The Way The Mooncake Rolls in Japan

Life

2007-07-14T02:30:00.000+09:00

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

2007-07-12T00:07:00.000+09:00

2 days left in the semester.

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

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

Tanabata

2007-07-10T10:05:00.000+09:00

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

2007-07-09T10:59:00.000+09:00

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

2007-07-05T20:46:00.000+09:00

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

Of sauce and sheets

2007-07-02T01:30:00.000+09:00

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

2007-07-01T11:23:00.000+09:00

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

2007-06-30T12:17:00.001+09:00

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

Adventurous

2007-06-21T22:06:00.000+09:00

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

2007-06-15T02:48:00.001+09:00

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

More SMRTs

2007-06-04T10:51:00.000+09:00

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

2007-06-03T23:04:00.000+09:00

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)

2007-05-30T00:57:00.001+09:00

Because I never gave up on you...~

Sideways

2007-05-27T21:57:00.000+09:00

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

2007-05-23T08:13:00.005+09:00

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

Family Guy - Rick Astley - Never Gonna Give You Up

2007-05-23T08:13:00.003+09:00

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

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

2007-05-23T07:59:00.003+09:00

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)

2007-05-23T07:59:00.001+09:00

Guilty pleasure. I miss good SNL.~

SMRT

2007-05-17T12:05:00.000+09:00

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

2007-05-14T21:41:00.001+09:00

Wow

2007-05-13T23:59:00.000+09:00

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

2007-05-13T21:37:00.000+09:00

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

2007-05-11T14:19:00.000+09:00

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

2007-05-04T00:40:00.000+09:00

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

2007-04-30T20:48:00.000+09:00

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

2007-04-28T21:17:00.000+09:00

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...

2007-04-27T00:20:00.001+09:00

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

Neither Rhyme Nor Reason

2007-04-22T13:20:00.000+09:00

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

2007-04-20T18:50:00.000+09:00

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

2007-04-19T22:07:00.000+09:00

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...

2007-04-14T13:38:00.000+09:00

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...

2007-04-11T21:25:00.000+09:00

"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

2007-04-10T09:45:00.000+09:00

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

2007-04-08T19:49:00.000+09:00

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

2007-04-08T11:28:00.000+09:00

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

Huh?

2007-04-05T21:47:00.000+09:00

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

Spazz

2007-04-03T23:02:00.000+09:00

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

2007-04-01T22:07:00.000+09:00

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

2007-03-24T18:51:00.000+09:00

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

Just Cause

2007-03-24T18:43:00.000+09:00

Babe, this one's for you.~

Time

2007-03-18T12:23:00.000+09:00

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

2007-03-13T17:31:00.000+09:00

Just 'cause I love political cartoons...

Iced Bum

2007-03-07T00:24:00.000+09:00

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

2007-03-04T14:50:00.000+09:00

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...

2007-02-28T22:55:00.000+09:00

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

2007-02-24T22:54:00.000+09:00

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

2007-02-24T22:50:00.000+09:00

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

2007-02-24T22:14:00.000+09:00

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

2007-02-08T23:19:00.000+09:00

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

HOT

2007-02-08T18:52:00.000+09:00

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

2007-02-03T15:28:00.000+09:00

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

2007-01-29T22:59:00.000+09:00

(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

2007-01-26T01:13:00.000+09:00

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

2007-01-24T01:38:00.000+09:00

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

2007-01-22T23:50:00.001+09:00

I miss SNL.~

Bad Engrish

2007-01-22T21:13:00.000+09:00

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

2007-01-22T10:48:00.000+09:00

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

2007-01-21T22:49:00.000+09:00

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

2007-01-20T12:25:00.000+09:00

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?

2007-01-17T00:14:00.000+09:00

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

2007-01-11T10:27:00.000+09:00

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

2007-01-04T16:57:00.000+09:00

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!

2007-01-02T19:24:00.000+09:00

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:

Chinese New Year
Coming-of-Age Day
Valentine's Day
White Day
Diwali
Easter
Canada Day
Hong Kong Repatriation Day
Labor Day
Labour Day (HK, Japan, UK, Canada)
Teacher's Day
Girls' Day
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
My sister's Birthday
My dad's Birthday
My mum's Birthdays
Thanksgiving (Chinese, Canadian & American)
Halloween
Christmas
New Year's Eve

I thank you in advance.~

Widgets

2006-12-27T18:02:00.000+09:00

I'm so addicted to Widgets right now. I've just spent the last hour filling my desktop with widgets. I had also spent the better part of yesterday clearing my desktop of work-related documents... uh.... D'oh...~

Lightning

2006-12-27T00:21:00.000+09:00

There's nothing I hate more than lightning and thunder. It sounds like the sky's falling down outside.
I hate living alone sometimes...~

Twas the night after Christmas...

