Cookiss 未來予想圖

巴黎的牛肉麵

2012-02-13T00:41:00.000-08:00

星期六吃到了在巴黎的第一碗牛肉麵，喝了第一杯奶茶！
餐廳叫做101台北小館，是個來了巴黎很久的臺灣媽媽開的。
跟法國人比較，這裡的服務實在是太好了！
雖然茶藝還有待改進，但是食物是很道地的味道，讚！
最後還有老闆的手作鳳梨酥！
下禮拜一定要再去吃他們的火車便當！

I am back

2012-02-03T00:44:00.000-08:00

So, I am back in this country of slowpokes, dirty streets, crappy service, and yummy food.
Yup, France it is.
But this time, it's for good.

I miss Japan like crazy though.
Everything there, positive or negative, all of a sudden become the perfection of a properly functioning country.

And then I miss Taiwan.
There are people there that feel the most comfortable with even if I was in my worst state.
When will I ever meet them again?
Because I know it is not possible to just find or meet another here or anywhere else in the world.

But now, it's for good.
Finding apartments and all definitely means I am in a different time zone.

I guess I will just keep my mind and heart in that faraway land while physically being in this one.

Italy day July 18

2009-07-19T12:04:00.000-07:00

I was a bit too ambitious.
Knowing that Torino is about 4 hours from Ventimiglia (the city closest to the French border), I thought if I oculd wake up early enough, I can manage to go there and come back late, since there are many trains back from Ventimiglia to Nice.
Of course, it's Europe, not Japan. There were not many trains to go to Torino, and the trains were often 10, 20 minutes late. So I gave up when I realized I didn't have a connection to go to Torino early enough. I changed my plans to go to Cuneo, a city between Torino and Ventimiglia. I checked everything, went to the designated platform on time, and got on the train, just to realize 3 stations later that it was not going to Cuneo, it was heading for a small city between Ventimiglia and Genova.

God.

Fine.

So I had to change plans again. Either I took a train 2 hours later to go to Genova, which would have been nice, but I would arrive at 5:30 pm, or I go back to a city a bit close to Ventimiglia that is still on the coast: San Remo.

So that's what I did. It wasn't the best because I had not done any research on San Remo at all. There didn't seem to be any special sights there except for a couple of villas. So instead, I did a lot of shopping! ><
Italian shops were also on sale, and things seem to be a bit cheaper than French's. There were so many shops selling lingerie and bikinis...amazing, and perfect because this is the exact kind of thing that is expensive in Japan, but often gets abandoned after a while, especially bikinis.

I also went for a long stroll along their beach, which was so much more crowded than that of Nice, perhaps because Nice's beach is so long people tend to spread out more.

I had spaghetti for lunch, wanting to know if their spaghetti is really much better...but...the truth is NO. It is just like any I have had before...

There were tonnes of ice cream shops of course...I swear I saw at least 10 shops that just sells ice cream and another 20 that sell ice cream among other things.

But it really is so important to know the language when you visit a place. There was a funny and frustrating little episode when I was looking at their lingerie. In Italy,, apparently, they do not use the system of ABC etc. They use 123. So I picked up one that I wanted, but wasn't sure what size the "3" represented in size. I asked for clarification in English, but the staff only spoke in Italian. She could proabably understand a bit of English.

So it went something like this:
Me(pointing to the number "3"): What is this in French size? (since the city was so close to France, I supposed it was ok to ask her this way)
Staff: C
Me(drawing the letter C in the air): C?
Staff: C/Si (I wasn't sure which one she was answering now)
Me(a but confused and just want to know the damn size): So this is 90C in French size?
Staff(pointing at the number "3"): B
Me(now frustrated): This is B? But you said it was C.
Staff: C/Si (again, not sure which one she was saying)

You can imagine the rest of the disaster.

Cannes, Antibes, Cagnes-sur-mer, le 14 juillet

2009-07-15T04:00:00.000-07:00

There was no school today due to the 14th of July, France's national day, so I decided to make a quick tour to the west of Nice.
It took me about an hour and a half to bus to Cannes, where there was a nice promenade lined with palm trees next to the sea, interesting painted walls on buildings that are inspired by the movie industry, and handprints of famous hollywood stars that I didn't manage to find.
Yeah..I had a map, and I was probably only 10 metres from it, but I just couldn't find it!
Not surprising. It happens to me often.

Next, Antibes. It was beautiful in the old town. I have to say that I find most "old towns" very similar to each other, no matter where they are in France. By now, I am more attracted to all the ice cream shops that are in these areas than the actual area itself. But the ice cream is worth everything.
I was lucky though, because usually the museums are not opened on Tuesdays, but the Picasso museum was surprisingly opened~ so I went and got a discounted admission by saying I am a student, although later I found that on the ticket, it says I am above 65 years old. What?!??!?!?
Incroyable!

Then I went to my last stop: Cagnes-sur-mer. This place was beautiful, but a bit dead because it was a national holiday. I went to the top of the town though-a medieval village built on a mountain. The roads were so steep it's hard to imagine how people lived at that time. They would have to walk up and down everyday...
There was a church up top and also a museum. But this time I was less lucky so the museum was not opened. I also missed the Renoir museum and olive garden, which I would love to go to.
Well, things can't be perfect.
The village itself was already very impressive.

Finally, after the whole day of journey, I went home and took a shower before I headed out to see the fireworks for the 14th of July. It was very nice, and the fact that they closed the road totally makes it nice because it wasn't super duper crowded. I did see a little mouse crawling around the beach though! Makes me think twice if I should be lying on the beach here...><

Beaulieu-sur-mer and Saint Jean Cap Ferrat July 11

2009-07-15T03:59:00.000-07:00

Literally meaning "beautiful place", it is indeed beautiful.
This place Beaulieu-sur-mer is only about 15 minutes bus ride from Nice. From there, a peninsula sticks out, called Saint Jean Cap Ferrat.

In Beaulieu, there was a Greek Villa that people can visit to see the lifestyle, architechture, and art of the Ancient Greeks.
You go through the villa room by room, and is introduced to the room and its history on a mobile phone-like machine.
There were mosaics on the floor everywhere, paintings on walls, decorated ceilings, sculptures, marble sinks, big marble baths, dome-shaped shower room, bed-like chairs for meals since the greeks ate lying down, etc.

Saint Jean Cap Ferrat was nothing less than Beaulieu though. There was also a villa open to all to visit, called Villa et Jardin Ephrussi de Rothschild. This villa is surrounded by nine gardens laid out over 7 acres. It was designed by Beatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild, a girl born to a very well-off family, who later married a banker. She was able to travel the world, and was able to collect treasures from all over the world and also create designs inspirated by the world.
Some unique points of this villa include that
It is all pink on the exterior, and many personal things shown indoors were also pink because it was the Baroness' favorite color;
The villa has an endless view over the sea;
The gardens originally started with a French garden, Japanese garden, and a rose garden, but at present time, there is also a spanish garden, Florentine garden, Provencal garden, Ialian garden, and an Exotic garden;

After visiting these villas and having lunch on one of the many beaches nearby, I made a tour on foot all around the island. There was a scenic path on the side of the peninsula for people to go around the island.

C'etait magnifique!

Parc Phoenix and Musee d'arts asiatique July 8

2009-07-15T03:58:00.000-07:00

A parc in an area with banks, offices, and near the airport--it has a big greenhouse with all sorts of exotic plants, an insectarium (which was really gross by the way), prairie dogs, lots of varieties of birds, etc.
It's quite nice for 2 euros--you can really take your time to walk around, there weren't a lot of kids even though the vacation has already started for them. There were some groups of kids from summer camps, but they were not annoying or anything.
The most annoying was just seeing a bunch of gross insects at a close distance. aarrgh... my goosebumps appeared again.

The Musee d'arts asiatique was a nice building, and must be very impressive for the French, but for someone like me, it was no surprise. There were several rooms with arts from Japan, China, Korea, India, etc. There was a large area for the history and art of Buddhism, and art related to Genghis Khan.
For me, it was a nice quiet place to cool off from walking a long way in the heat before I headed for the parc. Wahaha...
It was nice nonetheless.

