Something to look forward to in Tokyo

On this trip to Tokyo, I managed to meet up with my ex-classmates, Bill and So-kun.

It was really great to be able to see them again ( though I only met up with Bill a month ago in Tokyo too). It was great to be able to talk so freely and so enjoyable in the midst of interview-stress. They are just as ever, talking non-stop about everything under the sun, especially beer and girls... Haa...

But anyway, Merry Christmas to all!

Eating Sukiyaki in Shibuya. From left-Me, Bill and So-kun

I like the back of my hair that day...

Christmas Eve

On a warm Christmas eve morning, (winter but warmth from the sun streaming into the room),
I thought about a song I have always liked... In fact I have been searching for the CD/Mp3... If anyone should know where to get it, please tell me!

Christmas isn't Christmas ( till it happens in your heart)

Christmas isn't Christmas
Till it happens in your heart.
Somewhere deep inside you
Is where Christmas really starts.
So give your heart to Jesus
You'll discover when you do
That it's Christmas,
Really Christmas for you.

Jesus brings warmth like a winter fire
A light like a candle's glow.
He's waiting now to come inside
As he did so long ago.

Jesus brings gifts of truth and light
And makes them bloom and grow.
So welcome Him with a song of joy
And when He comes,
you'll know...

I spoke to my good friend online the other day and she asked me what I will be doing for Christmas. And I answered, "Nothing much... just watch TV and laze around..." Especially when it is not a public holiday in Japan and everyone else is just interested in the Christmas sales...
For a lot of people out there, Christmas is a day for parties and fun and definitely not one to stay at home alone!

Well, I think so too... only half of it. I agree that Christmas is a day for fun. But the fun does not come from only receiving presents, gorging down delicacies nor drinking yourself crazy. To me, it is also a day of Thanksgiving. Thanking Jesus for His gift of life, thanking Him for bringing me thus far, thanking my family and friends for who I am today.

It is ok to spend occassions alone. Because being ALONE is not equals to being LONELY. People who are empty in their hearts will constantly feel lonely even if they are surrounded by human company because human company cannot fill one's heart. On the other hand, people whose hearts are filled with gladness and joy will always have a reason to give thanks and be able to smile from the depths of their heart.

For this Christmas, I might be alone and not lonely. But I am not alone too. I have Jesus.

Tackey & Tsubasa Concert Part 2

Ok I am finally back from Tokyo...

Time to continue the second part of Tackey and Tsubasa concert...

Let me first share some goods we bought from the concert.

Firstly, this is how the ticket looks like...


Then the Uchiwas. As all concerts, we are supposed to wave them but we didn't. Why?


Because, we waved the pen light instead! It is a christmas concert. So the light is in green


And red...


The concert T-shirt.... Very simple and chic print!

And so on... my friend bought the concert paper bag and CD too...

But the concert was really fun! Though I wasn't a super big fan of T&T, I really enjoyed myself very much. 3 solid hours of standing, jumping, cheering and waving the pen light. So much so that my left knee actually ached the next day. Opps.. is that a sign of aging?

Anyway, that was one part where Tackey was walking on the aisle when he was being tugged and pulled by zealous fans. It was hard that they actually ripped his shirt apart. I was pretty shocked to see that... not that I didn't expected fans to do that. But still, eye-witnessing the scene somewhat had an impact on me. Strange as it sounds, I couldn't stop thinking about it for a few days, where other people should have been busy recalling the better parts of the concert. For fans out there, if you like your stars, all the more you shouldn't hurt them by being so violent. They are there to entertain but also there to enjoy the concert as well, so let's be not resort to tugging which might injure them.

Well... anyway, we are hoping to go Arashi concert in Jan! WE WANNA GO!!!

Going to Tokyo again this afternoon so I will only have time to write a bit!

Full name: Takizawa Hideaki and Imai Tsubasa

Went for the highly anticipated Tackey and Tsubasa concert yesterday and yes! It was no regrets, no ticket refund nor throw rotten eggs.... It is one word, far more terrific than expectation.

