Deers - Messengers of Gods

If you have been thinking where I disappeared to during this holiday season, I was lucky enough to be strolling among the peace that Kyoto and Nara has to offer.

At Nara, groups of deers, apparently messengers of the Gods, roam freely around the temples and shrines. Although I walked NON STOP for four days, the last stop at Nara was definitely an enchanting & relaxing experience.

Many deers graze in the serenity of this park. Kids were thrilled, as visiting many many temples in Kyoto & Nara must have been overtaxing. Compared to the many other temples I have visited, Nara (which used to be the Capital of Japan in the 8th Century) is brought to life simply because of the free roaming deers everywhere. Irwin & I had to hide behind trees to eat our Mochi ice-cream, otherwise we know who would be asking for a taste of the vanilla favour.

Because they are scared, they are protected by law. We saw how cars have to give way to deers on the roads while turing into lanes. Irwin's sweater was pulled twice because they wanted the biscuit feeds faster. The deer even wanted to eat up our Mochi ice cream wrapper!

But I have to say, strolling in Kyoto & Nara brought about a lot of peace in me. No wonder people say Kyoto is a must-see. Indeed it really is!

Lumiere

Here's Lumiere, one of the grand projects held in Kobe during December period. Apparently an intended street party as a memorial to the spirits of those who died during the 1994 Kobe (Hanshin) earthquake.

It was definitely stunning to walk through an entire stretch (km) of beautiful lights with music in the background. It felt like...path to heaven...you know similar to what you would watch on TV.

Kimono for Real

Yes we went to try it.

I believe the Kimono is one of Japan's beautiful tradition treasures. We stood straight for at least an hour while someone complete the layering and "tying" of the kimono on us.

So yea how's life? What am I up to right? Always seem to be trying new things. Just got back from a fabulous Kobe trip too. Not sure why but today there was no excitment at work. Well, its December right, most people go on vacation and trading activities come to a holiday mood.

Not that I am complaining about my lifestyle.. but boredom is kicking in. Called my mum and of course she says "You should feel very happy and contented with your life!"

My book says "If you desire happiness, you should seek the causes that give rise to it, and if dont desire suffering, then what you should do is to ensure that the causes and conditions that would give rise to it no longer arise. An appreciation of this causal principle is very important." So, what do I really want? Relocation to another new exciting city again? or be someone well taken care of back in Singapore?...

Hello

Well I havent been writing, coz I have been busy withYear End, meeting new frens, trying to spend as much crazy time with Eva before she relocates to New York and planning for Kyoto trip.

This year-end was smooth fortunately. Because I have heard of the problems faced last year, I was kinda scared at whats gonna happen this year round, especially when I am new at it. Fortunately it was smooth sailing although there was still madness.

I guess having my optimistic eye with me helped. Hearing about last year's story made me more prepared for the hecticness; and everything seems to turn out better than expected. Can't complain.

My Update

This week was year end @ work. It was busy but less busy than I expected.

Weekends, I attended a Singaporean buffet lunch organised by the Embassy and met a new bunch of Singaporeans who are mainly working with Investment Banks here too. Seems like Japan's financial sector has a huge appetite for Singaporeans. There was Ba Ku Teh at the buffet. Friends who have relocated here for about 2 years said "Oh its terrible". However a lady who has been here for 8 years said "Oh its so delicious, you have to try it!". Of course she has forgotten how authentic Singapore food tastes.

Sunday, I headed to Harajuku for a cake feast. 5 of us had 6 slices of fruit cakes! Its extremely delicious. I have to say I have hardly tasted this standard in Singapore. In the above pic are some of the good gfs (not the chambermaid!) I have been hanging out with. Still, Phil is returning back to Sg in 2 weeks time; and Eva is relocated to New York end of the year. I am really happy to have met them as they filled up a lot of my happy gf memories at this age.

