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<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0"> <channel> <title>A Year in an Instant</title> <description>A diary made of instant photos documenting the first 365 days of a newcomer in Japan.</description> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/</link> <language>en</language> <item> <title>Day 189</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 16 Dec 2016 07:35:04 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/189</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/189</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/195_189.jpg?1481873700' alt='Instant photo for Day 189 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><p>We went to the <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/o2iMDNZZogz">Nicolai Bergman Café</a> for a latte and a berry fruit smoothie. This is one of the nicest areas in Tokyo but today there were mice running along the walls outside.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 187</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 16 Dec 2016 07:34:50 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/187</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/187</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/194_187.jpg?1481873687' alt='Instant photo for Day 187 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>22:00</h4><p>We had our hanami today. There must have been about 30 of us spread in 4 large picnic matts. We made many new friends. Stenberg was here, Alex was here, Seiya was here. We brought every different type of beer that the Lawson had for sale.</p><p>Above is Seiya with two new friends.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 186</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 16 Dec 2016 07:34:38 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/186</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/186</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/193_186.jpg?1481873675' alt='Instant photo for Day 186 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>17:30</h4> <p>I went to see the cherry blossoms with the IDEO team today. We walked around the imperial gardens in Chiyoda. I was cloudy but I took several photos.</p> <p>The cherry blossoms remind me of the house I grew up in. We one in the front-yard of our home in Portugal. My mom loved the cherry blossom, but our tree never blossomed.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 184</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 16 Dec 2016 07:34:32 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/184</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/184</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/192_184.jpg?1481873668' alt='Instant photo for Day 184 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><p>Spent the day wondering around <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/5sD3t5LzbNw">Shibuya</a> and <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/NGj2SuCMZmy">Omotesando</a> with <a href="https://www.instagram.com/danielstenberg/">Stenberg</a>. It's good to have old friends around.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 180</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 16 Dec 2016 07:33:48 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/180</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/180</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/191_180.jpg?1481873625' alt='Instant photo for Day 180 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><p>I spent the day sketching on my new notebook, drawing the spaces and the decoration. I lost all patience and attention to detail when sketching. I don't enjoy it as an activity on its own, I want to skip to having it done and finished.</p> <p>Me and Mio wen to <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/6CYAfUVs39n">Spring Valley</a> at the end of the day. We got a donut and walked back to Shibuya. I think these simple days will always stay with me.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 178</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 16 Dec 2016 07:32:22 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/178</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/178</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/190_178.jpg?1481873538' alt='Instant photo for Day 178 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 177</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 16 Dec 2016 07:31:40 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/177</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/177</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/189_177.jpg?1481873498' alt='Instant photo for Day 177 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 176</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 16 Dec 2016 07:31:33 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/176</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/176</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/188_176.jpg?1481873489' alt='Instant photo for Day 176 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 175</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 16 Dec 2016 07:31:13 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/175</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/175</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/186_175.jpg?1481873468' alt='Instant photo for Day 175 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 174</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 16 Dec 2016 07:31:17 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/174</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/174</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/187_174.jpg?1481873472' alt='Instant photo for Day 174 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 173</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 16 Dec 2016 07:30:56 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/173</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/173</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/185_173.jpg?1481873453' alt='Instant photo for Day 173 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 172</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 16 Dec 2016 07:30:43 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/172</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/172</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/183_172.jpg?1481873435' alt='Instant photo for Day 172 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 171</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 16 Dec 2016 07:30:43 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/171</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/171</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/184_171.jpg?1481873436' alt='Instant photo for Day 171 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 170</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 16 Dec 2016 07:30:32 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/170</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/170</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/182_170.jpg?1481873428' alt='Instant photo for Day 170 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 169</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 16 Dec 2016 07:30:17 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/169</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/169</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/181_169.jpg?1481873412' alt='Instant photo for Day 169 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 168</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 16 Dec 2016 07:30:14 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/168</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/168</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/180_168.jpg?1481873409' alt='Instant photo for Day 168 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 167</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 16 Dec 2016 07:29:32 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/167</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/167</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/179_167.jpg?1481873369' alt='Instant photo for Day 167 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 166</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 16 Dec 2016 07:29:01 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/166</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/166</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/178_166.jpg?1481873338' alt='Instant photo for Day 166 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><p>Took Asuka to meet my Japanese language school friends from Korea. We had lunch at <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/4ii6J5H5SkH2">Brown Rice</a> and bubble tea at <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/meJ4fSsJ9G32">Gong Cha</a>.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 165</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 16 Dec 2016 07:28:34 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/165</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/165</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/177_165.jpg?1481873311' alt='Instant photo for Day 165 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><p>Met up with the entire team at <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/e1DVWQogEXB2">Tasuichi</a> (<span lang="ja">たすいち</span>) to have a last drink with Reynold before he heads back to Canada.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 164</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 16 Dec 2016 07:27:21 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/164</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/164</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/176_164.jpg?1481873238' alt='Instant photo for Day 164 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br>The ISI Language School graduation is about to begin.]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 163</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 16 Dec 2016 07:26:46 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/163</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/163</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/175_163.jpg?1481873203' alt='Instant photo for Day 163 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br>It's our last day of school. We finished this term and headed to Tsurutontan in Shinjuku for a gigantic bowl of udon.]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 162</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 16 Dec 2016 07:25:48 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/162</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/162</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/174_162.jpg?1481873145' alt='Instant photo for Day 162 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br>Making my way to UX Talks Tokyo in Ebisu. Just another day of working on my own in a café and meeting some people later for chats and drinks.]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 161</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 16 Dec 2016 07:24:14 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/161</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/161</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/173_161.jpg?1481873050' alt='Instant photo for Day 161 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br>Got a cup of coffee and a donut with Luís and Shiho in Daikanyama. I love these two, they are the only bit of sunshine in my cloudy stage of life.]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 160</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 16 Dec 2016 07:23:40 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/160</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/160</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/172_160.jpg?1481873017' alt='Instant photo for Day 160 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br>Small stall in Shimbashi. I'm meeting Yuko and her friend for a drink once she finishes work.]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 159</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 16 Dec 2016 07:23:07 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/159</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/159</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/171_159.jpg?1481872984' alt='Instant photo for Day 159 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br>Takadanobaba. Waking up late, getting a coffee, studying, maybe not talking to a real person for the entire day.]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 158</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 16 Dec 2016 07:22:19 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/158</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/158</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/170_158.jpg?1481872936' alt='Instant photo for Day 158 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br>Photo inside of try! Swift. Most topics are too advanced for me. But it's great to get to know more of the community.]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 157</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 16 Dec 2016 07:21:49 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/157</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/157</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/169_157.jpg?1481872905' alt='Instant photo for Day 157 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br>Brought a few friends from try! Swift to get a coffee at Streamers Shibuya.]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 156</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 16 Dec 2016 07:21:10 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/156</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/156</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/168_156.jpg?1481872867' alt='Instant photo for Day 156 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br>The first day of try! Swift Tokyo.]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 155</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 16 Dec 2016 07:20:35 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/155</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/155</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/167_155.jpg?1481872832' alt='Instant photo for Day 155 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br>It's like we never said goodbye. And that distance just washed what was toxic and strengthened what was nourishing. Maybe we both learned to be better to one another while being away from each other.]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 154</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 16 Dec 2016 07:19:05 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/154</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/154</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/166_154.jpg?1481872742' alt='Instant photo for Day 154 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br>Her smile is the most beautiful I've ever seen. We had some beer, shared some small plates, in the dirt-cheap Medaka Izakaya in Shinjuku.]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 153</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Thu, 01 Dec 2016 08:14:02 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/153</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/153</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/165_153.jpg?1480580039' alt='Instant photo for Day 153 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>16:00</h4><p>This girl is trouble. When I speak to myself I get all the red flags. She’s too old to take it slow.</p> <h4>20:00</h4><p>I'm people-watching from the bar counter at the <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/FDeG8oUsVnG2">Wired Tokyo café</a>. Later I'll meet Mio after almost one year without seeing her.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 152</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Thu, 25 Aug 2016 10:27:22 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/152</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/152</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/164_152.jpg?1472120839' alt='Instant photo for Day 152 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>19:00</h4><p>Playing around with the locals at Moonwalk Bar in Shibuya. This is a ¥300 bar usually full of students. Alex loves it here. I think it’s a little entertaining but I wouldn’t tell anyone I’ve been here.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 151</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Thu, 25 Aug 2016 10:26:06 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/151</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/151</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/163_151.jpg?1472120763' alt='Instant photo for Day 151 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>21:00</h4><p>Photo of people demonstrating against the American politician Donald Trump. Something to do with racist comments and post World War II sensitive topics. I’m still feeling ill.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 150</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Thu, 25 Aug 2016 10:25:24 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/150</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/150</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/162_150.jpg?1472120721' alt='Instant photo for Day 150 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>23:00</h4><p>I ran my first workshop today at the Origami office. I taught a group of 15 people how to build a tip calculator app for iOS in Swift. It was terrible. I blocked and couldn’t code. My voice was still barely hearable from being sick. I’m really disappointed with myself.</p><p>This is crappy photo of some ramen shop in Shibuya. I think my camera is broken.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 149</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Tue, 19 Jul 2016 05:53:47 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/149</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/149</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/161_149.jpg?1468907624' alt='Instant photo for Day 149 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>20:00</h4><p>People with umbrellas as the rain pours in the middle of the <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/TNZTKdL41o92">Shibuya</a> crossing.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 148</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Tue, 19 Jul 2016 05:51:48 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/148</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/148</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/160_148.jpg?1468907506' alt='Instant photo for Day 148 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>16:00</h4><p>The <a href="http://goodpatch.com">Goodpatch</a> office. <a href="http://www.riccardoparenti.com">Riccardo Parenti</a> invited me to visit today and asked me to consider a position. I love Tokyo, I’d love to stay. But all I think about is starting my own studio.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 147</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Mon, 18 Jul 2016 03:20:07 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/147</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/147</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/159_147.jpg?1468812004' alt='Instant photo for Day 147 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>15:00</h4><p>Mio told me she's in Tokyo. I miss her so much.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 146</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Mon, 18 Jul 2016 03:18:58 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/146</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/146</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/158_146.jpg?1468811935' alt='Instant photo for Day 146 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>11:45</h4><p>This is a photo of the Takadanobaba station, Yamanote line platform 2 to Shinjuku. I’m preparing my Command Swift workshop for Thursday.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 145</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Mon, 18 Jul 2016 03:17:57 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/145</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/145</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/157_145.jpg?1468811874' alt='Instant photo for Day 145 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4></h4><h4>15:00</h4><p>We planned going away for a weekend. We love to speak openly about things that will never actually become true. Like how I would love to learn Japanese and stay here forever, and how she would love to move to LA, Paris or Australia with a guy that makes her life amazing.<h4></h4></p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 144</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Mon, 18 Jul 2016 03:11:45 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/144</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/144</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/156_144.jpg?1468811502' alt='Instant photo for Day 144 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>13:00</h4><p>This is a photo at the <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/g3gZqa3bovP2">Keiokaku Velodrome</a>, where I came to see Ailda exhibiting her textiles.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 143</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Sat, 23 Apr 2016 02:04:59 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/143</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/143</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/155_143.jpg?1461377096' alt='Instant photo for Day 143 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>19:00</h4><p>Here is the best photo I could take inside the Mr. Donut in Shinjuku. My current go-to place.</p> <p>I stayed at Mister Donut in Shinjuku after class to write my diary. I want to travel but I am so afraid. Afraid of wasting all my money, afraid of becoming more lost than I already am, afraid of getting lost in the middle of China. So I put the fears aside and wrote the plans I would like to do if I could just dream about doing it and not actually do it. I would spend 3 weeks in Thailand, 2 weeks in the west of Japan, 2 weeks in Seoul and 3 weeks in China. Seems like a plan.</p> <p>She met me and I told her that I would be moving out of Tokyo in April. I made the decision 1 hour before. I had never seen her so sad. Where did my heart go?</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 142</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Sat, 23 Apr 2016 02:03:01 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/142</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/142</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/154_142.jpg?1461376979' alt='Instant photo for Day 142 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>16:00</h4><p>The Kanji test went well today. I went back to my smokey coffee shop. A friend from London, Isabel, wants me to take photographs of whiskey bars in Japan for a book her company is publishing. Deadline seems tight and budget is pretty low, so I don’t know how much I can do. But it would be so exciting to have my photographs printed on a book. I will treat myself to sushi again tonight.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 141</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Sat, 23 Apr 2016 02:02:41 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/141</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/141</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/153_141.jpg?1461376958' alt='Instant photo for Day 141 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>13:00</h4><p>This morning I finished fixing the last bugs on the ASICS website. After school I went to the New Yorker’s Cafe to take in a little more of that mystical smoke.</p> <h4>22:00</h4><p>My secret agent met up with me. She researched how I can start a company in Japan and sponsor my own visa. I need to have a Japanese bank account, ¥5,000,000 in that account, an office address, a mobile phone and a business plan. Incorporating the company takes 3 to 6 months and after that is done I can apply for 3 year visa. Issuing the visa would take 2 to 3 months. At that point I can move to Japan and run my own design studio.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 140</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Sat, 23 Apr 2016 01:59:04 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/140</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/140</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/152_140.jpg?1461376741' alt='Instant photo for Day 140 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>11:00</h4><p>I overslept this morning. Nothing ruins my day more than waking up late. Since I started school, I either wake up at 6.40 sharp or completely lose it and get up at 11 or 12 AM. I don’t know how to control this.</p> <h4>19:00</h4><p>I had a meeting at the Bento Graphics office for a final look at the ASICS website. Benjamin asked me if I would be interested in a larger UX project for Lexus.</p> <h4>23:00</h4><p>I haven’t seen her in too long. We went to Blue Note together.