Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Hope for A New Chapter in My Life

September 28, 2010 by ~Stephie~

I am back again after my 1 or 2 mths ago “latest” updates. All I can say, after my travel to China, nothing much good been happening to me. I had a pretty much screwed up time for abt 1 mth plus. At first, I was extremely excited to go to Korea, but everything turned out bad and I didn’t enjoy my trip as much as I wished to. There were so many nice things in Korea to eat, shop, and enjoy, but I just couldn’t because I was in a terrible emotional state. I tried my best to enjoy myself though, but it was pretty hard. Anyway, after the Korea trip, I came back to Singapore, and then head to Malaysia to settle some personal issues, which in the end, turned up pretty bad. Well, I used to think the end result was good, but I realized after few weeks and abt a mth plus time that I don’t even know anymore. I don’t know whether the result is what I really want or whether I can accept the end result or not. OMG!!! I am so emo and jz wanna get over this issue ASAP!!!

Anyway, I am trying my best not to be sad and sulky and jz complain all the time. I am trying to be more optimistic.

Oh well, I was actually pretty excited last wk when I got a job offer. Thought that I can start working yesterday actually as said in the contract, but didn’t get to. There was issue with my employment pass and my starting date has to be delayed for another 2-3 weeks. So sad!! 😦 Anyway, about the company, it is a Japanese recruitment company. I am gonna be working under the bilingual division. I got to use my Japanese and that’s one thing I am really looking forward to! I am also gonna start retaking Japanese classes and I already enrolled into my pre-advance class starting tomorrow morning. The class will be a part-time, once a wk every Sunday morning. Can’t wait for the class too!!!! 🙂

Basically, I feel that I have been having quite a bad year this year, and hope things will turn around beginning with my new job! I really wanna throw away whatever bad and shitty things that happened in the past far far away from my memory. There are just some things that’s not worth remembering. not worth my time, and not worth it at all. I should’ve realize this in the beginning and not be so badly affected in the end. I should turn over a new leaf and get over personal issue as fast as possible. I hate the way things turned out but I can’t change time and history. I jz have to stay strong and am glad that I have my family, esp my sis that’s understanding and willing to bear with my up and down mood. Hehe… 😛

Posted in Life | Leave a Comment »

Travelogue and Unemployment

August 8, 2010 by ~Stephie~

The last time I wrote in this space was like more than half a year ago. I decided to begin writing again since I am jobless and so friggin bored. While looking for job still, I decided to take the time to travel around. Hehe… Most ppl kept telling me tat looking for job in Singapore will be easy, bt then without being a Singaporean or PR, it’s actually extremely challenging. At first, I thot that maybe getting the employment pass first in order to get PR, bt I didn’t know it’s also hard to get the employment pass since each company has quota in hiring foreigners. So annoyed. Disappointed smile So, I alr applied for the in-principle PR and will only get to know the results in the next few mths. Meanwhile, I also applied and already gotten my EPEC. Need the EPEC to be able to apply the 1-yr long term visa in Singapore. Plan to apply for the long term visa soon once I get back to Spore next wk.

All the while, I have been traveling around since my graduation, around US, and back to Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and China.  Will be heading off to Korea in the next 2 weeks, then maybe to Europe in October too. Can’t really wait the most to actually visit Korea and my frens over there. I haven’t seen her for so long and am happy to get the chance this time to visit her. I also hope that I will be able to go to Spain in Oct too, bt provided I hv no job yet. Smile with tongue out Really hope can get job ASAP. Life is too super duper bored without anything to do. Even traveling a lot is actually kinda tiring.

One thing that really excites me during my so call unemployment period time is that I bought a new camera. It’s a Sony NEX-5 camera. At first I wanted to get a Sony ADSL500, bt then no stock and the seller told me that NEX-5 actually better choice cos it’s more compact and can get the same quality. Didn’t believe it at first and was very unsatisfied after paying for the new camera. After few days only then I start to really use the camera and realized it’s actually not that bad. It’s really awesome for a mid-professional camera, bt not more than that. I think to get a better quality photo still need to use those professional DSLR camera that go for advanced usage. One thing bad abt NEX-5 is also that although u can interchange the lens to alpha lenses, it can’t function as auto focus anymore, so hv to be extra stable when using the alpha lens. I still think the camera works the best with its own E-mount lens. Jz kinda disappointed with this fact. Other than that, the camera is awesome cos its lighter than those DSLR bt with the same quality outcome. Oh well, another reason I often use to tell myself, I am not really aiming to be a professional photographers and those manual lenses are super expensive, so NEX-5 is the best choice for now. Hehe… Wink

