Wugblog

Different points of interest

noreply@blogger.com (Ai) — Sat, 19 Oct 2013 14:08:00 +0000

*Returning keyboard to an occupied room*

”Did you see that girl? She’s cute.”

“What. No. Instead, did you see the two guys sitting on the floor? The one on the left is cuteeeeee”

“What. No. I'm not pink -.-”

"And you always seem to forget I am!"

Variations on a theme by Paganini for two pianos

noreply@blogger.com (Ai) — Wed, 02 Oct 2013 12:55:00 +0000

Made a recording of our practice session for the piece Variations on a theme by Paganini for two pianos.

So sad that after turning a page, i looked at the wrong bar and forgot where my notes were orz...

Anyway, I think we did better in the actual examination since there were page flippers assigned to us and that moment on stage just makes one play better ^^;

Apps for your travelling needs (Japan)

noreply@blogger.com (Ai) — Wed, 25 Sep 2013 18:37:00 +0000

Useful navigation apps for travelling in Japan (actually mostly for Tokyo). Take a look and see which of them suit your needs ^^

I updated (29th Sept 2013) with a few more apps I came across.
Sorry no windows phone apps because I am not on windows phone :p
Scroll right down for non-train related app.

Tokyo Metro Subway (free) (iphone)

This app is limited to subways (metro, toei) only. So JR densha and private (above ground type) lines are not included. The only(?) good thing is it's in English so you can find your route using romaji.

It tells you the estimate journey time but doesn't seem to list out alternative routes (if any) or the time. Only "Fastest Route" and "Fewest Changes".

It also gives you nearby stations according to your location, with a choice of train map and normal map (probably mapped over Apple's map).

Personally I won't use it coz it's limited to subways and doesn't tell you the timings. But it's the only decent English train app I've found for Tokyo.

Tokyo Rail Map+ Lite (free) (iphone)

There is another Tokyo Rail Map Lite (without the + sign) which has been discontinued. I tried both and this has got one extra function which is searching for route. Very nice free app that has blinking animation showing you the stations passing through as it brings you from your starting station to your ending station. Only one possible route shown though.

Good feature? It covers all(?) the lines in Tokyo. Subways, JRs, private. Bad thing? I found some missing stations in the monorail line (ok, maybe only this line that is incomplete). You can search stations by names (Japanese, English both ok), or through the lines they are on. Really not bad for a free app!

Manta (free) (iphone) (android)

An experimental app by Tokyo Metro scheduled to last until 2014 Jan, you have to be able to read Japanese to use this. Not a route app but it allows you to connect to the free station wifi when you create an account (English sign in page available).

Other features include railroad information system like timetables (good for last trains), exits, station maps (good when planning for meetups). One interesting feature is the train alarm that beeps you when you reach your station. Must set the timing yourself to match the boarding/alighting time though. Even works with JR and private lines (the website says). Haven't used before so I can't comment but I've seen people using it so it must be okay?

Timetables, exits and station map

Toei Navi (free) (iphone)(android)

The same as Manta, except this is the Toei subway version, with bus routes included. Personally I think this app is… shit. You can download and how bad it is. The only reason why i found it was because one day i tried the "Near Me" feature in the new iOS App Store. It said "popular near me" mah, so I downloaded it. Utterly horrible. The creator should be banished into the 18th level of hell.

Now the following, I've used them before and some of them I'm still using.

Japan Subway Route Map (Tokyo Osaka Nagoya) (paid) (iphone)

This app does not allow you to search for routes. But I like it coz sometimes i need to check what stations do the lines have. I want to be able to see the lines individually and not as a big mess of glomerulus. Plus the design is neat and very easy on the eye. So I tend to rely on it more.

It has english and also lists out all the intersecting lines/interchanges beside the stations of the line you're checking out. It even tells you which stations are skipped for those with express services passing through so you know whether you would miss your stop if you accidentally stepped into one.

It also has a very good compilation of the exits of each station with the nearby landmarks/roads included. Helps when you need to plan with friends and have to find out which gentry you should go out to meet at. Recommended if you're willing to pay.

Apparently you can also set the region to Tokyo, Osaka or Nagoya but it doesn't work for me now on iOS7.

Tokyo × Kanagawa Route Map (paid) (iphone)

It seems there are a few versions of this app. Now on 50% off. And this.

This is like the above app, showing you the different lines individually, but this one includes JR and private lines and lines to god knows where. Available in English too. I don't quite like the drawings (compared to the above) but it is still functionally good enough. Plus, the general train map has an option that lets you select whether to highlight the subways or the JRs. That makes it easier to see through the gigantic mess of lines. Recommended if you are exploring slightly further outside of central Tokyo and willing to pay for an all-in-one map.

Tokyo Metro Map (free) (iphone)

This is the simplest, no fuss app. A digital edition of the piece of train map flyer that one gets from a station. But why is this called Tokyo Metro Map when it's actually filled with JR lines??? Good for rainy days when your paper map becomes soggy kimchi.

Yamanote-line Exit (free) (iphone)

This is also a very simple app, featuring just the yamanote circle line that every visitor most certainly will ride on at least once during his stay in Tokyo.

It's just a circle of stations. You tap on your boarding station and the estimate time needed to reach the next station for alighting will show. Tap on the alighting station and you will see the different exits, which number cars the exits are located near to and the transfer services available. I use this app when I want a quick reference of the direction (clockwise, anticlockwise) I want to go by, with respect to my destination. I so hate to absentmindedly take the "long end" of the circle >_<;;

Tetsuchizu 2011 (paid) (iphone)

This is like the mother of all train maps. It covers the whole of Japan. But methinks it's not very user friendly. Only for train otakus. Not very useful when you just want to search for "short" distance within the city.

