house hunting p2

Koresawa-san and I met up with the 2nd real estate agent right after the first. By then it was about 11am but the summer heat was getting a bit unbearable.

I was really surprised to find something that looked so nice on the first attempt. The interior certainly looked much better than its exterior. Apparently the owner had renovated the place, hence the more modern feel.

The kitchen looked well equipped, situated just next to the doorway and faced the balcony. Nice arrangement.

The wash area reminded me of my previous place in Tokyo. Inbuilt with cabinets that can store all your toiletries and necessary items so you don't have a messy bathroom. A big plus!

It's smaller than all 3 by the first agent, at 47.5m². But it's just a right size for me.

Even the room reminded me of my previous Tokyo room. From here, there's another opening to the balcony so if you feel like grabbing some clothes it's easy and it's covered.

The view from the room is also quite good. It even has a view of the garden on the first floor, quite rare for places where space is luxury.

I thought this real estate had better choices than the earlier one. I was getting a little hopeful despite the heat and humidity.

The 2nd apartment was not in slopes of Kitano, but nearer to downtown Sannomiya. In fact, one of my requirements was that it had to be near a train station. This was stated as 3 minutes walk from the JR Sannomiya station.

A little older and not as nice as the earlier one. Just a right size though with everything within reach.

Then later she told us perhaps it wasn't a good location since there were supposedly some yakuza's around that area @.@!

The last apartment for the day was a little further away, stated as 4 minutes away from the station. Having lived in Japan for awhile, I take stated walking distance with a grain of salt, and double that to be realistic.

This was very similar to the previous one, also quite old, but with same type of amenities provided. Both were in downtown, surrounded by more buildings and apartments. Convenient but feels a bit drab to be honest.

Though the nice touch is one of the rooms is Japanese-style with sliding cupboards and tatami mats. Reminds me of Stephen and Masami's previous apartment. This room faces the corridor of the apartment outside, so maybe not such a good idea to open the window!

Since both of these were much nearer to the station, the rent would be quite expensive. Advantage would be less walking and more access to shops and restaurants.

Initial summary : Out of all 6 visited on Friday, I like the 1st one by 2nd agent though its on hilly Kitano. Maybe I should just stick to where I'm staying now! I'll need to ask if I can get something similar which is newer, close to a train station, though smaller. A bonus would be if they can lump the water, electricity, heating, internet, phone, and TV bills together with the rent - I remember having like 4 separate bills to pay back in Niigata! 

house hunting p1

The place I'm staying now is a temporary apartment arranged by the company. At first I didn't quite like how small it was, but of course that was when I was hosting my dad and brother. Now that I've started to get the hang of how easy it is to maintain it, I don't really mind.

Since I have been moving to a few different rooms, on hindsight, it gave me somewhat a perspective of what I should be looking for in an apartment. So it was with a mental checklist that I went when Koresawa-san brought me to visit some houses. 

These are the places introduced by the 1st real estate agent - Sky Trading. All 3 were around the Kitano around, where most foreigners live. 

The first place was quite huge, about 50m². Slightly more than double of my current place, which is about 21m². It had plenty of windows so it felt airy.

Large bathroom combined with toilet, which is very convenient, and unlike most Japanese traditional arrangement. I like how it was in pale pastel colours, so it felt more youthful.

There are 2 rooms, equally large with their own closets. I quite liked this place if not for the fact that it would have been too big for me. Would be nice if there was a housemate. I'm not a big fan of house cleaning!

Since the balcony that comes with the apartment is rather narrow (in fact precarious if not for some flimsy netting across the low rails), we can hang clothes on the roof. Okay, so I see the prospect of having lots of housework to do in addition to climbing to the roof just to do laundry.

This place is on the hillsides of Kitano, so the mountain is just behind. Then I realised from here I can see a temple with some cemetery! Erm, I'm not really superstitious, but it was a little 微妙*.

It's quite a nice view, with the front facing the sea, and downtown Sannomiya area.

The 2nd apartment was in Sky Mansion 2, just across the road from the first. You would have thought the word mansion evoked some grand illusions of a mini palace. Actually mansion here is supposed to be the equivalent of a condominium but I was rather shocked seeing the place.

Shocked because this place was fully furnished, but obviously in the previous tenant's tastes. The sofa set matched the colours of the bathroom tiles, toilet, bathtub and sink - a shade of green that would have been fab in the 80's.

I'm surprised it came with everything! Most of the time the apartment is empty, but perhaps the previous tenant was happy to leave everything behind. It's as if they didn't want to bring anything with them, or think of how to dispose of these furniture. We were rather amused to find a set of salt and pepper on top of the microwave oven, complete set of cutleries in the cupboard, and most electrical items found in the kitchen.

