Sunday, January 18, 2009
Happy new year... pull your ear!
Chinese New Year's coming as well and I am so busy with my half-cooked dissertation and 3 more modules. As my results from the earlier semester was pretty good, I couldn't bear to let the rests score badly so I'm stressing myself to work even harder this semester! At least getting a 2nd class honours (lower) maybe? So less distractions from my bf and others pls!
Sadly, my supervisor was half-willing to comment on my draft, giving excuses not to meet me nor comment on my work, kept throwing my the Gujarati Econometrics textbook to find out myself. Extremely blur with regressions (finally hands-on to SPSS) and its derived values, I guess I have to find out more myself and with that extra stroke of luck to derive a better regression model... the low t-values are killing me cos they failed to prove my hypothesis is true... I felt like cheating the results.
KK got me an ipod Touch in exchange for my ipod classic. Guess it was pretty a good deal because not only it acts as an mp3, it has internet service as well. I've downloaded pretty loads of applications till now and I must admit this is quite a cool gadget!
My nokia n78 is giving problem again! This is the 3rd time when the loud speakers turned bonkers. Should i get an iphone instead, cause i'm so sick of sending in for repairs and seeing those sloppy nokia care centre staff.
Chinese New Year's coming as well and I am so busy with my half-cooked dissertation and 3 more modules. As my results from the earlier semester was pretty good, I couldn't bear to let the rests score badly so I'm stressing myself to work even harder this semester! At least getting a 2nd class honours (lower) maybe? So less distractions from my bf and others pls!
Sadly, my supervisor was half-willing to comment on my draft, giving excuses not to meet me nor comment on my work, kept throwing my the Gujarati Econometrics textbook to find out myself. Extremely blur with regressions (finally hands-on to SPSS) and its derived values, I guess I have to find out more myself and with that extra stroke of luck to derive a better regression model... the low t-values are killing me cos they failed to prove my hypothesis is true... I felt like cheating the results.
KK got me an ipod Touch in exchange for my ipod classic. Guess it was pretty a good deal because not only it acts as an mp3, it has internet service as well. I've downloaded pretty loads of applications till now and I must admit this is quite a cool gadget!
My nokia n78 is giving problem again! This is the 3rd time when the loud speakers turned bonkers. Should i get an iphone instead, cause i'm so sick of sending in for repairs and seeing those sloppy nokia care centre staff.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
KK always complained that I din write the things about him... well, here's something we shared.
Visited the Peranakan Museum today~ Located near SMU and National Museum of Singapore, the entrance fee is $6 for adults, half price for students and NS men and totally free for NUS students. If you want to know more about the Peranakan Culture, you could make a trip there.
Sad to say, the building looked more impressive than the exhibits inside. Most of the electronic displays were not working, unfortunately.
KK surely looked surprised. In case you dunno, there were 4 fleets of staircases inside the building.
The musuem used to be the old Tao Nan School. In case you were not aware, Peranakans were not only created by cross-racial marriages between Chinese and Malays, there were also Indian Muslims, Indians..... There were also different types of Perenakans; Hokkien, Malaccan, Hindu and many more. The first floor exhibited some photos of famous people in Singapore whom belonged to the Peranakan heritage (Dick Lee was Hokkien Peranakan btw).
One of the most common traits of Peranakan was they do not speak Mandarin. I remembered when I was in Primary One, my tutor married a Peranakan whose mom always cook curry at home. They spoke English and were Catholics. And one of their daughter married an Ang Moh. You really can't blame them for not able to speak or understand Mandarin because their ancestors do not speak the language. Back in their days as traders, the Chinese spoke dialect and from the mixed-marriages, the language was infused with Melayu, similar to our Singlish. When they learned to trade with the British, the rich families sent their children to English schools, thus they spoke Good English.
Sometimes I would think the Peranakan Culture to be quite a "Rojak" (btw, the rojak dish was invented by Peranakans.) But as time goes by, when you mix everything up, you formed an unique identity. That's what Perankans are. Peranakans were certainly proud of their identity. One thing I have to admire for their culture are the dishes they've created, certainly the best in South-East Asia! From Sambal curry, Nyonya rice dumplings to kuehs, these mouth-watering dishes .... the time spent in the kitchens by the nyonyas had certainly paid off!
For more info, do visit
http://www.peranakanmuseum.sg
BTW, there is free entry for all on New Year's Day.
The "kuching" sculpture at the entrance.
Coincidentally, we spotted another "kuching" near Hill Street.
