Sunday, August 24, 2014

Japan Life : Introduction

Salam..
Oh my god, I have only about 7 months to go before I say sayonara to Japan, for good!
I can’t believe that I didn’t even blog about my new life here. All the small and exciting things about Japan that I wanted to share with whomever that might come across this humble blog! Yes, talk about work stress and PROCRASTINATION! But it is better late than never. Yes, let’s do it. Where shall I begin? Hmm.
Maybe I should recap a little bit how I end up in Japan in the first place. I actually moved to Japan for a staff transfer program at our headquarter office. Every year a few employees will be selected from our overseas affiliate companies for such programme. Depending on the requirement, the training period differs from 6 months up to 2 years. My training duration is of course, 2 years. And plus another 6 months attending a full time language course at the Kyoto Japanese Language School.

On Oct 2012, I flew alone from Malaysia, reached Kansai International Airport in Osaka in early morning, and managed to find my way to our HQ office in Nagaokakyo, Kyoto. Actually there were 5 other trainees from Thailand in my batch. We are all from different departments but we are required to take the compulsory language course before start working. The reason is, Japanese speaks minimal English. MINIMAL. We need to master  the basic level of Japanese language in order to survive.

So for the first 6 months, every day we had to travel about 45minutes from Nagaokakyo by JR train and subway to our school in Imadegawa. The school conducts various programmes such as summer classes, university entry prep class, business class and intensive course such as ours. Mainly, the students come from China and Europe. As I recalled the memories from my Language School day, it made me cringed! It was a fun school, but I couldn’t catch up classes properly. It was so stressful that I lost weight and even fell ill a few times. As someone who uses English and Malay Language my whole life, I was clueless and scored the worst mark among all. The teachers had to go really slow with me, the trainees from Thai were not much of a help either as they converse mostly in their mother tongue. But, even though I was a slow learner, I managed to shine (or maybe sparkle..) at what I do best, TALKING! Despite the difficulties, I was selected to join the school Japanese speech contest and I was the best presenter during our final presentation test. Once I've finished my language course, my 2 years life as a 社会人 (members of the society) in Japan begins.
Graduation Day!
Before coming to Japan, I was already informed by my company that I will be the first Muslim staff to work in the headquarter office. So I had to be prepared mentally and physically in order to quickly adapt to my new environment. Being a person who wears hijab, it is a huge challenge for me (even until now) to meet people's weired stares and suspicious look where ever I go. On a good day, I'll just smile back or look away pretending I didn't notice them. But as time goes by, especially on a bad bad day, I will stare back at them my head held high.

Still, Japanese are such a good people. Polite, high discipline and full of courtesy. But they are not very open yet to other cultures. They do not know much about Islam, and some don't even know where is Malaysia...(cry!!). Since the beginning of this journey, I have set a personal mission while I'm here, I'm gonna try to mix with as many Japanese people and promote more awareness about my religion and my country, even with the smallest gesture. I always believe that when you work overseas, no matter how small it (your work) is, you are carrying your country’s flag. 
At Tokyo Dome. My routine whenever I goes to Bigbang's concert.

When people ask me how do you feel working in Japan? Well I can say, I do feel proud but it can be very depressing as well especially because of the huge language barrier. What I've learned in school was only basic. Business Japanese is like a whole different level of the language. It took me almost 1 year to at least feel confident enough to speak in front of people in the language. You got to have thick skin and high sense of survival to adapt, it's not just sweet and candy talk.

So yeah, language is a big issue if you want to work in Japan it's no joke. But it is such a beautiful country that all your sufferings and dreads could disappear simply by enjoying it's nature and excitement!

To be continued...

Mount Fuji in Winter.
Cherry Blossom in Spring.

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Japan Life : Emotional breakdown.

It's the 3rd day of Ramadan. Alhamdulillah, I'm in good health and good body condition to embrace this spiritual journey. May Allah grant me such blessing until the last day of Ramadan. For your info, it's summer now in Japan. And Kyoto can be pretty hot and dry on certain days.

On the other hand, I am still emotionally challenged. And today, I broke down in front of everyone during my presentation. It was too much to contain I guess. After my final hiccup, I just laugh it off as a joke. Only Allah knows how embarrassed I was! I hope such incident will never happened again. No matter how difficult life or work is, I should always be compose and refrain from reacting by emotion.

