Thoughts while washing my socks

Down with a terrible cough and have been so tired this week. Felt like sleeping all the time.. n was really looking forward to TODAY.. cos i dun have to wake up early.. n sleep did I... I slept like a log and woke up only at 12...

Been thankful too. Dear Beth n Nozo.. n the church here.. I have been blessed with 2 heaters. From one small orange heater to 3 heaters. How good God is. N thankful to Keshi n Jun... For sending me back so willingly.















Despite being such a high-tech country, most people in Japan still use the kerosene heater during winter because it is effective and the most cost-saving. Actually, I was apprehensive at first.. cos I really din fancy kerosene, n errr... it sounds dangerous. But when Nozo taught me how to use it last night... wham! It was really quite easy. :)


Now I am washing my socks.. Never thought I would need socks at all, till now. :D

Good Old Telephone

I am in school this morning, and just had a nice glass of fresh milk. Today is our school's open house and Junior High students will visit the school, so Tom and I have to prepare an English lesson with games. :)

Well, last night, I had one of the best conversations with Steve since I arrived here. We talked for really long over the phone and I think both of us felt really happy, cos it's been a looooooooong time since we talked and communicated. Pastor Kong preached about communication during the Marriage seminar series and last night, we really communicated and this morning, when I woke up, I really felt so happy!

Anyway, I talked over the phone... using Brastel (an international phone card calling service) and yes, it is definitely more expensive than Skype, cos Skype is free. And I have used Skype so many times too and thank God for great technology and innovations but when we were talking over the phone, each lying on our beds, for me, warmly tucked in under the covers with the rain n wind outside, it was such a warm and familiar closeness to Steve that I felt. Skype is great cos i can see Steve's face if i want to... but lying there on the bed, talking about everything and nothing, I felt like I was transported back to the dating days, Sec Sch, JC days, where there was not yet Skype and where we used pagers and the Good Old Telephone. :)

I dunno if u feel the same way, but Tom did too. We were musing about this a few days ago on our way to 7-11 and we felt the same way!!! Nothing beats a good conversation over the phone and he told me he would rush home on his bike during lunch break in his uni days when he was in England, just to spend some precious minutes with his girlfriend who was in Tokyo then.

Ok, so here, I am gonna spend some hours in school and this afternoon, I will be off to either Osaka or Umeda with Holly! :D

5D, hang in there!

Seed - Time - Harvest

Beth posted this on her blog...
It is so apt, a great reminder especially in this season - Seed, Time, then Harvest.

http://theumetanis.blogspot.com/2006/10/cutting-rice-fields.html

A new pastime

Last Saturday, Yasu, my language exchange partner invited me for a hiking expedition with him up one of the mountains in Kobe... n of cos, i was excited n game! Well, I really really enjoyed myself tremendously. I love a good challenge and he told me that this was one of the easiest treks and well... it was absolutely fantastic, so good that I have decided that I'd invest in a good pair of hiking shoes and start exploring the area a bit more.

I walked from my house to Suzurandai station to meet him and then we were on our way after purchasing our bentos at Daiei. We went up Futatabi-san (再度山), and I was so surprised, cos upon reaching, I saw so many families and couples there. When we were trekking up the slopes, we met no one u see. Later I found out that these people could have driven up to the top.

It was sooooooooo nice. The air was fresh and crisp and there was a nice breeze... not too cold, just right for me. And the scenery was beautiful too. Leaves are turning red and fall colours.. beautiful autumn colours...

And I enjoyed my bento there, taking in everything around me. It was such a waste that I din bring along my camera, cos I thought probably there'll be nothing much for me to capture anyway. How wrong I was. Anyway, I took pics with my hp... and went snapping away like crazy.





That's Yasu! He is 55 years old this year, and works as a trader. I am really glad to know him. :)



After reaching Sannomiya, which took us about 3 hours, we went on to one of the famous tourist attractions, the Foreign Settlement Area. A long time ago, many foreigners came and settled in Kobe in this area and the architecture has been preserved. The buildings are so quaint and pretty, and there were many many tourists and Japanese visitors and... Akube (Haha.. a kansai slang to mean couples) This is a must-visit place if you drop by Kobe.





Kuma-san and I
At one temple near Tokyu Hands, I saw Panda and took a picture with him. Haha, I really felt quite happy and child-like. Anyway dearie, if u r reading this, this picture is dedicated to u!



