Sleeping in

I love the feeling of knowing I can sleep in and not be awaken by an alarm clock... I love knowing that I can sleep in as late as I want <3

A bunny and a lion

my lovelies

My mom asked when ever can a bunny and a lion be together? ...because she feels it is impossible... simply because the lion will eat or kill the bunny...

but not these two... they are part of my most treasured bed family <3

I miss you :'(

Google Adsense!

I got my first paycheck from Google!! :D... super happy!... I wonder how long it will take to get the second one... -______-

Yes, I'm Canadian... But...

So... it snowed... I'm proud my Canadian senses were accurate!

Since winter is fighting to come, I decided to write about something that I am contantly asked

"why are you cold? Aren't you Canadian?"

Yes, I'm Canadian... I have survived through terrible -40c winters (why is there no degree sign on ipad'/ keyboard?!?). But it's not that I can't handle winters or cold weathers... my body is not capable of sudden temperature changes (whether sudden cold or sudden hot temperature changes). So this season is the worse... Having 10 degree differences throughout the the day really confuses my body... It's so hard for my body to adjust...

Snow in Tokyo

This is a pre-post, let's put my Canadian snow knowledge to the test... according to the brightness of the sky tonight... it will indeed snow in Tokyo tomorrow...

If that is true, this means Tokyo will break it's 56 year record of no snowfall in the month of November... :O

Needy bride of Christ?

disagreement

Am I a needy "wife"?

Jesus Christ and my Heavenly Father walked out on me just 2 months into our spiritual marriage and never came back... The last word I heard from them was I was too needy... I have to be more independent...

But... This is me... He knows it... He created me... He knows I need HIM! Or else... Why do I need this marriage... This baptism?

Fast forward to 8 years later, I continue to seek... Yet I do not find... I knock but the door does not open... I had a miserable time without the presence of Jesus Christ and my Heavenly Father... I feel tricked into baptism... if I wasn't baptized yet... maybe I would still have a good relationship with Him. 

Sigh... I just want to talk to Him like I used to... I just want our relationship to grow... I miss the relationship and moments we shared... The time we had before my baptism... Before I declared I was His and He was mine's...

Why did He leave? Why is He not responding to me!??!?!?! Why can't He just show His face?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!

Earthly relationships Parallel heavenly relationships

relationships

I managed to make a connection with my relationships with men. I don't care whether He is my spiritual husband (Jesus Christ) or whether he is an earthly potential (Mr. K).... They are all the same... Once they know they have you... They will abandon you...

Why are all men the same? Is that why the bible says "So God created mankind in his own image..." Genesis 1:27

man and woman

God, Jesus Christ... men... (specifically men I like) are all the same... when they want to pursue you... they will do ANYTHING... but when they know you are hooked... then they take you for granted...

Before I got baptized, Jesus, God... it was so obvious they tried to hard to pursue me... to love me and to always be in my presence and make it known they are there... but after my baptism... they just drifted off...

Mr. K is the same... before I started liking Mr. K he would always message me and get my attention... but once I started to be more responsive... he started to drift off...

WHY ARE MEN SO FRUSTRATING!?!??!

Paper marriage license

marriage certificate

*please note that Baptism is the Christian allegory of "getting married" to Christ.

Recently I came to realize just how superficial my marriage (baptism) with Christ is.

We don't interact like we used to. We don't even talk... I try to talk to Him but He only wants to be a secret admirer... Sometimes I feel Him helping me from behind the scenes, like someone who just wants to let you guess who is it... and never reveal themselves... except the problem is... we are married... committed... why does He do this? 

... I do not see Him... I try to talk to Him but He ignores me... He listens but He doesn't respond..  I ask for "intimacy"... But He doesn't give... He just shuts me out... 

I ask Him what's wrong? But He doesn't tell me... I am confused... Why is He acting like this?... I have tried everything I could think of... all advice I could get my hands on... but our relationship is still the same...

It hurts me to not be able to talk to my husband... We are married... Committed... But He is not making this marriage any easier... why did we get married if He does this? Shouldn't our relationship grow?... 

