*Life*

I've slept 2 hours a day on average for the past week...
I'm sleep deprived and just flat out emotionally exhausted.
This next week is going to be a massive test of emotional resilience and stamina...
Onto other things...
We covet the things we cannot have, and when we can have it... we don't want it. Why is that?
There's something I realise that I want badly, but I gave it up when I had the chance to take it.
Grrr....
This is going to be one helluva week.~

*T minus 2*

2 days left in the semester.

This is what we do to fight stress in our office...

We're not crazy... really...~

*Tanabata*

The 7th day of the 7th month is what Tanabata is.
Traditionally, it's celebrated on the 7th day of the 7th month following the lunar calendar, but in some parts of Japan it's observed according to the Gregorian calendar.

S and I went to the biggest Tanabata festival in Kanto this past weekend. It was really nice to get out of our neck of the woods and see a little more of Japan and experience the joy the people here feel whenever there's a big festival in town.

The little city of Hiratsuka was completely festooned with decorations. Tanabata is a time for people to make wishes, write them on a slip of paper and tie them up on a bamboo tree... in the absence of a bamboo tree, it's just tied up somewhere high. S and I both wrote our wishes and tied them up.

It was a lot of fun, and I'm really glad we were motivated enough to trek (train) 2 hours west to get there. I should've pulled on a yukata though.

In continuing with the summer celebrations, I'll be wearing my yukata pretty much this whole weekend! On Friday at work and on Sunday at the Yokohama Fireworks! Yay!

4 more days until we break for the summer - YAY!~

*Modernity*

I am modern woman - hear me roar...

As we all know, humility often escapes me...

I spent the better part of the day yesterday cleaning. I'm a tad obsessive when it comes to cleaning. I first put stuff away, then vacuum, then dry static mop, then wipe down all surfaces and finally wet mop. Yesterday was no different - but I added bleach to the mix.

I'm terrified of the stuff, but after hearing that my lovely neighbour uses it... I was tempted to try it out... I ended up using half the bottle. That can't be good, can it?

So my apartment is now a sterile environment...

Apres cleaning, I turned to grocery shopping and baking. I went exploring and found a new, foreign-products free supermarket, got home and baked 3 dozen of my famous "Choc-choc chips cookies".

Woke up this morning and made the O-bento of all o-bentos...

I clean, I bake, I cook and I work.

Maybe that's what's wrong with me.~

*Stolen*

My heart.
Would like it back. Reward for he who returns it to me.~

*Of sauce and sheets*

I thought it would be a brilliant idea to have dinner in bed tonight...
It wasn't so brilliant afterall...
I have white sheets and white comforters and white pillows...
I had sushi for dinner...~

*O Canada*

On this Canada Day, I have never been more glad to be Canadian...

Yes, we're taxed pretty heavily, but:

• We have free health care.


• We have an environmentally conscious population.


• We have beautiful trees everywhere on the West Coast.


• We have the notion of consideration for others.


• We embrace diversity.


• We value education - hence lower tuitions.


• We're the 8th most peaceful country in the world (ranking).

And so, on this day, I salute the country that granted me citizenship and invited me in without judgement or prejudice.

I miss home - LOTS~

Spring Mating Dance @ Tavern on the Green

My sis is trying to get this to number 1 on YouTube... You decide...

*Adventurous*

I've been feeling really tired lately. Busy with... stuff. Not sleeping well...
M and I decided to take an aerobics class as the gym today. Not that I want to toot my own horn or anything... but I'm pretty coordinated when it comes to dancing... but NOTHING could've prepared me for what we did tonight.
Let's just say that we had a good laugh. It's pretty damn obvious that the other attendees are regulars. Neither of us could get the choreography right... and it was blasted REALLY quickly in Japanese at us.
That said though... I'm not giving up. I'm taking the damn class again next week and conquering the magic world of Japanese aerobics classes.
The instructor was damn perky... a real "fun" guy...~

*Photo Update*

A photo update of what's happened since my last post... a long long time ago... ~

*More SMRTs*

I am the world's smrtst university lecturer.
I handed back all my students' work... and only just realised that I'd only input half the class' grades into my gradebook...
With tail between my legs, I will have to beg them to hand in their work - again.
I am so SMRT.~