For one, our seats were pretty good! We were sat quite near to the stage. FIY, the tickets price does not work the usual way where the expensive seats were in front and then the cheaper ones at the back. The tickets of the concerts ( to all Johnny's concerts with seldom exceptions) are actually only available to fans of fan clubs. And at any time, you can only be a fan of one fan club belonging to Johnny's. The fans who wish to go for the concert will enter their names to be ballotted. Prices for the tickets are all the same throughout so it depends on your luck then for the seat allocation as well.

But how did we get the seats?... not in the fan club but we got them off yahoo auction.

So having said that, we actually got to see Tackey and Tsubasa pretty near though not up close. And... Tackey is really very very very handsome. He is super good-looking and not pretty! And I mean it. He is endowed with super nice features like big eyes, long eyelashes, sharp nose and a small mouth. To top it off, he has 2 nice dimples too! Well, it sounds like he has quite feminine features ( that was when he was younger) but he has since grown into a more manly and dashing young man. ( ha, same age as me though) I am not like a silly young fan drooling all over him and really, he is very handsome in person. Stamped and approved by my room-mate and me.

And he acts well too... I was so surprised to see his performance in Satomi Hakken Den last Christmas. Frankly, I hardly pay attention to him after his first boom acting in Majo no Joken ( aka, The witch's requirement or Mo Nu de Tiao Jian). And I was amazed at his acting ... he has indeed grown! I still remember the days in JC when Candy( my JC classmate and I) was so crazy over him..haa

No wonder Tackey is also so popular among the Johnny's juniors... He is the appointed leader, the unspoken leader, the born leader in Juniors....

Part 1, I am not done with Tsubasa

That is Tackey 8 years ago in Majo no Joken

Tackey in Concert... and his signature smile!

*All photo credits to Johnny's entertainments and various fan sites.

Christmas shoppping...

Today's Friday and it is one of the days in the week I look forward to because my room-mate and I will usually eat out then shop around.

But actually this might be our 4th time to the mall this week as she wants to buy some stuff but can't make up her mind. We sometimes take a walk to the mall too when we are too full from dinner... Yes... I think today is the 4th in the week...

Anyway, finally, we bought something today! And I think both of us are pretty please with the buy... she usually takes a lot of time to consider before buying something but today she was as quick as me!!

But let me show off my little purchases first....A bag bought for day trips out. And... it is 2 DAYS to TACKEY and TSUBASA CONCERT!!! (ref to previous posts for Tackey and Tsubasa's identity) My room-mate swears that Tackey is super good-looking in person and I can't wait to see him!

Ok.... here goes my pink bag.

The interior of the bag.. every bag has a different design..

The GAP paper bag we both got our bags today. Christmas version!

Our bagS! Our purple and black velvet. Mine is the one in purple.

Different Size.... but....... !!!

SAME PRICE!! discounted at 2600 yen!

And we both went home smiling with all our other shopping sprewn all over the place...

The end.

Christmas Warmers pouring in!

You know... not only the hands, the legs, the neck etc needs to be covered to retain heat. Most importantly, the heart needs to be kept warm with tender loving care all year round!

And while I was feeling a little lonely and cold from winter here, I thank God for friends rallying around me! Although your physical presence are missed, your mental support and spirit never dies!

From dear Biyin in the past month I was here...

Letters to update me with the teeny weeny interesting bits of her life...

My first Christmas card from her Doggie, Huskee!

2007 precious Moments Calendar, which she never fails to remember to buy for me...

Thank you gal! Even in this freezing weather, I can still smile and be glad because my heart is beating with warmth!

Hitomi no Naka no Galaxy

One of my very Faves by my Favourite Arashi!

If you miss out the other videos, you must watch this! Very nice MTV and nice solo in the beginning by Nino!

Nino is soooo cute!

I know I must have sounded like some star stuck high school kid... but cannot resist Nino's sweet singing and expression! Let me go back to childhood for 5 mins ok?

Precious One by KAT-TUN

A song I liked recently.... by one of the most popular group in Japan now.

Have you cried recently?