I feel like I live day by day; just like I analyse my daily PNL day-by-day. Currently I have a tentative date to return to Singapore, but no concrete timing. Sometimes it feels like it is hard to set long term goals. Or maybe I have none anyway.

As Winston just told me "I should treasure the remaining days here". Besides all my new found friends, I wonder how much I have changed or grew mentally.

Ginza
Above was taken at Ginza (most exclusive and expensive shopping area in Japan) when having a coffee break with family.

What's happening
Lately and unbelievably, I have been busy with watching a Korean drama series - Princess Hours, which was based on a comic book series. All thanks to Steven who insisted this is one of the most popular shows going on right now and so I should take a peek. I was also given a 3 weeks deadline to finish all 24 series, which explains the addiction.

What's up with life
I never used to follow drama series, nor could I understand why friends around me talk about drama series excitedly! Now I know why. The romances, how one overcomes hardships and finds true love must be the main reasons. Initially I continued watching one episode after another just because I want to find out the ending. Now in my final disk, I find myself basking in the fairy tale love. I now realise what Dalai Lama's book was referring to. In the book it mentioned "Our need for other people is paradoxical. At the same time that our culture is caught up in the celebration of fierce independence, we also yearn for intimacy and connection with a special loved one. We focus all our energy on finding the one person who we hope will heal our loneliness yet prop up our illusion that we are still independent." The book also went on to say that the notion of that 'One Special Person' is a product of time and cutlure. I guess media definitely has played a key role in romanticzing love and intimacy. So, do people crave for romance and intimacy because they feel something missing in their life; or do they really know what true love is?

10th month into my relocation. Before I got here, thinking that I would need all the survival skills & alertness to make it on my own, I was meditating daily. After I settled in without too much of a hiccups, I dropped the routine..oops. I believe power of the mind is the strongest tool. Meditation helps in reflections and clarity. Despite knowing the positivity meditation can bring, it is still not part of my daily routine. I wonder what needs to happen before I can snap my finger daily and say "hey its time for meditation!"; just like I would naturally reach out for chocolates daily.

Chai TAO KUEY in Tokyo?

How does the above carrot cake appeal to you? When I first saw it dished out, I was shocked.

It looked like Chinese omelette. I have also never seen chai tao kuey(carrot cake) served so elegantly on an artistic plate. Even the chilli is served with such a perfectionism circle. Some lettuce on the side for the health conscious?

But at least this is the closest Tokyo has to offer next to Newton Circus in Singapore!

Special thanks to Connie for pointing out my deficient in dialect spelling. I published this post with Chai Chao Kwai initially. Guess it was a mix of Hanyu Pinyin and my mother's chinese name..hahaha

Children, the answers to our next generation?

Yesterday I paid a home visit out of Tokyo to visit my colleague's baby boy Kaito-Kun. A very caring father, often he sends us photos of Kaito-Kun on Friday quoting Happy Friday! Amazingly, no matter how hectic work is especially on Friday, the baby picture never ceases to stop all of us from work, take a moment to smile to ourselves and simply comment on Kawaii! Yesterday we all had a chance to carry Kaito-kun to take pictures. After the coffee and snacks, we actually sat at Kaito-kun's mat and watched him for 3 hours! I remember Kan-chan and I were "pressing" his stomach simultaneously just to see how real this is and how it felt like...hahaa

Interestingly, the father's wish was to see Kaito-kun grow up (@ 4months now) and what his girlfriend would look like.


- Get Your Own

When I watched Kaito-kun, I wondered if our parents also spent that amount of mat-time and fantasize what we would grow up to be. Even if the baby laid there on his back without strength to move around as yet, to the parent, the baby symolises hope and a bright future. Of course looking @ delinquents, we know not all grow up what the parents expected. No one said life was easy. We are all trying.

the wave



Question: What is he doing/ thinking? He was kind, he waved twice and checked with me via expressions if I managed to snap it. Since an hour ago, I have been glued to CNN and Japanese local news on the tsunami warning affecting Hokkaido especially. It was expected to be 1-2metres high, but luckily the 1st and 2nd wave turned out to be 16 inches and 8 inches respectively.

