Tomenko-san

After defence!!

2011-02-07T15:56:00.000-08:00

So finally I have finished my second studies.. This time Management and Production Engineering! So from now double titles:) Second summa cum laude..!! :) That's it! ;) Now just PhD left..

From my amazing grandma.. I love her style!!

2011-02-07T15:55:00.000-08:00

My birthday cake!

Training..

2011-02-07T15:54:00.000-08:00

Training at a swimming pool!!

free style..

alone at pool..

butterfly effect!

full speed!!

From Belarus to Berlin..

2011-02-07T15:50:00.000-08:00

So after New Year's Eve I went for a while to our east neighbours and 20 hours later I visited our west neighbours. Anyway shopping on German site was amazing:)

Work'n'travel new edition..

heading..

Happy New Year!!

World is so small!!

heading..

Germany!

shopping;)

New Year's Eve..

2011-02-07T15:34:00.000-08:00

Amazing evening, with amazing people, in a marvellous place, in the centre of Warsaw.. Night full of style and fashion!!

Christmas time!

2011-02-07T15:30:00.000-08:00

Amazing time at my home town..

Christmas tree

It's possible to ski in Szczecin!

Amazing ice rink!

As good Illumination as in Japan..

Christmas tree!

From Warsaw to Szczecin..

2011-02-07T15:22:00.000-08:00

A trip we did with a friend of mine to reach our home-town before Christmas time. The roads were terrible, full of ice. Thus the speed was limited and the journey took us 10 hours instead of 5!

On our way!

View from my room!!

At conference about R&D..

2010-11-20T01:33:00.000-08:00

Conference about R&D in our region. Prizes, speeches, presentations.. everything like always.

Honours and medals!

Prizes

Szczecin!

Got bored.. ^_^

Halloween..

2010-11-20T01:27:00.000-08:00

Halloween in Poland.. totally different from last year.

No costume..

Always on top :)

Power-ranger this year by my brother ^_^

Szczecin's graveyard - third biggest in Europe!

TOKUGAN 2010-183172 (\^_^/)

2010-10-16T04:34:00.000-07:00

Officially accepted by Japanese government..

From Berlin with Love!!

2010-10-07T12:54:00.000-07:00

What am I doing on Wednesday in Berlin? Meeting with my friends from Japan who travelled half of the world to get there by train. We left Japan almost at the same time 1,5 month ago. However, they chose train as their main transport. They went from Osaka to China, then Mongolia and they took Trans-Siberian train from Irkutsk to Moscow, then SanktPetersburg, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Gdansk, Poznan and Berlin..

In Berlin..

Reichstag

Das Brandenburger Tor

Berlin wall..

Sony Centre!

Check-Point Charlie

Berlin tower

From Berlin with love!

Pepe

JuanMa

Weekend!

2010-10-03T13:55:00.000-07:00

Instead of Collecting, Taking pictures..

First mushroom of the day.

Forest racing!

From top..

Mr DJ!

Vulcanus in Japan 2009/2010

2010-09-19T13:55:00.001-07:00

Cool pictures of our group thanks to Rahel:
http://picasaweb.google.com/rahelpark/Group?authkey=Gv1sRgCJma8pCkt5qxlwE#
http://picasaweb.google.com/rahelpark/People?authkey=Gv1sRgCJaJ17PkiKn_dg

Europe -> Poland -> Szczecin

2010-09-18T06:12:00.000-07:00

Back home for a while.

Welcome home :)

Szczecin

I love Tokyo!

2010-09-18T06:10:00.000-07:00

I love Tokyo!!

Tokyo bay - yacht party!!!

2010-09-18T06:09:00.000-07:00

The most marvellous evening with my friends in Tokyo. Thanks to Ryo and Ken who rented a yacht we spent it in Tokyo Bay with a picturesque view on whole city. Afterwards we went to restaurant close to Roppongi.

Harbour

On the boat

Tokyo bay

Odaiba

On the boat

Drifters!

F-bar anniversary!

2010-09-18T06:03:00.000-07:00

Second day of F-bar anniversary.

Dan dancing on a table

Sarah with flames!

Asakusa matsuri

2010-09-18T06:01:00.000-07:00

Brazilian festival presented by Japanese people. In Tokyo everything is possible! I should mention here about October fest which was in April in Tokyo. Anyway, festival was picturesque as well as weather that day.

New Tokyo tower behind me

Amazing Japanese make-up

Japanese make-up

New friends!

Shinjuku Izakaya

2010-09-18T04:29:00.000-07:00

Amazing dinner with my Tokyo friends in Izakaya (Japanese traditional restaurant) in Shinjuku and afterwards f-bar..

