And it felt different from a few years ago...
miso: It's age..
mf: And gravity!
:p
Thursday, 19 March 2009
Thursday, 5 March 2009
Buzzing bee
I was very efficient today.
Was in SMU for a course on economics - why didn't I do it in school?!
Anyway, during lunch, I:
1) Collected my JLPT certificate - I passed at 316!!! :)
2) Deposited a cheque - some Medisave refund for my ENT treatment
3) Printed a photo for Hayashi Sensei who would be leaving Singapore this month
4) Checked out two tailors
And all these in one hour! I was so proud of myself that I had Macs for lunch :p
After the course, I checked out a few more studios and finally found one that had some idea of the dance dress I wanted! Not cheap though... Found some online but I'm not confident of buying things I can't try..
Anyway, my efficiency didn't stop there. I went back to Tomato Town and grabbed some quick dinner, bought movie tickets, checked out accessories and dashed home. Comfortably showered and seated by 9 pm :)
Just started this post when I got a call on work - spent an hour of my precious evening on work when I had wanted to organise a lot of things and ideas! But even within that hour, I finished quite a bit of work! Quite proud of myself again :) But no more Macs! For the month!
Was in SMU for a course on economics - why didn't I do it in school?!
Anyway, during lunch, I:
1) Collected my JLPT certificate - I passed at 316!!! :)
2) Deposited a cheque - some Medisave refund for my ENT treatment
3) Printed a photo for Hayashi Sensei who would be leaving Singapore this month
4) Checked out two tailors
And all these in one hour! I was so proud of myself that I had Macs for lunch :p
After the course, I checked out a few more studios and finally found one that had some idea of the dance dress I wanted! Not cheap though... Found some online but I'm not confident of buying things I can't try..
Anyway, my efficiency didn't stop there. I went back to Tomato Town and grabbed some quick dinner, bought movie tickets, checked out accessories and dashed home. Comfortably showered and seated by 9 pm :)
Just started this post when I got a call on work - spent an hour of my precious evening on work when I had wanted to organise a lot of things and ideas! But even within that hour, I finished quite a bit of work! Quite proud of myself again :) But no more Macs! For the month!
Saturday, 28 February 2009
Seeing the Merlion in a different light
I'm not refering to the lightning-on-Merlion incident today. That, was an unfortunate coincidence..
Now, I've always thought the Merlion fierce and solemn etc. Unsmiling lion face sprouting water through its big white teeth.
Then yesterday, a visit to the Singapore Discovery Centre (side: I discovered Joo Koon MRT station on the way there) changed my view of the Merlion. Forever..
SO FUNNY, RIGHT?! :p
We walked into the theatre and the first thing I noticed was his eyes! A little scary at first but he was actually adorable in the clip! While waiting for the clip to start, I couldn't help staring at him and mirroring his deranged look - then bursting into laughter!
Eh, this Merlion can rap and sing ok.. And he had other expressions that threw me into fits! Suddenly, I found myself liking him :)
So, um, get well soon!
Now, I've always thought the Merlion fierce and solemn etc. Unsmiling lion face sprouting water through its big white teeth.
Then yesterday, a visit to the Singapore Discovery Centre (side: I discovered Joo Koon MRT station on the way there) changed my view of the Merlion. Forever..
SO FUNNY, RIGHT?! :p
We walked into the theatre and the first thing I noticed was his eyes! A little scary at first but he was actually adorable in the clip! While waiting for the clip to start, I couldn't help staring at him and mirroring his deranged look - then bursting into laughter!
Eh, this Merlion can rap and sing ok.. And he had other expressions that threw me into fits! Suddenly, I found myself liking him :)
So, um, get well soon!
Wednesday, 18 February 2009
The history of my nose
It was developed between my 11th and 15th weeks in Mother's womb.
:p
It was when I was 11, I think, that I first realised I had a nose problem. My form teacher walked by my desk where a pile of used tissue paper was, and touched it! I was so shocked cos, I mean, that was pretty disgusting right? "Wet, as usual," he said.
I used cortisteroids to control the allergy at three points in life, the last time being 2005, before I was asked if I wanted to take part in a clinical trial on immunotherapy in 2006. The trial finished in one year. Some months later, I learnt that I was in the placebo group - crap!
Since late 2005, I have been developing bad colds during flights longer than three hours. And lately, when I was cleaning my room before Chinese New Year, I developed a bad cold that aggravated my allergy in the past weeks.
