obedience at what cost?

One of the things I like about the Japanese is how "obedient" they are. Not just the very fact that they are obedient, but that their obedience makes this country what it is. People follow the rules, no one gets hurt, everybody lives in peace.

Well that's the general idea, of course there are the rare occurrences of crime or less desirable behaviour. So it's almost always safe, at almost any time of the day (and night), and almost everywhere.

If someone says he will do something, it will be done. If the train schedule states that it will arrive at such a time, it will definitely arrive. People know that certain things will happen because the manual states so. Again, generalisation, but I'd dare say this occurs 90% of the time. Hence, it's a great country to live in because of this.

Dependable, reliable, orderly, neat, safe. 

However, (I think you know I'm coming to this!) there are also some Japanese employees who are almost like robots. They will do what the boss says, and will hardly take any initiative. Again, good and bad. Let me share a little example from a conversation I had with a colleague this evening.

Let's call her E. She's had about 10 years of working experience (therefore, not a freshie), worked in various companies before (quite rare for a typical Japanese), and doesn't mind doing some admin work as part of other duties.

Me : Hey, can you help arrange lunch for the meeting?
E : Lunch? You mean at the cafeteria?
Me : Ya, Boss asked to arrange this for the attendees.
E : Mmm... (seemed to be thinking)
Me : Okay with you? (wondering if she's reluctant)
E : Mmm, what kind of lunch is Boss referring to?
Me : Well, can you find out what options we have?
E : What does Boss want? Just tell me.
Me : (a little stunned, but trying to help her think) Let's see, we can either do the bento set, or...
E : Bento? Hmm... (looks like thinking...)
Me : Ah, I know. You think not everyone will want to eat bento right?
E : Yes, it is set lunch. So it's fixed menu.
Me : Okay, I get it. some people may not like fish, some may not like bento right?
E : Mmm...
Me : (trying not to be impatient) Okay, so if we can't get bento, what other options do we have? Does the cafeteria allow the attendees to take whatever they like, and we charge it to the budget?
E : Is that what Boss wants?
Me : Well, can you try to find out if this option is available?
E : Mmm... but then I have to ask the cafeteria lady about this...
Me : Yes, can you do that?
E : Mmm... if that's what Boss wants, I'll do that.
Me : (sensing a headache coming on...) Look, let me explain where this idea probably came from. When we were at the Europe office, this is what they did for us. When we had the meeting, they gave us these slips of paper that we could use at their cafeteria. We just took whatever we liked, and showed the slip, so that we didn't have to pay for food. Basically they took care of our lunches so we don't have to worry about bringing cash around. Can we do the same here?
E : I know what you mean. Is that what Boss is thinking? I don't want to trouble the cafeteria lady if we're not going with this option.
Me : (trying not to roll eyes) If we want the Boss to make a decision, he needs to know what are the available options right? Not just our Boss, but the Boss' boss, etc. How can they make decisions if they don't know what are the options available to them (can't believe I had to rephrase my sentence).
E : So because of Bosses, we have to trouble the cafeteria lady?
Me : No, that's not what I'm saying. We can ask Boss if he wants to do the bento option, but then he might ask us back if everyone wants to eat the same thing, given there is no option like the cafeteria. Then he might ask us back if there are other options to provide lunch for the attendees. So, instead of going straight with one option, why don't we explore ALL options to save time? So we don't have to go back and forth...
E : Hmm... (still hesitating)
Me : Okay, don't worry about the lunch (headache getting more painful). I'll ask Boss what he wants.
E : No, no, I'm not angry. I'll email him and ask him what he wants.
Me : (I didn't think YOU were angry!) Mmm.. sure...


* The above was not a word-for-word transcript of our conversation; you might start laughing at my dumbed down English.*


Anyways, from my personal experience, this is what I've had to do if given a task that sounds like "arrange lunch" - to take initiative and provide options to enable decision-making. Sometimes the boss would give directions, sometimes not. I guess it's a little different here!

BTW just to clarify a little, Boss is currently overseas, and have left a series of comments on the workshop agenda we're organising. Lunch was the least of my worry, and thought this could be easily done by the designated admin team member. I had to think about presentation content, providing guidance to the Executives for the workshop, and overall objective of the global sessions; hence was flabbergasted I had to have this conversation >.<

tempura : string mushrooms and green pepper / ししとうとえのき天ぷら

My room still smells oily, and I don't know how long it'll take for it to go away! I knew cooking oily food in a tiny apartment would end up like this, and yet I still went ahead. The cause : some itching for home-made tempura!