There's even a bed with mattress and blanket left behind. But the bedroom is sandwiched between the living room and kitchen. If you had guests or were cooking, you'd be exposing your bedroom. Quite a funny arrangement I must say.

The carpet looked stained and some of the paint was peeling. This would have been a good choice for those who don't want to spend on their own furniture and don't mind the rather musky feel of the apartment.

Though you get to see some nice cars parked outside. Since this is quite a hilly area, most people have cars. Except for me.

The 3rd place is Sky Mansion 5. It's even further uphill into the residential area. I was beginning to wonder how I'd get to work, or even to get something as simple as groceries when I'm hungry in the middle of the night.

I liked the kitchen in this one. Plenty of cabinets, inbuilt oven and stove, and also dish washer! But then again, I'm not hosting parties, so maybe not so essential. There were 2 vacuum cleaners left behind too, how considerate. Both in pink, apparently the previous tenant was a lady who stayed by herself.

This was also a rather huge place, similar to the first but with only 1 room. There was a TV set and video player in a small rack.

The bathroom area is also nicely done, combined just like how I like it. Everything is within reach.

Also very spacious with no definite divider between the kitchen, living and dining area. Still quite big for me, and a little too far from the station.

Nice area though, perhaps if I have a car! The Kitano area was recommended as there are many other foreigners living here. It's also close to a tourist spot where Western-style houses can be found, since Kobe was one of the first few ports that opened to the world.

But I have to be practical, I have to imagine how it'd feel walking up and down the hill for work, in skirt and heels and bringing lots of things!


* 微妙 【びみょう】 (adj-na,n) (1) delicate; subtle; sensitive; (2) difficult; delicate (situation); complicated; (3) doubtful; questionable; dicey; 

first impressions of japanese working culture

I had to work last Saturday. It's supposed to be one of the few Saturdays we have to be at work. There's this thing about having 120 days of "holidays" in the contract, which I think typically applies to the rest of the employees as well.

So all Sundays are statutory "holidays", including Japanese national holidays, and Golden week during spring, Obon week during summer and New Year's week during winter. So if somehow the total sum of that exceeds 120 days, we have to "make up" for it by working some Saturdays.

That makes me miss working in Malaysia, just like how our angmoh's always exclaim we have too much holidays!

I didn't really mind, since I had some work to catch up on, and having half the office away already on their summer break, it was easier to concentrate.

I have a lot more to share on working in a Japanese company, surrounded in Japanese culture and language, on top of having to pick up skills to do what I'm paid to do. It's a multi-dimension learning curve, I tell ya. In a way I'm glad my consulting training and childhood background has helped me to be more adaptable and agile.

This was taken on my first day. My HP laptop, quite small but good enough for me. Light enough if needed for business trips, though the specs are a little lesser than my brand new Sony Vaio! I have to make some noise about the fact that we have to use Lotus Notes.

Ee was surprised I was still upset over this even during my 2nd week here. How can I not be, when most of my working hours I am stuck using it - emails, calendars, meeting invites, booking rooms, clocking in time, etc. I'm more than relieved we have Windows 7, the latest MS Office 2010, but am stuck with a Lotus Notes that looked like it was transported straight from Windows 95.

That's the IT department where I work.. As you can see, we don't have fancy cubicles nor sexy office furniture. It's a humble Japanese company where we make do with what was there from before. Having come from richer client environment where they are generous with ergonomic chairs and IT peripherals to ensure you do not get carpal tunnel syndrome, I remind myself to get something for my health's sake once I get my first salary.

When I first stepped into this office, it reminded me of a school teacher's room where the teachers are huddled together, with files and papers all stacked up. We don't even have chat on our PC's, so there is no way I can "chat" with a colleague. I still don't have a Japanese mobile, and I'm trying to limit the use of my Malaysian mobile. Since I don't really speak the language, I felt really disconnected the first week - no chat, no phone, no talk.

Of course, I have begun to keep my Gmail, Hotmail and Skype online. Later found out I can connect to the office WiFi, so my Malaysian mobile can be used for Whatsapp too. Oh so happy!

The office is on the Port Island, a rather small man-made island I believe. There are quite a lot of offices, factories and warehouses here, also some residential areas. Ikea is just a stop away too. Can't believe Kobe has Ikea too, and so near! Once I get my own place, I'm going to come here to have a look at various possibilities of pimping my crib.

One of the things I didn't expect to do was to clock in, and out. Not just on Lotus Notes, but at the entrance where the guard dutifully greets everyone "Ohayou gozaimasu" every morning, and "Otsukaresamadesu" in the evenings.

