No.29:The second day as a crew

Hi, good morning!

Today is the second day as a crew.

I’m at Santorini island.

This island is the part of Greece.

It hasn’t big port, so we use boat from the ship to Santorini.

I didn’t know that, so it’s so interesting!

I’m writing blog at cafe.

It’s sunny and calm, so beautiful day.

By the way, I’m trying to get used to ship’s life.

I have to catch up with their English speed, my role.

How can I do to me?

Just focus on right now, make mistakes as much as possible.

There are my policies.

It means being proactive to everything.

And whenever ask to me “what do I want to be?”

There are so important attitudes.

To be honest, I still have invisible anxiety.

But I hope I will be able to beat my negative feeling.

Do my best!

See you. 

Vol.28:Embarkation day

Hi, today finally I started working on a cruise ship.

I arrived at the port at 8:30am.

And then I submitted some document.

My cabin is two people cabin and is smaller than I guessed.

My cabin mate is Turkish guy.

He is so friendly.

Then I received my key, uniform and so on.

After putting in my luggage, I go around in my ship with my colleague.

He introduced about cruise ship in detail, I could understand where it is.

After introduction, I ate first lunch as a crew.

It was tasty to me.

Fortunately, there is another Japanese crew member.

I didn’t know about that.

She is also so kind to me, And she told me about the ship a lot.

I’ll start to work 1hour later.

To be honest, I have anxiety more than expectation.

But I’ll try my best!

Focus on right now, Trust in myself!

See you. 

Vol.27:Preparation for embarkation

Hi, finally I will embark on a cruise ship tomorrow.

It means to start working.

Today I have a free time for whole day.

So, I went to Athen by bus to buy something.

First of all, I bought T-Shirt.

Because I feel lack of T-shirt.

So I bought 2 t-shirt. Crew neck type and V neck type.

Then I bought battery for electronic dictionary.

Because my dictionary ran out of battery.

So I bought.

Then I bought book in English.

I tried to buy English book in Piraeus, There isn’t it.

Fortunately, I could bought in Athens.

When I bought, it has a little bit problem.

The staff said he hasn’t my change.

So I decided to break money by eating lunch.

He recommended seafood restaurant for me, I ate lunch there.

I ate bean salad, fried fish. In addition the staff provide me oil sardine for free.

All foods were so tasty,  and made my heart warm.

After that I came back book store.

I could buy a book.

I could have a good refresh and preparation.

Finally I’ll start to work.

Let’s go to unexpected days! 

Vol.26:Learn English like a baby

HI, let me tell about learning of English to myself.

Before I left Japan, I read one book. The name is “If you want to learn English, you need to make mistake as soon as possible”.

This book emphasis on how to make a mistake as soon as possible, as much as possible.

So it describes the tips of how to learn English with concrete way.

And it describes that it isn’t necessary to use dictionary and study grammar.

It is necessary to study from “Living English”.

It means we need to use like news paper, book, TV, movie.

Not need to use textbook.

It' like "I would learn like a baby".

Baby doesn’t use text book and dictionary.

But they can learn fundamental words.

So, I have tried this way since I read it.

Now I try to increase touching English.

For example, reading books, watching youtube, read news paper, talk with class mates as much as possible.

I will let you know the result of this method after finish my contract.

As much as, as soon as possible I will pile up my mistakes.

Of course to improve.

See you. 

Vol.25:Mental preparation

 Hi, let me write about mental preparation to work.

 Finally I will start to work at April 29.

I have a feeling of pressure and pleasure.

It’s not first time to work on a cruise ship, But It’s first time to work in few Japanese environment.

That’s why I feel it.

 

 So It’s important to have a good mental preparation. I think there are 3 important points.

At first, to try to have a communication as much as possible.

Because communication makes me improving my English and constructing good relation ships.

I keep my mind to be proactive.

At second, to try to have interest for everyone.

