大晦日

ですねー！

私？
オフィスです。
こちらは、大晦日関係なく仕事の日なんです。

半日出勤、時間短縮ではあるものの、、、
大晦日に働くなんて、、、

今年シンガポールで初めて年越しするマネージャーは
”とりごえさ～ん、大晦日の気分まったくしないですよぉ～！
どうしたらいいんですか～！”って。　（笑）

どうにもなりまへん。

-----皆様、今年もお世話になりました。
２０１１年も皆様にとって、笑顔多き年となりますように。-----

Christmas tree in Singapore

I've never could imagined having Christmas in hot climate.... here I am. *Shrug*
Well, some of the Christmas trees are out and illuminated by small colorful lights!

Happy Thanksgiving

Accross the field and courtyard...
All painted gold and red...

Family gathering with good food and laughter.
I wish you lots of happiness, Peace and Joy with your family!

Happy Thanksgiving to my friends!

Bomb - 韓国砲撃

I have Korean colleagues.

Her friend who is working for NIKE in Soul was told to go home to stay with family for this crucial situation.
Another of her friend in Soul was told to remain in the office for the day.

One of the other Korean colleagues, he can be called up to be back to Korea for army anytime.
He is sitting right behind me now, but anytime.... depends on North Korea....

Angry people have reason, but Crazy people.... just don't make sense and can't be applied any logic.

We just hope for peace.
I saw the full moon today.
The moon looked somewhat swelling and glared down so close to the city.
We all just hope for peace.

Thank you - ありがとう！

My name from the page has been removed!!!
It's like miracle!!!!
Whoever has helped me with it, THANK YOU SOOOOOO MUCH!

You made my day!!!
Here to you, I sing and dance for you!
Make My Day - Waldeck

World Heritage; Malacca 2 - 世界遺産マラッカの旅 その2

1. Ocean view from the Famosa gate. Look at the red roof beautifully lined up.
2. At Famosa Gate, having nice breeze.
3. Canal they used to used for Asian luxury goods trade.

World Heritage; Malacca 1 - 世界遺産マラッカの旅 その１

Malacca is on the west coast of peninsular Malaysia.
Malacca is a vibrant old city that believes its wealth of history.
Visiting Malacca is a unique experience; its rich historical background earned it a World Heritage Site designation in July 2008.

This Church is located in the center of the city and you see the nice water fountain in the middle. This is the influence of PoPortuguese arrived in 1509.

Some good music!

Enjoy your weekend with good music :)

1. Get up carmen
2. Yolanda Be Cool - We No Speak Americano
3. Another version
4. The Blues Brothers - Peter Gunn Theme
5. Nouvelle Vague - Dancing with Myself

Love language

人によって、愛の表現方法は違います。
自分の表現する方法が必ずしも相手が受け取りたい表現方法とは限りません。

①Quality time：時間を共有すること
②Encouragement：励まされること
③Receiving Gift：贈り物を受け取ること
④Serving：何かしてあげること、つくすこと
⑤Skin ship：スキンシップ

二つ選んでみて家族や友達、大切な人との愛を深めてくださいね。


There are 5 Major love languages.
Ask your family, friends, and love one to choose 2 and use the right love language to make them feel loved!

Carina

Carinaって知ってる？
イタリア語でCarinaって「Cute」っていう意味なの。
私にはCarinaって言う「I used to be an Italian in my previous life!」な-んて言う、
へんてこな親友がいるの。
そのCarinaは感受性が豊かで、今日は心に雨が降っているみたいなの。
Carinaはどんな時でも、いつも前向きに進んできてるの。
遠くにいるけれど、そっと心をHugしてるよ。
I am thinking of you...

Exercise

I have been loyal customer for gym for over a year.
Now I stopped the membership and running around the neighborhood.
As the wind has invited me to run this evening so I followed.... and learned that I prefer running in the morning a lot more.
Quiet... air is fresh and feel like it's mine.

I was more happy to realise that I've became the person I wanna run and exercise!
It makes me feel good now!!

Now bedtime.
Good night!

A Sunday Morning

Finally, wind has started to sing...
Some of you have noticed that there was thick haze covered above Singapore for last few days.
Still I can't see blue sky yet, but soon the wind will sing it away I hope.

Once every some years, I get a chance to visit Church.
Yesterday was the day, I happened to join them.
I laughed (*allow / forgive me...) about their concert style service....
It looked just a rock concert / comedy show if you don't know what they are singing and talking about.
Purple, yellow, orange, red lights, beaming to the band on the stage, 5 cameras with 5 screens in really loud speaker!!!
Woooow, definitely not my favorite kind of service.... (old fashion? no no... too casual to me.)

I may not find peace being there, but I find peace through fresh washed sheets, trees cuddling, butterfly fluttering, silence and dark cover.... and love one beside... Perfect!

Handmade lotion

I have been thinking researching to make my orignal handmade lotion.
I should look for the ingredient today.

If I can find the ingredient, I will try to report you with the pic from my new mobile phone camera. (you must be laughing about that I didn't have camera on my mobile!)

Yeah!
I got a touch screen mobile with 5G camera from my friend.
I was really popular /and proud of myself about having the antique Nokia mobile! (any of you know which one I am talking about, you can giggle!)

Weeeeell, my idea was that mobile phone is for me to reach others while I am mobile, and for others to reach me anytime, so I didn't need to have too fancy functions or anything... haahaha.. outmoded ha!
Moreover... I was comfortable the buttons than touch screen, then I would know what I have done physically.

Anyway!
Someone couldn't stand it....
or generous.... anyhow... I got new touch screen mobile.
It seems having a lot of function!
I should take interesting pics to upload more to the blog!

Dear friends, have a lovely weekend!!!

Lost

I lost 5kg recently.
It's not something I had strict diet or so... evidentaly, I did some exercises and monitored what I eat.

I was telling other people that being on diet is my hobby!
Something sometimes I can enjoy it having the restraint.

Now I see the number on the scale says 5kg loss!
I should be happy that I lost it in healthy way, but I was told that I look older after loosing weight :(

Being chubby curvy makes people look bit younger in fact...
Lose weight or lose youth in appearance.... mmmm...

A life

'Eat Pray Love'- Julia Roberts
The movie had expressed the exact topic I was going through.
Many words hit me to my heart...

I know some of my lovely girlfriends have been going through this self searching tunnel as well.
They are still in the tunnel, but I am sure they will find the way out, just like I came out.

For me till I get to come up to my 'project M', I really got into the bottomless well where I felt like going down forever searching for something I never will find.
I am not like Liz (Julia Roberts) who can just decide and go.
Mine's took and will take bit more time to prepare, but well... technically has already started and looking forward it.

And I know that traveling to somewhere doesn't always bring you an answer like this perfect happy movie.
I needed all this time in Singapore to face to myself to my heart for this next step - now it's more how I want to live my life.
FINALLY I can let myself go -What a long time to make the detour!
I can't keep stumbling like that, but want to try accepting who I am.



Masa- who've just passed away at the age of 37 by subarachnoid hemorrhage this Friday...... He was the sweetest charming funny man.
A life can be over suddenly like him.
I believe that his life was full of happiness, smile and love.
He meant a lot to us.
Thank you Masa for sharing your life with us.

Lush 99.5 FM and some more

Hey, I found my favorite station has started the online streaming!!

Lush 99.5 FM

It's nice to have it then I can also learn the name of the songs and singers!
Like this one, I've just learnt the title!

Exploration

What am I doing lately?

Had great summer back home; brother's wedding, fireworks.
Got back to Singapore; work, new house hunting,work, moving, my birthday party, work, house warming party, Simone's birthday party, work, farewell party, work, welcome party, work, Q4 kick off meeting, work.

Too many parties??
Well... it's more socialising... not like the one you would imagine when you were at college.
Evidentally, I've managed to do regular exercise which got me 4kg loss!
3 more kg to go!
Also, doing regular sewing. Now, finally I am working on my dress.
I measured with my current body size which means I can't be bigger than now; otherwise, I won't fit by the time my dress is ready!

Beside, I have some more things I've been working on.
The major one is called project 'M'!!!
Should be able to talk about it soon :D

Oh, any of you who wanna see me in Kimono, I will send you the link of my web album.
I had it for my brother's wedding :D Very cool volcano eruption hair style!!! hahaha

宇宙飛行士に必要な資質

宇宙飛行士に必要な資質って知ってました？

「ストレスに耐える力」「リーダーシップとリーダーを支援し、時に直言もできるフォロワーシップ」「チームを盛り上げるユーモア」「危機を乗り越える折れない心」だそうです。

向井千秋さんの言葉。「宇宙飛行士はスーパーマンである必要はない」が、「すべての項目で６０点（合格点）を取るというのは意外と難しいんですよ」だそうだ。

なんだか、ふむ。と思った。


＊ドキュメント　宇宙飛行士選抜試験　[著]大鐘良一、小原健右　のレビューより。

Roses

Roses from New Zealand for you.
I was just browsing some pictures and thought some of you would enjoy them.
I love flowers and blue sky.

It's cloudy in Singapore today.
It will be perfect day to read some of the books from the book fair last week!

Movie night

I've just finished watching a movie called 'New In Town'.
New In Town

Renee isn't my favorite actress but I watched in anyway....
Then the sub actor happened to be really my type!!!!!
Harry Connick Jr. as in Ted in the movie was soooo much my type.


I enjoyed the scenes and the society in the movie.
Good relaxing movie.

Library book fair

This sunday was really good day!
I went to the library book fair which they sell books from library!
Reeeeeally nice books can be only S$2!!!!
I met many good books which I believe it will inspire me!

Let me enjoy the book now :)

Jamboooo banana!

Banana can be this big????

Baby dresses

This is the dresses I made for my friend's twin girls!
Sewing really makes me feel calm.
It's the time I can enjoy ”無", -clear, empty mind.
But after the time, I can see some progress and result.
Simple, but it's something I wanna keep it up.

Arab street

This is the cafe which serves alcohol and shisha.
Usually Arabic cafe doesn't serve alcohol.... I guess this place is exception.
Aska and I went there for Arabic food and some drinks.
We don't smoke so we didn't do shisha... but smelled really sweet as they have many kind of flavors.

The atmosphere is certainly good.

お告げ？

最近不思議なメッセージがたくさん届きます。
あんまり、意識して過ごしているタイプではないのですが、、、、
あまりに強烈にメッセージが飛び込んできます。

６月２９日（火）とりあえずあっても悪くはないか、、、ってシンガポールのPRの申請をしたときに、
「あぁ、別にPR取れなくてもいいやぁ。。。」って思ったの。
そしたら、翌日３０日（水）の夕方「アパートの契約が８月末でなくて７月末で切れる！」ってルームメイトから。。。
居場所はないわよ。この地から出なさいって言われたような感じね。。。

そんな夜、混んでるのに、なぜか電車（MRT)の席がぽっこり空いてて、誰も座らず、、、
そのまま近所のデパートWhite sandsへ、そしたらではエレベータのOpenボタンを押さえていただけで、「ありがとう、ありがとう！」って知らない人が。
エレベータの中のインド人親子には子供がToy story3のおもちゃに興奮してる！ってお母さんが困った顔で話しかけてきて、、、
文房具とおもちゃを扱ってる、Popularに行ったら、私が欲しかったカード、前回は最後の一枚だったのに、３枚に増えてて、、、おかげでその夜に大切な人にカードを書けた！

そして、レジが混んでて並んでたんだけれど、写真屋さんの閉店時間に間に合わないから
カードたちを預けて、下に降りて、、、戻ってきたら列がかなり短くなってた上に、
エレベータの中でToy story3で話かけてきたインド人が２０％オフのクーポンあげる、って。
ただ、Popularの会員証がないと、、、そしたら、前の前の人が私の使っていいわよ！って。
一旦会員証を渡すところを店員に見られて、ダメ！って言われたものの、
隣のレジでやってもらって。。。結果は２０％Off!

あんまりこういうこと無いのよシンガポール。。。。我関せずの人が多くて。。。
その後歩きながら不思議な日だったなぁ、、、って感じながら帰ったの。
土地には縁は無いかもしれないけれど、人はいい人が居るものだってメッセージなのかなぁ。。。

家探し、私の場合、不安からストレスになってしまうところなんだけれど、
年末を区切りに考えたいから、コモン（部屋にバスルームがついて無いタイプの部屋）でもいいから、とにかく安いところに住むしかないねぇ。。。
そう思ったら、気が楽になったわ。

私の力じゃない何かが動いているなぁ。。。って感じるの。

続くのは７月１日会社の２期目終了のディナーで、恒例のお金をかけた勝ち抜きじゃんけん大会。
これまで、何度とじゃんけんしても、勝つことは全くなかったのに、、、
約８０名位の中から勝ち抜いたの！！！　（額？Very small amount....だけど！）
とにかくびっくり！

あとね、Mona Lisa smileって映画が気になって借りたの。
モナリザスマイルOfficial site
１９５０年代のリベラルな女性のお話なんだけれど。。。
今の自分が追うものが何なのかはっきり教えてくれた。

昨日はね、電車に乗ってたら、色黒の男の人のTシャツから目が離れないの。
読んでみたら、Subject: Antarctica, Iceland, Greenland, Patagonia- Outdoorって。
それに今日は今日でさっき書いたけれど、ザンビアで学校建てようとしている女性に会えたり。。。。

メッセージがいっぱい。
エネルギーがいっぱい。

Seems like it's time to move on.
I will translate this with your request!!!

Housing in Singapore

This is my colleague, Irene's house and her dog.
Aaaaaarh, I wish I had my dog.... and my house - something to feel me at home....

My apartment contract will be over in few months.... again moving....
It is really hard to keep your own place in Singapore.
Too many people on this little island....and money talks especially among this Chinese people... *sigh*

Weekend cooking

Well riped tomato, garlic, little bit of salt and some Italian herbs.
That's all to make this delicious tomato source!
Baked with some cheese and Tadaaa! Yammy!

Salad with Jinnie Dressing
-Soy source
-Olive oil
-Sesami oil
-Garlic
-Chilli powder

Sewing

Almost every Tue. I do enjoy sewing.
It is just straight forward, clear objective, but it's still based on your creativity!
I really enjoy it a lot.

This is the only picture I have so far.
I will be keeping up to let you know!

Arrrrrh, I got tickles in my throat!
Better to go to bed!

Secret pleasure

When I am arranging flowers.
It gave me such a happy time.
Even with these few flowers like this,there are so many ways to enjoy!

Quiet and it seems little thing, but it's definitely precious time for my life.
Thanks to flowers!

ゲイクラブ

最近、私の一番のなかよしさんは、年下のゲイの男の子です。
日本じゃ、なかなかその事実をカミングアウトしてる人は少ない感じがしますが、
シンガポールは法で規制されてるわりに、オープンな人が多い気がします。

法で規制。
シンガポールは、子供のできる行為以外は法律違反です。
あんまり書くと、怖いので、興味のある方はシンガポールのWikiでも見てみてください。（笑）

昨日は何度も断っていたクラブへのお誘いを断れず、、、
前のルームメイトのリンちゃんと彼らの週末のSocializeに行ってきました。

リンちゃんはもともとその道に興味があり、異常に詳しいので、
ゲイの男の子から直接お話しが聞ける良いチャンスになった模様。

私はと言えば、あまりの人の数にびっくり！
ほんと、動けないくらいの人なの。
もちろん、９割男性ね。（笑）
かっこいい人もいるのに、私たちは明らかに彼らにとってマーケット外。（笑）

でもね、み～んな、ジェントルマンで。
やさしいのよぉ。

「どこの化粧品使ってるのぉ？」
「かぁわい～っ！！！」
「ちょっとぉ、かっこいい子どこぉ～？」
なんて、女の子同士の会話ができちゃうの。

彼らは繊細で、ほとんどが恋愛体質。
恋する乙女って感じです。
それに、とっても気が利きます。

リンちゃんも私も、彼らに気を使ってもらって、楽しい時間が過ごせました。
それにしても、クラブなんてほーんと久しぶりだったわ。。。

片手のピアニスト

ピアニストMr.舘野泉のコンサートから帰ってきたところです。


舘野泉
Mr. Izumi Tateno


幸運なことに、一番前の列の真ん中！！！
舘野氏からほんの３メートルも離れていないのです！

表情、顔色、息遣い、そして音、、、本当に近かったのです。
彼のスタイルは力強く弾くスタイル。
約１０年前に片手しか使えなくなったにも関わらず、７２歳になってもプロとしてピアノを弾き続けていらっしゃいます。

いろんな意味でハラハラドキドキするようなステージでしたが、
久しぶりにこんなに感動する音楽を楽しむことができて、本当に素敵な時間でした。

感動した曲目に「記憶樹」というのがあります。
説明文にこうありました。

-----------

「好きになる」とは実に不思議なことだ。ふとした人生の瞬間にそれは不意に訪れ、何の前触れもなしに憑依して離れない。時にそれは、われわれを思いもよらないところに連れ去ってしまう。
その結果我々の人生は、その発端から恐ろしく遠い結末を迎えることとなる。
「好き」な感覚は人のDNAを沸騰させ、どんなにEducationと高いInteligenceを誇る者をも完全無防備にし、見事なまでに幼児化させる。
そんなわけでこの魔法の感覚は人にごく強いモチベーションを与える力を持つ。
「好き」なことのためには人は情熱を注ぎ、またその持てる時間を惜しみなく捧げ尽くす。
この原始感覚がどこからくるのか、明確な答えを知るものはまだいない。
記憶樹は、人の感覚とつながっている生命体だろう。記憶樹がいつからあるのか、どこにあるのか、また存在としてあるのか、、、

-----------

舘野さんにも理由なんてわからない「好き」がピアノにあったんですね。
素晴らしいです。
今日はとっても良い日になりました。

Recomended book

Do you still enjoy reading like when you were little?
What did you read lately?

I was lucky to meet a book "Leaving Microsoft to Change the World" 「マイクロソフトでは出会えなかった天職」written by John Wood.

Through the book, I was inspired and moved.
Based with his great business skill and his incredible passionated mind have been making other people take action.

Here put his web site both in Japanese and English.
Hope some of you will click the URL below and see what he is doing.

Room to read (日本語ページ)
Room to read (English page)

To Kill a Mockingbird

アメリカ文学の代表作のひとつ、To Kill a Mockingbird　の劇を観に行ってきました。

観たのはこの劇

To Kill a Mockingbird　wikipedia

どんな人種であろうと、正義を正しいと言い続けられる強さ、弁護士であり父であるAtticusから改めて教えられました。
今回、Toy factoryというシンガポールの劇団だったのですが、
意外や意外！結構素敵な演出してました。

Good Friday evening!

PROSCIUTTO

Does anybody agree on that prosciuto (パルマハム）taste bit of sesame oil at the end of the flavor?

The best one I ever had was in Tokyo at the Italian restaurant where my ex-housemate couple took me to!
Gooooosh, it was darn tasty!!!

Ronja's birth!!!

My best friend from Germany Stephanie, just gave a birth.
She got baby girl, Ronja!!!!
I would really love to visit them to Germany!

Omedeto-! to Steph, my dear!!!!

Early wake up...

あぁ、、、、今は朝の４時。
なんで、土曜日にこんなに早く目が覚めてしまうの？

身体も、心もクッタクタなのに、、、
あまりのストレスで、起きてしまうの。

仕事は順調、単に責任と量がOverloadなだけ。
常に頭が張ってて、
眠りたい。休みたい。けれど、できないの。

こんな朝早く目覚めたら、日本やColoradoなら山に写真撮りに行ったり、スノボ行ったり、釣りに行ったりするのにな。
早朝一番のBakaryもいいね。ドイツならFresh marketも出てるかな？
Laosならお坊さんのお経の声を聞きに行くのもいいね。

朝は好き。誰にも内緒で素敵な空気を味わえるから。
シンガポールでのこんな時間、どうしたらいいのかしら？

Dear John

I remember how much I cried...
I remember how much my heart ached...

It was one of the book you can't stop crying while the book is open.
"Dear John" written by Nicholas Sparks

Just got to learn that the story has been into movie and just has released this weekend in Singapore.

Do I wanna watch the movie version?
Do I stay with the book?

mmmmmmm.....difficult decision, when I have very good impression from the book.

Sunshining Kitchen

I've got a very nice cabinet builder who visits my blog some times :)
Today, as it was Chinese New Year holiday, I stayed at home and baked a bread.
And I thought it would be so much nicer having bright kitchen like the picture.

My bread turned out as a bread!
Just like below.
It was hard and crunchy than the one you would buy at store.
But certainly it was fun to make it at home!



In the afternoon, I practiced my Ukulele and took a nap.
Such a nice relaxing last day of holiday :)

Oh, beginning of the holiday, I went to Bintan island for their famous Spa.
It was reeeeeeeaaaally amazing!
I would even say that was the best massage I've ever had!

Oyster Paradise vs Detox

4 of Oyster lovers went for oyster bar one night.
We just kept smiling and eating Oysters!
2 of them were competing how much they love oyster and showing off how much they can eat.
At the end, they admired each other "I've never met anyone who love oyster like me! You are great!" "Oh, I thought I am the real oyster lover, but you too!!!"
*smile and built complete oyster friendship here*

Everyone had more than 30 pieces each:)
Including fried oyster, it would be more :P
It was tasty and hard to resist!!!

2days after, things started...when I was getting ready for work.
I didn't feel good, and on the train it got worth...
At the office,my face was already dead pale, I felt like vomitting...

My closest colleague told me the possibility of food poison from Oyster.
I went to see doctor and was told that is food poison from Oyster!!!
Uggggggrrrh, then I dragged my body to the end of the east of Singapore island...
I had really high fever, body ache, striking headache... I was groaning out loud on the bed, rolling left and right.
I thought I would die...

At night I found out rest of 3 Oyster lovers got sick too...
Doctor reported to the designated organization.
Weeks after, the restaurant came to visit our office and appologized sincerely.

It happened in January and I thought it was the detox to reset my body and mind!
It was a lesson and made me appreciate how healthy I am now!

My home town, Nagaoka

For people who has been to my home town, Nagaoka for you to remember.
For people who hasn't been to my home town, Nagaoka for you to imagine.

This is what we see when we arrive to Nagaoka :)
Someone said Nagaoka is quiet sleepy town, do you see that ;P

Knitting

Even on the warm island, I could enjoy making this for my nieces!!
They loved this Christmas gift very much!

Christmas in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Japanese celebrate New Year as family gathering, like Christmas for Western people.
My plan was to go back home for New Year.

So, on Christmas, I went to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's capital city to spend some time with good Friend of mind and her family and family friends.

It was my 2nd time to visit Kuala Lumpur to her place.
Last time, I didn't have enough time to explore their pride of many good dishes.

This time, I met one dish which brought me to the perfect world of food harmony.
It's just one bowl of noodle.
No fancy looking.
But but but! YOU WILL BE AMAZED how perfect the bowl of the noodle is!!!








Their noodle with some dried ingredients on top, mix with the half boiled egg, and their incredibly tasty chili!!!
Wow wow wow, it makes me mouth watering!!!

Anybody who is going to KL, ask me for more detail!!!
Not me, but my friend can tell ;P
Thank you to my dear frined who has invited me and fed great foods there!!!!