Day 95,96 and 97: Package from Norway, Sumo and Job as a teacher!

Hello!

Monday 11th of May

Today I got my package from my mom in Norway!!!! It fit into the mailbox at home so that was very convenient 

 Top right: "knekkebrød" 

Crispbread^[1] (Swedish: knäckebröd, hårt bröd, hårdbröd, spisbröd, knäcke, Danish: knækbrød, Norwegian: knekkebrød, Finnish: näkkileipä,Estonian: näkileib, Icelandic: hrökkbrauð, Faroese: knekkbreyð, German: Knäckebrot or Knäcke, Dutch: knäckebröd) is a flat and dry type ofbread or cracker, containing mostly rye flour. Crispbreads are light and keep fresh for a very long time. Crispbread is a staple food^[2] and was for a long time considered a poor man's diet.^[3] However, in recent years there has been renewed interest in crispbread in the Nordic countries.

Top left: Taco tubs and taco spice mix! 
Bottom right: Risengrynsgrøt

In the Nordic countries, rice porridge is a common dinner, and sometimes breakfast. It is made as a warm dish from rice cooked in milk. When served, it is commonly sprinkled with cinnamon, sugar and a small knob of butter, and served with milk or fruit juice.

In the middle: tortilla
Bottom right: Melkesjokolade = milk chocolate

Freia Melkesjokolade is a Milk Chocolate from the Norwegian chocolate brand Freia and has been the most sold chocolate in Norway since the 1960s. The chocolate was launched in 1906 after a Swiss recipe, originally called 'Freia Melkechokolade'. In the 1920s it was considered ”Europas bedste spisechokolade” (Europe's best edible chocolate), and people would often add that it was Norwegian, to underline that it was not imported. It was only after the chocolate again became available after World War II, that the name was changed to "Melkesjokolade" (Milk Chocolate) due to the spelling reform of 1939.

Fox and Nox:
Fox is lemon caramel and nox is liqorice  

I also got BRUNOST! But I had to put it in the fridge right away because it was a little melted xD

Brunost, also called raudost ^[1] or mysost (Norwegian), or mesost (Swedish), meesjuusto (Finnish), mysuostur (Icelandic), myseost(Danish) or Braunkäse (German) is a caramelised brown Scandinavian whey cheese. The main Norwegian and the German names mean brown cheese, and the others mean simply whey cheese

Brunost is made by boiling a mixture of milk, cream, and whey carefully for several hours so that the water evaporates. The heat turns the milk sugar into caramel, which gives the cheese its characteristic brown colour and sweet taste.^[3] It is ready for consumption as soon as it is packed in suitable sized blocks. 

Thank you mom! You're the best <3 
I made a baby taco! The taco tubs were in one piece! 

 Later that day I met Jimmy in Shinjuku to buy myself a Japanese phone!  It's just a simple one with buttons :P But this way I can call home for example! Which is good in case something happens. We went to the SoftBank in Omotesando, because they speak English there. It all went very fast! And the salesman was very nice :) After the purchase, we ate at the Freshness burger, yum!!

Tuesday 12th of May

Today I went to watch sumo for the first time!

Sumo (相撲 sumō^?) is a competitive full-contact wrestling sport where a rikishi (wrestler) attempts to force another wrestler out of a circular ring (dohyō) or to touch the ground with anything other than the soles of the feet. The characters 相撲 literally mean "striking one another".

This is at the Ryougaku station 

This is at the Ryōgoku Station (両国駅) 

 Trying to find his dad and Amanda, but Jimmy messed it up by giving wrong info, haha!

 My new phone! Now I have a japanese number, so I can actually call people in Japan and Norway!

 This is the agenda and ticket

 Jimmy, Roger and Amanda. 

 I'm dying!!!!

 So many old people fangirling over their favourite sumo wrestler! Shouting their name and stuff xD

 The inside of the arena

 This is the inside

 At first it wasnt that many, but by the end it was almost full!

 We got hungry so we bought some food! My favourite "takoyaki"

Takoyaki (たこ焼き or 蛸焼^?) is a ball-shaped Japanese snack made of a wheat flour-based batter and cooked in a special takoyaki pan. It is typically filled with minced or diced octopus (tako), tempura scraps (tenkasu), pickled ginger, and green onion.^[1][2] Takoyaki are brushed with takoyaki sauce, similar to Worcestershire sauce and mayonnaise. The takoyaki is then sprinkled with green laver (aonori) and shavings of driedbonito (katsuobushi). 

