Transiting at Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok's new international airport. The signboard in purple says it all.

First and foremost, I would like to apologize to one and all for the delayed birth of this much anti-cipated blog. I make no excuses for my laziness except for the fact that I have simply been too busy maneuvering Japanese administrative bureaucracy in a language I have yet to be competent in; trying to make friends and introducing myself in Japanese above and beyond the well-worn phrases of "hajimemashite", "doozo yoroshiku" & "Singapore kara kimashita (I came from Singapore)"; doing Japanese homework everyday and basically doing everything else except blogging.

Now that I have finally found some space in my schedule for blogging, I shall attempt to set out the sights and events that have filled my senses this past month.


October 1

I must confess I have a mild case of aero-phobia or whatever it's called. I get slightly nervous aboard planes dangling 30,000 feet in the air with no support below whatsoever. Recalling the first episode of LOST while idling away on the plane doesn't help either. I'm aboard Flight TG 648 bound for the Land of the Rising Sun; the aircraft is barely halfway along its ascent as the Captain in the safety video voices in pleasant enough english: "This is a safety 'demon'-stration...". The word in italics stood out sorely, and I was instantly unnerved. Some minutes later, I find myself calmed as the plane attains cruise mode. Sipping on some Cola and reading Thomas Friedman's 'The World is Flat', I find myself descending into a state of peace, comforted by the fact that in just a few hours, the long awaited dream of being able to study in Japan would come to fruition.

Above the clouds, and by now above my initial fears, listening to Lisa Ekdahl's 'Daybreak' and YUI's 'Life' on my Ipod as the sun rises somewhere above the Land of the Rising Sun.

My first impression of Japanese people and culture was formed sometime along Flight TG 648. As you probably know, during the flight the air-stewardesses hand out hot towels for freshening up. Being the Singaporean that I am, after a brief wipe of the face, I just clump my towel and place it on the tray, and wait for the stewardess to pick it up. Elsewhere in other rows, the Japanese ladies are folding their towels into neat, perfect triangles, setting them down on the tray gracefully and elegantly. I immediately follow suit, slightly embarrased at my lack of refined behaviour. Some semblance of order and pride in presentation; those were the first impressions deeply etched in my mind.

My first taste of Japan: the famous Hakata Ramen. The ramen of choice -Char Siew Ramen / even this average ramen stall thrashes those back in Singapore. Ajisen doesn't even come close.

JUSCO just across the street for convenient groceries shopping. SWWEEEETTT.... Here's where I bought my thick 'futon' (comforter) perfect for those cold lonely nights.

Some pictures of my room.

My babes Vivien has commented that it's even better than my room. I couldn't agree more. It came fully furnished, has an attached bathroom (although it looks very much like an airplane toilet), wardrobe (though not a walk in one like Wong Liangwei's; well i could walk into it, but i'd probably break it), a fridge, a desk with plenty of compartments, a decent bed, and my own friggin balcony. I know many of you exchange students have apartments like this and more. But guess what. I'm paying friggin S$200 per mth, utilities included. Whuuurrrrtttt.... Yes, I'm staying in Kyushu University's lodging for foreign students. It's probably the place with the cheapest rent in the whole of Japan.... I think.

I spent the rest of the afternoon shuttling between my room and the dorm office settling administrative matters. Had a pleasant surprised when Samuel, a Singaporean who has been studying in Fukuoka for 6 years came knocking on my door sometime around the evening. He invited me to a dinner he was supposed to have with some others who lived in the 'kaikan' (the place where I'm staying).

I have friends! Fadeel from Brunei and 'I can't rem her name' from Thailand. She left for Thailand the next day.

Being the only law exchange student in Japan can be pretty daunting. No one to look for for emotional or language support. It's time to start looking for some more friends.