At the end of the entire hike, still very very genki!



We left Sannomiya at about 4pm and on my way home, I chanced upon this underground bookstore, arcade and table-tennis recreational centre. They looked really old and I thought it was really cool. I felt like I had just stepped into another time zone. The bookstore, arcade and table-tennis centre were just outside the underground train station at Kobe Kousoku and above the train station, you get the bustling metropolitan area.


Some ladies gathered together for a time of fun


The books are really old and there is this musty smell and feel about the place. Yet there is quite a number of people standing there just browsing thru the books.



I really felt very happy after the day. Though I was tired and suffered from slightly sore muscles, it was invigorating and rejuvenating. Walking alone through this foreign land without my loved ones by my side has taught me many things and I am continuing to learn daily. Thank God for the beautiful Saturday and for many more beautiful days to come. :)

Have not blogged for quite some time... and i have much to write about.
First of all, specially to 5D, you have come so far!!!!! All the best for your examinations. You can do it... ALL THE BEST ALL THE BEST!!! GANBATTE NE!

N last Saturday, I went to USJ (Universal Studios Japan) in Osaka with Beth n 2 of the CG girls... Great fun, but there were so many people! N the running from place to place was exhausting...we were like kiasu singaporeans, running from one ride to another and in the end, we managed to get on quite a number of them. :)


Magical land
Think this is somewhere in Snoopy Land or Peanuts.. haha.. i dun remember! But it's so magical-looking and so nice... pretty...


Spiderman - My favourite character! Anyway, we waited longest for this ride, but cos Beth brought with her cards so that we could play the time away, it wasn't that bad! Well, Spiderman says that with great power comes great responsibility... so true so true. I like Spiderman!


The train bound for USJ is really kawaii yah... Oh yes, trains in Japan come in all sorts of colours. Really beautiful.


Turkey Leg - Very nice and very expensive... looks like ice-cream right. Each leg costs about $7.80.



Acting silly, Beth n I


Peko-chan!!! So cute and looks like lala girl. haha.



Ultra man - Specially for Ziwei! Ey, I haven't found ur 1960s Ultraman.. but this pict is for u lar. :D



Halloween in USJ! Naho, Watashi, Chi n Beth!

The morning

I like the morning very much. Waking up may be a little tough when I am wholly wrapped up, snug n cozy, but when I am up and about, I like the feeling of freshness, n the thought that a whole new day awaits me... in my mind, I will plan what I need to do, whether I will walk down to the station or take a bus, whether I should make my own lunch or buy bento from 7-11... I'll think of many many things. I would think of the night before, the things that happened the day before... n I'd also pray for my loved ones and friends in Singapore.. n also of the students in BNSS taking their O levels!

I like to reach school early. I remember that in BNSS, i would usually be in by about 645 in the morning. Here, I reach before 8am (I have to be in by 830). I like to come in early, have a cuppa and a sandwich, sit down at my desk and think about my lesson plans once again and plan my day. I dun like to rush in and feel harried. I also like to feel the atmosphere around me getting livelier as people come in and exchange their morning greetings, ready to start their day. There is life in the place and I like this energy.

Before the day begins, I also like to sit in front of the computer and check my emails. I never really had the time to enjoy reading the daily devotions from Xiaowei in the past but now, I read every one and have been blessed by them. In the morning, I also like to read personal emails, especially those from Wanli. Ahha.. her gargantuan emails... her umazaki, tornado, titanic ones are so funny and interesting to read. I also think of Yanlin a lot.

I like Saturday mornings the best cos I dun have to report to work, and I can do some housework and catch the news in the morning with my breakfast. How often do you catch the morning news? The last time I did was when I was hospitalised for pneumonia! That was Jaunuary 2005! The sun rises at about 530 here and when I wake up at 7, it's usually very sunny and bright. The feeling is really really nice. I will do laundry and I always pray that the weekends will be sunny. It has been so far. I will sun my blankets and my pillows, n then when the laundry is churning in the washing machine, I'll make breakfast... simple fare (usually just coffee and a sandwich or biscuits). Once I had Maggi Mee (Curry flavour) though. :)

