Rather Miscellaneous

Ode to my kitchen

2012-01-29T17:23:00.002+09:00

"Do you fall in love often?" "Yes often. With a view, with a book, with a dog, a cat, with numbers, with friends, with complete strangers, with nothing at all." -Jeanette Winterson (British Novelist) Because really, how can you not! I fell in love with my new kitchen yesterday. So what if it doesn't have any electricity (yet), or even a fridge/stove or welcome mat (*adds Welcome Mat to

New Dashboard

2012-01-20T18:48:00.000+09:00

"A life spent making mistakes is not only more honourable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing." George Bernard Shaw So instead of scribbling down quotes/words/phrases etc I like on the inside cover of my books, on scraps of paper that end up on the fridge, walls or floor (>_<) ...or copy/pasting them onto my dashboard (computer, not car) I will just post them up on the blog. That

Moderate revelations

2012-01-19T12:11:00.000+09:00

I like words spoken or written by and at me or you I continue to learn their worth to be conscious of their feel, their reach, their bleed. their power. and to not be embarrassed and apologise for them. to know which to take with a bucket of salt, some with a red balloon throwing caution to the wind, but keeping sight of the (Savusavu) harbour. Ironic. and yet iconic. I might have caught a cold,

Full Circle

2011-10-09T11:40:00.002+09:00

So this rather miscellaneous blog was started as a way to plot random adventures (and mundane occurrences) during my stay in Japan. Now three years and one month later, I am back in Fiji. The adventures will continue though, of whatever nature they may be...so I will keep posting, hopefully a little more regularly! September was a bit of a whirlwind: First there was: a week up north in Tohoku

detours...is how I roll.

2011-08-21T02:05:00.000+09:00

Posting the same map again, if anyone noticed. Japan is probably the worst place to backpack 'my way' (without a proper plan) but I managed somehow anyway. So I did make it to Shikoku, but not through Wakayama, ended up going up to Okayama and then taking my first over-the-sea train to Takamatsu, spending a night at a manga (comic/internet) cafe and then taking a beautiful slow train down to

二ヶ月ぐらい...

2011-08-08T14:06:00.000+09:00

...is all I have left in this country, about 2 months. So trying to use up every minute to take in all that I can, sights, sounds, tastes, friends...sigh! Taking out two weeks to explore some places I haven't been to, the first stop is Kyoto and the rough itinerary is to go through Nara, Wakayama and ferry across to Tokushima then make my way down to the far end of Kochi. Lets see where the wind

Almost 4 in the morning...

2011-07-25T04:16:00.001+09:00

I just finished reading my first ever Murakami novel... after almost 3 years in Japan, and then the earth shook. Coincidence? no, just another tremor. >_< Oh Japan, how I look forward to embracing more of you for the next/last two months. NB: Norwegian Wood (Norway no Mori). In other news, the packing has begun, poignantly so. Yet excited about the next adventure too. The mamachari let go

Over-efficiency is creepy

2011-06-12T02:00:00.001+09:00

This freaked me out. Gmail is watching... (Although, I am super thankful for the ingeniousness, I sometimes do forget to attach the intended document to my email.)

A word or two on words

2011-06-09T22:38:00.012+09:00

“So avoid using the word ‘very’ because it’s lazy. A man is not very tired, he is exhausted. Don’t use very sad, use morose. Language was invented for one reason, boys - to woo women - and, in that endeavour, laziness will not do. It also won’t do in your essays.” - John Keating, Dead Poet’s Society Amen. A rich vocabulary is sexy. Sexier than a rich man. Communication, being my strength,

Quote Re-quote

2011-06-01T16:40:00.003+09:00

“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of false friends. To appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that even one life has breathed easier because

Phone pics backlog

2011-05-31T14:50:00.004+09:00

Realised I hadn't blogged in a while, so figured I should clear the backlog of pics on my phone. Two birds flock together and all that. (Yes, I like mixing sayings) My favourite one is: spilt milk under the bridge. I try to live my life as such so that I never have a need to use that. So pics: Tracked down this ramen place after reading a great review on http://www.goramen.com/ Kururi (

cultural after-shock

2011-04-17T17:09:00.005+09:00

Photo credit: P-kun for insisting I take a screen shot of the session. [warning: long read ahead] This week I got to be a guest-speaker in a Media Studies class for 1st year Masters students in Sweden...via Skype. It was a fun experience and they were willing to listen to me to talk for 1.5hours... how can I not like that?! The class was quite multicultural, the students are part of some

of bubbles and socks.

