Home Run

Yes I have offically reached the dorm at 6pm Japan Time. Let me list my activities from the minute after I left my last post... LOLSo headed over to the gate and reached about 9am. They actually sell chinese medicines in the airport, and my dad did advice me to get this medicine 正露丸 which is suppose to be a very good medicine for diahorrea. Still super sleepy after getting up at 6.50am.

Unlike the plane I took from Singapore to HK, this plane headed to Sapporo is an older plane. You can tell just by the way the entertainment section is. Lol. Unlike the newer plane, the remote is on the hand rest and no games to play. Also, just discovered that the newer planes actually have power points for you to use! Oh, got a window seat this time round, but actually doesn't really help, cos was too tired and was asleep most of the time. And the morning sun in the sky was not very forgiving and was too glaring. I think the lady that was sitting next to me pulled the shades down since I was too dead asleep.As usual, a report on the lunch served. Unlike my 1st flight, there is no ice cream. There was a choice of Beef & Rice or Fish & rice. Took the fish & rice. It was good, and hot. GOt bamboo shoot! So 幸せ...

The side dish was a salad of zucchni, olive & chunks of cheese. Oh but this time no ice cream (so sad T_T) but got cake... However the cake looked like meat pie.

Reach Shin- Chitose Airport about 4.15pm (Jpn time, 3.15pm SG time) and the line at the customs was so long, but the wait for the baggage was also a battle. So many ppl waiting for their bags. And in the airport there is actually a sniffing dog (Golden Retriver neh). Lol, got sniffed at, but I think my Polar bear outfit really caught the dog's attention that the police accompanying it had to pull it away. LOL^o^.

After getting my stuff, headed for info counter since I have no transport to ferry me to the dormitory. I thought I could use my english, but honestly, still have to use my watsoever broken japanese. In the end nearly took a taxi but then wanted to see the JR station so headed down and found that there was coach service. The counter ppl were really kind and in the end they suggested that I took the bus headed towards Hassamu Minami Station and take a cab from there since no bus services to Kotoni where my dorm was.

All in all, spent 1810Yen (equals to bout 20+SGD) which is so much better than taking a cab all the way cos there was a jam on the way over. There was this ojisan at the bus berth that was so much help telling me when to take the bus. Cos that berth actually has other bus services and mine will only arrive at 4.58pm. That 10min wait was not easy loh. It was so cold that I had to wear my polar bear suit and *wow* I look so out of place. It was only 1 degree? But I dun think someone who has lived in the tropics so long can survive this with just a long sleeve shirt, vest & scarf.

The bus left promptly on time but seriously got communication problem loh. The bus driver was asking about the bags in the bus trunk but couldn't understand him. Wat the hell. At least in the bus, there will be announcements made in english as we approach the stops. I felt so sorry for the bus driver cos when he helped me with my bags our of the trunk, his cap fell and rolled under the bus. From the stop, hailed a cab (they are the same wherever you go, stick out ur hand) and got off to my dorm. Ok will stop for now and will try to put in the photos soon. Will continue on next post for my dorm. Sorry you had to read such a long post. Ha

It's been years

Finally after 4years, I finally decided to give life once again to my blog. But who the hell would read this anyway. This is probably a space for my thoughts to run free. A way of gaining attention? Maybe. Who cares. 

In the age where Facebook, 4Square, Twitter etc run the world, only catchy blogs catch ppl's attention anymore. So this is a personal rant corner. If u aren't interested in finding out what goes on in my brain, be warned not to venture further from this point. 

Muahahaha

Living La Vida Loca

If you have decided on going abroad for studies, there are 3 ways of living life in that new foreign country...

1. Home stay,
2. Dormitories
3. Self rental apartments

Option 1 is for the adventurous people who love to meet new people and learn the culture & language of the people... Maximum style! It's great when you have a supplimentry family that may not be blood related, but can always be morally supportive. And home stays provides with plenty of opportunities to mix & mingle with the locals, and who knows, love might blossom... HAha.

Option 2 is actually a more recommended method if Home stay fails. In the dorm, you will always have chances to meet new people. But this is when you interpersonal skills must come in play. Don't shy away, if you need help ask and you shall receive. Not too sure in general, but some dorms (like mine) comes with a mix of local & foreigners and some are just for foreigners. If possible, I strongly recommend going to the dorm where you can mix with the locals.
Like in my case, while in this dorm, I get to observe the day to day manners that the locals do day to day. And as a friend who was once a foreign x-change student once told me, staying in a dorm is safer since you know you've got friends living together.