 This is pastry filled with custard cream!

 It was insanely rich in flavor!

 The matches are over!

 Then we all went out to eat~

Wednesday 13th of May

So today I had my first interview in Japan! I cant tell you how nervous I was for this intervew... Before taking the bus to Uni I had to take my picture in a photo boot. The picture had to be taken with the job "uniform" so I got that done. I then went to Uni in my new uniform :P  During lunch at Uni I got my awesome mentor Nobuyuki to write the kanji for me on my Japanese resume. That way it look very cool! Hehe. That was after my two classes of Japanese. Beforehand I had practiced what to say and different Japanese vocabulary. But of course I messed it up on the interview due to being so nervous, but I could speak in English so it went fine. I tried to sneak in Japanese where it seemed natural, just to show him I can speak a little Japanese, hehe :P But the interview went great, it wasn't as formal as I thought it would be; we laughed and joked. He then showed me around the floor and we talked about working hours and pay. If you didn't realize it, I got the job ^_^ I'm so happy!!! I'm going to start from week 22 (Monday 25th) I'm going to work every Monday and Wednesday, for 3 and 4 hours, and the pay is 1000 yen/hour. Of course the pay can't be compared to my teacher job in Norway, but then again, this is quite different. If I want to keep living in Japan after Uni, which I want to, it's very important to have working experience :) So I'll do my best! 

 

Day 94: Japanese resume and formal clothes

Hello!

So today I went out for some shopping! I needed some stuff for my room, like a laundry basket, dust bin, hair conditioner, formal Japanese CV and formal clothes for the interview. One thing is for sure; a norwegian and a japanese interview is two very different things! First off all, I have to fill out a specific Japanese resume the excact right way (like ALL fucking paperwork in Japan...), then I need to have the formel clothes that is required for the job. The Japanese resume I bought for 108 yen at Daiso, and my mentor Nobuyuki is helping me with the Japanese (mainly kanji and stuff). I really don't want to make any mistakes on this resume, because I know how important it is in Japan to do everything correct...

 Then I had to buy formal clothes, and I went to the nearby second-hand shop at Seisekisakuragaoka. I got a white shirt, a blazer, suit pants, a skirt, two pairs of socks (on for the pants and on for the skirt), and last: the shoes. I know the shoes aren't the best, but my feet are so thin I have trouble finding shoes that will stay on. So I found this with little strap (like a kids shoe, haha!) that is comfortable and doesn't look too stupid. All this cost a little under 10.000 yen (650 kroner), which I though was very cheap! Just finding as good blazer in Norway is the same price as all this, haha! 

So in the worst case: if I don't get the job, I have at least a formal outfit to use next time. So when I'm going out like this I'm going to look like 90% of the Japanese people, hehe! Canæt say I don't feel a little cool ;) Jimmy also bought some new shoes, shorts and socks. I really like the shorts because they fit me perfectly, and I think I'm going to steal them :P

Later we did some homework, and I filled out my resume as good as I could. Again, my mentor is going to help me getting it done :) I also have to take a picture in the picture booth, because in the picture you need your formal clothes... Like, why? Why is that so important? It's just going to be my face and a little of the neck. I don't question Japan's way anymore, but I really think that 90% of all formal stuff can be made easier! I really hope it'll change soon, because it really is a pain in the...  Either way... For dinner we made more taco! Yay! It really is super good :D And next I'm getting my package from my mom ^_^ I'm really looking forward to it, and I think many people in the house are too, because I said they could taste! Of course not, EVERYONE in the house can taste, don't have ebough for that... But it will be fun ^_^ Too bad I can't be home on 17th of May which is "Norways birthday"~ oh well..

And of course Jimmy and I had to watch some more Supernatural! We're soon done with season 4 already! It's going so fast xD  

Day 91.92 and 93: Family dinner, Job interview and Party

Hello!

