2010年1月3日日曜日

Tokyo, I love you!!!

I arrived this morning in Tokyo at around 8AM. Yey, TOkyo is still as enchanting and interesting as before!

Once again I am falling in love with Tokyo, especially during the winter season. Everyone is dressed well and fashionable. Even the aunties and uncles look fabulous, not to speak the youngsters.. I feel I am younger 10 years old by walking down the streets with neon lights everywhere in Tokyo... Banzai, Tokyo!!!

I went to yakiniku tabehodai (buffet BBQ) in Hanamasa Ginza.. This supposed to be my ninth time there. Afterwards, I headed to IFGF TOkyo to meet my old friends.

I bought winter clothes in Ginza!! Again, I have told myself not to buy any more clothes.. because I really have too much already. I cannot resist the temptation, Uniqlo 50%off... who can resist??? Bought two sweaters Uniqlo Fleece and two plain t-shirts for the inner layering purpose... It is quite cheap. Only 2,570 yen for four items! It is almost the same price for the transportation fee from Narita airport to Tokyo!!! Really worth it!!!!

I just had my dinner - a very unique gyuudon (690 yen). It is actually a normal gyuudon, but with a slice of fresh butter on top, making the entire don really tasty when the butter melts! I will come back to patronize that stall again!!!

I stayed in the hotel that I stayed before last year: Cube Ueno Hotel. Last year, the rate per room was around 7,000 yen. This year, it is discounted to 5,900 yen (only on Sat & Sun). With the same amount, I can actually stay in Sakura Hotel Ikebukuro. But, the quality and facilities of this Cube Ueno hotel are superb~~~ free 24hrs drinks + free breakfast buffet! Sakura Hotel Ikebukuro doesn't have those !!

2010年1月2日土曜日

日本、我が来るよ!

今シンガポールチャンギ空港にいる。これから十時間後我が日本に着くはずだ。

日本に着いた後、多数の事をしなければならない。一番心配なのは論文についてのことだ。今まで、何もしないから。

今学期とても忙しいと思う。日本語能力試験2級をもう一度受けるつもりだ。CFAの二級の準備、仕事を探ること、。。。

来週の火曜日日本語の上級のQUALIFYING試験を受けることになっているんだが、まだよく準備しないから、ちょっと心配ね。今晩飛行機で復習しようとおもっているの。

天気予報によると、今年IUJは雪がたくさん降るそうだ。嬉しいな!スキーができる。

I am now at Singapore Changi Airport. From now onwards, 10 hours later I will arrive in Japan.

After arriving in Japan, I have lots of things to do. I am most concerned about my thesis as until now nothing has been done.

I will be very busy in this semester. I have to study for JLPT 2 and CFA 2. I have to look for job also.

Next week Tuesday, I will have to sit for Advanced Japanese Qualifying Test. I haven't really prepared well, so I am quite worried now. I am planning to study and review in the plane later.

According to the weather forecast, IUJ will snow a lot this year. Happy! I can skii... ^_^

Goodbye Singapore!!!!

Again, I have to bid farewell to all my friends in Singapore... Thanks for the great accompaniment, great food, great treat, great time during my two-week stay in Singapore... My life in Singapore won't be so enjoying without you guys!!!

I am entering a new chapter in my life. It is actually not really a new chapter, kinda a sequel from the previous chapter.

I will be arriving in Tokyo tomorrow morning and will go to my hotel in Ueno to drop my cabin baggage first. I will send the large baggage from Narita to my campus. After that, I will be meeting my friends @ ginza, savouring the viking style BBQ.. oh, I really miss that!! This should be my ninth times eating @ the restaurant..

After that, I plan to go to Narimasu to visit my church IFGF Tokyo.. I told God that one day, I will serve there either as singer (although I can't sing quite well), or as usher or as the webmaster. I have been Christian for over 10 years, but what have I done for God during these 10 years? If compared to my fellow friends who went to the same church in Singapore 10 years ago, I felt so small. They are now very dedicated in their serving to Lord. I am still a nobody!