This question was put forth to Arashi ( a Japanese boyband) in TV show...

I cried recently too... In fact every week to a Japanese drama I am catching now. Entitled "14 year old Mother"

The story is about how a 14 year old girl got pregnant by her boyfriend who is one year older and the struggles, discrmination and objectives she faced when she decided to give birth to the child instead of doing what the adults tell her, abort the child and forget this ever happened.

I remembered this conversation went on between her mum and her one day.
M=Mother, G=Girl

M: Miki is the most important person in the world to me..
G: Even after how much I made you and Father so troubled and worried over this matter? Even after I had done such a unbelievable thing?...Why?
M: Why....hmm....I guess there is no real answer to this... When I first looked at your tiny face when you born, I thought to myself, " Ah.. this is reason why I was born... I was born into this world as to meet you."
G: struck silent....teared..

I guess this applies to most mums in the world. No matter how bad sometimes our relationship with them can be, our relationship is a co-existence one. We are here because of parents. But our parents feel that their living is due to our existence. So we are here because of each other, none of us can be separate in heart with our families.

Looking at that mother makes me wonder what kind of mother I will be if i ever give birth to a child. Someone who will be strong enough to protect my child to the ends of the world?

Just a short clip.. plus the hit theme song by Mr Children

Two You Four You

The long awaited concert!!! ( no lah... actually, I would say that more for Arashi's concert)
But Tackey and Tsubasa no less anticipated... and I got the tickets to that!

All thanks to my room-mate who went online to bid for them! Thanks Shin!

But she has gave me very strong advice ( or strict orders) to spend the remaining one week to master all their songs.... hehe.. I should listen to some lah if not I probably cannot enjoy it to the max...

Here is their album cover!

I have changed my perspective

I have changed my perspective regarding room^mates...

I used to think that it is almost impossible to live in the same room as somebody else as we all need our own private space. Staying with another human being in the room means that even when you are at home, you need to watch your manners, watch the way you put your things, watch the way you use the common facilities, accomodate each other to the very tiniest details...In other ways, it spells suffocation, lack of privacy and irritation.

Ok I am exagerrating again.... but for some of you who have experience room-sharing before I am sure you will what it means by tolerance in the extreme sense. But then again, this depends on who your room-mate is. Just like some people can be good friends and not lovers, some people can also be good friends and not good room-mates. But then, in a good situation good room-mates and good friends quality can exist in a person too.

I am blessed in the sense that I have a good room-mate ( or at least she changed my thinking towards room sharing) She doesn't read the blog so I can write as much about her as possible... heee

Of course, it starts with her kindness to allow me a space in her room. It is not just sleeping space.. but she literally gave up half of her table which I am using my laptop on now, daily necessities and stuff..

Really glad to have her here as she provided lots of company of course! Someone to have meals with, watch TV with, do hsehold chores with and of course lots of shopping and Johnny talk.

Then being older and more experience too, she provided lots of advice on interviews, jobs, life at times too.

And of course, lots of information on what got sale, where got cheap stuff.. haaa it is unbelievable. I stayed in the same place for 2 yrs and yet I missed on so many good stuff.

Last but not least... we are going to Tackey and Tsubasa's concert together next week!! Yay!! My first concert in Japan! I want to go Arashi's winter concert too!

Japan Update Part 1

Upon the request (or constant nagging) from a "dear friend who is far away overseas" ( hmm...) I had better do something about my blog.

Firstly... I have been here for a month! Time flies... time flies in the short time I was back home and then time flies again while I am here. Time is always flying! ( ok, bad English I know) So what I have been up to?

Looked through pages and sites on jobs... been to Tokyo twice...(and it is horrifying tiring), met up with friends, spending money on goods( which will be introduced shortly).

Shoes, bought many pairs! My room-mate is also shocked at the rate I am going although she is always egging me to buy when we go shopping together... but then I reason that it is all for proper causes.

Winter: need a pair of good boots to combat the cold weather. ( anyway, my room-mate herself also bought a pair of "sm"boots. This term, ask Carolyn for the meaning.. hee

Then a chic maroon heels for shopping(ribbons removable). I really like heels with jeans especially in winter...

