NYE escapade - 東京(3)

The third day in Tokyo.

It was basically a shopping day for me. From Shibuya to Harajuku. My legs almost broke, and I didn't even manage to cover most of it. I skipped most malls, and randomly walked into bookstores, handicraft shops like Tokyu Hands, cool boutiques selling bohemian stuff. Those kept me in for hours... I didn't even walk into fashion stores, maybe I did but nothing caught my eyes. I looked at food more than clothes to be honest! LOL.

Anyway, the New Year Sale was still going strong. Many were selling lucky bags with items at a fraction of the original prices. I had no idea what to buy and I didn't want to get one just because it was at a deal. I looked at a lot of them but eventually decided I didn't need one. Haha.

I really enjoyed Shibuya. I thought Harajuku seemed to be more for the younger hippy kids. I particularly didn't like Takeshita street, it was almost an ideal place for pickpockets because it was so packed and everyone seemed to be pushing. Unlike the usual polite Japanese. I left quickly after entering, it was an eye-opener but definitely not my kind of hangout.

I headed back to Shinjuku to meet Stephanie whom I had invited her back for a cake (got it from the hotel bakery!) and happy hours at the bar. She met Adam and Sebastian whom also had some guests over. We had a quick drink before we left again for Shinjuku for more shopping (for Stephanie!).

It was a really long day, especially one for my legs. Poor legs.

I didn't come across any Monchhichi so far and definitely I had to get them the following day as it was my last full day in Tokyo. I purchased my return coach ticket to Narita together with a subway pass (good deal), and so I could use the pass the next day!

I told Adam I would be abandoning him in the room early the next morning (4th day) as I wanted to get out early (after 4 hours of sleep!!). He was more than happy to stay in as it was the night he got us upgraded to a suite! Staying in a suite in Park Hyatt Tokyo, an expensive dream came true!

I headed for Senso-ji at Asakusa, and this place is practically the home for Monchhichis! Like the birth town, I sighted so many of them but overwhelmed with so many choices, I couldn't make up my mind and only bought one. I later regretted not getting my Kumamon Monchhichi. Oh well! By Senso-ji, there was also a food market and I managed to grab some grilled sweet potato sticks and an eggplant pancake thingy. I then headed towards the Tokyo Skytree in search of places for dango, but unfortunately it was a fruitless trip. Many things were not opened, but I stumbled upon the Asahi Brewery and a very nice river.

I ended off shopping at Uniqlo in Ginza and got some winter clothes which I couldn't wear in Singapore!! LOL. But I am sure I will utilise them somehow for future trips. Before I headed back to the hotel, I stopped by at Daimaru food hall to grab some dinner for me and Adam (who never headed out). I didn't know why Daimaru as they were thousands of departmental stores there but I remember Daimaru from my last Japan trip and the food market was heaven. Indeed, it never failed me, 2 levels of Japanese goodies. I just kept on piling and piling food on top of my shopping bags, bought 2 cakes, 2 dangos, 1 bento set and sandwich but I had to eat most of them as Adam was so health conscious I think he avoided all the sugars! Man!

The following morning (last day), I headed out again for a quick walk in Shinjuku to get any last hope of spotting any more Monchhichi (never did again) but found other things I needed! Then it was time to head back and stuff all the things I bought (together with a complimentary bottle of wine and baumkuchen from the hotel!) into my luggages. I swore they were almost bursting. It was an afternoon flight (but I needed 2 hours to get to Narita!), and my flight back to Singapore was via Seoul. So it was a long way back but I figured I could do with some "Korean skincare" shopping at the airport or maybe a shower too!

But Incheon airport is one of the lousiest I ever seen, most of the shops are closed by 9pm with one or two exceptions and you are not allowed to go in. You can make your order telling them what you want. CRAP. Whoever shops like this??? But I knew what I wanted so I just bought it. The shower room which was said to operate till 10pm was closed as well. So what a lousy transit airport, just utterly wasting time in a boring airport! Even Narita was more interesting! Now I do appreciate how good Changi Airport is!