Nov. 8, 2016

Voting

點算好⋯⋯

現在腦海所loop的歌曲: 莫文蔚的 "如果沒有你"

我應該點做好⋯⋯如果moving on，放棄 唔係一個 option... 應該點算好⋯⋯

天父求求祢幫助弱的我

Pokemon and Japan

It is actually quite strange... how it seems my relationship with Japan has something to do with Pokemon.

I still remember the first time I came to Japan (with my mom when I was only 11 years old), Pokemon was just starting to become popular in Canada... I remember fascinating over the amount of Pokemon, Miffy (back then I didn't know who Miffy was), Hello Kitty and Dragonball Z merchandise there was. I remember seeing a big Pikachu Plushie.

Fast forward to 2016. This is the first time I have decided to leave home and live in a foreign country by myself. With the help of God, I ended up settling in Japan... for those who are aware (who wouldn't be aware) Pokemon Go launched... causing a crazy infatuation over the new location-based augmented reality game. 

When I talk to people about Pokemon, it brings back so many memories: childhood memories, my first impressions of Japan/Tokyo... I remembered after that first trip, I decided that I would like to live in Japan some day... and look where I am... almost 20 years later...

It's strange where life can take us...

The Moon's romance

see how big and beautiful the moon is

(English below)今晚覺得個月光好靚... 唔經唔覺已經好來冇望個月光了...上次應該有一個月了... 依一個月好難過...

其實... 由細致大都唔明點解月光會代表“愛”... 明明好遠...

當我諗返雖然你我的實則距離無依個月光咁遠... 可惜... 我們兩個心比依個月光的距離仲遠...

點解會咁... 太奇怪... 雖然我對依個月光咁遠但係最起碼都可以見到佢... 但係你... 我已經好耐冇見過了

______________________________________________________________________________

While walking home tonight, I looked up and noticed how beautiful the moon is. It has already been a month since I have noticed the moon (the last time being Mid-Autumn festival). I can't believe it has already been a month... I had a tough month... but I still have hope.


I always wondered why the moon represents love. Why do ancients of different cultures always viewed the moon as romantic and represents love?


While looking at the moon, I couldn't help but noticed just how far the moon is... in fact... it is much further than the "physical" distance between us... yet... the distance between our hearts is much further away... perhaps further than Pluto.


I don't understand what has happened... you aren't that much far (as is the moon to be... physically) yet...  the distance between our hearts is so far... what I once thought that were only a few inches has grown to the size of the solar system.  

Even if the moon is far... I can still see it... but you... it has been a long time... you just... disappeared...

relationships... games?

while having a thought process (aka talking to myself) something occurred to me... we are no longer young. Relationships are no longer a game... if you still consider relationships a game at this age (late 20s)... you are clearly immature and there is something wrong with you...

actually... relationships should never be considered a game... to begin with... only immature, selfish, insecure and low self confidence type of people play games... because they can't show others who they really are...

Before 1997 and After 1997 HK

a few days ago, I was teaching some of my students using a 20 year old textbook. It was about Hong Kong... (obviously I was excited!). While reading I noticed that the Hong Kongers kept referring to themselves as Chinese. In fact, they say they are proud to be Chinese.

Bruce Lee, during his first interview has constantly mentioned being Chinese and how Kung Fu was an important

Unfortunately, as we fast forward to 20 years later... seriously... how many Hong Kongers would still consider themselves "Chinese"? Over the years, Chinese has already become a derogatory term because Hong Kongers simply don't want to be associated with the barbaric Chinese tourists nor the unethical businesses in China. The Chinese government has broken the promises made to the people of Hong Kong and the British Government giving "Chinese" a terrible image. It is quite sad that most Hong Kongers have decided to neglect their roots in order to not be associated to certain Chinese.

In fact, some times, I make this same mistake... sometimes, I have to emphasize that I'm not "Chinese... Chinese" I'm "Hong Kong Chinese". When I see loud and rude tourists, I am afraid that I will be associated as being part of their group...

It is quite sad how a certain group of people's selfish behaviours can create such a huge impact.

Before 1997 and After 1997 HK

a few days ago, I was teaching some of my students using a 20 year old textbook. It was about Hong Kong... (obviously I was excited!). While reading I noticed that the Hong Kongers kept referring to themselves as Chinese. In fact, they say they are proud to be Chinese.

