Life In Nagaoka University

Most mornings begin the same way during my stay in Nagaoka University.
Wake up, shiver, wash face, shiver, have breakfast, stop shivering.
Did I mention that it's really cold there?

Onigiris and greeen tea is really a good way to start a morning!




This is the Mutoh Laboratory, a laboratory under the supervision of well, Prof Mutoh.
We would come here in the mornings to attend the postgraduates' presentations regarding their project. As we were there during the Golden Week, I think we've been there for only about 3 or 4 times.



The computers that we used to in order to go online.
Initially, there were some problems accessing the internet using the wireless connection in our rooms. So we had to depend on these for the first few days.





Went for an industrial visit during my second week there.
Saw a fire on the way there.















Went to a factory by the name of Clean Technology.
They're the manufacturer of machines that are used in the manufacturing of LCD TVs.
Didn't take pictures inside though.




Met up with Taro later in the afternoon. Taro was the exchange student that was sent to USM to do his industrial training with Hitachi.







Went to Joshin with Taro to check out some prices of the electronics.









Fujita-san, the caretaker of the guest house that we lived in in Nagaoka University.
He's a really warm and hospitable person.














Went for Udon on the next day with Taro as our guide.









Had the curry Udon.
Wonderful taste!
Could've been made better with more meat though.










Went to uhhh... Can't remember the name of the shopping mall edi...
Anyways, treated myself to a double scoop of Baskin Robbins...

Welcome Party!!!

Last Wednesday, a welcome party was held in honor of my presence in Japan.
Hahahaha.. Ok Ok, that's stretching it too much...
Several new members have joined Maintenance Teams 1 and 2...
As such, a joint celebration was organized!
The initial date was actually somewhere in mid May. But due to the influenza outbreak, the party was postponed for nearly a month.
Anyways, pictures!!!


That's Mr Fujita, the Equipment Maintenance Team 2 leader passing out the beers.
And the person with the happiest smile on earth is Mr Kojima, one of my colleagues.








Mr Nitta, emceeing the function. To begin the party, a toast was made.
Oh ya, it's customary for everyone to start with beer first.








The first dish was raw fish sashimi and raw chicken sasami.
Tried both and they taste..... unique.... enough said...
This one tastes like siu mai back home.








Tempura!!!
The green powder is a mixture of grounded green tea leaves and salt.
Complements the tempura well!








This is Mr Yamamoto. One of the new members of Equipment Maintenance Team 2.
He can speak pretty good Mandarin and English!







Mr Yamajou, a new addition to Equipment Maintenance Team 1.
Can you believe he's 31???
I look older than him... (T_T)
Oh ya, he's still single. Interested candidates can contact me for further info.





Mr Imai from Equipment Maintenance Team 1.
He's 26 this year!!!
I look like an uncle next to him...
How on earth do they preserve their youth ah???






With Mr Ueno, a new member of Team 1.











From left, Mr Hisadome, Mr Kojima and Mr Oh Omouu of Team 2.
Apparently that's how my name is pronounced in Japanese. Hahahahahaha...








The lovely Miss Tanimoto!
The Himawari-sama of Team 1.










Mr Shukutani, one of the leng chais of Team 1.










Mr Murata, 25 this year, with skin as more tanned than mine.










Me, Mr Fujita and Mr Hamada (my supervisor).
Hamada-san is similiar to me in a sense that we don't look our age.
He's only 26...
But all of the members in Teams 1 & 2 have always regarded him as 38...





Mr Haruna, young at heart.











Mr Ida, the kingfisher. Went fishing with him last weekend.
A blog post for another day.









Mr Sakashita, he was the supervisor the previous USM intern in Mitsubishi.
His wife is half American, half Japanese.
Some guys have all the luck...








Mr Nitta and Mr Onishi.
Mr Onishi is the most cheerful guy that I've ever known!
His laughter is guaranteed to brighten anyone's day!







Mr Akaba, the leader of Team 2.
A very accomplished tennis player!










Mr Sasaki, who always complimented me for speaking Japanese.
Thanks for the encouragement Sasaki-san!









Mr Yoshioka who knows Sannomiya like the back of his hand.
Brought me to a magician's bar 2 weeks ago!







A lot more pictures of the night which I have yet to post. Maybe next time!
Sorry for the constant goofy smile that I always sport.
Many have complained before that I'm advertising for some toothpaste or something... Hahahahaha...
And if you notice carefully, the colour of my face grows redder with each subsequent photo taken.
Had 10 glasses of beer with 2 cocktails that night!

A Working Day in Japan

I've arrived in Kobe city two weeks ago!
And don't worry about my health.
Still doing well and the influenza strain is slowly receding.
Here's a daily schedule of what I do on working days.


Leave room at around 6.50am

















Lock the room door using the electronic lock.
Very cool mechanism!!!
We should install this in Malaysian University hostels...





Walk out the corridor...











Use the elevator even though I live only on the second floor.
Don't judge me!
Hahahahahaha..









Walking through the hostel lobby...










.

.. into the cafeteria!











The counter to get our food.
Notice the tray?
It's the featured dish on display.








On the right, rice cooker.
In the middle, soup heater.
Unlimited refill.
Muahahahahahahaha.




And we pay for the meal using our meal card.








Breakfast!
Japanese usually have a light breakfast with simple dishes.








Stepping out of the hostel...












My hostel branded one ok?
Don't play play!











Beginning my journey to the train station.












Rays of hope...











Oh ya...
My hostel's located on top of a hill.









Which makes walking a breeze...













Met Totoro-san on the way down.
















And walking...














Nearly there...















Just a little bit more...















Finally!
The East Gate of Tarumi Station















Taking my place in line at platform 2.















As can be seen, most of the Japanese are wearing masks.
But I do wonder if these masks are actually effective in such crowded places.













And to Hyogo we go!














Next up, Wadamisaki line.










Moving with the crowd...













Alighting at Wadamisaki...










My ID Card.
The number reminds me of a place in Nibong Tebal...













Crossing the street...
Only a few more minutes to my office...












One of the gates for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
Need to scan ID card only can go in.









The building that I'm working in.
My office is located on the 10th floor.
But no more pictures from here onwards...
Company trade secrets have to be protected...