-Cherry, Plum, Peach and Damson blossoms-

Not much time..

2009-12-07T05:56:00.000-08:00

I have another 1 and a half months more to be in Japan.

What am I going to achieve?

What am I going to do from now on to make it the best possible experience ever?

Questions questions questions.

Hai! Must challenge! Must win!!!

Cleaning Time

2009-12-06T05:49:00.000-08:00

Urgh.. Japan is lovely and all.. (not really) but I really don't get their culture sometimes. Or maybe its just the university that I'm living in.

Do you remember when we Malaysians were in high school, and we had our yearly "gotong royong" where the whole student body would work together to clean the whole school? I used to hate those days. Students would intentionally skip that day and the school eventually made it compulsory to go to those days otherwise you'll face punishment the next day.

Now.. even in my dorm, we have "gotong royong." And guess what? Its twice a week. Everyone has to take turns cleaning the kitchen, bathroom, copper sinks area, and tables. Not to mention taking out the trash and vacuming the floor.

I can feel my fingers getting rougher by the day. >.<

We have to use bleach to clean the sink. Use cloth to wipe the floor with our bare hands, and the list goes on. What's worst, Japan has a crazily detailed way to recycle their trash. I'm not saying its a bad thing but they really separate their trash. Its sooo troublesome! Its horrible!

Though I guess its a good training for our future roles as a wife. Now we can clean, and cook! What more can u ask for?

Seasonal Appreciation

2009-11-25T06:32:00.000-08:00

Its starting to be freezing cold here. >.< I never knew I will have the good fortune to study in a country with four seasons when I was young. Coming from Malaysia that only has summer all year long, you'll know how rare and precious four seasons is. Ask any kid and their dream would be to experience snow.

But god its tough here. Winter is making me fat. I always feel the need to eat more. I'm always and always hungry. Argh.. And riding a bicycle in 5 degrees celsius weather, without gloves is not a fun thing. My fingers feel as though they're about to drop off any moment. Seriously.. I wonder how cold my fingers can get. And its not even below zero yet.

I don't know how people can stay outdoors. And it gets sooo dark sooo fast. By 430pm its dark already. It makes people feel so gloomy.. I love the sun now. Gone are the days of lazing outside with your favorite patio cushions enjoying the sun. I know Malaysians avoid the sun at all cost, and I used to think those "whites" that come to our country are weird because they sit under the sun until they're tomatoes!!! But now I fully appreciate the sun.

The sun is just amazing.

Though on the other hand, being able to experience cold is quite amazing too. =)

Lollipop Land?

2009-11-25T05:50:00.000-08:00

Friends that know me know that I have this bad habit of changing common words. I used to hate my mum when she did that. For example, I'm from SUA right? So we all pronounced it as S-U-A. But my mum likes to just make it a word, instead of pronouncing the alphabets, she pronounces it as "sua,' which makes no sense at all.

It sounds weird to begin with.

When I first came to US, I realize that the usage of gps is soo common there. But I always confuse gps with GPRS. Do you know GPRS? We use it in Malaysia for broadband service. Something to do with communications. My friends would look at me with wide eyes whenver I use GPRS when I actually meant GPS. Although after a while they would know what I'm referring to.

I love my friends.

But the point is, I actually like that I change stuff. First of, it makes me special. Wahhahahaha... and.. it kinda like a secret code name between my close friends.

Dont ya think that's sweet? <3!

Bye bye Imaginary readers..

2009-11-25T05:32:00.000-08:00

My blog has been kinda dead lately. Yeah.. In the beginning, I think I had a fair amount of imaginary readers.. I never really had real readers to start with but I think now, its fair to say that I don't even have imaginary readers anymore.

Its quite sad though to tell the truth. I know I haven't really been putting much effort into my blog recently. I mean, I'm in Japan studying abroad now and I should have a lot of interesting things to say about this weird country but I rarely post nowadays.