Option 3 is also for the adventurous type with a streak of rebelious nature. Staying in your own rented apartment is one of the options with the most freedom, but also the choice where you have to spend the most. When you rent your own place, you have to either do it in advance before you arrive, or hunt for a place while staying in a temperory hold up (e.g Hotel, friend's place etc).
I had my options pinned on this. But in the end, the odds were against me. Firstly, I hadn't looked for a place in advance and staying in a hotel even for 4days was very taxing on my wallet. And moreover in Japan, you need a guarantor who must either be local, or loaded. (in some cases, like mine, the school may also wish to be your guarantor) So be sure to check the terms & condition of rent.
Also, not that I wanna rain on your parade, but when you look for an apartment, be sure that it's furnished or you'll be finished. You wouldn't want to spend extra cash just on furnishing (unless you're dead rich) and certainly not the time & effort looking for them. Moreover, you've gotta clean and cook for yourself or spend more eating out... 1 thing I learned is that eating alone can be lonely and food gets really yucky...

Well I'll leave you guys to ponder over it. But if you should need anymore advice, feel free to comment, but I can't be certain when I'll ever get back.

Life as a 留学生 (Foreign Student) in a Foreign Country

After so long, I finally decided to come back to use my blog spot. And what better way than to use it for the better of MANKIND (my ass!)
Anyway, currently situated in Sapporo, the central of Hokkaido, Japan. For people wanting or considering the thought of furthering your studies in a foreign country, ask yourself the following:

1. What are you doing now and what do you wanna do in the next 5yrs?
2. Do you want to learn a new language? [Like in my case I'm taking Japanese]
   
3. If yes to the above, what language?
4. If not, what do you want to study?
   
5. Are you going to support yourself on this trip, or someone else is? [Feeling rich?]
6. For how long do you want to achieve this goal? [Like myself, I'm doing a 1yr langauge course]
   
7. What do you wanna do after that time frame is over? [Work, settle down, play/ tour etc...]

Maybe there are more questions to this list but I think essentially you should do these questions first then consider other questions that pop out along the way.

Now as mentioned, I'm doing a 1yr Japanese Language course in a country that is foreign and everything is different from home. Be it weather, the food eaten, sight, sound, smell... the list goes on. But understand this. It is important for you to bring your mind to a state to want to accept these changes. Especially if you are taking on a new language.
I'm not asking you to throw away years of culture and language of your native hometown, but like in the land of Japan, don't expect anyone to speak in the same tongue. Same goes for countries that have their own native languages (e,g France, Spain, Italy, China etc).
I think many times people who tend to leave after a short time and not perservere to the end are the people who can't adapt to the new environment. True, 'a leapord can't change its spot' but 'a dog can always learn new tricks'. Being human, we tend to compare one thing to the next. But I think, stop comparing for a moment, and look at the new surrounding. Find out the things that you can never find back at home and have fun. Go hike a mountain or sing Karoke... whatever it my be.

Time and time agin, we will start to get homesick, miss our beds, miss the food, miss this & that, but the thing about living away from family & friends is so as to find new families & friends. It's like playing a RPG (role playing game), being the hero, and exploring new unfound places.
And with the development of technology, you are just a phone call away from home. (Honestly I do miss home, but with Skype, sometimes it's hard to miss my family & friends... Haha)
Well anyway, if you ever decide on studying abroad, consider the things you wanna do and how you plan to do it. Do it with a bang and don't live to regret it.

Experiences are one of the hardest things to earn in life. Learn with you eyes, ears and heart, for you never know when you might need them.

The big loo out

Today... I got a new mp3 player. Ok, it isn't new, but i got my old one replaced. Actually the guy at the service center wasn't suppose to do so cos I have actually removed the screws in an attempt to fix it myself. But he was kind enough to close one eye and let me change the player for a new one, What Luck... hehehe.

Today is one hell of a ride around Singapore. From Sengkang all the way to Jurong and finally all the way to Marina Bay. And the worse things was that I took all the long routes. I took all the MRT lines and only when Regina and Kangwei Told me I could have taken a shorter route from Jurong thru the East West line, I kinda felt cheated. I am having a slight phobia of MRT liao.

So after the fixing at Creative at Jurong, head down to Marina to meet Regina and Kangwei for Marina Steamboat. At first the food was nice, but looking at the way the satay was prepared, kinda turned me off. The guy who helped place the satay was smoking and taking food... I was praying that the cigarette ash wouldn't fall into the peanut sauce...

The uncooked food was all in the open, although in a fridge like display cabinet, but the way the flies swarm in and out... not that I am a spoilt kid with a rich tongue, but it is kind of disgusting.

Well the cooking and all went well, but by the later part of dinner, my stomach was feeling that well... I think my stomach is too sensitive. Explains the title, off to the loo for a battle... and it isn't stopping just there but also at home. But it was at least better than the last time at Soeul Garden at Woodlands.