Beautiful day, nice walk!

First dive in Nice!

2009-07-09T13:12:00.000-07:00

Today I went for a dive for the first time in Nice, and in Europe!
It was also the first time I went without my honey, so I was a bit unsure of things at first.
I set up everything by myself, and interestingly, the bottles in France often have 2 openings, for people who want to put two sets of regulators apparently...or for some reason like that.
At the end, I was paired up with a German guy called Martin, who has Advanced open water, but has done fewer dives than me. Good buddy cuz he really made sure I was around during the whole dive, but I think it was also because there really wasn't much to see.

The only most amazing thing was this 2 feet long yellow/blue spotted eel like fish. Other than that, there wasn't much color, aside from a couple of small purple jellyfish at the surface, and some tiny blue fish at the bottom. There were no corals...
But to show that I was actually diving in Europe, there was a cross with Jesus on it! It seems like a part of a cathedral that fell in there, but maybe it was placed there on purpose.

I was thinking of doing one more dive today, but after seeing what was there, I gave up. At least for today. Plus the water was cold! about 19 degrees!

Beautiful day though.

Monaco

2009-07-07T03:33:00.000-07:00

I probably was lucky and unlucky at the same time.
Without checking the bus schedule, I arrived at the gare routiere just 5 minutes before the departure of an express bus to Monaco.
Great! So I hopped on, thinking that I would get there sooner than expected.
Then I realized that probably the bus wasn't the best idea because kids just started their summer vacation, and on top of that, it was the grand opening of the Tour de France from Monaco!
So we went quite slow on the highway for a while...
but, the lucky side is that I got to see how crazy people were of this event!
People would wait in the sun for the racers to come by, just to cheer then for 5 seconds. Still, it was pretty impressive. I am not sure if the race actually takes place in the same place as Formula 1, but it's pretty much the same area.

So I arrived there, and without waiting for the racers to come, I headed for my destination-the Palais Princier.
At this palace, there are guards outside that change every once in a while (I hope).
But at precisely 11:55am everyday, a special changing of guards takes place, when about 20 or so guards have some kind of march, with a higher ranked guard/general saying something like "left, left, left right left" in french of course.
They would march along with their long rifles, in their white uniforms (in winter, they are in black). There would be some drummers and music as well.
Lots of people gather to see this...it was interesting to see but I hope they don't put on this show just for the tourists or something.

Then I went to the Cathedrale de Monaco. It was a nice cathedral with more candles than some smaller ones. There are even signs in 6 languages, including japanese.

After that, I went to the Musee Oceanographique, where there is a floor of aquarium, some exhibitions, and restaurants up top.
The aquarium was nice, but I have to say that the Japanese are much better at this.
The best thing though, was that at the end, I got to see the cutie puffer fish that looked right into my camera! ^^

After that, I took a walk around Monaco ville, but there were too many people on this day of tour de france~!!

2nd day of school

2009-06-30T04:24:00.001-07:00

Apparently, I am an elementary student in French!
Yesterday, the first day of school, we got orally tested and also did a written test. Today I was placed in A2 class, which is probably a below intermediate class. I have 4 classmates: 2 irish girls, 1 dutch, and 1 swedish. All of them are in high school! Jesus....
But having done some group work with a couple of girls, and had some discussion in class, I realize what the difference between me and them is. I probably was like that too when I was in high school...laid back, not trying very hard to do the very best, passive, etc....
It was actually quite frustrating in the group work because the 2 girls I was with really just wanted to get it over with and go to the beach. But why were they there? I have no idea. Probably their mom and dad paid for the thing and just asked them to go, so they go. Anyway...it was alright overall... time will tell...but I won't let time have a lot of time to tell.

After that, walking here, I found out a pick-up line I have never heard before: "be careful... you are getting red" as in "be careful, you are about to get a sun burn but what the heck, I am gonna talk to you outside for a long time anyway".

This guy started talking to me in French and some English after he realized I am not the best french speaker ever. He wanted to get my number and go for a coffee right there and then, but I told him I was busy going to use the internet and that I have no phone to call him or for him to call. Finally, I took his email address and chatted a bit more, and said goodbye. God bless the internet. It's such a great thing to just get someone's address and then decide later on if I should write or not...Well...I probably won't, but I might. He said he lives in Cannes...so if I do need a guide, just in case. But hey, I don't think I will need a guide if I can make it there on my own. so... tough luck.

Now I am thinking if I should join some of the school activities or not. So far, I seem to be the only asian there, one of the only few people who are not in high school or just out of high school. I really wonder if I can get along with all these people.

The Swedish girl in the class seems pretty interesting. She is curious about everything. The dutch guy also...but not sure yet. Will see... if she keeps up being so interested in everything I have to say, maybe I will get her to go to Eze on thursday... The guy in charge of the activity says this is a nice village and they will visit a perfume factory where you can purchase perfume for a discounted price. Sounds attractive.

Lovely day again. After some surfing, gonna go lie on the beach! My stomach still feels weird ><

Nice-Day 3

2009-06-28T05:06:00.001-07:00

Things I have had to do, things that have amazed me, things that have frustrated me, things that have pleased me so far...

day 1:
British Airways flight was delayed for 6 hours!! After queuing for 2.5 hours, managed to check in to an Air France flight, safely arriving in Nice at the exact same time as I would have if my original flight had not been delayed.

Checked into hotel. Tiny. High ceiling though. Noisy in the middle of the night, but surprisingly quiet in the morning. Why is it that people chat at 2 am and 4 am but not at 7:30 am?

Found "Messena"--a square with musicians, tall poles leading to lit-up-at-night statues of naked men. Lovely walking area. Haagen Daaz found! Had a cookie crunch sundae...not as good as I had expected though.

day 2:
Plan--get cell phone and dongle ASAP. Get apartment keys.

Reached an SFR shop where I was refered to saleslady #1 to saleslady #2, then from saleslady #2 back to saleslady #1, then from saleslady #1 to non-existent-or-too-busy saleslady#3 before I decided that at that shop, probably none of the ladies knew anything about anything. Moved on to another SFR shop, where I waited forever to get someone to help me because there is no line-up system whatsoever. Managed to get what I wanted though. Great! ^^

Took a long stroll on the Promenade des Anglais, and saw the beautiful shoreline.
Found the marketplace in Vieux Nice! So many booths with Olives, soaps, flowers, fresh vegetables and fruits NOT wrapped in saran wrap, bread, dried tomatoes, fish, etc. Gotta come back later.

Went to Mcdo to grab a bite and use their wifi. The "fastfood" might as well have been called "slowpoke food". I ordered only a small burger and some pre-packaged food but had to wait for about 10 minutes! No. No exaggeration. Tried to connect with Wifi but couldn't! Why? No idea.

On the way back to the apartment, a guy played on an old white piano in the Place Messana. He was soooooooooooooooooooo good it looked like he was just improvising as he goes. He probably wasn't, but still, it was amazing.

Then went to get my apartment. Took a taxi from the hotel to the apartment but because of saturday Ironman events, roads were partially closed. The driver was furious! Kept puffing and sighing, and yelling "Attention!!!!" to other drivers when obviously he was the one who was being too reckless. Luckily I am still alive to write this now.

The apartment was dark as hell in the staircase area...but inside, was nice and bright. Despite the uncleaned state of the place, it is quite lovely. Large living area (for one person who just came from Japan...yes it's big), bedroom, decent shower. No washing machine though. >< What?!?! How can a so-called "fully furnished" apartment have no washing machine? That is just unbelievable.

Plan-Try to find a grocery store and a coin laundry this evening. I have been deprived of things like juice and yogurt in the last 3 days. Need these things.

Took a walk to look for grocery store and laundromat. Instead, I went up the Chateau and found a Fete de chateau going on. There were many booths for people expressing their views on feminism, racism, etc. Many booths with food. Some music from here and there. Lots of people.

Came down from the great view and nice walk up in the mountain, and found a grocery store finally. Went home exhausted from the long long walks I had throughout the whole day, took a shower, watched some tv, and went to bed in this apartment for the first time.

day 3:
Plan--find laundromat, find the way to school either by tram or on foot, go to the beach!

