Furusato Nozei

Furusato Nozei Program is a hometown tax donation program organised by the Japanese government to support the development less funded municipalities in Japan with less people working and paying taxes to.

In Japan, one have to pay residence tax which is a tax that you pay to your local municipal for living there. It is calculated based on your earnings and you start paying it from your second year onwards for your first year there.

Paying the residence tax alone will not get you anything but one can opt for futusato nozei and pay tax to another municipal of their choice. In doing so, you can opt for a gift that you like for donating to them. 

The amount donated will of course be used for residence tax deductions. For that donation, you do need to bear 2000 yen from the amount you have donated, that will not be used for the calculation of tax deduction. There's a limit to which the amount that you can donate for it to be included in the calculations that's based on your annual salary.

At first, I didn't know how it works and was skeptical.....but I decided to try it anyways. I donated once in my second year and received 2 beautiful melons for it.

In my 3rd year, I decided to donate twice and received some beautiful peaches and grapes! 

It's a pretty good program actually as you get something in return. Of course, there are other things as well other than fruits, but I love fruits so I opted for them. 

Yes, it might be cheaper to just buy the fruits yourself if you want to eat some but this helps with tax deduction so it's great!

Invisible in Japan

I have always been proud of where I'm from and in general, myself. I speak several languages and that helps me to make friends with people from different cultures. I grew up with people of various races and religions. I'm used to hanging around people who are slightly different from me. Never in my life, have I thought that there would be a day where someone would pick to be my friend or not because of the way I look or ethnicity till I came to Japan.

While I have heard stories about how people who are interested in English language or language exchange in Japan are only interested in "white" people, I have never thought that it would be a problem for me because I speak English! I could not have been more wrong till one day when I joined a friend at a language exchange event when I first moved here.

There I was seated at a table with four other people, one of them is a Korean American who insists that he is American and he is not Korean when the Japanese man asked him if he is Korean. I think that the poor boy was confused between ethnicity and citizenship. But I guess, living in Japan, one would want to associate themselves more with American to appeal to people.

I immediately removed myself from that group to another table with just one girl. As she didn't look Japanese, I asked if the seat next to her was taken in English. She didn't understand me and I asked again in Japanese. I apologized and told her that she has Caucasian looking features and hence, assumed that she was a foreigner. She asked, "From which country?'. I replied, "UK?". She smiled and thanked me! After that she told me that she pitied me because I look Japanese and that it must be sad to have people think that I'm Japanese. I replied, "No, Asians have similar features, so I really don't mind if people think that I'm from Japan, China, Taiwan or Korea."

Soon after, two other girls joined us. I guess since there were four girls, it was easy for the conversation to change into us talking about love. The weirdest part for me was the fact that I was the only one who could converse properly in English but these other girls who couldn't hardly speak in English had white boyfriends...... Definitely, not a dating topic that I have experience with. Also, dating someone because of their skin colour is not a topic that I'm comfortable with.

After that, it was time for a table change. A guy there, who organised the event, was in charge or assigning people to different tables. My table only had one Japanese girl. I assumed that the others went to other tables after seeing that there were only 2 Asians on this table. I can tell that the girl had no interest to speak with me but she had no choice because she was already seated on the table.

This was definitely one of the worst experience I've ever had in my life. Never had I felt any form of discrimination like this towards my ethnicity and citizenship before. I guess in Japan, people pick friends based on their skin colour. Needless to say, that was the one and only time I have attended such an event.

After that incident, I try to stay way from people who tells me that they want to learn English and asks me to teach them. This is because I have realised that they only want to "befriend" me so that I could teach them English and not because that they genuinely want to be my friend. 

I also found out that one's experience of living here can be very different depending on your skin colour. My ang mo acquaintances have told me their experiences of having random strangers talk to them in restaurants or bar and get treated to free drinks. Wow......random strangers?! It's not a one time thing as I've heard similar stories from different people.

Another thing about being an Asian in Japan is that people naturally assume that you can't speak English or that even if you do, you can't be as good as the ang mo. Plus, we're neither blonde nor have blue eyes, so we don't look that interesting in the looks department too. I feel that in comparison, people are not that interested in getting to know us better.