*Prévue*

De temps en temps on arrive au carrefour. Et quand on y arrive, il faut qu'on prenne la meilleure route. Comme nous grandissons, nous nous doutons les choix et les routes.
Et bien sur, je me trouve encore au carrefour. A rentrer au passé n'est pas option ni rester en ce chemin. Ce petit chemin qui est rempli de curiosités devrait terminé bientot. Qu'est qu'on fait?
A la gauche, la possibilité a faire bonne volonté. Mais cette option ci ne me permettre a retenir stabilité. Le seul bon point est que je pourrai avoir le sens que je serai en train a changer le monde.
A la droite est stabilité. Je continue a progresser et retourner a l'ecole pour faire plus d'études. Cette stabilité m'afford la base sur quelle je pourrai contruire une famille mais je ne deviendrai pas une partie de l'équipe qui changerait le monde.
Je déteste la choix. Eck. Peut-etre quelqu'un pourrait me sauver?~

Rick Astley - Never Gonna Give You Up 2006 (Live)

Because I never gave up on you...~

*Sideways*

I've had a very strange weekend.
It was all very disjointed. Nothing fell together. Everything random. Nothing expected.
Funny thing is... it wasn't a bad weekend, but I really couldn't say that it was good either.
It was like individual jigsaw pieces flying together to form a mosaic that became "me" this weekend.
It really was all very strange.~

Rick Astley - Never gonna give you up

Now I understand why I had a crush on Ross... You look like Rick Astley!~

Family Guy - Rick Astley - Never Gonna Give You Up

Because I love Rick Astley and I'm ashamed to admit it.~

SNL- Zach Braff Monologue (5/19/07)

This is why I have a secret crush on Zach Braff... He's the epitome of my perfect guy! A little bit geeky, and a whole lotta fun!~

SNL - TV Funhouse (05/19/07)

Guilty pleasure. I miss good SNL.~

*SMRT*

Seriously... when I posted about the Baby Drop-Box a while ago, I knew it wasn't a good idea. I love this country and all, but many of the people who live here really are quite naive. Having a child isn't a well thought-out process here. It was just a major problem in the making...
Well, here's some news to back up my idea that some people here don't think clearly. A Dad dropped off his 3- year old in the drop box.
What is wrong with people these days?~

*Laugh Your Twangers Off*

*Wow*

While I was in NYC in March, I came across this amazing singer while I was rushing through the 34th Street (Herald Square) subway station. Despite my already running late for an appointment, I had stopped for 5 minutes or so to listen to this amazing voice. It was a really beautiful voice - really smooth and warm. I paid 10 dollars for a CD - which I've misplaced somewhere between 34th Street and Tokyo.
For some reason, I never forgot her name. She's now performing on Oprah and she's available on iTunes!
Check her out - Susan Cagle.~

*Never A Dull Moment*

I am blessed with the good fortune of never having a dull moment. I may get bored easily, but it's never dull.

Lately, I've been obsessed with going to my new gym. I've been incredibly adventurous and I've taken a couple classes that have all been conducted in Japanese (duh - I live in Japan). It's been fun though, as I'm learning loads of Japanese from the classes. The instructors have also all been really nice and sweet about making sure I don't feel lost in the classes.

Today's class was by far the "funnest" class I've taken. It was Balance Ball Pilates - there obviously were people in the class who'd never used a Balance Ball before.

The woman in front of me kept losing her ball. She sort of slid off the ball the first time while sitting on it... then when we went into the plank position to do the push ups, she fell off it again and kinda slid (semi-gracefully) into a yoga-esque Cobra position. The last time she lost control of the ball, was when we had the ball between our feet (as illustrated in the picture). I don't know how she did it, but she managed to practically launch the ball across the studio. I was trying so hard not to laugh - as were the other 8 people in the class. We all had some difficulty during some positions we had to get into, but we all still managed to control the ball. I have absolutely no idea what this woman's on. It definitely made for an entertaining class.

I've never enjoyed working out this much before. I don't feel fitter, nor do I think I look any different... but it's finally something I enjoy doing after work - instead of going home and vegging in front of my telly.

Ah, Japan. Always such a joy to observe the things that go on here.~

*Still Rolling*

Just a quick update...
I'm still rolling in Japan - barely.
My new neighbour upstairs (moved in last week) is Ms. Thunder-Thighs. She stomps around constantly. How effin' big is her apartment? Uh... maybe the same size as mine? She also likes to vacuum at 6am right above my head. I asked our Japanese assistant here to help me call up my landlord to ask her to be more considerate... and I've been told that it's a "cultural" thing - then was given a "what's wrong with that" kinda look. Aren't the Japanese supposed to be polite and considerate? She stomps around until 1am and gets up at 6am - is that effin' cultural?
I'm sleep-deprived and cranky.
Apart from that... I've been semi-fine. Barely functioning, but fine. It helps that the weather's been gorgeous this past week. It makes me miss Canada most this season. The humidity's just right. The temperature mild... freshly cut grass... *sob*
I'm ready to go home. I'm working on it. It'll definitely be within 2 years. I can't get stuck here for more than 4 years.
Don't let me get too comfortable here?~

