Days of Doodling

Time: 11.06am
Location: Office

I bit my lip the other day and now I have ulcers. Sometimes, you wonder why certain things even exist in this world...what purpose does it serve? Things like stretch marks...moles with hairs growing out of them...and of course, ulcers. They don't make one feel any better, and they definitely should never have been created by Mother Nature in the first place. Ok, I am just ranting.

Anyway, I came across this really cool website for Japanese illustrators. Check out www.starfactory.info
Very pretty drawings, I must say. Everytime I look at my own sketches, it just doesn't seem distinctive enough. Close friend, hui, told me that one shouldn't be too hard on themselves. We had a good chat on Wed, after watching Scoop with Pauline. Why is Scarlett Johannson on every single movie these days? She looks good, no doubt, but...over-exposed lah. Ok, back to hui. She and I always have an insightful chat on almost every occasion that we meet up. This time, it's about marriage life. I am nowhere near that now, but we figured, it's just a matter of time before we'll be discussing new houses, en-bloc, renovations, banquets and expenses.

Why does the age of mid-twenties fly by you, before you even realise it?

To inspire myself just a little bit more, I did some sketches, something that I haven't done for the longest time.




Ok, it's sketchy..but that's why it's called sketches MAH!

Post No. 101. Why Retail Therapy is Good...Once Again

Time: 10.29am
Location: Office

Please don't scold me. I know, I know I spent too much. But hey, I worked hard too right? So..maybe a few items once in a while isn't so bad. The items below were bought over a period of 2 months...so it's not THAT bad. Right?



This is my favourite Retro looking dress...Bright yellow~ Yeah...worn it for Yoshiko's wedding in Japan. Paid about S$40 odd.




White dress also worn in Japan already, bought for about S$30 odd and from the same shop I bought the yellow one. Black polka dot from Forever21 but bought online via auctions for S$45...VERY VERY PRETTY...(at least on me..Muahaha)

See, I'm soooo INTO Dresses. Finally getting to the feminine side of me. At last. Quick, my Brunei prince, come along and whisk me off my feet.




I actually had this book. Yes, HAD. And for some reasons, either someone forgot to return me, or I've misplaced it. So had to buy it again...luckily it's only S$9.00 from Basheer. Love the illustrations... so pretty...



High-waisted belts are sooo cute..and suffocating. Got this for about S$10.00




For those that know me well enough, they'll know I'm a sucker for Tim Burton's creations. I bought 2 mugs, one for office use, the other as a collectible for about S$30... yes yes...waste money..but they're so nice!!!

And Halloween's coming...right?

So you see...I'm really not a spendthrift... Everything I buy has a purpose... or at least to me!

Japan Journal Part 2 (100th Post)

Time: 10.15am
Location: Office

Day 3.
It's hard not to wake up by 6.30am. The sun rays just go straight for your eyes... Today's Yoshiko and Stephen's big day. The difference between their wedding (or maybe most Japanese weddings..I'm not sure) is that they held the wedding from 12 noon to 5pm whilst Chinese weddings are usually held at night. Throughout the whole morning, neighbors came visiting, phones were ringing...it almost feels like Chinese New Year.

The Englishmen and Yoshiko went straight to the hotel for preparations. Poh Har (memory refresh: The cheapo Singaporean travelling with us) had her hair done with Yoshiko's mom at a neighborhood salon. I bet 90% someone paid for her. We arrived at the hotel approx. 1pm. A bus was chartered to shuttle the relatives to the hotel... the driver was really courteous and cranked jokes (which I don't understand, but others laughed) throughout the journey)

And right at the doorstep of the hotel, I was greeted by the sight of this gorgeous limo.



The hotel was surprisingly really quiet...it's relatively small, but very well-furnished...



Nice, posh velvet armchairs and victorian carvings...it's almost fit for royalty.

There were only 5 tables in the dining area. Heard that it's not cheap, even though it's just 5 tables. Another thing I found out, to give them ang pao, it's best to give with either a digit 3 or 5... or almost anything except the digit 4...cos it sounds like death in Japanese.

Everyone has this personalised card on your table, so you'll know where you're seated.



Yoshiko and Stephen made their grand entrance into the dining area, with Yoshiko in a stunning gown and Stephen in a 'military-inspired' suit. The food served was a luxurious treat. Lobster, scallop and tonnes of SASHIMI. All the more reason for me to move to Japan...umm..sashimi.




Dinner...I meant lunch, was served and we were treated to a videoclip of the childhood of both bride and groom. It was a sentimental moment as my mom wept (DUN ask me why....I'm the daughter!!!..Mom even had a speech for Yoshiko, which I thought was really sweet, though she's like 70% drunk by then. (What to do, free-flow of champagne and wine)

Yoshiko and Stephen exited shortly after to change into traditional kimonos. An extremely sweet couple indeed!




