May 31, 2004 @ 12.09am
LOTR exhibition
I changed my Provance username. It's easier for me. Not used to leaving comments under another nick other than "eLiSiA" which is my own name. Haha.Had a good lunch of roti prata. Egg prata! Since Mum was going to the market, I won't mind having prata for lunch.
After lunch, Sis, Desmond and I set off for the Science Centre. The LOTR exhibition. Singapore is the only country in Asia to have this exhibition. Initially, we planned to go on Tuesday but since I have this readership interview with Seventeen magazine on Tuesday, we decided to go today.
My...we took about 3 hours to finish walking round the whole exhibition. I love the costumes. Too bad, photography is not allowed. But as usual, some stupid people don't understand English or something. This lady in-charge had to announce to everyone to cooperate coz they keep getting signals from the sensors that people are taking photos.
Entry is not cheap. $20. Student price: $16. But it's worth it. :)
Had dinner at this ramen shop in town. After dinner, walked round HMV.
May 30, 2004 @ 1.51am
the usuals
As usual, woke up really late. Was supposed to go watch this movie at the IMAX with Sis. "Young Black Stallion"...I think that's the title of the movie. Sis is crazy about horses so yea. Anyway, Sis woke up real late too so we had to give it a miss.Couldn't get Per. Wanted to ask her whether she was free to go with me to Bugis. She's going to show me the bag shop. Still went anyway. Nothing to do. Check out prices for the Precious Moments cross-stitch kits. Better keep it up while I'm still at it. Normally, I would sew like half the piece then chuck it one side and it'll be like half a year before I continue to finish it. Finishing the one I started about a week ago. Yay!
May 27, 2004 @ 10.27pm
the interview
[edited at 12.07am]Always wanted to treat this place as a diary but it seems that I can't really do that now. Like I said before, I'm really normal. I laugh/smile when I'm happy. I cry when I'm down. I have my bouts of anger and bitterness. But if all of it really went here, people are bound to treat them as personal attacks rather than my side of the story.
So I say, you want the truth from me, come get it from me. You got a problem with me, have the guts to say it straight in my face.
[edited]
Went for my SIP interview at NCS today. It went ok. *phew* Hmmm...somehow I still like people from the HR department. Friendly and the approachable sort. Makes you feel comfortable.
Waited for Sis at Bugis coz she had something to settle, then went back together. Per joined us at Long John's coz she forgot her house keys.
Ok...lack of stuff to talk about so I'll just stop.
May 27, 2004 @ 3.01am
truths and lies
A bit nervous about tomorrow's interview. After talking to Sis, she did manage to take away a little of my fear. But I really wonder am I up to it. Believe...Sof, hope the play went ok. I'm sure you did fine. :) *smilez*
I wonder if that was for me. If it was, I'm disappointed. Have I ever lied to you? I dare you to look me square in the eye and answer me. If your answer is a "yes" then I have nothing more to say except that you chose to listen to hear-says.
Watched "Confessions Of A Teenage Drama Queen". Hmmm...Lindsay Lohan getting quite popular I say. Coming up is "Mean Girls" which Lindsay also stars in. We almost finished this whole tub of popcorn. Popcorn overdose.
May 26, 2004 @ 12.39am
ktv
Went to KTV with Sis and Joyce. Bought 2 slices of cake for Joyce...her birthday. After KTV, went to eat porridge.Walked...walked...saw this new Coffee Club near the Raffles Place MRT station. Decided to chill for awhile there. The muddy mud pie was goooood! Too bad I was too full to eat spaghetti. I love the Aglio Olio at Coffee Club.
I'm getting quite fed up with my computer. Now, my printer is going funny on me. It keeps printing gibberish. And however I try to cancel the printing, it won't stop. Crapz...
May 24, 2004 @ 5.14pm
perfect
[edited at 12.07am]Argh...I'm going crazy coz my computer is going cranky on me again. This time it's the internet explorer. Everytime I close a window, internet explorer needs to close coz of some freakin' error.
Got a call regarding SIP. Asked me to come down for an interview on Thursday. NCS. I'm having mixed feelings about it. On one hand, I'm excited. On the other hand, the whole no confidence thing is playing up. What if I screw up while doing the job? Gawd...I talk as if I got the job already. *smacks forehead*
Met Xianglin at PS. Had dinner at Pasta Mania. Although it was a short time together, I enjoyed it all the same. :)
[edited]
Yes...back with a new entry.
