5th Japan Trip 2007 - #3

15th Dec 07: Today is Hoshi Gumi last day of performance at Takarazuka Theater for Elcon show. We called it as Senshuryaku. Usually stars whom going to leave Takarazuka will have their last performance this day. XM & I went around 9 plus hoping to catch some stars stars. N as per 2004 & 2006, I'd joined the waiting queue to see Aran. I couldnt escape coz the committee members recongized me. Haha.. Soon many stars started to come in. Then came Aran. Shes pretty!!!! But abit skinny. So eat fatter pls...
Hahahaha... ok ok. Then XM & I proceed to the next place, Salon de Taka. This is a different one from the day before.
We are going to get the real makeup and costumes to take our pix, jus like Taka stars.. First, picked the character that we want. Next, the staffs helped us with the makeup. Its so thick! It took bot 20 mins to get it done. These 2 are our makeup artist. They then dressed us up and took photo of us.
I wanted Elizabeth(the costume very heavy! Theres 3 layers tied to my waist leh!) and how could I not have Top star feathers(this is heavy too with the feathers..). XM had the Oscar(her favorite) and the Top lady feather. Ok, here u go, dont laugh, even if u must, dont laugh too loud..Upon seeing the photo, my mum & sis said, "its NOT u!!" My dad said, "Look strange" . T_T
Next time I want to try Andre and Todd. Hahahaha!!!! Next time...
I saw some huge posters outside and of coz, must take photo...
Lunch at Takarazuka was udon for XM(she missed the Udon here) and Ramen for me!

After lunch, its about 3pm. We went around taking photos again.
I'd always liked this city coz its quiet and peaceful. You dont get the crowd rushing everywhr. N the scenery, super beautiful.

I wanted to try the dessert at Takarazuka. We stepped into the cafe and ordered an ice cream each. XM had hot Yuzu tea and Green tea latte for me.
I just loved green tea with milk especially in Japan. Its not too sweet and the green tea taste is strong enough for me. Oops, the cafe is closing!!! N we didnt know. But the staffs were kind not to kick us out. But we hurriedly, ate n left!! The sceneries from the cafe were jus as pretty. Its facing a huge canal and u could see the theater's structure from here.
Since its the last day of the show, many fans will turn up at the Demachi.
At first around 4.30, we r bot to head back to hotel tiking that Demachi shld had been over and we had missed it.
But as we were stepping out of the gate, we saw fans from the fan clubs were still hanging ard. XM said go check it out.
So we went, n yeahhh the Demachi not over.. I didnt joined in the squatting queue till I saw lots of ppl running towards our direction,
I hurried joined in fearing that i will be at very very far back not able to see clearly.. Hahaha!!! I got into 3rd row!! yeah yeah yeah.. But also pain pain pain.
Sometimes, we squat for like 20 mins w/o standing up. N my dad find it silly.. Hahaha
Everyone around me is complaining leg cramp. But wat to do.. Silly fans like us got no choice la..
Hahahaha... For ppl retiring from Taka, they will wear their Taka"uniform", carried the flowers and leave the place in honor. And Sky stage crew will be doing the shooting for broadcasting later on the TV. Aran's fans cant bear to see them off. Alot of them around me were crying. BTW, theres alot more male fans now then the last time. Im quite surprised by it.
If Top star is retiring, there will be lots of reporters from other broadcasting company too.
For other stars that are not retiring, they will meet the fans with their own clothes. This is Asuka san. Shes so pretty and sunny!!! I liked her alot and Im glad shes Aran's partner. They are so cute together on stage. There r lots n lots more photo which XM took. Me? I couldnt.. I was squatting there. Leg pain la...
Then Aran came out. We were told to tell her(translated-meaning bot there) "Congrats on the success of the show. We liked your role alot(she laughed when she heard it coz her role is a bad person). It had been hard work for you. "
What I liked bot Hoshi gumi is, each fan club of different stars are very supportive and cooperative with each other. Whenever some stars going home, everyone will clapped. For this day, there are about 1K(estimate la) ppl seeing and sending the stars off. Its my first time seeing so many ppl around. Though not all belonged to the fan clubs but they were busy taking photos.. Haha..