2006-12-26T01:28:00.000+09:00

'Twas the night after Christmas and all through Liv's house...
Right... I've just come home from the biggest Christmas feast EVER! It was nice, and small and we had so much food! We'd bought 3 roast chickens, a ton of salads, christmas pudding, ice-cream (which just turned to cream in Al's warm freezer), smoked salmon... basically everything edible from Costco. It was FAB!
In terms of memorable Christmases... this one's not quite up there, but it was nice. The run-up to Christmas was exciting and thrilling and totally fun... and Christmas day was just really quite mellow and warm. I enjoyed myself thoroughly today and wouldn't change any part of it.
I'm so stuffed. Food coma's set in. Going to take a nice bubbly cranberry bath now before jumping into my heated bed. It's freezing here!
Merry Christmas! I'll see y'all soon enough!~

Fun

2006-12-24T13:12:00.000+09:00

I haven't done so much in ages. It's all been really fun... but there are only so many nights a person can go without sleeping...
Last week was so busy at work. It was a nightmarish kinda week. I have no idea how I managed to get through it... Got up real early on Friday morning to drive the girls to the airport... the drive there was quick enough, but I missed my exit coming back and it took me almost 2 hours to get home! But at least I've learned my lesson so I'm ready next week when I pick G up from the airport...
Took a real long nap on Friday, then flaked on dinner number 1 and headed straight for dinner number 2. Dinner number 2 was awesome. J and M are the sweetest couple ever. I'm pretty sad that they're leaving soon...
Drove out to Tokyo yesterday. It was easy enough until I hit Shibuya. It was really cool driving through Hachiko crossing (busiest intersection in the world). But I'll NEVER do that again. I'm a pretty confident driver, but Japanese drivers are awful! They're aggressive, but they can't drive! They tail-gate like crazy!
Tokyo was fun. R and I attempted to do some Christmas shopping, before I gave up and we bought a picnic and went to Yoyogi Park (there are some really strange people there). After that, I met up with Connie and Al and we all went to an Izakaya in Shinjuku for dinner (FAB!). Met up with R after again... and we went looking for a Blues bar with his 2 friends. Found the bar... but the bar was just too tiny. We ended up eating and drinking again at an Okinawan izakaya. The drive home after that was brutal... no sleep, too much food... ugh...
Christmas Eve today. It looks like I'm just going to veg and recuperate today. Do laundry and CLEAN my dust-bunny-filled apartment.
I just realised that I barely live at home...~

In The Air

2006-12-18T20:46:00.000+09:00

I'm starting to feel Christmas. It just hit over dinner tonight...
I got my first Christmas card today in the post. Thank you Lyssi! I LOVE YOU!
I've been incredibly stressed and tired lately. I'm glad I'm done with my year's commitment to the Student Activities Committee as "fearless convenor". I live for this sort of organization, but this last party was just a bad time all-round for everyone at work... I'm really glad it's over.
Connie and Al fly in on Wednesday. I'm very excited that I get to see my best friend again. It'll be cool to show her my favourite bits of Tokyo... though... Al's going to be around... it's not going to be all girlie girl...
Been pretty stressed so my immune system's shot. I don't like taking meds, so I'm only JUST getting over this awful cold I've had for the last SIX weeks. But at least I can say that I'm healthy enough to get over it without the help of meds!
Was walking around Ginza yesterday. Got terribly homesick for Vancouver - more than usual. There's a street down in Ginza that looks like it turns from Spring Street (Soho, NY) to Bute / Jervis Street area (Vancouver). That knawing and yearning for home just kicked into 5th gear after. As often as I travel to HK, I still can't call it "home" there. That's just the physical place where my mum and dad live right now, and I just can't call it home. I don't feel as though HK embraces me and my imperfections the way Vancouver and Toronto can.
I've made up my mind to visit Vancouver again when I do my N. America trip in March. I miss it too much. I'll be on a tight budget by the time I hit New York, but I really must get my fill of "home"...
Ugh... gotta catch up with some friends... blog more later...~

Tis The Season

2006-12-17T22:21:00.000+09:00

'Tis the season for...
Ella & Louis
Hot Chocolate
Good friends
Snow-related activities
Looking HOT
Hugs
Presents & Cards!~