After buying the camera, I came back to Indon to prepare to go to Guangzhou and Guilin with my mom and bro. It was my first time to China actually. I was neither happy nor not looking forward to go to China. Well, bt since I already bought my new camera, I am jz excited to go there and take photos of the wonderful view especially in Guilin. Heard from a lot of ppl that Guilin has one of the best scenery in the world, so kinda looking forward to go there jz to capture its beauty. Smile
This is the place we visited the first day we landed in Guangzhou. It’s called Beijing Street. There were lots and lots and lots of ppl. Nth much to buy there cos I personally not interested to shop in China a lot. Ppl who know me shud know why. Hehe…Smile with tongue out So, in the end, my mom, bro and me ended up jz walking around in the department store nearby cos it was way too hot outside. We also waited for few hrs in front of the dept store to meet up with someone. While waiting, I was kinda observing ppl and noticed one thing damn funny. There was this little boy who jz stood in front of the trash can, which was in front of me, and peed there. The little boy was peeing there for few secs. I wanted to take a pic of him bt was too late. He was so cute, and me n my mum were laughing so hard at the boy. Open-mouthed smile
This is the pic that I took while waiting with my mom so boringly in front of the dept store. Oh btw, I love my new glasses in the pic. It is my fav brand, Dior. Hehe…. Red heart
The next day our tour started by visiting the Chinese mosque. The mosque structure was very unique cos it was my first time seeing a mosque bt with the Chinese building look.
The night view by our hotel in Guangzhou was also amazing. It was nice jz to sit along the river enjoying our supper and the cool breeze at night. We walked a bit along the river side before returning to our hotel. Sadly we only have 1 night to enjoy this nice atmosphere. We have to fly to Guilin the next day. This is one of the best Portugese Egg Tart tht we had for our supper the day before we left Guangzhou. Indeed it is by far one of the best egg tarts that I have had so far.

While in Guangzhou, we visited quite a few other places like the jade factory, leather and clothing stores, which sell so many fake branded stuff. I was super bored looking around bt many ppl are like so excited, including my mom cos she thought that the fake stuffs were extremely cheap…She bought so many jz to give out to ppl, as usual…Thinking smile

After Guangzhou, we flew off to Guilin. Was kinda excited for the scenery more, bt kinda worried too cos of the toilet. Hehe… Embarrassed smile
Other than Guilin, we also went to Yangshou for a day.
I realized that in Guilin, they are very good and skilled with all these kind of hand-made accessories made out of various type of stones. They are really cheap as long as u can bargain. In the airport they actually sell these type of accessories for like RMB100, but my mom was so good that she actually bargained until it’s only cost RMB10/pc. She finally bought so many home cos she thought it was damn damn damn cheap…
We also went in to the Crown Cave, to explore and hike. The whole journey from one side of the cave to the end took about 3km, more than an hr walk I think. It was so damn tiring, bt luckily it was cooling inside the cave. Outside, however, was the hottest ever weather I have ever experienced. I felt like melting once we stepped out of the cave and headed off to the river side to ride on the river cruise thingy to see scenery. I felt so proud of myself cos I actually wore my platform and walk up and down the cave, the hills, and the rocky pathways. My leg hurt very badly at the end of the day. Sad smile
We also purchased this cute mom and child rabbit. My mom’s fren actually bought it for us while we were still hiking inside the Crown cave. My mom and me were born in the year of rabbit and that’s why I think this cute crafted figurine is not only cute bt also meaningful. Seriously I love the mommy and kiddy rabbit. WinkRed heartRed heartRed heart
After coming out of the cave, we have to climb up and down the hill to take the scenic river cruise. Although it was tiring, the scenery was worth the time and energy. The scenery was so awesome. Me and my mom were so busy taking photos, didn’t want to miss taking photos with the beautiful and magnificent nature. Smile with tongue out
After the extreme hiking experience, we headed to our hotel in Yangshuo. Everyone went back to their own room to take a shower and rest after such a sweaty and tiring 3km walk. In few hours after, we went for dinner and next, to the famous Impression, Liu San Jie show. One of the director of the show is Zhang Yi Mo, the director of the Beijing 2008 Olympic’s opening. That’s why this show is so famous and one of the most visited tourist attraction in Yangshuo. Just like the Olympic’s opening, the show uses a lot of people and lighting to make the show look so impressive. I admit that the show was good, but the environment was terrible. There were so many ppl, it was so hot, ppl keep pushing each other, ppl smoking while walking, etc…The line to get in and out I feel was so not well-organized. Angry smile