</p> <p>I was in a bad mood when I met her because of work. And then I was annoyed at myself for letting work affect my relationships. But minutes after sitting down with her for dinner I felt calm, I felt relaxed, and Blue Note was phenomenal. When I feel tired, and stressed, or I don't feel like the relationship is working, I'll try to remember today. Because she and the music made it all ok.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 139</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Sat, 23 Apr 2016 01:54:20 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/139</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/139</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/151_139.jpg?1461376457' alt='Instant photo for Day 139 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>16:00</h4><p>I’m at Mister Donut café in Shinjuku, along with many other people who are spending Valentine’s day alone. I like this place. They offer unlimited coffee refill.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 138</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Sat, 23 Apr 2016 01:49:14 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/138</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/138</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/150_138.jpg?1461376151' alt='Instant photo for Day 138 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>12:00</h4><p>It’s Valentine’s day tomorrow. I’m contemplating all the bridges I’ve burnt.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 137</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Sat, 23 Apr 2016 01:38:48 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/137</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/137</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/149_137.jpg?1461375525' alt='Instant photo for Day 137 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>17:00</h4><p>Asuka took me to Ootoya, an amazing Japanese restaurant chain. Might become my default go-to place. I haven’t seen Asuka in months.</p> <h4>1:00</h4><p>Today, as a first, I organised a night out for my friends. I invited them to meet me at Hachikō at 7, have Okonomiyaki at my favourite restaurant in Shibuya, go with me to JBS, and after that we can continue going out, clubbing or karaoke. </p> <p>17 people showed up. We went to the Okonomiyaki and it was closed for renovation. Everyone but 4 people left. We had a drink at JBS. I felt like shit. We went to bar bridge and did karaoke all night. I forgot how amazing Asuka is at singing. This makes everything ok.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 136</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Sat, 23 Apr 2016 01:37:35 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/136</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/136</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/148_136.jpg?1461375453' alt='Instant photo for Day 136 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>23:00</h4><p>Today was national holiday and I spent all day programming Swift at a Starbucks in Shibuya. Met Alex, Ryleigh, Beer and Seiya for a drink at the Moonwalk bar. Life is simple.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 135</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Sat, 23 Apr 2016 01:36:38 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/135</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/135</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/147_135.jpg?1461375395' alt='Instant photo for Day 135 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>22:00</h4><p>No news here. We delivered the first version of the ASICS website. Benjamin and Julien left the office for their holidays. I’m going to continue working on the next version of the site.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 134</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Sat, 23 Apr 2016 01:34:03 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/134</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/134</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/146_day-133b.jpg?1461375240' alt='Instant photo for Day 134 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>2:00</h4><p>Went home straight after class again to work on the ASICS website. It’s 2AM again, I just stopped working and I don’t really feel like sleeping.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 133</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Sat, 23 Apr 2016 01:31:48 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/133</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/133</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/145_133.jpg?1461375105' alt='Instant photo for Day 133 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>1:00</h4><p>For every time we see the feeling gets stronger. I might be all you need to sleep well at night. But I’m just a messed up man.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 132</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Sat, 23 Apr 2016 01:27:24 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/132</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/132</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/144_132.jpg?1461374841' alt='Instant photo for Day 132 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>17:00</h4><p>I went to Streamers Coffee Company and it was packed. Every Starbucks had a queue of about 15 to 20 people. And this is how Sundays look like in Shibuya if you’re trying to relax and have a coffee.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 131</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 22 Apr 2016 11:51:13 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/131</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/131</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/143_131.jpg?1461325870' alt='Instant photo for Day 131 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>3:00</h4><p>I finally took Jinssol to Trump Room so she could show off a bit.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 130</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 22 Apr 2016 11:50:54 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/130</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/130</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/142_130.jpg?1461325851' alt='Instant photo for Day 130 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>22:00</h4><p>Night out drinking with Beer—whose real name is Piyanut—and his friends.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 129</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 22 Apr 2016 11:50:38 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/129</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/129</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/141_129.jpg?1461325835' alt='Instant photo for Day 129 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>16:00</h4><p>I can’t focus. And I don’t know what to do. I haven’t written for days. I miss it. I am tired of carrying this camera. Of taking instant photos that I can’t edit. Of not being more daring with my photos. I feel so dull, so quiet, so shy. I feel so trapped.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 128</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 22 Apr 2016 11:50:20 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/128</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/128</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/140_128.jpg?1461325817' alt='Instant photo for Day 128 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>19:00</h4><p>Tonight I've learnt how to dine line a Korean. We just had a lot of sochu until the first person collapsed on the table. I think we ate some food too.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 127</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 22 Apr 2016 11:41:23 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/127</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/127</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/139_134.jpg?1461325280' alt='Instant photo for Day 127 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>19:00</h4><p>I’ve continued working for Bento Graphics today.</p><p>My hiring manager from Apple told me today, after weeks of silence, that I’m not the right fit for the company. These rejections hurt me, they make me doubt of what I am capable to achieve. Friends tell me that working for a big company like Google or Apple is just like being inside a golden cage. But I want to be where I can grow the most and I don’t know where to go.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 126</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 22 Apr 2016 11:40:32 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/126</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/126</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/138_126.jpg?1461325229' alt='Instant photo for Day 126 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>8:30</h4><p>A beautiful sunrise this morning. Worth getting up early just for this. I'm also really enjoying studying Japanese. Would love for these days to last longer.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 125</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 22 Apr 2016 11:36:29 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/125</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/125</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/137_125.jpg?1461324986' alt='Instant photo for Day 125 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>14:00</h4><p>I don’t know when I started thinking that the path to my happiness was money and fame. Relationships, meaningful friendships, a life filled with people that is my path to happiness. That’s what I should focus on. To live for the ones I love.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 124</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 22 Apr 2016 11:35:55 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/124</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/124</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/136_124.jpg?1461324952' alt='Instant photo for Day 124 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>2:00</h4> <p>We went to JBS. I can never forget what a dude said when he met me, Jonathan and Cory:</p><blockquote>Look at you three: One wearing a cap, the other has a huge beard, another pair of frame eye glasses. If you were fucking, you’d be Brooklyn.</blockquote><p>Clearly a New Yorker.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 123</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 22 Apr 2016 11:35:42 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/123</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/123</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/135_123.jpg?1461324939' alt='Instant photo for Day 123 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>22:00</h4><p>This is the beautiful duo behind Bento Graphics: Mr. Benjamin Thomas and Mr. Julien Wulff. They took me to the Narukyo Izakaya, where we took this photo, and to the trendy Red Bar.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 122</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 22 Apr 2016 11:31:06 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/122</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/122</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/134_122.jpg?1461324663' alt='Instant photo for Day 122 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>17:00</h4><p>This is the entrance to ISI, my language school. As usual, I studied in the morning, went to school 5 minutes the class starts and had 4 more classes. First class is kanji, second class is homework review, third class is speaking and fourth class is writing.</p> <p>Honey is coming back to Tokyo in April.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 121</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 22 Apr 2016 11:30:52 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/121</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/121</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/133_121.jpg?1461324649' alt='Instant photo for Day 121 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>17:00</h4><p>Chapter 10: Directions. We learnt how to refer to a location of things. Like a book on top of a table. A cat on a tree. A postbox in front of a building. A shop next to another shop, or next to a garden, or in between.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 120</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 22 Apr 2016 11:30:40 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/120</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/120</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/132_120.jpg?1461324637' alt='Instant photo for Day 120 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>19:00</h4><p>Today I had the first meeting with Benjamin Thomas, from Bento Graphics, to talk about a new project we’re working on together.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 119</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 22 Apr 2016 11:30:25 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/119</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/119</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/131_119.jpg?1461324622' alt='Instant photo for Day 119 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>17:00</h4><p>Chapter 8: Meeting friends. We studied how to make plans with friends, how to describe different activities and hobbies, how to say one will be busy or free.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 118</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Sun, 06 Mar 2016 05:02:06 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/118</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/118</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/126_day-118d.jpg?1457240524' alt='Instant photo for Day 118 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>17:00</h4><p>I had four cups of coffee today. Too much even for me.</p> <h4>22:00</h4><p>I met <a href="https://www.instagram.com/miniminilion/">Minami</a>, she is going to Amsterdam tomorrow. I had a <a href="http://www.starbucks.com/menu/drinks/tea/chai-latte">Chai Latte</a>. She was taking photos of me to send to Alvaro. We met at the <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/FcXXKix4J6z">Tstutaya book lounge</a> in Shinjuku. She took me to the <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/B3QYX1e5SdG2">L’Occatine café</a> and I must confess they serve incredible food there. I also bought a Japanese vocabulary book.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 117</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Sun, 06 Mar 2016 04:57:00 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/117</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/117</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/125_day-117c.jpg?1457240216' alt='Instant photo for Day 117 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>17:00</h4><p>I met Maika again. She took me to the 7th floor of the <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/kmVYzLNP9pv">Tsutaya book shop</a> in Shibuya. On the 7th floor of the most well-known book shop of Japan there is a quiet coffee shops full of magazines from all over the world. Might be my new favourite secret place.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 116</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Sun, 06 Mar 2016 04:54:16 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/116</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/116</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/124_day-116d.jpg?1457240053' alt='Instant photo for Day 116 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>15:00</h4><p>I feel so afraid and so lost. But I am trying to tidy up my time and focus on the things I really love.</p> <p>Today I collected lists of books, design books and places to visit. I also want to do things away from the computer. I feel like the digital medium and the internet don’t allow me to relax. I’m too connected to my friends and to work when I’m the computer or on the phone. I feel like my brain runs on a lazy mode when I’m using a digital device and I find it really hard to switch off from that mode.</p> <h4>22:00</h4><p>I interviewed with <a href="https://github.com">GitHub</a> today for a Product Designer role.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 115</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Sun, 06 Mar 2016 04:51:20 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/115</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/115</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/123_day-136.jpg?1457239876' alt='Instant photo for Day 115 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>1:00</h4><p>I’ve spent too much time of my life in relationships with people I don’t love.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 114</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Sun, 06 Mar 2016 04:50:45 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/114</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/114</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/122_day-129h.jpg?1457239842' alt='Instant photo for Day 114 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>22:00</h4><p>I was just browsing the condom isle at <span lang="ja">ドン・キホーテ</span> today and two girls approached me to join their catholic church on Sunday.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 113</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Sun, 06 Mar 2016 04:49:18 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/113</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/113</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/121_day-112k.jpg?1457239755' alt='Instant photo for Day 113 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>10:00</h4> <p>It’s the first day of snow in Tokyo. The prettiest I’ve ever seen.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 112</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Sun, 06 Mar 2016 04:48:12 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/112</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/112</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/120_day-112l.jpg?1457239688' alt='Instant photo for Day 112 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>19:00</h4><p>Another day of school. I met Maika for coffee after class. She accepted a job offer as a secretary, which is a step up from being a masseuse. I'm happy for her.</p> <h4>22:00</h4><p>The first time I met Maika was at Erika’s nabe pot party a few weeks back. We started texting after that. Her relationship with her boyfriend was not going well and they broke up recently. This seems to be a common story in her past. We have met a few times but nothing has happened between us. I don't feel like I have energy to put on short lived relationships.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 111</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Sun, 06 Mar 2016 04:44:48 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/111</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/111</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/119_day-112b.jpg?1457239485' alt='Instant photo for Day 111 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>18:00</h4> <p>I went to gym after class today. It’s been a long time. I feel guilty for eating 1 kilo of udon yesterday for dinner.</p> <p>The gym I go to is called <a href="http://tip.x-tokyo.jp">Tip.X Tokyo</a>, which a more specialised type of <a href="https://www.tipness.co.jp/">Tipness</a> gym. In Tokyo, other gym options are <a href="http://www.anytimefitness.co.jp">Anytime Fitness</a> and <a href="http://www.goldsgym.jp">Gold's Gym</a>. I joined this gym originally because it was the closest to my apartment in <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/f2uBnScp4mn">Sangenjaya</a>.</p><p>The photo above was taken on the elevator on the 5th floor of the <a href="http://tip.x-tokyo.jp">Tip.X Shinjuku</a>.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 110</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Sun, 06 Mar 2016 04:38:58 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/110</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/110</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/118_day-111d.jpg?1457239136' alt='Instant photo for Day 110 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>23:00</h4> <p>I met Taru, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/subin.hwang/">Su Bin</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mi_s_t/">Misato</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/subin.hwang/">Su Bin</a>’s friend at the <a href="http://www.roppongihills.com/tcv/en/">Roppongi Hills Tokyo City View</a>. We saw an amazing exhibition of the <a href="http://www.mori.art.museum/english/contents/foster_partners/">Foster + Partners</a> exhibition alongside the glowing city view. I wish my sister was here, she would love it.</p> <p>After a good couple of hours on the 48th floor of the <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/6wBEsE1DwNu">Mori Tower</a> we hunted down a famous udon shop in Roppongi called <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/T1q8tSDakEQ2">Tsurutontan</a>. I ordered the biggest size bowl.</p> <p>Above you can see Taru on the left and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/subin.hwang/">Su Bin</a> on the right just before having their delicious udon.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 109</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Sun, 06 Mar 2016 04:35:33 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/109</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/109</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/117_day-110a.jpg?1457238930' alt='Instant photo for Day 109 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>22:00</h4> <p>I met <a href="https://www.instagram.com/luismendo/">Mr Mendo</a> for dinner today. We outlined and specified all the work for <a href="http://thecityreporter.com">The City Reporter</a> app. I really want to get this done. It might be my first iOS app. Finally. After years dreaming.</p> <p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/luismendo/">Luis</a> took me to the thai restaurant <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/jC26bVzDmA82">Kaffir Lime</a>. Incredible and authentic. Next to a seemingly popular gyoza restaurant called <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/8oYkmKJETd42">Harajyuku Gyozalo</a>.</p> <p>Above is a photo of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kohei.okada/">Kohei Okada</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/julie.skogoreva">Julie Skogoreva</a> at <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/gahVq44n1Z42">BANK Gallery</a>, where I met <a href="https://www.instagram.com/luismendo/">Luis</a> before dinner.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 108</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Sun, 06 Mar 2016 04:13:33 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/108</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/108</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/116_day-108a.jpg?1457237610' alt='Instant photo for Day 108 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>23:00</h4><p>Today was the <a href="http://gogonihon.com/en/learn-japanese-study-in-japan">Go! Go! Nihon</a> international students welcome party. <a href="http://gogonihon.com/en/learn-japanese-study-in-japan">Go! Go! Nihon</a> is a start-up that helps students find and enrol in language schools in Japan, for free.</p> <p>The party was nothing special. But <a href="https://www.instagram.com/subin.hwang/">Su Bin</a>, Svieta and I went to <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/zd44mmFGJi22">Medaka</a> after the party for some drinks and food. We had a really great time together.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 107</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Sun, 06 Mar 2016 04:12:25 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/107</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/107</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/115_day-108c.jpg?1457237542' alt='Instant photo for Day 107 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>17:00</h4><p>I had another meeting at <a href="https://www.ideo.com/jp/">IDEO</a> this morning. Things seem to be going well and I have a feeling I could get an opportunity to work with them.</p><p>At school we had a different teacher today. I have only 3 hours and a half of teaching every day, but it feels like a whole day of classes.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 106</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Sun, 06 Mar 2016 04:11:50 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/106</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/106</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/114_day-106.jpg?1457237508' alt='Instant photo for Day 106 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>17:00</h4> <p>Today was the first day of language school. The teachers are Japanese and don't speak any English. The pace is very fast.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 105</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Sun, 06 Mar 2016 04:11:34 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/105</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/105</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/113_day-105a.jpg?1457237492' alt='Instant photo for Day 105 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>18:00</h4><p>Maika took me to <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/HDcXQryq4GJ2">Café Dub</a> today. I took her to <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/xGtH6jYt54y">JBS</a>.