Changes


The Shirasagai-no-mai (White Heron Dance) describes dancers dressed in heron costumes. This is a Shinto ritual performed over 1000 years ago to drive out the plague.

This weekend however, I didnt do anything cultural. In fact, I did something trendy. I shopped at Takashimaya with three other girlfriends. We had tea, and I bought myself a Burberry skirt. In the evening, I have arranged for a Japanese friend to teach us Japanese make-up. The technics are truely different from Singapore, Hong Kong or Korea style. I have never seen my eyes so accentuated nor my lashes being that long.

Much as my blog entries would proof that every weekend is extremely exploratory, the excitment seems to be getting into a routine. I guess it is nice to be a tourist once in a while, but here I am often so every other two weeks. Can anyone really live like a tourist every other two weeks? Maybe it is nicer to be back home, being cared for and having more closeness with family; rather than having the ability to spend yens on a Burberry skirt.

Not-so-up-to-it

Last weekend was again another touristic activity - I attended the 18th Anniversary Tokyo Historical Festival @ Asakusa.

Well, Japan, being a very cultured society, November 3rd, National Culture Day naturally became a public holiday here. By the way, Japan has the most number of public holidays in the world.

Funny thing we noticed about the costume procession was - very interesting costumes, but most "performers" seemed bored, and they dont bother to hide the boredoom! Not sure, if this meant being professionally natural or they are bored? Well the shot is one of many that "shows their boredoom". Check out their expressions. The lady on the extreme right seems to be giving directions in a pretty stern way (check out her finger!). Not sure what exact instructions are required though, since they are only walking on an one-way street parade. Bottomline most didnt look happy...hehe.

But how many people in this world are really happy deep down inside? The person who has it all? Successful career, friends, able to provide for family & seem to have a good relationship, good education? How about if the one who has it all was individualistic and cares only about self interests?

As I went through a very chaotic busy week at work, I was also bogged down by how frictions can easily occur when workload and stress builds up. At this point, people can easily snap at one another. What was originally a good working relationship or strong team can easily be broken down. I think luckily this is easily resolved if individuals understand human affection or warmth. The real value of life is not about the number of goals you set and hit bull's eye, rather how you go about attaining so. Sensitivity to other's feelings definitely helps. Understanding that he is stretched because he is constantly challenged by team-mates, understanding he is stressed as he has been working very late and wants to spend some time with his new-born baby, understanding that he is tired because of the number of hours ploughed in. All these empathy helped understand human behaviour better, especially when you need so in times where everyone is stressed. I am better at practicing warm and compassion now, ingredients for happiness. Better now...unfortunately, I snapped too.

Girls going away from Tokyo
Last weekend Eva organised a trip to Karuizawa where we viewed the stunning seasonal change of Autumn to its full colour. Five girls drove out of Tokyo - viewed Autumn leaves, waterfall, shopping, onsen, & hiking.

As we drove out, we often talked non-stop and how lucky we are in that at this age - we are still able to hang out in a group of girls and have fun and enjoy together. Joyce also mentioned how important it is to have good girlfriends even if you are happily attached. My exact thoughts. We were able to talk about anything, from our partners, gossips, our work, bitching, when we were younger to cysts. It is indeed fortunate to be able to share in girlie fun!

Greater heights @ Niijima

This week @ work was really rough - even my boss assured me that "it will be back to normal". Many mini projects on hand, and have been working slightly late despite not being month-end. When things dont make sense, I realise I am starting to lose my patience. After a challenging day at work, I always feel a need to talk about the problems in order to "let it out" to feel better. I wonder when I can reach a state of mind where I will always be non-violent & nonaggressive. How do I make a clear-cut division between work and after-office life; and not bring my work problems home?

