I think to make friends in London is very difficult.
No, it's more 'difficult to make friends beyond your nationalities'.
I think London is pretty mixed city. You see a lot of couples who have different ethnic backgrounds.
But, to make friends, I think they stay in their community.
British make friends with British (or Aussies, Americans)
French with French
Italian with Italian
Japanese with Japanese
It sounds strange but I don't like to make friends with Japanese people in London. I feel strange. If you want to have Japanese friends so much, why you don't stay in Japan?? There are tons of Japanese! Also, I don't like the competition among them. To live abroad is still special to Japanese, so there are always competition. Who's best speaker of English, who's the most popular one, who's foreign friends most...! I was tired of this.
I've been writing netgative thing, but I simply like to make friends of different nationalities! I am alwasy curisous in other culture, so I like to make friends of different nationalities.
I think if I could speak English very fluently like Northen European people, I would be able to make friends easily. But, who cares to make friends who don't speak English very well??
Ah, I should stop moaning. I really do.
I've been feeling lonely recently. I don't know why.
I don't have many friends here, so I should try to meet more people. Be positive!
(ahh, this post is really bad. No structure at all!)
Friday, 12 October 2012
Thursday, 11 October 2012
Free online yoga
I think I've been doing yoga more than 2 years now. I'm not the person 'I love yoga! Yoga is my life!'. I do simply because it works for my body. If I haven't done yoga once a week, I start to have headache, feel stiff on my shoulders.
There are a lot of yoga classes in London. Also, big gyms, such as Virgin and Fitness First have yoga lessons as well.
The price of yoga lesson is relatively cheaper. The price around £7 - £10 for pay as you go lesson.
I've never attended free course. It seems to be bit dodgy...
I will write in next post, but the lesson I currenly attend is £7 for 60 mins.
My yoga freind recently introduced me the great website called Yoga Today.
They offer free online yog every week!
The free video, I was surprised how good quality. I couldn't believe the video was free of charge!
They offer 3 differents account.
I go to Yoga once a wekk, but if I do more than that, it will be very beneficial to my body ;)
There are a lot of yoga classes in London. Also, big gyms, such as Virgin and Fitness First have yoga lessons as well.
The price of yoga lesson is relatively cheaper. The price around £7 - £10 for pay as you go lesson.
I've never attended free course. It seems to be bit dodgy...
I will write in next post, but the lesson I currenly attend is £7 for 60 mins.
My yoga freind recently introduced me the great website called Yoga Today.
They offer free online yog every week!
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| © 2012 Yoga Today |
The free video, I was surprised how good quality. I couldn't believe the video was free of charge!
They offer 3 differents account.
- Free account - You can watch free videos only. But, you can purchase the video.
- 3 months contract (prepaid) - $29.97. For 3 months, you can watch as much as you want.
- 1 year contract (prepaid) - $89.95. Absolutely you can watch any videos for a year.
I go to Yoga once a wekk, but if I do more than that, it will be very beneficial to my body ;)
Wednesday, 10 October 2012
Flower @Columbia road
Columbia Road is famous for the flower market. There are a lot of shops (stalls?) in the road.
It's only held on Sundays from 8am until 3pm.
The place is a bit hard to get there. The nearest station is probably Hoxton, Overground station.
I walked from Shoreditch High street, Overground station.
But, actually there are a lot of people holding bunches of flowers, so just try to find those people!
All the photos which I took hiddenly (how can I say in English??) I didn't have gut to take photos in front of owners. I'm sure they don't mind, but I am too shy to ask!
The place has lovely & independent cafes as well.
Towards the end of days, there are not much selection sometimes, but the price of a lot of flowers get reduced. I went there last Sunday, the Orchid was sold only £5.
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Columbia Road market
Bethnal Green, London E2
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The place is a bit hard to get there. The nearest station is probably Hoxton, Overground station.
I walked from Shoreditch High street, Overground station.
But, actually there are a lot of people holding bunches of flowers, so just try to find those people!
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| Chrysanthemum - not only symbol of Royal family but also funeral flowers in Japan! |
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| Most of shop owners are East Enders ;) Love their accent |
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| I love Hydrangea. The pot was £5! |
All the photos which I took hiddenly (how can I say in English??) I didn't have gut to take photos in front of owners. I'm sure they don't mind, but I am too shy to ask!
The place has lovely & independent cafes as well.
Towards the end of days, there are not much selection sometimes, but the price of a lot of flowers get reduced. I went there last Sunday, the Orchid was sold only £5.
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Columbia Road market
Bethnal Green, London E2
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Monday, 8 October 2012
Hiromi @Ronnie Scott's
As I mentioned in my previous post, I went to Ronnie Scott's to see Hiromi last Friday night, yei!!!!