Still another 2 black ones, bought for interview and erm... future wedding dinners. Period.

Pink gloves! Couldn't resist cus they are too sweet.

Tonnes of Cd and singles and magazines too though not in picture. All at REDUCED price. unbelievable prices at 100 yen.. got one at 80 yen.

Ok here comes the others...

An Uchiwa of Aiba KuN! The top or sometimes second on my list. ( my room-mate bought it for me at their summer concert which I missed) I swear he looks better than this.

Nino's Uchiwa, yes he is the one who is contending with Aiba kun for the top position. But since he is my room-mate's fave member in Arashi, I can only take a photo of the uchiwa.

C, D, G no arashi...Collection of Arashi's Variety shows... Thanks Mio Chan!

Last but no least, the best of all....

A Hello Kitty 2.2 litre Flask? I realised I can't recall the correct noun for this thing. Can anyone tell me? But anyway, I got it from a lucky draw! A single try!!

Why do you like Japan?

A question that is often posed to me.

I was having dinner with a good friend and her boyfriend the other day and he asked me the same question.

Him:"You mean you still wanna go back to Japan?"
Me: "Yup, I am thinking of that now."
Him: " Wah.. you mean you like Japan so much? What about it do you like?"

Can anyone identify with that? Anyone who has been to a country or has lived somewhere before finds it so attractive that you want to make it your dwelling place?

I often tell people oh, I like the lifestyle, I like the food, the fashion etc... but really... liking something is more than that.

Let' start by comparing this to an encounter with a person.

Recall the first time you meet someone. What kind of feelings or emotions do you have? How does it come about? Feelings towards a person on a first meeting usually depends a lot on what you might have heard or known about the person and then the first impression which comes from the person's appearance right?

But then, as we all know the truth, the real person that lies beneath the glamourous veneer or mismatch outfits is often not understood correctly until we get to know the person on a deeper level. After all, how can mere clothes explain the complexities of a person's character?

Life is very much a love and hate affair. When we get to know a person better and more, we either begin to like this person better or the other way round.

Then think deeper, for those who are attached or married.(deeply in love) Isn't it the same with your better half? The more you get to know this person, the more you are attracted to him or her. But then you probably can't really put your finger to what you like best about the person. It could be a mixture of virtues the person possess, the level of communication only you and the person share. It all comes about after a significant amount of time spent with the person follwed by a gradual growth of comfort the lies in the being in the presence of the person.

Ok, after the above said. I would liken my relationship with Japan to that.

Spending almost 2 years in Japan, contrary to popular beliefs that I only play there ( grr...), I have known the country from just a place that outrageous fashion is tolerated, produces mind-blowing gadgets... to identify it as a place I know as a 2nd home. Yes, it was home to me in the 2 years I was there. I started out by holding a identify card that allows me to enter Japan from the citizens and PR row at the customs, surveying the prices of the different supermarkets, paying my electricity bills to knowing the Japanese there as my neighbours, becoming part of the community by teaching the kids English and saying hi and chatting casually to the shop-keepers to shops I frequent.

My point: This relationship is not that of a tourist pass that ends casually after a 10 days holiday fling. Japan has become, was shelter to me for a very signicant part of my life. These 2 years, the people I met, things I seen has very much impacted and shaped me. I would say sometimes even more than what my 20 yrs in Singapore has done. When one always stays in the same place, I believe no changes can take place. But of course, each of us has our own destiny and not every includes a change of place. Just like someone who has stayed in the "East" ( ie, Bedok, East Coast) will always want to stay there. But then after they reluctantly move to the West ( ie, Jurong, Boon Lay), they might not find it so bad after all.

In a nutshell, for people who might ask me again what about Japan do I like. I think the question does not stem from a like or dislike for it. It is simply the growing into it and then evolving from it. What makes you part of something cannot by simply generalised by the similarities you share with the group by how much you can identify with it and how much you grow heathily just by being in it.