Chicken rice investment in Japan

It's always satisfying to have recipes from Singapore once in a while. Together with Singaporeans, I have had chicken rice three times in Tokyo so far. The best so far was this one from Idobashi. In terms of display, it is similar to Chatterbox @ Mandarin hotel Sg. The rice and soya sauce did taste authentic. Notice the table-top, this is similar style to Ya-kun kaya toast. We also ordered carrot cake, laksa, fish head curry, goreng pisa and durian ice cream.

Singapore is currently the largest Asian investor in Japan. One of the investments to tap into the rebound of the Japanese economy is chicken rice! This was encouraged & assisted by the International Enterprise Singapore (under Singapore's Trade and Industry Ministry) to invest in Japan's "lifestyle services" sector. To my Japanese friends, indeed chicken rice is exotic. More Sg food can be found in new Lalaport Toyosu shopping mall in Tokyo opened this month. Ya Kun Kaya toast has also broke into mainstream Japanese consumer market this month!

Cooking was something I never did when I was in Singapore. But now I can cook pasta, grilled chicken breast, teriyaki and vegetable soup. Most of the time, I followed receipes off the internet. Its not that difficult after all?! Dealing with people is complex in comparative. There are no recipes - perhaps reasoning and empathy?

Halloween in Tokyo

If it is October, then it's Halloween time, and kids have already started celebrating so @ Gotemba. Clearly western-style Halloween decorations & fun are becoming popular in Japan. Even at my apartment's front desk, I saw an elegant pumpkin.

I received an Halloween invitation to dress up and celebrate so by sitting on the eki (train) on the circle Yamamote line. Funny interesting idea - so people will sit on the eki with costumes and drinks would be served.

Similar to Halloween, Japan has a traditional festival o-bon where people visit graves and bring back their ancestors' spirits to their homes and offer food. Of course they dont wear costumes, but yukata (traditional summer kimono) and go to bon dances.

A pity I will be missing Halloween celebration since I am travelling out of Tokyo. Read an interesting quote by Greek dramatist Euripides 'Marry, and it may go well. But when a marriage fails, then those who marry live at home in hell.'

Ooh its Fuji-san again.

"Which one is Mount Fuji, which one is Mount Fuji?"

Yes, 4 of us girls drove out of Tokyo to Gotemba Premium outlet yesterday. There are 165 designer and some of the world's most sought-after brandnames. That kept us very hectic from 11am - 6:30pm non-stop shopping. As we moved from East to West Zone, and back, we saw many mountains - & kept asking one another which one?! but hehe no one really slowed down to ponder.

Well, I managed to take a picture, and in the shuttle bus at the end of the trip, instead of constantly talking about our new acquisitions and discounts we "saved", we finally decided to show better appreciation and concluded that this must have been Mount Fuji.

Well, its not the first for most of us. I personally have climbed Fuji-san. Phil has also recently saw Fuji-san from Hakone.

Phil's description of individuals being posted here was interesting. She felt that exploring is always interesting, but not to kill time. She enjoyed her own trip to Hakone, enjoying nature, onsen, seeing Mt Fuji and oops but she had to eat the famous black eggs alone in a corner while all were doing so with their family & friends. I can understand what she meant, I have eaten the black eggs on 2 trips. Once with my bf and once with my family. It is kinda symbolic as 1 egg adds 7 years to your longevity. You dont really wana do something so meaningful alone. Something is definitely missing...guess she is missing her bf of 8 years!

For me, the blessing is a realisation of which relationships are based on caring & genuine affection. From the daily humourous phone calls with my bf, to the sewing kit my mother has brought for me to Tokyo. Well, I never took a look at the kit since she brought it here in May. Today I did (slow, but better slow than never), and whoa I think she bought me the best! Millions of needles of different sizes & heights, and tons of different coloured threads to suit any "occasion", some extra buttons, scissor and a thimble - all these for a girl who has never sewed in her life.

