Facebook blessing or curse?

I like to be on Facebook... I have been using Facebook since 2005... I love how I can reconnect with old friends, colleagues and classmates and get to see an update on what they are currently doing.

However, with all these pros... There come cons... Whenever I post I have to think about whether this post will benefit me... How would people view me and is it even good enough to share... It is because of these thoughts that create a lot of pressure and sometimes... I am just reluctant to post anything... On bad days... I would actually think

Facebook has created itself in becoming a tool for us to compare ourselves to others... The like feature has been both a blessing and a curse...

I never know how to react when my friend request stays as a request or when I get unfriended or if someone who unfriended me suddenly friends me back... there just seems to be so much drama going on.... >____< seriously...

And then, on another note, when my friends suddenly shut down their accounts, should I contact them... but what if the only way to contact them is through facebook?

I have too many questions... 

Shazam songs

I hate it every time Shazam is unable to detect what song is playing...  luckily, the restaurant was nice enough to let us take a look at the playlist... one of these songs is my favourite...

#thanksblujam

healthy option

I tried to be healthy so I ordered their healthy lunch combo today... is this healthy?

• 4 onion rings
• 1 piece of toast with prosciutto and guacamole
• yogurt with raspberry sauce
• a slice of veggie quiche 
• a piece of tofu "bread" with some spicy sauce

other items: 

• Komatsuna with ham soup (click here if you don't know what Komatsuna is)
• veggie salad with Ranch sauce

I also had some grape juice

a few reminders...

reminders from God.

Japanese Grayhound?

So... is this the Japanese Grayhound?

Actually, buses are quite popular in Japan, especially night buses which take you as far as Kyushu (from Tokyo)... they are a very popular option if you want to save some money and travel around in Japan. (If you want faster options you can choose Shinkansen which seems to be the most popular option... plane travel is only popular if you are going to Okinawa or Hokkaido (from Tokyo)).

seafood!

Sashimi!! (from Isomaru)

One of the best parts about living in Japan is the choices and amount of seafood you get without costing an arm and a leg.

Miso crab from IsoMaru

This Miso Crab shell (which is a special Miso with crab "brains") is so delicious!

shells from Isomaru

These are a few of my favourite shells :P

Today I learned... status and ranking

treehouse cafe in Hiroo

In most of the western world, Engineers are highly regarded as professionals. They are known to be smart, quick thinkers and problems solvers. Sales, on the other hand, are at the bottom of the food chain, (not every industry, but most).

The usual stereotype is: you don't have any specific skills, experience, or stand out, you should just do sales.

Today I learned that that is completely the opposite in Japan! In fact, Sales are highly regarded as the ones who bring money into a company and engineers... well... engineers are at the bottom of the food chain.

In Japan, they think that engineers are useless without sales... and they can only create something after being told. Sales are what makes things happen and bring in profit.

I'm still in awe....

Mount Fuji あなたなの？

a puffy headed Mount Fuji

Mount Fuji, my Mount Fuji... what happened to your head?

another view

the one time I decided to go to Yamanashi to visit Mount Fuji and It doesn't look like itself... *bummed 😲

(Can you even tell it is Mount Fuji? 富士山...あなたなの？)

scared of heights

Kitte Mall in Marunouchi

I am scared of heights, but seriously, what a view :D

Kitte Mall in Marunouchi

I'm not terrified of heights but my hands do get sweaty when I'm a little higher up and I feel there is a chance I can fall and smash my head.... (ah!).

Today I learned... Komatsuna

Komatsuna

Today I learned that Komatsuna "小松菜" (コマツナ) is healthier than Spinach ほうれん草 (ホウレンソウ) because it has all the healthy benefits of Spinach plus calcium!

Social Media vs Blogs

computers and monitors

Why are blogs slightly better than social media sites: ( in other words... Why do I still have a personal blog)

1. Searchable

2. Easy to navigate

3. More personal

4. Leaves a less "I am showing off" impression

I always feel that social media is to connect people... not break or express strong opinions. 

Hong Kong... a place of memories

Victoria Harbour night view

Hong Kong will always be my favourite city in the world. It was the place where I went on my first date and the place where my grandparents lived. It was the place where I found comfort in when I was given a lot of burdens. It was the place I felt accepted when I encountered a lot of racism in Toronto. 

taken from my Instagram

It was a city I learned that it was ok to be creative and a place where everyone had a voice. It's a city I am most proud of... it is one of my homes.

Hong Kong <3

I continue to hope that Hong Kong will continue to thrive despite all the difficulties it is going through. I hope it will not fall into the trap of being a city only known for having brands... but a city with substance... +oil!

My 31st Birthday!

taken at TeamLab Planets (2018)

Thank you all for your support! I can't believe I'm 31! Time flies!! I still remember being 23 and excited about working, then 28, learning about Tokyo every day... and now, I can't believe I have been working for 8 years already!

The Lord has blessed me so much this year and I know there will be more coming in the 31st year of my life <3... God is so good!

Today I learned... Wind chimes in Japan

Tokyo Midtown Japanese windchime

Today I learned that the sound of Wind Chimes in Japan is a reminder of summer. Unlike in Canada, where Wind Chimes remind us of Fall/Autumn.

Tokyo Midtown Windchimes

Japanese Wind Chimes are usually very delicate and are made of glass or porcelain. When the breeze moves the porcelain strip, it creates a very crisp and light sound.

