2015

Fireworks at Marina Bay Countdown 2014/2015.

 

When people say,
'2015 - please treat me better' - I don't necessarily believe in things like that.
I usually believe that it's how you treat the year, your attitude and actions towards things that'll make the year count.
Is 2015 a noun, you think it has a mind of its' own on how you will be treated? 

2015 is the year I start feeling like I'm not a small kid anymore. I'm getting to be a little more than a quarter of a century old (just a little!) and it's time to take on more responsibilities I guess.

Let's work hard, guys.

Oh Japan, you have my heart.

6 days of Japan, over in an instant. 

Time always passes so fast when you're travelling - and in a flash, I'm back at reality, at work already. 

Let's work even harder, so as to earn another trip to Japan. 

皆さん、頑張ってね‼

(All pictures are from the iPhone.)

Day 1 from Narita Airport: waiting for the Toei Subway Line to take us to our hotel. 

We stayed at the Chisun Inn Asakusa this Tokyo trip - and both me & the boy thought it was a great hotel.

The rooms are small as per every other Japan hotel, but the location to nearby attractions and the train lines are really fantastic.

It was near 2 metro lines, near 2 convenience stores, and near Senso-Ji Shrine too! (All less than 10 minutes' walk away!)

Also, the housekeeping was quite immaculate in keeping each corner of the room clean. Staff are well-versed in English, and helpful, to boot! 

We booked our hotel & accomdation via Expedia.com.sg. 

We set off on Sunday evening, transited via Kuala Lumpur, and arrived in Narita Airport on Monday 07:40am.

For departure, we set off on Saturday 21:40pm, transited via KL again, and arrived in Singapore Sunday morning.

Flight and accommodation (including taxes) cost us 674 SGD each, via Malaysia Airlines. :)

Our hotel was right next to (and opposite, they had 2 buildings) the Bandai HQ. You can see the line of characters lining up the path of the building.

It was also a (less than) 10 minutes walk from Senso-Ji Shrine.

We spent Day 1 at Asakusa, exploring the streets and the shrine. Since we still had time before check-in, we set off to Akihabara, aka Electronic Land. Because I was too busy sweeping anime stuff, no pictures from the phone was taken lol.

Day 2 was spent at my absolute favorite place ever. Ever.

Tokyo DisneySea. Japan is the only place in the world to have a DisneySea. There's a Disneyland right beside, but that one has rides other Disneyland around the world has.

It's said that DisneySea is catered more towards adults because of the nature of the rides, and I found that true. More teens and couples are here as compared to families each time we went.

It's a very common to see groups of friends dressing up themselves in similar costumes to come here, too.

We went on a weekday, but it was still crazy crowded.

Beautiful scenery everywhere. I love it.

End of the day, we caught this amazing fireworks parade that was part of it's Halloween special (Not pictured, lol)

Harajuku & Shibuya was on the list the next day. Wanting a quiet start, we went to Meiji-Shrine.

Not long after we started shopping in Harajuku, it started pouring. Like reaaaally pouring.

Found a Rilakkuma-themed toilet in Kiddy Land too lol.

Odaiba the next day.

Venus Fort.

And of course, the obligatory Gundam shot.

Night scene at Odaiba.

We also went for Puripuka, the Japanese's version of a photo booth. Look at my amazing legs and eyes wtf.

Yokohama on Day 5, featuring the ferris wheel at Cosmo World.

Cosmo World is a free-to-enter theme park, but goes by a ride-to-ride ticketing basis. As we went to DisneySea for the rides already, we skipped this and went to..

The Cup Noodle Musuem. Yea, the boy & I had been here before - but the boy's cousin wanted to come, so we did.

Created our own cup noodles - you can choose the flavor, and the assortment of ingredients to be placed inside.

Me and the boy's completed noodles!

Also skipped this Yokohama Port Musuem that I really wanted to go because there was no time /sigh.

Last stop of Day 5 was the Hakkeijima Sea Paradise for the Aqua Resort.

