Matsumoto #3:Nakayama Community Centre

This was during my first week here,was in Sports Medicine and on Thursday,followed Mayuko(Dr.Mayuko now. Ph.D =) ) to Nakayama Community Centre to collect data from the participants of the interval walking training programme,one of Mayuko's research study,supported by Jukunen Taiidagaku,a non-profit organization.

Before I arrived,I expected tons of people at the centre.I was wrong.dead wrong.Instead of having many many elderly,there were not more than 10.I was actually worried not bein able to communicate with them becz of the language barrier. =S Just as Mayuko and I arrived,the participants were chatting away,sipping on hot japanese green tea and munching on titbits.We were invited to join and the usual process of answering questions started.Where are you from?How long in will you be in Japan?What's your name?yadayadayada...Of course it wasn't in english,Mayuko translated for me =) As we were talking,I noticed snacks I've not seen before.A few pickled titbits...I thought after collecting the data and munching,it was done..No,they had a short exercise training after that.I was like "Huh??You're exercising after food???"Oh well...

It was fun too!I noticed the participants are all very very young-at-heart =) And they looked really healthy considering their age..Exercises was done..Laughin was done..Byebye was done..Took pictures..And done.We went back to the department..I'm in the midst of bloggin but now,I gotta run.Thus,the hurry..Sorry guys.. =) Catch up soon!!!

Shake shake shake..Use those muscles!

One of the result from the participants..The smiling girl means their result is good

JD Mate,the device used to measure the interval exercises..intensity and all..

Lovely,aint it?

The young-at-hearts...

SNacks they had..

I cant recall the name..

Carrot and Some japanese vege,its a type of root..

I love this!It's mashed sweet potato with pineapple..all mixed together..

Pickled "Chai Sim"..I think it's called Nobuzawana..smth like dat..Nagano prefecture's famous for this..

View of the building and surrounding it..

Chaoz...gotta run!loves!

Matsumoto #2:Sports Medicine

It's been 13 days since arriving here...Arrived here on Sunday,Jan 17th and my elective programme was gonna start the very next day.My elective programme consists of 4 different department each week.My first week was in the Sports Medicine Department....And I LOVE LOVE LOVE BEING THR!!!Of course,being a stranger in the department led me feeling a lil shy.My programme coordinator,Prof.Maki brought me to the department on Monday,met Prof.Nose(Nose Sensei,I call him) and was introduced to the people in that department.

"Yoroshiku-Onegai-Shimasu" was the first thing I said to Nose Sensei as I gave him a small bag of gifts after being introduced to him.It's a phrase to say when greeting and thanking someone where you are gettin/learning/asking a favour from that person.We then had a short briefin of what's gonna happen that week and I had to introduced myself and tell why I'm interested in that department.Almost every single one of them are active in sports I tell ya!Soccer aka. football,42km marathon,Kendo(Japanese fencing),blablabla...they're reli active ppl!Anyway....I was led to my own office space by Shizue,one of the assistant professors.I shared the same room with her and another assistant professor,YoshiIchiroKamijio,I simply call him Ichiro after a famous baseball player.

My own lil space

My first day there...Shizue explained some of the research and studies they were doing..and still doing..She explained her study,which involves mice,to compare the role of baroreflex control and the central pressor in heart rate.She also explained another study about effects of interval walking programme to the middle-aged and elderly done by Mayuko.Discussed and discussed and asked and asked...Then it was lunch time!=) After that,Shizue brought me to the experiment lab to observe her experiment....

See those boxes thr?There's a mouse in each box.They had their head cut open to insert electrodes to check their cerebral blood flow,and needle underneath their skin to detect bp and so forth.Poor lab rats.

Some of the equipments in the lab.