This nose problem absolute sucks! I kept having to sneeze (mine's the loud type) and honk - so unglam! Not to mention that lip balm gets wiped off frequently and no make-up ever stays on the whole day. My eyes tear easily so eye make-up is also difficult. When it gets bad, I can hardly concentrate on work. And I get colds too easily.
=(
SP recommended an ENT specialist Dr G Chee who helped her so I went today.
I pretty much knew what I wanted to do before I went so I had questions that needed answers. The consultation was thorough and also allowed me to ask everything. A prelim look into my nostrils resulted in a "my my!" that was followed by an anaesthetic.. Went out to do a skin prick test - this one included food. While waiting for the swelling, I made my decision.
Went back in for the dreaded scope, which couldn't go into my left nostril! He looked at the other one first before pushing the scope through the left one. I felt like my nose was raped *.*
When he was done, he replayed to show me my nostrils. They looked worse than the blocked nose in the pamphlet, especially the left one =( Had the chance to look at my vocal chords too - quite cute :p
We talked about the options after that. I decided that immunotherapy was out for me. It was expensive and too long-drawn and what if I were in the 20% non-responsive group?! I opted for cortisteroids of course but I also wanted the radiofrequency turbinate reduction to shrink those bits of flesh depriving me of air through both nostrils.
Was a little surprised when told that I could do that right away! I had two pieces of fabric soaked in some splution stuffed up my nose, and spent a most tak-glam 15 minutes outside. Sneezed some 10 times and part of the fabric started to hang out of my nostrils..!
Went in to take the fabric out. Had a pricklish but painless injection before Dr started the procedure. It hurt a little on the right but it was over in minutes. After he sucked out the mucous, I could actually breathe through both my nostrils!
There was some blood so I had some fabric up my nose again. Another 10 tak-glam minutes outside. Paid $1,500 for consultation, the procedure and cortisteroids before I went in to take the fabric out. It felt good! But the insides had had enough of intrusion so I was honking reddish-pinkish-orangish mucous the entire afternoon.
Now, I enjoy the wondrous feeling of a large volume of air flowing through my left nostril. The right is still blocked but it is supposed to clear after the dead tissue sheds off.
I can't wait for my follow-up next week!
:p
It was when I was 11, I think, that I first realised I had a nose problem. My form teacher walked by my desk where a pile of used tissue paper was, and touched it! I was so shocked cos, I mean, that was pretty disgusting right? "Wet, as usual," he said.
I used cortisteroids to control the allergy at three points in life, the last time being 2005, before I was asked if I wanted to take part in a clinical trial on immunotherapy in 2006. The trial finished in one year. Some months later, I learnt that I was in the placebo group - crap!
Since late 2005, I have been developing bad colds during flights longer than three hours. And lately, when I was cleaning my room before Chinese New Year, I developed a bad cold that aggravated my allergy in the past weeks.
This nose problem absolute sucks! I kept having to sneeze (mine's the loud type) and honk - so unglam! Not to mention that lip balm gets wiped off frequently and no make-up ever stays on the whole day. My eyes tear easily so eye make-up is also difficult. When it gets bad, I can hardly concentrate on work. And I get colds too easily.
=(
SP recommended an ENT specialist Dr G Chee who helped her so I went today.
I pretty much knew what I wanted to do before I went so I had questions that needed answers. The consultation was thorough and also allowed me to ask everything. A prelim look into my nostrils resulted in a "my my!" that was followed by an anaesthetic.. Went out to do a skin prick test - this one included food. While waiting for the swelling, I made my decision.
Went back in for the dreaded scope, which couldn't go into my left nostril! He looked at the other one first before pushing the scope through the left one. I felt like my nose was raped *.*
When he was done, he replayed to show me my nostrils. They looked worse than the blocked nose in the pamphlet, especially the left one =( Had the chance to look at my vocal chords too - quite cute :p
We talked about the options after that. I decided that immunotherapy was out for me. It was expensive and too long-drawn and what if I were in the 20% non-responsive group?! I opted for cortisteroids of course but I also wanted the radiofrequency turbinate reduction to shrink those bits of flesh depriving me of air through both nostrils.
Was a little surprised when told that I could do that right away! I had two pieces of fabric soaked in some splution stuffed up my nose, and spent a most tak-glam 15 minutes outside. Sneezed some 10 times and part of the fabric started to hang out of my nostrils..!
Went in to take the fabric out. Had a pricklish but painless injection before Dr started the procedure. It hurt a little on the right but it was over in minutes. After he sucked out the mucous, I could actually breathe through both my nostrils!
There was some blood so I had some fabric up my nose again. Another 10 tak-glam minutes outside. Paid $1,500 for consultation, the procedure and cortisteroids before I went in to take the fabric out. It felt good! But the insides had had enough of intrusion so I was honking reddish-pinkish-orangish mucous the entire afternoon.