I finally got back home after a long day of travelling, commuting and flying! And the best thing was a nice taxi driver whom was not grumpy about my destination! I rounded up the dollar and gifted him a mochi before saying bye! Japan, till we meet again! *muacks*

NYE escapade - 東京(2)

The next morning.

Hello 2015!!!

It was a beautiful day and I witnessed my first sleeting in Tokyo. Felt like dancing under the ~rain.

Most establishments are closed on the frst day of the New Year in Japan, so I decided to follow where the Japanese go. To the shrines it was then. I picked Meiji shrine, because it looks really magnificent, you can enjoy a stroll through the nature before you get to it. Because it was the New Year's Day, it was insanely packed. Adam wanted to tag along to snap some photos, so we went together but I think the crowd intimidated him or maybe he has agoraphobia!

There were probably thousands of people but everyone was nice and polite. Nobody pushed or got frustrated. The crowd management was superb, very orderly and very clear signages even for people like me who couldn't understand Japanese. So we queued, got in, asked for blessings, threw coins, then gave thanks and left. On the way out, I paid a small token to draw a lot but it was in Japanese and I couldn't read. I took a picture for translation later (LOL) because I had to tie it into a ribbon right there. Right next to the shrine, there was a food market all set up. I almost went nuts at the variety of food... I wanted to eat everything!

I had to filter out so many and I settled for these. I really wished I had space for more. But fortunately I didn't stuff myself because when I headed out, there was another stretch of food market down Harajuku and I found BBQ mochi!

We headed back to the hotel after, I wanted to stay out but everywhere was swarming with people and Adam looked stressed out (LOL!). So we went back, this time we switched to Park Hyatt Tokyo. The hotel is magnificent, the lobby is on the 41st storey and has a view of Mount Fuji! Everyone was impeccably dressed, from the porter to the receptionist, Park Hyatt seems to hire the best. Model height, slim and very pleasant features!

We couldn't check in till 7pm as it was full, so we enjoyed our Happy Hours at the bar where the bartender promised me anything and everything! LOL. I am impressed indeed. There was a selection of tapas, though limited choices they were prepared on the spot! Read more on my stay on Tripadvisor.

Finally we got checked in before 8pm. I got so restless that I just ventured out to Shinjuku after I dropped my bags in the room. I wanted to breathe the cold air in Tokyo and not trapped inside the hotel no matter how posh it was! It was about 4 degrees outside. I managed to have a little stroll though many things reamined closed. At least the vending machines were always available, and a hot drink definitely warmed up my tummy!

When I got back, I realised I haven't had dinner, so did Adam. LOL. We looked up places to go for food before he suggested 24/7 Denny's which was a 15 mins walk away (but better than going back to hunt in Shinjuku). We walked in the cold, cold and hungry at around midnight... but the HOT food in Denny's made everything worthwhile. I had a very very delicious beef Sukiyaki! I bet I could sleep really good after that!

NYE escapade - 東京(1)

東京

Tokyo.

My first time.

This was pretty abrupt. Barely a week before the trip, a friend chatted me up. During the conversation, he mentioned he was going to Tokyo to join a friend's birthday celebration. And out of nowhere, he asked if I wanted to go along. I knew him for maybe 7 years, we have met a couple of times during a trip or two when they happened to concide. It was the first time he invited me. Well, of course, I wasn't suspecting anything unusual or whether he had any motive... my only thought was he wanted a companion for the trip. So I agreed. He said he was burning his air miles anyway, and he had accomodation sorted, so all I need was to come along.

Booked.

I flew to Haneda on Singapore Airlines and sat with two very polite Japanese women. It was a night flight, so I managed some sleep on the plane. I arrived on 31st December, it was early in the morning and the tourist information counter at the airport wasn't even opened yet. So no free wifi for the trip (I read they do give out free SIM card). I sorted out the bus ticket directly to the hotel, arrived there but couldn't check in, so I left my bags and went into the city for breakfast.

The weather was freezing but I loved it.