With quite similar pose somemore.... =)
Visited the Peranakan Museum today~ Located near SMU and National Museum of Singapore, the entrance fee is $6 for adults, half price for students and NS men and totally free for NUS students. If you want to know more about the Peranakan Culture, you could make a trip there.
Sad to say, the building looked more impressive than the exhibits inside. Most of the electronic displays were not working, unfortunately.
KK surely looked surprised. In case you dunno, there were 4 fleets of staircases inside the building.
The musuem used to be the old Tao Nan School. In case you were not aware, Peranakans were not only created by cross-racial marriages between Chinese and Malays, there were also Indian Muslims, Indians..... There were also different types of Perenakans; Hokkien, Malaccan, Hindu and many more. The first floor exhibited some photos of famous people in Singapore whom belonged to the Peranakan heritage (Dick Lee was Hokkien Peranakan btw).
One of the most common traits of Peranakan was they do not speak Mandarin. I remembered when I was in Primary One, my tutor married a Peranakan whose mom always cook curry at home. They spoke English and were Catholics. And one of their daughter married an Ang Moh. You really can't blame them for not able to speak or understand Mandarin because their ancestors do not speak the language. Back in their days as traders, the Chinese spoke dialect and from the mixed-marriages, the language was infused with Melayu, similar to our Singlish. When they learned to trade with the British, the rich families sent their children to English schools, thus they spoke Good English.
Sometimes I would think the Peranakan Culture to be quite a "Rojak" (btw, the rojak dish was invented by Peranakans.) But as time goes by, when you mix everything up, you formed an unique identity. That's what Perankans are. Peranakans were certainly proud of their identity. One thing I have to admire for their culture are the dishes they've created, certainly the best in South-East Asia! From Sambal curry, Nyonya rice dumplings to kuehs, these mouth-watering dishes .... the time spent in the kitchens by the nyonyas had certainly paid off!
For more info, do visit
http://www.peranakanmuseum.sg
BTW, there is free entry for all on New Year's Day.
The "kuching" sculpture at the entrance.
Coincidentally, we spotted another "kuching" near Hill Street.
With quite similar pose somemore.... =)
Friday, December 26, 2008
"ding dong bells.... ding dong bells... ding dong all the way...~" <--- wrong lyrics for the X'mas song
Was addicted to "Little Nyonya" liao la. Told myself not to watch the 1st episode already cos I thought it's going to be overrated by mediacorp but I've ended up watching every episode. My sister was even more kiasu. Bec she missed a few epis., she signed up for mob tv to watch a few epis ahead than was shown on tv.
Spent X'mas eve with the girls. Went to Phin's Steakhouse and one of my friends had a whole cup of lime juice poured over her.... by the waiter. Was a pretty awkward and unpleasant experience to enjoy your X'mas eve half-soaked in lime juice. In the end, after a series of apologies from the boss of the steakhouse, they waived off her meal from the bill and the 10% service charge. (but GST for service charge still counted in... duh...!!)
Went to watch "Bedtime Stories" after some gift unwrapping.
Sadly.. it was a movie for kids.
The teen with her parents, sitting beside me was laughing loudly when watching the guinea pig doing some stupid actions. I've only managed to chuckle a bit on this scene where Adam Sandler tested the fire-resistant spray on the salesman and ended up spraying into his own eyes as an apology. The rests of the scenes looked pretty lame. I was so sad that the hot Australian, Guy Pearce acted as the brainless villian in the show~ it was soooo... wasted!!!
After the movie, 5 sleepy and "sian" ladies went to the nearby pub for a mug of beer and countdown. The pub was noisy (had always been) with a gang of young chaps playing games, our next table a few uncles playing poker and not forgetting the young ladies with short skirts serving drinks.
Surely it was quiet for a X'mas eve like this, but it was really a peaceful night!!!
Was addicted to "Little Nyonya" liao la. Told myself not to watch the 1st episode already cos I thought it's going to be overrated by mediacorp but I've ended up watching every episode. My sister was even more kiasu. Bec she missed a few epis., she signed up for mob tv to watch a few epis ahead than was shown on tv.
Spent X'mas eve with the girls. Went to Phin's Steakhouse and one of my friends had a whole cup of lime juice poured over her.... by the waiter. Was a pretty awkward and unpleasant experience to enjoy your X'mas eve half-soaked in lime juice. In the end, after a series of apologies from the boss of the steakhouse, they waived off her meal from the bill and the 10% service charge. (but GST for service charge still counted in... duh...!!)
Went to watch "Bedtime Stories" after some gift unwrapping.
Sadly.. it was a movie for kids.