Now, I enjoy the wondrous feeling of a large volume of air flowing through my left nostril. The right is still blocked but it is supposed to clear after the dead tissue sheds off.
I can't wait for my follow-up next week!
Sunday, 15 February 2009
At peace
Was lying on my duvet with eye patches under my eyes, listening to my latest acquisition - Atari Kousuke's 花間道 CD.
His soft voice floated in the air. There was a slight breeze (from my fan). My duvet felt good against my bare legs. My left arm was around Eeyore and my right under my head. My eyes were closed. And I felt at peace.
When I opened my eyes, I found myself in a pink haven I created for myself. I thought, "This is beautiful. This is the beauty of my solitude."
Watched a Jap drama a couple of weeks ago - Hotaru no Hikari. Hotaru liked to laze around the house, lying and rolling on the floor, which was a mess. That gave her energy to give her best in the world outside her cozy home, she said.
Mine is the less messy version, I guess :)
Anyway, I lost my keys yesterday. Or so I thought. When I lost my lipstick today, I started to suspect that my bag was a thieving wolf in a sheep's skin.
Found a hole in the inner compartment *.*
But I retrieved more than my keys and lipstick from the space between the lining and the synthetic exterior - I also found my lipgloss which I thought was lost a couple of months ago!
Still like that $12 bag :)
His soft voice floated in the air. There was a slight breeze (from my fan). My duvet felt good against my bare legs. My left arm was around Eeyore and my right under my head. My eyes were closed. And I felt at peace.
When I opened my eyes, I found myself in a pink haven I created for myself. I thought, "This is beautiful. This is the beauty of my solitude."
Watched a Jap drama a couple of weeks ago - Hotaru no Hikari. Hotaru liked to laze around the house, lying and rolling on the floor, which was a mess. That gave her energy to give her best in the world outside her cozy home, she said.
Mine is the less messy version, I guess :)
Anyway, I lost my keys yesterday. Or so I thought. When I lost my lipstick today, I started to suspect that my bag was a thieving wolf in a sheep's skin.
Found a hole in the inner compartment *.*
But I retrieved more than my keys and lipstick from the space between the lining and the synthetic exterior - I also found my lipgloss which I thought was lost a couple of months ago!
Still like that $12 bag :)
Saturday, 14 February 2009
Happy Valentine's Day!
*burp*
Having beer =p
Took half-day leave yesterday to make chocolate truffles (lucky chap!) but they turned out too soft (oops)
Just found out that somehow I had mis-read six to eight hours in the fridge as one hour....!
Had some leftover ganache from yesterday so I tried to make truffles again just now and yes, they were finally of the right consistency! Oh well, next time..
Anyway, an update on my fringe - it received both good and bad reviews. Sito didn't like it much and was still not used to it. Cousins said nice but it was getting too long. TO said nice too; she has a fringe too - and her husband didn't like it too! YX said "what happened to your hair?!!!!" (yes, there were that many exclamation marks!)
To me, well, I like it - it's such a different me! The last time I had short fringe was 1998, and my hair was not rebonded then so the fringe kind of flicked upwards as it had been growing backwards for the longest time. It was, in short, a disaster! I love rebonding :p
But, my fringe is starting to get irritating - I never knew hair could grow this fast! Need to find a way to clip it nicely soon...
Having beer =p
Took half-day leave yesterday to make chocolate truffles (lucky chap!) but they turned out too soft (oops)
Just found out that somehow I had mis-read six to eight hours in the fridge as one hour....!
Had some leftover ganache from yesterday so I tried to make truffles again just now and yes, they were finally of the right consistency! Oh well, next time..
Anyway, an update on my fringe - it received both good and bad reviews. Sito didn't like it much and was still not used to it. Cousins said nice but it was getting too long. TO said nice too; she has a fringe too - and her husband didn't like it too! YX said "what happened to your hair?!!!!" (yes, there were that many exclamation marks!)
To me, well, I like it - it's such a different me! The last time I had short fringe was 1998, and my hair was not rebonded then so the fringe kind of flicked upwards as it had been growing backwards for the longest time. It was, in short, a disaster! I love rebonding :p
But, my fringe is starting to get irritating - I never knew hair could grow this fast! Need to find a way to clip it nicely soon...
Sunday, 1 February 2009
Brand new mf! (again!)
Ta-da!