Amazing

2006-12-13T21:36:00.000+09:00

**JULIE! DON'T READ THIS IF YOU HAVEN'T YET WATCHED THE FINAL EPISODE!**

I just watched the finale of Season 10 of The Amazing Race. Ugh... I can't believe the male models won... but it was a good race. I also can't believe they had to run from Times Square all the way down to Astor Place! All I could think about when I saw the picture clue of The Alamo... was Coldstone and Crif Dogs. I can't WAIT to get back to New York in Feb!
J... I hope you're still on for trying to submit a tape for the next round of the race. I'd LOVE to do the race just 'cause I'm so damn competitive...
I think I'm finally getting better, but still a little not quite with it. I dropped my bottle of foundation this morning and now I have teeny shards of glass all over my apartment and it was such a pain to clean up.
Hmmm... this week has flown by again. One week to go 'til the hols! Every night from tomorrow on 'til January 2nd is booked up. This is going to be one awesome Christmas and New Year here in Japan!
Greg's confirmed his flight... YAY! I haven't seen him since Sam's wedding - summer 2004. It'll be fun to hang out again...
I'm tired. Gotta wash my hair... was asked today if I'd shoot a shampoo commercial for some students today - HA!
Grr... so much to mark. I need to clone myself to get everything done...~

Sorry

2006-12-12T23:02:00.000+09:00

I had to scrap my original post...
Something from a couple years ago popped into my head...
"Only you and me know about what really went wrong between you and me..."~

A Lung and a Half

2006-12-12T01:11:00.000+09:00

This super-cold that I've got... it's not going away. It's clinging on for dear life... %$*#@!*

It started as a head cold, worked its way to my sinuses and it's now worked its way to my bronchi and lungs... and I'm starting to cough for lack of oxygen. I don't even remember now what it feels like to feel "well" $*#&%@

Anyways... here's an update in Le Monde de la Mooncake:

Felt like crap for the past 2 weeks, took Thursday off.

Felt well enough to socialize Friday... but was shot down by EVERYONE I asked to dinner.

Got the world's best pep talk from "Rook" and "Lo-Man" on Friday night.

Went out to dinner at Iron Chef Morimoto's restaurant (FAB Teppanyaki) Sat.

Painted the town "festively" with Nic Sat night - Sun morning (we were HOT!)

Slept all of Sunday... Then went make-up shopping with Nic...

Right... I'll admit it... I'm starting to like Japan a bit more now. When I actually manage to peel myself off my couch and my desk at work... Tokyo's pretty cool...

Had a really good chat with my office-mates today. We're a funny group... so different... but yet... we get on so well. I love them all.

Time for bed. Costco shopping first thing tomorrow morning! I LOVE my job!~

Still Sick

2006-12-05T22:32:00.000+09:00

Can't get over this bloody cold. It might actually be the flu... but what's the diff? I'm still sick...
Got a new(ish) song to obsess about today... "Love You Lately" The sappiest song around, but I guess since I'm sick... I've got an excuse to obsess over a sappy song.
My nose is raw from the nose-blowing... awww.....~

2 Boxes of Kleenex Later...

2006-12-03T23:35:00.000+09:00

Dammit. I can't shake this bloody cold I've got. I thought I'd got over it, but it's come back to drive me crazy again. Sore throat has also made a whopping return. I've been in bed all day sleeping and watching DVDs...
I HATE getting sick. I hate feeling helpless and I especially hate it when it's just me and my hot water bottle. My toes are cold and I'm miserable. My nose is red and raw from going through 2 boxes of Kleenex. I want someone to rub my back... *wail*
Remind me again why I chose this path?~

Inexcusable

2006-12-02T10:44:00.000+09:00

I did something horrible yesterday. I honestly didn't mean to do it. I feel really really awful about it. I've barely been sleeping all week and I've just been physically, mentally and emotionally drained... I did it almost as a reflex reaction and I just can't get it out of my mind now.
It's so bad, that I can't say what it is exactly that I did. But let's put it this way... you're with really good friends and colleagues and you're out chilling... when you accidently commit a social faux-pas. The worst thing is that you'll have to see this person next week...
Jeez... it was embarrassing. I feel like such a dweeb. I wasn't even drunk. At least if I were drunk, I'd have an excuse.
Urgh... I'm such a social loser. I can't be taken out anywhere. I think I'll just go dig myself a hole now...~

Casino Royale

2006-12-01T23:57:00.000+09:00

Opening night of the new Bond movie here in Japan... It was FAB! I'm not usually a fan of these types of movies, but I found it really entertaining. I hated the "eye" scene towards the end, but overall, I was definitely impressed. The first "action" sequence was definitely... uh... entertaining? And most of the movie was actually bordering on comical... but c'mon... it's James Bond!
I'm not a huge fan of Daniel Craig, but he's not a bad Bond. Not good-looking or particularly charming, but really quite believable. Yep... I like him as a Bond.
So 2 movies in Japan in 2 weeks. "The Devil Wears Prada" was definitely another must-buy when it comes out on DVD. LOVED the clothes on that movie. The Chanel outfit was definitely my fave.
I'm knackered. My brains not really processing information that's coming in... It's all kinda dream-like right now... Need sleep...~

With Or Without U

2006-12-01T02:56:00.001+09:00

My absolute favourite song by U2. The vid's crap, but I can't believe I got to hear it LIVE! I've got an extended edited version coming soon. I LOVE this song!~

Sometimes U Can't Make It On Your Own

2006-12-01T02:06:00.001+09:00

First clip from last night's concert...

