Wednesday, December 16, 2009

For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son...

I felt so lost this Christmas season. I think I've been swarmed by the usual Christmas frenzy that's unusual in the suburbs of Japan. Hahaha...

I felt lost because this Christmas,
~ I don't have to help out with the Christmas lunch preparation at Ichinomiya Church, which would take at least 3 days, inclusive of cooking and decorations.
~ I don't have to coach and train the children how to sing and dance Christmas carols in English, which drove me mad every time because nobody was there to help me translate and the kids went wild when they couldn't understand. Hahahahaah... That training would start in early Nov.
~ I'm not baking cookies for my Ichinomiya Church friends and students. It's not a tradition to give prezzies there. So, in order to still feel the Christmas cheer in Japan, I baked and gave. Hahaahha... Christmas is all about giving and not receiving anyway.
~ won't be silent because I'll be going to Faith for service. There's no service on Christmas day in Japan. We have Candlelight Christmas on the eve though. Quite special.
~ And there's carolling too, something which I missed like mad when I was in Japan. There's no carolling there.

Now, looking back, I think the silence on Christmas Day is what I'll miss. No, I'm not for the frenzy anymore. Maybe it comes with age too. Wahahahahah....


This morning, as I was playing the song "We are the reason" on the piano, I was reminded of the most important message of this festival. Jesus' birthday is approaching. That's all it is. So we are to spread this good news and cheer especially to those who are still oblivious to this very special and best Christmas prezzie.

Merry Christmas to all of you! May the joy of the Lord be with you too! =)

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

In a little while ...



After living in Japan for 2 yrs, I've developed another side of me which I never thought could exist, which is putting my emotions on hold, to freeze it so that normal life goes on. Quite useful because I can still be efficient, just that I know I'll have to deal with it nevertheless.

Now, this side of me is surfacing again. We're going to put Happy to sleep soon, most prob before Christmas. Happy is only 8 yrs old. It's easy to remember because I brought him home during my first year of teaching. He's a gift from my dad. I still remember holding him, at the time, only 3 months old in my arms. Holding him high up in my arms, I told him, "Since you're going to bring happiness into our house, I'll call you Happy." And Happy became his name.

White shaker dog's syndrome and liver problems overcame him in 2006. With liver problems, he must be on a low proteins diet. He almost died then. Ever since I came back this March, he's been on steroids. At first, it's one jab every few months. Slowly, it became once a month. Now, it's every 2 weeks. How do we know it's time for the jab? He'll be in extreme pain and his liver will expand out of his ribcage till everyone thinks he's overweight. He won't be able to walk or stand. He'll shiver and shake like mad just in that lying position on the floor. He'll scream and whine in pain. Amazingly, he'll be willing to crawl into the bag when we want to bring him to the vet. Maybe he knows the vet will end his pain.

I wonder how Happy will feel if he knows we're ending his life in a few days' time? I wonder if he'll blame us. In the past, he'll be able to walk and run the day after the steroids. Now, after a week, he still stumbles and falls and shakes. This shows that even steroids is not working. THere's no other medication suitable anymore.

I wonder which is better, to let him die in his sleep naturally and suddenly without us being prepared, or to let him die with an overdosed of sleeping drug which will end his life.

My mom, Alex and I have to come to terms with this decision individually. None of us could bear the thought of Happy being put to sleep. The vet told us that he's suffering in pain, why not?


Euthanasia. I'm always against this method. Now, with no choice, I have to make this decision against my will and wish, for the sake of Happy to be happy.

I wonder how long I'll take to get over his death. I took 2 yrs to get over my two hamsters' death.

Friday, October 2, 2009

Sugiyama, Amika and Sushiro

Sugiyama, Amika and Sushiro

Let's talk about sushi first!

