Worst hair salon ever

The grand award goes to Kiseki Hair House. They claimed to have two branches, one at Tanjong Pagar and the other at Boon Keng. At my last visit, the shampoo girl said they have two more outlets under a different naming.

Update: BEWARE! They have renamed themselves as Rebornz Hair @ Work or similarly Rebornz Hair@Work! They also have new deals e.g. this.

Shop signage

The deal I regretted buying

I really regretted buying the deal from deal.com.sg (shown above) in June 2013, so much so that I haven't bought any of the services again from such sites. A past experience with a manicure deal also scarred me. In fact, I will rather pay more for a reputable place next time. It was S$8 for the hair cut. In fact, they advertised to have stylists from Hong Kong, but from my experience, they do speak Cantonese but they are all Malaysians! So let me describe my ordeal to you:

First cut in July 2013 @ Tanjong Pagar
I was served by a slightly plump lady named Catty. She was really good with the scissors and her mouth was exactly sharp like one. My hair was shampooed by another young girl whom seemed like a trainee. The whole cut took me 1.5 hours with the trainee and Catty taking turns to blow my hair. This already smelled of a disaster, two stylists trying to style my hair differently. But Catty took over and then she pressured me into buying a package. It was S$75 for another 5 sessions of hair cut after failing to sell me 10 or 20 sessions. She said there wouldn't be a deadline to use up those sessions but how would I know if they would close within the next month (it was worrying after the first session). And her face was black like coal after managing to convince me to get the 5 sessions. What bad customer service! I didn't know how but it just sounded so much like a guilt-trap and she was good at it. I never again saw her at any of my subsequent visits, so I really reckon she's either one of the bosses or she has left.
(Anyway, at S$15, I assure you can easily find a better haircut at other neighbourhood salon or an opening promotion in a BETTER salon in a mall.)

Second cut in August 2013 @ Boon Keng
So the dear Catty called and said Tanjong Pagar outlet had been really "busy" and recommended me to try my next session at Boon Keng outlet, boasting its bigger space and more number of stylists. In fact, I think the Boon Keng outlet was so new and the stylists were even "newer" that nobody really patronised the place. I booked for 3 sessions, bringing a friend and sister along. It also helped me to get rid of that package sooner before they "disappear" one day. Bad decision. In fact, I felt bad now for bringing others there. There wasn't any upselling but the staff barely knew what was going on. When I quoted the package I bought, they had no idea and had to phone the other outlet a couple of times to get things straight. Then I also didn't have to verify my identity! The stylists were all well-dressed in black blazers and pants, but their skills were mediocre. My sister was the first to get a cut. After a while, she was done and when I looked at her, I commented,"Did you have the cut? Why does it still look the same?!" It was then, the stylist began to rework on it and then we had a slightly more satisfactory result. Then she did mine, I told her exactly what I wanted, which was only a trim so it was easy. This lady stylist who did both mine and my sister's hair is not as "professional" as Catty, but she was friendly and eager to learn or please. She's slim, with long kinda dyed dark blonde hair (I can't remember her name but she was at Tanjong Pagar branch on my last visit). But for my friend, a bloke did her hair, as she had a shampoo before she came, she did without one. But the bloke barely touched her hair, she wanted to trim the dead ends and fringe but he must be a newbie, he didn't even feel brave enough to cut much for her. It was a complete disaster at Boon Keng and I swore never to come back to this outlet again.

Third cut in October 2013 @ Tanjong Pagar
So I came back again for yet another trim just a day before I attended a wedding. I tried to restore some faith in the Tanjong Pagar branch. None of the stylists I knew was around and so a pretty baby-faced guy named Eddy attended to me. I think this is one of the best things that happened throughout this ordeal! Eddy! IF YOU HAVE BEEN COAXED TO SIGN UP A PACKAGE HERE, ASK FOR EDDY AS YOUR STYLIST. I can assure you even though he's young, his personable character and genuineness is a rarity in this salon. He seemed new from the way he was shampooing my hair, he didn't use the tips of his fingers and he knocked me a couple of times with the hairdryer! Like I said, a trim was a trim, so it wasn't too difficult. He commented about my hair loss but didn't push me for any treatment (knowing that I'm unemployed). But besides that, he did a better job, I received a compliment on my hair right after the hair cut when I met my friend. He also tried to make conversations, well, I thought he was just trying to impress since that was the first time I met him. But when I came back again, he did remember me and what we last chatted! Eddy, thanks for the 'friendship'!

Fourth and last cut in December 2013 @ Tanjong Pagar
I came back again, after I got a call from them. They seem to like to call every month to make you visit so they can make you buy more sessions again. I saw the stylist from Boon Keng, but Catty was never there. I was asked to move seats twice, not impressed. Then a shampoo lady whom was totally clueless about her job was tasked to wash my hair for me. She is the WORST shampoo lady ever. She did not ask about the temperature of the water and washed my hair with cold water until I commented that it was too cold. Then the water became so hot that I had to ask her to adjust. Then it was back to cold water. I bet this is her FIRST HAIRDRESSING JOB and PROBABLY FIRST DAY OF WORK even though she tried to convince me she was sent from another branch. Kiseki Hair House, your new shampoo aunt sucked big time! So initially a FAT bloke was assigned to do my hair but last minute he decided to take an old auntie as his customer... what f*cking service! Fortunately at that moment, Eddy was done with his customer and he saw me. His face immediately lit up and asked if I remembered him, of course I did, and so I was happy to have him do my hair instead. Fortunately, he didn't knock my head much this time round. I asked him for a new cut, shoulder length this time and shorter fringe. I noticed Eddy can be easily distracted, he looked around during the cut a lot when he heard people coming in or moving around. But other than that, I can feel he's learning and doing a pretty decent job than the other stylists, best of all, he doesn't push you to buy add-ons. He's also sympathetic and encouraging at the same time (as he remembers my unemployment). I told him I would go back to him when I find work. Sorry Eddy, if you move to a new salon, I will keep my promise. Because I will never go back to Kiseki Hair House ever, it's the worst hair salon (I pity those old aunties whom are not savvy enough to read reviews). Eddy, I sincerely hope you will find a better place to groom you!

Redeemed

Just a few days before November ended, I went for the first facial in my life. It was a birthday treat at Spa Rael at an unbelievable promotional rate, thanks to NTUC Income. They appointed a PRC staff to attend to me and apparently she's the only chinese they claimed to employ, the rest being Malaysians. I have no particular preference, in fact, I thought she was good and very attentive to me so I was quite satisfied. I was also trying hard to perfect my Mandarin by making conversations with her. After the treatment, there was a post analysis chat where they tried to sell you a package; even though the staff told me she wouldn't be pushy but it sounded otherwise. Anyway, it is easy to refuse when you're jobless but you have to be firm on it! Don't make a mistake like I did with a hair salon - shall describe the horror stories in another post!

It was also end of November, I gave my dear feet a pampering foot mask. Sister gifted me this mask from Nature Republic. It worked wonders. I soaked them in the liquid in the pack for about an hour or so. You wouldn't see any effect immediately. But give it a week, you will notice the soles start peeling. It's like skin renewing... or a snake changing its skin! I got impatient and started to peel them myself! LOL. After a week, I reclaimed a pair of smooth clean feet minus the dead skin. It would be great to do this every quarter of the year.

I couldn't remember when I resumed swimming. It must be the time Joy came back to Singapore, almost 2.5 years back. No matter how hard I tried, swimming didn't help me lose weight. But it gave me a more toned physique. I also started to swim again after Joy left a year back... alone at the public pool. Slowly, I picked up the stamina. Then I found a buddy for a while, but now gone back to being alone at the public pool again. I also ventured to the lap pool whenever I felt courageous enough. At times, I would also go up to the sun deck after a swim to have a lay and read for a bit. I can't deduce whether it's swimming or both with the diet, now I have lost a couple of kilos (back to my ideal weight 5 years ago!) and also more tanned from those swimming. More importantly, I am very happy to be able to wear some of my favourite clothes again!

