Diwali

Another Diwali has come and gone. Could not go to mumbai, haven''t been there for diwali in 6 years. The japanese study has gone nowhere. This blog sounds like a personal diary. Thinking of starting another one to rant about politics in India. Think it might be interesting to note "Breaking News" that loses steam in 3 hours or so.
Still waiting to register the car and get my driver's license. It would have been nice if I could have blogged about this entire process, but procrastination is always the enemy. Getting ready for the hospital trip next month. Hope all goes well.

Another regular weekend

Nothing much happening these days. Spent another weekend at home, setting up the new apartment. Lots of work to be done, but too lazy to do anything. The Japanese lessons are not going anywhere, need to pick up if I am to give the exams in december.
Was out to the research center in Hyderabad to say farewell to one of the wifey's friends who is leaving for Japan. Hence the sudden urgency to learn japanese. Let's hope i finsh the alphabet and Kanji by the end of this month. Then to get on with the vocabulary.
This blog seems to be turning into nothing more than a personal diary. Need to take a new direction and start one which is more general in scope. Will try harder.

Nihongo @ Microsoft

Had a visit to the Microsoft campus in Hyderabad today. We were invited by a couple who Minako met throught the online japanese community site in Hyderabad. The campus is unbelievably huge, money has clearly been well spent. It's got a football field, basket ball court and a cricket pitch amongst other things.Even the canteen has a subway sandwich kiosk.
Most of the conversation was in Japanese, and although the wife was happy, I was a bit embarassed at not being able to speak much. Need to put some effort in learning the language, it's long overdue.

Fresh Start

I am hopeless at blogging. I have been off from it for the past 2 months because of being cut off from the internet. And then I have been procrastinating.
I have had such great stories from the past 2 months, it's a shame I haven't been writing them down.
I moved from Japan to India. Specifically, I moved from Tokyo to Hyderabad. With a pit stop in Mumbai. And my then girlfriend, now wife has arrived in India.
It's been a ride since we both moved in to our new house in one of the I.T colonies coming up around hyderabad. Even the daily commute to office brings up lots of stories.
Will try to update more often, these are the kind of stories that are perfect for friday nights with friends !!!

Laziness

Been a bit lazy in the past few months to blog. But lot has been happening around me. Will try to keep this space more updated.

7 weeks to go

Life in japan is coming to an end. Atleast for now. Returning to India after 4 years. It's been a great ride, but all good things come to an end. The reality will set in only after a few weeks in India. Or maybe a few days.
The work situation should start easing up soon, with handovers already in progress. Planning to do the packing up process after coming back from Taiwan.
Another birthday coming up next week, trying not to think about age.
Exciting times ahead !!!


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Location:２丁目,Chiyoda Ward,Japan

Shikoku

Enjoying the local cuisine and national beer at minako's village. It's hardly a village with it's supermarket, DVD rental shop and even bowling center !!! More of a small town. Minako says she used to go bowling all the time in her summer vacations as there is nothing else to do at this place. Waiting for her to visit my village to show her what a real village is.
Had a wonderful meal yesterday with tai fish, kaiseki ryori. Some tempura, sashimi and sukiyaki thrown in as well. Wisited konpira San fir some temple gazing. Heading to matsuyama castle and dogo onsen tomorrow.
Nice to have a long weekend off. Been working most weekends since the start of 2010 to finish off this project. All ready to visit Taiwan next month, got a birthday in between and a go live coming up next week. Exciting times ahead !!!



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Location:Niihama City,Japan

Valentines day

How corny does it get when you end up seeing a movie named valentines day on valentines day. But had no time to argue with the better half. Been caught up with this project since the beginning of this year, no end in sight.
Minako and I went to this Italian restaurant on Azabu Juban shoten gai for some pizza and fried mushrooms. A bit in the expensive side, but worth it. And it's valentines day, plus I've Bern working weekends, so not complaining at all. Hope to have more breaks like this.


