Escaping Reality

What you need to know.

2010-02-25T14:04:00.002Z

Prices
So... you about to buy a ticket to Japan, now what? I have to say depending on the time of travelling there, it will be expensive at Christmas/New years, summer time in June-August and whatever Japanese festival holiday they have. So... Cheapest is non-holiday season, I mostly went in Summer (June-July) which cost me roughly in the £600 range (cheapest £560 last time I got mine). So, check on the season you go, out of holiday season it will be about £300. So there's quite a difference. If you choose to venture with a tour guide, I think it's slightly cheaper since that it's a package. But if you plan to go independently either on your own or with mates be prepared to have some sort of back-up because it's slightly expensive country to be in. So save as much as you can in the £500+ mark, depending on whether you are buying stuff over there or travelling on transport to other places.

Trip/itinerary
Everything before hand, you have to sort out a place to sleep during your stay and plan on what you want to do in your travel. I can't stress enough people who haven't have a clue upon arriving, so just write down a list of interest and places that you like. The internet is full of information to pin-point your place of interest. I pretty much research on the area first and follow up what places/events are there during that time. Japan has quite alot of festivals because they don't have much seasonal holidays the rest of the world, eg. like in the UK we have Easter or US have Thanksgiving, etc. So the one way they have holidays are to have festivals. Which is a great opportunity to sample the culture without any offence, just a simple fun festival to enjoy your time there. I missed the Hanabi 花火 (fireworks) display which I'm gutted, really wanted to go and see it at the river side. Search online what events will be held in the time you are in Japan, it's well worth it.

Technology
If you want to phone home, your phone must be 3G, not 2G. The thing that really annoyed me when I first arrived into Japan, my phone didn't work because it was tri-band. So make sure that it's 3G or UTMS compatible along with a sim-card that you can use, preferably a International sim-card. If you're not sure, just check the specs on the IPhone with your phone, if they have roughly the same specs then it's ok to use it in Japan. I guess that using your own home sim-card will be expensive when going aboard... But if you want to cut down a huge bill when you go back home, I would advise to use a International Sim-card. I will link information on a different post about these. Plus on the sim-cards, no tourist can buy a Japanese sim-card, I'm afraid. So tourists can't buy sim-cards like you can normally buy in UK, Hong Kong, etc. Unless, there is another way to get it but you have to register on rental phone/sim-card, which is quite expensive.

So why doesn't Japan allow you to buy sim-cards, they regulate their sim-card user to one person with a Japanese address and bank account meaning people who live in Japan are the only ones. This includes foreigners who work in Japan more than a year can get a Japanese sim number/phone. But there's more to that, some say that it cuts down criminal activity but I'm not sure. I have to look back on that information. Well... on the final thought, I think it's expensive on rental or roaming your home sim number, so I researched on International sim-card that I saw on TV and is actually brilliant to have. I will have to link the site later for this information.

Anything else... oh, there's a tax-free for tourist who buy technical stuff like laptops, cameras, TVs and etc. Just show you're passport clearly stating you are a tourist and happy buying. Make sure that it's more than ¥10,001 (roughly £100) otherwise you will have to pay the 5% consumption tax. Another thing on passports, always take it with you. Just in case that the police will stop you if you look suspicious. LOL! (¬...¬ )

Forms/laws
First thing you have to do is fill out forms, you get these on the plane when you are in flight. mostly one for customs (stuff that you bring into the country like cigarettes, perfume, etc.), one for visitation (Officials like to know where bouts you are staying/going), and the other was health (the time I went it was swine flu it hit the news bady). Bear in mind they need this information cos they are like that very strict on their laws, so abide by them cos the next time you will go back there's a mini record and will take note on anything law breaking. For example if you got reported by someone like disrupting the neighbourhood by talking in the streets and got taken in to Police. That would be on file... no matter how small it is they would be considering on stuff. But mind you... it's rumour that I hear stories of shunned entry. So... have that in mind and don't break the law.

Money
The money is easy to to sort out but beware it's an expensive place to be especially the travelling side of it. (in the middle of typing.)

Holiday to Japan?

2010-02-25T13:44:00.004Z

I got bored, so I decided to talk about Japan. I love going there... It's quite an experience, the first was when my bro paid a trip for me to go for 3 weeks ish. It was great. I couldn't get enough and didn't feel like leaving but had to. It took a while for me to save up and go back again 5 years later in 2009 with some mates that I met online.