PS: Theres various reason of squatting,1 of them is to let ppl at the back able to see the stars too. Quite thoughtful actually(though leg cramppp)

5th Japan Trip 2007 - #2

14th Dec 07 - Off to Takarazuka City to the theater to watch Aran's show EL Halcon. This is a Manga, heres the story: http://kageki.hankyu.co.jp/english/tt_stage.html
I dont know if Im allow to the the photo of the stage b4 start of the show, so I quietly took with my phone. Its a eagle with blue background.
Sayuri met us to watch the show. XM n I were at row 9, corner!!! and Sayuri at row 10 in the middle!!!! We were so excited! Its the first time we got the front seats! Its so clear!!!! We could see them coming on the stage n going in.. They were right at our side performing!!!!! FAINTZZ!!!
The show, really really good!!! There wasnt a moment of boredom. XM said, eyes so busy looking around!!! Aran kei is there right in front of me performing!!!! Sighhhzzz so nice!!!!!
Soon break time, we rushed out to the ladies before taking photos around. We kept talking about the show. Sayuri said its interesting and sitting in front!!! She could see clearly! So could we!!! Next is the Revue. Its very funny especially Aran and Asuka came on as an old couple.. ok ok.. fast fwd... After the show.. We went to Salon de Takarazuka to see the props they had for the previous Hoshi gumi show.. They allow us to try on the Oscar's Sword, the carriage that Andre ride on to meet Oscar in the last scene, and of coz, the feather that the young stars wore during the grand finale. Cool right!!!!!




I went on to more shopping for Takarazuka goods, before we went back to Osaka Station to have dinner.. Sayuri and I had Curry Cheese Rice and Xiaomei had Veggie Curry rice.. Its nice, a bit spicy and of coz, the cheese made the dish special..




After dinner, we went to take Ferris Wheel. This is something which I wanted to try since the 1st time I came to Japan. Though XM had fear for height but she agreed to take the ride and Sayuri joined us!! Yeah!!!
Though its about 8pm, but Sayuri had to take train back home. Its quite a long journey back for her, so we shooed her home.. :P
XM n I went to Dontonburi to have a look at the nightlife there. A good looking guy stopped us and ask if we want to go to club(those men service ladies night club), I spoke to him in chinese saying I dont know what he said.. HAHAHA!! XM cant stop laughing. We shopped for more cosmetics.. Bought more snacks, famous Takoyaki which sometime take at least 1 hr to queue, but since they are closing, it took me 10mins only!!! We head back to hotel and watched Sky Stage!! Hahaha

5th Japan Trip 2007 - #1

1st in 2000, 2nd/3rd in 2004, 4th in 2006 and now, 2007, is my 5th trip to Japan.
I had been thinking bot it since early '07 to watch Aran's Show. My plan was to go Osaka for just 4 days to watch show and return. Then I thought, well, why not Kyoto and kobe for another 3 days.. Then my parents said they would want to go Hokkaido and if I wan to follow.. Well, y not.. Then became 15 days.. Then suddenly, my sis want to go too and request for Tokyo. so it became 18 days.. Then my dad said, since we are there y not 2 more days for Mt Fuji.. So end up, 20 days in Japan! Hahahahaha!!! Amazingly right!! From 7 days to 20 days!
Well I told XM my plan in July and asked her if shes keen.... She said she had to try to ask her boss for her leave as its a bit tough in getting especially its for such a long break.. I gave my in July and my boss approved!! Haha.. Maybe he knew I was overworked..
Thank goodness XM got approval too and my new boss supported me in getting my break..
So on 13th Dec 07, XM n I at the airport(My family will join half way coz Taka is out of their choice)!! On the flight, I saw Dan Rei's name(ex Taka star) on the flight mag.. Shes on the program introducing one part of M'sia. I took her photo off the screen! Haha..