I'm really excited as this was my first time making it, and so couldn't wait to post it up.

I've been dreaming about making tempura for a long time. So much so the other night I couldn't sleep; I must've gotten hungry just thinking about food. So I decided to search the internet for recipes that could make good the ingredients I already had.

Note my tiny kitchen with the ingredients :
1) 150ml chilled water (can be water with ice cubes too)
2) 100gm tempura flour
3) pepper/ししとう*, string mushrooms/えのき*, seaweed/のり* (can be lotus root, pumpkin, bitter gourd, fish or eel)

Looks very minimal right?

Add the tempura flour to the chilled water into a bowl and mix it. The mixture doesn't have to be smooth.

Prepare the ingredients : For the pepper, remember to pierce the middle with a toothpick (to release the air when frying?!). I decided to separate the clump of enoki into tiny bunches and wrapped them with seaweed (so that it would hold well when fried).

Get ready the pot filled with oil. I decided to use a pot because it had more depth - hence less oil used. Wait till it reaches about 170-180degC. You can dip a chopstick into the oil; if there are bubbles arising from the base, that should be hot enough.

Cover the ingredients with the tempura mix, and put into the boiling oil - not too many at one time so they don't clump together. Wait for a few minutes until it gets crispy, then take it out and place them on a plate lined with paper towels.

Note that, if the oil is not hot enough, the tempura will end up soft and lumpy. Sufficient heat will ensure a crispy texture.

I like my tempura a little crunchy on the outside, soft in the inside. To preserve the crispness, I recommend sprinkling with flavoured salt (try the yuzu lemon or the ume plum). You can dip into the usual tempura dip/tsuyu too.

Not wanting to waste the remaining oil, I decided to chop some onions and fry them. Now I also have home-made onion oil! It may look a bit dark here; but that's because there's a lot of onions in there! Plus it smelt really good! Can't wait to sprinkle some onto stir-fry vege or mihun soup (^.^)V


* 獅子唐 【ししとう】 (n) green pepper
*えのきたけ; えのきだけ; エノキタケ; エノキダケ 《えのき茸; 榎茸》 (n) (uk) enoki mushroom (long, thin and white); Flammulina velutipes; winter mushroom
*海苔 【のり(gikun)】 (n) nori (edible seaweed, esp. species Porphyra tenera and others of genus Porphyra, usu. dried and pressed into sheets); laver; (P)

japan goes live

Today, my boss dropped me some congratulatory messages through BBM after our Japan site went live :

Just wanted to say...
Great job on AJP
This is yours...
End to end
:)
I'm so glad to have you as part of this team
Take a moment to be proud
Then start getting ready for the next goal
Great job Sarah

Being so exhausted after this last phase, I could not feel any happiness at all. To reply diplomatically, I said it was teamwork, and credited good team members. Then he replied :

As I said
Take a moment
I know you're not a proud person
But today, briefly, allow yourself a small indulgence

Another colleague shared a picture she took while on the train. It had been raining the whole day :

Some have called the Japan project "beast", and "monster";  referring to the complexities involved, on all levels - competency, understanding, project management, culture, language. I have lots of personal stories to share, and probably similar ones from my colleagues.

Lots of anguish, frustration, disappointment amidst a steep learning curve and numerous learnings on this project. There were also mini highs, enough humour and plenty of His wisdom along the way.

After many long hours, late nights and more white hair; I'm really relieved we launched the site today.

Now if you will excuse me, I think I'll go chill with some music and ofuro.

another gigi story

Continuing on my medical-related posts, thought I'd just share this one last one. Promise it won't be as gross as white poop!

One of the additional test I opted after the medical check was a dental check. Paying only JPY500, I didn't think too much about it, except that I was already due for scaling.

It was quite an interesting experience as the dentist (seemed more like an intern from the way she handled the equipment!) asked me to bite on to a syringe-like apparatus for a few minutes. Later when she came back with the results I found out that the syringe actually collected the "gas" in my mouth. Not understanding too much of dental terms in Japanese, I only understood the part about 3 different types of gas being present!

I made another appointment to do my scaling after that.