Just two weeks back, I went for a hair cut (my 4th one since July). I had been conned to sign a package, and thus this year I broke my own record of going to the hair salon for 4 times in 6 months. Anyway, to cut the story short for now, my hair is now shoulder length, it has been a while since it was this length. But I am ready to have it different. I also dyed them "Milk Caramelisee" color. I have started using these Beautylabo whipped hair color, this is the 3rd color I have tried and also the color best "absorbed" into my hair so far. I can really see the brown, especially under the lighting, it gets even lighter. I love the convenience of coloring your hair just like shampooing them! I wish they invent something for highlighting the hair which is just as easy!

So with a new hairstyle, hair color, new weight, new feet and also a revitalised face, I have redeemed myself. Not to mention, also credits to my friends, my mum and the little sister for all the love and encouragement... I found my renewed strength. This time, I am back stronger than before!

An experiment

So after a long time, I decided to master the courage to go to a party to mingle again. In the past, it was usually small house parties, usually friends of friend. And that was much easier. Also when you are from a same community like couchsurfing or dragonboating, it was not too difficult to just start a conversation with another member or teammate. But to arrive at a huge party alone, not knowing anyone... I have never done this. The recent years, I'd rather be spending my time being in my comfort zone... of course except times I ventured on solo trips. To a lot of my friends, they think so highly of me. They are thinking that I must be so sociable, brave and independent. And little did they know, I'm not borned like this! I have always been challenging myself, pushing myself out of my comfort zone because I know without them my life is just like any others. I don't aspire to be famous or rich but I want my life to be fulfilling and that I can only achieve by myself and not wait on God or the others.

So last night, I did this behavioural experiment. This party was said to have at least 600 attendees. I arrived alone, less nervous than I thought. I chatted up some unfriendly ladies but that didn't spoil my night. I knew there are bound to be people like them who only wanted to talk to the opposite sex. So I continued and made conversation with another lady. In turn, it led to many more conversations... men and women.. from one group to another... one person to the other, I spoke to at least 30 at the end of the night. That's 5% of the crowd (but I doubt there were 600!). I think this is a pretty successful experiment even though by now I can't recall half of their names. But I have met some really cool people, bumped into cousin of a friend and spoke to people of various nationalities. Awesome. I begin to feel this is only a beginning.

5 life lessons I've learned from swimming (1)

This post is inspired by 5 life lessons I've learned from running.

If you don't try, you will definitely drown.

And if you do, you have a chance of survival. Most of us in Singapore grow up with us taking compulsory swimming lessons in school. I guess that's a good survival skill. I passed the beginner course with ease, but failed my immediate due to another human fault. But that didn't hinder me from swimming. Immediate course was to master "frog-style" and now I already did, I even invented "doggy-style" where you swim with the head above the waters. That said, it leads to the second lesson (below).

Don't let a failure set you back from achieving your goal.

Sometimes you have to drown to conquer that fear you have.

Exactly. I almost drowned once, not in the pool but in the sea (in Thailand). I always had this phobia of not being able to touch the ground with my feet. But this is exactly it, I can never touch the bottom of the ground in some situations. I have to learn to accept or overcome it. Of course, I have never thought about using drowning to conquer that fear, it was a freak incident. After that, surprisingly it did not deter me from swimming. I continued to swim in the pool (though usually those I can have my feet on the ground). More recently, I found myself conquering a new territory - swimming in the lap pool! To me, that's an achievement.

Stamina comes with practicing.

Like everything else in life, you usually get better and better by practicing. When I went back to the pool after months or even a year of not swimming, the first few half-laps left me panting like a dog. I used to have swim dates with a friend,  it's a great motivation to have a sports buddy. But since she left for the States, I found my new friend (discipline). It's not as bad really. I have began to set myself a time frame to finish a certain number of laps. I began with 6 laps, then increased to 8, 10, 12 and occasionally 14 (all these in a few months)! 12 laps' pretty good for me since it's doubled of what I had started with.

Learn to enjoy it.

If you are passionate about something, you usually don't find it a chore. Doing it will help you relax. The best things about it - it keeps you active, clears your mind, relieves stress and also helps you to lose those extra kilos. In fact, I have shed a few and it does make me feel better about myself.

Failed contest

One of those contests you really shouldn't bother taking part... Look at the results, the same names appeared time and time again (wonder if they did an honest audit)! Same surname, are they a family? It's okay not being a lucky winner, but they should play it fair.

I wrote them a feedback, but they took a while to reply and tried to brush me off by sending me some plastic folders (which I have trashed!). Not supporting your products anymore!

Reboot

I feel like I'm starting all over again but that's okay as long as I'm paving the right path, the foundation needs to be laid. I caught a glimpse through the thick fog, only to realise I need to wait till it clears before I can see. Somehow, I noticed my motivation returning, slowly but surely. Thank you books, friends, family and strength... You kept me going!

There are improvements. From calls from job agencies, I am going for real interviews at companies and not fruitless ones at recruitment agencies.

Some things about a recent interview irked me. This arrogant interviewer with such aloof attitude never bothered to acknowledge my e-mail after requesting me to send something over. How unprofessional! The whole time during the interview, he didn't smile and his body language was already telling me he wasn't really interested. I guess you do really meet all kinds of people - some nice and some a** like this.

A bad day turned around

This morning, another email came in... It didn't make things better. An unfulfilled promise. Maybe it will or maybe it will not... Not sure if it matters anymore. The whole morning, nothing seemed to be able to lift my mood. Even when I did my nails as a therapy, they became a disaster.

A last minute cancellation eventually led to a more fruitful day for me. I went ahead with the haircut appointment at a dreadful place I had been avoiding. I arrived there with a sulk, expecting the worst service like the last couple of times. I didn't expect much from the young stylist but he was trying to make a conversation the whole time and so I reciprocated. His skill was mediocre, I got knocked a couple of times by the hairdryer. But his friendliness made my day better. He tried to sell but failed because I was just getting better at saying 'No'. After the 45 minutes haircut, I left with a satisfactory finish... At least I like those fringe. I walked back to the train station, retracing a familiar path. It didn't seem as scary as I thought, I wouldn't bump into him, at least not at that timing. In fact, I saw a few cute blokes and one came up and asked for directions. Like a lost bird myself, I tried to offer help by googling on the phone. So hey, it's actually so easy to talk to someone on the street!

On the way to the airport, I kept my eyes on Nick's book "Life without limits". It lifted my spirits up slightly. I got to the arrival hall, shortly before that plane from London landed. I sat there, kept reading while I people watched and impatiently scanned for one of my favourite people. I saw people hugging their kids, their spouse or friend... Those moments made me happy, I saw those anxious faces around, just like mine... waiting patiently for someone they loved. Happiness can be this simple - welcoming a loved one home. Then we had a simple meal where the company mattered more than a conversation or the food. So valuable.

You got mail

An email made my day the other day. But the one today didn't. I should have expected it but I didn't. I thought it would never come. Sometimes I hate being human. Why are emotions so complex? Can it be just happy and sad and nothing else? I wrote a very frank email the other day, I never fail to amaze myself with what I can express through words. I don't even know if they have touched someone or even made them cry. But I know I wrote it with all my heart and I hope the reader would feel it somehow. I hate goodbye emails because I am never good at saying them. But inevitably in this life, I have been made to say it countless times on many occasions. I think I am done, I just don't wish to say anymore goodbyes. Can I?

Twigging

Yesterday you sent me another angel to spur me. I know you are looking over me. You know I have fallen hard and struggling to stand up. Again and again, you threw me some twigs, some branches... And hopefully one strong enough to help me stand. I saw it. Thank you. I know you keep telling me the time isn't right, and I can only wait. I am waiting... I am training this patience because I know you won't disappoint me. You will lead me to that path.