The teen with her parents, sitting beside me was laughing loudly when watching the guinea pig doing some stupid actions. I've only managed to chuckle a bit on this scene where Adam Sandler tested the fire-resistant spray on the salesman and ended up spraying into his own eyes as an apology. The rests of the scenes looked pretty lame. I was so sad that the hot Australian, Guy Pearce acted as the brainless villian in the show~ it was soooo... wasted!!!
After the movie, 5 sleepy and "sian" ladies went to the nearby pub for a mug of beer and countdown. The pub was noisy (had always been) with a gang of young chaps playing games, our next table a few uncles playing poker and not forgetting the young ladies with short skirts serving drinks.
Surely it was quiet for a X'mas eve like this, but it was really a peaceful night!!!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Let it snow... let it snow... let it snow....
Hokkaido, a Winter Wonderland.
It has really lived up to its name. Snow-capped fields, harsh, cold weather, abundant seafood, expensive but certainly delicious white chocolates, we'd spent a lovely 7-days holiday over there.
Click on pic to see more photos*
Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6, Day 7
Hokkaido, a Winter Wonderland.
It has really lived up to its name. Snow-capped fields, harsh, cold weather, abundant seafood, expensive but certainly delicious white chocolates, we'd spent a lovely 7-days holiday over there.
Click on pic to see more photos*
Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6, Day 7
Friday, November 14, 2008
Sunday, November 09, 2008
Bought a new gadget/accessory for my ipod classic.
It is called "iTalk", by Griffin Technology. Got it from ebay and spent about US$19.98 on item and delivery. Talk about the appreciation on US currency, certainly it wasn't a good time to purchase anything from there, but I needed the recording device desperately to record during lectures.
I was playing with it, recording my voice by reading out loud and did the play back. Noticed the sound was pretty clear then I started to "sing" to it.
Shall put up my singing online so you guys could listen to it~ It's phenomena.....
It is called "iTalk", by Griffin Technology. Got it from ebay and spent about US$19.98 on item and delivery. Talk about the appreciation on US currency, certainly it wasn't a good time to purchase anything from there, but I needed the recording device desperately to record during lectures.
I was playing with it, recording my voice by reading out loud and did the play back. Noticed the sound was pretty clear then I started to "sing" to it.
Shall put up my singing online so you guys could listen to it~ It's phenomena.....
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
I think I've made a hurtful remarks about wasteful my Auntie(currently staying in my grandma place) has made over her baked pasteries and cakes to my Uncle. It wasn't intentional but it hit right at the spot.
Sis came over to stay with us over 1 week at our place. We woke up one morning and as usual my uncle would tell us to eat the cake my auntie baked or bring to office for breakfast.... he himself declared that he din like to eat cake and prefered to have fried beehoon for breakfast.
After hearing what I said on how wasteful it was over the baked pastries and no one's eating, he took it seriously and went over to eat the cake and even told my sister that he was not going to waste food.... showing some anger over the fact I spoke "bad" of my Auntie wasting food.
Feeling perplexed .. should I tell a lie or the truth to express what I felt over this?
Sis came over to stay with us over 1 week at our place. We woke up one morning and as usual my uncle would tell us to eat the cake my auntie baked or bring to office for breakfast.... he himself declared that he din like to eat cake and prefered to have fried beehoon for breakfast.
After hearing what I said on how wasteful it was over the baked pastries and no one's eating, he took it seriously and went over to eat the cake and even told my sister that he was not going to waste food.... showing some anger over the fact I spoke "bad" of my Auntie wasting food.
Feeling perplexed .. should I tell a lie or the truth to express what I felt over this?
Friday, October 24, 2008
Sunday, October 12, 2008
kiosks at shopping malls...
Have you ever encounter kiosks at shopping malls selling stuffs you don't really need? Despite that these kiosks have the most human traffic and charged the highest rents as compared to other shops, the products they sell sometimes are not really appealing to me. One of the reasons is they are almost selling the same stuff from the other kiosks and their products are simply overpriced. You also notice that they hardly has discounts at all, it's because, they can't afford to slash down their prices with the high upfront renting the kiosks. Thus, it is not surprising to see a high turn-over rate on these kiosks.
I recalled a funny encounter with an Israeli guy(who claimed that he was) at Habourfront Shopping Centre where he and his partner were selling some deadsea mineral nail buffers. These handsome scavengers were roaming about in their perimeters, looking for young, female clients with bad nail management. Coincidentally, one of the guys managed to pick on me when I was walking past their kisoks, showing no interests at all to see what they were selling in the first place.