Through this attitude, I can understand each cultures, personality.

This is important attitude.

At last, to have a mind of contribution. It means I should have a respect and appreciation to our company. That makes me playing a role.

 I promise I always have 3 important attitudes. See you. 

Vol.24:The personality of Greek people

Hi, let me talk about the personality of Greek people.
Before starting, I apologize I could't write blog yesterday. So sorry.

I'm having a course which is  necessary for working on a cruise.

Then I always feel the difference of personality between Greek and Japanese.
Especially, about time.

 Let me tell you today's class.
In a schedule, we have a class from 8am to 3pm.
But always starts  at 8:30 am, and the rest always have over 30m(per 1hour), in addition lunch time has 1h30m.

Meanwhile, over half of class time is the rest. It' s too much!
They have so relaxed personality.

In contrast, how about in Japan.
Let me imagine in the same situation.

Probably the class starts on time, small rest is 10 to 15m, lunch time is 1h.
I can say it exactly.

I know Japanese is so strict to the  time more than other countries.
But I feel Greek people is too loose to the time.

I like these discovery very much.
I want to find these cultural difference more.

See you.

Vol.23:Some problems

Hi. I wanna write blog with long sentence, but I have some problem so just write short sentence.
I'm so sorry.

Tomorrow let me try to write better blog than today.

See you.

Vol.22: Grocery store in Greece

HI, let me talk about good store.

Yesterday, I found good store.
The store is grocery store at Pireaus.
The store deal with raw meat, olive oil, a lot of side dish made of vegetables.

To be honest, I already felt so boring to hotel's meal.
This isn't bad taste, but almost food is bread.
It's not good for health.
I felt I need to take vitamins from vegetable.

So I bought side dishes and some olives from the store.
It was so tasty!! The taste is what I need.
I felt my body also feel pleasure after eating them.

I decided not to eat hotel's meal anymore. haha
Since yesterday I would try to have a vegetable and fruits mainly.

Tomorrow, I will go to Athens with my classmate.
I really look forward to going.

I will let me tell about the tourism.

See you!

Vol.21:Day 3 in Greece

Hi, It's 5:30am in the morning.
This is third day in Greece.

I will have a orientation training as day 2 from 8am to 3pm today.

Let me tell you about my feeling to Greece.
The first point is personality.
They open their mind even if the first time to see. They are so kind and bright.
I feel Japanese need to have bright personality to someone.
We need to learn from Greek people.

The second point is price.
I feel Greek price is cheaper than Japan.
It's comfortable to buy everything.
I will investigate in big supermarket in Greece.

The third point is English skill.
Almost people can speak English.
So I can communicate with them smoothly.
Surprisingly, the 12% of English words are origin of Greek language.
For example, psychology and so on.
I want to learn these words deeply.

Tomorrow, I will let tell about the contents of

Vol.20:Day 2 in Greece

Hi, let me tell you about the second day in Greece.
Today I started to have orientation trainings.

The reason to have a orientation is to work on a cruise ship.
It's necessary to get 3 these certificates for working on a cruise ship.

The first course is "Basic Safety Course".
This course is to learn the fundamental knowledge about ships.
I will have this training for 7 hours per day until April 24.

So this is first day.
I studied about life boat and how to use tools in case of emergency.
I understood there a lot of kinds of boats and useful tools for the case of emergency.
At the end of class, I watched one video. This contents was real case of big accident.
Surprisingly, this accident was caused by one company which I worked for.
Of course I know this accident. Because it's known for one of the biggest tragedy in the cruise ship industry.

After watching video, I felt I should have more responsibility.

I will report day 2 of basic course.

See you.

Vol.19:Finally...

When I left from  Japan after 22 hrs, finally I could arrived at Greece.
I felt glad, but I feel tired more than glad.

I don't know what will be coming to me.
And to be honest I don't have high English speaking skill.
I just brush up it.