Terrible thirty-two

Ahhh... Another year older. Not excited.

I'm not supposed to be negative and I haven't really been for quite a while but I'm so not looking forward to having a celebration this year. I am still so lost. This crisis is not as minor as I thought. Just like I wanted to rush myself to get over those bad feelings, I wanted to do the same for this. But in actual fact, it doesn't help. It would only make me more confused. So I am taking time but at the same time I can't help feeling frustrated. To make it worse, I sent an email few days back to 'chase' someone out of my life, not really, but I didn't need another person to complicate my life further right now. I'm probably going to feel this is the worst birthday in my life... And I hope this also welcomes a fresh beginning for me.

*fingers crossed*

Facing fear

I found the best way to conquer the fear is to face it. Sometimes we used distraction, avoidance or simply try to shelve them in our shadows. But the only way is probably a head-on collision with your fear.

I first experimented it with the negative feelings. Hurt, grief and anger. I allowed them to overwhelm me. I realised the first couple of weeks of avoiding only made things worse, they could roll into a huge explosive. As I let them in, they showed me how strong I actually am. They made me see that fear is only a restriction and obstacle I set upon myself. I faced them, I constantly reminded myself by revisiting the memories. It hurt lesser than I thought and sped up the grieving process.

My second experiment was swimming in the lap pool. I had a drowning incident once in Krabi, also a failed swimming test in this same pool. I almost never allowed myself to swim in a pool my feet wouldn't touch the ground. I have contemplated this experiment but never had the courage to act upon it till Tuesday. The other pool was packed and so I got into the lap pool. My plan was to swim along the shallow edges but realised in this pool, we had to do laps. Then I had fears. Fear that I would not have the energy to get to the other end; fear that half way there I would be panicking; fear that I might have a cramp and start sinking. Many negative scenarios. Then I thought about those laps I did on the 1.2m pool all the time, I managed laps with ease. So I told myself not to think about the 1.8m depth, I assured myself I wouldn't be stopping halfway thus I wouldn't even need to feel the ground. Off I went and I managed 4 laps, of course wasting a lot more energy fearing than the actual physical activity! But I did it. I faced it and I know I can do it again.

Life always brings us challenges and sometimes the best way to tackle it is to take up the challenge. You don't have to win, you just have to do your best.


Added on 8 Nov 13: I have just been reading up on CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) and realised this tactic is actually a behavourial experiment used to tackle NATs (Negative Automatic Thoughts).

Wake me up when September ends...

Indeed it has ended. I am feeling what I dreaded I wouldn't be feeling few months ago. Those moments of despair are over. I am overwhelmed with a whole set of other feelings; like I described in my earlier posts, I have a crisis on hand. Only I can walk myself out of it, only I can figure it out ultimately. But I thank all the kind souls in my life and those coming in to help me in a way or another... Rest assured I will be continuing this battle and fighting till the very end.

Sentimental

If being sentimental is a weakness, I am definitely weak. If to confess missing someone is to lose, I have also lost many times. But those judgements do not matter anymore, no one can change me. I am the only creation on this earth that allows myself to truly feel what I feel, to express what I want. Appropriate or not - this is forever subjective.

Be a foodie in London

I came across this and just thought I should bookmark it here before I lose it in due time. Time to explore new places next year!

• Greenwich Market
• Real Food Market
• Brixton Market
• Broadway Market
• Whitecross Street Market

To move on, claim your baggage first!

How true!

A very good article on moving on after a loss.

Are you there yet?

"If you are in a relationship and you are not feeling safe, then it cannot be the relationship that is going to take you into the true experience of love. You will feel pain and hope for love and that, my friends, is not love. Love is high level, interesting, and it can only grow in intensity as you grow as individual people."

- quoted from Eharmony (Guest Contributor, Dr. Sherrie Campbell)

I believe you will walk by me

I don't know what's the significance in these numbers, 19 and 20. On 19, you usually gave me heartbreaking news, joy or tears. On the 20, you gave me hope amidst the chaos. I thank you for not letting me walk alone, I thank you for not forsaking me, I thank you once again for that mighty strength I carry all these time.

2 months ago, when the ceiling of my world collapsed, you sent me a long lost friend to tell me there are indeed better people out there. You, through him, made me understand there are people who will still stand by me when I fall... You showed me the test you can put through real friendship. I heard you in his voice.

13 hours ago, you sent another angel my way. Not a long lost friend but a friend whom we haven't spoken for a while. Again, you let me know I'm never alone. You sent someone who understand exactly how I feel because he has been through it and is a living proof. You sent me that moral support and encouragement through the words of this man.

You made my life worth living.

Midlife crisis has taken a bullet train

Today I finally stepped into the public pool again. I wanted to a month ago, then I fell sick. The last two weeks were far too rainy as well. It has been a good few months since I went to that pool. I had been using a few substitutes (friends' condo pools) but I guess it's time to go back to this again. As I walked there today, I noticed changes. They have pulled down the old Tampines sports complex, now it's an empty slot (guess they are rebuilding it) but it just looks odd. Like a piece missing from the jigsaw puzzle. I have never seen it so empty. I also realised despite a month of not swimming, I still have my good discipline (to finish XX laps within 30 minutes). I just wish it is that easy to apply this to anything else in life.

I have been hiding in my little cave for a while, occasionally poking my head out of the darkness to peep into the world. I'm not sure if I should thank technology, because without it, I wouldn't be able to be still talking to friends despite hiding in my cave. I still haven't found the path I want to take. I feel like I'm having a midlife crisis, I was just "talking" to a friend whom seems to be feeling the same as well. Well, these days, midlife crisis does come early (way much earlier). Perhaps I should google for the remedy on that tomorrow!

When is the time...

Last week was school holiday for kids in Singapore, and I felt like I was on one. It was a super unmotivating week for me. I did finish my travel stories nevertheless. I did complete my errands (phew). But for job search, there wasn't much going on. I lost my focus. I didn't know what I wanted anymore, temporary assignment or a real job? I was so tempted to take the first option but I knew that just wasn't my goal. I even lost that passion for reading which I had earlier. But I had been inspired by Nick Vujicic's videos. I'm not Christian but I do believe in a God and that it's universal. I also believe luck and timing play a huge role in everyone's life. We create our chances, yes, but without the right timing (i.e. luck), how could things happen? So God... tell me, give me a sign, let me know... please.

It's all because of you

It's all because of you,
life has never felt more beautiful...
The day you walked out of my life,
that pain and agony never felt more real.

It's all because of you,
I started a more fulfilling life...
Those sufferings made me more alive,
like I had awakened and been given a second chance.
                                              
If I have another choice,
I believe I'll choose not to meet you...
But thankfully we did and because of you,
my life is new and even better without you.
      
When we met you were leading me nowhere,
false dreams and fake hope you gave me.
I thought you were different and special,
but I was once blinded and so wrong.

It's all because of you,
I have to say thank you.
You showed me what was imperfect,
so I know when the right one comes.

Reinciting

It's 1.24am. The sky was sounding bolts of thunder few minutes ago, I thought it would rain. It still hasn't. But I hear the echoes. It will.

I just finished a Skype conversation with my best mate in London. It's always so comforting. We have been through a lot together and it would seem we will be sticking together for a long time. Distance is nothing for us. I hope the love I find will be this perfect.

I watched a few videos of Nick Vujicic just before my lappy called it a night. The man behind "Life Without Limbs". I almost cried watching them. What are the few setbacks we encountered compared to his? I watched him tell that story of him and his wife and suddenly I asked myself, have I been looking for the wrong things? Perhaps I was. But definitely after Japan, I had in mind all the right things. The values and the things I wanted from this person I wanted to meet (nothing material or physical I was asking for)... and now I realised I forgot something, I have forgotten to focus how I wanted this person to make me feel and how his values should somehow match mine. I have overlooked. Thanks Kanae for reminding me!