While my butt was being flattened in the five hours in the salon chair, while I was drowsy with sleep as I watched them straighten my hair, I suddenly caught sight of my tee:
I was walking around looking like Emily the Strange wearing Emily the Strange. Except that I wasn't Emily, just the Strange :p
But I really look very different now, right? Compare to me with my fringer swept back when it was long:
Happy with the haircut - happier than when I chopped off eight inches in July. What do you think? :)
While my butt was being flattened in the five hours in the salon chair, while I was drowsy with sleep as I watched them straighten my hair, I suddenly caught sight of my tee:
I was walking around looking like Emily the Strange wearing Emily the Strange. Except that I wasn't Emily, just the Strange :p
But I really look very different now, right? Compare to me with my fringer swept back when it was long:
Happy with the haircut - happier than when I chopped off eight inches in July. What do you think? :)
Tuesday, 27 January 2009
Happy 牛 year!
This Ox year offers opportunities for people to play with words :) I like the banner "牛"转乾坤 seen in Chinatown, which seems rather "ox"picious in this economic climate..
Met CY for lunch on CNY eve. Girly session with lunch and lastminute shopping. Didn't have a lot for dinner though I had quite a bit of snacks that night :p Maybe that was why I slept very late - this must be my latest CNY eve in years!
So yesterday, we gathered in the little flat for steamboat lunch again. Grams and Aunt were busy as usual, soup and meat and fish and more soup and vegetables and prawns.
What was different this year was that we had two new babies!
First was nine-month-old Jovi, who was all smiley - until someone got too close. She was scared! She didn't wail but she cried through pursed lips. So poor thing...
Next was three-month-old Rianne, who was all smiley and let everyone carry her. But I was scared - cos she grabbed my hair =( So poor thing - me..!
Went to watch Inkheart with Sito in the late afternoon - and missed the call from Yan!! Yan, happy CNY!
And today, CY and I visited each other in the morning before KLunch with JT. Our last three songs were Endless Story, 想念你的歌 and If I'm Not In Love With You - yup, same tune :p
For some reason, we were rather tired and sleepy at the end of it.. I was planning to take a nap at home but some relatives were around and they were really loud even with my door closed... So I went on a journey to the west :p
I'm very sleepy now. Maybe I should sleep by 11 pm tonight. After all, 明天要开工了!!
Met CY for lunch on CNY eve. Girly session with lunch and lastminute shopping. Didn't have a lot for dinner though I had quite a bit of snacks that night :p Maybe that was why I slept very late - this must be my latest CNY eve in years!
So yesterday, we gathered in the little flat for steamboat lunch again. Grams and Aunt were busy as usual, soup and meat and fish and more soup and vegetables and prawns.
What was different this year was that we had two new babies!
First was nine-month-old Jovi, who was all smiley - until someone got too close. She was scared! She didn't wail but she cried through pursed lips. So poor thing...
Next was three-month-old Rianne, who was all smiley and let everyone carry her. But I was scared - cos she grabbed my hair =( So poor thing - me..!
Went to watch Inkheart with Sito in the late afternoon - and missed the call from Yan!! Yan, happy CNY!
And today, CY and I visited each other in the morning before KLunch with JT. Our last three songs were Endless Story, 想念你的歌 and If I'm Not In Love With You - yup, same tune :p
For some reason, we were rather tired and sleepy at the end of it.. I was planning to take a nap at home but some relatives were around and they were really loud even with my door closed... So I went on a journey to the west :p
I'm very sleepy now. Maybe I should sleep by 11 pm tonight. After all, 明天要开工了!!
Sunday, 25 January 2009
Soaking it in
We started early today yesterday. With java chip frap from Starbucks :p
Settled some admin stuff before heading for a yummy lunch at Min Jiang. But I was such a pig that I got hungry halfway through dance lesson... We shared some bak kut teh nearby - happy cos I hadn't had that for ages! Since Constance and I watched Eternal Sunshine on a Spotless Mind in Balestier n years ago..
Hopped on bus to Chinatown - realised that all these years, we had not taken a bus from that bus stop right outside the dance school! Usually we walked or took the NEL to Chinatown..
Walked the area for a while - must soak in the atmosphere else CNY seems to feel less festive with (gasp!) age..
There were a lot of people and a lot of CNY goodies! I bought some :)) The Lim Chee Guan bak kwa queue was terrible but by the time we finished foot reflexology, it was gone.. Then we realised that the big pieces were gone, just the broken pieces left. No difference to us for personal consumption! We left happily with bak kwa :)
The foot reflexology place was still as good as ever. Two girls attended to us - they were good! And quite funny too.. During the round-up back massage:
mf; Itchy!