I will start an orientation training before embarkation.
To offer high quality service and preparation for emergency, I will learn basic knowledge about cruise ship.

I want to make good relation ships with my colleague.
My fight is just getting started.

Vol.18:The day has come

The day has come.

Hi, today I'll finally go for Greece late tonight.

I'm feeling excited and anxious.

It's first time to stay other countries over 8 months.

So I've always imagined many situations.

Through this experience. I want to obtain bigger scale.

I want to get used to new environment as much as possible.

I want to obtain survival skill.

Sorry for slipshod style.
See you.

Vol.17:Kamakura city

Hi, today let talk about Kamakura city briefly.

Kamakura city is one of the historical city in Japan. Also my home city.
Kamakura city belongs to Kanagawa prefecture and is next to Tokyo metropolis.
The population is about 172,000 people.

About 1000 years ago, Kamakura was capital of Japan.
We call the period  "Kamakura period".
It had continued from 1185 to 1333.
After that, it came to "Muromachi period".

Kamakura is famous for tourist spot.
Because Kamakura has a lot of attractions.
There are a lot of temples, shrines, historical building, delicious foods.
Recently a lot of tourist from other countries comes to Kamakura.
Sometimes I walk around main area of Kamakura, I'm surprised about a lot of foreign tourist.

For Japanese, Kamakura is also famous for enjoy sea bathing.
There are a lot of people to enjoy sea bathing in Kamakura.

Kamakura has a lot of fascinating aspects.
If you have opportunity to come to Japan, you must visit Kamakura!

If you have any question about Kamakura or others.
Please feel free to comment.

See you!

Vol.16:Japanese see Japan from another country.

Hi, today let me talk about Japanese.

I will leave from Japan two days later.
I feel pleasure including anxiety.
It's difficult to calm down my heart.

I have hoped I want to live in few Japanese environment.
Because I want to try my ability to live in the environment.
I thought living in few Japanese environment makes me more tough.
Finally I can find the answer of my question.

Recently the distance in the world is closer than ever before.
Because year by year we can buy flight tickets cheaper.
It is so good thing.

I feel Japanese people should make use of this chance.
Even if just going abroad, you can see new world.
It's so important for Japanese to see Japan from another country.
You can see Japan Objectively.

We need to have own opinion clearly.
We need to try to have your own shaft with your flexibility.

Vol.15:My baseball life.

Hi, today I let me talk about my history of baseball.

I have played baseball at 10 years old.
The reason I started is Japanese baseball player, Tsuyoshi Shinjo. I had a longing for him.
My position was left fielder. I had continued this position until in my high school.
After graduation from high school, I also continued playing baseball.
I decided to play as a pitcher.
Because I like throw ball more than batting. And I had had a longing for pitcher.
I enjoyed playing pitcher in my campus life.

After graduating university. I still have played baseball in rubber baseball team.
I play as a pitcher and third baseman. I play baseball twice a month.
I like our team. Our team mates always give me an energy.

I want to continue baseball regularly as long as possible.

Vol.14:The process of passing the interview.

Hi, let me tell you about the process of passing the interview.

I had wanted to work on a international cruise.
Since I finished working for an Italian cruise ship company, I had felt it.
Because it was so good experience to me working on it.
I could touch a lot of cultures from colleagues they have a lot of nationalities.
And I could find new awareness from them.

I had applied for a lot of cruise ship company, but the result was always failed.
Because I don't reach the English level they required.
The situation had been continued until the beginning of March.

One day, I received e-mail from one company.
The company I sent e-mail last December.
I hadn't received the message until March. But suddenly I received e-mail from them.
The recruiter described "Hi, if you are still interested in our company,  would you have an interview?"

I accepted his suggestion.
And though I had interview just one time, I could pass the interview.
I was so glad to hear that.
It takes so long time.

Finally I will leave Japan to Greece.
I'm very looking forward to working.
I decide I will receive everything, I will overcome them.

