bye 2018!

Niagara Falls from my hotel room

Happy last day of the year!!!

Woohoo!! I can't believe I managed to write every day this month!!!

I seem to have gotten myself in a writing mood again... most of my posts seem long... (do you prefer longer or shorter posts?)

Bye 2018~ you have been good. But now I'm looking forward to 2019, which will be awesome!

See you on the other side!!! :D

Today I learned... The Three Kubi(s) 首

Life is always about learning... so for the second last day of the year, I will stick in ONE more "Today I learned...

if you have a better picture to represent "neck" let me know

Today I learned a secret trick that most Japanese girls know to stay warm. Ever come to Japan during the winter time (yes, it gets quite cold here during winter) and Japanese girls are still in short skirts or leggings? well... this post might just help you

in Japanese, Kubi - 首 -  くびmeans neck and we have... three
wrist - 手首
ankle - 足首
neck - 首

Almost every Japanese girl knows that as long as you seal these three places, you will be warm... so you will notice girls always wearing scarfs, some kind of socks/leggings and something to cover their wrists.

Try it! :)

healthy finger snacks

if healthy snacks are as good as this... I wouldn't mind eating this every single day :P

Today I learned... Canadian Bacon

Hawaiian Pizza

If you read the title thinking I am literally referring to bacon from Canada or the style... then you are either Canadian... or you have no idea what I'm talking about.

Americans (I think they are the only ones) refer to Canadian bacon as Ham and Pizza.

I'm not sure how the name came... but if you are in America and you see Canadian bacon on a pizza menu... well... now you know :)

p.s. Hawaiian pizza was invented in Canada. When I first heard this from my friend, I thought he was referring to Hawaiian pizza XD

Subculture and me

ham/drumstick 

I guess it is no secret that I'm not really into subcultures. I mean... I have always been very mainstream. I check out what is available to me without going through the extra effort to look for something I might like even more. (I am sounding like a very boring person right now XD). But honestly, I always settled for what was available in advertisements, marketing material and magazines. 

but for the past few months, I have been exposed to a lot of subculture. My friends have started bringing me to places like Village Vanguard and DonQi Hote (I usually only go to Donqi Hote for groceries and shampoo) and showing me other parts of the store. 

Honestly, at first I was very reluctant, but since my friends were so persistent, I decided to give it a try and to my surprise, all my prejudices towards subculture were destroyed. I'm not saying that I liked everything I saw, but I have a new respect for the quality and creativity put into their products. (I have to admit that some things are very expensive at these places).

This is one very interesting thing I am learning and continuing to learn is that when you are prideful, life will always show you underwise and try to humble you.

This encourages me to try something new every day! :)

Pear Souvenir!

The famous La France pear from Yamagata! My coworker got everyone in the office one! :D <3

Merry Christmas

LOVE sign in Daikanyama (代官山のラブ•サイン)

Merry Christmas!!!

a season about love.


John 1:14

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.


Isaiah 9:6

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Columbian snacks

One of my friends came to visit from Columbia and gave us some snacks!

the Chocoramo minis are chocolate coated cakes. The insides are very soft.

Today I learned... cold drinks and women

I had an interesting discussion with a friend of mine's who is a doctor. I told her that in Chinese culture, women try to avoid drinking cold drinks or eating cold foods especially during the time of the month. 

I was surprised she agreed and that she told me that there is a scientific explanation. When we take in cold drinks/foods our muscles reaction is to contract to protect our bodies from the cold and that causes cramps.

heart

leaf shaped like a heart

 I don't know if I could trust you. It's not that you are bad... I've just been hurt too many times.

snoopy heart cake

You can make me infatuated, you can make me obsessed, you can even make my emotions go all over the place. But these are my self-defence mechanisms... to protect myself from the wounds of the past... which I can't heal from.

I don't know how to give my heart to anyone, anymore.

studying...

study hard!!!! 勉強するが頑張ります！！！
私の誕生日は九月十八です！
今日は十二月二十一日です

eggshells

When a lot of people and friends hang out with me... I can appear very strong... as if I don't have a single worry... I focus on what I have: career, friends,... etc.

It just seems comfortable putting on a mask and having a shell to "protect me". I won't be someone's liability or having a "perfect" "flawless" life seems easier to be friends with.

but the reality is I'm not.

I am nowhere strong. It might be hard to believe but sometimes I would hide under my blankets and cry... feel insecure and not know what to do. The reality is... I am lost. While I do have a "career" I don't have a direction. I have friends, but those who I can really share with... and not feel that one day they will hurt me are very few.

Betrayal in the past has created multiple wounds that I am still learning to cope with, live with and heal from. But it is hard.

I always thought I have healed from most... but my self defense tells me otherwise. It is difficult for me to fully trust people.

I have tried to give it to God... but just when I thought I have given it all, I realize there are still so much left... I am exhausted.

Why do people like to hurt others? :'(.

owls

my friend posted this on facebook and I had to share it!!!!!!! XD....
who knew?????

good bye my past...

bye

I had a conversation with my mom a few days ago and when I referred to SCBC (Scarborough Chinese Baptist Church) as MY CHURCH, she had to correct me that it was no longer my church... she said MY CHURCH is TBC (Tokyo Baptist Church) and told me it is confusing since SCBC is no longer my church... I don't belong.

As much as I wish I could argue, I didn't have a better comeback. It is true... I moved on... sometimes I have to remind myself to not dwell on the past... the hurt endured shouldn't affect me... I should be in a healing phase.