I told myself: It is time to give back to God... God has given me an amazing life. He has given me many countless wonderful gifts in this life (from my undergraduate studies in NUS until my post-graduate studies in IUJ). It is now time to give back to God. And why this church? Many reasons:
1. The church is still growing. The congregation members are around 70-80 people. I believe there are my opportunities for me to serve as the servant of Lord.
2. I want to stay in Tokyo!!!! Yes, this is part of the reason why I chose this church.

Lord, help me to find a job in Tokyo after graduation, so that I can stay in Tokyo and be your servant to your people in Japan. I believe you have placed me in Japan for some reasons. Guide me to Your way!

Japan, I am coming! From today onwards, I will try to write my blog in two languages - a practice that I have done for 6 months since Sep 2008. I need to brush up my Japanese language skills to increase my chance of being offered a job in Tokyo.. But, nothing is impossible with Him!

ジェス、これから助けてくれるよ!

The first.... in 2010

Isenk2 aja neh.

The first.... in 2010:
1. friend/ people that I met: two lovely couples: Ricky Jojo & Alfon Dian
2. place I went: PS Cafe in Dempsey Road
3. time I slept: 2.45am
4. time I woke: 9.35am
5. drink that I drank: Water
6. lunch that I ate: home cooked food by Eva Evy's mum
7. movie that I watched: Alvin The Chipmunks 2
8. dinner that I ate: Hong Kong Xin Wang @ Cineleisure
9. thing that I bought: toiletries & drugs from Watson
10. service that I paid: haircut & coloring by Erwin
11. bus that I took: 145
12. MRT that I went: Tiong Bahru
13. plaza that I entered: Far East Plaza
14. SMS that I received: from rita costan
15. call that I received: from hardy

2009年12月28日月曜日

A Great 2009

Year 2009, so far, is the greatest year in my life. IN this year, I have the chance to study in Japan, to do internship in Tokyo for two months, to go for exchange in Shanghai CEIBS for 4 months, and finally to have a two-week holiday in Singapore to visit my old friends. A truly enriching experience... An undescribable experience.. A memorable and enjoyable experience...

During this year 2009, I learned a lot, experienced a lot, and cried a lot too! Through this year, I am molded into a more matured person. Witnessing my friends getting married one-by-one has really added so much pressure to myself. Witnessing the success of my friends in career life has motivated me to work harder. I told myself that I would catch up soon! Just wait for me! I am still heating up my engine...

Year 2010 is a year full of challenge. I only have a plan for the first half of 2010, i.e. continuing my study in Japan. I will be graduating on 25 June. After that, I leave it to God to enlighten me!

I will not give up! akiramenai! May God give me the fighting spirit over the next six months as the next six months will be my busiest time ever. I have lots of things to do:
1. Prepare for JLPT Level 2
2. Prepare for CFA Level 2
3. Thesis (till now ZERO progress)
4. MBA courses & projects
5. Library part-time
6. Apply for jobs
7... many more

Nothing is impossible with God! Through UPs and DOWNs in life, He will still be with me!

2009年12月25日金曜日

15 things in my bag

I am a guy that always carry a bag everywhere I go. It is kind of strange for a guy carrying a bag, back in my home country (Indonesia, especially my hometown Medan). Unless you are wearing a student uniform or an office worker suit, you will get a strange glance from people. Nevertheless, I can't go out without my bag. I remembered that one of my friend always asked me, "Where are you going yah? Why bring such a big bag?"... Er..

Take a peek at what is inside my bag (tote white bag from FILA as of 25 Dec @ Singapore):
1. Wallet - Braun Buffel
I normally don't put my wallet in my pants' pocket. I don't want to bend my cards!

2. Mobile Phone - Nokia 6500 slide
Sometimes I put this in my pocket if I am waiting for important calls or messages.

3. Umbrella - UNIQLO
Useful in rainy days. Sedia payung sebelum hujan!

4. Note book
I am not a gadget person. I am still using a traditional note book (yes, with papers & pen). Maybe, if I use iphone or other smartphones in future, I will dump this! In my note book, I will keep a to-do-list, important appointments, notes, etc

5. Pen - PILOT G-Tec 0.4 Black
To accompany the note book.

6. Namecard with namecard holder
You will never know when you will meet important people when you are going out.

7. ipod mini
It is now 5 years old! Time to change?

