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!