Bruce Lee, during his first interview has constantly mentioned being Chinese and how Kung Fu was an important

Unfortunately, as we fast forward to 20 years later... seriously... how many Hong Kongers would still consider themselves "Chinese"? Over the years, Chinese has already become a derogatory term because Hong Kongers simply don't want to be associated with the barbaric Chinese tourists nor the unethical businesses in China. It is quite sad that most Hong Kongers have decided to neglect their roots in order to not be associated to certain Chinese.

In fact, some times, I make this same mistake... sometimes, I have to emphasize that I'm not "Chinese... Chinese" I'm "Hong Kong Chinese".

It is quite sad how a certain group of people's selfish behaviours can create such a huge impact.

我好亂...

當你對我說你要走... 我非常...好難過...
今日... 竟然比我發現...你可能講大話... 依一刻的心情...好亂.

我唔知道應該點諗...希望你依然在東京... 或者希望...你冇對我說大話...

天父求袮幫助若小的我...

age differences?

I'm not sure whether I should be flattered or amused when a 16 year old student asks me about my boyfriend xD (and he was curious as to whether I had one or not X.X)

Native speaker?

One way to know that you are not a native English speaker: by calling you or others "English Native Speakers"... -_____-

I'm Canadian?

This is how you know you are Canadian: You are sweating like crazy and fanning yourself while others are wearing sweaters and starting at you like you are crazy (and THIS is how you know Stephanie is very busy... When she keeps procrastinating and writing random posts XD

Surgical masks

If you have been around Japan during February to April, it would be hard to miss all these masks on everyone's faces!

There are a few reasons:

1. Hanafuze (Allergies... or more commonly known as "Hay Fever" in Japan)
2. Dry skin or skin allergies (changes in the humidity and terrible heating systems)
3. Some want to prevent other's germs from spreading and do not want to get sick
4. Some are sick and considerate enough to not spread their germs by wearing a mask

So the next time you see someone in Japan (or even in Asia) with a mask you will know :)

a note to all real estate agents

Dear Arrogant Real Estate Agents,

Please note that just because you are "selling" houses, doesn't mean you actually "own" them. You only get money if you are able to help someone sell or buy that property.

I also happen to know that all you need is a 60% to pass the exam and get a real estate license to become a real estate agent... so please... PLEASE don't act like you are superior to everyone else... and that you have "so much" knowledge...

Keep in mind, your job is to help your clients find a suitable place... not to create more problems for them... nor tell them that they can't afford this or that. They are paying you... not the other way around. There's a reason why they are called "clients" and there's a reason why you are being paid...

Thank You,

張國榮 - 今生今世

This is such a nice song... with such beautiful lyrics :')

translation credits all go to : http://shintasword.blogspot.jp/2014/07/this-present-life-leslie-cheung.html

All my whole life by Magic changes.
Looking forward to a love Silently.
How many bending road step by step walked up.
Love road one by one Also disappointed.
I'm not willing to say Breaking Up !
Still eager the LEGEND OF LOVE!
never be aparted .

No fear at A Long In The Night with breeze,Continue to chase you.
Laughing in the Wind&Singing in the wind.
Grateful to god,Let me met you.
even though it's bitter,you are beauty.All become beautiful.
if heaven also old or sea also old，disregard of All.
Only True love never grows old.

Willing to this life,Promised with him hug again.

With your hands.
Quietly Brighten this love .
by your sound.
Every night accompany my dream.
Hand over your true heart, really beautiful.

Miss you every day endless.
this present life .
I Would rather that ignore the fame and fortune.
Unrestrained Fly with you.
Laughing in the Wind&Singing in the wind.
Grateful to god,Let me met you.
even though it's bitter,you are beauty.All become beautiful.
if heaven also old or sea also old，disregard of All.
Only True love never grows old.
Willing to this life,Promised with him hug again.
Laughing in the Wind&Singing in the wind.
Grateful to god,Let me met you.
even though it's bitter,you are beauty.All become beautiful.
if heaven also old or sea also old，disregard of All.
Only True love never grows old.
Willing to this life,Promised with him hug again.
Willing to this life,Promised with him hug again.

new JR Yamanote Line trains!!

So usually I don't get excited over new trains... but the JR Yamanote line new trains are too impressive... 