Navitime (free) (iphone) (android)
Transfer Navitime (free) (iphone) (android)

These two apps are very similar. Actually i would think they are the same… Both are good. But you do need to know how to read Japanese. Or at least know how to read chinese characters to get around it.

The app allows you to set your map to Tokyo (metropolitan area), Tokyo (subway), Kansai region or Nagoya. Very useful like 3-in-1 map.

With portable wifi dongle+sim card so easily available nowadays, having internet connection is not a problem desho? So you can just tap on the nearest station name at your location to set your departing station and scroll through the map to find your next station and set it as your destination. No need to type anything. Hit search and a list of probable routes will appear with the timings, time needed, transfers (if any), prices nicely presented before you. Tap on the desired route and it will tell you the name of the line(s), the platforms you are to wait at. It also gives you the last train timing so you can party/shop/eat till late.

Definitely one of the best apps around to use. I use this a lot! If you have to get just one app, this is the one. ☆☆☆☆☆ 5 stars for it. Better than the ekitan or the Yahoo one, imo.

Tokyo Musen (free) (iphone) (android)

Lastly, if you needed to rush to some place urgently, like OVERSLEPT MUST GO TO THE AIRPORT NOW OMG!! You can get a cab with this! It knows your current location and you can just zoom in on the map for your destination to tap it. Kantan desho? It can even give you an estimate of the cab fee which is like wow. (other extra charges, like night surcharge (10pm-5am), highway toll fee, 300 yen hailing service via the app are added separately)

I guess that's all for this blog post~ Hope they have been useful!

Tokyo Disneyland revisit

noreply@blogger.com (Ai) — Sat, 21 Sep 2013 15:03:00 +0000

At a perfume shop inside Disneyland yesterday, where chikako's friend is working at and along came in two tourists, looked around and started to ask her friend something in broken english (from whatever bits of words that floated into my ears, i couldn't understand them at all).

I assumed her friend could speak since she's working at disneyland. Must have at least some basic level of understanding for communication mah, right? (even though i also couldn't get them)

lol. as we were looking on, chikako asked me to help her friend. Stepped forward, took a glance and they looked chinese so i asked if they needed any help. They looked surprised and asked me why could I speak mandarin -_-;;;; Told them i'm Singaporean xD

Turned out they wanted to look for mens' perfume... And also they were looking for a phone booth that could make international calls. I felt like an interpreter, albeit a failed one coz when chikako's friend replied through me, I relaid to them in japanese and then realising my mistake, hastily corrected it back to mandarin :x

After a while they even looked around in the shop and asked me what the products were (since they couldn't read). Chikako reminded me to tell them that i was also a visitor there.... errr.

It was an interesting encounter. She said, oh you've made yourself useful ne! *laugh*

30th anniversary celebration. And also my second halloween at Disneyland!

The friend said there are hidden mickey(s) in here. Look for them!

Forgot who took this photo. Grainy is good hahaha.

It was very hot. But luckily less hot than in summer. That lens flare(?) makes for an interesting effect on the photo.

Here's a cute Eeyore which g said "dusty", meaning "no buy" Orz

Every time i go to Disneyland i must fight the urge to buy one of these dust-collectors or those memorabilia that are limited to the celebration period (like that vampire mickey or mickey-in-a-coffin-shaped-chocolate-tin-can)

Only bought these, as usual. I should have gotten more!!! I love rice crackers and anything to do with Alice in Wonderland.

Nowadays i make it a point not to buy those in metal cans. Nice but piling up at home :x And since I'm not like "on holiday" like many foreigner san who visit disneyland, I have lost the "MUST SWEEP THEM ALL INTO THE PURCHASE BASKET LIKE IT'S THE END OF THE WORLD!!!!" compulsion. I guess this is a good thing?

~~I think i want to go again this december with g for christmas/new year. The last time we went for christmas was a few years ago. Maybe disneysea instead ^_^~~ (← secret thoughts)

An ice cream a day

noreply@blogger.com (Ai) — Tue, 13 Aug 2013 15:15:00 +0000

Lazy evening watching Continuum, eating B&J ice cream which is not widely available in Japan.
最高の至福!

ありえない

noreply@blogger.com (Ai) — Fri, 28 Jun 2013 13:42:00 +0000

Just found out through yotsumoto, a senior, that this other year four senior that I dislike (moya), has been targeting me romantically since i was year one omg. She will stalk me and "report" to yotsumoto every time she sees me, my every movement, who i'm with, and gets angry when i'm friendly with other girls etc. This is so creepy. Apparently moya even told yotsumoto that she will make me hers -_________-

Hahahaha. I see. You try lor.

I think i'll delete her off facebook and block her. Already blocked her LINE some time ago though :x Heard more horrible tales about moya and it's no wonder quite a number of people want to stay far far away from her.

P/s long story why i dislike moya and even longer story why yotsumoto san only told me now when i'm in year three. It involves many side characters and events leading up to the current concert preparation/rehearsals. Most probably boring and confusing to the uninitiated.

But I have only one thing to say: 女はやっぱ恐ろしいものだ！ So glad I bat for the other team phew.

Your personality makes you look like this to me.

The hidden face of your favourite drink

noreply@blogger.com (Ai) — Sat, 01 Jun 2013 16:05:00 +0000

10 persons out of 10 in Mexico are expected to be overweight in 2020!!!

Luckily i don't even like to drink this nasty stuff!

originally taken from here Click to see bigger size.