Inspirational true love

❤ ♡ ❤ ღ The Incredible Love Story of Nick Vujicic and His Wife

Soul talk

Trying to achieve too much today. I should learn from @Android, have a @KITKAT.
— Trixi (@potatoepoppypap) September 9, 2013

Finally, I have checked off the last two items on my "To Do" list. All of a sudden, I had a vision of things I could do and I just wanted to do them all. But I couldn't. I should be happy despite the bugging blocked nose, I still managed a productive day. Yet I wanted more. I wished I have done more.  

"Chill. I should strategize. Instead of hitting right on the nail, I should be looking for the right hammer." - My inner soul is telling me.

"I thought I have gotten rid of you - impatience. Why are you still lurking around??? Don't pester me, stop pulling my pants..." - My inner soul tries to fight off a distraction.

"Leave it for tomorrow. There's still time. I need sleep to re-energize. Let's buck up tomorrow. Beauty sleep should never be sacrificed." - My inner soul is tired.

Melaka makan trip IV

I had been dying to satisfy those mille crepe craving in Malacca for the longest time. Initially, I wanted to go on a solo trip in May but somehow it got delayed till July when a friend proposed to join. So it happened, a first trip with Deborah, an ex-colleague.

We managed to sort out the logistics namely the accommodation and coach, one week before my Bali trip. It was 2 trips in a month - almost never happened before. It was a 3D2N trip meant for a lot of eating and chilling; the past 3 times I was there, it was only one night each and it was hard trying to stuff everything you wanted to eat. Anyhow, 3 days before the trip, something ruinous happened... What a timing - was it meant as an escape or retreat for me?

I still went on the trip, trying to be as unaffected as possible. Surprisingly, I managed it and amazed myself with the amount of strength within me. Happy food, a companion and being in a foreign city never fail to restore hope and cheerfulness in me. Sometimes I am glad such simple things manage to make me forget, even for a brief moment.

It was a Sunday (21/07/13) and the coach was about half full. (The last trip on 5 stars coach before they closed down!) As usual, we arrived at around 1pm. There was still a bit of haze going on in Melaka. We found our way to Wayfarer easily, a guesthouse we had booked. It wasn't by any chance the cheapest but it was a comfortable stay in a family run hotel. My review can be read here. If you're fuss-free and on a budget, it's possible to arrive and just check into a hostel, there are plenty around Jonker street for a very basic bed and shared facilities, you can easily survive for a week on what we paid for a night.

As it was my fourth visit and Deborah as well, we didn't intend to do much sightseeing. But we did on the Tuesday morning before we departed for Singapore after we accomplished all our food missions! That Sunday we arrived, there was the weekend market going on... That was my favourite activity on every trip to join in the festivities.

So on the first day, we conquered a few food places... The first one was satay across from our guesthouse, it seemed really popular as everyone sat down were having them. They had some special ones like pork (don't get them in SG for halal reason), chicken liver and intestines. Then it was A&W for root beer and curly fries! Then we returned to Jonker street for Jonker 88's cendol and yummy mango juice. When night fell and stalls opened up, we ate more stuff! We had the dim sum off a stall, a poorly fried oyster omelette and I had the usual kiwi smoothie and a stick of  sour china pears. I also bought a coral necklace made by a man in dreadlocks, how cool! To end the night, we chilled with a few drinks, one at the Geographer Cafe (not as good as it used to be) and then Port cafe/lounge, a new find by the riverside, not far away from where we stayed.

The following day, it was also a few places on our agenda. I took Deb to try that famous chicken rice (overpriced by the locals' standard), then we went to the malls for Nadeje's mille crepes. It was my second time there, I felt I enjoyed them more the first time round, probably better to share a few flavours with more people. We did some shopping (2 pairs of shoes for me, yay, mission accomplished) before we returned to Jonker 88 for baba laksa! I got myself a replacement hat that morning for the one I lost in Phuket as I bought the previous one here.

That evening, we went to a new cafe we chanced upon on the first day we arrived named Calanthe Art Cafe. It boosts 13 kinds of coffee from different states of Malaysia. So I just had to have a coffee even though I am not a big fan! Great ambience and incredibly packed and it was a Monday night! Afterwhich, we settled at Port cafe/lounge again, because it was so close to where we stayed and unbelievably relaxing by the river. There were more mosquitoes that night and I was reluctant to let the night and the trip end so quickly!

The following morning, we had decided to have breakfast at Voyage Travellers' Lounge, another super funky cafe. Food was good and very reasonably priced. I suddenly wished I had a week there in Melaka. We went to explore the sites before coming back for lunch at a Teochew restaurant recommended by the lady boss at Wayfarer. Teo Soon Loong, it's called. Overall, I enjoyed the food, the old man was exceptionally friendly (though we could tell he was trying to promote his mangoes). I felt the younger lad was more genuine though. We managed to tried their famous dishes - oyster noodle and orh nee (yam paste). The prices could be a bit steep but we told them about our budget beforehand and so everything was sorted when we ordered. It also seemed to be always full and filled with tourists especially Singaporeans, so call for a reservation. They open only at meal times and are closed on Monday. Check more details on Tripadvisor.

So that was the end of the foodie trip! Quite successful I would say as we conquered a few more new places! More to be discovered the next time...

Lost in the forest

Procrastination is a sin, yet I always have a valid reason for it. Popped 3 pills the last days, my blocked nose doesn't seem to be getting better. I am getting lost and seemingly finding my way back again. For a moment, I lost that focus, I wandered and wondered. I am still wondering. I read a fair bit the last weeks... it has always been inspiring. I also wrote a lot more than I did in the last year. For another moment, I am scared. Scared of things that will come eventually in life, death... not of myself though. For another moment, I miss some people I lost. Some good, some bad... that doesn't seem to matter anymore. Life's not always rosy, isn't it? I'm slowly uncluttering my life, sorting things out very systematically... hopefully most will be sorted this week. And more hopefully I want to recover for a swim and a self-deserved hi-tea... and be energetic enough to go for interviews and get back to a routine for a while.

A weakened beast

I can't believe it... I'm falling sick again. Got caught in the rain and feeling rubbish since, I tried popping a pill and doing Vitamin C but somehow I felt the cold coming, slowly and surely. Now at 530am, I'm awake with a headache... The rain seems to have stopped after continously raining for hours. Come on, give me the strength... give me my mojo back!

Digitally overwhelmed

Looking at the online job ads today totally drove me nuts... There are so much information out there. How I miss those days you could only look at the Recruit section in the papers! Sometimes when a job lists so many specifications, but it sometimes just boils down to one thing. Sales? Strategy? Execution? Either that or it's actually what it is as specified, "cover the mountain and cover the sea". I wish there's an easier way to find a job, also for finding a date. Why don't Google invent automatic matching search? LOL. Match us. No need for agencies. Sometimes some people just want to work for big companies, they apply the job for the sake of the company name, e.g. Google, Yahoo... So they just click "Apply" for anything. Maybe I would but now I won't, somehow I have something more focused in mind. I also have a more specific idea what kind of environment suits me better. The more I look, the more I know what I don't want. But that's not the thing, I need to know what I want exactly. Coming soon...

Picking up

A pat on my back. I finally finished writing the stories of my Japan trip. I hope my memory pillow works and I didn't forget any eventful incident. One more travel story to write, then my checklist will be all checked.

Time to get down to running a few other errands I have been putting off. It's about time to get myself a new mobile number, I have a love-hate relationship with that. I'm done being tied to M1, their service has been deteriorating as time goes by. I don't mind a new number but I hate the hassles that come with it. Change, how I like you and dislike you at the same time.

I have been looking on and off for work for a few weeks, in between detered from it by a bout of illness. It is about time to start looking seriously at it again. Like how I always look at it, it is about timing and luck too. I'm keeping my fingers crossed things will happen shortly!