Last tuesday,I did my own VO2 peak test,a test to measure my maximum oxygen consumption. I was brought into the climate chamber room where they had bicycles,ECG,BP sets,n whole lot of other stuff.The temperature of the room was at 28degrees with a pressure of 718atm.I had to use a mask connected to the spirometer(a device which measures my O2 level) and all these things attached to me,cycled maintaining 60rpm against which increased every 3 minutes. I managed to continue for onli16minutes.The last minute was hell!It felt like my thigh muscles were gonna pull out from my bones!After results were taken,graphs were made and I compared my fitness level with other subjects as well.From the graphs,workload could then be calculated,which in turn means you can calculate your kilocalorie output.It was definitely interesting :)

Shizue puttin on the blood pressure cuff.

My reading as one point.

I felt like a lab rat.lol!

Then on Thursday,I went to Nakayama Community Centre in the morning(But I'll tell about it in the next post..hehe ) and in the afternun,one of the researcher in the department,Shige had to present his paper to lotsa ppl in town and I went as well.Which meant that I could go to town for abit!Shizue and I took the bus after lunch,and she brought me to this bakery-like shop.It sells all sorts of cakes and japanese traditional sweets.Most of them looked to pretty to be eaten,though.

Aint they all look pretty??

Dorayaki!!!Yummy!!They told me these dorayakis from this shop was one of the good ones!Filled with red beans content.YUM!!Look at the price for each...... =.=""

But the main reason Shizue brought me to town was to try the ice cream here.You don't have to do anything.Wait for Mr.Ice Cream Robot to get them for you =) Slot in a coin given by the cashier,pick your size,medium or large..It moves to your command.....

And voila!!!Huge fat-ass ice cream!!Creamy!Rich!Wafer cone was crispy!Halleluyah!Halleluyah! =P
They have different flavour each day too..Mine was strawberry..But it didn't taste like the ones back home.It tasted like it had a mixture of Fro-Yo and fresh strawberry. =)

Then we head on to the presentation.I was sleepy after that though*winks*

I did the same thing on Wednesday and Thurday.Following Ichiro on his experiments about the effect of Sports Drink.It was interesting but the waiting time was a lil bit boring at 1st,since I just observe.After awhile,I got to take urine sample(no big deal,I knw..But still,at least I got to do smth.. =P ) It was great also because I got to refresh my understanding about the circulation system from Ichiro,he asked questions that got me thinking alot.I loved it!

Ichiro(in orange) and the subject on Friday,Takake.A very nice lad too =)

After experiment on Friday,I get to check my own Hematocrit,Hemoglobin and Plasma Protein level.It wasn't as much excitement compared to observing an operation 1st hand,bt still new.At least I know how ppl do it =) Lotsa centrifuger and flame spectrometer and hand refractrometer..blablabla..point is,lotsa expensive equipments.

Shige,checkin the light absorption of the subject's hemoglobin.I did this with my blood too.

Reading my hematocrit level.

Friday finally came and it was my last day in the Sports Medicine Department.I love the people there and how much they're willing to share and teach.Nakajima-san,the secretary of the department was so so so so sweet!She asked Shizue to pass me this lil bear,they call kooma(Not sure of the spelling) when I was not there.I was touched!Like Seriously!

"Kooma"

The amazing ppl in Sports Medicine.I miss being there.
Back row,from left:Dont rmbr his name,Ichiro,Mayuko,Shige
Front row,from left:Shizue,me,Nose Sensei,Genno-san

And as usual,more pics in fb :) This week,I'm posted in Molecular Oncology Deparment.No comment.yet.Till next time!xoxo

I need to get lunch.hungry.

p/s:I'm going skiing this saturday!

Japan it is!

Remember when I was still wondering between Japan and Melbourne??Well,apparently my elective programme in Japan will start in mid Jan.which means it'll end around mid Feb(it takes 1month).which also means I would not be able to go to Melbourne with my parents fro the family trip February next year.which now means my flight ticket to melbourne will b wasted.bugger. =S I was reli hoping I could make it to Melbourne,bt jus like what my mum told me"Win some,Lose some" =P Anyway,application form has been sent and I'm still waiting for a reply on a confirmed date. Will update soon.