The next highlight of that afternoon was the karakoke session! Japanese LOVE karaoke! Andy also went up to sing 'American Pie'... it was really sweet.

After rounds of phototaking (with Poh Har appearing in ALMOST EVERY FAMILY PHOTO!) and with me getting a little mad at Mom for getting so drunk... the lunch reception was over. The newly-weds came down the stairways with the crowd throwing confetti at them. They got into the limo...and whiz off. (ok, they just made a detour and came back to the hotel after we left)

We went back home via the chartered bus and it was another evening of literally "making-merry 'english' men" . That was also the night when Chris and I had the best conversation ever. We talked about cultural difference, lifestyles and aspirations..., you tell me, how not to fall for him!?

Day 4
After a miscommunication during breakfast, (or rather, a cunning ploy by Poh Har to eat all the best unagi) I had my breakfast served about an hour later. Long story cut short, Poh Har told the host that we didn't want to eat unagi..that liar.




We started packing up to leave for Tokyo. Ojisan packed A LOT of dates and garlic for us and Yoshiko's mom prepared oranges, snacks and chocolates for our bullet train journey. It was a teary departure. We kinda bonded very well over the past few days despite 'minimal understanding' when it comes to communication. Poh Har left without saying goodbye. She kinda didn't want to go to Tokyo 'cos she'll have to spend money staying in hotels. Everyone was surprised she just left..like that. What a bad example of a Singaporean for the Japanese. (shakes head)

Yoshiko's Mom and Dad drove us to the train terminal and we were headed to Tokyo. I miss the family already...

The bullet train was fast, but not as fast as I had expected... it's definitely faster than the MRT, but the scenery outside was still quite clear..though I did suffer from minor earache due to the speed. A nice guy (but not cute enough to be hunk No 4) was pushing a trolley throughout the train, selling snacks and even beer. Guess Japanese don't get rowdy when drunk...

After about 2 hours or so, we reached Shinagawa Prince Hotel. The hotel room was small, about the size of one and half bedroom-size, but at least the view from 24th floor was spectacular. (Better be lor, it cost $688 for 2 nights!) The Englishmen's room were quite bad, I heard. 4th floor, bunk beds...enough said.




Despite all the rave about Japanese fashion, I saw relatively safe dressing there. Maybe cos it's not Harajuku or Shibuya. Due to it being autumn, the general color range were grey and black. But damn, those girls are skinny....

We were suppose to go for an onsen (hotspring) but the Englishmen were not too keen...(WHY!??..I want to go!) We ended up having dinner (Always eating, if you noticed) and after that, I convinced my parents to let me go off with the 'young people' to have a drink. I actually intended to go wander off by myself, but knowing my parents were not going to allow that, (Yes, I'm 24...but in a foreign land) I had to lie to them, saying I will be sticking close with Yoshiko.

But then, I didn't really have to lie. 'Cos most shops close by 9pm and I had no choice but to stick with Yoshiko and gang when they went down to the Mohamed Sultan of Japan. (Which I forgot the name of that place) We ended up at Hard Rock Cafe... where the waiters had flashy hair and the waitress had a devil-may-care attitude.



We had to catch the last train by 11.25pm so we were off to the hotel bar on the 39th floor for 2nd rounds. We had to pay about 8 buckaroos per person to just SIT There. It was also Andy's Birthday so we had a tiny celebration for him. I notice how Englishmen can REALLY drink... but they never get drunk, they just get happy.

Day 5.
Off to the tourisy places!
Destination 1: Some temple but I forgot the name...heh.

Let the pictures tell the rest:












































Destination 2: Tokyo Tower

Japanese girls are really cute, they kept staring at me when I spoke to the cashier in English, and giggled when I spoke a bit of Japanese and Mandarin..wonder why.






We were off to Yokohama for a nice dinner in celebration of Andy's and Taka's (Yoshiko's cuter younger brother) birthday. Great food, wonderful karaoke and a very drunk Japanese Uni-girl – Reika. She spoke minimal English and is the daughter of Yoshiko's friend. 21 yrs, pretty and voluptious...but oh-so-fliratious. She provided great entertainment that night though...
Getting drunk, running around the train station, hitting her mom, flirted with the Englishmen, hidding in the ladies...had me running around with a wet towel for her. What drama.

The Englishmen actually invited me over to their room for another round of drinks..and as much as I would love to go, our flight was due the next day at 11am (had to wake up by 6)...so no choice..had to be a good girl and go back with Mom and Dad.


Day 6.
Woke up at 5.30am.... packed somemore, went to airport by bus, saw the big ferris wheel, bought stuff at the airport...transit at Bangkok, met Lena, a regular I always took product loans from...and the rest was a blur..cos I left my heart in Japan.

