dont feel like writing, but in summary, a great and confused day...がんばります。

The Art of Happiness

Two work days have passed this week. Hopefully I am not saying this too soon, but work & performance for the past two days have been splendid. As I look back & take a microscopic view to reflect upon the sudden surge of energy and wits, I can only think of the Ometosando weekend as the answer.

These two days, I feel like I acquired the Art of Happiness. Chapter 2 (by Dalai Lama) talks about "The Sources of Happiness". How does my source fits into his theory??

Dont quite understand, but meeting well-read and well-travelled people really makes a lot of difference in one's life. Suddenly, I feel like mind is again massaged and stimulated, and all brain cells are 100% alert - I didnt even take my usual 2 cups of caffeine today!! (1st time in 5 months in Tokyo)

A good weekend is indeed important, & of course meeting the right people & doing the right things ;)

Out of words

I wonder if how I pen down my blog seemed to send a sense of sadness. So far, two have read and both asked if I was sad or suffering in Tokyo. Perhaps its the way my blog is entitled. "Isolation" - but it need not be taken in a negative manner. In fact to the contrary, I am so in love with being alone, having time to myself, yet at the same time opening myself to knowing more and interesting people I never seemed to find in Singapore.

I began to wonder if, in Singapore, people are merely strung like puppets -- its feels like majority have the same goal in life - one of which is stability. This overseas exposure has opened my eyes so wide. In the past, friends who were posted overseas always tell me "Singapore is really small". To me it felt more like a fashion statement which I never took a step to ponder further. Now, experiencing it myself, I cant help but wonder how much one can miss out in life without having an overseas opportunity.

Most importantly, I think I have stepped out of my comfort zone. I am more able to throw away personal RULES about life I used to have. Having a more open mind, I met an interesting bunch of Singaporeans in Tokyo, an American Bank Senior Manager, some Americans, and Japanese of course.

Yesterday I went to Ometosando for French crepes and wine, and then to Roppongi - Vanilla. I had a lot of fun and interesting conversations. One of which was an American friend talking about his experiences in the States, different languages used throughout States, diving experiences, travel experiences in Italy and interpretation of the Japanese culture. We later had Mojita (pronounced MoHiTa) at the 2nd storey balcony of a cool resturant (never seen one like that in Singapore) opposite Ometosando Hills. We walked really long before finding this resturant, and luckily we had the BEST seats. After the cocktail,we then headed off to Roppongi. Crazy fun with alcohol and good hip-hop music at the Parfait Room. It was awfully crowded. Seems like the Japanese are beginning to like hip-hop music. In the beginning when I first arrived in Tokyo, the Parfait Room was almost empty, but now ridiculously packed... interested to see if they would soon swop the dance floors and whether clubs in Tokyo would eventually switch to Hip-hop.

Today I woke up at 12pm, and headed off to the gym enjoying the jaccuzi, steam room and ofuro. Extremely relaxed now and alone... looking forward to having more interesting encounters.

A Candid Look at Brother in Hakone
Sluggishness now caught. I wonder if he has changed since he stepped into the army two weeks after his Japan trip. Mum was definitely sad. But in replacement she bought herself a new dryer machine.

Fourth time in Asakusa in Five Months

I have been there more frequently than my local colleagues. Been there 2 times with my bf, once with ? and the latest was with Uncle Jason & Auntie Eunice who came visiting in Japan for 6 days.

In fact I brought them the exact route I took, which is to taste the famous corner confectionary selling rice-based okoshi for 250 years, walk through the Nakamise lane (which means inside shops) tasting sweets, snacks (for free) hehe, visit Sensoji - Japan's oldest temple, and finally end with ShabuShabu Sukiyaki resturant.

Last night, there was an earthquake that happened at 6am (richter 4.8, originating 100km away from Tokyo). I was shaken awake in bed. I always had the phobia/ anxiety that an earthquake would happen (thats also coupled by the fact that there are detailed instructions on what I should do should it happen both for my apartment and office); and that it is not uncommon people kept an emergency bag to bring and run should it happen - now I have one too. But when I woke up, I said to myself "This must be an earthquake" (my 3rd experience) and went back to bed...

Isolation has trained me to love life

Dear Isolation,

I have a confession to make. I think I have a crush on you. Living in isolation has only taught me to love life better.

For the past few days I simply feel that time is running too fast. And there is just too little time to do what I love to do. Yes suddenly, I realised life has a lot to offer, there is just so much I want to do, try or make a difference. Life has become more colourful.

Yours,

Eimi

survival tools

This week was the most stressful and intense during my 5.5 months here in Japan. I dont even feel like writing. Enough... but tml would proof to be more exciting. I would be taking out my SLR - EOS Kiss for a spin @ Asakusa. My models would be Jason & Eunice.

In the evening, I would be attending a Singaporean food International party @ Ginza. Yes I am writing about tml, coz I simply dont wana say how my work week was.

I am just so glad I have my notebook with me every evening after work.

my first portrait shot with EOS Kiss

Obviously there is no one around for me to test, except for Kitty-chan. Gift -- a courtesy of leftovers from my family's shopping when they were here. Kind enough to leave this behind because they already have a Hello Kitty cabinet.

Who is the luckiest of them all?