So my friend, Adam, was only arriving later that evening, I decided to hook up with a fellow Singaporean friend living in Tokyo to have a little tour. I met up with Stephanie, an ex-intern in my company before, Stephanie is half Chinese half Japanese, so having her around helped a lot! She took me to Jiyugaoka, a hippy area outside the city centre to see the "Little Venice", we chanced upon a good ramen place and some cool boutiques. We also ended up in a tiny cafe serving awesome cakes, and regretted we didn't eat more that afternoon! LOL. But I had to get back to the hotel for check-in and also probably heading out for more food that night.

So when I got back, Adam had arrived. He was with his friend, Sebastian, who was staying next door. I don't know why but Adam did not bring a winter coat (haha!), he was probably travelling too much he forgot it was THIS cold in Tokyo. Thanks to all the NYE sale, he found a really good bargain at GAP. After that, all of us went to this quaint Japanese restaurant for dinner. It seemed pretty authentic with lots of Japanese customers, we had to keep our shoes in lockers, kneel or sit around a small table for food. The whole place was a bit smoky though and I was sure we smelled after that!

I decided to pick what the locals would go for, Hoppy beer with intestinal skewers. The boys opted for safer options, pizza and some sausage-alike skewer! LOL. I didn't realise I could get high on Hoppy beer as they actually mixed it with shōchū. After that, I could feel the heat on my face and had to get some snack from the convenience store to dissolve my intoxication.

We didn't have the most exciting countdown for sure. I was there whatsapping with the guy who broke my heart before (wrong move!!!) and making myself a lovely bath, while the boys headed down to the lobby for some champagne. Goodbye 2014 and goodbye to that jerk.

I was staying at Hyatt Regency Tokyo that night, here's my review on Tripadvisor.

YOLO

The fears of the first world country I seem to have experienced all of them in the last year and a half.

1. Losing someone in the family
2. Falling ill
3. Dating a jerk
4. Laptop crashed
5. Losing the photos on my phone
6. Finding a job I like
7. Losing a steady income to join a circus

Speaking of all the losses, I seem to have gained much more than before.

1. I can be me, myself and I
2. Death is a part of life, so are illnesses
3. Choosing to be fit is a choice, skip the nonsense excuses e.g. no time
4. Photos are never as important and valuable than the experiences and memories
5. You need to meet a jerk to know what kind of guy you do not want
6. It's now or never, money or fun
7. Try, try, try till you find it
8. No one said life has to be fair or a fairytale, create your own luck and destiny
9. Trust your guts

Little Mia is 1

Happy Birthday Mia!

My little friend turned 1 the last days. Mia is the daughter of a really close friend. She is so chubby, too adorable and always naughty. But she is also the gem of my dear friend, Cyn. I have seen her grown from a wee little thing (during her confinement) to one pretty girl that is always up to some mischief! She also doesn't seem to like soft toys (I suspect she is taking after her dad then!!!).

Cyn lost her daughter to cancer a few years back and we all knew she always wanted another child, especially a girl. She got her wish indeed about a year back. It just happened too quickly, one point she was single, a few months later she got pregnant. And then 9 months later, a baby girl popped out. Now she has just turned 1. Amazing. Life is a crazy bitch!

I joined a circus

"Don't run away and join the rat race. Run away and join a circus full of people who are living their dreams."

How whimsical!

I just collected my first paycheck from the "circus".

An amount merely a small fraction of my last salary (in the rat race). Yet I felt so grateful for the money, for the learning experience in the circus and the ability to entertain those audience whom we performed for.

I never once thought I would be able to give up a fatter paycheck for a miserable pay till I decided to let go. Every single day that I went to work, I got up with a smile and excitement, creative ideas kept coming! Those dreadful 630am mornings aren't as bad as those days I had to drag my feet to the office with a frown. I am not sure how long I would be performing in this circus but I know for as long as I am there, I will be making full use of the time to enjoy and do as much as I can. It is always difficult to work with friends in many circumstances, but helping a friend whose living her dream is entirely different, and I know when I live my dream, she won't be too faraway.