Kissing mouse

noreply@blogger.com (Ai) — Mon, 13 May 2013 06:49:00 +0000

We were learning a song about a mouse and some stolen food in pedagogy class and there was a line that goes チューチューチュー (chuu chuu chuu = the squeak squeak squeak a mouse makes).

"chuu" also happens to be the slang for "kiss". Being bored by the whole thing, I said "chuu shite" (kiss me) to shou-kun seated beside me.

The girl in front turned back and looked at me in horror.

Never had I felt the need to explain myself until now.

"He's not my type!"

A Bloody Mess

noreply@blogger.com (Ai) — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 09:10:00 +0000

Saw this very interesting thing about blood spatters :D

塚田農場 (Tsukada Nojo)

noreply@blogger.com (Ai) — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 07:22:00 +0000

Headed down to 塚田農場 (Tsukada Noujou) for dinner after exam on 14th Feb.
I usually refrain from going to izakaya coz they don't usually have separated areas for non smokers. But this is one izakaya which i would be visiting again coz of the food. They have the usual izakaya fares, hot pots and girls in yukatas.

Before the meal, お通し (otooshi) is served. This is a side dish which is served without asking at a Japanese restaurant, regardless of your order. It's not free though. Somewhat like how Chinese restaurants put peanuts and wet tissues on your table and charge for it. But you can refuse it i suppose.

i love cucumbers with the spicy miso dip at the side of the table but koh san didn't like cucumbers so i had his. I even ordered another serving in the middle of the meal lol.

This was one the thing we came here for!!! The super tasty, juicy, chewy karaage made from their very own free range chickens raised in their own farm! Is this how real chicken taste like?

The other dish (no pic coz i forgot to take) was the sweet potato sticks. It was really good and fragrant and you must order these two if you ever come across this restaurant.

And then there was this toast-like thing, except it wasn't bread but eggplant. I found it bit salty but still, I just couldn't stop picking up stick by stick and shoving into my mouth. Oh the high blood -_-!

Felt like eating eggs that day so i ordered this. I didn't expect it to be so fluffy and good! I wonder whether they made this into a heart shape because it was valentine's day.

I feel incomplete without rice so i had to get this. Ochazuke, except that it wasn't tea that's being poured. The soup broth was milky, mixed with a small heap of yuzu koshou in the slices of fish. So warm and savory. Definitely good on a cold day like this.

Yakisoba, a 定番 (standard) dish in izakaya. How differently can you prepare yakisoba? The taste is so standard haha. But there's something in it that makes the taste so familiarly normal yet stands out among the rest of similar yakisoba. I didn't have much though, coz i was kinda full already...

But as they say, you have a separate stomach for dessert, so here we ordered two milk puddings. The top layer was slightly burnt, crusty and semi-hard and once you break it, the rest was a silky soft pudding which was so heavenly good i wanted to get another cup.

But at 450yen a cup... I stopped myself before the bill goes up even more.

And then probably as a valentine's special, they gave this to us to "freshen our mouths". Were they expecting us to kiss? LOL. The chocolate was ok, nothing special. But the bunny(?) pic was so cute! I think I would have enjoyed the whole thing if i were with g here hmmm.

Lastly, when we were out of the restaurant, as a "tsukada tradition", we were each given a small sample of the miso dip we had during the otooshi. Yay!!! Now i can have my veg sticks with the yummy dip xD

While i was googling for tsukada, i found out they opened a branch in Singapore last oct 2012. But it seems that it's more like a nabe place than an izakaya. But they don't even serve real tsukada chicken. Malaysian chicken!! Gonna try it the next time I go back to see how it is!

If you're interested in trying tsukada nojo in Tokyo, here are some of the branches at the touristy areas:

池袋西口店 Ikebukuro West
1 min walk from JR Ikebukuro West exit
〒171-0021　東京都豊島区西池袋1-10-8 サン・グロウビル2F

新宿歌舞伎町店 Shinjuku kabukicho
3 min walk from JR Shinjuku east exit
〒160-0021　東京都新宿区歌舞伎町1-16-1 今宮ビル4F

新宿東口駅前店 Shinjuku East
1 min walk from JR Shinjuku east exit
〒160-0022　東京都新宿区新宿3-23-2 B1

上野店 Ueno
3 min walk from JR Ueno station
〒110-0005　東京都台東区上野2-12-23 U-ONEビル4F

銀座八丁目店 Ginza
5 min walk from subway Ginza A2 exit
〒104-0061　東京都中央区銀座8-8-5 太陽ビル7F

渋谷本店（旧道玄坂下店）Shibuya main shop
1 min walk from JR Shibuya station
〒150-0043　東京都渋谷区道玄坂2-6-1 岩崎ビル3F

京王渋谷西口店 Shibuya West
1 min walk from JR Shibuya station
〒150-0043　東京都渋谷区道玄坂1-6-8 楠本第2ビル2F

Sid evolution

noreply@blogger.com (Ai) — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 15:03:00 +0000

I know I haven't been writing anything oops.
Just wanted to post this coz it's kinda interesting.

Some people might have heard of シド (Sid) through the recent Sadako 3D movie which they provided the theme song. I first heard of them years ago through an indies rotation journal. Back then I thought they were just another rock band with relatively catchy tunes. And then I found out today that way before they were more famous and signed up with a label, they were doing this (below). It was known as 喪服時代 (period of mourning attire) for them because they were always in black and white costumes. The musical style was... wow. Screamo punk?

And then fast forward to 2012 their latest song, VIP, which is used as the opening theme for the anime Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic.

What a drastic change from the origins of their band!