Shinjuku

full table..

f-bar

EU-Japan center - Final Presentation

2010-09-18T04:14:00.000-07:00

Final presentation and reception in EU-Japan centre. We were supposed to speak about the Vulcanus program, it's strong and weak points, how we spent time in Japan and how was our traineeship. Afterwards, we went to EU delegation office for a reception.

The best room number in hotel!!!

View from my apartment

2010-09-18T04:06:00.000-07:00

Summer time

Racing club bbq!

2010-09-18T04:05:00.000-07:00

Sunday afternoon in Racing Fight Club combined with Anna birthday party.

Dexter - guy behind

Birthday cake

F-bar anniversary

2010-09-18T03:55:00.000-07:00

So it's one year of F-bar in Tokyo already. They open it exactly when I arrived to Japan.

On my way to work!

2010-09-18T03:53:00.000-07:00

Finally I saw a groups of monkeys on my way back to home! I heard many times that they live close to laboratories but for one year long I couldn't see them. I was able to take just one picture because it was getting dark.

My office in NTT

2010-09-18T03:44:00.000-07:00

It's my office in NTT. Buildings were located close to mountains so view outside was marvellous.

Ooari Beach!

2010-09-18T03:38:00.000-07:00

And next weekend out of Tokyo. This time north. Ooari beach in Ibaraki prefecture. My Japanese friends took me there not only to swim but also to eat in totally Japanese all-you-can-it restaurant. Anyway, the beach was different from those close to Yokohama. There was a lot of yellow sand on a vast area.

Shinjuku

On our way

Ooari beach

Hello Kitty!! blanket ^_^

After 5 PM showers were shut down..

BBQ, pasta, wata cukrowa, soups.. all you can imagine to eat..

Yokouska - Sarushima island and American Navy Base

2010-09-18T03:29:00.000-07:00

Next fascinating weekend close to Tokyo. This time was Yokouska. A small city close to Yokohama. First we went to an island (Sarushima - it means in Japanese "monkey island") nearby the harbour. Afterwards there was a matsuri in an American Navy Base. At the end we watched 1 hour fireworks show!!

American Navy Base

Polish girl - Patrycja :)

On the boat.. heading to island

Sarushima

Japanese Manga girls

American Soldiers!

Drifting cars

Nitro!!

Real Tokyo drift car

Amazing motorbike

Almost like Gizmo!

Saturday bbq & Night Pool!

2010-09-18T02:59:00.000-07:00

Thanks to my friends from http://www.racefightclub.com/ I had a wonderful Saturday afternoon. First bbq close to Yoyogi park and then amazing Nigh Pool in hotel New Otani Tokyo.

BBQ in Racing Fight Club

Night Pool - hotel New Otani Tokyo

With friends

EEG!

2010-09-17T07:55:00.000-07:00

One day I was asked to help in an experiment about data compression. The aim of the research was to investigate if the human brain can recognize whether music is compressed or not. Thus, they measured my brain activity by EEG. However they couldn't find even a single active wave in my brain! That's a mystery!

Matrix connected

Uploading new software!

AGH!

2010-09-17T07:24:00.001-07:00

The biggest in Asia club with small park, food market, swimming pool, 6 huge dance floors etc. However, the atmosphere is too Japanese in some places.

My first patent!!

2010-08-11T02:22:00.000-07:00

So it became true. Today I had to sign up a pile of documents stating that I'm transferring all my rights to the patent to NTT. What's patented? My algorithm and method to predict human respiration diagram ^_^

Miyajima and Osaka..

2010-07-21T19:28:00.000-07:00

This looong weekend was incredible. Together with my friends from Poland we went for a trip around Japan. Our second stop was Miyajima island next to Hiroshima and the following day was Osaka. In Osaka we stayed two days. One whole day was devoted for Universal Studio and the second one for the city. It was amazing time in the marvelous country. I returned to Universal Studio after 11 years!

Like always all pictures are placed in Picasa Photo Album on the right.

Miyajima water tori.

With bambies.

Miyajima island.

Miyajima island with kids.

Miyajima island.

From Miyajima island.

Me on Miyajima.

Miyajima island.

Shinkansen..

Universal Studio Osaka.

Universal Studio Osaka, Japan 2010!

Universal Studio Florida, U.S.A 1999!

Universal Studio Osaka.

Amazing place not only for kids. Having spacial tickets for either Jurassic Park or Terminator 3D we have chosen Terminator. For sure kids wanted Jurassic Park. However adults preferred the other one.. ^_^

Back to the future..

Jaws..

T-rex!

Let's go to swim ;)

Jurassic Park.

Amazing final parade!

Osaka castle.

Picturesque male toilets.. ^_^

This weekend in Osaka..