2011-04-16T21:09:00.004+09:00

I lost a bubble today, and now its gotten me all philosophical. Walking back home with Sci-ninja after Capoeira and a bubble floated infront of us, a strangely sturdy looking bubble, which Sci-ninja explained is one of those that don't pop easily. :O gasp! what! So my kaicolo self had to pick it, inspect it and decide that it was then, mine. I shall call him Bubble and he shall be mine and he

Home...

2011-03-08T21:39:00.002+09:00

nuff said. :)

that list...

2011-03-03T03:06:00.000+09:00

talk to Michael Cera. (outside my dreams) check. will upload scribble of an autograph ...(which was somewhat a stalling tactic so I could prolong our conversation)...tomorrow (and a bit dated, but also crossed off 'watch esperanza spalding live' off the list!!)

orange you happy to see me!

2011-01-20T11:43:00.000+09:00

Its the end of the semester so trying to juggle final presentations, assignments etc. Here's some birthday flowers. Orange must be in season, got them separately. Will post rest of overdue pics when I am done being studious.

Happy (belated) birthday to me

2011-01-12T02:59:00.002+09:00

Yes, 27 and none the wiser... and if anyone is actually ardently following my 'pic-a-day' update that is to happen every few days... the reason it hasn't happened in the last few days is because... as small as my apartment is.. i cannot find the cable that will allow me to download the pics from my camera to my laptop. there. I'm not lazy, only messy. But I do have nice snaps to share and

Fiji sighting!

2011-01-07T01:45:00.000+09:00

This whole 'pic-a-day' thing is turning out to be brilliant idea. I was early for my part-time teaching job today (Business English conversation to a bunch of people at a toilet manufacturing company). To kill time/feed appetite and escape the cold I stopped by Starbucks for a drink. Usually I would not admit to using Starbucks, and probably only ever do once in 3 months or so. And in very

Fight the fondling

2011-01-07T01:17:00.002+09:00

I've seen this sign around town a few times, no not the 'ladies toilet' one... the little warning next to it which basically reads: 'beware of gropers'. Yes, gropers (or chikan as they are known here). As safe as Japan is, this is one of those disturbing stories you hear of. Its especially common in packed trains during the morning commute when some men try to cop a feel. I've heard stories from

Sweeeeeeeing!

2011-01-05T01:07:00.000+09:00

I love swings. (and you can keep the swinging jokes to yourself. thanks.) I think it stems from reading 'The Swing in the Summerhouse' by Jane Langton as a child. It tells the story of a gazebo-like summerhouse with a swing that allows you to transport into alternate worlds as you jump off of the swing mid-flight. Each archway gives you a different adventure, and one is forbidden because of a

bane of my existence

2011-01-03T22:17:00.002+09:00

Why the photo of a remote control you ask? Well, so that I don't forget this piece of gadgetry from my current flat. So Japanese flats are small. Small would be an understatement, Japanese flats are tiny. But I have grown to love mine. I mean yeah, ok...I do bump my head on the tube-light in my loft now and then, and I have gotten used to showering standing sideways so I don't hit the wall and

Worlds apart across the street.

2011-01-03T01:58:00.000+09:00

Ventured out today for a walk in the (cold) sunshine and to take in the quiet hustle of shrine-goers. There was still a line outside the neighbourhood shrine, this time I climbed the steps and browsed the colourful stalls and even rubbed Buddha's belly (and feet and forehead because we weren't quite sure which was for what kind of luck) And then braved the crowds back out. Decided to drop in on

あけおめ!!1.1.11

2011-01-02T00:05:00.003+09:00

Yay! here we go... another year to love, laugh and live...to make and break resolutions, and have a kick-arse time! Speaking of resolutions, I have somewhat of a project planned that I will try to follow through...and that too on a daily basis. (no promises!) Having acquired more of a resident status after living here for more than 2 years, I have become less of a tourist. Which is both good

Coconut on Ice

2010-12-29T00:27:00.003+09:00

No, for once I'm not talking about food. Today I tried to skate. on ice. It wasn't the first time, that was about almost exactly a year ago when Rette visited. Lets just call it a disaster and leave it at that. To call that one an attempt would be an understatement, clinging to the sides of the rink is not an attempt. Especially when you look behind and realise you are holding up a line of 6-7

Penne, Jello Shots, Farofa and Joulupukki

2010-12-28T01:23:00.003+09:00

Santas climbing the wall at newspaper delivery place next to my apartment building By the title of this post you can tell that it was an ...er...interesting (and culturally mishmashed) Christmas. Eve of Christmas-eve was spent baptizing the new Scrabble (pressie to myself!) while helping my newly-found neighbours (acquaintances from old dorm who I recently discovered living 5minutes away and

Toast for/to Christmas...