Kiosk Salesman: Hi, could I just looked at your hands? (Trying the break the ice)
Me: Sure. (He held my hand and began to scrutinise my badly cut fingernails)
Kiosk Salesman: Great nails! I have something to turn them even better, pls come with me... (and he dragged me to his kiosk at a corner)
He began to psycho me, asking about my name, what my profession was, how old I was... stuffs that guys asked you during your first dates, while trying to buff my nail. He told me the importance of keeping healthy nails, and his products worked amazingly with the natural deadsea minerals from his country. After all these, he concluded.
Kiosk Salesman: Do you believe in magic?
Me: Huh?
Kiosk Salesman: Tadah! (Flashing my buffed fingernail which is shiny and gleaming til I can see myself from it.)
Me: ????
Kiosk Salesman: We're providing a special promotional price for you, (refering to the package that conists of deadsea mineral hand lotion, nail buffer) just today for a price of S$49.90..
Me: Wow... that's expensive!
Kiosk Salesman: Or maybe you would like to get the nail buffer for S$20....? It is made of silk that will smoothen your nail and make it shiny.
Me: Where does this silk comes from?
Kiosk salesman: ..... Erhhh.... I dunno, from China perhaps?
After trying to hard sell, he still couldn't get me to commit to the sale. I walked away apologetically as he shrugged his shoulders from the huge disappointment that he could not pitch the sale.
Wrong target this time round. =P
Have you ever encounter kiosks at shopping malls selling stuffs you don't really need? Despite that these kiosks have the most human traffic and charged the highest rents as compared to other shops, the products they sell sometimes are not really appealing to me. One of the reasons is they are almost selling the same stuff from the other kiosks and their products are simply overpriced. You also notice that they hardly has discounts at all, it's because, they can't afford to slash down their prices with the high upfront renting the kiosks. Thus, it is not surprising to see a high turn-over rate on these kiosks.
I recalled a funny encounter with an Israeli guy(who claimed that he was) at Habourfront Shopping Centre where he and his partner were selling some deadsea mineral nail buffers. These handsome scavengers were roaming about in their perimeters, looking for young, female clients with bad nail management. Coincidentally, one of the guys managed to pick on me when I was walking past their kisoks, showing no interests at all to see what they were selling in the first place.
Kiosk Salesman: Hi, could I just looked at your hands? (Trying the break the ice)
Me: Sure. (He held my hand and began to scrutinise my badly cut fingernails)
Kiosk Salesman: Great nails! I have something to turn them even better, pls come with me... (and he dragged me to his kiosk at a corner)
He began to psycho me, asking about my name, what my profession was, how old I was... stuffs that guys asked you during your first dates, while trying to buff my nail. He told me the importance of keeping healthy nails, and his products worked amazingly with the natural deadsea minerals from his country. After all these, he concluded.
Kiosk Salesman: Do you believe in magic?
Me: Huh?
Kiosk Salesman: Tadah! (Flashing my buffed fingernail which is shiny and gleaming til I can see myself from it.)
Me: ????
Kiosk Salesman: We're providing a special promotional price for you, (refering to the package that conists of deadsea mineral hand lotion, nail buffer) just today for a price of S$49.90..
Me: Wow... that's expensive!
Kiosk Salesman: Or maybe you would like to get the nail buffer for S$20....? It is made of silk that will smoothen your nail and make it shiny.
Me: Where does this silk comes from?
Kiosk salesman: ..... Erhhh.... I dunno, from China perhaps?
After trying to hard sell, he still couldn't get me to commit to the sale. I walked away apologetically as he shrugged his shoulders from the huge disappointment that he could not pitch the sale.
Wrong target this time round. =P
Friday, September 26, 2008
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Bowling for URA
Became an accidental representative for the MND Sports Event, Bowling Tournament on Friday. Perhaps the first time ever in a bowling competition. Took on this sport as a very waste money one because you are like throwing your money into the drain....
I have not bowled for years... can't even recall the last time I've touched a bowling ball. The other teams were all very strong, amateurs but played really really well with their custom-made balls, shoes and even hand-gears, made us in this event looking like calefares. It was even mentioned that they formed teams long time ago, took up training in the CSC club every Friday. To them, it was their passion and commitment, to us, it sounded like a chore. Guess we are less of the sporting type where work and family comes first.
Win or lose, we still have to put up a good show. Here's my team, consisting of 4 lovely ladies... all singles!!
The balls looked more like balloons than 10 lbs balls... but actually they are quite heavy when posing too long.
