It dawned upon me that I’m not staying in Tokyo anymore and hence shouldn’t be using that Life in Tokyo title every time I blog about Japan. LOL. So I’ve been intending to change that for moons and here I sat till the cows came home and yet all I could master was an unoriginal “Japan Travel” How boring!
The advertisements in the trains of Japan never fails to entertain me. They’re either covered with text or bombarded with colorful images. When I was staying there, I always notice some public service ads that sometimes sarcastically reminds us commuters to mind our own manners and so I randomly snapped up a few for keepsake.
These ones are generally found on the JR line and I’m already guilty of the first one!
Exactly one month after Valentine’s Day, comes March 14th – White Day ホワイトデー. Don’t ask me why its white and not purple or teal or mahogany. It is a celebrated “holiday” in Japan and white day basically means that the guys will get to decide whether they’re going to return the favor to the female of the species who gave them honmei-choco” [chocolate of love] or “giri-choco” [courtesy chocolate] on Valentine’s Day… Naturally, my not-so-glamorous V-day confession won’t get a favourable return.
This is it – my not so official announcement of me leaving the N.E.E.T society. It’s high time to put the thinking cap back on. The mere CASHLESS society that I’ve been dwelling in is making me deprived & desperate (major pun intended aka. CREDIT).
Happie V Dae guys! .. I know I know I’m a little late. But only because I’m feeling so dejected and so I thought I’m entitled to claim the benefits from Operation Total Rejection… you know pout, grumble, stare, stone, drink, complain and then experience the wonders of insomnia. But then I guess I procrastinated for 26 hours too, before this came live. I’m just so terrible at being on time sometimes. I blame hormonal imbalance. I mean hey, what’s a girl to do?! My “confession” failed.. LOL so here goes…
All about Japanese TV ads. The good, the bad and the I-don’t-know-what-happened. The one thing I like about Japanese commercials is … well , how bizarre they can be. While I’ve been in the advertising industry all my life (well, since I graduate that is) I try to link it back to the theories my professors have enlightened me with. But I guess sometimes, even the most culturally sensitive neurotransmitter in me has to acknowledge that Japanese commercials simply refutes all common senses.
Okay this comes as a “little” late as I dawdle about suffering from summer holiday withdrawal syndrome. I went to a few places over the last couple of WEEKS and snapped up a quarter of a tone of images and then conveniently tucked them in one yellow folder in my memory stick and they’ve been screaming “PUT US AWAY WOMAN!” Procrastinator Number One, I tell you!
Japan’s been having some erratic weather recently. The sky’s been cooling the grounds intermittently between days and I’m starting to wonder if the weather’s working it’s enigma on me lately. I woke up feeling anything but refreshed and then I conveniently blame it on the weather that I’m feeling rather sedate.
I have a question. I have an underlying, unquestionably questionable question.
Actually, I have been questioned to question simply because I just wonder.
You know it’s Summer here in Tokyo when suddenly the whole state’s super hyped up about festivals. Japan itself boosts quite a number of festivals yearly and the heat of summer ain’t gonna stop the locals from some sort of celebration.
I was blessed enough to attend a few of these festivals and experience some traditional local culture in my short weeks here.
My “All American Breakfast” here in Tokyo (strange isn’t it?) but that’s what I usually eat for breaky and lunch (cause that’s all I know how to cook anyway haha).
My first week here hasn’t been that much fun acutally. Been really busy getting lost, settling down and trying to get my immigration stuff ironed out (which is a real pain in the ass and perhaps can be written as a thesis itself). Anyway 2 weeks just zoomed by like that. So here’s what been happening so far and a sneak peek of my place.
I went to Kyoto on the 3rd day of my trip. This is the 2nd time I’ve been there actually and I think I prefer it more than Tokyo. Kyoto is ooooold – and she sweeps a sense of nostalgic ancient history through its streets. That’s what I love about it. It’s exactly a well blended mix of classic & modern culture,just less haste & waste. Established in 794, Kyoto retains its unique position as the country’s historical and cultural heart and believe it or not, its the birthplace of the spirit and technology of traditional Japan.
Nekoguchi wishes everybody a fabulous Mother’s Day!
Mother’s day falls on the 2nd Sunday of May for most countries. This day was decided to commemorate all mothers for well, just being a Mom! It’s not an easy “job” considering its a 24 hour, no salary, no over time pay, no annual and medical leave entitlements and definitely no mobile phone subsidy kindda job. So common, give your mom 2 hugs today!
I truly admire and appreciate mine! Just this morning she was still sweeping and mopping the floor away and like all mothers, when I extended my help, she brushed me off asking me to go get breakfast instead.
It’s my mom’s birthday today too and I’m not gonna squirm by combining 2 presents into one for her. I bought her curry and butter crabs (her favourite) instead LOL. ok so does that count as two separate gifts?
What did you get for your Mom on Mom’s day?
I received an email with this super pink & terribly cute Honda Airwave Itasha [痛車(い たしゃ)] attached. Kinda proud that there’s a significant increase in such interest in our small market now.
I’m really not too sure about this. Golden poo cell phone strap as a symbol of luck? According to Strappy World, the symbol of crap is very auspicious! I really give it to the Japanese to churn a mundane product into a money tree. In Japanese, your “output” or excrement is called “unko” and in the same pronunciation, it means lucky kid! Though I’m no Feng Shui 風水 expert I’ve read just about enough to understand the kinds of geomancy elements and symbols. But Poo? So far, I’ve really never heard of crap being a symbol of good luck. Well, at least not here~ So when I chanced upon this in my quest to blog about something I have zero affinity to . . . I almost fell off my chair.
I’ve always thought that cell phone straps are quite pointless. Well, I still think so! Other than a money making ideology, what other logical and fundamental function do they really serve? I could really write a thesis on their functionality actually. But having said that, the rebellious side of me wanted to prove myself wrong. (Actually I’m just bored. . . to death) So here I am, trying to post about something cute. . .
Have a RATTY year!
Original Pix by Kirui
Just wanna wish everyone an auspicious & prosperous Chinese New Year!
~ Money money ching ching ching; for more moe moe bling bling bling! ~
S.O.Y. Cosplay’08: “The Beginning” organised by Japanese Tsubasa Club in Ngee Ann Polytechnic.
This is me first time shooting a cosplay event. Heck its my first time shooting ANY event. I’ve got Windbell to thank for letting me in on the juicy bait.
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2008!
It’s 2 hours past midnight here and I’m just done with the fireworks photos. It’s my first attempt *blush* with night photography & fireworks shots; so please pardon any faults ¬(^.*)¬
Beginning April 2008, 30 such teachers will be dispatched to a few east European countries such as Poland, Romania, Hungary, and Bulgaria, where there is a growing interest in Japanese culture especially manga, or comics.
