14th

My blog turns 14. My almost-forgotten blog. 

 

Funny though, a few days ago, someone asked me if I am into photography. I said yes. Then she asked for my website to see the sample photos I took. I mentioned this blog. She further asked, what is this. Told her - blog. She said - just like vlogging but with words? Wow. Is blogging really dead?

 

 

 

Maybe blogging indeed is no longer the "in" thing to younger generations. They are more into vlogging or some entertaining platforms. I may no longer have readers here but I will still try to keep this site on-going with monthly updates. 

 

I promise. 

 

/totomai 

2021/03/31

Quarantine

My blog turns 13 though I feel like I should take a year off of it due to its inactivity last year. I have broken the one-post per month (at least) streak that I held for 11 years. If not for the mandatory work from home set-up, and a reminder to renew the domain, I have totally forgotten about this blog.

Comfort

For more than a decade of being an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW), I always see to it that I go back to the Philippines at least once a year. Aside from having the time to be with my loved ones, it is also a chance for me to eat my favorite food, which often brings back childhood memories.

Twelfth

It's been a while since I have updated this blog. I just have to since totomai.net turns 12. Twelve years - that was a long time. I haven't been religiously blogging since I transferred in the Middle East. In the past, I usually blog on a Sunday but here, Sunday is the first day of work. I know, I have to make excuses. And also, I sort of cheated by posting blog titles or photos only just to keep the one-month per post alive. So sorry about that. 

Kuwait

Since moving to Abu Dhabi, UAE in 2017, I have been constantly involved with proposals and projects in the Middle East region. This was my first time to visit Kuwait. Though I should have been working in Kuwait instead of UAE as it was the job location offered when my contract was being finalized.

Duyan

My three-week vacation is over. I spent 95% of my time at home because it was raining throughout. How did I forget that August is monsoon season in the Philippines. But still, it was still a good break from the 40 deg C temperature in United Arab Emirates. 

During my vacation, I gained 4 kgs. How can I resist my mom's home-cooked meals? For 21 days, I did not visit the gym. I ate, and ate, and ate until I fall asleep. Good times. And in that 21 days, only 2 days were sunny. That's the only time we were able to explore the city and the mountain side.

Duyan is the Filipino term for hammock. It is also a cafe in the Silay City, where the photo was taken.  How I wish the weather was better during my vacation but nature is beyond our control. So instead of regretting, just make the most of it especially if you are with your family and loved ones.

Oh - and I just recently saw the trailer of the movie Edie. It inspires me travel. If workload is a little lighter, I will pack my stuff and travel.

/totomai
2018/08/29

Burning

The temperature started to reach mid-40's and it's giving me a burning sensation every time I go out of my accommodation. It is my first summer here in the Middle East as a resident. My friends and colleagues told me that this is still not the peak of summer season, perhaps in a month, it will hit 50 deg C and higher. 

the hot maize spotlight

exposes sea waves' jewels

continental range

/totomai

Dunes

I really wanted to see the sand dunes up close, so I booked a Desert Safari tour in Abu Dhabi. This is also an exciting way to celebrate my birthday. The tour includes sand bashing, camel riding, sunset watching, belly dancing viewing, and BBQ dinner. The first activity, and my favorite, was the sand bashing. Inside of the 4x4, we braced ourselves for an adventure. I was seated at the front seat, so I can clearly see the slopes, and feel the turns. It felt like I am in a rollercoaster ride.

 

etched by the car tires

winds tamper the evidence

golden sands of time

/totomai

Mata

The time has finally come to leave Japan. I always thought that I will stay here forever but sometimes fate pulls some unexpected tricks along the way. I will be flying back to the Philippines carrying the memories of Japan, a place where I worked and lived for ten years.

Election

Some thoughts while on the train on my way home. 

May 9, 2016. Millions of Filipinos will cast their votes to elect a new set of government officials. This is so far the most intense election I have ever witnessed. Everyone is so passionate and wants his/her voice to be heard for the sake of our country, the Philippines. At some point, I blame the social media for the occassional chaos it brings during the campaign period, but at the same time, this is the easiest medium to defend and sell our chosen candidates. 

Planes

I just returned from a business trip, my first in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. I can also say this is my last travel for the first half of 2015. From January to June of this year, I traveled a total of 45,032 miles to four countries (South Korea, United Arab Emirates, Singapore and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia).

Singapore

I just returned from Singapore. It was my second time for this year and fifth over-all. All of my visits were work-related though. And as per our company's information, I need to go back to Singapore for another technical meeting this May. That would make it three consecutive months of business trips in Singapore.

