Back from Tokyo

Finally am back from Tokyo... super cold down there. Almost frozen to death. Should have brought along thermal wear. Did not expect myself to be so scared of cold now. In the past I enjoyed winter very much, the colder the better. But not so now.

Been to Tokyo last year, find it abit sian now... especially disney park which were kinda kiddy rides for me? Being the peak season, queues were exceptionally long. Should have saved my 150 bucks on other things else...

Thank god Nikko brought us some surprise. Did not expect it to snow. The snow in Nikko was very fresh and clean, perhaps due to not much visitor here yet.

I was enthralled by Yokohama's x'mas light-ups as well. Did not expect this as well. Best x'mas lights i've seen in the whole of my life. Up until the age of 23, Hong Kong had the best x'mas light-up i've seen. Now at 24, Tokyo is the best. What about 25? When will it ever be Singapore? Took the cosmo clock (ferris wheel) at cosmo world theme park, as well as diving coaster. Nice, but could have been more thrilling with some twist and turn.

Went Kamakura yesterday. On the marketing brochure, the budhha statue appeared to be very big. When we reached there, it appeared even smaller than the one at Chin Swee Temple in Genting Highlands.

Nevertheless, Kamakura is a peaceful town (reminded me of Kyoto), situated alongside the Pacific Ocean, so we had a good stroll with a nice sunshine. Asked a japanese woman who was cycling along the coastline for direction to the neareset station. She praised my Japanese language... said I will be very popular among employers in Japan, especially since I can also speak English as well as Mandarin. So I was very happy, even though I know Japanese are capable of praising so as to appear polite.

Met m.c. at Ikebukuro, whom also said my Japanese has improved? Even though I've failed the JLPT test last year, but that does not appear to discourage me. 自分で一生懸命を勉強する～

This morning while I reached the boarding gate at Narita Airport, I heard my full name being announced over the P.A. system. When I approached the counter, the counter girl asked if I've lost my wallet. My first reply was: "知らない。。。(shi-ra-na-i)" which means "I don't know." LOL. Later I checked my bag and realised my whole wallet was gone. Even though my wallet doesn't contain any money, it contained my driving license, student card and photos. Anyhow, I was amazed at Japanese' efficiency. Or was it because my wallet doesn't contain any cash so people are being kind? Haha.

Reached home and xy surprised me when he said that he saw me in Tokyo Sunshine Prince Hotel Lobby where I stayed for 7 nights. Xy also stayed in that hotel, but did not manage to call out to me as I was walking too fast? Lol. Indeed many Singaporeans in Tokyo. Every night at Sunshine Prince Hotel, new tour groups of Singaporeans were being offloaded.

So tired now. Shall go to bed.

Shack

Omg! Today was an utterly shack day for me. Finally got down to clean my dusty room which has made my sinus worse each day. Dump unwanted notes, cleaned the windows, aircon, flipped over my bed, climbed to the top, over my wardrobe... my goodness, every moment was a nightmare!

These luggage aren't a joke. Carried all down from the top of the cabinet (except for the green one which belongs to sis) and they all added up to more than my weight (got contents inside).

As I put all these luggage down, I imagine how many will I have to bring to China if I were to end up going for 6 months. I definitely don't enjoy doing laundry, so i will have to shift my whole wardrobe over?

Flipped over my mattress and saw this Eiffel Tower jigsaw puzzle underneath, which I've slept on it unknowingly for over 10 years.

Little did I know at that time that I will end up in Eiffel Tower for real, 10 years later... Where will I be 10 years from now?

June 2009

Just as I thought I was almost done with the cleaning, I opened my wardrobe which left me speechless.

Very quickly, I got all things in an orderly manner, strikingly clean and free of dust...

So where did the main bulk of rubbish gone to? If not rubbish bin, it would have to be the washing machine in the kitchen.

Since kitchen isn't my territory, I've 'taichi' everything else to mother.

I have plentiful of keepsakes. Still, I find this piece memorable. Father of four? Hoho, that was about 4 years ago.

I still remember that I almost joined the teaching force because my ex was a HOD.

But thank God I made the right choice to enter NTU Nanyang Business School instead. Why?

First and foremost, I hate children. To me, children can be seen but not heard.

Secondly, I can't imagine myself working in a school compound for the rest of my live. Never mind if there is an elevator. But schools are usually 4 to 6 storeys high. What if the staff office is on the ground floor? If you've seen Methodist Girls' School in Aljunied, you will know what I mean.

Thirdly, salary is too low.

Fourthly, I realised short teachers are always being bullied. I still remember having a short male teacher, even shorter than me, whom we weren't afraid and jumped from one end of the class to another like monkeys. Got one time he even took a broom to chase after me, landing on my leg unfortunately.

Fifthly, I can't see the same faces everytime. It will soon bore me to death.

Sixthly, I don't want to be the most-loved teacher just because I don't give out any homework so as to avoid marking them.

Lastly, I am impatient. Ask me to repeat for even one time and I will erupt.

