CNY 2015 - Japan

This Chinese New Year I have been a naughty boy and broken the tradition of going back to Port Dickson.

In December, Woon mentioned that she wanted to go skiing but have no time except CNY and Sida wanted to go somewhere for a holiday too so I suggested Sida to join Woon for skiing and in the end Sida booked his flight one day after my idea. I couldn't miss joining them again so I also booked my flight on 26 Dec, one day before I'm flying to Japan. And Chairmeh wanted to go too so he booked his ticket on 29 Dec. The second most random and YOLO Japan trip ever.

One day before my flight I received news that my grandma had a mild stroke so she's weak on the left side of the body. I was so worried because I'm flying off so I had played out a few scenarios in my mind just to prepare myself in case of emergency. Fortunately it was nothing serious when we visited her that night so I had a peace of mind and what's more we had a family group chat so I will be live updated. 

It was a 6.55am flight so I had to wake up at 4.30 and my mum couldn't wake up after 3 times so I had considered calling a cab but in the end I drove myself to the airport with her. I still love taking Delta airlines. It's one of the coolest airlines, with 2 on board meals and good service and entertainment. For me, it was like returning home after 1.5 months in Singapore. Somebody was so excited for his first time in Japan. Woon's first time snowboarding, Sida's first time seeing snow.

My first fall in Myoko in the beginner slope at forest trail

I had to take a selfie to commemorate my first fall of the trip

 The rest with their boarding instructor

 OMG I missed this BBQ on my first trip, I am so glad I had this on my second. So so so good.

 My fav breakfast. When we asked the resort owner where to buy this, they laughed and allowed us to buy 2 boxes of the honey and butter spread from them. 

 Yay to falling!

 Mannekin waffles at Ginza

 Pika Pika

 Harajuku

 I finally met Emi-Chan!! Super cute!

 Pancake days with Emi-chan 

Dinner with Nanako-San at a dancing Jap restaurant

 Tamago-yaki at Tsukiji Market

 OMG good at Tsukiji Market

Check out my vines!







2 days in Myoko, 3 days at Tokyo.
I really had a great time this trip, although I was a tour guide most of the time. Maybe I enjoy being a tour guide, I like seeing people being very happy with my plans and recommendations. I also met 2 new Japanese friends and ate lots of things I wanted to eat and visited exotic places. I don't know why but I really spent a lot this time round as compared to my previous trip.

Some of my proud buys:
1 box of my fav honey and butter spread from Myoko
1 Japanese Uniqlo Tee
1 Gap cardigan
1 Beams Star Wars Tee
2 Kagaumeishu
2 Fruit Umeishu
1 Porter rucksack
Many Tokyo Banana stuff
A lot of Muji stuff
2 boxes Royce chocolate

Great food + Great company + Great shopping + Great country = One of the best trip yet. Haha that's what I said for the Nozawa trip too. I still left some stones unturned and cheeks unpoked, maybe for my next trip then.
My twin cousins went back to PD this year. I guess I will not skip PD next year.

So happy, but major holiday withdrawals now.

A third blow to my emotional state this week. 

Some things are just not right. I think I'll hide from the world a little while.

going back

I feel really bad right now.

I mean, we used to be really close and now we are so distant.
Maybe he had all his other friends, or maybe something happened.
I don't think I bullied him because we've had fun all the time but now he's all changed, maybe grown-up and matured.

I was really looking forward to having so much fun in Japan that I fantasize it everyday, but today he messaged me on fb to ask me if I'm going back to grandma's place in PD this year because he wish to go back but not without me.

I said I don't know, but truth is I have already decided. Looks like it's one more year before I see my cousins again.

virtual work

Doing some last minute preparation for the onsen.

Sat - Swim

Sun - Gym

Mon - HIIT

Tues - Weights

Meanwhile work is pretty intense. I have no done any heavy stuff yet, I'm just doing online learning as well as a whole stack of papers that was meant for the 4-day instructor course I am going to go for, hopefully sometime soon. Everything's so vague and virtual to me. I can't touch or feel anything physical except papers and keyboards, which can be a double edge sword. I only need a laptop to work and I can bring it anywhere. Although risk is not my speciality, I am just going to try to be as good.