Shin's visit

Haven't had the chance to do any updates for along time mainly becus of the fact that internet connection is still not up in the house... This is yet another super infuriating matter which deserves a post's attention. But then shan't post something so negative as yet as the first post I do in a month.

Let me recall what happened in the month....

The most fun thing was that my ex-room-mate Shin came over from Okazaki to Tokyo for a visit! She is one person I can talk to for hours and hours without feeling tired or sianz. I don't think it is because we have a lot in common to start with but we kind rubbed our interests onto each other as we stayed together. The many things she will not have tried or done if not for me, or the things I will not have gotten hooked onto because of her. Between us we know it the best. I felt pretty bad though in the past when we used to chat till about 3am in the morning and she has to work the next day.... haha

Other then that, of course our characters and living styles complement and are similar in the perfect areas. Equally messy but not dirty, similar sleeping patterns etc...

Anyway, the point of her coming was not for me but to attend her dearest Tackey and Tsubasa's concert( namely Tsubasa). She joined the fan club someday back and got tickets to 3 of their concerts in Yokohama which is an hr away from where I currently stay. Of course when she hears this, she will vehemently deny she was solely in Tokyo for the concert. Yah, she was here to shop as well.. check our her shopping?!!

It was great to see her, talk to her ( tho we talk a lot on the phone and msn everyday during work) Nothing beats seeing her in person.

Looking forward seeing her again cus we are going to Arashi's summer con in July!

The most recent concert. I am wearing their 2006 Christmas Concert T-shirt and she is wear their tour concert.

Arashi concert

No one is probably interested in this but I must talk about it!!

Arashi concert was faaaabuuuuulllloussss!! U get my point??

It is the first time in history they held their concert at Tokyo dome. Dome for your info, is super big and very few groups like Smap or kinki kids who have tonnes of fans will hold it there. If I am not wrong, it can hold about 50,000 crowd? So... unless you are sure your concert is a sell-out, the groups usually hold it at smaller halls (halls that hold about 10,000 crowd)

But still... It marked history for Arashi as they saw Tokyo Dome filled with people coming from all over Japan... (not just people from surrounding prefectures)

I guess the boys(boys but they are all around my age) themselves were very excited too. Can fill the high tension in the air... (opps I dun mean nervousness... I meant excitment) This is the first time I attended a 3 full-hour concert ( usually 2+ with all the encore) and 3 encores and lots o tears shed..

But just a side note... It was really fun to see them on TV, hear them talk and just being themselves. I could almost feel them it was like listening to just some guy on the street talking.
But then in a concert, there is when the reality sets in. After all, you are just one of the 50,000 crowd. well well...

But I was glad to see Ohno kun agaiN! Big and life size!

The here and there...

Haven't had time to blog lately cus the internet connection in my house is still not up!! but it should be up soon so they will hear a lot from me.

Anyway... the latest excitement in my life.. hmm....

I am going to Arashi's concert agaiN!!! And I am going to hear them sing in live again! Makes my heart skip 2 beats faster...

彼と2年間ぐらいも会ってない。
でも、一日忘れたことない。

会いたいっていえるかな。
別に会いたくないっていうことじゃないけど、
やっぱり一番大切のは会うこと自体じゃなくて、
彼の調子だ。　
元気かな、精一杯生きててるかな。

私と彼の関係は文字で表せないほど複雑。
どこまですきさえわからない。

ただ、どこかで元気で生きていればいいよ。
幸せだったら、別に遠くてもいい。

私そう思う。。。。

Candy In Tokyo

Candy, my Jc classmate ( in my "the towers" clique) came over for work in Tokyo for a few days over the week and I managed to meet up with her!

It was really really really great to see her. Think both of us feel glad and excitment to meet as we have not met for nearly 2 years. She wasn't in Singapore as well, flying in between Taipei and was in Hongkong for the past 8 months for her career.

Anyway, I managed to meet up with not just her, her boyfriend and a big clique of friends.. shall not go into details for that part of the meeting.