*Mess*

I'm a mess.
Everything's a mess... What the hell have I been thinking all this time?
I've taken the last couple days to think about how to get out of this mess I've somehow fallen into, and seriously, there's no getting out. Blood is everything... I'm just going to have to suck it up and live with it.
As I clear out my closet and do my annual cold-hot-clothing switcheroo, I'm also thinking about what I've done with my life. I do have some regrets, but nothing that keeps me awake at night. My clothes really do reflect my journey through life. I have bits and bobs from all around the world, and it's fun seeing my life through my clothes (I know that's sounding a bit flaky).
For a person who doesn't wear T-shirts though... I have a crap load. How's that possible?
On a side note...
N was right - I DO want someone to give a damn about me for a change...~

*Beach Girls*

We drove out to the beach today. I keep forgetting how close I live to the Pacific Ocean. Kujukuri (99 mile) is just about my favourite stretch of beach this side of the Pacific. It's such a long stretch of coast that it always feels empty.

Four girls, lots of sun, fresh air... it was awesome. We had a lot of fun, and it was really good to just get out. 2 more friends came out to join us and we really all had a good laugh.

I didn't know that Sand Dollars could be found here! Managed to find loads of Sand Dollars and gorgeous shells to bring home...

Got a bit of a tan today... Plucked up the courage to wear my bikini today... Gosh I need to work out...

Can't wait for summer to come. I'm comfortable with my body now... FINALLY.~

*Patience*

Patience is something I am sometimes lacking in this country. I've actually been pretty good lately, but it was definitely short last night... But it was ok...

Met up with old friends today for lunch. One just had a baby and she's so adorable! She's my new toy! All she does is smile and laugh at everything I do and say! She's awesome! We just sat around her, had a good old chat and chilled. Just my kind of day.

I need to chill more. I'm in a good place right now. Tabula rasa... Tabula rasa...~

Just plain adorable...

Watch this, and I dare you not to smile.~

*Neither Rhyme Nor Reason*

That Shakespeare knew what he was talking about...
I've been angry - very angry lately. I know now that the expression of this anger is misdirected every day. There's also frustration - the frustration of not knowing what to do.
We can't choose who we fall in love with and neither can we choose when we fall in love. I fell in love and that was that. My emotions, feelings - everything was trampled over. It's taken me this long, but I think I'm finally dealing with it. I didn't deal when I should have.
I feel like my heart's shattered and it will never mend. I'm trying to deal with it now, but I don't know how to do it.
Why has it taken me this long?
I will never get closure... but maybe this is the closest I'll ever get.~

*Life*

Yes, I have no life.
It's 7pm - 2 hours past my contracted hours. It's Friday evening, and I'm STILL at work.
I've not even had time to pee today. (San, you know that's not usually a prob...) But seriously, I don't know if I can do this. I'm desperate for something to break up the constant routine of work.
I'm knackered. Gotta go home now. Making pizza tonight... yum.~

*Addicted*

It's funny what we're addicted to. For some people it's cigarettes, for others - hard narcotics. What I'm interested in, are the quirky things that people are secretly addicted to - secret things that they'll only divulge to confidantes in private.
I don't know what my absolute best friends are addicted to. It appears that addictions are so secretive that they're only revealed to the "one" that you feel you really need to open your heart to. It's almost as if we're making ourselves vulnerable when we reveal that one little secret vice.
I'm secretly addicted to something. I've only revealed it to one person. The funny thing is that this person doesn't know it's my guilty secret. It's such a common thing, but yet... I get such a high.
It's not a "dirty" little secret. I just only want to be vulnerable to one person. Funny enough, this person is not my best friend... and probably never will be. I just felt oddly compelled to share with this person.~

*Smells like...*

Got wasted last night. That's what happens when you work with 50 guys and it's the end of the first week of classes for the new school year. N and I have no idea how it happened. We suspect it was the hectic day, coupled with not eating all day... By the time the Institute social started, I was ready to go home and sleep.
Needless to say... I didn't go home. I should've gone home instead of going out with everyone. My judgement was impaired by the steady flow of alchoholic beverages coming my way.... I somehow ended up in a cab with N looking for food close to midnight... Bad news when the two of us go off on our "adventures"!
Someone smelt my hair last night and said it "smelled like Canada".
How the **** can hair smell like Canada?