Just read Shuyun's blog and I couldn't agree more with what she entered in her entry.
Perfect...perfectionism. Something people look for. Something people strive for. Something people apologise for not being enough. Everybody expects differently therefore, where do you draw the line?
"when i miss you, it's the imperfection that i miss." Take a look at that. Now think about it. Isn't it true? Coz of your imperfections, it makes you all the more different from another. All the more unique.
May 24, 2004 @ 4.54pm
horrors of fogging
*wails* I absolutely hate it when they fog our block. It means the kitchen will be totally out of bounds coz it'll be strewn with dead and half-dead roaches. And for the next 2 days, it'll be wise not to open the chute.The windows weren't open coz I was in the study room the whole time. I heard and saw them fogging the opposite block. Thought they wouldn't fog ours. Who knows, when I opened the door to answer the phone...I was greeted by a very smelly house. Gawd...I could have died.
Even going out will be a bad choice. Coz the floors downstairs will also be strewn with roaches. *wails*
Let me tell you something even more disgusting. After fogging, it's poison to the roaches right? Ya...they kinda bleed or something. There's this brownish juice that leaks out of their bodies. I can see all the disgusted faces now.
I wonder why they keep fogging our area. And stop laughing, it ain't funny. It's tormenting.
May 24, 2004 @ 1.01am
lazy butt
[edited at 2.14am]*lol* Having fun checking through all my media files I downloaded. Discovered this one by Power98. The one where they did Star Wars in Hokkien. It's as funny as the Wu Jian Dao CDPro2 one.
[edited]
[edited at 1.34am]
Haha. Per made icons for the 7ners. So cute. *rofl* 7ners, you can download it at her blog.
[edited
Thanks for the compliments though I think this layout isn't that great. Still got a lot to improve.
Heh...I've just got my lazy butt to work. Spent time today to backup the stuff on my computer. Getting ready to reformat.
Not really lazy lahz. Spent the last few nights doing some vcd watching and sewing. Almost done with the piece I'm sewing.
May 21, 2004 @ 10.30pm
shrek and donkey
Watched "Shrek 2" with Sis, James, Timmy, James's mum (Joyce) this morning. The movie's hilarious. Especially the part where Pinocchio and gang came to free Shrek.And I like the donkey. Haha. Although he's considered to be the most irritating in the movie.
Gosh! The little boy can really eat. Timmy finished a Big Breakfast from Mac all by himself. After the movie, he could still eat an Ebi rice burger when the rest of us were like still full from breakkie.
Went home. Caught up on sleep since I woke up pretty early today although I slept at 4am.
Hmmm...am I slow or something? Did the post office just increase the price to send a letter? I used the S.A.M machine to buy a stamp. However I realised that there wasn't an option to buy a 22 cent stamp but an option to buy a 23 cent stamp instead. If I recall correctly, it used to be an option to buy a 22 cent stamp.
Yay. I'm meeting Xianglin on Monday.
May 21, 2004 @ 12.23am
BEP
Hehe...I managed to catch the Black Eyed Peas "Where Is The Love?" mtv on tv. Thought I missed it. Love the song. Realistic lyrics.
