Dentist-2

As scheduled, I went to the dentist on 25 September. Fortunately, my tooth wasn’t hurt till my treatment date. So, it wasn’t scary for me to go there. All I need is to have my filling fixed. In Japan, the filling is made by metal after making a plaster cast of teeth, so the treatment isn’t finished in one day. A dentist took the form of a tooth and ordered a metal crown for it. Usually after one week, the crown is ready and the dentist puts it on my tooth. I thought the procedure was the same here. However it wasn’t the same.

At first I explained that I had all my teeth checked in Japan before my coming to Manchester. Then my dentist told me he didn’t do any extra check for my teeth and just put a new filling where the previous one ripped off. He told me it’s easy and will finish immediately.

He didn’t use metal, but something white and special filling. He didn’t make a cast of teeth, so I was happy that my treatment was finished one day, but I wasn’t 100% happy with this treatment. It’s not solid like metal, and the problem is that the filling is smaller than the previous one. It covers the top of the tooth, but the size is the required minimum. Every time I eat food, something is stuck between the teeth. It’s uncomfortable.

This treatment fee was 55 pounds (about 12,650yen). I can afford this without a insurance. The current insurance costs 30 pounds (about 6,900 yen) per month for two persons, and they cover just 75% of payment of the treatment. So, if my teeth are fine for more than one month from now, it’s cheaper to pay 100% treatment fee and cancel my insurance for teeth. However, my teeth may be in a bad condition again soon.

In the meantime, I joined International women’s gathering meeting at International Society. It’s a society by some of universities in Manchester. They gave us information about NHS, medical insurance and TV licence or anything we ask. I asked about insurance for teeth. They said there are some dentists who accept NHS (free medical insurance) registration. If I could register a dentist with NHS, I can cancel my private insurance. So, I went another dentist for NHS registration. They said, however, I have to be in a queue for NHS registration. They will call me as soon as possible.

“How long does it usually take?” I asked.

“Three months.” was the reply.

What a great “ASAP” in England!

OK I will pay my private insurance at least three months.

Customer service

In a rainy day, there are few customers at the supermarket I am working. So, the British owner gave me a lecture how to do “customer service” in England. From my point of view, customers asked me questions if they have an interest in something. So, I usually wait to be asked by them. However, he told me I should speak to them first. He says, “they are your friends and don’t be afraid to speak out.”

Actually when I shop at a department store, usually people working there come and give me detailed information about items. I thought it’s just they like talking, but my boss says that is the English way of customer service and it would be worth for me to learn. When in Manchester do as the Manc do :) My boss and I did role play and I practiced explaining items.

At first I was afraid to pick up phone calls, but now I am ok with it. So, I hope it would be OK to speak to customers soon.

Japanese foods

It’s sometimes difficult to explain Japanese foods in English. Now I work at Japanese super market and sell Japanese foods. The majority of customers are not Japanese but international people, especially university students. The location is close to some universities, and also the shop offers discount to the students. Many people who are interested in Japan visit the shop. Some of them bow to me when they enter the shop. Usually bowing persons speak some Japanese.

This is an interesting place for me to work. I need to answer questions about Japanese foods. Sometimes it’s like a quiz. When a customer asked “seven different kinds of spice”, I thought a little and showed “七味”, it was bingo. Some people asked me my recommendation about the selection of instant ramen. The shop have five types of it, i.e.しょうゆ、みそ、塩、カレー and とんこつ. I can translate them into English, such as soy sauce, miso (need no translation), salt, curry. But TONKOTSU....., how could I describe this? If anyone has good idea to explain Tonkotsu, please let me know.

People also ask how Natto tastes like. Well, it is quite difficult to explain the taste to people who have never eaten the food. Also I was asked how to prepare dip for Tempura. I think one could use Udon or Soba soup (mentsuyu) for Tempura, however, I don’t know whether the standard one (tentsuyu) is available in U.K. I have to learn how to cook standard Japanese dishes with stuff available here.

Dentist

I bought my traveller's insurance before coming to Manchester. However it doesn’t cover dental treatment. So, I went to dentist before I left Japan and checked all my teeth. It should be fine in two years according to my Japanese dentist.

Suddenly, one of my stuff of covering the treated tooth was ripped off. It doesn’t hurt now, but it could hurt soon. In England, if I stay here longer than 6 months, I can join NHS. It’s free medical insurance. I searched a dentist which accepts NHS and visited there. They said “we don’t accept NHS at moment.” They only accept a person who has private insurance. There is private insurance specialized to dental care. It costs 30 pounds (about 6,900 yen) per month for two persons. I had no choice. I bought it and went to the dentist again. They said, “Even with your private insurance, you need to pay 45 pounds (about 10,350 yen) for registration and a doctor will tell you about treatment fee when you talk with him”. 45 pounds just for registration, it costs a lot!