Walked to the school from noon to see if I can actually walk there every morning. It took about 30 minutes on not-especially-hurried feet. I guess I can walk then! ^^

I am finally getting to know the areas a bit more. I still don't know the streets that well but at least I can make my way within the main area of the city centre.

Came to Quick to see if I can connect to the internet this time.
To avoid having to wait for 10 minutes for my food and to save my appetite for some better food than crap, I ordered a drink and sat down (now for at least an hour already). Tried to figure out how to connect...tried and tried. No luck. I looked on the soda cup to see if the password was there! my god. of course it wasn't. Then finally, looking at the receipt that I used to wipe the seat I am in now, I saw the light! It was printed on there...of course!

So here I am, and because of Quick's Wifi, I managed to find 6 addresses of coin laudry shops. Tonight, I will check the map and see if they are actually go-able.

Now, beach time.

Isn't this lovely so far?

I might get an ice cream on the way.

Yes, it's lovely.

Last day

2009-06-20T03:43:00.001-07:00

Last day of work!

I am sure going back to work in August will be so so so hard but hey, what the heck. It's vacation time! :-)

My new life

2009-06-17T05:52:00.000-07:00

It's been so so long since I wrote on here last...

Well...the thing is, I started a new job last August, and since then, I have been leading an occupied but satisfied life.

I work at an international school with lovely kids and books; I have pre-scheduled holidays so i can plan my holidays to go see new places, go diving; I go to the gym for some short swimming a few times a week, and relax in the sauna after a day of work...

And believe it or not, it's already the last week of work for this school year! I am off to France next Friday to learn French, and in fall, je vais pouvoir parler en francais! j'espere..........

Well...there's an update...for myself...

I miss van...

2008-09-10T02:58:00.000-07:00

It's one of those days...when you just can't help but keep thinking about the past--the places you've been, the people who have influenced and changed you, the people you changed, the things you did...

I would never want to forget any of these things though...

so it's actually a good thing I have this kind of day once in a while, to refresh my memory...

I miss Vancouver. And the people I haven't had a chance to see for such a long time...

one year and 3 months

2008-07-28T07:36:00.000-07:00

Too little time, too much memories...here it goes...let's call it a word collage...

Valentines

Swarovski

Anniversary

Nolan's birthday

Cafe La Boheme

Shinjuku 58th floor

Cute

Pink

Delicate

Bracelate

Frantz

Julien

Breakfast

Pain au raisin

Croissant

Okinawa

Ana hotel

Sea

Pool

3 Balconies

Naha

Manza beach

Onna dive

Lafti

Birthday

Mario Cart

Change

TAC pool

Montessori

Library

Change

July

Oshima

Quiet

Beach dives

Moray eels

Tengu Dai

Tambara Lavender field

Lavender ice cream

Welsh Corgi

August

Yap

Tateyama kurobe

This is great...

2008-02-06T21:50:00.001-08:00

Hyde asking a girl out:
I was wondering if you'd like to do somethin' sometime?

Girl:
I'm sorry...I already did something last night, and i already have plans for sometime.
*BUUUURRRRRRRRRNNNNN!!!!!!!!*

Hyde:
Ok, lemme try that again. If you have time this Friday, I'd like to take you out...to a dinner and a movie? pizza? the mall? ....bowling? .....

Girl:
I'd love to. Call me!

And I am moving again!!!!!!!!!!!!!
11/10/2005 >> toyotama kita 5-23-11
02/10/2008 >> toyotama kita 5-32-12

New start... new life...

Now THIS is amazing...

2008-01-16T00:28:00.000-08:00

Even the people cheering got tired towards the end ...

ここにしか咲かない花

2007-12-13T20:29:00.000-08:00

何も無い場所だけれど
ここにしか咲かない花がある
心にくくりつけた荷物を
静かに降ろせる場所
空の色映し出した
瑠璃(るり)色の海遥かから聞こえる
あなたの笑い声は
よく聴けば波の音でした

寂しさ隠せずにいるなら
一人になればいい
囁(ささや)くほどの声で呼んでいるのは
いつも同じ名前

あの優しかった場所は今でも
変らずに僕を待ってくれていますか?
最後まで笑顔で何度も振り返り
遠ざかる姿に唇噛み締めた
(笑顔で)(手を振り)
今はこみ上げる寂寞(せきばく)の思いに
潤んだ世界を拭ってくれる
指先を待っている

影が教えてくれるのは
そこにある悲しみだけじゃない
うつむく顔を上げて振り返れば
そこにある光に気付くだろう

同じ数の出会いと別れ
でも割り切れなくて
余るほどの想い出をいつまでも
胸に咲かせながら

雨上がりの道は泥濘(ぬか)るむけれど
今ここに生きている証を刻むよ
どうかこの涙をしおれかけの花に
喜びの彼方でもう一度咲けるように
(この涙を)(心に)
願いは海風に吹かれて大空へ
やがて小さな虹をわたるよ何いつの日か
その足で

ここにしか咲かない花
ここにしか吹かない風
ここでしか聴けない歌
ここでしか見えないもの
ここにしか咲かない花
ここにしか吹かない風

あの優しかった場所は今でも
変らずに僕を待ってくれていますか?
ふいに込み上げる寂寞(せきばく)の想いに
潤んだ世界を拭ってくれる
(こみ上げる)(想いに)
雨上がりの道は泥濘(ぬか)るむけれど
今ここに生きている証を刻むよ
いつかこの涙も寂寞(せきばく)の想いも
忘れ去られそうな時代の傷跡も
(この涙も)(想いも)
燦然(さんぜん)と輝く
あけもどろの中に風が運んで星にかわる
そんな日を待っている

It's been 6 months!

2007-11-09T05:50:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it myself...
6 months of a new life...a great experience that I cannot measure with time or any unit.
if it wasn't for the change, I would have never had the courage to leave my job...and to look for something new.
Still in the process of looking, but at least I know I will get somewhere different soon...
It was an amazing 6 months...and still counting...
I don't know what it is I have done to deserve what I have now
but definitely I will do all I can to keep it the way it is,
as I don't think I am lucky enough to find this twice.

It is tough sometimes...
there are always two sides to everything.
But all of it is worth it.

This time I am really giving my all...which is something I haven't fully accomplished before.
This is the first and last time.

"Dance like nobody's watching; love like you've never been hurt. Sing like nobody's listening; live like it's heaven on earth." -
-- Mark Twain

Surprise surprise

2007-05-06T18:40:00.000-07:00

What a change in life...
After a golden week full of hot baths, errands, badminton, and swimming,
I'm gonna have a new life for 3 months!
It's gonna be different, it's gonna be real.
We won't be on vacation like we always were when we met.
We will have stress from work, feel exhausted from being in Tokyo.
But I have a feeling this change will make everything better.
I can't wait!
I guess if you want something really bad,
and you think about it really hard,
someone, either God or your boss,
will grant it to you.
Even just for a short time =)

The Philippines revisited

2007-04-13T09:58:00.000-07:00

The Phils is definitely not the country that people would relate "heaven" to...
With all the pollution, poverty, natural disasters, and chaos, you would not believe that it has such a beautiful side to it...
March 2007. Bohol. Balicasag Dive. Tarsier. Chocolate Hills. Mango Shakes. Boracay. Angol Point, Coral Garden, Crocodile Island, Friday's Rock dive. Beach breakfasts. Mango Shakes. Sunshine. Henna Tattoos. Greek food. Pool. The Blue. Did I mention Mango Shakes??

Arriving in a small but nice plane

The Chocolate Hills that resulted from Corals that used to be in the sea 2 million years ago

And...the Tarsier! Such a cute little creature, but must be very stupid because its brain is even smaller than its eye!

Boracay

Boracay Sunset

My Tattoo and a sleepy dog...but seems like all the dogs are constantly sleepy on Boracay! ^^

In the process of getting my Open Water!

In the middle of a school of fish ^^

Tired....

