Ogakijin Blog

Hello- I came to the end of month with lots of bad news. I guess, this is the way I wrap up the first month at the job. Supposed to. Things aren't that easy and supposed to be hard!!!
Had weekly meeting with client. Reported what has been done and Got new assignment toward next week.
Apparently, the quality of today's delivery wasn't that high... so I understood.
Well, I shouldn't be able to bring it to higher level at this point. This is still learning process and I am yet quite new to role that I play for now. In other words, I will make progress hereon... so it's okay as it is.

Well, don't know how client perceived this stuff. (BANG!)

That wasn't only bad news for the day. In addition, I got scratch on brand new (and expensive!) shoe. I was definitely under stress while in the meeting and shoe got scratch then. Am sure that it was what happened. SHOCK!!!
Don't know if that is fixable. Will see. I keep trying to take care of that since coming home tonight.

One more bad news... Well, I better stop around here. Otherwise, I may go on and on... Hehehe.

Well, March is up! Will be better!
Some debt is now cleared since I made payment today. How much? Paid out about 13,000 dollars. WOW! Could've bought a new small car with that cash!!! Too darn late...

Hi, folks. Name change? Well, that's not for me. Yeha, it still takes some time for me to get married and change my last name... (BANG!)
It's all about Thunderbird. Yeah, my school.



(old) Thunderbird, The Garvin School of International Management
(new) Thunderbird, School of Global Management

Big change? To me, not really. It's STILL Thunderbird. Right???

As you see above, the school logo is also new.
What happened?

My translation... is that school gives a kiss to (Sam) Garvin goodbye... Don't you agree? Hahaha.

My day... went okay along with lots of coffee. I definitely went to work with certain amount of sleepiness. Hehehe.
Didn't fall to a sleep, though. More than several coffee helped me stay awake!

Plus, I was busy (quite bit...) to conclude current process since I have a big meeting tomorrow afternoon.
Only 20-some PPT slides for it? Hmmm, still lack some slides to add more information.

Okay, got to go! Adios, hombre!

Yeah, almost 1st month is over since I went back to reality. Time to get exhausted because I have been consuming quite amount of energy to adopt and get used to new work environment, etc.
The symptom? Well, it's getting harder and harder to get up at the same time in the morning day by day!

Do I enjoy work? Definitely, it's still learning process. Not bad, though. There are lots to learn... that's pretty exciting! I don't like getting bored while working like nothing to do or easy to do, etc.

Easy lunch. Picked up lunch box in a convenience store near the work on the way to my desk in the morning. Since then, I didn't come to any chance to take a break away from the office. Was I that busy?

Here is the true story.
Worked on single (big and detailed) PPT slide for Wednesday meeting. About lunch time, I moved on to next slide. While working on that page for some time, I realized that previous page was mistakenly DELETED!

BUMMER!

Too late to undo. A while after deleting, I saved the file. No way to get back to the past! Hmmm.
Solution? I had to make that page from the SCRATCH! No kidding!
Good thing... that I had sketch in my note. Yeah, had collected ideas in it so this gave me a great ease!

Did wrap up for the day around 7pm. Early? Well, had to go to shopping. I have someone quitting the job at current workplace and went out to pickup something for her since she became great help for me to get used to that environment.

Her farewell takes place Wednesday night... I was supposed to go... Now I cannot? Hmmm.
Talk to you later, folks!

Since I told MoonFlower that I wanted to "look" (not buy) shirts, suits, and shoes for myself, we got together in Ginza for shopping.

Though, my shopping time didn't come quickly. We went to "Hidemi Sugino" sweetshop. Yep, sweets shop... MoonFlower's specialty.
This shop is extremely popular since the guy, HIdemi Sugino, was featured in some documentary on national channel on TV. In the small shop, full of customers waiting to be served!

MoonFlower and I waited for about 30 minutes to get seated in the lounge.
She bought more than several baked sweets and we ordered some cakes with fruits along with the tea.
You know, I ended up paying about $60. Yeah, SIXTY dollars, man!