"Where Is The Love?" by Black Eyed Peas
What's wrong with the world, mama
People livin' like they ain't got no mamas
I think the whole world addicted to the drama
Only attracted to things that'll bring you trauma
Overseas, yeah, we try to stop terrorism
But we still got terrorists here livin'
In the USA, the big CIA
The Bloods and The Crips and the KKK
But if you only have love for your own race
Then you only leave space to discriminate
And to discriminate only generates hate
And when you hate then you're bound to get irate, yeah
Badness is what you demonstrate
And that's exactly how anger works and operates
N**, you gotta have love just to set it straight
Take control of your mind and meditate
Let your soul gravitate to the love, y'all, y'all
People killin', people dyin'
Children hurt and you hear them cryin'
Can you practice what you preach
And would you turn the other cheek
Father, Father, Father help us
Send us some guidance from above
'Cause people got me, got me questionin'
Where is the love (Love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love
The love, the love
It just ain't the same, always unchanged
New days are strange, is the world insane
If love and peace is so strong
Why are there pieces of love that don't belong
Nations droppin' bombs
Chemical gasses fillin' lungs of little ones
With the ongoin' sufferin' as the youth die young
So ask yourself is the lovin' really gone
So I could ask myself really what is goin' wrong
In this world that we livin' in people keep on givin' in
Makin' wrong decisions, only visions of them dividends
Not respectin' each other, deny thy brother
A war is goin' on but the reason's undercover
The truth is kept secret, it's swept under the rug
If you never know truth then you never know love
Where's the love, y'all, come on (I don't know)
Where's the truth, y'all, come on (I don't know)
Where's the love, y'all
People killin', people dyin'
Children hurt and you hear them cryin'
Can you practice what you preach
And would you turn the other cheek
Father, Father, Father help us
Send us some guidance from above
'Cause people got me, got me questionin'
Where is the love (Love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love
The love, the love
I feel the weight of the world on my shoulder
As I'm gettin' older, y'all, people gets colder
Most of us only care about money makin'
Selfishness got us followin' our own direction
Wrong information always shown by the media
Negative images is the main criteria
Infecting the young minds faster than bacteria
Kids act like what they see in the cinema
Yo', whatever happened to the values of humanity
Whatever happened to the fairness in equality
Instead in spreading love we spreading animosity
Lack of understanding, leading lives away from unity
That's the reason why sometimes I'm feelin' under
That's the reason why sometimes I'm feelin' down
There's no wonder why sometimes I'm feelin' under
Gotta keep my faith alive to lovers bound
People killin', people dyin'
Children hurt and you hear them cryin'
Can you practice what you preach
And would you turn the other cheek
Father, Father, Father help us
Send us some guidance from above
'Cause people got me, got me questionin'
Where is the love (Love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
May 20, 2004 @ 11.27pm
pointless
Am working on a new layout. However, I think I have a big problem now. I forgot to leave a space for the tagboard. So now gotta rearrange the whole thing again. So maybe it won't be up till tomorrow. Make me happy for nothing nia. *grrr*I think the question of what did I do today would be quite pointless to be asked these few days. It's becoming routine at the moment. I watch vcds till the early hours of the morning...4 or 5 am. Sleep till around 3pm. Wake up and watch more vcds/tv. On the computer. Return to watching vcds around 2am.
Quite an unhealthy lifestyle but I only get to do it in the holidays so there. Most of the vcds in the house are not yet watched and we keep getting more. The store room is now named "the black hole". No need to ask why coz I think you get the idea.
I just finished watching a Japanese drama, "Don't Be A Crybaby". It's a relatively old drama already. There's Kyoko Fukada and Kelly Chen acting in it.
Wondering what should I watch next.
May 19, 2004 @ 12.55am
keera
Had BBQ on Monday. Maybe it ain't the same coz I think it to be? Anyhow, I was thinking of bringing a torchlight and my notebook so I can write while sitting near the sea. Ditched the idea anyway. Maybe one day I shall try. Haha. Nad, maybe one night if you're free, we go to the beach and sit there and talk?Thanks to Paul all the same for the food, cooking, etc...
*stretch*
Accompanied Sis to Eastpoint to go get her trial pair of lenses. Told her to reconsider when it turned out she has astigmatism.
Met Per at TM coz she wanted to get her slippers from OP. OP has a storewide 20% sale now. But must get minimum 2 items and above. So I got a skirt. YES! Finally they have A-line skirts. They should have more. Per also thought the skirt is pretty. So she might get it too. Yay.
Went to Per's house to get back my boardgames. It's been parking in her house since last New Year's eve. Anyway, Sis wanted to see Keera too.
Per had fun playing with Keera. Hmmm...but I think Keera's the best looking cat I've seen so far. He doesn't have dirty yellow or green eyes. He's got this cute inquisitive look. Haha...Per must be smiling from end to end now. But Keera's a little on the "pui pui" side.
May 16, 2004 @ 11.39pm
finding the good ol' memories
Seems everyone is clearing out their cupboards and finding stuff that brings back the good ol' memories.I need a bigger book cupboard. My books are spilling everywhere. There's already 2 piles on my bed.
I should have done that yonks ago. Everything is piling up everywhere. On the table, under the table, beside the bed etc.
Mum keeps scaring both of us about the roaches living among our stuff. Nad...stop laughing. I don't want to get tormented by one crawling among my stuff. That happened a few days ago and once is enough.
May 15, 2004 @ 9.46pm
WWJD?
