SHIKIMIKIE: Personal
    • Showing posts with label Personal. Show all posts
    Showing posts with label Personal. Show all posts

    Wednesday, 25 May 2022

    Since I’ve Been Gone

    May 25, 2022 0
    Since I’ve Been Gone



    First day of freedom! For our first day of freedom, my sister and I went to Ebina. Will probably post more about it later. 



    Went to the cemetery with the sis to visit dad. 


    Bought a bike! (sad to say that I don't use this bike anymore but yeah, it was a good bike and it was good while it lasted. 

    I feel like I have to tell you where the heck I’ve been for the past 10 months. Japan is still Japan but kind of different. With all the things going on right now and all, I don’t even know. So we arrived July 31st last year and 10 months after, here I am. Did quarantine which seemed to be the longest quarantine of my life considering I don’t have my Luna with me. My new quarantine buddy which is my sister is just as sleepy as my Luna so yeah I think we’re good. Employed for a couple of months now too! I have been to a lot of places with the sis that I will be sharing with you of course. I don't know but I feel like I'm a little bit uninspired to post everything in my life, recently. Like, I'm okay though but I just feel uninspired. But yeah, I'll definitely try and pick up the pace and share! I feel like if anything, getting back on track is more beneficial for me anyway. So that's what I'm gonna do! Here are random photos over the past 10 months. 


    A

    Went to Shibuya and dressed as a doctor for Halloween. It was a good cosplay moment. My sister dressed up as a nun and sis people be confessing. 



    My sis and I at IKEA in Shibuya. Face. Hair (boo). Ice cream. 



    Oh curly hair. I don't think I'll ever miss you. 




    Shibuya Crossing


    Went to Fuji Q for my sister's 22nd birthday. Fuji san didn't disappoint. 



    Also bought iPhone 13 Pro Max last December. It took them almost three months to have the unit ready but oh well. It's an okay phone. 



    Sagamihara station's humble illumination. I live by the next station now and I miss Sagamihara to be honest. It's home for me. 


    I also turned 30! Yes, the big three oh. 


    There's a ramen place near my station that is giving us the vibe. My sister and I probably ate here as much we ate in our all time favorite Sakura ramen. We likey likey. Well I guess that's the overall view of how I've been so far. See you in my first full post after this.


    I hope there's a way my Luna can talk to me. I miss talking to her and being with her. Until we see each other again, Luna! I miss you so much. 
    Continue Reading
    at No comments:
    Tags , , , ,

    Wednesday, 24 November 2021

    Arriving in Japan | Protocols and stuff

    November 24, 2021 0
    Arriving in Japan | Protocols and stuff

    I made it to Japan on July 31. This is really late but I don't think a lot have changed since my experience. Well few things have changed of course with regards to the number of days you have to quarantine yourself in the designated hotel and stuff so make sure to always check on that! So yeah but this is my experience and I think this more or less what you have to expect when returning to Japan. I am fully vaccinated at the time of my arrival but back then, it didn't matter. Being vaccinated has its bearing now so make sure to take advantage of that. 


    I came from the Philippines and the documents needed for leaving is basically the minimum requirement of the place you're going to. At the airport, I remember being asked to present the MOFA form and the written pledge. They also asked for the completed QR code that I didn't have at first so let me share the code with you. Just in case you still have to! You just have to fill out the thing and at the end, there will be a QR code displayed and just take a screenshot of it for the person at the check in counter to scan. You will also need to scan that same QR code at one of the stations when you reach Japan. 

    must have apps!

    When it comes to the documents that you have to bring, you don't have to have multiple copies of everything but in case you're clumsy like me, I suggest you make a copy just in case you lose it along the process of moving and stuff. I also suggest that you make a folder for the apps that you have to be dealing with when you're at the airport. I don't have an active Japan number then so what happened was they sent an email to know for sure that they can reach me in the email address I provided. So for those who are asking, you don't have to have a Japanese number for all of these. Although you STILL have to provide two Japanese numbers at one of the stations. In my case, I provided my dad's prepaid phone number and my friend's.

    MySOS is the one you'll be dealing with during your quarantine. That's the app you'll use to report your location and the app where they'll be calling and stuff. Also, the MySOS that is searchable on the app store is quite different from the ones they have in there but don't worry! They have a QR code that you can scan and download there. 