Japan Journal Part 1

Time: 10.27am
Location: Office

THIS IS A LONG ENTRY:

I'm finally in the mood to blog about Japan. It takes a while (for me, a whole 2 and a half weeks) to get over the holiday mood. I had to go watch 'You, Me & Dupree' and 'World Trade Centre' before I realised that I'm finally back at home. In Singapore – in a freezing theatre– over a nice dinner of chicken chop and noodles – with my wacky friends..*smiles

This entry is just a reminder of how things went in Japan. Something for me to reminisce about many months later.

Day 1:
It's the day to set off. We(Mom, Dad and I) were supposed to meet up with Yoshiko's friend at the airport to go to Japan together. Her name's Poh Har. Another of Yoshiko's friend was suppose to come along, but her company's retrenching now, thus she chose not to go on leave. Since Poh Har will be travelling alone, Mom's extremely anxious about meeting her. We waited for her at the terminal, over cups of S$1.60 Milo...and waited...and waited... but she didn't turn up.

I called her several times and she said she 1) lost her wallet, 2)Found it, 3) Luggage got caught at the converyor...and when we went on board the plane, she STILL didn't appear.

Finally, she msged me on the plane, and told me her seat number. Thus, we only met when we went for transit in Thailand. She's this petite woman of about 32 (who looks like she's 25), married with a 20 month old child and gave the most ambiguous answers to what her job is. I actually changed S$50 into baht, thinking that we would have time to browse around. But I got the time difference mixed up (Thailand's one hour behind Singapore time) and we ended up waiting for 2 hrs for our plane...

Food on board the plane was pretty good. Maybe 'cos I've only travelled on budget in recent years and thus, orange juice on board was a luxury!

We reached Japan, Nagoya Airport, after about 6 hours, (if I rem. correctly, it was close to 10am) and had some problems with the customs. They couldn't speak much English and my Japanese was like 'half a pail of water', luckily Poh Har could speak quite well (which she cunningly hid from us that fact) and the guy who did the translation for us (1ST GORGEOUS HUNK IN JAPAN) looks like he could star in some Korean drama. Tall, fair, beefy and articulate. Coincidentally, we met Yoshiko and her husband at the airport. They've just landed from Hong Kong with Stephen's (Yoshiko's husband) younger brother, Andrew (Aka Andy) and his buddy, Chris.

I'm in love with Japan almost immediately. CUTE HUNK NO.2 couldn't speak much English, and asked if I took drugs and smoke..(He works at the custom and was checking my luggage) ...like DUH!! Even if I did (WHICH I DON'T) who'll admit!? Haha... Anyway, we had to travel to Hamamastu, Yoshiko's hometown. It used to be the heart of Japan, 'cos it was the state that the royalty used to stay. And it took us 4 different train rides, and a whole 3 and half hours to reach there.

Yoshiko's grandpa ' Ojisan' (My current idol) drove us for lunch at this cosy little restaurant where I had the best maguro (tuna) don ever.


We then went to Yoshiko's place (I took Ojisan's car back to home) whilst the rest took a cab. It's like S$9.00 to travel from say, Plaza Sing. to City Hall. Along the way, we saw Ojisan's plot of land. He grows corn, oranges, kiwi, grapes, garlic.... a whole lot of stuffs. Yoshiko's home's really nice and cosy. There like 2 storeys, with about 4-5 bedrooms. Very Japanese indeed with sliding doors and tatami flooring. Took a short nap and it's time for dinner again!



See the spread!?!?!? Gosh, it's awesome. And the best part for the Englishman was that there were tonnes of beer, free flow!!!
(This is just half the spread!)





Day 2
I woke up at Singapore time 6.30am 'cos it was already too bright... the sun was shining in my eyes. Breakfast was a simple yet scrumptious fare of fish, miso soup (prepared by Yoshiko's father), plum preserved by Ojisan, green tea, rice and fruits. Our first 'tourisy' destination was to Flower Park..and the entrance fee to just see the flowers was about S$10.00... It's like going to Botanical Gardens (but 10 times nicer) There, they had a radio programme going on, and the host was making paper cut-outs from leaves plucked on spot. There, I met CUTE HUNK NO.3 after Mom tripped and fell almost right in front of him.



It was also on the 2nd day that my dislike for this girl that was travelling with us. I may not speak Japanese well, but I could pick up words from sentences, and I could tell she was not translating what my Mom was trying to say to Ojisan. She eats A LOT! (and I mean like a meal fit for 2 grown men) and she 'conveniently' forgets to pay Ojisan or my Mom back for either ticket entries or for lunch.

After a nice lunch of Unagi (eel), where Ojisan insisted on paying again, (We beat him to that!!) we went to this cave called Ryugashi-do. It's like a formation of limestones and some other terms for fossils or rocks.... very... very prehistoric. It's nice, cooling and oh-so-surreal.




Oh, I forgot to mention that Ojisan's the most techy 79-yr-old who takes shots with his digital camera and prints them out for us on his computer..and he surfs the net. How cool is that!

That night, it was another feast with sake and beer. Lovely. Tomorrow's the wedding.

*To be continued.