Hike in Gifu...

Some observations…

The more Ulu (meaning deserted or less populated), the better it is to hike. Why? Cause they will provide more sign boards, in fact at every junction to make sure you will not get lost. Totally different from the second hike I went where they are no signboards at all just because it was a road hike rather than a forest hike. This is good because map-reading is never my favourite thing in the world to do... Sorry my geography teachers...

Signs telling you to go straight…



or down…

Japanese hiking routes are not just well planned for. There are also many well-maintained toilets along the way. Imagine, I actually went into a toilet, in the middle of the forest which the lights are automatically on when I stepped into the toilet. Unbelievable. Also they have many tables and benches along the way at strategic places for people to sit down to enjoy their lunches and breaks. Very thoughtful indeed.

Nice little benches for breaks and meals..

There are really lots of small little statues littered all around the forest. I see them so often with every few steps I take. Some of them are even so hard to notice. Anyway I couldn’t really tell what kind of gods they are because well I can’t all the Japanese information even when I could read the names, I don’t know the history too. but yeah, very interesting.

Summer is really nearing! I was surrounded by so many flies when I was hiking today that I could not stop fanning them away. I told myself I shall not start killing them because well, I am in their territory and we are supposed to be friends with Mother Nature. But… couldn’t take it anymore, after hiking for 4 hours, I killed one fly with a clap of my hands.

Japanese kids are so cute!! Ok nothing to do with hiking though but I saw a really cute kid today.

The cute kid I met! He’s so adorable!

Ok anyway… I went on a hiking trip in Gifu Prefecture yesterday. The exact place was about 1.5 hours away from my house. Not a bad trip. It was a combination of the forest, roads, fields, streams, rivers, tea plantations… if not for the stupid flies that kept me “accompanied” all the way; I would say the hike was perfect. But well, no complains, it was a great walk nevertheless…

The Ryu River…



The magnificient forest less traveled…



One of the 7 beautiful Ryu Water falls…

My new found interest...

Hiking!!

I really love it now. Have been going on hikes for the past 2 weeks and planning to go for more for the weeks to come. At least well before the rainy season, called “Tsuyu” in Japanese sets in. It is when it will rain almost (note: not everyday) in Japan. But well, it doesn’t happen in Hokkaido apparently…

Anyway I started going on hikes because I want to try Mt Fuji in July… so thought I better get myself in a good shape before that. At the same time, there are maps readily available for hiking courses throughout Aichi Ken (where I stay) and neighbouring Shizuoka Ken. Take a train about 1-2 hours away ( now now… I fully agree with what Carol said about shifting concepts with regards to time. A 35 mins train to Orchard used to be very far… But one or 2 hours train away now is very acceptable) and you are off to a hike!

The first one was done with Carol… had a good time walking in the forests and little streams. It was a really rewarding hike at the end of it cus we got to see many things maybe most of us have even forgotten how it even looks like.. eg, tadpoles spawning, voices of crickets and birds…

Did the second one on my own. It was a really short 7km as compared to the nearly 15km one we did together. That wasn’t much of a nature hike actually but a one that takes you to various ancient buildings and museums in Shizuoka ken. Well, it was fun though to just navigate around with a map… and most of all, I could be away from the familiar Okazaki, to be on my own for a while. Well, not that I hate Okazaki. In fact not at all. But, I guess one just needs to get away once in a while uh…

Planning to go on the 3rd trip again this week… should be quite a challenging one as it is mostly forested area. Great!!

Keys to my heart...

Got it from Carol's blog who apparently got it from Serene's blog... interesting uh...

The Keys to Your Heart

You are attracted to obedience and warmth.

In love, you feel the most alive when your lover is creative and never lets you feel bored.

You'd like to your lover to think you are optimistic and happy.

You would be forced to break up with someone who was emotional, moody, and difficult to please.

Your ideal relationship is traditional. Without saying anything, both of you communicate with your hearts.

Your risk of cheating is zero. You care about society and morality. You would never break a commitment.

You think of marriage something you've always wanted... though you haven't really thought about it.

In this moment, you think of love as commitment. Love only works when both people are totally devoted.

What Are The Keys To Your Heart?

Monday Blues...

Something nice happened to me on Monday… Actually I was still feeling rather down inside me. That is especially after I received a msg from one of my friends. It isn’t something bad. In fact it was something very touching that he said that made me feel worst about him leaving… well anyway, I couldn’t really concentrate much in class and on top of that I was having a flu.