Before going to Ronnie Scott's, I and my boyfriend were supposed to go to Byron to eat burger in Soho. Unfortunately due to out of order of their boiler, we couldn't eat there on that day. (Why so many boiler problems in Britain??) Instead of Byron, we went to honest burger. Honest burger is very popular burger shop in Brixton, and they opend soho branch recently. To be honest, I prefer Byron, but, it's nice to try!
... I will definitely write about 'Best burgers in London!'
The left photo is inside of Ronnie Scott's. But, actually you are NOT allowed to take pictures! When I took a photo, the waitress was really scary, so I thought she was joking!
Normally, I put the photo as big as possible, but this time, I sizedowned... I'm scared!
So, Hiromi's gig...
Ah, Hiromi is a Jazz pianist. You can check her here
OH MY GOD, it's amazing!!
When you are listening at Jazz bars, there are times that you feel you HAVE to crap your hands for musicians' skill. But, about Hiromi, she's just amazing every single seconds! Also, she really make flow, so you sometimes miss to crap your hands.
If you search 'Hiromi' in youtube, there are a lot of videos of her gigs.
(Yes, you have to check her gigs. I don't like studio recording sounds.)
I asked her to take a photo of her, but I don't think she wanted to do (sorry, Hiromi-san). You know, you can feel those feelings from the people.
I've read her interview once, and it said she cared about gigs, but she didn't really care about MC or after gig since she believed it was ok for her as long as she could deliberate her thankness to the customers.
Anyway, thank you Hiromi-san allowed me to take a picture of you!
If you want to see her gig, check Ronnie Scott's. She plays there at least once a year.
Before going to Ronnie Scott's, I and my boyfriend were supposed to go to Byron to eat burger in Soho. Unfortunately due to out of order of their boiler, we couldn't eat there on that day. (Why so many boiler problems in Britain??) Instead of Byron, we went to honest burger. Honest burger is very popular burger shop in Brixton, and they opend soho branch recently. To be honest, I prefer Byron, but, it's nice to try!
... I will definitely write about 'Best burgers in London!'
 |
| looks much nicer in real! |
Ronnie Scott's
 |
| Not allowed to take a photo |
Normally, I put the photo as big as possible, but this time, I sizedowned... I'm scared!
Ah, Hiromi is a Jazz pianist. You can check her here
OH MY GOD, it's amazing!!
When you are listening at Jazz bars, there are times that you feel you HAVE to crap your hands for musicians' skill. But, about Hiromi, she's just amazing every single seconds! Also, she really make flow, so you sometimes miss to crap your hands.
If you search 'Hiromi' in youtube, there are a lot of videos of her gigs.
(Yes, you have to check her gigs. I don't like studio recording sounds.)
 |
| Hiromi, the Jazz pianist |
I asked her to take a photo of her, but I don't think she wanted to do (sorry, Hiromi-san). You know, you can feel those feelings from the people.
I've read her interview once, and it said she cared about gigs, but she didn't really care about MC or after gig since she believed it was ok for her as long as she could deliberate her thankness to the customers.
Anyway, thank you Hiromi-san allowed me to take a picture of you!
If you want to see her gig, check Ronnie Scott's. She plays there at least once a year.
Friday, 5 October 2012
Jazz @London
I love Jazz ;)
I'm not the expert one, but I love Jazz. I don't like the classic Jazz, but I do like more funky style. I think it's because it's Acid Jazz boom when I was young!
However, I'm not a big fan of Jazz bar. It's too posh! Even very funky Jazz gig, you cannot dance. People just close eyes and moving their head... that's it. (I want to daaaaance!!)
Anyway, here are my recommended Jazz bars. All are very famous ones, so I'm sure you've been to or you've heard. I'm lazy to explore small Jazz bar...!
Yes, they serve drink and food, which are quite nice. Not cheap, but not expensive.
Very lovely venue, so it suits for dates ;) or company's Xmas venue. It locates in the right middle of Soho (easy access).
I went to this place only once, but this is absolutely my favourite place! It's a bit hidden place... you feel very special ('Oh yeah, I know London jazz scene!' ;p
Because of licence issue, you have to order food. I don't remember how much it is, but I only ordered the cake, so it must be expensive (or I wasn't hungry...!)
The tables are really close to the musician. The whole experience is really special!
*** It seems the place was moved to new place! Oh no!! Sorry, I don't know how it is now...
The ground floor is restaurant and bar. It seems very lovely. It is located in Dalston.
Dalston is used to be very dodgy area, but now it's very cool place. But, still better to be careful if it's late venue.
