Yorokobi

This morning, I feel happy. Just a joy that I want to write about and share and the truth is I haven't been feeling such outright, explicit rejoicing of my heart for a long time. I think the last time was when I was still in Japan...

About 10 minutes ago, I wrote the above paragraph and I just came back to my desk after a call from Theresia. There was such an excitement and exhuberance in her voice. You can't believe how glad I am now... haha.. I am getting a little crazy now, yet also feeling calm and peace.

Ochitsuite Ochitsuite...

My laptop has some problems and I cannot use the Japanese font despite trying to install it many many times. And it's so slow too. But I am still so thankful for one to use. At least it's functioning and I can do the basic I need for work.

Ochitsuite means "To remain calm".

Anyway, last night, I received a call from Okaasan. It was the first time I heard her voice break. She was trying to be strong and courageous. My heart broke too when she tried to tell me what's on her heart. Dear friends, please pray for my Otousan... He is losing his sight and she told me he couldn't really see and I could sense the fear, the worry, the apprehension, the sorrow. I asked her what happened and she couldn't say anything except to keep saying "Gomen ne.. Gomen ne..", "Shinpaishinai de, Shinpaishinai de...", "Me ga mienakunaru. Demo, mondai ha nai..", "Arigatou Arigatou".

All she could do was to repeat the above phrases over and over again.

I knew something was wrong and all I could do was to pray for her and for Otousan. Otousan has been on medication for very long due to health problems and I know she is really feeling very worried. I'm definitely going to stand in the gap for them.

Yup, and last night I had a very good fellowship with Steve. Sometimes I feel so blessed. Despite the quarrels... and they are usually really really petty ones, I feel so thankful for him in my life. :) Arigatou ne... tomoni tomoni... hahaha..

And I am also super thankful to E151. It's strange how God can bring together a family of strangers, then one step at a time, because of the love of God, we become firm friends. That's what's so special about God's house - people helping each other, praying for each other, finding a hurt and healing it, finding a need and meeting it.


E151, 2007

Lost in Cyberspace

I have finally decided to blog again.
This time, I am doing so because I want to start encouraging myself again!!
:)

I know words are a powerful way of shaping your thoughts and mind as well, so here goes!!
Yeah, right now at this moment, I am anticipating the farewell luncheon of 2 of my colleagues. And hmm, it's been a mad rush here since 2 days ago due to some software bug from America, n also because of the Southern California wildfires that have been raging, causing disruptions in services.

Today, the situation seemed to have improved. :)

I am now working temporarily at FedEx and I thank God for this opportunity to see things and learn as I go through this transitory period in my life. I seriously have so much to write and say, n I do write loads... just that I dun do it on the blog. I really love to write and express my feelings and thoughts and now even carry a notebook around... you know those cheap 40 cents kind we use in Primary school, with the brownish, recycled cover? Hahhah. Kekekek... yeah, still remember those 15-cent blue notebooks?

Anyway, it's good to be back here and cos I suffered from the unimaginable, freezing cold up in Suzurandai (though I really do miss the place too...), I shudder now to think how I managed to gingerly step out of my electric-blanketed bed, go to work feeling cold even under numerous layers or trudge back home in the chills and uber, strong winds... hahaha.. n hor... n hor... u know what.. it's not even winter in Japan though it certainly is nearing. It's only still Autumn!!!!! But i keep up with what's happening there and dear Anpo sensei told me about how it's already starting to get quite cold at Suzu and how there could be lotsa snow this year!!!! Hahhahahahaa....

Yeah, Ok.... that's all for now. Can you hear my stomach growling.... I am gonna go back to Cyberspace and the world of unintelligible Japanese technical jargon and keigo now...


The Japanese Team - Masae, Toki n Sing Hon

Announcement Announcement

Princess Olenju is back in sunny Singapore.

MY HEART GOES THUMP-A-THUMPING AWAY....