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 104</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 04 Mar 2016 10:31:13 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/104</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/104</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/112_day-104b.jpg?1457087469' alt='Instant photo for Day 104 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>18:00</h4><p>My mum texted me today.</p><blockquote>Docinho, ontem fui a revista com a tia, já não me ria tanto há muito tempo. Obrigada.</blockquote><p>Me and my sister offered her and our aunt tickets to a musical in Porto. After all, what is a better present than a nice evening with someone you love?</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 103</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 04 Mar 2016 10:28:54 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/103</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/103</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/111_day-103b.jpg?1457087331' alt='Instant photo for Day 103 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>1:00</h4><p>Today was Erica’s birthday. I invited all my new friends from yesterday, we had some drinks and went to Karaoke. Kanae is an absolutely incredible singer. As usual, I sang a lot more songs than I should have.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 102</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 04 Mar 2016 10:26:05 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/102</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/102</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/110_day-102d.jpg?1457087162' alt='Instant photo for Day 102 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>23:00</h4><p>I was placed in class 1-4, met a group of fellow students and we went to the <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/93Pwx5QcbTN2">Hub</a>. After a few drinks we went to Ikebubukro, had a bento box and some more drinks at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/subin.hwang/">Su Bin</a>’s apartment.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 101</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Mon, 22 Feb 2016 12:51:13 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/101</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/101</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/109_day-101b.jpg?1456145471' alt='Instant photo for Day 101 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>22:00</h4><p>Today was the induction into <a href="http://www.isi-education.com/lp/injapan/english.html?gclid=Cj0KEQiAl5u2BRC6yszC1_75v5wBEiQAD-hdzx-hWqE7QyEAKLzgw3eWMHPok9uJKIY_9Nvu9nQWnOsaAsvA8P8HAQ">ISI</a>, my language school. We were introduced to life in Japan and did an exam to evaluate our level of Japanese. Tomorrow we will find out which classes we are placed into.</p><p></p><p>This evening I went to the <a href="http://www.canvas.co.com">Canvas</a> event. Just drinks, friends and lots of photos. Here is a photo of <a href="https://www.instagram.com/missshiho/">Shiho</a> and <a href="http://michaelholmesphoto.com">Michael</a> acting silly.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 100</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Mon, 22 Feb 2016 12:41:09 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/100</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/100</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/108_day-100b.jpg?1456144866' alt='Instant photo for Day 100 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>19:00</h4><p>I still have a long way to go.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 99</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Mon, 22 Feb 2016 12:38:53 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/99</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/99</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/107_day-100a.jpg?1456144731' alt='Instant photo for Day 99 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>18:00</h4><p>I went to the <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/dMvBWQjTNYn">Tsutaya book lounge</a> in Shinjuku to work on my <a href="http://samvlu.com/">Swift exercises</a>. This is the perfect discreet workspace.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 98</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Mon, 22 Feb 2016 12:37:38 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/98</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/98</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/106_day-098d.jpg?1456144655' alt='Instant photo for Day 98 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>16:00</h4><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/missshiho/">Shiho</a> made tacos for me and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/luismendo/">Mr. Mendo</a>. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/luismendo/">Mr. Mendo</a> and I talked about working together to turn one of his guides of Tokyo into an iPhone app. This is exciting. We had donuts and coffee at <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/D8ASsXRLE512">Camden’s Blue Star Donuts</a> in Daikanyama. National holidays in Japan are special.</p> <p>I was also inspired by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/luismendo/">Luis</a> to buy a notebook and start drawing.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 97</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Sun, 21 Feb 2016 07:43:49 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/97</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/97</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/105_day-097a.jpg?1456040626' alt='Instant photo for Day 97 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>10:00</h4> <p>I went with Erica and Kanae to the <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/4jDHRUKEjbk">Zōjō-ji</a> today, to make my new years wishes. I just wished for happiness for my friends and family. We had Japanese foods and sweets at the stalls in front of the temple. Above is a photo of Kanae on the left and Erica on the right. Below is my fortune:</p> <blockquote><p>We’d like to have such a strong mind as if a mossy rock has never moved an inch for a thousand years.</p><p>Your Fortune: Very Good. With a firm mind don’t get irritated, and work hard as usual. Don't poke your nose into anything. Always be modest.</p><p>Wish: It will be arranged. Don't go ashtray.</p><p>Expected visitor: You’ll hear from her(or him), though he(or she) won’t come.</p><p>Missing thing: It can’t be found, hidden behind other things.</p><p>Travel: No problem.</p><p>Business: No loss, little gain.</p><p>Study: Don’t be lazy. Set your target early.</p><p>Speculation: Take a risk, and you’ll get a big profit.</p><p>Game and match: You’d better be modest.</p><p>Love: Good. Tell your parents.</p><p>Removal: No profits.</p><p>Childbirth: Take it easy. No problem.</p><p>Illness: Don’t worry too much.</p><p>Marriage proposal: Think it over yourself. Don’t trust others.</p></blockquote> <p>I know I must be more modest. Could the expected visitor be Mio? What am I missing? Should I extend my Japanese course? Could the risk be starting my own studio?</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 96</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Mon, 08 Feb 2016 02:44:54 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/96</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/96</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/104_day-096c.jpg?1454899491' alt='Instant photo for Day 96 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>24:00</h4><p>Kevin is one of the people I like the most in Tokyo. He is moving back to London in two days, so a group of us gathered to wish him a good return home.</p><p></p><p>Kevin could not speak any Japanese at all when he moved to Tokyo and now, two years later, he is fluent in day to day conversation. I made an effort to speak in Japanese for most of the night. Forcing yourself to speak Japanese, even when you can’t, is the only way to learn it. The main point of conversation was Seiya's fox jumper.</p><p>In the photo above you can see Masa, Ayaka, Kevin, Seiya, Anthony and Saori at the <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/UgHF5eUK3GQ2">Hobgoblin</a> in Shibuya.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 95</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Mon, 08 Feb 2016 02:44:42 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/95</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/95</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/103_day-095b.jpg?1454899479' alt='Instant photo for Day 95 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br>We hired a bar, drank champagne on the street and had new year’s soba. Happy new year!]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 94</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Mon, 08 Feb 2016 02:44:34 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/94</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/94</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/102_day-095a.jpg?1454899471' alt='Instant photo for Day 94 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>00:00</h4><p><span lang="ja">あけおめ！ことよろ！</span></p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 93</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Mon, 08 Feb 2016 02:29:34 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/93</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/93</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/101_day-090h.jpg?1454898571' alt='Instant photo for Day 93 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>12:00</h4><p>I moved in to <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/YX7SqiTMbHU2">Takadanobaba</a> today. <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/YX7SqiTMbHU2">Takadanobaba</a> is busy, young, bright, noisy. I love it. This is a photo from the JR platform. Every time a train arrives at this platform, the theme song from <span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astro_Boy">Astro Boy</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Drh_cKFOwrU">is played in the speakers</a>. It's beautiful.</span></p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 92</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Mon, 08 Feb 2016 02:29:07 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/92</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/92</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/100_day-088h.jpg?1454898544' alt='Instant photo for Day 92 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>14:00</h4><p>It’s the last week of the year. For the last three weeks everyone has been meeting all their friends for drinks, going to company dinners, industry parties, as if the new years eve was happening in slow motion.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 91</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Mon, 08 Feb 2016 02:28:51 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/91</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/91</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/99_day-091b.jpg?1454898528' alt='Instant photo for Day 91 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>23:00</h4><p>Tonight was Erica’s much promised Nabe party night. I met some of her friends and we stayed in, cooking, eating and drinking. This had to be the most heart warming evening so far for me. I never realised how hard it can be open doors to your friends, and how good it can make you feel.</p><p>On the photo above you can see from left to right Keita, Cassie, Maika, Erica, me and Kanae.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 90</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Mon, 08 Feb 2016 02:28:30 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/90</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/90</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/98_day-090c.jpg?1454898507' alt='Instant photo for Day 90 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>10:00</h4><p>There used to be drunk talks at the bar. Some irrational one-night flirtationships. Some fake emotions and fake friends. A lonely morning aftertaste.</p><p></p><h4>19:00</h4><p>Tonight I’m meeting Kevin and some of his friends for a Bo-nen Kai, a end of year party. The gist of it seems to be that people drink to forget the year that’s past. Japan never runs out of reasons to drink.</p><p>Above is a photo of Takadanobaba. I moved some of my things to the new apartment this morning but I won't start living here until next week.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 89</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Mon, 08 Feb 2016 02:28:13 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/89</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/89</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/97_day-089c.jpg?1454898490' alt='Instant photo for Day 89 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>11:00</h4><p>Alex and I walked around Shibuya today. We met for coffee at <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/WG94SqaJPX52">Streamer Coffee Company</a>, as usual, and chatted a bit. I don’t feel like we’re as close as we used to be, or as we though we would be. Maybe that’s ok. We are very different. But he is a good friend. And no matter how different, there is always space for good friends.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 88</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Tue, 02 Feb 2016 10:22:14 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/88</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/88</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/96_day-088b.jpg?1454408530' alt='Instant photo for Day 88 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4><b></b>14:00<b></b></h4><p>I thought Christmas had lost its meaning. But the fact that none of my family is here, none of my oldest friends are near me, that I have done no shopping, no drinking or no rushing, and that I am spending this day thinking of them, how much I love them, how much I miss them, how much I want the next year to be special, makes me realise Christmas has not lost meaning at all. I never felt this happy and warm before. </p><p></p><p>To all my friends and family, I wish you a Merry Christmas.</p><p>This is a photo of me in some street in <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/fdTZSo5D9CG2">Omotesandō</a>.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 87</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Tue, 02 Feb 2016 10:07:35 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/87</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/87</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/95_day-088g.jpg?1454407652' alt='Instant photo for Day 87 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>23:00</h4><p>I took <a href="https://www.instagram.com/star_nie/">Star</a> to <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/eGstgAf7zyw">Cicada</a>, my favourite restaurant in Tokyo, for our Christmas eve meal.</p><p></p><p>Something changed about us. Our a fiery, addictive, unhealthy mutual obsession matured. This date was platonic. We had food, and talked, walked each other around Omotesandō. I love her smarts and her looks. She’s a friend I never expected to have. Or she is just another perfect girl I’m too afraid to commit to.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 86</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Sun, 24 Jan 2016 07:55:33 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/86</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/86</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/93_day-087g.jpg?1453622129' alt='Instant photo for Day 86 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>00:00</h4> <p>Christmas is nearly here. We went for a drink at <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/rw3Lgxr3WY22">Two Rooms Bar</a>. One of those places that I found by accident, fell in love with, and kept going back to. Tokyo seems to give travellers many places like this. I had a <a href="https://www.google.co.jp/search?q=yamazaki+whiskey+12+years&client=safari&rls=en&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj3oKCI-cHKAhUEUaYKHefgCCgQ_AUIBygB&biw=840&bih=962&dpr=2">Yamazaki</a>, 12 years, straight. Something I haven’t had in a while.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 85</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Sun, 24 Jan 2016 07:55:18 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/85</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/85</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/92_day-087m.jpg?1453622115' alt='Instant photo for Day 85 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>23:00</h4> <p>We visited <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/kHLtiaPbhAk">Commune 246</a> in Omotesandō for a drink. These areas of Tokyo feel strangely at lot like home to me now. At the end of the night we went to watch the latest <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars:_The_Force_Awakens">Star Wars</a></i>. This was my second time.</p> <p>Above is a photo of <a href="https://www.instagram.com/star_nie/">Star</a> acting silly.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 84</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Sun, 24 Jan 2016 07:54:59 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/84</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/84</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/91_day-082d.jpg?1453622097' alt='Instant photo for Day 84 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>12:00</h4><p>We had coffee in <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/7NFqW85eCZ52">Omotesandō Koffee</a>. I missed feeling this free. Thank you tourists for sharing the contagious wanderlust wherever you go.</p> <h4>22:00</h4> <p>At the end of the day we went to a small local restaurant in Sangenjaya, an izakaya, that only serves tempura. Besides the most standard types of tempura like shrimp, mushroom and onion, you can also have egg and crab tempura. It was an unexpected feast. Star fell in love with the waitress. I think she has a thing for Japanese girls. Apologies for the lack of photos.</p> <p>The photo above was taken during the day as we walked from Shibuya to Sangenjaya.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 83</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Sun, 24 Jan 2016 05:40:26 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/83</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/83</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/90_day-083a.jpg?1453614022' alt='Instant photo for Day 83 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>22:00</h4><p>This is a photo of <a href="https://www.instagram.com/star_nie/">Star</a> in the <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/qG9WdfR7L7E2">Narita Airport</a> train station. I forgot how smart and charming she is. I’m happy she is visiting Tokyo at this time of the year. She is special to me, I don’t know how special, but I want to find out.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 82</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Sun, 24 Jan 2016 05:37:21 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/82</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/82</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/89_day-082a.jpg?1453613837' alt='Instant photo for Day 82 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>2:00</h4><p>I don’t know why we were outside as it was freezing cold. But once we got back inside <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/MEYN3MUiPRp">Tasuichi</a>, a guy was speaking to my friend’s girlfriend. In fact she’s not even his girlfriend, just his lover. But he picked up a fight with the guy straight away.</p><p></p><p>After about one hour calming down the drunken and heated gentleman who wanted to beat the crap out of my friend, we went to another pub. Against my recommendation. Soon after, one of the girls in our group was missing. We found her passed out in the bathroom. It was one of those nights where everyone was too drunk to even compute. I guess they're all trying to forget the year that has passed. I should have not missed my last train.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 81</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Sat, 23 Jan 2016 10:52:26 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/81</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/81</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/88_day-081s.jpg?1453546342' alt='Instant photo for Day 81 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>10:00</h4><p>I’m at <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/SZAqSxXv6cp">Muji Café</a>. I’m currently taking 9 pills a day to fix my cold. I’ve given it time to heal itself and gave up. I'm sure the Japanese way will be more efficient.</p><p></p><h4>23:00</h4><p>I’m wow-amazed by the new <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars:_The_Force_Awakens">Star Wars: The Force Awakens</a></i> movie. The soundtrack is incredible, the acting is perfect and it feels just like how the original trilogy felt like. I couldn’t be happier. The two of us watched it alone after weeks of trying to plan a group movie night.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 80</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Sat, 23 Jan 2016 10:35:33 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/80</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/80</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/87_day-080m.jpg?1453545330' alt='Instant photo for Day 80 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>22:00</h4><p>I haven’t seen <a href="https://www.instagram.com/anisemusic/">Su Hui</a> for almost 3 years. She’s touring in Japan this winter and tonight she is performing in <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/eY9bZwB87Az">Kichioji</a>, northwest of Tokyo. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/missshiho/">Shiho</a> and I went to see her show and we all had drinks in Shibuya at the end of the night. Artistically, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/anisemusic/">Su Hui</a> is known as <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/AniseSGmusic">Anise</a></i>.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 79</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 08 Jan 2016 05:13:23 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/79</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/79</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/86_day-079g.jpg?1452230000' alt='Instant photo for Day 79 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>15:00</h4><p>I’m at <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/psw1HMFHRyt">Suzu Café</a> on the third floor of a building in Shibuya. I’m impressed by how the city space multiplies itself several times above and below ground.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 78</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 08 Jan 2016 05:12:58 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/78</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/78</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/85_day-078f.jpg?1452229975' alt='Instant photo for Day 78 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>9:00</h4><p>I slept with my AC on last night. And today I have a sore throat. I can barely speak. I have a hot shower, drink some hot tea, everything helps but I still feel miserable. I go to Shibuya, do some work but have a persistent headache.</p><p></p><h4>16:00</h4><p>I visited the <a href="https://www.ideo.com/jp/">IDEO</a> office to chat about my work and get to know the firm a little better. I spoke with Gregory and Evin. We talked about how the Japanese digital product design industry is old fashioned and failed to evolve with times, even as Japan evolved into a modernist product and graphic design era. And in product development there is resistance to an agile approach. I never thought of Japan as a place for me to work exactly because of these reasons—it is not a pioneer. Innovation is happening elsewhere, mostly in San Francisco. But <a href="https://www.ideo.com/jp/">IDEO</a> is working hard to move Japanese design forward. And maybe I can help them do that.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 77</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 08 Jan 2016 05:08:23 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/77</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/77</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/84_day-077f.jpg?1452229701' alt='Instant photo for Day 77 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>8:00</h4><p>I’m at the Starbucks in Sangenjaya. The usual place to start the day. I've set my goals and I'm ready to start work.