The pictures on the website are really, really, misleading. They paint the aquariums as this really big, glorious place but all I saw was that the marine animals just look sad and too big for their small enclosures.
The enclosures also don't look very clean... . I don't know. I really wouldn't recommend this place for those who love marine life - maybe you'll be as sad as I was after I left, seeing the state of the tanks.

The Dolphin Fantasy in the resort was really ...  though. (I'm sorry, I can't find any words for it.) It featured a walk-through tunnel with maybe 4 dolphins, then a round tank featuring a really, really big Sunfish. .... That was it. (Lol)

Or maybe don't expect too much - expect nothing, maybe it's good enough for you.

Our last day was spent at Skytree Town. We first went to the Tokyo Skytree. How can you go to Tokyo and not go to an Observatory Deck right?

The view from Level 350. Every time I go to the Skytree, I feel like I'm seeing a live version of Google Maps.

Tons of Tokyo Bananas as souvenirs.

Mokona the bunny

The very first time before I held her in my arms, I didn't know rabbits could be so cuddly.
Prior to this, I've never owned a rabbit before. I've had hamsters, house mice, fishes and terrapins, but not bunnies.

When she is on my chest looking at me with those grey eyes, I feel like giving her all I have.
I guess it's an indication of how I'll be a mom next time wtf. (Read: Spoil my kids rotten)

We got her on the 1st of August (Just yesterday!) and I wanted to document things a bit, so here I am.
As usual, please go to my dayre for almost daily updates.

Ah, as I'm typing this Mokona (That's the name we decided to give her.. :) is giving me the puppy-eyed look cos she wants to come out and play..
I've put her back in her cage as my mom's back and I don't want her to run around with Mom's bigfoot squishing her lol.

Short intro about her: Mokona is a 3 month old pure-breed Netherlands Dwarf with grey eyes.
Some shots of her I managed to get today - she's still quite shy about her surroundings, being new here.
But I've seen her do a binky today, and it's the most adorable thing. (Apart from her licking me, that's cute too. And and her sniffing on my chest!! And... okay I'll stop rambling wtf.)

Her name is drawn from the anime, Tsubasa Chronicles. Google it if you're interested!

Mokona's quite the timid bunny - but then again I think all bunnies are timid, easily scared by large noises.

The first few days she was here, everytime I'd sit by her cage she would stop and look at me with these eyes, because she was still nervous about having me around.

Everytime she sees me open the top latch she gets ridiculously happy, bouncing around the cage. Bunnies need to be fed an unlimited amount of hay daily, for their nutrition needs, and for their teeth.

Hi babygirl! Sometimes she just sits there so obediently and lets me stroke and pet or take pictures of her. It's really adorable when she licks me, it's like she's saying, 'Continue the stroking, human!'

Pre-birthday

Just wanted to post these up before I forget about 'em. 

Today might be just a Friday to most of you: but it's a Friday I am feeling rather appreciative about. 

In the morning, the first thing that greeted me when I woke up was this from my bff.

I have to say: it made me feel appreciated. Even though we don't meet often, he's always been the consistent one who's been there for me.. And apparently vice versa. Throughout each other's shit, he's the one who calls me out on my bullshit, but still listens to me whine throughout it all.

And that's good enough. We may not meet up often, but everytime we meet it's like we never lost contact: we still chatter concessively. 

In the evening was a pre-birthday celebration with the girls. It was also Elyn's mummy's birthday (Yay to Cancerians!) and she insisted on footing the bill. A tad guilty about that though, we should be the ones doing that instead ._.

And as per our tradition.. Cake time. Elyn's phone camera angle makes me look skinnier than I am. Hahah.

This year, this birthday, I'm glad to realize some things. Quality, not the quantity.

The people around me, those whom I love, who love me back.

Simple things but they make me thankful. What are you thankful for today?

Post-Holiday Blues

I wonder if it's just me, or it's everyone else.

People go on holidays to recharge, don't they?
I come back from a holiday even more dreading to go back to work.

When I awoke today, it's like my eyes were silts, could barely open them.
Not sure if it's the 'good friend' visiting or if it's just the lethargic-ness doing its' thing.

As part of our annual #thecousinalliance travel plans: we headed to Hanoi, Vietnam this year.
On our way to the airport, the taxi uncle mentioned, 'Do not expect anything & it'll astound you.'