Girl: Then get him (gesturing to Sito) to do for you...!
The crowd in Chinatown started to gather en masse and we escaped to..Vivo :p
There was this new National Geographic place. They got some cool stuff, like a lighted globe, fake dissected frog.. Ok, nerdy.. .. It would be fun spotting countries but I'm not sure about the frog..
Had Shin Kushiya for dinner. The tofu steak was so good! And I developed a craving for sushi after seeing the chef make lots of them as we were seated at the counter.. When we finished, YY walked in! So qiao :)
Loitered a little in Page One, looking at magazines and stuff, debating the merits of a shower curtain vs. a dividing door, trying to find the name of the lead character in 笑傲江湖 (but we never even found the book! It was 令狐沖 in any case..), drooling over Japanese recipes (ok, that was just mf)
And I was telling Sito that each of the first characters of Louis Cha's novels could be put together into a poem. Here goes:
飞雪连天射白鹿
笑书神侠倚碧鸳
Roughly: (from wiki)
Shooting a white deer, snow flutters around the skies;
Smiling, [one] writes about the divine chivalrous one, leaning against bluish lovebirds (or lover)
I used to read his novels during GP lessons :p
And in Oxford, I finished reading Dreams of the Red Chamber and drew up a family tree.. That was quite amazing but..where is that family tree now?!
Anyway, I have digressed from talking about CNY..
This year, with the Budget cycle being brought forward to January/February, I actually have work at the back of my mind. When we get back on Wednesday, it's full swing preparation for the debate! But until then, I have decided that Blacky dopod will not follow me to 拜年 =D
Have a good one!
Settled some admin stuff before heading for a yummy lunch at Min Jiang. But I was such a pig that I got hungry halfway through dance lesson... We shared some bak kut teh nearby - happy cos I hadn't had that for ages! Since Constance and I watched Eternal Sunshine on a Spotless Mind in Balestier n years ago..
Hopped on bus to Chinatown - realised that all these years, we had not taken a bus from that bus stop right outside the dance school! Usually we walked or took the NEL to Chinatown..
Walked the area for a while - must soak in the atmosphere else CNY seems to feel less festive with (gasp!) age..
There were a lot of people and a lot of CNY goodies! I bought some :)) The Lim Chee Guan bak kwa queue was terrible but by the time we finished foot reflexology, it was gone.. Then we realised that the big pieces were gone, just the broken pieces left. No difference to us for personal consumption! We left happily with bak kwa :)
The foot reflexology place was still as good as ever. Two girls attended to us - they were good! And quite funny too.. During the round-up back massage:
mf; Itchy!
Girl: Then get him (gesturing to Sito) to do for you...!
The crowd in Chinatown started to gather en masse and we escaped to..Vivo :p
There was this new National Geographic place. They got some cool stuff, like a lighted globe, fake dissected frog.. Ok, nerdy.. .. It would be fun spotting countries but I'm not sure about the frog..
Had Shin Kushiya for dinner. The tofu steak was so good! And I developed a craving for sushi after seeing the chef make lots of them as we were seated at the counter.. When we finished, YY walked in! So qiao :)
Loitered a little in Page One, looking at magazines and stuff, debating the merits of a shower curtain vs. a dividing door, trying to find the name of the lead character in 笑傲江湖 (but we never even found the book! It was 令狐沖 in any case..), drooling over Japanese recipes (ok, that was just mf)
And I was telling Sito that each of the first characters of Louis Cha's novels could be put together into a poem. Here goes:
飞雪连天射白鹿
笑书神侠倚碧鸳
Roughly: (from wiki)
Shooting a white deer, snow flutters around the skies;
Smiling, [one] writes about the divine chivalrous one, leaning against bluish lovebirds (or lover)
I used to read his novels during GP lessons :p
And in Oxford, I finished reading Dreams of the Red Chamber and drew up a family tree.. That was quite amazing but..where is that family tree now?!
Anyway, I have digressed from talking about CNY..
This year, with the Budget cycle being brought forward to January/February, I actually have work at the back of my mind. When we get back on Wednesday, it's full swing preparation for the debate! But until then, I have decided that Blacky dopod will not follow me to 拜年 =D
Have a good one!
Sunday, 11 January 2009
A nostalgic moment realised once more
Was reminiscing with Yan just now, how we would play in kindergarten, come home, pick up the phone and carry on!
mf: It seemed only yesterday when we were singing with each other on the phone..
Yan: And describing our ideal houses!
And last night, 24 years later, I was on the phone once more on the topic of how our ideal house would be like. Nice :)
mf: It seemed only yesterday when we were singing with each other on the phone..
