Hey peepz!
Its been a while (again) since I actually wrote something substantial. So here is a short update with my life.
I've had a really exciting life in Japan so far! Its has been a great learning experience so far.
After 5 months in Japan, I had the chance to go to Turkey for 2 months for an unpaid internship and undertook a project of educating Turkey High school children about Singapore and Japanese culture. And in turn, I learned about Turkish, as well as Taiwanese, Chinese, Weierzhu, Bosnian, Italian, Kazakhstan, Polish, German and Slovakian cultures as well.
It was a great opportunity to see the world in one place and make the sort of comparisons a comparative political scientist would take delight in.
Now I'm back and completing my Spring Semester studies in Waseda. I have deliberately chosen two business modules: Comparative Corporate Governance (I'm attracted to anything that has the word 'Governance') and Financial Management (in the light of the current economic crisis, I want to know more about stocks, shares and other business terminology that is being thrown over my head everyday). I am also taking a module called Intercultural Communication. Being in a intercultural environment (more complex that the 4 layered multi-cultural categorization of Singapore, while ironically being in "homogeneous" Japan), I think I had better gain some more sensitivity in my inter-personal relations across differences.
Speaking of differences, I have experienced more so than in Singapore, what it means to be examining who I am, when faced with such diversity and differences. And the more I examine, the more I think its essential to celebrate such diversity and difference.
Having made many friends, I learn more the necessity of trying to keep up with friends across vast distances and the importance of constant and consistent effort in communication. Its a matter of discipline, effort and interest in keeping up.
I have opined to a well-travelled friend of mine, that now that I have actually travelled out to Japan, I realize the importance and joy of travelling to other places. For me its about getting out of my comfort zone and shocking myself once in a while. Its about opening my eyes to the many options I have laid out in front of me. At the same time, its experiencing the conundrum of being out here, still as a student and a dependent, and looking at my peers diving into their careers and eking a living out for themselves.
It can be perceived as the "unsettled life" vs the "settled life" dilemma. The whole, get down, get married and get a family kind of life. At the same time, I do recognize the eventuality (and opportunity costs) of it all, especially when I see my friends and brother get married.
In any case, while being here in Japan, there are still loads to do! Just went to the infamous Yasukuni Shrine and Yuushuukan Museum of Japanese military history. They were very interesting to say the least.
Am planning to go on more of these kinds of trips in and around Tokyo over the weekends. Am planning to go Kyoto and Oosaka in July to visit dear dear Yui-san with a Turkish friend who's coming over for a conference.
Currently, I'm also trying to look for job opportunities around the globe. Except Mexico. Hope the flu is not getting any serious, since I'm also going to Korea in 3 weeks time to attend my elder brother's wedding to his Korean wife. Am going to meet up with my parents as well! so am very excited about that. I just hope that the wedding won't be attended by mask-wearing guests and pastors. Imagine a pastor reading the wedding rites through a mask. Imagine my brother and sister-in-law reciting the vows through masks! That would be a medical sight to behold. Maybe there should a medical theme to the dress code, rather than simply "Formal." Hmmm...
Well, just a shout out: "I'm doing great! And I am going to be back at the end of August or early September! Try not to expect any presents. Horrible exchange rates."
Miss ya'll.
Its been a while (again) since I actually wrote something substantial. So here is a short update with my life.
I've had a really exciting life in Japan so far! Its has been a great learning experience so far.
After 5 months in Japan, I had the chance to go to Turkey for 2 months for an unpaid internship and undertook a project of educating Turkey High school children about Singapore and Japanese culture. And in turn, I learned about Turkish, as well as Taiwanese, Chinese, Weierzhu, Bosnian, Italian, Kazakhstan, Polish, German and Slovakian cultures as well.
It was a great opportunity to see the world in one place and make the sort of comparisons a comparative political scientist would take delight in.
Now I'm back and completing my Spring Semester studies in Waseda. I have deliberately chosen two business modules: Comparative Corporate Governance (I'm attracted to anything that has the word 'Governance') and Financial Management (in the light of the current economic crisis, I want to know more about stocks, shares and other business terminology that is being thrown over my head everyday). I am also taking a module called Intercultural Communication. Being in a intercultural environment (more complex that the 4 layered multi-cultural categorization of Singapore, while ironically being in "homogeneous" Japan), I think I had better gain some more sensitivity in my inter-personal relations across differences.
Speaking of differences, I have experienced more so than in Singapore, what it means to be examining who I am, when faced with such diversity and differences. And the more I examine, the more I think its essential to celebrate such diversity and difference.
Having made many friends, I learn more the necessity of trying to keep up with friends across vast distances and the importance of constant and consistent effort in communication. Its a matter of discipline, effort and interest in keeping up.
I have opined to a well-travelled friend of mine, that now that I have actually travelled out to Japan, I realize the importance and joy of travelling to other places. For me its about getting out of my comfort zone and shocking myself once in a while. Its about opening my eyes to the many options I have laid out in front of me. At the same time, its experiencing the conundrum of being out here, still as a student and a dependent, and looking at my peers diving into their careers and eking a living out for themselves.
It can be perceived as the "unsettled life" vs the "settled life" dilemma. The whole, get down, get married and get a family kind of life. At the same time, I do recognize the eventuality (and opportunity costs) of it all, especially when I see my friends and brother get married.
In any case, while being here in Japan, there are still loads to do! Just went to the infamous Yasukuni Shrine and Yuushuukan Museum of Japanese military history. They were very interesting to say the least.
Am planning to go on more of these kinds of trips in and around Tokyo over the weekends. Am planning to go Kyoto and Oosaka in July to visit dear dear Yui-san with a Turkish friend who's coming over for a conference.
Currently, I'm also trying to look for job opportunities around the globe. Except Mexico. Hope the flu is not getting any serious, since I'm also going to Korea in 3 weeks time to attend my elder brother's wedding to his Korean wife. Am going to meet up with my parents as well! so am very excited about that. I just hope that the wedding won't be attended by mask-wearing guests and pastors. Imagine a pastor reading the wedding rites through a mask. Imagine my brother and sister-in-law reciting the vows through masks! That would be a medical sight to behold. Maybe there should a medical theme to the dress code, rather than simply "Formal." Hmmm...
Well, just a shout out: "I'm doing great! And I am going to be back at the end of August or early September! Try not to expect any presents. Horrible exchange rates."
Miss ya'll.