Thanks mum.

I also met Joyce who has gone through 2 long distance relationships ("LDR" expert) and she is now happily married. Her hubby, at 33, is dropping his career to join her in Tokyo as they were previously on long distance for 15 months. She seemed very happy & was very grateful about the scarifice her hubby is making.

Yea! So hearing, seeing and experiencing LDR have given me another perspective. This is more real. Forget about pursuing only romances, gifts and candle-lights dinner you see in movies, its more cool to be in something more real - real affection, kindness, mutual respect!

Shadowed temple

@ Kagurazaka

As I reflect on a handful of friends' long distance relationships who made it, and others' localised relationships who dont, I realise there is a consistent pattern.

Cannot make it:
Relationships very much based on immediate sexual attraction. Have seen instances where A meets B who is not really a good or kind person, but say "dont know why but I still feel attracted" - such relationships eventually become unstable, unreliable, unstainable, temporary.

Some guys say its a matter of demand meets supply (which I dont agree!); Guy wants pretty girls, Girl wants rich guys. I am happy to see the theory flopping again and again - "sorry" for the break-ups.

Can make it:

Duh - good character - kindness, gentleness (for my own list: humour & intelligence). This creates real bond and genuine communication; and eventually real appreciation and respect.

I used to think that the core of relationship is all about feeling passion day-by-day, and that indicates real love - a little naive - but now I realise, having the opportunity to know someone's character thoroughly is more passionately interesting. Funny for me, the opportunity came from being away in Tokyo!

Sexy Japanese Fashion

Japanese are really creative when it comes to fashion. The Gothic French Maid look is immensely popular. I cant quite say whether it is creative or strange. As I look at the display of Harajuku fashion, and the Kawaii lacey sought after image everywhere else on the street; I wish I could understand or empathize with their experience & mentality behind the dressing.

Dance @ Yokohama!

I am often intrigued by the arts and culture scene in Japan. I remembered stepping out of Ebisu Eki one evening and saw a matsuri dance where all were in their yukata. At that moment, I felt I could stay here forever.

The only art scene I couldnt quite comprehend and appreciate was definitely a dance performance at a temple based in a park in Yokohama. I couldnt quite understand or connect with anything @ Yokohama, especially the Chinatown & the Chinese vendors who offered nuts samples with their bare hands!

Sumo @ Ryogoku Kokugikan

Last Friday was vacation for me - and I headed out with Guchi-san to catch Sumo before it ends on 9/24 in Tokyo.

This is my first time watching a Sumo game, and live in Japan. I was surprised how much I liked it. It is in 100% contrast to watching a wrestling game.

I was lucky to be watching with Gucci-san who was explaning the rich range of throwing techniques, and how advantage in position can be gained quickly by grapping the まわし (mawashi) - the wrestler's loincloth.

I was also taught how to pronounce and recognise the various ranks of the Sumo! Yokozuna being the Grand Champion. Apparently in the Sumo sport, no one would complain about being slapped around by the stable master or senior-ranking wrestlers. Nobody every protested, no matter how much they were beaten.

I went at 2:00pm in the afternoon to catch the Juryo wrestlers. The ceremonial aprons they wear actually costs at least 2 million yen - and even more if they have diamonds, pearls and other precious gems!

They also threw salt around before each game as salt is believed to have purifying powers. It was a pity I didnt have my EOS Kiss with me. Above two pictures are taken with my mobile. But, if I am still in Tokyo in January, I would definitely catch another round, and this time aiming for the box seats!

Madonna's Confession concert @ Tokyo Dome - that was just 1/2 the size of the 1st floor. There are still 2nd, 3rd and 4th floor. She also performed in Osaka. No wonder so many artists would perform in Tokyo but not Singapore. This is the last stop of her 4- month long trip in America, Europe and Asia. Similar to Coldplay, they chose to end their concert tour in Tokyo!