This is where they track how many hours you work, and if you supposedly work OT more than 30hrs/month or 360hrs/year, your supervisor will get a notification. Apparently we're not supposed to work overtime, or we're supposed to be paid for the OT work.

For all the grief I have using Lotus Notes and not having a sleek cubicle and ergonomic chairs, I don't mind this at all!

One of the evenings last week on the way back from work. This is the Port Liner train track which connects the Kobe mainland to the Port Island. I like watching out of the windows as I rest my eyes on the view of the sea and the piers, then come back to a view of the mountains in the horizon. It's quite therapeutic, maybe one of these days I'll go on a shuttterbug trip to capture better shots.

eslead flower road apartment

Just to give you an idea of the temporary accommodation that I'm in currently :

This is the view at the entrance. Once you come in, there will be a shoe rack on the left with a washing machine on the right. As you go in further, there is a compact little kitchen facing the toilet and bathroom, both separate.

Koresawa-san from HR was kind enough to get me a kettle, some bottled water and plastic cups on our first day. It had been really hot and humid that we could have dried up dehydrated in the room. I've started buying some food in case I get hungry in the middle of the night. No mamak here, so I have to stock up!

The fridge is like those you get in hotel rooms, mini sized and even has space for freezer and ice cube maker. It's convenient to have a hot plate but I won't be getting any more utensils until I move to my own place.

The modular bathroom where everything is sorta pre-fabricated! Most bathrooms in Japan, especially in apartments and dormitories are like this. It's compact and has everything within reach.

I like the fact the Kobe is not as crowded and expensive as Tokyo. Even more so that it's a port city, so it's only a few kilometres from the sea. Just in front of our apartment is the Kobe Port Island which is mainly on reclaimed land. That's where my office is.

And behind us are the mountains. I hear it's a great place to hike and get away from the summer heat. Kinda reminds me of Penang, you have both the beach and the highlands within accessible reach. 

first week in kobe

This is my first weekend in Kobe. It's been exactly 1 week since I arrived, but oh boy there's been so many things that happened I've been trying to catch up with sleep as much as I can.

The weather has been hot and humid as expected during summer. But the one thing that made it unbearable was the aircond that started acting up on our first night here.

My dad and brother accompanied me to Japan, helped to bring some extra luggage and also to have a little holiday for themselves. We were greeted by Koresawa-san and Kawasumi-san, both from HR at the Kansai International Airport. It was nice to have some friendly help upon arrival and not to worry about which train to take and what direction to get to.

The apartment was meant for 1 person, but they had gotten permission from the landlord for my dad and brother to stay with me, though they would be some extra charge. It's just nice for 1, a little cramped for 3 but I'd rather have them with me.

Room #1502 seemed like the best location, being on the top most floor, with 2 balconies (the rest usually have only 1) with a view of the port.

So imagine our discomfort when the aircond broke down. I had to use my Malaysian mobile to make some calls to HR to inform them of the situation. Koresawa-san booked us into the Sannomiya Terminal Hotel. Around midnight, we took only essential items and walked to the station where the hotel was. We only stayed one night as they were expecting the aircond to be fixed the next day.

It seemed to be working when I returned there the next day after getting my Resident Card updated. However, that evening just as before, the aircond became cranky again. Since we were quite tired we decided to just open the windows to the balcony, hoping there would be some breeze from the sea.

This time, the real estate agent (yes, there are many parties involved in renting an apartment here, excluding the apartment management) brought a table fan for us. It was still very humid and I was more concerned for my dad and brother's comfort because they had to squeeze into a 21m3 apartment with me!

It was good their trip included Tokyo for a couple days, so during that time I shifted to another apartment by the same apartment management just a couple of minutes' walk away. I was starting work on 1 Aug, so had to quickly settle down at work. Room #301 seemed a bit more claustrophobic because there was only 1 balcony and it faced an office building.

I was hoping that the aircond back in #1502 would be fixed by the time my dad and brother returned from Tokyo. Turned out it would take longer. So we got the real estate agent to help me carry the rest of the luggages from #1502 to #301.

I'm glad my dad and brother were both supportive and didn't complain much despite all the hassle. My bro almost wanted to check into a hotel. I just kesian them, they had to sleep in sleeping bags surrounded by luggage bags without proper ventilation!

But they seemed to have had an enjoyable time. I'm rather proud that my rather laidback brother actually planned the trip down to the train routes and timing for each train, and managed to accomplish all that he wanted to do. There were some things I myself didn't even manage to visit throughout my 3 years+ here - Tsukiji, Universal Studios, Osaka Aquarium.