お姉さん　清美ちゃんへ

さようならと言うのは　難しいね。。。
清ちゃんと知り合ったのは　本当に神様に感謝しています。。。偶然と言われたけど　そんなに偶然じゃないと思う。。何か特別な理由があるで　この友情が始まるみたい感じがあるかもしれない。。。私はそうと思うけど、清ちゃんもそうと思わない？

色々なことを教えてくれたのは　ありがとう。。ムカデとか　私がお湯で起こった事件を本当に手伝ってくれたとか　いっぱい話しかけたとか　本心から何も隠れないように伝えたこととか、私の布団が雨にぬれた時　慰めるためにケーキを買って　私のアパートで行って　一緒に食べた時とか。。。私は今本当にびっくりして　感動されました。。。絶対忘れない。。。

さっき　さようならと言ったら　一人帰り道時本当に寂しい感じが気にした。。人間は本当に時々不思議なことが起こるかなと思う。清ちゃんと知り合うことはその中の一つです。寂しいけどやっぱりさっきの約束通りに　シンガポールででも良いし　タイのチャッツッチャ市場の時計の下でも良いし　日本でも良いし　会うことまた待っている。。。望んでいるね。。：）

清ちゃんは　本当に私の日本のお姉さんです。。。ありがとうございます。

さっき取った写真。。。楽しんでね！















































いい勧めでしょう！秋刀魚はものすごく美味しいでしょう！：）


ありがとう！！！！！！！！！

Specially for my dearest ah-ne YanYan


Glorious Chirashimi (Dinner with Racheru at Kanazawa... a place famous for their seafood)


Dinner at the dormitory with my Taiwanese friends... You see the salmon that I made? I offered it to them too but none of them wanted it! Wahhahahahaha....


My breakfast these days... I recently developed a love for peanut-cheese toast! It's extremely good and you wash everything down with a huge mug of aromatic coffee.... And as you have breakfast, read a good book! Guaranteed to give u the genki for the day! :)

At Rachel's house

Woke up pretty early while Princess Rachel was still in Lala land... Kanazawa really lives up to its name.. this place is very beautiful.. the colours are so vivid and it's actually known as a smaller version of Kyoto.

We went to Upper Noto yesterday with a tour bus... errr... all old folks except for us 2 genki "xiao huo zi" and it's the 1st time I joined a tour group like this in Japan. Hmmm.. it was quite all right though personally, I think it would have been much better if we had a car or could explore the whole entire place by ourselves.

Write again cos i am going to Mister Donuts soon!




















Good Morning!!! Well, this is a continuation after 2 long days! I am back in Kobe, Motomachi, Yamate, in my humble dormitory room and this morning is beautiful, the sky a little downcast though... I slept really well thru the night prolly of the long bus ride i took back to Osaka... sit until leg n neck cramp that kind... but still in a way, i do enjoy taking the highway buses becos during the bus ride, there's pretty much nothing to do except to read, listen to music or sermon, pray and think about life... n hurhur of cos snack along the way.

Well, highway buses are the cheapest option to travel long distance here though of course they are certainly the slowest and many people do prefer taking the shinkansen or a flight. Not for me though.. hmmm, i kinda like the feeling of settling myself down by a window seat, looking at the scenery (if it's a day bus)... study jap along the way... or if it's a night bus, then i will catch some sleep n wake up during the various snack-cum-toilet breaks in between and when i open my eyes, i would have reached my destination. Save on accommodation too! It's really very nice to me and some people say I am crazy?! Hahahhahahaha.

Ok, i dunno why i write about highway buses... but here's how they look like, picts courtesy off the various bus companies' websites. :)





Depending on the amount u pay, u get to sit on the different classes of buses. The most "high-class" ones come even with multimedia entertainment! Most will have slippers, blankets and some companies, head rest pillows and also coffee and tea. :) Not too bad yah!

Ok, i go eat breakfast now n continue later! Today's menu - Peanut cheese toast washed down with a mug of hot, aromatic Blendy coffee latte...

Herculean Effort

Have been intending to write but somehow, every time I sit down in front of the computer, the desire to write just vanishes.. wahhaha... that's why it's taking me a herculean effort to update this blog today.

Yesterday was the last day of my Japanese language course. I can't believe it... One month just slipped by and it's so fast. Twinking of an eye really and everyday, I will wake up early, have breakfast, go study at MacDonalds, n start school at 9.30am... It's a very structured lifestyle and when lessons end at 2pm, I go for lunch, then walk and window-shop for a while, take a break before heading for KICC to mug again.

Being at Sannomiya is a good thing. When my attention span wanders, i will be able to explore new places. It's a very bustling place. Lotsa shopping and nice things to see. :) Yesterday, I went to the Kobe Municipal library and borrowed a book - "The Showa Anthology". It's a collection of short stories of modern classic literature by various acclaimed Japanese authors and well, I have been reading some Japanese authors recently. These short stories make for interesting reading when I am taking a break or during meal times. :)

Anyway, you know what happened at school yesterday? I won for myself 2 tickets to Awajishima for being present for lessons everyday and for punctuality. Wahahhaha. That came as a nice surprise! However, I dunno if i have the time to go there considering that I really don't have much time left here.