</p><p></p> <h4>15:00</h4><p>I went to the gym after lunch and met up with Marina at the <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/kbg6rGUk5AH2">Tsutaya</a> in <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/64uphNJjZVD2">Daikan-yama</a>. <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/64uphNJjZVD2">Daikan-yama</a> has an appeal from the moment you step out of the train at the station. This is a designer-friendly group. Nice shops and cafés. I wanted to visit almost every single place. We had coffee in <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/kbg6rGUk5AH2">Tsutaya</a>. We worked for a few hours. She looks nice. Everyone in here looks well groomed. Before the end of the day we walked in the area. We visited <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/Bxbq1owSezr">Saturdays NYC</a>, a lifestyle brand that sells coffee and clothing at their <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/64uphNJjZVD2">Daikan-yama</a> store. We walked past <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/37mt8PwAU1k">Ivy Place</a>. She showed me <a href="https://www.google.co.jp/search?q=log+road+daikanyama&client=safari&rls=en&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiVyPG0s5nKAhWiG6YKHSozCy0Q_AUICCgC&biw=840&bih=939">Log Road</a>, a beautiful wooden path surrounded by wooden and concrete buildings. I spotted <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/zfAaKLuBMxH2">Grigio’s Italian Restaurant</a> and <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/RP45qVCJ4752">Spring Valley Brewery</a> during this safari. And overall most of our time was spent chatting and gazing. We ended the day with a donut at the <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/N8ij7M5bfkF2">Camden’s Blue Bar Donuts</a> before walking back to Shibuya.</p> <h4>22:00</h4><p>I’m playing with the idea of not speaking English or Portuguese or any language apart from Japanese in 2016.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 76</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 08 Jan 2016 05:08:03 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/76</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/76</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/83_day-081a.jpg?1452229680' alt='Instant photo for Day 76 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>14:00</h4><p>I’ve slept all day. I’ve booked a table for Christmas but I have no one for the date. Ups!</p><p>I took this photo at the phenomenal <a href="http://https://goo.gl/maps/meGq7MmHHBw">Afuri</a> ramen bar in Sangenjaya.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 75</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 08 Jan 2016 05:07:06 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/75</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/75</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/82_day-079d.jpg?1452229623' alt='Instant photo for Day 75 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>18:00</h4><p>I took the photo above outside <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/eXoCfaMBh6B2">Streamer Coffee Company</a> in Shibuya at the end of the afternoon.</p><p>This was before I meet <a href="https://twitter.com/JohnnyLinnert">Johnny</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/marky_mc">Mark</a> for coffee. I explained <a href="https://twitter.com/marky_mc">Mark</a> my ideas in the notebook, one by one. He gave me a lot of good feedback and said positive things about some of the ideas. I will write more about them another day. <a href="https://twitter.com/marky_mc">Mark</a> also recommended me reading <i><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hooked-How-Build-Habit-Forming-Products/dp/0241184835/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1452228534&sr=8-10&keywords=hooked+books">Hooked</a></i> by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nir_Eyal">Nir Eval</a>, a book about building products with an addictive habit-creating mechanism. Sounds like dark user experience to me, but it's OK.</p><p></p><h4>6:00</h4><p>We went to <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/GFhzSkSQhv22">Womb</a> for the best club night in my life so far. We didn't have a plan when we met. But we had VIP friends, got in the VIP line, went to the VIP floor with a VIP bar. I've barely been drinking lately and took it all in completely sober. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Dixon_(DJ)">Dixon</a> was playing in the main stage.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 74</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 08 Jan 2016 05:06:04 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/74</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/74</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/81_day-078n.jpg?1452229561' alt='Instant photo for Day 74 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>12:00</h4><p>Today I have purchased tickets for the <a href="http://www.tryswiftconf.com/en">try! Swift</a> conference happening in March 2<sup>nd</sup>, 3<sup>rd</sup> and 4<sup>th</sup> 2016. Many well-known developers will be attending and the line-up of speakers is incredible. Now I have to work harder on my <a href="https://swift.org">Swift</a> studies.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 73</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 08 Jan 2016 05:05:35 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/73</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/73</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/80_day-070b.jpg?1452229532' alt='Instant photo for Day 73 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>10:00</h4><p>I took this photo in <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/HGNPRi5qyQv">Toranomon</a> after meeting Takako for coffee. “I visit my mother every time I have a day off. She used to live with my sister, but now that my sister married and moved in with her husband she's always alone. I always cook for her.” I haven't learnt how to be less selfish yet.</p><p></p><h4>23:30</h4><p>I’m watching the first part of the two-part Japanese movie <i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3345472/">Parasyte</a></i>.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 72</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 08 Jan 2016 05:02:54 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/72</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/72</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/79_day-067e.jpg?1452229370' alt='Instant photo for Day 72 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>20:00</h4><p>This is another photo around Shibuya. I forgot about how great the sun feels after 7 years living in London. I don't want to do the work I'm doing every day at the office in the Hikarie (<span lang="ja">ヒカリエ</span>) tower. This work is the last string I have to break from my past in order to start a new life.</p><p>I want to go back to who I was before I started working for someone else's company. Passionate about learning and building new things. To have the motivation to build great products driving me forward, rather than someone else's agenda and a pay roll.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 71</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Thu, 07 Jan 2016 09:51:40 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/71</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/71</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/78_day-067h.jpg?1452160297' alt='Instant photo for Day 71 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>19:00</h4><p>This is the view of the Shibuya metro station as you go down the escalators from the Hikarie (<span lang="ja">ヒカリエ</span>) building. I took it on my way home. Today was a typical day of work, just like every other week day. I’ve been listening to the <a href="http://www.vanschneider.com/show/"><i>Nice to Meet You</i></a> podcast by <a href="https://twitter.com/vanschneider">Tobias van Schneider</a>, a well-known independent digital product designer in the industry.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 70</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Thu, 07 Jan 2016 09:01:41 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/70</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/70</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/77_day-067a.jpg?1452157298' alt='Instant photo for Day 70 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>11:00</h4><p>This is Sangenjaya again in the sun. I've been away from home two nights in a row. We said goodbye at the station in <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/oBUiWrsT7LL2">Tamachi</a>. It was a happy goodbye. I believe we will see each other again.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 69</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Thu, 07 Jan 2016 07:32:48 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/69</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/69</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/76_day-069f.jpg?1452151965' alt='Instant photo for Day 69 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>9:00</h4><p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antônio_Carlos_Jobim">Antônio Carlos Jobim</a> is playing <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QF_Ekf6nHj8"><i>Águas de Março</i></a> again.</p> <h4>11:00</h4><p>How nice must it be to just share that warmth. No attachments. No consequences. No break-ups. No words. A relationship that starts with dinner Friday evening and ends with breakfast Monday morning. A simple hold of the hand of a stranger who is now anything but one.</p> <h4>19:00</h4><p>In the afternoon we went to have coffee at <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/vSL4MRt7Axv">the Monocle Café</a> in <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/uJnR6275YZ42">Yurakucho</a>. </p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 68</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Thu, 07 Jan 2016 07:25:37 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/68</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/68</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/75_day-068a.jpg?1452151534' alt='Instant photo for Day 68 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>18:00</h4><p>I went to <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/Bm4PAhxLQ9n">Maisen Tonkatsu</a> (<a href="https://goo.gl/maps/Bm4PAhxLQ9n"><span lang="ja">舞泉</span></a>), the best <a href="https://www.google.co.jp/search?q=tonkatsu&client=safari&rls=en&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjGmYaHlZfKAhXDW5QKHa0KAVwQ_AUIBygB&biw=1121&bih=939">tonkatsu</a> restaurant in Tokyo, and ordered sushi. I wasn't ready to taste amazing <a href="https://www.google.co.jp/search?q=tonkatsu&client=safari&rls=en&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjGmYaHlZfKAhXDW5QKHa0KAVwQ_AUIBygB&biw=1121&bih=939">tonkatsu</a> today, maybe I'll come here again another time with someone else.</p> <p>I took this beautiful photo inside the <a href="http://ooo-koffee.com">Omotesandō Koffee</a>, a beautiful tiny shop serving delicious coffee.</p> <h4>22:00</h4><p>These must be the best times of our lives. Making last minute plans, hopping from bar to bar, eating Italian food for hours and walking to the hotel together.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 67</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Thu, 07 Jan 2016 07:15:27 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/67</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/67</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/74_day-67i.jpg?1452150924' alt='Instant photo for Day 67 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>23:00</h4><p>She is heartbreakingly simple. We walked to <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/WWZVy6Db4132">Hachikō</a>. We've said goodbye and I wonder what her name is.</p><p></p><p>The photo above was taken sneakily inside inside the waiter’s corridor at the <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/51uTyFmG6Ez">Ichiran Ramen bar</a> in Shibuya. <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/51uTyFmG6Ez">Ichiran</a> is famous for the unique personalised ramen taste and also for the independent library-like cubicles where you eat it. One must taste one’s ramen without distractions.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 66</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Thu, 07 Jan 2016 07:09:26 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/66</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/66</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/73_day-067c.jpg?1452150563' alt='Instant photo for Day 66 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><b>15:00</b><p>I received a notification from <a href="http://line.me/en/">LINE</a>: “Samson Antwi: Yes, you can have Takadanobaba. Good news for you!” Thank you Samson. I am buying you a gigantic bottle of sake for Christmas.</p><b>22:00</b><p>I'm getting a good hang of this silhouette style with instant film. This is a photo was taken just outside the Shibuya Hikarie (<span lang="ja">ヒカリエ</span>) during my lunch break.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 65</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Thu, 07 Jan 2016 07:04:33 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/65</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/65</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/72_day-065c.jpg?1452150270' alt='Instant photo for Day 65 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>14:00</h4><p>Next month I have Japanese language classes at the <a href="http://www.isi-education.com/english/wp/?page_id=17">ISI Language School</a> in <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/J2u7TxF6SmE2">Takadanobaba</a>, so I am looking for apartments nearby. I found a perfect one just a 7 minute walk away but it was reserved hours before I asked to reserve it. So I settled for a cheaper option near <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/phD7hePL4HC2">Nakano</a> which is about a 40 minute walk away.</p><p></p><h4>21:00</h4><p>The photo above is the view from my office, again. I don’t want to forget this view. You can tell the film hasn’t finished developing when I scanned so the image looks very pale.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 64</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Thu, 07 Jan 2016 06:54:01 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/64</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/64</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/71_day-064i.jpg?1452149638' alt='Instant photo for Day 64 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>22:00</h4><p>It’s the first of December. With it came the unexpected rush to cancel memberships and hunt for a new apartment for next month. I took over 20 photos today to experiment with the different camera features, specially the long exposure mode. The one above was taken in Shibuya near the <a href="http://www.forever21.co.jp">Forever 21</a> store.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 63</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Thu, 07 Jan 2016 06:48:58 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/63</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/63</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/70_day-063a.jpg?1452149336' alt='Instant photo for Day 63 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>15:00</h4><p>This is the last photo I’m taking with the <a href="http://www.fujifilm.com/products/instant_photo/cameras/instax_300/">Fuji Instax Wide 300</a>. My <a href="http://microsites.lomography.com/lomo-instant-wide-camera/">Lomo’Instant Wide</a> arrived in the mail this morning and I’m just finishing the film before making the switch.</p><p></p><p>This is a photo of a furniture designer holding a tile from his latest furniture piece: a powder table with a top that looks like the deep ocean. I’ve forgotten his name.</p><p></p><h4>22:00</h4><p>I met Haruka for a cocktail after work. We went to <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/E1rgwhZySi12">Trench bar</a>, the one I’ve been to two years ago with Miki. Haruka has a very unique look. Her hair is red, her lips are sharp and eyes are wide. I had an <a href="http://www.drinksmixer.com/drink820.html">amaretto sour</a>.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 62</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Tue, 22 Dec 2015 08:50:32 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/62</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/62</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/69_day-078j.jpg?1450774229' alt='Instant photo for Day 62 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>16:00</h4><p><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/XqkC6G3MYNn">Omotesandō</a> is dark and whispery. Like a silent catwalk. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/-qh9_gq0bL/">The Ao building</a> has bright sparks of red all around its body.</p><p></p><p>I meet her for dinner at <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g1066456-d1683971-Reviews-Brown_Rice_Cafe-Shibuya_Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto.html">Brown Rice</a> tonight.</p><p></p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 61</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Tue, 22 Dec 2015 08:47:53 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/61</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/61</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/68_day-061e.jpg?1450774070' alt='Instant photo for Day 61 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>22:00</h4><p>I met <a href="https://www.instagram.com/alex_abn/">Alex</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/harurita246/">Haru</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/chokobii/">Sunyoung</a> today. We went to a <a href="http://tokyocheapo.com/events/fiesta-de-espana-tokyo/">Spanish festival</a> in <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/kqUXYJGL4kF2">Yoyogi park</a>. We had <a href="https://www.google.co.jp/search?q=sangria&client=safari&rls=en&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjC2dT7ie_JAhXhGqYKHZKAA6QQ_AUIBygB&biw=1395&bih=939">sangria</a>, <a href="https://www.google.co.jp/search?q=paella&client=safari&rls=en&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjSt6H9ie_JAhWFG6YKHZmdBBIQ_AUIBygB&biw=1395&bih=939">paella</a>, <a href="https://www.google.co.jp/search?q=jamon+iberico&client=safari&rls=en&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiezLb_ie_JAhWiMaYKHTjaD3cQ_AUIBygB&biw=1395&bih=939">jamón ibérico</a> and <a href="https://www.google.co.jp/search?q=chocolate+churros&client=safari&rls=en&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjc9KKCiu_JAhXG26YKHSr7BwQQ_AUIBygB&biw=1395&bih=939#tbm=isch&q=churros">churros</a>.</p> <p>After sunset we stop for a drink at <a href="http://lilrire.com">Lil’ Rire Café</a>. Beer joins us. Everyone speaks Japanese. Despite my efforts in studying this language every day I still can’t follow the conversation.</p> <p>We went to <a href="http://www.tasuichi.co.jp">Tasuichi</a> (<a href="http://www.tasuichi.co.jp"><span lang="ja">たすいち</span></a>) at the end of the day. If this diary was a TV Show like <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends"><i>Friends</i></a>, <a href="http://www.tasuichi.co.jp/">Tasuichi</a> would be the <a href="https://www.google.co.jp/search?q=central+perk+cafe+friends&client=safari&rls=en&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiW0qL2gPHJAhUCL6YKHTOBBPgQ_AUIBygB&biw=1120&bih=962">Central Perk Café</a> equivalent.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 60</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Tue, 22 Dec 2015 08:10:43 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/60</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/60</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/67_day-060a.jpg?1450771840' alt='Instant photo for Day 60 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>18:00</h4><p>Today I met <a href="https://www.instagram.com/akimarina/">Marina</a> at <a href="http://streamercoffee.com">Streamer Coffee Company</a>. I go to this café so often most of the staff recognise me. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/akimarina/">Marina</a> is a design graduate from Tokyo, but she was raised in San Fancisco and did high school in New York. It’s great to meet someone who speaks English fluently. She was preparing for a job interview on the seat just accross mine.</p><p></p><h4>1:00</h4><p>As I’m waiting for <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thisisshun/">Shun</a> at <a href="http://bridge-shibuya.com">Bridge</a>. I notice one of baristas from <a href="http://streamercoffee.com">Streamer</a> is here. We say hello and introduce each other formally for the first time. Her name is Yungji. She’s stunning.</p><p></p><p>I suppose I’m being introduced to her friends as I can’t understand Korean. The girl with black hair gives me a docile slap in the face without a word. This must mean <i>hello</i>. Later she’s at the DJ booth and I’m taking photos. Her name is Mari.</p><p></p><p>She opens the door and asks for my Facebook. I’m busy, I tell her to wait. I zip up my trousers and wash my hands. A guy walks in but he doesn’t seem to care. We leave the toilet and exchange details. I have a feeling I’ll be seeing Mari at <a href="http://www.womb.co.jp">Womb</a> next week.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 59</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Tue, 22 Dec 2015 08:06:33 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/59</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/59</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/66_day-059a.jpg?1450771590' alt='Instant photo for Day 59 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>12:00</h4><p>I received a rejection email from the hiring manager handling my interview at Google. Being rejected from Google twice has to at least be admired. I also turn 25 today.</p><p></p><h4>18:00</h4><p>New definition of success: Living happily making the best work I can make rather than belong to a socially recognised place of successful people.</p><p></p><h4>20:00</h4><p>I met <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thisisshun/">Shun</a> and <a href="http://instagram.com/kaoruh123">Kaoru</a> today. They are good friends. They listen, don’t judge, give only solicited and most times useful advice, and don’t take things too seriously. Unlike me.</p><p></p><p>We were at the <a href="http://www.tasuichi.co.jp">Tasuichi</a> (<a href="http://www.tasuichi.co.jp"><span lang="ja">たすいち</span></a>) in Shibuya. <a href="http://www.tasuichi.co.jp">Tasuichi</a> is a very foreigner-friendly bar, and as <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thisisshun/">Shun</a> and <a href="http://instagram.com/kaoruh123">Kaoru</a> have lived outside of Japan for most of their lives they classify unofficially as half-foreigner. After that bar we went to the <a href="http://www.pub-hub.com">Hub</a>. <a href="http://www.pub-hub.com">Hub</a> is chain of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pub">British-style pubs</a> in Tokyo and if one day you have a chance to visit a <a href="http://www.pub-hub.com">Hub</a> pub in Tokyo I highly recommend you visiting another, more interesting, venue.</p><p></p><p>The silhouettes on this photo are people looking over the Shibuya crossing at the <a href="http://www.hikarie.jp">Hikarie</a> (<a href="http://www.hikarie.jp"><span lang="ja">ヒカリエ</span></a>) building on the 8th floor.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 58</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Tue, 22 Dec 2015 08:03:40 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/58</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/58</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/65_day-058d.jpg?1450771416' alt='Instant photo for Day 58 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>14:00</h4><p>Cheap food doe not have to be unhealthy. And service at cheap restaurants does not have to be unpleasant. Tokyo is full of restaurants optimised to be cheap and fast while serving good quality hot meals in a clean restaurant with great customer service.</p><p>Commonly you will order your meal in a vending machine and get a ticket in exchange. The waiter will place a glass of water in the desired seat for you, you hand will hand your ticket to the waiter, receive your meal in exchanged and leave shortly after completing it. These fast style restaurants usually serve udon, ramen, rice dishes, with eggs, vegetables, pork, beef, curry. All these dishes cost less than a Starbucks beverage.</p><p></p><p>I took the photo above at the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoshinoya">Yoshinoya</a> in <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/BiDvtWATFaq">Sangenjaya</a> before paying ¥480 for my <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gyūdon">gyūdon</a></i> meal topped with raw egg.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 57</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Tue, 22 Dec 2015 07:56:37 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/57</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/57</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/64_day-054h.jpg?1450770993' alt='Instant photo for Day 57 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>14:00</h4><p>I’ve started writing an ideas notebook. I title each page of the notebook with a challenge or a brief. Some of my best brief titles are: “Re-invent how we pass on our memories after we pass away”, “Find the biggest difference in our day-to-day between this world and a world where analogue technology never existed” and “Design a trade market not operated via money”.</p><p>Let me dig deeper into these brief titles so you can understand the stage I’m setting.