I guess as indies groups become more integrated into mainstream, they have the need to change style and sing songs that appeal to the general public and not to just a niche group like they did in the past. Probably also pressured into doing so by their recording agency. Maybe it's a good thing, they may lose some of the original punk fans and gain new rock fans. Or current rock fans may dig deeper into their punk origin and start to appreciate punk music.

noreply@blogger.com (Ai) — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 17:17:00 +0000

Seems like I haven't been writing anything nowadays. Since becoming a second year student and thus turning into a senpai to the year ones, it feels as if I had more work to do, more stuff to learn, more things to juggle. My pieces suddenly became difficult on a totally different level. Everyday my life just revolves around school, school and more school. Practise, practise and more practise. Even on holidays, the practise never stops. My recent trip back to sg to avoid the summer heat wasn't that relaxing after all as I imagined it to be. But at least, I got to go home and spend time with family and friends, and of course g ^^v

For quite a while, I have been entertaining the thought of packing up and going back to singapore, for a few reasons. I admit i'm rather tired of the whole "foreign student living in a foreign country" thing now. After the trip back, I realised no matter how many good friends you have here in another country, you're still alone. Nothing can compare to being at home with your loved ones. I must be getting old to think like this. But the biggest reason being the worry I constantly have hanging at the back of my mind, knowing mama is all alone in the house and if anything happens, I can't do anything here. The recent incident she had magnified my fear. And it was only until I was back and my aunt told me about it then I knew :( Dad is across the ocean working and while he was supposed to be retiring this year, the company wanted him to stay for another two years more overseeing the branch/factory. While we may get additional income which is good in a way, I would rather he come back and spend time with mama. Well, we only have a pair of parents and they won't be there forever waiting for you to show your love to.

Danbo at Akihabara!

noreply@blogger.com (Ai) — Wed, 02 May 2012 15:06:00 +0000

Very nice plants outside my neighbours' houses ^^

This seems to form the number 8.

They had a branch of sakura sprouting flowers. I didn't know you could plant cherry flowers from a branch.

Discovered a one-coin (Y500) lunch place at Akihabara. We were there to change my phone! Yay. Surprisingly, the restaurant was quite empty even at lunch time. Or was it after lunch hours =_= Only a few otaku looking guys at a table and some old people at other corners. Probably all were here for the cheap food, and not to mention the free flow rice and miso. Eat full full, last whole day. Kinda sad to see the old people eating like this to survive. Where's the family to cook for them. Anyway, food was not 半端 (hanpa) at all! Shall put this in my list of cheap-and-good-places :9

Forgot what this korean actor's name is.

As usual, he likes fried stuff :x Jumbo chicken katsu or something, iirc. I stole the crispy end when he offered :p

My ginger pork. Seems like the only thing i eat….

Breaking my egg into a bowl before mixing into my rice to make TKG or "Tamago Kake Gohan" (rice with egg placed on it). Yes it's raw and fresh!!

okay this looks bit weird. Like onna :x

Fanboys queuing up to enter AKB48 cafe downstairs.

With Danbo!!!!! :DDDD I want to take her home!

Oh! His [three] Goddesses!

Many small tanks, but i don't understand.

Is this like erm.. Gundam? :x

Enough of these otaku activities which we spent the whole day doing. Want to buy but will end up as dust collectors eventually. Hungry for dinner already.

Decided on something light: soba. See the fried tempura behind again lol.

And a plate of gyoza (again!) to share.

Halfway through the soba, i bite into something plasticky and we called the waitress over coz he insisted on changing. I thought just throw away can already :x

The waitress was very apologetic and then the manager(?) also came over to say sorry and say they would give me a new bowl. (not free meal? HAHAHA) Not enjoying the fuss over a piece of plastic, but at least it wasn't like discovering… half an insect in your food.

And so I ended up with more soba to eat =____=

ふくみみ餃子館

noreply@blogger.com (Ai) — Wed, 02 May 2012 14:04:00 +0000

Went to this gyoza shop that Fujita san recommended while she was cutting my hair. Supposedly ranked 2nd best in Nakano. (I'm curious which is the shop ranked top now!) Since I was hungry, I thought why not go find it and oh my, it was really good, i'm also recommending it to anyone reading this!

The shop is narrow and small, and only can take 6-7 people, seated along the counter. It's not a place for you to sit down and stay long or chat with friends. Meal ticket machine is just beside the entrance when you enter. Water is self service.

Entrance with the takeaway window (not my pic)

When the gyoza arrived, they were HUGE! Each 40g, stuffed with juicy meat that dripped with every bite. I used my rice to soak up the juice to eat ^^b Best of all, they were very cheap. The five gyoza + rice and miso set I took cost only 380 yen!! Takeaways 5 pieces = Y250, 10 pieces = Y500. Definitely falls under the definition of cheap "one-coin (=500 yen) meal" that everyone seems to be always looking for nowadays in this "declining economy". Another plus point is that they are non-smoking! Usually eateries like this allow smoking so I don't like to go. It was a pleasant discovery ^^;

Menu

So if you're looking for something cheap and delicious in Nakano area, head over to ふくみみ (Fukumimi). Just along the レンガ坂 (renga slope) behind(?) the DVD rental shop Tsutaya, outside the 南口 (south exit) of 中野 (nakano) station (on 中央線&東西線). Opens from 11.30〜14.30 and 16.30〜20.00 OR when the gyoza sells out.

By the way, fukumimi or 福耳 "fat earloop" is so named because the gyozas are big, according to Fujita san. For good luck and wealth? haha.

Stolen pic :x Four different kind of sauces which I didn't use. Prefer the traditional la yu and vinegar/soy sauce.

My five-piece gyoza set. Oishikatta!

To Ueno - the rest.

noreply@blogger.com (Ai) — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 10:07:00 +0000

Onward to ueno park!

ooo nice flowers!!