My lookalikes!

I got this from Baby Caleb's blog and see who I look like?



Hmm what do you think?

Just to illustrate

Just thought I'll write this down... some examples of what I mean by services not up to expectations or am I just being too demanding?

A company... I'll leave out the name ( but give obvious hint as to which one... hiak...) which introduced me to my current job ( see! that's very obvious right!)

This company have staff which is not very professional according to my standards.

I was actually quite pleased with them, or thought they were very efficient because they called me pretty quick after I submitted my resume online. They gave me a long-distance call despite the fact I was still in Japan then. They asked me about my date of return and told me they will call soon.

As they promised, they called me just 3 days I came back and found me my first job within 2 weeks I was back. So.. this current job is more like being shoved into my hands. I was just told to turn up for interview though I told them I would like some more time. Then the next thing I knew, I was asked for an interview by the prospective company and I begin working 3 days after that.

Fast and efficient right? Very good. They promptly replied my emails and calls till.... till I was happily settled in the company.

One fine day, I emailed my agent to ask him something regard the job ( since I was on the agency's payroll) and then he never replied. ( He did not just not reply. He never ever replied)

I got a call only 4 days later from his colleague who greeted me in this way. "You mean he never tell you he went on a business trip meh?"

Ignoring the bad English and manners. I replied no. Yup, I swallowed up the rest of the sentence. " Yes you are absolutely right. He didn't BOTHER to reply to me so I wouldn't have known his whereabouts. You see mdm, I am not his keeper." Anyway, she wasn't at all a help to the questions I had. fine..

Another fine morning, I received a msg on my phone. "Please call me immediately at this number 62XX-XXXX. Urgent."

What the heck... who in the early morning. No name, unidentified number. My mother has always told me to ignore strangers since young. I guess it extends to strangers on the handphone too. What rudeness. If you are urgently looking for me then have the decency to pick up the phone to call me. Or at least offer me your name.

Anyway it turned out to be the agent and the best thing was, it was nothing urgent.

The last incident ( or so I hope).

Their receptionist called me up one morning to tell me there was a mistake in the calculation, the amount they paid me ( note: she said there was a mistake and no more) was $10.10 more. and she said this," Can you come down to the office to give me back the money?"

I replied coldly, 3 words. " I am working."

She replied in her chripy voice " Oh is it? You are working in XX office right? Very near our office, can come here."

What kind of service is that. Hey look, you are the one who made the mistake. Instead of thinking of ways to rectify the problem, y0u are asking me to go to your office instead? Whｙ should I was my first reaction though I know it is not good to be so calculative. Besides anyway, she made a mistake, I wasn't at the office near hers.

Anyway, I checked my pay slip and found that there were no mistakes so I called her back to clarify the matter. and she replied, " If you look carefully, the 5 looks like 6 right? That's where the mistake came about." So she wrote the cheque wrongly, mistaking a 5 for a 6, after looking carefully.

I was really pissed by now ( I censored some other parts of the conversation, mostly on her lame excuses) so I replied " If you say so. because I LOOKED carefully and I see a 5. So you are telling me now it is not a calculation problem and YOU are the one who made the mistake? Is that what you are telling me now?"

ok... for those who think I am mean. Maybe I am. But then I　not am against the girl nor the agent but their attitude. I think it is ok to make mistakes because we all do. But then, being in the service line especially, I think sincerely brings you further. WHen you make mistakes, admit and apologize. Nice humans out there ain't all that mean and demanding. You will make them more irritated when they discover they have been brought on a merry-go-round by you trying to shove the blame here and there.

So.. was I too mean?

Impatient

I seriously think I am a very impatient person. No matter what I do, I always think and want to see results quick. Is that why I always give up half-way?

When I was young, my mum is always skeptical about letting me learn new things. I remember how I would always try to persuade her into letting me go for some classes. For eg, I went piano, dance, computer... I will always start by trying to convince her that I have longed possessed a life-long passion for that particular thing and by letting me go for classes, she might be the next star's mother...and I will go on and on till she relents. Actually, I know.. I think she knows I will probably give it up half-up but still, cherish the glint of hope that something good might come out of it.