That's just about how exciting my life has become. When N moves closer, we're going to be even MORE adventurous. No more excuses. We're FABULOUS!~

*To the left...*

"You must not know 'bout me..."
The concert was lukewarm. There were awesome parts (Irreplaceable) and really terrible parts (Flight of the Bumblebee). But boy, oh boy... is she HOT! I swear, she's inspired me to get hotter... By June, I'm going to be back to where I was when I got here to Japan... and by the summer, I'm going to be in that skimpy bikini I bought with Bex years ago. I'm already down to my original goal weight for the Feb wedding.
N and I had fun. I think it would've been more fun if we weren't as tired as we were. I'm really glad that I have such good friends here, otherwise I wouldn't be able to get through some days sometimes.
It's been a tough couple days. Got some bad news, but got some good news too. Life's all balanced - it can't be good all the time, can it?
I love my friends. They're all really good to me. I love y'all!~

*Irreplaceable*

Tonight. N and I will hear it live.
Beyonce in Tokyo! Wasn't planning on going, but N had an extra seat that needed to be filled.
We love this song. Why is it that all guys think they're irreplaceable? Ha.~

*My Favourites*

Mum brought over a photo CD of 'Ro's wedding and I've been re-living my favourite moments. I think these pictures sum up my favourite moment... the catching (or not) of the bouquet.

The set-up:


First attempt - failed:


Second attempt - failed (notice my shock):


I step up for the TD (that thing's damn heavy):


And that's how it's done.
C - I love you, but I'm NOT catching yours at your wedding. You're going to have to find someone else to do it, even if I AM your best friend...~

*LEAFS*

Yay, Leafs!
The Islanders better lose...~

*Huh?*

I can't believe someone thought that this is a good idea - The Baby Hatch.
I'm disgusted.~

*Spazz*

I'm sorry. I'm stressed. I spazz when I'm stressed.
I live for deadlines. I'm most productive when I'm working under pressure. It's sick, but I love it. I definitely do my best work when I'm under loads of pressure. I mull and think for ages about something, then it's all boiled down to 4 hours and voila - it's done.
The thing that I'm not good at is juggling - juggling my lives. There's the life that I know B.J. (before Japan) and the life that I have now. There are good things about both lives, but since mum's visiting now... I'm having to juggle the 2 "me"s.
I feel guilty all the time for not doing certain things. *sigh*
Guilt. It's eating me up from inside.
Guilt.~

*Love*

Random people from work went out last night and we all met up in the city. We made a dash for the last train and missed it by (literally) 2 seconds. We found ourselves stranded in Tokyo... me and my office-mates. It's funny that it was just the five of us left.
That's office bonding for ya. Here's the evidence - minus Ro. Uh... he was off hunting...
San - We miss you!~

*More Just Cause*

Sis, THIS one's for you (and M. Rdsttr)~

*Just Cause*

Babe, this one's for you.~

*Time*

I guess it's time that I blog about what I've been up to these past 2 months. I've been back in Japan less than a week, but the first half has been attending dinners hosted by TS and the last couple days have just been taking some "me" time.
The first half of the hols was my trip back to HK for E & B's wedding and spending time with the 'rents for Chinese New Year. The wedding was absolutely beautiful and everytime I see videos or pictures from the day I still bawl my eyes out. It was all so emotional because everyone was so involved in every step of the planning. E's one of my oldest friends. We've known each other since we were 5. We lived streets apart in HK and same thing in Canada. I don't have many Vancouver memories that she wasn't a part of.
Pictures from the wedding have been uploaded to my photo album and the more professional ones can be found on their website: E&B
Chinese New Year was quiet this year. It was nice to spend time with mum and dad. Dad's new project is a monster project. I can't wait for the opening in June. I hope it coincides with the next wedding!
I got pretty sick towards the end of my stay in HK. I think it was just too much excitement, coupled with the pollution and difference in hygienic practices (me vs. others). I was NOT a happy traveller those last days there.
Was back in Tokyo for a couple days before jetting out to New York. I flew through Chicago, and somewhere between Chicago and New York, my luggage slowed down. I got to NYC without my suitcase and was NOT happy after my 22-hour journey suitcase-less.
New York was nice. I didn't realise I'd miss it so much. I got to spend loads of time with my sister and meet up with some of my closest friends. I got sick again at the beginning of my stay in New York. I think I just hadn't gotten over the HK thing and it came back in stronger form. Got loaded up on NyQuil and Tylenol Flu and was feeling real good for a while...
I didn't get that much shopping done. I bought a few necessities for Spring, but not much more. I got to go to the Met Opera with J and we saw La Traviata. The set was so beautiful. We also managed to go to the Museum of Natural History (yay!), but I didn't see the dinosaurs! That place is HUGE! I'll have to hit the other parts next time.
Hung out with the girls a bit and I miss them to bits. They're so great to talk to and easy to be with. I wish we all lived closer so we could see each other more often. There's talk of us all going to Dubai next year...
I think that's about it. The weather's gorgeous here. A bit chilly, but it's been great to go out for a bike ride every day. Been catching up with old friends from high school here and it's just so amazing to see everyone again. We're going to try and meet up more often for dinners this year.
So that's about it. I don't want to travel again for a while. I'm quite sick of it for the time being. My next trip won't be 'til May. I'll be in HK mid June for my BEST FRIEND'S WEDDING! Then in Italy in August for R's wedding. Oh! Christmas will be in Vancouver for Y's wedding!
'Tis the year for weddings. Despite catching the bouquet at E's wedding (picture evidence on their site), I don't think I'll be walking down the aisle anytime soon...
Hope everyone's well out there! Love you all!~