Fairytale

2006-11-29T22:28:00.001+09:00

Gosh darn my 9 year old cousin for getting me to fall in love with this song (hard not to do when she sings it 5 times at karaoke EVERY time). The lyrics are exactly what a girl wants to hear. It's all I want or need - really.~

Addiction

2006-11-29T21:35:00.000+09:00

I'm also currently addicted to the "Back-dorm Boys"... LOVE 'em!~

MuSiC

2006-11-29T21:06:00.000+09:00

I'm addicted to Regina Spektor. She's kind of a mix of Sarah McLachlan, Bjork, Alanis Morrissette, Amy Lee, Enya and The Cranberries (is that weird?). She's FAB! I'm sure I heard her when I was back in New York... definitely check out her music.
Going to the U2 concert tomorrow. Not overly excited, but definitely ready to go. Jesse burnt me a CD of their last album... I need to listen to the songs before tomorrow.
Work's piling up. I'm falling behind... but eh... so what?
Can I fit in another concert this year? I never go to concerts... I'm starting to get addicted... SMAP, Madonna, U2... who can I hit next?
Ooooh... Greg's just said he's coming to visit for New Year's. Yay! Haven't seen him in ages! We're going up to Nagano to ring in the New Year. Woohoo!~

Didn't quite forget

2006-11-26T21:56:00.000+09:00

Forgot to blog this... but couldn't forget this...
As Sharona and I made our way home from Shibuya, we pulled into Ichikawa on the rapid line and I heard a clunk against the train. When the doors opened, everyone peered out and the train remained at the station for a while. We were wondering what was up...
I stuck my head out the door, only to see a man laying on the ground right in front of our carriage. There was a pool of blood on the ground next to the man and someone was already attending to the guy. He'd hit his head against the train as it was pulling in. Sharona also peeked out, but thankfully didn't see what I saw.
Seeing the blood and the poor guy on the ground freaked me out a bit. It's amazing though to see how Japanese people react to this sort of thing. They all just stand around quietly and watch. No one freaks out, and everyone just... watches. It was all a little surreal...
Time for bed. I'm so sick... I hate this. Time for a bit of Nyquil magic...~

KO-KO-AH Desu

2006-11-26T18:15:00.000+09:00

Boy was I in a cranky mood today. I felt sorry for Sharona, who had to witness the crankiness on our ride into Tokyo. I was just annoyed with inconsiderate people... and I am also very sick with a horrible cold (yes... I know I should've stayed home... but I needed fresh air)
So we headed into Shibuya, and kinda did a detour at Kudanshita. I noticed that the Yasukuni Shrine was right outside the station and convinced Sharona to do a detour with me. It was a pleasant surprise and it was such a beautiful area... We're both a bit iffy about the whole Yasukuni thing, but it really is a beautiful temple and the Kitanomaru park next to the Shrine is gorgeous too... That detour perked me up... albeit temporarily...
We finally got to Shibuya after the detour and promptly headed to... Starbucks (duh). I ordered my usual (Grande Hot Chocolate)... but of course, it had to be ordered in Japanese... Guranday Ho-toh Ko-ko-ahhh. Lo and behold.. the don't have Grande... they only serve Tall sizes (what's up with that?) so fine... I settled with a Tall Hot Chocolate.
There was a girl that picked the order up for you, then handed you your order (as though we're incapable of getting our own coffee). I understand that she has a "high stress / high tension" job, but she didn't have to shove the very hot paper cup into my hands without a sleeve. I kindly asked for a sleeve, and she looked as though this was a huge inconvenience for her even though they were right by her elbow... All this time, I was thinking that I could've just picked up my order myself... It's STARBUCKS...
Anyways, we headed out of that particular outlet as quick as we could... when I took a sip of my "ko-ko-ah" and realised that it was a "lah-tay". I was a little annoyed already at this point because I had to retrace my steps and face that girl again.
I got to the counter and said to the girl that the order was filled wrong. The girl picks up my paper cup and reads "ko-ko-ah" that was pencilled-in on the cup. The next part played out this way:

Girl (after reading the cup): "ko-ko-ah desu" (it's hot chocolate)
Me (shaking head): "Chigau. Ko-ko-ah janai" (wrong, it's not hot chocolate)
Girl (emphatically): "KO-KO-AH desu" (it's HOT CHOCOLATE)
Girl turns to the 2 baristas (rolling her eyes)
Baristas together (after reading pencilled cup): "KO-KO-AH desu"
Me (*#$%ing annoyed): "Ko-ko-ah janai. TASTE IT"
All 3 not believing that the "ko-ko-ah"-labelled cup could actually contain something other than "ko-ko-ah" just stare at me in disbelief.
Me (screaming at this point): "JUST TASTE IT"

I finally got my hot chocolate... but I was more than just a little annoyed with the situation. So here's Ollie's apology of the day to the perfect people of the world...
To the baristas and order-pick-up-girl at the Shibuya Hachiko Starbucks: I'm sorry, it was all my fault that my hot chocolate tasted like a Latte today. I should've known better than to question the label that was pencilled-in on my Starbucks paper cup.~

WHY?