After Yangshuo, we took a bus ride down to Guilin, which was abt 1 hr ride. Guilin was fine, nothing very great actually.
In Guilin, we started by going to the Silk Factory. I wasn’t really listening cos busy taking photos, so I don’t really know what’s the use of the bathtub in the pic. All I know is that the silk worm thingy changes its skin on the wooden plank thing.This is the egg looking thingy, which I guess is the silk worm cocoons.
After the silk factory visit, we went to the elephant trunk hill. The pic of the hill looks like the elephant trunk rite? Smile with tongue out Quite a nice view I think.The eagle statue was on the love island. Myth says that any couple who take pics here will be together forever and for those single ppl, they will find their significant other in the next 1 year for sure. How true it is? I don’t know. I don’t really believe anyway. Oh ya, and because of this pic, the auntie auntie there who were in charge of taking tourists’ photos and me got into argument. We told them we didn’t want our pic taken by them, bt they insisted. They took and forced us to buy the photos, which made me very mad. In addition, they were extremely rude when talking to us, which made the argument worse. OMG – worst experience ever. No offense, bt seriously was so pissed off and kind of annoyed at those rude speaking Chinese ppl that I met during the trip especially. Angry smile Grrrr….. Annoyed TOTALLY!!! This is usually where couples take their photos because the statue of Phoenix and Dragon symbolizes “緣分”.Red heart
This art is blowing art which means the artist really blew the ink to produce such piece of art. Was amazed by how great and extra-ordinary the technique was. Surprised smile
Next, we went to the tea house to taste and buy some chinese tea. We tried few teas, bt I only like the 桂花茶 and 普洱茶. Mom bought all those tea in the pics. She bought so many. Surprised me. Since she said she’s giving to ppl then I kinda feel ok. If not, I feel she so wasting money bought so many cos dun think can finish so many.
We took a stroll down the path where you could see the view like the one I captured. There was lots of lights and beautiful view at night. We were on our way to the night market nearby our hotel. A very quiet pathway yet beautiful night to enjoy.The whole stretch of stalls at the night market made us so tired after walking for more than 1 hr. So in the end, we decided to take the “motor-ride” that doesn’t use any petrol. It jz uses battery to operate and very environmental friendly. Kind of a nice first time experience taking the “motor-ride”. It costs quite cheap abt RMB5 only and it was fun… Wink
We left for home on the 4th of Aug and the plane ride took the whole day cos our flight was delayed for like nearly 2 hrs in Guangzhou. Enjoying the sunset view on the plane on the way back to Jakarta.
Goodbye Guangzhou and welcome home to Indonesia. Wink

There goes my first ever trip to the mainland China. Don’t feel very satisfied with the trip cos of the frigggiiiiinnnnn hot weather, everyday-eating-duck menu, rude Chinese ppl especially in Guilin, and not much nice places to visit reason.

Now I am stuck in Indon cos need to wait for my Korean visa to be approved. Can’t wait to leave for Korea the upcoming week. Can’t also wait to go back to Singapore to get settled, my iphone 4 (hopefully), and apply for my long term visa. Yeah!!! Hopefully can find job too. *Crossing my finger* RainbowSmileRainbow

Posted in Life, Travel | Leave a Comment »

沒事幹的人。無聊的我。生氣的我。千萬不要讀這一遍blog。

November 12, 2009 by ~Stephie~

已經很就都沒有真麼難過了。今天真的超級超級超級難過。很想哭，可是又不行。有時候我覺得自己哭Crying過後就會好多了，可是就沒辦法。我很想哭啊！！！ 剛才走回家的路時，一想到自己真的很想放棄，很想離開就好了。很想離開可是又不知道想到那裡去。現在突然覺得很想到海邊自己去玩。很想把所有的事忘得一干二淨，可是一發生就沒得挽回。一直讓自己想濄了就算了，可是一想到不去想也很難。不想作任何事。不想作功課。不想讀書。不想和任何人談。不想把自己想的真麼的笨。Sad 不想去想！！！很想永遠是個沒煩惱的小孩。很想活在自己的夢想，自己的世界。很難過。很不舒服。生病了又沒有媽媽在身邊。好想念自己的家，自家的家人，反正關於家我都在想著。為甚麼自己真麼笨。為甚麼自己真麼的沒用。為甚麼自己真麼難過。為甚麼自己真麼的想不開呢？Baring teeth 為甚麼為甚麼為甚麼？？？？煩死了啦。生活好辛苦。Disappointed 不想再想了啦！！！！！！！！ 煩煩煩煩煩煩！！！Angry

好了，不知道自己到底在寫甚麼了。應該發洩夠了吧！其實还沒，但沒關係。不要去想了。希望今天趕快濄。明天希望會更好的一天Sun。希望希望希望！！！！SunRed rose

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments »

本当に久しぶり

August 25, 2009 by ~Stephie~

私のブログ、久しぶりね。。。もう三と四カ月たった。なんか、日本語を忘らなくならないように、このブログは半分日本語で入力する。難しいのに、頑張るよ！
日本で五ヶ月にいた。色々な経験があった。嬉しい事、悲しい事、面白い事、詰まらない事なんか、全部経験した。ホストファミリの問題がないんですけど、学校とか友達との問題たいていあって、ちょっとストレスになった。

三月〜初めて日本に行って、東京の生活にやっと慣れてきた。

四月〜たくさん友達と一緒にお花見にいって、ホストファミリとの関係も親密になった。

五月〜忙しい月の一つ。中間試験がいっぱいいたし、ホストファミリとのエベントもあったし、旅行にも行ったから。ホストママは私をよく彼女の友達に紹介くれたり、ご飯食べに行ったり、飲みに行ったり、クラブにも連れて行ったりした。そんな事は皆合コンとして知られているけど、あの時、私そんな事を分からなかった。でも、そんな経験は本当に面白かった。色々な人に会えたし、新しい日本人友達を作れたし、カッコい人にも会えたかなと思っている。Wink 　
月末、ゴールデンウィークに、九州に行った。東京から九州まで新幹線で六時間が立ったした。最初、福岡に行って、友達の家に一泊で泊まった。次の日、熊本と佐世保に行った。温泉にも行った。第三の日、ハウステンボスに行ったが、日本人の友達一緒に行かなくて、東京に帰った。ハウステンボスは本当に素晴らしいと思うよ。大好き！Red heart　最後の日に電車で長崎に行って、平和公園、原爆落下中心地、長崎原爆の博物館、中華街に参観した。この旅行本当に楽しかった。
福岡での一番美味しいラメン。。。
　　
ハウステンボス。。。長崎。。。

六月〜CIEEの活動に参加した。Wara Craft, そば作り活動、ホストファミリとの交流会活動、広島旅行、全部参加した。妹も来た。ディズニーや八景島やお台場に連れてあげた。池袋と渋谷でも買い物した。
作った亀　 Group Photo for those who participated in the wara craft activity
The soba made by us 美味しいよ！Smile
小学校 visit

七月〜学期末になった。期末試験の準備も始まった。ホストファミリとも日光に行った。
日光　
私とホストファミリ私とホストお母さん日光

八月〜インドネシアに帰る前、日本で旅行するつもりだった。そしたら、由乃ちゃんという日本人友達名古屋と京都一緒に行った。名古屋と京都の旅行本当によかった。新幹線、ホテルなんか全部ただ。何でも払わなくて、友達のお母さん全部払ってくれた。すごく感謝した。（其實我自己覺得很不好意思列。可是沒辦法，她母親硬要賠錢。真的很不好意思。Embarrassed）好了，從這開始，我就開始用中文寫吧。寫日文真的好難哦。我覺得應該也很多錯誤吧。Embarrassed
〜名古屋城〜メロンと宇治茶冰京都
金閣寺　　View from our hotel room in Kyoto Jacuzzi in our hotel room in Kyoto 〜清水寺〜〜平等院〜
全部抹茶〜ゼッリー、そば、パーフェイ。。。美味しい！！！
從名古屋還有京都回來之後，就得趕到收拾行李準備到台灣去。我和一位台灣的朋友在同一天飛，可是不同的飛機。後來我也是住我那台灣朋友的家。第一天在台灣，台風也跟我一起來台灣。真是的。因為有台風，所以第一天就沒有可能到處跑。只能待在家裡休息一天。第二天，第三天雨沒有很大，所以就可以到處逛。我朋友帶我到她以前的學校台大，公館夜市，中正紀念堂，中山，師大夜市，國立故宮博物院，台北101，淡水，和小巨蛋。我覺得台灣是真的还滿不錯的耶。食物超級美味還有便宜。真的好好喔！！！Open-mouthed 我以後还想到台灣玩。。。Red heart　超級好喝的珍珠奶茶。。。牛肉麵。。。
最愛吃的芒果冰。。。
在台灣座捷運就用那想coin的東西，不是用卡。。。还滿特別的耶！
中正紀念堂
我們去到師大夜市吃超大有好吃的crepe。。。
國立故宮博物院
－台大－
我參加了我台灣朋友家的爺爺的生日。。。
台北101
淡江高級中學－他們在這裡拍《不能說的秘密》，聽說是因為這學校是周杰倫以前念的學校。淡水鐵蛋－第一次吃，还滿不錯。。。
台北小巨蛋
超好喝的仙草  我以前都好怕狗，但我朋友的狗真的好可愛喔！

我回印泥之前必須在回日本，所以我就從台灣还回到日本，然後從日本座第二天的飛機回印泥。还真的滿麻煩的，可是沒辦法，我之前已經買到來回的日本－印泥的飛機票。

我十二日到印泥。從那時候就是待在印泥，都沒有出國。有一次就到雅加達和媽咪一起去開會然後晚上到一個Nexian和Telkomsel的launching event。那就像一個宴會，覺得那宴會好華麗哦。非常的不錯。Wink
我也已經買到回去美國的飛機票了。那時候差一點沒有買到票耶。幸好有我朋友的幫忙，我就可以買到飛幾票了。

我再兩天就要到新加坡跟我弟妹見面，也順便跟朋友見面一下。好期待喔。可是我都还沒收拾好行李耶。煩死了。Baring teeth

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

Ohanami, Orientations, and Yokohama

April 6, 2009 by ~Stephie~

I have been to a lot of お花見 within these past few days. The sakura is really beautiful. How can ppl not love sakura?! These are the streets in Japan. The sakura on the street is just so nice. Why sakura is only in Japan?! So weird!

Well, the first time I went for hanami was with my friends at some sort of park. I can’t remember the name, but the park was really pretty. After that, we headed over to Ueno for more hanami. It was such a great day and weather for hanami on that day. These photos are all taken at Ueno park.

The third time I went for ohanami is behind Sophia uni, where I am studying at.

The fourth time of hanami was with my host family at some park near our housing area. We had picnic outside under the sakura trees. It was fun except the part of me finding it hard to speak in Japanese. Haha… But overall it was fun and we had so much food for lunch. I couldn’t eat for dinner after that. Was way too full!!!