I met her 3 days in a row actually. And it was really quality time of catching up because we were not busy rushing around to sightsee or to shop. It was just slow strolls along the streets, occasionally visits to pharmacies for cosmetics, (thanks Candy for the intro of the Mascara! It is cheap and good!), food, coffee breaks, just basically talk about our lives till now, our lives from now on...

Then, we did a crazy thing by lining up for an hour in the harsh weather for Krisy Kreme's donuts! Apparently, it is pretty popular in Hongkong and even more so in Japan judging by the long queue perpetually found outside the shop. The hour wait seems like a short one though as we chat more and feel the excitment burning as we finally set our feet into the shop. It felt almost like a dream too, a dream of us being grown-ups as we walk back to Candy's hotel on the streets of Tokyo, both of us in trench coats... I guess we never imagine how we will be when we will grow up. I told Candy too, I never had imagine both us of will be walking together in the streets of Tokyo munching on a donut together.

But it was all fun! I can't wait to go HK sometime soon!

Short Update

Can't post any 50 page thesis right now cus I am in the office, now lunchtime. Internet is not available at home as yet.

This is the 3rd day of work. Everything is so far so good. Not too fast that I cannot catch a breath nor too slow to doze off.

First 2 days were purely orientation. Talking ( or mainly listening) and meeting with the different heads of the departments to understand the whole system of the company. There were interesting parts tho about the company's beliefts etc.. and boring parts, like the company's financial status? I was shown the balance sheet too! In my humble opinion.... I don't think that was useful at all because I wasn't required to remember any numbers at all. As long as I am paid on time, I dun care so much about how much assets we have...

The department I am with now, In house helpdesk. Basically answering queries from people who need help in IT stuff. Me?? C'mon.. I don't even know what is patch... but well, it seems that everyone here started from scratch.... So well, if there is the arrangement... so be it.

Friday night, had the tradition welcome party from the department including the CEO. went to an Izakaya, or some place for food and drinking.. spent the rest of the night talking to the rest... I didn't drink though everyone else did. Well, there were only 2 other girls in the whole department and one of them leaving the next month. Everyone's pretty friendly tho... But got things to take note of lah.. like helping them to pour beer etc... haha but they are a little less rigid I guess knowing I am a foreigner. The CEO was also very kind. In the end, he paid for my share.. ehh...

That's about it for now... lunchtime's over!

My room...

Just a sneak preview again... I am too lazy to do much decorations. just make it sleepable...

How it looks like originally. empty. without lightings even.

Then transformed! With futon, lights, curtains, table...

The other side, where the TV and my hello kitty mat...

Side note... about my neighbour.. She is pretty young, early 20s I guess, stays above me with her boyfriend. She came down yesterday to convey a message from some ojisan about the rubbish. On which day to throw what and where. She showed me a piece of paper messily scribbled by the ojisan obviously. Then she told me to give her a few mins, she'll go up and copy it down on another piece of paper then pass it to me.

Should be quite fast I thought.... waited and waited... didn't come down... I can hear her thumping up and down the room from downstairs... finally she came down about 20 mins later?? This is what she passed to me.......

......

.......

......

......

.......

Haa... that is where the 20 mins went to?? To colour the words, cut it into a nice shape and maybe check the dictionary for Mon-Sat... I was highly amused. I didn't expect her to go to that extent... but well... I appreciate it lah...

離ればなれ

21 Feb 2007... left for the airport again... my 4th flight in 3 months. To Japan again.

This time only dad and my good friend Chunyan was with me. Mum was working and brother was overseas, coming back on the same day on a night flight though. Felt a little lonely and didn't want to leave actually.... Thank you chunyan though, for coming to see me off everytime I leave for Japan. Yes, she comes without fail everytime.

I waited with my dad at the arrival gate for my brother till11.10pm ( my own flight leaving at 11.40pm) but no sight of him though the board stated that the flight had landed 20 mins before) So I left for the departure gate by myself ( chun went off 15 mins ago as she had something else on) I was really very depressed actually then. I thought I wun be able to meet my brother for another yr...