And tomorrow, I will be going to Kanazawa to visit Rachel at her little country cottage. Was told that Kanazawa is famous for fresh fish. Yippeee!!! I love to eat fish... really can't understand why. :) And this reminds me too of the sashimi dinner Fujiike sensei treated me to. Was invited to his house last weekend for dinner n after that, we played tennis. :)


And while taking a break, I saw this really funny signboard. LEELAX peeps!























Relax (English), Leelax (Chinese), Lelakkusu (Japanese)
The wonders of the English language... :)

A very very long morning indeed

I decided to put this up. It's my email to Steve this morning. Enjoy.



Dearie, you won't believe what happened to me last night... I slept rather late and dear... i really had a very very scary night....

Heez, my intro sounds like some horror story... but dear, I am glad to say that though I am still frightened, I have definitely become much braver as compared to in the past...

I was doing some reading up on Kyoto and Thailand when out of the corner of my eye, across the floor, I thought I saw some sleek creature scurry across... And then it happened again the second time within 1 second and I looked... To my immense horror, there was nothing... so i thought it could be my imagination.

You know what... If I had seen something, I would have been less shocked.. cos it made me unsure if there was SOMETHING or NOT.

And I took a few steps back and scrutinised my table from a distance... It seemed to have been approaching me.

And then I saw it again.

Man... Cockroach. I wanna die even as I type the word out now.... n it was super huge... n had super long feeeeeeeeleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeers.

Can I spell it like that?

Stunned and shocked.
Paralysed.
Thoughts zoomed in my mind.
What should I do.
Wake my room mate?
Kill it myself?
I definitely couldn't leave it just lying there... or have it roaming carefreely in my presence.

So I woke my room mate and dear... sigh... it was a wrong move... She was super grumpy and she really didn't want to help at all... Sigh... Dear, you know what, in cases like this, I would rather kill the slugroach myself and be fearful and all than to have an unwilling person help me.

She got up nonetheless and used a slipper to tap the wall beside the roach and the roach went in another direction be4 disappearing from view. Then she told me it's fine now. It's gone and I was like... HUH? It's gone? It's just there. Behind the table. And anyway, after some time, she managed to help me get it out of the room... but it was still freaking alive. She didn't want to kill it.

So i decided to go to bed.

And this morning, I woke up at 6.15 am and went to the toilet and upon returning.. guess what I saw again. The stupid slug roach and I am inclined to believe that it's the same one... I just dun wanna think about it being part of a huge family festering in the room.

So I woke her up again. Again, wrong move. This time, she whined and complained and that really struck something in me. I just told her to forget it. I would kill it myself. I told her too, in all her drowsiness and unwillingness, that most of us do fear some stuff in our lives and in mine, it just happened to be this ugly creature. I told her that it's all right. I would manage myself... Dear, i was a little upset...

So i stood staring at the roach for a minute... And prayed for boldness and then guess what... I was still shocked and finally, decided to get another person to help me. My room mate has retreated back to the warm furrows and was totally oblivious... or mebbe pretending to be oblivious?

And this other girl came to my rescue... She had such a different attitude and she was so reassuring and warm and kind... She kept telling me not to worry and brave her simply used her slipper to kill it this time. Dear... it was like dejavu.. you know where the roach chose to escape to? The closet, cabinet where I keep my clothes. Sigh... that was what happened to me in Eusoff Hall years back.

Anyway, she killed it without an ounce of effort and kept reassuring me. She really really made a huge and positive difference in my life and I am so thankful for people like her... Dear, I really appreciate her help and i couldn't help but compare the 2 different attitudes.

I feel that even as i type this, God is speaking to me too... That we can never be too busy, too preoccupied with ourselves that we cannot help others in need. To make a difference, we have to go out of the way to help. I was really touched and I am going to have an even greater attitude towards the people around me now.

Dear... it was such an awful yet awesome experience. I am now much more relaxed, after having breakfast and now, I am seated right at the same table, typing this email. I have gotten braver because the prior me wouldn't have the guts to sit at the same place even after disinfecting or cleaning the place. Now I can.

