Hi Friends, how have you been?
I've been here in Shinjuku the whole time but wow...things got a little busy! Work is always a little chaotic in the spring, as most companies have their fiscal year end in March. Our company announced changes in personnel, which I hear is a very Japanese (do companies not shuffle their employees around in your country?), and it seems I'll be working in a whole new sector starting April. So I'm a little nervous and excited at the same time. Not to mention a little sad to be leaving my current position which was a lot of fun. But I'm optimistic my new position will be just as interesting!
Anyways, it's been raining off and on here in Shinjuku. It is definitely spring!
I've been taking black and white photos again since it's kind of dreary at times. I really liked how the bare branches were reflecting in the water puddles on my way to work the other day.
Is it spring where you are? Hope you're all having a wonderful weekend!
I guessed you were very busy with end-of-year stuff when you disappeared.
ReplyDeleteI think April musical chairs is a Japanese custom. My eikaiwa has recently had many new students: employees who will transfer to a new position overseas in April, and now have to learn English within one month! (+_+)
Good luck in your new position! I hope it will be even more fun than the current one ... and that it will allow you lots of time for photography! :)
PS: Great b/w photos. I love reflections!
@Rurousha, Thank you! I wasn't expecting this move so I've kind of been swept away and lost track of the days! But I'm really excited about learning new things.
DeleteI guess it IS very Japanese to move people around. Probably because until recently, most people never changed jobs and just entered a company and stayed with them until retirement.
Learn english in one month? That's crazy. I took spanish for four years and can only say "donde esta el bano?" Good luck with that! ;D
Glad to see that you're back! Good luck with the new job and responsibilities. I think the idea of changing people around is good. Diversity only makes us stronger. :)
ReplyDeleteWe have hardly had a winter in Toronto, but I'm not complaining. Temps are definitely springlike, but still no signs of blossoms. Love your black and white reflections.
@Halcyon, thank you! And change is good...keeps us on our toes! :D
DeleteIt's still pretty cold, especially the wind, but there are more signs of spring everyday! Hope blossoms bloom in Toronto soon, too!
We did not have much of a winter in Ohio this year. When I was in Sendai (1953 - 1956) we would sometimes get enough snow on the ground to cover most of the lawn grass. We didn't even get that much here this winter. It has gone from that to mid-summer. It is being hot and humid. Not a lot of rain yet but hot and humid. I enjoyed your post about Tokyo.
ReplyDeleteThe companies I used to work for didn't move people around. But I would get bored and ask for a transfer or just quit the company and move on to another profession. I was working in R&D and quit and then became a schoolteacher. That was different. √
Since I was hacked I had to give up my old user name and the blogs that went with it. So this is the new birds blog and I hope you can come visit. Birds Birds Birds and Birds
Thank you! We actually had quite a bit of snow in Tokyo this year, although it's nothing compared to your Midwest blizzards. But I'm happy to have spring back in our corner of the woods!
DeleteI guess moving people around really is a Japanese thing. Although I'm sure if someone wanted to become a teacher they would have to change jobs, too ;D
Oh my gosh Kaori, lots going on in your world at the moment. I hope all goes well with the new position, change is good..says me who absolutely hates it when ANYTHING changes haha! I really enjoyed your B&W image today, won't be long before those bare branches are laden with leaves, we're just going into Autumn here, so all ours will be falling off..weird hey!
ReplyDeleteThank you Grace! I'm not too partial to change either...but I love learning new things! I'm going to be a newbie again, which is great :D
DeleteLove that we have such different weather from each other! Hope things cool off for you down there!
I know what you mean -- I've been a little slow on the blogdraw myself. Nice reflection.
ReplyDeleteIt seems everyone is pretty busy this time of year! But I'll definitely be by soon to comment :D
DeleteHope all goes well! I like this black and white!
ReplyDeleteI'm crossing my fingers, too! Can't wait for April :)
Deletea promise in the making.
ReplyDeleteplease have you all a wonderful spring ahead.
Thank you, Robert! :)
DeleteGlad everything is well with you.
ReplyDeleteYou will keep in reserve a lot of the knowledge you have acquired up to now but imagine how your new experiences and learning will colonize expanding territory in the queendom of your brain—always a good thing to do.
It's hard to believe from these photos that you will soon be posting pictures of cherry blossoms.
Today it is clear and sunny as usual without a bare tree in sight, although a few days ago we had several drops of rain fall from overcast and windy skies. Strangely, the night and day temperatures here and in Tokyo had come close to matching for a day or two. Oh, the nights. Brrr. I’m glad I learned the layering trick in Tokyo. Last night I counted 10 layers, five of wool.
It's still very odd weather here, too. It was 10C one day then 17C the next. It's days like this when people start catching colds, so take care! :)
DeleteNice to see you again, and I like your water reflections. This is supposed to be our snowiest time of year, but it's been warm and dry for most of the last couple of weeks.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Al! I hear a lot of places didn't have much of a winter this year...probably made it's way to Tokyo since we had more snowfall than usual ;D
DeleteChange always brings uncertainty. «Louis» hopes the new post works out very well for you!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Louis! I'll do my best :D
DeleteSuper monochrome reflection shot, Kaori, yet I look forward to seeing your blossoms! Like you, I've had less time for blogging (but I miss it) and have embarked on a brand new career (that keeps me busy). There is no real "spring" here in Manila, but I hope to see signs of it back in China tomorrow. Keep smiling!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Francisca! The blossoms are almost here! I've seen a couple here and there but none are in full bloom yet. We had a pretty cold winter this year. I hope you're having a fantastic time with your spankin' new career but hope to see you around more often, too ;D
ReplyDeleteInteresting concept of people moving around in their jobs every spring...Love the black and whites! And we've just had a late snow storm...actually...our first really big one all winter...so like you, we've got a ways to go before seeing blossoms...probably a lot longer than you!!! Good luck with the changes!
ReplyDeleteI luv your BnW's. Hope u like your new job position better than the current one.
ReplyDelete