Really, all I want is just to be alone for a while. But then I had my tuition job that night but I know I shouldn’t cancel it just because I am not in the right mood. Determined to overcome what I feel inside me, I went ahead with it.

Well, thank God for the favour, I managed to regain some energy when I reached there. Approached the students with my usual way of talking in an animated way… was not too bad. I am pretty encouraged by them in the sense they always did their homework and they always response to me.

The lesson was quickly over and it was time for tea. (a very typical thing in Japanese homes). So the mum asked the kids if they liked English. To both of our surprise, both of them nodded their heads immediately without hesitation. The mum was a little surprised. She was like saying the boy especially hated English and she had to force him to start lessons with me. But now she sees he is making progress and he actually likes me.. haaa
Yah in fact, I was so touched when the boy( he’s 7) gave me a winter sonata keychain he got it when he went to a funfair last week. What happened was he saw it and he remembered that I said I liked it so he told his mum to get it for me. I mean well, I used to like it but the craze is over. I just kinda patronized the mum who loves the show.. haaa so much for it.. but really, very very touched by the kid’s gesture.

Will take his photo next time. He’s very cute! So… yeah I felt a little better on the way home. I know Life has to go on with or without him uh… But really in the process of eveything happening, I realised how nice my friends have been supportive and good to me. Several of them calling me up, some even coming to my house with some ridiculous excuse but actually to check if I am ok... haaa.. one of my friends even told me a secret that well no one knows just to comfort me... Thanks all of you.... I appreciate it...

To my dearest friend...

To a very dear friend of mine who is leaving...

For the times of joy and fun we had together, the day for you to leave has finally come...

Don't worry about me =) You know I will definitely continue to live life to the fullest in Japan. Don't cry too, you promise me you will only cry when you go home and then you will call me.

Like you say, we will definitely meet again soon and you be back in Japan someday =)

3 cheers to our relationship!

Golden week in Yamanashi

Went on a trip to Yamanashi again for the golden week. My second trip this time round yet still going for the same reason. Yes, because Owen is there now but leaving for home soon…

This time though had many people with me. Carol went on the trip too as she is also interested in hiking and swimming in the lakes. My ex-classmate Jan, his girlfriend and a Australian guy from our school Todd came along too.

So on the first day, before Jan and company arrived, Owen took Carol, me and 2 of his other friends to hike at a place at the water falls. My my… It was breath-taking! It was such a shame we couldn’t hike till the very top because the road had been destroyed by the rain. But still where we were, was fresh, cleaning but ok, icy cold flowing water. We didn’t manage to swim though because it was really too cold and we didn’t want to wet the other Japanese girl Mie’s car. But well still, it was a kick to just dip our feet in the water.

Spent the whole after there and finally the long-awaited trio came. They drove there and was caught in a traffic jam along the way. It didn’t help though when they stopped for breaks here and there. Haa.. well well.. we had a bbq dinner at Chris’s place. He’s Owen’s friend who is holidaying in china now. I think he might possibly get a shock when he comes home to know 5 strangers stayed over night at his place. Well anyway, we had a good sumptuous dinner with wine and beer. Must admit, the wine was really good. I couldn’t resist drinking a few glasses too. Then we chatted the night away… the guys catching up cus Todd hasn’t seen Owen for a few months as well..

Next morning, got up to go to Dave’s house. Another of Owen’s friend who just got married. (If you guys recall the suit he bought in Taipei, it was for this wedding) Anyway, Dave’s friends and family were still in Japan. And it was really interesting cus he is from New Zealand, and we thus we got to meet the Maui people who are his friends! First time I see and talk to a Maui person face to face.

Anyway, we went to the same place again for a swim and hike. And Jan and Owen gave some good performances. Actually Owen already did it before yesterday. He climbed up to a really high spot up the rocks and jumped into the water. Jan saw that and well he wanted to do it too. He well, haaa stripped to his underwear and when along with it.

Then it was back to Dave’s place for more bbq and gathering. It was really a huge gathering cus all of their Japanese friends came too. The other English teachers in their gang, including Steve, Owen’s friend from Oregon too whose house I stayed in when I went over. He’s an a great singer. He was playing the guitar with his ABK friend (American born Korean) and singing the whole night to entertain us. My… he was really good. Pretty mesmerized by their voices. It wasn’t just singing together but they harmonized and it sounds very professional.

