Snapshots

Random shots taken with popo 2 Sundays ago.

They both share the same love for Red Star's dim sum and Sakura buffet. Yun Yi has been eating there(Red Star) with her since she was a baby and all the aunties there watched her grow up.

My mama is his "car supplier". Everytime she comes, he will look into her bag for cars. And now whenever we hand him the phone and tell him it's popo on the line, he goes "popo buy car car, train train, sweet sweet. bye bye!!" Short and sweet and gets his point across.

"We love you popo!!!"

DIY #6

So sweet lor!!!!!!

Japan Study Trip - Part 2

Day 2......... Off we went to Kobe.

Day 2 was store visit day in Kobe. We visited Living Konan as well as Steer and yes, store visit also translates to more shopping.

Lunch was next at Harbourland.

Lunch was a chop chop affair cos we had time for shopping before heading off to the sake brewery museum.

Saw how sake was made through some wax figurines at the Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum. And also sampled sake there. Hated it. Moving on.......

Some random shot of Universal Studios from the highway we were on while on the way to dinner.



Day 3........... Off to Kyoto

Climbing up the slope to the temple. All the while planning which shop to visit and what to buy when I get down. Wahahaha!!

Finally, Kiyomizu Temple. View from the entrance.

From the inside.

Had to clean our hands and face as a sign of respect before going in.

Melting under the sun trying to take this shot.



Good luck charm. Exactly what I need.

Authentic Japanese lunch bento. I hate it. Give me a plain bowl of ramen anytime.

After lunch, we had the opportunity to see a display of their traditional kimono. Really really pretty.

Next we proceeded to Nishiki Market for more shopping!!!

After Nishiki Market, we headed back to Osaka and back to Shinsaibashi Street for more shopping again. We didn't have much time to cover this street on the first day we were here, thus this time, we made sure we got what we wanted.

On the busy street.

Dinner was good. Traditional BBQ meal, the beef and pork was awesome!!



Day 4............

Breakfast, check out and back to Rinku Town to get my Coach bag and wallet!!!

Panoramic shot taken with my new phone. Awesome view from the airport.

Home sweet home. I want to go back again to Japan.

Please don't ask me how much I spent. I don't want to be reminded of the pain.

Japan Study Trip - Part 1

I was in Japan last week for the study trip organised by my company. Flew to Osaka on the 1.10am flight on last Wednesday and arrived in Osaka at about 8.35am local time.

The weather there was VERY VERY HOT. The day when we went to Kyoto, it was like 37 degree Celsius!!! That explains the lack of photos with me in it. I was feeling too hot, sticky, dirty and messy to pose for pictures.

But that being said, I still took pictures while trying hard to avoid getting a heat stroke and juggling all that shopping bags I had on both my hands.


First stop after the whole group cleared customs was to Rinku Town where they had alot of international brands situated there selling their products at heavily discounted price.


Next we went to the Osaka Castle. Long walk up to the castle under the scorching sun. Unfortunately, after the long walk, there wasn't much to see in the castle.


Next up, LUNCH!!!! We were all starving by the time lunch was served. Food was good, but didn't really enjoyed it much. Imagine a piping hot bowl of noodles and a boiling pot of soup for lunch on a terribly hot day in a not very cool restaurant.


Which was why I was so happy to see ice-cream being sold at one of the shops there right after lunch!!! Ahhhh...... I don't remember how many ice-creams I had throughout the 4 days I was there. But definitely at least 1 per day. Never enjoyed ice-cream so much before in my whole life.


Next up, shopping at Shinsaibashi Street.


This is what Shinsaibashi Street looks like from the inside. A very long street which is filled with shops and departmental stores. Fully sheltered from rain and sun.


Hello Kitty store!!! Probably the icon of Japan, this cat is everywhere!!


Some random shot of this cigarette vending machine. Vending machines are everywhere in Japan.


We were sent to our hotel (Plaza Hotel Osaka) soon after and it was free and easy for the rest of the evening. A few of us went to Namba by train and more shopping!!


The Japanese even have a ladies only cabin on the train.


Dinner was an absolutely delicious bowl of ramen in one of their small eateries. Yummy.


We made our way back to the hotel after dinner and more shopping. We saw this store selling the octopus balls which we always buy at Bugis Junction and Takashimaya. Definitely must try!! But we were dissapointed. The ones we have here is so much better.


"Nightlife" in the area near our hotel.


To be continued...............

Tea Garden

Brought the kids to the Tea Garden Macdonald's yesterday after paying their grandparents a visit.

Think most of us who stayed around the Queensway area or attended school there would know this place. They have a turtle pond and also a small children's play area. And of course, a popular dating spot for students of the schools around that area. Ahem..... of course I would know.