Memoirs of Nippon (9)

Rinku Town is a dangerous place, let me correct it, dangerous for the wallet! The Rinku Premium Outlet has 210 stores, you simply won't be able to see them in a day!!! This little gem is right across the Kansai airport, and to take advantage of the shopping before I headed home, I was staying at the Star Gate Hotel right besides it! They do free airport shuttle in the morning, so "delivery" of my shopping loots home yea!

In fact, Rinku Town is very pretty. Look at the picture on the left. That was taken near the bridge linked to the outlet malls, so in the picture is part of Rinku Pleasure Town Seacle and behind that is my hotel. Rinku Pleasure Town Seacle is a mall itself, I only went to a few shops as I didn't have time. Some very cool, especially one selling handmade stuff from India, another selling San-X products (Sentimental Circus)... Love them!  There are two sides of the premium outlet, one on each side of the road! In the next picture (below), I'm showing you one of the sides.

Before arriving, I had spent hours looking up on the list of stores and because there are 210... and I barely had half a day, so I shortlisted about 30-40 I wanted to see. I picked mostly Japanese brands as the American ones I had seen them back in Las Vegas outlet and probably they wouldn't be as cheap as America. So that was a lot of quality shopping for me, I found a few good buys. It was almost like a marathon, I kept having to time myself at each shop, just to make sure I had enough time to see the next one. Hahaha. Shopping can be really stressful too. I managed to sneak in a meal time at Bagel & Bagel and it was the most delicious one ever. I had the cheese bagel, with some kind of smoked ham (I can't read Japanese so I didn't know what that was called).

I finally called it a day at 740pm. They closed at 8pm! I got 2 bags from Beam, a Marc Jacobs pouch, a watch, a dress, a top and some miscellaneous items. That already costed me a few hundreds (S$).

The ferris wheel had lit up in the dark sky. Then I rushed off to find a convenience store which was open till late to get some snacks and things my cousin had requested me to buy home. I walked back hungry but with a satisfied smile on my face. It was my last night in Japan, I couldn't help but felt a tinge of sadness.

As I arrived earlier than the check-in time, my luggage was brought up to an assigned room for me. I was on the 39th floor, a corner room. I didn't know why but I felt uneasy in the room and I was whatsapping my friends on how freaky it was! LOL. After calming my nerves, I had a quick shower and went to bed. When it was daylight, I felt safer and spent the whole morning packing all the loots. It was drizzling that morning, Japan must have felt sad for me to leave too! I almost missed the time for my shuttle as I was packing down to the very last 5 minutes before the shuttle. HA! Then I ran down, check-out was a breeze and then the bus was there just in time.

Of course I came back with an additional carry-on luggage! Malaysia Airlines gave me 30kg allowance anyway, so I was pretty sure I hadn't exceeded. The queues at both the check-in and departure gate were madness, please please do online check-in next time (a reminder to self)!!! I did some more last minute souvenir shopping at the airport, and now I wish I had bought more green tea dango!

On the flight back, the service was much better than on the way there. I supposed it was the stewards and stewardesses too. I was watching "The Impossible", about the tsunami in Phuket some years back. At the same time, there was a bad turbulence going on, I felt so sick that I threw up! First time ever I used that air sickness bag in front of the seat!! I had to pause the movie to go to sleep before watching it again! I sat besides a guy from Hiroshima whose on his way to Kuala Lumpur for business, he was very humble and polite and we had a short conversation.

I had a short transit in Kuala Lumpur and now I know why Changi Airport is the best. It was so warm there, almost like they did not turn on the air-con! Worst of all, it was so BORING there, so I bought myself tea and muffin (worst muffin ever) at the Harrods Cafe. After which, I sat at the boarding gate, wishing I could fly home sooner!

Drizzle welcomed me home again. That marked the end of my first Japan trip but I knew I will be going back again. Missing all the people I met and food I had... Even at this moment I'm writing, it still brings back lots of good memories!

Memoirs of Nippon (8)

So finally I was back in the big city. Osaka. First thing I wanted was the green tea McFlurry. It was about time my shopping urges went out of control... HAHAHA. Actually it wasn't not too bad, I bought a top, eyed one bag (didn't buy but eventually did). Walking along the infamous shopping lane from Namba to Shinsaibashi (where my hostel was), the crowd was insane on a Sunday! I hated it, got out and back to the hostel to have a shower and chill before meeting Anson's friend for dinner.

Chinatsu, that's her name. I had never seen a photo of her, so that was the only thing I knew about her. We arranged on email to meet for a dinner, and coincidentally she worked at Daimara, just across from my hostel. After some hiccups with me approaching another stranger, we finally met up at the Apple store entrance. I told her I really wanted to do yakitori (after that incident in Kyoto), so she took me to a place (no English was spoken), it was more of a BBQ kind of yakitori. The food was really good and reasonably priced too. Chinatsu spoke some English, and in fact I didn't know she was at least 10 years older than me! OMG. She did not look anything like it!!! We had a good conversation as if we knew each other, not awkward but perhaps due to her limited English vocabulary, it was harder to have a deeper conversation. I really appreciated her taking the time out to meet me, even though I was only a friend of her friend. Then we exchanged a goodbye hug and with that our night ended.

The following day, I bought myself a subway pass (it's 200 yen cheaper on weekend I was told) as I had plans running all over that day. I imagined it would be as bad as all the walking in Kyoto but at least I would not be running to temples but maybe malls!

I had an arrangement with my hostel for a free guided tour at Osaka Castle that morning and I was the only one who signed up. The volunteered guide would still run the service as long as someone signed up, I felt a bit bad, and so I got ready another pack of oreo cookies to thank him.

Mitchy was my guide. A retired Japanese guy, bespectacled, thin and small frame, he spoke very good English. He was explaining to me the history and the way the castle was built, he even asked me about things in Singapore in comparison to Japan. We skipped entering the castle which was a museum as there was a photography exhibition going on and Mitchy said on other days I could have seen treasures/artefacts on display. The tour took about an hour and then we walked by the peach garden besides the castle, where he told me the peach blossom was a month earlier than the cherry blossom and was just as beautiful. Then he took me to a building where we lunched at the staff canteen. It was on the 21st storey and had a really fantastic view of the city! I had my lunch for only 500 yen, inclusive of a soup, drink, appetizer and a main course. Wow.

After lunch, we said goodbye and I went back to a mall we came through for some shopping! Then I went to Tennoji on the subway, this place Mitchy said was full of homeless but harmless people. When I got there, plenty of old people were sitting around, the pigeons were plenty too. There wasn't much to see (except the zoo but I had no time for it), so I hopped on the subway again to go back to Namba to get that bag I had been eyeing on.

But before that, it was time for tea and cake again. I just had to go to Muji Cafe. I saw an ad on a magazine in Koyasan guesthouse and the Japanese girls gave me the directions (as she frequents the cafe too). Again, I tried to ask the staff for some recommendation (thanks phrasebook) and happily settled with a ginger chocolate cake with ice earl grey tea.

After much effort, I finally found the bag shop, I had a hard time deciding which color to get (due to my fickle-mindedness again!!!). After a while and trying to communicate to the salesgirl in broken Japanese (using my phrasebook), I finally bought it. Then I rushed over to Shinsaibashi to get to Daimaru to get the Doraemon and Dorami desserts. The desserts came in super cute cups resembling the cartoon characters and I just had to get them. I saw them a day earlier and there was no more Doraemon, I was pretty sure they would replenish again and they did!

Then I returned to the shopping alley at Shinsaibashi to finish up my last minute shopping and got carried away. I almost forgot I was meeting Ayaka who was there for work for dinner. I rushed back to the station after wandering too far, took another subway to Osaka Station (Umeda) to meet Ayaka at her hotel. I lost my way again because I had no map of Osaka!!!