The night ended when it got dark and we all packed up to go home. Watched simpsons in the video and slept. Too tired to do anything else.
Last morning in Yamanashi. Got up early to breath in the clean fresh air. The scenery in Yamanashi is really good. Mountains and flowing rivers are aplenty. Will go back again if I have a chance to. Anyway we had to be on our way home becus Todd needs to get back to Okazaki. So all of us hopped into Ako's car. Good drive home. Stopped by the hot spring for a good soak too. Kimochi ii....

Partying at Chris's place...

Nice scenery!

What Are you?

Saw this from Carol's blog and decided to do it to entertain myself for a while... well well... if this it the MBTI, then I am a IFSJ....

Your #1 Match: INFJ

The Protector You live your life with integrity, originality, vision, and creativity.Independent and stubborn, you rarely stray from your vision - no matter what it is.You are an excellent listener, with almost infinite patience.You have complex, deep feelings, and you take great care to express them. You would make a great photographer, alternative medicine guru, or teacher.

Your #2 Match: INFP

The Idealist You are creative with a great imagination, living in your own inner world.Open minded and accepting, you strive for harmony in your important relationships.It takes a long time for people to get to know you. You are hesitant to let people get close.But once you care for someone, you do everything you can to help them grow and develop. You would make an excellent writer, psychologist, or artist.

Your #3 Match: ENFJ

The Giver You strive to maintain harmony in relationships, and usually succeed.Articulate and enthusiastic, you are good at making personal connections.Sometimes you idealize relationships too much - and end up being let down.You find the most energy and comfort in social situations ... where you shine. You would make a good writer, human resources director, or psychologist.

Your #4 Match: ISFJ

The Nurturer You have a strong need to belong, and you very loyal.A good listener, you excell at helping others in practical ways.In your spare time, you enjoy engaging your senses through art, cooking, and music.You find it easy to be devoted to one person, who you do special things for. You would make a good interior designer, chef, or child psychologist.

Your #5 Match: ENFP

The Inspirer You love being around people, and you are deeply committed to your friends.You are also unconventional, irreverant, and unimpressed by authority and rules.Incredibly perceptive, you can usually sense if someone has hidden motives.You use lots of colorful language and expressions. You're qutie the storyteller! You would make an excellent entrepreneur, politician, or journalist.

What's" Your Personality Type?

C.U.T.E?? You sure??

Well just remembered some funny incidents regarding the word cute. I say it is funny not because you will be rolling on the floor with tears in your eyes when you read it but it is just well funny... erm..

Ok story goes like this, I had this Taiwanese friend, Cindy who always says I am very cute. When I talk or say something, expecting her to give me an answer at times, she will burst in giggles and then squeak " Ahh you are so cute!" and at worst times, she calls me "ke ai". Frankly I am rather amused by her behaviour rather than feeling flattered. But then again I figured, taiwanese are pretty much like Japanese at times. Cute is a word like Kawaii, used too often to describe anything you probably don't have a very apt word for. Whatever...

Then on one fine saturday night, I went to a club in Nagoya with my friends. There were 2 black bouncers standing at the entrance. They were obviously not very friendly looking because they stood with their arms folded and a frown across their faces. They were like scrutinising anyone that goes in. Well obviously that is their job, to deter trouble-makers. So I was about to walk in when one of them points at me. And that instance, I panicked... cus I thought they wanted to check my ID. And I was half-cursing inside my head, "I looked so young meh" But well, before I could fish out my wallet, he broke into a grin and he exclaimed " You are so cute!"

My friend and I was stunned for a moment. But of course, we quickly recovered and I murmured a thank you to him... wooh... of course my friend found it so amusing that she was laughing at me the whole night... ok half the night till she got high. And then the same thing happened when I left the club at the closing time. Everyone was going out orderly and the bouncers were standing at the door with the same pose and expression, not saying a word to anyone. When I walked past him, he again smiled at me and he was like "genki?" Yet another joke for my friends to last them till the first train to go home...

Then it was in Taipei. Was eating in a small eatery with Owen one day when I went to the toilet. When I returned, there was a little girl sitting at our seat chatting with him. She didn't turn to look at me until Owen introduced me as his friend. At that, she turned to look at me and before I could say anything, she clasped both her hands together and she exclaimed " You are so cute!". Wah this time I was really stunned. Turned to Owen who burst out laughing. There got me pretty irritated at times cus I will be asking him something sometimes and his reply will be that's because you look cute... Seriously, I was really wondering what are kids nowadays learning... She is only 7! And to think she said that to me... That should have been my line!