Routine

37. Today. 

I just finished reading the book "25 Lessons I've Learned about photography life" by Lorenzo Dominguez. It was given by a friend in 2012. In one of the last chapters, the author talked about a realization while living alone -

While living alone, waking up alone, going out to take pictures alone, eating alone, being alone, I became much more aware that I was not alone, that apart from other people, the world was full and overflowing with, with beauty in motion.

And that brings me to reflect on my life here in Japan. Yes, I am living alone and felt that I have already made the necessary adjustments in order to survive in a foreign land. After all, my seven-year stay is more than enough.

 

Overseas

I have been working as a Process Engineer for a decade and eight out of those ten years, in overseas. Currently, I am in Japan and this country is turning to be my second home. Being in Japan for 7 years, I feel like I am turning Japanese especially when it comes to work ethics.

Soundless

At the dark end of the street , I found my new bestfriend – silence.

Since returning back to Japan last January, I decided to take a walk from the station to my apartment instead of taking a bus every evening after coming back from work This routine gives me a 10-15 minute break from the chaos brought by the pressures and demands of office deadlines and responsibilities. And yes, I’ll include business trips too. Walking along these streets, free of sounds, is like being in another world. Like you are in a Japanese novel. Like a haiku. It’s my energy drink to keep going.

 

Badminton

One of the challenges of being an expat or OFW is homesickness. You have to keep yourself busy so as not to succumb to it. Being away with your family is no joke. Inside your room, you can only hear the sound of air condition and/or exhaust. Once you listen to music, expect another post-it note on your door. Outside, you are swallowed by words and symbols that you can barely understand. Those things will test your sanity.

 

smashing racket sounds 

a lump-in-the-throat free game 

feels home once again 

Ibaraki

The BER month just started. And while almost everyone is looking forward for my birthday (just kidding), for the holidays of course, I am anticipating the arrival autumn. It's still my favorite season. If only we could have it for a year.

Last year, together with my fellow expats, we went to Ibaraki Prefecture to see a more colorful fall than that of Tokyo's. It was a long ride from Chiba but it was a much longer ride from Kawasaki. No complaints whatsoever especially with this view shouting Irasshaimase! (いらっしゃいませ！) Welcome to Ibaraki! to us.

the weeds of summer

paving way to royalty

autumn's enchantment

Our first stop was at Ryujin Great Suspension Bridge. It is suspended 100 meters above Ryujin Dam. The walk on the other side of the bridge is enough to lose some unwanted fats.

Above

Below

Took a quick lunch or else we're going to miss the bus to Fukuroda Falls. Lots of tourists were already there making it difficult to take photos of this majestic falls. We squeezed our way to the center and was able to take some souvenir shots.

Ibaraki is a paradise in orange and brown. A must-visit place especially during autumn season. I heard that some parts of it were affected during the March 11 earthquake but hopefully I hope everything's back to normal.

I shall see you again, autumn. Very soon.

/totomai
09/04/2011

Aftershock

Being in Japan for several years, I am used to small tremors. I can still remember vividly the very first time I experienced a small quake in Japan. The office started to shake and I am getting ready with my bag to run out of the office but my Japanese officemates were still busy doing their jobs calmly. I stayed put and continued working too.

Fast forward to last Thursday, March 10, 2011 at around 0620H, I was awaken by a tremor. I told my officemates that it was a more effective alarm than my ordinary clock but I am not looking forward to it.

Friday, March 11, 2011 at around 1500H. I was in a conference room having an internal meeting when the place began to shake. As usual, we (three Japanese and two Filipinos) just ignored it. But this was different, we realized. The tremor continued and it was getting stronger and stronger by the seconds. Many things were running on my mind. I kept on thinking about my family in the Philippines. As the quake grew bigger, I grabbed my things and then I heard my boss shouting to open the internet and check the location of the earthquake. I was dumbfounded. I was running for my life. When I went out of the room I saw some of my officemates at the ground floor area with all their belongings, ready to go home.

Just when we were planning to go home, our administrator asked everyone of us to stay inside the office as JR lines (transportation services) immediately ceased its operations. You can't believe how crowded the train stations were. Most of the stranded commuters returned to their offices, and others to drinking bars and karaokes. Everyone was becoming more and more paranoid with each aftershock especially as night time loomed. That was the longest night ever. Praying and hoping that no more earthquake to happen.

Saturday, March 12, 2011 at around 0730H. We took the first train which was scheduled at 0630H. It eventually moved at around 0820H. As expected the train was jam-packed and there were no space to move around. Our normal travel from office to apartment is 1 hour, but that one took two hours. Everyone was weary. That was the strongest earthquake I've experienced. 8.9 magnitude earthquake just hit Japan!

After we went out of the station, we looked for a place to eat but to no avail. Some continued to find a place, some just went home with empty stomachs. On the bus, I kept on thinking how my room was after the quake. But after seeing the cracks in our apartment's ground floor, I expected the worse.

