Japan Life : Emotional breakdown.

It's the 3rd day of Ramadan. Alhamdulillah, I'm in good health and good body condition to embrace this spiritual journey. May Allah grant me such blessing until the last day of Ramadan. For your info, it's summer now in Japan. And Kyoto can be pretty hot and dry on certain days.

On the other hand, I am still emotionally challenged. And today, I broke down in front of everyone during my presentation. It was too much to contain I guess. After my final hiccup, I just laugh it off as a joke. Only Allah knows how embarrassed I was! I hope such incident will never happened again. No matter how difficult life or work is, I should always be compose and refrain from reacting by emotion.

Still, what's done is done. Chin up! It's the month of full blessing. Prayer of those who fast, prayer of the wayfarer, will definitely be answered and granted by Allah the Almighty, Insyaallah. 頑張るぞ。

Japan Life : Hotel Forza, Fukuoka

 Last time I went for a business trip to Fukuoka. My colleague and I stayed at a small business hotel called Hotel Forza Fukuoka, which is just opposite the Hakata Train Station. I loved it so much! Small, classy and comfy. Everything was in orange color and vibrant! It has everything that I needed including a board-style iron (which I couldn't really figure out how to use it properly but my shirt's a good to go). And most of all, it's company-paid. LoL. They even use high quality bathroom product with essential oil which made me very happy and satisfied after my shower. Oh!I forgot to snap pictures of the bathroom though..







highlight : IPAD!!

Learning to say NO.

I want to scream to the world. I want to scream to my bosses. I want to scream to my family. I want to scream to my friends. But among all, I want to scream to myself!!

Life is tough lately. I had ( and still have) so many on my plate, more than I could afford and I'm sinking each and every day. I am moody and gloomy at times, tired and frustrated most of the time.

It's hard enough for me to face the daily challenge of being alone in a foreign country with foreign language and religion. I had to suck it up no matter what. I'm trying to stay positive (until the end of my contract here) but why does people act so damn oblivious? Asking me to do this and that when I've already given out so many hint of HESITATIONS. I'm not here on a vacation, I here with a mission to accomplished, for God sake. If you can't help to make other people's life better, help by NOT making it worst.

Yes, that is the source of my problems. People can't understand hint. They want clear facts. So, I am learning to tell them clear facts. I am learning to say NO.

Read between the smile : NO.

Cherry Blossoms..

I did the unthinkable! Finally I made my first solo backpacking trip in Japan to see the magnificent Mount Fuji in Shizuoka! With just 2 days prior of planning, the journey took me 5 hours from Kyoto to Shizuoka by train, 4 times transit, and voila! やった！It was an early birthday gift (to my self) for 2014 , and I'm glad I did it! It now opens the door to many more new adventure!! (To be continue....)

Japan Life : West Kyoto : Arashiyama

Arashiyama is one of my favourite place in Kyoto! I just LOVE how the trees and river transforms itself every season in Arashiyama. Winter, Spring, Summer and Autumn, you won't get the same view! Personally, I think the best time to come here is of course in autumn/fall which is around Oct to Nov. The various colors of autumn foliage is just too magnificent! But a short boating trip across the Oi river in the middle of winter was also a great experience!

Arashiyama (嵐山) is a pleasant, touristy district in the western outskirts of Kyoto. The area has been a popular destination since the Heian Period (794-1185), when nobles would enjoy its natural setting. (wiki)

From Kyoto  Station, you can take the JR Sagano Line train to Saga Arashiyama at platform 33.

 

Don't worry, they have gasoline heater inside the boat.

 

Aren't they pretty?



Wild ducks enjoying their winter bath



Bamboo Trail



It's a long walk, so you can also try the trishaw

Japan Life : North Kyoto : Amanohashidate

Since becoming a  会社員(company employee), I was able to enjoy my new life in Japan more! (Gone off the days of lack of sleep & stressing over 日本語quizzes and tests!!) I’m eager to travel to the different places in Japan every time there's a public holiday here. On weekends, I would try to discover Kyoto city as much as possible but there are so many interesting places to visit in Kyoto itself! Here are some of the places that I’ve visited so far (and more to go!!) Hopefully it can ignite some ideas for those of you who are planning to go to Japan!

Seikiro Ryokan & Gallery, Amanohashidate, North Kyoto.

Amanohashidate (天橋立) is one of Japan"s 3 scenic view  (Matsushima, Amanohashidate, Hiroshima). The sandbar is located in Miyazu Bay in northern Kyoto Prefecture. It forms part of the Tango-Amanohashidate-Ōeyama Quasi-National Park. From Kyoto Station, you can take the JR Limited Express train to Amanohashidate at platform 31.

  

My first Japanese Ryokan experience! And it ain't cheap..









Our room have so many sliding door opening it's just amazing!





We got the best room, both garden and Amanohashidate sea view!

Guest will be serve personally by the staff at the dining hall.

Our Dinner! We boiled everything raw and eat happily.

We even participated in the Obon Festival Dance with the local folks.

Time to say good bye..But see you again Amanohashidate!

2014 : BIGBANG CONCERT TOUR IN JAPAN (again and again..)

Happy New Year!! 2014 is here. Let's work hard, be a happier and better person. Spread love! :)

2 and a half year of living in Japan, so I have attended 7 ,9 11 BIGBANG show in total.

1) BIGBANG Alive Tour - Kyocera Dome Osaka 241112
2) BIGBANG Alive Tour - Kyocera Dome Osaka (Special Final) 130113
3) GDragon OOAK Concert in Japan Dome Special - Kyocera Dome Osaka 280413
4) GDragon OOAK Concert in Japan Dome Special - Nagoya Dome 010613
5) BIGBANG 6 Dome Japan Tour  - Tokyo Dome 211213
6) BIGBANG 6 Dome Japan Tour  - Kyocera Dome Osaka Day 1 (Final Show) 110114
7) BIGBANG 6 Dome Japan Tour  - Kyocera Dome Osaka Day 2 (Final Show) 120114
8) YG Family World Tour - Kyocera Dome Osaka Day 1  120414
9) YG Family World Tour - Kyocera Dome Osaka Day 2  130414
10) BIGBANG JAPAN DOME TOUR X in OSAKA DOME D4 231114
11) BIGBANG JAPAN DOME TOUR X in TOKYO DOME D2 271214


Seeing this list, to say that I am a mediocre BIGBANG fan, would be a lie, RIGHT? But to say that I am hardcore VIP is too much of a statement coz I made new friends at the concert from all around the world who are wayyyyyyyyy crazier than me! But, from 1st concert until the last concert, I noticed that my Japanese comprehension skill is getting better as I could understand most of the conversation!! YeaY!!

So many things to write, so many photos to upload, so many great VIP friends made, so many new experiences, so much love and respect for my boys. It's my obsession and yes, I'm loving this journey.