[edited at 12.18am]Wahahahaha...I finished watching "Winter Sonata" liaoz. What shall I "conquer" next? Actually I haven't finished watching "Antique Cake Shop". But the vcds are quite screwed up...or maybe it's the player. I think I really regret not buying "Kizarazu Cat's Eye" or "Pika*Nchi". Okie dokie...need to get out of the room coz Sis is sleeping.
[edited]
Can one person alone make a difference? Can one person alone bring the truth to light? If it isn't possible, wouldn't be walking away the only way? But what if your heart doesn't want to?
Reading a blog, staring at the title of an Ayu song. Oh, how the title stands out at this point of time. I think I'm way past anger now. More like the disappointment is settling in. I realise I've changed. I would no longer do some things which would be considered as childish and rash.
If there's one thing I learnt from my transition of being an 18 year old to a 19 year old *although it really doesn't matter now since they are just numbers*, that would be "acceptance". I vaguely remember a verse from the bible which said something like "help me lord, to accept the things I cannot change".
But really, WWJD? "WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?"
May 15, 2004 @ 1.30am
spirits up up up
[edited at 2.49am]Was looking for the lyrics for some time already. Sis recommended this song of Shin's that has meaningful lyrics. It's "Hai Kuo Tian Kong". I particularly like this line.
"冷漠的人 謝謝你們曾經看輕我 讓我不低頭 更精采的活"
(English translation: To those people who leave/ignore me, thanks for looking down on me, for it has made me not give up but continue living a better life.)
[edited]
Wahahahaha...stupid game. *zip* Not so stupid game after all. Since I'm the one playing it. Wahahahaha... Bor lahz...it's one of those brainless games on neopets. Yesssssssss...*make sure you drag the "s"* I do play neopets now and then ok. Got nothing better to do your problem huh.
Soffie, you better help me with this one. I started really watching Buffy only around the third or fourth season. So maybe it's connected to something before that. What's the first evil? That vampire...is he the master? Whoa...means it's already about the middle of the season I guess. Coz something big and bad always arrives around the middle of the season.
Met up with Per and Nad. Had dinner at Milenia's Yoshinoya. Thanks for having dinner with me. Thanks for being there. Better now...
Yesterday night I almost died when my computer started this whole 60 seconds system shutdown thingy on me. Wah liew...I meant to reformat my computer but I haven't totally backed up all my stuff. I thought I got that virus. But it'll be quite ridiculous coz I downloaded the update already. Well...seems fine when I restarted the computer. *phew* Nahz...I think occasionally, my computer just likes to be a little cranky and scare me.
Time for my daily dose of "Winter Sonata". I'm almost done watching it. The most stupid thing is Mr Bae Yong Jun has to get into an accident twice just to get back his memory?! How can one's life be so miserable? Gawd...I'd rather die in my second or third accident. Unless the big guy up there says it's not time and won't let me through his pearly gates.
And you know what, some people just disgust me.
May 13, 2004 @ 2.01am
mood-less
I wanted to blog but then I really don't have the mood right now.Wanted to blog about the episode of Buffy The Vampire Slayer I just watched.
Well, perhaps tomorrow. Yea...
Maybe I'll just go watch "Winter Sonata" till the wee hours of morning again. Haha.
May 12, 2004 @ 1.18am
hikki's single collection
We won't be going to Shizuoka, Japan after all. At first it was coz Sis had a SIP briefing on the 22nd. Anyway, Mum said that uncle Inada emailed to say that ends up, he only has 10 minutes for his presentation at the ceremony so it's not worth for us to travel all the way to Japan again.I bought Utada Hikaru's "Single Collection 1" yesterday. And I'm listening to it now.
The list of songs...
1. Time Will Tell
2. Automatic
*Kelly Chen Hui Lin sang this in mandarin*
3. Movin' On Without You
4. First Love
*Theme song for drama "Mo Nu De Tiao Jian" starring Nanako Matsushima and Hideaki Takizawa. It's also the only Utada song that I can sing fully. Of course, I had to read the romanji lyrics, my Japanese is not that power.*
5. Addicted To You
6. Wait & See ~Risk~
*I love the PV (Promotional Video) for this song. Utada looks best in this PV.*
7. For You
8. (HELP! The title's in katakana and I can't read katakana!)