Crazy incidents.. What is your definition of cute??

Hanami.... Beyond words can describe

Hanami!

The best possible season in Japan is in early April…. Where the cherry blossoms blooms. You just cannot imagine how pretty the streets became when a whole string of cherry blossoms line on each side of them. Imagine this now… cycling in the cool breeze, with occasional pink and white little petals falling and sweeping across your face. Everything jut looks so sweet and peaceful… Yes, that's what I like to do! Cycle in the cool breeze, breathing in the sweet scent the flowers bring along with them. No wonder there this is saying that spring is the season for love. When one sees the sakuras, they will feel like falling in love… not at a lie at all!

Anyway I had my friend Peiling who came to visit me right after I came back from Taipei. So it was another round of enjoying and touring for me as we went to Kyoto, Yamanashi and Tokyo.

First we did the traditional Hanami in Okazaki with my teachers and classmates. See, this is something tour groups probably cannot offer. While basically Japanese will go picnicking under the trees, drink lots of beer and play some games. It was just such a great feeling sitting under the beautiful trees in Minami Koen. And really it is amazing how everyone was doing Hanami during that period of time. A pretty interesting sight we saw was people doning suits gathered , sitting under the trees. Those were probably company functions. But all the same, they put mats on the floor and started drinking, eating and singing as they get more drunk…Some were even shouting cheers. Those who know Peiling ask her how she feels! But nevertheless both of us felt it was a good morale-boasting activity.

Ok then we went Kyoto… well nothing much interesting cus I have been there like thrice… skip to Yamanashi…

First time there. Great place! Mt Fuji is breath-taking! Of course I have seen it several times when I travel to Tokyo but never really stop to take a good look at it. Of course, the lakes surrounding it is super beautiful too. So much so that, I have made it my goal to climb Mt Fuji in July with Carol. Yes! I am preparing to scale it now! Yamanashi is really a beautiful place… and really all thanks to Owen again who drove us around the whole day. And Steve who put us up for the night. It was fun though at first cus we played a little prank on Steve. We told him we can’t speak any English at all so he was forced to speak to me in his limited Japanese. Well i.e he and Peiling didn’t speak for the first hour. He's such a nice guy though his language is as dirty as Owen's. Peiling and I were of course trying to stifle our laughter and not reacting to anything he says. (Peiling: Rememeber the little bitch) But of course later when we revealed that we actually understood English he was so shocked! Haaa for revenge he made us stay uptill about 3+ in the morning talking to him. It was a great chat though. Yet pretty strange cus we shared lots about our lives and even intimate details. Well Of course Peiling and Owen knows a great deal about me but it was comfortable talking to Steve too.

Anyway, next morning, Owen took us out to see Mt Fuji again and then after lunch to this super beautiful park and we just laid there the whole day in the sun… It's been such a long time since I ever sat in the sun. It was total bliss as 3 of us just laid there refusing to budge. Esp with the soft grass underneath... Don't wanna move again...

Cherry Blossoms... beautiful beyond description

Picnic at Minami Koen

See the groups of Japanese at the back too?

The teachers going wild at games! Had great fun!

One of the famous lakes near Fuji

More Cherry Blossoms!

Peiling and I.. totally in the spring mood...

Strolling under the cherry blossoms... Kimochi ii!

Our driver and guide...

The long- time no see sun... ahh... bliss...

Taipei...

A long time since I updated my blog… where shall I start?

Well well… left Japan for a week to have some fun in Taipei. Went with my friend Owen, and met up with lots of friends there. Let’s see…

First few days, all thanks to So san who drove us everywhere, we managed to go to Yang Ming Hill, Jiu Fen, and well many places which I can’t even name off hand. It’s hard to describe everything in detail but we had lots of good food! Chou Dou Fu (smelly beancurd) being one of the most delicious thing we ate there! Wow! It was super good! And really, as I look back on our Taipei photos, it is a lot on food and food… and food…

The Silin night market I must say is one of my favourites. Owen and I went there one night on our own and we just walked around for 3 hours plus! It was really just browing around and queuing up for the food we like. I guess it’s like that when you go on a holiday. Nothing much but lots of time on your hand. We had so much fun there that we went back again on the last day to shop around for another 6 hours? Well he sure bought a lot of things.. Including a suit!

