Osaka, 2018/10/26
I drafted this along the week from October 27th, 2018 up to November 5th, 2018. During that time, my family came to visit me in Osaka and more excitingly, my brother, his wife and his daughter will come too! I thought about writing it up. It was not an easy thing to write because often I face challenges that I was concerned in sharing because it sometimes gave other people the impression that I did not enjoy it. But that is not true. During these times, it was very easy for me to even enjoy the moments of those difficulties. I hope that now I have the full story in mind, I can show you all how fun it can be to have a holiday in Japan.
I woke up in the morning, already planned for the experiments I needed to finish that day. Also the sequence of doing those experiments so to avoid wasting time. I made a mental note to contact my mom and ask around what time will they (my mom and my dad) reach my apartment. I always feel bad when I cannot pick up my parents from the airport when they come visit me in Osaka. I was so grateful that they had arrange their own mode of transportation. I was slightly worried in case they have problems to speak in Japanese during transport, but I reassured myself that I should not underestimate my parents. The whole day I made sure I had all the stuff in the lab set up. The cells I needed to store, or prepare to survive several days.
I woke up in the morning, already planned for the experiments I needed to finish that day. Also the sequence of doing those experiments so to avoid wasting time. I made a mental note to contact my mom and ask around what time will they (my mom and my dad) reach my apartment. I always feel bad when I cannot pick up my parents from the airport when they come visit me in Osaka. I was so grateful that they had arrange their own mode of transportation. I was slightly worried in case they have problems to speak in Japanese during transport, but I reassured myself that I should not underestimate my parents. The whole day I made sure I had all the stuff in the lab set up. The cells I needed to store, or prepare to survive several days.
It was definitely quite a challenging time. The thing is, I am not really good at getting rid of my source of anxiety. During that time, in my head I had the tight schedule in my head. Friday, parents arrived. Saturday, my brother (Bang Andre), his wife (Astrid) and his 2 years old daughter (Alka) would arrive. After which we will take the train directly to Tokyo Disneyland. Sunday and Monday, Disneyland. Tuesday, travel back to Osaka in the morning, then in the evening I had my individual meeting with my Sensei about my research progress. Wednesday was the day of my progress presentation to other lab members. This was quite a big thing because I had to report all the progress from the beginning until that point. Thursday to Saturday, work on the days followed with outing with my family in the evening.
It was... exciting. Anxiety-inducing.
The thing is... I have thought about it all, and I realize that for all that, I have done all the necessary preparations. Yes, even for the meeting and presentation. But, it was just really hard to feel calm when the schedule is that crowded.
My Mom texted me at 17.00 and said they were leaving Kobe and on the way to Osaka. After that I promptly packed up in the lab. Ensured all my equipment and resources were in order, then swiftly went back to the apartment to cleanup. My parents arrived with a minibus on around 17.45. We were really grateful to the provided transportation. The driver was very nice and polite too.
Right after we went for dinner and I was not sure where to bring them for dinner. I lived in a sub-urban area and going anywhere require quite a significant distant to walk. It was made worse with the rain which somehow just started falling as we went out the door. Thankfully there is a nearby well-stocked 7-11 near my apartment, and in these moments I am thankful to how acceptable the quality of products they have over there. I am also thankful at my parents' adventurousness to explore convenience store food.
After obtaining some sustenance we went back to the apartment, and true to their nature, my father picked up the guitar and started softly playing Beatles songs. My mother began tidying up suitcases and selecting which suitcase to take for the journey. While I went back to the lab to finish up some more things and prepare for my presentation that will occur right after we came back from Tokyo later that week.
It was only slightly difficult to sleep that night. I was tired but I was also aware of the necessity to wake up super early the next morning. Because we had to pick up Bang Andre, Astrid and Alka! uuuu, so exciting!
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| Obligatory selfie after they observe my wreck of a room |
After obtaining some sustenance we went back to the apartment, and true to their nature, my father picked up the guitar and started softly playing Beatles songs. My mother began tidying up suitcases and selecting which suitcase to take for the journey. While I went back to the lab to finish up some more things and prepare for my presentation that will occur right after we came back from Tokyo later that week.
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| True to their nature. I love them. |
It was only slightly difficult to sleep that night. I was tired but I was also aware of the necessity to wake up super early the next morning. Because we had to pick up Bang Andre, Astrid and Alka! uuuu, so exciting!
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