Justified

I was finally justified in buying my umbrella. It rained a bit on the way to work.

I am finally getting more fun tasks, although nothing major yet. I really wouldn't mind if they let me do some layout designs for the current competition they are doing. I am mostly doing volume studies for that.

The two other interns came downstairs today to work on arts and crafts type design. The company received some glass hooks from an italian company to incorporate in whatever design we'd like. It was really fun to play around with all sorts of stuff like tree branches and wires, and so on.

Lots of roofs from the volume study stacked on top of each other. I thought it looked like a rose.

I think I'm slowly getting used to the 12-hour days. I didn't feel as tired today. However, that might be due to me sitting a lot more. The first few days I spent the 12 hours standing.

Comatose

It rained while I was indoors again. I feel like I cannot justify my umbrella purchase if I don't get rained on at least once.

I have forgotten my phone at work. But I downloaded an alarm app, so it should be fine.
I wonder if I can charge an iphone at work?

I was given a fun task at the end of the day and thus, in my excitement, I stayed until 11. Now I am comatose.

Tasty sweets

Went out really early today to go to the station where they have ATMs in English. Then went to work, stopping on the way to get an umbrella. Even though I was prepared it only rained while I was indoors.

I came too early, but luckily the door was open and I could get in. So today I actually worked for 30-40 minutes longer. Today was kind of windy, but it was still hot in the office. Somehow there's not a lot of cross ventilation even though there are lots of windows.

I was invited out to lunch by the secretary lady. It was a welcome break from being in the office. I ate a really huge salad. It was delicious. I even drank chai that has cinnamon in it. It was surprisingly ok.

Today I was cutting out the surrounding buildings for the model. It was more relaxing then making the base, because I could sit.

Someone brought in おみやげ, so I got to eat some delicious sweets.

The longest day

I had decided during this internship to try and work the way Japanese people do - 12 hour-work days. However, I might leave Sunday off. I don't think I'd be able to do it mentally or physically.

Today, I spend the whole day on my feet. Standing, walking, squatting, dragging things, cutting things, gluing things, etc. It felt like the longest day ever. I had done similar things before my finals, but it's different when it's for myself. Anyway, today I finished the base for the competition project that some of the people in the office are participating in. Tomorrow I will make some basic volumes of surrounding houses. At least that doesn't require standing.

I am really happy I took my moccasins with me. If not for them, I would be in much more pain today. And possibly wouldn't be able to stay the whole 12 hours.

The cool shower after I came home felt so wonderful. I was so ecstatic and happy and grateful that I can finally sit down on a soft bed with a cushion and stretch my legs. It really puts things into perspective. However, I still feel it is absolutely unnecessary to spend 12 hours at work. 8 is more than enough. You can stay longer if there's a deadline or you simply wish so, but it should be an exception. I'd much rather work 4 more hours within the comfort of my home rather than in an office.

Have to sleep now  or I won't be able to wake up in the morning. Things I have to figure out - how to get money from my card (find an ATM with English), where to get an umbrella (didn't see any in nearby コンビニs).

Weird egg on a plinth on my way home o_0

東京 - Tokyo

Today is my second day in Tokyo and the first day of my internship. I wore a suit ^_^ I really wanted to wear it, but there never seemed to be an occasion for it. I am happy now. Suits are surprisingly comfortable, except when you need to lean all the way across the table (which you shouldn't neet to usually). However, I might wear my comfy shoes tomorrow.

I spent yesterday running around Shibuya station trying to find a locker for my huge trunk. I ran around for an hour and a half - because, obviously, I got lost. Lucky for me I could get to my room earlier. After that I was running around buying things like pillows and blankets. I was dead tired and fell asleep by 10.

Today I was very fortunate to be able to sleep in. Thankfully, I know my navigation skills, so I went out half an hour early. This way I could find my workplace in about an hour :))))))))

I was given a relatively straightforward task for my first day - mainly making a sketch-style base for a competition project. The work day here is from 10 to 10 -_- But it's not scary coming back home at night as there are lots of people around at all hours and the streets are very well lit. Definitely different from Kumamoto.

Coming to Tokyo several times before I didn't particularly like the place. I am looking forward to see if I change my mind after living here for a month. There are certainly lots of pros to living here, but I'm still stuck in my provincial mentality.

Since I am staying at a share house, there are still a lot of things I need to buy and figure out - like food for lunch and dinner. For now I'll be settling for コンビニ food. This week I'll be trying to get into the swing of things.

25th of June

Today I found out that I share a birthday with a couple of my favorite architects - Antonio Gaudi and Alvaro Siza Vieira. Maybe one day I'll be famous too. Hahaha, unlikely -_-...

I've been sick for most of this month. The doctors here prescribe a lot of drugs. I had to take 3-4 pills 3 times a day, which is probably totally unnecessary. My symptoms moved from an insane amount of coughing to near constant nose dripping. Oh well, seems it's getting better at least. 

Catching up

I finally got a spouse visa. It took us forever to get all the documents sorted. Not because it's all that difficult, but because we are horribly lazy when it comes to paperwork.
Mine is for 3 years which I thought was unusual for first-time applicants. I heard you always get a 1-year visa the first time round. But maybe it's one of the recent changes to the laws. In any case, I was chuffed.

I also finally cut my hair. It is so much easier to have short hair in the summer. And all year round for that matter.

From this...

to this ＾＿＾

I might actually maintain this hairstyle longer than the other times. I always just let it grow out.

This month was really busy and the next one promesses to be even more so. Got lots of projects going.

I got a bicycle. It is very useful, since I don't have to pay bus/train fares and don't have to drag heavy bags on my shoulders, but also super tiring as there are lots of hills in the area. I hope I don't get legs like professional cyclists. I guess it's a good workout. The downside is, I cannot use my UV umbrella when I ride the bike. Even with a 50+ sunscreen my skin burnes in this weather. I don't mind tan, but not when when I look stripy all over.
Tomorrow is the start of the rainy season. Or so it seems according to the weather forecast. Going to rain all week. I must find our one raincoat. Where could I have stuffed it?...

Ok, need to go study now.