I'll tell you what astounded me first: the amount of motorcycles, and the pollution.
Being aboard, it makes you appreciate your own country more.

This trip was an amazing one, though. It's really the company that makes a trip worthwhile.
Makes me reminisce the Phuket trip last year with Chong and Greg - ah, those were the days.

I think I'm at the age now where I think family is the most important thing of all.
You can not bother about other things, but family - family are the ones who'll be there with you, regardless.. Till the end.

/updated July 3 with snippets from the iPhone, pardon the quality!

Almost 85% of the population have motorcycles in Hanoi. Roads are dangerous to cross, do not proceed if you do not have the nerves!

Sunset by the West Lake.

Walked nearly 2 hours to find this restaurant which was touted as the 'must-go' in Hanoi for delicious Pho.

Little Hanoi. Our guide took us here, knowing our family are big fans of  'Running Man'. 

It was filmed right here!We booked a tour guide from Hanoi Free Guides prior to our visit. 

 From their website: 

Hanoi Free Tour Guides is a social non-profit organization founded and run by a group of students and ex-students since January 2010

How much does it cost to use guide service?  Our guide services are totally free of charge. However, please be prepared to pay all the expenses of the guide during the tour, such as admission fees, restaurant meals, transportation fees, etc.

What languages do guides speak? Currently, we have English, Chinese, French, Russian, Korean and Japanese speaking guides.It is HFTGs' great effort to extend our services in more languages to serve more tourists from all places in the world. In the near future, we also provide services in other languages such as: German, Italian, Spanish,..

 Our guide was Huong Loan (In pink), who was a joy to be around with. We had asked for a chinese speaking guide due to our parents and Grandma who was with us, so they too could learn more about Hanoi. She had planned out a little intinerary, which, of course could be altered to how you want it to go. She was very patient with us, and with Grandma. Thank you Huong Loan for the wonderful day! Please look for us when you come to Singapore, we'll bring you around! ;)

On our last day, we went for a tour in Hoa Lu. Another place where Running Man was filmed! 

(I swear this trip is just to curb our Running Man fantasies. Hahaha.)

Regconise this pagoda!?

We were led onto a boat tour.. Where the rower rowed us with her legs wtf.

It was, albeit wonderful, the place where we got scammed into buying souvenirs and what not. 

Still, a good experience though. You get to see a scenic side of Vietnam, which you'll probably never see in Singapore.

 

And my favourite part.. Home. There's always a feeling I get when the plane reaches Singapore.. :)

On a side note, I wish the Blogger app would allow us to upload multiple photos at any one time! So irritating to upload one by one. Pfffft.

Mini Revamp

Gave the blog a mini revamp. I've been rather active on my Dayre account, so much that this space's been left untouched for some time.
Don't get me wrong, Dayre's pretty addictive in a way that it's easy to use & so much easier for on-the-go, but it won't ever win this blog.
Hell, this blog's been with me for almost 7 years now. All the memories & stupidity I once had, are all stored here, heh.

Will be flying off to Japan, then to Hong Kong in 7 days. I guess I'm really excited to be back in Japan again.
This few years I've really been blowing a lot on travelling, but I can't say I regret it.
In fact, it made me open my eyes to so much around me. If everyone has the chance, I'd recommend travelling to Japan: It's such a beautiful city with culture yet bursting with vibrance, really a combination of 2 worlds.
The best of technology, yet with underlying culture in between, experience it for yourself.
(HAHAHA I sound like an advertisment!)


Recently NTUC's been selling Korean strawberries & I have officially fallen for them, together with condensed milk. L O V E.
Doesn't the bowl of strawberries look gorgeous against my sheets? Heh. I love breakfast in bed! (Only with non-drippy food, though.)


The only thing I hate is strawberries not being able to last too long - had the whole box for breakfast this morning cos they were starting to start bad. :(
(Forgot I had them in the fridge - oops.)


One of my baby terrapins, who got bitten by the big one. We had to seperate him from the others, but he got bitten pretty bad: his neck swelled up from the bite. :(


He's always had such beautiful eyes though. Heal soon, baby boy!