....I will get better.

breakfast

a good and deliicious start to the day :9

time flies

yes, this is my wrist :)

A reminder of the day: time is precious... don't waste it!

Ever felt like you are constantly wasting time? over this past month I have reflected on this and wanted to change (it has something to do with my career... if I see a problem, I want to fix it).

things I notice when I waste time:

• no purpose
• no goal
• no motivation

So my fix is... always have a goal of the day (no matter how minor) such as:

• give yourself small tasks to do )e.g. pick up that annoying piece of paper on the floor (you'd be surprised how this little task will lead you to do more cleaning))
• think of a benefit to a task (e.g. buy milk at the grocery store so you won't have to when you get really busy)
• limit yourself from meaningless things (e.g. pointless games, daydreaming...) not saying you shouldn't do these... but limit it to say... after an hour of doing this, I will do other things...
• if you have a few days, then give yourself ONE slack day (because we need a lazy day sometimes... if we can afford it ;) )

you can start there... and before you know it... you will stop wasting time.

lips!!

Did I go crazy? nope!! I got all of these on sale! :D

Quality over quantity!! :D

Is the world really overpopulated?

Everywhere I go, people are always talking about how we are overpopulated... there are too many people and there will be a crisis in 20, 30, or even 50 years. But are we really?

If that were true, then why are countries like Japan, Canada, Singapore and EVEN China* encouraging their citizens to have more kids? Where in the world are we overpopulated? and if so... why are countries more worried about not having a big enough population?... (I was even told by locals that a lot of third world countries are not able to keep their population either.)

These are questions... feel free to answer them in the comments below...

*China has recently cancelled their one child per couple policy and constantly encouraging their citizens to get married and have kids.

dusk or dawn?

Sky

I just love taking pictures of the sky (not that this is a good picture... I just took it today and decided to post it) Guess whether this is dusk or dawn?

a souvenir from Hong Kong :)

Kee Wah Bakery's Mini Walnut Cookies

One of my friends went to Hong Kong and gave me this... Kee Wah's Mini Walnut Cookies (奇華迷你核桃酥) They are really good!!! :D

I just love it when people bring me pieces of home :)

fake Ritz sandwich

I went and bought some fake Ritz sandwiches again XD

they taste like Ritz... but the cheese is a bit milder... and the crackers keep falling off... :(

Japanese ritz sandwiches

red lipstick :)

end of the day (in other words... tired) look

don't mind the shower cap in the background XD... #photobombed DX

After taking a 3-year hiatus from red... and after some convincing and persuading from a friend, I have recently started experimenting and using red lipstick.

I've always loved it... I just feel it is only good for special occasions... but here I am... wear red every single day... (will eventually go back to pink and orange ;) ) It gets addictive and the problem is... once you see yourself in red (and you take it off) you look completely bare... 

like this panda here:

no panda eye panda

except it isn't the eyes... its the lips... but this is how I feel without eyeliner now... I'm not sure whether I made the right decision... my face feels completely bare at night now :(

Souvenirs

Thanks for the mangoes, Jem!!!! <3 <3 <3

Dried Mangoes straight from the Philippines #authentic

an oily cookie

Jenny's Cookies from Hong Kong

how much grease can only little cookie have? :O

Indian food

Indian food is always warm and hearty :P

love this rice :P

Tandoor at Ebisu

Winter... yeah?

from left: Fish Roe, minced tuna belly and uni (sea urchin) sushi

the only reason I get excited for winter in Japan...

Thanksgiving 2018

These pictures were taken during Thanksgiving. I finally experienced what it means to be completely bloated for Thanksgiving!! 

it is such a blessing to enjoy Thanksgiving in Tokyo and have turkey, roasted pork and roasted beef!!!

location: Blu Jam Cafe, Daikanyama

I highly recommend it! Might I suggest for those in Tokyo to consider going next year? :)

Spring?

taken from my Instagram

IT IS SO WARM TODAY!!!!! God must have been very sympathetic and given me a super warm day today!! :D

I love 22 degrees weather!! with a touch of a warm breeze!!!!

Today I learned... split ends

Steph in a Saree

Today I learned that hair split ends cannot be repaired. It is permanently damaged. The only way is to trim them. Don't waste money on split end shampoos.

With my experience, shampoos can only condition to make the ends of your hair feel softer but split ends always are split.

Chocolate Koalas plushies!!

Koala bear plushy/stuffed toys

 While shopping at Village Vanguard I came across these cute Koala plushies! These Koala chocolate filled biscuits are one of my favourite snacks!!

I didn't buy it/them in the end though... :(

December!!

渋谷の青森

Hey my sweet bunnies,

I made it to December!! It is getting cold :(... and I don't like it... but I'll be heading to Toronto where it will be even colder... I am quite worried though.

I'm glad I was able to post every day in November and will continue to do so.

I'm excited to share with you what Tokyo is like in December and will be able to share with you a bit of Toronto. Since I'll be in Toronto literally the last 1-2 weeks of December, expect to see those posts in January – February.

~ have fun keeping warm

Today I learned... pizzas in Japan

Domino's pizza

Today I learned that pizzas in Japan do not use peameal or chickpea powder to prevent the pizza crust from sticking to the pizza pan, they use powder cheese such as: Parmesan

lunch time!!

lunch is served :P

Dior!

photo credits: Dior Japan

I went bold and bought my very first Dior lip product!!! :D (and it was on sale too :P)