</p><p>The first brief is fairly straight forward: address life closure, passing away, collecting memories, specially on situations where a terminated life was unexpected.</p><p>The second is more involved: If world as we know it was built on top of today’s technology from the start, what would the biggest difference be and how can you accelerate the transition from it’s current form to that new form.</p><p>The third brief is less connected to technology: Imagine a trade where money can’t be present or isn’t a suitable form of currency. This is perhaps better explained with an example: Organ donation. Organs can’t be legally traded by money, organ donations are scarce, the demand is high. Situations where an organ is exchanged for another organ are rare. How can we design a system where these moneyless trades can grow in a legal, safe and reliable way that benefits mankind as a whole.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 56</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Tue, 22 Dec 2015 07:54:13 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/56</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/56</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/63_day-056g.jpg?1450770849' alt='Instant photo for Day 56 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>22:00</h4><p>The nature, the local food, the traditions, the more untouched part of Japanese culture. I found all the things I’ve forgotten about Japan on our trip to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikkō,_Tochigi">Nikkō</a>.</p><p></p><p>The four of us met at 9am.</p><p></p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/nyaso110/">Narumi</a> smiled for the entire day, as so must have I. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mi_s_t/">Misato</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thisisshun/">Shun</a> were a couple today more than any other day.</p><p></p><p>The <a href="http://microsites.lomography.com/lomo-instant-wide-camera/">Lomo’Instant Wide</a> swings on my shoulders in it’s heavy and builky style. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fujifilm_X100">The Fujifilm X100</a> is back on my right hand, strapped on my wrist, like my first ever <a href="http://15daysinjapan.com">15 days in Japan</a> years ago.</p><p></p><p>Me and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/nyaso110/">Narumi</a> shared an umbrella. Step through the stone walks and into the temples of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikkō,_Tochigi">Nikkō</a>. I’m away from everything and everyone again, an escape from my retreat. As we make the drive back, I serve as a friendly shoulder for her to nap.</p><p></p><p>Our playlist includes: <i><a href="https://soundcloud.com/diplo/bitch-better-have-my-money-diplo-grandtheft-remixofficial-you-losers">Bitch Better Have My Money</a></i>, by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rihanna">Rihanna</a> remixed by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diplo">Diplo</a>; <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzTuBuRdAyA">Hills</a></i> by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Weeknd">The Weekend</a>; <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saxnXiBKEaY">Girlfriend</a></i> by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NSYNC">NSYNC</a>; <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqeW9_5kURI">Lean On</a></i> by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_Lazer">Major Lazer</a>; <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1Jp-V4jalI">Cheerleader</a></i> by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omi_(singer)">Omi</a>; <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1riGltBOtY">Tom Ford</a></i> by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_Z">Jay Z</a>; <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyzrMYLsZq4">Would You Be My Girlfriend</a></i> by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justin_Timberlake">Justin Timberlake</a>; and many, many other up-beats.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 55</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Tue, 22 Dec 2015 07:42:05 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/55</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/55</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/62_day-055b.jpg?1450770121' alt='Instant photo for Day 55 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>22:00</h4><p>He achieved many of the goals I struggle with today. <a href="https://twitter.com/jonathontoon">Jonathon</a> worked at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facebook">Facebook</a> as a product designer and is now in Tokyo after his girlfriend got an opportunity be part of the Google Tokyo design team. Tonight I met him, <a href="https://twitter.com/cbje_tokyo">Cody</a>, <a href="http://angeloro.co">Michele</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/kvrvs41">Jiran</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/miniminilion">Minami</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/JohnnyLinnert">Johnny</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/madokaochi">Madoka</a> for drinks and food at <a href="http://tabelog.com/en/tokyo/A1303/A130301/13115695/">Toribia</a> in <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/H63no48GGG82">Shibuya</a>.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 54</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Sat, 19 Dec 2015 09:58:50 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/54</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/54</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/61_day-054g.jpg?1450519126' alt='Instant photo for Day 54 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>10:00</h4><p>I’m at <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/f7aovwnVcCr">Deus Ex Machina</a> in <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/G52VLh5Q3Z32">Harajuku</a>. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/alex_abn/">Alex</a> is going to meet me here soon. We haven't seen each other since <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/9inVIQK0fl/?taken-by=nunosans">Halloween</a>.</p><p></p><p><a href="http://shop.us.deuscustoms.com">Deus Ex Machina</a>, contrary to what I expected, isn’t another coffee shop. <a href="http://shop.us.deuscustoms.com">Deus</a> is a lifestyle brand. They sell coffee and serve amazing Californian food in the ground floor, sell their own clothing line on the second floor, have a collection of leather goods, organise movie nights, DJ nights, and also sell craft beer in the evening. I wouldn’t be surprised if they had their own music label and banking society. I understand this in one simple way: rather than focusing your business in making one specific product, focus your business catering for one specific niche customer.</p><p></p><h4>16:00</h4><p>We walked around <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/dDPi351tW9n">Omotesandō</a>. Met with a friend travelling around Asia, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kvrvs41/">Jiran</a>. Had lunch. And now I’m back in the café to study Japanese. The photo above was taken at the top of the <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/rbaJoVvW47T2">Tokyu Plaza</a> in <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/dDPi351tW9n">Omotesandō</a>.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 53</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Sat, 19 Dec 2015 09:49:08 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/53</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/53</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/60_day-053a.jpg?1450518545' alt='Instant photo for Day 53 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>21:00</h4><p>I had my job interview at <a href="http://www.google.com/about/careers/lifeatgoogle/working-at-google-japan.html">Google Tokyo</a> this afternoon. In this stage of the job application process I interview with two designers from the <a href="http://www.google.com/about/careers/lifeatgoogle/working-at-google-japan.html">Tokyo office</a> and execute a design exercise relevant to the role I’m applying for.</p><p></p><p>The Tokyo team works closely with the San Francisco office to work on <a href="https://www.google.com/maps">Google Maps</a> and other location products. Given how dense and complex the urban space is in Tokyo, a lot more thought and work goes into designing local products for Tokyo. The work made in Tokyo is then shared with teams globally to be localised.</p><p></p><p>After my interview I met <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mi_s_t/">Misato</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thisisshun/">Shun</a> for dinner. We went to <a href="http://en.cceight.com/restaurant#r06">Chinese Café Eight</a> in Aoyama. I told them the interview didn’t go well and we ordered pecking duck. I can’t taste anything but disappointment tonight but I’m not one to spoil the fun.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 52</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Wed, 16 Dec 2015 12:53:34 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/52</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/52</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/59_day-052b.jpg?1450270408' alt='Instant photo for Day 52 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>20:00</h4><p>He told me he is getting married next month. He asked me if I want a Japanese girlfriend. “They are full of kindness” he added. I reply “No”. My favourite white lie. </p><p>This is the first time I’m having a haircut since I moved to Tokyo.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 51</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Wed, 16 Dec 2015 12:50:13 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/51</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/51</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/58_day-051.jpg?1450270209' alt='Instant photo for Day 51 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>21:00</h4><p>I met Yuko for dinner at a french restaurant in Ginza. She had already finished a bottle of wine with her friend and told me about the umbrellas game in Tokyo.</p><p></p><p>In Tokyo the most common sight in a rainy day are the transparent umbrellas commonly sold at the <span lang="ja">コンビニ</span>. These umbrellas cost around ¥500 and don’t break too easily. I have one at home and the one I brought with me tonight. The magic around these umbrellas is that they all look the same and everyone “borrows” each others umbrellas. I use the word “borrows” because someone will take your umbrella by mistake and in return you will take someone else’s. Sometimes you will be offered an umbrella from a friend, or the office will have a few spares, or you will purchase a new one to the game. The bottom line is: every umbrella will eventually belong to multiple people. And everyone is ok with how this system works.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 50</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Wed, 16 Dec 2015 12:44:42 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/50</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/50</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/57_day-050a.jpg?1450269878' alt='Instant photo for Day 50 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>13:00</h4><p>I sent out an entire batch of handwritten letters with some instant photos today. Writing letters, some of them to strangers, has become a fascination. I don’t know what to say so I write mostly about myself. If only it were so easy to open up with people you already know.</p><h4>20:00</h4><p>The photo above was taken at a stall in Shibuya. This stall will be here for the whole week.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 49</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Wed, 16 Dec 2015 12:31:06 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/49</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/49</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/56_day-049c.jpg?1450269062' alt='Instant photo for Day 49 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>19:00</h4><p>I’ve come home early today. Ordered sushi to take away, studied Japanese in my desk, put my polaroids on the wall. I’m missing something but I don’t know what it is. Maybe it’s a purpose.</p><p></p><h4>23:00</h4><p>I’m watching <i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4158110/">Mr. Robot</a></i>.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 48</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Wed, 16 Dec 2015 12:29:09 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/48</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/48</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/55_day-048a.jpg?1450268945' alt='Instant photo for Day 48 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>10:00</h4><p>I’m studying <a href="https://swift.org">Swift</a>, a new programming language by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Inc.">Apple</a>. In about 30 minutes I will go to <a href="https://www.tipness.co.jp">the gym</a>. Do a 45 minutes workout of 15 minutes cardio, 3 leg exercises and 7 upper body exercises. My figure is quite slender. I will take a hot bath awkwardly amongst all the other Japanese men. Then I will take the train to <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/ft5BKZxvj1K2">Shibuya</a>, the elevator to the 8th floor. I seat in the office quiet zone, work in my computer beyond dinner, and end the day with a <a href="http://www.starbucks.com/menu/drinks/tea/chai-latte">Chai Latte</a> and 2 hours studying Japanese. You could say I’m past the peak of my day.</p><p></p><p>This is a photo in <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/Gr5fU6u2Czk">Sangenjaya</a>. Any sunny day might be the last now.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 47</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Tue, 15 Dec 2015 02:56:02 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/47</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/47</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/54_day-045.jpg?1450148435' alt='Instant photo for Day 47 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><span><h4>9:00</h4><p>I light up my phone’s screen to wake my sleepy eyes in the morning. Everything normal so far. I check the news, <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34814203">90 dead in Paris after a mass shooting</a> last night. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facebook">Facebook</a> tells me my friends are safe with the security check feature. I check <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twitter">Twitter</a>. <a href="http://sachagreif.com">Sacha Grief</a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/SachaGreif/status/665315326779785216">“Fuck this. I can’t believe this is happening again”</a>.</p></span>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 46</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Tue, 15 Dec 2015 02:55:04 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/46</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/46</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/53_day-046c.jpg?1450148099' alt='Instant photo for Day 46 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><span><h4>10:00</h4><p>Today is <a href="https://www.instagram.com/vaniacoelhosantos/">my sister</a>’s birthday. Right now, the person I miss the most. More than my parents, or my best friend. From the moment I moved to London we stopped speaking as much. But when 5 years later she also moved to London it was like I met a lost family member. All our differences were put away and it became clear how inspiring she has been throughout my life. It also became clear how nothing replaces a sibling whom you can trust all your problems with. And that is why I miss her so much today. Because we needed each other.</p><p>I wish you a happy birthday, with much love.</p><h4>13:00</h4><p>I had a phone interview with a hiring manager at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google">Google</a> for a role in the Tokyo office 30 minutes ago. Working at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google">Google</a> must be my dream. Working at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google">Google</a> in Tokyo was farfetched. The role they are hiring for is for an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interaction_design">Interaction Designer</a>. Kazuki told me my experience is suitable for the role, my only disadvantage is not having design experience targeted specifically for Asian users.</p><h4>20:00</h4><p>I met up with <a href="https://www.instagram.com/oldmangates/">Paul Gates</a> today, and we explored the area of Shinjuku. Paul is a former colleague at <a href="https://ustwo.com">ustwo</a>. After a few drinks he asked me if I would ever go back to <a href="https://ustwo.com">ustwo</a>. “Yes. Of course”. <a href="https://ustwo.com">ustwo</a> was probably the best place I ever worked at. During my time at <a href="https://ustwo.com">ustwo</a> I was very happy, hungry to grow, and also immature. I had to go. Maybe one day I’ll have a chance to go back.</p><p>Here’s a group photo at The Waterfall in <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/sLbrRT6Nxuo">Shinjuku</a>. Thank you <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thisisshun/">Shun</a> for taking this photo. From left to right you can see Shohei, Kevin, me, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/oldmangates/">Paul</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lark55/">Lucas</a> and Ryleigh.</p></span>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 45</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Tue, 15 Dec 2015 02:34:54 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/45</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/45</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/52_day-046d.jpg?1450146890' alt='Instant photo for Day 45 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><span><h4>20:00</h4><p>Another chapter in my series of exploring Tokyo at night. There must be something in this city for me to discover, but I seem unable to unlock that secret. There are no <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kafka_on_the_Shore">speaking cats</a> or <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kafka_on_the_Shore">fish falling from the sky</a>.</p><p></p></span>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 44</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Tue, 15 Dec 2015 02:32:14 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/44</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/44</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/51_day-044a.jpg?1450146730' alt='Instant photo for Day 44 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><span><h4>22:00</h4><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/nozostariver/">Nozomi</a> met me after work today. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/nozostariver/">Nozomi</a> is a friend from London, a talented illustrator based in Tokyo. I know that <a href="https://www.instagram.com/nozostariver/">Nozomi</a> and I haven’t actually spent that much time together, we would just meet for coffee every now and then. But she’s smart, thoughtful, and the best person to talk to at any given time. She’s also full of silly stories.</p><p>We had <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okonomiyaki">okonomiyaki</a> for dinner at <a href="http://tabelog.com/en/tokyo/A1303/A130301/13161581/">Bow’s Door</a>, this is now my second time here. Then went to the <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/wzbVpq8tLgC2">JBS</a> bar for a quiet drink at the sound of soul. We had a second drink at the <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/zyr23Xm8hqr">Bar Music</a>, a lovely tiny bar full of discs and an incredibly cute dog by the entrance. We talked about work, freelance, fulfilling your passion carrier, dreams, Nozomi’s drunken adventures in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okinawa_Prefecture">Okinawa</a>, and agreed to meet again another time.</p><p>Above is a photo of <a href="https://www.instagram.com/nozostariver/">Nozomi</a> acting silly in the street between <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/wzbVpq8tLgC2">JBS</a> and <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/zyr23Xm8hqr">Bar Music</a> in <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/c3gKqi9Yptx">Shibuya</a>.</p></span>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 43</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Tue, 15 Dec 2015 02:27:01 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/43</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/43</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/50_day-043a.jpg?1450146418' alt='Instant photo for Day 43 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><span><h4>14:00</h4><p>Some habits have changed.</p><p>I brush my teeth every afternoon after lunch. I have a toothbrush and toothpaste in a case on my locker. Before I would only brush my teeth at home, but now I see others do it in the public restroom so I don’t feel ashamed.</p><p>I shower in the evening instead of in the morning. Going to bed without showering now feels dirty. In the morning I wash my face and go to the gym where I shower again. Before I would always shower in the morning, which was also very time inefficient.</p><p>I switch on my aroma diffuser before leaving home in the morning so my tiny apartment smells like lemongrass when I get home.</p><p>I don’t cook. Food in Tokyo is generally tasty, affordable and healthy. I don’t think I’ll buy any kitchenware anytime soon.</p><p>I watch all my series, listen to all my music, podcasts and audiobooks from my phone. Before I would watch it from my laptop. But now I leave my laptop for work and writing only. I barely open it at home anymore.</p><p>I study Japanese from a café after work. Cafés stay open until late and are extremely quiet. I find it very easy to focus when there is a lot of people around to ignore.</p><p>I like this new routine.</p><h4>22:00</h4><p>I love how the rain washes away all the tension and humbles the busy city people. I also love how this photo captures a translucent umbrella blurring the lights in Shibuya. It’s one of my favourites.</p><p></p></span>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 42</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Tue, 15 Dec 2015 02:25:16 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/42</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/42</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/49_day-042a.jpg?1450146313' alt='Instant photo for Day 42 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><span><h4>20:00</h4><p>Today has been a very standard day of work. This is a photo outside of the Hikarie building that I took when leaving the office. I feel like writing about my routine.</p><p>I have a daily routing of goal-setting. Every 6 months I set 6 goals that I aim to accomplish by the end of those 6 months. These are long-term goals. I write these goals every day on my notebook before writing a list of all my tasks for the day. This helps me connect what I'm focus on accomplishing that day with the long-term goals. I then rate the tasks for the day from “A” to “E” according to how important they are. I focus on completing all the “A” tasks that day.</p><p>Right now my long term goals are, in no particular order: 1. “I have a toned body”; 2. “I have published an authentic diary”; 3. “I have £8,000 in savings”; 4. “I have designed a socks collection”; 5. “I speak fluent Japanese”; and 6. “I now dress a lot better”. I know some of these goals are small-minded, but they are important to me. Other goals, like speaking fluent Japanese, are probably impossible but aiming for something hard to achieve will usually make me work harder to achieve it. Writing these goals in the first person present tense is important to help me feel like I can achieve these goals.</p><p>Additionally to this I also have a system for weekly planning. I create 53 lists of to-dos, one for each week of the year, and assign tasks that need to be done each week to that week. Birthdays, routine appointments or tasks, bills that need to be paid, etc. That’s a good way to keep things I can’t do anything about right now out of my mind.</p></span>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 41</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Tue, 15 Dec 2015 02:18:48 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/41</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/41</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/48_day-041c.jpg?1450145925' alt='Instant photo for Day 41 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><span><h4>14:00</h4><p>I’m at the <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/WsZEmJjS23L2">Gohongi</a> <a href="http://streamercoffee.com">Streamer Coffee Company</a> near <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/WUHJmtxeVKE2">Gakugeidaigaku station</a>, the nearest one to my apartment in <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/RFYD8fe1vt12">Sancha</a>. This is a beautiful two-floor wooden and bare concrete coffee shop. There seems to be much more focus on brewing drip coffee in this store compared to <a href="http://streamercoffee.com/location">the store in Shibuya</a>. I spend all day here writing my diary.</p><p>While exploring the streets of <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/m7UMepNx5Dz">Sancha</a> I came across the <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/jzD83Fth9LU2">Setagayasankannonji temple</a> and the sake shop I took a photo of above. I’m ashamed to confess that it took me more than two weeks to wonder around, discover the local cafés and restaurants.</p></span>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 40</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Mon, 07 Dec 2015 03:40:49 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/40</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/40</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/47_day-40c.jpg?1449459646' alt='Instant photo for Day 40 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><p>I went to pick up a television at <a href="https://www.google.co.jp/maps/place/Kamifukuoka+Station/@35.8734933,139.5099243,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x6018dca12398a189:0xbfc5287cc8fd22bf">Kamifukuoka</a> from my friend Jason.</p> <p>Once at home, I setup the TV and confusion follows. First of all, the remote has numbers from 1 to 12 rather than from 0 to 9. Then, there are 3 channels under the channel 1. I zap through the channels and see a comedy show, anime, and a show teaching Mandarin. Perhaps learning Mandarin in Japanese is a good way for me to learn two languages at once. </p> <p>At the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FamilyMart">Family Mart</a> I bought some <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorayaki"><span lang="ja">どら焼き</span></a> (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorayaki">dorayaki</a>) a treat made internationally famous thanks to the anime <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doraemon">Doraemon</a></i>, some dried cod fish and tangerines.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 39</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Sat, 05 Dec 2015 07:50:41 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/39</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/39</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/46_day-039a.jpg?1449301839' alt='Instant photo for Day 39 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br>Tokyo must be the perfect city to be alone. Shibuya is the area I consider home, although no one can ever consider it one’s own. Most of my awake hours are spent discovering the next coffee shop, watching the locals swim through the streets in a whispery choreography. The garments on people’s bodies change as the temperature drops this November, but the sunlight has stayed for the next season.]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 38</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 27 Nov 2015 03:47:17 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/38</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/38</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/45_day-038a.jpg?1448596036' alt='Instant photo for Day 38 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><span><h4>11:00</h4><p>I’m working from building opposite my office. This is a <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/JTDwE4AUukz">French bakery</a> of three floors with an excellent view of the <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/d7J8szqb7292">Shibuya station</a>. The air outside is crisp in this fresh November morning. I take time to build more internet, write these notes and watch people.</p><h4>20:00</h4><p>There must be more to life than drinking coffee at different locations. Gambling where to get lunch. Reducing conversations to what the language barrier allows. How can you love a city that will never truly let you belong? I should’ve known Tokyo is just a crush.</p></span>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 37</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 27 Nov 2015 03:46:15 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/37</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/37</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/44_day-037a.jpg?1448595974' alt='Instant photo for Day 37 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><span><h4>16:00</h4><p>My trainers are old and dirty. They travelled with me in Japan for <a href="http://15daysinjapan.com/">the first time</a>, second time, they went with me to San Francisco, New York, Portugal, Italy and every evening to the gym. My trousers are too skinny and the black in them is too light. My jacket is old and you can see bad waxing job I’ve done to it.</p><p>Tokyoites dress too nice and make me realise all these things. Today I went shopping for some new clothes. I don’t feel like I need them as much as I need to feel that I belong.</p><p>I took this photo in the morning on my way to work. It’s a sunny day and umbrellas are drying outside an apartment in Sangenjaya.</p><p></p></span>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 36</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 27 Nov 2015 03:45:16 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/36</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/36</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/43_day-036.jpg?1448595915' alt='Instant photo for Day 36 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><span><h4>12:00</h4><p>I put on my favourite shirt. Shaved. Tidied my hair. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snow_White_(Disney)">Snow White</a> cancelled. But I am still ready for a good time.</p><h4>22:00</h4><p>I don’t feel like seeing anyone or doing anything. All I want is to become a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hikikomori">hikikomori</a>. But why would a lonely person want to be alone.</p></span>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 35</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 27 Nov 2015 03:44:19 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/35</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/35</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/42_day-035a.jpg?1448595857' alt='Instant photo for Day 35 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><span><h4>22:00</h4><p>I meet her again. I walk her to the park and kiss her for the second time on the lips. It was her opium. I hugged her in my arms. She lived in my world while her whole life was crumbling.</p><h4>2:00</h4><p>You’re asleep. I write notes on your back. Maybe they will give you the nudge you need to tell your boyfriend about us.</p><h4>4:00</h4><p>You’re asleep again. I’m typing this on my phone. I know you’re cold in my naked flat. I know you have your duties and responsibilities imposed by society upon you. Maybe you’re hoping I’ll take them all away from you. But I’m also lost, my world is also crumbling.</p></span>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 34</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 27 Nov 2015 03:43:48 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/34</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/34</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/41_day-034a.jpg?1448595826' alt='Instant photo for Day 34 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><span><h4>18:00</h4><p>He told me about pick up art. Picking up girls at clubs, how to talk to them, how to act, how to study it, how to perfect it. But I just have an emotional hangover. I should have had more scotch last night. These stories taste like disgusting medicine.</p><p>I choose an alternative path. I avoid love, fame, wealth, work. I seek knowledge, to live amongst the books and devour them one by one.</p><p>I’m listening to <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-3MYRdgla4">Lost</a></i> by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Ocean">Frank Ocean</a>. It reminds me of her.</p><h4>23:00</h4><p>The likes. The late night texts. The stickers. Swiping right. I’ve always been hungry for love.</p><p></p></span>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 33</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 27 Nov 2015 03:42:50 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/33</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/33</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/40_day-033b.jpg?1448595768' alt='Instant photo for Day 33 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><span><h4>5:00</h4><p>I met <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snow_White_(Disney)">Snow White</a> tonight. She smiled at me and my auto response system engaged. I was in love. She had all the qualities to regard me defenceless: funny, flirty, kind and pretty. So many red flags. I was the fly on her spider web.</p></span>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 32</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 27 Nov 2015 03:40:08 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/32</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/32</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/39_day-032d.jpg?1448595607' alt='Instant photo for Day 32 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><span><h4>11:00</h4><p>I can finally say I belong. I have a Japanese phone number. This changes absolutely nothing but the fact that I can now say that I have a phone number and call the emergency number. After Googling what the emergency number is.</p><p>I’ve visited <a href="http://www.biccamera.com/bc/top/CSfTop.jsp">BIC Camera</a> 3 times so far with the goal of obtaining a SIM Card contract with a phone number. Today I successfully signed a 1-year contract with 3GB of data per month and a number to receive and make phone calls (at extra cost). This costs ¥1600 per month before tax. </p><p>The current tax level is at 8%. A raise of 3% from 5% last year. And set to rise to 10% in 2017. The rise to 8% was the first in 17 years and caused a recession in the economy. I worry about the Japanese economy.</p><h4>17:00</h4><p>Tonight is Halloween warm up night. The “real” Halloween happens tomorrow. Everyone goes out to Shibuya and parades around the street, showing off their outfits, meeting people, taking lots of photos and drinking. Imagine a New Year’s, Carnival, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosplay">Cosplay</a> convention and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tinder_(app)">Tinder</a> party all at once. Dressing slutty is normal and respected. Having a very hard to decipher outfit is hardly regarded as cool. And group outfits are popular.</p><p>The best things I’ve seen: About 6 people dressed as <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario_Kart"><i>Mario Kart</i></a> characters driving in <a href="https://www.google.co.jp/search?q=Mario+Kart&client=safari&rls=en&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi71u221q_JAhWj3KYKHRIbAjIQ_AUIBygB&biw=840&bih=962#tbm=isch&q=Mario+Kart+cars"><i>Mario Kart</i> cars</a> around Shibuya. A group dressed as <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetris"><i>Tetris</i></a> pieces. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryu_(Street_Fighter)">Ryu</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Masters">Ken</a> from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Street_Fighter"><i>Street Fighter</i></a> performing a fight. A group of 4 <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0634240/">Nolan</a> <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0468569/">Dark Knights</a>, fitter than <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000288/">Christian Bale</a>. A guy dressed as a shrine. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sora_(Kingdom_Hearts)">Sora</a> from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_Hearts"><i>Kingdom Hearts</i></a>.</p><p>I get it now. Halloween is like fresher’s week. Christmas is like Valentine’s day. New Year’s is like Christmas. Valentine’s is Valentine’s. And White Day is Valentine’s again.</p><p>Tonight I’m <a href="http://www.imdb.com/character/ch0188706/">Peter Parker</a>. I’m ready.</p></span>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 31</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Tue, 24 Nov 2015 03:24:32 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/31</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/31</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/38_day-031b.jpg?1448335471' alt='Instant photo for Day 31 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><span><h4>10:00</h4><p>Today I went to the <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/ZRZrdeYAni52">Setagaya Ward Office</a> and registered as a foreigner living in Japan. I filled in a form that asked for my name in roman characters, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katakana">katakana</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanji">Chinese characters</a>, my current address, previous country, passport and other basic info. In 15 minutes I was returned my residency card with the address written on the back. This is the first step for me to legally integrate in the country: get a bank account and perhaps more importantly a phone number.</p></span>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 30</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Tue, 24 Nov 2015 03:18:47 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/30</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/30</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/37_day-030e.jpg?1448335125' alt='Instant photo for Day 30 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>17:00</h4> <p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/ivyinesclark/">Ivy</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thisisshun/">Shun</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/alvesjtiago/">Tiago</a> and myself went to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Quijote_(store)"><span lang="ja">ドン・キホーテ</span></a> (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Quijote_(store)">Don Quijote</a>) today to buy some things for my new apartment. This is <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ivyinesclark/">Ivy</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/alvesjtiago/">Tiago</a>’s last week in Japan, and they are staying with me, so I also need a guest mattress and bedding.</p> <p>This is the second time I walk into a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Quijote_(store)"><span lang="ja">ドンキ</span></a> store. The first time was in Shinjuku a couple of weeks ago by accident. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Quijote_(store)"><span lang="ja">ドンキ</span></a> is a jungle of products that spans multiple floors, selling everything from groceries to tech, halloween costumes to wedding dresses, school materials to sex toys.</p> <h4>22:00</h4><p>We had dinner at <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/3aNBeVtZqhB2">Sushi ¥90</a>. As you can guess from the name, this is a very affordable sushi restaurant. The quality is also a lot better than the average sushi you would get outside of Japan.</p> <p>The magic of this place starts from the moment you walk in: you are given a seat number and you order your plates of sushi from the touch screen in front of you. The plates then travel on a belt from the kitchen to your seat, you pick them up and press a button to confirm they were delivered. Only drinks are served by the staff. This is great to order a dish at a time and eat indefinitely. I can see this becoming a more popular model in the future with the use of drones.</p> <p>Above you can see a photo of my seat at the <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/3aNBeVtZqhB2">Sushi ¥90</a> restaurant in Shibuya.</p><p></p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 29</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Sun, 22 Nov 2015 08:06:53 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/29</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/29</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/36_day-029.jpg?1448179612' alt='Instant photo for Day 29 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><span><h4>14:00</h4><p>Lunches are quiet, peaceful and lonely.</p><h4>22:00</h4><p>I haven’t seen you for over a year. Your dark hair is longer. Your tanned skin is still flawless and you don’t look a day older. I wish you were here, I wish you didn’t have to go and I wish I didn’t shut you out. I wonder how you’re doing, what stories you have to share. After we broke up I met an imaginary version of myself. He was like me in every regard, just not afraid of commitment. You two married in the fall.</p></span>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 28</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Sun, 22 Nov 2015 08:06:14 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/28</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/28</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/35_day-028.jpg?1448179572' alt='Instant photo for Day 28 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><span><h4>10:00</h4><p>This is a photo outside of <a href="http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/27">my apartment</a> in <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/xmWYAK9ywpF2">Sangenjaya</a>. My home for the foreseeable future.</p><h4>1:00</h4><p>I haven’t seen <a href="https://twitter.com/davidepetrillo">Davide</a> for more than 2 years. He’s my mentor, my <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoda">Yoda</a>. The one who made me take web development seriously after feeling like it was nothing but a distraction. What makes me take <a href="https://twitter.com/davidepetrillo">Davide</a>, his opinions, suggestions and challenges so seriously is that he shares them so candidly. We see eye to eye. And I wish I could help him. But I only have to learn from him.</p><p>We met tonight for dinner at a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yakiniku">yakiniku</a> restaurant in Shibuya. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yakiniku"><i>Yakiniku</i></a> is a japanese-style barbecue, served at dedicated establishments, where you grill your own small portions of vegetables, seafood and meat.</p><p>Davide has lived in Japan before. In his early teens he moved to Tokyo and worked at a restaurant for three months. He was already doing web development back then, so his adventure was a break, a lot like mine, from everything. I feel like he knows more of the challenges I am facing and I will face than he is willing to tell me.</p><p>I leave after dinner. It’s a shame to depart. These conversations should not end until the first train. But I told her I would meet her tonight.</p></span>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 27</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Tue, 17 Nov 2015 01:34:30 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/27</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/27</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/34_day-027b.jpg?1447724068' alt='Instant photo for Day 27 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><span><h4>15:00</h4><p>It’s my first day staying in my new apartment. Momentary serenity. Sitting in the corner of the room with the light shining through the windows and my suitcase open on the floor. Soon, they will find me. My problems always do.</p></span>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 26</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Tue, 17 Nov 2015 01:32:13 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/26</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/26</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/33_day-026a.jpg?1447723932' alt='Instant photo for Day 26 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>20:00</h4> <p>Where had I seen her before? Blonde hair, blue eyes, slim shape. I sit at the table where all the 3 of us wear black. I say hello to her friend, to her. Her friend’s name is Lim, her’s Elin. They are both Swedish so we talk about <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crayfish">crayfish</a> and <a href="http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/">Ikea</a>, in what must have been 15 minutes of small talk. Where had I seen her before?</p><p>A few weeks ago she sat next to me when I visited the <a href="http://www.oakhouse.jp/eng/">Oak House</a> office. This was when I was looking for a flat. That day we talked briefly. What a coincidence to see her here. Surrounded by my ex-coworkers. Her friend is one of my best-friend’s ex-girlfriend’s friend. Or they met once, follow each other on <a href="https://instagram.com">Instagram</a>—I’m not sure.</p> <p><i>“You’ve had sex with her!?”</i> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/alvaroarreguifalcon/">Álvaro</a> asked when I told him this. Loudly and within everyone’s ear range. I said no. What an idiot. I’ll miss him. 20 minutes later Lim and Elin had to leave to another party.</p><h4>23:00</h4><p>We sang <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ9rUzIMcZQ"><i>Bohemian Rhapsody</i></a> by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_(band)">Queen</a> at the karaoke. It was a magical, bonding moment.</p> <p>This is not my party, but I share some hosting responsibility with my brother <a href="https://www.instagram.com/alvaroarreguifalcon/">Álvaro</a>. One of our guests was getting too intimate with another guest. I talk to her. She said he tried to kiss her despite her having a boyfriend.</p> <h4>01:00</h4><p>We go to the club, I kiss her for the first time.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 25</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Tue, 17 Nov 2015 01:28:07 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/25</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/25</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/32_day-025a.jpg?1447723685' alt='Instant photo for Day 25 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><span><h4>23:00</h4><p>Nad and Kate are visiting Tokyo this week, so obviously they knew all the must-see places in town. We followed them. We had dinner. Our task was to show them around <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinjuku_Golden_Gai">Golden Gai</a>.</p><p>Here we are again. One of the many filthy corners of Shinjuku, the filthiest part of Tokyo. These narrow alleyways are covered by signs and doors you can peek through to see small groups of people drinking. These doors used to be for rooms of prostitution. Now they became bars as big as a king size bed with space for no more than 3 or 4 slim guests where a single bartender provides his or hers speciality spirits.</p><p>Kevin takes us to the Waterfall. This could be a scene in the <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0637615/">Casper Noé</a> film <i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1191111/">Enter the Void</a></i>. The Waterfall is a bar with a loft, probably one of the most spacious in the block. We get drinks, pass them around, we put our own music on, but we leave soon after because there are too many other bars to pay visit to.</p><p>The photo above was taken from the window of the bar Waterfall in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinjuku_Golden_Gai">Golden Gai</a>.</p><p></p></span>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 24</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Tue, 17 Nov 2015 01:25:32 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/24</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/24</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/31_day-024b.jpg?1447723530' alt='Instant photo for Day 24 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><span><h4>10:00</h4><p>I rarely see people eating or drinking in the street. Walking and eating never happens. Drinking is usually done only by the vending machine. And eating usually in a park. But having a <a href="https://www.google.co.jp/search?q=tuna+mayo+onigiri+family+mart&client=safari&rls=en&biw=1340&bih=939&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAWoVChMI5rH5_KWWyQIVx4uUCh0TQgWj#tbm=isch&q=tuna+mayo+onigiri">tuna mayo onigiri</a> on one hand, a <a href="https://www.google.co.jp/search?q=calpis+soft+drink&client=safari&rls=en&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAWoVChMI-eqAjKaWyQIVga-UCh2M0QG_&biw=1340&bih=939">Calpis</a> on the other and making my morning walk to the station is the favourite part of my routine.</p><p>I believe <a href="https://www.google.co.jp/search?q=calpis+soft+drink&client=safari&rls=en&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAWoVChMI-eqAjKaWyQIVga-UCh2M0QG_&biw=1340&bih=939">Calpis</a>, a sweet white-coloured soft drink widely available in Japan, never made it to western civilisation due to it’s name sounding a lot like <i>cow piss</i>.</p><h4>19:00</h4><p>I’m currently reading <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Fast-Slow-Daniel-Kahneman/dp/0374533555">Thinking, Fast and Slow</a></i> by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Kahneman">Daniel Kahneman</a>.</p><p>The photo above was taken on my morning walk to <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/cEYRXcksR182">Ikebukuro station</a> where I get the express train to Shibuya.</p></span>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 23</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Mon, 16 Nov 2015 07:40:25 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/23</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/23</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/30_day-023a.jpg?1447659623' alt='Instant photo for Day 23 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><span><h4>23:00</h4><p>I want to work until later. Harder. Longer. Because all these things I dream of can’t stay just that way.