Going through customs and money exchanging must have taken a couple of years off my life. The immigration officials took me aside so they could fiddle around with my precious Certificate of Elegibility, which had taken so much trouble and effort to get, only to take it away and add a 'permission to land' paper to my passport. Then, I thought I lost my passport at the currency exchange counter, but it was really tucked into a corner of my purse. *rollseyes* My first Japanese exchange was with the train ticket seller - I bought a ticket to Tokyo station, from which I would switch to another line that went to Kokubunji, which is where the Hitachi Central Research Laboratory is located. After that, I bought a phone card and after many failed attempts, managed to contact Yamazaki-san at HCRL to let her know that I had arrived safely in Japan. After that, all I had to do was hop on board my train and hightail it out of the airport.
My first thoughts of Japan as I looked out the train window were that there were an amazing amount of powerlines everywhere, and wonder at the rice-paddies lining the areas by the train tracks. The landscape is very different from New Hampshire - parts are very flat, and the hilly areas that the train drives through are covered with green green grass, instead of bare granite. The outlying urban areas reminded me of the small cities back home, except that the houses (those that weren't western-style brick constructions, that is) had very Asian roofs with the distinctive tiling and curving edges. Then we got into more urban areas, and high-rise buildings started taking over the scenery. I think my mother will be quite surprised when she comes to visit. She hasn't been here in nearly thirty years, and I'm sure lots of things are different now.
As soon as I got off the train at Tokyo station, I caught sight of a guy wearing one of those university-style zip-up hoodies that usually has a school name written across the front, except his proclaimed "COLLEGE". I was amused - I'm looking forward to seeing some amusing Engrish here.
After getting a bit lost and confused, I got on the right train and made it out to Kokubunji. It's quite long - about a 45 minute ride. We passed by Tokyo Dome, which was all lit up. That's where Japan's baseball games are played. I felt terrible taking up so much space with my luggage during rush hour, but at least I don't have to worry about it again until I go back at the end of this summer. It was pouring buckets, so I took a taxi to HCRL instead of having people meet me at the station. HCRL is only two-minute taxi ride (a five-minute walk, perhaps) from the station though - it's really close. Good thing, because taxis are really expensive.
Anyway, I met Yamazaki-san, who has been so much help in getting all of the paperwork settled, and then I was handed off to Bitoh-san, who took me up to the office where I'd be working. I met a few of my future coworkers there (even though it was 8pm, there were three or four people still there), and then Yamamoto-san showed up (she lives in the same dorm as me, and worked in the same group with Bitoh-san until April, when she was transferred to another division) and we went to the dorm. Yamamoto-san and the housekeeper then gave me a whirlwind tour of my room, showing me how to use the combination sink/shower, how to assemble and disassemble the bed, and the many uses of the oven/toaster/microwave contraption in the kitchen. They were amazed that most American stoves use electricity to work - I guess most of Japan relies on gas stoves. After that, Bitoh-san and Yamamoto-san took me out to dinner at a nearby restaurant, which was very delicious, and after that, Yamamoto-san introduced me to a nearby convenience store, where I bought bread and juice for the next day's breakfast. Japan has many varieties of bread and they come individually wrapped. It's really quite interesting. The one that I bought was a ham and cheese in a croissant-ish type bread, and it looks quite interesting. After that, I returned to the dorm to unpack and settle down for the evening. Whew! Safe and settled! And I'm glad to see that my laptop appears to be working fine on Japan's weird 100V electrical power.
Everyone's English is so good - I feel bad for having such poor Japanese language skills.
- Flykyr Skysong
Current song: None
Current mood: Excited
Monday, May 30, 2005
In the Air, Halfway There
I'm halfway through my flight to Japan. I tried sleeping, but I only managed an hour-long nap. I'm going to be really tired later on today, but I've handled all-nighters so I'll live. I'm just far too antsy to sleep right now.
Flying to Japan is quite the paradox. I'm going to be in this plane for twelve hours straight, and it's never going to get dark. I keep wondering what flying back to the States will entail, but I'm not willing to seriously consider the matter right now - that's a question for me to figure out in three months' time. Halfway there, and we're still over snow-covered mountains. At this point, I think it must be Alaska. Funny that we're halfway there, and we haven't even left North America yet. That's the polar route for you.