I also had my Japanese Placement test last week. It was difficult. I didn’t know the kanji would be so hard. I know how to read them all in Chinese but not in Japanese. The kanji part, I think I made lots of mistakes. The grammar part wasn’t as bad as I thought it will. There were some grammar that I couldn’t answer cos my Japanese 4th sem only covered til ch.14. I think there were still some grammar that we haven’t cover before yet. Anyway, the most difficult part was the reading comprehension. OMG. I can’t even believe it. It was really that hard!!! I tried reading the passages, bt OMG, I can’t understand anything. The composition wasn’t that bad either. I hope I won’t do bad. The results will be out tmrw. Hope I won’t get to level 2 cos I dowan to ruin my timetable. If I have to take level 2, I rather go down to level 1. I feel my business courses are way more important than my Japanese class.
On the same day we had our placement test, we also had the International Welcome Party. It wasn’t as much fun as I thought it would be! Kinda disappointed.

Other than test, we also had our Sophia orientations where we got our info packet, student ID, etc… There’s so much info and so boring. I was just waiting for the student ID so that we could get our Commuter Pass. I wanted to write here abt the commuter pass issue, bt too lazy now to write and think about it.

Yesterday, me and few other frens went to China Town at Yokohama, then the Hakkeijima Aquarium, and the Mirai 21 Area. We ate dimsum in ChinaTown and bought some egg tarts back home for my host family.
The Hakkeijima Aquarium was awesome! I really love it. It was expensive, but worth it. I won’t mind going again!!!
And the Mirai 21 area….OMG!!! It was just so beautiful. Isn’t the place romantic at all?! It’s indeed the place to go for a romantic date, strolling under the moonlight, with the beautiful night view!!! It was really breath-taking! To me, I think this is a must-to-visit place while in Tokyo. I just love it so much. How I wish I have a very good camera to capture all these images. I hate my camera. The images captured are so poor! I need that new Canon SX1S!!! Haha…
Oh, and the Ferris Wheel is said to be one of the biggest in the world. I wanted to sit, but it was getting late after we all had our dinner. So, I left early. Only 3 of my frens went. I want to visit this place again some day and sit the ferris wheel. It will be so damn awesome!!!

So far, Japan is awesome! I love it here! Red heart

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

Update of my new life in Japan

March 28, 2009 by ~Stephie~

Let me start over with day by day orientation:

Orientation Day 1 – Program Overview and Welcome Dinner
We checked out of the Narita – Marroad Hotel and went to Sophia University just to be brief about the program. We only got to go to the orientation hotel at the Green Palace Hotel late in the afternoon. I got a single room. It was pretty nice.  After checking in and resting for a while, we had to head out again for welcome dinner. We had sukiyaki for dinner and the welcome dinner was totally awesome. We got to eat so many delicious food! After dinner, some people decided to go drinking and some decided to just go back and rest. Well guess which one was I in? Of course the one that went back to sleep! But well, I didn’t sleep after going back to the hotel. Was busy online and downloading stuff cos the internet in the hotel was so freaking fast! It was so nice! Haha….I could download so many stuff! And then after that, my fren came over to my room and we chatted till 2 AM. I only had 4 hrs of sleep that nite. Well, while waiting for my friend, I also took some 無聊 pictures. My earrings, necklace and watch. Haha…Open-mouthed

Orientation Day 2 – Meet Homestay Family
Well, basically like the title said, we meet our host family. I wasn’t feeling nervous at all, but I duno why everyone was so nervous making me nervous too. I feel that there shud be no feeling of nervousness to meet our host family, but I was wrong. I couldn’t even speak a word of Japanese cos I was freaking out! Argh…It was so embarassing! Embarrassed After meeting my host family, the dad (Kinya) drove us home and showed me around the house. As usual, Japanese typical home is always small, but the home feels so warm and nice although it is small. I kinda like the home. I got my own room too. So the first night, they took me out to some buffet dinner in AEON and then went to Jusco for some grocery shopping. I feel like I was back in Msia or something. Haha….
The next day, my host mom taught me the way to sit train to school. We first have to walk 15 mins frm home to the train station. Take the Chiyoda line all the way to Kokkai Gijidomai and then transfer to Marunouchi line all the way to Yotsuya where Sophia University is located. Well, the overall trip takes 1 hour. I was pretty nervous that I will forget the way home, but apparently I didn’t and now I am so used to it. 1 hour plus of travel time everyday is so tiring. I feel like time is so wasted here on the train! After teaching me how to get to my school, my host mom (Taka) took me and her daughter (Misuzu) to Akasaka for a walk. We went there and TBS were broadcasting the new Japanese drama – Rescue. The actors came too. I only know that one of them is frm News and the other is from Kat-tun. I didn’t really like them so I wasn’t joining the crowd who were screaming so loud just to see their idols. We also had lunch in Akasaka before leaving for home. It was a pretty cool way to spend the day.

Orientation Day 3 – Study Abroad Goals/Cultural Adaptation
A very boring orientation! Luckily I didn’t have to wake up early and be squeezed with million of other ppl in the train during the rush hour in Tokyo. Today, I only had croissant for my lunch. When I reached home, my stomach was so hungry! But the croissant was really good though!