*Because*

Just 'cause I love political cartoons...

*Iced Bum*

Current weather in NYC (in Celsius):
-9 degrees feels like -19

I'm freezing my little tushie off here. Yes, my LITTLE tushie. I've lost 2 dress sizes after my back-to-back battles with the flu.
I LOVE New York... but I miss my apartment in Japan! What to do?
Need food. I LOVE the ZenDuck wraps at Zen Palate! Vegetarian food in NYC rock!~

*Music & Lyrics*

Quick update from the Big Ol' Smelly Apple...
Just got back from watching the funniest movie - Music and Lyrics. I couldn't stop laughing... it was so cute. It was smart and witty and the humour was different. It was just so good.
Been really sick since arriving in NYC. The bird flu morphed into something more violent and I'm only beginning to feel a bit better. Been mostly in bed, but have been trying to catch up with friends here while I can.
Being back here just reminds me how much I love this city. It's busy and smelly and noisy, but this city MOVES. It's hard to articulate the sentiment, but I just feel so comfortable here. If given the right "opportunity", I think I'd move back here in a heart beat.
Went a little crazy (shopping) today. Bought a whole bunch of casual summer clothes and some comfy work clothes. I think I might have bought too much... but everything just FITS here! I'm a SMALL! Not monster-sized like in Japan!
Anyways... time to down some more NyQuil. Hmmm.... YUM!~

*Gotta Love...*

So I'm here in New York City... but my suitcase isn't.
I have no clothes.
I'm going shopping.~

*Bird Flu - Part Deux*

I KNEW IT!
I just looked up the symptoms: http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/conditions/birdflu1.shtml

• Fever - check
• Sore throat - check
• Muscle aches - check
• Headache - check
• Lethargy - check
• Conjunctivitis - not yet
• Breathing problems - not yet
• Chest pains - maybe... I think so...

Dad was right... I shouldn't have gone near the birds... am I going to die?
Since there's no one around here in Japan right now... will someone call to check that I'm still breathing every 6 hours or so? That way... even if I have stopped breathing, there's still a chance for resuscitation.~

*Bird Flu*

I just remembered that I had set free 4 birds on the first day of Chinese New Year (as an offering) while I was in Macau. I didn't get sick until the day after.
I'm positive I have bird flu...~

*First leg - check*

Am back home from the first leg of my dash around the globe. Hong Kong and Macau were... Hong Kong and Macau. The Hong Kong part was mainly the wedding and the Macau part was mainly getting sick.

The wedding was chaotic and beautiful. It was my first taste of seeing a wedding come together from start to finish. My sis and I both know now that we will definitely want a manageable wedding - and to hire a planner. It all came together in the end, but the stress of planning a wedding of this magnitude was just not to be envied.

As expected, none of the dresses fit perfectly amongst us bridesmaids. Mine ended up being way too tight - despite the final fitting the week before. The tailor took in too much and I was in pain all day from the bone in the dress digging into my ribs. It came out alright in the pictures, but I could barely breathe all day...

It was a beautiful wedding. We'll forget the chaos down the road... and laugh about certain things that ticked us off on the day. Loads of tears, loads of cheers. Oooh... and I got to play the grand piano in the lobby of the Four Seasons Hotel in Hong Kong!

Macau was miserable. I got sick due mainly to the influx of mainland tourists to HK and Macau... and were spreading their germs everywhere by sneezing and coughing violently in my face. Eewww.... I'm still feeling a bit under the weather, but much improved from when I was in Macau. The new casinos are fab. Won a bit of money. Can't wait for Dad's to open in June.

Happily ensconced in my apartment in Japan now. The second leg of my travels begins on Tuesday and I'll be in New York City for about 12 days. Can't wait to get there!

Nothing else to blog... I'm just so tired. I've been just cleaning and doing laundry for the last 2 days I've been back and running to the immigrations office to get my visa sorted out...

Loads more did happen... but I really can't remember everything right now... Maybe I'll blog it later when I remember.~

*I'm a Seal*

New study shows that I'm an Antarctic fur seal...
I KNEW it...~

*HOT*

Omigod. It's SO HOT here in Hong Kong! We've actually got the air-conditioner going because it's so friggin hot.
The temp's been well over 22 these past couple days I've been here. I don't think I'll have any problems with wearing that strapless barbie-doll dress for the wedding on Sunday.
Managed to meet up with my closest friends from high school this past week. It was all pretty emotional, and we realised that we all still get along after all these years. I love them so much and I'm so happy that some of them will be married soon!
I've been eating and eating and eating since I've been back. My Aunt's a superb cook and will whip up anything my cousin and I think of. It's a bit risky... since I had my final fitting for the dress on Monday... and I've to wear it on Sunday... after eating all this yummy food.
I said that I wasn't going to do any shopping... but Ted Baker was just calling my name. I dropped a LOT there on Tuesday - but I love everything I bought!
Time to go for a run before dinner. I've just been working all day... I found that I can leech off someone's wireless! This way, I don't have to fight for the connection at home with my cousin.
Oooh! I forgot! Thanks to my best friends... I got another birthday cake! Yum!~

*Floored*

This past week has been a blur. I remember all the friends I've been hanging out with... but because it's been all so packed, the conversations have all become one. I can't recall what I said to whom...
So much has happened this week, it's been very emotional. Saying farewell to 5 of my closest friends at work hasn't been easy. They're all moving onto better things and I'm happy for them, but I'd still like them to stick around here a little longer. Not only are people leaving for good, but we're all taking off on our vacations now. The first couple people left today, S and I leave tomorrow. I'll only be gone for 2 months, but I'll still really miss some people.
This past week has also been good for a bit of soul-searching. Hung out with people I haven't hung out with in ages, and it was really really nice. Been hanging out with the boys and it's been really cool. Yesterday was a complete boys' day. Submitted grades in at work, then played football (soccer) with the boys from work. Had a good run around, scored a couple goals then headed home to shower and out to Tokyo for dinner with R. He was held up at work and we didn't get to eat 'til 8:30, but it was nice since we found an organic place in Omotesando. Headed to Heartland in Roppongi and chilled there for a while until the J arrived with A and M. R headed home and I just stayed out all night with the 3 boys until first train and ended up crashing at J and H's.
I MUCH rather hang out with guys than date them. It's just so much more fun... Why is it that I don't hang out with the boys more here in Japan?
After the little work-fiasco on Tuesday and learning of the repercussions... I don't think I'm going to go to Korea after all. And even if I do, I won't stay longer than a couple days. I don't want anything weighing on my conscience...~

*100*

(Bride-to-be E, B, Me and my sis circa 2003)

This is my 100th post on rolling in Japan. It doesn't feel like I've changed much since post 1, but I'm sure I've changed loads... does that make sense?

Just got off the phone with my aunt. I forget sometimes, but she rocks. We've always been close - not as close as my sis and I, but pretty darn close. She called me to make sure I'm not just crashing at a hotel in HK when I go back for E and B's wedding. My mum doesn't seem to really worry about where I stay, which doesn't bother me... but it's really nice to feel welcomed into my aunt's home and actually have a home-cooked meal (without actually cooking it myself) waiting when I get there. I really do forget, but I do love my aunt loads. I think it helps that there's only a 10 year difference between us.

I was planning on just staying at the hotel for 10 days, but thinking now... staying at a hotel's just so... impersonal.

There's only one tiny problem... my cousin. She's MEAN to me! She's got a brilliant mind and is freakishly witty. She makes rapid fire retorts and I'm just a tad terrified of her...

Did I ever mention that she's 9?

Yes, I'm scared of my 9-year old cousin B. But my aunt still rocks.~

*We'll Miss You*

First... I'd just like to say that the movie "The Departed" was AWESOME! I watched "Infernal Affairs", and it was good, but I wasn't that impressed. "The Departed" was just so polished and well thought-out... I had never been a Leo fan before, but this movie has converted me. Both Leonardo Di Caprio and Matt Damon were great in this film... FAB!

Didn't end up getting home 'til 5:30am. The four of us ended up "discussing" the night away. Some interesting things came up... mostly just getting to know and see more of other people around me...

Crashed for 4 hours before having K over, then drove K and N to the airport. I'm so jealous that they're in warm and friendly BKK now. I wish I'd submitted now to Thai TESOL...

Got home from dinner couple hours ago. Had S's semi-secret farewell dinner. She was genuinely surprised (yay! I managed to keep my trap shut!) and dinner was yummy! It was so obvious through dinner that we're all due for a vacation. Everyone's energy levels were pretty low. I'm glad we've got a 3-month break!

S - We'll miss you!~

*He's Awesome*

Today, I'm addicted to James Morrison. His voice is awesome and his music's really easy to listen to. "You Give Me Something" is FAB.
Definitely a sexy song.
Oh... and I got tickets to Snow Patrol! Yay!~

SNL - Urigrow Commercial

I miss SNL.~

*Bad Engrish*

Inspired by my beautiful friend S, I'm starting a new category of posts on this site:

"Bad English Knows No Boundaries"

This sub-category of posts is similar to other "Engrish" sites out there... but these will be my own personal milestones from around the world.

In honour of Cute-Train-Guy, here's the first BEKNB post...~

*Chicken*

So... S and I ended up going to Roppongi Hills yesterday after my disastrous attempt to be an adult and lunch with a friend in Tokyo. While there, we found some really nice restaurants that we'd like to try when the weather gets warmer and some other things we'd like to explore more.

On our way back, we hopped onto the Chiyoda line which neither of us has taken before. We had about 8 or 9 stops before we had to switch and we started chatting and reading magazines on the fairly empty train...

Neither of us were really keeping track of which station we were at and neither of us were really aware of the people around us either. I suddenly perked up about 15 minutes after we got on and asked S if she knew if we'd missed out switch. She'd been looking up every once in a while to check where we were and didn't think we'd missed our stop. I started laughing about how I didn't really care and how I was just feeling really comfy on the train chatting and reading when... Cute-train-guy piped up and asked us what stop we were looking for.

I mumbled something about Otemachi and he gave us some reply... but by that time, I didn't really care what he said.

S and I got off at Otemachi and parted ways with Cute-train-guy. We only exchanged a few words, but boy oh boy was he cute and polite.

Needless to say, S and I proceeded to giggle like 2 high school girls for the next 15 minutes and analyze our brief exchange with Cute-train-guy.

I reckon I should've dropped my phone or dropped my name card on his lap. But I'm chicken-sh** when it comes to boys.

Here's the poll of the day: What should I have done? What would you have done?~

*Senility*

It's begun...

Left home today to head to Omotesando for lunch with R. Was smart enough to remember to throw my cellphone in my bag - especially since I've got my SUICA (metropass) set up on the phone. Had a 7 minute wait during the switch from local to rapid, so I decided to do some shopping at the station. Bought everything on credit on the phone. Got on the rapid and for some reason got an uneasy feeling...

No wallet.

Texted R immediately. Was then told to just head into town anyways and that I wouldn't need money because R would cover me. Sounded like a good idea until I realised I didn't have a Yen to even switch to the underground. Had to bail out of lunch and call in for immediate rescue. S got into my apartment and met me with my wallet.

Yes, the senility has begun. Only a day into my 27th year...~

*Best*

Happy Birthday, Greg!
Happy Birthday, Me!
It's been a beautiful but horribly chaotic birthday so far. The best birthday present so far came last night when my friend told me that he and his wife are expecting! Yay! I'm so happy for them and it was awesome that they chose to share the news with me on a special day!
Another wedding looks to be in the works. No details yet because he hasn't proposed yet... but it's pretty much a sure thing. I've got to start a wedding counter. I think I'm at 7 now... and 1 baby.
My grand-aunt passed away peacefully a couple weeks ago. In a way, I'm thankful that she's in a better place. She was never the same after... anyways...
So basically... take the good with the bad. I'm looking forward to a fab 27th year. I'm officially 27 now - to the minute.
D asked me last night what was the best thing that happened to me in my 26th year. As cliche as it sounded, and what was initially said in jest, the best thing that happened really was meeting all the new people and making new friends in Japan. Under other circumstances, I seriously doubt I'd meet these people let alone befriend them.
So here's my thanks for the year, and my resolution...
Thank you to all my friends in my life. I really am blessed to have met you all and I'm looking forward to making more new friends this year and visiting all my oldest and dearest friends.
Thank you too to my sister (and partner in crime) for always being on the same wavelength.
I do love you all in my own "special" way.~