I don't think everyone will be able to do this. While some think it's silly, some think it's an adventure and others look with envy... I can only say, follow your heart. Money can only take you that far.

A special present for myself

The thing with getting older, you started to gift yourself really odd things! I used to buy myself a bag, a nice meal or a facial last year... but this year, it is a very practical gift. I visited the dentist, not once but twice!!! A really expensive gift that costed me over 200 bucks. But one that has to be done.

A few years back, a bad experience with a dentist stopped me from going back again. But I had a bad tooth. It had been going on for quite a while but I just didn't want to see a dentist, the last one was quite a nightmare. Then somehow, it just hit me, I thought it was just the right time to go. Perhaps a bit too late! The tooth is almost dead (as quoted by the dentist), she tried to save it with pulp capping, or I would have to opt for root canal (Nooooooo!!! To be honest, I would rather extract it but it will be quite hideous having a missing canine tooth!). She told me the pulp capping might not work and there is a high chance I have to extract it or do a root canal in future. But right now, the poor tooth is temporarily fixed and I do hope that the slim chance of it recovering does exist! Please heal. I know miracles rarely happen, but I still believe in it!

Thanks to my friend whom recommended me her dentist. Even though her clinic offers really limited dental services, I felt really comfortable talking to her and she is really quite gentle and attentive. She gave me the most practical and money-saving advices and didn't try to milk me for money. Even though I spent over 200 there for filling 3 caries and polishing, it is still reasonable compared to others where polishing easily costs me near a hundred bucks! I was really glad when she said I can go back in 6 months time (I will probably go annually now).

But this is not the end. I still have to extract a wisdom tooth (fortunately not surgery)... She didn't seem to be keen to do the extraction for me as she said if it breaks, she won't be able to do surgery at hers. So I need to find another dentist (ahhhhh nightmare). I wish I can extract it myself haha, like how we used to do it when we were younger... pulling with a string! Those days...

Anyway, enough of my scary dentist stories! Birthday is actually not here yet... I am so not looking forward to adding another digit to my age, so much so, I am trying not to announce my age unless necessary. LOL! Especially when I travel, people do seem to think I am still in my 20s, and sometimes I know I am the oldest in the group... awww!

I hate you Dad and I love you

Every household has its own problem. I have friends whom totally love their parents, friends whom also detest their parents and many like me, a love-hate relationship. It seems to be normal. Can anyone tell me? Have I already said these before? 

I envy the western cultures where kids move out at eighteen or for college, I think somehow the living apart helps to better the relationship. Because parents will always be parents, they want to mother you no matter how old you get. They always assume those responsibilities that tend to make them overprotective, controlling and in fact they seem to want you to live the life they would like you to have (not having it your way!).

For over 30 years, they never seem to ask me what is it in life that I want? They never seem to want to know but always reckon that we should act like the way they were children to their parents (my grandparents). Back then, they had to earn to support the expanding family and to ensure the younger ones could attend school. Dear mother, those centuries are over!

Is it just my parents, or are yours the same?

10 years ago, my dad got retrenched and has since been sitting at home. He was only 55, 10 years shy of the retirement age (and now 12 with the new regulations). He just never thought of working or supporting the family again. It was a huge blow that never seems to have recovered. My elder sister was then 24 and the youngest was still in school. I was stranded in UK on my working visa, trying to find that independence that I never had back in Singapore. My mum has always been a housewife, and she struggled to find work despite her poor health. That old man never stood up again, not for us, and not even for himself. He lost not only himself, but his authority and all of our respect for him. It is difficult to look at a father figure whom was once your role model but now succumbed to someone whom has practically nothing. That quote "I started off with nothing, and I still have most of it", it describes him quite perfectly.

Emotionally he's a cripple, he has almost no friends, no social life and his self esteem seems to have abandoned him as well. I don't remember how all of us survived the 10 years without a fatherly figure, but we did. If you ask me if I hate him, yes I do. If you ask if I love him, the answer is the same too.