Love the splashes of pinks and whites. ok they actually look like tissue paper balls.

Not forgetting to do our part for the environment during such events.

Sad that i couldn't find Engrish here.

Through the many toriis.

The obasan with the funky hair. Me standing there as a decoy.
Wanted to use the instagram pic instead but the obasan's cropped out. so… nah.

Found a really nice tree with full blossom!!

So pwetty *_*

Forgot to crop that man at the bottom left out.

Reaching for the sky. Blue sky = less moisture in atmosphere = good weather. Right?

Pretending that we're at some castle when it's actually just a shrine booth where they sell stuff LOL

From the other side.

Kinda funny photo of people taking pics of the tree.

Applied a few filters to this photo and i think i like this green one best.

Nice perspective view of the shrubby fence.

And at the same time while this was taken, boorish chinese people who just barged through us without saying excuse me and started talking loudly and snapping photos away. Typical!

Another shot against the beautiful tree (just to make sure have enough good shots lol)

Made one round to the other side of the toori. Turn around, turn around!

:p

Shrine cat in the grass xD

I think i was having an attempt at dancing >_>

Many ground sheets were laid to "chope" the best seats.

The tree, very tall. The crow, very big.

Refreshments: vanilla and green tea (while doing some people watching)

In this tiny little hole, your happiness is…
I tried to stifle my giggles. Really.

A mini library at the train station!!?

Please return after reading.
If this were in sg, maybe empty shelves already.

Bought "ekiben" for dinner to share. Supposed famous bento from the town of Yonezawa.

It was so nice. I didn't want to share!!! T_T

I hope he doesn't kill me for this :x

To Ueno - food first.

noreply@blogger.com (Ai) — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 17:17:00 +0000

Day at Ueno for flower viewing! But putting up the food pics first because uh, there's too many.

Flowers!!!!! But fake one orz. I realised the colour of the flowers is the same as my background lol
And panda! which can only mean one thing: We're in ueno. Coz ueno zoo is here.

This atré shopping mall is everywhere, located at train stations. Supposedly a word derived from a French word "attrait" that means "alluring"??? Ok useless fact. I'm more tickled by the name "Free's Shop" on the left.

Sushi time! Decided to eat first before the sun sets >_> The row of 穴子 (anago sushi) (sea eel) so tempting. What you call unagi are the freshwater variant.

And you have me with a gluttony face waiting to pounce on the anagosss.

The plates amazingly lined up in a zig zag manner whenever the sushi chef stopped them from moving and stuffed more plates in between. I was waiting for the tension to break at the point where it couldn't be stuff any more… and then all flip upwards (into our waiting mouths).

Still-unsatisfied look.

寒鰤 (kan buri) (cold yellowtail)!!

It's very good right now coz it's fatty. Fish fats are good for you!
And i really recommend this 元祖寿司 (ganso sushi) "sushi go-round restaurant". Reasonably priced for big fresh portions. Some of the cheaper chains have really dry fish. Don't really like.

Eyeing moar fish.

Wah the plates so high. But the point is, MY BOMBE sounds like MY BOMBAY. L size some more. Not so funny when you know japanese because bombe (from German) is what they call a (gas) cylinder.
So they have their very own dedicated cylinder of gas, joining the status of MYHOME, MYCAR, MYBOOM. These are real Japanese-English words. Once i even heard a MYDENSHA = my train. Must be nice to be so rich.

I am looking eagerly at what comes next. My favourite sushi, engawa!! The fins of halibut(?) I rather call it flatfish. Cheap and yummy. Do try this! It has got a oily milky taste.

I would like to say that these were the amount of what we ate.

g loves the negitoro (negi = spring onions. toro = tuna). Cold and fresh. And the seaweeds wrapping around the rice were so crispy.

Our sushi chef here needs a parrot on his shoulder to complete the look :x At first, from the back looking at the strings looping around his ears, g thought he was wearing a face mask. Then he turned around and, OH.

In one of the ueno alleys, there is a shop called choo-choo-hodo (to the extent of choo-choo??) (WHAT?) selling bubble tea! I couldn't resist. Had to buy.

Oh they sell korean food! Let's see, toppogi, seafood toppogi and kalbi toppogi. OKAY.

And the drinks they offer. "Fruit juice and tapioca". Bubble tea is known as tapioca here. Very funny. It refers to the pearls but my mind can only conjure the image of the unprocessed starchy root, not those pearly balls.
When i first heard of it, i thought it meant the coconut milk dessert with chunks of 蕃薯.

The coconut milk tea with pearls. I still miss gongcha!!
Another mystery: Why is this "uncle joe" and not "choo-choo-hodo" >_>???? They ran out of cups issit?

Hanami at Yoyogi park

noreply@blogger.com (Ai) — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 15:35:00 +0000

Went to quite a few places for hanami (flower viewing) this year, taking the opportunity to visit since g was here. The usual crowded public parks like ueno and yoyogi and some other smaller ones, including private(?) gardens that are opened to us commoners. We just have to part with a small fee to enter and enjoy the surroundings ^^;

Took way too many photos and now am having a terrible time sorting out which are post-able. Shall start with yoyogi first, even though chronologically, ueno was the first we went. But I already randomly clicked on the folder and started arranging/editing them, so it shall do.

Also, we went to both parks slightly too early; at the first stage of blossoming. So most of the trees were still in bud stage orz. Didn't have time to do a revisit during the full bloom period though. The rest of the visits had really pretty sights though since they were in full bloom. By the way, tomorrow's supposedly the start of 桜吹雪 (flower blizzard) where the petals start scattering. Another beautiful event in the wind.

