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!

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!

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

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... ^_^

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....

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

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?

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!!!

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...

Congrats, Abishek!!!

My friend, Abishek, has just passed his CFA Level 2 exam. I am glad for him....

Glad that he doesn't need to accompany me next year for Level 2 ....

Glad that he can pass his Schweser books to me next year...

I don't need to buy the Schweser books ^_^.. so happy ne!!!!

I'm Yours - by Planet Shakers

The first time I listened to this song is when I attended the youth KKR in Urban Church Tokyo @ Komagome... I am so touched. I love this song!



I'm Yours by Planet Shakers
Oh Lord
When I think of all You've done
My heart sings of Your love
That saved my soul
And made me whole
My life is Yours

Cause You paid the price
I give You my life, I'm Yours

So no matter what the cost
I will go for You
No matter what it takes, I'm Yours
Because You paid the price at Calvary
I give You my whole life, I'm Yours

Oh Lord
My everything to You I lift
My heart and soul I live
For You alone
I'm not my own
My life is Yours

I'm Yours
Jesus I am Yours

Special Recognition plus Job Interview

Two great things in this week:

1. Special recognition letter

I was just informed by ACSC Yamada-san that I would get a special recoginition letter from IUJ since I have been placed in the Dean List for three consecutive semesters.

Who else should I thank? None other than my Lord Jesus! He is so GOOD!

Now, I can add that achievement into my resume.. ^_^

2. First job interview

Next Monday, I will be having my first job interview - phone interview with Johnson & Johnson. I couldn't find a better time since their interview time is US Eastern Time. My scheduled time is 25 August 2009 5AM Tokyo time. I hope I don't oversleep on that day...

I would really like to work in this company. I don't mind stationed in either Jakarta or Singapore. Best if I can work in the Tokyo branch... Anyway, I will leave it to God to decide. I can only try my best and count on Him for the result.

Next Wednesday, I am leaving Tokyo... Sad.. extremely sad.. I will miss my time in Tokyo... This morning, I watched my videos in Facebook, browsed my photos for the past one year.... I feel something warm in my cheek.. Yes, it is my tears!...

On the other hand, I am going to Shanghai for exchange in CEIBS for one semester.... Excited for the new environment, new friends....

But, I have faith that I am going to come back to Tokyo next year (for work, of course!!).... God, open the ways for me yah!

New Year Eve in the sky - Romantic?

Have you ever enjoyed your New Year Eve in the sky?

I am planning my December holiday. Shall I try this experience? I can book a flight from Singapore to Tokyo on 31 Dec 2009 23:45pm. The moment the flight takes off, it is the change of year....

What will I feel by then? Something different maybe? I don't know... I am looking forward to it!