Yan: And describing our ideal houses!
And last night, 24 years later, I was on the phone once more on the topic of how our ideal house would be like. Nice :)
Saturday, 10 January 2009
mf is 29!
This year will mark yet another milestone in my life. There will be a number of happenings, in life, in work, in personal growth. And I'm excited! :)
Sito, thanks for being with me :)
Sito, thanks for being with me :)
Sunday, 28 December 2008
Happy Christmas!
Oops, a little late? :p
Sito and I went to Hong Kong 20-23 Dec 2008. We ate and shopped a lot!!!!
This was supper #3 or #4..
Had dim sum here - finished by then :p
Also went to a number of 茶餐厅 for noodles, porridge and more dim sum :)
Met Sali for roast as well! It has been such a long time since we met in 2001!
Found a lot of sheep in Harbour City :)
On our last day, we went to the harbour - check out my new jacket! It's a loud pink! Oooh, I like :)
We decided to come back in time to go to work on 24 December so as not to waste a day of leave on a half-day :p And, I'm really glad we did =)
After a lovely Christmas, it is almost the new year.. So it is time to review my 2008 resolutions and state 2009 resolutions!
Fulfilled half my resolutions in 2008:
1) Lose weight
2) Lose inches - separating this from above cos they may not go hand in hand...
1&2: NOOOO! I gained a little instead =( I blamed it on work..
3) Do that 10km! - I jogged once this year? About 2.4km *.*
4) Not buy any bag (unless I dump one existing one :p) Yeah yeah!
5) Spend wisely Think I did.. No bags, right? :p
6) Improve my Japanese I did! And I think I can pass JLPT 2 :)
7) Try to think a bit more - need to exercise my brain, work smarter yet better, and think about what I want out of my life, my career.. Half for this one, I guess..
And in 2009, my resolutions are more compact:
1) Lose weight and inches - must!
2) Get stronger physically for dancing and 10km
3) Be less of a control freak? :p
Have a great year ahead! :)
Sito and I went to Hong Kong 20-23 Dec 2008. We ate and shopped a lot!!!!
This was supper #3 or #4..
Had dim sum here - finished by then :p
Also went to a number of 茶餐厅 for noodles, porridge and more dim sum :)
Met Sali for roast as well! It has been such a long time since we met in 2001!
Found a lot of sheep in Harbour City :)
On our last day, we went to the harbour - check out my new jacket! It's a loud pink! Oooh, I like :)
We decided to come back in time to go to work on 24 December so as not to waste a day of leave on a half-day :p And, I'm really glad we did =)
After a lovely Christmas, it is almost the new year.. So it is time to review my 2008 resolutions and state 2009 resolutions!
Fulfilled half my resolutions in 2008:
1) Lose weight
2) Lose inches - separating this from above cos they may not go hand in hand...
1&2: NOOOO! I gained a little instead =( I blamed it on work..
3) Do that 10km! - I jogged once this year? About 2.4km *.*
7) Try to think a bit more - need to exercise my brain, work smarter yet better, and think about what I want out of my life, my career.. Half for this one, I guess..
And in 2009, my resolutions are more compact:
1) Lose weight and inches - must!
2) Get stronger physically for dancing and 10km
3) Be less of a control freak? :p
Have a great year ahead! :)
紅葉の旅
Well, not really, late October was still too early for 紅葉.. But I did see a few red leaves! :p
It started with me realising that I was an idiot when I tried to check in online 20 hours before my midnight flight. Suffice to say I had a passport issue *.*
And I just had to take JLPT 2 mock test after work on the evening of my flight - hurriedly did my last paper and dashed home to shower and cabbed to the airport.
But I made it safe and sound to Gifu! And if that sounds ulu to you, well, it is quite so!
Friday, 24 Oct 2008
I arrived in Nagoya in the morning and took a 55-minute train to Gifu. Couldn't find the bus terminal Na talked about and realised I wasn't in the JR station - walked there in the bloody rain with my trolley bag.. The next few hours were super boring! I actually took a NAP! But also walked around the station a little, window shopping and checking out the bus terminal..
There were a lot of cabs outside the station, like, a lot!!
Finally, it was time. Took a 20-minute bus to Na's place. Or rather, her bus stop. I was so glad to finally see her!!
Na stayed in a cute little flat. It got dark within an hour of us meeting and we got hungry and so we had an early dinner nearby before going back to nua at her place. Oh yeah, I loved to nua :) Especially when we had cute company
Saturday, 25 Oct 2008
Grabbed Na's friend Mayu to go to Gifu Castle given the (relatively) good weather!