Moreover, the insurance doesn’t cover 100% of treatment fee. As a procedure, I need to pay 100% for treatment fee and then claim to the insurance company and they pay me back 75% of treatment fee. However the insurance company sets some maximum limit to cover, so I am not sure how much I need to pay for my tooth treatment. My appointment is on 25 September. I will see how it goes.

New job

Starting something is very exciting. I finished my first training day for my new job. After finishing two days training, I will start my work without support.

My work starts with cleaning the shop. It’s not a busy shop, so if customers come I do cashier work. Other times I display goods for sale, put price tags and check the items. Customers are people who are interested in Japan. So, I can enjoy communicating with them. The shop sells Korean items, too. I was asked about the taste of Korean drink however, I had no clue about it because all explanation was written in Hangeul. I should taste it for next time people ask me. The shop sells rice, miso, green tea, tofu, frozen natto, Asahi beer, Sake, Japanese sweets and many more. An interesting item is a frozen Unagi (eel). My colleague told me it’s tasty. OK I will buy it when I get my first salary;)

Many of Japanese colleagues are university students in Manchester. They are very nice persons. Although I am a new comer they use Keigo (respectful form of Japanese) to me. They also speak beautiful English. I am wishing I could make progress in speaking English.

Job hunting

I started job hunting since July. It’s rather difficult than I imagined. The procedures are not complicated. As the first step, I get job information from newspaper. There are many job offers on Thursday paper. I found some interesting works and sent application forms, but there were no reply. If I didn’t receive a reply from them, it means I didn’t make it.

The reason I would like to get a job is not only for earning foreign currency. I would like to belong to a society in Manchester.

There are many kinds of works and some works are graded. Grade 1 is less required skill and less paid work. However, it doesn’t mean easier to get a position. More people apply for less required skill work and it causes more competition. I have to find some strong point of mine and apply the job I could do better than others.

I found “International Office social and Welfare Assistant”. It says: This role would ideally suit someone with an energetic and empathic nature who has previously deal with people from a wide range of cultural background. It sounds ideal to me. OK, I apply this one. This is my fifth trial. I couldn’t make previous four applications. For getting their interest, I should appeal myself on the application form. This time, I took four hours to fill out the form and sent it. I described everything what I did and what I can do. If I couldn’t get reply with this application form, I would give up getting a job in Manchester.

The closing date of this application form was 16 August, and I haven’t got any reply yet. It seems that I can’t get a job here. I think this is because I have no background in England. All of my education and job experience were in Japan.

A piece of good fortune, I got a text message from Japanese super market. I sent them my job application form a couple of months before. In a message, they asked whether I still have interest to work there or not. Of course I called them back and went to job interview.

Finally I got a part-time job! I start working soon. I am not sure whether this job is what I really want to do, but I am sure this is the first step to get involved in Manchester.

Holiday in Germany

I am back to Manchester from my one week holiday in Germany. There were so many places to see and I had wonderful experiences there. The best thing is that I could see my friends and share time with them. I show some of photos and introduce what I saw there.

Day1 in Munich

I saw Thomas. I haven’t seen him for 8 years! During his stay in Japan, he told me how beautiful the places in Munich are. He also told me whenever I visit Munich, he will welcome me. Finally I could visit and see him again. It’s impressive that he welcomes me after 8 years.

Christina and Thomas cooked dinner for me. The fish was from Isar river. Since I left Japan, I haven’t eaten tasty fish, so this is very special for me. It’s very tasty!

Day 2 in Munich

We went to the Neuschwanstein castle. It’s so beautiful. We joined a guide tour but it’s not allowed to take a photo inside.

Day 3 in Munich

Breakfast: Yes, I kept eating from morning till night.... I miss all tasty foods in Germany.

We went to hiking. We could enjoy the wonderful view from top of the mountain.

On our way down, we enjoyed riding a wheeled bobsled.

Day 4 from Munich to Karlsruhe

I saw Martin in Karlsruhe. He arranged tickets from Munich to Karlsruhe and place to stay in Karlsruhe. He also arranged to see his charming wife, Benjamin and Kai at dinner. It was a wonderful reunion!

Day 5 trip to France

Martin took us to Strasbourg. I had my passport with me, but no one check my passport when I cross border between Germany and France. Neither German nor French I understand, I just recognise people speak French there by the sound. Martin spoke French and he arranged everything for us again.

In the evening, we got on a night train to our final destination, Dresden.

Day 6 in Dresden

I wanted to see this painting. This is why I visited Dresden.

Day 7

Now I am back to Manchester and my lost in translation in Manchester will be continued.