I am even impatient when I am sick. I used to ask my mum "How come the medicine doesn't work!" 5 mins after I ate it. And my mum has to explain to me it is not a xian dan or ling yao

Then now that I am grown up, I am still impatient. As people who are late for appointments, service people who don't meet up expectations. Even computer systems can piss me off big time.

What can I do to slow down my pace a little?... feel so unsettled and fidgety

God will make a way when there seems to be no way...

This morning as I was getting ready for work, suddenly a song came to my mind.

God will make a way, when there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see, He will make a way for me
He will be my guide, hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day, He will make a way,
He will make a way.

By a roadway in the wilderness
He'll lead me
And rivers in the desert will I see
Heaven and earth will fade
But His Word will still remain
He will do something new today

God really knows how each and everyone of us feels and thinks. And He wants us to know He cares and is also troubling alongside with us. For people who have been talking to me, knows that I have been troubling over some issues recently and I am glad God's reminder came as sweet assurance to me this morning.

Althought it still takes some time to completely put everything in His hands, I know now I am not troubling alone and indeed with it seems all impossible and the future looks bleak, God will make a way.

Last attempt at storming Tokyo

First installament of Tokyo storming.

Time: A few days before my grand entrance back to Singapore

Venue: Tokyo, to be more precise, Shinjuku, Harajuku and Shibuya

Main characters: Me (but of course!), Chou ( the first part and the last part), So-kun ( middle and last part) and the others....

Ok... so a few days before exiting Japan, Chou and I decided to make our last attempt to do last minute shopping in Tokyo. Ok, it was more of my idea. She wanted to go Osaka at first but she couldn't resist the temptation of a Disney land cum sea closure so she chose to go Tokyo with me.

However, since we only had 3 short days, we had to be very strict. We needed a fool-proof plan... btw, just a side note, sometimes i am just so amazed how chou manages her time. We took private lessons together for the whole of a 2 months period and she was NEVER on time! Her record was to be late for 2 hours on a day our lesson started at 12.40pm. She woke up at 1pm and took another hour to make up. But then, she always makes it on time for our trips. AMazing uh. So i call this selective punctuality. or selective impunctuality.

And our plan was...

no plans. Just take us to where our desires lead. ( sounds so worldly.. gosh.)

Ok, so reached Tokyo on the first train and we bumped in a gang of sumos! ( i dunno which collective noun to used because sumos never appeared in our textbooks before)

and I mustered up my courage to ask for a photo! the funny thing was they were stlil smilling and laughing before that. but they immediately turn very stern when I approached. I guess they have a professional image to upkeep uh.

Ok then we went on our separate ways and I went to meet So kun in Harajuku. We didn't take any pictures nor will he appear in this blog because we have taken too many pictures together before. So no special need to take anymore.. . but I met someone!!!

For those who have been in Japan catching the reality show "Ainori" you will realised that this Hero, is no other than Hide!! who has on the show for like 1.5 years? 17 countries. Details of the show pls wait for another entry. Will come soon uh..

Ok.. after the Hide craze.. I mean, really I was excited. I was estactic. I wasn't hysteric though. I have been catching the show since day one I started watching it and acutally I was pretty lucky. The previous time I went Harajuku I also bumped into some other Ainori participants.

I

I think I was a bit too nervous to smile properly. I was nervous becus of So's poor photography skills. He has proven track record. I did not malign him.

Anyway, for those who know So kun, He TREATED me to lunch! How cool is that! He gave me a TREAT!! haa... for the benefit of those who don't, So Kun is one of my best buddies in Japan. He is 30 but he is just like a kid always being bullied by me or sometimes the other way round. But we have always shared a very close friendship. Especially after some thing happened to both of us. Seen 2 people crying for each other? Everyone always thinks he is very petty with money and he also acts like he does by how he scramb;es from one market to the other just to save like 100 yen ($1.40) but I know he isn't all like that. He saves on himself only to splurge on his friends.