Still, what's done is done. Chin up! It's the month of full blessing. Prayer of those who fast, prayer of the wayfarer, will definitely be answered and granted by Allah the Almighty, Insyaallah. 頑張るぞ。

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Japan Life : Hotel Forza, Fukuoka

 Last time I went for a business trip to Fukuoka. My colleague and I stayed at a small business hotel called Hotel Forza Fukuoka, which is just opposite the Hakata Train Station. I loved it so much! Small, classy and comfy. Everything was in orange color and vibrant! It has everything that I needed including a board-style iron (which I couldn't really figure out how to use it properly but my shirt's a good to go). And most of all, it's company-paid. LoL. They even use high quality bathroom product with essential oil which made me very happy and satisfied after my shower. Oh!I forgot to snap pictures of the bathroom though..










highlight : IPAD!!







Sunday, April 27, 2014

Learning to say NO.

I want to scream to the world. I want to scream to my bosses. I want to scream to my family. I want to scream to my friends. But among all, I want to scream to myself!!

Life is tough lately. I had ( and still have) so many on my plate, more than I could afford and I'm sinking each and every day. I am moody and gloomy at times, tired and frustrated most of the time.

It's hard enough for me to face the daily challenge of being alone in a foreign country with foreign language and religion. I had to suck it up no matter what. I'm trying to stay positive (until the end of my contract here) but why does people act so damn oblivious? Asking me to do this and that when I've already given out so many hint of HESITATIONS. I'm not here on a vacation, I here with a mission to accomplished, for God sake. If you can't help to make other people's life better, help by NOT making it worst.

Yes, that is the source of my problems. People can't understand hint. They want clear facts. So, I am learning to tell them clear facts. I am learning to say NO.
Read between the smile : NO.

Sunday, March 30, 2014

Cherry Blossoms..

I did the unthinkable! Finally I made my first solo backpacking trip in Japan to see the magnificent Mount Fuji in Shizuoka! With just 2 days prior of planning, the journey took me 5 hours from Kyoto to Shizuoka by train, 4 times transit, and voila! やった!It was an early birthday gift (to my self) for 2014 , and I'm glad I did it! It now opens the door to many more new adventure!! (To be continue....)

Saturday, March 1, 2014

Japan Life : West Kyoto : Arashiyama

Arashiyama is one of my favourite place in Kyoto! I just LOVE how the trees and river transforms itself every season in Arashiyama. Winter, Spring, Summer and Autumn, you won't get the same view! Personally, I think the best time to come here is of course in autumn/fall which is around Oct to Nov. The various colors of autumn foliage is just too magnificent! But a short boating trip across the Oi river in the middle of winter was also a great experience!

Arashiyama (嵐山) is a pleasant, touristy district in the western outskirts of Kyoto. The area has been a popular destination since the Heian Period (794-1185), when nobles would enjoy its natural setting. (wiki)

From Kyoto  Station, you can take the JR Sagano Line train to Saga Arashiyama at platform 33.

 
Don't worry, they have gasoline heater inside the boat.
 
Aren't they pretty?

Wild ducks enjoying their winter bath

Bamboo Trail

It's a long walk, so you can also try the trishaw

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Japan Life : North Kyoto : Amanohashidate

Since becoming a  会社員(company employee), I was able to enjoy my new life in Japan more! (Gone off the days of lack of sleep & stressing over 日本語quizzes and tests!!) I’m eager to travel to the different places in Japan every time there's a public holiday here. On weekends, I would try to discover Kyoto city as much as possible but there are so many interesting places to visit in Kyoto itself! Here are some of the places that I’ve visited so far (and more to go!!) Hopefully it can ignite some ideas for those of you who are planning to go to Japan!

Seikiro Ryokan & Gallery, Amanohashidate, North Kyoto.
Amanohashidate (天橋立) is one of Japan"s 3 scenic view  (Matsushima, Amanohashidate, Hiroshima). The sandbar is located in Miyazu Bay in northern Kyoto Prefecture. It forms part of the Tango-Amanohashidate-Ōeyama Quasi-National Park. From Kyoto Station, you can take the JR Limited Express train to Amanohashidate at platform 31.

  
My first Japanese Ryokan experience! And it ain't cheap..




Our room have so many sliding door opening it's just amazing!


We got the best room, both garden and Amanohashidate sea view!
Guest will be serve personally by the staff at the dining hall.
Our Dinner! We boiled everything raw and eat happily.
We even participated in the Obon Festival Dance with the local folks.
Time to say good bye..But see you again Amanohashidate!
Daisypath Graduation tickers