If you live in the West side, it's bit difficult to go there.
There are other places such as Jazz cafe in Covent garden and Jazz @ Pizz Express.
I will write them in the future.
The reason why I put down Jazz is I go to Ronnie Scott's today! yei!!
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Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club
The nearest tube station is Totteham Court Road and Leicester Square
47 Frith Street Frith Street London, W1D 4HT
The 606 Club
The nearest tube station is Fullham broadway
90 Lots Road London SW10 0QD
They moved to above address from Ealing.
Vortex Jazz Club
The nearest station is Dalston Kingsland and Dalston Junction (overground)
1 Gillett Square, London N16 8AZ
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I'm not the expert one, but I love Jazz. I don't like the classic Jazz, but I do like more funky style. I think it's because it's Acid Jazz boom when I was young!
However, I'm not a big fan of Jazz bar. It's too posh! Even very funky Jazz gig, you cannot dance. People just close eyes and moving their head... that's it. (I want to daaaaance!!)
Anyway, here are my recommended Jazz bars. All are very famous ones, so I'm sure you've been to or you've heard. I'm lazy to explore small Jazz bar...!
Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club
Ronnie Scott's is probably the most famous jazz bar in London. Quite famous musician plays this place. If musicians are pretty popular and your seats are not table reservation, I recommend you to queue earlier. Once, I had to stand whole the gig because all the seats were taken. Standing was not bad, but it's small venue, so I was really obstabcle for staffs serving drinks to customers...Yes, they serve drink and food, which are quite nice. Not cheap, but not expensive.
Very lovely venue, so it suits for dates ;) or company's Xmas venue. It locates in the right middle of Soho (easy access).
The 606 Club
I went to this place only once, but this is absolutely my favourite place! It's a bit hidden place... you feel very special ('Oh yeah, I know London jazz scene!' ;p
Because of licence issue, you have to order food. I don't remember how much it is, but I only ordered the cake, so it must be expensive (or I wasn't hungry...!)
The tables are really close to the musician. The whole experience is really special!
*** It seems the place was moved to new place! Oh no!! Sorry, I don't know how it is now...
Vortex Jazz Club
I thought Vortex was very famous jazz bar, but it's not crowded at all.. When my friend asked me go there, I was 'Oh my god! I'm going to Vortex! I should queue!!)', but it was no queue. Plus, all the staffs were volunteers.The ground floor is restaurant and bar. It seems very lovely. It is located in Dalston.
Dalston is used to be very dodgy area, but now it's very cool place. But, still better to be careful if it's late venue.
If you live in the West side, it's bit difficult to go there.
There are other places such as Jazz cafe in Covent garden and Jazz @ Pizz Express.
I will write them in the future.
The reason why I put down Jazz is I go to Ronnie Scott's today! yei!!
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Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club
The nearest tube station is Totteham Court Road and Leicester Square
47 Frith Street Frith Street London, W1D 4HT
The 606 Club
The nearest tube station is Fullham broadway
90 Lots Road London SW10 0QD
They moved to above address from Ealing.
Vortex Jazz Club
The nearest station is Dalston Kingsland and Dalston Junction (overground)
1 Gillett Square, London N16 8AZ
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Thursday, 4 October 2012
Work with British people
I went to our company's headoffice yesterday.
The office in London where I work has only Japanese people. I don't normally talk in English ... that's why my English level is still low ;( But, most of workes in our headoffice are British.
So, today I would like to write down 'to work with British people'. Because I am Japanese, it will be more compasiron with Japan.
I thought British people were direct, but, our company's British people are like Japanese. They don't like to tell people directly.
I had to tell my Japanese co-worker that her work was not good enough. I didn't want to tell her, but I was the only one who understood her work. So, I told her although I hated to do. But, actully all of my British colleagues knew about it, even our company president. They didn't want to tell her because our company's very small, but it's quite interesting thing.
I think my view 'British people tell directly' is probably coming from my image of American??
This 'human error' excuse, actually I love it! Yeah, we are human, we make mistakes.
When I had to do bit of customer support, I was alwasy jealous British team cause they could say 'I am sorry but it's human error'. If we said to Japanese customers, they would be furious! because it's unbelievable excure to Japanese.
In Japan, of course you can refuse, but you will b labelled as 'non-flexible person', and you will be treated as 'useless person' (unless you have very amazing skill or knowledge). I guess it's from Japan's 'cooperation' value. (Actually, I do jobs out of my job description, it's because I am curious!)
The above my comments contains criticism, but I guess it doesn't really matter nationalities to work with. It really depends on person, not nationality.
... this conclusion really denies my post!
