pinakamaganda

During this week’s frequent trips to the police station (not because of domestic and international violence, but because of my lost bike), I observed the kind of police stations they have.

The atmosphere is almost the same as what we have in Pinas. I haven’t really had entered a police station back at Pinas because I’m an angel. But well I was basing my comparison to the one I saw in the tagalog movies I got to watch in the buses.

Except that the police are always online, everyone have their gadget of some sort where they can monitor some traffics or whatever they were looking on there. And there’s police stations everywhere. One time, when I was looking for my Japanese classroom in Kamata (wherein I searched in vain), the only people I asked directions to were the police, since I can find a police station in the most corners of the streets. One police told me the wrong direction. When I realized I was wrong (I asked a fireman in the fire station this time). I went back to that police and told him he was wrong. He said sorry a lot of times, and became so accommodating that he almost wanted to join me in my search. But I didn’t want to, I preferred to be alone in my adventures.

One thing that I really appreciated very much was that there’s no kotongan. They’re honest and credible. I am not afraid to the police here because I know that they’re good.

Oh well, blah blah blah. I never met any real police in my city except for my brother’s godfather. I am not against them. I know there are still good policemen in my country. But most of the police people I observed especially at my hometown were assholes. They’ll let you go if you give them 20 pesos or more. The result of this bullshit is that the people’s mindset on breaking the law are easy. It was like if I have no license and I knew that, I’d just say I can still drive coz if I get caught, I’ll just give them money and I can go.

Another thing, my friends and I had a gimik one night. We took the wrong u-turn, and then suddenly, policemen with machine guns came out of a discreet place and stopped us. My friend RJ had a good speech, but these assholes tried to lure my friend on giving them money (in an indirect manner). If they really wanted to implement the law, they should have stayed somewhere where people can see them, not hide themselves. It’s like they’re setting a trap and “eat” anyone who falls.

Anyway, this is one sad thing about the WEOW thing. I got to compare everything to a third world country like mine.

I should have thought of this a long time ago. This is a series of entries and just a follow up of my first post about the amazing world of japan. There are a lot of things here that amazes me and a one time big time entry is not enough. So the chapter begins now!

I’m a batang muntinlupa by nature and seeing high-techie stuffs, honest government/city officials at work make me long for the same things to happen in muntinlupa city!!! … the longing (desperately) also applies to my wow philippines country.

WEOW! because it’s me, with my EYES (and mouth) OPENED WIDE… WONDERING gleefully!

After 4 hundred thousand years of working my ass in the exhausting world of IT… sa wakas! nakabili na rin ako ng digicam!

I consulted my japan-based photographer on what brand to buy, and he said that I should get a Nikon D40. Well I thought of a Nikon D40 or some other cams of the same “look” as something that only photographers or photography-addicts have. Unfortunately for me, I don’t have an inkling yet to photography since I always prefer to be the subject. So I chose the cute but quality one.

Also, this is the first time that I bought some expensive gadget without using my credit card or without having jutangs from other people. Just me with the money. Woooohooo!!!

And I also bought other stuffs for my MACygay.

Oh happy day… OH happy dayyy!!!

By the way, it’s a she. Her name is Nikowle, my new baby love!

Bakit ba ang hirap hirap makuntento sa kung anong meron ako???

I am so trying very hard to hold back, and not post my desire for the world’s thinnest notebook.

But I just can’t help it.

Anyway, it’s just a wish as of the moment. More surprises to come, I hope.

I went to PNB Tow-kyow!

It’s fascinating because it’s the first ever company here in Japan that I went in to wherein almost all employees in the branch are filipinos. They’re very kind and accommodating and I don’t need any japanese skills to talk to them or ask questions. I like it! Feels like home really.

When we had our PNB project implemented in branches in Manila, we performed some support on the pilot branches. And I see a lot of branches having a long queue of people for deposit/withdrawal/other stuffs. This PNB branch has no lines… a very relaxing home indeed coz there’s also Pinoy TV while I wait for my name to be called!