Sushiro is an Osaka kaiten (conveyor belt) sushi food chain. Its rice is half the amount we get from Sakae Sushi and the topping is double the size too. Wahaha... Mmmm...I can almost imagine eating the salmon, maguro( tuna), sardine (iwashi), bonito (katsuo)and unagi sushi now. Yummy. So fresh! Each plate is 105yen. Oh! I almost forgot the avocado prawn with onions sushi. So far, I've brought Renee, Gary and their parents and Jake here. I can't remember whether Elaine and weiting came here before because Sushiro was opened about a year after I came here. Usually, I could only eat 5 to 6 plates of sushi and one plate of dessert. Yes. So little. I'll usually eat the above selection, opting for seasonal selections at times. I came here quite frequently, at least bi-monthly. In fact, I was the one who brought my pastor and his family here.

Thank God it's only 10mins walk away. I tried to cycle here but cycling also took me 10mins! Hahahaha... That's becoz I stopped every time there is a road opening and WALK, and continue cycling until the next opening. Hahahahha...Yes. So silly. By the time I reached Sushiro, I was too tired to cycle back. Hahahah... Aiyah, the pavement was juz along the main road and the cars were dashing pass me from the opposite direction la. I was afraid the I'll jerk towards the main road during the opening and crash into any vehicle. Hahahah...
Anyway, you can find Sushiro anywhere. =)

Next, Amika. This international food store packages food in bulk. So, I bought a package of chinese xiao long bao and ate it for 3 mths! One row of hash brown and a package of crinkled fries for 6 mths. I found the filippino kalamansi juice here. Bought my century eggs, desicated coconut (for making kueh dah -dah), tasteless water chestnuts, maple flavoured cream cookies from Canada and other baking ingredients here. Oh, I also bought korean noodles, and rice cakes here. I know how to cook the famous korean spicy rice cakes. You see the actors eating them along the roadside, poking and stuffing them into their mouths. The sauce is red. Yes. Very easy to make. I'll teach you if you're interested. Taught by a korean.

Sometimes, just window shopping here brings comfort to my soul. Yes. I remember there were times I felt homesick. Then, I'll walk here after church. I always comb the shelves of frozen food first. Next are the sauces. Finally the tempting section. I also put a limit to my spending here- 1000yen. A higher budget coz international food costs. Hahahha. I miss you now, Amika.

Finally, SUGIYAMA. It's like Matsumoto Kiyoshi. Sugiyama is a chain for drug stores that's popular in the central part of Japan. I can stay here for hours. Hahahaah...
Reasons:
1. The vegetable juice cost 258yen here. Elsewhere cost 298yen and more.
2. The snacks here cost less than 100yen, better than any 99 or 100yen shops.
3. I buy my softener cum washing detergent here, yes. 2 in 1.
4. Like Matsumoto Kiyoshi, they offer the best range of beauty care, body care, hair care and cosmetics here. Selling the latest and offering the cheapest deals, I will always memorise and compare the prices with the Matsumoto Kiyoshi from the eki (train station). YEs. I have that ability to memorise price tags. hahahahaah...
Sigh.... I miss that mental sums exercise and recall practice now. Hehe...

5. When I'm sick, I buy my salon pas, fever, cough medicine here. Not all are effective.
6. When I can collect 500 points, I get a 500yen cash voucher!! Cool right? Hahahahah... I exchanged quite a few vouchers over my 2 yrs there. Heheeheh...
Sigh... I miss that thrill now...

Aww... all those shampoos and hair treatment window shopping, the cellulite gels during summers, the sun screens, body creams, facial foam, moisturizer, hair spray and gel.... So fun!
Don't you wanna go too? Hehehe...

At first, I couldn't read Nihongo. So it's a risk but I love taking such risks. Heheh...Slowly, when I can read more, I made less mistakes. In fact, no more mistakes. Heheheeh... So it's truly enjoyable. All my church youths and even Kaori sensei know about my shopping spree to Sugiyama coz I sometimes go there after church or before evening service. Heheeh... Think they're amused by my constant amazement about their sugoi Japanese products! AHahah

That's all for tonight.
Oyasumi!

Walking as far as my legs could carry me

Walking as far as my legs could carry me

I've decided to pen down my little adventures and walks over the 2 yrs I lived in Japan. Feel free to read on if you're curious and wanna find out more about the side of Japan that tourists won't get to know. Hehehe... Anyway, my purpose is to jot down these memories in case I forget them in months and years to come. Hahahaha...

This entry includes three 100yen shops, the heated swimming pool, the kaiten (conveyor belt) sushi restaurant, Sugiyama (drugstore), Amica (international food supermarket and Alice Clothes. We'll skip Kishi since I've rant about it in my previous entry. Haha. Yes. They are places I walked to - all within 10mins to 45mins distance from Olive.

In Japan, there are plenty of 100yen shops from different companies. Most required you to pay an additional of 5yen for tax. In the end, each item costs 105yen. In fact, they even have 99yen ones - 'kyu kyu shopu'. However, these 99yen ones died. I chanced upon one Kyu Kyu shopu one day when I decided to stroll along the bus route coming from the interchange direction. After walking pass the 2nd hand car shop, a pachinko, a 2nd hand apparel shop, a 2nd hand kitchenware shop, I came to another road junction. The 99yen shop became a reward for the 'exercise'. Hahaha... I combed the shelves to check out the available stock, memorising the items they have coz each store has it's own products. I came out with a bottle of Wu Long tea.

You know, I've only started appreciating these sugarless bottles of tea after 6 mths living here. At first, I felt that it's such a waste of money buying them. Why can't we just boil hot water and make it at home? All the sugarless green tea, wu long tea, mugi( barley) tea, ban cha, etc. However, slowly, I began to enjoy the healthy and refreshing flavours. I can drink them without feeling guilty and they're easily available. Slowly, I cut down on drinking the all-time fav milk tea and Calpis. Especially after a hot and wet stroll, gulping down sugarless tea feels rewarding even. ;p

This 99yen chain died a few months before I came back. Lawsons took over.

Next is Orange, a 100yen shop, normally termed as 'Hyakkin'. Hya means 100 and kin means shop. Wow. You're learning Nihongo as you're reading this. Wahahahha.. I was told about its existence and decided to hunt for it. Orange sells fresh bread, said my church friends. They walked from church all the way to Orange just to buy bread, 20mins away, although there's a convenience store just 10 mins away. I bought an umbrella here, pickles, some drinks and biscuits over the months. Orange, too, died just a few months before I returned. You can imagine how bad the economy crisis is in Japan. Many shops closed down.

Finally, the super duper big 100yen, Seria. I love Seria. It's 30mins away. I walk there on Sunday afternoons after church or on Saturday evenings after a long day of teaching. It's a double storey store and yes, you can find Seria all over Japan. The first floor includes gift wrappings, kitchenware, food and snacks, cleaning liquids, cooking utensils, baking ingredients. Second floor includes toys, sewing/ knitting/ crochet/ beading materials, stationery, gardening, clothes, stickers, cards, etc. I can spend at least an hour here. Heheehehe...

After 2 to 3 trips, I began to discipline myself before heading there. I made sure my purse only contains 500yen. Hahahaahahahah.... I'm sure you know the reason. Seria is such a dangerous place for me. ;p

Most of my household goods are purchased here. From the netting for the sink, the aluminium partition for the cooking store, the oil absorber for store, to washing detergents, toilet cleaner, kitchen towel, stickers for students, stationery, snacks. You name it.

Heated Pool. Came here twice. Haha. First time, to swim. Second time, to watch the kids swim. I was so excited that the pool was so near. However, my first experience with it simply put me off to come back again. Since nobody I knew went there before, I had to discover for myself from scratch. After many booboos, I learnt that I need to pay to put my shoes in the locker, then pay to swim. After I started swimming for 10mins, I was stopped by a life guard. He tried to explain to me that I couldn't swim without a cap and wearing earrings and necklaces. So I had to remove them, and borrow a cap to continue. Next, after another 10 mins, everyone came out of the pool. I followed. Realized that it's time for warm-up exercises. It's a 10min break. The life guard will clean the pool. As they cleaned it, a pre-recorded set of warm up exercise was played over the PA system. EVERYONE did. Apparently, this is the set of warm up exercise for the entire nation for years! HAhahaha... I followed.

Finally, I swam for another 30mins. After that, I was too tired to continue. Went to the changing room but I forgot to bring my toiletries. So I walked home dripping, telling myself nvr to come here again coz it's such a hassle. I mean, why can't I juz swim my laps without all these interruptions? hahaha...

Ops, it's too long. Let's move on to Sugiyama, Amica and Sushiro in another entry.

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Nostalgia - After 6 Months


Nostalgia - After 6 Months

Recently, images of Ichinomiya, Nagoya and Sakae kept replaying in my mind. Somehow, my brain has stored several video clips of my little adventures I made by myself and with Sporean friends who visited me. Clips after clips, I saw myself exploring and walking like mad, searching for a place (supermarket with super deals, international food store, shopping malls, ryokans, pension houses, train stations) and delighted to to try out new things.

I remember the bus schedule from the eki (train station) to Olive (my place) and vice versa, both for weekdays and weekends and holidays. The bus comes hourly. Haha. Twice during peak hrs. Hahaha. If I happen to miss the bus, I need to window shop either at Matsumoto Kiyoshi (drugstore like our Watsons), Meitetsu Shopping Mall or the shop that sells fabric. It was a joy to look out for bargains and try some yummies at the supermarket. Sometimes, Meitetsu shopping mall has super good deals and I would return home with a super discounted sling bag, pair of shoes or blouse. Hehehehe.... I love Matsumoto Kiyoshi because it always has the LATEST something. Hahahaha...Be it shampoo/conditioner/ hair treatment or facial/ moisturizer, or body lotions and creams.

About six months before I returned to Spore, I discovered that Shimamura, the super duper cheap store that sells clothes was only 15mins walk from the eki. It has the exact same clothes sold in Nagoya and Sakae but the cost would be at least 500yen to 1000yen lesser!

I miss Kishi supermarket. Kishi was one of my first few 'friends' when I arrived. It takes about 6000 steps to and fro, and we need at least 10000 steps per day for exercise! Hahahaha. I go to Kishi at least twice a week. Ooo...I usually combed the vegetables section first, looking for the latest bargains. Then it'll be the fruits turn. Usually, I'll return with either a grapefruit, a comb of banana(if it's less than 100yen), a bag of navel oranges, a few apples or whatever fruits that's in season. I always buy mushrooms of various types.Ooooo....Now they can be found at Fairprice! Thank God. =)

Then, I will go to the tofu section, the fishcakes, buy or not? Hahah.... Next, the meat... Any big chunk of pork or chicken thigh on sale? I'll cut the pork into smaller pieces and freeze it. The thighs will also be divided and frozen. Oh....so fun. AHhaah... Ok. Still have some at home. No need to buy. Skip.

Fish section. Ooooo.... shall I eat maguro (tuna) or salmon sashimi for lunch and dinner? During winter, I'll buy oysters (298 yen) for about 12. Yummy! I'll coat them with flour, pan fry it and top it on my alio garlic spaghetti. Yummy!

Next, Dairy Section. Need milk or yoghurt? Eggs? Bread need to buy. After the perimeter, I'll then go to the center shelves. Always. HAhaahah... Need curry cubes? cream stew cubes? clam clowder cubes? No no no. Snacks? Yum yum.

Ok. All clear. Time to pay. If it's a Thursday, I can get double points for my Kishi loyalty card! Hahahah....weekends, triple! HAhahahah.... I have used the points to exchange some things, including a cute red ceramic pot. Hehehe.

On my way home, most of the time, I questioned myself why I bought so many things, as if there's going to be a war the next day. Hahahaah... But I always cook for others, you see. So I'll give them away, to the students or church members who visit me. HAhahaah.... Sometimes, I cook Sporean desserts for the pastoral too. Excuses, excuses. hahahahah....

I think I'll end here. Can't go on to other places. Sorry. Distracted by the food..... ;p

Yes. I miss you, Ichinomiya. Though you are quiet and small, somehow, you became a part of me. Every time I go on a short trip, I always feel you welcome me home with open arms when the train arrived at your station. The fact that there's no one walking along the streets except me has become a norm. I miss the Gifu mountains when I walked towards the kaiten (conveyor belt) sushi.

Now, I'm going to miss the autumn foliage along the roads in the months to come. Sabiishi.

Monday, April 20, 2009

Who am I?

Who am I?

Who am I
That You transported me
From one sunny isle
To a seasonal isle
And back again?

Who am I
That You opened up my senses
To behold and tread upon
The endless mountainous range
And smell the blooming blossoms?

Who am I
That You allowed me to take a little peep
To act in a minute role
In that life- changing play
Directed by You?

Who am I
That You are willing to shape me
Break me
Shake me
To be more like You?

Who am I
That You came down personally
From Your heavenly throne
To die in my place?

"My eyes had heard of You
but now my eyes have seen You.
Therefore I despise myself
and repent in dust and ashes."

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Hon Machi

Hon Machi

A few friends started to ask me, "Do you miss Japan?", "Which country do you prefer?", "Is Japan better?" and so on.
My replies have been, "I haven't started missing anything or anyone yet," "I feel sad when I see Japanese food", "I can't help but start reading Nihongo aloud whenever I see it around me."

Today, the scene of Hon Machi flashed across my mind as I played the piano. What is it? You asked. Hon Machi is this forsaken covered street across Ichinomiya JR station. There are shops on both sides. This place used to be the 'in' place more than two decades ago. Today, it only comes alive during weekends and on festive days.

When I first explored this place, I really didn't like it because it's so run-down and quiet. The things sold here are so ancient and old-fashioned. The usual customers are the aunties and grannies. 90 % of the shops are closed on Mondays too.

Gradually, I began to know the shops one by one and started coming to this old street just to get certain things.
The first shop I came across was the hair salon. It's only 1575yen per cut. If you have a coupon, you can get a hair wash (500yen) for free. Jingyun brought me here to cut hair and offered me the coupon. The hairdressers here are not bad at all. They're also quick. Many customers patronised them, especially the grannies and aunties.

Next, I discovered a fabric shop! On days with sale, 1m cloth only costs 100yen! So cheap! This is one of the shops I frequently patronised. HAhaha.... I get my thread, cloths, and other patchwork equipment here. Not the cheapest on normal days though. Just on SALE days! Wahahahah...

The grocery sells many varieties of fresh fruits and vegetables. Last year, Japan's bananas became extremely expensive after the introduction of the banana diet. Prior to the variety show, bananas( 4 in a comb) cost about 90 to 100yen. After the show, the cost went up to as high as 250yen! Many supermarkets and groceries finished selling their bananas before noon. The ladies bought more than 4 combs per person every time they came!
But this particular grocery at Hon Machi always has bananas. The highest price was only 157yen. Yes! I bought it. I was craving for bananas for weeks!!! Peaches, strawberries, grapes and other fruits are also very fresh. Mmmm....

My pastor's wife told me there's this dango shop here too. Dango is like our glutinous rice balls. Theirs is usually 3 to 4 dangos in a satay stick, coated with sweetened soy sauce and grilled. I found this shop myself. Looks so old yet many people patronised them. They also sold oni-manju (devil's kueh). Doesn't look evil at all lah. hahaha...It's just some kueh kueh steamed with cubed sweet potatoes. Their oni-manjus are huge, the size of my fist. I remembered I bought one and was eating it happily when a passerby and her mom asked me where I bought it. They seemed to be looking for this shop. I turned back and pointed to the shop, gave some instructions and they went away looking grateful. Heheheh... By the way, it's non-Japanese to walk and eat at the same time. Quite rude, to them. I only do it once in a while, esp when I'm too hungry. HAhaha

I guess that's all for now, folks. How I wish I can bring you to Hon Machi! How I wish I can go there now too, coz I wanna buy some cloths and eat the oni-manju! Wahahahahah....