2007-02-12T03:34:00.000-08:00

Feels like I've done lots this weekend...
had a busy saturday, then went to the hotspring as usual...
but this week, finally, a good movie is up...
so I went and watched The Guardian til 3 in the morning!
On Sunday, I went swimming and played badminton....
and guess what? on monday, I did exactly the same thing, only reversed!
but now that I am home from all that...
I feel exhausted...can't do much now...not even eating @@
Guess I will just take a bath and crash....
Is it really a good thing to make yourself so exhausted?!
I wonder...

I can swim I can swim I can swim I can swim!!!

2007-01-26T05:58:00.000-08:00

Ever since Naoko, my swimming teacher, left Japan for PEI,
I've stopped trying to learn to swim..just cuz it's so hard to find an english-speaking teacher here...
but this monday, i decided to go to the pool by myself...
here is my progress this week!
Monday: 20 x 25m... out of which...about half were done with a board doing crawl...a few trying breaststrokes...too slow...and the other ones without a board doing crawl...could go probably 15m the farthest...which I was happy about cuz it used to be 5m max...
Wednesday: 24 x 25m... out of which... a little less than half were done with a board doing crawl... gave up on breaststrokes for the time being... the rest without a board...and succeeded 3 times doing 25m! ^^
Friday: 25 x 25m... out of which, 3 ways with a board, and the rest without, doing crawl... and this time, I succeeded 17 times doing 25m end to end! at the end, I really wanted to do a few more, but I didnt have time anymore...
but I've gotta keep going until I can feel totally comfortable with crawl...and hopefully Naoko will come back soon to see what she has done! ^^
Woohoo!

2006的最後一天

2006-12-30T17:59:00.000-08:00

放假放了幾天
也不知道在忙什麼
第一天早上打完球就跟朋友吃完怪怪的法式午餐
之後還一起去溜冰！
上一次溜大概是十年前的事吧
一開始很緊張，因為上次真的還不會
而且會一直跌倒
但神奇的這次卻沒有跌倒
雖然腿很累，但很好玩！
因為前一天的累
第二天決定去一個很棒的spa
看到了日落前後的富士山

昨天出去買snowboard的襪子
因為明天要去我這輩子弟二次的滑雪
有點怕又有點緊張
希望這次會左轉就好了
可怕可怕!~~~~~~~~

但今天晚上還是要party！
所以會去一個叫Yebisu Sound的party
迎接我不太歡迎的2007...
明天再去滾雪山！＞＜

你好嗎？

2006-12-22T20:57:00.000-08:00

滑雪去了
一定很好玩吧？
從回來之後就很多事情
而且最近一大堆聖誕，忘年會的
沒有像之前那麼常掛在網上
你考試的期間一定累壞了
不過一定會考的很好的
等過一下下再告訴我吧！
聖誕快樂！

回家

2006-12-03T16:51:00.000-08:00

十一月中回溫哥華十天和家人一聚
也跟幾個朋友會面
娃娃當然是最可愛的一個啦！
一開始好害羞
什麼話都不說
也不笑
但到最後終於願意講話的時候就好可愛哦
愛死她了^^

除了她，也跟一兩個朋友去喝個茶，聊個天
但每天都陪著我的，當然是他
我們常去打球，逛街，還有吃我最喜歡的鹽酥雞飯
我喜歡跟他吃飯時，把肉給他吃
我喜歡吃飯還有旁邊的小菜
也喜歡他不會拒絕我的樣子
他也來了我家跟我和我爸打乒乓球
跟我家一起吃飯
我們一起去了西雅圖逛街
一大早就出們，所以不到三個小時就到了
回來的時候，卻塞了好久好久
不過沒關係，那給了我們時間聊天
那天他帶了毛毯給我
毛毯上有pink的味道
在某個盒子的地方
我知道他在說什麼的
也大概知道他在想什麼
每次跟他見面都有一樣的感覺
很開心
我可以很自然的做我自己
偶爾野蠻一點他也不會生氣
明知道該怎麼做
卻還沒有辦法做得到

It was great afterall...
just made me think lots...that's all.

Just wait...
when I'm ready.

Tournament and badminton

2006-11-12T05:38:00.000-08:00

Played a couple of tournaments recently...and the result?
very close games, but lost....
I wonder which is better....
to lose just by a little bit against someone at the same level, or to be beaten by someone too too strong for me...?
I have no idea, but the first case was what happened....
and I got so mad at myself...for being too nervous and therefore making mistakes that I would not usually make...
so after the tournament, I played for the whole day...to practice, and to see what level I am at...
and I am so sure that I was so much better when i wasnt in the tournament than when I was.........
damn...
not good...
gotta remember...down down down....
relax...
no worries...

well... good thing is it's finally mid november!!
which means I get to go back to Vancouver for the first time in 2 years!!
yay!!!
badminton gathering on friday should be good...
and should be much easier than today's games @@

new guy today at badminton...seems nice...
his name is maomao...
doesnt play well though @@
looks are deceiving...
definitely true....
and met the guys again...which is nice....

tetsu has a gf already! it's only been a month or so since the last time i met him!
and the cool guy's name is actually Ken! my god....
funny but I actually really wanted to meet them....mmmmmm

Still living in the past

2006-10-30T20:21:00.000-08:00

This is terrible...it really is...
I am not really doing anything with my life to move forward
I am not putting in any effort to make myself better
I am spending to much time thinking about the past
wanting to go back in time...
Not a good sign...
I should really give myself a limit
It's gonna be a busy two months so I will let myself go
but I must discipline myself to do these things next year:
Create my portfolio
Save money
Find a dtp related job in asia
Go back to swimming
You can do it, Jan...

In Memory of my Banana Republic Sandals

2006-10-19T09:30:00.000-07:00

Have you ever owned anything that you developed a "relationship" with?
I don't do that often
but I have definitely developed a connection with a pair of thongs I had.
I got them a few years ago from Vancouver Downtown's Banana Republic.
They had green leather insoles and pink plastic outsoles...super comfy...
and therefore, I wore them soooo often that they died today officially...
They have taken me to sooooo many places, including but not limited to:
Whistler with the 6 brothers
several BBQs at Barnet Marine Park
SFU
Metrotown shopping
Downtown walks
Tokyo walks
Several beaches
Kyoto with Jer and his friends
Hakone
Fukushima volcano and round1
..................
...............
............
.........
......
...
.
I loved them...but..byebye...
I guess this marks the end of a certain period of my life.

Smell and Music

2006-10-08T08:31:00.000-07:00

Finally... Japan has cooled down
and with that, the air has become drier...almost crisp...
so tonight, I had to put on some body lotion...
I used the gift from Lucy...a body lotion with the fragrance of freesia,
a kind of iris.
It was something I used to put on all the time...
so the fragrance was associated to so many...
so many events and people...
Incidentally I was listening to some old music
Those I used to listen to back home
Along with the smell on my body,
they reminded me of all the time I spent with them...
in Bonnie's basement, with him sitting on the floor;
in that Subaru impreza;
in Pearl;
in Cameron;
with Kitty annoying me;
behind the seatbelt with mashimaru;
in Big Head;
too much memories...
Then I started crying...
and couldn't stop for a while...
Why though?
It's not like they were bad memories...
I think I just couldn't bear the fact that I will never be able to go back to relive that time.
I also blame it on the music and the fragrance...
but I didn't wash it off...
I loved the smell and still do...
because of it,
I will always remember those days..

(as long as Crabtree & Evelyn exists!!! :-p)

I don't like this

2006-10-08T04:23:00.000-07:00

Damn...
I hate being influenced so easily...
by the weather, by the people around me,
by work, by everything...
Can't I just care less?
wouldn't that make things much simpler?
It really would but I can't control myself.
Looking into the psychology of some patients...of a kind of disease that I have been interested in since a couple of years back,
I now understand why that kind of disease persists.
Especially in girls.
It is because girls often have few chances to take charge in their lives.
They get affected by their relationships easily because they often put in 101% of their hearts.
They become emotional during "that time of the month".
Heck, they can even get angry more easily just because they are hungry.
With all these factors in their lives affecting them endlessly
With no control over it whatsoever
No wonder people choose the extreme way to gain control.
I would never ever become a psychologist or counselor but
it just gets more and more interesting as the reason becomes more and more apparent.
I would never ever choose that path but
What can I do?
I wish no one would ever have any influence on me
so I can just be myself.