2010-07-20T19:46:00.000-07:00

Japanese combat art:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpWWuFJ63Kg

Today in Hiroshima!

2010-07-16T09:23:00.000-07:00

First day of my long weekend I spent in Hiroshima. I woke up at 5am to catch morning Shinkansen directly from Tokyo to Hiroshima.

Preserved building.

At this moment..

Before.

After.

Cruel..

Museum of Peace in Hiroshima.

Hiroshima's gardens.

Magic Tokyo..

2010-07-14T22:08:00.000-07:00

Another weekend in Tokyo.

Shibuya from behind.

Harajuku! Amazing costumes..

Harajuku!

Osaka party..

2010-07-14T22:02:00.000-07:00

After NTT laboratories I had two days free so I spend them with my Osaka friends:)

Osaka park..

Tomodachi.

Barbecue in the center of Osaka.

Barbecue.

Amazing Japanese technology ;)

I have to grow up to play tennis!

Yokohama ramen.

Odawara -> Kyoto -> Osaka.. ^_^

2010-07-14T21:56:00.000-07:00

Thanks to NTT and my laboratories (Communication Science) I was able to spend amazing loooong weekend in Keihana area. The purpose of the trip was a business meeting to explore NTT laboratories on the other side of main Japanese island.

Odawara Castle.. on my way to Kyoto.

Japanese monkey..

Odawara Castle.

NTT laboratories.

Posters.

Poster. It's really easy ;)

It's even easier..

The best part - reception.

Afterparty ;)

Embedded tree in Kyoto..

Relax..

The following day of exhibition.

Nice project.

Find me ;)

Tokyo Odaiba..

2010-07-14T01:35:00.000-07:00

Next weekend in Tokyo.. this time close to harbor. We went for a walk around several districts..

Small tori in Tokyo. Usually those gates are really huge.

River inside the center..

Tokyo center..

Festival next to harbor.

Odaiba.

An old park totally in the center of Tokyo.

Park in the center of Tokyo.

Park in the center of Tokyo

It was amazing to see ray in the center of Tokyo!

Park in the center of Tokyo.

Japanese houses..

Nightlife in Tokyo!!

Tokyo..

2010-07-14T00:16:00.000-07:00

Most of the weekends I spend with my friends in the center of Tokyo. Sometimes it's not worth to go home so we sleep in some cheap places and the best is MangaCafe. You pay around 10$ and have a room on your own for 8 hours. Maybe it's not the most comfortable place but armchair is really enough for some short nap. Below you can see one of the rooms in MangaCafe. Anyway, there is also Internet and free drinks included!

New Tokyo tower. It's going to be one of the highest towers and constructions in Asia.

Matsuri - Japanese festival.

Matsuri - Japanese festival in Asakusa.

Matsuri - Japanese festival.

Matsuri - Japanese festival in Asakusa.

Matsuri - Japanese festival.

Tokyo - Akihabara

2010-06-10T19:39:00.000-07:00

Japanese they are always professionals ^_^

Australia !!! Gold Coast -> Sydney -> Melbourne -> Cairns -> Tokyo

2010-05-17T23:15:00.000-07:00

Last two weeks were amazing. Thanks to Golden Week here in Japan (long weekend because of national holidays) and my wonderful supervisor who let me take more extra days off I was able to travel around Australia for two weeks. First was Sydney and its surroundings (Blue Mountains), then Melbourne with famous Great Ocean Road, Cairns and two days on boat on Great Coral Reef (including 6 dives). During on of dives I lost all my air due to damage of O-ring seal. However, everything was fine thanks to staying calm and my friend who helped me with slow surfacing. Anyway, Australia is really amazing and beautiful. It's hard to describe how much. On my way I met a lot of cool people who didn't let me get bored at any time. Below are some pictures. Rest of them you can find in Picasa Web Album (http://picasaweb.google.com/tytan2050) which link is placed to the right. At the end of the post is also a movie from one of my dives on Great Coral Reef.

Sydney..

Sydney by night.

Sydney from amazing apartment.

Sydney CBD.

Opera house.

CBD.

Techno party ^_^

Darling Harbour by night.

Beach in Sydeny.

Blue Mountains outside of Sydney.

Melbourne.

Melbourne - on the highest skyscraper (88th flour)..

Melbourne - Great Ocean Road..

^_^

Melbourne - Great Ocean Road..

Twelve Apostles.

Cairns - tropical paradise in the north of Australia.

In the zoo..

Great Coral Reef..

Great Coral Reef diving..

Great Coral Reef..

Tropical forest and waterfall..

Cairns..

Diving on Great Coral Reef..

Japan with my family..