9. Can You Keep A Secret?
*Ok song...*
10. FINAL DISTANCE
*There's a faster paced version titled "Distance". Lyrics slightly changed. This song was in memory of those killed in some shooting in a school. Apparently, the girl who died was a huge fan of Utada Hikaru. Very emotional song...at least the tune is emotional.*
11. Traveling
*Cute and happy song. UFM 100.3 used the beginning part for their report on news on the road.*
12. Hikari
*I think this is the only song, gamers who aren't Jpop fans will find familiar. *nudges sensei* It's supposed to be the theme song for the game "Kingdom Hearts" I think.*
13. Sakura Drops
*I like this song from her "Deep River" album.*
14. Letters
15. Colors
*Hehe...I can only say, after listening to this song, you'll know how to name a few colours in Japanese.*
Alrighty, I would have bought this cd earlier had I not mistaken it for some classical album. The cover really looks like for some classical album and MJ put it on the bottom row of the shelf so yea...
Lastly, quoting from Ling's blog. For those who are dying to get a laptop, add this reason to your list of reasons why you should get one.
"Can hit molesters/stalkers with it"
Good one huh?
May 11, 2004 @ 12.46am
trains and mrts
The previous posts have been archived so for those who haven't read about my Japan trip and want to, go to the archives.Since I've tagged a fair bit about trains and MRTs, let's talk about that.
Like I tagged, in Japan, the train service has normal, fast and rapid. Normal, the train stops at every stop. Fast, the train stops at certain stops. Rapid, the train stops at only major stops. There is no difference in train fare for normal and fast trains. However for rapid trains, there is a need to pay 500 yen more.
Mum and Dad travelled by train to some place. They didn't know about the extra fee for the rapid trains. So they happily got on one. That was until the train master came round checking tickets and asked them to pay 500 yen more.
If you're thinking that perhaps the train master is trying to con my parents, I don't think so. I believe that generally, all Japanese are honest people. Everything is done in the open so there can be no accusations of cheating and whatsoever.
At the shops, you do not put the money for payment on the table or hand it to the salesperson. There is a tray on the counter to leave the money there.
Every item scanned, the salesperson will announce how much it cost. He/she will also announce the total cost, how much you pay and the change if any. If you pay in a big note *10000 yen and above* for something that cost very little. The salesperson will count the notes for the change one by one.
Ok ok...I have strayed from the main topic.
So maybe our MRT can adopt the normal and fast train method? But then again, I think they better not mess around with the system anymore.
Look at what trouble has been caused coz of the circle line. First it was Nicoll Highway. Then it was AYE. I haven't exactly read about what happened to the AYE. It was reported by Desmond when we came back to Singapore.
I say, if more stuff happens that's related to the circle line, perhaps the circle line is not meant to exist.
Okie...here comes the pics...
This is a one-day ticket. Single trips cost around 200-300 yen. So if you're making more than 4 trips a day, it is cheaper to get this. With this ticket that costs 850 yen (around S$13.60), it allows you to make unlimited trips in a day. I wanted to buy a single trip ticket, the cheapest one to keep as a souvenir but I forgot. Single trip tickets get "eaten" up.
Yes yes...Aiba-kun! Kakkoii ne~ The uchiwas I bought from the Johnny's shop. The left one is from the 2003 Summer concert. The right one is from the 2003-2004 Winter concert. Ok ok...Per, your Sho-kun is also kakkoii. Hehe...
This is my yukata~~~ *sings* Had to take this pic while Mum was out. She folded it nicely and put it in a box already. If she knew I took it out just to take a pic, she'll kill me. *points* The main yukata. The yellow piece is the obi *the one that goes around the waist*. The strings to tie. Then the pink "bao bao" *bag*. Hee...
May 10, 2004 @ 12.14am
mother's day
So there. The whole of my Japan trip. Will be putting up some pics soon.Met Per on Saturday to pass her some stuff. Had lunch with her at Fish & Co. Met Jasmine there. Had a good chat with Per.
Had dinner with Cas, Xiu Wei, Paul, Jaclyn and Chee Wee at Blk 85. Manz...I never knew THAT hawker centre was Blk 85. I've gone there so many times during my SAC days. It was only when Cas told me a few months ago that I finally realised that the famous Blk 85 is THAT hawker centre.
Shared an "Earthquake" with Cas, Xiu Wei and Paul at Tampines Swensens after dinner.
Today...well...it's past midnight but anyway, HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! To all the mummies. And to my wonderful wonderful mum. Thanks for always being there for me. Guiding me through life's journey. I love you.
Just printed out my results. I think the people in my course didn't do too well? Coz I don't have any As. Just a mixture of Bs and C+s and I belong to the Top 1 to 25%? Hmmm...
I've removed the link to my old blog coz Upsaid has removed my blog already. So bye bye to all my old entries.
Oh yea...Per mentioned something worth thinking about. If our MRT system is meant to serve as a faster way of getting around the country, how come *according to her* travelling to Jurong by MRT takes around 45 minutes but by car is faster. MRT lines are like all in a straight line whereas roads are like here, there and everywhere. So, by right, it'll be faster by MRT? No?
May 10, 2004 @ 12.13am
Japan trip part four
The final part of my trip to Japan.2 May. First of all, HAPPY BIRTHDAY XIANGLIN!!! *throws confetti and dances around* I'm so sorry I'm not there to celebrate with you, babe. May God bless ya. May all your dreams come true.
We travelled to Kyoto. Stopped at Arashiyama, Kyoto. The whole street's bustling with people coz it's a holiday. So there's like international tourists and their own internal tourists.
After lunch, Sis and I went to the Johnny's shop in Kyoto. Bought a few photos, 2003 meikan and an uchiwa. Of course, it's kakkoii Aiba-kun lahz. *I bet Per will say her Sho-kun is more kakkoii...heehee* Didn't forget to get a little something for Per. 2 photos. One of M.A. and the other of her Sho-kun from Arashi.
Checked out the other shops. Bought small bags to go with our yukatas. It was like 1050 yen for 3. So, one for me, one for Sis and one for Mum.
Went to this traditional handicraft shop.
Sis was complaining when we went back to Osaka that she didn't get to eat her matcha soft cream (green tea ice-cream that's like our 7-Eleven Mr Softee). Coz the queues for soft cream were really long. I wanted to try the sakura soft cream.
3 May. Went with Sis to Tsurumi Hanaport Blossom. It's supposedly a flower wholesale market plus there's Snoopy Town there.
Snoopy Town. We expected it to be an amusement park. Turns out it's just a shop and restaurant with a Snoopy theme. Bleargh.
And talk about flower wholesale market. I think it USED to be one. Coz a shopping mall stands in it's place.
Ate ramen. My favourite!!! Oishii!
4 May. Sis and Mum shopped in the mall near the house. Dad and I went to Expoland. Thought it was a whole amusement area for Sanrio stuff. I love My Melody. If I'm filthy rich, I wouldn't mind decorating my whole house with Melody stuff...like You Lan Lan in Xi Jie Shao Nian, except hers is everything Hello Kitty. Too bad I'm not. So I only buy small stuff.
The weather's not too good. Raining.
Turns out Expoland is just an amusement park. The so-called Sanrio part is just an exhibition to celebrate Sanrio's 30th Anniversary. But I still bought some Melody stuff...hehe...
I was still "bu gan yuan" about not being able to find the Johnny's shop in Osaka. So went back to Shinsaibashi. HA HA HA. The biggest fools are Sis and I. We read the map wrongly. Well, can't help it if the map in the meikan wasn't detailed enough. We assumed the road on the map was a main road and not one of those small side roads.
Found the shop. Since I still had quite a bit to spend, I bought another uchiwa.
Went to Shin and Ken's grandma's house for dinner. Aunty Mari was away in Tokyo for something so she wasn't there to eat dinner with us. Shinichi and Kenichi were the main cooks. Okonomiyaki was the main course. Yummy!
Uncle Inada informed us of him getting an award for his landscaping projects in Singapore. The ceremony will be held on 22 May in Shizouka...which is near Tokyo. He expressed that he would like us to be present at the ceremony. So yea...will be away in Japan again for a few days.
5 May. Woke up early to check out the mall near the house before leaving since I didn't have the chance to yesterday. Had a good Mac breakfast. Although upon conversion of currency, the Mac meals here are more expensive than Singapore, you can choose what kind of side and drink you want at no extra cost. So if you don't want french fries, you can opt for a salad or 5 piece McNuggets. If you don't want coke, you can choose any other hot or cold drink. Quite flexible.
Kenichi and Aunty Mari arrives to see us off.
Living around 10 days in their small apartment, I've learnt that most living around here keep small dogs as pets. They bring their dogs out for a walk early in the morning then rush off to work.
