Dragons:

I went to a Japanese professional baseball game today. The Chunichi Dragons vs. the Bay Stars. Score was 5-0 and the Dragons won.

It was a good game and VERY interesting compared to the major league in the United States. A few things I found to be different.

- Japanese fans continue to cheer during the while game. It sounded like there were basically 3 songs or cheers they did. I couldn't`t believe it was during the whole game. In the United States usually its quiet until a big play happens. However, there are songs and cheers we do as well. But its not every minute of the game.... So maybe tonight I am going to still hear these cheers during my sleep.

- Americans drink more beer at baseball games. I saw a lot of beer. BUT the drinks in the US are bigger and it seems people at games in the US drink a lot more beer....hehe.

- The Nagoya dome was really clean!! The last major league game I went to was the New York Yankees last year in August. People eat a lot of peanuts at games in the US. The floor is usually dirty with peanut shells and beer.

- Between innings there really wasn`t a lot going on at the game today. Usually in the US between innings there are songs for the fans and quick competitions for fans on the field. Its fun to watch. But today at Nagoya it was basically just baseball. So while the fans at Nagoya cheer and cheer for their team... I feel that the fans in the US are being more entertained by different things.

Anyway, it was fun and I had a good time. I guess I will go again when I get a chance. I like watching sports. Any sports is almost good for me. I like to watch anything with a ball...hehe.

Well its Sunday night. I do not want to go to work tomorrow. But life goes on. I have to just hang in there. I guess many people feel the same way on Sunday nights...

Good night,

Well well well......

Well its Monday night. Glad to have this day over. Not to bad of a day. Just a little long. I think I am finally getting used to this schedule and starting to understand a little about exactly what I am supposed to be doing here. Its been kind of a rough few weeks. Starting any new responsibility at any new office is tough. Funny thing is that its the same company but the atmosphere at this office is very different than my office in the United States. But I think there are very good things and not so good things about both offices.

Today I had oden for lunch. Its been a long time since I had oden. When I lived in Otaru I used to have oden all the time. It was so good. I decided thats what I will have tomorrow too...hehe... and of coarse a diet coke and some chocolate. No day is complete without chocolate.

Well the day is over... ahhh... time to relax. I would love to have the ball in the video above in my office. I wonder if anyone would notice.... This video is from my favorite tv show called "The Office". I miss that show but will try to watch it online or at least get the DVDs while I am here in Japan. If you have a chance you should check it out. Its a little different than the average tv drama but very interesting. Especially if you work in an office!!

I know its only March but yesterday was Christmas for me and the NTT guy who came to my house to set up my internet was just like Santa Clause. Its been forever!!! I can`t believe how long it took. I have tried to keep up with emails from my cell phone and work internet. But its been impossible.

I have been here in Nagoya for a little over 3 weeks now. My job has been killing me and the business Japanese is really really stressing my out. So I have picked up the books again and decided I needed to take another step up with my Japanese as quick as possible. I am surprised how little English many of my contacts here speak. Even though we all work in a global environment they speak little or very poor English and basically want me to speak Japanese. That is fine. I mean this is Japan so its my responsibility. But when they call the US or Europe its their responsibility. I am just surprised at the low level of English from many people who spend half of their time speaking to people other than Japanese. But its difficult. I completely understand. The hours are killing me too. I think I am basically used to this schedule now. But the first couple of weeks killed me. Some people in my office would just live there all day and night if they could. I think they really want to go home at a good time the office culture and politics puts pressure on them to stay. I saw this at Sumitomo when I worked there. It sucks!

Anyway, I guess I am used it all this now and my schedule isn`t too bad. It could be worse. The food of coarse is good and Nagoya is warm compared to Utah. So thats good. All in all its been good and busy. The last 3 weeks I had to go shopping for furniture, shopping for a car, shopping for things for my house like TV, fridge, computer, sofa, table, heaters, bed, and all these things that are needed to at least be comfortable. So I am finally feeling comfortable now and ready to really settle in and learn as much as I can for the next few years.

Well its Sunday night. The worst time of the week for me. But I got to watch K-1 so my night is complete. I was happy to watch that. Its been a long time.

Where is NTT???!!!???

So I learned that NTT now can't set up my internet until the end of the month!!! :(

I can not believe it!!! I am unable to check emails at my personal acccount from work. So I need to go to an internet cafe and get caught up. For everyone who has emailed me sorry!!! I am dis-connected!!!

I will have a normal life possibly at the end of next week. I am expecting NTT to finish a couple days early. It seems they had a big campain to get new subcribers here in Nagoya and now are very behind schedule.