Rock 'n' Roll dance at the entrance.

Another group of Rock 'n' Roll beside them. '60s music?

A man pantomimes. It didn't look very interesting after watching a bit….
And there were kids having group ds session at the side. Um, so they come to the park to play console games?

This dog caused quite a commotion. It was so huge!! I imagine Sirius Black to be like this.

More street artistes.

Couldn't hear what they were singing.

Big group of students (they look young enough) sitting around and singing.

And the bubbling begins. Maybe they making cheesy MV.

Blue sky, happy picnics and bare trees. What more can you ask for?

Two rows of park goers. Having bento lunch or just enjoying the breeze.

This duo attracted a large group of people to their act.

A drumming group.

Oh food! But wait. It says they sell ばくだん (B-O-M-B) on the banners.

The queue to the makeshift toilet was unbelievably long. And it didn't smell until you went inside. According to g, singapore ones have that "fragrance" even when you stand near it. I guess the cold air helps.

Crows and blue sky.

Cute little boy throws stones into the lake(?) and runs away. Repeats action.

One of the rare twigs with flowers.

Most of them were still in this state.

Drunk man and his friend shaking the dead weight up. But it's only the afternoon and he's like that already???

More dangly branches.

They look almost like those plastic flowers on cakes lol.

More buds, more luck.

It is not just sakura that are in bloom.

A grouchy cat on a tree. He sick of people taking pics of him.

A line forming at the men's toilet. Haven't seen that before.

An old couple under a tree. lovely.

More merry making on another side of the park.

I think it would be a very beautiful sight when the trees are in full blossom.

Taking a pic since I'm here.

yay.

Looks like a different species. shrugs.

On the stem-y part.

Too high up for me to grab.

Boy looks like he's lost. He's crying!

Oh hi little boy, why are you alone?

Using the bigger lens. Damn it's heavy. Shaky hands ^^;

Setting sun's in my face again -__-

While we were walking out, this guy from a performing group posed for me when I turned my lens towards him.

Merged two photos with some simple ps-ing hehehe. Now he's sitting on the correct side that I want.

Pretending not to notice the camera LOL

So winterish even though it's spring.

Man with his dogs. Feel like putting the dog's pink ribbons on his hair instead.

Outside, at the bridge, there were some cosplayers standing around.

This reminds me of spawnily somehow. Don't ask me why.

Their doll! Kinda cute.

Tower/Building at a distance.

Right outside Harajuku station.

Was still in manual focus when this man with the chinese fan/peacock hair appeared again!! I thought of those actors/props/costumes on stage in Lion King when i saw him.

Even pigs know.

Taking a pic of a man taking a pic of the Takeshita Street sign.

Every tourist's must-go place.

Fwah. Had to walk through all these people. Luckily this wasn't summer.

Dinner at my favourite Sukiya!! This spicy peppery gyudon was good, I recommended to g.

The curry+gyudon set was good too. But the portion was a bit too big.

Kungfu Barbecue

noreply@blogger.com (Ai) — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 16:33:00 +0000

This is super backlogged! and pic intensive. I hope it doesn't make anyone's computer lag.
Bbq organised by Yamamoto Sensei for us during autumn.
He's really a very good teacher. Always forking out his own money for trips like this when it's not necessary.
Coming next academic year we won't be having him as our sensei ;_;
Arigatou, Yamamoto sensei!

Driverless yurikamome line heading towards odaiba for bbq.

Signing over the bbq equipment and food.

The necessary tools.

Sensei looks like he's crying at the back :x

hikaru and ume

一番左の子、、、だーれ =_=? (No idea who's at the left =_=)

Getting ready to divide the food for cooking.

The amount of meat!

The teachers who made this bbq possible!

Propane and butane.. uh. 3-carbon + 4-carbon alkane? ok whatever that is supposed to produce.

Got thief. haha no. it's yamamoto sensei.

Thawing the meats.

When you're not cooking, you go around disturbing people xD

Deep in concentration.

Done!

"My cooking rocks!"

Need to know her name!

Sensei creating memories for us.

I was quite surprised that almost all of them have never touched cooking utensils.
Not even made a meal before.... *gasp* such good life!

Yakisoba, so good!

Feeling realllllly hungry now!

Enjoying the yakisoba of their hard work.

So i said they haven't cooked before.
See.... Manpower (or rather, womanpower) involved just to cut a sausage :x Otsukare-sama!

The guys doing what they do best: sitting and eating hahaha.

#likeaboss

Trying to emote #likeaboss

Posing with the "大哥"

I wasn't just taking photos hor....

Grabbed from sensei's xD

*burp*

They wanted to do jump shots. Right after eating.

Tokyo bay, i suppose?

And more joined in. Bend your knees more please!

After 3 tries. Like, finally!

Took us so long to take this pic because they were either too slow or too fast to press the shutter. The photo's only as good as the photographer's finger speed hahaha :x I am floating effortlessly.

And then the jumping line just got longer.

Jumping haphazardly!

The floaters!!!

All tired.

Love this one.

大大大大大大大大大

Asked me to jump the same but timing was bad :/
And mario photobombed from behind lol!

Another funny one they tried to get me to jump with mario but nobody could capture it. Gave up and i got them to jump while I take the picture instead muahaha. Easier =_=

Some filming crew at the end who cleared us away for their shot.

They said this was due to the earthquake. Tiles shaken out.

A pity can't enter.

This sculpture is amazing. It has a different composition from different angles.

From this side, it looks like a piano duo.

Girl under a tree.

The florets look lacking :/

Kids picnicking?

Getting ready to leave.

Who is that guy?!

With nishizawa san.