I'm sorry my once loyal imaginary readers.

Its not easy putting your blog out there. Using a web directory can help in boosting your readerships but it take real talent and dedication to make your blog popular.

But the question is, why do you want people to read your blog?

Splash! Splash! Splash!

2009-11-20T17:08:00.000-08:00

There's one memory that I have when I was young that was pretty funny. In my opinion at least. Haha.. I think I was five or something and my house used to not have those shower heaters that is so common in household nowadays. So everyday I had to brace myself and shower in cold water.

Once in a while, my mum would boil hot water for me and pour it in a tub just to treat me. And since I was little, I could fit into a small pain and I would play my toys in the water while enjoying the nice warm water.

There was once, I was so wild that I started splashing wildly around. After I got used to the cold water, I started taking the host and proceeded to "wash the walls." And next thing I knew, there was a "burst" and all was dark. 0.0

I had splashed so much that the water reached the tiny little lightbulb on the ceiling and yup..! It burst!!!

Needless to say, I was super careful with splashing water after that but bathroom lighting are dangerous stuff to meddle me. Or maybe lighting in general.

Moral of the story. Don't splash too much!

Money money money.. where are you hiding?

2009-11-20T16:50:00.000-08:00

Being in Japan is soooo costly! Its crazy. Maybe its because I'm from Malaysia where everything is so cheap compared to the US dollars but argh.. if you want to live overseas.. you should not convert stuff back to Malaysian Ringgit!!!

Watching movies here cost about 1500 yen! That's almost about USD20!!! That's about RM70!!! Approximately! Can you believe that? And we only spend RM10 to watch a movie back in Golden Screen Cinemas.

Being a student, it sometimes makes you envy those people that have their own small business. Be it on ebay selling ur old stuff, or making your own jewelry in etsy.com. Of course earning money wont be easy but at least you have some sort of income. And you can get merchant services to help you out on your business.

On the other hand.. working is hard. How???

Why doesn't money grow on tress like my mum always say?

Present in the Mail?

2009-11-10T05:17:00.001-08:00

One thing about long distance relationship is that you wont be able to celebrate each other's birthday, anniversaries and other important dates. It sucks though seriously. I wish there was a door or a fireplace for us to just get into it, and appear next to our lover at the other end.

Like Harry Potter. *boohoo*

So all we can do is to think of other ways to make the day as special as possible.

Though unfortunately postage can be quite harsh on some people. Especially poor students like me. US is one example that charges crazily for a super small package.

Surprisingly though, its super cheap to send packages overseas from Japan. I totally would not have expected it but.. o.O Don't tell Cody though I hope its safe. You know Malaysian postmen. They tend to like the stuff inside the packages.

I'm also buying a lot of stuff here. (hope my dad isn't reading it) and I think my only option is to send it back to the US. I definitely will not be able to fit it inside my suitcase and overweight is not an option. You can even send a luggage thru postal mail. Even an Eagle Creek luggage. Hehe.. Harajuku here I come! Cute winter clothing here I come! yay!!!

A Modern You

2009-11-10T04:56:00.000-08:00

When you hear the word "modern furniture," what do you envision? Flying chairs? Glow in the dark toilet seat? Flying carpet? Automatic spoon feeder?

I don't know.. My brain is dry already. Seriously though. Modern furniture? Actually all I can think of is black and white stuff. Those that we find in bachelor's pad or a 30 something year old successful single woman. Not that its wrong but that's "modern furniture" right? Something that wont get dirty easily because there's no children around.

Hmm.. modern. What is modern?

To throw or not to throw

2009-11-10T04:52:00.001-08:00

It takes me freaking FIVE minutes to decide which hole I should put my rubbish in.

Japan is great.. Who says that they're not environmental friendly? US should think twice before asking the Asian giants to be more environmental conscious!

Being Spoilt!