The Lockup and Round1

2006-09-16T21:48:00.000-07:00

Sis and her boyfriend arrived 2 days ago!! yay!! ^^
on the first night, because of their flight and lots of walking
we went to the hot bath at night...
it was greeeeaaaaaaaaaat because of the cool weather...

and last night, I decided to give them a little surprise...
before going to Round1,
we went to The Lockup!
This is a prison theme restaurant with waitresses dressed as policewomen,
waiters dressed as prisoners,
weirdly named cocktails in chemical lab flasks and test tubes,
super spicy food as punishment,
our dinner tables in prison cells,
and a really cool performance by super tall people dressed as mummies, prison escapees, and crazy monsters.

At around 11pm, the whole restaurant went dark, and heavy metal music began to play...
the mummies, monsters, and prisoners start running around and scaring the hell out of the people in each cell...
including my sis of course!!!!!!
wahahaha....
it was so much fun to see their reaction... ^_~
such a great place ...hehe..

氣氣氣

2006-09-12T06:53:00.000-07:00

有沒有被氣到完全沒有心情?
被氣到面無表情？
今天晚上的我就是這樣..
啊~~~~~~~~~~~~><
我快瘋掉了...
看來真的該快點作個改變了
但是改變什麼呢？

Ruri no shima

2006-09-08T01:16:00.000-07:00

One beautiful drama, Ruri no Shima, or Ruri's Island
taken place on one beautiful island, Hatomajima,a tiny island in southern Japan
and a wonderful song by Kobukuro-Koko ni shika sakanai hana
got my eyes wet all through the 10 episodes...

Love conquers all,
So does courage.

真是拿你沒辦法

2006-08-30T00:57:00.000-07:00

看連續劇時再次的聽到了這句話
已經好久沒有人對我說這句話了
沒辦法生我的氣
沒辦法對我兇
不能勉強我做我不想做的事
不能不對我心軟
沒辦法離開我
但還是愛我
這樣的人
實際上沒有過幾個
以後也應該是沒有那個福氣再遇上
這樣願意寵我的人了
是吧...

Alex To-love you so much

2006-08-29T18:45:00.000-07:00

It's been a long time, but Alex still rocks!!

Alex To-marry me

2006-08-29T18:43:00.000-07:00

A Date...avec moi!

2006-08-20T05:26:00.000-07:00

Saturday night...
I had no one to attend to
no one to wait for
no one to look forward to
but when Nao asked me if I could stay after work to do an interview
I still insisted I had to go.
I had to be somewhere, I said.
I had a plan, I said.
It was true...
although no one was waiting for me,
I had a saturday night plan with myself.
that's right...
I went to the hot spring after work
It was great...
very relaxing and a perfect way to end a work week
then I met Superman!
Went to a very late show at the cinema that started at midnight...
Superman Returns was a very long movie that brought my date to an end at 3 am.
It was very exciting...so it kinda gave me a neckache cuz I was too stiff when i was watching it ><...
there was no rush
no arguments
no worries about my appearance
(although I did make sure still that I looked good)(^_~)

so the next date should come up soon....^^

Just for Satoshi! (^_~)

2006-08-15T23:22:00.000-07:00

This is the band I told you about...I loved one of the female trombone players...she was so cool! check it out ^^

if you click on the albums and find the first album, u can listen to clips of a few of the songs...^_~

alone and lonely

2006-08-13T16:57:00.000-07:00

Over the past 2 years, 4 months, and 10 days,
one thing has definitely become different.
I used to be with my friends or family all the time
or...
at least...
him. he used to be always there by my side
never had to eat a single meal out alone
and never liked to either

I guess I no longer have that choice
or that luxury...
Had countless lonely meals...
Went to the hot bath alone many times recently...
watching old and young couples there
enjoying the bath together
massaging each other
friends there chatting together
but I was alone...

did i survive?

better than I ever would have thought...

夢

2006-08-09T19:05:00.000-07:00

做了一個夢
夢裡，他寫了一封很長很長的信，
加上回憶全部寄到我的信箱來了
信箱突然變的好大
但還是塞滿了
我把重重的回憶包裹和信一起拿回家了

信裡面是什麼內容，
我還沒有來得及看就逃離了那個夢

還好我醒來了
我不想看到那封信
我不想知到裡面寫什麼
我永遠都不要丟掉我們的過去

不懂

2006-07-26T09:19:00.000-07:00

總是抵擋不住誘惑
每次都以為可以控制
但看到了手就會不知不覺的去要
去嘗試著抓住
然後想據為己有

原來這種感覺不但適用於男人和女人
還可以用來形容甜點，巧克力，and 鑽石^^

Urayasu

2006-07-25T06:49:00.000-07:00

Urayasu Yumeguri Mangekyo in Chiba is the place I went to last week on my day off...
It was such a great place with an area indoors that stimulates the style of Japan in the Edo era...In that building, you can enjoy Japanese food and some games and shopping in the yukata of your choice...
Outside in the swimsuit zone, you can enjoy natural hotsprings with your friends and your loved ones...
Of course, there is also a naked bath area.
In the naked bath zone, there are various baths with healing aromas or special effects; herbal fragrance, chinese herbs for healing purpose, collagen bath for the skin, etc...

It was such a quiet place too! One of the best places around tokyo...

Ya...it's impossible

2006-07-05T00:51:00.000-07:00

He was right...
It is impossible to satisfy all parties when I make a decision...
but what if i did something that disregards certain people,
those who are not as important to me as others are...
would I be blamed? should I be blamed?

Yes, I think I would...or i was already blamed...without being told immediately...
and I would also have no way to save my butt because it would just seem like I am defending my action if I start explaining.
and it wouldn't help one bit that I had no say in anything whatsoever so far...

Love this song...Sometimes love just ain't enough.

I dont wanna lose you,
I dont wanna use you
Just to have somebody by my side
And I dont wanna hate you
I dont wanna take you
But I dont wanna be the one to cry
That dont really matter to anyone, anymore
But like a fool I keep losing my place
And I keep seeing you walk through that door

But there's a danger in loving somebody too much
And its sad when you know its your heart you cant trust
Theres a reason why people dont stay where they are
Baby sometimes love just aint enough

Now I could never change you
I dont wanna blame you
Baby you dont have to take the fall
Yes I may have hurt you
But I did not desert you
Maybe I just wanna have it all
It makes a sound like thunder
It makes me feel like rain
And like a fool who will never see the truth
I keep thinking somethings gonna change

But there's a danger in loving somebody too much
And its sad when you know its your heart you cant trust
Theres a reason why people dont stay where they are
Baby sometimes love just aint enough

And there's no way home
When its late at night and youre all alone
Are there things that you wanted to say
Do you feel me beside you in your bed
There beside you where I used to lay

And there's a danger in loving somebody too much
And its sad when you know its your heart they cant touch.
Theres a reason why people dont stay who they are
Cause baby sometimes love just aint enough.
Baby sometimes love just aint enough.

Turning point

2006-06-29T21:16:00.000-07:00

How do people make decisions??
I don't even know anymore.
I used to be much more decisive than I am...
Was I not considerate enough,
thus,
could make decisions quickly based on a few factors?
Perhaps...
I've always thought that I am a considerate person
and that I always think in other people's shoes...
but apparently...
No.
or at least, not enough.
It's time I should really re-evaluate myself,
and the things I do...
and then, make out something about what to do next..
that is, hopefully, beneficial for all parties...
(is that ever even possible?)
this decision is definitely going to make my a huge difference in the rest of my life.....
wish me luck...

Kamakura

2006-06-22T11:24:00.000-07:00

Salsa for the first time!