2006-11-23T08:57:00.000+09:00

Why am I *$&%ing up at 8am on a National Holiday? Let me tell you why... it's because my neighbour upstairs decided that it's the perfect day to CLEAN with the help of her mum! I don't know how Japanese people do their apartment cleaning, but it shouldn't sound like a whole football team's doing marches across the floor.... so... I did something very NOT Japanese... I marched up and very KINDLY told her that it's alright to make some noise, but to not drag things across the floor and to walk a little more lightly across her apartment.
So despite the blood at boiling point, I thought I handled the situation fairly calmly. I'm REALLY tired but I can't go back to bed because they're now SCRUBBING the floor... It's fine though, I guess... This is the first time in 2 years.
Holy crap... I've already been in Japan for 2 years?~

Ice Ice Baby

2006-11-22T14:29:00.000+09:00

So I'm skating again... I met my instructor today and he's super nice... but I don't think he's going to be my permanent instructor because our schedules don't mesh.
I haven't skated in 12 years and I'm CRAP! But Takaya asked me if I'd help his wife teach a kids' English skate class. Holy crap! I never thought I'd TEACH figure skating! How cool is that! The best part isn't that I'm getting extra money... the best part is the free ice time I get with teaching the classes. It's fantastic!
I have the week off. I WAS going to go away... but... gosh dammit... anyways...
So I'll just be skating all week and having a girlie week off... ah... I LOVE my job!~

Where's Arabella?

2006-11-20T21:19:00.000+09:00

Just waiting for my dinner to steam. Finished my one day work week (awesome) and went skating (really awesome). I can't skate now! After all those years of lessons and hard work... I can't even do a simple 3 turn... it's a really horrible thing to say, but I really do feel like I'm carrying extra weight. So I'm going to start taking lessons again and get back in shape. Hmrph...
It's wet and cold. I hate it... but it reminds me of Vancouver. I think we're all getting a little homesick. I can't wait to cross that Pacific Ocean again.
Anyways... where's Arabella? I haven't seen her since it started raining...~

Fantabulousness

2006-11-19T17:10:00.000+09:00

Gut feeling telling me that 2007 is going to be fantabulous. The wedding count has gone up to FOUR and the latest pal to walk down the aisle is non other than my BEST FRIEND! Yay Connie! Yay Al!
I've been waiting for this for YEARS. (Heehee) About time! I know that Connie and Al will be ridiculously happy together - they already are.... and I can't think of a better guy for my best friend than Al.
With all this positivity surrounding me, how could 2007 be horrible? I'm planning all my hols already around all this happiness. It looks like I'll be spending a lot of time in HK and New York for 2007... and at least 2 weeks in Europe.
Gosh... I guess with break-up season... also comes commitment season: you either decide to stick it out or part ways to move onto other endeavours?
Oh heck. It's all good. As long as people are happy around me... then I'm happy.
...
Got distracted for a couple minutes. I'm finding myself missing snow and ice right now. No wonder I was called "snow child" when I was born... being born on the coldest day of the year brings about a natural affinity to all things cold and white. I started googling for rinks around Japan. I'm going to try and go skating this week.
Time to clean and do domestic stuff. Another crazy thing that I love - domestic household chores!~

Pack it in

2006-11-15T23:51:00.000+09:00

Fun comes all in one go. Life never fails to disappoint me.
So... since my last post... I've been to Fukuoka for a conference, been sick, harrassed, stressed and annoyed... all in the course of 2 weeks!
And to top it all off... We had a Tsunami warning today! Woohoo!
I'm exhausted. Work's been awfully busy and in some ways quite fulfilling... and other ways... er... um... Let's just say... quite frustrating (that's putting it lightly)
I bought the new Nike+ipod thingy last weekend. It's FAB! I actually WANT to walk and run everywhere now! Except that with sleep deprivation comes lateness... and walking / running ain't as quick as revving up my trusty little scooter.
Can't think straight right now... I think I'm going to make new pod playlists. All my friends have funky names for their playlists... Mine are all so boring - "Cardio", "Warm-up", "Slow"... People have playlists called "Sleeptime", "Get in the mood", etc.
Am I boring?~

Tis the season...