*Dreaming?*

So I guess it wasn't a dream afterall...
I dreamt that there was an earthquake... and apparently, there was a pretty big one while I was sleeping last night. I've gotten so used to earthquakes, that unless things fall over... it's not really enough to even rouse me out of bed.
Can't wait for this week to be done. In the home stretch now... I've bought the first 2 sets of plane tickets for my hols. In HK for the wedding and Chinese New Year from Feb. 4th - 22nd. Back in Tokyo from Feb. 22nd - 26th. In San Jose Feb. 26th - Mar. 2nd and finally back in NYC Mar. 2nd - Mar. 12.
Haven't bought the final 2 sets of tickets. I've had a hard enough time figuring out the timing for these two trips. The Korea and Hawaii tickets will have to wait until I've digested my itinerary. I'm starting to think that I'm crazy, wanting to go to Hawaii for that conference. I'm going to be so sick of travelling by the time I get to Korea.
Living it up for the remaining days of 26-ness. I don't want to grow up!~

*Strange Day*

My day's barely started... and it's already shaping up to be a strange sort of day.
It's not the last class of the semester yet, but I'm sitting in class with less than half the students here in front of me - and it's VERY rare for this class in particular.
Our work group email list was bombarded this morning with cheeky comments "attacking" 2 people...
AND... I'm checking in as usual (obsessively) on my CNN page... only to see the following headlines:

• Official: Part of jetliner found Video
  Somalis: Al Qaeda militant killed Video Gunship attacks
  Sudan, rebels back 60-day truce Map of region
  Chavez begins 6 more years Ortega returns to power
  Jewish director defends Hitler comedy Read
  Gere to prostitutes: Use condoms
  Chopsticks test for school entry
  Whale destroys boat, 'says sorry'
  Nude skier exposed by cold 'snap'
  Williams sisters in double setback
  Scorpion on plane, pantful of pain
  CNN Wire: Updates on world's top stories
  Scorpion stings airline passenger
  Nude skier exposed by cold 'snap'
  Gere cheers sex workers in AIDS fight
  Whale destroys boat, 'says sorry'
  Bush plan to cost $5.6 billion
  Trailer residents to millionaires
  Somalis: U.S. strike kills suspect in '98 embassy bombings
  Search official: Part of jetliner found
  Marcia Cross put on bed rest
  School to test chopstick skills
  

The headlines read like it came straight from The Onion!
What is going on in the world today??~

*Getting Married*

Not me...
But it looks like another best friend is! A grand total of 5 weddings this year! Woohoo! I'm so excited for all my friends! I'm busting my ass around the world this year to make all my best friends' weddings!
As all my friends are getting married, I'd like to take some time to reflect on my singlehood.
*poof*
Right... nothing to reflect on. I'm happy waiting for "The One" to come for me when he's ready. I know what it feels like now when you're with something who's just right for you. I'm not going to settle. I want 100%.
Still haven't found time yet to blog about my last week of 2006. It was FAB. Will blog... later...
Congrats to my best friends!~

*Happy New Year!*

I had a fun time ringing in the new year. L & T, J, Me and G headed up to Nagano for 3 (ish) days of good snowy fun.
Will blog more about that later... Just wanted to post my birthday wishlist... oh wait... it's just one material thing that I REALLY would like this year.
Ollie's Birthday Wish
If this gift doesn't appear in time for my birthday, any other gift-giving holidays would do too. I observe the following holidays:

1. Chinese New Year
2. Coming-of-Age Day
3. Valentine's Day
4. White Day
5. Diwali
6. Easter
7. Canada Day
8. Hong Kong Repatriation Day
9. Labor Day
10. Labour Day (HK, Japan, UK, Canada)
11. Teacher's Day
12. Girls' Day
13. Breast Cancer Awareness Month
14. My sister's Birthday
15. My dad's Birthday
16. My mum's Birthdays
17. Thanksgiving (Chinese, Canadian & American)
18. Halloween
19. Christmas
20. New Year's Eve

I thank you in advance.~