2010-05-17T23:05:00.000-07:00

I spent almost two weeks with my parents and brother in Japan.Where did we go? First was east part of Tokyo including Ueno, Akihabara, Asakusa, Ginza, Tsukiji fish market in the morning.. Then Hakone, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Yokohama and west part of Tokyo: Shibuya, Shinjuku, Odaiba, Harajuku.. Which place was the most interesting for them? Tokyo, Shibuya. What was the fastest one? For sure Shinkansen ^_^ They went also to Okinawa but due to work I couldn't join them. Here are some pictures from that amazing time.

Fish market in the morning.

Akihabara with funny Japanese guy.

Shibuya.

Fuji-san from train.

Shinkansen ;)

Kyoto.

Gardens in Osaka.

Osaka's castle.

^_^

Nara.

Kyoto.

Way back to Tokyo.

Pachinko and slots.

Shinjuku.

Kamakura.

From funny machine..

Ginza.

Hakone - Cedric forest.

Kyoto.

Hanami in Tokyo

2010-05-17T22:54:00.000-07:00

Although it's one month after hanami (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanami) and sakura (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cherry_blossom), I'm posting pictures from that event today. Before I didn't have time due to almost one month holiday (two weeks with my parents all around Japan and Golden Week, actually two weeks, in Australia).

So how does it look that amazing season in Japan? It's marvelous, amazing, picturesque etc. You can see some of my pictures below. It's a really nice time in Japan when you meet with your friends and celebrate cherry blossom by all day long picnic (sometimes even two days).

Tokyo - yoyogi park.

Tokyo - Shibuya.

Tokyo - ueno park.

Tokyo.. Tokyo.. Tokyo..

2010-03-25T08:50:00.000-07:00

Several pictures from Tokyo..

Metro..

Roppongi..

Roppongi.

Shibuya..

In izakaya..

EU-Japan centre Intermediate Session Report..

2010-03-22T19:20:00.000-07:00

So we are in a half way of our stay in Japan. As it is stated in our contracts we were supposed to make a presentation about our internship. Thus, all Vulcanus students from whole Japan came to Tokyo. It was a good occasion to speak about and exchange our experiences with Japanese companies.

Intermediate Session Report in EU-Japan center.

We had a chance to meet and speak with Irish minister of Education and Irish delegation which were visiting Japan.

NTT !!

2010-03-22T19:13:00.000-07:00

Preparing a presentation for Intermediate Session Report in EU-Japan center about my internship I took a lot of pictures in NTT facilities where I work currently.

My Japanese teachers.

Vulcanus students meeting place.

Food in NTT canteen.

Canteen.

Massage room. The best place to rest during a work. Some people sleep there if they miss the last bus home.

Massage room.

NTT - never ending corridor.

Sato-san - my supervisor.

My working place.

Sports hall. Usually it's empty. Sometimes we play there basketball or do other sports after work.

Gym.

Skiing in Hakuba/Happone..

2010-03-22T19:11:00.000-07:00

Second weekend in mountains. With Tsubasa and other friends from Tokyo we went to ski to Nagano/Happone in the the south part of Japanese main island. This time the weather was better. Maybe in the lower parts of mountains the sun was still covered by clouds. However, the higher parts were marvelous, sunny and amazing. During the second day of skiing, finally I felt the powder and unlimited speed..

The most mogul slope.

The highest slope.

Picturesque view from a run.

Lifts..

On the top.

Covered with snow.

In a restaurant.

Happone.

Up to the top.

Inside..

Long time ago, winter Olympic games took part here.

On the top.

Amazing views.

Tokyo Możdżer..

2010-03-22T19:08:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Polish embassy Leszek Możdżer gave a concert in Tokyo Main Dining.. A lot of Polish people (of course Japanese and other also) gathered there to watch a performance.

Polish table.. thanks to Kuba a whole table in a first row was booked for us ;)

Leszek Możdżer.

My apartment...

2010-03-22T19:06:00.000-07:00

This is my apartment in Japan.. One thing not presented here is a picturesque view from a balcony ;)

Long weekend in South Korea..

2010-03-22T19:03:00.000-07:00

Thanks to long weekend in Japan the opportunity to visit South Korea (and also a little bit of North Korea) became reality. At the airport we found out that plane had been delayed around 4 hours, so we had enough time to hang around Narita and check all fast-food spots. When we checked-in it turned out that our plane is really huge, almost like JamboJet. It wouldn't be surprising but the distance from Tokyo to Seoul is really short (around 3-4 hours). I have never seen such a big machine on a similar air-route in Europe. Usually they use small short-distance jets. Anyway, After arrival to Seoul we were welcomed by a freezing temperature..