2006-10-31T11:01:00.000+09:00

Before I begin my ranting... Happy Halloween!
So here's what's on my mind today: Is there a "break-up" season? It seems to me that there's a lot of breaking up happening right about now, and it's all really bitter. But here's the thing - with divorce rates so high, should people be as shocked as they are when their partner decides to call it quits?
I'm not pessimistic about relationships. I firmly believe that like everything else in life, a relationship is hard work. If you want it to work, you have to work at it. Just like going to the gym, if you don't go religiously, you can't complain that it's not working... Marriages DO work, but both people have to be dedicated to making it work. Relationships aren't magical things that just happen.
It's all depressing me just a tad. It's not just romantic relationships that are breaking up... it's friendships too. I've noticed friendships falling apart due to short-sightedness. I was really really upset a couple days ago because of something like that... How self-centred can one get? Apparently... REALLY self-centred.
Sorry about the cryptic post. I'll probably post more when I'm more awake.
Happy Halloween!~

Happiness

2006-10-27T20:07:00.000+09:00

I LOVE my job.
I've had the last couple days off. Yesterday in a nutshell: I biked, I sweat, I ate.
Biked again today.
Pumpkin carving tomorrow.
Shopping the day after.
Golfing the day after that.
Work 3 days...
Trip to Fukuoka for 3 days.
Please allow me to say this again...
I LOVE my job.~

Articulateness

2006-10-24T19:32:00.000+09:00

I love good O-Toro.
I love petrichor.
I love how Lola used to run around my apartment.
I love first kisses.
I love The Amazing Race.
I love snuggling under a heavy down comforter in winter.
I love long showers.
I love watching children learn.
I love candy-coloured shoes.
I LOVE lists!~

Love Shanghai

2006-10-24T04:35:00.000+09:00

The mix of Old Shanghai and Modern Shanghai is really quite endearing. For a city so developed in the middle of China... I'm so glad it's kept its roots in mind while the city's developing at such a rapid pace. Some of the people are still rude as hell, but I love the mix of old and new. It reminds me of NYC and parts of Tokyo.~

Six-Nineteen

2006-10-24T04:19:00.000+09:00

Just noticed that I haven't blogged in 6 months... But I've been in Japan for 19 months!
I've stuck to my goal of caring less. After a HORRIBLE first semester (it was just a disaster), I returned from my summer hols to a much nicer and much more considerate environment at work. The change is unbelievable. Much of it has to do with a bunch of new people joining us... and a lot of it is just being in a much happier place with these new colleagues. We're able to hang out after work and not talk about work. We're all around the same age and we can joke about almost anything. It's such a healthy environment now... I think we all help each other cope better with the stress from work.
Work's still busy as hell, but as some people keep reminding me - what's the worst thing that could happen if it's not done? I have to keep this in mind when I'm stressing about trying to finish up stuff that I'm doing for other people. I have to keep my sanity in mind.
Loads has happened in the past 6 months. I vowed to visit more new places this year, and I have already! I went to Nikko in May, Vietnam in August and Shanghai a couple weeks ago! Shanghai was awesome! It doesn't even look like China! I'm definitely going to go again... but as much as I love that city... I don't think I could live there.
Busy planning my hols for the next year already! I've got 2 weddings to go to... and a bridesmaid for one of them. The great thing is that the 2nd wedding's in Italy! I'm really excited about that one. I'll be heading there with some really good friends, so it looks like we're going to have a lot of fun there. I'm dying to see the countryside there!
I've screwed up my sleep schedule. I've been passing out at 7pm these past few days and waking up at 3am. Could be a problem tomorrow since I teach a late class tomorrow evening. I think I may conk out during the last 30 minutes of class...
Maybe I'll blog more later. Need inspiration...~

Inarticulate-ness

2006-04-23T23:32:00.000+09:00

I miss New York in the spring when all the flowers bloom and the rain cleanses the city.
I miss walking around Soho aimlessly.
I miss eating out on rooftops.
I miss laughing on the streets.
I miss curling up on a couch with a bottle of nice red wine.
I miss shopping with a good friend.
I miss eating cupcakes on a park bench.
I miss the smell of freshly baked bagels.
I miss you.~

Trust

2006-03-05T10:18:00.000+09:00

trust - n. Firm reliance on the integrity, ability, or character of a person or thing.

I usually have a pretty good sense in feeling out people. I can usually sense whether or not a person is trustworthy within 15 minutes upon meeting and talking to a person. I admit that on occasion I have been wrong, but generally my track record's pretty solid.
My problem boils down to this. Should you trust gut instinct or trust someone close? I've been beating myself up these past few months on this one. See, I do trust this person... but something always pops up that makes me question this trust I'm placing on them. Something came up again today... and I just can't let it slide this time.
I hate not being able to trust in someone in my life. It's just so much easier when you trust everyone around you, just so that you can just get on with your life and also accomodate them at the same time.
Why is my gut instinct flashing red lights?