For your note, I am SO broke!

So we have NO lunch for the day!!!

In Ginza, MoonFlower and I bought shoes for ourselves.
Plus, I asked Paul Smith shop to reserve one particular suits for me.
Well, it didn't carry one at my size today. They said that they may carry one in inventory.
Will see if they have one for me... or maybe not.

How much is that? $700. Yeah, big bucks... that's why I haven't made the purchase.
I just asked them to "hold the pair of suits" for me.

One more time... am STILL broke!

I didn't want to buy even shoe even though I did... I had to. Don't have enough variety to cover the work Monday through Friday!
Same reason for suits as well.

Let's say, "initial investment" for the foundation of business practices. I have to maintain the minimum... to be accepted by peers as well as clients. Hahaha! You know what I mean.

Well, weekend with full of spending... is now over! Yeah, I better get to work so that I don't have to spend! Wow, that's super idea!
Okay, talk to you later, folks.

Busy weekend? Not exactly... Started early, though. I made it very domestic for the day since MoonFlower is busy with something (somebody?) else and my room was quite messy.
Woke up around 9am and...

Had coffee, first.
Took a bath... Saturday morning traditional? Hehehe.
Using the same hot water... laundry took place.
Vacuum cleaning all over the room.
Cleaned the bath room.
What else...
Oh, I went to dry cleaner for drop-off. 5 shirts.

When I made all chore completed, it was about 1:30pm. Oh boy!
Watched TV for a while afterward.

Finally, I went out... to Kinshicho (3 weekends in row?).

I bought this piece of furniture for $400. To be delivered next Saturday.
Thus, I come to a conclusion of all apartment setting in terms of furniture? Well...

I am still missing bed... Need one for sure. I guess, that is to be last big purchase.
Cannot make it quick. Have to wait another pay day. (BANG!)

So by the time you visit me (ever?) --- my apartment room is going to be cozy!

Taking advantage of lunch break, I rushed to Rolex Japan for pick-up. I forgot the order card which required for pickup. I told young lady over counter in Rolex Japan...didn't take too long for my verification.
Within 10 minutes or so, shiny Rolex - which has been in my possession over single decade - came back to my wrist once again!
Here is the record:

In 1993 - January 3rd on 5th Avenue, New York City, I made a purchase of Rolex Explorer II.
Before this time, overhaul took place once. For 13 years or so, overhaul completed twice.
Didn't have any major trouble with wonderful wrist watch... though, I periodically take it to the maintenance because I really want it goes along with me for rest of my life. I may buy new watch later in my life... doesn't mean I will downgrade this watch in my collection.

Everything, except face glass, seems brand new! That is due to the grinding process in the overhaul. Glass does have some scratches... too bad! For next overhaul in 5-7 years from now, I will request to replace the glass.

If you do have automatic watch... any brand... I recommend to take it to the manufacturer for maintenance. Don't know how often it should be. As per Rolex, it should be 5-7 years.... unless you realize that watch keep ticking faster than actual time.

What do you think?
As my last note for the day, this is DEFINITELY last ROLEX. I wouldn't buy any other model of this brand. I want this as ONLY Rolex for my life.

I ALMOST made a big boo-boo today! Well, I made the bad start for the day with single call... it was unknown cold call! Am sick and tired of that sort!!!
What mistaken then?

150,000,000,000 --- this is 1,500M (yen), right? Yep, it is.
Somehow, I converted that number into dollars... which is one-120th. In other words, 12M (dollars).
Well, that should be dealt as DOLLAR amount. Though, I put YEN to the figure by mistaken then.

Out of 1500 million... how much is what I deal with? Well... just about FIVE! That's it? Yep!

Toward the end of that particular work, I realized that some number in my calculation was wrong for sure. Why? Share (%) information didn't come along with my expectation. Way off!!!

So I then pin-pointed that mistake right away. THANK GOD!
Otherwise, I could've been out of work very quickly! Hehehe.