    I have found an amazing group on Facebook and reading other people's experiences guided me and made everything easier for me. I was with a group of people who didn't know what to do but yeah having a background of the rundown makes it kind of easier for my sister and I. Well, we're also Japanese but still! It made everything less confusing. I arrived at the airport around before 12pm and I reached my quarantine hotel room at around 11pm. Most of time is me waiting for everyone else to finish. 

    The first station back in July is the waiting area and also where they'll give you the papers. Papers such as your hotel food preference,  the quarantine duration based on where you came from, etc. This also where they check the papers you already have and give you whatever it is that you're lacking. This is also where they briefly discuss the hotel quarantine thingy. I tell you! Most people were shocked that they won't be allowed out right away.

    Second station is where they validate and collect your RT-PCR test and other documents/forms that you brought.  

    Third station is where you collect your sample for the SALIVA RT-PCR. They have pictures of sour foods to help you out but yeah, didn't work much for me. I had to imagine my mom's sinigang! 

    Fourth station is where they check the apps! And like what I told you earlier, this is where they'll check how they can contact you. I used my e-mail for this matter. They sent me an e-mail and then the guy sitting there asked me to read what he sent. Then the apps! It's very basic stuff so don't worry. I highly recommend that you download the app so you won't be  bothered as much. 

    Fifth station is where you have to wait the longest. You have to wait for your number to be called which by the way they will assign to you at one of the stations. I just forgot what station they did that. They will ask you to put the sticker that has your number at the back of your passport and ask that you do not take it off during your quarantine. 

    Sixth station is where they will be giving you a paper that says your result. 

    Seventh is the immigration, baggage, and custom. Then voila! You just have to wait for everyone else in your bus to finish so you can all go in peace to the hotel. 

    Another verification set-up was waiting for us in the hotel so there's that. 


    Despite being with my sister, we decided to be on different hotel room because she has online classes to attend to so I don’t really want bother her or get bothered by her whatever the case is. 


    The hotel provided a thermometer that you can use to report your temperature to a website of some sort that they'd be providing during your check-in. 
     

    The bentos will be served as it is. The hotel rooms doesn't have a microwave in them so...


    I don't usually have a problem eating cold bentos but since I don't really have anything better to do, I tried to steam it up using the kettle that they have in the room. But! it doesn't really work that much. But yeah, it's better I guess. Be very careful though! I don't recommend you doing the same. 

    Can I just say?? When we were done on our hotel quarantine, when we were inside the bus on our way to the airport, I overheard some women planning their escape plan. And sadly, they managed to do so. As much as I find it unfair for everyone who tried to figure out a way to comply with the rules, I did nothing to stop them. My sister and I had to wait 13 hours at the airport to wait for our ride for goodness sake! And these people get to what? Ride a bus or something? My goodness gracious. Anyway, I mean, what would I even say to them? They’re grown ups who signed a waiver form and all that. Yeah, no one really cared as much when we returned to the airport. 


    The MySOS app looks something like this before a video call and I must say I was able to answer just about 90% of the calls. I must have missed because for the last few days, they'd call earlier than the first ones so it's just kind of hard to adjust and all that. They'd then put another call later in the day or sometimes they won't. 


    I tried to email them for the first two calls that I missed but their reply was not to worry when I miss another call so yeah. I’m not sure what they meant with the last statement though. But yeah, my sister and I were just at home 24/7 so I wasn’t really worried that they’d come or whatever the case is but yeah to save everyone’s time, I tried to reach out. 

    As of this writing, 11/30/2021, it’s not looking good. Borders are being shut yet again because of the Omicron variant scare. I think this post is becoming more relevant again when it comes to the quarantine procedure and such. No one knows for sure. 

    I wish you all good luck in entering Japan. I know times are tough for everyone right now. Please be guided accordingly.
    Continue Reading
    at No comments:
    Tags , , , , ,

    Tuesday, 10 August 2021

    Officially Unemployed

    August 10, 2021 0
    Officially Unemployed

     I love it. I know I have shared my sentiments with some friends but as of this writing, I have nothing but gratitude that I get to spend my time resting and planning the new chapter of my life. I don't know if I ever blogged about anything related to my work in the Philippines recently but here it is. I'll give you a tour. 


    Von Voyage! I actually didn't know the meaning of this until about awhile ago but yeah I guess it's not all that common to say in Japan? Is it just me? OF COURSE. ALWAYS JUST ME, DUH.


    My last lunch break with my St. Anthony fam! 