Yep, our team played pretty well, some strikes... hmm.. no "turkeys".. hopefully not last at least.
p.s: I still can't figure out which weight of the ball is more suitable for me, the 8 lbs or 9 lbs. One of my teammates mentioned that I tend to "skip" everytime I threw the ball.. which looked awkward. Hmm, bad habits die hard.. I din even realise it myself. =(
Became an accidental representative for the MND Sports Event, Bowling Tournament on Friday. Perhaps the first time ever in a bowling competition. Took on this sport as a very waste money one because you are like throwing your money into the drain....
I have not bowled for years... can't even recall the last time I've touched a bowling ball. The other teams were all very strong, amateurs but played really really well with their custom-made balls, shoes and even hand-gears, made us in this event looking like calefares. It was even mentioned that they formed teams long time ago, took up training in the CSC club every Friday. To them, it was their passion and commitment, to us, it sounded like a chore. Guess we are less of the sporting type where work and family comes first.
Win or lose, we still have to put up a good show. Here's my team, consisting of 4 lovely ladies... all singles!!
The balls looked more like balloons than 10 lbs balls... but actually they are quite heavy when posing too long.
Yep, our team played pretty well, some strikes... hmm.. no "turkeys".. hopefully not last at least.
p.s: I still can't figure out which weight of the ball is more suitable for me, the 8 lbs or 9 lbs. One of my teammates mentioned that I tend to "skip" everytime I threw the ball.. which looked awkward. Hmm, bad habits die hard.. I din even realise it myself. =(
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
I am imagining that I'll be having a free and easy trip to Japan this time round.
Here's what I've planned:
Japan North-east trip itinerary
Day 1 - 6 Dec 08
6am - Departure morning – 6am – reach Tokyo, 2pm
2pm - Tokyo Narita Airport– 东京-成田机场
Take express train to Tokyo Station
(About 1 hr)
3pm - Take Tohoku Shinkansen- 东北新干线 to reach Iwate Prefecture
(About 2 hrs)
Iwate Prefecture岩手县
5 pm - Morioka City Station盛冈駅 - 盛冈市
Shuttle Bus to Morinokaze Oshuku - 森之风莺宿
(40 min)
Check in Onsen hotel and dinner
It’s a beautiful hotel surrounded by mountains capped with snow and rivers below. Rest for the day~
Day 2 - 7 Dec 08
8am - Breakfast in hotel
10am- Kenji World
2pm - Lunch at Wai Wai – restaurant in Kenji World
3pm- Morioka Handi Works Square
5pm- Rest in onsen hotel/dinner
Day 3 - 8 Dec 08
Akita Prefecture - 秋田县
Niigata Prefecture 新泻县
8am - Breakfast in hotel
9am – Check out Hotel
Go to nearest station - Shizukuishi Station雫石町駅
Take Akita Shinkansen 秋田新干线
via Lake Tazawa- 田沢湖 (The deepest lake in Japan)
10am - Transfer at Amagari Station –大曲駅
12am- Akita Station - 秋田 - can visit museums, shrines and parks and have lunch at this area.
3pm- At Akita Station – Take Uetsu Main Line – 羽越本线
Travel along Sea of Japan coast
5pm- Reach Murakami Station – 村上駅
(About 15 min bus-ride to hotel near the sea)
Stop over Taikanso Senaminoyuononsen hotel濑波温泉- 大观庄
(onsen and dinner) Rest for the day~
Day 4- 9 Dec 08
Niigata Prefecture 新泻县
Tokyo
8am - Breakfast in hotel
9am - Check out
Take train to Niigata Terminal Station – 新泻駅from Murakami Station – 村上駅
Need to transfer at Shibata Station 新発田駅 to take Hakushin Line 白新 线,
11am – Reach Niigata Terminal Station – take Joetsu Shinkansen – 上越新干线 to Ueno Station Terminal
Transfer to Yamanote Line -山手線,
3pm - Stop at Ikebukuro Station – 池袋
Check in Hotel (Sunshine City Prince Hotel)
Day 5- 7 10 -13 Dec 08 (Haven planned to go anywhere else in Tokyo yet, maybe to Shibuya and Akihabara)
Tokyo – Ikebukuro-Return Singapore
Ikebukuro Station – 池袋 to Narita
Take train from Ikebukuro to Nippori (日暮里)
Take Keisei Skyliner to reach Tokyo Narita
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Estimated Cost for Japan Trip
JR East Pass Cost
Flexi-4 day travel in JR EAST (Green)
¥28,000
Hotel Stay
Day 1
Morinokaze Oshuku
¥25,000 <-- info from website, could be higher or cheaper, I just took the average
Day 2
Morinokaze Oshuku
¥25,000
Day 3
Taikanso Senaminoyuononsen hotel
¥25,000
Day 4
Sunshine City Prince Hotel in Ikkebukuro
Day 5
Sunshine City Prince Hotel in Ikkebukuro
Day 6
Sunshine City Prince Hotel in Ikkebukuro
Day 7
Return
¥112,344 <-- Price given by New Shan Travel (Hotels and SIA flight)
Food
abt $15 per meal x 3 x 7 days
¥31,250 <--- can be lesser due to hotels already provided breakfasts and dinners
There after totalling above = ¥246,594
Contingencies
Accounted 10%
¥24,659
Grand Total
¥271,253
$3,472.04<-- Singapore dollars!!!!!!!