Sunday mornings are great too because I go to church! Whahhaha... I reach Kakogawa station 45 minutes early before the church bus comes and I'd go to a cafe, order a cuppa and sit down to read my Bible. Nice nice nice nice nice... :)


MAGNIFICENT
WHO COMPARES TO YOU
WHO SET THE STARS IN THEIR PLACE
YOU WHO CALM THE RAGING SEAS
THAT CAME CRASHING OVER ME

WHO COMPARES TO YOU
YOU WHO BRING THE MORNING LIGHT
THE HOPE OF ALL THE EARTH
IS REST ASSURED IN YOUR GREAT LOVE

YOU ARE MAGNIFICENT
ETERNALLY WONDERFUL GLORIOUS
JE - SUS
NO ONE EVER WILL COMPARE
TO YOU JESUS

WHEN THE EVENING FADES
YOU CALL FORTH SONGS OF JOY
AS THE MORNING WAKES
WE YOUR CHILDREN GIVE YOU PRAISE

My Lord is my shelter and strength

Today, I woke up feeling a bit down, maybe even sad. But it’s ok, isn’t it? All of us can’t escape from going through valleys in our life. That’s a guarantee. But valleys don’t keep going down. There will come a point when I go up again.

Guess there are a few main reasons why I feel this way. Maybe my expectations weren’t met. I suddenly remember this saying. If you expect nothing, you will receive nothing and then you won’t be disappointed. Have you heard that before? I don’t believe in that. I really want to expect great things to happen, and have the hope and faith that they will happen.

Maybe it’s the weather. It’s been getting colder. Sometimes, I wake up in the night shuddering. Last night, I woke up at 4plus to use the toilet. Yet, I guess the weather doesn’t condition itself to suit me. I have to adapt to it.. n that I will. Actually, though I am apprehensive, I am also excited, cos I haven’t encountered cold weather, and it will be really exciting and an eye-opener to me.

Actually, I know that deep inside me, though I may feel down some days, I have a certain strength that doesn’t come from me. It is a strength that only God can give, a strength that gives me the confidence and assurance that all will be well. How do I know? I know because I know.

N so, I am going to meditate on God’s Word. I am a conqueror in Christ Jesus.

Service in the Sun

Last weekend was the annual church 秋ぱれ (akipare)！I think it means something like a perfect autumn day. :D N it was. The sun was out, and we had service, praise and worship in the hills. Well, first time I took part in anything like this and though it was hard work getting everything ready, it was great fun and I got to know everyone much better.

Reached the church on Saturday evening to help out and stayed overnight with the girls. This year, they have been tasked to take care of the decorations and we blew dunno-how-may balloons. I've never blown so many balloons in my entire life before. The girls told me if I blow 50 balloons in a day, I will have great flat abs! haha.. so i tried my best lar.. but i dun think I have 6-pacs... maybe just 1 big round one.

Staying overnight with them was great fun too. Of course, I din get to sleep much. Studied with Yuriko n Chi till 3 plus, n got up at 6 to get ready. It was very good fellowship. I got to know the girls much better, n they are really hot on fire man! :D We prayed and had devotions together. Really really nice. :)

The entrance to the stage

The P&W team

During P&W

In the afternoon, the sports meet began. Well, it was really interesting, cos I haven't seen anything like this before. Sports Day in my school and in church are pretty similar. They are not competitive. Rather, the purpose of sports day is to cultivate team-spirit and togetherness. People cheer their hearts out and there are various interesting relays and whoever wants to take part can.




Well, the leaders of the church are dressed up as fairy-tale characters by their group members. The most beautiful princess, dressed up the fastest, will win this round! It was hilarious. I was one of the make-up artists of Cinderella, who unfortunatley refused to appear on this blog because of yet another uploading-picture glitch. Hrrruuuumph. And Cinderella won worrrr.

The sports meet took place all afternoon, and when the day ended, everyone got down to working, helping with the cleaning and transporting of all the various pieces of equipment back to church. It was definitely tiring, but at the end of it all, we had a great surprise. The pastor gave the workers and helpers a yummy pizza treat!

Praise the Lord for a successful　秋ぱれ！

Tokyo Travels

Had a really wonderful time in Tokyo cos I met up with my host-stay family. I have not seen them for 5 loooooooooooooonnnnng years and it was wonderful to see them again. Mi very happy to meet them really.

