Mad House of Thoughts

Ok i'm finally back from the dead... After 3 wks of hard work, the exams are over (ok still have another test on the coming week).
Feel like the dead weight on my shoulder is lifted and so is the pain of stress related gastric pains gone... I feel so free.
After the big exam, went out to have 焼肉 (gilled meat) 食べ放題 (all you can eat) with my classmates to celebrate. And of all things, my back wheel got punctured again... DAMN another 800yen.
The tabehoudai (all you can eat) was 800 yen per pax. It's good if you are a meat lover like myself, and really very little veg and only a choice of grapefruits n bananas for fruits. But not bad overall. We sat, ate and talked for 3hrs! It wasn't until the person told us to leave since they needed to clean up or else I think we would have sat for another 1more hour.
Actually got to know my classmates better (though that G is a prob...) But then it started to rain, and a flat tyre and a 10 min walk back to the walk. Not a bad choice to get rid of the smell the Yakiniku left... Ha.
Oh and did I mention, the place we went, is the very same day I visited again today for my free lunch from our dorm? Yup, 2 days of excessive eating... now my stomach/ gastric is feeling the pain of my irresponibility...?
Yes, today's lunch (my brunch) was a treat from the dorm with an all you can eat (& drink) grilled meat party lead by the dorm 妈妈 (寮母）and also the breakfast lady (the really 親切な人), and another 13 of us girls from the dorm (6 of us foreigners).
In the short 2 hrs, I think we managed to scare the locals with out furious appetite. Imagine the girls from our dorm stopping after 40 mins after the meal began and we were still going at it till the last min! OMG! Even the 寮母was astonished and amazed as we took plate after plate of food...! After that still went to the supermarket to get ice cream to cool down loh (had 2 sticks btw).
Now seriously need to detox loh. My stomach can't take it. In the end tonight's dinner was Zaru soba (cold noodles), Sashimi, salad & a desert of cinnamon roll (half of it). OMG So stuff.
And the 寮母 saw us eating at 6pm and was like... "wow you gals are eating already, that's really fast!" Again, astounded by our appetite... Still had umeshu (plum wine) and just 1 cup was enough to get me burning from ear to ear... seems like my tolerance is going downhill...

The following is the version of something I've been thinking bout but in Jap... not very well written but I think it's going to get better... Hopefully!

今試験が終わった、でももう困ったいる。アルバイトしたいだから、何をしたいが、分からない。。。ね。あのさ、今週の木曜日仕事紹介社行ったあとで、よくわかるくなるけど、もう心配です。今まで私の経験が少ないために、いい仕事わちょっと無理だと思います。それに日本語の会話もうあまり上手じゃないですから。。。もっと心配になる。。。

Yes it's cloudy and having a major headache. I think I have cut off all connection to my family and friends in SG... I MISS U GUYS!
June should be a happy month... but I'm stuck with exam after exam. 1st week of June, 5chapter test... 2nd week conversation exam, 3rd week Major exam (if I score 90% & above, I get to do upgrade test and if I get 50% for that, I go to the next class) and final week of June, another 5chap test... AHHHHHHH

But in all this misery, I was able to find a small glimmer of light... ahhh 気持ちがいい… I am now able to play PS1 games on my PSP console. Yes I know I need to focus on my studies but I also need time to relax tooo.... *acting innocent*
Anyway have been studying so much for the past few days... I think my brain is shrinking.

The conversation exam sucked... I think... I hope it didn't... I'm confused... So nervous....but thinking back, was kind of fun.
And just before the exam, I had a real good listening practice. While I was studying at the cafe near my dorm, there were these 3 obachans that joined me at my table since all the other tables were filled to have their lunch. The usual question of whether I was a uni student popped, and told them I was in a Jap language sch...
And by default, 'Are you Korean or chinese?'... somehow I feel so alienated. Hai...
Anyway one of the obacchan gave me 2 small packs of chips (damn nice) as a sort of 'intrusion gift'... hahaha then they continued on talking bout their children (maybe cos of me), the Yosakoi Soran (and the stripping team) dieting... hahaha so fun.

Oh speaking of Yosakoi, maybe should up date you guys on it. The Yosakoi is a dance and cheer festival held in many parts of Japan. I think the one in Sapporo is one of the big ones, so it has been held in High regard. Anyway no words to descibe it. You have to be here to see, hear, smell and feel to believe it.
There was one team in particular that was a hot (and I mean very hot) pick amongst the audiences. The team from one of the local University has their male dancers strip to red loin cloths... OMG SEXY>>>　http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=M_GEc-R1NIM (get the idea here)
(Official webby: http://www.yosanet.com/yosakoi/visit/)

Actually bought the ticket to the Saturday Night's performance and it was so exhilerhating. It's not just the stage performance, but the groups were also performing on the streets and the excitement is so hype and just being there is spectacular.
And being typically Singaporean, the food may be a little expensive but VERY VERY GOOD. 3 thumbs up (if I had). I wish you guys were here. See ya guys soon.

Ok I think I'm starting to find my temper that I had when I was back home... The guy sitting next to me is simply... agrevating...ignorant to the World around him.

Imagine a table space shared between 2 people being no more that 1meter in length. I'm not a small gal I admit, but he ain't small either. And half the time, his attention is at the girl sitting at the opposite lane in the classroom (not that I care for his puppy love for her). Mind you our classroom is bloody small.

