Archive for January, 2007
The English World I Live In
A few friends of mine wrote to me saying that they found it interesting that I studied Japanese literature but worked in an English environment.
What is so-called English environment? For my case, all communications are basically conducted in English: Emails, contracts, documentations, etc., in Japan. But, that’s the last company’s case. My new company is basically a Japanese company, where I only use English to clients who are non-Japanese. That’s why I am hired for!
Big firms like financial institutions basically have all the communications conducted in English because it’s such a nuisance to translate it to and flo to English/Japanese. So, people who work there need to have achieved a required English level.
Countries like Malaysia or Singapore, or even China basically can find English speakers easily. Perhaps English isn’t an issue. But, for countries like Thai, Korea, or Japan, where basically only one language is used, being able to speak English and write good English mean something more than “can speak” but it makes life better. English is a tool to success!
My new job – outsourcing temporary staff – which target for multinational companies where need bilingual staff, is in high demand. The trend goes further to, for instance, looking for staff who knows American tax, English accounting, group secretary experienced in foreign management staff, etc. Sometimes, they require English native level plus business level of Japanese. And the more amazing part is, there never lack of choices of candidates.
The world I live in, her name is Tokyo.
Yet Another New Beginning
Started my new job this week. First day was okay, still under so-called “training period,” which basically has nothing to do but to go through manuals and procedures-like matter. To be honest, this is the first time that I ever have such experience. Training? Wow!
The new environment is great, I see Tokyo Tower every morning when I get out from subway. So close that I can as if jump and climb up. It does gives a different working mood to me.
There is a shrine also a couple buildings nearby. I haven’t checked it out what’s like, will take a walk one of these days to find out more.
Am reading a book, titled “The origin of Kansei.” Kansei, which could mean complex feeling, sensibility, sensitivity, etc., human’s sense which can’t be analyzed rationally. I also found that there is a study called kansei engineering. The reason why English words aren’t used here is partly because kansei seems to have some other meaning than sensitivity.
I have been interested in this field because myself has lots of things which I can’t explain well. And the reason I can’t explain well doesn’t seem to come from the lack of vocabulary, but more, which I am going to find out from now on.
My wife started to go back to work on weekends at Singaporean restaurant as chef, so I start to spend time with only the kids again on weekends. Apparently kids prefer to stay home nowadays, may be because the house is spacious. Only once in a while they would like to go to the park or playground, but never prefer to take trains, which to them are something boring. They wold prefer to cycle the whole trip to somewhere for my shopping than to take the train. Though I want to spend more time in my sun room.
I found many of the others use sun rooms like a store room, or really for drying clothes. I carpeted the room, have my books all piled up on the rags! I even also have my ibook there to surf and read and write! On my Airport, of course. It’s so warm that we don’t really to switch on the heater day time.
I have taken some photos about the washing machine. Nothing fancy, just that there is this buttons where you can choose to use the water from the bath tub by using an extra tube. Will upload the photos when I find the time, and give more explanation.
Got to go to bed now. It’s almost 4 am in the morning now.
Long Winter Break
Get up early, especially on a sunny day, the overview from the sunroom is so refreshing on a winter day. Have a cup of coffee, looking out the window, moon is clear and bright on the sky. It makes ones feel really great.
Got to go to work though.
New year holidays ended. Things seem to go back with a slower pace, but it won’t take much time to back to normal, I guess. Some companies are taking the friday off so that employees can enjoy another 3 days holidays. After that, next week we might find the train will be as packed as it is.
Long holidays are really great.
A New Start, With A Period Comes Along
After a long winter break, today was the first day of work, half day though. Mainly the banks and governmental offices started today, though most of the companies are still on holidays.
Next week will be my last week here with the present company. 8 months of working here I have learned lots of things; admin, management, accounting, insurance for employees and employer, etc. These things that I will not be able to learn if I have joined a bigger firm.
For someone who graduated from Japanese literature, I never have expected that I would be working in a totally English environment, especially in Tokyo. There exists the niche industry – English world – but I never imagined I would be in it myself.
And it will end soon. I will leave this company, this environment – partially –, and move on to another new world.
Fruitcakes
New Home, New Garden
Writing from new apartment.
We had this batik clothes framed when we came to Tokyo in 2000. All the while it was placed on the floor because the old apartment has no walls to hang. At last it sees the sun now.
The apartment is 2LDK + S according to Japanese standard, about 75 square-meter. 2 rooms, one living, one dining, a kitchen, and a conservatory room. We have used the conservatory room as my study, sort of. Put all my books and ibook inside. The kids love the room. Though I haven’t really make much use of it yet.
Gone the 2006, Comes the 2007
We moved to a new apartment just before Christmas. Using the new year bank holidays, we managed to settled down by now. Lots of things still waiting for our unpacking management, most probably it will be left for a while, or forever.
I baked fruitcake on 2nd of Jan instead of last year before Christmas. The main reason was because we were preparing for moving and was not in the mood of Christmas. At last I made it. This tradition has been on for five years.
As it says, it’s better late than never! Long story, all about Fruitful Crops.