So... why bother write about it... well. I pretty much enjoyed it soo much with no problems I thought that it wouldn't be nice to help out people who really want to go and don't have that much information on what to do and get around. I have the booklets of places that I went and explored in places. LOL! I saved alot and it took alot of weight in my luggage. My mates thought I was mad to keep them since some of them used them and chuck them away in the bin. The booklets will either be written on or ripped to shreds because I just shoved them in my bag or constantly using them, so sorry about that.

I have to say, hopefully some random person who wants information could feel at ease when walking around the places that I've been going to. There's a few that I would avoid because either 1. I haven't been there or 2. It's not a place that I would venture cos it has no interest to me. So, it's a mixture depending on where you want to go when reading the stuff that I'm posting. I'm more towards walks to temples, games/anime related and random things. Most of the random places are now in my backlogged list of places that I wanted to go the next time that head back (which will be some time).

So I hope that it will help someone that are heading over there for a holiday or needs information on stuff. I have to note that I ventured on my own, mostly meaning that I wasn't with a tour guide or package holiday so it's different experience. Even if you are with a tour guide you can still go out for a while but make sure that it's possible to have the time to venture the area and not breaking the rules or lose track of the rest of the journey.

I will have notes of places, have scans that can look at and post up links of the place as well. I just hope that it will be useful and help enjoy the trip with a little extra. (^u^ )

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Roughly what the posts contains.

1. What you need to know - The vital information that you should need before heading over there.

2. Places
Tokyo
Kyoto
Osaka
Sapporo

This is in the editing/working process

sigh

2009-03-30T13:10:00.003+01:00

Hmm.... having soo much money troubles that it's slightly stressful. Even though it's slow money earning, I have to try out anything that would help me. Through surveys and searches.

Hmm.... now I'm like travelling quite abit this year... needed a break from everything here it's really annoying.

So please support me but clicking and searching using the link... I'm like poor and need help. Even better join up. If it's available in your country.

New year = no money

2009-03-09T09:07:00.002Z

Man... I can't believe that I have no money now. The wages are declining and I'm buying stuff that isn't mine.

I have to some up abit but so far it's not that much. Three plane tickets and it's like annoying, on top got to pay for my dawg's meds. (TT___TT ) *sigh* really should check up online about stuff.

I'm offically fecked off...

2008-12-01T02:44:00.002Z

Even the small things, really annoy me now... It's gone bad to worse and I feel that I'm losing my mind. I'm generally dislike my new sis-in-law's ways... I know that sounds mean but I seriously annoyed. Nearly everything is like changed, I know, I rant alot but I'm pretty much don't have anyone to to support me in emotional situations like these.

The food has changed at meal times, nearly everything I eat is salty, which for me I tend to eat slightly blandish foods, salt not to my taste. I eat less too because of my fat bro like placing his hand on her lap, like I want to have that while I'm bloody eating. Plus the PDA (public display of affection) is like too much, i have to divert my eyes somewhere else, which is a pain. My towel is been used by her - which I don't think that I will be using anymore - since she has hepitatis B. No offence to people who has it but geez... you don't take someone's toothbrush and use it (I have a think about hygiene, especially if it's my own.)

Things that I'm considering...
I want to plan on moving out, I'm getting slightly sick and tired of not finding the things that I have placed of knowing that they are there but actually it's gone. Plus I don't have to hear them talk and her crap music taste. Yeah, I sound really fickle, but I just fed up.

The month in Japan... my mum said something on that. She thinks that I can go somewhere else besides of Japan. Hell no... I'm totally going, I haven't had a decent break of my own where I can relax and enjoy a country. I mean... in Hong Kong, I love the place but what's the fun of just eating, shopping and go home and eat some more. The only thing that I wouldn't fuss over is seeing my other relatives and respect the dead in Hong Kong. That all that matters to me... the shopping over there isn't much to marvel at.

The sense of feeling suicidal, I know, it's depressing to think about it. There are times that I just feel that I useless and stupid. I mean, the other day, I said to my mum that I feel that I can't do anything useful for myself and other ranted shit that was on my mind and she just smiled and laughed... WHAT THE FUCK! I was thinking that my mum would even give a slightly support of encouragement... but all I get is a laugh. This really pushes me on a edge of depressing... every time when I'm using a knife, I just keep on seeing a image of me cutting my arm in one slow stroke. Just typing this it really is, like, I've gone mad... and now, I'm like eating less than usual and feel that it would affect my health... why the fuck did I have to be like this, so weak and worthless. I don't have the energy to be me anymore... everything is like altered and never really changed into anything postive. I don't feel like talking to my family anymore... it will either be the same crap or boring shit.

I'm sick and tired...