2006-06-11T06:56:00.000-07:00

No, not the salsa with tortilla chips....
Salsa dancing!
Went to a club called El Cafe Latino in Roppongi last night..and tried salsa for the first time in my life...
it was amazing!
very difficult though...i kept stepping on my own sandals and other people's feet...
but after a while, the DJ put on a mix of the usual clubbing songs and salsa and some other types of music, so we just danced like crazy!
Loved it...
didn't sleep for the night, went and taught a private lesson at 10 in the morning, then went to play badminton at 2 clubs!
I think I've officially broken my record of staying up the longest time and doing the most things at the same time..
guess I am gonna crash now... ;p

Boracay's beach

2006-05-20T08:57:00.000-07:00

Under the sun

At sunset

Just after sunset

One day on the beach, at around sunset, a wedding began.
In fact, a marriage began.
The bride and the groom took pictures before the beautiful sunset with changing colors
Such a wonderfully arranged wedding..
Their friends and family had dinner on the beach
Relaxing, but meaningful at the same time
to find that special someone
and to have our friends and family witness the love on such a beautiful site
Simply amazing...

你和我

2006-05-20T08:49:00.000-07:00

我不能沒有你
但也不能和你在一起
你必定會說
親愛的
妳必須學會放手
沒有人可以什麼都擁有
妳只能衡量妳需要的，和對妳重要的
然候做個妳不會後悔的選擇
勇敢往妳想要走的方向前進
不要回頭。

多嘗試多挑戰！！

2006-05-18T23:29:00.000-07:00

好久沒上來了...
前陣子的生活太平淡了，上來也沒話說.

但四月底的旅行實在讓我大開眼界..
在台灣的幾天和姐姐逛街逛瘋了
還和兩個朋友見面了.

一個是從高中就認識的人.
和他出去了一天，聊東聊西的，
當然還說到以前的事
沒辦法不說不想，
畢境那是十幾二十歲的事
幾乎很多的第一次都是跟他和他的朋友們一起的
很開心，很輕鬆的一天
因為跟他聊天可以讓自己的看法放寬一些
但仍然很舒服，不會有壓力。

另一個是很神奇在網路上認識了五六年
但今年第一次見面的人
跟他和他女朋友去山上和農場走走，
吃了個飯
到最後原來他們準備了生日蛋糕
為我慶祝生日
真的很感動
因為我們只是第一次見面
不過，雖然是第一次，
但感覺並不陌生
有點像是很久以前就認識的感覺。

在台灣總共待了四天，
但在菲律賓的十天才真的精彩
除了在馬尼拉的幾天，跟一些朋友去了一個叫做Embassy的club
跟他們打羽毛球, squash, 去rock climbing
還去了菲律賓七千多個島的其中兩個
在Boracay的三天
我們住在很舒服的地方，就在白沙前
不會游泳的我嘗試了第一次的parasailing和浮潛
感覺好棒！
parasailing的感覺很舒服，就在高高的地方看著白白的沙灘的風景
浮潛就在海上一邊飄著，一邊發現海底的生物
我以為那已經很漂亮
但在另一個島Palawan上，我還去了第一次的潛水！
還因為太漂亮了，早上去了一次之後，下午再去了一次!
在１３，１４米深的海底，看到了好幾隻海龜，還可以餵牠吃東西，幫牠抓背
牠們很善良，當你抓牠的背的時候，牠們因為感覺很舒服
所以臉上會像掛著笑容一樣的乖乖給你抓，順便說謝謝.
除了海龜，我們還看到了一見人就躲了起來的八爪魚，
Ｎemo裡面的小丑魚，
各種各樣的珊湖
還有上百的silverjack圍繞著我們
在水裡尋找這些的時候，因為只聽的見自己呼吸的聲音和水泡的聲音
所以很特別
好像什麼都不用管了的感覺
不知道怎麼形容才好，但一定要親身體驗才會了解
東京太吵了！我已經想要再去那安靜的海底了！

在我們住的島上，還看到蝙幅
怪怪的，不知道為什麼牠們會選我們住的resort去待

經過這次，我以後都不要叫累或叫怕了
如果因為會累或怕，而錯失了一些作新嘗試的機會
那一定會後悔！
因為這難忘的經驗，我以後一定要多嘗試！
Next up: conquer snowboarding, and try wakeboarding! (^_~)v

神奇的羽毛球

2006-03-28T06:37:00.000-08:00

日本的羽毛球賽的等級好像很不規則..
新宿區的分四部；一部是最高等級的，四部是最初級的。
豐島區的分六級；中野區的只有分三級。
前兩天去了板橋區看他們一部的男雙和女雙..
很精彩，看的害我比他們還緊張，不認識的也為他們打氣。
看完的那天和第二天我都去打球了，
不知道是對手沒有很強還是我突然神奇的進步了...
兩天打的都好順手，也很少失誤。
我想大概是看了那些比賽學會了什麼吧~^^
而且原本還沒打的時候全身酸痛，
還想說完蛋了，待會一定會打不好><
結果打了幾球身體就完全沒事了！
身體不好的女生一定要試試..
一個周末下來身體沒酸痛了而且心情變好加自信上升！(^_____^)V

有過的幸福

2006-03-05T06:33:00.000-08:00

很久沒有那種覺得自己很幸福的感覺了
第一次在感情路上覺得很幸福的時候
其實只是很單純的一聲hello
那是第一次。
很喜歡那個人，而剛好他也喜歡我，
跟著他的兩個好朋友害羞的慢慢的在我面前走過
跟我說了一聲hi
這樣就開心了一天了
在之後光是跟他在大太陽下在他家的附近閒逛
也是無限幸福

再來
我喜歡的人跟我說，
因為他家庭的背景
他發誓不讓女生哭
那時候，我覺的自己是最幸福的
因為我遇到一個覺得“男人不該讓女人流淚”的人

然後
另一個我喜歡的人
在我感冒時跟我說“要多喝開水多休息哦”
讓我覺得我被關心
很窩心

還有
一個跟我在香港過了一個聖誕節的人
把我送到家門後再自己坐火車地鐵過海回家
這讓我知道他必定會願意為我做更多
我唯一喜歡過的香港男生，
讓我知道香港還是有希望的！

後來
遇到一個以前愛過的人
遇到之後我們互相通信了好一陣子
透過文字，我們知道了大家都會永遠記住對方的好
有個人永遠記得你的好
當然是最幸運的
現在不確定他在台灣還是大陸還是溫哥華
但我還是不能忘記他
我的每天作息都會用到他的名字呢！

還有另一個人
他一天到晚會說我可愛
雖然他常常忙的沒有時間陪我
但因為他對他的目標的執著
因為他樂觀的個性
因為他願意努力而且不會埋怨
讓我知道他是個可靠而且會讓我成長自立的人
這樣也是種幸福吧

還有一個朋友們最搞不懂的
說真的我也不懂這是什麼感覺
也不知道到何年何月才會真的在我這邊結束
但他絕對是讓我覺得最幸福的

記得在天冷的時候
他會把我和另一個朋友送回家
但他一定會把他穿的暖暖的外套給我
而且不管其他人住那裡
我一定會是最後在他車上的人
跟他單獨相處幾分鐘
他也會在我哭過之後
第一個住意到我的眼睛而問候我
他總會在附近
不管有什麼事情發生
他就像個守護天使
在最近的幾年一直讓我覺得不管有什麼事情
我都可以不用怕
因為有他在

但最近已經沒有了這種幸福的感覺了
我想，也不會再有了
而且也不能再任性的已為這些都還在了．．

我需要一帖給我自信的藥

2006-03-04T21:07:00.000-08:00

每個禮拜天固定報到的羽毛球酷拉部的水平實在不是我能挑戰的
每次辛辛苦苦的打也不一定會贏
雖然那樣很刺激
但多在那裡打害我自信都不見了
覺得自己一點用都沒有
所以今天換個地方換個心情
打算去兩年前剛到日本時去過的地方
去跟一些水平和我比較接近的人打
還有去欺負一下比我爛的人
哈哈~
相信今晚回來就可以大聲說
我是個大贏家！^^

The wonders of airbrushing

2006-03-01T06:59:00.000-08:00

See for yourself how much lies the media has put into editorials,ads,etc...Check out the portfolio of this company...