I treated them to the famed Kobe Beef dinner on the last evening. Even though they were on their own most of the time (my dad can read some of the kanji, whilst my brother has no qualms asking for directions!), it was good to have them around on my 1st week here.

Just sent them off to the station yesterday morning, then shifted back to the original apartment, but different room and now settling down in #717. I've shifted at least 3 times in 1 week alone, and could have written it off as a horrible start.

In the end, the experience kinda brought us closer, allowed them to have a glimpse of my new lifestyle, and for us to learn a little about each other. Even though these are just temporary accommodation but it gave me an idea what to look for when I get my own place.

of death and taxes

They say there are 2 things which are certain in life : death and taxes. How true.

Had to go back and forth my ex-company's payroll dept and the tax dept to clear any outstanding tax issues before they can release my last salary. A couple who just migrated to Canada told me you would not be allowed to leave the country if not done properly.

Another grrl who went to Singapore managed to get it done even after she left the country. All I hoped for was that they don't make a fuss about any of the items I claimed rebate for (which was not much anyways), and allowed me to receive the refunds.

It's still not settled yet, still have to drop by the office tomorrow, apparently the PCB from the company was not received by the tax dept for a couple of the months, so looks like I won't get my refund that soon.

Oh well, at least there's a bit of relief there, that can cover the laptop I just bought >.<

I'm not even migrating, but the things on my to-do list make it look like I am! I'm tired of having to explain why these 2 weeks have been so busy for me that I have yet to start packing. Some things in life just have to be experienced to be understood :)

uprooting again?

can't believe i did it. took up a new job offer, tendered, said my goodbyes, and returned all the company assets. there's a mixed feelings all welled up inside of me. don't know which to process, and in which sequence.

there's just too little time to sort out so many things; i'm supposed to start at my new role in a new country in exactly 2 weeks' time! that means i'm supposed to fly next weekend. if all goes well.

didn't manage to share about it since i wasn't even sure it would happen. didn't want to jinx my chances! i'd rather leave quietly, then announce my safe arrival once i'm there. that will be the shocking news.

most of my colleagues just know i'm leaving, but not aware i'm leaving the country too. it's hard to share these things out. would be quite embarrassing if it doesn't happen!

so, if you don't hear from me till then, you can safely assume i'm going around ticking off the items on my to-do list. and while i'm at it, there are a few things i'm giving away, spring cleaning of sorts. let me know if you know anyone who would appreciate some IT equipment (desktop PC, laptop, peripherals), or household items (clothes, paints, etc).

journey into jordan : petra p2

These stringed camels reminded me of the stuffed elephants that Kedar got for me from India. They were also wrapped in multi-coloured cloth and hung on a long string. Maybe I should find these stringed animals and make a collection, have them hanged on my door as a curtain of sorts!

This native Jordanian girl was trying to show her handicraft to some tourists. I'm impressed how even though they are poor, the locals never beg or hassle you for money. They will sit there with their wares and crafts, but mostly never even persuade you to buy.

Though once when it was about to rain, there was a Bedouin girl (assumed she was one since they were found in Petra, and the nearest town seemed catered to more well-off locals) who asked if I could give her something. I wasn't sure if she was asking for money, but when I asked if she'd like some bread I had packed, she seemed appreciative for it.

I later realised maybe they don't get to eat properly, as she devoured the bread in no time. Later on as I saw more local kids I decided to keep some of my breakfast so that I can give them away.

I have never walked nor hiked this much in my life before! Just two days of Petra have made me wish I was living in Japan when I made the trip. The few years of walking and cycling in Japan have made hitchhiking in Europe almost a breeze. 

Either that, or age is catching up on me!

I would have wanted to support the local craftsman especially those who don't insist you purchase their products, if not for the fact that these were made of glass and Petra was only the 2nd stop, and I didn't know if I could stuff these into my luggage.

However, much later, at my last stop in Amman, a CS-er got me one of these as a souvenir.

I enjoyed marvelling at the fascinating rock formations sculpted over the decades, if not centuries by wind, water and natural elements. Truly God's creations never cease to awe.

So we took the Petra by Night tour which seemed to build up a lot of hype with people queueing up to buy tickets, then the long walk through the Siq with only candles and stars to light our way. The walk ends at the magnificent Treasury where we sat down to enjoy local music and storytelling.

The surrounding is such that microphone or modern audio equipment is not necessary as the sound bounces off the high walls. Could have been better, since the long walk made us more expectant! Still, for those who are not tired out by the day's hike could enjoy the haunting Bedouin music, imagining what life must have been centuries ago.