I received a call from the phone number starting 0584. This is Ogaki's area code.
I hesitated and didn't take the call. How come? I kind thought that it was my creditor! Hehehe.

Actually, it wasn't. I found that out afterward since I felt bad and returned the call.

Oh, I saw a group of students (about 15 of them) from Waseda University. They were MBA students. All men... no gals. No wonder that I was quite happy being T-bird! Hehehe.

Many meetings took place. Plus, I sent so many emails with many question about business process.
Yep, my current project... scope is of the process analysis. Fun? Complicated? Well, lots of information.

While working, I receive so many calls... cold call to sell:

stocks / future
real estate
retirement plan
recruitment

I guess, being business consultant is popular as prospective customer among those industries. One of the guys keep calling me over and over... "Mr. Ogakijin, I called you yesterday for this great opportunity" BLAH-BLAH-BLAH...

Today, received two different calls.
Both calls were in when I was in the meeting! Perfect and legitimate excuse!

Wait. Recruitment? Already? Yeah, I know. I just got this position... already possible to move on?
NOT SO FAST!

I definitely stay in this job... for three years or possibly longer! Hehehe. Wait. Just three years? Well, maybe longer.
I mean "I stay in this (particular) industry." - maybe?

Came home around 8pm. Watched my favorite TV drama, "Haken no Hinkaku" (Pride of Temp Staff) - it is always fun to watch this drama.
This drama cynically draws the corporate office where full-time employee and temp work in collaboration. Sure, temp people don't have much responsibility as full-time people... however, they cannot complete their jobs without support from temp staff.

Every Wednesday, I don't want to miss any part of episode of this drama for sure.
Okay... time for bed. Zzzzz...

Thank God!!! I finally came to the first pay day after MBA!!! Thank you!!!
This isn't the end... rather, it is the beginning... to pay off the debt!!!
According to my calculation, it takes me full three years to complete. Yeah, THREE freaking years! Yeah, long 36 months! Please God, do something about this. This is too severe!

How much left after paying off the debt? Well, I shouldn't discuss about it because it would make my cry!

Long day? Well, had three meetings and one was quite pessimistic. Yeah, scary facts were lined up for me. I now feel like that I took the wrong tunnel to go through because it doesn't have the other end. You know what I mean.

Oh... I spoke some English since I found quite few Indians around. Precisely on the same floor. However, all those Indians speak GREAT Japanese. Yeah, all of them are completely fluent. Am not kidding.

"World is flat," huh!

Oops, I shouldn't extend my break too long. Have to work a little bit even though am home right now. Yep, I do. Daily update is now due and I have to read more than several emails to respond. Am sure that my project manager gets irritated waiting my input of the day. Hahaha!

Good night.

Man, who told me that it would be easy Monday for me since my counterpart at client's site is gone for a week. Not that easy. Not precisely.
Started 9am... just like yourselves. Reports and reports. I had to deal with some system that I was never familiar with. So I had to make it learning session.

Didn't have enough time for me to go out to have lunch. Instead, I bought lunch box for myself. Ate at my desk.

In the afternoon, my struggle still continued. At the end, I had to take the work home!!! Yeah, I don't want to make it part of my habit... though, seemed no choice for me tonight!

Had to see MoonFlower who was in town tonight.
We went out for dinner together. Ate pretty expensive Japanese pork.

Good thing? I forget my wallet!!! Yeah, I was in hurry at the time I was leaving the office.
Hope nobody else would ever take my wallet from my desk!!!

Conclusion? MoonFlower had to pay it all! It turned out that she bought me dinner! Hehehe.

BANG! BANG! BANG! (i.e. Ogakijin is dead meat.)

Came home around 9:30pm... resumed working and finished up around 0:30am... WOW, passed the midnight, already.
Yeah, everything is for tomorrow. I have a busy schedule then.

Yep, weekend is over! Didn't do much. Particularly today. Woke up sort late... around 8:30am. Watched TV for a while. Didn't make a move quickly... took me a while to take care of all dried clothes which were hang all over the living room.

Finally in the afternoon, I went out. I wanted to have a cup of coffee... While doing so, I checked several newspapers.
Then, I decided to go to nearby department store. I happened to pick up some shirts for work.
Unlike my clients and others... I bought very cheap shirts. $20 each. Four of them this time.
(Seriously, my clients and other people around wore very nice shirts... both fabric and design)

At night... I did a little work-related stuff. I took e-Learning session assigned by the work. Completed the session within 45 minutes. Not a big deal. Oh, I still have another 4 sessions assigned by the client. Hmmm. Long way to go!

This week... something new? Oh... 20th is the key date. 1st pay check!!! Need it desperately!
Tomorrow, I may see MoonFlower who happens to be in Tokyo for her personal agenda. She takes a day off like that? Don't know-

Bought shirts... now I need shoes? Yep. How much do people pay for work shoes?
ChanKen usually pays 800-1,000, right? (true!)
Tetsuji told me the other day... he buys one at 350 dollars and up.
Arashida prefers Regal shoe to others. They are usually $180 and up... right?
Hmmm, I need to receive my 1st paycheck for sure. Right? Am sure that you agree with me for that.

What's up, folks?! Well, no plan for this weekend because MoonFlower is booked up with some other things along with others! Hehehe. Thus, I have full complete 2 days for nothing. Oh, I may have to work a little bit, though.

Right before noon, I decided to go to movie... so I saw:


"Still, I Didn't Do It" - Japanese movie

This is non-fiction-like movie. I would say, serious version of "Bowling for Columbine." The movie director raised a question about Japanese judicial system which is statistically "skewed" in accordance to the movie.

As per movie under Japan's current judicial system, 99.9% proved guilty once prosecuted. Yeah, can you believe that? I was quite surprised. Movie shows very tough case on sexual molestation case - took place in extremely crowded commuter train in Tokyo.

In this case, no third party's evidence involved. Nothing but victim's report and police report which was "made-up" in the movie. The truth is that a young man who was accused for the case didn't do anything. However at the end, he was guilty. Yep, "Still, I Didn't Do It."

I should be careful where to stand in the morning train! No kidding. I can be next victim.
Very good movie. Great movie.

Yeah, Friday is over! Ready to go into "fun" weekend!!! Do you have any plan?
Left the project site and dropped by the office for a meeting. Then, on the way back home... I went through Shimbashi area...

Emailed Tetsuji and Arashida... make sure that there was no festivity going on. I definitely didn't miss any "great time."
In fact, Arashida responded that there was some farewell going on.

For whom? Well, it was for himself. He recently decided to leave UPS job... Well done, my friend!
So he's going to take new job from March. Good luck!

Well, it was official (sort of) UPS gathering... and I broke in to the party. About 70 percent of the attendees were my friends. So I "seemed" welcomed. Hehehe.

Don't know too much about what Arashida is going to do at new job. whatever he does, I hope that he likes what he does. Once again, GOOD LUCK, my friend!

Major work is done. Required to attend a meeting with executives for the project issue in the afternoon. I wasn't that ready. Then, it turned out all done in English. Didn't expect to.

Everyone else was way above my age. I felt really backward like I didn't keep up with everyone else.
Though, I at least understood what was going on. In fact, I completed the minutes and distributed it to all later.
Am I getting used to (this work)? Am sure that I am making progress day by day!
Otherwise... I have no place to go! (BANG!)

In fact, I have a big hurdle to go over tomorrow. Yeah, big meeting that I have to bring some deliverables. Hmmm, scary! Hehehe.
Somehow, I don't feel so pressured by that, though. I must be lazy or possibly laid back... too much.

Wish me luck!!!

Yep, serious work continues... I am getting used to the job day by day... little by little.
Yet, I faced lots of system troubles!!! Lack of knowledge about installing many software.
Called Sydney office over several occasions for technical supports.

Happy St. Valentine's Day!
I have no luck getting even one chocolate from any female today!

On this day in Japan, females send males chocolates for thanks, love, whatever...
Since when I don't have any female companion? (BANG!)

Yeah, spoke English briefly. First time since I came home. No more fluent. Hahaha.

What kind of office is it?
All drinks are ENTIRELY free!
Coffee, tea, corn soup, Japanese green tea, what else...

As far as under this assignment, I don't have to run into convenience store for drinks.
It means a quite good saving... really!

How many laptops in this apartment room?
Apple MacBook, Espon, IBM ThinkPad, and PowerBook 2400c... WOW, FOUR OF THEM.
Then how many people live in this place? (BANG!)

ZERO chocolates...
ZERO chocolates...
ZERO chocolates...

What a day...

What's up, folks? How's it going? Hope everything is all right with y'all... particularly T-birds facing tough trimester for now!
New week... new job? Well, new challenge! Sort expected.
Now it is test on me about how capable I can be in terms of output. Yeah, I'd better utilize all knowledge that I have for the delivery! This is more severe than mere assignment given by famous professor! Hehehe.

Started working around 9am and finished at 7:40pm.

Lunch? Spent 8 dollars for Korean dish.

Busy? Well, am supposed to be swamped in fact finding for my project mission. Is the scope clear?

Came home around 8:30pm. Took a hot bath. Feel better for now.

Yui & Takashi Yamada sent me a postcard by return! Thank you. Wow, Yui is pregnant? Congrats!!!
Just heard that MoonFlower would be busy this coming weekend. I will be TOTALLY FREE!!! Is that good news?
Will see what I should do then. Any idea?

Marie Antoinette
http://www.sonypictures.com/homevideo/marieantoinette/index.html

When it ended, I really told MoonFlower, "Is that it?"
For me, the story in that movie isn't that complete. Seemed that it could go on. Really!
No. I don't recommend you to see this movie... UNLESS you have to!

Of course, the dress and place in that movie reflects great old time of France.

Other than movie, didn't do much.

Very nice lunch... at fancy hotel.

Place: Mandarin Oriental Tokyo
Italian restaurant, "Ventaglio"
Cost: $35 per person

Appetizer & Dessert: All-You-Can Eat Buffet





How do you like those?
Oops, I forgot a picture of pasta... that was great, too.

Ogakijin's friends got together!!!

"Singlish" Arashida
"Mr. Bear"
"tkoich" Charlie
"yk110" (my ex-landlord)
Kirk
MoonFlower
Emi Takahashi
Ogakijin ("owner")

Friends... thank you for coming!!!
It was great drink and food. Ate too much. Drank too much, too! (hehehe)

Oh, sorry ChanKen... didn't know if you could have come for this!!!
Definitely, I will let you know of next gathering. I presume that it would be in March.

Big Boss - Nakabayashi
Manager - "ex-Boss" Ito

Yasuko Ishiyama
Kaori Hanaki
Akiyoshi Mori
Takashi Kiguchi
Ogakijin

All used to belong the same department and spent long time together in the past!!!
Tonight, thanks to Yasuko's efforts, all got together for supper.

Talk definitely seemed endless! Hahaha.
None of us changed a bit!!!

Too bad that we didn't go to Karaoke... (BANG!)

Old friends from old work place... got together for me.

Tetsuji Fukui
Yoshio Iimura

They got along with me over drinks after work tonight. Yeah, I finished work around 7:30pm and headed to Machiya to see them.
Well, I saw Tetsuji about two or three weeks ago.
Yoshio? Over a year!!!

Now everyone works differently... Tetsuji is the only one remaining within the same company.
For Yoshio, I don't even know how many companies he went "through?" Hehehe.

It was very interesting night to catch up with how others (friends of mine) are doing...

Unlike US, Japan is almost going into extended weekend. Yeah, this Sunday is national holiday called "National Foundation Day." Thus, Monday becomes a floating holiday.
Do I (or we as MoonFlower and I) have any plan for that weekend?

Hmmm, the answer is "No, not really." Oh we still do have gathering among Ogakijin's friends. That's at Saturday night.

Wow, wow, wow... 1.6 MILLION people may sue Wal-Mart? For what? Man, people don't like company which is too big... Some female employees didn't like what Wal-Mart had done to them... unequal salary... unequal opportunity for female to advance.

At this point, cannot tell that this is going to be a huge group lawsuit or not. As per TV news, "it's possible."

Man, am hungry for now. Ate my supper around 6pm. I guess it was too early.

How's my throat? Yeah, somewhat under control. Not worsened. Hope I can be completely fine by Friday so that I can enjoy myself fully for the long weekend!

Lots of people... due to overwork (I presume so...) seem to have cold in the office. That means that I am surrounded by lots of viruses. Ready to get infected? I guess!
Since this morning, I have sore throat. Thus, I keep having candy...
I really don't want this to be worsened. Big task is expected and I should stay focus on that mission. Not anything else.

I sent 30 postcards with new address along with my T-bird graduation photo.

Some recipients sent me greeting back via phone or even postcard.
THANK YOU, folks!!!
I am quite happy with this feedback and I felt that I made right decision doing so.

Still have last postcard. Will scan it and share it with you here. Don't have a scanner... I should go to somewhere to solve this problem.

Remember that I am crazy about collecting Alain Mikli eye glasses... here it is again!

Model number: A0414-03
Yes, this pair of glasses is for ME! Not for anyone else.
See, I got prescribed lenses for my vision in the frame.

What in the world was I thinking? Yeah, spent money for fashion rather than something serious?
I know! (BANG)

Started early... cleaned the bath tub and ran the washing machine. Still windy... but clear sky. Thus, it was perfect to put the wet clothes up toward the sun. Didn't take too long... to dry them all out.
Dropped by the local eye glass place. Yep, ordered new lenses for my new Mikli (again? yep...) Will be ready tomorrow or so.

MoonFlower asked me to buy a bottle of wine for this afternoon's invitation.
Her friend and that person's husband invited both of us for dinner. The wine was the gift then.

Liquor shop literally located next door to this apartment complex had decent size of variety. So I asked one personnel which wine would be good for Asian cuisine.
He replied, "Well, to be honest with you, we don't have much expertise in wine even though we carry pretty much."

What the hell... it must be true, though. He was the shop owner. Man... in vain.
Thus, I made my own decision without any "professional" assistance. Too bad.

Good thing... the couple loved that bottle of wine... and we drank it up!!!
Thank God, the food provided was WONDERFUL. I definitely overate then! I better watch the weight out from tomorrow on.

Finally, coffee table got here... last purchase for my living room.
Here we go... I finally come to share the view of my cool (?) living room with y'all!

Oh, I love it. The table is perfectly matched to rest of stuff in the room.
You want to see this firsthand? COME OVER!

Man, tons of people... it was First Friday in Roppongi, Tokyo tonight.
Yep, all T-birds! I didn't find anyone familiar with me... though, I first met so many nice people.
Plus, I was SO impressed with career success of those T-birds.
Lots of people have been at executive level of many corporations.

Spent about one hour and half. Yep, I had beer then.
Lots of... biz cards... I now collect them.

Don't know if I can make very next meeting... in March.
Career progress... what about my friends... like Abhi... Anshu... Abhishek...
Malek - did you get a job yet?
What about Juan?

Friends... GOOD LUCK!

As of today, February 1, Ogakijin finally gets back to the realty!
Woke up around 6:30, got dressed, and went to WORK! Yeah, work. It means that Ogkaijin start making money ONCE AGAIN!

Commuter train wasn't as crowded as I expected. In fact, much easier than I thought.

Got to the work place around 9am... 15 minutes or so early.

Today, I spent time for orientation. From Administration to Finance Department, I got lots of different lectures about the company, position, and the like.
Difficult? Well, it was in fact interesting.

By 5:40pm, all scheduled events were held... and Ogakijin was released. Wow, quite early... truly.
Tomorrow, some more session to take place. No serious job yet? Well, next Monday it is!

Came home around 7pm. Easy night. Watched some TV.