重聽舊歌一首

2006-02-28T01:05:00.000-08:00

不知道為什麼唱這首歌的人不見了
但這首歌是讓我每次聽到都忍不住懷念起十年前的生活的歌
點一下這裡聽聽囉

我愛你勝過這世界
曲︰黃國倫
詞︰MICHAEL

他傷透妳的心　憂傷的妳
讓我陪妳一起哭泣
我一直沒離開　我的心情
跟著妳起伏分不開
哦　所有的呼吸　都變成妳
妳的眼淚　我永遠都珍惜

如何告訴妳　我愛妳勝過這世界
妳是我永遠的寶貝
有了妳我生命才有意義

如何告訴妳　我愛妳勝過我自己
空等候我也不放棄
當妳回頭就會明白一切
我要妳自由自在的飛

哦　所有的心跳　都愛著妳
妳的笑容　就是我的明天

Satsuki

2006-02-16T22:08:00.000-08:00

Satsuki is a 4-year-old tiny little girl with a head too big for her body, small eyes, but the sweetest heart and smile in the whole world.
She became my student when she was almost 3 years old...I taught her for a year and a half but at the end of last year, she had to move to another area of tokyo, so she had to stop her classes. On her last day, her mom got me a gift which Satsuki chose. It was a mug with little animals all around, some of which are cats. Her mom said that the reason she chose the mug was because she remembered I like drawing cats and that I probably like cats. It's funny because after having taught kids for a while, I found one interesting thing about kids. They never look at the big picture. They always notice the tiniest detail. So I'm sure on the day she went and chose the mug, there must have been other mugs with bigger cats drawn on them, but she chose this particular mug with tiny tiny cats. (does it have to do with her tiny eyes spotting tiny things? I don't know....) ...so on the last day, she gave me the mug, and she gave me so many hugs before she finally left the school. That was in mid-December 2005.

Yesterday, when I got back to school from my break, I saw her and her mom at the school! It was such a surprise....she didn't say much though. Her mom, instead, became her mouth...and told me every wednesday (the day she usually came to my lessons), Satsuki would wanna see me. It was so sweet (though it would have been much better if it came from Satsuki's mouth and not her mom's)...but still...it was nice seeing her...she was quiet and shy, well-behaved as usual. I told her I miss her, and that i'd like to see her again, although she probably didn't understand much of that....and we said goodbye.

I started going back to my classroom, but Satsuki came back! She ran back to me with open arms for a hug....I was so touched! She was such a sweet kid........awwww.....I love her....She's probably the only person in Tokyo who would miss me and who would want a hug from me so much that she'd come back from the elevator just to let me know how much she misses me with her hug in return.

Satsuki, I love you!^^

Start of 2006

2006-02-08T08:13:00.000-08:00

This is no good...
only 2 months have passed since my last post and I feel 5 years older ><
every part of me feels old!
I blame it on having no badminton last weekend...so hopefully after this weekend of playing some badminton, I can get better everywhere...
if not, then obviously these symptoms of me getting old didn't come from my lack of exercise on one weekend...it either came from always exercising only on the weekend, or bad posture, or bad diet, or that I'm really getting old....
shiiish! touchwood! knock knock...

post-holidays depression

2005-12-28T09:23:00.000-08:00

Christmas has always been my favorite holiday of all cuz of the music, atmosphere, weather, ... but every year, after the holidays, after Christmas and the New years, I always have to go under a period of post-holiday depression before getting back to my normal routine. I guess everybody is similar. As my holidays slowly approaches the end, i can feel my depression coming. 3 more days and i'll be back to Japan. it's been an interesting 10 days...I had fun with my family, I had fun talking to a new friend who i virtually met through badmintoncentral and physically met in Kowloon city gym playing badminton. His name is Calvin...interesting guy who graduated from UBC and very nice...we had fun playing badminton and talking afterwards. I had times when i felt like i was about to explode cuz of the noise, the language, the everything. but I also had times when i missed Japan a lot. I missed the peace, the freedom, the way I could do everything the way I like. so after all this, i really can't tell which place/lifestyle I prefer more.

but one part of me really wanted to go back to japan very soon. Mostly cuz I wanna spend more time thinking about the recent changes and the possible changes that may take place in the near future. In hong kong, it's always way to busy and noisy and frustrating to think of anything but what's happening at the moment. A few days from now, i can finally quiet down and think about the other important thing(s) in my life.........

Good bye Hong Kong...in a few days....

Been a while...

2005-11-20T03:35:00.000-08:00

Time to decide if i'm staying longer or not...
i guess i am...
since i just moved to a new place.
it's funny how things change...plans change...
going into my third year here in april...
what can i say?
if it wasn't for.............
hmm....i guess when people get older, things always get more complicated...
so it's not so easy to decide things just based on one factor anymore.
if i were to decide to go back to canada just because i miss it, or to go back just because i know i won't stay in this company forever, then it'd be so much easier...
but no...
why are there so many things to consider all the time?
how long will i stay here? should i consider going to another country?
i don't wanna go to hk to work....nor do i know what to do back in vancouver...
oh man...
and........
and.....
and...
too many ifs ands buts.... ><

Meow

2005-10-11T08:54:00.000-07:00

Fine October day...Meow...
This cat ALWAYS sits in the middle of the road! night and day!

Mine?

2005-10-04T07:00:00.000-07:00

There used to be a few things that I thought only belonged to me
only me.
but apparently that's not true
how could it be true anyway?
just wishful thinking...

被皺紋吸引

2005-10-03T12:08:00.000-07:00

喜歡上眼角的魚尾紋
那代表著幸福
是一個人開心活著的證據

不懂...真的是我的問題嗎

2005-09-30T07:34:00.000-07:00

跟東京唯一能聊天的一個朋友說起最近的一些事情
他說...該改變的是我
因為他覺得大概除了我以外
應該沒有人會像我一樣的處理這件事情
真的是我奇怪嗎
但我相信他說的...
想清楚吧...笨蛋...

Pissed off?...

2005-09-24T07:14:00.000-07:00

It's been too many times.maybe it's impossible for me to catch up.afterall,it's a whole 5 years ahead.what am i?not important.at least not significant enough.stupid.as everyone thinks.kind.as some people call it.stubborn.as i see it.just not enough.never enough.never will be enough?sometimes i think that way.but not willing to give up yet.but not knowing who i'm up against.how is it ever possible?know your enemies.it's important.but how?no answer.no call.no answer.no call.bad news.overtime.too many things to do.no time to do it.oh.guess what.trial.and more.overtime.tired.pissed.no one dares asking.duh.no one wants to hear the cause.no news whatsoever though.what am i again?oh right.no one important.nothing worth stepping out for.it's ok.later then.still.knowing very well the reason makes it harder to accept.sour.same thing repeats itself.over and over.same kind of thoughts run through my head.over and over.smile.faked it.no rights.no rights.no way out.no doubts.no regrets.no chance.no complaining.ok.ok.think in others' shoes.black and white?no.grey.it's ok.it's ok.easy easy.understanding..............................

不想出門不想回家

2005-09-10T07:03:00.000-07:00

禮拜六的晚上九點
週末的開始
但今天...
忙碌的禮拜六?
加班?
還是不愉快的討論?
心情太糟人也累..
什麼也不想要不想去不想做不想想
...這兩天,我需要什麼?
我大概需要電影,音樂,餅乾,和羽毛球吧....

From my classroom

2005-09-04T04:08:00.000-07:00

看清楚一點
原來池袋的天空也可以很美.

"muscle power frame"

2005-08-26T18:36:00.001-07:00

沒有給它辦喪禮...

2005-08-26T18:36:00.000-07:00

名字: Yonex 3U.G4 Ti-7 Long
死亡日期: 8/21/2005; 4:30pm
終年: 一歲兩個月.
主人狀況: 傷心的很.......
"可憐的Ti...怎麼死的這麼早...叫我以後怎麼過..."

睡不著?!

2005-07-29T12:40:00.000-07:00

不喜歡這樣...
但就是睡不著

天要亮了...

蟑螂

2005-06-30T09:11:00.000-07:00

一個人住在日本,本來以為最怕的是地震...
第二個夏天到了
發現我什麼都不怕
不怕一個人孤單
不怕晚上一個人走那條暗暗的街回家
不怕迷路
也不怕語言不通做事不方便

最怕的卻是蟑螂!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
想到牠的存在就讓我起雞皮疙瘩...
好恐怖的東西~~~
m(>___<)m

亂

2005-06-02T07:59:00.000-07:00

房間乾淨整齊的時候總會讓心情好起來
最近連稍微整理一下的時間都沒有
心情當然亂,當然糟.