All the pictures are placed in Picasa Album (link is on the right frame). Below you can find also links to Fabio's (my trip mate, Italian) Picasa Album containing pictures from the trip:

http://picasaweb.google.com/eldarfeatel/Seoul#

http://picasaweb.google.com/eldarfeatel/Panmunjom#

http://picasaweb.google.com/eldarfeatel/Suwon#

How is Korea? It is quite similar to Japan but everything is at least twice cheaper! If you come from Japan than Korea is like a paradise for you. You buy and buy everything you want.. You don't have to care about metro and last train, enjoy taxis ;) I met there a German guy living in China who told me that Korea is pretty expensive comparing to China.. So everything depends on a place you come from.

Street next to the hotel. Most of the buildings are quite low.

I was told that it is famous. Have no idea about that but it looks nice.

Do you still remember FIFA World Cup 2002?

On the first day we joined a one-day trip organized by local tourist agency to Korean Demilitarized Zone. It was unbelievable experience to see North Korean facilities and soldiers next to you and cross a border to North Korea inside one of the border buildings. There were a lot of safety instructions and rules. One of the most incomprehensible was a ban on wearing torn or faded jeans. Why? Because during the trip we were all the time observed by North Koran agents. They would use it as propaganda showing that people from west are so pour that they must wear old and worn-out clothes ;) Sandals were also forbidden just in case of emergency evacuation. We were lucky joining that trip because the following day all the trips were canceled due to bad weather conditions and poor visibility. Soldiers cancel the trips whenever they aren't able to see what North Korea is doing on their side.

Border between North and South Korea.

North Korea.

With South Korean Soldier.

Seoul..

Seoul tower.

Market in Seoul.

Seoul.

Seoul close to hotel..

In museum ;)

The second day we went to Swan. On of the biggest cities close to Seoul. Very beautiful mountain and its monuments are placed close to the city.

Swan..

On the top of the mountain.

Fish market in Swan.

Swan.

Seoul in the nigh.

Skiing in Japan..

2010-02-25T00:14:00.000-08:00

When first snow felt down it was already obvious that I will go to ski somehow and somewhere in Japan. Although here was just a little bit of white powder in Tokyo, it turned out that just 200 km from here there is a real winter, stronger even than that in Europe.

View from my balcony. First snow in Tokyo..

On my way to Ski resort.

The weather was so bad and road conditions were so sever that we were forced to upgrade the car with chains.

Me and blizzard. Almost no visibility.

GPS was more useful than front windshield.

Birthday party in F-bar Tokyo !!!

2010-02-25T00:00:00.000-08:00

Around three weeks before that event I thought about organizing a nice birthday party in some awesome place. The only one that came to my mind was f-bar Tokyo. Around 50 people invited, open bar for everybody, free karaoke room, strawberry birthday cake with cream and nice VIP sofas..! That was a fabulous night.

F-bar Tokyo..

With guests: Chicka, Geetika and Tsubasa.

My birthday cake :)

Trying to blow out..

My birthday cake :)

With the most funny and cute bodyguard..

Shibuya - that day before party..

Shibuya crossing - the most crowded one in the world.

Weekend in Osaka, Nara, Kobe..

2010-02-24T23:54:00.000-08:00

This is my trip to Osaka, Nara and Kobe. Why so far from Tokyo just for two days? Because of Yamayaki! Yamayaki is a traditional festival in Nara. It is the annual event full of fireworks (fireworks are not common in Japan during winter season) where a whole maintain is burned afterwords. Thus, the main point of that trip was Saturday evening in Nara. Anyway, all of those cities are really beautiful and worth to be visited. It was a really busy time in the West part of Japan. I took a night bus on Friday after work and returned directly to work on Monday..

Tokyo - Shinjuku in the evening - still full of Illuminations.

Tokyo - Shinjuku in the evening - still full of Illuminations

Osaka in the morning.

Real city dweller of Osaka town ;)

Osaka castle.

Skyscrapers in Osaka.

;)

Osaka.

Osaka castle.

Statue of Freedom in Osaka.

Yamayaki festival in Nara. Burning mountain!

Nara. This city is really famous because of its park where you can meet a lot of wild deers hanging around people.

Me and deer family.

The most spontaneous decision - renting a car just for 5 remaining hours in Osaka region. We went from Osaka directly to hot-springs in Kobe.

On my way.

Japanese technology..

Osaka.

Way to Kobe.

Machida and Tokyo..

2010-02-22T18:47:00.000-08:00

Next free weekend in Japan. Friday evening we met in Machida to eat dinner together (Vulcanus students). Then was bowling and funny pictures in a special Japanese machine..

Japanese food - prepared by us..

Japanese food..

Closer..

Bowling..