Orientation Day 4 – Money/Reimbursement/Tokyo Tour
The orientation as usual was boring, but the Tokyo Tour was fun. We went to the Imperial Palace (but only outside) and then to Asakusa temple. Asakusa temple was really fun. I ate some Manju. The manju was so good! Why is food in Japan always so good?! Also, did some souvenir shopping. Wanted to give some people keychain and phone hanger thingy, but now I feel I should jz keep them all to myself. Haha…. So greedy lar me….
After the tour, I headed back home and had such a good dinner. I always can’t wait to go back home for dinner cos my mom really cook so well!!! I dun really remember what we had that day, but I think it was hot pot with spicy soup. It was so good! Food is heaven! Anyway, after that, we had cake for dessert! OMG! I can’t say it anymore. I feel so hungry just thinking of food!<– this tea was so good too! I am so hungry now!Tongue out

Orientation Day 5 – Academics
Very boring orientation. After Orientation, me and couple of frens went to Shinjuku for shopping. Didn’t really shop, but basically just looking around. Well, I did bought some stuff from the stationery shop though. I alwiz love Japanese stationaries! Anyway, after about 6PM, I went home and had Japanese style pancake (I forgot the name again)!

Orientation Day 6 – Tokyo Scavenger Hunt
Was fun but was so tiring….ZzzZzzz…… We went all the way from Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, Shibuya, to Harajuku. We were running and running and didn’t eat lunch. We only had lunch at about 3 sth – was really late and everyone was beginning to get really grumpy. We went all the way to Akihabara jz for lunch. Some ppl wanted to try out the maid cafe, but we couldn’t find it at first. So, since everybody couldn’t stand the hunger anymore, we decided to just eat at MOS burger. The burger was so delicious too. After eating, then only we search for the maid cafe. We had to pay 500 yen to get in and then each person has to purchase either food or drink. The cheapest drink they had was 550 yen. Really robbing my money man! And it wasn’t that fun after all. Hopefully we could get the 500 yen reimbursed! I dowan to lose so much moeny jz to experience having japanese cute maid to serve me. Today I was so sick, so, after the maid cafe, I decided to just go home and some of them went to karaoke at Ueno. I went home and had so delicious dinner again! Dun remember wat food I ate, but I know it was good!

Orientation Day 7 – Earthquake Simulation
We went to the place the where they showed us video on how to handle things when there is earthquake or fire. It was not really fun. After that, I went home alone while some other ppl went for really late lunch at Ikebukuro. I came home and was super hungry so I ate my custard doriyaki. It was so good. And then at nite, we had some salad noodle and some other stuff I dun remember. All I know again that the food is really delicious!

Mar 28, 2009
Well today not orientation day, but I went to Shibuya for shopping spree with my friend. I thought I won’t spend much, but in the end, I couldn’t resist the temptation from Burberry the Blue Label. I jz have to swipe "that card". Haihz….The clothes in Blue Label are all so cute. I wanted to buy all of them. But maybe next time I will buy in Ginza and I have to remember to bring my passport to be exempted from the tax charge. I also had the best lunch ever today. Me and my friends had 20 plates of sushi today! And 1 plate is just 120 yen. It was so worth it. I am going to go back there again. I’ve nvr seen such a cheap sashimi. OMG! I was so shocked at how cheap sashimi can be and still tasted so fresh! And at night, my friend treated me to some Korean food. I forgot the name, but it was really good! Food in Japan are just so great! I feel I am really loving Japan so much! Shopping and food! There’s nth better!Wink

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

日本生活開始咯！

March 22, 2009 by ~Stephie~

I took off from my hometown on the 17th, and reached Japan on the 18th. I nearly missed my flight from Singapore to Tokyo cos of the delayed. But I was lucky…didn’t miss it. The flight to Tokyo was the A380 flight. It was so nice. The service is good, the seat is comfy, the TV screen is larger and the system is all more advanced, and most importantly, everything looks new. I really love the SIA A380. How I wish I have the money to sit the suites. The suites have bed, LCD monitor, which is really huge, the pyjamas by Givenchy, and the toiletries by Salvatore Ferragamo. So nice! Anyway, since I have to save money, there’s no other way of course than to take the economy class.

I reached Narita in the morning and have to wait till 2 pm for CIEE staff to pick us up. Well, the first night, we just stay at the nearby hotel, the Marroad and then moved to Tokyo only the next morning. Basically it was the first day of orientation and after orientation then only we got to go back to our hotel at the Green Palace hotel to put our small lugagge. Luckily we didn’t have to carry our huge luggage. It always make me wonder, why do the taxi fees are so expensive that everyone going to and from the airport has to either ship their huge luggage or take it with them on the train. So troublesome, unless of course you have a car.

For the homestay people, we have to leave the hotel the next day again and back to the school. It was raining on that morning, but we still have to pull our luggages under the rain all the way to the Sophia University. So darn hard! Well, anyway, on that day, after morning orientation and stuff, we have to get ready to meet our host family. Everyone is so nervous, making me nervous too. I wasn’t that nervous on that day actually, but got influenced by everyone else. I even couldn’t do well in my　”自己紹介”。本当に緊張した。ホストファミリと話している時、私は何も話せなかった。

So, after meeting with host family, they took me back to their house. They drove, so I don’t have to take the train on that day. They kept telling me that the house is very small and hope i wouldn’t mind, but seriously, I think their house is not bad. Although it’s small, I kinda already expected it cos I now houses in Tokyo are usually really small. Well, I have my own room and it is comfy. Like I said before, one thing I like about Japan is their toilet. Haha…. I didn’t know that even in Japanese home, they also use the ビデトイレ。Even the bath is also so nice! I like those kind of bath and toilet. Haha… All I can say about the house is that although it is small, but it is a very warm and comfy house. Everything in the house is also using modern elctronic stuff. Damn cool! Oh yea, even my room has a TV.

The family consist of the father and mother and 2 children. The father and mother are really young and they asked me to call them by their name. The 2 children, one is boy and one is girl. The boy is ok, but the girl is really naughty. OMG. She’s really like a monkey, but totally cute! They’re really a lovely family. The already took me out to dinner the first night and also just now. We had shabu-shabu just now…美味しかった。。。実話、日本料理は全部美味しい、大好き。Maybe I’ll gain some weight while here. Too much of good food! Luckily, I got to walk everyday, so hopefully I won’t gain as much weight. Hehe… Just imagine everyday having to walk 15 mins to the train station from home and then take the train from Kita Kogane to Yotsuya for one hour. In Japan to commute like that is normal. I can’t imagine how Japanese could do that in their everyday life. Also, during rush hour, I can’t even imagine more! OMG. Life in Tokyo is so not practical! (To me at least!) Tomorrow I have to start walking to train station alone and then take the train to Yotsuya (where Sophia Uni is), so, hopefully, I won’t forget the ways and get lost. I am so worried. And also, cos my Japanese sux! Haihz….So damn hard!!!

I dun really know what I’ve wrote so far, but I guess I was just blabbering and without any specific things to talk about. I just want to write something out and here it is! Lol….

Anyway, I think I’ll end here, and go to sleep! I am so tired. I kept getting so tired fast these few days. Haihz…
おやすみ。。。Sleeping half-moon

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

A few things on my mind…

March 10, 2009 by ~Stephie~

1. I am leaving for Japan in a week time Airplane , but I realize my Japanese is long forgotten… どうやって、日本語が下手になりました。。。やっぱりいやだなあ。。。Disappointed
2. I am slowly getting worse at speaking Chinese too…I think I don’t speak Chinese in a few more months, I am so going to be bad at speaking in Chinese…Confused
3. I want to see my dearest sister and brother in Singapore, but can’t… Haven’t seen them for more than a year. Really miss them! Crying
4. My Japan visa is not out yet, hopefully it will be no problem at all…
5. I haven’t buy my ticket back to NY.  Airplane Want to go with my sis! Dowan to travel alone! So lonely… Eye-rolling
6. I want that new LV bag. Didn’t see them the last me and my mom went to Jakarta. The new LV store in Plaza Indonesia is so niceeeeee!!! Actually, not really…Haha… But I really really really want that new green or the yellow color LV bag! It’s so nice. I saw it on LV spring-summer 09 collection fashion show… I WANT!!!!!!!Tongue out
7. I want to go Hokkaido for the onsen again! Anybody want to go with me?! Haha…. Tongue out
8. I want to go to Taiwan or Korea after my study abroad in Japan, but I also want to go around in Japan. Hopefully some of my going-to-be new friends would have the same wish to go around, so that I’ll have company. Haha…Wink
9. I always want to drive here, but too scared. Auto Got phobia to drive here! People here drive damn scary… Confused
10. Can someone tell me what kind of Indon food am I missing some more to eat? I ran out of idea of what to eat here! Haha… Open-mouthed
11. I want to go to Singapore (and of course with my Mom) for shopping spree… Angel
12. I want a new home! Haha…(this really sounds ridiculous)…Haha… Eye-rolling
13. Can’t wait to go Japan, but still a little worried! Worry for no specific reason…..
14. I am worried of my future. I dowan to come back here, but I feel I need to. OMG… I am so in dilemma! Haihz…. Sad
15. Yesterday b’day celebration Birthday cakewas great!!! Smile
16. Should I go for laser eye treatment? I dowan to wear glasses anymore. Too troublesome. Confused But I’m scared! Scary!Light bulbLight bulb
17. I want a new good camera. Camera Should I buy a new one? Haihz… Getting more passionate with photography. Smile

Red roseOk, all of these thoughts of mine are so random! I feel like writing them all out cos nth much better to write for the update! Haha… Wilted rose

BoyRed heartGirl

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

6 Days in Japan

February 20, 2009 by ~Stephie~

I had been waiting for the chance to go to Japan. On the 13th, we got the opportunities to go to Hokkaido, one of the most wanted to visit place in my list. Earlier I thought I would never have the chance to visit Hokkaido during winter time. I know that Hokkaido is much better during winter to visit in comparison to other season and that’s why I think I am so so so super lucky to get the chance this time to visit Hokkaido during winter. Although it was cold and as comparable to the weather in Wisconsin, the experiences I got during the trip were so awesome!!! I got to ride the snowmobile and experienced the hot spring or what is usually known as "Onsen" (温泉）. Oh, by the way, the trip was all paid already! It was organized by Mito Mobile. We don’t need to spend anything on the flight ticket, hotel or the food! All we have to spend is on the shopping money! Isn’t that nice to have so many free trips all around the world all year round?! Wink lol…

Day 1 – Feb 13th, 2009
We went to Jakarta early in the afternoon to go for a shopping trip before leaving for Japan at night. The flight was at night, about 10 or 11 P.M. The flight to Japan took about 6 to 7 hours, and it felt like forever!!!