But, what do I know? I only came to this conclusion based on my own experiences. Of course, different people will have different experiences based on the people they've met or situations they've been in.

1 Year

I boarded a flight to Tokyo on 24th of Feb last year, not knowing when I would fly back home. I arrived the next morning at Narita airport, where it had just snowed the night before.

When I first arrived, I had a place to stay but not my own. I was homesick and was hanging on to friends whom I thought were my friends. I had many things that I had to do.....so that I could settle down in a new country.

A year later, I'm staying in an apartment that I have found for myself. I had bought all of my furniture. I paid for the rent, electric, internet, water and gas bills. I have my trusty bike to bring me around. I have half a closet filled with new clothes. I have new friends and lost friends who really weren't real friends to begin with.

The first few months were tough and I was crying myself to sleep almost every night. Looking back on my struggles one year on now......they don't seem so big anymore. Maybe it's because I've finally let go and am in a happier place now.

Looking back, I have a lot to be proud of and truth to be told, I'm glad for all the help that I had received and never gotten, for it had helped me grow.

I'm proud that I have managed to get my own apartment even though I went through the Japanese way and paid a whole lot of money. 

I'm glad that I didn't have a friend to help me with internet which led me to do it myself online and while I paid a lot of money up front for the device (about 22,000 yen more than what most people paid), I did not have any problem with my device compared to my other 2 colleagues who got the same one.

I'm happy that all the furniture that I've bought are good purchases and I did not regret any of them. I did put in a lot of research into each of them before I bought them.

I'm thankful for people who made me realise that I'm better without them in my life because without them, I would not have made new friends and widen my circle of friends as much as I would have.

I'm also thankful that I didn't have any one that I could keep going back to for help, for it really pushed me to try and get my own credit card. I have failed soooo many times before finally getting this one. I almost gave up myself until a friend told me that I should not be defeated before even trying.

I guess when you are alone in a foreign country and have no one to depend on, it really pushes you to grow and learn new things by yourself.

Meanwhile, I do have some regrets which I think happened for a reason because it just wasn't right.

I regret for asking for so much and not accepting the job offer for a research position at this company that researches on compounds that I have worked with before. At that time, I was focused on earning back the money that I had invested in moving here. I thought that what they were offering me was a little low and because it was so far, I would have to move, which means I would lose all the money I've paid for this place and have to spend more money to move. I was also afraid of being alone because if I have moved, I would lose my friends and had to start all over again. Thinking back now, at that time, I was only thinking about the present, I didn't think that in the long run, that job would have benefited me more. 

Well, it's not like I could turn back time. I hope that in the future, that decision of mine will no longer be a regret and I could find a reason to prove that it was a right decision all along.

For my second year here, I want to just focus on myself. To build on my skills, strengths, emotional well-being, friendships....I want to pass N1, improve on my cooking skills, get healthy and build my career. This year, I will not be strayed into other petty things that depends on external factors other than myself. 

Electronics and furniture shopping in Tokyo

Before moving to Japan, I've checked out a few websites to check out the price of electronics and furniture in Japan.

At first I was thinking if I should but second-hand stuffs from recycle shops or "sayonara sales" from Craiglist.

However, I eventually decided that I would like to buy my own because I like new things.

As Ikea is a popular brand for furniture even back home, it was only natural that I check out Ikea's website (http://www.ikea.com/jp/). While I really liked some of the furniture there, I decided not to purchase my furniture from Ikea because of the steep delivery fees which differs depending on where you stay. The closer you stay to Ikea, the cheaper the fees.

While Nitori (https://www.nitori-net.jp) is famous for their furniture, they sell electronics too and I had initially wanted to buy their oven microwave because of the cheap price!!! Unfortunately for me, at the time of my purchase as it would take almost 3 weeks before I could get it, I decided not to get it from there. While a bit on the high side, they offer free delivery of purchases above 7000yen. This number is easily achievable if you order all your main furniture from them.

Other shops like Sofmap (http://www.sofmap.com/) and Yodobashi (http://www.yodobashi.com/) also offers free delivery for purchases above 3000yen. Before arriving in Japan, I had initially plan to get my major electronics form Sofmap because their prices was one of the lowest at the time of my survey. However, as I didn't had the opportunity to physically visit the shop myself, I decided not to purchase from them.