I have yet to try this itinerary I've customarily brewed, but please feel free to copy or use it. Feedback me too if it works!
BTW the onsen ~) is compulsorily charged in those onsen hotels, even you do not get to enjoy it. So girls have to note when your menses are coming so it won't clash with the dates =)
Here's what I've planned:
Japan North-east trip itinerary
Day 1 - 6 Dec 08
6am - Departure morning – 6am – reach Tokyo, 2pm
2pm - Tokyo Narita Airport– 东京-成田机场
Take express train to Tokyo Station
(About 1 hr)
3pm - Take Tohoku Shinkansen- 东北新干线 to reach Iwate Prefecture
(About 2 hrs)
Iwate Prefecture岩手县
5 pm - Morioka City Station盛冈駅 - 盛冈市
Shuttle Bus to Morinokaze Oshuku - 森之风莺宿
(40 min)
Check in Onsen hotel and dinner
It’s a beautiful hotel surrounded by mountains capped with snow and rivers below. Rest for the day~
Day 2 - 7 Dec 08
8am - Breakfast in hotel
10am- Kenji World
2pm - Lunch at Wai Wai – restaurant in Kenji World
3pm- Morioka Handi Works Square
5pm- Rest in onsen hotel/dinner
Day 3 - 8 Dec 08
Akita Prefecture - 秋田县
Niigata Prefecture 新泻县
8am - Breakfast in hotel
9am – Check out Hotel
Go to nearest station - Shizukuishi Station雫石町駅
Take Akita Shinkansen 秋田新干线
via Lake Tazawa- 田沢湖 (The deepest lake in Japan)
10am - Transfer at Amagari Station –大曲駅
12am- Akita Station - 秋田 - can visit museums, shrines and parks and have lunch at this area.
3pm- At Akita Station – Take Uetsu Main Line – 羽越本线
Travel along Sea of Japan coast
5pm- Reach Murakami Station – 村上駅
(About 15 min bus-ride to hotel near the sea)
Stop over Taikanso Senaminoyuononsen hotel濑波温泉- 大观庄
(onsen and dinner) Rest for the day~
Day 4- 9 Dec 08
Niigata Prefecture 新泻县
Tokyo
8am - Breakfast in hotel
9am - Check out
Take train to Niigata Terminal Station – 新泻駅from Murakami Station – 村上駅
Need to transfer at Shibata Station 新発田駅 to take Hakushin Line 白新 线,
11am – Reach Niigata Terminal Station – take Joetsu Shinkansen – 上越新干线 to Ueno Station Terminal
Transfer to Yamanote Line -山手線,
3pm - Stop at Ikebukuro Station – 池袋
Check in Hotel (Sunshine City Prince Hotel)
Day 5- 7 10 -13 Dec 08 (Haven planned to go anywhere else in Tokyo yet, maybe to Shibuya and Akihabara)
Tokyo – Ikebukuro-Return Singapore
Ikebukuro Station – 池袋 to Narita
Take train from Ikebukuro to Nippori (日暮里)
Take Keisei Skyliner to reach Tokyo Narita
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Estimated Cost for Japan Trip
JR East Pass Cost
Flexi-4 day travel in JR EAST (Green)
¥28,000
Hotel Stay
Day 1
Morinokaze Oshuku
¥25,000 <-- info from website, could be higher or cheaper, I just took the average
Day 2
Morinokaze Oshuku
¥25,000
Day 3
Taikanso Senaminoyuononsen hotel
¥25,000
Day 4
Sunshine City Prince Hotel in Ikkebukuro
Day 5
Sunshine City Prince Hotel in Ikkebukuro
Day 6
Sunshine City Prince Hotel in Ikkebukuro
Day 7
Return
¥112,344 <-- Price given by New Shan Travel (Hotels and SIA flight)
Food
abt $15 per meal x 3 x 7 days
¥31,250 <--- can be lesser due to hotels already provided breakfasts and dinners
There after totalling above = ¥246,594
Contingencies
Accounted 10%
¥24,659
Grand Total
¥271,253
$3,472.04<-- Singapore dollars!!!!!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
P.S: The air ticket, JR pass and hotel accommodation are the most important things you need to settle before anything else. In Japan, you have to plan your route very well so no time is wasted. Also make sure you rent a phone there because you may need to call your hotels to confirm room bookings if there is any delay.I have yet to try this itinerary I've customarily brewed, but please feel free to copy or use it. Feedback me too if it works!