Matsumoto Jun LOL
He has been called the fake Matsujun (from Arashi)

Sitting around to take a final group shot at the field behind.

Matsujun and me.

Obligatory group shot :D

Stole from sensei's camera. The two senseis on the left have funny poses xD

Bye bye, odaiba!

Walked over to fuji television building.

On the super long escalator.

Heading into the fuji tv souvenir shop.

After that the guys went for drinking while the penniless foreigner student me went home.
No money to spend on these extra stuff haha :x

Packing up

noreply@blogger.com (Ai) — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 16:30:00 +0000

Frankly, I didn't expect the cardboard boxes to take up so much space even when flattened and packed like this!! I'm having a little trouble walking around the "kitchen" area. Not like I keep hanging around there though.

Still, imagine when they are all being filled, I don't think I'll have any much standing space left :/

Have only done packing some books into one box and temporarily placed it at the balcony window. There are still many many more things to sort out, throw away, pack in. Oh gawwwd. Moving house is such a nightmare. I keep discovering things I thought I never owned, but they were just hidden in plain view. That one box of books alone gave me a slight sore back. I hope the movers have super human strength, can carry ALL OF THEM with ease. And not to mention the... piano. Down two flights of stairs and up two flights of stairs at the new place. No escalator, sorry.

Gotta hurry by the moving date. よっしゃ！！！
Hope it doesn't rain on that day ><;

Rewarding myself with a pack of fresh strawberries (lame excuse for that one box of books keke). They're in season now!

The little duck story

noreply@blogger.com (Ai) — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 15:49:00 +0000

Saw this from a friend's. Funny little story!

One day, a little duck went to a lemonade stall and asked the stall-keeper

Duck: Hey, do you have any grapes?
Stall-holder: I'm sorry we only have lemonade.

Then the duck walked away.

The next day, the little duck went back to the stall.

Duck: Hey, do you have any grapes?
Stall-holder: Just like what I've told you yesterday, we don't have grapes, only lemonade!

The duck walked away.

The very next day, the little duck went back to the stall again.

Duck: Hey, do you have any grapes?
Stall-holder: One more time you ask me this question, I'm gonna glue your mouth up!! *annoyed*

The duck walked away.

The very next day, the little duck came back again.

Duck: Hey...
Stall-holder: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Duck: Do you have any... glue?
Stall-holder: ?? O_O What?
Duck: Do you have any glue?
Stall-holder: No, why would I?
Duck: Then... One more question for you. Do you have any grapes?

death of a loved one.

noreply@blogger.com (Ai) — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 16:20:00 +0000

Not long ago, i heard from a friend that her dad passed away recently this year in Jan.
She's still coping with the loss and she now tells each of her friends to spend some quality time with their parents. Before it's too late, I guess. I have come to an age where friends send me announcements of marriages, addition to the family and passing on of an immediate family member.

Everyone of us has to face this kind of loss at some point in our lives.
It is a matter of only when, as she says it. So do cherish the time you have with your parents.
Make time for them. And don't develop regret later with a list of "I-should-haves".

Love, Mama.

noreply@blogger.com (Ai) — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 15:33:00 +0000

Going out with mama has always been a joy. But as we grow up, we find that we spend more and more time with friends, on work etc and she's left alone. Unlike the days when we were young, she would be the whole world to us. We would follow her everywhere, hug her, hold her hands. Back then her hands were bigger than mine, she could wrap my whole palm inside hers. Now it's the opposite. It saddens me to see how she has aged so fast.

The other day when I went for a sushi lunch, I messaged mama and she said i made her salivated. Found out that she has not gone for one like me, since last year May when I brought her to Itacho sushi. Mama loves sushi and she used to go eat until the staff knew her by name and gave her "vip treatment" lol. So i was a bit surprised that she hasn't gone since then. And guilty too. Like I am enjoying here while over there she is being thrifty and not spending on such luxurious food. She said being hard on hearing makes it worse to go out often. I felt so sad hearing that. The next time I return, I must spend more quality time with her again. My only dissatisfaction is that given the distance, physically I am unable to do that now. Only can do through the phone or the internet.

This bag of junk food was probably nothing on its own as a photo. It's not even "artistically taken". Just a quick snap at the cashier. But it is precious to me because it was almost at the end of the trip back to Singapore and though she nonchalantly asked if I wanted to buy anything to bring back as we past by the supermarket, I could hear the emotion in it. Shrugs. I'm weird like this.

Girls' Day

noreply@blogger.com (Ai) — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 14:47:00 +0000

3rd March today is the Hina Matsuri, which is a doll festival that is equivalent to Girls' Day.

On this day, the family prays for the happiness and healthy growth for the young daughter(s) of the family. It is a custom to display dolls on platforms covered with red carpet from mid February till 3rd March. Hence "doll festival". Food is also offered to the dolls. The dolls represent the emperor, empress, the court servants, musicians from the Heian period (784 - 1185) where the capital wasn't in Tokyo yet but in Kyoto. (The name Tokyo 東京 being "capital of the east" when they moved eastward from Kyoto) I remember when i was small, i read Doraemon and in one of the stories, Shizuka, the girl Nobita likes, had a whole display of it. ok, that's all i remember about it.