</p><p>This is a photo taken inside of the <a href="http://www.shibuyamov.com">Creative Lounge MOV</a> in Shibuya, the space where I work from, after they start closing the place. It’s the first time I’ve seen it this dark and empty.</p></span>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 22</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Mon, 16 Nov 2015 07:39:55 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/22</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/22</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/29_day-022c.jpg?1447659594' alt='Instant photo for Day 22 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>22:00</h4><p>I’ve ordered <a href="http://www.aliexpress.com/item/2015-The-Amazing-Spider-man-Costume-3D-Original-Movie-Halloween-Spandex-Spiderman-Superhero-Costume-fullbody-zentai/32311923997.html">my Halloween costume</a>. I’ve ordered <a href="http://www.amazon.co.jp/Japanese-Busy-People-Kana-Version/dp/1568363850/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1447659495&sr=8-1&keywords=japanese+for+busy+people">my Japanese study book</a>. I’ve ordered <a href="http://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/B00HFN2T0E/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1">my contact lenses</a>. I defined my desired routine and next steps. This week I still have to open a bank account, get a phone contract and a gym membership. And I need to sleep more.</p><p>This is a photo of the Shibuya crossing at night.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 21</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Mon, 16 Nov 2015 07:36:42 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/21</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/21</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/28_day-021.jpg?1447659400' alt='Instant photo for Day 21 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>17:00</h4> <p>I ordered 40 boxes of 20 instant films from China. I take about 3 to 4 photos a day so this supply is going to last about half a year.</p><p>The parcel took 4 weeks to arrive. I ordered everything with the help of my friend <a href="https://www.instagram.com/star_nie/">Star</a> through the Chinese marketplace <a href="http://">Taobao</a>. <a href="http://world.taobao.com">Taobao</a> is a website similar to <a href="http://www.amazon.com">Amazon</a>, but you interact and negotiate with the sellers directly using a chat client. You can negotiate, ask questions and arrange deals in real-time. For this reason it takes some time to find a really good deal. Star was chatting with multiple sellers and shipping companies for two days before placing an order. In the end the total cost of the order was <span lang="ja">元</span>4042.29 or £416.46 including shipping. The same order would have cost me £631.92 on <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk">Amazon UK</a>.</p> <p>As I placed the order before moving to Tokyo, I asked my friend <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mislocated_shiho/">Shiho</a> if I could ship the parcel to her address. The photo above is the box of instant film next to my backpack in <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mislocated_shiho/">Shiho</a>’s apartment.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 20</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Mon, 16 Nov 2015 07:33:53 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/20</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/20</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/27_day-020b.jpg?1447659232' alt='Instant photo for Day 20 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><span><h4>16:00</h4><p>The three of us were enough to pack the elevator. From the 9th floor you could see the Shibuya station and the crossing clearly. The sky is cloudy. There was hip hop music playing. We walked in, ordered shots, standard procedure. Started talking to everyone, started dancing. I woke up a few hours ago.</p><p></p></span>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 19</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Mon, 16 Nov 2015 07:32:39 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/19</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/19</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/26_day-019.jpg?1447659157' alt='Instant photo for Day 19 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><p>Today I had some late welcome drinks. My oldest friend from Japan, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/masakazu_shimizu/">Masa</a>, organised everything and invited everyone. We booked a table at the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Izakaya">izakaya</a> <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/hF5m1ssRPRU2">Watami</a> (<span><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/hF5m1ssRPRU2"><span lang="ja">和民</span></a>)</span> in Shibuya for 3 hours with a set food menu and all-you-can-drink plan.</p> <p>On this photo you can see from left to right: Yutaka, Ryo, Seiya, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/onrepeattt/">João</a>, Hatsuki, Ichiro, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bubblegum_moon/">Diana</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thisisshun/">Shun</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/alex_abn/">Alex</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/harurita246/">Haru</a>, Yoko, me, Minami, Asuka, Tom, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ayk_popstar/">Ayaka</a>, Beer, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ivyinesclark/">Ivy</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/alvesjtiago/">Tiago</a>, Shinobu, Satomi and finally <a href="https://www.instagram.com/masakazu_shimizu/">Masa</a>.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 18</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Mon, 16 Nov 2015 04:47:06 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/18</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/18</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/25_day-018d.jpg?1447649224' alt='Instant photo for Day 18 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><span><h4>19:00</h4><p>Today I was a tour guide for two of my oldest friends: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ivyinesclark/">Ivy Clark</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/alvesjtiago/">Tiago Alves</a>.</p><p>I can’t think how different everything would have been in my life if I never met Tiago. We are two <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Final_Fantasy">Final Fantasy</a></i> geeks. We learned programming together when we were 14. At that time we built a surfing game for <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nokia">Nokia</a>’s <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S60_(software_platform)">S60 OS</a> written in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ActionScript#ActionScript_2.0">ActionScript 2.0</a>. It’s quite special to me that we are here together.</p><p>We visited the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo_Metropolitan_Government_Building">Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building</a>. Walked to the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meiji_Shrine">Meiji Shrine</a>. <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/7kNxs3TyDSr">Harajuku</a>, <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/b4tnLTfKwRE2">Omotesandō</a> and finally <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/u7nKNshcLXE2">Shibuya</a>.</p><p>The photo above was taken this afternoon at the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meiji_Shrine">Meiji Shrine</a> while a wedding ceremony took place.</p></span>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 17</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Mon, 16 Nov 2015 04:39:32 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/17</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/17</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/24_day-017c.jpg?1447648770' alt='Instant photo for Day 17 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><span><h4>21:00</h4><p>Today <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mislocated_shiho/">Shiho</a> introduced me to <a href="https://www.instagram.com/luismendo/">Luis</a>, a Spanish illustrator based in Tokyo, who offered to show me around the <a href="http://midori.so/post/781/">Midoriso 2.0</a> coworking space. Despite being located in the fancy and fashionable area of <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/C8TAawbifVJ2">Omotesandō</a>, this place has a cool, relaxed and slightly hippie vibe. Before entering the <a href="http://omotesando-info.com/webmagazine/wp-content/uploads/DSC_00487.jpg">Midoriso building</a> you must walk through an entrance garden filled with food and booze stalls named <a href="http://commune246.com">Commune 246</a>, akin to my favourite street market: <a href="http://broadwaymarket.co.uk">Broadway Market</a>, in East London.</p><p>More friends joined us before entering <a href="http://midori.so/post/781/">Midoriso</a>. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bubblegum_moon/">Diana</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/onrepeattt/">João</a>, <a href="https://www.behance.net/david-robert">David</a> and <a href="http://www.adrianhogan.com">Adrian</a>. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bubblegum_moon/">Diana</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/onrepeattt/">João</a> are friends from Portugal, recently moved to London and aspiring to switch to Tokyo. <a href="https://www.behance.net/david-robert">David</a> and <a href="http://www.adrianhogan.com">Adrian</a> are two very talented illustrators based in town.</p><p>I had a glance at <a href="http://www.luismendo.com">Luis</a>’, <a href="http://www.adrianhogan.com">Adrian</a>’s and <a href="https://www.behance.net/david-robert">David</a>’s work. They were making sketches of dogs and discussing how dogs never appear in traditional Japanese illustrations. They were all sketching dogs because <a href="https://www.instagram.com/luismendo/">Luis</a>’ current client was a company Dog&Walk. His <a href="http://midori.so/post/781/">sketch of a Drever wearing yellow rain boots</a> was particularly adorable.</p><p>I was inspired by the friendly environment of the working space. Everyone from creative disciplines works under one roof, independently, and quite often collaborate with each other. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/luismendo/">Luis</a> mentioned that once you work at <a href="http://midori.so/post/781/">Midoriso</a> you can get about 50% from within <a href="http://midori.so/post/781/">Midoriso</a>. This seems like a great place for freelancers settling in.</p><p>We had a baguette from a small stall nearby. I spotted some interesting looking coffee shops while we strolled, including the California coffee chain <a href="https://bluebottlecoffee.com/cafes/aoyama">Blue Bottle</a>. We checked out some art exhibitions that were happening that night. It was a relaxed quality time evening.</p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/luismendo/">Luis</a> invited me to sign up for a website called <a href="http://www.canvas.co.com">Canvas</a> (<i><a href="http://www.canvas.co.com">canvas.co.com</a></i>), built by a Tokyo-based designer to give the community a place to post their details and work. I sign up at the end of the day.</p><p>On the group photo above you can see us in front of the baguette stall. From the left to the right there is <a href="https://www.behance.net/david-robert">David</a>, Shop Owner 1, Shop Owner 2, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mislocated_shiho/">Shiho</a>, Mika, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/onrepeattt/">João</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bubblegum_moon/">Diana</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/luismendo/">Luis</a> and me.</p></span>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 16</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Sun, 15 Nov 2015 08:10:47 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/16</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/16</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/23_day-016.jpg?1447575044' alt='Instant photo for Day 16 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>14:00</h4><p>Today is an unusually busy day at <a href="http://www.shibuyamov.com">the office</a>. Models walking in and out accompanied by makeup artists, stylists, hairstylists and other staff every minute. I took a seat by the entrance to keep up with the action. Today is the second day of the <a href="http://tokyo-mbfashionweek.com/en/">Tokyo Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week</a>. One of the shows is happening on the floor above and the changing room is here.</p> <h4>23:00</h4><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/terrybetts/">Terry Betts</a>, a friend and coworker at <a href="https://www.thread.com">Thread</a>, introduced me to two of his friends who were visiting Tokyo this week: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/tatsuo_london/">Tatsuo</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/yucanyamazaki/">Yamazaki</a>. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamazaki_distillery"><i>Yamazaki</i></a> happens to be the name of one of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamazaki_distillery">my favourite Japanese whiskey brands</a>.</p> <p>I met with <a href="https://www.instagram.com/terrybetts/">Tatsuo</a> and Daniel who was travelling to Tokyo with him. We had Okonomiyaki in Shibuya at <a href="http://tabelog.com/en/tokyo/A1303/A130301/13161581/">Bow’s Door</a>. This time it was a <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/ZZCftFcKdhQ2">Hiroshima</a> style okonomiyaki: a version with more layers, spring onions and cabbage.</p> <p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/yucanyamazaki/">Yamazaki</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/makototoda">Toda</a> joined us soon later and we visited one of <a href="https://www.instagram.com/tatsuo_london/">Tetsuo</a>’s favourite music bars: <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/H6SQMKd2MHF2">JBS</a>, which stands for Jazz, Blues and Soul. We opened the thick wooden door and heard the music coming from the large speakers at the back. The all-wooden walls made me feel like I was inside a music box. On both sides of the room you see rows of vinyls. The bar could accommodate no more than 10 customers and had about 4 by the time we walked in. The only other person was the owner behind the bar.</p> <p>I ordered a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamazaki_distillery">Yamazaki</a>, neat, and cheered with everyone else. We chatted amongst us and with the other customers, it was like we were all part of the the same group. I made my leave after my drink but I wish I would have stayed longer. I will have to come back again.</p> <p>On the photo above you can see Daniel Todd sitting down, <a href="https://twitter.com/makototoda">Toda Makoto</a> standing up on the left and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/yucanyamazaki/">Yuji Yamazaki</a> standing up on the right.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 15</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Wed, 11 Nov 2015 03:07:07 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/15</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/15</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/22_day-015.jpg?1447211225' alt='Instant photo for Day 15 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><h4>20:00</h4> <p>I’ve moved into yet another new temporary accommodation. This time I don’t have the standard suitcase photo as <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/5474815">the attic I’m staying in</a> is too small. But my <a href="https://www.airbnb.com">Airbnb</a> host, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sophia_ariri/">Jung</a>, is very cheerful and helpful. She took me out for dinner tonight in <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/puB6oMDoL7p">Ikebukuro</a>. Stress and hunger came into play, I ordered dinner twice: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omurice">Omurice</a> and Pork Steak. As the name suggests, <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omurice">omurice</a></i> is a an omelette with rice. I remember this dish as an important plot device of the anime series <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlotte_(anime)">Charlotte</a></i> that aired this summer.</p> <p>At home we watched TV. One of the TV shows that Jung enjoys watching is a Japanese reality show where men go out with their girlfriends for coffee or dinner and stare at other attractive women, driving their girlfriends mad. The goal of the show is for them to be forgiven by their partners.</p><h4>22:00</h4><p>I played an American pop song on my phone in repeat. It was so foreign to me now, but relaxing at the same time.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 14</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Wed, 11 Nov 2015 02:59:43 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/14</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/14</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/21_day-014b.jpg?1447210781' alt='Instant photo for Day 14 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><p>We are all lost. We are looking for the missing pieces of ourselves, but the more we travel the more we break ourselves. I don’t know what I am doing here. Staying up past midnight, writing every morning, in silence. No place has everything we need. I’m more broken than I’ve ever been. But I love mending these broken pieces of who I was into who I am to be.</p><p>The photo above was taken on the 9<sup>th</sup> floor of the <a href="http://www.hikarie.jp/en/">Shibuya Hikarie</a> (<a href="http://www.hikarie.jp/en/"><span lang="ja">渋谷ヒカリエ</span></a>) building, the floor above <a href="http://www.shibuyamov.com/en/">my office</a>, this morning.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 13</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Mon, 09 Nov 2015 04:05:34 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/13</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/13</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/20_day-013c.jpg?1447041932' alt='Instant photo for Day 13 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><b>20:00</b><p>There is something special around Shibuya tonight. I can feel the lights being printed in my memory, just like the first time I’ve seen them two years ago.</p> <b>22:00</b><p>Before dinner we walked around Shinjuku, did a little of window shopping, got coffee in Omotesandō and came back to Shibuya where I ate the phenomenal <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsukemen">tsukemen</a> from the <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/y4FEeKzqJ9T2">Menya Musashi Bukotsu Gaiden</a> (<a href="https://goo.gl/maps/y4FEeKzqJ9T2"><span lang="ja">麺屋武蔵 武骨外伝</span></a>). For dessert we got a drink at the <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/58oUVK96xe82">Living Room Café</a>, a sophisticated venue for a quiet drink. <a href="https://instagram.com/alex_abn/">Alex</a> and <a href="https://instagram.com/harurita246/">Haru</a>: thank you both for tonight.</p> <p>In the photo above you can see one of the chefs at the <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/y4FEeKzqJ9T2">Menya Musashi Bukotsu Gaiden</a> (<a href="https://goo.gl/maps/y4FEeKzqJ9T2"><span lang="ja">麺屋武蔵 武骨外伝</span></a>) in Shibuya. All sizes up to 1kg of noodles are the same price.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 12</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Mon, 09 Nov 2015 03:48:57 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/12</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/12</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/19_day-012a.jpg?1447040935' alt='Instant photo for Day 12 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><p>Today was the day to meet my old friend from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Saint_Martins">university</a>, <a href="https://instagram.com/thisisshun/">Shun Sugimoto</a>. <a href="https://instagram.com/thisisshun/">Shun</a> was probably the first Japanese person I’ve ever met. At the same time he’s the least Japanese person I know.</p> <p>I met up with him at <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/FS7A13yWu592">Sakura Tei</a> (<a href="https://goo.gl/maps/FS7A13yWu592"><span lang="ja">さくら亭</span></a>), an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okonomiyaki"><i>okonomiyaki</i></a> restaurant in the area of <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/UaqdsmRVexz">Omotesandō</a>. The first time I have had <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okonomiyaki"> okonomiyaki </a> was in <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/yHReJVVKC6p">Hiroshima</a>. And the second was in the restaurant <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/HXgM3Rp8jTw">Abeno</a> in Holborn, London. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okonomiyaki">Okonomiyaki</a> is a pancake made of mixed cabbage and noodles with other assorted ingredients. Most <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okonomiyaki">okonomiyaki</a> restaurants are made for you to grill your own <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okonomiyaki">okonomiyaki</a> and that makes it a great group event. When ordering you choose your favourite ingredients to add to the pancake and once cooked you top it up with <a href="https://www.google.co.jp/search?q=japanese+mayonnaise&client=safari&rls=en&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAWoVChMIp5OuwbaCyQIVh5OUCh3FIw0W&biw=1120&bih=939">Japanese mayonnaise</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okonomiyaki">okonomiyaki sauce</a> and fish flakes. <a href="http://pogogi.com/what-is-japanese-mayonnaise-and-how-is-it-different-from-american-mayo">Japanese mayonnaise</a> is made of egg yolks and vinegar instead of whole eggs, salt and sugar giving it a yellow tone and stronger flavour.</p> <p><a href="https://instagram.com/thisisshun/">Shun</a> was accompanied by Danny and Georgia, both visiting from London. Danny is a manager of a bar in central London. Despite being in a bar during most of his working hours, he was keen to visit all the best bars in Tokyo. This meant trouble for me. Danny is an Italian who lives in London but he was not shy to speak with the staff in fluent Japanese or to me in fluent Portuguese. He moved us from one bar to the next, buying the next round of drinks, making it impossible for me to escape. I told him about my ideas of earning a living making cocktails for some period of time and he give me advice on how to make that happen. We followed him to the bar <a href="http://www.cafecompany.co.jp/brands/a971/index.html">A971</a>, <a href="http://www.propaganda-tokyo.com/english/">Propaganda</a>, <a href="http://jumanji55.com">Ooh yeah</a> formerly known as <a href="http://jumanji55.com">Jumanji</a>, <a href="http://www.thepinkcow.com">The Pink Cow</a>, <a href="http://www.v2tokyo.com">V2</a>, <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/Hh4QEMN637H2">Shamrock</a> and finally <a href="http://lounge-feria.jp">Feria</a>. All located in <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/G8stvpSUz2y">Roppongi</a>. This was the high energy, positive feeling, night out that I needed. And now I feel like I know my way around the bar and club scene of <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/G8stvpSUz2y">Roppongi</a>.</p> <p>Above is a photo of <a href="https://instagram.com/thisisshun/">Shun</a>, the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=shun+sugimoto">legendary</a> contortionist.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 11</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Mon, 09 Nov 2015 03:36:53 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/11</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/11</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/18_day-011.jpg?1447040211' alt='Instant photo for Day 11 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><p>I’m glad <a href="https://instagram.com/saikayasit/">Win</a> is visiting Tokyo this week. I haven’t stopped to think how I feel in Tokyo. Having a good old friend from my previous chapter helps me understand where I am at. This excess of freedom left me somewhat lost.</p> <p>I met <a href="https://instagram.com/saikayasit/">Win</a> at the <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/ryTvdoVjywT2">Hachikō square</a>. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hachikō">Hachikō</a> is a statue in the square outside <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/SXrZGuVqJAR2">Shibuya station</a>, made in honour of the dog who waited for his owner every morning in that precise location. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hachikō">Hachikō</a> continued going to the station for over nine years after the owner’s death. Locals started bringing <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hachikō">Hachikō</a> food and treats during its wait, and today the statue honours its loyalty to the owner.