The following day I spent in Tokyo looking for nice clothes and hanging around downtown. There are plenty of marvelous spots to be visited. You can't do it just in one day. Every time you are there you can discover something new. Anyway clothes were too small for me..

It is a nice feeling to find some Polish elements in Japan.

Harajuku - one of the most famous streets/districts in Tokyo. Famous because of people dressed really strange.

Harajuku

Legible manual on how to use toilet - first time I have seen something like that. I thought it is quite obvious how to do it. Not here!

Tokyo from Government's tower.

Restaurant at the top of Tokyo..

Tokyo sightseeing..

2010-02-17T04:56:00.000-08:00

Weekend after New Year's Eve was devoted to sightseeing in Tokyo. Weather was awesome, many markets were opened, only Imperial Palace has been closed too early..

Close to Imperial Palace.

New Year's market.

Museum

Cinema - Avatar 3D..

Konrad at Cinema - Avatar 3D..

New Year's Eve in Tokyo..

2010-02-17T04:29:00.000-08:00

For the countdown I went to Roppongi district, close to Tokyo tower. After was Muse and sun rise in Diamond (Tokyo bay).

The New Year's Eve in Tokyo was, let’s say honestly, not the best one in my life..;) No fireworks, no real countdown.. almost nothing! My return flight was scheduled so early in order to see New Year's Eve in Japan. I expected like a huge countdown, fireworks... and there was just a little light show. It was so quiet.. Some friends warned me that is going to be like that but anyway I wanted to see New Year's Eve in Tokyo on my own. Somehow, it was worth to see something different, to feel Japanese culture in temple close to Tokyo tower;) In Poland around half an hour before countdown you feel like a third world war is going to begin. Tones of fireworks are fired by everybody after midnight.. ;)

Half Vulcanus half Japanese..

Tokyo tower at midnight..

In Japanese tradition the most important is the first sun rise of a year.

Me and the first sun rise in 2010!

Christmas time at Home..

2010-01-13T07:07:00.000-08:00

Like some of Vulcanus students I decided to go home for Christmas. Other people went e.g. to Hawaii, Okinawa, Thailand, New York, Hokkaido etc. Anyway, Christmas at Home, with family and friends is the best spent time. I couldn't imagine myself lying on a tropical island during that period. I was lucky flying to Europe because most of the airports were closed due to weather conditions (SNOW!) the next day after my arrival. I bought Christmas tree with my father and brother, decorated it with whole family and had a lot of fun with presents during Christmas Eve. First time after several years that special night was white. One day before New Year's Eve I have returned to Tokyo..

Airplane defrosting:

Poland/Szczecin:

Christmas tree:

Home sweet home..

Presents ;)

Christmas rabbit:

One of them is my cousin..

Winter's picture

Amsterdam.. way back to Tokyo..

Primary school, Shodo, Shinjuku Illuminations, Final presentation and reception..

2010-01-11T03:02:00.000-08:00

Several weeks before Christmas were incredibly busy. You will see why.. Now when I have begun an internship in NTT I have found some more time to bring up to date the blog. So the last days of Japanese classes were amazing (like always) supported by our extraordinary teachers. One sunny day we made an excursion to a primary school close to Ekoda. Why primary school? Generally, to see how regular Japanese school looks like but mostly to practice our Japanese language. Pupils there don't speak English!

My speech..

Still in our class with our sensei..

Lunch time..

We did Shodo (Japanese calligraphy) around week later:

Around week before my Christmas Holidays in Europe I went to see some illuminations in Tokyo downtown. It makes that city really picturesque.

The last day of classes came incredibly fast. However, when I am thinking about that four months it is both like a split of a second and ages (regarding things I have done during that time). Our last task was to prepare and present (of course in Japanese) a presentation about topic we've chosen before. Mine was Okinawa Prefecture.

With my chickens..

With my great teachers..

With our great coordinators..

certificate..

All together..

Afterwards there was a reception in Cervantes Institute.

With my teacher..

With my teachers..

Paella..

Food Exchange at EU-Japane centre

2009-12-09T05:52:00.000-08:00

One Sunday our centre staff organized for us Food Exchange. Everybody was supposed to prepare food from his country. Therefore, there were dishes from Spain, Poland, Italy, Romania, Finland, Estonia, Japan..Finally something tasty.. ;)

Thanks to our Japanese mother Sato-san we could try to prepare on our own Sushi and other traditional Japanese dishes.

The most expensive post-stamp I have ever bought. Necessary to receive re-entry permission to Japan.

Christmas Illumination in Roppongi Hills. Nowadays Tokyo is full of Illuminations..

Embassy of Poland in Tokyo..

2009-12-08T22:37:00.000-08:00

That day in the morning we were hanging around my neighbourhood taking pictures..