Those who've been to my house will know how small my room was. Despite being small, I took 7 hours to do the cleaning job! It was indeed a menial task, and I would opt to study for 7 hours anytime.

Temple & Flyer

Tis daes sibeh stress... everidae i'm juz tinking of whether shld i go on for ma overseas work attachment despite having made an agreement wif my school or shld i stay for dearie. Went temple in bugis today to make a divination (qiu qian). Took veri long for juz one stick to come out. Initially all sticks were going to fall out. Scare de hell out of mi. Imagine if all fall out, ppl sure look at mi. How embarrassing. So i kept shaking till my poor hands turned wobbly. Maybe Goddess of Mercy also can't decide for mi which path is better.

Anihow, I got poem no. 28 - "The Moon is being covered up by dense clouds."

Interpretation: "Stay on the higher position to overlook the entire situation before investing time and/or money. You may encounter obstacles. Remember the darkness of night is just temporary. Any difficult situations will soon be over."

Went to a fortune teller. Told mi I got many "小人" around mi. Asked mi to postpone making a decision until "冬至." I asked him when's 冬至 and he told me it's 22 December 2009. At tat point of time it struck mi cos 22 December is our last day of trip. Maybe this trip will be the deciding factor in whether I should stay or leave?

The uncle then told mi to pray to "包公" and one other deity in order to ward off 小人. In my heart i was telling myself: "Huh! Got 包公 deity one meh? I thought in order to ward off 小人 I should go take a cobble shoes and 打小人?" And he oso asked if I've "换太岁" cos 冬至 is coming. I said haven't. In the end, I went to the second level of the HDB block opposite the temple which provides such one-stop service. Costs mi 40 bucks in total. But luckili i went to the fortune teller. If not I would have forgotten to 换太岁 and I can't imagine wat bad omen will befall on mi next year. And shit to all those 小人 around mi. You all better watch out!

I muz be veri clear-headed, and can't be obscured by the clouds. I shall now give maself till 22 dec to decide, the day when those clouds will lift eventually.

How I wish the temple is juz right below my block. Carrying my stupid and heavy sling bag there almost everi week is no joke. Sooner or later I can see myself walking slanted, and maybe my frens can see me selling tissue papers outside the temple on one fine day...

Took to the sky today on Singapore Flyer. Dog and I took advantage of the student promotion at 10 bucks per ride, which I thought it was a steal! Now the Flyer indeed is propelling Singapore's standing as the leading Asian leisure destination, and providing Singaporeans with a technologically-advanced iconic landmark, but of course, China's Great Beijing Wheel will soon overtake us in 2010.

I asked dog if he got bring along plastic bag.

Dog: Bring plastic bag for wat?

Me: Just in case the flyer break down again and you need to pee?

Dog: Oh no need la! You just open your mouth can already!

Me: Knnccb!

Anyway, dog pee anywhere!

From the top, I could see veri clearly the skyline of Singapore and beyond. From the bottom, everything is obscured by the tall buildings and seem full of obstacles. Another analogy?

Met up with siew mai at ps, before having dinner at waraku in Cuppage. Onli paid 14 bucks cos dog got voucher, which he got from his complaint about the slow service at changi airport the other time. 害me oso can't eat conscientiously. Thank God today's service at waraku was very 'up.' Pretty lady who's attentive and fast. If not I can imagine seeing another dining voucher the next time I meet my dog. Hush hush for now and don't bark!

Finalli i am home.

More on sis' wedding

Saw a disc on ma living room's table, and saw tat it was sis' actual wedding day pic taken on 15 November 2009 by de photographer...

Tis is my dilapidated block where I have stayed for an unbelievable 13 years, and where sis finally can marry out and find somewhere better condition to stay... so fortunate. unlike me, everidae still have to face the music... and incessant drilling works around my stupid neighbourhood?

On the altar got 1 small Goddess of Mercy statue (beside the flowers). But in front of the altar got a big-size one, which dad and mum are covering with a bridal veil

The ger sitting on the left is my granny (mother side); the ger on the right is my grandmother (father side); wat about both my grandfathers? 1 is sitting at the extreme left hand corner, the other at the extreme right hand corner... but you can't see them; if you can see them, call mi at once! I wonder how they look like now...

喝不够啊? And oh, I think make-up for woman is sooooo important, based on the paintings I have seen on my mother's face

I still remember got 1 aunty guest, a distant relative, was telling me this during the cocktail session...

Aunty: Wah, your mother very pretty hor... Your sis must be very pretty oso. Haven seen her.

Me: Huh? Got pretty meh? I see so many years sian liao. No pretty lah! Aunty your eyes 'tak' stamp ah?

