2009年7月27日月曜日

Weekend 4: 25-26 Jul

25 Jul
I went to the gym in the morning and for lunch, I went to Ueno to meet Jane & Weiyang. They came to Tokyo last Thursday. I met them for lunch @ Ameyoko Street.

IN the evening, I went to Asakusa alone to watch the fireworks display @ Sumidagawa. Too many people. They were just everywhere, sitting on the street, park, trying to find interesting spots to see the fireworks at 7pm. Many of them walked down the street in Japanese yukata... Along the streets, there are many stalls selling Japanese snacks (Takoyaki, yaki soba, yakitori, ice cream, drinks.. etc)...

The fireworks started at 7pm and ended at 8.30pm. Indeed an amazing display.

I also met Jimmo & Yuli coincidentally. They arrived in Tokyo at around 2pm. I met them in one of the bridges in ASakusa.

26 Jul
I went to the gym again this morning. Afterwards, I went to church @ Narimasu (IFGF GISI Tokyo).

After the church at around 5.30, we went to another youth session (KKR @ Komagome Urban Church). The session was conducted in Japanese. I hardly understand. But, I enjoyed the music, the youth energy, and the Holy Spirit.

Summer Internship @ TAC - Week 4

20 Jul
Today is public holiday in Japan (Marine Day, Umi no Hi). My friends (Ricky and Jojo) came from Singapore to Tokyo. They just married last week and this is their pre-honeymoon trip. I went to meet them at their Shinjuku Hilton Hotel and brought them to sight-seeing around Tokyo. First, we went to Tsukiji for real sushi and sashimi lunch, Ginza for shopping, Omote sando for another shopping, Harajuku for another shopping and finally we stopped at Shibuya for dinner.

On the way back, I met Sandy (my senpai) in the train coincidentally. ^_^ She looks thinner than when she was in IUJ. I guess she must be very tired working in Macquarie... Ganbatte ne Sandy-san! You can make it!

It was indeed a tiring day...

Anyway, thanks for the bakkwa,, Rijo ^_^

21 Jul
In the evening, we (Rin, Me, and Gupta) went to Manisha's Devi Restaurant @ Shinagawa. This is my first time visiting her restaurant.. Oishii ne.. I like Indian food!!!

22 Jul
Nothing special happens today. I continue my routine works: wake up, go to office, lunch, leave office, go to gym, reach home, cook dinner, watch TV and sleep.

But, today's lunch is superb: Smoked Turkey wrap!!! umai

23 Jul
Another usual day...

24 Jul
Another usual day...

2009年7月20日月曜日

Weekend 3: 18-19 Jul

18 Jul
I went to see the 18-metre high Gundam statue in Odaiba. http://www.greentokyo-gundam.jp/

Afterwards, we (Yulia, me, Kartik and Mitchel) went to watch Harry Potter @ Odaiba Aqua City.

After the movie, I went to visit Venus Fort, Toyota Mega Web and Pallete Town by myself. I went there before (3 years ago when I went to Japan on tour package).

I love Odaiba!! Very nice!!!

19 Jul
Today, as usual, I went to church @ Narimasu. Afterwards, I went to Kawasaki for dinner together with Rin & Dimas. Dimas just came back from Bali today and he will go back to IUJ tomorrow. We ate @ Jonathan family restaurant...

2009年7月19日日曜日

Summer Internship @ TAC - Week 3

13 Jul
I had dinner with Arya & Dimas @ Pepper Lunch near Kamata. They are going to Bali tomorrow... How nice!!! I wish I can join them for a short break...

Enjoy ne, Dimas & Arya!!! Bring back oleh-oleh to me yah

14 Jul
Another usual day...

15 Jul
Another usual day...

16 Jul
Another usual day...

17 Jul
Another usual day...

2009年7月14日火曜日

Weekend 2: 11-12 July

11 July
We went to Kamakura today. We bought the 1-day pass from Yokohama. We visited Engakuji, Hachimangu, daibutsu and made a de-tour to Enoshima. There, we can see sea & beach, people playing volley ball, surfing and sun-tanning.

On the way back, we stopped at Kawasaki for dinner. I went to the gym afterwards.

12 July
In the afternoon, I didn't go to church. I went to Shinjuku with Dimas to meet his friends (Kusuma Dewi and Natasya). We had lunch at the Mexican restaurant in Shinjuku. This is my second time having lunch in this restaurant.

In the evening, I met with my fellow IUJ MBA classmates. Total 13 people. We had dinner at Maharaja Indian Restaurant in Shinjuku. They are also doing internship in Tokyo. Two of them are doing interns in Barclays Capital.. and earning a lot!!!! Sugoi ne!!

2009年7月11日土曜日

Summer Internship @ TAC - Week 2

6 July
I intend to join a gym membership during my stay in Tokyo. At least, I have something to do at night. I went to Omori Konami Sports Club and asked for further details. Last week, I went to Kamata branch. I somehow preferred this Omori branch and finally decided to join the membership. It costs me 19,000 yen for two months.

7 July
I finally finished my first task in TAC and completed the manual and documentation... I am wondering what is my next task!

8 July
Today I started my gym membership @ Konami Sports Club in Omori. Orientation in Japanese!! OMG, another culture shock! i can only understand 60% of the whole orientation. When I don't understand, I pretend that I understand.. hehe... hai hai wakarimashita!!! So funny!! The machine and equipment are computerized... I can check how many reps and weight that I have done for the day, how many calories burnt, etc.. so advanced ne!!! Not sure if there is such machine in Singapore...

9 July
In the evening, we met Atri, an IUJ alum who is now working @ AEON Chiba. We ate at Mexican Restaurant in Shinjuku... A nice restaurant!

10 July
Life is as usual in TAC. At night, I went to the gym after work. Second visit to the gym. I tried to use the swimming pool but I was asked to leave the pool because I didn't wear head cap... In singapore, no one uses head cap while swimming... I dunno why it is a MUST in Japan... I am so ashamed...!!!!

2009年7月6日月曜日

Weekend 1: 4-5 July

4 July
I stayed in my room the whole day. Rin came to my place to use Internet. Her shataku doesn't have Internet connection. Poor Rin! She stays in Kawasaki, just one stop from Kamata. Dimas came to Tokyo today and stayed in my place for one week.

In the evening, I went out to meet my friend (Dewi) who came to Tokyo last week. Shopping @ UNIQLO *there is a sale going on!! Dinner @ Kabukicho...

5 July
Today is the D-Day for JLPT. Three bright young Indonesian students *I, Dimas and Yulia began our adventurous trip to Tokyo Daigaku Komaba campus for the JLPT 2. We made some bento for lunch! Yes, yaki udon!!

After the exam, we met Joven @ Shibuya. She took JLPT 1 also. Sugoi ne!!

2009年7月2日木曜日

Summer Internship @ TAC - Week 1

This Monday, 29 June 2009, I started my internship at Tokyo American Club. http://www.tokyoamericanclub.org/

Day 1 - 29 Jun
On my first day, I was introduced to the staff in TAC. The member facilities there are very nice. There are plenty of restaurants, ranging from casual to formal; swimming pools, gyms, library, meeting rooms, etc. I heard from my boss that the joining fee is also very high. It is indeed a high-class club with many expatriates.

TAC office is located in Shinagawa area. This is a temporary office. They will move to their new building next year in Azabudai area. I saw the masterplan sketch. It is very modern and cosy!!!

From today onwards till 25th August, I will work in the Finance department, improving their processes and assisting in implementing the Abacus AP and purchasing module. My first assignment is to create a Microsoft Access application to automate the generation of AP import files to the Abacus system.

There is a staff canteen where all staff have their lunch there. The lunch menu served is delicious. Every day, I can eat salad, soup of the day, and the main meal. I think the taste is comparable to outside mid level restaurant. Of course it is 100 times better than IUJ Shokudo...

My feeling is just normal. Not happy and not sad. Isn't it my dream 4 years ago working in Tokyo? Now, I have realized my dream (although only for 2 months). I can experience commuting in Tokyo during rush hours wearing black suits. Isn't it cool? I can experience nijikai, drinking after work, etc. Isn't it great? Hm.... why don't I have those great feeling? It is indeed a great challenge working in Japan, especially Tokyo. The first and most difficult challenge is communication. If you don't know Japanese, don't go to work in Tokyo. You will suffer...!!! Trust me!!!

Day 2 - 30 Jun
Rin came to Tokyo and I met her together with Dimas for Dinner @ Kamata. She will start her internship next MOnday. She stays in Kawasaki, one stop from Kamata. NExt time, I will visit her in Kawasaki. Heard that there are a lot of interesting places in Kawasaki, e.g two cinemas, many shopping centers...

Day 3 - 1 Jul
Dimas went back to IUJ today and Jin Kai will come to Tokyo and stay with me temporarily. Rin actually asked me to have dinner together with Oscar, Ken and Josh. But, I can't make it because I have to fetch Jinkai at night.

ON this day, I showed to my boss my work so far to ensure that I am doing in the correct direction. I am scared that I misunderstood his instructions since he gave the instructions in Japanease. I can only understand 80% of his instructions. THus, I showed him the work-in-progress today. He was quite pleased and gave some suggestions for improvement. I will fine-tune the system again.

Day 4 - 2 Jul
I went to CFA Society of Japan 10th Anniversary Events, met a lot of great people working in Finance field... I am very ashamed of myself as I ran out of namecards. I should have brought more namecards. After the event, I and new-made friends went for nijikai. I reached home at around 11pm.

Oh ya. I met two Indonesian friends there. Minna sugoi people... I think I am the only student there. MOst probably the youngest there also. Initially, I don't want to attend the event already. I do not know anyone before the event. But, I don't regret it!!! Now, I make many new friends whom in future I may need to count on if I work in Tokyo next year. ^_^

Day 5 - 3 Jul
I almost finished my first assignment in TAC. Yep!! Weekend is coming. This Sunday, 5 July I will have my JLPT level 2. I don't think I can pass as I haven't studied at all.. Anyway, I will take it again in Dec later...