I was a little late but fortunately she was still there with a colleague. So we invited her along for dinner. My friend, Jean, recommended me this place, though she hasn't been herself. I had given the address of the little eatery to Ayaka earlier and she had planned how we could walk there. There wasn't an English signage for the place but on Facebook it has a page named Koyoshi Sushi Osaka. It was a very small sushi bar ran by a very cute Japanese old couple. The place has barely 10 seats, maybe 6 to 8?

The sushi were very fresh and needed no seasoning at all. The best I ever had. There also wasn't any menu. The moment we sat down, the old man decided for us what we would be eating. I was very glad I came with two Japanese friends as they did not seem to speak any English. I wouldn't even be able to communicate if I was alone. I couldn't remember how many I had, 6 or 7... and I was stuffed. The girls did one more than me! Also when the bill came, there wasn't a proper price tagged to the sushi, he quoted an equal price per head for us. It was reasonable (well I heard it was much more pricier from others).

After dinner, Ayaka and me retreated to her room for our usual girls' gossip and to tuck into those cute little desserts of mine. She offered me to stay for the night but I had to pack and leave for Rinku Town early the following day, so it didn't really work. What a shame! But I was really glad we got to meet up in Japan (her home country) and hopefully we will again somewhere else.

I bought a few things already in Osaka but I could foresee more the next day when I would be going to the premium outlet. Oh dear! It was tough packing that night but I managed to stuff everything in.

Accommodation in Osaka

I didn't linger around as much in the hostel as I would have like. It was a shame too as the staff seemed really nice and they had so many activities going on. That day I was going away, they were doing their weekly Takoyaki party!!! The hostel is called Osaka Hana Hostel, it felt really safe and big too. Imagine a hostel with elevator!!! So easy for big luggage, except that you got to carry it up a flight of stairs first to get to the entrance. I was in the mixed dorm, but wasn't around much to meet other people. I chatted briefly with an Indonesian girl who was travelling alone and another black guy from London from my room. The toilets (automatic!!) and bathrooms were situated outside, shared with a few other rooms but there was rarely a queue. There were also hair dryers at the basin area, how thoughtful! Laundry can be done at certain floors too. On my bedside, there was a wooden box you can lock your stuff in with your own padlock (or borrow one), and a lamp for reading. In general, I think the hostels in Japan have a very high standard of comfort and privacy. The only country I had bed with curtain!

Memoirs of Nippon (7)

The following morning, I bid a sad goodbye to the deers in the park. I shared my journey back to Osaka with an obasan, I met her in the hostel during breakfast and it appeared we could take the same train while she was heading to Kobe. She spoke very good English for a Japanese, and surprisingly she was the only one in the family who could. She was awed by my travel journal (LOL) and encouraged me to travel more while I can :)

I was heading to Koyasan that day, but I needed to drop my bags in my hostel in Osaka instead of lugging them up the mountain. Fortunately, I did! A first glimpse of Osaka revealed lots of shopping opportunities. Before jumping into the train, again I randomly walked into a restaurant as I had a craving for Katsu-karē. Oh so yummy! It seemed like I was the only tourist in there snapping picture of my food!

I bought the Koyasan-World Heritage Ticket from Namba station, and the whole journey took about 2 hours to get there, train and cable car. And so it happened that I actually forgot to check how to get to my hostel up in Koyasan (great)... I was quite lucky I met a Japanese-Caucasian couple along the way who kindly asked for directions in Japanese for me. So I guess shit does happen, just deal with it along the way.

It was drizzling when I alighted from the bus. The air up the mountain was also much colder. I finally made it to Koyasan guest house Kokuu, a very cool guest house with modern capsule-alike rooms. Here's a photo of my room (on the left). I remembered Laurent would be here too but it was pretty empty when I checked in. It was drizzling but I still went out to the nearby Okunoin for a walk. It's said to be the largest graveyard in Japan and the most sacred site in Koyasan. Amidst the rain, there still was an air of holiness and serenity.

When I came back from the walk, a few more people checked in. Laurent happened to be in the capsule right opposite me. Then Ryochi (owner of Kokuu) told us about this guided Okunoin night walk which was happening that evening. Lucky lucky us as it was a monthly affair and we were there at the right time. So five of us decided to go for it even though it was still raining!!! Each of us would hold a battery operated lantern and follow the guide who explained in Japanese. It wasn't as cold as I thought, I guess my tolerance for cold is really high!

We abandoned the guided tour at some point because there was a shortcut back to our guesthouse, but only 3 of us came back together. The other two somehow got lost. We were starving by then, but Ryochi was cooking us curries. He surely had a lot of "business", because all of us were so hungry!! Laurent and I had the butter chicken curries, and surprisingly it was too spicy for an Asian like me! For a French, he didn't even complain about the spiciness! Jack, a guy from Seattle, ordered his curry twice! Ryochi sure cooks well, I love it despite having to steal some beer from Laurent to ease the spiciness. That night, I played Othello with the Japanese girls and won, it was a friendly match so no biggie. Laurent and Jack apparently never heard of the game before. Jack had a very weird craving that night, he wanted oreo cookies... Amazingly, yes I had them!!! So funny. I passed it on to him which he initially refused but he caved in.

We spoke about going for the early morning prayers the following day but most of them backed out after having been on the night tour. So it was just the Japanese girls and me. It was about 530am, we woke up and got ready. The weather was freezing, even more so than the night before! I followed the girls and we arrived at Gobyo (Kobo Daishi’s Shrine) for an hour of prayers. It was surreal. A nap followed by a warm freshly made breakfast thereafter made the start of the day even better.

After breakfast, many of us were going on our separate ways. My main goal in Koyasan was to see Okunoin, so everything else didn't seem to matter much. I decided to tag along someone who would be on the same path with me (maybe same train back down to Osaka), it happened to be Laurent. He wanted to check out Daimon at the other end of Koyasan, so I followed him. Along the way, we saw a few magnificent temples (I didn't know all the names) including Daito and Kondo. We got to Daimon and there were a few trails to take but we didn't as we wanted to catch the bus back down soon.

So we went back to the bus-stop, it happened that a mini flea market was happening right around there. So we popped by and got served complimentary dessert with green tea. How nice! I was having a browse, then a guy told me I could have a mini card laminated with a four-leaf clover in it. Ahhhh, my lucky charm! Laurent was happy with a pack of "rice" he got which was said to be blessed by the monks.

We took the bus, cable car and then waited for a train together and wasted the time comparing silly notes between his French Lonely Planet's phrase book and mine. It was time for me to head back to Osaka while Laurent traveled to west Japan. It was fun to have travel companions for the past two days!

Memoirs of Nippon (6)

Before I left that morning, Ron said he was making plan to see Nara too, so we made plan to meet the following day to go about together. I left him a pack of my Oreo cookies, and it was the start of my Oreo cookies distribution (ahaha)... I realised I had made a habit of giving away my food.

I missed Mister Donut so I went back for breakfast before I took the train. However I didn't make a great choice, that sugar glazed one is still the best! The train to Nara took about 50 minutes, fortunately the hostel was a short walk away. I didn't manage to spot it till a resident nearby told me about it!

Nara Backpackers - a very old house, charming and very cosy. I had a very tough time making my booking as they didn't reply email, answer calls or reply on skype! But I got a friend in Japan to ring them up and managed to get a reply to my email! However, I won't recommend for old people with weak knees as the stairs to the second floor will be quite a daunting task. Again, I arrived early and couldn't check in. So I had to leave my bags and come back later. When I left for a walk in the city, a French backpacker, Lucas was leaving too, so I walked him out and we had a brief conversation. Before we parted ways, he handed me a "namecard" which has his Facebook email. LOL. The latest way of keeping in touch.

So I had a couple of hours to myself. I began a little exploration starting from the train station. I chanced upon many cool cafes, and I was already falling for this little city. I read about recommendation on renting a bicycle to sightsee but I wasn't really keen. I just wanted to take things easy. There were small alleys everywhere and in some corners were some really unique shops and cafes. It was hard not to shop here, and I started my little spree in Daiso, buying quite a few things.