I have been seeing these on the JR railways for quite some time but I haven't had a chance to get on them. These are the new JR Yamanote Line trains!!

I love the interface and the wide screens over the old square screens and the interface is so appealing :P And since it is Yamanote Line, the trains were all very green looking (including seats and handles etc).

One bad thing about them is that their handrails gets scratched and dirty so easily :(...

I'm so glad I got to get a "first taste" of these trains because they still have that new smell to them XD

hair cut!! :D

new hair cut! :D

In this post, I would talk a bit about hair salons in Japan (actually... the hair salon that I went to in Tokyo!). I went to Lite Hair Gotanda. 

Similar to my post about "Fast Pace" everything in this city is about fast!... The salon I went to had a time beside each service so the client can determine how long it would take for them to complete each step.

First, I want to comment just how cheap it is to get a hair cut in Tokyo. For Shampoo (¥500) + Cut (¥2000) it was only ¥2500 (taxes have already been included and no tips!)!!! I was shocked! It was so cheap and affordable! I was quite happy with the service too.

The hair stylist was very friendly and was very efficient. 

So now, let's talk about the time it took... (Shampoo + cutting + styling) 30 mins!... I was only half way done reading my magazine and they told me that my hair cut was done!

hot pepper website: http://beauty.hotpepper.jp/slnH000193408/

an update

from a student :D

I received my first souvenir from a student!!! (so happy!!! :D). One of my students went to Thailand and got these Coconut Extra Crispy Roll snack for me!!! :D (so touched!)

if anyone were to search for me.. I am Stephanie teacher/instructor from English Village (Gotanda and Shibuya Miyamasuyaka school :D)

Why am I in Japan?

I am currently on the train, so please excuse me if there are any typos or grammatical errors.

taken from my house...

why am I here... what is my purpose?
I have gotten this question many MANY times...

unfortunately, I don't have the answer... I'll be very honest, I really don't know...

How I see it is, instead of worrying and wondering why... I choose to enjoy this place... try to get as much out of it as possible... because I don't even know how long I will even be here...

All I care is I'm enjoying life... perhaps this is the purpose in itself... why must I seek the purposes if I am already living that purpose?

representing Canadians

listening to: Jay Chou (please excuse any typos/errors...)

photo source: www.snowcollegenews.com

So after 4 people from 4 different countries (Chicago, NY, Australia and UK) have commented about my Canadian accent, I feel the need to write it here in my blog. These all happened in 4 different occasions:

K from Chicago: Wow... you are definitely Canadian, I haven't heard a Torontonian accent in a long time... especially the way you say "Toronto"

D from NY: yes! That's how you know she's from Toronto, the way she pronounces Toronto...

E from Australia: ... it's so obvious you are from North America... the US or Canada... that accent 

S from UK: hahaha... say that again? You are so Canadian... just like my Canadian friend...



HAHA... these comments make me very self conscious of the way I speak... do I really sound THAT Canadian (more specifically Torontonian)?. I am afraid to say the word "Toronto" now... -_____-||

A new place

Shibuya Miyamasusaka 宮益坂、渋谷

All my life I have spoken English like how I know it... I can recognize the Southern American accent and the UK/Australian accent (till now I can't fully distinguish it... sorry to all my British/English and Australian friends >___<).

The reason why I decided to write these thoughts down is not to show you how "Canadian" or "Torontonian" I am... but rather... it is a wake up call for me... it finally hits me that I am no longer in Canada... where everyone speaks English with the same accent as I do... it's not a place where people have a similar background as I do... I am in a foreign place... a place where if I speak/act/think... I leave an impression on others about Canadians... . I can relate to them... I have met people from different countries (side note: my church has over 52 nationalities) and they are and most probably be the only one I will meet from their country/city/town... whatever they do influences my impression on people from their countries..

As I am still learning to adjust to this new place... I come across new and fascinating things every day... and today... this is what I discovered. As I meet new friends and students... they not only see me as "Stephanie Ng", but also as a "Canadian", "Hong Konger/ese", and "Torontontian".

sad week...