So the rest is history. I cleaned my area of the room... And there's basically nothing very much to clean or clear since i din bring much luggage with me... but I wiped the desks with mamalemon... wiped the walls, cleaned the cupboards... did some basic cleaning and dear... as I was cleaning, my room mate just muttered something. I thought she was asleep... but she said that she was really tired and she was sorry she couldn't help from the bed and I felt a little upset still and at that point in time, I REALLY REALLY WANTED TO BO-CHUP HER AND NOT RESPOND TO HER. Still, I told her nevermind.. it's fine... And then she said she wouldn't kill the cockroach anyway since it is a living thing... Sigh... Whatever whatever whatever.

But I have decided that despite this, I would still treat her nicely.

And so, I din sleep much the whole night... and now, i have almost finished my story.

It's a triumphant email from me to you dear... I hate slug roaches and I still do. Nothing's gonna change that and I still shudder at the thought of it now... But but but...

In all situations, I can give thanks to my precious Lord and learn something from it. That's the beauty and essence of this email.

Dear... i shall study a bit now and then see what i will do later on... initially intended to go to MacDonalds for a nice morning breakfast but due to all the unforseen circumstances, I knew it would be impossible to enjoy a nice, hearty meal. Still, the Old Town Coffee, Premier Biscuits and Sweet Momo gave me the genki this morning.

Dear, thank you for reading this terrifically exciting email. :)



And that's the end of my story....

目茶苦茶　ばらばらの日記

色々な考えが溢れてくる。。。さっき日本語の一級の単語をできるだけ覚えると　集中できないから　ブログを書くかなと思う。。。

今ね　神戸東洋日本語学院で一ヶ月間ぐらいの集中コースをしっている。毎日学校通って4時間ぐらいの勉強は本当に楽しんでいる。けれども5年ぶりで　勉強しなかった私はこんな集中コースはちょっと大変と思う。hmmm。。。多分まだ慣れていないからね。

私が書きながら　色々な新しい文型も使いたいけど　時々めちゃくちゃ覚えてきたけど　自然的に出ってこないね。違う文型は　その違うさは一つの平仮名だけけど　意味は本当に違う！　その上で覚えることも難しい。毎日何回何回を練習したけど　本当に覚えにくい。でも皆は諦めずに　毎日笑顔で互いに励まして一緒に参考して勉強する。教室の雰囲気はすごく良いと思う。：）

ね。。。私にとっては　一番難しいのは　文型の「なイーない」形です。私の頭にずっと考えて　巡って考えて　時々本当に諦めたい！！！！とても理解できないからね。。。疲れるものがあるね。。。疲れ気味があるね。。。疲れ嫌いがある。。。疲れてくる。。。

例えば　上に書いたの四つの疲れる文型はどう違う？ふふふ。。。私は本当に神様の力と知恵はもっともっと欲しいです。自分の弱さがはっきり分かるから。。天の父はいっぱい知恵を与えてください。。。

でもね。。色々な微妙なニュアンスがある中に　できる限り毎日毎日繰り返して勉強しながら　やっぱり良い結果になる。大切なポイントは絶対諦めずそ言う態度です！成功の通りは長く　順調なものじゃないです。。もちろん様々困難である。でも　私ね　本当に神様の約束を信じるから　頑張りたい。。。この気持ちは本当に説明は難しい。。。

昨日　私は神戸バイブルフェローシプという教会初めて行った。この教会は国際的な賛美と礼拝があります。外国人の人も多くいます。4時の礼拝は英語と日本語で両方行われている。素晴らしいと思う。：）昨日のメーセジは詩篇によって　ダビデが書いたとても耳慣れるの23書です。

聖書によって　詩篇２３書1－6節
主は私の羊飼い。私は、乏しいことがありません。主は私を緑の牧場に伏させ、いこいの水のほとりに供われます。主は私の魂を生き返らせ、御名の為に、私を義の道に導かれます。たとい、死の陰の谷を歩くことがあっても、私はわざわいを恐れません。あなたが私とともにおられますから。あなたのむちとあなたの杖、それが私の慰めです。私の敵の前で、あなたは私のためにしょくじをととのえ、私の頭に油を注いでくださいます。私の杯は、溢れています。まことに、私の命の日の限り、いくつしみと恵みとが、私を追ってくるでしょう。私は、いつでも、主の家に住まいましょう。


今二日の後です。このブログは目茶苦茶、ばらばらけど日本語で書きたいだけかく。だれも読まなくてもいい。ふふふ。

昨日KICC で一日過ごした。もちろんずっとじゃなくて　私も食事したり　疲れたとき買い物した。休憩が大切！KICCの雰囲気はとても良いと思う。皆日本語の勉強とか　交流のため　KICC で集まることです。：）今日の予定は昨日と同じでしょう。多分のんびり日本語を勉強すると思う。：）