Because of this, the Japanese tend to imagine a light breeze when they hear a windchime.

fellowship

plate called Joy

it is always such joy to pray, worship and eat together :D

For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.
Matthew 18:20 (NIV)

I don't know where to begin to say just how true this verse is. The older I am, the more I feel this... when I gather with fellow brothers and sisters, I feel the Holy Spirit working within us, reminding us and enabling us to love each other.

expensive cookie

cookie from Maison Kayser

I was really hungry today and somehow was craving for cookies, I spotted some cookies in Maison Kayser in Roppongi Midtown and bought it.

It costs almost ¥300 for one... (possibly one of the most expensive cookies I have ever eaten).

It was really good though... the cookie contained bits of walnuts inside. It's not very sweet, but slightly oily.

Past revisited painfully...

random necklaces from Banana Republic... (I think)

Ever walked into a reunion and wondered why you have gone desperate ways with a group of friends?

I have... In fact, this was just weeks ago where I went to a reunion with a group of friends I haven't seen for quite a while. During the reunion, I can't help but wonder "wow, this group of friends are amazing... What was I thinking to leave them"? 

A few days after the reunion, I continue to keep in contact with them... Then the inevitable happened... I got hurt.

In fact, I got hurt almost the same way I did when I made the painful decision to part with them a few years ago. 

In my mind I was thinking: Steph, you are dumb... Why can't you trust your past self more? You made that painful decision, you ought to stick to it...

I admit that the time at the reunion was truly enjoyable... But some things will always be the same... People. 

I learned this time that... There is a reason why reunions should only be kept as reunions... It is wonderful to reconnect with friends and catch up with them over dinner or lunch... but always remember, there is a reason why you have decided to drift off... Never forget that reason.

stuff animals

stuff animals

two of the cutest stuff animals I have seen this week!

(what animal/creature is the pink one?)

Today I learned... Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls taken at Skylon restaurant

Having lived in Toronto my whole life, I was a bit embarrassed to learn from one of my students who travelled to Toronto that you can take a train from Union Station to Niagara Falls (Niagara Station)!... I always thought there were some bus tours... but I had no idea you could hop on a VIA train and go to Niagara Falls... :O

cute chopstick holders

I found some cute chopstick holders at Odakyu Department Store in Shinjuku and thought it would be nice to share them with you :)

There were many but these were some of my favourites :D

Miffy store!

it is always an adventure going to the Miffy store! 

I'm absolutely in love with Miffy Murch.

these Miffy watches were only ¥2000 (?) each!

Folli Follie sale!

It's sale time at Folli Follie!! 

Most sale items are 30% to 50% off!! :D

where it all began

hotel near Iidabashi

I finally took the initiative to go to the hotel I first stayed at (when I first came to Japan as a tourist, at 11 years old).

It is located near Iidabashi station. Honestly, I don't recognize most of the area... in fact, I have vague memories of it. Yet, it is where it all began. It was where I was first exposed to Tokyo. My room was on the 18th floor... and I remember being mesmerized by it.

I was at this hotel for 2-3 days and then we moved into another hotel... (and for some reason, I have more memories of that one).

It is funny how I was a tourist there,... I remember pretending to blend in and not being able to understand what the people around me were saying; There were so many weird characters... and I remember envying those who lived in this interesting city, ... and now I am a local... it is strange where life takes you...

Today I learned... rabies in Japan

Today I learned that Japan has been rabies free since 1957!

Isn't that great? Growing up in Toronto, I always had a fear (other than the pain) that if I was bitten by a dog or some kind of animal, I would be infected with rabies.

While I am definitely not a fan of being bitten by any animal, it does help that in case I am bitten, I know I won't be infected...

my phone... camera... DX

the incident

I have absolutely no idea what happened to this picture... (luckily I ended up taking a better picture) I don't know how to replicate this problem...

anyhow... I still think it is quite cool (I can say that since I have a good version) what my phone camera did...

help?

Swarovski's bird nest with eggs crystal pendent 

does anyone know the name of this piece? it is by Swarovski, it looks like a nest with eggs in it... my mom bought it a while back and we were trying to find the purpose and story behind this story.

I tried to google it but I couldn't find anything...

RMK nail polishes... I want to try them...

@eCute Shinagawa station, RMK counter

I really wanted to try their nail polishes... I wanted to see the opacity of their nail polishes... BUT... when I finally succeed in twisting and opening the bottles... I discovered that the nail polishes inside have all dried up :(

tiny chocolate bits

Meiji's Choco Baby

I found some of these mini chocolate bits and am loving them. They can satisfy your chocolate craving yet you can enjoy them in small amounts :)

Spiderman is... here?

spotted in Shimokitazawa

I caught Spiderman in action in Shimokitazawa :D

we hit the 3 month mark!

yeah! a month down!

wow!! a big thank you to all who are loyal to this blog, you are definitely my motivation to post every day.

some of you asked whether I get stressed... and to be honest, I do get slightly anxious when I don't have content... but I'm not stressed. In fact, writing helps me to release my stress and helps me think better. It also gives me a goal and when I achieve it... I get a sense of accomplishment!

Don't worry about me, if I do not have content... I will probably post something random :)

September will be a bit busy as it is the month of my birth... so I might (hopefully not) miss a few days. (will keep you updated in October :D)