Looking at my personal experience with dentists here, here is what I gather :
1) It's quite normal to take dental x-rays - I've never had to do it in Malaysia, except when I went back to do my crown
2) Even though the original appointment is for scaling, everything else will be additional charge - my usual dentist in USJ only charged me RM150 for scaling, even though we spent half an hour talking about teeth and life. Here I got charged what seemed like registration, admin, consultation and whatever else, making a grand total of JPY10,000+!
3) Brushing technique is rather different here, hence the shape, size and texture of toothbrush too. Seems to be more focused than flossing, which was the advice of my regular dentist.

Takeaway from this particular visit :
1) I should have gone to dental school instead
2) Brushing gently but longer, rather than vigorously even if I'm in a hurry

drinking barium and pooping white

I didn't think much of the health check, except that there were certain things that were a little different this year. The stool sample was also collected last year but they did not provide the "soluble paper" then. There was also some additional tests, some were compulsory, some optional for a fee.

One of the compulsory ones this time was the barium test. I've never heard anyone having to go through it, so didn't think much when I went for my health check, assuming it was just like any other tests.

There was a short paragraph in the explanation sheet provided by HR (they had to translate from the original given by the clinic). Sure enough, it was as stated - drink some thick white liquid, and get your x-ray done to check the linings of your stomach and intestines.

What I didn't expect was the awful feeling of gulping down the chalk-like substance, and having told not to burp. It's as if someone had pounded blackboard chalk into a lassi texture. It was rather tasteless, and gave my stomach a bloated feeling. If it was vanilla flavoured maybe it could have been more palatable.

What I expected was to stand still and have the machine send x-ray particles through the body, and I'm done. So I was a little surprised at having to lie down on a large metal plate, holding on to the side rails while the machine tilt me to various angles. There's even one angle which reminded me of being on a roller coaster going downhill. All these while very conscious of the white blob moving about inside my body.

When I came out of the test, I bumped into one of my colleague who was about done. I told her that was the weirdest test I have ever had to do in my life. She warned me that was not the worse. Wait till I go to the toilet, I'd have white poop. =.=

After completing the other tests, the nurse gave me some laxative tablets. I was advised to take 3 pills first. If it still didn't come out, to take the remaining 2.

I happily went for lunch after the tests, thinking that was the end of it.

Now, I also don't know anyone who has taken laxatives nor heard of experiences other than "it makes you poop out everything you've eaten" from articles on anorexic grrls. All I can say is I'm glad I live nearby, and I didn't "let go" while on the train going back.

Just as I stepped into my room, it almost immediately came out. I will spare you the details, but suffice to say, that experience was worse than the whole barium test itself!

It's like having diarrhoea for nothing. Don't ask me what the colour of the poop was, all I wanted to know was how long my misery would last.

When I recalled my ordeal to my Japanese colleague the next day, she said she wished she had gotten the opportunity for the test. (She's a contractor, so is not entitled for similar tests as other employees.) I told her, I'd gladly forfeit mine and ask her to take my portion!

Apparently, this is a common test during health check up in Japan. I later found out that stomach cancer is one of the top 10 causes of death in Japan.

the genki obaachans and ojiichans

Every now and then, I (and some former students and lecturers) would get an email from my former lecturer back in MMU. He was a visiting professor sent by NTT from Japan. I still keep in touch with him after he and his wife returned to Japan. I had the pleasure of being hosted by them at their retirement home some years back.

He showed me pictures of the plants, vegetables and flowers he had grown in his garden. Some of these pumpkins, onions, sweet peppers and yam would be their food; some would be exchanged with neighbours for milk or other necessities.

Recently his wife started a baking business; though it was difficult but it seemed to provide them with some form of income. They have found a suitable place to open shop and are now renovating it.

In my reply, I said it was great to know that they had activities to keep a sustainable lifestyle, and have something to keep them occupied. This was something I admire about the Japanese. I notice many elderly people still work in supermarkets, cleaning services and at bus terminals.

In Malaysia, these are regarded as "lower ranking" jobs which most young people shun away, and hence we end up having to hire foreigners to do these jobs. However, it seems the Japanese do not mind at all, and take it as any other jobs.

It's even more admirable they look more genki than me! It's not surprising that during mountain climbing season, many elderly people bypass younger people when going up the slopes. These senior citizens also seem to have more energy going about their work.