2009-10-08T16:21:00.000-07:00

Living in dorms is such a breeze. You never have to worry about electricity bills, internet bills, or fire protection. You don't even have to worry about having receipt printers. The dorms provides everything for you. You just need to fulfill a student's role and you're done.

I'm only left with 2 more years. God I'm gonna miss university life. I'm actually afraid of going into the working world. Its a harsh harsh world out there right? A "dog eat dog" world. Urgh.. scary.

So what am I gonna do after graduation? Now that's the big question.

Gym on a hill?

2009-10-05T08:07:00.000-07:00

My university in Japan just recently finished building its new gym last April. So right now the gym that we have is totally brand new with super cool machines which lets u watch Japanese news, series, comedies, listen to music, or even connect your ipod in.

Its so cool!

The only problem is that the gym is located on a hill and before I finished getting up there, I am already sweating. Of course adding to the fact that I'm super super lazy.

Oh dear. This definitely wont do. Maybe I should try Solo Slim to get a nice washboard stomach. Or maybe not eating at all.

Hmmm...

Miss Car is DEAD.

2009-10-02T18:23:00.001-07:00

My car is down!!! Help!!! My first and only precious car is very sick and is not moving at all!!!!!

Ahh.. the battery died because I didn't drive it all summer and now its so dead that even jump starting it doesn't work.

What am I going to do? I miss my car. I want to drive my car again. I wanna have pretty car accessories and drive it around with my sun roof open enjoying the Californian breeze!

Haha.. that sounded so cliche! =P

Oh dear. I am really a typical girly girl who knows absolutely nothing about cars! >.< Help!

Plastic Bags as Shoes?

2009-10-02T18:13:00.000-07:00

I encountered the funniest thing when I visited my dad's factory in Vietnam last summer. Before you go into the processing plant, did you know one has to either change into their working boots, or use disposable shoe covers?

Haha... its really interesting. It is made of plastic bag but it fits smugly around your shoe. I forgot what the point was. Either to keep the plant clean because it is a food processing plant or something about to prevent the transfer of electricity. Something like that.

Cody wears one too in his work place which produces electronic stuff. He use to have shoes of his own but some poor fellow stole it from him. So now he has to wear plastics!

HAhah..

Tourist Trap

2009-10-02T18:05:00.000-07:00

You know how like when you go to a tourist place for vacation, you always somehow end up in a "just for tourist trap" where you are kinda forced to buy something from there because everyone is so nice and all? My goodness, China is number one in this type of business!

My family and I were in Jiu Zhai Gou in Sichuan and we were just wondering where we should spend our mornings. So we asked one taxi driver to bring us to the nearest "ancient town." He was really kind and agreed immediately (of course right? there's money involved). But right when we arrived in the ancient town, he immediately brought us to this majestic palace where according to him is super interesting!

Well.. of course it turned out to be a trap because they were selling jewelry and loose diamonds. I mean what is the point with loose diamonds? Why would people want to buy them? To scatter it around in the house? And let ur dog chew on it?

Right...

My parents did not intend to buy anything but of course we did. I mean, you're halfway across the world right? And well.. the jewelry had "special powers" so who could resists it?

Traps. Be careful of them!

Conservative Japan?

2009-10-02T07:50:00.000-07:00

So imaginary readers, since I'm in Japan now.. My future posts would probably involve Japanese culture, people, or the country someway or another. Hope u guys don't mind.

We all know what a conservative society this is right? I remember a friend that went to China for study abroad told me that he actually prefers China than Japan because Japan has too much rules and regulations in it. Chinese just live their life whatever way they want it to. I didn't really understand it much because at that time I thought that all Asian societies are the same.

But my god. How wrong I was.

Japan is just crazy with its rules. Everywhere you go is just rules, rules and more rules. And people actually follow them! Like crazy! Its like its built into their system!