Bears' Wedding in London (4)

Day 6 & 7.

These 2 days were entirely reserved for my bestie so I could help her do up her wedding props and other preparation. We checked into the hotel a day before the big day, but there were still things not done. Poor Angela was so worried. But I assured her everything would be okay and we would work through the night to get them all ready. Her cousin, Joy and brother were a big help!

The night before the wedding, we also had a pre-wedding dinner at a Spanish restaurant. All of us forked out a small amount of money and the rest was taken care of by the bride & groom's families. We had suckling pig, sangria and really fantastic tapas! It was a fun evening, also I got to meet Alex (Laura's son), this cutie got stuck to me most of that evening. He was so adorable everyone was dying to get a piece of him.

That night, we really worked through the night (with a few hours of sleep!!!) with the company of Paul's cakes!

The next morning, Angela, Joy and me had breakfast at a nearby restaurant and ran through the checklist for the wedding. We had to set up at the venue, basically to lay out her photo albums, photo frames, her wedding favours, the decors on every dining table, do up the table she was going to sign her wedding certificate (I was the witness!!) and get all the beautiful ribbons to be tied to the chairs. They also engaged a photo booth which the guests would be able to take home with them a memorable shot or two for that evening. The dinner was buffet style but the wedding party and family table would get served instead! The cupcakes Angela catered were super addictive, also that candy bar she set up was a magnet for kids (and big kids!).

Both Joy and I had to give a speech, but we didn't get to rehearse at all. LOL. But I was glad it somehow flowed smoothly and I didn't cry this time! I think Angela almost did! The wedding was lovely, very romantic and almost perfect. The only bad thing was I didn't get to take as many photos of them as I would love to as I was the maid of honour and was running around all the time! We danced and drank a lot that night and smuggled a lot of candies back too!

I gifted them a self-compiled photobook depicting the story of FAB4 and of the recent memories we had together, and was so proud when they displayed it together with their wedding album.

Not forgetting we took lots of silly photos at the booth, I can't wait to see their whole compilation when I visit them next.

May you both live happily ever after, Mr & Mrs Green!

Bears' Wedding in London (3)

Day 5. Friday.

I hanged out with Joy & Aaron whom just got back from Paris as well as Angela's family members. We went to Borough Market, my favourite food market. The good thing about going with so many people was that we got to try much more things! So much more than the last time I went with Glyn.

Not to mention, there were also many eye candies around. Some selling cheese. LOL.

After lunch, I took Angela's family to walk across London Bridge which we then parted. They wanted to go shopping in Oxford or Knightsbridge while I headed towards Tower of London hoping to catch up with Joy & Aaron to see the poppies exhibition. But we were too early, they were still installing them, and I didn't see both of them too. They underestimated the time they needed to get there so I left after waiting for 30mins.

I wanted to take a selfie of me and the poppies but it was so tough with the crowd so I gave up! LOL. Maybe a selfie stick would have helped!

I managed to get to Petticoat lane and Spitalfields market just before they closed! I bought a handmade necklace by an Italian lady, really pricey but I just thought I should splurge on myself a bit. Also I found a really pretty wrap dress. After a happy time shopping and indulging myself with a banana milkshake, I got to get back to Covent Garden to meet the gang for dinner. I was lost. LOL. I couldn't find a bus to Covent Garden. So I took one to somewhere nearby and walked over.

We settled at this English restaurant called Porters. The food was awesome, ten times better than Jamie Oliver's Italian for sure. The portion for the pies was also huge. I had the Guinness Steak Mushroom. It was DELICIOUS! It was a great night with Angela's family. After that, we decided to do a brief hen's night for Angela - just me, Joy, Michelle and the bride-to-be.

We went to a stretch of bars, picked one and had some drinks as Angela wasn't feeling spontaneous that night to do crazy things. The poor bride-to-be was so stressed out she broke down that night... We were shocked but we managed to calm her down and brought her back to smiles! Fortunately. Of course, we didn't forget our colourful wigs and made lots of silly photos with it.