There was even a special programme which featured this 80+ year old granny who does her exercise at the local playground. She has been going there faithfully almost everyday, climbing up what looks like a monkey bar. Instead of rails that you need to hold on to with your hands, this is like horizontal abseiling where you hold on to the hoop and use your might to swing yourself across to the other side.

I shudder to think what kind of senior citizen I would be if I continue with my sedentary lifestyle. Fat, lazy and unhealthy?!

off to see the queen p1

I got so excited about my London trip that I think maybe the health check post doesn't sound so appetising anymore. Initially I wasn't because I did not expect I'd fly again so soon after returning from Malaysia, but I told myself not to complain since I have not been to UK before. I bet most everyone else I know have been there, so finally this is my chance!

It was late evening by the time my Japanese colleague and I reached the city from the airport. Don't let the sky fool you, the sun set pretty late in Europe in summer. Here at almost 8pm, we decided to get a cab to the hotel from the nearest station. So this is the famous London black cab! It didn't look too fancy from the outside, but the inside is spacious and passengers sit facing each other, unlike normal cars.

One of the evenings I decided to meet up with an ex-colleague who happened to be in London for work too. We wandered around Knightsbridge, but were too late to visit the famed Harrods. Since we were hungry, and not too sure what would be good in the area, we decided to have Kids Meal at McD's! We were joking how Malaysians we were, converting currency and stinging on basic needs.

For the project, my colleagues and I were based at the vendor's office near Holborn. For the first 2 days they fed us, but the generosity stopped after that when the COO stopped visiting :/ So I decided to venture out to try some local breakfast. I had my impression of what a porridge should be, coming from Asia. So I was quite surprised this is what the Brits called their "hot porridge"! Rather than savoury with watery rice, theirs is more like warm oats topped with bananas and syrup.

One of the must try while you're in the UK is the fish and chips. I'm sure all of us have had our own versions before, so I was keen to try the "original". I was glad I decided to share because the huge fish and abundant fries were more than what my tummy could take. The Brits love their chippy with a dash of vinegar, squeezed lemon and some salt and pepper (somehow I still like having tartare sauce on the side, helps balance the fried-ness).

I didn't realise what a big commotion this was until I read news that everyone else have been camping either outside the hospital or the palace, waiting for the announcement. I was secretly hoping I'd be able to meet the Queen (or rather, Prince Harry!), but a bonus would be to meet the youngest prince. You can almost sense the relief in the air when the big news came. Bookies and punters were having a field day with bets on the date of birth, and the name of the prince.

Walking along Oxford St was quite an amazing experience, because you'd see 2 or even 3 shops of the same brand along that same street. I saw about 4 Zara's there, though unfortunately there wasn't anything nice from their summer sales. Was glad to see Uniqlo, Muji and ASICS too.

Before visiting London, I thought the double deckers were open air at the top deck. I wonder where I got this impression. It was quite fun riding these to work everyday. Similar to other metropolitans with limited space like Singapore, HK and Tokyo, London depend very much on public transportation, so I appreciated the efficiency and choice of these while I was there. Makes me wish our government could have the foresight and vision to plan ahead too >.<

stool too?

I went for my annual health check on Monday. I have been postponing it due to various reasons; all of them work-related!

Right after I came back from Amsterdam with some prescription for the mouth infection, I thought it should be a good time to do the health check. Anyways, it's part of the company benefits for the employees, so I should make the most of it.

I went to the same clinic last year and had quite an enjoyable experience. Enjoyable, not like going for a pleasant tea party with your grrlfriends, but enjoyable in terms of atmosphere and service. I hate going to anything that makes me think twice about my health and mortality, especially if it involves something like drawing out blood from my veins.

So I was relieved I was finally able to make time (I had to catch up with work/emails after that!) for this. They had sent some forms and "gadgets" in advance; see if you can guess what it's telling me to do :

It's quite obvious to those who can read Japanese, but just as a summary, these 2 instructions are actually for collecting stool samples. I never had to do this in Malaysia as part of any health checks, so I found it quite an experience!

Basically you're supposed to line the toilet bowl with the soluble paper (pic above), and then after your poo comes out, use the pink stick given to collect some samples and then insert back into the tube.

How nice of them to decorate the instructions with colourful illustration and cute images.

I'll write more about the actual day's experience later, but it's something I hope you all don't have to go through!