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)