Poor old Ronald. As if being under the sun and rain 24/7 isn't enough, now he even has to bear with my little boy trying to twist his nose off. Who said your job sucks?

Back From Osaka!!!

I am back from my Osaka trip yesterday night.

And I am so broke from all that shopping. Anyone wants to buy me breakfast/lunch/dinner/drinks?

Will blog about the trip soon. I am so tired and I missed my bed, so gonna sleep early tonight.

Boiler Room

Went to Boiler Room on Saturday to celebrate Jason's birthday. What's a celebration without good old champagne?

Doing the honours of lighting up his own Waterfall drink.


The birthday boy drinking the lethal potion.


It was a great night with all of great friends and buddies.

Most importantly, nobody got drunk and to me that was the best thing that happened that night. It's been so long since we had full attendance for Teo Chew porridge.

Artificial Enhancements

Got this done at Cineleisure on Sunday. Nice and inexpensive!!!

Those are fake nail extensions by the way. And no, it's not slowing doown my typing speed.

Women

"Women is like water. Fluid and flexible, but yet strong enough to shape the toughest stone."

And yes, I totally agree with that. We have the need to live up to the expectations of being a good wife, a good mother, a good daughter, a good friend, a good employee and a good boss. We hold so many different roles which require so many different qualities and and time.

We almost live our lives for others and more often than not, almost never for ourselves. It is not a crime or a misgiving to not spare a thought for others. It is perfectly alright to dedicate time just doing something we like, or simply not doing anything at all. Our lives do not just revolve around our family, our kids and our job.

Ok ok, maybe I was just trying to make myself feel better about the weekly MJ sessions and the occasional drinking sessions. But hey, I am a woman right? Hee hee.......

Fear No More

My little boy used to hate getting his haircut. Especially when they use the hand held razor thingy to cut his sides, he will start crying his lungs out. As he grew older, he stopped crying but still needed to be held during the process.

Yesterday was so different. My little boy has really grown from the baby he used to be. He sat alone on the booster seat in the salon while we stood and watched. He held his head still as a rock and sat through it all (including the razors!!!) like a champion. Not a whimper and not a single drop of tear.

The auntie that cut his hair even styled it for him lor!!!

He is so cute lor I tell you. He looked so sad, obviously not enjoying the experience. But at least he's not as upset as before. Of course, the lollipop which the salon aunties give him after every haircut helped as well.

DIY #5

Depressing News

Was at the salon yesterday and my regular stylist (wah sounds so "atas", actually is hairdresser lah) was blowing my hair when she broke the depressing news to me.

She found not one, but TWO strands of white hair!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was hidden deep inside and was only visible when she was blow drying my hair.

I so depressed. Sianz. You know what they say about white hair? Once you start having it, it just gets more and more and more..........

Hubby told me, it's ok. IT IS NOT OK LOR!!!

Vivo City

It's the maid's off day today and once a month, I turn into a full time mum.

Brought the kids to Tiong Bahru Food Centre for lunch!!! Been so long since I went there. I still so clearly remember the old Tiong Bahru Market filled with delicious food and the wet market selling fresh food such as live bull frogs.

Not forgetting also the other part of the old Tiong Bahru Market, the dry section. A narrow lane filled with a row of shops on both sides selling anything from shoes, undergarments and clothes to plastic wares, hardware and beauty products. I think Tiong Bahru Market was pretty much the closest we got to a modern hypermarket 20 years ago.

Anyway, after lunch we went to Vivo City. Had to get a replacement door knob for Yun Yi's room because the lock malfunctioned on Friday and her daddy had to dismantle the whole thing out. Also at the same time bought some clothes for her as well cos she has pretty much outgrown most of her clothes.

The kids had a little time to run about in the playground there as well. My little boy started running around and went up and down the slide again and again non-stop, from the minute I let him out of his stroller. Boys will be boys I guess. Yun Yi used to be more reserved when she was his age.

Dinner followed and we headed back home in time for hubby to catch the live telecast of the British Grand Prix race which is on the TV now as I am writing this. My eyes can barely stay open since I only got less then 4 hours of sleep yesterday.

Oh, and we forgot to buy the very thing we set out to buy today. The door knob for Yun Yi's room, so yes, she will continue to have a hole on her room door till we get it. It's a sign that we're not just stressed out, but also getting old.

Signs That You Need A Break

Few weeks ago I dreamt about flying diapers. The diapers were like birds in the sky just flying around freely.

This morning (after MJ ended at 6am!!!) I dreamt about store visits and price surveys. I was complaining about why the competitors just refused to increase their selling price even though cost had increased.

I am so seriously in need of a break. Anywhere will do, just a couple of days. Sun, sand and the sea would be great. Shopping and food paradise also will do. I just want to......... do nothing for awhile.