2010-12-28T01:18:00.002+09:00

I had toast for Christmas brunch. Alone, in my cold apartment. (yeah ok, so the heater did rev up later but I'm trying to be a dramatic here ok).And then I found this toast.Thought the symbolism was very appropriate. Apparently its from a Grey Goose (Vodka) ad. Alcohol does set things right!A toast To nearest To dearest To the crew To cahoots To the ones who’ve been there To the ones who’ll be

year end panic cartwheels

2010-12-09T16:49:00.000+09:00

Yikes! I haven't posted anything in 2months. So here's what happened. About a month ago I realised, in somewhat of a panic, that the year was coming to an end. Panic! because I had slowed down in crossing things off my: 'Things I would love to do while I can still do things' list. (item #5: find a shorter name for this list) *for more information on list, scroll to the end of the post* Item #

Journey to Japan's Kitchen... (the last bit)

2010-10-16T02:07:00.000+09:00

The final supper in Osaka was had at the backpacker hostel I was staying at. The place was run by two very cool Japanese guys and they had organised a cook-up for guests. I was too busy mingling to take pics. After dinner and drinks I finally left for my bus rendezvous point about a 15min walk away. I arrived early. So that gave me just enough time to sneak around the corner and have another

Journey to Japan's Kitchen... a detour next door

2010-10-12T22:35:00.001+09:00

You thought I was done? You obviously underestimate my ...appetite :) While in Osaka I took the train up to Kobe. The plan, initally, was to give hitchhiking a try. Japan is one of the safest countries in the world and I figured this would be the only time I could. But then, it rained. Kobe presented me with an even friendlier breed of people, the further you go from Tokyo the bigger the hearts

Journey to Japan's Kitchen... (Part 3)

2010-10-12T22:21:00.000+09:00

takoyaki/yakisoba/okonomiyaki mix plate from some random food street in Osaka Menu at kushiyaki (fried skewered stuff) place in Shinsekai, Osaka Hanging menu tablets and this is the..kushiyaki!

Journey to Japan's kitchen... (Part 2)

2010-10-05T01:29:00.000+09:00

Takoyaki (Fried Octopus) Location: くくる (Kukuru) Dotonbori, Osaka Japan.A street of food, bright lights and beautiful chaos.

Journey to Japan's kitchen... (Part 1)

2010-10-03T21:36:00.006+09:00

...and from the kitchen to my stomach. First stop: Snack Park in the basement of Hanshin Department Store in Umeda, Osaka. (great find via Wiki-travel, was a food court serving different Osakan specialities...which were dericious and cheap!)

...like dog food?

2010-10-03T21:19:00.000+09:00

Taken in Tokyo yesterday.

EAT, pray, love

2010-09-20T16:00:00.000+09:00

I have been to the movies all of three times during my 2 years in Japan, the third of which was this weekend. The first two movies were randoms a year ago, one an old Japanese comedy at a film festival and another about a band called the Boredoms. Saturday was the first time I went to see a proper Hollywood release...Julia Roberts in what I thought was not her best performance. I had also read

In all honesty it was beginners luck...

2010-09-17T20:21:00.000+09:00

How could I not put this up! Backstory: My friends and I met for a few (too many) drinks one night, and had to change location when the bar closed. So we went to another bar. In it, there was a dart board. So naturally, we had to play. I had the first try. and there it is. after this ofcourse, my darts barely even touched the board >_<

Eats

2010-09-17T20:12:00.000+09:00

Pics from random eats. Onigiri set from a new onigiri place next to uni Squidward sauced and sliced!

skinny face moral values

2010-09-17T20:02:00.001+09:00

Excuse me while I put up more random pics I found on my phone.

My sentiments exactly!

2010-09-17T19:55:00.001+09:00

taken in the toilets of a dorm near my university. FYI, I haven't started using the boys toilets (yet)..a friend took my phone in and snapped the pic.

Flippy Floppies

2010-09-10T15:20:00.001+09:00

So like most women, if not all, I also love shoes. But while the general market usually veers towards heels and boots etc, my heart stops at flat (and mostly open) shoes: sandals, strappy shoes, crocs and ...yes, flipflops (jandals, thongs or whatever else you call them) I don't do heels. Period. I have worn a pair probably once or twice in my life to humour people and in the end it only further

Bubbles, bubbles, bubbles!

2010-08-20T00:44:00.004+09:00

So I love bubbles. I love blowing bubbles, watching bubbles, popping bubbles and I love dancing around them as they float away in the air. (and yes, you can get your mind out of the gutter...bubbles is not codeword for anything) Bubbles automatically make me smile, just like that. Perhaps there are people who don't like bubbles, I hate to burst their bubble but i reckon if they can't see the joy

Eye see you!

2010-07-06T15:12:00.003+09:00

Had my first visit to a doctor in Japan today. Felt proud for being able to have avoided it for the close to 2 years that I have been here. Was going to save you the gory details but heck! why not?! I have a small lump on my lower right eyelid. In-fact, have had it there for almost 3 months now. There was a hint of a growth when I was back home in...March? Prolly why I always looked sleepy..or

Sweat, rain and phlegm.

2010-07-04T18:45:00.002+09:00

My appetite is back! After a week of being down and out with a nasty cold, I finally feel hungry. Just now, my stomach grumbled a bit. Waiting on Thunder (American-who-forgot-it-was-July-4th-today) to go celebrate 4th of July by having some random American food nearby. (Yes, most prolly burgers and fries.) My sense of smell hasn't returned though, but I'm still happy. At least the cold has bid

...and then!

2010-06-29T22:45:00.001+09:00

(borrowed from the internets)Am at home sipping on garlic tea waiting for Japan to take on Paraguay (in the World Cup, for those of you who live under a rock). Never thought garlic tea would actually be so...palatable. And no, I don't intend to kill vampires with my breath, just trying to get rid of a very icky sore-throat. errrgh! All the soccer viewing is taking its toll on me. Have had to miss

And the bus drivers are usually stoned.

2010-06-09T22:30:00.001+09:00

Got out of Tokyo for a day about a week ago. The trip was organised by JICA and they put a bunch of us foreigners from Tokyo on a bus to Nagano (which is the inner mountainous area on this island). We were to spend the day with JICA Volunteers soon to be sent off to their respective host countries. Was nice getting away from the lights and concrete and driving into the green (still slightly

Friday night traditions

2010-06-09T21:43:00.002+09:00

Haven't updated in way too long, so will try to do a rough track back...starting with culinary pleasures!! The last two months or so have been centred around food more than usual. Fridays are now reserved for dinner with Thunder, (who sometimes brings his girlfriend) and Bright Eyes. Thunder lives upstairs in my building and Bright Eyes lives 10minutes away on the bike. Met both during my

Burp!

2010-05-14T17:39:00.003+09:00

Wandered into a cheap little Korean eatery near my university this arvo. This was my lunch. Ordered a Korean teishoku (set meal) Kimchi and tofu goodness, along with nori, bean sprouts etc etc. I love food.

You may say that I'm a dreamer...

2010-05-14T11:56:00.000+09:00

I shouldn't sleep-in so much. This morning I dreamt that it was the 11th of November. And I was overjoyed beyond belief. I had figured out that the date was 11.11.11 (yes, I am very easily amused in my dreams too) Then I woke up. And it was the 14th of May. And we're still in the year 2010. just a tad bit disappointing. (I also dreamt that I was back in Fiji for a week for some freelance

Gah!

2010-05-11T15:16:00.000+09:00

Need to do an internship in the summer Wrote my third email of enquiry this week. Read it over. Re-phrased some ambiguous bits. Read it over again. No typos. Smile. this looks good! Re-read one last time. Press send Smile /facepalm (irl) SHYTE!!!! Before signing off, email read 'My resume is attached for your reference' I...forgot to attach the resume. >_< Don't you just love it when that

Kodomo no hi

2010-05-06T00:30:00.002+09:00

My arms are growing heavier and my fingers are slowing down as I type this. I dread the climb up the ladder to the loft but look forward to the crawl onto my futon. Spent an entire arvo playing Twister, hide&seek, tag and hula hoops (in that order, with random water-pistol matches thrown in). The rest of the crew consisted of two 4yr olds and one 7yr old. (with two other 1.5yr olds sprawling

Crawl right back under your rock please.

2010-05-02T12:03:00.013+09:00

So had become a bit of a homebody recently, not that there's (too much) wrong with it :P The cold weather coupled with a touch (more like big dent) of brokedness and a long list of downloaded 'must-sees' make home so much better an option. But its Golden Week now and Spring is finally here, the sun is shining, and the allowance is in! The last two days has mainly been made up of me and my

claim your birthright...

2010-05-01T11:28:00.001+09:00

I've continued to recognize the power individuals have to change virtually anything and everything in their lives in an instant. I've learned that the resources we need to turn our dreams into reality are within us, merely waiting for the day when we decide to wake up and claim our birthright. - Anthony Robbins

Might need sunglasses for this one.

2010-04-23T21:05:00.002+09:00

Just saw this saved in the drafts, was taken either earlier this year or late last. Annette and I were walking about checking out food stalls at the university during Waseda Sai which is pretty much like the USP Open Day back home, food, performances, clubs recruiting newbies etc etc. This was on the t-shirt of one of them recruiting clubs, never got a chance to ask what the club actually

独身のうちに。。。

2010-04-23T12:06:00.001+09:00

Just finished some Japanese bunpo (grammar) homework for today's class. The homework involves completing sentences using the grammar rules that were learnt in the last lesson. I spend more time than necessary on these as I always end up trying to come up with more creative (or ridiculous) answers than just illustrating that i get how the grammar works. Homework is so much more fun this way! In

uʍop ǝpısdn ƃuıɥʇ ǝןoɥʍ ǝɥʇ uɹnʇ ɐuuɐʍ ı

2010-04-18T23:45:00.004+09:00

I spent too much time infront of my laptop this entire week.Watching movies, browsing the internetz, music, some more movies, gtalk, movies, music, twitter, fb, movies, gtalk...you get the idea.(Although, I was very proud indeed of sending the 'Hero' vid to the peeps back home, wish i were there to see their reactions in person!)but so anyway, as a result of all this din-maroing... ˙uʍop ǝpısdn

le woof!

2010-04-16T23:42:00.005+09:00

I got a new dog today!!!! :) well, technically a new 'i-Dog'...but whats with the technicalities yeah?I even walked out in the rain, in the freezing cold, to save him from the clutches of macdonalization, while giving into it myself >_< (yes, I bought a ハッピー　セット aka haapi seto ...or otherwise known as a happymeal from Maccers.)So my new Quicksilver/Mc's i-Dog (brand-bashing much?) barks. Like,

getting nosey about nose

2010-04-14T23:46:00.009+09:00

One of my several part-time jobs here in Tokyo is teaching a bunch of 6-8yr olds English three times a month. Its less teaching and more playtime actually. There is some revision of the alphabet and colours etc. then songs, games, games, some counting, more games and usually several cups of coffee beforehand to keep me going. The children are absolutely adorable, and 90minutes is enough to ensure

(line of the moment)

2010-04-13T01:18:00.003+09:00

"You're a parenthesis."Yes, I watched Up in the Air. (while I was up in the air actually, somewhere between Korea and Japan on the way back home, from home.)(and yes, because of this dual home thing, my life was beginning to feel like a parenthesis...but, its out of the brackets now. Also, I am sure there's a limit to how much one CAN actually write within said parenthesis.)

throwing caution to the (cold) wind

2010-04-13T00:59:00.004+09:00

Have been quite unlike my usual cheery self (*shock* *horror*) ...everything in moderation i guess.but after hitting the proverbial bottom (which wasn't so much a bottom really, just bouts of tiny dips in the ocean of crankiness)...i am back with renewed vigor and enthusiasm! let me at 'em!also, drawing from a nice read on Sir Mraz' Rant (yes, some crushes last a lifetime)Everything is perfect.

read the sign on MY head.

2010-04-08T23:56:00.003+09:00

Yes, as you may or may not have noticed from the last few posts, I am in a stellar mood. And when I usually am in sucha stellar mood,I immensely enjoy reveling in the sounds of Ludo's Love Me DeadIts a work of art.Fill my soul with vomitThen ask me for a piece of gum. Bitter and dumb, you're my sugarplumyou're awful, I love you...and the other favourite line ofcourse:You're a parasitic, psycho,

Snippety snip...snap!

2010-04-08T23:43:00.004+09:00

That's the sound of necks breaking.or at least... it could have been.So I finish the class with the humiliating self-introduction and am getting ready to leave, saying hellos to some friends from the last semester when two of the newbies in the MA Programme walk by. *giggle, giggle, giggle* Where are you from?!! *giggle giggle giggle*er, (point to myself) me? girls nod head in midst of more

Feeling slightly inadequate.

2010-04-08T22:35:00.004+09:00

Its orientation/guidance/class shopping week so have just been floating about from classroom to classroom trying to decide on what to take and what to avoid. This year I am back on the Japanese learning bullet train of a bandwagon, so have to do two sets of class shopping; one for the Japanese Language classes and another for my Grad School classes. After having done this for a year and a

eh?

2010-04-08T22:10:00.003+09:00

back in Tokyo and feeling quite bleh. I blame the cold....and the lack of warmth.

back home alright

2010-03-15T07:19:00.002+09:00

So have been enjoying catching up with friends,food and family back home. So so very good to be back, sometimes it feels like I never even left (and makes me wonder why I would want to leave again!)Also nice to be back in the company of the people I love, who, I have realised, are the reason I am able to survive Tokyo minus the depression. And going back to wonderful welcome backs...what would an

In memory of a past new beginning.

2010-03-15T06:59:00.001+09:00

There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. That will be the beginning. - Louis L'Amour

Fiji, food and looking forward.

2010-02-16T23:53:00.003+09:00

So I am going home next month. And thats the only thing that I can think of these days. :)That's what happens when you stay away from home for 18months. Its been too bloody long. And as much as I am looking forward to seeing all my friends, my parents, the family dogs, places, people etc, one thing that I am also really really looking forward to is the...food. :) Perhaps I will do a food diary

"We are the world" revamp.

2010-02-13T15:23:00.003+09:00

This is powerful stuff.The last one came out when I was just a year old and so I grew up listening to that and to the artists that collaborated on it...and yet its still as moving to see the remake, with people who have had more influence recently, teaming up with the pioneers from the last one (MJ's bits are video clips...r.i.p). Heart out to Haiti, and the rest of the world in peril.We are the

Holy platform cow! (train station sightings 2)

2010-02-08T18:03:00.001+09:00

(spotted while waiting for train back to Delhi from Agra...cow was a tad bit pissed off at 4 hour train delay!)

rly? (train station sightings 1)

2010-02-08T17:58:00.004+09:00

I told you its a FAN...(spotted at train station on the way from Delhi to Agra)

Back and forth

2010-01-10T09:57:00.002+09:00

As in back from India (more on that later)and going forth with the lovely pile of assignments I have waiting for me, all due one after another. Joy.So its the new year too...for the entire globe and for me age wise as well. yay...26!...almost slept through the entire day after spending the previous 24hours either on a delayed flight on the runway or in an airport. Getting to sleep peacefully on

pre-flight jitters.

2009-12-16T20:11:00.005+09:00

Tokyo to Delhi Ticket - check.Visa to enter India - check.Reading material - check.Excited to see parents after 1 and a 1/4 years - checkTrain ride beginning 5.15am to catch 9am flight - groan.Delhi-bound in 6 days...and counting.Nervous! Excited!Nervously excited!!

No Better Way...

2009-12-11T09:36:00.008+09:00

...to beat the blues than by venturing out to a sunny park filled with Sumo wrestlers making mochi (pounded rice paste).Was suffering from lack of sunshine having spent too much time indoors (having classes in the afternoon means its already dark when I leave my house). So got off my arse and walked out to the university garden/park space where they had a bunch of sumo san pounding mochi. I had

How do I title this?

2009-12-10T23:31:00.004+09:00

Perhaps "awesomely cute awesomeness of this awesomely cute kid playing one of my awesomest favourite songs" would have been too long?oh, and while you are there...check out the other stuff he's done...ah! cute! :)

The Loft Chronicles

2009-12-10T16:22:00.005+09:00

Slowly adding little tidbits to the not-so-new-anymore flat. Got a metal-shelf thing so I could stack up my few knicknacks, hang jewellery from etc and it also made the perfect thing to drape my colourful Cambodian lights over (compliments of Neto who went over there for a week)Thoroughly enjoying my little spot of cosy :)

Equal wavelengths at 7 and 3

2009-12-10T16:14:00.005+09:00

Sarika san, please come and play together with us again. Signed, N and little sis U.This is from my two darling little playmates that I visit every other Sunday. The elder one wrote the note and sent it through his mum who is in a community class at my old dorm where some of us volunteered. This is the same boy who drew the train for me a few months back. Yes, I am still in love :)

But then again I don't remember you...

2009-11-18T16:43:00.002+09:00

Stay hurtable. Stay human. Stay open. It's always worth it. Tripping all over and out on John Mayer today. Found out about his new album 'Battle Studies' by chance, chance because I have recently become 'last-to-know' as far as new music is concerned. So yeah, sweet sweet chance. Who says I can't get stonedPlan a trip to Japan aloneDoesn't matter if I even goWho says I can't get stonedIt's been a

Traditional vs the not.

2009-11-07T22:04:00.008+09:00

My university is having its annual festival this weekend, always a big affair which students (mainly younger undergrads) organise painstakingly for months. A lot of preparation goes into the smallest details from the signs at the gates, to the dancing, the food stalls, etc etc. Last year's experience was quite shocking as I could hardly breathe,let alone move, because of the crowds.This time

Brain.cannot.process.

2009-11-07T22:02:00.002+09:00

The new abode

2009-11-07T21:27:00.006+09:00

So I changed address for the 13th time in my 25 year life by moving into a loft last month! (As a civil servant Dad got a lot of transfers and the family always moved with him...the habit kind stuck when I grew up and moved out of home :P )Slowly trying to turn the new place into a home and so far have been able to outfit it with a futon,a used fridge and a clothes rail. The absence of cupboards/

Bye Bye Room A501

2009-10-09T10:02:00.006+09:00

Moving across the first batch of stuff to the new flat today.Realised how attached I had become to my room when I started packing it up. Will miss my wall!Yes, the new place has walls too...but am not allowed to poke toothpicks into it >< Will also miss the 5th floor view. But taking all the fond (fond fond fond) memories across with me.Pics of the new place later. Picked up keys yesterday after

Homeward bound...no more

2009-10-02T00:22:00.002+09:00

So the decision to move out...if executed (if the xenophobes don't take over)...will mean...that I probably can't go home for the holidays next Feb as planned.:-/C'est la vieShoganai

I am a foreigner. Foreigners are evil. Therefore I am evil too. Apparently.

2009-10-01T23:48:00.004+09:00

The summer holidays are definitely over. Classes hath begun. Brain is too exhausted from the week (which isn't even over yet!)Too many possibly life-altering decisions to make this week...and I thought choosing what classes to take this semester was tough!have (sort of) made a decision to move out of the dorm I currently live in...because thoroughly exhausted by the >1hr commute every day. And

Self-idulgence

2009-09-18T09:23:00.006+09:00

Putting everything else in life on pause this week and enjoying the pleasures of sweet serendipity.A Polish in transit.And boundless 'me time' filled with naps, reading, several must-sees crossed off the list, walks, bike rides, swims and bubble tea.Grateful for having the luxury to do so.Life will resume as normal tomorrow.And yet this anomaly seems so much more appropriate. Yes. I am

Northbound

2009-09-04T12:20:00.003+09:00

Leaving for Hokkaido in an hour. 3 hours train ride to the Port in Oarai. Overnight ferry to Tomakomai = 19hours. Shuffle charged and 3 books on standby. Another 1 hour train ride to the Northern capital Sapporo and an overnight bus up East and I will finally reach my WWOOF Host! Can't wait to get out of Tokyo!!! Also, got an Atlas as omiyage for my Host so I can show them EXACTLY where

I cannot think of a title for this post...

2009-09-03T08:23:00.003+09:00

I just realised that I sometimes spend more time thinking of a bloomin title for my post, than writing up the post itself. >< So its supposedly autumn...but the cicadas outside my window are still at their orchestra...so not quite yet then.The first of this month was also the anniversary of my ONE YEAR (!!!!) away from home...and oh! what a year it has been! Here I thank the kindness of strangers

Au gust of wind...please

2009-08-19T22:45:00.002+09:00

WARNING: Due to the long absence, this post is...as long as the absence.Sayonara...mata ne:1st - Ears left for Spain and Max left for an internship in Cambodia a few days earlier, both to return in a month and 3 months respectively, Tokyo without my two confidantes/tour-guides/translators/rock/sanity hubs will be interesting indeed.Several good friends who began their Japan adventure with me left

Nostalgic much?

2009-07-30T17:42:00.007+09:00

Artist: AlbieGot this off a third party today...was quite serendipitous indeed! (Thanks Alberto for not sending me a copy too!!) Have the actual card pasted on the wall in front of me. Virtual hugs and kisses to all of you.(n.b. guitars are missing and Ronna is wearing a kind of...pink. /gasp...glad you changed it to black in the final one.)

楽しみ!!!

2009-07-21T02:49:00.003+09:00

Looking forward to:- Solar eclipse on Wednesday (that is also supposed to spark major disasters, one in the form of a tsunami created by some tectonic shifts south of Japan...we shall see.)- WHIP IT...Ellen Page is back in the house people.- a possible trip to the beach on Saturday...helloooo Summer!!!- end of this semester...guilt-free leisure time ("guilt-free" being the operative word as I bum

R.i.P

2009-07-20T16:14:00.005+09:00

...Frank McCourt.Can still remember when I read Angela's Ashes as a teen...and then scored 'Tis really cheap at a garage sale. By far, probably, the most depressing literature I had read as a kid...Angela's Ashes is after all referred to as the "epic of woe". But I remember that reading 'Tis kinda put things into perspective, thankfully. Would be nice to have my copies with me here to have a look

Flattered...more than ever.

2009-07-19T00:40:00.003+09:00

Had the most delightful evening.Slaved over BBQ prep with Ilaria from Itaria (Italy in Japanese) for this 'Chikyuu Circle' thingo we have going at the dorm where the foreign students have a sort of conversation class with a bunch of Japanese people from the neighbourhood every Sunday where we discuss topics ranging from ODA to mixed marriages.Anyway, finally got down to the mingling, drinking,

tis official!

2009-07-09T17:25:00.003+09:00

As of next semester, I will be a 1st year Master's student at the Waseda University Journalism School.And so it begins...!!!!!!!!!!

Home Run

2009-07-06T11:45:00.002+09:00

Lying down on the damp grass... in the middle of an empty baseball field...in Tokyo...at night ...and looking up at sky, is one of the most liberating experiences I have had in this country. And I wasn't even drunk or stoned.That sense of euphoria no drug can induceI also never realized exactly HOW claustrophobic this concrete jungle makes one feel...until I walked into (read: sneaked into) the

I have a secret...

2009-07-05T23:12:00.002+09:00

"There are two kinds of secrets: those we keep from others, and the ones we hide from ourselves." Frank Warren, PostSecretI will eternally be grateful to Kaos for introducing this site to me.Initially when I started reading it I thought it was masochistic to follow because every Sunday (or Monday when I would go back to work after the weekend) I would wait for the site to be updated, read

Geographically Challenged. Part 2 (Episode 1054)

2009-07-05T11:53:00.003+09:00

SO apparently there is never any assurance of what may or may not be asked at a Master's Entrance interview.These questions will definitely be asked:Why do you want to study at blahblahblah university/faculty?What is your Master's research plan?What do you plan to do after completing said Master's course?And, as I found out, there is also a possibility of THESE questions being asked:I don't know

Ribbit...omg I'm going to die...ribbit

2009-07-04T08:46:00.003+09:00

Had a near-death experience involving me and a toad yesterday. Ko-chan, his knee and I were taking a walk through Tokyo's "Govt Offices" district (I'm sure there is a more official term for it, I just can't remember it right now) and walking through a park that borders the Imperial palace grounds (but is separated by a huge fort like thing and a great volume of water lest someone try to cross

Nervous Anticipation

2009-06-24T20:50:00.003+09:00

Thursday 25th June= 1 Presentation for International Relations class1 Kanji Test and several sheets of (pending) homework1 Announcement on whether I made it into the Master's Programme><

splish! splash! splosh!

2009-06-22T15:18:00.004+09:00

The rainy season hath begun in Tokyo and I am hereby embracing it! :)Over the course of the last two weeks I have discovered that I absolutely love riding my bike back home in the rain!!! Its like a speedy rain bath where you are not outside long enough to get hypothermia (well actually its quite humid so very little chance of that happening!) or get mud splattered all over the back of your legs/

Restless...

2009-06-21T17:00:00.003+09:00

Have a foreboding sense of restlessness hovering over me for the last few days. Haven't touched the pile of homework, dirty laundry or clothes that need ironing...I will get to it...in due time. sigh.I did manage to fish out the reading for next week's grad school class...where I have a presentation...it now sits on my bed waiting to be read. Soon. soon.Last week I had my arbaito (part time job)

Sidewalk wonders

2009-06-12T22:12:00.008+09:00

On the way home today I stopped to watch a guy performing right outside Shinjuku station exit. I am always amazed by the raw talent in this country, and the enthusiasm they perform with. Several stations have similar sights with random artists setting up and performing on the sidewalk. Yay! for music, its appreciation and these awesome performers! there's some hiss in the vid and I DID

Sound of Music

2009-06-12T21:54:00.003+09:00

Made a trip to the electronic store Bic Camera today to pick up some pending items on the 'luxurious necessities' list. 1. Electric Kettle2. EarphonesThe earphones especially were much needed as the ones I currently have are indeed a disgrace to music, but having gotten used to their inferior quality, I had forgotten what I was missing out on. But after having browsed the shelves for several

Elementary, My dear Watson.

2009-05-23T16:39:00.002+09:00

Just saw preview for upcoming Sherlock Holmes movie! Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law and Sherlock Holmes, can you think of a more alluring mix?!