8. Nike Water bottle
Of course with water inside! I have lost this water bottle once in IUJ and twice in CEIBS. But, in the end some samaritans out there returned to me.

9. Pocket Camera - Canon IXY Digital 510 IS
Bought from Amazon JP. So much cheaper that RRP in Singapore

10. Clean & Clear Wet Facial Tissues
I have oily face. This comes very handy and useful.

11. Sambal ABC
This may sounds funny though! But, I like this Indonesian chilly sauce very much. It is the best companion for KFC or McD.

12. Deodorant Spray - Adidas
No comment here!

13. UNO Wax
To keep stylish all the time. ^_^

14. Fresh Mint
To keep bad mouth away!

15. Keys Pocket
Where I keep the house keys!

2009年12月21日月曜日

Exchange Life in Shanghai CEIBS: Aug - Dec 2009

Welcome Back To Blogspot!

It has been a long time I have never logged in and post something to my blog. I was in China Shanghai for exchange program 4 months. Blogspot is blocked there! That's why..

Anyway, now I am back to Singapore for holiday (2 weeks) before heading back to my campus life in Japan...

Oh.. how time flies! 2 months internship in Tokyo, 4 months exchange in Shanghai.. great experience, great companions! I will miss my friends in Shanghai

2009年8月26日水曜日

10 'My's I will remember during my internship days in Tokyo 20 Jun - 25 Aug

Today is my last day in Tokyo. I will be flying off to Shanghai tonight. Yesterday was my last day internship @ Tokyo American Club....

I really miss Tokyo life.. honto ni...

1. My Internship Company - Tokyo American Club
- Free and delicious lunch meal (thai curry, lasagna, fish burger, smoked turkey wrap, etc)
- Employee Recognition Day
- Bon Odori Festivals
- Farewell party @ tsuki no shizuku restaurant
- last but not least, my colleagues and bosses.

2. My Shelter - Kamata
- comfy room *studio apartment 23 sqm
- rental futon for Dimas and Jinkai

3. My Online Social Community - Facebook
- Approx. 12 hrs spent with Facebook per day in office and at home
- Created many photo albums
- Found long lost friends (from Wiyata Secondary School and Sutomo High School) e.g johanes, surtinah, shani, vivi, wenly, wiwy, betty, zulham, johan, yuswan antoni, and the rest of the cookies family..
- I heard rumour that FB and blogspot is blocked in China. If that is true, that means.... this is my last post in this blog for this year... Hix hix hix

4. My Church - IFGF GISI Tokyo
- Narimasu church - very far... 1.5 hrs by train from my apartment
- Youth KKR @ Urban Church Komagome - found many new nice Christian songs!! (I'm Yours, Sing Sing Sing, All Things New, To You, I Just Want You Jesus)
- The pastors: Ps Caleb, Ps Lusi, Ps Jo
- My church friends:
* Adit and Erwin - the angels' vocals; the worship leader
* Ferdinand - medan lank; friends of Jules and Suwandi
* Suhandy - medan lank; 'dokter'
* Yank - medan lank; I like his hairstyle leh!
* Stanford - The 'Stanny' medan lank; studied in Singapore @ ACJC before; narsis loh!!!
* Verry - 'verry' sporty guy - always arranged sports events (futsal, mt fuji climbing...)
* Yulia Wijaya - reminds me of another Yulia from IUJ (see point #10 below) .. Both have surname starting with 'W'. Wijaya and Wiantono... so coincident neh...
* Sally, Kanako-chan, Melissa - the talented pianist
* Kanako-chan, Nao-chan, Ai-chan - Japanese in Indonesian IFGF church
* Kaoru - cousin of Melissa Bomber, Charles, Margaret and Jessica.. world is small eh..?
* Happy - very japanese look-alike, esp with his long dyed hair... but Indoneshia jin da yo...
* Ing & Jhony - osan; gank jeruk; jeruk makan jeruk; penjaga tempat buat hanabi ^_^
* Kornel - jayus banget.. aka garink abisss, comment2 fbnya lucu2, bikin ngakak pas baca...
* Herry - the drummer; i think his wife looks like my cousin Debby... mirip 70%
* Miyuki - the first one who greeted me at IFGF GISI Tokyo
* Ida Saori - mixed Jap & Indo...
* Kenn - kesian dhe ama perutnya yang slalu dicubit org2 ^_^
* Daud, Heghy, Steven and many more ...