But Thank God He heard my prayers... I bumped into my brother as soon as I cleared the customs. He was just walking out. In my 20 over years, this is the first time I think I feel so happy to see him. Yet... only to be separated again in another mere 15mins... He walked me to my boarding gate and left only when I walked into the plane...

7 hours later... alone in my cold apartment. empty physically but filled with loneliness, filled with homesickness... but luckily, a phonecall to my room-mate made things a little better... that familar voice made everything much better.

But these are not complaints... just normal feelings any human will have. It doesn't mean I want to give up or I want to abandon my dreams... I just realised it all comes with a price to pay...

自分らしく生きてほしい

I talked to my cousin-in-law some days ago and she said this to me.

"You are so blessed to be able to chase your dreams." (she was referring to me working in Japan)
"But you are more blessed not just because you have the chance to fufill it but you know what your dream is."

Something that set me thinking for a long time...

It never really occurred to me how fortunate I am. I mean I know to a certain extent. A dream is always not that easy to fufill. It is a about timing, opportunites, efforts, support, passion... and the list goes on. But but... before all these can take place, you must first have a dream!

There are many people who live life aimlessly... I don't mean they don't do anything. In fact they can be the most hardworking Peter or Jane sitting beside you. But it is another matter altogether to do something because you believe in it, because you have a passion for it and because you know you are working towards a certain ulitmate goal. There are so many people out there who worked most of lives only to look back and realised they can't find a single reason for their efforts.

So, all thanks to her. My dear cousin-in-law who reminded me that dreams are important. At the end of the day it is another matter altogether if that certain dream comes true or not because it is only as we progress and grow, we realised there are greener pastures out there.

All the best to everyone in this new year. It doesn't matter if you dream comes true in this new year or not. But don't let each minute go by without a meaning for life.

My goal for this year.... for the rest of my lfe... I just want to work hard being myself. 自分らしく生きてほい。

Down to the last few episodes!

Can't believe it when my tears dropped down while watching Inuyasha....
Am I that sentimental or emotional?
Crying to a anime (cartoon)..
My friend find it unbelievable that I am hooked on to it now... But I am! And I can't stop thinking about it even in my dreams.. haha... I better follow my room-mate's advice, don't watch all at once... slowly one by one...

Joy to the Feng Family!

Presenting the newest addition to the family......

My new baby, Nino!!

No no, I didn't do anything funny behind your backs, Nino is the name of a cute cuddly furry rabbit.

I went with a friend to Vivo city on thursday, my first visit anyway. She then brought me to this shop, build-a-bear. As the name suggested, it is an amazing shop where you can make a soft toy. There are many kinds to choose from, bears of various colours and designs, cows, etc and of course the animal of the year, piggy. After that, you bring your chosen toy to be stuffed. There, you take a heart, make a wish, kiss it and put it in inside the bear. Then, it is down to choosing its outfit, dress it, give it a name and finally register its birth.

I chose a rabbit. Why did I choose it instead of the more gorgeous bears out there? ... hmm... I guess because it gave me a very homely and childhood feeling. It reminded me of how as kids, we will all have a very old, tattered, dirty and smelly toy that we will always refuse to throw away. hehe (reminds me of the time when I was forced by my mum to discard a very old but favourite pillow... sob sob) In a nutshell, I didn't want the most glamorous bear I could find, I wanted something that was down to earth and near to heart.

haha... so much talk about the rabbit.... but it was a fun process anyway! Makes an interesting gift too to people for weddings and graduations as you can personalised it.

I don't know if I am supposed to say what wish I made. But well, I wished that my friend will find a good job and also have a smoother path in her relationship. Is that counted as 2 wishes? Maybe I should have just shorten to one and that is something I really want for her, to be happy always.

Anyway, here's the sneak preview of Baby Nino born on 8 Feb 2007!

Farewell and Goodbye...

It seems that I am back here in Okazaki to say my 2nd and maybe final goodbye to some people...

For those who don't know, I am back at where I used to study because the person I am staying with now works in the Japanese school I attended. It has been a turbulent 3 months trying to find a job and settle things... then when it was settled, it is time to say good-bye.