I went to a few temples, one of which I randomly chanced upon and was tourist-free and had beautiful tulips! I also found the temple for love (read it from a guidebook) named Goryo Shrin, I looked and imitated a Japanese woman who was asking for blessing. It wasn't long before my stomach was growling and I settled in a cafe where many old Japanese women were having parfaits and me, a sandwich and homemade ice cream (after a bit of duck and chicken trying to communicate)! Oh, I looked on, amazed at how these old women were enjoying their parfaits... it really made me yearn for one too. I promised myself one! After the meal, I decided to go to the park (as I saw deers earlier on walking with Lucas to the train station) but it was empty!!

Back in the hostel, I was so relieved I could finally rest, get a shower and have my laundry cleaned. I was in the mixed dormitory, a female staff was also staying in the same room with a few other guys. One leaving, a few just arrived. I decided not to head out that night, since I had a late lunch and I would make do with some biscuits and tea before bedtime. I started talking to Laurent, a French, and it happened we would be going to Koyasan on the same day. He told me he hadn't found a place to stay, and was considering the temple stay, and so I told him about the hostel I would be at. After looking at it online, he booked it. That night, I just read up and chatted with one of the staff on some cafes which I could go to the following day. I was glad I did! It was freezing that night, I couldn't recall how many layers I wore to bed, there wasn't any air-con or heater and the wind was just knocking furiously on my window.

The next morning, I woke up early to make it to the Nara Park just to see the deers! I was thrilled, like a little kid... Immediately, I bought food from a seller to feed them. But within a few minutes, these two greedy animals finished them all.

I went further in the park to explore and saw Kōfuku-ji temple, there again I bumped into Laurent who was leaving that day. Around the temple vicinity, there were also many deers! I bought another pack of biscuits (deer food) and made sure I kept them in my pocket!!! If they can't see it and since they can't smell it too, I am safe!

I left and went on a mission to look for a bakery for breakfast. After walking for 15 minutes or so, I finally found it. Luckily I could sit in there and eat as it was crazily windy outside, the owner even served me a glass of water! Touched! Then I had to find my way back to meet Ron at the train station, he was 30 minutes late and I almost thought he wasn't coming.

Ron could speak basic Japanese so it really helped! I brought him to this place for lunch, recommended by the hostel staff for authentic Japanese food. We ordered a 2 dishes set meal to share (luckily they were kind enough to allow it), when it came, there were like 5 items. After that, I told him that we had to have tea and cake, maybe even a parfait. I hope I didn't scare him hahah! But first, we had to burn the calories... I took him back to see the deers and got him to feed them. I already felt like I belonged to this place ;)

Our first stop was Kasuga Taisha, at the very east of Nara Park. It was a very relaxing walk through the park and we got to see and feed many deers along the way. Some aggressive, some really shy. We only visited the outer area of the temple which was free. There was also a shrine nearby for love and marriage. I love the setting of shrines in the forest, it made it feel exceptionally sacred and peaceful. Also, not as touristic as Kyoto, it made visiting a lot more enjoyable and stress-free.

 "Kasuga Taisha is famous for its lanterns, which have been donated by worshipers. Hundreds of bronze lanterns can be found hanging from the buildings, while as many stone lanterns line its approaches. The lanterns are lit twice a year on the occasion of the Lantern Festivals in early February and mid August" - excerpt quoted from Japan-guide. 

Our next stop was Todaji temple, Ron was insistent on seeing that huge Buddha statue. On the way there, we found Nigatsu-do Hall (shown on the right), which was free to public and best of all, got the best view of Nara city! Todaji temple must be the most touristy attraction in Nara, it was packed. We paid 500 yen for admission, it was a quick visit, maybe 30 minutes. The 15m bronze Buddha is the main attraction in its main hall named Daibutsuden (Big Buddha Hall). You can also pay for a combined ticket to see the museum besides it (built in 2011).

Then it's time for cake (needless to say!). I shortlisted a few cafes and we just decided on one which we found on the 2nd storey, not far away from where we had our lunch. We shared the chocolate cake (which looked like molten chocolate cake but it wasn't) that came with a scoop of vanilla ice cream topped with berries. My earl grey tea came in a pot and nicely covered to be kept warm. It was heavenly, not sure was it the combination, the ambience, or everything in this little quaint cafe that made it so perfect. We both had the speechless grins on our face, so wide and so satisfied.

After tea and cake, I was still reluctant to give up on having a parfait (look, I promised myself)! Ron gave in, he was tempted when I showed him those pictures on the menu. Hahaha. So we settled in the Matcha Cafe and had the most authentic one representing Nara, it had a deer biscuit standing on top of it. Marvellous!

I'm sure Ron had a memorable time stuffing himself with me in Nara (Ooopss!). Anyway, it was about time for him to head back to Osaka, so we parted our ways. I carried on walking around and found myself some Japanese two-toed socks and Vitamin C drinks; also I bought some remedy for muscle ache and pimples earlier that day. There wasn't much nightlife in a small city like this, so I retired back into my bed after a nice shower and more packing.

Time to move on the following day... I was really glad I did two nights in Nara where most would deem excessive but it was just the kind of place I felt at home.

Memoirs of Nippon (5)

Every morning, I seeked for a new place for breakfast! Recommended by the hostel, I found Rauk, a bakery selling a good variety of freshly baked bread. I have no idea what they were but everything looked delicious and I just had to get something.

With my breakfast in hand, I walked to Toji temple. I had a detour and ended up walking almost double the distance (LOL!), that's what an adventurous holiday is about I guess! As usual, I was asking the Japanese for directions, it took me a while to find it. Toji temple is famous for its pagoda, but again, I didn't enter as many students were queueing to go in. Also with every temple, I had to pay an average 500yen admission, so I thought I would save for another one. I took some photos, bought a souvenir and then walked back to the station (along the way, I got stalled by a big bookstore).

I headed back to Kyoto station for a bus to Sanjusangen-do temple, the longest wooden structure at 120metres with 1001 statues of Kannon. But before that, I took a day walk at the skywalk in Kyoto Station (a secret place to see aerial view of Kyoto from 10th storey). The assemblies at Sanjusangen-do are pretty impressive but unfortunately no photography was allowed! If you're interested, the Kyoto National Museum is just opposite, I did not visit but hopped on the bus to Kiyomizudera temple. 

I found myself a quick snack in between all these temples-hopping. This fishie has sweet potato filling in it! As expected, Kiyomizu-dera was crowded, almost like Kinkakuji! Along the way, I saw many students and tourists, some dressed as Maiko/Geiko/Geisha (I even thought they are the real ones). Apparently, it's a very popular service the tourists like to do, especially the Taiwanese (haha, the Taiwanese girls I met in the hostel all did that). I just couldn't imagine walking uphill or a long distance in the tight outfit, and the weather was getting warm, no way I would want to be dressed up in that!

Kiyomizu-dera is stunning and listed as one of the UNESCO world heritage sites. An uphill temple with a prominent wooden main hall, it is perfect for photos, especially during spring and autumn where the cherry blossoms or maple leaves are in full blossom! I was too late. It might be useful to note they do have night illumination during Autumn and will be worthy for a visit. Though very packed, I quite enjoy the temple and its surroundings... it was also undergoing some kind of renovation when I was there. I did not drink from the Otowa waterfall though. Also it was here I spotted two Geiko and they seemed authentic as everyone was bugging them for a photo.

This was the last temple for me in Kyoto. I then headed to Gion in hope to see more Geisha but it was around 4pm and there was nobody except tourists. It was still a cool area to have a walk though.

It was past 4 in the afternoon and I was starving!!! Where was my lunch??? So I walked across the river and found a few restaurants. I found one I wanted to dine but no one came up to usher me in, so I moved on. 

