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".