Sunday, March 22, 2009

My farewell message

My farewell message to Ichinomiya Church

Today, I spent my last Sunday worship service receiving all the love, prayers and encouragement from different church members, more than what I could possibly imagine. I stayed from morning service till evening service. I even sat thru the opening sermon for the Youth Retreat. Haha. The theme was on Love and Marriage. Heheh...Quite interesting for the older ones but I could see the 12yr olds and 13 yr olds dosing off during the 2hrs lecture. Heheheeheh...

Anyway, I was asked to share my last words to the congregation this morning and I thought I should pen them down in my online diary. =)

Biblical Reference: Heb 11: 1, 6, 13, 37, 38, 39, 40

When I accepted Masami Sensei's offer to come to Ichinomiya Church to be your English Conversation Class teacher, I came here by faith. I believe that this is God's best plan for me and I was ready to offer myself in anyway for the Lord in this church and to my students.

However, I must say now that I have received more than I gave. You have given me so much love and I have learnt so many things from you: patchwork, cooking Japanese food, culture, going with you to explore so many beautiful Japanese scenic spots, chatting, shopping and eating with me. I was never lonely.

Yes, of course there were times when I felt physically tired because we have so many activities in church. Hahahah....I always tell Kaori sensei that I was so tired but happy. My heart is so full. Or sometimes, I would be emotionally and mentally drained but I have learnt to lay them all at the feet of Jesus and let Him carry my yoke.

Most important of all, thank you for all your prayers. Without them, I don't think I can survive here, or even adapt so well. This coming Saturday, when I depart from Nagoya Chubu Airport, I will carry with me packages of the sweet memories we shared, laughter and love from all of you.

Of course, I didn't suffer like the great men and women of faith in Hebrews. I think I enjoyed myself too much! Hahaha. I have seen the fruits and results promised by God and am glad. Now, like them, I'm leaving you by faith. I have finished my part of this relay race and I'm passing my baton to the next runner, Prem sensei.
May the joy of the Lord be your strength. =)

Friday, March 13, 2009

Farewells


Farewells
Farewells, though part and parcel of life, is never an easy task for me. How many times have I bade farewells? Shouldn't I be an expert in this? It becomes more complex when I'm biding farewells to Japanese. Hahaha...
They are so kind and sincere.

On Wed, the patchwork circle's ladies cooked a full course Korean lunch for me. They came to church early in the morning to prepare. Yong Shin-san is a Korean and is a very good colour coordinator. So touching when I saw the spread on the table.

Today, I had another round of farewells with my students. I made tea coasters for them and wrote little cards to them. Each one is different and unique, according to their likes and interests. They were so touched. =)
Then I cried buckets when each one expressed their appreciation to me and cried again when I was told to thank them too. Heheheheh...Sigh...Farewells...

Finally, after the emo-lunch, I had to rush back for last lessons with the kiddos. Almost burst into tears again when we took photos and when a few of them didn't want to let go of my hand. But I controlled myself quite successfully. Hehehhee...

I can't imagine how I can control myself for the following days ahead. Ohhh....





























Monday, February 23, 2009

Memories





























Memories

Recently, I've been so busy packing and saying goodbyes that I didn't have time to update my blog and photos. So this album will include some pics of my students and places I've been to.

My new friend, Atsuko Tai from Ikoma, Nara came to visit me 2 weekends ago. I got to know her at last Sept's Tokai Missions Conference. She's the in charge for Japan's 'Our Daily Bread'. She wanted to see the Gifu castle and Basho's Haiku Museum at Ogaki. So I accompanied her for 2 days.


On 11 Feb, Satoko organised a special trip for me to Nabana no Sato at Kuwana, Mie to see flowers with Yo-chan and her husband. After that, we went to Takao and Hitomi's house for dinner - Korean kim chi steamboat and chi ji mi, korean pancake.