Well today's blog is not just about comparing Mum and bro @ a sushi bar (@ Jyugaoka). By the way we took a long walk just to find this bar, just because we didnt know nihongo. But the toy shop owner (the one Evan bought a HARD GAY toy from - n when i was testing I was unlucky enough to be THE ONE that caused the toy to jump out of the barrel -- or is it lucky coz thats what we all wanted to see!) She kind enough to sort of gave us directions. She was even kind enough to tell us in Japanese, do you want expensive or cheap sushi? I went erhh errh errh because I didnt know her definition of takaii or yasuii, but in the end she concluded OK OK let me recommend you to a Cheap & Good place! -- thats fair... so thats where we landed. Joan is out of pic coz she is busy getting a haircut. Her new hairstyle turned out really nice, unfortunately she didnt really like it coz it was too feminine! But hey this is tokyo - did anyone notice almost all Tokyolites' girls hairstyle are sooo feminine -- & almost all look alike??

So, who is the luckiest of them all? Today I had a thought as I came back to my room after grocery shopping with my colleague.

Starting with me, hmm i feel isolation starting to sink in, or rather the lack of company that gives me really interesting utility. I thought about how I sort of have everything now - earning well, I just bought a SLR (oh man & it has been sitting in my cupboard since last week), expensive shoes, when I do grocery shopping I could pick anything I want..haha, an excellent apartment & one of the best areas to stay in Tokyo.. what more do I wish for? Yea, just when I have everthing, I realised there are no loved ones around to share or participate in this - feel kinda sad just thinking abt missing my best friend's wedding in Jan 07...Much as everyone say I am very lucky now, I cant help but sit down to reflect if this is true.. but u know humans are never contented right?

My bf is currently taking a 2 weeks trip in the States, travelling from Orlando to LA -- envy envy, but he tells me he is getting tired of the trip, and the next time he flies back to Miami, it would be purely business --. This guy has been flying from Tokyo, to Malaysia, to States, back to Sg since I have been here for 4 months.. i think thats so cool - but he thinks otherwise.

My cousin just left Tokyo, and I just realised from her MSN that she is now in Batam with her hubby... how cool is that? Always travelling & with her man.. I think she is lucky, but she thinks i am better off living in Tokyo... ironies of life..

So who is on this year's long-winded list of counting their blessings --they include:

• Dad - working hard with his passions but not realising he is really getting bald
• Mum & her beauty @ over 50, but not stepping out of her home enough to show it off (dad can hardly get to date & bring her for movies!!)
• Sis working her life off, & pondering hard where this leads to - she is the luckiest because she holds the burden of carrying on Dad's business..ahahahaha
• Bro - having catered meals daily in National Service
• Bf - having absolute freedom being away from me
• Uncle jason and auntie eunice - planning a trip to Japan soon, but leaving all 3 boys behind to enjoy life!
• Darren & his passion with soccer & leaving tags that irriates his bro from time to time
• Ange & her man - travelling from plcs to plcs - hmm & she always says she is on tight budget! way to live ;)
• Of course my best friend & her man preparing to get married - but i dont think she/I would consider that 2 lucky if i missed it

So who is the luckiest? i think people simply dont know how to count their blessings... I am still counting and trying to realise for myself...

Shinjuku Gyoen. Snap taken while family was walking to admire the French Garden in Tokyo's Park.

Deepening our Connection in Tokyo

The isolation has been broken with a 8 days visit from my family (except as usual hardworking Dad) to Tokyo. First few days we spent it in Hakone, enjoying the natural scenery, trying to catch a view of Mt Fuji but blocked by the clouds (constantly!). Much as everyone expects it to be an enjoyable holiday, the trip is not without its conflicts. There are too many leaders in the family!

Mum always worrying about whether we are on the right track with Japan's complex and brain-taxing transportation system, but hmm overly concerned and always asking the wrong qns - just leave it to us 3 kids!

I am of course as usual showing my stubborn personality - always trying to stick to the planned out schedule (courtesy of aka-chan), but of course maybe the family has different needs.

Sis always try to make some cool statement but how we should handle things - take it cool, see how it is when we are there and decide from there...lah lah lah. But hey even when we have planned, including bro's plan of Disneyland route, EVEN when pple have spent precious time planning, taking it cool is just cooler (?!!) - but in Japan, when time is precious coz travelling is just so expensive, transportation system is complex, and with the language barrier, you need PLANNING...just being me.
Bro - he seems to be the one who takes it really cool - mostly go with the flow except when he sees Porter's learther goods - he becomes a leader and everyone of us have to follow him into at least 3 Porter shops. At least he is in-charge of checking Eki's price. He has learned to look at the Eki map and say 190 yen (& then he looks at Mum to take all the yen coins out, paying for his transportation all the time..haha)

Just some distinct patterns noted from the trip - no malicious comments meant. Travelling as a family is not as easy as one thinks. Bet they enjoyed it better when I went back to work past 2 days and they travelled on their own. So did I, I enjoyed taking the time off and tackling the issues at work. Understanding human is the most difficult, and of course a lot more effort to understand those close. Nonetheless, today has been very enjoyable to be back with the travelling pack. Today at Ginza is conflict free, only tons of shopping good fun. Shopping in Ginza is crazy. The variety, the workmanship and the good customer service is unbelievable. It makes you wana spend more... and indeed we all did. The one thing we all shared and had in common today was --- all spent above S$300 for their own purchases, and delighted with their best buys... at least that is a connection!

Month-end & Quarter-end

Its that time of the year again. On one hand I like the excitment, on the other, its also a period some pple get really uptight. Omg I cannot imagine year-end. Today was really kinda unlucky. But it would be too boring to pen down the accounting details..., so to sum up, my colleague got away with 3 major P&L mistakes with being a funny person (lucky him), whereas myself had 2 (both not major) yet my boss did not seem too pleased. So, tell me how the world works. I think the conclusion is if you are a comical person, when you make mistakes you are easily forgiven. If you are a serious person and you made mistake, even if its a small one -- u are doomed! So, y dont i be a less-serious person and laught abt every mistake made...ho ho ho.







Yes, laught about it -- thats life.