Right now,my mum has been asking me "what do u need to bring thr?","how much to bring to Japan?","how many winter clothings should you bring?",blablablabla...

oh wait.Gotta pick out winter clothes.

WINTER CLOTHES!!!!

I'm ACTUALLY gonna get winter clothings.

For actual WINTER SEASON.no fake snows and "shaved ice" occupying a room.WINTER SNOW!!

in JAPAN! -whoa!-


i think it just hit me tht I'm going thr.sorry =P

then again,u think there's a chance to b in melbourne after tht??hmmm....we'll see,we'll see...


*Lord,once again,thank you.*

SurpriseSurprise

Last friday was not the kind of day I expect to have at all.Well,besides the monthly visit. =.=""" Wasn't felling well that day and I was curling up in bed,tossing and turning,trying to get my mind out of the uncomfortable feeling.Tilll......I received a text from a friend,Mei Yee...

"You and Anthony got selected for the specials studies in Japan."

When I read the text at first,it didnt sink in.I was "occupied" with sleeping and resting,trying to make myself feel better.It was definitely a shocking surprised.Why??For one,when I registered my name for it,I js did it without havin the hope and excitement thinkin and believing tht I'll get selected for it.Two,I was busy thinking of the family trip to Melbourne in Feb my parents had already booked.So it would be kind of a waste of the air ticket if I do go over to Japan.Three,I was sort of confident that I wouldnt go because it would be financially heavy after all the "health chaos" going around in my family.

After resting for a moment and finally realising that I really was selected,I msged my mum and talked wif my parents and we cahtted sumore after tht.And as we were talking,I realised what actually had happened. Thinking back what I prayed for and how I acted towards this whole special studies thingy..This caught me.

"You see?u didnt think and worry too much bout whtr u'll get the spot.And u continued doing wat u do daily without reli hoping and expecting and wanting it from the flesh.But instead,You honestly,reli honestly did pray 'bout it.Pray not to have it,but prayed to Me that if it is My will for you to go,you will go.And if you were not selected,that I will gif u peace and comfort so that you wouldnt fret and be disappointed bout it.But to follow according to My timing."

It was a moment of self realisation.In my heart,I was "wow...now tht's how it feels to try not worrying bout things and leave it all to God.And it works!He actually does something without our understanding,but His.and His timing." That's wat I got from my Friday.Till now,the whole "going-to-Japan" thing hasnt reli sunk in yet. Honestly,I dont knw what I'm feeling bout it.I'm happy and definitely feel blessed to haf been selected.But at the same time...speechless.This is all oh-so-SURREAL.

I'm not saying that I've perfectly mastered the attitude of not worrying at all.But this incident definitely made me climb up a step in the process. Right now,I'm still unsure of the date we're going to Japan,but I'm reli prayin and hoping that it wouldnt clash wif my family trip to Melbourne early Feb.and definitely for FINANCIAL BREAKTHROUGH!!!At this moment,these does sometimes worries me.well,ok,most times. =.="" I'm learning Lord!hehhe =P

Matsumoto?

We'll see how things go and what's gonna happen this coming few weeks.My mum said surely thr's gonna be a way and timing for me to go for both places if it is God's will,yea?He blessed me to be selected.Surely it wouldnt go to waste. =)

Melbourne??

BOTH????

Right now,better just focus on studies and exams.

Hope some of you will be encouraged with this.Lotsa Love~

"Do not worry about tomorrow,for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of it's own."-Matthew 6:34


FYI:Special studies in Japan is somewhat like an elective programme,studying in different departments be it in the BasicScience or Clinical Division.

Rooftop BBQ

Pending entry #2 =)

I think this happened last July.We had a barbeque on the rooftop in the building where my friends and I stayed and it was awesome!!We wanted to haf a bbq for quite some time now and it was after exam,so timing was perfect!And we also wanted to haf it partly because of our fren,Meng hon's belated birthday...Had LOTS LOTS and LOTS of food!!I was so so stuffed till I could actually feel my stomach was ready to explode!Not joking!!

Pics below will tell wat happened =)

Views from the rooftop.To my surprise,the view from above DOES look good.It was windy tht night making d weather perfect!

It was extremely dark if it weren't for the table lamps..hehe Bumch of them gettin the food ready to be barbequed,I think.Look at the moon above,full moon right above us.Beautiful,no?

This will look even better if the cloud weren't blocking part of the moon.

Some of the food we had.Stemed sweetcorns,bbqed sausages.The green vege was for the tomatoe macaroni soup Emmy and I made.Well,it was more of me js being the sous chef..hahha But I did a fair share of work cooking it! Oh yea,I think the red coloured thingy in the greyish blue bowl were watermelons.Had so much of all these.

Also had "homemade" garlic bread,chicken wings(of coz!!)We prepared two types of flavour for the wings,Black Pepper and Barbeque Sauce.Both so yummy!!And see that rectangular white cube?It's "omochi".Barbequed,Wrapped with seaweed and Dipped in soy sauce....My Favourite!!!I just love the texture of it,and the taste of seaweed!I'm a huge addict for Japanese food by the way..*beams* Each of us had UNcountable number of wings and garlic bread.And a HUGE bowl of macaroni soup!Super stuffed!!!

After eating,or at least taking a break frm eating,we gave Meng Hon his belated birthday gift.Gave him a coffee maker.One tht's way better than the one he had before this and it broke!Hmm...I wonder whtr he still uses it??R U USING IT,Meng Hon?????

After stuffing ourselves with non-stop supply of oh-so-glorious food,Meng Hon tried using the coffee maker the 1st time with "I-dono-who's-coffee powder-it belongs-to" coffee..We tried some,and it taste SUPERB.....................NOT!!!! =( well,tht was what most of them said.to me it was ok.js bland ok.

Tht's it for now.Obligation #2 done. =) Wait up fr the nxt one aite!Want a piece of the garlic bread?

Discovery Walks & Pool Partay

Hey guys!!I know I've been constantly repeating myself that I'll post my pending entries. Just had an exam yesterday and it went reli well!!Practically slept the whole day today,did nothing,and I bet I'm not gonna sleep at all tonight.. =S Anyway,better start posting up my pending entries bout things happening in Bali last semester.So here's the 1st one.There's not gonna b lotsa words,more photo captions cause I'm just lazy to type now*winks*

Here's us in Kuta,i think it was after one of our exam,for our batch party.We usually haf a batch party once every semester.This time it was held in "Boardwalk",just beside Discovery Mall. We went to kuta earlier just to walk ard and hang out before the dinner party.I'll let the pics do the talkin =)

Walking in front of Discovery Mall,and as usual,lotsa tourists

What do u think he's guarding??

Sells condoms of all types,colours,taste and those "Made in China". When I saw "made in china",reli wondered will anyone buy them,considering news 'bout things made in China..lol! For those who have fetishes for those female japanese anime characters(and I'm guessing who r loners,hahah..jokes),if u wanna c them naked,head to "The Guard". Those for the kinky-hearted,various costumes are available.and I think they sell handcuffs too.. =S

Views of the mall inside

Pictures below are shots behind the mall.There's lounges,pub and restaurants behind the mall.And yes,there's a beach behind the mall.Great place to just chitchat,haf an ice cold beer if u like and just relax =)

I love this!Look how bright the sun is...

Japanese,Western or Indonesian cuisine?Your pick!

Lounge and Pub,"Ocean27",comes alive onli at night

The beach behind the mall,waiting fr the sun to set

Met with some of our indonesian classmates


And we're finally here!
Some of our batch gals

Tables and chairs were arranged right in the middle.The place isnt bad at all.Mingling around waiting for our food.I remember being reli hungry =P

My order:Penne Shank Pasta.It's really yummy!!

What is a pool party without a pool,right??

More updates coming soon!Stay tune! =) *hugs*Hugs*