Now in Japan, we have a holiday called 'Golden Week'.  During this week, we have

several national holidays. And some people get 9 a days holiday from their company.

If not, some people take day off to make their holiday longer. In Japan, it is very

difficult to take such long holiday if they work for their companies. So that's why

we call this holiday as 'Golden week', which usually starts in the end of April and

ends in the beginning of May.

 

Other long holidays in Japan are during a Bon festival period and New Years day.

Both of them are usually 7 to 9 days holidays. So, in Japan, unlike in other countries,

it is extremely difficult to have a month off or more, if you have a position at a

company. But if you work as part-time worker, then it won't be a problem to take

a long holiday.

 

Well, so, I'm on 'Golden Week' holiday now. On the first day of the holiday, I went

to a Moroccan restaurant in Nagoya with my colleagues. On Saturday night, the

restaurant gives a belly-dance show, which I really enjoyed a lot. I updated 3 photos

from that night on the file 'drinking party'.

 

On 29th April, I had BBQ party in Kariya with my colleagues. Until I went to a park

where we had BBQ party, I never thought that BBQ was that popular among Japanese

people! There are many groups of people who had BBQ party.

 

And today, I went to Nara and Kyoto with my family. Nara and Kyoto are very old

Japanese cities. Actually, both of them had been a capital city in old time. But Nara

is older than Kyoto. In Nara, most popular spot to visit is 'Todai-ji' (a temple) where

a huge Buddha statue is housed. And Nara park is another popular place to visit, where

you will find lots of deer. There are some interersting temples around Todai-ji. But

they are more simple and less colour than temples and shrines in Kyoto, In Kyoto, there

are so many places and buildings to see. Unfortunatelly, we didn't have enough time

to see around Kyoto, so we decided to visit only Byodo-in (a temple) located in Uji.

This temple is illustrated on the back of 10-yen coins. Anyway, it was the first time in

a last few years that I had a trip with my family.

From this april, I started working for a company. Usually, newly graduated students

start working from April, as a business year (and a school year) starts in April.

As I have mentioned before, I've already got an offer from this company in early

September.

 

I will explain a bit about Japanese system in getting a job. Though this is just for

university students. We usually start looking for a job or at least thinking about what

kind of career we want when we are in 3rd year at university. Some of them apply

for internship during summer and winter vacations. Although attending internship does

not always mean that they can get a position from such companies. Then from October

or November, most of companies start recruiting activities for students who will graduate

in 1 year. So, they recruit 3rd year students, and 4th year students from April. Most of

recruiting activities end before autumn. Some of students get job offers by endorsemenr

from their supervisor or university. But this system is usually available for students in

the science and math majors. And what we do after we got a job offer while we are

in 4th year at university? Well, we start working on our study and thesis. Sometimes

companies give 'homeworks' until they officially join their company.

 

There are ciritics that say this system distract students from study. Another ctirics say

thia system help creating a education-conscious society. Also those who are older than

other students (if a person went to university straight after graduating high school and

graduate without repeating a year, he/she will be 22 years when he/she joins a company)

will have disadvantage in finding a job.

 

Anyway, I was really lucky to find a job, and recruited as a permanent full-time worker.

Now I am working for one of Toyota group companies. My job is to translate Japanese

patent statements into English, and then apply for US and EU patent.  I'm in a training

now, and found there are heaps of things I must learn. So I think my job is very challenging.

 

A month has passed since I returned from my trip to Melbourne and Tasmania!

Time flies...

 

Well, my stay in Tasmania was absolutely fantastic. Local people said that visiting

Tasmania in March is good, especailly because the weather is usually stable.

But I also think visiting there in early summer (December) to summer would be

nicer. Those who loves lavender, Tasmania is a best destination to enjoy bloom of

lavender. Beaches in Tasmania are also very beautiful, but it was a bit too cold to

swim when I visited there in March.

 

After I got back to Melbourne, I took my friend to Yam-cha lunch at the restaurant

called 'Shark Fin House' located on Little Bourke street, which I think is the best

Yam-cha restautant in Melbourne. Forunatelly, my dear Chinese friend gave me

a list of recommendation in Chinese, so we had really nice dishes. I also took my

friend to best-known Italian style cafe 'Brunetti' and chocolate shop called

'Coco Black' where lovely chot chocorate and other chocorate desert are served.

 

Exploring Southgate is also lovely. When I visited Melbourne, the city held 'Wine and

Food festival'. So there are lots of tents where orners of wineries gave tasting and

sold their wine. But don't forget to buy a ticket to have tastings, they are not for free!

 

Also Melbourne hosted the World Swiming Championship from 18th March til the begining

of April. So, I saw many swimmers in the city. Moreover, there was a festival for greek

people. Melbourne hosts heaps of international festivals throughout a year. So whenever

you visit the city, you will find some interesting festivals. Which is one of reasons why

I love Melbourne. Shopping and cafes, restaurants are other reasons, though