I'll upload my situation on a cruise ship.
Look forward!


If you have any question, please feel free give me comment on the comment box.

Vol.13:Preparation for going to Greece.

HI, today let me explain my feeling of going to Greece.

I will start to work for Greek cruise ship company.
My position is Japanese international host.

I'm really looking forward to starting to work.
But I also have anxious feeling.

I don't know what will happen around me.

What I can do is just focusing on this moment.

Vol.12:The difference Japanese cuisine(Washoku) and French cuisine

Hi, let me tell you about the difference of Japanese cuisine and French cuisine.
We call Japanese cuisine Washoku in Japan.

Recently, I feel the attraction of Japanese food more and more.
Because It has so deep world.
Of course I'm Japanese, I was going to realize the world.
But I didn't realized.
And also I like French. I feel it beautiful and rich taste.
We can enjoy not only tastes but also sights.

Let me explain about the difference by my words.
One of the biggest difference is approach to cuisine.
I feel Washoku focuses on "how to make use of strength of materials".
But French focuses on "how to make beautiful cuisine and add rich taste."

Traditional Washoku tends to have light taste.
In contrast, French tends to have rich taste.

It's interesting to guess why they has been these cuisine.

By the difference of mind to cuisine, cuisine has been evolved by their own way.

Vol.11:The moment realizing new my potential.

Hi, today let me tell you about my experience of a Italian cruise ship company.

I worked for an Italian cruise ship company from July, 2017 to September, 2017.
The reason of working for this company is introduction of my friends.
I also want to work in international environment.
After introduction, I applied this position.
Fortunately I could pass the interview, then I contracted for 2 month.
Why is the contract too short? Because our contract is only the period in Japanese sea cruise.

My position was Adult Animator. So I would be in charge of organizing parties and events as a MC.
Even though I hadn't had a experience of a MC.
So I was so nervous before starting job.
But it was not problem for me. Because surprisingly I could enjoy playing a role of MC!
And it was easy to make the guests cheering. That was the moment I realize my new potential.

I feel we usually limit my potential. Even though we haven't tried it.
So I recommend you to try something you are interested in and haven't experienced.
If you try it. You can find new aspect of yourself.

I also want to try to new thing whenever.

Vol.10:One of the reason why Japanese has long time working

Hi, let me talk about working time.

Japanese is said to be hard worker. I think it is right.
Recently, I'm interested in working time of other countries.
So I usually check these web news and article.

Recently I read the article about Germany. I was surprised.
Because they can go home at 5pm.
It's not be able to Japanese worker except public officials(of course depends on the departments).
Because almost Japanese worker work so long time.
It's common to Japanese worker to work until 9pm.
When I worked for it company, I also do long time working.

Why do Japanese workers work so long time?
There are a lot of reason I guess. But today let me focus on only one reason to explain.
The reason is a sense of labor.
It's important for Japanese to obtain good process than to get good result.
Japanese workers praise long time working.
Because it is certification to make a good effort.
Even if they can't get good result. Also I can say they think long time working is beautiful.
That is one of the reason.

I want to talk about long time working more, so next time let me talk about this topic from another
view point.

If you have any questions and have topics you want to know, please feel free to ask me on the comment box.

See you!

Vol.9:About Hakata Tonkotsu Ramen.

Hi, let me talk about Japanese ramen.

There are a lot of tastes in Japan ramen.
If you have been to Japan and eaten ramen, you were surprised about the range of difference.

Originally, origin of Japanese ramen is China.
This is soy source taste. We can also eat this type at Chinese restaurant in Japan.
Japanese have evolved this type of ramen. Even now continuing.

Today let me explain a characteristic ramen, Hakata-Tonkotsu-Ramen(Hakata-Pork born-Ramen ).
As its the names, you can eat in Hakata, Fukuoka, but also in all over Japan.
The soup is white, the shape of noodles are straight and thin, standard ingredients are chopped green onion and thinly sliced cloud ear and Char-siu pork(Pork stewed in soy sauce).
It has so rich taste.
Also has a enjoyable point. First point is to choose the firmness of noodles.
You can choose three types of firmness, katame(Hard),  futsuu(normal), yawarakame(soft).
Depends on the shop, there are over 7 kinds of firmness you can choose.

If you want to eat Tonkotsu Ramen, please search on Tabelog.

If you have any question, please feel free ask me on the comment field.

See you!

Vol.8:Planet has limited resources

Hi, let me tell about the Sustainability.

I feel our planet has limited of nature and resources.
But human abuses the blessing of nature.
We can't continue wasting and abusing life style.

I like one company. The name is Patagonia. This is outdoor clothing maker.
Also known for high quality and famous bland in the world.
Even though the company is quite big, but they seriously think about our planet.
The definition of the word "business" for Patagonia's member is the tool to protect our planet.
I was impressed to hear that. Since I knew Patagonia, I have searched Patagonia's article and movie.
I think they are one of role models of wasting society.

We can take care of our life style as much as possible.
For example, we can change the world even in only shopping.
Is it really necessary to buy it? Does the food have possibility to trash?
Let's start first to reconsider our life style of consumption.

I want to found a company like Patagonia in the future.
And I also hope gradually sustainable companies are increasing.

Vol.7:About a cruise ship company I will work for.

Hi, let me talk about the company I will work for.

I will work for a Greek cruise ship company.

This company is Greek company, but the head quarter is in Cyprus.

They have 3 ships, they are also small size compared to other cruise ship companies.

It was so big survival among big companies.

One of my interesting point is they have strategy of niche.

Because big international cruise ship company tends to build big ships.

But our company runs only small ships. I think it is great point.

So let me think about each merit and demerit of big ships and small ship.

What is merit of small ship?

The merit is to be able to go to ports which is be able to come only small ship.

There are a lot of ports only small ships come.

And another merit is to offer personalized service.

If in the big cruise ship, it’s difficult to offer personalized service physically.

But it’s easier for small cruise ship to offer the service than big one.

And let’s think about what’s the demerit of small cruise ship.

It’s difficult to build a lot of onboard activity.

For example, American company, Royal Caribbean has the biggest cruise ships and second largest cruise ship in the world.

They have big pool including water slider, ice skate link, large theater, big town, and a lot of restaurant.

In other words, the guests can enjoy just in the cruise ship.

But small ships have solution. It’s so simple.

Because small ships go to excellent port of call. That’s it.

If don’t have a lot of activity in the cruise ship, just go to great place by ships.

I think both large one and small one has each fascinations.

It’s important to find good point. Not bad point.

If I come up with idea to write about cruise ship, I’ll let me write about it.

I also write blog in Japanese everyday.

If you are interested in. please check it!

See you! 

Vol.6:The difference of Major League Baseball and Nippon Professional Baseball

Hi, today let me talk about the difference of MLB and NPB.

MLB is American professional baseball league. The league is known for the best baseball league in the world.
NPB is Japanese professional baseball league.

I think the biggest difference is quality of play.
Because MLB has more big scale than NPB.
When it comes to batter, Batter of MLB is more powerful than NPB.
MLB's batter can hit home run the outside ball, but it's rare case to NPB's batter to hit home run the outside ball.

I can also see the difference of  in fielder.
For example it's different from the speed of throwing.
Especially Third Baseman and Short Stop.
You can easily realize the speed of throwing ball.
MLB players can throw the ball faster than NPB.

Until these comment, I told the excellence of MLB player.
But I think NPB pitchers are better than MLB.
NPB pitchers can't win the speed of ball. But they have good control and fielding.
I think these skills are top level in the world.

I expect that more Japanese player try to play in MLB.
The actions make NPB stronger.

I want to continue to enjoy to watch each baseball league.

