WHITE DAY

White Day is true!!! Ahhahaha... I really really didn't expect returned gifts, so my joy was doubled this morning... and ahha... really, it's so funny... When the people came to give me the gifts, I could really do nothing but just to accept them with HUGE 'Thank You's... Man... ahha... so much goodies on my table now... I have to take a pic and show all of you!



My supervisor, Fujiike sensei, gave me this - his favourite Tim Tam chocos from Australia. I will certainly enjoy it! Thank you!

And yes... very happy and touched to read the letters and notes too. Thank you very much Kouhoku teachers.

甲北の先生へ　ありがとうね。私は本当に嬉しかったです。この日本の習慣　とても面白いと思う！皆の寛大は　ありがとうね。。。：－D

Blessings abound

And last night, I was blessed with this from a couple and another friend I met in the gym. They are awesome people. They always send me home whenever they see me in the gym and I totally appreciate their kindness and concern. Their kind gestures and always offering help really make my life easier... cos it's really a loooooong walk home, and then it's so freezing cold somemore. Well, yesterday, they gave me this that they made and jokingly told me that it's been in the fridge for a year.. and that makes it even more delicious, and I took it in and believed it! Later, I found out that that's absolutely untrue.

Introducing to you Kobe's famous food in the spring season - いかなごの釘に (Ikanagonokugini)


At first sight, they look like 'ikan billis' or 'kang hee gia'. I love the taste! There are 3 different distinct tastes here, one sweet, one salty and the last, spicy! Goes well with rice and apparently, with beer too.


My Hanko
Also, I received this really unique gift from the cell group and absolutely love it! It's called a 'hanko' or 'inkan' and everyone owns one. It's common practice to use this in Japan in place of signatures or thumb prints on official documents. You know, I have always always wanted something like that... looks so cool, so antiquated, so fun to use... (images of bazaars and pasar malams during CNY customising your 'chop' come to mind) Well, I really always wanted the chop, but felt that it was just a tad too expensive to purchase, and in Singapore, what use would it be for me?

But... look at this!!!! It's so beautifully made, with my name in Chinese characters. There's such an autumny feeling to this gift with the leaves and petals... and it's in orange... so apt for me since my name is Ah-Cen. whahahahah. What a thoughtful and well-made gift. Was told I could chop to my heart's desire as well... can chop up to 4000 times!! Haha... so though I won't use it on official documents, you'd see the chop on bday cards and other stuff!


Haiya... what else can I say? Above are just excerpts of some of the blessings I received recently. There are many many many more.... Despite the cold here, the warmth of the Japanese more than make up for it.... Thank you once again!