Yup, just like what the picture promised.

Then lastly, there's K's Denki (http://www.ksdenki.com/) which I have never heard of before going to Japan. I ended buying my major electronics from K's Denki because they offered competitive price, free delivery, free installation and extended warranty when required. So I bought my fridge, washing machine, oven microwave and hair dryer from them. Once, I have decided to get my electronics from them, I decided that I will stop comparing the prices to other electronic stores just so that I don't get any heart break! hahaha....but overall, I'm happy as the items were delivered 3 days after I paid for them. They installed all of my electronics and made sure that they did not damage any of my things while doing so. 

At first I had only decided to get my fridge and washing machine from K's Denki. And plus, since I'm such a worry-wart, I wanted a friend to be there when I made my order. So S went there with me and while discussing about the electronics with the staff, I decided to get the oven microwave there too since they could offer me a good price and most important of all deliver in 3 days! Then my hair dryer....I thought, why not....I didn't want to have to purposely travel to another electronic shop just to get it!

Snapped this picture right after they had installed my electronics.

It's been 2 months now and I'm loving all my purchases! I love how functional everything is and hopefully, they will continue to be for many years to come~!!

Ao-kun

Where I live, many people bike and within a week of moving into my own apartment, I wanted my own bike as I was so far from the station. Gave it some thought and decided to really get one a week later~

Got my baby Ao-kun on 20/03/16. 

26 inch wheels, with no gear adjustments.....but that's ok, as I'm not going to be using it up or down hills. Ao-kun has a 2 year insurance pack and is registered with a license (which costs only 500yen). Plus, a free check-up within 1-3 months from purchase.

I just want a bike that could help me move around a bit faster, help me with my shopping and on days when I didn't feel like walking.

Bought him from Aeon Bike. While it was one of the cheapest bikes for sale there, I couldn't be happier~! As I plan to use it for getting my groceries, I added a back basket to it.

Asked S to accompany me to get my bike as I wasn't sure if I could cycle my bike back to my apartment and it would be embarrassing if the shop staffs found out that I bought a bike without knowing how to ride on it. heehee.....

So here's one of my posing with Ao-kun on the day that I bought him.

My handsome Ao-kun parked below my apartment. heehee.....dashingly handsome isn't he?

I absolutely love my add-on basket as I used it sooo often for things that I buy. I usually place my hand bag in the front but for my groceries and other stuffs....I usually buy the amount that I think would fit in my basket.

Plus, Ao-kun also makes me feel safer and more comfortable on nights when I didn't want to walk back home alone. hahaha,,,,never thought that I'd be this happy to move on from a car to a bicycle.

:)

How to find a job in Japan

A few friends have asked me how does one find a job in Japan. There are many sites that one can use depending on whether or not you are a fresh graduate, looking for a mid-career change, type of profession that you are seeking for, your language skills and your education background.

I have used the following sites and will talk about each of them briefly.

Career Engine (https://japan.careerengine.org/index/index/lang/en)
This is good for those seeking bilingual jobs in Japan, mostly English and Japanese. There are both the Japanese and English version to the website. Jobs are separated into industry or job functions. Hence, it is easy to search for the type of job that you are interested in. However, the jobs do require the applicant to be already residing in Japan.

GaijinPot (https://jobs.gaijinpot.com/)
This is probably one of the most popular website for foreigners residing outside of Japan to seek for a job in Japan. The "Overseas OK" and "No Nihongo" would be especially suitable for those residing overseas or can't speak Japanese. While majority of the jobs under the "Overseas OK" are related to teaching English in Japan, there are other jobs such as consultant, sales, engineer, site developer, etc. You can even use it to search for part-time jobs if you are currently residing in Japan.

Daijob (https://www.daijob.com/)
Another website that comes in both Japanese and English versions. While some do not state if the applicant should be residing in Japan at the time of application, some do state that requirement clearly. Also, you might notice that many of the jobs require you to submit your 履歴書 and 職務経歴書 which are obviously in Japanese.