Vol.5:Why did my parents named my name "Takumi"?

Hi,
Let me talk about origin of name.
Today's theme is why did my parents named my name "Takumi"?

My name Takumi writes "拓海" in Kanji.

They have two reason named my name.

First reason is Japanese famous artist, "Takuro Yoshida" written in Kanji is "拓郎 吉田"
My parents are big fan of the artist.
So they want to use his name and decide to choose his name"Taku(拓)"

Second reason is they wanted to be big scale person.
So they came up with to choose "海". It means "sea" in Japanese.
The meaning of ”拓” is cultivation. So combining these word means "cultivating sea".
It can feel big scale from my name.

And finally I was named Takumi.

We have exact reason of our name.
So if you don't know the reason of your name, let you hear the reason to your parents!

See you!

Vol.4:Characteristic of Japanese language

Hi,
Today let me talk about Japanese language.

At first, origin of Japanese is from China.
Our ancient have developed our language consulted by Chinese language.

We use 3 types of characters, we call them Kanji, Hiragana, Katakana.
Let me explain about them.
According to one estimate, there are over100,000 characters in Kanji.
But of course we can't use so many,  We use 3,000 characters.
And we have to learn about 2,000 characters until graduation of high school.

Hiragana and Katakana has 50 characters of each. They are different shape, but have same pronunciation.
So we combine 3 kinds of character.
Maybe Japanese is one of unique language in the world.

Also let me explain the characteristic of grammar.
I think Japanese grammar is more flexible than English.
Because English has positioning rules of the words, but Japanese also has positioning rules, but includes flexibility.
I guess the flexibility makes Japanese to feel difficult to learn English.


Please feel free to ask me in the comment area if you have a questions.

See you!

Vol.3:Why "Mose's Diary"?

Hi.

Today, I wrote about why I named this title of diary.

It is relate to my name. Because my name "Takumi" means like Mose. Speaking of Moses, he is prophet in Abrahamic regions and has a famous story he smashed up the sea. Maybe you can't understand it. Let me explain about it.

At first, My name is Takumi. Takumi writes 拓海 in Kanji. 拓 pronounces Taku, 海 pronounces mi.

拓 means the verb "cultivate" in English, 海 means the noun, "sea".

Combine them into 拓海 in Kanji,  Combine them into the mean"cultivate(open up) the sea".

Do you understand? In fact my name means "open up the sea", so I thought the situation is similar to Moses!
That's why I named this diary "Mose's Diary".

If you have question about me or something else, please feel free to write on comment column.

See you! 

Vol.2About Japanese Sake

Hi, let me tell you about the fascination Japanese Sake.

According to one estimate, The origin of Sake was made in 5000 years ago.

Now, there are over 1,500 Sake breweries in Japan.

Sake is national drink in Japan and become popular in Japan.

I tell you more detail.

Sake is made from rice.

The alcohol content is about 12 to 18%.

It feels little strong.

We can feel sweet taste, hot taste, rich taste, sharpness taste from each Sake.

The more to know Sake, the more to be able to notice that I have to know.

It has so deep world.

We choose Sake depends on Cuisine. Because they interact with taste with them.

I also like it.

I usually drink a cup of sake every night.

When you come to Japan, you should try it!

Vol.1:First post

Hi, my name is Takumi Ikeda.

This is first post today, so let me introduce in myself briefly.

First of all, I have two purposes of writing blog.

The first one is to blush up my English skill.

Second reason is to try to know about Japanese to people from different countries.

I'm was born in Japan, Kamakura.

I'm 24 years old.

I graduated from faculty of sports and heath of Hosei university in Japan.

I have two job experiences.

After graduation, I worked for Japanese IT company as a salesman and then I worked for an Italian cruise ship company as a host.

I'm part timer now. But I will start to work for a Greek cruise ship company in this April or May.

In my free time, I like to play tennis, read books.

That's my introduction. Thank you.