BTW the onsen ~) is compulsorily charged in those onsen hotels, even you do not get to enjoy it. So girls have to note when your menses are coming so it won't clash with the dates =)
Saturday, August 23, 2008
A bit vain recently...
I bought a yukata (japanese summer kimono) from ebay. The order was US$50++ but total delivery charges added to US$85. Freakingly expensive hor? Yup, slap me hard on the face when I know it is made in China.
The parcel came in 3 weeks later~~~ due to some address error by the seller. Luckily I paid for registered mail so it wasn't too bad can still trace. Once collected, I can't wait to try it on.
Neat box~
Neat note~
Items messed up by me. Consist of the yukata, sash, obi (larger cloth) and a readily-made butterfly obi.
Pretty huh? OK, time to try it on.
I had no idea on how to put it on, so I surfed the net for info. Here are the methods. Pretty impressive huh?
Me without make-up. Spent almost 30min figuring out how to put on the sash.
That's not all.
I signed up for a makeover at Laneige for its new launch of Snow Crystal Makeup series. They invited a makeup artist from South Korea to conduct the makeover. Delighted over the fact that you only need to purchase a voucher of $50 (can be fully redeemed from products purchase) I took on the challenge.
When my friends saw the makeup artist, they find him looking pretty unprofessional, don't really have the "seh" of makeup artist. Well, in the end, I got my face "painted" by him. He put on some skin refining lotion and moisturizer on my face despite I've already put on sunblock. So, it end up my face turning quite heavily done. The snow crystal makeup don't really bring out my face well, just shimmery shimmery and very highlighted.... perhaps I was more used to the matte look.
After my makeover ... at a Hong Kong cafe. I had this feeling that people giving me strange looks, must be wondering why my face was "so like this"....
I thought I could at least end up like her. XP
* btw Evonne's not joining me for the Hokkaido trip as she cannot stand the cold that well...
I bought a yukata (japanese summer kimono) from ebay. The order was US$50++ but total delivery charges added to US$85. Freakingly expensive hor? Yup, slap me hard on the face when I know it is made in China.
The parcel came in 3 weeks later~~~ due to some address error by the seller. Luckily I paid for registered mail so it wasn't too bad can still trace. Once collected, I can't wait to try it on.
Neat box~
Neat note~
Items messed up by me. Consist of the yukata, sash, obi (larger cloth) and a readily-made butterfly obi.
Pretty huh? OK, time to try it on.
I had no idea on how to put it on, so I surfed the net for info. Here are the methods. Pretty impressive huh?
Me without make-up. Spent almost 30min figuring out how to put on the sash.
That's not all.
I signed up for a makeover at Laneige for its new launch of Snow Crystal Makeup series. They invited a makeup artist from South Korea to conduct the makeover. Delighted over the fact that you only need to purchase a voucher of $50 (can be fully redeemed from products purchase) I took on the challenge.
When my friends saw the makeup artist, they find him looking pretty unprofessional, don't really have the "seh" of makeup artist. Well, in the end, I got my face "painted" by him. He put on some skin refining lotion and moisturizer on my face despite I've already put on sunblock. So, it end up my face turning quite heavily done. The snow crystal makeup don't really bring out my face well, just shimmery shimmery and very highlighted.... perhaps I was more used to the matte look.
After my makeover ... at a Hong Kong cafe. I had this feeling that people giving me strange looks, must be wondering why my face was "so like this"....
I thought I could at least end up like her. XP
* btw Evonne's not joining me for the Hokkaido trip as she cannot stand the cold that well...
Saturday, August 09, 2008
The new term's starting next week!
It's going to be my 4th year and final year! How time flies, 3 years back, I was in the dilemma of whether to take up this part-time course in NUS Real Estate, considered the time to travel to and fro, assignments, projects, exams...... which probably "eat up" most of my youth. I truly felt time was not wasted, just that not enough time to exercise, go out with friends/family or even meeting new friends.... but a little bit of everything still was good enough.