私ももうすぐ帰ります。また三週間ぐらい。。。本当に寂しいと思う。今からの人生は本当に何をする前に絶対神様に祈り捧げます。神様は私の力と知恵と命の源です。今ずっとずっと私の頭に巡っている約束は二つです。多分皆も聞いたことあるかもしれない。とても耳慣れるバイブルの節ですから。

イザヤ55書：8－9節
私の計画はお前たちの考え付く計画とは違い、私の思いはお前たちの思いと同じではない。天が地より高いように、私の道はお前たちの道より高く、私の思いはお前たちの思いより高い。

Isa　55:8-9
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD.
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.

エレミヤ29書：11節
私はお前たちの為に　立てた計画をよく知っている。それは災いではなく　祝福を与える計画で、ばら色の将来と希望を約束する。

Jer　29:11
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

この二つの神様の約束に励まされた。本当に希望と信仰が与えてくださった。天の父　ありがとう。。。
私が信じるから。

これまで　全部日本語を書きました。次写真時間です。ふふふ。

私と渡辺先生

渡辺先生は本当に責任を持って　熱心に教える。一番、最高の先生と思う。先週の水曜日渡辺先生と一緒に食事しながら　色々なことを喋った。ありがとうね。とても面白い話でした。残念ながら来週の授業は渡辺先生がまだ東京でいるから。。渡辺先生が担当授業はない。。。会うこともなさそう。。。

水族館

先週末の土曜日　寮の台湾人の二人と一緒に須磨水族館へ行った。

びっくり大きさ

日本の昔話の中に一つのは　一人である若い男の人が一つの亀ちゃんを救って　その後感謝の為に　水中国の女王の誘うと従って　おじいちゃんの亀の貝で通って　水中国へ行きました。：）

怖く見えるカニ達

怖く見える言えども　やっぱり長く見ると　神様の創造は面白いぐらいにきれいやんなぁぁぁぁぁ。。。

寮について

























台所で　三人の姿

寮で私以外皆が台湾人です。この寮は女性の寮です。：）
皆と一緒に住むこの一ヶ月間　もちろん一緒に協力して楽しみ過ごしたい。：）
また三週間残りだけです！！

ばらばら靴

皆女性のことだから　もちろん靴が大好き！！！靴戸棚の中に全部満たされます！

私の部屋

私の席です！大好き。。。小さいけど。。。


今の部屋は　智子と言う名前のルームメイトと一緒に住む。ふふふ。部屋もばらばらでしょう。


今まで　書くと思う。時刻は十一時半ぐらい。：）もうすぐ　KICC にいくと思う。：）
今日も猛暑の夏の日です。でも私は本当に太陽の方が大好き。良い一日を！

Saturday morning

This week's flown by and I have 15 minutes here before the school administrator and the tatami people come to my place!

Anyway, yesterday was a super good day for me and I took some very interesting photos. See for yourself!

Was walking down Centre-Gai when I heard the military band and was wondering what it was when I saw one of the most amazing processions... A whole group of volunteers, the police, traffic police, the Town Council, etc... marching to the beat of some famous Japanese matsuri tune! I heard them first before I saw them and guess what... They were protesting against drinking and driving! It was quite a sight to behold and they were really serious and at the same time, giving out tissues and cutesy reminders not to drink and drive. Here in Japan, you CANNOT drink and drive. It's punishable by law even if it's just a drop of liquor. The slogan says "YOU WILL DEFINITELY NOT BE FORGIVEN IF YOU DRINK AND DRIVE"



Left, Left, Left-Right-Left....

And then I went to cell group after that... Took a pict from afar... Will miss this place so much too when i go home.

KBC @ Dusk

And LOOK AT THIS!!!!!!!!
Let's Enjoy Yukata Time!
Me with the girls in our pretty Yukatas! It's my first time in this traditional Japanese Yukata... and do i look every inch like a Japanese in it? It's so pretty and I must definitely wear a kimono or yukata at my wedding!!!! hahahhahaha....

VIVID Girls!
























The ribbon at the back. Wearing the Yukata is difficult and we took more than an hour to get everyone dressed up. There are many different steps to follow and hurhur... the ribbon is the hardest to get right... Still, the final result is beautiful!
























Pretty Me
(Whahahahhahahah) And I think I took the pict at a wrong place... There is a world map just behind me and ahahhaha... I must have blended in so well with the wall such that the world map looks like it's part of my costume.