The custom originally had the dolls being floated down a river because the Japanese believed the dolls possessed the power to trap bad spirits. Setting the dolls down a river and into the sea supposedly sent the bad stuff away too. (kinda like Hell Girl) Very convenient right! But to put such expensive dolls into a boat and float them away very year is such a waste. Now they just keep and reuse every year ^^;

The arrangement of the dolls are also fixed. On the top most tier sits the emperor and the empress. The second tier has three court ladies. The third tier, five musicians. The fourth, the minster of the right and left. The fifth has three samurais. The more elaborated ones have a sixth and seventh tiers which consist of furniture and tools and carriages. Among the dolls there are also accessories like mirrors, fans, gilded folding screens, meal dishes, (fake) plants and musical instruments etc.The more exquisite it is, the richer you portray your family. It's like a Barbie royal family doll house collection but without the house. And they are forever just sitting there ~~and collecting dust for half a month or so~~. Not ball-joint dolls, i suppose.

A very big family.

By the way, if you do display the dolls, remember to remove them immediately after the day. Because if you left them there past 4th March, it is said that you will have trouble getting married. Left on the shelf huh?

A pair of emperor and empress i took at a hina doll shop. Pretty colours ^^

Sir, your instant yakisoba is ready~

noreply@blogger.com (Ai) — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 16:07:00 +0000

Today was a rather warm day. I could hear the snow melting as I got out of the house.
Went down to shinjuku to seal the deal. No, i'm not selling myself(!) but to sign the 2 year contract for the new apartment. Hope the place will be as pleasant to live in as here. The agent was really nice. He offered to help me settle the mover's date, the gas, water, electricity and internet set up. So kind can?! I think i must have presented myself as helpless as possible for him to do that ^^;; Then he asked if i frequent places like shibuya/harajuku, whether i drink or not, and weirdest of all, do i intend to look for a gf here. Perhaps trying to make conversation, coz i don't see how they were related to what I was there at the little office for… *scratch head*

Lunch was at a random sushi shop. Was deciding between sushi and ichiran ramen and sushi won only because I haven't had it for a long time… since 2011 May and it was in Singapore when i went back for holiday. Calling g to ask for opinion didn't work coz his viber wasn't on -_- In retrospect, i think ramen would have been cheaper :x

My favourite sushi. Engawa!!! I donno how to describe, but it has a delicate milky taste to me, yummy.
If you have a chance to see this on a sushi menu, order it!

This yaki salmon was also very good, in taste and price. i had two plates.
I mean it's quite good value, 3 pieces compared to the usual 2 pieces. And the cheapest plate colour some more.

I think today must be the day where I have the least plates of sushi in my life.
The man beside me only had 4 plates and he left. I felt very self conscious.
Immediately, I was reminded of the sad state of my wallet, so i stopped at the 5th or 6th plate.
AND it still cost 1100 yen ($17)!!
Imagine if I had gone on and on eating… *shudders*

On the way back, I saw this unbelievable thing.
"YAKISOBAR", an instant noodle bar that sells one bowl of yakisoba for 200 yen.

Staff: "This is too embarrassing. Another one of those gaijin taking picture of us."

Some of them were holding kettles which i wondered if they were just props or did they really contain hot water… So now! You can enjoy instant yakisoba like some gourmet here with the waitresses serving you politely~ Feels like the concept of instant noodles is being taken apart and repackaged. They should come up with a maid cafe version too. Otakus will love it LOL

Here's a video of it!

Tokyo in a few months (continue)

noreply@blogger.com (Ai) — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 15:34:00 +0000

2nd picture dump continuing~

Trying to deposit a whole stack of money and it got stuck -_- Of all machines, of all days, why me.
Could hear the staff behind the machine accessing it and taking out my bankbook and money.
Yikes now they know how much I don't have in the bank.
Anyway, it makes me imagine if there's anyone sitting behind every ATM, counting and dispensing money to you lol

At the rilakkuma shop, saw these. I think lynn will like them?

Aren't they cute?

It was the day of the setsubun, a bean throwing festival, celebrating the 1st day of spring, on 3rd Feb. Basically, the japanese tradition new year. On this day ehomaki (恵方巻)(this sushi roll thing) is eaten apart from throwing fortune beans at an ogre while saying "demons out! luck in!".

Ehomaki is eaten in silence, facing a particular lucky direction, determined by the zodiac symbol of that year. I say it's just gimmicky to sell more sushi :x

But for the fun of it, I bought one to try. Actually quite tasty haha.

A bunch of receipts waiting to be documented and cleared.
I must not procrastinate next time .__.

A bowl of korean ginseng soup i boiled and on facebook, lynn's mother said it's monkey head i'm eating orz

I love this meiji strawberry milk. Think this was dinner for one of those days where I go home late...

One photo i took long ago when i still had coloured hair.

Did I mention that this melon pan (bread) is super nice? Even danbo wants to have it.

A pic of my phone. Changed to au from docomo coz cheaper :p
I still prefer the galaxy s2 which is now available for au though. damn…

My lovely natto. If it has expired, would it make it fresher and yummier?

A very big block of meiji chocolate. How to finish?!

Love the pun on the label of the beef hamburger patty! Seldom do we see such creative food labels.

A bunch of side dishes i got to mix with my rice.

Received this hand made v day chocolate cake from Asumi. So tasty!
Also had cookies from Chikako but i forgot to take pics. Also very nice ^^

The double bass is so big it has its own travelling wheels.

During out trio rehearsal the next day.

On the same day, another surprise, from Chika. The packaging quite lovely!

Inside. More handmade sweets! I think they are trying to fatten me up…
Am i supposed to reciprocate the act on 14th March, White Day, yet another one of those marketing crap people come up with to make money from consumers? (but it falls on the stretch of spring break :x)

Surprised that they don't come with straws. All the goodness at the bottom can't scrape off even after shaking :/

No idea what sensei meant by this bit of Engrish. Asked her to explain and she also don't know why she wrote that orz

Snapped a piano string while practising. Guess I was playing too furiously :/

Ending with a pic of myself. I think i have grown a fatter face :O