For fresh graduates, you can try sites like リクナビ (https://job.rikunabi.com/) or マイナビ(http://global.mynavi.jp/). These two website would be great for those who are proficient in Japanese and living in Japan or plan to go to Japan for their job hunt. For those seeking a mid-career change, try CareerCross (https://www.careercross.com/). Lastly, for science students and researchers, a more suitable website would be the jREC-IN portal (https://jrecin.jst.go.jp/seek/SeekTop?ln=1)

Good Luck with your job search!

Temporary apartment

My temporary apartment when I arrive was this fully-furnished one room~

I like the fact that it is furnished with a kettle, proper desk and TV! I kinda miss the TV now that I don't have one in my own place~ Plus there's a bed! So I didn't have to sleep on the floor.

But a place of your own is of course much more comfortable because you get to customize things to things that you like.

Plus it came with hangers for when you do your laundry too as this apartment doesn't come with a balcony for laundry,

Then there's a mini cabinet with a  microwave on top.

The small little kitchen unit that came with a tiny fridge, an induction plate and there's a kettle too.

The view from the window~

From here, you can see that next to the kitchen unit, there is a huge closet and opposite that a shoe cabinet.

The mini toilet unit, but I'm thankful that it came with really good hot water!

While I've only stayed there for 17 days, thank you for taking care of me before I found my own place~

:)

Getting a local SIM card

Never thought that it would be that difficult to get a proper SIM card with voice call and data in Japan. Totally my fault on this part as I did not survey properly. Before going to Japan, I thought that the prepaid SIM cards that I had surveyed all offered voice call function and that they could be easily paid by cash. But no, they were data only. And those that did come with a voice call function, could not be bought with just cash.

After days of trying to look for a prepaid voice call function SIM to no avail, S brought me to the Rakuten mobile shop in Ginza to check out the requirements of applying for a SIM card for my phone. Apparently, I would require a working japanese credit card and my current Japanese address to be registered before I could get one. 

Since I didn't have a Japanese credit card, I couldn't get one. Plus I haven't registered my address then. But that's also when I found out that it is common for the companies to request for a japanese credit card.

During the weekend, I went to Big Camera at Shibuya and found some prepaid data SIM but none with a working phone number, so nope...not getting that again. It was also the same for many different companies.

When I thought that I will just have to wait a month or 2 to get a proper working number and to get just a data SIM for now, S volunteered to sign one for me! I couldn't be happier and thank him enough!!!!  Of course, I will be paying him back every month. 

On that day, we were super productive. We got my bank account settled, SIM card, applied for credit card, settled the water and electricity for my place. Plus, we got the gas company guy to come over to set up the gas. Later in the evening, we even got all the major electronics for my place!!! :D

Among all the phone plans that I have surveyed, I'm actually most tempted to get the AEON SIM card due to it's cheap price and large data. While they go up to 50GB, I want to get their 12GB one. But unfortunately, I can't get my SIM card on the spot, so we opted for IIJmio instead with 10GB data for 3260 yen per month. That's quite a competitive price to pay as more and more companies are coming out with plans like this.

Other than the cheap price, many companies also offer plans that allows you to carry forward and unused data to the next month. So no wastage~

As I was desperate for a SIM card, I couldn't be happier that I could get one immediately on the spot! I paid 3240yen for the package and will have to pay separately every month for the card.

So after 2 weeks of not having data and a working SIM with me, I had forgotten how convenient it was to have data 24/7! Not something to be taken granted for again! No data means that I couldn't use google map or check for trains/ buses nearby! Plus that meant that I had no means of communication with other people once I'm out of the apartment.

Scouting for an apartment

There are many websites that one can use to scout for a place in Japan depending on the type of accommodation that you are looking for.

Here are some websites that I have personally used:

1. Sakura house (http://www.sakura-house.com/en)

They offer share house, apartment and dormitory type of accommodations. Their website is really easy to navigate and everything is easy to understand. While share houses are usually well furnished, their apartments are also furnished! This is really helpful for foreigners like me because most apartments are unfurnished and one would have to fork out extra money to buy furniture or electrical appliances.

2. Oakhouse (http://www.oakhouse.jp/eng)

They offer share house, apartment and social residences. As with Sakura House, their website is also easy navigate thanks to the English language option tab.