I was really impressed when I arrived in Detroit for my connection. The Northwest Airlines terminal is huge and really nice and even has a little tram running from one end of the terminal to the other, elevated far above the passerby. Indoors. Funny thing to watch. I found my gate easily enough, and was duly impressed with the sight of the 747 that I'd be flying in - I haven't been in one (or even seen) of those babies since I flew to Germany in the summer after I graduated high school. Fond memories welled up of that 8-hour flight and the little TV screens in the back of each seat that showed great pictures, even though the screens were so small.
I get onto the plane an hour before takeoff - I'm in the far back of the plane, row 63K. My row is interesting because it consists of only two seats, and the row in front of me has three. Sweet - I get a place to stow my backpack and a empty space for legroom. Clearly, I have the best seat on the plane. Then I look up and notice that this plane is not nearly as up-to-date as the one that I took to Germany. I can see a single TV projection screen, many many rows away. As I frown upon this, a tall guy sits down directly in my line of sight. Okay. Movies are now out of the question. Not that the plane is showing anything of interest anyway. Spanglish is not high on my priority list of movies to see. I pick up the airplane magazine, only to be taunted by options that apply to first class or more modern planes. I want outlet power for my laptop, dammit! I figure it's going to be a long and boring flight.
In all actuality, I have brought far more things than I can possibly do in one flight. I spent a good deal of time reviewing old Japanese flashcards, reading my Japan guidebook, and cursing myself for leaving all my useful 'survival in Japan' handouts at home. I start to wonder what the hell I'm doing - am I really going to be all right, all by myself in Tokyo, trying to commute out to Hitachi with a huge suitcase in the middle of evening rush hour traffic. Guess I'll find out soon enough. For now, I can take comfort in the fact that I packed three months' worth of clothes and various sundries into only one suitcase - we were all convinced that I'd need two.
Way early in the flight, this flight attendant walked around, handing out these forms that some people had to fill out. Unfortunately, she was speaking in Japanese when she walked by, so I couldn't tell what they were for. No one seemed to be taking them though, so I didn't jump up to grab one. Now, I'm wondering if they were for people staying in Japan, since everyone around me appears to be flying on to other places - Singapore for the guy sitting next to me, and Thailand for the three girls in front of me. What's going on? I feel terribly clueless. I also feel like I forgot all of my Japanese in the past couple weeks since school ended. This nagging feeling of worry has been growing on me since the plane took off - I think it has only just struck me that I'm actually doing it. I'm actually going to Japan. And I'm going to be there for three whole months. Wow. Deep breath, Flykyr.
Life is an adventure.
- Flykyr Skysong
Current song: Young Parisians feat. Ben Lost - Jump the Next Train (Kyau vs. Albert Remix)
Current mood: Worried
Flying to Japan is quite the paradox. I'm going to be in this plane for twelve hours straight, and it's never going to get dark. I keep wondering what flying back to the States will entail, but I'm not willing to seriously consider the matter right now - that's a question for me to figure out in three months' time. Halfway there, and we're still over snow-covered mountains. At this point, I think it must be Alaska. Funny that we're halfway there, and we haven't even left North America yet. That's the polar route for you.
I was really impressed when I arrived in Detroit for my connection. The Northwest Airlines terminal is huge and really nice and even has a little tram running from one end of the terminal to the other, elevated far above the passerby. Indoors. Funny thing to watch. I found my gate easily enough, and was duly impressed with the sight of the 747 that I'd be flying in - I haven't been in one (or even seen) of those babies since I flew to Germany in the summer after I graduated high school. Fond memories welled up of that 8-hour flight and the little TV screens in the back of each seat that showed great pictures, even though the screens were so small.
I get onto the plane an hour before takeoff - I'm in the far back of the plane, row 63K. My row is interesting because it consists of only two seats, and the row in front of me has three. Sweet - I get a place to stow my backpack and a empty space for legroom. Clearly, I have the best seat on the plane. Then I look up and notice that this plane is not nearly as up-to-date as the one that I took to Germany. I can see a single TV projection screen, many many rows away. As I frown upon this, a tall guy sits down directly in my line of sight. Okay. Movies are now out of the question. Not that the plane is showing anything of interest anyway. Spanglish is not high on my priority list of movies to see. I pick up the airplane magazine, only to be taunted by options that apply to first class or more modern planes. I want outlet power for my laptop, dammit! I figure it's going to be a long and boring flight.