Ok other things we did including going Karaoke! How can we forget there! Esp when I have to bear with the lousy mtvs in Japan. Also had the authentic Ma-La steamboat. It was great because it was the night everyone came! Including Higashi san who went home earlier in March, Yimin and Grace who finished in March… And yes, it is damn hot. But well, the funny thing was nothing happened to us, but So-san the Taiwanese actually had diarrhea 3 times the next morning.

Hard to summarise everything I did in Taipei but it’s all in my mind =) All the good times, the times of meeting up with various ones, going from store to store for food and even just strolling around Taipei city. Can’t say enough of it… some photos will be good?

The is basically something like bubble tea but well it is green bean soup and it has an interesting name! Frog's eggs... Owen really thought it was frog's eggs though...



Jiufen. It's a really beautiful place. Thank God the weather was good that morning and allowed us to see sights which was pretty far away... Anyway we got to know this Japanese lady there and if possible will go and visit her sometime...



You Tiao!!!! We were actually pretty late that morning and the owner was already cleaning up the place. But well given my desperation for it cus i haven't even had one for 6 months, I charmed the boss in letting us in.. haaa.. ..

Yang Ming Hill... was pretty foggy that morning but all the more created a romantic and dreamy setting. Hmm... well of course the company is important too.. haa.. anyway the karla lillies are so pretty!

Pig's blood... Delicious but really.. we can't really digest the idea of it..

Shilin Night Market's Food Centre and street stalls. Words alone can't describe our joy and the amount we salivated at the sight of food!

The famous chicken cutlet! Big juicy and tasty!

Shilin night market... lots lots of people... wooh

At the movie city where we saw real filming take place. Hey shan, kiin and dad! Look! Qin Yang in action!

Ok that's us in the ancient costumes. Owen told me sit down and act like his wife but of course, it didn't turn out the way he wanted.. It seems more like I am the official and he looked like a"gong-nu" (maid)

He as the chinese priest subduing a vampire. That's another group we met. This poor guy is another story. He went with 2 other girls who made he dress up in all the girls' costumes to take photos..

Finally.... the suit he bought! It was cheap and really he look good in it. We had to well.. I mean me, bargain for a good price for him though...

Lastly... our last day at the airport.. so decided to take some photos.. with well what Owen puts it.. "my midget hands" cus it is always too near and our faces are always too big.

Picnic at Minami Koen

This dates back to 21 March, a monday where it was a Japanese Public Holiday.

Was supposed to go kyoto with some friends and my neighbour. but then felt really tired from the night out at Jmax that I decided to give the trip a miss instead. It didn't help when Reko, who stayed upstairs invited me to drink at her house the night before. Anyway, I think we were so engrossed in eating and drinking that we ended up drinking quite a bit. I was surely a little unstable when I walked home...

Anyway, had a super good sleep nevertheless. Woke up to a perfect weather and an invitation to join Mannie, Chou, Haku, Ko, Kaku and Shin for a picnic at the park! It was really a great day for picnic and also, we wanted to catch the last glimpse of the Plum blossoms before its sister, the cherry blossoms set in. So well we did, bought lots of food and sat somewhere near the lake.

We really had a lot of fun eating, laughing, chatting and not to forget taking pictures. My god, all the girls I went with were really photo addicts! Can you believe it, we spent nearly 1.5 hours just posing around the little park in every possible pose? Wooh....

At the end of the day, it got colder so we kinda had to pack up and go home. That was then we come to realise the park which was pretty crowded when we came was now almost empty. Everyone had long gone home! We were speculating if it could be because we were so noisy that they decided to leave.. well well....

Max it Out at J!

Max it out at JMax!

Yup, this is the name of the the place that saw 16 dancing the whole night away...

This is the last weekend where everyone in Yamasa up till now can party together because the sem ends 25th March and a lot of people are making their way home for good. Hence, upon invitation from some friends from another class, I decided to join them for a night's out in Nagoya's uptown club, Jmax.

The first thing that shocked all of us was that all the Japanese girls that night were in gowns! Yes! ball room gowns??!! What was going on? Well it isn't the first time some of us has been to Jmax and therefore, those who have been there know that this is not the normal dressing culture. And really, as typical Japanese, it wasn't just the gowns. It was every detail that made me shiver in my pants. The bombastic hair with acessories, their make-up, shoes etc.... and the thing was, everyone came to dress up in the toilets of the club. Well well...

