めは、そんな事は大切じゃないと思いました。でも、仕事をしていく中で、これは大切なことなんだとわかりました。もし私が、会社で３ヶ月ぐらいたってから、上司や同僚を名前だけ呼ぶと、呼ばれた人はあまり良い気持ちがしないかもしれません。「この外国人はほんとうにマーナがなってない！」とか「まだそんなことがわからないの！」とか思います。小さなことでも放って置くとあとで、面倒なことになるかもしれません。日本では、会社や仕事の場では、名字の後に‘さん‘をつけるという習慣がわかれば、問題がすくなくなりました。

２番目

「やって見たい」の考え方　も大事です。

私は日本くる前に、‘Fashion’に興味(きょうみ)がなくて,どんな洋服がきれいかとか、いろいろな’Fashion’ のことばもしりません。それはほんとうです。たとえば、１－Piece は、何？　‘Accessories’ は、何？’Make-up’は、なぜ女の人はするんですか。そんなことは、ほんとうにめんどうくさいと思っていましたから、日本に来るまえは、どうしたらいいか心配でした。

 ‘つまらない洋服を着ていると、つまらない一生になる。’ 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　これは、最近、テレビのドラマで聞いた言葉です。　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　それが本当なら、私はたぶんずっとつまらない人生を送っていたのかもしれませんね。

私は‘Simple’な人間で、内面がいちばん大事だと考えています。外側の見た目に関しては、着たいものを着るし、人の目を気にせずやりたいことをやっていたような気がします。でも、日本に住んでいると、自分の考えや見方が変わってきたのを感じます。きれいな人や、きれいなものを見るのは、いいかんじですよ。

だから、日本では、私も、いろいろなことをならっていますよ。日本語を勉強するのだけではない。少し、雑誌をしらべて、人々を良く見て　いろいろおしえてもらっています。これ見て、１－Piece,　‘Accessories’. 　今は、‘Fashion’ がすこしわかるけど、でも…まだまだです。

皆さんも、なにか習いたいと思ったら、すぐ習ったほうがいいですよ。本当に、新しい事がわかってくるとおもしろいです。

３番目

日本語を勉強することが大事だと言いましたが、それだけでは、つまらないですよね。だから、べつなこともしたほうがいいですよ。

私が日本にいるのは15ヶ月だけですから。何をするべきでしょうか。

仕事をすることはもちろん大切ですが、でもそれだけでもつまらないですよね。だから、日本にいる間に、すこし旅行するといいです。旅行をすると、いろいろな人と出会って、きれいな景色を見られて、すごくすばらしかったです。日本は物価がたかいですから、たぶん旅行は大変になります。でも、安い旅行もありますよ。近い所、たとえば箱根とか、日光とか…わたしは、温泉が大好きです。日帰りでいける公園でもいいです。

４番目

最後になりましたが、日本での生活を快適にするには、友達を作ることです。

先週の火曜日は休日だったので。私は箱根へ行きました。Hakone Kowakien Yunessanです.　聞いたことがありますか。すごくいいところです。温泉も本当にきもちいい。でも、ひとりで　行ったので、だれも話せませんでした。ぜんぜん楽しくなかったです。いくら遊んでも、一人ではつまらないです。友達がいると、いろいろなことが面白くなります。だから、日本来たときには、わたしはいろいろな人と話しました。だれとでも、話してみたいと思いました。２，３人新しい友達もできました。１年間で、いろいろな問題を経験しました。インドネシアにいる家族や友達は遠いですから、日本のともだちがいると、話しを聞いてもらったり、相談できたり、暮らしやすくなります。一緒にに旅行すると、たくさん話すことが出来るので、すごくいいと思います。

皆さん、日本で暮らすのは、簡単ではありません。本当は、いいときも悪いときも両方ありますよ。日本にいれば、自分の国にいるときとは別なことを経験するわけからです。でも、周りを良く見て、言葉を覚えて、ちょっと努力すれば、生活しやすく、楽しくできると思います。もし、仕事につかれたときは、休みの日はすこし‘Relax’　して、すごすのも良いでしょう。　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　日本での生活が楽しくするのも、つまらなくするのも、結局は自分の気持ちしだいだと思います。

これで、スピーチを終わります。皆さん、ありがとうございました。

 

Matsumoto trip

Last month in July, I went for a 3-day trip to Matsumoto at Nagano. Well, I loved the place, it was so green and serene. I think Nagano is a great place to visit during summer. It is still hot outside though, but the moment you see the greeneries and cold water in the river, you will be delighted.

So, how to get there? There are several ways: one way is to take shinkansen from tokyo (the most expensive), take the special express train (middle) or taking the bus (the cheapest). Let me tell you, if you do not book the bus ticket early, you would not get the seat during peak season. We booked pretty late and have to be satisfied with the special express train.

As for accomodation, there are many hotels and youth hostel too. We lived at the youth hotel. I forgot the link, but will post it soon because the hostel is exceptionally clean and the owner is really friendly and helpful. The house is also next to the river, so it is just a nice place.

Where to go? Actually I never planned for it. Sigh. C’mon, I do not really like travelling in the first place. Thankfully, my friend planned for the iteneries really really well. The places we visited are really beautiful place.

On the first day, we went to matsumoto in the morning, from there we put our luggage in the locker on the train station and headed to hatako, where the wasabi farm is. At hatako, we rented bicycles and cycled through the city. The wasabi farm was really cool because wasabi does not grow on soil. It grows on clean water. The place is really serene. I loved it. After the wasabi farm, we visited a wine shop and basically trying all the wine that were on display. Hhehe, when something comes free, dont hesitate! Anyway, from there, we went back to matsumoto and visited the matsumoto castle, which is one of the important castle in Japan, in fact it is one of the 4 national treasure. Well, after looking at sooooooooooo many castles which look almost the same,  I could not figure out whether this one is really better than the rest. Anyway, the thing that surprise me the most is how it is possible to make everything the same. It is like, one they see something is nice, they will just replicate it. Well, I guess that philosophy is apparent on the locales’ live here.

On the second day, we went to this high mountain, kamikochi. THe name means God came to earth. How true is the name. The place is basically a natural reserve with 2 beautiful lakes. Oh ya, we need to take bus to get there, the bus journey is almost 2 hours. I loved the lake, it was very clear and it reflected the blue sky. yeah, it is really beautiful. worth going.

On the third day, we went to Utsukushigahara highland. It was a beautiful place. Slightly on the highland, with all the grass and many cows. The sad thing was my camera was broken and because of the intensive trip for the past 2 days, the last day I was already exhausted. Thus, despite all the beauty scenery, my body was struggling to meet the demand of the terrain.

Anyway, I have to say that nagano, eventhough not as popular as hokkaido, osaka or sendai, is a place worth visiting. The only drawback is the food. Hehhehe, the food is just average.

Ok, that is all