In all actuality, I have brought far more things than I can possibly do in one flight. I spent a good deal of time reviewing old Japanese flashcards, reading my Japan guidebook, and cursing myself for leaving all my useful 'survival in Japan' handouts at home. I start to wonder what the hell I'm doing - am I really going to be all right, all by myself in Tokyo, trying to commute out to Hitachi with a huge suitcase in the middle of evening rush hour traffic. Guess I'll find out soon enough. For now, I can take comfort in the fact that I packed three months' worth of clothes and various sundries into only one suitcase - we were all convinced that I'd need two.
Way early in the flight, this flight attendant walked around, handing out these forms that some people had to fill out. Unfortunately, she was speaking in Japanese when she walked by, so I couldn't tell what they were for. No one seemed to be taking them though, so I didn't jump up to grab one. Now, I'm wondering if they were for people staying in Japan, since everyone around me appears to be flying on to other places - Singapore for the guy sitting next to me, and Thailand for the three girls in front of me. What's going on? I feel terribly clueless. I also feel like I forgot all of my Japanese in the past couple weeks since school ended. This nagging feeling of worry has been growing on me since the plane took off - I think it has only just struck me that I'm actually doing it. I'm actually going to Japan. And I'm going to be there for three whole months. Wow. Deep breath, Flykyr.
Life is an adventure.
- Flykyr Skysong
Current song: Young Parisians feat. Ben Lost - Jump the Next Train (Kyau vs. Albert Remix)
Current mood: Worried
Saturday, May 28, 2005
Here Today, Gone Tomorrow
I'm so spoiled. I got back from St. Martin today, and I'm missing the sun and 85-degree water already. The diving there was pretty good, and the food was fantastic. My dad and I stayed at Anse Marcel, which must be the nicest part of the island. I guess it wouldn't appeal to the average American, but I really appreciated our time-share. It was huge compared to the timeshare we stayed in at Tortola last year, and there was plentiful air-conditioning. The local cats were friendly (too friendly actually - one would try to follow us inside and the other would sit outside and miaow endlessly at us) and the place felt really isolated. It was quiet. Perhaps one of the quietest places I'd ever been to. The beach and the marina were only a five-minute walk away, so it was really easy to go diving or take a swim.
Highlights of diving include a wreck-dive of a year-old wreck. Big old boat called the Porpoise, with all sorts of nifty swim-throughs. Also, one of the dives featured a sandy area with conchs, conch-sized hermit crabs, and sting rays as long as I am tall. Pretty nifty. No octopi though. ;~;
I've tried all sorts of wonderful French desserts - pistacio creme brulee, grapefruit mousse, grand marnier souflee, quince. The French food there is reputed to be the best in the Caribbean. It's just a shame that it's so expensive.
Today was kind of exciting albeit time-consuming. I drove down to Boston on my own for the first time to pick up a supplement check for Japan and somehow managed to avoid the stop-and-go traffic that Memorial Day weekend had created. It was a smooth ride either way, although it did take me more than 20 minutes to get out of Cambridge itself. I'm a bit afraid to start packing from Japan - there's no way that everything's going to fit into my one suitcase. Even though it's the largest one we could find, it seems awfully small for a three month excursion. Well, we'll see.
- Flykyr Skysong
Current song: Midori no Hibi ED - Mousukoshi, Mousukoshi
Current mood: Content
Highlights of diving include a wreck-dive of a year-old wreck. Big old boat called the Porpoise, with all sorts of nifty swim-throughs. Also, one of the dives featured a sandy area with conchs, conch-sized hermit crabs, and sting rays as long as I am tall. Pretty nifty. No octopi though. ;~;
I've tried all sorts of wonderful French desserts - pistacio creme brulee, grapefruit mousse, grand marnier souflee, quince. The French food there is reputed to be the best in the Caribbean. It's just a shame that it's so expensive.
Today was kind of exciting albeit time-consuming. I drove down to Boston on my own for the first time to pick up a supplement check for Japan and somehow managed to avoid the stop-and-go traffic that Memorial Day weekend had created. It was a smooth ride either way, although it did take me more than 20 minutes to get out of Cambridge itself. I'm a bit afraid to start packing from Japan - there's no way that everything's going to fit into my one suitcase. Even though it's the largest one we could find, it seems awfully small for a three month excursion. Well, we'll see.
- Flykyr Skysong
Current song: Midori no Hibi ED - Mousukoshi, Mousukoshi
Current mood: Content
Friday, May 20, 2005
Over and Out
Well, finals are over, I moved out, and now I'm back home. I got a haircut, and have to pack my suitcase for St. Martin. A near-week of diving, and then Japan! I got my visa, thank goodness. So far, so good, although I still have work to do on the omiyage front (gifts for people in Japan). I'm ready for some hardcore relaxin'! :D Diving should be great - I'm looking forward to it.
I sort of figured out how to draw with my tablet, but it still needs practice. I've been pretty active on my FAC account - there's a link in my sidebar. You should check it out!
Wow, there's so much I could say, and yet I don't feel like saying any of it. So, I'll just smile in your general direction and wave good-bye. Don't worry, I'll eventually be back. Eventually. *break time*
- Flykyr Skysong
Current song: Talla 2XLC feat. Ely - The Air That I Breathe (Grey And Frost Short)
Current mood: Happy
I sort of figured out how to draw with my tablet, but it still needs practice. I've been pretty active on my FAC account - there's a link in my sidebar. You should check it out!
Wow, there's so much I could say, and yet I don't feel like saying any of it. So, I'll just smile in your general direction and wave good-bye. Don't worry, I'll eventually be back. Eventually. *break time*
- Flykyr Skysong
Current song: Talla 2XLC feat. Ely - The Air That I Breathe (Grey And Frost Short)
Current mood: Happy
Sunday, May 15, 2005
Empty Mind
People confuse and concern me. I am hoping that summer lets us all take a breath and get back to normal. Whatever normal might be.
I did last minute clothes shopping today - finished fairly early, so I went home and got to see the new hamster, Pico. He's so adorable! Even if he's terrified of everyone. I hung out for a while, then we went to dinner, and I got brought back to MIT, to face the mess that is my room, and the disaster that is finals. Bleh. At least my room's a little cleaner now, where by clean, I mean that my artwork has been organized at long last. I've been meaning to do that for ages, but I just keep sticking drawings in various corners of my room. I found several interesting pictures that I never finished, or never scanned.
I downloaded various DDR adaptations of Pop'n Music songs, and was extremely fortunate to find a copy of Yuli's song Late Riser. It's a really cool song - I like it a lot. But the song is too darn hard for me! More on Yuli later... *points at the next paragraph* ^_^
Yes, I know I still haven't done an Anime Boston writeup, but I'm way too tired to work on that right now. Sleep now. More blogging later.
- Flykyr Skysong
Current song: O-Zone - Dragostea din tei (DJ Ross Radio remix) - I can't help loving this song to death! XD
Current mood: Sleepy
I did last minute clothes shopping today - finished fairly early, so I went home and got to see the new hamster, Pico. He's so adorable! Even if he's terrified of everyone. I hung out for a while, then we went to dinner, and I got brought back to MIT, to face the mess that is my room, and the disaster that is finals. Bleh. At least my room's a little cleaner now, where by clean, I mean that my artwork has been organized at long last. I've been meaning to do that for ages, but I just keep sticking drawings in various corners of my room. I found several interesting pictures that I never finished, or never scanned.
I downloaded various DDR adaptations of Pop'n Music songs, and was extremely fortunate to find a copy of Yuli's song Late Riser. It's a really cool song - I like it a lot. But the song is too darn hard for me! More on Yuli later... *points at the next paragraph* ^_^
Yes, I know I still haven't done an Anime Boston writeup, but I'm way too tired to work on that right now. Sleep now. More blogging later.
- Flykyr Skysong
Current song: O-Zone - Dragostea din tei (DJ Ross Radio remix) - I can't help loving this song to death! XD
Current mood: Sleepy
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
Star Gazing
As luck would have it, today's set of books includes several star charts and mythology on the constellations' origins. Oh, so much time spent poring over those. I wonder how different the stars will be in Japan...
- Flykyr Skysong
Current song: DJ Taucher - Child of the Universe
Current mood: Annoyed
- Flykyr Skysong
Current song: DJ Taucher - Child of the Universe
Current mood: Annoyed
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
Sick Sick Sick
Looks like I'm running a fever. No wonder I feel like I'm about to die.
- Flykyr Skysong
Current song: None
Current mood: Death death death
- Flykyr Skysong
Current song: None
Current mood: Death death death