Well the food on the flight was not bad.. But I thought, XM one is nicer!! Shes a Veg, so we requested special meal for it.. It looked so yummy!!! N we had our Yuzu drink as usual! We reached Osaka Kansai Airport at 7am. This is my 4th time here.. Wow, the place so familiar to us. We went shopping straight at UNIQUO since our hotel (Shin Hankyu Hotel) gave us early check in at 12noon. We went to our hotel, left our luggage with at the recept and went on shopping at Tenma station. We bought lots of cosmetics and snacks to eat! I missed all these shopping n eating.. Hahaha...
Back to our hotel to check in at 12 noon, Though we were tired, but it didnt stop us from on-ing the TV, Switch to Takarazuka Sky Stage channel and glued ourselves to the TV.. Oh ya, of coz, the view is good. We were at 13th floor..

We went for early dinner, and of coz, shopping at Quatre Revue for Takarazuka stuff..
Then we went on to Hankyu international Hotel to look at the posters of the OG of Taka stars... Heres my Koju Tatsuki Poster.. Shes pretty!!!!!
Then more shopping again around Osaka town before we hit back to Hotel and continued to glue to Sky Stage
This is just a part of my shopping for the 1st day in Japan...
Hahaha!!!! Terrible hor! Tik I spend near to SGD$400 in just one day.. Ok ok... but I didnt shop that much during the 2nd half of my trip lor...

~Merry Xmas and Happy new Year to all~

Since I will not have access to my pc from today till 2nd Jan, here I wished everyone Merry xmas and Happy New yr..
Though its early but I had received some presents and well wishes from my friends..
7th Oct 2007: The very first present I got was from Aisha from STC dept.. How I know her? Its fate though.. Im always up accompany Angela breathing fresh air whenever we are sick n tired of our wk.. and shes Angela's buddy for breathing fresh air. Tts how I know her.. Didnt expect her to get a present for me and so early too! I was surprised when she hand it to me.. Its a very very elegant necklace. It goes well with many of my clothes... I loved it!! Thanks Aisha!
Since, Im not in during xmas, and Xun's parents out of town, we decide to meet at this place early for makan . At first we are thinking of going out in the middle of night to eat supper or jus drive around.. but hor, end up I was sleeping most of the time, coz too burned out from wk.. We were quite thrifty this time round.. We tapao at Tze Char stall.. 7 dishes, $38 only.. Oops.. we all forgot to pay miao miao.. Guys, remember hor...
As part of my thank you gift to 3 of them for the year, Ive ordered a Strawberry Cheese tart from Spinelli. I wanted to get Tiramisu but 3 of them, fell sick.. So better get something safe.. Ah kor had the honor to do the cake cutting.. but hor.. dont know is it coz its too rich or kor cut too big piece.. Miao n I cant finish our share.. hahaha..
10th Oct 2007: One of my instructor just returned from his trip, and he so sweet, got me presents.. Called me early morning asking if Im in office and till what time.. Coz he knew tt its my turn, flying away. He came over in the afternoon, took out a chocolate pack and said its my xmas present! hahaa.. He knew tt I loved chocolate! The other time I was joking with him but he took it seriously and got me a box of Merci Choco!! Oh, and he gave me dried mangos. His mum made it for a living in Indonesia(i tik tts wat he meant). I thought it meant to be sweet.. But.. Its so so sour!!!!! But addictive la..
Around 4pm, my lead brought out present for each of us.
She said since Im going away, she must well give it to all of us first.. Its a comestics set. Hahaa... I hardly use comestics...Since its so pretty, I think I shall use it for functions then... Hehe.. when I said tt my presents to all will be bought in Japan, my lead very cheeky n said, of coz tts wat Im expecting, and all of us laughed!!
Angela bought me a present too.. At first I thought it was a top. But only when I opened up the package then I realised that its something like a shawl but with buttons. Its good for lazy ppl like me.. I could jus slip it over my neck and it will hang on my shoulder nicely. Its very very lady like and easy to match too.. Hehe.. Im going to wear it up the flight... She bought me red coz she said, tts my favo color.. hahaha!!! True!
Ah kor TH said he got me a present too but forgot to bring.. Nvm.. I still do collection upon my return next yr... Hahahaha!! Just kidding!!!
Ah mai brought over my stuff and I found a xmas card inside the bag too..
I was keeping the things when I saw the card..
Haha.. come to think of it, its my first xmas card of the year!!
Thank you..