Finally after a long walk together, we joined the others for dinner. ABout 8 of us. Some friends' friends, some ex- yamasa students...

Night... chou and I decided to stay overnight at a love hotel.. kekeke.. last time in tokyo so needed some excitment. uh hem...

Love hotels in Japan is well as the name suggested bascially for couples to stay in for a few hours or overnight. I heard that love hotels used to be more bold and flamboyant but in recent years, they have toned down a little because it wasn't reflecting very well on Japan to have such a "attention-seeking" red-light industry. It is still thematic though less of its former glory. I heard those in Osaka are more fun though.

Ok, basically it works like this. You enter the hotel without having to see any staff or receptionist. The photos of each room is being flashed on a board with buttons beside. And you get to choose any room that is available by the push of a button. Side note, I realised the hotel has lots of entrances and exits. Probably to facilitate easy escape in the case of being caught in the act.

Then you enter the room and realised that the doors can't be locked until you swiped your credit card against this machine on the wall. The money is not paid yet and it is only then you come to another realisation. The door can't be opened until you swipe your card to pay again. So, once you go in you can't come out. The assumption is you won't need to go out for nothing again.

Anyway, I really recommend love hotels for budget travellers. It is nowhere cheesy but really spick and span. The basins and floors were gleaming bright. Tubs big enough to accomodate 2 and comes with a massage jacuzzi. But of course it depends on each room though. We each only paid about 4000 yen each. Mind you, this gives you only a budget hotel room in Tokyo but we got a really good bargain I would say. The bath room even came with disco lights. cool combi.

Ok.. last on my list. Did I mention I was in Shinjuku's red-light district Kabuki cho? Hmm.. I must admit it is not exactly the safetest place to be but well, as long as you don't hang out in the middle of the night I guess it is ok. I went there to check out the host clubs. ( guys cabaret). Don't why but recently hosts clubs seems to be so popular that the documentary show on them are so often seen on TV.. and yes, all hosts looked the same to me. ( (I mean clothes and style) . They are so easier recognisable. Long, stinted, set-hair with suits. See the bill boards and you will get what I mean..



Another Ainori participant, Autoro's dentist.


The array of host club pictures. Welcome to Shinjuku Kabuki Cho!

...

Don't know what's up with me these few days. Played too much over the weekend at genting?... hmmm anyway, i am suffering from what you call, Tou zhong jiao qing or head heavy feet light. I kept feeling giddy and even puked at home twice yesterday. Thank God there wasn't much work on Monday because the IT side is making some changes to the server and my Sup allowed me to go home earlier. But then a 2 hr nap didn't helped as well and I ended up paying $50 plus to see a doctor because I only decided to go there after 9.30pm. Doctors really know how to suck hard-earned money from poor OLs like me.. just a less than 3 min consulation and I see my blue bill flying into his register.

Well anyway, today has been a busy day at work. Though I will have OT but then, managed to clear the stuff pretty fast. Anyway, there was so many mistakes in the order that I had to keep emailing the Japanese. But good in the sense cus I got to practise my Kanji as I had to type many addresses.

I need more sleep I guess.. more more more..

anyway, I got an email from a friend in Japan. She was complaining to me about this common gu friend we know who is so zong se qing you. Sigh sigh... I was guo lai ren loh.. I already too used to his pattern that actually I just kinda drifted away from him. But then now another complaint. seems like I am not the only one. My advice to all you out there, Zong se qing you (putting your bf/gf above the interests of your friends and taking your friends for granted) is a dnagerous act. It is contagious too. Once one of your friends contract it, you will see it the disease spread unless you take some control of your own actions..

case closed.

My latest whereabouts

To dispel all rumours (again) on my whereabouts, here I am to clarify it. Acutally, I really got somemore to share about on my latest trip to Tokyo. But that can wait.

I am in....drumroll....

SINGAPORE!!

Ah hem.. why am I back? How long will I be back for?... yes, I see questions flying furiously towards me. In fact my family and friends and myself for the matter have been asking myself the same question.