And I was right. i guess it was a blessing in disguise that it was a working day. and that the transportation ceased its operation, thus forcing us to stay in the office.

My room was a big mess. See video below.

Aftershock from jacklord in japan on Vimeo.

Lots of things had happened for the past few days that I hope we had skipped March 11, 2011. Many were affected by the deadly quake, tsunami, fire in oil refinery and power plant explosion. Food were becoming scarce. Gasoline too. Most people in Japan were on panic-buying mode and I can't blame them for that. Each one wants to survive. I do too.

Even as of this writing, Japan is still experiencing aftershocks. I can't count how many times I woke up last night because of tremors.

Be still Japan. Please.

/totomai
03/13/11

Away

In a month's time, I'll be home again. And yes, I already started my countdown, the very moment my vacation leave was signed and approved.

Being an expat or OFW is never easy, contrary to what others believed in. Working abroad doesn't mean earning money is a walk in the park. Sure, the salary is relatively higher compare to what can be earned locally but there are other factors to be considered. And no, I am not complaining why I work here in Japan, just stating that it's not raining yens here.

One has to battle homesickness, culture differences and if you're unlucky racism. I am not adding the work-related pressures here as it is a part of my contract. It was invisibly written though. I enjoy my work by the way, and I do appreciate that my contract was renewed last July.

However, being surrounded by fellow expats, an antidote for homesickness, it make my overseas life more bearable. We do share the same sentiments and we all understand each other situation. It may be a bit of cliche, or really a cliche, but we are each other's second family. And I am very thankful for that.

I can't wait to set foot to the City of Smiles where I spent most of my life. Can't wait to plant a kiss to my parents who were very supportive of my career and decision. Can't wait to bond again with my brother and relatives, as well as my friends.

Saying thank you to all of them is never enough. Perhaps a little cash would do. Just kidding of course, it's bribery. Sort of.

/totomai
11/27/2010

Sounds

During my flight to Korea late last year, Oto Na Ri was one of the featured films. Instead of sleeping throughout the flight, I decided to watch this film, after all I am into not-so-popular films. There were other films but the synopsis of this film got me interested.

Satoshi and Nanao know about each other's existence by the sounds their neighbor makes through the thin wall. Even though they do pay attention to the sounds next door, they actually have never met each other, or make any attempt to meet the other person. The movie tells two separate stories that happen in parallel and focuses on the lives of two people approaching their thirties, and the doubts they have about work, life, and love. more here

I also thought that maybe after watching this film, I could learn more about Japan. And I was right. The movie was simple, as summarized above. It’s about a photographer and a florist being neighbors for a long time but didn’t have the chance to see each other. In other countries, this scenario seems impossible but not here in Japan . For more than a year of residing in my present apato (apartment), I still have no idea who my neighbors are, what they look like. Sometimes the corridors have an eerie feeling same as that of hospitals or chapels. Before I can reach my room, I pass regularly to at least six more doors. The sounds of shower, the smell of curry or the lights inside often tell me that, yes, I have neighbors, and I am not alone on the seventh floor.

On the said movie, there were scenes that the two characters are getting used to the “sounds” of each other. The footsteps, the key chains, the singing and the likes. The movie also showed how annoyed they were if the noise generated by each other exceeded the tolerable level. In order to let this annoyance be felt, one would knock the wall in order for the guilty one to shut up. RESPECT. Japanese are very particular with silence, especially at night time. And living in an apato, you need to be extra cautious. I missed this one terribly.

echo of footstep
leading to eternity
a golden silence

Yesterday, I received an unexpected phone call from a Japanese guy. Since I can’t understand what he was saying, I politely asked one of my officemates to answer it on my behalf. The guy was the landlord of the apato where I stay. He informed my officemate about the complaint of my neighbors, yes, neighbors (plural form). He mentioned two things, one, just before the year ended, I invited some of my friends to celebrate my birthday, we were up until morning but if I remember correctly, we kept our voices at minimum, a little louder than whispers. Though occasionally there was uncontrolled laughter which greatly bothered my neighbors, according to him. It may be more than a month ago, but I guess, they didn’t forget. So no more overnight invitation for the time being.

Second one was about the volume of music from my room. I must admit that I always listen to some music every night, but I thought it’s not that loud. It would be boring if I will only listen to drips of the faucet or the wind outside my window. Music was my company at night. But after hearing that particular complaint, I guess I’ll have to use my earphones from now on. My neighbors may file a petition and will kick me out of the apartment if I won’t listen to their complaints. Being a foreigner, I guess I’ll have to do necessary adjustments, to adapt with their culture and way of living.

But I just hope and pray that I won’t be receiving any complaints regarding the sound of my alarm clocks. If it'll happen, this time, I will cry foul!

/totomai
02/09/10