IT feels weird, not with Regina but with Kangwei. I have known him for the last 13 years of my life but only have really got to sit down with him today to chat. What has been happening to the has 13 years of life... hmmm? Moreover for the last 13years, we have been going to the same sch... Primary, Secondary and even Polytechnic!

Well I;m going out for that well needed walk. I have sinned, eating all the meats and drinking sweet carbonated drinks, when I am suppose to be on a diet. TTFA>>>>

Another day, today is just another hot, and fustrating day. Lately I think I can't seem to stand my mothe nagging at me. Finally I gave her a reason less to nag. I finally am an employeed Singaporean.

Went back to my old attachment company and was there to have a short interview. The HR head, Miss Peggy, can't remember me, Boohoo... but who cares. Finally saw Anita's daughter (my boss when I was working in Children's Wear), but what the hell she is just another girl who I may not see in my life.

The new office is so big and clean, I think I'll enjoy my 3 months down there. Went for the interview at 11am and I got a reply for my job to startthis friday at 5pm. MAn, that was fast. Actually should start tomorrow but I had my schedule packed to thursday this week so I have to say friday. But after putting the phone down, I kinda regretted. I forgot that I was meeting Weiloon on friday. *A memo to note... sorry Weiloon I need to cancel u off my schedule*

God, SOmeBodY heLP ME!!! I can't seem to get the blogs up to my new blog skin. I think its back to square one...

Hmmm... well this week will be my last week of freedom and then comes the moths of the working world. Should I study Japanese Culture next year in NUS or should I study then further my studies in Japan... Whatever the case, I think I'll take one thing at a time.

Life is Short Live It Long...

In Watery Ways

Today was suppose to be the 'class gathering' but due to failing support from my fellow course mates, it seems that we won't be going anywhere today. Now I'm stuck at home wondering if I should go out for a swim at the neighbourhood pool or just spend another day slacking at home.

Ever since the graduation diploma show at Timberlaux Center (a worn down warehouse that was the worst experience of an exhibition) on April 2nd n 3rd, I have been slacking at home and I think I'm growing into some fungus. Hahaha. There is the occasional swimming and archery activities, but that's all I have been doing. GOD ITs Raining, now...

The last bit of my motivation to get out of the house is now washed away by the heavy rain that is pouring furiously. And now I have a craving for MacDonald's Mac Spicy Double, oh how sinful...

Well the rain is finally letting out but still my motivation is rather depleted. I just called Polo and am scheduled for an interview for a temp job. Wish me luck. I seems like I can never get a job through intervews, maybe cos I look too serious Jezzz. Well TTFA, will blog later.

Drained

Weeeeeeee.... I'm back from the strain and the agony that my final year project has given me over the last 3 months. It feels like I just barely made it alive. And to think after spending so much money into the project with no school subsidy, all I get is a lousy C+.

Darn the school, where have they been spending the money I've been paying to the school for school fees. I want to grumble more about the 3 months that felt like a concentration camp but I think anyone who has been reading my blog will be so turned off. Hahaah

Well its, 1am in the morning and I am still wide (?) awake. I am suppose to wake up 8 hours later and head down to Habor Front for my 'CLASS' outing at Sentosa.
Sometimes I don't get myself, why do I put up with these activities when I am actually going to meet people who I don't like. Hmmm, I have a feeling I will be meeting people who I know from Sec Sch.

But then again, why am I up so late? I am still trying to struggle to set up my blog skin with the kind help of Regina. She has been telling me forever how to do it but everytime I am just not into it so I can't be bothered. But after getting the hang of things, its actually rather nice. Though I dun understand computer language.

And I must also thank Shihui for fixing my dumb, F**Ked up laptop to being able to connect back to lined cable. To anyone who wanna get a Laptop, never, and I mean NEVER get AC*R. Just 3 months and the darn laptop gave me hell lots of problems and kind of got invade by viruses. Hmmm? Well what else can I say about Sundays, its pretty much all the same. To me that's how life is but in a few days time, maybe this blog space will be something watching out for.

Peace out

Burnt

ToDay the sun was freaking hot. Went to the serangoon range for archery training and got a tan in return. Boy does my face feel hot. I always bring the sunblock when it isn't sunny and forget it when it finally is sunny.

But today went well. Had lots of fun. Shooting 50m and then 70m. With a 28lbs bow, 70m seems so far. Thanks to Yao Sheng, who urged me on to join him in his conquest of the 70m, it seemed really fun. Although quite pai seh, cos we;re the only 2 idiots shooting far distance with wooden bow. Alot of people kept staring and was most probably thinking us as nuts...

Well I have to say, Congratulations to my dear friend, Regina. She most probably found herself a date for this Valentine's Day. So this year, it won't be the 2 of us celebrating it. Now must go find someone else to spend it with. Boo Hoo. But I think I'll most prob be too busy preping up for my final year project. Although I would like to graduate pretty much with at least having gone through a relationship, but I think it seriously needs time, guts and patience.

Although dropping hints to the one you like doesn't get through their think heads, maybe its just time to be honest with your feelings and blurt it out. Remembered doing (the blurting) that with the weirdest ways only to know the guy already has someone else he likes. :P Well imagine him sending you an email asking you to answer tonnes of questions including who do you have a crush on, only to find out that the darn survey was sent back to him. GOD!

But we're cool with it. Hehehehe. Well I think seriously, when someone simply can't get out of your head, it might be cupid's arrow doing the dirty work. And not only that, you will tend to notice the little stuff he does and would just laugh at the little silly things he does. It doesn't matter where he is, you feel like being there with him. Hahaha, how I wished the guy I liked read this. But too bad he might not. TAKE A HINT FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!

Well TTFA (ta ta for now) and may all lovers be happy, until the next time, HAHAHAHAHAH

BuSY

Lately have been too busy to update me blog again. Somehow I think I will be anti-blogging towards Feb, especially after Chinese New Year.
Lately, I have been spending too much. I just spent $200 on a GBA (Gameboy Advance with Game) and have been addicted to it every since Sunday. From Sunday, my motivation level dropped even more. GOD HELP ME.

Anyway that wasn;t the only thing, I bought a new wallet or should I say frog mouth pouch (the ones our grandmama would use) for $30 over. But it was just so beautiful, made from old kimonos.

Lately splugging isn't just the only thing I do. I try thinking of the future of going in the University but it just seems to keep hitting back that I am not yet graduated and I'm still pretty much stuck in the mids of whether or not I graduate or not. So many things undo, so little time left. I need someone to motivate me, and really get me to go on.

Now my sister also wants to get into the same course as me. I know she might suffer although she say she wanna major in Apparel Design instead of me being in International Design. I kinda regret not going into AD major. I think I'm just not fated to be in it. But I wanna continue in University, but it seems like they don't have it unless I go overseas to take it.

Life sucks but it still has to go on. Maybe when I graduate, my sister maybe my junior. Who knows. Have to wait till after Wednesday's interview.

A New FAD?

Its been a while again before I updated my blog. Its getting lonely, just like my 2 guinea pigs.

Anyway, have been busy the past (almost) week doing up the size specs of my production for my major project. NOW my head is full of numbers. :P Well, I got what I wanted. TO think I said that I wanted to create appareal meant for the plus size range when I first interviewed for my course. As I said, I'm doing what I promised...

But never mind that. I got myself a TATTOO. Yeah, you read right, in fact I got 2. One on the chest and another on the leg.

Hehehe but dun worry its a fake one. Airbrushed onto the skin with cosmetic paint. Just did it yesterday with me best friend Regina.
Too bad I still dunno how to put picture on blog, or I would have shown it off. Anyway, the one at the chest is fading off with obvious holes on it. And it was such a nice icon.

The stall where we got it (at Somerset, at some make shift cart), told me this design at the chest was so new that I was actually the 1st to use it. What an Honor! When we were making our 'tattoos', this bunch of bloody smokers (2 ah lians and 2 ah bengs) came over to take a look see.

Apparently one of them got hers a few days before. But when I was doing my Tattoo on my chest, the guys kept ooggling. You see, I had a wide, low neck top on. So they were peering to see free show (I think one the girls were looking as well). Found it rather annoying and childish. Its as if they were kids and seeing boobs for the 1st time in their life.

Well ignore it man... Oh and on the way around Orchard and HMV, I think people kept staring at my chest. Feeling glad and shocked. Glad that at least it was worth the $6 I paid and shocked of myself. Regina felt so shocked cos it was definately out of the norm for me to do something like this. But it took me 2 hrs for the shocking effect to break in. LOL

Well on our back to Dohby Gough, this lady in her late 40s was first staring at me with curiousity. Then the next moment, her eyes read "Scumbag of the Universe" (maybe exaggerated but that's what I felt). That was so unbelivably rude and annoying. Felt like plucking or gourging her eyeballs out. Damn the bitch... (Oopps). After that we wen to the NEL MRT station and found a corner at the train station and started taking pics with my phone.

People passing by must have thought that we were a pair of les couple.... SAD. Eyes, the window to the soul but can something very frightening.

So today nothing much. After class went around Tampines Mall and Century Square with Erica. Got home for dinner but soon after that puked much of the indigested part later on. Still feeling queasy and sleepy. My stomach is definately not taking oily stuff well. Blech....

Well its going to be another day and we as humans can't do anything but accept it. Hehehe. GO shooting... go shoot weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee