October 18th 2012 - Day 42

Another day, another few hours spent clicking away at a computer in the office. Afraid the work load can't be called 'very exciting' but at least its better than ding bugger all and feeling sheepish for it. The real work load of the day was making website buttons - thats right not learning how to make websites, not creating or designing an interesting website, making just the buttons. Actually I wasn't even 'making' the buttons just translating them. This did involve some making a duplicate but a lot more of the sempai checking the work and saying 'maybe this could be a little larger' or 'move it slightly to the left' like when a wife wants her husband to hang a picture and it doesn't look right to her (I had to restrain a grin when that image popped into my head). 

The new people for lunch were pretty interesting, and took me to a ramen restaurant - for those unaware, Ramen is a chinese noodle copied by the Japanese and given there own original flare. It used to be the only Japanese food I'd eat, but now, meh.

The real interesting bit of today was when it came to about 5:30 and I had to ask if I could leave at 6 - officially most Japanese companies have a 9-6 work policy, but this is like when a flustered waitor comes to you table and says they'll be there in a minute to take you order, but then you see them going and dealing with another group of people, while the people who came in later than you get there order first....Where was I going with this again? Oh yeah, so most people don't leave the office until about 9/10 at night (I've been trying to stick it out as late as possible but they always send me home at about 6.30, for which I'm not complaining).

But I had to leave at 6 today in order to walk over to my Dad's office's tokyo branch, and pick up a care package my parents had sent me. It was pretty interesting trying to get a large box and adjoining bag back home across two stations and half of Tokyo, but a nice guy on the Hibiya line offered to let me sit down, which was a genuine life (and spine) saver. I didn't know how much I've been missing cheerios until I found two bags full in the box. Almost broke down.

One more note, Tomorrow until Saturday I will be away on a Company trip (which is apparently a norm here in Japan). So there will be no post tomorrow but instead a two day worth post on Saturday. Or Sunday If I get back late and can't be bothered.