And of course compared to the US they're much much more conservative. My gay friend went to Japan for study abroad and he had to go on a live chat software program to get to know people. Can you imagine that? Using a live chat software to find some action? Everybody was against homosexuals and the homosexuals themselves were all in the dark. So as a foreign exchange students, the only way he could meet potential partners was through the internet. And of course that didn't went too well.

Asian societies. Sigh..

Wrinkle wrinkle Go away!

2009-10-02T07:39:00.000-07:00

How old should one be when they start using wrinkle cream? I know those beauticians in the beauty counters would tell you that you can start using it anytime you want but seriously when should one start using it?

I mean.. urgh.. I don't really like the idea of using wrinkle cream. First, I don't think it really works. Second, its kinda sad having to apply cream everyday coz you don't wanna grow old. What's wrong with growing old gracefully? Sigh.. I know I'm saying it now but when I have my first wrinkle, I'm gonna speak differently.

Why oh why does this happen? Not the growing old part but why does this concept scare people so much? o.O

Shopping Craze!

2009-10-02T07:01:00.000-07:00

Shopping is such a bad habit. Seriously. Don't you think so? I mean people do need to shop for food, clothing and stuff but only because its necessary though. When one buys too much and do not know what to do with it, you know its a problem.

I love shopping. Every time I go to a new place, I always want to buy as many souvenirs as possible because I keep having the mindset that, "hmm.. that Peruvian wool cloth would look really pretty in my future home." And then I buy it and don't know where to put it.

And clothes. Oh god. Lets not even go there. I have clothes in my Malaysian house, Vietnam house, tons of them in US and now.. I'm in Japan! The land of crazy fashion!!!!

What am I going to do? I tried carrying as little stuff as possible to Japan so I can buy more stuff here but I wasn't very successful. How am I gonna bring everything back?

One of my friend actually told me that I can use a shipping box to ship everything to the US. And it seemed to be pretty cheap. Though that's what she said.

Ah.. Harajuku, Shibuya...

Amazing people

2009-10-01T01:00:00.000-07:00

I f*cking hate people who think they are smart a*ses without really reading and understanding the situation.

I f*cking hate people who think they're better than others!

I f*cking hate people who are suppose to bring inspiration to others when in truth, they only bring unhappiness to others.

I f*cking hate people who don't even try to be a better person!

I f*cking hate people who bring claim that they are bringing positive change to the world when in actual fact they are just FUCKING arrogant people!!!

I f*cking hate people who are just tooo stuborn to accept other ideas and think that they're always right!

I f*cking hate people who claim to have an open discussion when in actual fact they just want to force their opinions down other people's throats.

Whatever. I don't want to deal with them anymore. Go find someone else to bring unhappiness to! I have enough of you.

Japan Land

2009-09-28T22:48:00.000-07:00

Oh my god. I know I havent been blogging for a while now but guess where I am now!

JAPAN!!!!

Nihon!!!! (don't know why it sounds so different with Japan!)

I'm in the land of the rising sun! My study abroad has just begun!!!! Can you believe that?

Of course you can. You're not the one living my life. 0.o Haha..

I'm staying in Hachioji now. The weather is still not that cold yet but I know come December/January its gonna be super cold. I'm only gonna live here for the next 4 months but I don't know what I'm gonna do when winter comes. I really want my family to come to Japan but its gonna be super cold for them. And everything is sooo expensive here. Don't really know where they can stay.

Anyone has any suggestions?

South California is definitely not cold if compared with Japan. Oh no... I'm sure they have heaters in the dorms, together with good furnace filters and all but it take me 20 mins to walk to school!!! What am I gonna do when I'm outside! I need winter clothing!!! But how am I gonna fit everything inside my luggage bag when I return to US?

Oh no.. lots of questions. How how how?

My handsome Prince

2009-09-06T20:20:00.000-07:00

Every girl's dream is to attend a elegant dinner with her prince and be a Cinderella for a day. Who wouldn't want to dress up out of the extraordinary and wait for her prince to be in total awe and melt in front of her? I went to my high school prom with Cody. Even though we didn't go as dates but we did have a fun time that night.