I always need space for my books and notebook to do my notes. Half the time I'm only left with 1/3 of the table and what does he do with the other 2/3? NOTHING! I hardly see that notebook of his on the table and even if it was, half the time he was doddling or just having it there to be there. He would have his textbook on the desk, but not doing much. Like today, we're suppose to be going through the questions on the textbook and when it was our turn (I question, he answers), he was actually... I dunno, daydreaming? His text was opened to the wrong chapter and he didn't even know what question we were on!
IF YOU AIN'T INTERESTED, GO HOME!... Why is there always such people. Honestly at first I thought he was a good student, well versed in Japanese and also caring. BULLSHIT! Now he is just an annoying brat who thinks everyone should be listening to him instead of the teacher.
I dunno what sort of environment he's from, but I paid and I AM GOING to study my ass off to make it worth the trip. HOW DARE HE!?
I think I started getting very aggitated after I got back on Monday after missing class on Friday. I was still cramping and he has to do his little 'Hand Puppet' thingy... which he thought was cute! WTF! This wasn't the first time he was doing it, but it is escalating.
Finally, he pulled the last straw today! I dunno what got into him, but apart from that 'Hand Puppet' thing, he was doing this sort of dance and singing! Although he thinks no one hears him, I hear perfectly and above that, my ribs were hurting so badly.
During one of his little dance move, I told him 'If you wanna dance & sing, do it elsewhere!'. He was quiet... for a while and then back at it again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Starting tomorrow I'm moving away from that place.... I SWEAR!

Today is the last day of the Golden Week and finally going back to school tomorrow. Can't believe I actually miss studying.
Well today was kind of windy, the weather is one of the craziest thing apart from the Otaku that roam the downtown Sapporo area. The plan today was for Joyce to buy her MP4 player and my headphone. But unfortunately, Joyce couldn't get her player since the sales person was telling us that the software needed for the player required it to be used on a Japanese PC, which none of us owned. So that left Joyce pretty much devastated. Only I bought my headphone, quite happy but feeling damn bad.

Next, went to Don Hotte cos we were actually planning on buying the rice there (apparently they are the cheapest to date). Made a big round around the downtown Sapporo area but found the botanical garden (though my toes hurt like crazy). Apart from Joyce feeling all down from the failed attempt at the player, Ella also seemed really distracted. Maybe it's just me...
Finally reached Don Hotte which is one of those places that sell imported stuff... suppositly. Well it does have an array of other things like costumes for those who plan on joining one of those Cosplay events (btw there are tonnes of those events here) and even the kinky stuff... which I won't go into too much detail.
Well ended up buying more than the Swedish ginger cookies (which are really really good). Also bought this can of Tom Yum soup thing which is planned for dinner. Bought some sweets and stuff, at any rate I'm going to have a problem losing weight... *Devastated*
In the end, we came to a consensus and decided not to buy the rice till at least the 1st pack was running out (I think partially we were all too tired to carry back the 5kg of rice).

Next was to the Ni Jo (二条) Fish Market also located in the downtown area. Wouldn't call it big but still quite an eyeful. I think it's cos of the season, all you really get to see are crabs... and I really mean crabs. The famous Hairy crabs, spiky crabs... you name it, they're all huge. Too bad didn't get a photo, forgot to bring the cam out today. Anyway the people there are really hard selling and can get quite irritating since I didn't know what they were saying.
All in all, everything was so damn expensive and we decided to give up the idea of buying any seafood from there and also cancelled the Tom Yum off the list since Dorothy wasn't around.

Went to Daiei (I'm Daiei- ing again) to get the stuff for dinner since today is still the Holidays, no dinner provided... Time to improve and expend my menus... Anyway today's menu was baked Hotate's (Scallops), stir fried white cabbage with bean sprout & minced meat & scamble eggs. Today's dinner was so quite... probably cos we're simply too tired...

Oh but before dinner, went out to the near by CD shop to look for this CD 煙 by みきちゃんぐ [http://www.dailymotion.com/tag/japanese/video/x56et4_makichang-kemuri_music] (really great song for the ending theme of Top Secret, The Revelation by Reiko Shimizu). Anyway went to the CD shop at the subway station but couldn't find the CD and was getting deperate. In the end went to the counter to ask for aome assistance. Really think the Japanese are kind and patient people.
Hahah as usual having some problem with the communication so asked for a pen and paper to write the title I was looking for. Well found the artist's other work but seems that the album I was looing for will only be released on the 14th of May... another waiting game. While waiting the guy at counter was asking me if I was foreign since he said that my accent was definately not Japanese. He even thought I was Korean... told him I was Chinese... what a laugh.
He actually said my Japanese was good... I think they're just trying to be kind (or cruel) but well felt rather good. They offer to keep a copy for me but I told them I would be back on the 14th (hopefully not forgetting it).
Talked to my sis for bout an hour. Seems that mom was really thinking alot further than I was, even prepared things like Hainanese chicken rice paste, dried shrimps, belachan and all local stuff... I'm missing home food. Anyway showed some of the pics from Otaru to my sis and she kind of fell in love with the place. Lol...
Will update the Otaru pics and such soon. Nightzzz...

Ok yes it has been yet another long long time since I wrote and I promise I will try to catch up where possible.
To some of my friends who know, I have been getting the most idiotic phone calls over the pass few months on my mobile phone and frankly this has been really irritating. Even now being overseas, it doesn't seem to be enough for the GOD DAMN BITCH who likes using this number to keep putting it into some random survey and have me answer all those damn calls and in the end having to pay for all the roaming cos I picked them up. I know I can simply ignore them, but since I discontinued the Caller ID service, I can't tell who really is calling whether they are family or friends or simply people who want a very good scolding.

Just yesterday, I've already scolded Star Hub for having to call me all the time while I'm overseas and for WHAT, to disturb me while I'm having classes. Seems like it was an innocent fact that it had something to do with the max online that is under my dad's name. So I will let that pass for the time being...
But today, again I'm getting those moronic calls ever so irritating. Maybe I should say how it all began....
The phone calls started around last October (and just for the record, I've been holding onto this phone no for at least 2~3yrs) when this 'Slimming & Beauty' center called looking for this bitch by the name of TAN JADE LING KELLIN. Now how the hell would I know who that is? They call around 7 times in the stretch of 4months and finally being pushed to the edge, finally screamed at them to stop calling!

But that didn't stop. Apparently the damn bitch has been a very very busy person. In the end I got calls coming in from art galleries, banks, more health centers and fitness gyms. What is this? Identity theft? Either the companies supplying the numbers to the organizations were all outdated or she was using this number before me and now just using them to get free stuff without having ever to get disturbed by them.
Then what about me? Who's going to pay my phone bills for all these calls? I get my attandence crossed out if my phone rings twice in class and I simply can't afford that. Does SHE KNOW! NO! This is simply aggravating and intolerable!
Finally today another bank called to find her again! This time I made the afford of calling the number from my dorm and finally found out her name! Did a little goggling and seems like she's suppose to be this 29 yr old hag! Found it on this person's blog http://whiteblackgreenpink.blogspot.com/2007_09_01_archive.html.

I won't give a damn even if she reads this cos I have my rights to privacy and this woman or hag or whatever she is, is disturbing the peace in my life. All I'm asking for is that she take her responsibility as an adult and stop doing such a childish act of giving away her old phone number without knowing the consequences to it. Most numbers given out by phone companies are recycled and the next phone number you get or apply has a 50% chance that this was recycled. Even the phone companies can't be sure that this is an entirely new number... Well whatever the case, if that hag is reading this I hope she gets the massage loud and clear!

Woke up at 7 and quickly washed up and got changed. Was kind of hyped and a bit nervous as to what to expect from the 1st day of school.
This morning's breakfast is a serving of rice, mushroom with 'tung hon', sardine and miso soup. Actually don't know why but my other dorm mates got the gilled makarel but just nice maybe they were out of it and in the midst of cooking up a new batch so I got the sardine instead. But still it's really nice so no complains (what can I say I'm becoming a cat!).


Breakfast!

Just as me and the HK girl (Dorothy) was finishing up breakfast, ran into the Swedish girl and asked if she would like to join us in going to the school together. So decided that only 3 of us would be meetin gat 9am and heading over by train.
Just realized that the train fares are really really expensive. Just 3 stops down to our school and that's 200 Yen (2.80 SGD)!
By the time we realised it, we were almost late for the 1st day, so we decided to run over after exiting the train station. Luckily Ella (the Swedish Girl) knew the short route and so it was kind of a short sprint. Haven't ran in a while but it was a good run and in a cold weather like that morning, was even better to warm the body.

You could say that we were just in time and all 3 of us were assigned to the same class for the orientation. The room was split into 3 main languages of Korean, Chinese & English. Since I'm ok with either chinese or english, went over to the english side since there were seats there.
Well we received this envelope with all the school rules and our student card since we stepped into the school. And also in it was suppose to be a slip of colored paper for the entrance interview. But since I already took the interview earlier in the week, I could go off first and go back to the class at 11am.
With nowhere in mind to go, headed down to the reception area. Then saw a few of the people who were also from the same orientation class. So got to meet more people from across the globe. A thai & an American to be precise.
11am, time to head back. So it was down to all the rules and regulations of the school. The attendence rate in school is 90% which is so damn high! And you must inform the school if you can't make it for class one day in advance. If you're late or you leave early by 11 minutes, twice, they consider you absent once. And the most bizaare thing is, if you are caught sleeping or using ur phone twice, they also consider you absent! And they just keep emphasising the need to NOT miss class! This is going to be real hard...

After the whole orientation, the majority had to make their foreigner's pass and since I already did mine, was going to bring them over to the ward office.
As directionally idiot as I am, luckily the guys going together know the way to the train station... so embarressed. Along with my 2 dorm mates and another 4 guys who were all from the same dorm, went to the ward office at Kotoni.
Don't know why but the whole thing took almost 2 hrs to complete for 6 people when mine only took 15mins to finish when I did it alone. Maybe cos they had to do 6 applications at one shot (and I think the people at the office could recognise me).
After the whole thing, finally went for Lunch at this Beef Bowl restaurant. It's a really interesting joint, where you have to purchase the meal ticket before you head in to make you order, it looked like a scene right out of a comic! Actually wanted to get this chicken karage rice bowl but cos I pressed too fast, I actually got the BIG beef rice bowl!!! OMG, became an amusement stock, LOL.

The rice was really really... GOOD! it's way way way better than what you get at Yoshinoya and it's also cheap, for a big bowl (comes with miso and tea) is 480Yen (bout 6SGD).
Anyway so far so good on the first week since I've been here. But I suppose it'll be getting really busy...

OK today I finally went out early! After waking up at 7am, went to have my breakfast. Finally saw more pple eating.
Today's breakfast menu was once again rice (I'm so loving the rice), with miso, ham salad and chicken patty with salad.
Again, a lot of onions so in the end, my picky habit kicked in again and took most of them away. The veg of the salad was kind of pickled... unique!? The ham is just nice, not too salty but very little, I think only 3 pieces. The chicken patty was a little dissapointing but nonetheless the sauce was good. But the veg in the dish, apart from the lettuce, the bell pepper was a turn off and so was this other left that tasted worse then the chinese corriander. It's a shocker to the tongue. And the miso soup this morning was rather weird, it had this sticky thing in it. But as they say, if it tastes good, dun try finding out what it is...

Breakfast....ok so it's inverted :P

Finished my meal and then discovered that there is this chart that you fill in to say whether or not u took the breakfast/ dinner or not. I wonder why must record?..
Anyway after the meal, went to get myself dressed cos I finally decided to get my lazy bum out of the dorm earlier to try walking to school, or at least from school back.
In the end took a train back to school. Was so tempted to go to the zoo that was near the school but in the end I decided to head over to the Maruyama Koen (Maruyama Garden).
So was walking out from the exit and saw this really red shrine slapped right in the middle of 2 very modern looking houses!


Headed out to the direction which I thought might have been the mountain/ koen side. In the end came to another Shrine, and worse still it's the Maruyama cemetery.

Saw the mountian just behind the cemetery and thought there may be a through route up to the mountain, and then finally can hike. But who knew, after climbing up 5 flights of steps (some covered with ice), was a dead end. Stood on top of the whole cemetery and it was quite a view (scary to be in the place, but beautiful nonetheless), but also deadly silent.
The street was quiet until a group of high school footballers ran pass.
Then and there, decided that I was not fated for sight seeing and decided to walk back to the station and head back to the dorm.

Calculated that I would need about 20min to reach the school from the train station. From the train station, started with finding my bearings and off we go... I managed to walk all the way until I saw the Tsutaya which is suppose to be one of the mejor points on being the right way back. That was about another 20 mins walk. Saw a post office and just couldn't resist asking the stamp fares here. At least the lady at the counter was really kind and tried explaining to me the prices. Got the list for postage price and continued walking.
Then came bout the Nishi 28 Chome station (the exit was rather small and it could have been easily missed). So this meant I was still on the correct path. YEAH!

Shortly after, things were starting to look really familiar. It was the scenery from the walk I took from the dorm out to the school on the 2nd of April. So it meant that walking back to the dorm (after another 10 to 15 min from the last subway station) would be another 30min, given the condition of my legs.
Yup everything was falling into place and now understood why I didn't manage to get there on my first try. All in all, the walk was about 1hr to 1hr & 20min. By the time I reached Kotoni station, was too hungry to wait to get back to the dorm for lunch. So in the end bought a Gyu Man or 肉馒.


For 200 yen, this bao costs a lot. But when u have such good stuff in a bun, it's a different ball game. Just how different. Apart from the price, this meat bun is filled with pork (of course), bamboo shoot and mushroom covered in this sauce that is like a sweet black pepper sauce. And the bun's texture is rather Q adding to the mutiple textures.
Passed by that very cheap fruit stall again, but apparently there are more things on the inside. Turns out that the whole place is like a smaller version of our wet market back in SG. You can see these really fresh vegtables & fruits and they even sell seafood at really good prices. I think I can consider shopping here instead of at the supermarkets which are rather costly.

Finally reached back to the dorm and had the cereal I bought a few days back. Although it's by Kellog's, but it's black sugar (gula melaku?) cereal! And it taste really good with milk, and is not too sweet. Hahaha.
After that didn't really go anywhere. So tired from my long walk. But then seen some of the foreign students have arrived, and school starts tomorrow, decided to ask them if they interested in going over together.

Just as I was out of my room, the 2 korean girls living next to me just came out of their room. (What a coincidence! And they are Bisshins 美女）The one staying directly next to me is such a pro at coversating in Japanese, that I feel so ashamed... and her friend staying directly next to her is really good at english and so no communication problem there.
Next went up to the 2nd floor where the Hong Kong girl was staying. Was rather nervous, but since you need to make a 1st step, have to disregard 'face' and just go out there and make new friends.
It wasn't too bad, we were practically bilingual and it wasn't too bad exploring the 2nd floor. Now all was left was the Swedish girl that was also staying on the 2nd floor. But since she was out most of the time, couldn't catch her.
At dinner however I did see her but still didn't have a chance to talk to her. Dinner today (funnily when I talking to my mum, I could only remember rice n desert), was rice, 3pieces of ebi fry, ..... but still can't remember the main dish!
So today finally made contact and was rather glad. Looking forward to school tomorrow.

Fell asleep... AGAIn, acting like a bear at the moment.
The winds today are howling mad. The huge electrical cables hanging above the streets are swaying like crazy. And it's so so cold.
For lunch, as usual too lazy to go out and makan, and moreover still have the leftover nori roll the Obachan gave the night before. So had that for my early lunch of 11.30.
Continued lazing around in the room cos it's too cold to be out.
Finally decided to go out to explore more routes to the school. On the map it seems possible, but one experience tells me, it's not going to be easy again... hai~
Headed for a new direction this time and just kept walking straight. Just discovered that my eye is swollen again... There is always going to be something wrong with me once in a month and this is happening way to often.
As I mentioned, the winds are strong, but they are actually strong enough to make you very very light footed. What do I mean? Imagine yourself as a leaf... Nearly lost my footing once or twice.
Just when I thought I was on the correct path to the school, guess what? I was actually on the path which I took on the 2nd day when I tried exploring. OMG, i really lack a sense of direction. In the end, decided, what the hell I might as well go up the mountain located near there. HAHAH...
In the end I landed myself at a book store. The one thing I noticed on my 4days here, is that wherever you go, there is always bound to be a bookshop. And they aren't small, mind you, they are all rather sizable (ok maybe not the 2nd hand book shops, older shops). I decided since I needed to prepare bentos, I might as well get a cooking book, cos MY cooking book (in the head) is rather... sadly... small.
In the end bought 2 cooking books. 1 teaches you to cook within a budget of 100Yen (that's really for me) and the other one is for simple dishes. Great for ppl like me who wanna save and have simple but nice meals. Haha hard to please right?
But you know, the funny thing is that there is the same bookstore at the JR (Japan Rail) station near my dorm. And to think I never looked in. Continued looking some more and there are some english books (but all the arty farty stuff). Left after making my purchase.
At least was rather successful at getting back to my area of Kotoni (oh did I mention I walked all the way to Miyanosawa 宮の沢). But then things suddenly dun look familiar again (Although can see the buildings near the JR).
Oh, also passed by this cake shop & just couldn't resist going in. The cakes in the window looks fantastic, n in the end bought an apple pie...(Actually meant to buy something for the obachan who gave me the nori roll)

Just as I was about to head backwards, saw a chinese medical clinic. Wanted to look for dry chrysenthemum for my swollen eye. It's actually a small building situated at a cross junction and if you never notice it, you might just miss it.
For 200gm of dried chrysentheum I paid 1554Yen, that is like SO EXPENSIVE!!! Told my mum on my daily phone conversation home and she said next time I need any just phone home, she rather send it to me. LOL.
I think due to the wind, my old injury was hurting again. So just asking (in my broken japanese) I asked if they had accupunture, but I think she doesn't get it. However she did help me relieve the pain with this wooden container thing that had holes (forgot to take pic!) which uses this roll of pressed medical grass (which my chinese doc back home uses) and using the heat of the burning grass to bring relieve. And all of this for free! I think partially it's something called fate and also because there isn't anyone there. LOL! Feel kind of bad but she said it was ok.

After I left, I think I took a wrong turn again and went back in the direction of the medical hall, but it was pitch dark. Wow, last customer of the day!!
In the end, headed to the direction of the JR station and walked towards the big store that held the supermarket I frequented. But who knew, must have been daydreaming, and plomp, fell onto my knees.
OMG so embarrassed. And there was even this lady passing by that was trying to help me to my feet. First ankle pain, now knees are sore. I feel OLD!!
So quickly made my way back to the dorm for dinner. (Although it was 7 by the time I reached back, it feels like it's 8plus SG time)
Today's dinner was curry rice with cheese salad (again no photo...). I discovered that in Japan, no matter what you do, try to learn to eat onions. I don't know why, but every meal HAS onions, and the salad I had, had plenty. But with the 2 blocks of cheese, the onion tastes really good. The curry is kind of a mix of mince pork and pork slice curry. Very nice, nicer than the one at Sushi Tei back at home. (See lah, how to loss weight!?)
Finished my meal and went back to watch more TV. The TV programmes though limited but the variety shows are damn crazy. LOL.
Had a chat with my mum today, one to one but rather nice. So i think I have not much time to be home sick with daily conference.

4th day on my entry, and I still have not paid the dorm fees. Apparently there is a very big communication problem either between me and the dorm superintendent or me & the school or the school & the superintendent... Going to call the school to find out again. 困ったな
Today is the first day for the breakfast and opted to have the typical japanese breakfast instead of the western one. And I think I shall go for it again.
On today's menu is rice, Daikon miso (radish miso w/ carrot), sweet egg roll & fish with roe stuffing. (Just thinking back is making my mouth water). Saw one of the dorm mates today while eating and tried to talk but failed. She was watching TV and eating so didn't want to disturb her. After she left, leaving me alone with the obachans, no one else came in to have breakfast... so weird. Sorry didn't think of bringing my camera so no pic of today's breakfast, will try for dinner.
Anyway, finished my meal and had to clear the dish. In here, they have this sink which is linked to a rubbish chute so, just on the tap, roughly wash the plates & bowls which will push the remainders into the chute and leave the utensils in a sink to soak.

Still trying to update my blog and the pics into photobucket... not too good at it, so it's going to take a while.
Oh did I mention my room is just IN FRONT of the main entrance? It's just slapped right next to the reception and on the 1st floor. So everytime there is people coming in or going out, the conversation is loud n clear. But I think it's both bad and good. At least they become a natural alarm clock but bad cos I tend to be on the edge.
Seems like a lot of new people coming in but still all Japanese and no foreigners except me...

Just wrote to the school and will only go out after lunch (still have leftover from yesterday night's nori roll). Will stop here first and update later. Today the winds are even stronger than yesterday.

It's the 3rd day but still getting up n about only at 8.30am... how to get used to it by the time school starts? Anyway was out of the dorm by 11am after receiving the email from the school with regards to the dorm fees and the direction of the school. Actually, when I was looking at the map directory bought yesterday, finally figured out how to read the address. And from it, look at the map. What a relief.
But when I was heading out, it started to drizzle. What a start to the day. It wasn't that heavy so can walk happily in the rain, but it is nonetheless, still very cold. But with the rain getting heavier, went into one of the nearby buildings and bought a clear umbrella (not useful against sun).
With yesterday's experience, decided to take a train over to Maruyama station where the school is located. Took me about 20 mins to walk over and even with a guide, I was nearly lost loh (so like me right?)
Manage to find the school and guess what, it's literally in front of a mountain. No wonder it was getting so cold towards the school. From the outside and comparing from the other buildings, it seems that the school is rather small. Went in to look for the correspondent that has been helping me todate. She was a rather thin person, and rather tall. Actually the people here are also not very short like what we always read in mangas loh. Oh maybe cos the milk here is good that's why everyone is so tall. LOL
So we went through some of the more important stuff like my refund for pick up at the airport (paid for it but cos I arrived on a Saturday, there was no pick up service available), some more application matters. But in the end had to wait for another 20min for a entrance examination for class allocation, which was done by a teacher (who was out for lunch). And since I was so free, I happily waited while I tried to figure out how to walk back. Oh and cos I wanted to set up a bank ac, asked them how to apply and seems that I need a foreigner's card to do so and must go to the Ward office located at my area of living, which the ppl at the office wer kind enough to help me look out for.
So when the teacher got to me, I was both nervous and out of focus. Honestly, I think my main problem with learning a new language is the confidence level I have. I'm so afraid of making mistakes, but an advice to anyone learning anything new (be it language or skill), one must be brave and not afraid to make mistakes, even if it means being laughed at. Or else, it would just be a pure waste of time right (and money in my case)?
So went through a few of the questions with the sensei and told her that my concerns were on conversation (which I have very low confidence) and that my vocabulary is also rather poor. So in the end, it's decided that although with a JLPT4 Cert, I will start somewhere around mid of that standard.
SO after that left the school. And decided to head to the Sapporo Immigration Bureau which was located 3 stops away from the school. Tried walking there but the sensei at the school said that it would be too far. So decided to walk back to train station but by the time everything was done at the school it was already 2pm! LUNCH!
(Pic of the school)


It seems that a lot of cafes and restaurants are located near the school. Went into one by the name of El Cid. At 1st, contemplated with it since the price looked rather steep. But too lazy to walk downwards, and it was freezing. So in the end headed in.
El Cid is a Spanish/ Italian restaurant which is warm and pretty on the inside. On the outside, you might probably mistake it to be a pub with the Viking looking mascot. Lol. When inside, there was only another lady in the place who was already half way through her meal. THe waitress started to introduce the daily special but I could only understand a bit. SO in the end, just looked from the menu that was given to me. Waited for a while, while listening to spanish music (1st other foreign music heard in my 3days). It seems like the meal comes with a salad and tea. The salad came up first but was shortly joined by the Cabonara that I ordered. When the dish came, it was pipping hot with all the aroma of fresh ground cheese fuming to your nostrils... and the yellow of the dish looked so good.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v253/MoonBerry_Alice/IMG_2841.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v253/MoonBerry_Alice/IMG_2839.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v253/MoonBerry_Alice/IMG_2846.jpg
Finished up the meal real slowly (so unlike me), and the tea is served only after meal. The tea's a little like Chamomile tea but from what I make out of the waitress, seems like some spanish tea...? And the whole meal only cost 840Yen...(ok a bit steep but it was worth it once in a while)
Next stop Immigration Centre. As said it's 3 stops away and I lost my farecard... DAMN!! Must buy another one, OMG. Must have dropped out when I was flipping things out of my pocket. The whole area is like a law district with all the buildings serving there for diplomatic, law and political matters. Since everywhere looked the same, had to go into one of the buildings to ask. Although was holding an english (romanji) address, the guard of the building was kind enough to go out with me and show me the builing. 2 buildings away, and off again.
When I went to the immigration office, went to ask these 2 old man what I should do for my 'ALIEN REGISTRATION' (LOL what a name). The 1st one couldn't understand english, so he told the other old man to 'show off' his england... LOL.
With his help, it seems that the SG Japan Embassy has given me the wrong info. I had to go to the ward office in my area n not that Immigration office. Hai~ wasted time again and then took the subway back to my area (6stops away, can't expect to walk).

Was in time to get my registration done (must have it done within 14 days of arrival) but can only collect my foreigner's cards (which I need to set up my ac) by 18 April... SO LONG! At least the ppl there were kind enough to check with the bank the necessary items I need to set up one, or I think I will most prob be stuck at the bank waiting for an interpreter.
All in all, school n foreign registrations are done! Time for shopping again. When I passed the JR station this morning, finally saw where the 100 Yen shop was, so decided to go there and have a look. But on the way back, I saw this florist that was selling flowers at like 100yen, so couldn't resist temptation and bought myself a bunch of 金魚花... such a cute name. Then saw this fruit store that were selling really cheap strawberries. A box of 11 pcs of strawberries (big ones, not like the ones I bought on the 1st day) costs 250Yen, so cheap. Headed downwards and saw another stall selling at an even more expensive rate (now know where to shop liao).
The 100 Yen shop here is kind of like Daiso (in fact Daiso IS a 100 Yen shop). But not all the items sold are 100 Yen, so must be careful. Bought more cutlery for my room and bought cup noodles. One other thing that I must get used to is that, when the store is too busy, you are expected to pack your own groceries. THe counter will just pass you the amount of plastic bags you need and then off they are to serve the next customer. Which is good cos some ppl dun need the bags and they have their own shopping bags.
Headed bk to the supermarket Ito Yokado to get my kettle and more groceries. Bought bread, more milk, cereal, tea bags and sugar.
Against the strong winds and the heavy weight on my hands, made it back to my room, only to remember that tomorrow morning's breakfast is actually provided liao (1st April start). OMG but can save the stuff for Saturday... and lunch. But cos was so full handed just now to buy dinner, decided to have cup noodle for dinner. But who knew, the obachan (rather stern lady) knocked on my door and passed me a nori roll which is like 8 inches!! SO happy, decided to go back to the school area and buy cake for them as a return gift. Lol.

Now watching the telly and they're actually playing Lilo & Stitch on the TV in Japanese! So cute and I actually sat through the whole thing. Watched a bit of news and I think there is a fuel crisis again... This is not good. Chatted to the family back home and had more tea. Chatted with Meiyi too on MSN but too tired liao, so shall stop down here, and will upload more photos.

Ok tried exploring the area near my dorm, but as you can see from the title, I was ultimately lost. Where should I start from...?
Started the day at 8.30am (all timing will be in Jpn Time, =SG time minus 1hr), used the net for a while and got to having my breakfast. For breakfast... drum roll please, had bread & milk. I thought it was milk but the milk turned out to be an enormous portion of yakult. I suppose it's cultured milk of the local sort. But hey, it was nice. Was looking at the map that I got from the airport but couldn't figure it and decide to try walking to the school as best as I could (the sch correspondence said that the dorm was 20min walk away from sch).

Well finally went out at 11am to explore the area. I decide to walk on the familiar street that will lead me to the Ito Yokado (the supermarket I visited on the 1st night) just a short walk away from my dorm. Then discovered a train station there. OMG there were so many bicycles parked outside the station, it reminds me of the time we saw the amount of scooters or motorbikes at Taipei. And the pigeons are huge, even bigger than that in Taipei. But the ravens are even bigger. It looks as big as a cat! Forgot to take a pic of them (but I think the locals will think I'm crazy, they detest these birds).
But as I said in SG, will try to save money, so decide to just take a look at the map and be on my way without looking into the station. As I continued walking on, suddenly was looking at the mountains. I was so awed by them that I was intending on following them, then maybe give the school a pass and do a little trekking. Before long, I discovered I was in a very unfamiliar road. So thinking I was still in the correct way I just kept walking and walking. In the end, couldnt stand it and headed into a convenience store.
Saw a map directory for Hokkaido and headed to make payment. But just couldn't help but ask if there was one in English, but sadly no. So in my so broken Jap, I asked for directions. It turns out that instead of heading to the school, I was actually 2 stops away and the nearest station was Miyanosawa(in terms of subway stations) in the opposite direction. So when I asked if I was able to walk back to the Kotoni Station, she was rather shocked that I wanted to walk for another 30mins. So in the end I had to take the train back.

Acting like a total idiot again, went to take a look at the ticketing system. Their subway tickets are actually identical to our old farecard system! So memorable. But even with the english translation, I didn't understand if I need to buy the card seperately or just from the machine itself. So went to ask the train station officer who was kind enough to help buy the card with me, directing as I go along.
So finally got the card (the cheapest you can get is 1000Yen, and then add along the way), and headed to wait for the train. Just realised that I never really looked at direction when I was going down, since 2 platforms are not sharing the same waiting space. But by sure luck I was actually standing at the correct platform headed back to Kotoni station.

Back at the station and basing on the map the lady at the convenience store gave me, I suddenly find everywhere familiar and then noticed that the building that held the supermarket is an extremely big building (must find a day to walk the inside). So headed to the supermarket to buy my necessary items to make my room more homely.

In the end, bought 2 cups, a small fork & teaspoon, bodywash, chopsticks, moisturizer & milk. But actually wanted to buy a kettle since got stove, but forgot to ask the dorm superintendent if I can actually cook in the room. So in the end gave up the idea and decide to ask first then buy, or else spend unneccessarily.
In the end had lunch only bout 2pm ++. Again thanks to convenience store Lawson, had pasta salad with charcoal grill pork. It may look small but it's very filling.
Manage to get hold of the dorm obasan, and since another communication problem, think mean I could cook. Also asked bout the TV rental since I did mention renting it. So after a lot of my broken jap, I think she got what I meant. And in the dorm superintendent came in to fix the TV, but my room is in a mess, what an embarressment. LOL ^.^
But upon asking the dorm superintendent, only can boil water in the room (i suppose the things that don't stink the room is also ok) but any cooking needs to be done in the canteen. There are pots and pans available there.

But in the end, was too tired from today's walk to even go out to buy the kettle and dinner and settled for strawberry and milk for dinner. LOL... as usual will update the pics when I can.

Reached my dorm at about 6pm plus & minus, but the dorm supervisor doesn't speak jap. So I'm pretty much down to my broken jap but was at least able to ask bout my internet connection, the fees for the dorm, and able to understand that no meals provided until 1st April. I stay on the 1st floor and apparently there are 3 flr and there is a lift in this building. And although I have my own bathroom, there are still shared bathrooms and single showers available (and just right next to my room).
Started unpacking but since I discovered I had no toiletries and no dinner. Oh there is actually a stove in my room and shared stoves in the dining hall. So can cook. So had to ask the supervisor for directions and hopefully not get lost. Actually the convinient mart is just a 5min walk away (with a very big books & CD shop just next door). And the supermarket is just another 5min walk away. So bought the necessary stuff like toilet paper, tissue, hangers, shampoo etc. Oh and the strawberries although small, but a box of them cost about 4SGD. And very pretty...
Walked back to my dorm without getting lost よかった. Unpacked all the stuff bought and found out that I didn't buy body wash. LOL.
So went to heat up the food that I bought at the convinience store Lawson. There are stoves in the Shokudo (Canteen) and toaster & mircowave. After that when I went back to my room, noticed all the girls living here are all Japanese, no foreigners loh...
Well anyway came back to the room and eat. Lol was actually meant to eat in the canteen but only one person in such an area. And my anti-social mode kicked in.

Oh must talk bout the meal. Well had bento from the convinient store. It's an unhealthy meal with no veg. It consist of 4slices of pork, 1 chicken ball and 3 pieces of chicken. Then there is this roe paste with chilli. It's like a seafood version of chilli. Spicy & great with rice.
Finished the meal then discovered had to sort my rubbish with combustible, non- combustible, recycle and bottles,cans. So many things to get used to. Food is definately not one yet but the way of life, having to great eveyone you see etc.

After all the much needed sorting, finally finished unpacking all my stuff from my bags. Then discovered a ledge on the top that I can put stuff on. But my table is still a mess. And there's more stuff coming in next week.
Talked on skype with Meiyi n MSN with Chin Lam (This time name spelled correctly). But I think my body trying to adapt to the change of environment so was so tired, hitting the sack. Will continue again tml n try to put more photos up. They're piling in my folder. Lol

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... LOL

So 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.

My Fish & Rice

The Salad

Meat Pie/ Cake??

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.
(The bus ticket)

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 Polar Bear?

The bus left promptly on time bur 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

Now blogging in the morning at the Hong Kong Airport. As promised will try to blog every day as much as I can and take loads of pictures while I'm away from home... Starting to miss the breakfast in Singapore.

However before I go on, must thank those who came to see me off. My mum, aunt, sisters, Chin Lan, Meiyi & Regina. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH.
Manage to check my baggage in!! Thank GOD. Cos was flying by Economy class and was only allowed 20kg, but manage to check in nearly up to 30kg of baggage (I think the total was 29.9kg?, 5.2kg for my small bag and 23.7kg for my main bag). LOL.
I think we were damn noisy at the airport, but couldn't care less cos I'm going to be away from friends & family for 1yr. May not be too long, but it ain't short. And alot of farewell presents, Thanks gals. Well farewells are never my forte, but received Chin Lan's farewell bites... lol. But had to leave cos my flight was at last boarding. AHHHHHH LATE!!!?

Well I left Singapore at around 6.35pm and touched down at 10pm. But the HK airport was so big that I was kind of lost (as expected by many who know me). Oh but before my exploration of this new urban jungle, let me show you my dinner on the plane...



There was a choice of Fish Pasta & Pork wit Rice. So went with the one with rice...LOL (Me rice bucket?). The dinner might look small, but it packs a punch and is so filling. Oh and mind you, I DID finish all my fruits & veg. Oh to congratulate me, there was a small serving of Hagendaze (Wrong spelling?) Chocolate ice cream. Although not too big of a fan of chocolate, but surprisingly it was not bad.




Oh here is the proof that I finished everything. LOL


As I was saying, the airport in HK is damn big... unfortunately, if you wanna compare services, I still think SG has better services. But after I finally found the lounge that I will be staying for the night, the staff there ain't all too bad.
Used the internet here for a while and chatted to Meiyi & Chin Lan for a while on MSN and called home to update them on my situation. But the flight was too tiring, haven't had much to sleep these few days so head off for a shower.

The showers here are a personal stall so had to wait a while for the bathroom to be available. So packed my stuff and discovered that I had a lot of junk. Lol. Anyway the bathroom stall had all the stuff you need for a quick refreshing bath, though no facewash (luckily had that prepared). Towels included too!
The sleeping area is a small personal space which consist of only a bed and a small drawer/table at the corner.
(THe place is rather small so this is not a complete picture)...
Thank god the bed is comfy, so much that I was afraid I wasn't going to wake up by 7am today. However set the alarm for 6.50am and got up to refresh & eat breakfast.

The breakfast was a buffet style one but boy was it filling.


And there is actually brown wheat flavoured VitaSoy. The baked egg with herb mayo is rather weird. 1st, the egg is actually a whole egg, cooked to the core... dunno haw to describe it.

Now doing the last of my checking and updates. It's 8.30am HK time and have to leave the lounge soon or will be late for my flight... still need to find my way there. Wish me luck that I dun get lost in HK airport. LOL

**Kiss & Hugs** Missing all my family & friends in SG.

As I dun think I will have time, but as some might have already known, I will be leaving soon to further my studies in Japan. IF you feel free (& rich?) you can pit stop over and come visit me... LOL... 很不要脸吧？

But nontheless, will be updating this blog more regularly and hopefully I will come home in one piece... LOL

Yes due to serious lack of sleep and maybe too much good food, I have finally succumb to the big bad flu bug. And it all started with a damn sore throat. Still sick for the 3rd day and I think it's still going on even stronger.
Hate the weather, hate the sick bug... but have to deal with it... Plain porridge rules!? *Cough* *Cough*

Finally back to blogging. Many things have happened over the course of 4 months (?).
I'm officially out of a job since my company has decided to up root and head over to a new location which I have no plans whatsoever to follow. Living expenses are too high for my paycheck and have bigger plans in mind.
But currently happily helping my dad out in his shop and finding it fun to work there since I get to learn new things everyday and get to observe the human behavior...?

And also with these passing months, 2 close friends have got themselves hitched and are now in marital bliss. One being my good bud from Primary sch, Rita. It was a homely invite in a chinese restaurant with little of the well know chinese dinner 'sha-bags'. At least Regina was there with me for the dinner, but suddenly feeling the pressure of people ard me getting married... hai~ but I still wanna enjoy my singlehood status!
There was also Yiping who just got married on Feb16. Never know having the full package of marriage on the whole day could be so tiring. Was in the bridesmaid entourage with Jasmine and 8 more other ladies. Started the day at 4.45am and was at the bride's house by 6am (heard the National Anthem for the 1st time in 3yrs!). The day started with the groom arriving at 7.30am and ended with the dinner at 11pm. I think all in all the day was good and it was fun being a bridesmaid (so much so that the bride herself wanted to be part of the action...*LAUGHS*).

What else happened? Well still waiting on the results of my applications to Sapporo's Language Institute. Apparently everyone is so nervous over it... and then today after what Shihui told me, I started to worry. Apparently, it's going to be the Sakura viewing season when school starts and tickets are getting snatched up as the minutes ticks by...

Well still hoping and praying for a miracle. Suddenly so many things are happening. HELP

Sekhmet Observant, authoritative, indulgent, moral and witty. Colors: male: green, female: turquoise Compatible Signs: Bastet, Geb Dates: July 29 - Aug 11, Oct 30 - Nov 7 Role: Goddess of war and vengeance Appearance: Lion-headed woman with the sun over her head Sacred Animal: lion What is Your Egyptian Zodiac Sign? Designed by CyberWarlock of Warlock's Quizzles and Quandaries

You are The Devil

Materiality. Material Force. Material temptation; sometimes obsession

The Devil is often a great card for business success; hard work and ambition.

Perhaps the most misunderstood of all the major arcana, the Devil is not really "Satan" at all, but Pan the half-goat nature god and/or Dionysius. These are gods of pleasure and abandon, of wild behavior and unbridled desires. This is a card about ambitions; it is also synonymous with temptation and addiction. On the flip side, however, the card can be a warning to someone who is too restrained, someone who never allows themselves to get passionate or messy or wild - or ambitious. This, too, is a form of enslavement. As a person, the Devil can stand for a man of money or erotic power, aggressive, controlling, or just persuasive. This is not to say a bad man, but certainly a powerful man who is hard to resist. The important thing is to remember that any chain is freely worn. In most cases, you are enslaved only because you allow it.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.