PNB is very close to my heart. It’s my first ever project. My first ever haggard project. Sooo haggard but the prize is so fulfilling. Seeing my programmed module being used by PNB branches all over the Philippines was something I am proud of. I was trying to sneak at the system this Tokyo branch is using but I guess they’re not using our system yet. I am also thankful for the friendships and love stories made in that project. For my part, only the friendships apply. Hehehehe.

Anyway, I got the surprise that EA was talking about. It was really surprising and I couldn’t believe it when I first saw it with my own eyes! But it’s a secret… though you’ll find it really obvious some time after this post… and it really made me happy!

I have a bright future!

My career is loving me back. So this quote is true: when life closes a door, it opens the windows… or something like that. I just hope this lucky strike continues.

But I think I’m pregnant. Hahahahaha! Keber! Why “but”? It’s another lucky strike!! I want to have a baby anyway. Besides, 2008 is my marrying year and well this is another craziness so I better stop talking now *mouth zip zip zip*

I launched my own Nihongo Corner on this website.

So I can have a track with what I have already learned and what I haven’t. I need to monitor my Nihongo Lessons since I’ll be taking it really seriously because of <<PRESSURE>>.

I enjoy monitoring my site consistently so I’ll be binding it with my Nihongo Lessons as well. If you want you can also take a ride at my study tour. I’m willing to teach, and I’m willing to be corrected anytime.

OH, here’s Imago for the new Tokyo Tokyo ad as my opening theme! Nah. This video really set the idea.

Monday afternoon, we had a meeting about the next project I will be in in Okinawa.

The good news is, it’s a development project. So I can get to use my Java and Interstage skills again. The bad news is, I have to work with pure-Japanese speaking people, and pure-Japanese documents. The Okinawan office has an English-speaking division, which as my client’s super boss says, can easily be assigned to us. But he wanted me to learn the language BY FORCE. So he really told me to stay away from English-speaking people, as well as stay away from that division.

It’s really difficult to learn Japanese in just one snap of the finger. And I can’t let my future workmates adjust to me because I can’t converse with them. I can’t expect that they will speak to me in English, it’s their territory now, I have to converse… fluently, or at least try. Unlike my former teammates here in Tokyo, they’re good English speakers, really good. Being in the middle of a group of people laughing and having good conversation, and not understanding anything at all is an ugly feeling. It’s really embarrassing to let someone translate the conversation in English because it’s too late to react (everybody just ended reacting and laughing).  Smiling all the time while mingling with them will take me nowhere. So I’ve got to speed up my learning to cope up.

Ok. So in one week, I have to finish level 4.

Gambatte ne! (good luck)

I just found out, Okinawa is indeed near the Philippines. It already lies on the Philippines Sea. Maybe that explains why it has the same climate as the Philippines. And it’s really small island (groups of islands).

Naha City is the place. Our EA will be coming too for an ocular inspection, for the apartment/dormitory, transportation, train ticket/whatever mode of payment for transportation, and internet of course.

Anyway, too soon really. On Sunday, we’ll fly for a business trip for one week. Then be back here for 3 days to pack everything up. And then next sunday, will fly fly again for a some months of long stay. Actually the only thing that bothers me is packing. Seriously I have a lot of borrowed stuffs from my tita (winter clothes especially) and I got no other time to go there and return them. Good thing there’s some kind of delivery service of boxes or something anywhere in the country. It’s fast and I don’t know how yet. Also, I can use my summer clothes again!

It’s a simple living by the countryside, calming, relaxing environment. They told me that if I look at the window of the office building, I’d see the beautiful view of the beach from afar. It’s a nice feeling if stress attacks (I actually felt that it is really coming, and it did).

The bike I am currently using was lost.