I am actually already working now. But it will only be a contract job. Life in office has been so far so good. I am working in an American co. but in the Japanese dept. It sells softwares and online support. American companies are good and I like where I am in. I can wear whatever I want to work, ( my sup did warn me against bikinis though..), come into office at a flexible time, ( but well at least before 9.30) and then leave once I am done with work.

Japanese colleagues have been very kind so far. Teaching me very patiently despite their own tight schedules. Especially the Japanese girl sitting beside me. She has to answer to my every question and sometimes, I really admire her for her constant smile however tired she is. But you see, she is a Japanese. She might have received some training in smiling before...

Other than that, I have been actually crusing in office surfing the net, playing online games. even resorted to watching videos once when I was nearly dying from boredom. The work comes in once in a while tho...

Have met up with friends, relatives... cells.. more friends to come..

Japan. I am... well or maybe I should be back in Japan. As to when? You reading this will know again when the time comes. I shouldn't start any rumours again when I am trying to stop one.

Anything else more personal you wanna know? ASK ME PLS...

Reunion with Mio

Mio, is the name of one of my private lesson teacher. I actually knew her about 1.5 years ago when I first came to Japan. She wasn't a teacher then. I met her through the introduction of a friend over dinner but then lost contact after that. But , what a coincidence to to have her as my teacher. This time round, we could communicate like 100 times better because well, my conversation skills have improved and we turn out to have much more in common than we know.

anyway, she invited me and another girl to her house for dinner last saturday and we had a great time!

Firstly, she stays in a house with a hundred-years history. Her house is what you can imagine seeing in a Japanese period drama (except for the kitchen which had been redone). It comes with a garden, sleeping quarters separated from the living room, tatami, sliding doors, wooden furniture... I was so awed by her house truly.

ok what we had for dinner:

with compliments from Mio's mum: chou umakatta!!

Mio ( in the polo-Tee) and Chou making takoyaki

YUm yumzz!

Visits and Visits...

It must had been a good time to visit Japan... from Mar to till, I have had 4 ex-classmates coming back to visit Okazaki. For various reasons though, some come here to meet others, some came here on the way to else where, some came here to simply party and eat. Hee.. but good good, it is all for the good for the otherwise boring and routine lifestyle we have here.

Here are some of the good memories when Bill came back!

The present we made for him, consisted of all our good friends over time in Yamasa.

His sheepish look... but then really he was just trying to hide his hideous looking swollen lips.


All credits to Bill we got all of us a trip and treat to Matsuzaki Sensei's house for Yaki-Niku ( BBQ Meat)

ANd finally...
His signature expression! In Bill's world, all females talk in the same tone and have this expression when they are surprised, happy, overjoyed, shocked.... and the list goes on...

It was really fun to have him over in the few days. Bill... to me is a big brother and a good friend. He sprouts nonsense all the time but nonsense that holds its own wisdom and truth in it. And being here together for 1.5 yrs together, our friendship grew bit by bit but surely deeper each day. From just laughing at his senseless stints, I began to understand more of his thinking, his ideas and his way of life. He makes me feel comfortable and easy with him and even on skype after not meeting for some time, we can talk about the most mundane things under the sun, about his cat and etc... I can say we came a long way as friends! And, we will go on. Bill is a friend I will keep my whole life...

ANd next up, SO KUN!!! I am so looking forward to his visit!! This duo, is the unreplacable in our hearts =) Cheers to the boys!

Spring in Japan with Dad and Mum

At the end of Mar, my parents came and we went to Tokyo, Hakone, Kobe, Himeji and Kyoto. So many places in mere 10 days right? Yes... tell me if you want to come to Japan to travel. After being here for nearly 2 years, I can tell you quite clearly what are the must-go, can-go, go-if-you-have-time and don't-go places... Mum was pretty happy as this is her first time and also seeing all the beautiful sakuras..

That is Dad under the sakura trees in Ueno Park, Tokyo

Asakusa's famous temple

And with my friends who came over to join us on the various days..

3 of us in Hakone..

and finally some sakuras up close!