YUKATA - COTTON KIMONO

Pictured above is during Matsuri festival in Summer, although Summer is somewhat over, what I really want to comment on is the yukata that is worn by both men and women. During the festive summer season it is not at all uncommon to see demure Japanese girls, or men walking around malls in their yukatas. Or best still, often wore to festive events - including the Hanabi, Sumo. Cant help but feel a huge sense of culture and gentleness...

Funny how Summer suddenly disappeared last week when the temperature started dropping to 20 degrees. Over the weekend on the streets, you always hear Samui (cold) and the word 'Autumn'. Autumn fashion was also on the street as girls started strolling in their boots. Last week in the office my male colleagues also dropped their summer polo T-shirt for long sleeve collared working shirts - looking much more formal now. Yet today, the temperature went up to summer 26 degrees again. Such unpredictability.

As I had four days of long weekend vacation, three days were spent monstrously socialising!
- Friday night dinner @ Shinjuku, followed by Izakaya (Japanese bar or resturant - popular for after-work drinking in Japan) with Singaporeans and Yumiko.
- Saturday - shopping & dinner @ Shibuya, followed by drinks @ Omotesando
-Sunday - Superman & dinner & ice-cream @ Roppongi Hills

Monday - I decided to spend time alone to myself, declining dinner invitation to Shibuya. Despite the busy days of socialising, cant help it, but when I am alone, I cannot stop reflecting on my journey. Guess thats what people do when they have isolated time - but at the same time it is so important - which I never had the opportunity to back in Singapore.

I began to reflect on what is truly of value in life, what gives meaning to our life, and how to set our priorities on the basis of that. Sounds easy? Try having a truely isolated day to yourself and figure it out. I'm still learning.

My First Embassy Dinner

Attended my 1st Embassy Dinner in Tokyo - it was hosted @ Westin Tokyo - which was a minute's walk from my office. When I reached the ballroom, I was shocked at the number of Singaporeans that are presently based in Tokyo. Mostly are in their middle age - 40's. Many of the women I spoke to are here because of their husbands. Some married Nihonjin.

The young bunch - mid 20s to early 30s stuck in a group right in the middle of the ballroom. We were entertained by an active and elderly Singaporean lady and her Japanese husband who kept taking photographs of us. He said that - anyone with spectacles and camera - you know he is a nihonjin.

Ready for Autumn...

Sept 8th marked the last of Summer in Tokyo. Luckily I ended it in Niijima island 新島.

The island was reputated to be a nampa island - meaning where guys go there to pick up girls. Hmm, even my boss said that high school girls go there and get pregnant - but I found none of it on the dynamic ocean.

The trip was enjoyable with a group of 7 guys (5 nihonjin; 2 shingapo-ru jin) and 4 girls (3 nihonjin; & watashi).

Best way to have an enriching overseas experience is definitely to spend more time with the locals.

My Surf Sensei & Buddies

Out of Tokyo, enjoy the last of Summer...

This was my first attempt on the beach since I started my assignment here on Feb 6th. Just when summer is about to end, my friends and I made a dash for the beach to try surfing.

MotosuXX beach (forgot the full name) which is a 2 hour + drive from Tokyo appears to be mainly for surfing. Many on the beach were well-equipped with their wet suits and surf boards. We - the Singaporean bunch were the only ones in unserious beachwear.

It is unlike those crowded beaches filled with babes and hunks trying to tan. The babes I saw on TV wore make-up and accessories to the beaches. Well, the guys were still kakoii (cool) as you could see in the pictures. They were kind trying to teach me how to surf in broken English and Japanese.

The other amazing aspect was almost everyone drove there and in their car boots all had water tanks with showerheads. At the end of the surf, they all showered behind their cars, whereas us the Singaporeans headed for the shower room paying 400 yen each. The water was also very warm @ the beach - good for spring/ autumn/ winter maybe - but not too ideal when your skin is already burnt from the sun.