I’m super sad because:

Number 1: It’s not my bike. I borrowed it from my colleague-friend;
Number 2: It’s not my friend’s bike. He borrowed it from his and my other colleague-friend;
Number 3: It’s not our other colleague’s bike. It’s a company-owned bike;
Number 4: The worst part is, it’s not OUR company but our other friend’s client’s company’s bike.
Number 5: and I’m getting crazy because:

Number 1: It might be impounded by the police because it’s illegal to park at the station during the weekdays.
Number 2: It was really my fault because I was already told that it’s illegal to park there during weekdays. I was running late that day so I thought I can do it again (some previous random weekdays I got lucky). I am really stubborn. (
Number 3: The fine for an impounded bike is so expensive that you can buy another one.
Number 4: I’M NOT REALLY SURE WHAT HAPPENED TO IT!!! Waaah!!!
Number 5: It might be stolen because there’s no letter yet at our other colleague’s address that the bike has been impounded (there has to be if a bike has been impounded). More Waaah!!!
Number 6: I’m having a panic attack!!! Even our EA freaked out, in a smiling way, but I still know that IT IS a big problem because:

Number 1: I’m willing to replace it, pay for it or whatever I have to do just to have it back (even if I have to climb 11 mountains, cross 11 seas, why 11? i don’t know), but I don’t have enough money coz I got lots of responsibilities. I am not prepared for this… but as what I have said, it’s all my fault. So it has to be THAT way.
Number 2: Since it’s not mine, nor my company’s, the responsibility might be passed on to my other colleague. It’s not her fault and she’s my friend. Shame on me…
Number 3: My other colleague may pass the blame to my colleague who lent it to me. It’s not their fault. More shame on me…
Number 4: And it’s now complicated!!! …all because of me!!!
Number 5: My company lost its trust on me.
Number 6: My friends lost their trust on me. And that’s another sad story.
Number 7: I can never be trusted…

I’m really sad… and so sorry, I really am…

…. TARUSH TARUSH!!! ERASE ERASE! As NFF says, no dramahs. It’s just a bike, no complications.

But… I’m really disturbed. It kinda stresses me out.

Despite my excitement for the Okinawan experience, I still found myself getting sentimental suddenly on my so sudden move to Okinawa. Probably early next month (which is kinda next week already), I will fly there for a new project. I have nothing against the transfer, in fact as what I have said in my first sentence, I’m thrilled to be there. Besides, I know that there’s nothing permanent in IT, you can be anywhere anytime.

What I don’t know is the lifestyle in Okinawa, if it’s the same here in Tokyo. My colleagues told me that it’s really very nice to live there. It’s the city minus all the hustle and bustle that they don’t like here in Tokyo. The rush hour.. no it’s the “i don’t care” pushing in the trains during rush hour, the fast-paced walking, the traffic, the cold winter season (for some of them maybe but I love it since we don’t have it Pinas)… well that’s just some of the things they don’t like.

While me, I can’t say anything unlikeable here in Tokyo since I just love almost everything here, not just in Tokyo, I love almost everything here in Japan. I don’t know, I love all the advancements. It really amazes me.

When I got here I was brokenhearted, I returned to Pinas, got back here, and then was brokenhearted again. Then I went back to Pinas again, got back here again, and for the third time, got my heart broken again and again (it was a really long and complicated journey I tell you).

But here’s the thing, when I got back and got my heart broken for the last time, I felt lighter already. In the past months of mending-the-broken-heart process, it was really hard for me. I wasn’t able to appreciate that much the beauty of this city because I was having setbacks. I was thinking of my sucky love life way too much and trying so hard, pushing myself to be happy with my life here.

It was a light feeling, because, when I got back again carrying a devastated heart in pain, I also had with me that armor of ultimate acceptance. So there was really a big difference. I went out and embraced the cold. And faced the “rush hour pushing” with a big smile on my face.

I just begun loving Tokyo, and the people I got to hang out with. They are those who made my stay here uber enjoyable. Friends. I will surely miss them.

Anyway, it’s not the end of the world yet. I believe that my friends here and I will meet again sometime. Besides, going to Okinawa is just like going back to Manila, where the friends reside.

What excites me is, aside from the beautiful beaches and the absolutely exquisite place it is as told by my colleagues, is that it’s cheaper there. So I sure hope that my savings will materialize!

Maybe Okinawa is the best place to get over. Maybe I’ll fall in love in Okinawa (pinoy-looking Japanese guys are cute ). Or maybe, I’ll fall in love just WITH Okinawa.