First, I received news that our principal passed away. At the age of 67 due to lung cancer. He was a heavy chain smoker. However, what I remembered is not that but how he stood at the cross-road in front of school to direct traffic every morning. I recall the times when I was approaching and I will hear him call out "Karen san, Ohayou!" The top man in school yet humble in his approach towards students and he cares enough to remember all our names.

Then I had dinner with 4 of the teachers whom I knew best during my times in school, all 4 of them had taught me before. 3 among them were my form teachers. The long 1.5 years with them was not just about studying but lots of KTV, meals, even picnics, jokes and serious discussions. Yet, these very 3 announced their leaving at the end of the sememster. And Japan is not like Singapore, so easy to get together even when one leaves the company. Among them, 2 of them stays in another 2 separate prefectures together... when will we get to sit together and have a meal together...

As the chinese saying goes, there is no banquet that does not end in the world. When it is time to say good-bye, we just have to pack and go.

All the best to my teachers though... We'll definitely meet again someday.

My CNY wish...

This CNY, besides recouping the losses I have incur in the 2 yrs I was away ( heh...heh....), what I really really want to do is to see all my relatives and take a family photo with all my cousins.

I have a big extended family ( as known to many of my friends) and a big bunch of cousins whom I hold very closely to my heart. Each and everyone of them is of no lesser value to my own parents or brother.

After a few years of separation due to certain reasons, this year especially marks a very significant year of reunion for all of us.

I want to be home quick! I want to see everyone soon!

犬夜叉 Inuyasha

started watching this anime recently due to the huge amount of free time I have in between settling the paper work.

Cannot stop now! やばいいいい～～

I want to go home!!!

I wanna go home asap.... pls let me find the perfect apartment, settle all the paperwork so I can go home...

and also... let the visa come after CNY so I can spend it at home after missing it for 2 years.

Please!!!

見守ってくれてありがとう

今日ある親友と話していた。たまたま、ブログの話が出た。
私のブログたまに読むって
しかも、ブログが精神の食糧って言ってくれた。
嬉しかったよ！

今日他の友達に手紙を書いているとき、ちょっと困ったことがあった。
「しっかりする」っていうことを書きたかったけど、
英語でこいう言葉を完璧に現せる言葉を見つけられなかった。
何故だろう。。。自分の英語力は下がっているかな。。。

私の今年の漢字は「汗」です。
何故かな。。。今年はやっぱりいっぱい汗をかく一年の気がする。
新しい仕事もそうだし。。。なんが日本の会社は一生懸命頑張るっていう表現とかなり繋がっているみたい。。
そして、また一人暮しが始まったね。。今度は誰にも甘えられない。寂しいけど、きっといい経験になるじゃないかって思う。。
人間はね、やっぱ苦労しないと、成功の甘さがわからないかな。何故かな。。。

恋はね。。。今の段階は要らないって思ってるけど。。。でもねさすがに、周りの影響もそだし、年齢的にもそうだし。。。でも今のようなワガママの自分は捨てなきゃね。。あの日がくるまで、ちゃんと独身の身分で人生を楽しもう。。。

上を向いて　歩こう涙が　
こぼれないように思い出す　
春の日　一人ぽっちの夜
上を向いて歩こうにじんだ　
星をかぞえて思い出す　夏の日　一人ぽっちの夜
幸せは　雲の上に幸せは　
空の上に上を向いて　歩こう涙が　
こぼれないように泣きながら　歩く　一人ぽっちの夜
思い出す秋の日　一人ぽっちの夜
悲しみは　星のかげに悲しみは　
月のかげに上を向いて　歩こう涙が　こぼれないように泣きながら歩く
一人ぽっちの夜
一人ぽっちの夜

The thing I hate most in Japan

Not about Japan but IN Japan...

I posed this question to my room-mate one day. Without thinking much, she said "The endless upslopes."... Haa we happened to be riding our bikes up a steep slope...

But for me, there are 2 things (or 2 groups of people) that I really dislike.