Social Residence is an interesting concept for me. In Malaysia, we're used to share houses but social residence is like a super share house!

Social Residence emphasizes on community. Some have gyms, movie room, study room or music room. So there's really a lot of space for use to cultivate your hobbies. Plus because many people will be sharing common areas such as the living room or the kitchen, it reminds me of a back packer's place where you get to mingle and make friends with many different people.

3. Home's (http://www.homes.co.jp/)

This website was introduced to me by my real estate agent. Unlike, the first two, this is a Japanese only website. At Home's, you can not only rent, but buy, sell and build!

I used Home's the most while searching for an apartment. While there are some that are furnished, many come unfurnished.

I like the map function the best because I get to zoom in into the area that I'm interested in and check if there are any accommodations nearby for rent.

4. Japan Today (http://realestate.japantoday.com/en/rent/listing)

There are both the Japanese and English version to the website. This website is easy to use thanks to the refine search section on the top right which is very extensive. You can use it to pin point to the exact requirements that you want.

5. Suumo (http://suumo.jp/)

This is a Japanese website and like Home's, you can not only rent, but buy and build too! Again, very easy to use. I usually select the nearest train station that I am interested in and start from there.

Of course there are many other English websites that one can easily google online, but I have not much experience with them so I can't comment on it.

Anyways, in my case, I got into contact with my real estate agent through a friend's friend late last year. As the date of my departure to Japan got closer, she shared with me links of some of the rooms which she felt matches my requirements, and I also showed her some of those that I was interested in. However, many of those that I was interested in do not rent to foreigners. Plus because I started scouting for apartments few weeks before, some of the apartments were already rented by the time I arrive in Japan. My agent said that during the time when I was seeking for a place was the time where many people were also moving.

So we set up a date where she brought me to view several different apartments. From there I picked one that I liked best and proceeded with it. She explained to me the fees that I would incur and submitted my documents.

Not having a phone line is really an inconvenient thing in Japan. Without it, the guarantor company couldn't contact me but we eventually sorted that out. I had to talk with both the guarantor and management company before they evaluate to rent the place to me or not. When all that got sorted out, I had to bank in the payment to them as well as my agent before getting my keys. 

Other than the problem with the phone, banking in was also a problem because I didn't have a bank my address registered yet. I tried to register it in the morning but the lady said that since I have not move into the apartment yet, I couldn't register it. I was pretty flustered at that moment because banks close at 3pm and I needed to bank in the money on that day. Thank goodness, S happened to be in Tokyo when I contacted him for help. So we headed to the main branch and made the payment using his identity instead. I sent the receipt to my agent and yes, it's done!!!

The procedure was ok I guess. I went to view the apartments, decided on an apartment the next day, spoke to the companies 2 days later, submitted the payment another 2 days later and went to collect my keys 4 days later.

My own inkan

Prior to getting my own hanko, I have deliberated for quite some time if I truly need one, where to get one and which one to get!

I've surveyed online and there are many useful websites on hanko. I highly recommend these:

1. http://www.arishaintokyo.com/how-to/how-to-get-a-hanko-or-an-inkan-your-own-30-stamp/

2. http://www.travelinboots.com/life-in-japan/get-hanko-stamp/

3. http://www.turning-japanese.info/2013/08/all-about-japanese-inkanhankochopsseals.html

Thank goodness for their posts, if not I would've been super lost! So if anyone wants to know more about hanko, do check out the blog links above!

Well, despite all that reading, I could not purchase one online as I didn't have a credit card. Plus, I also didn't have a phone line or internet on my first night....I was extremely lost. But luckily S brought me to a はんこ屋さん21 (http://www.hankoya21.co.jp/) near the place where I was living and we managed to get a 13mm inkan there. 

As my name will me in katakana, 12mm might be a bit small for official papers so the man at the shop suggested that I get a 13mm one instead. A slightly bigger one would be better as the only time I'd be using my inkan would be in the bank.

At first, I was thinking of using kanji, thinking that it might look pretty grand. But after S' help with checking with the banks, perhaps it is better to not sure kanji as it is not on my passport.

It's really convenient to go and get an inkan. I can collect mine the next day. For mine, it costs 5637yen. Felt that it was a bit pricey as I've never had to use anything like it before, we normally just sign our names and that's free of charge! Lol~

Nevertheless, I was really glad to get something on my list done!

As I was too much of a cheapo to buy a proper casing for my inkan at the store, I went to Daiso to get myself one. But I carelessly went and bought the 12mm case. I only reslised my mistake when the case wouldn't close! So that means that I would have to make another trip to Daiso to get a proper case.

Days after, I found out that I needed an inkan to sign my rental contract too! So yea, I couldn't be happier that I got that done!

Packing and flying to Tokyo

From Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, there are several airlines that one can pick from to travel to Tokyo, Japan.

Below are 4 airlines that offer direct flight from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Haneda or Narita Airport:

1) Air Asia (AA)

I find that most of the time Air Asia offers the cheapest fares. The plus point with Air Asia is that they fly to Haneda Airport which is closer to central Tokyo and therefore more convenient for those who wants to travel and explore Tokyo. However, they depart at 2.40pm from KLIA and arrive at Haneda airport at 10.30pm. If you are unlucky, you might miss the last train out from Haneda Airport. I have flown with Air Asia to Tokyo before, the plane was on time and we managed to pass through immigration with ample time left.

As I know that I have many things to settle at the airport that night, I did not want to risk it.

2) Malaysia Airlines (MAS)

I have flow MAS to both Tokyo and Osaka before and it is always good to fly with MAS. The seats are comfortable and the food served was good. The good thing about MAS flights are that they have night flights, which I like. So you get to sleep on the plane and arrive early the next morning! Another plus point about flying with MAS is the 2 free check-in baggage.

Here are the 2 direct flight that MAS offer to Narita Airport:

1. Departs at 10.50am and arrives at 6.30pm

2. Departs at 11.35pm and arrives at 7.15am

3) All Nippon Airways (ANA)

I have never traveled with ANA before but I hope to fly with them one day. I find that the fares from MAS and ANA to be pretty close. Depending on who is having promotions, you might find one having cheaper fares than the other. Like MAS, ANA also have night flights! Based on pictures that I've seen on other websites, ANA's airline food looks food too! ANA also offers 2 free check-in baggage of not more than 23kg for economy seat tickets. ANA offers several different flights to either Haneda and Narita airport.

The one I preferred the most was their day flight which departs at 8.10am and arrives at Narita airport at 3.50pm.

4) Japan Airlines (JAL)

Among the 4, JAL's fares are the most expensive. However, JAL does have a good record of being on time (http://press.jal.co.jp/en/release/201501/003216.html). Plus many people have commented that JAL's crew is one of the best in the world and their in-flight food are delicious. JAL also offers 2 free check-in baggage of not more than 23kg for economy seat tickets. Like ANA, JAL also offer different flights between the two cities but the one that caught my attention most was the night flight which departs at 10.50pm from KLIA and arrives at Narita Airport at 6.40am.

In general, AA does offer the cheapest return flight tickets. However, when the other airlines are having promotions, one can get very good deals from them too. Before buying any tickets, one should consider which airport do they prefer to fly into, timing of the flights, level of comfort and how much you are willing to pay.

I bought my tickets pretty late and among those that offered night flights, JAL had the best price. So that was the one that I went with. 

Whup whup

Last dinner with my dance mates before I leave~

With Amanda, my dance instructor for like.....the past 6/7 years.

With the pretty ladies from my class, plus David, who was the cameraman for this picture!

We went for dinner at Whup whup in Subang Jaya.

A beautiful place for dinner~

We ordered several different dishes to be shared among us.

Mohawk Salmon with pineapple salsa, mash (RM28). Very good salmon......definitely one of the best!

Glazed lamb shank with ratatouille and rosemary taters (RM38). This is hands down my favourite main of the night! That lamb was super tender and it went perfectly with the sauce!

Duck 3 Ways (RM28). Didn't try this so couldn't comment on it.

Gramps apple pie (RM10). My favourite dessert of the night! Omg....that warm apples with the lovely pie crust and vanilla ice cream!!! :D

Babyface (RM13). A very good dark chocolate tart. Coffee lovers will definitely love this.

A group picture~

Thank you guys for the lovely gifts~!!!