And me? My present for myself?? I passed my school Japanese Exams!!! I could promote to Yr 4 next yr!!!! YUPPIE!!!!!!

The best present for me now is, (really) 90% of the time, everyone is happy and 10% unhappiness but will get over asap. Life isnt always a bed of rose, but most impt is to move on.

Hehe.. seems like Im going to do quite a fair bit of present shopping in Japan. Hahaha!!!

Thanks everyone! Happy holidays!

Homecook Jap food

I heard this saying about Japanese ppl, if they are not familiar with you, they will not really invite you for a meal at their house .. This is unlike Chinese, whom loved to invite ppl to their place for a meal..
Shiho san and I known each other for 3 yrs and she prepared dinner for me whenever I popped by her place ever since we start to get more familiar.. I loved her cooking.. Japanese Curry rice, tempura, Okonomiyaki, chicken wings, pasta etc etc.. I always looked fwd to her cooking.. hehehe...
6th Dec 2007 ~ I went to her place to discuss about my trip after work.. Shes preparing dinner for us(herself, Ryosuke and me).
Guess what is it? Yuppie! Salad with Japanese sauce, Sashimi, bacon with veggies, rice n miso soup!
Yummy yummy!!!! I liked Japanese food, but I like home cooked japanese food more!!! She taught me how to prepare a few Japanese dishes.. but after trying at home... I tik hers is still nicer.. Hahaha
For dessert.. We had our usual hot green tea and theres ice cream today! We had Green Tea Ice cream flown in from Japan!!! Nice and Yummy!!!
I always bring some tibits along for her kid.. but I tik we are all too full for tibits..
But she n her family will be going to Japan soon... Oh no... Im going to miss them and her cooking!!!
They are really very nice people.

Jap Exams Over.. At Last...

Relieved... For now...
At last JLPT 3 is over..
I had never dreamed that I will picked up Jap, and coming this far.
Jap had never been my top choice or rather picking up a 3rd language, had never been in my consideration till Takarazuka came into my life..
After watching Takarazuka for 2 yrs, I decide to pick up Japanese language coz, most of the time, I dont know what they talked.. So, I started picking up this language..
Of coz, my parents were not that supportive at that point, coz I was at my final yr of Uni and, Im wking part time.. They did not think that I would have the time to pick up a 3rd thing..
But being stubborn I went ahead.
3 yrs since I started, I had never looked back and remind myself never to.
It hadnt been easy.. Me, knowing nothing about Jap language, picking up something thats so alien to me. Going through test after test, then exams, then new sch yr and repeat the process again. N going to JLPT 4 and passing it well, came a big surprise to me.
Last yr, some of my classmates and I went to JLPT 4 together.
We had been studying together since basic class..
After yr after yr, our group became smaller n smaller..
Yr 1, theres 9 of us, yr 2 became 6, start of yr 3, theres 5, but at the end of yr 3, only left 3 of us.. Mada, Eugene and I..
3 of us had been fighting hard to continue..
Esther is right, its the difficulty that killed the interest.
Of coz, we all started out as liking Japanese alot, and "guai guai" did the homework every week, till now.. errr...I dont think I even did one, except for the compo.. Only upon completing 4 yrs study, then we considered completing the basic foundation of Japanese language., Dont be surprise, its a total of 7 yrs of study..

Work had been very very very busy.. I know its not a good excuse.. But on wkends either Im back wking in the office, or too burn out to do anything.. Even up till yester, a day b4 JLPT, Im still in office the whole day..
Of coz, theres even a pt I had thoughts on giving up my job coz of the long wking hrs and Im loosing control of my life..
And now, Im at my crossroad, to stay or to leave my job..
When I opened my exam paper, be it school exam or JLPT exam, Im dishearted.. They all looked so Alien to me again...
My school exam results will release on 10th Dec.. By then, if pass, I will continue my yr 4, if fail.. I might give up too(though super unwilling, but I got to face it tt I might not make it)..
I am praying hard that, I could make it, both school exam and JLPT 3