Other than that the weather here is much nicer than Salt Lake. Work is crazy trying to get to know everyone and speaking Japanese all day is wearing me out. The more I speak the more I realize I don't know. I need to study my business language more. I know many people studying English who feel the same way. SO LET'S HANG IN THERE TOGETHER!!!!

Well... I am at work.. I found a way to hack into my blog which makes me happy. I can't believe how bad it sucks to not have internet access from home.

I will be getting back to all of you shortly and try to post a message on my homepage.

WOW NAGOYA!!

Well its Saturday night. I have been here for almost a week now. I am still in the Marriott hotel here above the Nagoya Station. Its a very nice hotel. I have stayed here my first week because I have to get my house ready. I had to pick up my car on Monday and there other days I have been shopping everyday. I only brought clothes with me. So I had to buy everything...TV, table, bed, coffee table, carpets, washer, fridge, microwave, rice cooker.... everything!!! I also had to get my internet set up. It will not be ready for another 2 weeks. The US is much much easier to get internet set up and going. I also had to get my skyperfect TV going. I will die over here if I don't get some US news and programs.

So I am about ready to start I think. I start work on Monday. Tomorrow I will check out and go to my new house. I was going to check out this morning but decided since my company is paying the bill I will enjoy one more night and just relax and enjoy the service. So its been good. Tomorrow will be a little different.

It is really warm here compared to Utah. I feel like its May here. I went to my company office a couple days ago to pick up some paper work. My new boss looked at me and said "You must be cold. Why are you wearing a short sleeve t-shirt?" I told him its very warm compared to Utah. His comment was, "mou shogakusei jya nai kara!!". Maybe I really am still just a kid. Anyway a kid at heart! But it is warm here. I am not used the weather yet. Maybe this week I will start to feel cold. But everyday I have been driving to one store and driving to another. I still don't have my cell phone yet. Maybe I will go tomorrow. I just haven't had time yet. I also will get a computer. So I am looking at a good place to maybe find one. I need one asap.

Well thats it. My jet lag is over. I am almost done shopping but still not ready to start my new job. I guess I have no choice. I will mentally get myself ready tomorrow.

Its been an interesting week. I guess I will enjoy my coke and curry now and watch a little tv.

good night ....

Finished work....



Well I finished my work at my office here in Utah. It was kind of hard to leave. I have really enjoyed working with all my co-workers. So kind of sad for me. I have really been comfortable working and living here in Utah. So I am a little nervous to leave. Also, I am a little nervous to see what happens when I transfer back to Utah. I guess I shouldn't worry about that so much. The biggest concern I have is working back in a Japanese office. Long days and not a lot of small talk. I like to work hard but I also have a life outside work. Many of the people I will be working with in Japan put work before anything. Its a different culture. I work to live not live to work.



Well my company gave me a big going away party with my favorite pizza from "The Pie". We had lots of coke and cake also. I didn't do much work at all. Then yesterday it was my bosses birthday. So since I am leaving we decided to tin foil his office. We waited until he went home then got his office open and wrapped this computer, chair, pictures and other things in tin foil. He was surprised. It was fun. I have NEVER had a better boss. He is the best person I have ever worked with and I will miss him. But look forward to returning and hopefully working with him again. I will still be working with him but from Japan. I also have a new boss in Japan which will be a little difficult I think. But thats life. It will be a good experience.



Here is a picture of him and his office.

Well I guess I need to finish packing. Tomorrow I have to wash all my cars and make sure my house is clean and locked up before I go. Its a little sad to leave this comfortable place but I will be back sometime. I think the next few years will just fly by. I do look forward to good food and meeting lots of new people. It should be a good experience.

I had ski patrol last night. I have been skiing almost every other night. Its been good that no one has seriously been hurt. Last night was interesting. A little girl 10 years old fell and broke her leg. We got her in the medical room and was helping her feel a little more comfortable and getting her information. Her leg had a break. She was in so much pain I know but she didn't cry. She didn't have any tears in her eyes. She sat there and held her Dad's hands tight and was really hanging in there. She was so cute and so tough. I was really amazed watching her. I don't think I have ever seen a tougher 10 year girl in my life. Well we got her to the hospital and got her leg casted up. She is fine. But such a brave little girl. It was touching.

Tonight is Friday night. I am watching a basketball game and the Austrailian Open Womens final on tv at the same time. Its a busy night for sports on TV. So I have my coke and popcorn and just relaxing. Tomorrow I have a lot to do to prepare my house to leave. I had all my clothes and things sent yesterday to my new place in Nagoya. I only have a couple days left in this office and I am gone. I feel a little lonely and nervous about this whole thing. I guess the working environment scares me the most. Our office here in Utah is really laid back. But the offices in Japan are very different. Still, it will be a good experience and I am looking forward to it.

Well.... what can I say....?? I love Friday nights!!