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Tokyo and me

I am sitting at an Indian restaurant sipping kingfisher and getting nostalgic. It's not that bad to just pop out for a beer all by yourself . You do not have to listen to anyone for a change.
And I am wondering about what has changed in the past 3 years or so. When I came here, I was still in my twenties, with a lot of debt, and too many thoughts. The debt is gone , the worries remain, but I've learnt to live with it now. Being the ever pessimistic kind, I still worry that all this will be over soon and I might be struggling again. But I've learnt to enjoy the moment.
Not that things are perfect right now, but age brings the sullen realization that they never will be.
Japan has made me learn to enjoy the moment, rather than worrying it will slip away. Something that years of struggling had made me forget .
And I will always be grateful for that . And for Minako. I am just lucky to have her.


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Inglourious basterds

Quentin Tarantino gets this one right for atleast a few scenes. The scene at the bar is a classic, i am sure I am going end up watching it millions of times.
But the first viewing will always be the best, when you do not know what happens next .


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Saturday nights

Saturday night at watami in gyotoku. Hoppy and asahi and edamame. Yakitori and shishamo not seen above. I am getting emotional on the izakayas !!! It's been a good 3 years, no regrets. But maybe the time has come to move on.


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2 weeks to go

The next 2 weeks are going to be full of excitement. Rushing in to overdrive, adrenalin pumping kinds. I hate to admit this, but I like it. I like the uncertainty even though I know it is life altering. Not knowing which part of the world you will be in 15 days later is a thrill to me, even in my 30s.
Buckle your seat belt Dorothy, cos Kansas is going bye bye.




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Qu'il fait bon

Decided to take a walk in daikanyama on a warm Sunday. Stepped into this coffee shop, and was pleasantly surprised.


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Sweet potato pastry !!!




Little things that make you happy.



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Google Wave

The presentation looks good. Email makeover was long time due. Will have to wait ti see if this thing catches on.
Going back to work on a saturday, this is not good !!!!!
Need a vacation, hoping to take a break in december.

Massive hangover

Took a day off from work today. Need to keep a check on the drinking. Need to hit the gym. Need to start eating healthy. Need to start cooking at home.

Cannot drink like I am 21. Because I am 31. And it takes 2 days now to get over a hangover.


-- Posted from my iPhone

It's october already

And it is still hot in Tokyo. I am still tired from my trip in Thailand , spent the last two weekends watching tv shows. Finished 2 entire seasons of " how I met your mother. " half a season of 24 and three crappy movies I don't remember.
Heading out on a hot Sunday afternoon to do some window shopping, need to get out of the house more. And then plan to hit the gym for a couple of hours. Got a long week of work coming up.


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Last days of summer

Went for a swim in the afternoon today, the water is quite cold already. Can maybe manage another weekend of swimming. Couldn't even get a decent hour in the pool cos the life guards emptied the pool and did some kind of security check which lasted almost 15 minutes. I was completely dry by that time, did get in the pool for a dip but it was too crowded.
Heading to gaienmae for some shopping before the vacation to Thailand .

-- Posted from my iPhone

Three years in Nihon

Just looked up the post I wrote last year on completing 2 years in japan. A miserable 2 lines was all I could manage at that time. But you could sense the feeling of trying to leave even then. It's as if I don't care anymore .
A lot has gone through in the last year. A lot of stuff happens in one year, it's at times like these when you sit back and rewind that you realize it.
And a lot remains the same after a year, and you wish some of it would have changed.
An end to this uncertainty of the length of stay in japan seems close, but it has always been close.
Till then, it's work as usual.


-- Post From My iPhone

Working out

Missed the gym again. And eating Thai food . Again.
I need to lose atleast 3 kilos. Feel stuffed and happy again, should not let that take over . The last time that happened, I touched 75 kilos.
May I be damned if that happens again.


-- Post From My iPhone

Aqua field shiba koen

Spent the last 3 weekends swimming at this pool hidden away in shiba koen. Not too many kids around and the water is still warm from the last few days of summer. Too bad the pool is only open from July to mid September , after which it turns into a futsal ground for the rest of the year.
Autumn will be here soon, time to pull out the coats and scarves.