Thursday 7th of May
So today I had to do one of the things I hate the most in Japan...Go to the immigration bureau. If you have read my blog before, you know how many hours I have spent waiting at the immigration bureau. And yet again, I had to go there... But the reason I had to go there is positive! I have a job interview at a school in Minami Osawa (where my Uni is) :D The only thing is that the inteview is in Japanese! Heeeeeelp! I'm so nervous, but so happy that I got the chance. According to Theresa, the person in charge; Kaneko Sensei, is very eager to meet me. And she says that it's nothing to be scared of, even though I'm sure I'm going to fuck it up somehow, haha! Something that happens quite often is that japanese people think I'm much better at Japanese than what I actually am. And the reason is my pronounciation is very good, and it gives the impression that I know a lot of Japanese. So when the conversation stops because I don't understand, Japanese people seem very pussled to why I don't understand. which goes back to my "confidence" in pronounciaton. I feel like I'm cheating, by giving the impression I'm good, when I'm not, haha! So when I say I'm not good in Japanese, it seems like I'm just being humble, when in fact, I'm just not good in Japanese! HAHAHA!!
So everyone! Please wish me good luck! Because I really need it :P But back to the main story! If you didn't realise it: the reason I went to the immigration bureau is to apply to have a job. Luckily, I didn't have to go all the way to Shinagawa, I could go to the local one. And as always; Kazuki was so kind to follow me and Manon there. Manon got a job as a waitress, so she was there to get her "stamp" because she already applied. At the bureau we had to wait at least 2 hours... At this point we were so hungry we ate by the station. It was very good! All-you-can-eat bread buffe! How awesome!

Later that day I met up with Jimmy to eat dinner with his dad (Roger) and his wife (Amanda). It's their first day in Japan, and it's Amandas birthday! Jimmy and I bough her a card and traditional Japanese candy. We met at Tokyo station and went to eat at a Spanish bar 

We ate tapas and it was very good! I'm not too fond of seafood, but their mussels and scallops were delish~ It was interesting to see their japanese take on the mexican tapas. I was a little nervous to meet Jimmys family, but I forgot about the nervousness right away. They were so nice to talk to and I had a great time! I think they like me back, hehe. I really hope we can hang out again before, and I think we will. 

Friday 8th of May
Had my two classes as always, before going to Shibuya to party at a night club. At Uni there is a DJ that, tonight, were playing at the club. That was the only reason we knew about it. So I invited my sweet Steffi to join us! The club was awesome; good music and not too many people. We danced and drank, then drank a little too much, haha! Without getting into detail, Penny had to take care of me and help me home (thanx!). Dave joined us too and we discussed taking the train vs a taxi, but it ended up with a taxi. So I got home, and had a good amount of sleep. 

Saturday 9th of May
When I woke up I was feeling pretty good, only had a minor headache! So nice not getting hungover :) So I ate breakfast, took a shower and started studying Japanese. After a while I watched many episodes of Kuroko no basuke season 3. I think I watched at least 6 episodes, hehe. I also got help from my japanese friends to write the "proper" mail to seinsei at the school I'm applying for a job at. Then Jimmy came to visit :D We went to the supermarket to buy ingredients to make taco!!! :D Roger was so kind to bring us taco-spice and tortillas! It was delish~

Day 90: Job hunting and shrine visit in Chofu

Hello!

So today I did something new and exciting! I met with theresa and discussed a job as an english teacher at a cram school. We crashed at a cafe in Chofu and chatted :) It was very nice and I had a good time. I always wanted a job in Japan, ecpesially as an english teacher. Of course it's not like the deal is settled! There is paperworks, and an interview if I seem to fit the profile. I do believe my teaching education and one year of experience is going in my favour. It's both thrilling and nerve-wracking! I really want this job, but it will be something completely new for me. A japanese and a Norwegian classroom is two very different matters after all! But some job aspects are the same: write down their progress, help them during class, check and give homework etc. This is the part of being a teacher that I'm already familiar with. With this in mind I think I would be suited for the job! I'll work hard on my japanese studies as well! :D

After talking about the job we visited the nearby shrine:

 Theresa wanted her special book written in with the Shrines unique stamp and calligraphy

 So cool, right!? It costs 300 yen (20 kroner) and they did an amazing job!

 Here you coukd buy the special stamp book. The book you buy is unique to the place you buy it. On the left is this shrines stamp and signature

 After the Shrine I met up with Jimmy in Chofu. We had a little lunch date~ Look at this cutiepie!

 After eating we took purikura and went back to Seisekisakuragaoka to buy a birthday present for his dads wife. Jimmys dad and his wife is coming to Japan tomorrow! So tomorrow we're going to eat dinner together. It will be the first time to meet any of Jimmys family. I'm looking forward to it.

Later, as always, we watched a couple of episodes of Supernatural! We also made some dinner, relaxed and then I did my leg exercises!