Somehow I got back to Shijo area and spotted Lipton Cafe with delicious cakes (it was the strawberry season). That strawberry mille crepe caught my attention and so I got a table. When I ordered my main course and asked for the cake to be served later, to my disappointment, the waitress told me it was sold out (still a piece left at the window display). I quickly finished my meal and then tried again to buy it as a takeaway. I managed to get it!!! YEA! But till today, I couldn't figure out why she told me it was not available when it was STILL THERE!

After the meal, I roamed around Shijo area. There was free Wi-Fi even, I recalled walking as I whatsapped my sister! I wanted to do some shopping but having 3 more cities to go to, I refrained and only bought some snacks to keep me going. I found that same bus-stop to take the bus back to Kyoto station, and then I went up the Skywalk again this time for a night view. There was almost nobody and the city of Kyoto lit up right before my eyes. That drew my days in Kyoto to a close.

The following day, I would depart for Nara.

Memoirs of Nippon (4)

A new morning! I made a conscious effort to have breakfast with the office crowd at a cafe named Caffe Veloce by the train station. I had walked past a couple of times and it appeared to be constantly busy. I went in and surprisingly the staff spoke better English than I thought. I ordered a green tea latte to go with a crossiant and then found myself a table to people watch as I ate. It was about 830am, and a lot of them were chilling with their breakfast, some reading a book or paper before heading to work. The Japanese men in suit were very good eye candies too :)

That day, my plan was to head to Arashiyama on JR line, it was very accessible. Once I alighted, there was a map right outside the station, but I decided it was easier to follow the crowd. So I walked behind a group of Japanese and eventually surpassed them when I spotted Tenryuji temple. It was very scenic and serene (fortunately tourists hadn't flowed in yet at 10am), I managed to spot more leftover cherry blossoms. The temple was not that huge, you could easily finish in 30 minutes, there were also many flowers in full bloom besides the cherry blossom. I also met a nice Japanese uncle whom always offered a hand to take my pictures. Arigato! It's also useful to note, once you exit from the other end (that goes right to the Bamboo Forest path), you're not allowed to re-enter even if you have a ticket.

I enjoyed the stroll along the Bamboo Forest, but it started to get really crowded as tourists started to come in by then. I don't know how to describe it, but both sides are filled with tall green bamboos, and when you manage to get a glimpse of sunlight coming through the chunk, it is really pretty!

After getting lost for a while, I walked into a Japanese Spa to ask for directions and as usual, kind Japanese whom couldn't speak English would always get someone to help me - touched! I managed to get back to the train station past noon, right besides the station is the where you could take the Sagano Scenic Railway, rumoured to be a romantic 7km sightseeing ride. I missed the train when I arrived and was indecisive on whether to wait for the next one, which would mean less time for me in the aftenoon. I hate my fickle-mindedness in this instance. Anyway, I decided to skip (perhaps will be back again to take this next time), and continue to visit the other temples I had in plan.

Next, I went to Myoshinji temple (a maze of about 50 sub-temples), it wasn't one of the highly rated must-go but after reading about it, I got interested and decided to keep it in my list. It was interesting, many of them seemed to be private gardens and I couldn't go in anyway but it was like a maze, there could be a surprise at any corner. One bad point about it was I walked to one end and it wasn't connected to the other, it almost crippled me with the amount of walking I did at this place. I didn't regret coming but would skip this next time as not many temples were open to public.

Seriously, after this, I was exhausted. But I knew I just had one more temple to go! Kinkakuji temple! This magnificent temple is covered with golden leaf but it was so touristy I did not enjoy it as much as the others. Queues were forming to take pictures or to buy souvenirs, tourists and lots of Japanese students on excursions flooded this place. I very much prefer Ginkakuji over this.

Then I had to find a bus back. This was one of the days I didn't get a bus pass because I was taking quite a few JR trains. And unfortunately, I boarded the bus headed in the wrong direction!!! I got off at the next stop, and was embarrassed when I couldn't explain I took the wrong one and didn't have any extra cash to pay for it! I was lucky the driver didn't make a big fuss and drove off. What a day really!

I couldn't wait to get back to rest, and that 5 minutes walk back from the bus-stop seemed really far this time. I was so grateful when I finally got back. It was then I met Selwyn, a black guy from London at the lounge... We spoke briefly and he invited me to join him and another guy to go to Fushimi but I rejected because I was just dead tired and only wanted food.

I guess it just wasn't the day for me. I hunted down the Yakitori restaurant (Onishi) near the hostel, only to be chased out because it was full and they didn't know when the next table would be available. Is that the norm in Japan, to chase people out when they are full??? I never heard of that, because in Singapore, we sure can queue! Anyway, I had a backup (phew!), so I ended up at this Okonomiyaki place for dinner. It was quiet with only one other customer, and I ordered something with grated yam and a hot sake. The chef and the other customer (a Japanese guy) were making conversation all the time, while I waited patiently for my food. Thinking that it would look like a pancake, it was another surprise when it was served. Anyway, it tasted good and kept my tummy happy, so all good!

Also, I noticed the chef was staring at me all the time when I was eating, and I read that I had to keep the eye contact to acknowledge that I was enjoying the food! Something to learn eh. After a bit of "googling", I realised the dish I had should be yakisoba instead of okonomiyaki!

So with a happy stomach, I headed back, quite relieved how the day had ended. Then Selwyn came back with Ron (American Japanese guy), then we all got introduced and chatted the night away. They were so funny and relaxed, at the end of the night, we exchanged our Facebook contacts!

One more day in Kyoto before I head off to the next city...

Sprang up

That which does not kill us makes us stronger - Friedrich Nietzsch


And yes, that's surely the case. After bouts of illness and downtime, it is time to bounce back up again. I have expected this, I am glad no matter how many times I have fallen, I always know I will be okay. Faith. A wonderful creation in life.

I have also read a few pyschological books on emotions and one named "Learning from the Heart" by Daniel Gottlieb. It is more than inspiring. It made me feel I was normal when anxiety hit me, when my body was reacting to a shock and I wasn't ready to feel anything. I suddenly understood.

It has been a while I can truly feel I am glowing from within. I always know I'm self-reliant. Happiness, happy food, retail therapy. I don't need anyone else to provide those. I just needed time to get back to my original state.


And yes, I need to finish off my pending Japan journal and re-join the rat race again, how fun! I am looking forward to a new start, hopefully some form of consistency in life and then my best friend's wedding in London!

I have lost him

Everyone of us have lived with losses at some point in our lives. As I read the status of an old classmate, he's not the only one I heard grieving over the loss of a loved one. Two people I know lost their dad in the last year... I can't comprehend that feeling but I do have the fear that I might be living with that regret they have. Dad is never close to me in my heart. I don't know why but in some ways we have grown apart as I grow up. I never could talk to him like a friend or even the same way I do with mum. In another way, I despise him for his shortcomings, for his inability to give us a sense of security when we grew up, for his cowardice after his retrenchment, for his monotonous life he is seemingly happy with. I guess I wanted him to be a better person than he is but obviously that isn't going to happen. Everyday I live, wishing that one day I can finally see it from his point of view or perhaps accept it but I fail terribly. Maybe one day... and I hope that's not too late.

Fate?

Today my rune reading says:

"Intense forces of change that work behind the scenes are acting on the individual at this time. While these forces may be seen as positive or negative, the appearance of Perthro most commonly suggests positive forces -- unless of course it appears in a spread with a host of negative runes.

It should be noted that while we frequently view change as either "good" or "bad" -- Perthro reminds us that such black-and-white interpretation may represent an oversimplification of fate. The change referenced by Perthro carries with it an infinite amount of complexity and subtlety. To attempt to categorize change in simplistic terms of "positive" or "negative", is to attempt to understand fate itself: something no mortal can do. When analyzing the meaning of Perthro, one should take care to remember that fate exists at a level that we can never truly know until such time that it is upon us. What seems true may prove false, and vice versa. Only fate can tell."