2008-11-09T23:25:00.002Z

I'm having an emotional breakdown... I'm worked here for fuck knows how long and I'm getting tired of it. I've been working with little sleep and working soooo much of everyone's load that I'm just... falling apart. To a point of "why the fuck have I done to myself" mode. I feel my suicidal moments coming back from 9 years ago and right now I'm tearing up. I hate being the one who has to pick up everyone's pieces and takes care of everything... I never thought about anything that I wanted, when that happens thinking of what I wanted, it's always confronted with doubt than support. That really sinks my self-esteem so much, that I have to grin my teeth and bear it.

Very recently my fat arse brother brought his wife over, my new sister-in-law, over here to the UK. I think it's a shot-gun wedding that my brother felt fecking guilty... I don't think marrying someone would even makes anyone's life better, I think that's I think, because it's not making my life any better, it making it worse.

Soo little inexperienced and naive, she doesn't even step up to the plate and work... all that she does is the house work... WHAT THE FUCK! Geez... I get angry and frustrated that I'm the only who really has to work. I mean, what's the fuck would you call me to stir fry the fucking rice with only two items on the fucking order?!!!!!! Plus even my brother hasn't even changed... he's not even like working that much because I'm like finished majority of the stuff. I always do the preparation and what does he do... he just fries meat. While I cut fucking all the vegetables and meat, work at the kitchen and clean up when we close.

I can't stand it here... I really wished that I was dead and I... *sigh* don't want anything to do with this family. For me to say that, I really don't want to get married, I really don't, I don't care if I die alone. I pretty much live in a sheltered life that everyone will forget about me... or not worth anyone's time. Hence why I can't take people's offer when they say "If you needed someone to talk to, I'm here" it hurts me to lie to people who are generally kind and open but I really can't take it. Plus I know for a fact that no one can really help me and I kind of feel that it's my punishment that I'm stuck here because I'm no good, I'm useless and shouldn't be helped. People say that I punish myself too harshly but... I'm just a slave to my family that I'm feel that I can't break out of...

I feel ill with sadness and frustration because I'm on hand and foot working here, that I was pushed to work in. I hate my life soooo much.

It's getting cold.

2008-10-03T15:29:00.003+01:00

Like I said, it's getting colder now and I hate it. Been working like mad and doing crap that my lazy arsehole of a brother of mine isn't doing... Been occupying my stressed time by watching series... Especially Prison Break and Heroes... but was slightly disappointed with Heroes and seem more interested in Prison Break, even though the story is like milking it.

Other than those I've on and off on learning Japanese, since that I come by something new and start leaving the previous book that I was reading on. Bad habit. But hopefully, I will like get more learning done when I have a break from work. Which is soon I hope but right now I feel like I'm losing my mind and pretty much feeling like crap.

I don't have that much money now since I spent it on buying stuff and help out but I'm managing.

Feel abit down...

2008-08-28T23:48:00.002+01:00

*Sigh~~~~~~~~~*

Somehow I feel pretty down lately. Maybe the fact is that my fat arsehole of a brother is like a cuntface. It feels the same day in and day out... even though I really don't go out. Well... hopefully, next year I'll be in sunny Japan for about 4 weeks :D I do miss my vending machines and Japan.

But something to cheer me up http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjAXJaFydwM I can't wait to go back to Japan... (=u= )

Japanese stuff - 02

2008-08-27T14:55:00.003+01:00

Do you understand?

Do you understand English?
英語が分かりますか？
Eigo ga wakarimasu ka?

***Notes- use of ga/が***
Ga is used to indicate the subject. It's similar to wa=は but this more to a converstion talk. With wa/は, as I said it's mostly used to open a new topic, but with ga/が you can carry on with that subject into a converstion. It's weird with particles but it's interesting to learn, though it's confusing still have to know about them.

There are like loads more for one particles can hold in meaning but learn the normal ones first.

=========================
Japanese rants

I think I should brush up on my reading... even though I'm not that good but I think that I should learn reading. I could translate a manga that I have, which is all in Japanese called Parasite Eve. Or even a games' manual LOL!! But it's a challenge and I would to improve my Japanese in any shape or form. So... I'll might post it up here, not the full manga but just the simple transcripts, don't want to rip or kill the spine of the manga to pieces.

Money making?

2008-08-22T17:37:00.004+01:00

Well... I thought that I would like to earn a bit more money than usual. Since that everything is expensive and feel that this place that I'm working in, isn't like helping my mood. A room full of food and oil... I don't feel happy.

So... I decided to check what's there to offer... there's alot but it's weird. There's like loads of affliates that you can do... but the main issues is that you have to click the ads. Slow earning but might as well give it a go.

Other ways can be selling stuff that you own. Which to me I can't really let go. (TT___TT ) Then there's online surveys, thought that I would give it a go, so hope that this would brighten up my mood.

Sometimes I wish money wasn't even created... damn my culture! LOL!! But oh well... it happens.

Time to work.

Jdoramas: Summer 2008

2008-08-18T07:16:00.003+01:00

This season I have been following some Japanese dramas. It's great for listening and understand some sentences that have been used from learning. So it's good. Just don't worry too much on how much is going on, it takes time.

I tend to watch the raws, which are just from TV with no subtitles, but you can download the softsubs that the subtitles appear. I can say I understand under 25% of the time on Jdoramas but if it's like business talk or something serious talk... I'm abit clueless.

But yeah anyways... This season Jdoramas that I have been watching.

Lotto 6 de 3 oku 2 senman en ateta otoko (The man who won ¥320 million on Lotto 6) -
It's based on a true story but of course added abit of spice into it to viewers. As usual, it follows a man who is slump in the worst job, being divorced with kid and has no money. But won the lottery and follows the man's troublesome dilemmas of gold-diggers, self spending, etc. Good comedy, with funny parts but gets abit annoying.

Maou (The Devil) -
Actually gone mad on this because it's really good. It's from a Korean drama, remade in Japanese. I don't know where to start because it's pretty much too revealing in the story but it about a man's life turning upside-down from a other man who seeks revenge of a murder of he's younger brother. Don't ask... bit tired to explain. But the twist and cunning plan that the dark past will never rest, surfaces up in deja vu events, pushing the man that the past will always catch up.

Yasuko to Kenji (Yasuko and Kenji) -
This is great comedy, I've seen for a while. Follows a brother and sister with their disputes of family life. The brother the head of guardian/house was a head biker gang but turned into a girls' manga artist. The sister a teenager who wants to grow up and fight for her independents tackles the former biker gang in seriously bad situation that follows reasoning.

I'm too tired to type anything.

Japanese stuff - 01

2008-08-18T06:16:00.003+01:00

Ok... now I'm being random.

Decided to learn Japanese like quite a long time but my routine is messed up and really should pay attention to it. Plus my dawg woke me up in a foul mood and don't know why I'm posting.

I took up Pimsleur and basically don't have a book that suppose to come with so... this will be an open book. Don't ask... I love talking sh!t. LOL!!

Anyways... with basic sentences and notes that I have read, they will be added.

==================================

I am American. (Well... I'm not but that sucks)
私はアメリカ人です。
Watashi wa (ha - note later) Amerikajin desu.

***Note - the use of　wa/ha=は***
It's weird but は is pronounced the same as わ, it's Japanese grammar for you. But anyways... は is used to mark the topic sentence and to express contrast, in short it means that it's you're giving a comment. The topic is what is being spoken or written about. Most Japanese sentences ofter begins by stating a topic, about which a comment is then made.

This tends to boggle people, I know... I'm one of them but that way I have to look at it, it's like this... (taken from Oxford Verbs and Grammar.)

Sushi: it's delicious
寿司はおいしい
Sushi wa oishii

は tends to be the open topic to mostly everything, that you can ask about that topic. So, what ever you put at the beginning which is the main topic of conversation, the listen can answer in open reply whether it's a comment, an answer or a question. So in follow up from the Sushi, you could say whether if it's expensive or filling etc.

==================================

sketch 11th June 2008

2008-06-11T01:35:00.004+01:00

Nothing much been busy. My mind was blank and came up with this, after tidying and doing crap. Think I'll title it Heart Station. Love Hikki's stuff.

Ooooo... Japan 2009!!

2008-05-29T02:00:00.002+01:00

Yes, I'm heading back to Japan!!!

Major preping and really should learn Japanese. Excited. No drawings or sketches. Really annoyed. (TT__TT )

sketch 23rd January 2008

2008-01-23T04:25:00.000Z

I really should sketch random stuff.

Plans for Pepper artbook project, undecided.

Pencil Junk

2008-01-10T17:33:00.000Z

Nothing much thought I post up progress. I really should draw something.

Have a tad improvement but got a long way to go.

Bugger off Mushy day...

2007-02-14T01:18:00.000Z

because it's my 爸爸 birthday!!!

生日快樂爸爸！

He would been 70 this year. :( But I would still celebrate it even if his not here.

*sigh* I really should move my arse!

Feeling under the weather

2007-01-22T03:04:00.000Z

Everything that has been going is going slowly to nowhere. I decided to sign up to University. But the main problem things are happening like this place wouldn't be here. I'm getting abit dishearting and hearing news that 爸爸 won't be staying in UK, so that means that when ever I feel that I want to see him and talk to him. I have to go to HK every three years and I don't think that I would have the money to see him or even talk to him. Very heart breaking for me... :(

But the more I think of it. I have to let this be... which I can't because I'm very much of a person who don't want to let go. Maybe I'm too use to everything unchanged and it's scary. I know that I should really think about myself, maybe I'm not fit as a human being.

I feel like shit. (~___~; )

The odd feeling

2006-12-26T16:08:00.000Z

It's the first Christmas that neither my dad and my mum are here for Christmas. It's a little unsettling that it's just the siblings eating at Christmas. Everything that I have been thinking has made no progress.

I feel like a failed piece of meat going rotten with chance of changing. I have been stick like this all my life and it's hard to get out. Life is sooo shit for me that I took up my smoking, it's wrong I know but everything is failing me now and my determination is flat with poison. I really want to change but everything has hit me hard in the head that I can't do anything to fight back.

Maybe I have the life that isn't worth living... *sigh* I hate my life.

Things in life

2006-12-17T02:10:00.000Z

Well... everything has returned the same, except that 爸爸 isn't around. I do miss him, he was funny in his own little way and we can't laugh about it together anymore. I miss his cooking and his smile the most but I really should move on. 2007 is nearly around the corner and I don't want to be here anymore.

Even though I don't know what I want to do because I was never asked about my future but I want to get out of here. I really want to move on but things set me back, mostly my mum since that I don't want to leave her until I know that she is ok, which she's not at the moment.

My life is messed up and a failure... !||i Orz

*Sigh* I need cheering up... I stumbled through Youtube and remembered something... I didn't watch the Children in Need stuff since that I was working but someone uploaded it and couldn't believe my ears... I guess she was nervous. (~__~; ) But there's a spoof version from the wonderful Chris Moyles (>v< )

Goodbye to you...

2006-12-06T05:23:00.000Z

My dad was cremated yesterday, 6th December 2006.

So much went on, in the week, which felt very unreal. The family talked about everything on what happened and how it came about but also everyone was here to see him. It was sooo hard to hold the tears in since that he requested that we shouldn't cry but he did make us laugh and smile if we are in doubt or in need. Where was abit of back-stabbing... (~__~ )

Well... basically my sister and me changed the photo that my older brother did. I feel guilty for not saying anything to him about it but to tell you the truth it was a crap retouch photoshop job he had done. It was too blurry and somehow my mum actually wanted the picture in colour, not black and white. He was shocked and cheesed off about it, in his silent way but it wasn't acceptable in my standards, nor the rest of the family, especially not for my dad too. So we got a flick through in the photo album and picked which one we should do. Thankfully, the photo looked great and it holds something to my sister since that she said she was the one who took that photo. Plus it's a gift to him since she wasn't there by his bedside, which I feel guilty about.

Yesterday, everyone was walking in paying their respects and talked since that some of us haven't seen each other for like ages. It felt strange seeing talking to Alan who is my nephew (23) but was shocked that I'm a year older than him and is the youngest in my family. It was heart-breaking to see my great Aunt, who is my dad's sister, there... *sigh* I just hope that she's alright.

Hopefully, in the next year my dad will go back to Hong Kong to see other passed on relatives and will settle down in the UK than Hong Kong. It's kind of a tradition that the deceased have to be seen every 2-3 years for offerings and prays in Hong Kong because it's how they do things over there. But in the UK we can see dad anytime without the long wait of 2-3 years.

I do missed dad, I made cake and a Key lime pie that he always like and always greet him when I wake. It's kind of hard to come to grips with this, especially that he went through life that nothing was wrong with him and keep his health to himself. I do miss dad sooo much, I'm actually tearying up typing this even though there are times when you can't forgive them for doing or acting wrongly but that gets flushed away every feeling gone and makes you feel sad and makes you guilty.

I hope to see you dad in my dreams...

Sad day...

2006-11-25T21:52:00.001Z

My dad passed away on 24th November 2006 at 4:10pm.

Hope you're comfortable.

First Post

2006-11-21T00:52:00.001Z

Hmmm... I thought that I would have a blog to rant about my life the bad and the worse but a few of the good. Hope that I will use this and look at all the crap that I have written with embarrassment and self pity. Since that I haven't planned anything which is suppose to be my so-called future.

So hopefully this will be my place of releasing my thoughts and fears and a few of my rubbish drawing skills that I have and see if my life and my health is improving the better or for the worse. I thought that calling my Blog : Escaping Reality fits to my description about my life.

To see my work... *like it's anything special* is Ar-Yue.Deviantart.com. My old works are at Sumomochan.Deviantart.com, I thought it's a good change since that I'm slightly doing more realism painting than soft cel-shading like painting.