And dear Nozo prepared Church Supper for me!!!!!! It's another fave of mine. It's CURRY RICE!!!!!! with Tofu, Salad, Egg and Ham..... HAhahhahahaha.























It was so good I had a hearty second helping of the curry sauce!

And my door goes a-knocking away.... Mata ne!

Of Bees and Ants






















:) So joyful and happy, n BUSY but strengthened. (Bees and Ants are Beeezzzzzy, that's why...)

These last few days on JET, I have been packing and tying up loose ends in school, clearing the apartment, cleaning the place, throwing things (You know I am really not so efficient in cleaning... I always mull over what to discard, get nostalgic over cards and such...) Anyway, and also writing the 3 Japanese documents, farewell parties, preparing for the interview, helping Prof Umeda do proofreading, suffering from a very bimyou itch and visiting the hospital for the first time, studying Japanese, moving house, getting ready for my Japanese school starting tomorrow... and yet and yet, finding enough time to still sit down for a cuppa, go to the gym and write blog entries!!!! :D

The other day, one night, i just crashed in front of the comp, super tired, super drained... absolutely no more energy left and i thought well, this must be it... i am so tired now, can't take it anymore and then just 2-3 minutes later, my strength came back... it was indeed amazing. As much as I felt tired in the past, I was usually tired with the mundane routines and you know, just generally sick with the so many things piled up. Yet this time, there is a certain joy and my spirits were really uplifted as I go about my life here in Japan. It's amazing. I have never really felt like this before... I look at Pst Kong.. Truly a man of God and of great strength... I want to emulate him. He can be really tired after preaching so many services, not forgetting the preparations, the long-haul flights and the list is inexhaustible and yet, he is alive in the spirit and his strength in God is obvious. I want to be someone like that too. :)

And I was so filled with thanksgiving again yesterday. It's so important to give thanks daily... I really feel so good now!!!!

I will be starting my Japanese language intensive lessons tomorrow and i am really excited about it. :) Super duper excited. I am enrolled in Kobe Toyo Nihongo Gakuin and will be staying at one of their hostels and I tell you, this place is beautiful. :) I was there yesterday to check things out and deposit a piece of luggage, and when I saw the place, the occupants (mostly Taiwanese), i felt the warmth and togetherness in this place... and Taiwan somemore!!! Spoke in Mandarin here in Japan... n this is such a good feeling. :) Well, the rooms are clean, well-furnished, air-conditioned, spacious, bright... and my room mate, she is really really nice and attentive! So friendly and helpful too.. Took an instant liking to her straightaway and we started chatting non-stop. Ey, it was really good. I felt so thankful... it's almost as if God were telling me... Let this beautiful hostel be a present to you after a year of learning how to survive in the mountains... hahaha... but you know, yet again, I LOVE MY PRESENT KIMIKAGE HOUSE TOO... I really like it now.. it's cosy... it's a calm haven, an oasis... a really different experience for me.

Churn churn churn, grong grong grong, tzsu tzsu tzsu... (The washing machine and all the millions, billions, zillions of insects in the woods just outside)

Never really imagined myself going back to school again, but I now see the possibilities! It's always good to upgrade. In fact, you must!!!! So I am really excited about tomorrow... Studying and taking exams can be thrilling and really enjoyable. :)

Yeah, ENJOY A BEAUTIFUL SUNDAY!

Friday Morning, 1.15am

Another step forward,
Another dream closer.
Another test ahead.
The interview is tomorrow.

A smile can give you genki

Yeap, you have not misread the sentence. Genki is an adjective in Japanese... and it means fine. So for example, "Watashi wa genki desu." translates to "I am fine." and I have seen this Japanese word used as shown in the title above several several times. :) It's really so interesting to observe and see how the Japanese have incorporated EL into their daily life, or vice versa.

I am smiling because I am so genki. Actually I feel very relaxed now and I could have chosen to go to bed early today. Instead, I am eating corn... sweet, lovely, tasty corn on the cob! Sometimes, I just don't want to hit the sack. Tonight is just one such night.

These last few days have been super hectic for me, especially Sunday and Monday. Still, I am glad I chose to go through it regardless of the result. I had to finish 3 important pieces of documents all in Japanese and it's really a tremendous learning experience for me. One of them was an essay of 1500 words and it stretched me!!! Yet staying at home the whole of Sunday just to do it was a super-nice and fruitful experience. This kind of feeling of sitting down, concentrating on studying and writing for an entire day has been long forgotten.... The last time I spent such long hours studying was 5 years ago when I took JLPT 2!!!

Anyway, I am so relieved everything turned out well and the documents were sent out just in time. Many many many thanks to those who helped and encouraged me! ありがとう！

And then there was the "Open High School" event on Tuesday and I must say I am so so so proud of Nishi and Komatsu who did their Show-N-Tell in front of the large audience. It was really brillant and I believe they must have grown quite a bit too through this experience, reason being they had to present everything in English and it's really no simple feat for the students here. Many of them crumble, fumble, stumble... when you try to even get them to stand up in a class to answer a very simple question or make a really short speech. Therefore I know that Nishi n Komatsu must have really practiced very hard, memorizing everything, rehearsing over and over again... n it was so funny and heart-warming to see both of them so nervous and yet eager and excited.

Anyway, here's to these 2 boys! (Photo uploaded!)


And then I had a farewell party from the ESS (English Speaking Society) and man... I was so thrilled. I received a Yukata from them!!!! It's so pretty and it's not cheap too.. Arigatou!! And Koike sensei played his guitar and sang "Imagine" pitch-perfect! And Kurokami sensei baked plum cupcakes and Hiroko's sister baked a lovely chocolate cake... and there were so many different snacks and drinks too... Nice and cosy. :) Thank you ESS!


Koike sensei on his guitar


Pretty Yukata


ESS members... and we have grown from a mere 3 people to this many! Amazing! And there are a couple of missing first-year students in this pict too. Way to go!

And this must be the best gift I have received from the students so far... Maluco painted this for me and even framed it up... Really very very touched. Thank you dear Maluco. I really like the picture. And I will definitely miss her gentleness, her diligence and superb attitude in OC2 class, her thoughtfulness, her joy ... her genki!! Her smile gives me genki too! :) Let's keep in touch ok!!!!!


Can you find "God of Smile" in the painting?


A smile can really make a difference. :)

Ok, that's all for now. I must now decide whether to hit the books or the bed. Wahahhahaha. :)

All for Salmon!

Hmmm, I just made quite an amazing discovery on the net and you can say I am a suaku or what, but salmon makes your skin glow!!! I was wondering if I could eat salmon skin cos I noticed that many Japanese leave the skin aside and I got a little worried cos I just finished all the skin off my salmon fish head and so did a search on google. Found out lots about this nutritious fish!

Anyway, the point is if you wanna have nice skin, eat salmon!!!

All along, I have always known that salmon contains omega-3 fatty acids and they are good cholesterol and very healthy for your heart, but I never knew you could get beauty treatments from this fish… supple skin, wonderful complexion, less fine lines and wrinkles, decreased clogged pores, etc, etc etc... I am so glad I like fish! And salmon most of all…

It’s really nostalgic to think about it. In Singapore, mama would cook salmon for me like 3 times a week and it’s done Chinese-style, steamed, with slices of ginger, sesame oil, soya sauce and a little rice wine. Here in Japan, without her TLC, I just buy salmon fillets, fish heads or the bellies off the supermarkets and microwave them and then add some soya sauce or sprinkle some ajitsuke (pepperish-tasting salt). It takes less than 10 minutes and then I can indulge in my salmon treat! And I have been eating salmon everyday, almost… and I suppose it’s true… Steve commented that the bottom of my feet is now less coarse and this is surprising cos I walk more here. I din even realize this myself and did a check on my feet yesterday. There really is a difference cos it used to be so gross in the past, what with all the ji yens.. and dead flakes.. shan’t gore you out here anymore.

Yeah, and I really enjoy the fishy taste and smell and texture of salmon… any part of salmon is good for me… I love salmon!!!!!

And you should have seen the huge salmon fish head I devoured just now… eyes n bones n jaws n all… wahhahahhaahh... but with my failed attempt at capturing the curry rice this noon, I thought I better put up a more palatable-looking pict of salmon... Doesn't it look absolutely tantalising and mouth-watering? Just imagine the fats oozing out from the salmon flesh, filling your whole mouth, the taste lingering on your tongue and mmmmmmmmm, so so so fishy, heavenly and tasty.


MmmmmmmmmmmmmM......

I am a Salmon Advocate.
Choose salmon. Eat salmon. Live salmon!
Salmon your way to a healthier, younger-looking you!

Break-Time

Decided to take a break while getting my stuff in order. This morning, it's pretty foggy out there and I woke up super early again... wahahha, this time to go relieve myself.