1. The high school kids.

I don't know why they have to always talk at the top of their voices. I don't understand why they have to shriek at every small or big thing. I cannot fathom why they always have to walk in big groups and block the road. I cannot stand the way they always snatch for seats on the trains or sit on the floor when there is an elderly or someone in need nearby. I wonder why this generation of Japanese is so rude, rowdy, apathetic, silly and irritating.

2. Parents (especially mothers who smoke in front of their children)

No comments about setting a bad example. But why can't they think a little more for their children. Why should these small children be a victim of 2nd hand smoke from young? Why can't the parents think more about creating a healthier environment for their kids to grow up in?

To add on point number 2, I especially cannot stand mothers who smoke in front of their babies. I know it is not within my area of jurisdication but everytime I see such parents, I can feel the anger burning within me. Same goes to young people who see but ignore those who need the seats more on trains.

In this area Singapore is far superior than Japan. At least we are a nation that cares for our elderly and relatively smoke-free!

Let's vote

I cannot make up my mind at all on where I want to stay in Tokyo... It is a long and tiring process!

Firstly... I have to decide in which area I want to stay... It is pretty convenient to travel to Akihabara ( where I will be working at) from almost anywhere in Tokyo. Which is good... and bad! It means I am spoilt for choices...

Ok... finally after nearly a month and a few trips to Tokyo, I made up my mind(which wavers at times) on the area to stay in. Then it is apartment viewing!

There are many apartments, some are new but expensive, some are cheap but old, some are big but far, some are small but near the station... u see, I am spoilt for choices again!

Now I am down to 2 possible choices, help me to make up my mind!

Note the rent are about the same.

1. A 2 DK. meaning, a bedroom, a living room and a pretty big kitchen. The interior are quite new. But the outside is very old. No intercom or TV monitor. 22 minutes walk to the station.

2. A 1k room. smaller but very new. comes with intercom and Tv monitor. 13 minutes walk from the station and near the shopping area.

which one??

and I like the name 葛飾区　more than 江戸川区。　silly but yes... my address must look nice too.

I won the top prize again!

The top prize again!! The third in these 2 months actually.... the electric hot pot being the first, room lamp the second and now a Hello Kitty Toaster!!

It is really a good prize as I need things like furniture and electric appliances for my new home! but then... even as the sutff keeps on rolling in, I haven't quite found the perfect future home.... *sobz* needs more providence on this!

最近はまっている曲 ”The Song" for me recently

最近はまっている曲は、花より男子２リターンズの主題歌、Love So Sweet...　すごく嵐と似合うと思う。明るくて、前向きの曲。いつも嵐の歌で元気をつけてくれた。大好き！一生、付いていくよ！

The song I really liked recently is this song by Arashi, Love so sweet! Can't wait for the singles to be out!

輝いたのは鏡でも太陽でもなくて
君だと気付いた時から
あの涙ぐむ雲のずっと上には
微笑む月Love story　またひとつ

傷ついた夢は昨日の彼方へ
空に響け愛の歌

思い出ずっとずっと忘れない空
2人が離れていっても
こんな好きな人に出会う季節２度とない
光ってもっと最高のLady
きっとそっと思い届く
信じることが全て
Love so Sweet

そこからいつも見えるように
この手を空に向け広がる
君との思い出

あの頑なで意地っ張りな僕を
変えた君の手Love story　歩き出す

曲がりくねってた２つの旅路は
ここで１つ虹になれ

思い出ずっとずっと追い掛けた夢
２人が遠くへ行っても
こんな辛い夜も挫けそうな誓いでも
笑ってもっと最後のLady
きっとそっと願い届く明けない夜はないよLove so Sweet

伝え切れぬ愛しさは
花になって街にふって
どこにいても君をここに感じてる

思い出ずっとずっと忘れない空
２人が離れていっても
こんな好きな人に出会う季節
２度とない光ってもっと
最高のLadyきっとそっと思い届く
信じることが全て明けない夜はないよ
信じることが全てLove so Sweet

The beginning from You tube: