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With my super December tiring me out, I've taken the past weeks to rest and ponder on my reflections and new year resolutions. Yes, I know i'm terribly late on this but I wanted to clear my head after the holidays, and get used to school once again before being sure of what i want to achieve in this new year of 2012. Sunday, January 22, 2012 By and large, 2011 was a big year for me, when i opened my eyes to many things in life - about my relationships with people, about the world, and about myself. While nothing much really happened from Jan to May, there were some major learning moments from End May to End July. My trip to visit Hern in Sydney gave me the chance to think abt my friendships and my community internship reminded me of the need to be more confident in myself. Then, during my birthday in June, i made two wishes. One of which is to see the bigger world out there. And i'm certainly glad it came true for me :) In August, there was the pharmacy student congress, which allowed me the chance to make so many friends from many countries. Furthermore, it was the best training ground for my confidence cause i had to put myself out there to talk to random people (not the easiest for me); but i'm glad i took the chance and had so much fun. Without a doubt, it changed my outlook of life SOOOOO MUCH. Suddenly, i realised i was in such a small country in this enormous world, and there so much more to learn and discover. Well, travel will still be my big thing this year, being my last chance before my graduation. There are more things to see and more things to learn about the world we live in! After the congress, i planned for my next major holiday, which turns out to be... Japan :D It was my most amazing trip by far, getting to visit my friends and really live up to the motto of "seeing the bigger world out there". My friends were so hospitable that from now on, i feel that travelling to visit friends is the best way to travel now. Quite significantly too, was three weddings i attended this year, and the funeral of my grandmother's. They reminded me that i'm no longer a teenager... i have grown up to be an adult now. My grandparents, my parents, my cousins, and my friends, they are all growing older. There is the saying, "in the midst of life, we are in death". Hence, we really do need to cherish the time we have, to live the experiences we want, and treasure the relationships we have. I was especially emotional during my godsis' wedding in early December. She had literally seen me grow from a young boy. I depended alot on her support in my younger years, and though we didnt contact each other for some time...i realised it was because I had grew up. I no longer needed my sister to "protect" or comfort me anymore. :) Coming back to my birthday wishes, the second wish i made was that i hope to be a "bigger" person. Certainly, that cannot be achieved in a day, nor half a year. Therefore, i hope that in this new year, that i'll be learning everyday... Learning to be a better person to my family and my friends, and for myself. I want to be more tolerant and forgiving, for holding grudges will do nothing but feed an angry soul. Also, I want to be more compassionate and understanding to the friends around me. Personally, i hope to take my parents on a holiday this year :) they've been complaining that they've been missing out the fun i've been having on my trips haha... This year will also be a big year for my family. With my brother's wedding under way, it'll be a good chance for the family to be together. With that, i want to thank you, 2011, for giving all these experiences, and here's to a great 2012! :) music.city.soul || 3:24 PM || 0 comments
22nd to 31st December: my whirlwind tour to many parts of Japan :DTuesday, January 3, 2012    22nd December: Tokyo Arrive in Narita Airport Term 1 Met Yukako :) Train to Tokyo city My Welcome Dinner! at Yamato restaurant with Hide, Nino, Yumi(Toma), Yukako, Hirona :))) Stay at Yoshi's place w Nino    23rd December: Tokyo Visited Asakusa (Temple) - with Nino/Yumi sis/Yukako/ Hirona Souvenir Shopping at Nakamise Lunch - Unagi with rice Visited Edo-Tokyo Museum (Yumi sis/ Yukako/Hirona) Experience at Earthquake Learning Centre Went to Odaiba [great view! Hirona dropped my camera and... :'(] (Yumi sis + Hirona) Dinner - Italian cuisine... Joined Jap Party - talked to jap pharmacists and "interesting characters" haha Stay at Yoshi's place    24th December: Tokyo Tsukiji Fish Market - ate sushi :9 Went to Tsukishima - tried monjayaki :9 Visited Hama-Rikyu Garden Karaoke at Shimbashi Kagaya Bar not opened :( Illumination! + Dinner at Shiodome Origami folding :) Night deserts/tea at Shinjuku (while waiting for Nino) Stay at Nino's place    25th December: Tokyo Went to 24hrs Internet Cafe Akiba + @home (maid) cafe! (Hirona, Yukako, Yumi sis) Took pictures / Print club Visit Meiji Shrine @ Harajuku Walked down Takeshita Street (too crowded!!) Walked to Shibuya - visited Neko/Cat Cafe :)) Saw famous Shibuya Crossing/ Hachiko Statue Christmas Dinner with Hirona/Yukako/Yumi sis/ Yoshi - xmas cards & presents :))) Night Tea at Mos Burger (Yumi sis/Yukako/Yoshi) / Said goodbyes :( Bus ride to Osaka    26th December: Osaka Met Kohei at Hotel New Hankyu :) Visited Doutonbori - tried okonomiyaki & Takoyaki!! :DD Visited Osaka Aquarium Saw Penguin Parade! Short rest at Yuri's place/Takatsuki Ate many many sushi!!! + drinks at bar Stay at Yuri's place Taka and Yukari arrive - talk...sleep!    27th December: Kyoto Breakfast at yuri's Train to Kyoto from takatsuki Visited Kinkaku-ji (金閣寺, Temple of the Golden Pavilion) Went to Toei Uzumasa Eigamura/ Movie Village (東映太秦映画村) - scary house + ninja house! Visited Kiyomizu Temple (清水寺) - too dark :( Train to Kobe - stay at Taka's house (with Kiha+Yuri too) - gave them presents!! :)    28th December: Kobe Train to Ajima Onsen Tried Golden Onsen, Silver Onsen, "Open-air" Onsen! :)) Goodbye to Yukari :( Kushiage dinner with Taka, Kiha and Kohei :DD Said Goodbye to Taka :( Train to Yuri's place /Takatsuki Talk and research on Kobe plan next day...sleep :)    29th December: Kobe Train to Kobe from Takatsuki Walked around Kitano Ijinkan (北野異人館) :) Lunch (Soba) - Eating Whilst Standing / Tachigui Tried akashiyaki :9 Said goodbye to Yuri :( Visited Tetsujin 28-gō (鉄人28号) street!! Ate gyoza! Went to Kobe port :) Train to Sannomiya station - dinner at Sukiya - Donbori Bought cold sweet doughnuts Walked to Bus station Said goodbye to Kiha and Kohei :( Bus back to Shinjuku :'(    30th December: Kanagawa Bus reach Shinjuku vv early! Waited in the cold for Hirona and Nino :/ haha Breakfast at Macs Train to Kanagawa/Fujisawa (with Hirona) Train to Kamakura Visited Hasedera, Great Buddha and Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Visited Enoshima Lunch - Shirasu Kaki Age Don! Went to Enoshima Jinja Shrine Saw Mount Fuji :) Train to Yokohama Walked around city area Walked to Yokohama Redbrick Warehouse (赤レンガ倉庫, Aka Renga Soko) - samui! Green Tea Deserts :) Cab to station (with random couple), train to Shinjuku Night Tea at Macs while waiting for Nino Back to Nino's - packing :(    31st December: Tokyo Woke up late (11am) Lunch - Ramen with Nino :9 Bathed at 24hrs Internet Cafe Walked around mall Train to Nippori Goodbye to Nino and Yukako :( Last minute souvenir shopping at airport! Flight back to Singapore - watched Larry Crowe :) + Monte Carlo movies An awesome sightseeing trip Full of fun and laughter So happy to see all my friends in Japan :DDD!  music.city.soul || 12:38 PM || 0 comments
Sunday, January 1, 2012 Back home in Singapore, as I'm writing this now, honestly I can hardly believe I had spent the last few days of 2011 in Japan. If you asked me even just 5 months ago, the idea of travelling to Japan was never in my mind. I was never a fan of anime, Japanese food or J-pop, and most certainly, I can't speak Japanese at all.