Went up via ropeway, i.e. our cable car. Passed through a few mon or gates, or what they called mon-gates, to get to the Castle!
Which reminded me of Himeji..
Oooh, that's meposing taking a rest along the way..
Roamed the castle museum and took a picture of our reflections :p
Think that was the picture of the castle owner..
Went up to the viewing gallery and had a nice view of the surrounding mountains. I realised that the mountains I saw in my past trips to Japan were all volcanoes - Fuji, Sakurajima, Mt Aso..!
Next was the Squirrel Village! This sign told visitors the do's and don'ts in cute cartoons :)
We put on gloves and let the squirrels come eat from our hands - they were so cute!! :)
But the little girl was cute too - so, who's cuter? :p
Went to a shopping centre nearby in the afternoon. Na shopped for household stuff, like I did at Argos! Again, 懐かしい.. I love looking at household stuff! Yes, I'm quite an auntie heh :p
Na introduced me to this drama Nodame Cantabile which was very funny! I finished the entire series very quickly when I got home :p
Sunday, 26 Oct 2008
Shopping day! Went to this place that reminded me of 五分埔 in Taipei. I bought a geisha costume along the way, wanted to wear it for Halloween but didn't in the end.. Too tired or something, I forgot.. Thought I would use it next year instead, before I turn 30..?!
As usual, what is shopping without some tea? This was like that 何必减肥 place in Taiwan - omg! - three years ago!
We came back to Nagoya for good old yakitori!
That round thing was a cheese mochi - it was soooo good! Where we sat, we could see the kitchen area - it was a small yakitori place.. Poor kitty fan above the grill was quite charred..
After all the nua-ing, I must pack to leave... But it was so difficult!!!
Monday, 27 Oct 2008
And so Na sent me to the bus stop and went to work.. I took a train to Gero for some nice onsen.. The train ride was really lovely as we passed by quite a bit of scenery.
Ryokan owner came to fetch me at the train station - nice cos it was raining and I realised it was quite a walk with luggage!
Some pretty 紅葉 in the rain :)
This one, um, not too pretty... I walked by a bridge, saw a man wrapped in a towel walking... I thought it weird and followed him as he walked towards a pool of..naked men! Outdoor onsen!
The next thing I knew, he took off his towel *.*
I roamed the streets just before the onsen shrine, which felt very peaceful. I walked the path behind the shrine until my feet told me they had enough...
So we went for outdoor foot bath!
See the difference in colour between the part exposed and that dipped in the foot bath?
Yes, I must pose before I went for onsen in my ryokan - it was supposed to be a tired pose.. Eh? :p
After onsen, I was treated to a superb meal!
The process repeated when I got a lovely breakfast!
Took a camera to the onsen at night after dinner when I went for another soak :p
That night, it being rainy and me being lazy, I stayed in for some TV. There was the SMAP variety show with Tony Leung and Takeshi Kaneshiro promoting their film, Red Cliff. There was a funny scene where both were trying the food in silence...... Later I read that there was some unhappiness in the filming of the variety show as host Kimura didn't give their guests much face...
Tuesday, 28 Oct 2008
I left Gero and found my tiny ryokan in Nagoya. I think I went shopping.. Got a lot of stockings and socks! But I was rather tired by then and got a packed dinner early and spent the rest of the time watching TV :p Hey, watching TV is a luxury to me ok!
Wednesday, 29 Oct 2008
I trotted out of the ryokan very early. The owner was very nice - ryokan breakfast wasn't ready so he gave me some bread and a packet drink to have on the way! Nice, cos I get hungry *.*
Came back on an empty flight. There was a cute Japanese kid trotting about and he smiled at me! Kids these days start young, haha!
Had a farewell dinner that night and turned up in my dress and - I like this - over-knee socks! Surprisingly, my radish calves looked ok in them - I'm hooked! And I think I could do better next time cos I have another pair that comes with some ribbons and lace at the top :)
Next trip to Japan - Hokkaido! I cannot wait already =)
It started with me realising that I was an idiot when I tried to check in online 20 hours before my midnight flight. Suffice to say I had a passport issue *.*
And I just had to take JLPT 2 mock test after work on the evening of my flight - hurriedly did my last paper and dashed home to shower and cabbed to the airport.
But I made it safe and sound to Gifu! And if that sounds ulu to you, well, it is quite so!
Friday, 24 Oct 2008
I arrived in Nagoya in the morning and took a 55-minute train to Gifu. Couldn't find the bus terminal Na talked about and realised I wasn't in the JR station - walked there in the bloody rain with my trolley bag.. The next few hours were super boring! I actually took a NAP! But also walked around the station a little, window shopping and checking out the bus terminal..
There were a lot of cabs outside the station, like, a lot!!
Finally, it was time. Took a 20-minute bus to Na's place. Or rather, her bus stop. I was so glad to finally see her!!
Na stayed in a cute little flat. It got dark within an hour of us meeting and we got hungry and so we had an early dinner nearby before going back to nua at her place. Oh yeah, I loved to nua :) Especially when we had cute company
Saturday, 25 Oct 2008
Grabbed Na's friend Mayu to go to Gifu Castle given the (relatively) good weather!
Went up via ropeway, i.e. our cable car. Passed through a few mon or gates, or what they called mon-gates, to get to the Castle!
Which reminded me of Himeji..
Oooh, that's me
Roamed the castle museum and took a picture of our reflections :p
Think that was the picture of the castle owner..
Went up to the viewing gallery and had a nice view of the surrounding mountains. I realised that the mountains I saw in my past trips to Japan were all volcanoes - Fuji, Sakurajima, Mt Aso..!
Next was the Squirrel Village! This sign told visitors the do's and don'ts in cute cartoons :)
We put on gloves and let the squirrels come eat from our hands - they were so cute!! :)
But the little girl was cute too - so, who's cuter? :p
Went to a shopping centre nearby in the afternoon. Na shopped for household stuff, like I did at Argos! Again, 懐かしい.. I love looking at household stuff! Yes, I'm quite an auntie heh :p
Na introduced me to this drama Nodame Cantabile which was very funny! I finished the entire series very quickly when I got home :p
Sunday, 26 Oct 2008
Shopping day! Went to this place that reminded me of 五分埔 in Taipei. I bought a geisha costume along the way, wanted to wear it for Halloween but didn't in the end.. Too tired or something, I forgot.. Thought I would use it next year instead, before I turn 30..?!
As usual, what is shopping without some tea? This was like that 何必减肥 place in Taiwan - omg! - three years ago!
We came back to Nagoya for good old yakitori!
That round thing was a cheese mochi - it was soooo good! Where we sat, we could see the kitchen area - it was a small yakitori place.. Poor kitty fan above the grill was quite charred..
After all the nua-ing, I must pack to leave... But it was so difficult!!!
Monday, 27 Oct 2008
And so Na sent me to the bus stop and went to work.. I took a train to Gero for some nice onsen.. The train ride was really lovely as we passed by quite a bit of scenery.
Ryokan owner came to fetch me at the train station - nice cos it was raining and I realised it was quite a walk with luggage!
Some pretty 紅葉 in the rain :)
This one, um, not too pretty... I walked by a bridge, saw a man wrapped in a towel walking... I thought it weird and followed him as he walked towards a pool of..naked men! Outdoor onsen!
The next thing I knew, he took off his towel *.*
I roamed the streets just before the onsen shrine, which felt very peaceful. I walked the path behind the shrine until my feet told me they had enough...
So we went for outdoor foot bath!
See the difference in colour between the part exposed and that dipped in the foot bath?
Yes, I must pose before I went for onsen in my ryokan - it was supposed to be a tired pose.. Eh? :p
After onsen, I was treated to a superb meal!
The process repeated when I got a lovely breakfast!
Took a camera to the onsen at night after dinner when I went for another soak :p
That night, it being rainy and me being lazy, I stayed in for some TV. There was the SMAP variety show with Tony Leung and Takeshi Kaneshiro promoting their film, Red Cliff. There was a funny scene where both were trying the food in silence...... Later I read that there was some unhappiness in the filming of the variety show as host Kimura didn't give their guests much face...
Tuesday, 28 Oct 2008
I left Gero and found my tiny ryokan in Nagoya. I think I went shopping.. Got a lot of stockings and socks! But I was rather tired by then and got a packed dinner early and spent the rest of the time watching TV :p Hey, watching TV is a luxury to me ok!
Wednesday, 29 Oct 2008
I trotted out of the ryokan very early. The owner was very nice - ryokan breakfast wasn't ready so he gave me some bread and a packet drink to have on the way! Nice, cos I get hungry *.*
Came back on an empty flight. There was a cute Japanese kid trotting about and he smiled at me! Kids these days start young, haha!
Had a farewell dinner that night and turned up in my dress and - I like this - over-knee socks! Surprisingly, my radish calves looked ok in them - I'm hooked! And I think I could do better next time cos I have another pair that comes with some ribbons and lace at the top :)
Next trip to Japan - Hokkaido! I cannot wait already =)
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