N i went there and came back in a night bus. It was comfy and good enough, n i had a blanket, a pillow, slippers, n even coffee and tea in the bus. Very good and cheaper than travelling by the Shinkansen. I could sleep a little and at the same time, listen to my SONY mp3s and sermons. It was actually great!

Ok, so i din really do much in Tokyo. Met up with Lin Wei, a Eusoff friend, n then went to meet お母さん and お父さん。Went to Kawagoe, visited an old town from the Edo period, where the architecture is still preserved in some parts and bought Red Beans souvenirs for my neighbour and colleagues here. The red beans are really very very yummy!!!! No wonder they are a delicacy. :D

An old town in Kawagoe. It's a quaint little place that's bustling with life. Lots of tourists and visitors.

A shop selling ice-lollies. Looks like a movie setting perfect for those wu xia xiao shuo.

Otousan and Me

Mi posing during dinner

A sumptuous spread

Choco and me! I love Choco. He is trying to kiss me. keke. He is a wonderful dog and very very intelligent too. Well, there are 2 cats and 1 dog in the house. They can cause quite a din sometimes. :D

Some random updates

There are no lessons for us today cos it's the last day of the first term, n we have the closing ceremony for the 1st sem. The kids must clean the classroom, get their results, have homeroom meetings, council meetings, etc. In fact, this week, I had no lessons on Tues (preparation for sports day), Thursday (Sports Day) and today! n next monday is a holiday (break for the last day of first semester) and tuesday, no lessons too (opening ceremony for 2nd semester!)

Ok.. have been wanting to blog a bit, n here goes. This is a random post cos u will get to see random bits n pieces of my life here. :D

This is me, on a tracking route up dunno-which-mountain in Kakogawa. This place has lotsa tracking areas, n if you love to walk n hike, it is really nice!


This is dear Beth. She is the wife of Nozo, the American missionary here in Japan. She's been wonderful n God-sent! Well, she's really good in her Japanese language. ぺらぺらしゃべる！


Daiei, my favourite shopping "mall" at the moment. Haha, basically everyone laughs when I say that. Well, this place has all I need, for simple everyday shopping. 5 levels in all, supermarket, groceries, stationery, clothes, shoes, bags, plants, electrical appliances... I always go there after work just to walk walk. keke.
You also see the train station. That's Suzurandai station, n it is on the Kobe Dentetsu line, which is well-known for being super super expensive! I heard that I am on the 2nd most expensive train line. MAN! n yes, it is very very expensive. Going to Sannomiya, the heart of Kobe, costs me 490￥, which is about $6.60, just for a one-way ticket. It is very X lei, considering that there are only a few stops in between. SIGH. Anyway, I try to walk from the school back to the station, and this takes me about 40 minutes. Alternatively, I can take the train for one stop to get to Kita-Suzurandai where my school is located. That's about $2.20 per trip!


This picture was taken on a day where I felt very very happy! I like the place where I stay now. Initially, I was a little homesick because I wasn't used to the mountain, n the forest! Felt really alienated in the beginning. No tall HDB flats, no hustle and bustle of life... Now I love it. It is quiet and nice, n at night, I would go out onto the balcony to just look at the sea and the forest, taking in the vastness. I can see the busy airport, the flicker of lights in the distance at night. Very beautiful. :)



Putting into practice what Pastor Kong preached

I remember how some time back, when he preached about finances, I was inspired and determined to keep a record of my spendings, n failed. Couldn't keep it going. This time, after the marriage seminar where he once again preached about managing your finances, I want to start keeping track of my expenses again! So, I went to buy a cute Cash Book to help myself! Here in Japan, there are lots and lots of different cash books / accounting books / housekeeping books to choose from. I spent a loooooooong time looking at the various books and chose this. My book is very kawaii rite! :D N yay... I have been doing it faithfully since 1st September! It is really true..

A habit needs time and effort to cultivate before it becomes a habit!

And finally.. well, I have been hearing this over and over and over again. "You do not know what you cannot do until you try"

Dr Bernard said this in his 2002 Excellence Conference. Well, this morning, as I was on my way to school, it really dawned on me that yup, I do not know what I cannot do, or what I can do, until I try. And many times, I don't dare to try for fear of failure, or because it requires too much of me. Well, here's how what was preached became so applicable in my life.

In Singapore, whenever I had a problem, especially if it is a technical one, I would turn to Steve. I always feel that I am not very adept at doing certain things, n really, turning to someone else for help straightaway is the easiest thing to do. So here, many times, I have been tempted to ask for help for the simplest things, though I know I could possibly be able to manage it if I try.

I bought a DIY closet to save money and when I took it home to construct it, at first, I really felt very helpless. So many different parts which looked identical, so many screws and hooks... HOW TO PUT THEM TOGETHER? And really, for about twenty minutes, I tried but to no avail. N then, I was frustrated but DETERMINED to make it work, and after looking at the instructions carefully again, I did it... n it was not as difficult as I thought it would be. NOT DIFFICULT AT ALL! N right at the end, I felt so proud of myself. I was so delighted at my small triumph such that I am now even contemplating buying another DIY table, n DIY my apartment. :) It is really fun, and as I think of the DIY-journey, I really feel happy. It is like you have emerged because you tried to do something, n discovered that it ain't so hard after all.

Here are 2 picts of my DIY closet - The Beginning and The End.

So tonight, I am going to DIY my way to Tokyo. Seriously, I would never have done anything like that in Singapore, pondering over maps, figuring out which bus to take, which route to go, thinking thoughts of what would happen if I take the wrong train, walk the wrong way... etc. Here, I have to, because I need to. It is good for me. It makes me feel more confident, though many times, when I was going through it, I felt unsure and wondered if I was on the right track, and I have lost my way and got on the wrong train here. Yet, it's never fatal. Ahha.. I just need to rethink and replan my next course of action and get to my destination.

The EL department

The department had a welcome party for Tom and I last Friday. It was solid!

Well, although I have only been here for a short one month, there are many things that I can see in the EL department that are so valuable in the work place.
1) People here work very hard.
2) People work together. Bonds are very strong, and the team is cohesive.
3) The atmosphere is good and friendships are built and cultivated. There is a certain camaraderie.
4) We talk and discuss lessons together.
5) There is communication.

The workplace is such an integral part of our lives, intertwined, inseparable and we spend so much of our time in the workplace. The workplace can bring you up or tear you down. Most of the time, it's the words that people say that either encourage or discourage you. No wonder the Bible says that the power of life and death lies in the tongue.

A good boss and leader brings out your best. There is no fear of failure and you know you are allowed to make mistakes, learn from it and move on. There is a certain energy and motivation when people work together for a common goal. So far, I have worked with Mr Fujiike (HOD), Ms Miyaura, Mr Hasegawa and Mr Koike. Really really enjoyable, n I have learnt lots from them too.

Well, the welcome party was a very successful one. We had Yakiniku at this very famous place in Shinkaichi. It's like one of our Katong laksa stalls, or Geylang Dou Jiang. When you enter the place, you see lots of pictures of celebrities and their signatures. And the food is really awesome. First time I had such great beef, n it's almost almost almost as nice as salmon belly. (Maybe u would think it's much nicer.. but i have such a penchant for salmon belly... oooo...) The teachers were really generous. If I am not wrong, we had the famous Tajima beef. Very very very tender and juicy and succulent. You put the whole piece into ur mouth, bite into it, feel its texture, and mmmmmmm, fatty and heavenly, and you savour the taste, and swallow it. How can I describe it to u?

And this is a picture of us, all happy and satisfied after the meal. :D


  

My lovely neighbours

I just came back from Chisato's house, bathed and now feel warm and fuzzy. Outside, the wind is blowing. There is a typhoon in Japan now, typhoon no. 13, but here in Kobe, we are not quite affected though my window's been rattling quite a bit. Thank God that the weather is still quite fine here.

Well, this post is dedicated to Takarada Sensei's family. His family has been a great blessing to me, every single one of them. Tonight, I had Bi Bim Bah, a Korean dish. Chisato is really a very very good cook. めっちゃおいしかった!!! And last Saturday, she cooked for me too. I was so touched! It's really the simple things that make my day. Sometimes, she would bring the kids up to my place just to give me some rice cakes, or a simple meal. Their generosity and kindness warm my heart so much. :D

My dinner on Saturday. :D

It's not only the food. Many a time, when I return home, I will have their three lovely children running up to me, shouting my name. They will shout "Orenji, Orenji" and run up to me. Haha, and I would hug them and talk to them for a while. In all ernesty, Mayu-chan always tries to tell me about her day, or she would hold my hands and ask me why I feel so cold. They are so innocent and lovable. Today, Mayu-chan told me about the Hiroshima Memorial. Wow... can u believe that she told me about the war?

Little Momo is very cute too. I dun understand what she says most of the time, but she loves my ear rings! She always touches them. Haha, she's quite fascinated by them, oh yes, and by the necklace I am wearing too. :) Maybe next time, she will become a jewellery designer!

N Broccoli-chan. He is Kosei, and well, he's the split image of Takarada sensei. They look really really alike! N he loves broccoli. The first time I had dinner with them, he ate so much broccoli! N he eats them with mayonnaise!! Today, I played with him too, and carried him, n wrestled with him. I think he had lotsa fun.. I did too. :)

Momo, Kosei and Mayu

Mayu-chan made a card for me. :)

Thank you very much dear neighbours.

A horsy discovery

When we go buy our lunches at 7-11, Tom and I have to walk quite a distance downhill, and there is always this picture of a horse, hmm, a cartoon-like picture, staring at us, on our uphill walk back.

So, one day, we decided to explore the area a bit. We went through some hidden tracks, and ahha.. we discovered a stable! To me, it was a huge huge surprise. Tom wasn't so surprised.. cos he said there were horses in England, ahhhha, but to me, I was fascinated.

Some time back, I dreamt that I was on the ECP, on a horse, catching some armed robbers. I was really riding it, feeling the wind in my hair, galloping to nab those robbers. Haha, that was a strange dream... Well, if you ask me for my 3 favourite animals, I would tell u that they are "Dog, Horse and Bear". Well, when I really came face to face with one that day, it was a little scary though. They looked so huge! Enormous, especially their mouths. N the care-taker was feeding them, and so I took in all these and asked myself if I would dare to pet them or stroke them. Haha, in the end, I din have the guts to do that. The horses really have huge mouths!

Scared yet wanted to go nearer

Aiyoh, quite the best I could manage. Look at its mouth! It is actually very big!

And Brave Tom. He looks so at home with the horse!

Today

It's really late now and I am supposed to be asleep, but am not. There was a cockroach in my fridge...

Sigh, when I opened the fridge and saw the dreadful and gross creature, I just couldn't say or think logically. I dun understand why I have such an immense fear of cockroaches. Even as I type the word, I feel totally grossed out. And it was in the fridge. How on earth did it get in? Unless it was already in some plastic bags... but then i dun think so, cos there was nothing much in the fridge. It was really very difficult for me to even look at it and I stood there thinking about how I should get rid of it. I really felt useless.

I called Holly for help. A good friend she is indeed. It was really late but yet she came up straightaway and helped me get rid of it. I felt so terrible.

It was the first time I saw the c in my house. I really thought I would be able to handle it if I ever see one, but I couldn't. There was just an indescribable intense emotion, n those who know me will know of my hate relationship with this creature, dating back to the time when I was 7 years old.

Sigh.. I pray there will be no more of these in my house.



Anyway, apart from this episode, my day was fantastic. I had 3 tremendous lessons today and really enjoyed myself. I love it when kids are motivated and desire to learn. The attitude is so important and everything begins with a desire. Some of these students are just so so so so shy.. yet when given the encouragement, they start to try to speak. :D

And that's not all why my day was great. Today, I went to the gym!

It's been 5 long weeks since I last ran. Wow... I felt so happy. Was on the treadmill for 40 minutes and I was so happy. Abel and I decided to go to the gym, n this place is very very affordable! 200 yen only! That's like less than $3.00! N the equipment was good, the trainers very helpful and friendly. I stretched and ran. Din really do much on the various pieces of equipment, but I tried this very interesting massage-like machine. It's very good! You use the machine strap on a certain targeted area and it will massage it... not with kneads, but with a very fast and strong pounding, vibrating. Hmmm, actually I call it a massage, haha, but I think, it's more supposed to relax ur tense muscles and help you do a warm-down.

After that, we went for sushi! It's like our genki sushi, except that it's nicer! Wow... I had lotsa salmon sushi and chawanmushi... finished it with a chocolate cake, washed down with green tea. Very very very ooisshiiii.