Hmmm, I think I am still tired from my business trip to the headoffice!
The office in London where I work has only Japanese people. I don't normally talk in English ... that's why my English level is still low ;( But, most of workes in our headoffice are British.
So, today I would like to write down 'to work with British people'. Because I am Japanese, it will be more compasiron with Japan.
Don't like confrontation
Most of Japanese people don't like confrontation. Japanese are famous of the people who cannot say 'NO'.I thought British people were direct, but, our company's British people are like Japanese. They don't like to tell people directly.
I had to tell my Japanese co-worker that her work was not good enough. I didn't want to tell her, but I was the only one who understood her work. So, I told her although I hated to do. But, actully all of my British colleagues knew about it, even our company president. They didn't want to tell her because our company's very small, but it's quite interesting thing.
I think my view 'British people tell directly' is probably coming from my image of American??
Human error?!
This 'Human error' is very new to me. Some mistakes happens, people just let them go because of human error. That never happens in Japan! If there is some human errors happen, then we have to take some action to remove those human errors from now on. Discuss to remove future errors.. That's why we have so many extra working hours in Japan!This 'human error' excuse, actually I love it! Yeah, we are human, we make mistakes.
When I had to do bit of customer support, I was alwasy jealous British team cause they could say 'I am sorry but it's human error'. If we said to Japanese customers, they would be furious! because it's unbelievable excure to Japanese.
Do my job
It really depends people, but I think job description is more clearer in Britain rather than in Japan. People don't do other than their job description: they can refuse to do.In Japan, of course you can refuse, but you will b labelled as 'non-flexible person', and you will be treated as 'useless person' (unless you have very amazing skill or knowledge). I guess it's from Japan's 'cooperation' value. (Actually, I do jobs out of my job description, it's because I am curious!)
The above my comments contains criticism, but I guess it doesn't really matter nationalities to work with. It really depends on person, not nationality.
... this conclusion really denies my post!
Hmmm, I think I am still tired from my business trip to the headoffice!
Tuesday, 2 October 2012
Floatation therapy
I went to City Relaxation Centre to experience the floatation therapy on last Sunday.
One of my best friends gave me the voucher of this therapy for my birthday (She's sooooo sweet!)
The staff in City Relaxation Centre explained to me that you would experience the gravity zero World. It help to refresh and relax both physically and mentally, and it even cures the blood circulation.
I? ... no, rather I felt I wouldn't do that again. I don't know because of the small tank or no ear plugs, but I was sick after the session... I felt I got carsick. But, this may be the whole point of this cause this is the gravity zero World...!?
The venue, City Relaxation Centr, is ok. The staff is very friendly guy, so I don't want to say bad about that place. However, you can see the place is owned by a 'MAN' (sorry no offence). Not really 'Relaxation place' atmosphere. But, again the staff is lovely.
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City Relaxation Centre
The nearest station is South Quay (DLR). 2 minutes walk. A bit difficult to find a place. Better to check the google map before you go.
23 Skylines Village, London E14 9TS
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One of my best friends gave me the voucher of this therapy for my birthday (She's sooooo sweet!)
What is Floatation Therapy?
Floatation therapy is a method of rest. Basically, you float in very high salt water. Imagine people floating on the dead sea. It's like that... sorry I am not good at explaining... better to read the wikipedia page.The staff in City Relaxation Centre explained to me that you would experience the gravity zero World. It help to refresh and relax both physically and mentally, and it even cures the blood circulation.
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| Ta da! Here is the tank! |
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| I was in the tank... pretty scary! |
Tips for floatation therapy
You'll get the explanation before starting, such as 'Don't touch your eyes' thing, but here are my tips for the therapy.- Don't do if you have any scars!
I had my fingers cut. It's really hurt! ... I was very stupid! How couldn't I notice it? - Don't forget the ear plug!
The staff forgot giving me the ear plugs. I was annoyed the water came into my ears during the whole session... yep, I was stupid! - Don't do if you are chrostophobic!
Pretty small tank...
I? ... no, rather I felt I wouldn't do that again. I don't know because of the small tank or no ear plugs, but I was sick after the session... I felt I got carsick. But, this may be the whole point of this cause this is the gravity zero World...!?
The venue, City Relaxation Centr, is ok. The staff is very friendly guy, so I don't want to say bad about that place. However, you can see the place is owned by a 'MAN' (sorry no offence). Not really 'Relaxation place' atmosphere. But, again the staff is lovely.
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City Relaxation Centre
The nearest station is South Quay (DLR). 2 minutes walk. A bit difficult to find a place. Better to check the google map before you go.
23 Skylines Village, London E14 9TS
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