5. My Weekend Sightseeing
- Hanabi at Sumidagawa
- Hanabi at Toda Koen, Saitama
- Gundam @ Odaiba - love this a lot!!!
- Kamakura and Enoshima short trip with Dimas
- Tokyo Daigaku Komaba Campus - JLPT 2
- Kawasaki - Lazona and Citta Della
- Shinjuku - Indian Maharaja, Mexico, and Thai restaurant
- Indonesian Festival at Yoyogi Koen
- Azabu Jyuban Festival

6. My Workout Center - Konami Sports Club @ Omori
- Gym, Weight training, Sauna
- Tanning Machine
- Swimming Pool

7. My Favourite TV Programme - FIVB World Grand Prix Women's Volleyball
- My most favourite player: Cinderella Kano
- Other players: Inoue, Saori, Takeshita, Kurihara

8. My Freelance Project - E-flyer from NUS
- Human Capital Insights Forum - WaiMin
- KL Seminar - Darryl
- Career Transition Seminar - WaiMin
- Official Launch of Centre for Social Entrepreneurship and Philanthropy - Rajes
- CEO Luncheon Series - Adeline
- NUS BIZ Career Services Networking Events - Stephanie
- UCLA NUS Program Briefing 2009 - Michelle
- NUS-PKU Celebration dinner with backdrop - Darryl

9. My Movies
- Transformers 2 @ Shinjuku
- Harry Potter @ Odaiba
- Terminator @ Roppongi
- Night at Museum 2 @ Shinjuku

and... last but not least...

10. My Friends (Dinner & Lunch)
- Ricky & Jojo - thanks for visiting me in Tokyo and thanks for the bee cheng hiang yah pengantin baru!!
- Jane, Yukino, Weiyang - from Singapore
- Dimas, Arya, Jinkai - roommates in Kamata
- Yulia Wiantono - always go for movie together
- Atri, Karens, Sandy, Kustini, Manisha, Rabi-chan, Charles - IUJ Alumni
- Abishek, Rin, Ankit, Kartik, Amreen, Oscar, Josh, Devang, Alex, Gupta, Thuy: IUJ-ers MBA who interned in Tokyo
- Greg and Tatsuya - fellow classmates in CEIBS
- Kusuma Dewi and Natasya - Dimas' friends
- Karn - my neighbour in IUJ and the hardworking guy studying Japanese in Tokyo during summer...
- Andre Kasmara - Indonesian friend whom I met in CFA Society of Japan Anniversary Dinner
- Joven - one of the two Singaporeans in IUJ
- Kaoru and Margaret - Melissa Bombie's cousin
- The IFGF friends

Thank you all for making my life so memorable and enjoyable in Tokyo...

See you again soon!!!
Shanghai, I am coming... ^_^

2009年8月25日火曜日

Counting down... Last Day @ TAC

This morning, I was supposed to have phone interview at 5AM. I woke up at 4.15 AM and waited for the phone call from JNJ.

After 15 minutes have passed 5AM, I still didn't receive the call yet. I went and check the time conversion again. It was scheduled MOnday, 24 Aug 2009 4PM (Eastern Standard Time). I found out that it should be this morning 6AM. Just realized that in US there are two types of time. EST and EDT.

But, still I didn't receive any call at 6AM. Sigh.. quite disappointed... I wrote email to JNJ. I didn't have their email address. The acknowledgement email that they sent to me contains "DO NOT REPLY" email address. I sent the email through their website. Hopefully, someone there can reply me!

Ahhhh.. taihen na... I am leaving Tokyo tomorrow. Even if they return my call, they will not be able to reach me as I will be in Shanghai tomorrow. I need to buy a phone number as soon as possible in Shanghai.