Here is my flat in one of those buildings.

Let's collect some oranges. It is high time!

Park next to my flat.

Afterwards we prepared ourself for a Christmas Reception in Embassy of Poland in Ebisu district. Heading there we met many polish people on our way. Finally we arrived to Embassy with Polish priest who has been living in Tokyo for 36 years..

With our ambassador.

With my friends.

After party in Shibuya:

School and Reception..

2009-12-06T04:57:00.000-08:00

Holidays "are over". School is back. However, thanks to our centre (EU-Japan) there are many events that we can participate. Lately there was one reception with students from Tokyo, PhDs and previous Vulcanus who stayed in Japan.

Okinawa 2009 !

2009-12-06T04:02:00.000-08:00

Extending (by myself..) long weekend I have found out 5 days off. So together with my family we decided to go to Okinawa around one week before. Although the weather in Tokyo is really enjoyable (around 20 degrees during a day) the weather in Okinawa is awesome now. Comparing to Europe it is a paradise.. All the pictures I have put like always in Picasa.

First of all, we took a flight from Haneda airport (second biggest airport in Tokyo) to Naha in Okinawa. Naha is a city placed in the south of Okinawa. It is a capitol of the Island. However, before going there all my Japanese friends warned me that I should leave that place as quick as it is possible. Naha is just a city like many others in Japan. Thus, you can't feel there the real atmosphere of Okinawa. So directly from the airport we went to the north of Okinawa. Our hotel was close to marina, Nago city and Ocean Expo Park (around 200 meters). Really good location. From the window we had a view on Minna island (small exotic island) and dolphinarium. Anyway, people from Okinawa are the most helpful in the world I could say. First day, when we arrived to the hotel, they took us by car to a restaurant. However, we didn't have any service like that included. The same happened when we ware leaving. Regarding food, it was incredibly tasty thanks to American restaurant..

First whole day we spent in Ocean Expo Park. It is a vast area full of small hidden exotic bitches, picturesque vantage points, botanic parks, various tropical trees, palms and other plants. There is also dolphin show, traditional Okinawa village and the most famous Aquarium with the largest screen in the world (the tank is second largest). It is an amazing place.

Following day we went to Minna island. Minna is a small tropical island in the Chinese see.1,5 hour was totally enough to walk around it. It is shape is like banana with Laguna inside.

The next day we spent in Nago city. Most of the time was devoted for sunbathing at the public beach almost in the centre of the city.

The flight back was a little bit like a nightmare due to weather conditions and turbulences.

Shinjuku and Yokohama..

2009-12-05T21:56:00.000-08:00

Having free Friday I decided to join in sightseeing my family (cousin with his wife) that came to visit me. Our first destination was Shinjuku with its all skyscrapers and vantage point at the top of one of them. It is amazing that it is for free. I can't imagine the same in Europe..

Tokyo - you can't see its end..

Later we went to visit Yokohama by day. Anyway, it is really close from Tokyo centre.

Our final destination was China Town in Yokohama with its all beauty..

Tea ceremony..

2009-12-05T00:40:00.000-08:00

Thanks to our Japanese mum and manager of EU-Japan centre Sato-san we were able to participate in a real Japanese tea ceremony. Following all the steps of that ritual was really enjoyable. However, Japanese tea tastes a little bit different than Lipton..

And one more thing about Japanese people. The temperature was around 10-12 degrees that day. However, Japanese pupils were having fun in puddle next to their school.. weird. I was freezing.

My new meishi and meditation..

2009-11-08T06:15:00.000-08:00

A meishi (名刺) is a Japanese business card.

Meditation with Japanese Buddhist monks in a temple out of Tokyo.

Medytacja polegała na siedzieniu przez pół godziny z zamknętymi oczami i wyprostowanymi plecami nie myśląc o niczym. Kto zasnął dostawał batem po plecach.. echo było niesamowite. Na szczęscie tylko kilka osób to spotkało.

Aizu Homestay, International Festival, Sightseeing..

2009-11-08T06:04:00.000-08:00

Last weekend was totally marvellous. 4 days in Aizu were perfectly organized by our EU-Japan centre. On Friday at 7.. we took Shinkansen and around 1,5 hour we reached our destination. First was a picturesque samurai castle. By the way, all the pictures from the trip are available in Picassa album (on the right).

Next, we headed to Aizu University for a lunch and some cultural activities.

In the evening we were welcomed in a hotel by local government. During reception I met my Japanese family and ate delicious dinner.

After Reception I was taken by family to a flat in Aizu where we ate some more snacks, drunk a wine, spoke about Europe, me, family, Japan etc. and went to sleep. The next day, early in the morning, we visited Samurai graveyard in Aizu (there is some really well known story about these Samurais).