But of course, I must say I'm really glad to have met so many Japanese friends during IPSF 2011, and made quite a snap decision back in late August to travel to Japan in December. From 22nd to 31st December, I travelled to many places in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe, but more importantly, I got to spend time and get the chance to talk and know all of you, my friends in Japan, much much better! Moreover, I really enjoyed exploring the different parts and learning the culture (both good, bad and very interesting) in Japan.
Most of all, I am really touched by the fact that although most of you (think that you) can't speak English very well, you did your best to try to converse with this Gaijin :P from Singapore who knows no Japanese haha:) If your English is “bad”, how could I have enjoyed all the talks and jokes with every single one of you? :D All of you should believe in yourself more :) and believe that you can speak better English ok!
I’m really thankful for the many things you all did for this simple Singaporean friend during this trip and would just like to add a few final thank yous to all my trip-planners, tour guides, hosts and dear friends who took precious time out to meet me :)
In order of when I met of all :D
Yukako: Thank you my best CP of JJT! Hahaha:). You've been a great great friend, from planning my trip, meeting me at the airport and bringing me around Tokyo! Without your help, my trip wouldn't have been so fulfilling! I promise to be YYSGT CP when Yumi & You come to Singapore!
Yumi (Toma): I'm really glad to meet you and I felt really happy to meet you on my first day too :) Thank you for meeting me even though you have a report to rush out! All the best for your studies!
Nino: Ahhh! my always busy and tired host for 2 days :P I hope even though I made you even more tired and busy for this period, that you had as much fun as I do! I really enjoyed the time spent talking to you and playing with your friend's very kawaii neko! Haha Thank you so much for always having to travel to Shinjuku almost everyday to meet me! Haha ;)
Hirona: Slow girl! HAHA Thank you for making a lot of effort just to meet me! I know it's very expensive and time-consuming to travel to Tokyo now after going to Kanagawa with you! I will remember all the jokes (on you) haha!
Hideaki: Hide!!! I always feel excited to see you! :) So happy to have to be able to met you for dinner and during the party! A little pity I can't meet you more often because you have lessons but maybe NEXT TIME! :D
Yoshi: People who always say I travel a lot obviously have not met you hahaha :D It's been an enriching time spent with you, I hope you learnt as much from me as I have from you! Thanks a lot for letting me stay at your place for two nights under such short notice :)
Yumi (Terasaki): LADY YUMI HAS A CD NOW! HAHA :D Thank you my dear sister for being so nice! We had a good sibling bonding time in Japan hahaha :))
Kohei: BEST ATTRACTION OF KANSAI! Hahaha :P. You made me laugh so much that when I think back on my Kansai trip I still laugh! Haha I will pass down your IMPORTANT KNOWLEDGE”! Thank you so much for being with me all the four days in Kansai, it was really fun as you promised!
Yuri: SUDDENLY I know Hashimoto! :DD I'm so delighted to know a new friend in Japan! Thank you for the fun stay at your house, for the breakfasts that you made (Oishii!) and letting me join D-CLUB! Big Business Always! XP HAHA
Taka: I really am very glad to talk to you! I'm really thankful to have a sincere and nice friend in you :)) Thank you for sharing so much with me, and keep in contact with me! We had a great time at Ajima onsen and Kobe! I love Kobe!
Yukari: My other NEW FRIEND in Japan, I'm so thrilled to know you :D And I will always remember you in your kawaii GACHAPIN pyjamas!
Kiharu: KIHA KAKKOII! HAHA and you can ask Hirona, I remember "boni-naru(?)"! :D HAHA Thank you so much for being such a great guide on my last day in Kansai/Kobe :D I really had a lot of fun talking to you!
To my other friends in Japan I didn't get the chance to meet :( I'm sure there'll be another chance! Lets stay in contact :)
Before I end this note, I must say that although I'm not when I'll return to Japan :/ but I'll always keep those memories in my heart! I MISS JAPAN and YOU ALL! :'( And I really hope to meet all of you again (in SINGAPORE! Or when I return to Japan!) THANK YOU AGAIN & I WISH ALL OF YOU A WONDERFUL AND AMAZING 2012! music.city.soul || 11:06 PM || 0 comments |
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