還好.
我想我已經習慣了東京的冷淡了
走在忙碌的街上
我可以完全不管旁邊的人
心情好或不好都不會被影響
這樣可以讓我吵雜凌亂的頭腦清醒一點.
一切都看的清楚一點.

Never Enough...

2005-05-15T08:04:00.000-07:00

Time.
Money.
Cookies.

Just to name a couple of things that I can never get enough of.

But "time" has to be the thing I need the most but is impossible to get more of...
If only there was more time to do everything...
There is so much I haven't done...
and so much I wanna do...
What can anyone do about this though?
Nothing.
And when one has the will to do something but there is an unchangeable factor stopping it from happening...

I can only say...
it feels like shit. ><

壞...

2005-04-26T07:24:00.000-07:00

今天一起來就什麼都不對了...
不舒服.
想東想西.
遲到.
脖子肩膀雙腿全部酸痛.
喉嚨也痛.
東京整天在下雨.
還打雷.
上班開會時因為學校業績沒有達到
氣氛很糟.
大家都在想辦法改善現況.
上課了.
一節課45分鐘.
第一個7:10學生進來.
第二個7:20學生進來.
第三個7:30學生才來.
弄得課上的不三不四的.
真搞不懂這些人.
要是聰明就算了.
永遠不來我也不管
頭腦慢.
好.
那也算了.
至少要準時上課啊.
搞不懂.
搞不懂.
搞不懂.
煩.
煩.
煩.

怎麼了...

2005-04-26T07:23:00.000-07:00

Last resort

2005-04-18T02:30:00.000-07:00

Which stupid country requires residents to pay the income tax of 2 countries when they're not even living in the country, working in the country, using the country's facilities, or even breathing the air of the country?! Canada.
Yes...and because of this law, I must stay in Japan for another year...until April of next year.

I was so disappointed at first...cuz staying in Japan for a longer time means I'll have to postpone my plan to go back to school to study DTP...which also means I'll be older and older as I work my way through my "not-yet-started-career".
But...I've decided...
If I keep thinking about the people, things, and places in Canada, it's just gonna make me feel miserable in the year to come. Since I have no choice now, I might as well make the best out of the time I'll stay in Japan. I have to say that Japan is a good country to live in, despite the costs.......
the people are all nice and honest here; my way of living is perfect here.

Is it possible for me to stay longer? mmm...yes...one more year...
This probably disappointed the very few people who were expecting me...but there are still soooo much to do, so much to see, so much to learn...maybe it's not such a bad idea after all...

有甚麼讓我抓住

2005-03-30T07:39:00.001-08:00

壞習慣怎麼都改不了.
討厭.
早就該吃進肚子拉到太平洋流回土裡再長出來再吃掉了.
還在那邊死想爛想.
沒有人會記得的.
放棄吧.

雖然,那可能是我最珍貴的.

Why the hell am I trying to grasp onto things that don't even exist anymore?!

掃把佬'新'車

2005-03-24T06:06:00.000-08:00

Subaru 360

台場昭和年代的價錢

2005-03-24T06:04:00.000-08:00

100 Yen Katsudon found in Odaiba.........what a lie!

台場一丁目商店街

2005-03-22T11:23:00.000-08:00

台場一丁目商店街

模仿日本眧和30年代的商店街.正在營業的店舖賣的大部分是台場著名的特產,或是30年代的零食.走著走著你會發現商店櫥窗的東西的價錢會突然變成不可思議的低.我還差點走進了一家拉麵只要70?的餐廳呢.結果看一看門才發現那只是讓大家了解舊日本的方法..再看一看招牌才發現當時日本的電話號碼只有6個號碼呢....所以逛完這個地方也知道了不少.原來保齡球是那時候才開始流行的.那時候因為一般人家裡不一定有電視,所以電影院是另一種娛樂...一般人一年可能都會到訪12、3次..戰後因為開始有西洋風的浸入,所以建築物和民間娛樂都會多少受一點西方的影響.
當時流行的車子原來是"Subaru 360"......愛車的你...有看過嗎?

Happy Valentine's...again!

2005-03-14T05:58:00.000-08:00

白色情人節到了...男生們,如果你們在二月的情人節沒有選個小禮物送你親愛的honey,是時候補送了哦...藉今天把握機會再次製造浪漫吧!o(^_^)o

忙啊忙啊

2005-03-04T05:29:00.000-08:00

這個禮拜的工作不知道為什麼會忙不過來...好像已經好久好久沒有放假似的.今天心情更糟...明明公司氣氛好好的,上頭突然來了一個很奇怪的人...這個人笑容很假,講話很慢,很沒有感情,是那種你怎麼努力聽都沒辦法知道他在想什麼的人.他會到處用他那種很不友善的語氣跟學生講話嚇他們. 因為他的出現,害大家都緊張起來...好不容易下班了...以為可以鬆一口氣...結果連電梯都要按三次才可以真的走!(><)

...氣呀

終於走到樓下了...又被三個平排走在我前面的人擋住我回家的路...

...更氣

走了兩步前面的人開始抽煙...還剛好被風吹到我臉上...受不了...臭死了!!! (*___*)

...氣氣氣氣氣氣瘋了!!

在Canada/SFU拍的電影

2005-02-23T06:44:00.000-08:00

最近看了一部電影叫My Life Without Me.原本完全不知道這是什麼樣的電影.就連封套都完全不會引起我的注意.會把它從錄影帶店的櫃子上拿下來,純粹因為喜歡它的名字.
看著看著...竟然越來越喜歡.不只是因為故事感人...女主角在電影裡面竟然是晚間在SFU工作的清潔工人!看到她努力的擦我以前上課看過的黑板,清理在AQ的那排lockers,還有在我以前常唸書的地方努力掃那裡的地板,讓我看到我常在那裡混時間的White Spot...讓我想起最快樂的大學生涯...真的是越看越喜歡...但言歸正傳...這部加拿大的電影雖然成本低,故事簡單,但可以感動人心...
假如有一天我不在的話,會不會像電影裡面一樣有另外一個人代替我生活,工作,和替我愛我愛的人呢?我身邊的人是不是可以接受另外一個人做我平時會做的事情?...

涉谷Tokyu Hands二樓

2005-02-18T06:22:00.000-08:00

我最愛的Tokyu Hands.

日本建國紀念日

2005-02-10T06:11:00.000-08:00

二月十一號是日本建國紀念日,在公元六百六十年初代神武天皇即位的日子.很多神社都有一些儀式去紀念這個重要的日子.有些人會在家門掛上國旗,甚至唱國歌.對於我來說,這天應該是叫做'好不容易等到的假期'...所以明天我照常去打球然後回家上網混...

看來,我還是不夠投入這個社會.(-_-);;

上下班的路

2005-02-05T01:59:00.000-08:00

這就是我在日本每天回家和出門必經的小巷子. 其中一邊是住宅,另一邊是個國中. 每天經過都會看得到一點點的日本文化.
有時候看到他們上體育課,就會了解為甚麼日本人可以這麼的有規律.這裡的學生就連在操場跑圈也會排著隊的跑.邊跑邊喊著口號.這樣子就不會有任何所謂比較優劣的學生了.在這個社會,每個人都儘量讓自己跟別人一樣.這裡的國中和高中學生還有個習慣.而且你可以一眼看的出這個學生是不是個好學生.愛玩的男生一下課就會把領帶解開,把褲子拉超低裝酷.愛玩的女生會一下課就把原本的及膝百摺校裙拉高變成超級迷你裙.
要是你不這樣子,你大概就會被歸類成'俗'的人吧...

Opaque

2005-01-29T09:41:00.000-08:00

Opaque in Ginza,Tokyo.
四層的化妝品,護膚品,和衣服...全日本的女生的面具就是從這種店做出來的.走在路上,幾乎不會看到素臉的女生...為甚麼這個社會這麼的淺薄?

1/6,000,000,000

2005-01-27T06:18:00.000-08:00

The odds that I would meet you in this great big world were 6,000,000,000 to 1.
It's a miracle we found each other.