Later we headed to a Shrime/Temple build on the rock around 25 km from Aizu (I don’t remember its name). Anyway, it was a very beautiful place with view on a lake and red bridges. Trees were awesome. As they said, trees were not あかい (red) but まっか (really red) ;) I met there some Vulcanus students.

Around 12 o’clock we had a picnic (obentos) in a picturesque park close to the temple. Our next destination was a family grandmother’s house 50 km from Aizu deep in the mountains where we were supposed to spend the next night. After arrival I spotted swirl in the forest next to the house resembling wood fire. They explained me that it is just a geyser.

Anyway, later I have found next one a little but further. In the afternoon I have visited the neighborhood on foot. With grandma I went to collect some vegetables from the small field.

I helped to prepare a dinner by cleaning the きのこ in the evening.

However, the best attraction of that evening was an indoor おんせん (hot springs). I was told that I can use it any time I want! The next day we headed back to Aizu. However, it was not a normal return. We took an old steam engine train. Before going to Festival, we visited さけ (sake) factory where I was able to taste their manufacture..

The next attraction of that day was an International Festival where we presented our countries mainly to Japanese people living in Aizu but not only.

Japanese family.

During last day we went to a Japanese old village, museum of a really famous doctor (in museum there was his humanoid behaving like a real man) from 1000 note and 5 colours lake.. After that we headed directly Tokyo.

Together with EU-Japan centre boss and manager.

The biggest Halloween and Pacyfic..

2009-11-03T05:38:00.000-08:00

Last week was totally marvellous. First, there was the biggest Halloween party in Tokyo for 2000 people! We dressed up our awesome Power-Ranger costumes after briefing in EU Centre. I'm blue one! We headed toward Alive club in Roppongi later.

The next day we went by bikes to a Pacific beach close to my flat. On my way I got flat tire.. It took me 2 hours to fix it. Finally some Japanese mechanic at petrol station helped me. Anyway, water was great and the waves were amazing.

There was also company visit. I met my supervisor at NTT. He is really nice.

Tokyo International Film Festival

2009-10-24T23:43:00.000-07:00

On Thursday after school we went to Toho Cinemas Roppongi Hills to enjoy Tokyo International Film Festival. Due to lack of free tickets for most of the movies we took "In Another World" film. It is a document about worker from Italian Alps. The film was rather boring. However, the atmosphere and meeting with director was really great.

Afterwards we went to Roppongi to have a dinner with friends.

Roppongi Crossing. One of the most famous districts in Tokyo.

Our food ;)

After School..

2009-10-24T23:25:00.000-07:00

This and next week the classes are in Ueno, Akihabara International Language School instead of EU centre. Although around the school there are many interesting places, it takes me half an hour more to reach it from my house.. Anyway, we got used to go somewhere after school. Ueno Park is a good choice to relax ->

There are also some picturesque streets with lots of shops. Mainly see-food and everything related to this.

The next day there was a lecture about Japan history at EU centre.

Katakana spelling. This alphabet is supposed to be used with American words. So, every English word can be translated into katakana and used in Japanese. They do it often. However, it consists of different sounds so the words you hear are quite funny and many times unrecognisable.

Rush-hour return home. There is no free space in a car. I am tall so it is let's OK to me. Anyway I like strategy how Japanese people get to the car when it is full. It is awesome.I will try to put some clip about this one day.

Tokyo, school, lectures at EU center..

2009-10-21T07:39:00.000-07:00

This week I had one of the best lectures! Finally somebody was able to speak English.. and in a very interesting way. The lecture was about (see the picture). She explained the differences between Japan and rest of the world. So here are the main rules that I have remembered or found out by myself about Japan:

When you ask about sth and they say that it might be possible, may be possible or they are not sure. It generally means NO! It is impossible.. but they won't tell you that face to face.
When you ask about sth and they are hesitant but still are trying to answer.. don't waste your time, they won't answer..
When YOU are unsure about sth and they don't give you any clear answer.. Just Do It.. there won't be any problems.

A tak poza tym nigdy tutaj nie wycieraj nosa w husteczke! W miejsach publicznych wszyscy "wciągają".. :) Może i dziwnym się to wydawać ale tak jest. A jak jesz makaron to siorb tak głośno jak tylko potrafisz, wszyscy tu tak robią.

The next day there were lectures with my best teacher OKA. She always makes us laugh and cry happy tears. This day she wanted to teach us te-form and dictionary form of verbs..

In the evening there was a party and dinner with my friends. A cook gave me extra an NTT Pizza after I had told him that I am going to have a traineeship there. It was really nice.