During these years, I keep thinking, is it really true that we are so busy that we do not spend enough time with our love ones and enjoying the moments of being alone? Truly, we have time to eat and sleep and even surf the net and blog. It all goes with proper time management which I start to pick up and learn these few years.
Took up kick-boxing class (well, not really "kick" boxing.... it was more like a low impact aerobics) in the Bukit Merah CC on Fridays. The instructor was really a funny guy, a little sissy type but full of humour. He kept picking on me when I got all the coordination wrong during the workout then he exclaimed to all, "Never mind, even you can't keep up with the rests, as long as you all have a GREAT WORKOUT , it's fine!!!"... I've always had problems keeping up with the music and moving along with my hands and legs, when it's time to lift up the right leg, I moved my left, kind of thing. I don't really lose much weight after the exercise but I enjoyed myself doing the exercise at least a week, felt so much less guilty after some heavy meals. At least it was more fun than running on the treadmill.
My cousin broke his leg during his PE lesson, when training for his shuttle-run. His nasty friends kind of challenged him over the bean-bag run, instead of breaking the record, he broke his leg! Had an operation which involved inserting the plates inside his leg, he had to stay at home at least 1 month after leaving the hospital. It was such a pity as my aunt had wanted us to go for Northern Eastern Japan trip in December and due to this unexpected incident, she had to postpone it.
Thus this time round, I've planned to travel to Hokkaido with KK and Evonne. Booked the tour package with CTC, 7 days hokkaido winter special for $2565 pax. Due to overwhelming response, our tour was overbooked where the agency asked us to shift to an earlier date which most of us can't. After some persuasion and explanation, we managed to keep the the same date. Well, this time round, taking Northwest Airline instead of SIA or ANA/JAL because of the heavy taxes imposed due to fuel surcharges. Not compromising good flying experience, A330 from Northwest I've heard was not bad either.
After note: My sis found a cyst in her womb which she suspected her experience in eating too many chicken wings while staying in the States. Does eating too many chicken wings cause cysts?
BTW, she was dead worried and cried when telling my aunt that she will be going for operation next week.
It's going to be my 4th year and final year! How time flies, 3 years back, I was in the dilemma of whether to take up this part-time course in NUS Real Estate, considered the time to travel to and fro, assignments, projects, exams...... which probably "eat up" most of my youth. I truly felt time was not wasted, just that not enough time to exercise, go out with friends/family or even meeting new friends.... but a little bit of everything still was good enough.
During these years, I keep thinking, is it really true that we are so busy that we do not spend enough time with our love ones and enjoying the moments of being alone? Truly, we have time to eat and sleep and even surf the net and blog. It all goes with proper time management which I start to pick up and learn these few years.
Took up kick-boxing class (well, not really "kick" boxing.... it was more like a low impact aerobics) in the Bukit Merah CC on Fridays. The instructor was really a funny guy, a little sissy type but full of humour. He kept picking on me when I got all the coordination wrong during the workout then he exclaimed to all, "Never mind, even you can't keep up with the rests, as long as you all have a GREAT WORKOUT , it's fine!!!"... I've always had problems keeping up with the music and moving along with my hands and legs, when it's time to lift up the right leg, I moved my left, kind of thing. I don't really lose much weight after the exercise but I enjoyed myself doing the exercise at least a week, felt so much less guilty after some heavy meals. At least it was more fun than running on the treadmill.
My cousin broke his leg during his PE lesson, when training for his shuttle-run. His nasty friends kind of challenged him over the bean-bag run, instead of breaking the record, he broke his leg! Had an operation which involved inserting the plates inside his leg, he had to stay at home at least 1 month after leaving the hospital. It was such a pity as my aunt had wanted us to go for Northern Eastern Japan trip in December and due to this unexpected incident, she had to postpone it.
Thus this time round, I've planned to travel to Hokkaido with KK and Evonne. Booked the tour package with CTC, 7 days hokkaido winter special for $2565 pax. Due to overwhelming response, our tour was overbooked where the agency asked us to shift to an earlier date which most of us can't. After some persuasion and explanation, we managed to keep the the same date. Well, this time round, taking Northwest Airline instead of SIA or ANA/JAL because of the heavy taxes imposed due to fuel surcharges. Not compromising good flying experience, A330 from Northwest I've heard was not bad either.
After note: My sis found a cyst in her womb which she suspected her experience in eating too many chicken wings while staying in the States. Does eating too many chicken wings cause cysts?
BTW, she was dead worried and cried when telling my aunt that she will be going for operation next week.
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