COE

It felt as if I have waited for the longest time for my COE to be processed. I remembered feeling very worried on whether it would get processed in time or not. This was because I have signed a work contract and on my contract was the date that I'm supposed to start work. As the date gets closer and closer, I become more and more anxious. But at the same time, I told myself that as it was something that I could not control, I just need to learn how to not worry too much about it and focus on the things I need to get done back home.

My COE application was submitted on 22nd Dec and approved on 4th Feb. Since they had to deliver the original COE to me, I only managed to get me hands on it on 18th Feb.

When I got it, it was like....FINALLY!!! YES~!!!

I can now finally have a clear plan of when to visit the Japan Embassy in my country to apply for my visa, when to fly to Japan, when to set up appointments with my real estate agent to view some apartments and an actual date to tell my friends and relatives on when I'll actually be leaving. Otherwise, it's just like, "Yea, I guess I'll be flying at the end of Feb.....but I don't really know when yet. I'm still waiting for some documents for visa application."

Truth to be told, I was initially worried about when I'll be getting my COE because when I googled online, some people were saying that it takes a really long time....probably 3 months or more even. But, really, I'm thankful that mine got processed in slightly more than a month.

Last japanese class

My japanese teachers are always so nice and supportive of the things that I do. 

I'm really grateful to them for organising this for me.

Probably my last group picture with these group of classmates who have been with me for the past year. Plus the teachers who have been with me the past 5 years!

I really enjoyed the beautiful tart~ sensei-tachi are all super nice! They buy birthday cakes for their students on their birthdays and organise farewells like these! :)

The past 5 years had been amazing, picking up japanese again, winning a speech contest, getting my first interpretation job, first experience as MC and later my translation work.

Thank you all, especially the teachers for my wonderful journey with japanese language! Hopefully, I will be able to improve while in Japan even though I will no longer be attending classes.

Heart warming messages from everyone~

A gift from my sensei of 4 years!

A pen that I will treasure for sure!

Plus this key chain from my last sensei. A key chain from the no longer running Cassiopeia!

色々ありがとうございます！

お世話になりました!

Moving to Japan

Since high school, I have always been interested in Japanese language and culture. At that time, I was into the 90s shoujo anime. Thanks to anime, I became interested in Japan. I wanted to learn the language to be able to watch the anime without sub and was very much interested to live in Japan as I wanted to experience things that I've seen in the anime. I think I watched the most anime in 1999, thanks to the influence of my group of anime loving friends.

After A levels, I thought of applying for the 2006 MEXT scholarship to further my studies in Japan. However, at that time, I didn't have any confidence in my Japanese language skills and I just couldn't imagine myself studying science or mathematics in Japanese. Plus I was worried that due to bad language skills, I would not be able to keep up in class. In the end, I gave up. Every single time I think back about it, I felt like kicking myself! I was young and have nothing to lose! It was really the best time to go to Japan! Even so, I did not regret my decision to pursue my degree locally as I was awarded full scholarship from my institution and led me to discover my passion in scientific research.

But my dream was not dead, 3 years after graduation and 1 year into my masters research, I decided to apply for the 2012 MEXT scholarship again, but this time for my PhD studies in Japan. Submitted my application forms, sat for 2 papers, went for an interview and was awarded the scholarship. However, due to various things that happened soon after, I wasn't able to continue with my masters research. In the end, I had to forego the scholarship.

Fast forward to 2015, I have finished my PhD research work and was writing up. While I was writing and especially after my submission, I really gave it a lot of thought. I want to live and work in Japan! At the same time, the thought of taking a gap year really starting growing in my head. After my PhD, I had about 2 months before my graduation and that was when I really began to applying for jobs in Japan. While I did get close to getting hired, the truth was that I didn't get hired in the end and it frustrates me that it was difficult for me to actually apply for jobs and compete with local candidates because I'm so far away. But I didn't give up. I have send out many applications and also received many rejections.

Back home, things were starting to work out for me in terms of career as I was being offered jobs. 

When you are an adult seeking for a job to make a living, it is tempting to pick the safer option. However, I've told myself before in 2015 that 2016 is the right time for me to move to Japan! 

Just when I was almost giving up hope, my job offer came! Without hesitation, I accepted it!