This week... there were 2 bad news. One was devastating and the other was very unfortunate. As I am currently sick with a cold... please excuse any typos/grammatical errors >___<

photo source: ibnlive.com

According to latest new sources: 31 people were killed and about 271 wounded. :(... My thoughts go out to all their families and friends. As I fly much more than I used to... these sorts of events makes me furious!! Airports are places where we wait for the arrival of our loved ones or send off well wishes to our loved ones... yet these idiotic terrorists have chosen such a place to hurt others... hurting people is wrong... but hurting them at a place where people are so vulnerable... that is SO WRONG AND EVIL :'(.

Photo credits: www.truthrevolt.org

Rob Ford (May 28, 1969 – March 22, 2016)

Photo credits: www.huffingtonpost.ca

Death of Rob Ford... R.I.P. . As I mentioned earlier in my Wordpress Blog: Rob Ford, The crack Mayor, I respected him as Mayor of Toronto simply because he listened to us, citizens, he put in effort to make Toronto a better place and he tried to keep his promises (promises made during his campaign). yes, he had his flaws... but he did make Toronto a much better place to live in. During his time as Mayor, I did see dramatic improvements to the city. As I heard the news of him passing... It was hard to accept the fact that he will not have another chance to run for mayor. (I was secretly hoping he will have another chance in the next election). R.I.P. :(

Fishball Revolution

photo source: abcnews.go.com

明明新年因該很快樂了。但是今天看到香港 非常的心痛.

photo source: abcnews.go.com

I am not choosing sides, as I do not feel that both are right. But seeing what has happened in Hong Kong makes me so sad. After the Umbrella revolution, I was absolutely sure that Hong Kongers are very civilized. We would "fight" a good fight, a fight that is righteous and just... but seeing what the riots have done in this Fishball revolution makes me feel that Hong Kongers are changing.

Photo source: cityam.com

A police firing 2 shots into the air and then pointing his gun at civilians, rioters burning trash cans and throwing glass bottles... and intentionally harming police and other civilians....

We are no longer the same.

... I am not proud... 心痛香港這—面

Happy Setsubun (節分/立春)

Cherry Blossoms taken at UTSC back in 2013!

If it weren't for facebook, I wouldn't have known that it was Setsubun (節分/立春) already!!

So what is Setsubun (as if I have so much knowledge!... nah!! all I did was do some quick research).

Setsubun is the day before the beginning of Spring in Japan. So this means Winter is officially going to be over tomorrow!!! yes! I hope we can finally bring out my Spring clothes and stop freezing! ;) brrr... (no more :D)

Fast pace!!

It has been more than month since I have first set foot in Tokyo. After attending a church, finding a job and just hanging around people, I realize that people here are much more fast pace than Toronto.

When I attended church, I joined a Small Group, after telling them my concerns, they all got to work to help me, not only did they pray but they have taken action to help...

When I first applied for a job, the company immediately wanted to see me the next business day. During the first five minutes of the interview, I was offered the position with a contract. I was very shocked and was stepping back because I didn't expect I would get an offer so soon. After speaking with a few friends, I learned that this is how Japan does things, if you are suitable, they will hire you immediately.

In Toronto, America and Hong Kong I am considered an average to fast eater... but in Tokyo, I am always the last one.

When you meet guys (to date) they immediately want to get things done, they would immediately want to see you at the next available time (if you talk to them in the morning, they would want to "date" you in the afternoon or night time). Or sometimes they will even attempt to get something "done" during the first date. (you can interpret "done" as 1. be in a relationship as boy/girl friend 2. having LOTS of body contact or 3. something which involves spending the night together in a love hotel or in one of our homes).

When I see an item for sale that I like (whether it be clothing, pair of shoes or something) and I take some time to think... before I know it... someone already bought them and it is sold out X.x.

It's quite interesting... as I learn to catch up as I sadly fall behind...

Thumb problems of January 6...

I don't know what happened... But BOTH my thumbs ended up bleeding... (No pictures to create disturbance to you all...it isn't pretty). All I can say is that 2 of my thumbs are in pain... One is bleeding on the side (under the nail) and the other is bleeding from the top... Where the skin of my finger meets the nail... WTH!?!?!? Seriously!

So... While I was happily searching on Facebook my "on this day" I discovered something shocking:

... So... Apparently... Just 6 years ago today I had thumb and nail problems too... To be honest... I don't really remember the pain and the suffering or what happened... Ali know is that January 6 is a cursing to my thums and nails :(

Ouch :'(