What I look for every morning

Every morning I walk to the office, It is about a 15 -20 minute walk. I head out of the hotel and take my normal path. Today I realized that I would only take this walk a couple more times before I head home. As I have said before the streets are rather busy in the mornings with people heading to work. I often wonder if I would recognize the same people going the same route as I do, I surprisingly don't. I make a stop at my convenience store to get my Soda. They don't care Diet Soda so I get Pepsi Next and a snack, just in case the food of the day is not to my liking. To pay for the items, I have to watch the monitor for the total because I do not understand what they are saying. The first week I would fumble in my change purse trying to find the correct change. Coins are used up to 1000 yen ($10) so I feel so awkward trying to find the correct amount of money for things, too many coins to sort through.. Also, I am finally confident in some of my Japanese phrases, so I can say them to people. "Arigatou Gozaimas" I say as I leave. I turn the corner to the street our office is on. I like this walk, I cross a bridge that has decorated Lamp posts, brick side walks. Actually the sidewalks here have so much character, they aren't just slabs of concrete we have in the US. As I am walking I pass another store which has a designated smoking area.

As I get closer to the office, everyday I pray that the window to the 12th floor is open, this means it is cooler in the office. Today it was, I took a picture. The open window is the black spot . Every morning there is a lady cleaning the steps out side the office on her hands and knees. The doorman says good morning in Japanese and does a slight bow. I smile and nod and say nothing, although this week I think that I shocked him when I mumbled the polite Japanese way of Saying hi "ohayou gozaimas" I am determined to say goodnight properly before I leave Japan. I take the elevator to the 12th floor. There are so many rules in Japan, You don't talk in elevators, you hit the "close door" button as you exit the elevator, you ride the escalator on the left, the right is for those that want to climb the stairs.

The days go fast here, which is nice, Training has been going well. depending on the person there are some language barriers. Most of the programs that I have been training them on are in Japanese , the team members are amazed that I know where everything is still. I love teaching them because they take notes, ask questions, make screen shots the attention to detail amazes me. No wonder they open so many accounts. They are so concerned about learning and doing it right. Maybe we should send Aussie Sales team here to be trained. (sorry, still reeling from the meeting today...................)

Most days Emily and I go to lunch together. Lunch is quick. My mom would not survive in the restaurants, they smoke like mad here. I get back to the office and sometimes I smell like I have been at a bar. UGH. That is one area the Japanese are not polite about. Afternoon is training and answering questions. This week they have been more on their own regarding performing their duties. I have been here to answer questions and make sure they understand. Also, this week I have been on my own for dinner, it has been nice, but I stick to the familiar and don't venture too far out. I am tired of trying to be brave with unknown foods. ha.