The trains and subways are very convenient. Shortens travelling time. To travel to Kyoto and Kobe from Osaka, sounds like a long trip but it is shortened by a train ride which lasts around 45 minutes. The subways have around 4 marked carriages strictly for females from the time of the first train till 9.30am. Well, I realised that in the morning, the subways will be packed with people going to work. To minimise any complaints of molestation or any molesters who think they can get away with it.
Sis has concluded that maybe all the shuai and cute guys have gone to Tokyo. None seems to exist in Osaka. The only guy whom we have rated "can make it" is the one cooking Takoyaki (Octopus balls) every night in the shop on the way back to the apartment. The shops along the street close quite late. Some close at midnight or one in the morning. There's a supermarket that closes at one in the morning too.
We have gotten used to the cool air in Osaka that the minute we reach Singapore, we complained that it's so hot. But it really is. I never perspired in Osaka. I had to put on a jacket most of the time. Now, THAT'S the difference.
May 08, 2004 @ 11.05pm
Japan trip part three
Sunday 2 May 8.30am (S)/9.30am (J)30 April. Kobe wasn't too bad. Except we went there a little late. Managed to only go to a coffee musuem. Mum wanted to go to the Pearl musuem but by the time we completed the tour of the coffee musuem, it was too late.
Went to the Kobe Port Tower. A lookout point. Nightscape of Kobe.
1 May. I'm starting to appreciate the Japanese language CDS I took. All menus in restaurants are in Japanese. The only thing is I can read only hiragana so I still rely on Sis alot since she learnt katakana and a little kanji. The people don't speak much of English. So it's really tough when asking for something or directions. But the people are much more helpful. They really take you to the place if they can't give directions in English unless the place you wanna go is really far. They're all out to help.
Went to Kinokuniya. Bought a magazine and the Arashi Pika**nchi book. It's much cheaper to get stuff here. Ermz...only magazines and books. Everything else is expensive.
Went to this electronic megastore. Yodobashi mall. Had a fun time collecting those product booklets. Ayumi endorses Panasonic products so the product booklets has her on the cover. Got a whole stack. Until our bags were so heavy.
Looked for this shopping mall called "The Loft". Had trouble finding it so asked for directions. These two girls were so nice to lead us to the mall. I wanted to go there to look for any nice handphone accessories. Shinichi brought us to the one in Shinsaibashi the other time. People here never leave their handphones "bare". That's why they sell alot of handphone accessories.
Did I mention about the handphones? The craze or in-thing I guess are flip phones. Almost all handphones on sale are flip phones. And all have cameras. Although it's a little big...around the size of the Panasonic GD88 but they come in different colours. So many different types...WITH CAMERA AND COLOUR SCREEN. So tempted to buy one but it's useless coz of the frequency difference in Singapore.
May 08, 2004 @ 10.58pm
Japan trip part two
Friday 30 April 10.35am (S)/11.35am (J)28 April. Mum and Dad went shopping. Had Mac for lunch. Something different, not found in Singapore. Teritama burger. Teriyaki burger with an egg. Waited for Sis to wake up, wash up then we went out.
Back to Shinsaibashi. Wanted to go to the Johnny's shop.
The building's gone! The shop may be relocated or doesn't exist anymore. Anyway, the meikan I have is dated 2001 so I guess it's very outdated already.
Went walking round. HMV. Wanted to go to the shopping mall that Shinichi took us 2 years ago. The Loft. But couldn't find it. Didn't want to wander around for fear of getting lost.
29 April. Went to the Osaka Kaiyukan Aquarium. Again. But this time, the whole family's here. Went on the giant ferris wheel. Better this time. The last time, the weather was bad so we couldn't see the whole of Osaka. This time managed to see everything...nightscape.
30 April. The family's planning to travel to Kobe.
May 08, 2004 @ 5.24pm
Japan trip part one
The past updates you have been waiting for...Wednesday 28 April 11.48am (Singapore time)/12.48pm (Japan time)
Haha. I haven't been a faithful blogger. I'm just too lazy to write. Typing is so much faster.
A recap of what's been going on so far.
25 April. In the wee hours of the morning, watching "Mona Lisa Smile" on the plane. Enjoyed the show. There's some other great shows but I don't get to watch all. There's "Kill Bill" on another channel. Gross. Even the cartoon parts are so gross. But kinda stupid coz blood gushes out like a fountain which is kinda fake.
Can't sleep. Can't sleep upright. Feeling so tired but just can't get a good sleep. After breakfast, I finally get a few minutes of sleep.
Arrive in Osaka. I'm feeling zombified. It feels like those nights where I never sleep ciz I'm chiong-ing some project. Haha...the Kinki Kids advertisement is still there. Different one though. Shinichi receives us. We take a bus to the central part of Osaka.
This time, we aren't staying in a hotel. Staying in uncle Inada's house coz their family has moved to stay with Shin and Ken's grandparents. It's a small apartment. Sis and I take the couches. Mum and Dad take the floor. Traditional tatami flooring.
Had chicken katsu curry rice for dinner. There's a mall near the house. People here, travel around on bicycles and trains/subways. Taxi rides are expensive. The starting fare is 660 yen which is around S$10.60. Yes, jaws are dropping.
26 April. Travel to the central. Umeda. Where the major shopping malls are. Hankyu shopping mall. We decide to grab a bite. The whole basement is swarming with people. It's really noisy. But there's all sorts of food all round. It's like Tangs basement or Taka's basement food area. Except it's much more. The omu rice stall is gone. But I found another stall that sells omelettes and sells omu rice too.
Went up to the rooftop to eat. The rooftop is like a children's playground. Lots of amusement rides. Benches at the side. The weather is ok, warm when the sun is shining but a little cold still. Should have brought more tees. It's still spring that's why. Late spring. Cherry blossom viewing over.
Singapore has a lot to learn. The department store, on each level there's a small information counter. The lady manning the counter is so well-dressed. And she stands. She has good attitude, polite and willing to go all out to help each customer. What about Singapore, the lady at the counter sits, doesn't even stand when there's a customer. Sometimes even has a bochup attitude. I'm disgusted. However, these counter girls double up as "dian ti xiao jie" too. Meaning they man the lifts too. They announce whether the lift is going up or down and what each floor sells. She presses the lift buttons for you.
Finally! I'm so happy! Got my yukata at last! Was looking for a yellow or pink one but most of them weren't bright enough. Mum picked out a reddish pink one. Settled for that. The salesgirl taught us how to wear it. Sis picked out a black one. It's very expensive though. Cost about S$400 for a whole set coz they sell each part seperately. Main yukata, obi and the strings to tie. But it's a one time investment. Anyway, not I can wear that to Natsu Matsuri. If it weren't that expensive, I would have considered getting one for Per's birthday. So we can both wear our yukatas when we attend the Natsu Matsuri.
Went back by subway. Their lines...so many. It's a little confusing at first but once you get the hang of it, it's not too bad.
27 April. Explored further. Shinsaibashi. It's like Orchard Road. All the teenagers hang out here. Went to Daimaru. Mum was looking for some stuff, helping a colleague buy it. Went to Takashimaya too. Wanted to go to Sogo but it's gone. Under renovation.
Met up with Dad then walked the streets of Shinsaibashi. So colourful at night. All the billboards. Ended up at a restaurant that specially sells crabs. Crab dinner.
May 08, 2004 @ 12.23am
panasonic lumix
I've started watching "Winter Sonata". Partly influenced after going to Japan. Coz Mr Bae Yong Jun is getting pretty popular in Japan too. They're showing "Winter Sonata" on tv in Japan. A lot of magazines feature Mr Bae Yong Jun on the cover too. Mum told me bits of the story so I'm kinda curious now.Shopped for a digicam. Finally settled on this one.
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX5. 4.0 megapixels. 3x optical zoom. 3x digital zoom. What attracted me was the optical image stabilizer feature. Good for people with unsteady hands like me.
Mine's the blue one.
Watched "Van Hellsing" on Thursday with Sis and Desmond. The vampires look kinda disgusting as those flying things. I think the vampires in "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" look better.
Got my results by sms this afternoon. Passed everything. But I won't say the results are fantastic. Just Bs and C+s. A little disappointed in myself but yea...gotta live with it.
I'm loving my new handphone strap. It's from the Osaka Kaiyukan (Osaka Aquarium). One of the musts when I went to Japan. To replace the Ayu one.
May 06, 2004 @ 5.50pm
tadaimasu!
Back from my trip to Osaka, Japan. Don't think I played so much till I forgot about you guys ok. I did spend some quiet time reading, thinking and reflecting. It's when you treasure something so much that you find it hard to forget.Right now, am trying to adjust back to the weather here which is awfully hot. Trying to update everything. Will post up more stuff later.
WAIT FOR MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE...