So fast!! It's almost 12 now and I just had a very delicious beef vege curry rice. I told Steve I would make curry rice for him when he was here but we never got down to that cos we were always on the run, or out, or full from eating outside... anyway, look at my creation. Nothing so fabulous but nevertheless I enjoyed it very much.


Upon looking at this picture, i realized it doesn't look even a tad appetizing.. ahhahaha... And I was already eating it before I decided to snap a pict, so it's quite messy. Anyway, cannot eat this kinda stuff everyday. Not very healthy!

And the Japanese have all sorts of instant food, including instant canned ramen... which i hesitate to try though there have been pretty good reviews. Anyway, instant curry or stew usually never go wrong!

And this is an interesting vending machine. What does it sell? Errrrmmmm... some books.... (Pict taken courtesy of Steve)


We were plagued by the rain for most days when he visited but nevertheless, thank God for his protection... at least we weren't caught in the typhoon! It happened in areas all around us but eluded us!























Happily-wet, saying good-bye at Bola Bola, the ryokan we stayed in in Kyoto. It was so clean and cosy, definitely worth the price. Only about 2500 yen per person per night. That's around $33 only! And we were situated in a very convenient location, with 24-hr eateries, places of interest, combinis, public baths, everything. Highly recommended!!!!


Nicer-looking food... Here, especially in Kansai, pple like to eat rice and noodles together. Quite incomprehensible to me initially, but since I am someone who likes variety, I got to like it more n more.

Taken at a Japanese restaurant at Harajuku. Good place and what you see is Katsu-don (Fried pork cutlet with rice) and Soba (Wheat noodle soup). This is meant only for one person. HUGE!


And this is Nihon Teishoku (Standard Japanese Meal). There's a serving of multi-grained rice, salmon, potato salad, Akashi Takoyaki (very delicious), Miso Soup and some tsukemono (like pickles and preserved veges). And of course, a cup of tea.


In church with Beth n Nozo. Wahahahha... I love this couple. They are absolutely fantastic and generous people. Nozo blessed Steve with a brand new pair of Oakleys. Sigh (A happy sigh)... They really try to make a difference in the lives of the people around here and I pray that God sees the desires of their hearts and that they will be blessed beyond their wildest imagination.

ありがとう！


Ok, that's all for now... Mata ne!

Saturday Morning, 21st July 2007

Another Big Decision
Another Step of Faith
Another Level Up
Another Adventure in Him

ありがとうございます

My heart is still thumping as I write this, though I feel slightly calmer now... I just gave my farewell speech to the school and halfway through, I really felt so choked with different emotions...

One year has gone by just like this and I have learnt so much and received so much from Japan. Thank you Lord, for blessing me with this tremendous year. I felt so much suddenly halfway through the speech because I know that really, it's not just about being in Japan, teaching or merely just experiencing the life and culture here. I believe there must be something more to it... something more in store for me, and I was overwhelmed by gratitude and thanksgiving.

感謝しかない気持ち。。。今少しい落ち着いていくけど。。。日本のこと大好きになってくる。さっきスピーチの途中ですごくいろいろな気持ちが溢れてきた。

甲北の皆　ありがとうございます。

My new Denshi Jisho

I am so thrilled to lay my hands on this sleek, shiny and new gadget... What is this thing about gadgets and men, or heez, women? Hmmm... spent quite a number of days carefully considering which new model to get and tada... this is my new toy!!! Got it last Sunday at Akihabara with Steve and today, today, i finally decided to open the package, gingerly taking it out... I suppose this is what the Japanese call こだわり。。。

10 days

Steve's came and gone back to Sing... So fast... was quite sad yesterday but I am so glad I feel much better now. It's been a tremendous time. Thank you Lord, for everything.



昨日彼が帰ってきた。瞬間に本当に寂しかった。。。十日間と一緒に過ごした時間は　喧嘩もあったけど　私は本当に幸せと思う。説明が難しい。。。六時ぐらい時　一人で帰ったつもりなんですけど　ジームに入ってった。その後も兵庫達と一緒に食事した。気持ちも元気になった。：Ｄ　今の私はまた元気になる！

And now, it's on to the last part of JET! Cleaning apartment, getting everything in order for the new ALT... and then it'll soon be over. :) そんなに速い。。。本当にいつの間にか時間が経ってちゃった。。。

そしてこのＪＥＴが終わったら　私も日本語学を勉強する。今の気持ち時々緊張けど　楽しんでいると思う。がんばって　オレンジ！！