In Jmas anyway, there are 2 dance halls. The bigger one playing faster music and the other hip-hop. Since everyone else, (the Japanese girls) was in the bigger hall, our group decided to stay put in the hip-hop place well with some other Japanese too. But anyway it was good cus the place was pretty small and thus when 16 of us are all on it, it is just nice.

but well... after a while we decided that it was not so exciting, so we decided to hit the bigger hall instead.

And it was pure perspiration! It was so squeezy that everywhere you move, you are moving into people. but well, a good time was had for all!

Anyway, we had to stay the whole night out and wait for the first train that takes us back to Okazaki at 6am in the morning.. Yawnz yawnz... was tired though but I was talking to my next door neighbour Anna all the way home... hahh... think she is probably still sleeping now...

The early birds.... the girls went in early to avoid paying...



The hip-hop dance floor


We were so high that we actually climbed up to dance on the platform!

Sleepyheads.... They were too tired....

Pointed shoes! Super popular in Japan

Class H gathering!!

We finally had a chance to gather our whole class plus teachers together for the very first time in the 6 months we are in the school. This is the class I had for last sem and it is, the very best and fun class I had up till now. (well, in any case I only had 2 so far). We used to party a lot last sem too, in fact everyone or 2 weeks after our test. But then, it usually excludes the teachers who are always super busy, those who do not stay in Okazaki city or for some reasons, cannot join us.

Anyway, it was a really great time of gathering. Everyone, even our teachers just let our hair down for once. No formal form, respect form etcs... everyone just sprouted in casual form across the tables even to the teachers. At one point, I was talking to my teacher and he said in the most sincere tone that he really thought we have improved a lot in our conversation. But really... it was all just casual manner. Ha... my casual speech might have improved cus we talked a lot to friends here. But formal form is ehh..... uh hem...

Okok... a good time was had for all. Photos... food.... beers.... alcoholic drinks. Really can't resist ordering one too. Well.. was in the mood to drink and also the weather was darn cold. Great party!!

The pretty girls! My teacher is the 2nd from the left. She's super Kawaii!! Single and Avail.

Class Photo 1

White Day

March 14th: White Day

This is exactly one month after Valentine's Day. In Japan, the practice on Valentine's day is for the ladies to buy chocolates for the guys. It is not limited to just lovers but also your colleagues, friends and superiors etc... Well of course these are obligatory as we all know how Japanese make such a big deal out of giving gifts. But well for the guy you really liked, it is usually an expensive box of chocolates and then with the addition of one more gift. A tie or something of the like.

Then on White day, it is the time when the gentlemen recipocrate the ladies' feelings. Once again, you have to buy obligatory gifts or well express your feelings for someone on this day. Well if not, it is a day for the litmus test! Check out which guy is stingy, which guy has so many gifts to return to or well simply if anyone is interested in you.

Yours truly got 2 box of chocs today. Hmm... One is from my teacher, the other from a friend. The funny thing today is that, out of the 6 guys in my class, all 5 chose to be absent today for one reason or another. So the remaining one actually came unprepared. Immediately he was branded as a stingy guy... haaa

ok well, I took some pictures of the chocs, actually cookies my teacher gave me. Was a pleasant surprise though. And also the other one my friend gave me. And, that was another surprise cus firstly, he came specially to pass it to me. Secondly he is well not that kind of person as I thought. As in one to take effort to buy stuff for others. But according to him, he took some time to chose it and he thought it was exactly something I would like. Hello Kitty and Pink... well well...


Beautiful boxes...

From my teacher



From my friend

And it snowed again in my area!!! In march? That's crazy. The temperature went up to 17 deg a few days ago.. and really I took my coats to dry clean thinking that winter is finally over. And it snowed on and off for a few days...

Weekend...

It's 2 weeks away from the last day of sememster where a lot of people is going home.... Sigh.. really feeling the sense of lost again.... But it's ok now except there are lots of gatherings, parties going on. Just helped one of my friends pack his room last friday. But I guess this is just something I have to get used to.

Anyway had a very relaxed friday. Despite the fact that the final exam is next week, I am not really in the study mood now.

Went Nagoya in the afternoon to shop with a friend. Yeah, she's going home to Taiwan too at the end of the month.. * sobz*. Didn't get to shop a lot because we spent most of the time picking out a electronic dictionary for her. Then I had to rush back to Okazaki because another friend invited me to her house for dinner.