I luv tis table settings, if onli can take 1 set home; but if tis setting is placed in my home, it'll turn out to be ugli oso

Giving my speech, but I dunno wat's with my funny expression. Damned the photographer! But i should thank God ppl still can manage to see my face, but maybe not those seated right in front though cos blocked by the rostrum

出嫁咯。。。开心到。。。。。你就好咯, 我还在大牌５１。。。

The ballroom layout is veri good; tiered layer, but old ppl walk muz be veri careful, if not the wedding ceremony becomes a funeral wake

My family photo; all short short one except for my brother-in-law. Dad is oso short, but dunno how come looked taller than his usual height. But luckili i am not tall. If i am tall and given my current weight, I'll look like bamboo stick.

313@Somerset

Nb told mi late on mon nite that uniqlo at 313@Somerset got S$9.90 sale. In de end I did not catch a good sleep. The next morning I woke up at 8.30am, with barely 4 hours of sleep.. reached somerset before 10am. Store wasn't ready, but 5 mins of wait later, I see myself juz like any typical singaporeans. Chiong ah! Tat's student's life man! Got discount muz seize. Read a book on cost-saving tips. It tells us to cut out discount coupons... ppl owaes ask why is my wallet so thick. Now tat's de reason why... Was it a successful technique in cost-saving? No. When I wan to use those coupons, I realised they have expired.

Aniwae, I got quite a few nice shirts in less than 30 mins, dumped everithing into ma blue bag and off I go. Happi with ma "solo shop!"

Tis afternoon went ecp to cycle. Saw many stars towards the end of ma 1 hr 30 mins of cycle. In de end I totalli collapsed. Luckili ken was there and bought a coconut drink for mi. Tink de weather was too hot and I was dehydrated, or maybe i was under alot of stress in making big decision tis few days. When I reached home and told big sis tat I went cycling at 12pm and de sun was scorching hot, she said my 头脑坏（read as "掏闹派" in hokkien), i.e. brain damage.

Now there's abrasion on my knee cap. Showered earlier n it was veri pain. Dunno why de fucking floor at ecp was so rough. And dunno why I keep having fainting spell. The most recent one was last month while on de train to sch for presentation. Luckili I was seated. So i could faint n die down there ppl oso dunno. At most they will tink tat i am napping.

Oh, nvm the age; juz read the digit from right to left can liao

Genting, KL, Malacca 05-06 Dec 09

Each time ken drove, sure kena sway encounters. People horn never mind. Kena stared by 1 driver in kl somemore.

When driving down hill on the last day from genting after our lunch, got 1 driver behind horned at us. We thought wat's wrong again this time round... Who knows when we turned back, we saw the boot cover was not closed! *I forgot to close the boot after taking some stuff out from my bag* No wonder why we could feel some wind inside the car even when the window was closed. LOL.

That was the most amusing incident thoughout the whole trip. Ken was like kan cheong spider. Stopped along the expressway and sc went down to close it. Everione juz pushed de blame to him, despite being my fault lol. But true mah, driver can't expect passengers to conduct safety check. Imagine if de cargo of an airplane oso din close. Pilot can expect passengers to check meh? Whahahaha.

Set off at 0430 on 5th December, via tuas, chiong all the way to kl.

Drive up genting was super challenging. First time I encountered such heavy fog. Still, I got everione up the mountain safely.

Imagine if mother knows tat I drove up, she'll scream at me. So this is my "Hong Kong" which I lied to sis initially haha.

Went casino, ken and I then slack at a cafe... when all's ready, we took a joyride on de cable car. Wanted to go ride horse at awana horse ranch, but was closed. Returned uphill and off we drove to our hotel for the night - Goh Tong Hall Residence - a newly-built hotel at chin swee temple, mid-hill.

Went down to KL, had dinner at Berjaya Times Square, walked around Bukit Bintang, before hitting for Zouk! Intially the dance floor was empty. Thought we would be disappointed. But the crowds came later.

Unfortunately, we gotta leave early at 0130 because we're staying at Genting. Road uphill was tormentous. Driving in near zero-visibility condition due to fog.

Reached hotel at abt 0330. Slept at 0400 plus...

Set off at 1200, for KLCC, where I bought a book from Kinokuniya titled "The Kite Runner" written by Khaled Hosseini, the same author of the book "Thousand Splendid Suns" where I bought during ma trip in Kuching in July. This author can really write veri well!

Onward to Malacca, had dinner before returning home. Reached home at 0000 hrs today. Tired. Nevertheless, this was de best Malaysian trip I've ever taken... also partly because everione was participative n cooperative =P But in de end, I juz enjoy being a passenger, rather than a driver, cos I enjoy being driven more than to drive humans.

Exam's over! So happi... Gonna be a 1 month vacation before school reopen on 11th January 2010.

System down

Since yesterday I'm about to suffer from system down, almost beyond repair due to flu and sore throat. Yet I could still patronise the cinema with dearie, watching a somewhat horrible movie - christmas carol. I still prefer the Midnight Express anytime.

Have played the role of a physician, popping lemsip pills on the one hand, chinese medicine on the other. Thought "east meets west" concept or 中西合拼 would do me well but did not turn out to be the case.

Seen doctor today and condition was slightly better, but now suffering from cough. Hope I won't cough blood onto my final paper this coming friday.