    It's kinda sad that I don't get to share my knowledge or experience to the new recruits as much but I'm sure they're gonna be well taken care of by my colleagues/batchmates there. If anything, we have a senior staff that I got to be so close to especially during the last few months of my stay. 


    I'm just happy that I got to spend my last day with everyone! I mean, it's inevitable and work is not forever so yeah. I have no regrets leaving because I know that I did my best everyday. That's all! Can I just share thought that they wrote me letters for keep? I love me some hand written notes for sure! 


    That's me folks! Signing off. 

    Continue Reading
    at No comments:
    Tags ,

    Tuesday, 13 July 2021

    FULLY VACCINATED

    July 13, 2021 0
    FULLY VACCINATED

     

    In this post, I just want to share that your girl is now fully vaccinated. I don't know how it will be able to protect me or everyone around me but I hate hate hate how relaxed I feel in general. Like, pre-vaccination, I would wash my hands maybe every 15 minutes. I never touch anything at work without wearing gloves, and all that. After vaccination, I kinda lean towards my usual way pre-COVID. I still wash my hands though! Just not as often. I don't know. To be honest, I feel like I'd catch or maybe already caught the virus again at some point. But you know, KNOCK ON WOOD cause your girl will fly to Japan soon! Did you guys miss my Japan post? Is it just me? LOL. So yeah there's that. My second dose was sooo much better. No symptoms at all! Well, except for the pain on the injection site. I still took paracetamol like I did before so I don't know if I prevented the symptoms altogether or if there's no symptoms at all. I guess the first dose was so traumatic that I didn't want it to happen again. Can I just rant for one second?? So our second dose was supposed to be on 5/21/2021 and the staff at the clinic who chose to have Astrazeneca was divided into two groups. I was on the second group. The first group then went to the vaccination site only to be told that the second dose will be moved after two weeks. Like, you should have sent us a text. I kinda knew it would happen and I even told everyone. Because my sister who took the same shot received a text two weeks before her supposed to be scheduled dose. Anyway, even though I didn't have to go to the venue, I still felt bad for my co-workers who had to go because it was extra extra hot/sunny that day. Anyway, it's old news but I just wanted to share that. One thing I want to rant about is how they spelt AstraZeneca.


     I mean, It's AstraZeneca and not AZTRAZENECA for goodness sake. I mean, as a commoner, it’s quite easy to wonder how well our vaccination card will be recognized internationally though. It’s just not at that level yet. I mean, maybe just my card personally. I’ve seen some decent cards though so there’s that. Yun lang! Why didn’t they standardized the cards for everyone in the first place? 

    Continue Reading
    at No comments:
    Tags , , ,

    Wednesday, 9 June 2021

    Caught on Film!

    June 09, 2021 0
    Caught on Film!

    HI FOLKS! So not so long ago, my co-workers and I had a talk about our childhood pictures. Well, it kinda started when one of us showed a picture when she was younger and basically she asked us to bring a physical photo album of our childhood pictures sort of (which we didn't end up doing by the way). I am lucky because my mom made sure to have all these and a whole lot more photos taken when I was younger. So yeah! I'm actually just gonna repost these as I've already shared these with everyone on my old blogspot. Peace!

    I have no recollection whatsoever of this so it's nice to have these photos to look at and just know that it happened. It's kinda why I keep a blog as well. I guess I got it from my momma. 



    My biological dad. I don’t know and I don’t remember anything from it but my mom said I’ve been to Ueno Zoo many times before. My only memory of it was quite recent when I went with my Nepali friends. 
     

    How cute am I with those ternos? 


    One thing I remember from my childhood is this. Me feeding the pigeons popcorns. I loved it. 


    Retro

    Also, can we acknowledge my hair rollers for a while? Yup. 


    I’ve blogged about this on my previous blog. This is when I got lost (and found). 


    My bunny! I don’t know where that is now. Also, my mom ended up buying the big bear in the picture as well. My goodness I remember crying over it at one point and now it’s locked up in some cabinet who knows where in my room. Walang forever. 

    Sakuragicho with my aunt and uncle
    More pigeon feeding 
    I was kind of cute as a child

    This is I remember so well. This was in Nagano where we usually spend the Golden Week. I mean, not at thid particular place but just Nagano in general. 


    That’s all folks! I want to keep pictures like this for my future child as well. Or my pet. I mean, it’s just nice to look at. Ciao! 


    Continue Reading
    at No comments:
    Tags ,