</p> <p><a href="https://instagram.com/alex_abn/">Alex</a> joined us at the square. So did <a href="https://instagram.com/ayk_popstar/">Ayaka</a>. And we all went to the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Izakaya">izakaya</a> <a href="http://loco.yahoo.co.jp/place/g-k64QNiPcLmM/">Doma Doma</a> (<a href="http://loco.yahoo.co.jp/place/g-k64QNiPcLmM/"><span lang="ja">土間土間 渋谷</span></a>).</p> <p>The photo above is a portrait of <a href="https://instagram.com/saikayasit/">Win</a> at the <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/ryTvdoVjywT2">Hachikō square</a>.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 10</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Sun, 08 Nov 2015 15:07:31 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/10</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/10</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/17_day-010.jpg?1446995249' alt='Instant photo for Day 10 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><b>15:15</b><p>Today I visited two more apartments with <a href="http://www.tokyocityapartments.net">Fontana</a>. Myself and Samson are now friends after the incident of my last visit. I met him at <a href="https://www.google.com/maps?ll=35.701072,139.673068&z=14&t=m&hl=en&gl=US&mapclient=embed&q=35°41'52.0%22N+139°40'23.0%22E@35.697783,139.673068">the Fontana office</a>, took the photo above, and visited <a href="http://www.tokyocityapartments.net/apartments/799/Tokyo/Shibuya---Harajuku---Meguro-Area/Shibuya-ku/Heights-Suntopia/">an apartment</a> in <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/YfcpGzcN5v72">Sasazuka</a> and <a href="http://www.tokyocityapartments.net/apartments/736/Tokyo/Shibuya---Harajuku---Meguro-Area/Setagaya-ku/Pair-Palace-Sangenjaya/">another one</a> in <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/d4R89et4DnS2">Sangenjaya</a>.</p> <p><a href="http://www.tokyocityapartments.net/apartments/799/Tokyo/Shibuya---Harajuku---Meguro-Area/Shibuya-ku/Heights-Suntopia/">The first apartment</a> in <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/YfcpGzcN5v72">Sasazuka</a> is the largest I’ve seen so far, with a kitchen, living room and bathroom in the lower floor and bedroom on the upstairs loft. Clothes, shoes, paintings and textiles fill every corner and wall space of this apartment. The current owner must be a fashion or textiles student. The rent for this apartment is ¥90,000 excluding bills.</p> <p><a href="http://www.tokyocityapartments.net/apartments/736/Tokyo/Shibuya---Harajuku---Meguro-Area/Setagaya-ku/Pair-Palace-Sangenjaya/">The second apartment</a> is in <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/d4R89et4DnS2">Sangenjaya</a>. This is a smaller apartment with a small bathroom, kitchenette and main room with a single bed, wardrobe and desk. It has very large sliding doors at the end of the room that give access to the balcony. Despite being smaller, the interior of this apartment seems more carefully thought out. The size also seems more appropriate for a single person with very few belongings like myself. The monthly rent for this apartment is ¥80,000 excluding bills.</p> <p>As usual I asked my friends for opinions. All of them unanimously recommended me the area of <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/d4R89et4DnS2">Sangenjaya</a>. They say it has a lot of nice cafés and restaurants. <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/YfcpGzcN5v72">Sasazuka</a> only has a better supermarket. I decided to put my social house plans away and made a deposit for <a href="http://www.tokyocityapartments.net/apartments/736/Tokyo/Shibuya---Harajuku---Meguro-Area/Setagaya-ku/Pair-Palace-Sangenjaya/">my future apartment</a> in <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/d4R89et4DnS2">Sangenjaya</a>.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 9</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Sun, 08 Nov 2015 14:41:06 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/9</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/9</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/16_day-009.jpg?1446993664' alt='Instant photo for Day 9 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><b>18:00</b><p>Today I moved to <a href="http://www.homeikan.com/en/en_welcome.html">Homeikan</a>. I will be staying here until the end of the week while I finish apartment hunting.</p> <p><a href="http://www.homeikan.com/en/en_welcome.html">Homeikan</a> is my number one place of choice when staying in Tokyo. Originally recommended by my friend <a href="https://instagram.com/saikayasit/">Win</a>, this is a traditional <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryokan_(inn)">Japanese Ryokan</a>. A <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryokan_(inn)">Ryokan</a> is a traditional guest house or Japanese Inn that you can book online through their website <a href="http://www.homeikan.com/en/en_welcome.html"><i>homeikan.com</i></a>, <a href="http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/Homeikan/Tokyo/1133">HostelWorld.com</a> or the <a href="https://www.japaneseguesthouses.com/ryokan-single/?ryokan=Homeikan">Japanese Guest Houses</a> website <a href="https://www.japaneseguesthouses.com/ryokan-single/?ryokan=Homeikan"><i>japaneseguesthouses.com</i></a>. This last website is particularly handy to find guest houses around Japan and I’ve used it several times. A stay at <a href="http://www.homeikan.com/en/en_welcome.html">Homeikan</a> will cost around ¥7,000 per night.</p> <p>All rooms in this guest house are with <a href="https://www.google.co.jp/search?q=tatami&client=safari&rls=en&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAWoVChMIxbDe-4aByQIVQbOUCh0eKwJ3&biw=1120&bih=939"><i>tatami</i> floors</a>. The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tatami"><i>tatami</i></a> has a smell similar to fresh grass, especially when it is new, and is quite comfortable to sleep on.</p> <p>Like in most traditional Japanese Inns, guests are provided with a fresh <a href="https://www.google.co.jp/search?q=yukata&client=safari&rls=en&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAWoVChMIoqarioeByQIVCpiUCh2liQY8&biw=1120&bih=939"><i>yukata</i></a> every day. The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yukata"><i>yukata</i></a> is a casual full-length robe, similar to a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kimono"><i>kimono</i></a>, to be worn indoors and around the neighbourhood if desired. And the <a href="http://www.homeikan.com/en/en_welcome.html">Homeikan</a> also has three indoors <a href="https://www.google.co.jp/search?q=onsen&client=safari&rls=en&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAWoVChMI0MyapYeByQIVipWUCh1jlwup&biw=1120&bih=939"><i>onsen</i></a>: a private one,a shared one for women and a shared one for men. An <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onsen"><i>onsen</i></a> is a Japanese-style hot bath. I am sure I will be using it every night before going to sleep.</p> <p>The photo above is another one of the series of my suitcase and backpack upon arrival in a temporary accommodation.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 8</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 06 Nov 2015 03:56:26 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/8</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/8</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/15_day-008.jpg?1446804008' alt='Instant photo for Day 8 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><b>14:00</b><p>I had Hawaiian cuisine today for lunch. I was in a restaurant just a floor below my office and was the only male customer in the restaurant. I counted 43 women, most of them in what seemed to be their early 30s, one with a young child. The only exceptions were two high school girls sitting not far from me. For a second I wondered if I walked into a women-only restaurant. The food was healthy but flavourful.</p> <p>The photo above is a set of normal, average people, sleeping in the armchairs in <a href="http://www.hikarie.jp/en/">Hikarie</a>.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 7</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Fri, 06 Nov 2015 03:54:12 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/7</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/7</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/14_day-007c.jpg?1446782051' alt='Instant photo for Day 7 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><b>11:00</b><p>Today is the first day of me working remotely. I have unlimited coffee beans from Guatemala, a grinder, filter coffee machine, kettle, two beverage vending machines and assorted treats. The <a href="http://www.shibuyamov.com/en/">Shibuya MOV</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coworking">coworking space</a> is located in the <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/4i3TZTg1iTo">Hikarie</a>, 8th floor, and costs ¥19,000 per month for a full-time membership. I consider it fairly priced for the convenience of the location if all you need is a desk to get work done on your laptop.</p> <b>14:00</b><p>Internet download speed is 80.40Mbps and upload speed is 29.78Mbps. Ping time is 19ms. Tested on <a href="http://www.speedtest.net">speedtest.net</a>.</p> <b>22:00</b><p>The photo above was taken in Shinjuku late at night on the way home. Somehow this is my familiar area. I came out here looking for somewhere that makes me feel at home.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 6</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Sun, 01 Nov 2015 08:26:26 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/6</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/6</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/13_day-006a.jpg?1446366385' alt='Instant photo for Day 6 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><b>13:00</b><p>Apartment hunting continued today. I went to visit this one bedroom apartment in <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/fPDXkbySRVt">Shimotakaido</a>, which is one stop away. I didn’t fall in love with it. I also went to check out <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/CxXaG5GkS5t">Shimokitazawa</a>. This is not the Shoreditch of Tokyo as I expected it to be and for this reason I feel cheated. Even the ramen I’m eating right now is nothing beyond standard. I’m going to consider other areas.</p> <b>17:00</b><p>Japanese people have such a high standard for fashion. It blows my mind everyday. I feel like a lowly peasant in every social setting.</p> <b>19:00</b><p>I’m meeting <a href="http://instagram.com/notsimplyyes/">Hsiao</a> tonight. <a href="http://instagram.com/notsimplyyes/">Hsiao</a> is my whiskey connoisseur, born in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taiwan">Taiwan</a> and resident in Manhattan, New York City. She is staying at the <a href="http://en.parkhoteltokyo.com">Park Hotel Tokyo</a> as part of a stopover from her flight back to the US. <a href="http://instagram.com/notsimplyyes/">Hsiao</a> and I worked together at ustwo but I have very few work memories as we were in separate offices.</p> <p>My fondest memories with <a href="http://instagram.com/notsimplyyes/">Hsiao</a> are drinking whiskey in New York at multiple locations, drinking whiskey with her friends in her apartment, finding the lead singer of <a href="http://thexx.info">The XX</a> on a London bus, and drinking whiskey again tonight.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 5</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Sun, 01 Nov 2015 08:12:44 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/5</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/5</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/12_day-005f.jpg?1446365563' alt='Instant photo for Day 5 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><b>1:00</b><p>I think Tokyo is going to be the end of me.</p> <b>18:00</b><p>Today I have slept all day. And I discovered how hangovers in Tokyo feel like.</p> <b>23:00</b><p>Thanks to the omnipresent vending machines and the water I had on the way home last night my hangover was cured quite quickly with a shower. After getting dressed I found <a href="https://instagram.com/getlostwith_">Nana</a> on the hallway and invited myself to hang out with her. <a href="https://instagram.com/getlostwith_">Nana</a> is another resident in the guest house I have spoken briefly with before.</p> <p>I found out that <a href="https://instagram.com/getlostwith_">Nana</a> is leaving to <a href="https://www.google.co.jp/maps/place/Kyoto,+Kyoto+Prefecture/@35.0063008,135.6208665,11z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x6001a8d6cd3cc3f1:0xc0961d366bbb1d3d">Kyoto</a> on Monday. She’s from Barcelona and has been travelling around Asia for a few weeks. She finds simple mundane things amusing and that amuses me.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 4</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Sun, 01 Nov 2015 08:05:27 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/4</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/4</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/11_day-004b.jpg?1446365126' alt='Instant photo for Day 4 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><b>14:00</b><p>I have visited the <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/B8RrurXZEg62">Shin-Yurigaoka</a> residence and I love it. It’s a bit of a walk to the station, in a very residential area, but has a lot of shops, restaurants and a gym near the station. It has 100 rooms and is 90% full, has a communal area with sofas, TV, large kitchen, exercise room, cinema room and rooftop. This is it. It’s also really affordable at ¥65,000 with all bills included.</p> <b>16:00</b><p>I’ve been speaking with <a href="https://twitter.com/alexabian">Alex</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/haruru246">Haru</a> about moving to <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/B8RrurXZEg62">Shin-Yurigaoka</a>. They think I lost it and demand that I find another apartment closer to central Tokyo. I’m not sure if I should find a new apartment that I like or find new friends.</p> <b>22:00</b><p>The second guy to the left has guaranteed me and my friends that he is the future CEO of <a href="http://www.subaru.com">Subaru</a>. He manifested his passion for travelling the world, going to the beach and meeting lots of girls to all of us. I can’t remember his name.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 3</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Sun, 01 Nov 2015 07:47:48 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/3</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/3</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/10_day-003b.jpg?1446364066' alt='Instant photo for Day 3 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><b>13:00</b><p>I went to visit two apartments today.</p> <p><a href="http://www.tokyocityapartments.net">Fontana</a> is a small estate agency with a scrubby office and vintage website that rents apartments mainly english-speaking foreigners in Japan. They are a very paper-based kind of organisation. Out of the two places that I visited, one captured my interest and I immediately proceeded to make a deposit. At this point the manager of the property realised the current tenant never gave a leaving notice. Without understanding how the property was shown as available on the website the manager told me this was a technical error. This was after we visited the property, littered with the current tenant’s possessions.</p> <p>Despite this sad outcome, I got a much clearer idea of the housing market in Japan. If you are not Japanese and do not speak Japanese you will probably have to rent a place through an agency like <a href="http://www.tokyocityapartments.net">Fontana</a>, <a href="http://www.oakhouse.jp/eng/">Oak House</a> or <a href="http://www.sakura-house.com/en">Sakura House</a>, that essentially act as middlemen between you and the landlord. You will pay between 30-50% more for a property than a Japanese person would thanks to this arrangement. But you also get benefits like a no minimum length stay contract; electricity, gas, internet and tv already setup for you, and they come furnished if you wish.</p> <p>Right now I am having coffee at a really cool coffee shop in <a href="https://www.google.co.jp/maps/place/Shinjuku,+Tokyo/@35.7015898,139.6741877,13z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x60188d2059b7fd4b:0xec61c68fe232efd2">Shinjuku</a>, near the station, in some weird side alley close to a pet shop, called <a href="https://foursquare.com/v/但馬屋珈琲店-本店/4b602ed2f964a520dfd829e3" lang="ja">但馬屋</a> (<a href="https://foursquare.com/v/但馬屋珈琲店-本店/4b602ed2f964a520dfd829e3">Tajima-ya</a>). They gave me a little rubber case to put my wet umbrella on when I walked in.</p> <b>21:00</b><p>After viewing these apartments in the morning I decided to visit the <a href="http://www.sakura-house.com/en">Sakura House</a> office and the <a href="http://www.oakhouse.jp/eng/">Oak House</a> office. My budget for a flat is ¥90,000 a month, so I am looking for places in the range of ¥65,000 to ¥75,000 before I consider pricier ones. From my visit at the <a href="http://www.sakura-house.com/en">Sakura House</a> office I realised that they ask around ¥120,000 for very similar apartments to the ones I viewed with fontana for ¥75,000. This was not the agency for me.</p> <p>I then visited the <a href="http://www.oakhouse.jp/eng/">Oak House</a> office. Their office is located in <a href="https://www.google.co.jp/maps/place/Shibuya,+Tokyo/@35.6669172,139.6576068,13z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x60188cb2eb3108d1:0xf11cd9b2395b6677">Shibuya</a>, in a colourful space. <a href="http://www.oakhouse.jp/eng/">Oak House</a> seems more focused in renting rooms at “social houses”, houses with anywhere between 10 and 100 rooms located around Tokyo in which students and professionals can live. This might be perfect for me. For the first 3 months in Tokyo I am working remotely for my previous company, <a href="http://thread.com/">Thread</a>, based in London. So I don’t interact with people that often. Having a busy social environment could be a good way for me to nest in this city and practice my Japanese. I booked a viewing at a social house for tomorrow. As a side note, the lady that was arranging my viewing also lives at the guest house I am visiting tomorrow.</p> <p>The photo above was taken on the way to the <a href="https://www.google.co.jp/maps/place/Shinjuku,+Tokyo/@35.7015898,139.6741877,13z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x60188d2059b7fd4b:0xec61c68fe232efd2">Shinjuku</a> station this morning after visiting <a href="http://www.tokyocityapartments.net">Fontana</a>.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 2</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Wed, 28 Oct 2015 03:15:12 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/2</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/2</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/9_day-002a.jpg?1446002110' alt='Instant photo for Day 2 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><b>15:32</b><p>I have an addiction to minimalism and <a href="http://www.muji.net">Muji</a> is usually where I get my fix. I don’t need to shop; eying the contents of the store is usually enough to improve my mood. Its native name, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muji">Mujirushi Ryōhi</a>, translates roughly to Unbranded Goods Company. <p>Today I focused on looking for apartments online and asking friends for aid. The café of choice to perform these tasks was the <a href="http://streamercoffee.com">Streamer Coffee Company</a>, a really great recommendation by my university friend <a href="https://instagram.com/mislocated_shiho/">Shiho Yokoyama</a>. Tomorrow I have a few rental agencies and apartments to visit.</p> <p>The photo above is a chandelier made of wine glasses at the <a href=https://www.google.co.jp/maps/place/MUJI+%E6%96%B0%E5%AE%BF/@35.7005131,139.6960972,15z/data=!4m5!1m2!2m1!1smuji!3m1!1s0x0000000000000000:0xeb68b1ad368238b3"">Muji Café in Shinjuku</a>.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 1</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Wed, 28 Oct 2015 02:56:12 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/1</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/1</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/8_day-001a.jpg?1446000970' alt='Instant photo for Day 1 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><b>18:00</b><p>I’m at the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incheon_International_Airport">Incheon International Airport</a> in South Korea. I don’t remember feeling as relaxed in an airport before. Shops mixed with gates on the ground floor while cafés and rest areas are located on the first floor. There is plenty of sunlight, free wifi, and people moving around in an organised chaos.</p> <b>2:00</b><p>I’m staying in the district of <a href="https://www.google.co.jp/maps/place/Nakano,+Tokyo/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x6018f28fc070d0a3:0x748f86a7a66c41cc?sa=X&ved=0CHkQ8gEwC2oVChMIlMfh6ZPkyAIVRraUCh3lkwXO">Nakano</a>, not the most glamorous of Tokyo, west of red light district <a href="https://www.google.co.jp/maps/place/Shinjuku,+Tokyo/@35.7015202,139.6741876,13z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x60188d2059b7fd4b:0xec61c68fe232efd2">Shinjuku</a>. Toshi and I communicated via <a href="https://www.whatsapp.com">WhatsApp</a> to plan my arrival at his guest house I found through <a href="https://www.airbnb.co.uk">Airbnb</a>. I arrive at midnight. There are 8 rooms in total in this house, 4 of which are available for rent. All residents share a single bathroom, two toilets (for male and female), a large kitchen, 10 garbage bins (for meticulous recyclable materials separation), an attic and a rooftop.</p> <p>Toshi said he has lived in Tokyo for 10 years and maybe knows less than 10% of it. He took my late check-in penalty of ¥2000 and walked me to the nearest Family Mart. I was famished.</p> <p>It is a privilege and a luxury to have a convenience store like <a href="http://www.family.co.jp/english/">Family Mart</a> open 24/7, I ordered a box of <a href="https://www.google.co.jp/search?q=katsu+curry&client=safari&rls=en&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAWoVChMI2rrRl5TkyAIVw6eUCh1aTAq5&biw=1120&bih=939">Katsu Curry</a> for ¥460, the clerk heated it up in the store microwave and 4 minutes after arriving home I had finished it.</p> <p>This is a photo of my room in the <a href="https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/2028712">Nakano-Shimbashi Share House</a>. My initial idea was to take a photo from the rooftop but I found a cockroach lurking on the way up and decided it was probably time to go to sleep.</p>]]> </description> </item> <item> <title>Day 0</title> <author>Nuno Coelho Santos</author> <pubDate>Sun, 25 Oct 2015 09:23:07 +0000</pubDate> <link>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/0</link> <guid>http://ayearinaninstant.com/days/0</guid> <description> <![CDATA[<img src='http://a-year-in-an-instant-production.s3.amazonaws.com/images/small/7_day-000.jpg?1445764985' alt='Instant photo for Day 0 of “A Year in an Instant” by Nuno Coelho Santos'/><br><br><b>18:00</b><p>I am still in London. My name is <a href="http://nunocoelhosantos.com">Nuno Coelho Santos</a> and this has been my city for the last 7 years. <p>The day I first arrived in London I could barely hold a conversation in English. Now I consider it my second language and will use it to write this diary. Over time I hope to replace some English sentences with Japanese. None of this will improve the poor quality of my writing, but let me tell you about some of my early experiences with Japanese culture that culminated in today’s events.</p> <p>In London I studied Graphic Design. As much as I love British design I felt something unexplainably special about the Japanese arts and crafts. Looking back, it was always an influence on my work, I also loved Japanese architecture and on my sister’s 21st birthday, I somewhat selfishly offered her the biggest book about Japanese architecture my parents could afford (<a href="http://amzn.com/3822839884"><i>Architecture in Japan</i></a>, Taschen 2006). When I was 14 the video game that left the strongest mark on me was the Japanese <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Role-playing_video_game">Role-playing Game</a> <a href="http://www.finalfantasyviipc.com/en"><i>Final Fantasy VII</i></a>, released in 1997 for the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_(console)">PlayStation</a>. The first book I read in English for pleasure was <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kafka_on_the_Shore"><i>Kafka on the Shore</i></a> by the contemporary Japanese writer <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haruki_Murakami">Haruki Murakami</a>. I read two more of his novels but lost some interest in his stories as they felt like the same open-ended storyline with some different ingredients. But I still respect his surrealism and writing style. I’ll also never forget the love my dad has always had for Japanese cars, especially the late 90’s red Honda Civic he owned.</p> <p>The photo above shows everything I own. Before my move I read <a href="http://amzn.com/1607747308">a book about tidying up and discarding</a> by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie_Kondo">Marie Kongo</a>, a witty Japanese writer that made an big impact on the amount of things I own.</p> <p>I’m moving to Japan without knowing what I will find or when I will return and my departure is scheduled for 19:35 tonight.</p>]]> </description> </item> </channel></rss> 