Back "home"

2006-03-04T14:02:00.000+09:00

I'm back at "home" in Japan for a couple days before I take off again. Spent the last 2 weeks in New Jersey, New York and Boston. It was productive and surprisingly pleasant - despite the freezing temps. L got her thesis done - yay! Met up with T and R. Found myself a Snuffleupagus and did a teeny bit of shopping. I also regained some form of sanity, which was promptly lost the day after I got back to Japan. Didn't make it to London. I just tossed my ticket, since most of it was bought on a flight credit anyways.
New outlook for this year - Just let it fly. I'm not going to care so much at work, there's no point. Work doesn't care, so why should I? I'll care about my kids and their progress, but not a drop more. It would just be unhealthy to do any more than my job here.
So here's my thought of the day... How many hearts have you broken? How many do you know of? I'm just thinking about all the crushes I've had in the past and all the relationships I've been in... and I was thinking to myself "how many of these guys know that they've broken my heart?" This little thought came about because I've only recently been told that I broke someone's heart. Huh? I didn't even know that there were feelings. And I felt bad about it! Imagine if I actually knowingly did it!
Anyhoo. Will blog more later. I'm on a weird sleeping schedule. I've been sleeping at 9pm and waking up at 5am. I'm going to go out and enjoy the sunshine while I can. I can't believe it snowed again last night!
Snuffy... if you're reading this... I love you!~

Cranky

2006-02-13T03:51:00.000+09:00

I'm cranky. I'm not packed. I'm supposed to be getting on a plane in 12 hours. I don't know if I still want to go.
I'm supposed to go to New York and London. I've got my tickets... but I'm really not feeling like... making contact with... people. I'm cranky and whine-y and just not very pleasant to be around right now... so should I really be flying all the way to the other side of the world to be a bitch when I can do this in the comforts of my own apartment? More specifically... I can just be a bitch AWAY from my best and closest friends?
There's also a bloody snowstorm in the Northeast coast of the States right now. Chances of my flight being cancelled or delayed by this are really high right now. Now... can I deal with this extra annoyance at the airport? Cranky, cranky, cranky...
2 weeks in New York and London... then 2 1/2 weeks in Hong Kong and Thailand. I'm looking forward to the Thailand part... I want to do nothing but swim and lay out in the sun with a book.
Ah... snowstorm versus sunshine... Dammit... screw New York and London... I'm going to go straight to Thailand...~

Thankful

2006-01-30T00:58:00.000+09:00

I've just re-read my posts for the past year, and I realised that I've been bitching a lot and it's really not like me at all to be that horrible. So this post is dedicated to positivity and being thankful for everything I have.
Luke mentioned the other day that it's not like me to be "subdued". Yes, it's been a stressful time at work and in my personal life, but I am thankful for good friends and family around me. There are things that go on in my family that I may never understand and maybe it's just better to not try and understand it and work around the nastiness and just be there for them when necessary. I had always thought that my family was simple and perfect, but it turns out that behind the fairytale lies stories that twist and turn - where some stories reach a happy ending and some stories reach a not so happy ending. Despite some of the unpleasantness, I am thankful for a family that stands by me and my decisions and I'm thankful for their understanding when they don't really understand.
It's a new year (Lunar). I can feel already that this year will be a year of progress and self-discovery. I've managed to get this far in life and I'm not going to give it all up for anything less than I deserve. Yes, I acknowledge that I'm getting on in years, but in my field and in my profession... I'm still a baby. I figure I'm only 26 and I've still got a 4 to 6 year window before I really should think about settling down and have children. I've been blessed with great romantic experiences - both good and bad. I thought I had met that one great love, but I now know that I was mistaken. I'm still looking for that one great love, but I'm in no hurry... yet. So here's so positivity and progress.
I'm incredibly thankful for all the love I have in my life. My family and friends all truly care about me and it's really awesome to have the support of colleagues from work when the going gets tough. I may complain about being a foreigner in Japan, but sometimes when I'm riding on my scooter with the wind in my hair and the sun on my face... I remember the path I chose and just smile about the fact that I get to live in one of the most beautiful countries in the world - a country with a fascinating history. I'm only 26 and I've already lived and worked in 5 different countries - I can only smile and wonder where life will take me next.
So with that... Happy New Year and poo-poo to a tumultuous last year. I'll try my best to be Super-Genki-Girl (SGG) again!~

Ph.D

2006-01-29T00:54:00.000+09:00

Jeez... I'm applying for my Ph.D... and I'm looking at how the degrees will be assessed... I'm expected to write a dissertation that's no more than 80,000 words - EIGHTY THOUSAND! I checked my 20-page Master's thesis and it's only 6,000 words! I have to write a paper that's 10-times that length! I suppose it is possible, if I thoroughly research my topic... but it's still pretty scary. I'll just have to look at it as writing 2 to 3 papers each year over the course of 4 years.
I've got two options for schools right now, and they're so different from one another - U of Toronto and U of London. In keeping with the country-hopping theme of my life, I'm seriously considering London for my doctorate. I was initially thinking of doing my studies full-time... but it looks more reasonable to be doing it part-time. I'm expected to be "in residence" for part of it anyways... and rather than sitting around ONLY studying... I might as well gain more teaching experience and work on my course work over the breaks... seeing as I get 5-6 months off a year anyways.
Wow... If you asked me 10 years ago if I'd do anymore schooling beyond my B.A., I'd have told you - no effin' way. Now, when asked if I'd do anymore schooling... I say - HELL yeah.
Life's funny, ain't it?

LONDON!

2006-01-24T02:16:00.000+09:00

I'm going to London! Albeit only for a short holiday... but I'm still going!
I'll be in New York for about 3 weeks and at the end of Feb, I'll be flying to London for 4 days. I've already been invited to a Ceilidh and I'm trying to learn some of the dances... but I'm laughing my head off just imagining myself doing the steps. The last time I did it was at the Highland games at the end of October... and I was laughing really hard then too. Yay! London!
Can't wait to see Lui... it's been ages since I've seen her... I think the last time was the time we did the protest/march in Hong Kong!
'Ro's in town with her FIANCE Ben. I don't think I'll ever get used to the idea that she's going to be married soon. I still remember when we were primary school and back then... we thought boys were icky. Well... 'Ro, Icky and I will be going to Tokyo Disneyland on Thursday... I've never been to a cold Disneyland before... I've always gone when it's been boiling hot - weird...
I'm excited about my upcoming holiday. I hate that I didn't manage to save up as much as I hoped to... but I'll still have a smashing time - I hope.~

The Way The Mooncake Rolls in Japan

*Life*

*T minus 2*

*Tanabata*

*Modernity*

*Stolen*

*Of sauce and sheets*

*O Canada*

Spring Mating Dance @ Tavern on the Green

*Adventurous*

*Photo Update*

*More SMRTs*

*Prévue*

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

*Sideways*

Rick Astley - Never gonna give you up

Family Guy - Rick Astley - Never Gonna Give You Up

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

SNL - TV Funhouse (05/19/07)

*SMRT*

*Laugh Your Twangers Off*

*Wow*

*Never A Dull Moment*

*Still Rolling*

*Mess*

*Beach Girls*

*Patience*

Just plain adorable...

*Neither Rhyme Nor Reason*

*Life*

*Addicted*

*Smells like...*

*To the left...*

*Irreplaceable*

*My Favourites*

*LEAFS*

*Huh?*

*Spazz*

*Love*

*More Just Cause*

*Just Cause*

*Time*

*Because*

*Iced Bum*

*Music & Lyrics*

*Gotta Love...*

*Bird Flu - Part Deux*

*Bird Flu*

*First leg - check*

*I'm a Seal*

*HOT*

*Floored*

*100*

*We'll Miss You*

*He's Awesome*

SNL - Urigrow Commercial

*Bad Engrish*

*Chicken*

*Senility*

*Best*

*Dreaming?*

*Strange Day*

*Getting Married*

*Happy New Year!*

*Widgets*

*Lightning*

*Twas the night after Christmas...*

*Fun*

*In The Air*

*Tis The Season*

*Amazing*

*Sorry*

*A Lung and a Half*

*Still Sick*

*2 Boxes of Kleenex Later...*

*Inexcusable*

*Casino Royale*

*With Or Without U*

*Sometimes U Can't Make It On Your Own*

*Fairytale*

Life

T minus 2

Tanabata

Modernity

Stolen

Of sauce and sheets

O Canada

Adventurous

Photo Update

More SMRTs

Prévue

Sideways

SMRT

Laugh Your Twangers Off

Wow

Never A Dull Moment

Still Rolling

Mess

Beach Girls

Patience

Neither Rhyme Nor Reason

Life

Addicted

Smells like...

To the left...

Irreplaceable

My Favourites

LEAFS

Huh?

Spazz

Love

More Just Cause

Just Cause

Time

Because

Iced Bum

Music & Lyrics

Gotta Love...

Bird Flu - Part Deux

Bird Flu

First leg - check

I'm a Seal

HOT

Floored

100

We'll Miss You

He's Awesome

Bad Engrish

Chicken

Senility

Best

Dreaming?

Strange Day

Getting Married

Happy New Year!

Widgets

Lightning

Twas the night after Christmas...

Fun

In The Air

Tis The Season

Amazing

Sorry

A Lung and a Half

Still Sick

2 Boxes of Kleenex Later...

Inexcusable

Casino Royale

With Or Without U

Sometimes U Can't Make It On Your Own

Fairytale

Addiction

MuSiC

Didn't quite forget

KO-KO-AH Desu

WHY?

Ice Ice Baby

Where's Arabella?

Fantabulousness

Pack it in