I am going to rest my tired body now. Tmr is Friday again. I love Fridays! :D

Thankful

I came back with Holly after shopping for groceries and it was dark and raining... n we were both soaked, cos we had only one umbrella. It was also cold and I was hungry too. Ermm... not exactly a very nice feeling...

However, when I reached my apartment block and saw the lights on on the 2nd n 4th floor landings, I really felt so thankful. Most of you may not know this.. but when I first arrived, I had no lights at all on the 2nd n 4th floors, n it was dark and creepy. It was strange why this was so, cos all other units in my block had lights on at their landings, except for my particular staircase. I stay on the 5th floor, so when I go home, and when it's dark, it's kinda unsafe and eerie.

And I tried to get the problem solved, n spoke to many many many many people. The problem remained for a month.. n yesterday, I had such a HUGE surprise, cos when I reached home, I saw the lights on. Someone must have helped me. I know it's amazing cos Jennifer, my predecessor couldn't get it to work when she was here, which means the problem must have existed for a looooooooooooonng time. I really thank God for the lights. Haha.. Let there be light! N also to the someone who has helped me with it. I really dunno who you are, but I really appreciate the kindness.

N...... Get ready for this.

So I climbed up 5 levels, n reached my house wet and uncomfortable... n
I SAW A PAPER BAG HANGING ON MY DOOR KNOB.


I was so so so surprised. Took the paper bag into the house, n tada.. there was dinner inside. My gosh.. for a moment, I stood there, stunned. I just thanked God in my heart, knowing that He is indeed a good and faithful God.

The dinner was made by my kind neighbour, Chisato. She is Takarada Sensei's wife, and the family is really kind to me. They have helped me so much, getting my fly screens fixed up for me and inviting me to their house for dinner... Totally touched by what I saw in the paper bag, I decided to make kaya toast for them a second time. Their kids love Kaya toast!

I had kaya from Ya Kun, a surprise gift from Steve.. n it was so good. Thanks dear, for this surprise!

Anyway, yup, i made it and brought it over... n it was such joy to see Mayu, Momo and Kosei eating them! :)

I came back n enjoyed the wonderful dinner too. Really delicious. Simple fare, but sooooo nice. I love the vegetables. Got lotsa tau gei! I like!!! Tasty and healthy. Chisato san is an awesome cook. Even the coffee she makes tastes different. Maybe it's cos there is love and warmth in it. :)

Thank God for His goodness and my kind neighbours.

5.10 pm

The sky is dark and looks threatening. It is raining here and this change is interesting and exciting for me. Last night was a cold night. Snuggled n tucked in comfortably, I slept well though I felt a little cold.

I am surrounded by so many people in the staff room. I can leave, but decided to stay back for a little while more to just blog an entry. Everyone is involved in some kinda work and chatter, talking about their classes, about their work... It just feels kinda surreal.

Mr Anpo, my colleague who sits beside me, is marking test papers. One of the students actually drew a Doraemon on the test paper. Haha, he showed me the cartoon and well... haha, students
are really students, whether in Japan or Singapore.

Mr Anpo is really a very nice and friendly teacher. He seeks to constantly improve himself and he is learning English. He reads the Time magazine and often tells me about the articles he has read. He asks me when he doesn't understand and I am just very encouraged by his desire to keep on learning and acquiring knowledge. Oh yes, and he is super helpful as well. He has helped me and Tom many times. He's sent me home, helped me look for tables, carried them home for me, bring me to the station in the rain... His mere presence beside me in the staff room, n his daily genki greetings do brighten my day. Thank you Anpo Sensei!

Anpo Sensei and me :D

















And Knowledge is Power.

These days, I have started catching more news. I am teaching 2 Current Affairs English Classes, so it is actually good for me too. I have to keep abreast on what's happening and I go on CNN and BBC and read about what's happening around the world. Indeed, so many things happen everyday and as I read and reflect, I find myself getting more interested in these things. There is this article that I read titled 'Why we do what we do' and it talks about a senior correspondent, Bobby, who has covered Baghdad for the past 3 1/2 years. It was a very good article and got me thinking.

Why I do what I do.
Why do you do what you do?

And in the last paragraph, it was mentioned that Bobby likes to dine with his beloved wife who is 7000km away in Singapore. Wow... I was so touched as I read on. There was a picture of him eating in front of the webcam on his laptop, with his wife looking on.