Reached my friend's Man Yee's house about 7pm... (yup the HK girl) but she was still at the super market with another friend so I sought refuge next door at Owen's.... His room was in a mess... all the things and boxes strewn all over the place. In the end, we ended up looking at photos and talking...

Ok back in Man Yee's room. She and Chou, the other Taiwanese girl were cooking good food! Wah... but a tad long. By the time we started, it was already 9.40pm! Wooh... hungry but then still, when they were so nice to offer to cook for me, how could I complain. Ok so 3 of us tucked in hungrily... Drank some alchohol too, was pretty cold that night...

Chatted, laughed at mad... sing to some songs, even got up to dance.... talked about deep intimate issues.. and it was 7am! Wah my gawd! Unknowingly the sun is up and 3 of us are still talking... We looked at the sky and it looked kinda dark so we decided we had better go home quick...
Went to get our bikes when we heard a someone greeting us. Looked up and saw Owen. He woke up cus he heard us in the doorway. He was amazed that we 3 could actually stay up all night to talk.

Wooh.... got home bathed and slept really well..... I will really miss Man Yee! Her food, how she always goes out to meet me, even in the rain once whenever I call her... Man Yee jie...

Beautiful Plum blossoms

shall dedicate this blog post in honour of the beautiful plum blossoms...

Hatcho Miso… The product of Okazaki. What Okazaki is most famous for.

I finally had a chance to visit it upon an invitation by my Japanese friend whom herself had not been there before…

Anyway it was pretty fun although really half of the time we didn’t know what the guide was saying. My friend had to say it to us again slowly. Haa… but then the food tasting was the good part! Got to eat a lot of food.

Anyway it was interesting how the miso was made. It was being put into this barrel (which according to the guide, only 3 people in Japan knows how to make the barrel) and then, a lot of rocks was place on top of it to compressed the beans I think..

Ok… after that it was still early, so the foursome decided to go to the park to look at the plum blossoms and sit down to talk. The plum blossoms was great! It was so beautiful! Cannot resist taking a lot of pictures! Can’t wait for cherry blossoms to come too!

The four of us in front of the famous giant barrel



The rocks on the barrel



Erina chan and me! With Hatcho miso ice-cream

In a long while...

Wooh.. haven’t update my blog for nearly a month.. shall try doing that now.

Let’s start from the fateful speech competition. Well, I would say that the little repertoire we put up went great. It wasn’t so much so we sang superbly well. In fact it was quite the opposite. I had Owen standing beside who didn’t know the lyrics at all, fooling around at the back and disturbing me or smiling brightly at the audience, Jan standing on the other side not singing in sync with the rest of the group. And me of course, trying to stifle my own laughter at the 2 idiots. But well, it went great cus at some point in time, we had relaxed and were actually having fun singing and just grooving to the music. The audience were great too to join in clapping and cheering.

Ok after that we went off to lunch and then well, karaoke. Hee… it was the first time I had lunch with so many people. A mixture of people from all different classes, I would say 20+ of us together. A great lunch at a ramen shop that was tad far actually.

The karaoke session that day I think, is one of the most fabulous and high session I ever had. The session saw all of us standing on the sofa dancing away right from the beginning. At one high point, it was also about 16 of us in the room, including 2 teachers, all standing together, singing, shouting and dancing together to very silly but well-known songs like YMCA or bamba… I truly had lots of fun. I think Karaoke does wonders, I myself was high beyond words. Ha... and well the fact was that not everyone in the room knew everyone else. But still we had lots of fun.

Ok then it was dinner together and home…

The is the group of us singing, minus the teacher sitting in front, from left, and Reko from the right.

Emmie Chan! Our Class rep

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Went to the local Primary school for some fun as a volunteer? Nope.. I was being volunteered on. By the kids. It was kinda a interaction session where those of us from Yamasa will take on 5-6 kids in a group each to play some games or just interact. I got a whole group of girls and they are so sweet! They look sweet, behaved sweetly. Hey I am serious, they spoke rather slowly to me to make sure I understood everything they said and then when I won in some games, they were so encouraging! Haa… in the end, each of them even gave me some little hand-made they did. I was soooo touched! I wanna go back again!

Me with the girls and the table full of hand made things

The rest of the vounteers in in the class and the children