However, because we're studying in different countries. Everytime either one of us has any formal dinners, the other party is not in the same country to attend the party. I hate it though. I have my winter formal every year and although I dress up, there's no Cody there. =(

I love seeing him in a tuxedo. I guess it gives me the impression, even for a second that's he's my prince charming that's living in a castle and everything and I'm his fair maiden princess. Not some punk rock star that lives on t-shirts and jeans everyday.

Not that I don't love that too. Hahha.. Its just something refreshing and I love it.

But that was almost 4 years ago. I wonder when will the next time be?

Losing Weight Again?

2009-09-06T20:14:00.000-07:00

Ah.. I think my imaginary readers would be kinda bored reading about dieting pills, losing weight and stuff again. But what to do. Its the stuff people talk about nowadays. You just can't run away from it. Everywhere you go, its all about the latest fashion and what do you need to wear the coolest, prettiest clothes? Perfect body of course. What else? Tiring actually.

There's all kinds of dieting pills out there now. Phosphacore is one of them. I seriously don't know much about it so if you're considering taking this path, please research about it first. You don't want a failed liver and hope that the love of your life will donate his or her liver to you.

Better Safe than Sorry

2009-09-02T19:18:00.000-07:00

Hong Kong dramas are just so predictable. Right now NTV 7 is showing a TVB drama titled "Love Guaranteed" which is about these two lead characters that are working for an insurance company. So basically the whole show is about how they find ways to persuade people to buy insurance and stuff.

There was one particular episode where the lead female character was persuading her client, who was a film director to insure his cast and the set. Unfortunately, the client was a stingy guy and didn't buy insurance for his last shooting and guess what happened? Yup, there was an accident and of course it was a big deal because he was stubborn and didnt want to buy insurance.

Typical! =.=

Seriously though, insurance can be a big help to people especially insurance such as medical insurance, disability insurance and such. Allsup is one such good example. They are the leading nationwide provider of financial and healthcare service especially for people with disabilities. They have helped more than 110,000 people receive their entitled Social Security Disability Insurance and Medicare benefits since 1984.

So the moral of the story, buy insurance before its too late.

Shopping with a Laptop?

2009-09-01T23:15:00.000-07:00

Its kinda cool that my university provides all students with a laptop once they are admitted. But because of that, I can't choose a laptop of my choice. =(

There's the Apple iMac that I have always wanted because you know.. "its cool!" Or those tiny little netbooks that everyone is raving about. Imagine carrying one everywhere you go! Even shopping! Like carrying your cell phone around! My laptop is so big and bulky its not even funny. I know I can buy a new one but why do I want 2 laptops for?

Argh..I guess I just have to be contented with what I have..

Touch Wood Anyone?

2009-08-26T00:26:00.000-07:00

Chinese people always believe that its bad luck talking about "deaths," "car accidents," "sickness" or other what ifs stuff. We believe that these things may happen just because you just mentioned it. That's why there's a saying "touch wood" to help counteract the negative talk.

I seriously don't know where the "touch wood" thing originated from but you can see because of this, many Chinese people don't like talking about the "what ifs" in life. Therefore, it makes it even harder to bring up the topic about insurance because insurance is all about what ifs, right?

I was just talking about house insurance with my mum this morning and she was like, "Choi! Why are you bringing up the house insurance thing? You want something to happen to our house?"

=.= Yup. No such thing as protection here.

But insurance are really helpful stuff especially in time of need. I realize that insurance such as house insurance is not that popular in Malaysia compared to in the US. Maybe because of all the natural disasters like earthquake, dry spells, etc.. that always occur there. Blue Cross North Carolina is also a good example of medical insurance which can hugely relieve your burden if ever something happens to your health. I don't really believe in these traditional superstitious. Its even worst if you actually do nothing about it and worry that it may happen someday because you're not prepared for it.