Just heard the rumour that Facebook is blocked in China. OMG, how could I survive without it? God knows....

2009年8月24日月曜日

Keeping my fingers crossed...

I hope that everything turns out well.

Just received email from Kian Lin, my future flatmates in Shanghai that his friend is going to meet the landlord to sign the apartment contract and pay the deposit on behalf of us. I hope that the landlord is not backing out. Hope everything is going smoothly as planned.

Worst case - I have to find another accomodation in Shanghai...

God, help me this time!!!

Counting down... Last Weekend @ Tokyo

Sat, 22 Aug
- Go to Abishek's apartment
- Have lunch with him & Amreen nearby their apartment
- Go to Charles' apartment
- Go to Azabu Jyuban Matsuri together with him, Yulia and Thuy
- Go to SHinjuku to have dinner together with Kustini

Sun, 23 Aug
- Go to Hanamasa Ginza.. my last yakiniku tabehodai this year ... with YUlia and Karn
- Go to church
- Farewell dinner @ Denny Narimasu branch

2009年8月21日金曜日

Counting down... last Friday @ Tokyo

Whoaaa. time flies so fast.. I can't keep up with it..

Tonight, I plan to meet Margaret. She came to Japan last two weeks. She will go back tomorrow to Singapore. I knew her from Elsa. She is a cousin of Melissa Bombie. It is a whole chain of family relationship: Melissa -- Charles and Margaret -- Jessica -- Yovita -- Kaoru...

I met Kaoru in Tokyo IFGF GISI church. World is small, eh?

My weekend plan is also full:
Saturday
- Lunch with Abhishek 11AM - 2PM
- Azabu Juban 3PM - 5PM
- Dinner with the Kus family (Kustini and Kusuma Dewi) @ Shinjuku

Sunday
- Lunch with Karn and Yulia @ Hanamasa Ginza.. yipiiee.. yakiniku tabehodai... super cheap.. 1000 yen .. really worth it!
- Church after lunch...
- Dinner - not decided yet.. maybe with my church friends.

30 minutes more to lunch.. I am looking forward to lunch.. what is the menu today ya?

2009年8月20日木曜日

Counting down... last Thursday @ Tokyo

Time flies really so fast. Today is my last Thursday @ Tokyo and @ TAC.

I am going to watch "The Night at Museum" tonight at Shinjuka Wald with Yulia and Rabiah.. This is the fourth movie that I have watched in Tokyo.

1. Transformers 2
2. Harry Potter
3. Terminator
4. The Night at Museum

Movie ticket costs 1800 yen (standard) around Japan. Expensive neh... it is equivalent to around SGD 22.. i can watch 2 times in Singapore..

Will I miss Japan? That is not actually a question. YES! OF COURSE I WILL!!!

2009年8月19日水曜日

Counting down... last Wednesday @ Tokyo - Farewell Party @ TAC

Although my last day of work in TAC is next Tuesday, my colleagues and my boss will hold a farewell party tonight at a restaurant in Shinagawa.

This is the first time and the last time we had dinner and nomikai together. You may think that it is pathetic, isn't it??? No, I don't think so! That is because we had lunch everyday in the employee cafeteria... We have enough bonding already.. hehehe... just that we can't drink in the employee cafeteria...

The WORST!!!
I have seen the worst one when I worked in NUS Business School. Even for my farewell lunch, I have to pay for my own lunch and only 3 (me, riky and my boss) out of a total of 6 of us in my department joined my farewell lunch... that is the worst I have seen so far..... Users from other department invited me for farewell lunch. They even paid for my lunch... so touched!! even my boss didn't pay for my farewell lunch.. okie... enough complaining about him!!!

The BEST!!!
When I left SilkAir, I almost cried... My boss held a farewell party in the office... At that day, there are two people from SilkAir who will leave the company... Me and May. She cried!! I almost cried too, when Penny presented me with the diary written by my closest friends in the company... I was so touched!!! I really missed my time in SilkAir... really like a family!

How about today's farewell?? Let's see...