Day 2 – Feb 14th, 2009
Valentine’s Day!!! Well, we spent the first day in Chitose and Sapporo. We had our first meal in Japan in Chitose. We had seafood on the first day itself. In fact, we actually have seafood everyday. Hokkaido is really heaven for food!!!
After lunch, I don’t really remember where we went, but I know we visited the TV tower and some kind of stretch of streets selling Japanese souvenirs. It started to get colder when we visit the TV tower and continue till the night.     We stayed at an international hotel for 2 days. You know what I always love about Japan? The toilet!!! I love the toilet!!! Haha…I just realized I should’ve taken some photos and post it. The toilet bowl beside having heater and the bidet thingy, sometimes they have blower too! Even the body soap and shampoo the hotel usually uses are from brand like Shiseido! Damn cool! Haha… Japan is always providing the best quality!

Day 3 – Feb 15th, 2009
The day was spent going to the Ishiya Chocolate Factory. The factory also has the chocolate museum in it. The factory was so cool! Oh yea, the cakes were the best!!!
From left: Sugar frosting, Sugar frosting, Cakes, and the White chocolate tiramisu!
After the visit, we went for lunch. Had seafood for lunch again! After that, we headed over to Otaru for the tour group photo and also to visit one of the biggest collection of Music Box museum in Japan. The music boxes are way too cool and cute! All the items in the photos are music boxes. So cute!
After this visit, we rushed to the Sapporo beer museum where we got to find out about the origins of Sapporo beer and taste the beer as well! I am not a big fan of beer, so I wasn’t really paying attention much to the story explanation in the museum. I was actually more interested with the girl who was telling the story! She was so pretty like a doll!!! Also, her voice is so sweet!
Afterward, we went for dinner. Dinner was shabu-shabu. And also, we got to try one of the best beef in the world – the Kobe Beef. It was really delicious. Even for someone like me who hates beef, really think the Kobe beef is really good! Yummy!!!Tongue out

Day 4 – Feb 16th, 2009
Sapporo was getting colder! It wasn’t snowing as bad as the previous day, but was colder. Continuing the tour, we went over some place I don’t remember the name for snow mobile activities. I rode on them. I wasn’t really feeling that confident in the beginning, but after getting used to it, riding the snow mobile was not too bad. Besides the fact that everyone’s feet got so cold from wearing the boots prepared for us! We should’ve just wear our own footwear instead of theirs.
For lunch that day, we had seafood again! Next, we headed over to the Ainu village. Ainu is the sort of aboriginal people of Japan. According to the tour guide, now, we could hardly recognize any Ainus because the government of Japan has asked them to change their names to be similar to the common Japanese names. The Ainus have to do this to avoid being discriminated against especially in the workplace and the society.
Next stop that day was the Hell’s Land or sth like tht. Could hardly remember the name of the place. Anyway, the place is where we could still see the "earth breathing" —–according to the tour guide. Well, the mountain used to erupt few years ago and now we could still see the smoke. The scenery was indeed beautiful!
The night, we spent time at the traditional hotel (ryokan), ate dinner (buffet), karaoke-ing , drinking, and going into the onsen! Most of us were really shy at first cos we have to be totally naked to enter the onsen, and we’re not used to it. We didn’t enjoy the onsen much that night. So, the next morning we decided to go again. The place for women’s onsen the next morning was changed to the one with the outdoor scene ones. I felt so lucky cos they changed the place. The night before, the women’s onsen was just the indoor. And since we were more shy, we didn’t really explore much the place. However, the next morning one, most of us were not that shy anymore, and well, we got to enjoy one of the best view of nature while enjoying the hot spring and the falling of snow surrounding us! You have to try to know how marvelous the experience was instead of me just telling how beautiful and nice the scenery was. No words could describe the beauty of the nature and the experience! I would really want to go again if I have the money and the chance. The ryokan we were staying in was one of the most expensive ones in Japan. So, you could imagine how much we were paying just to enjoy the onsen and the nature!Open-mouthed

Day 5 – Feb 17th, 2009
We have to leave the ryokan today and move on to another place, Hakodate, one of the most romantic city in Japan. We only got to spend 1 night in the ryokan, it wasn’t enough!!! I want to stay longer! I want the onsen – it really made my skin feel so much smoother! Before heading towards Hakodate, we first visited the bear sanctuary nearby the ryokan we were staying in. The tour guide said that bear is like one of the highest animal which the Japanese atheist society praised as God. The bears are so cute even though they’re so huge. Our lunch menu again is seafood bbq! Everyday we had seafood for lunch! Crazy…
So, the first stop of ours in Hakodate is the factory outlets where it used to be the warehouses of import and export stuff in the past. The factory outlets are not like what we refer to as factory outlets in the US. The factory outlets in these warehouses are just small shops selling souvenirs, cakes, and artsy stuff. I love the miniature hand-made glass sold in the outlets. They were all so cute!!! Here are the photos of those minatures: Cute rite?!
After shopping at the factory, we went back to the bus and headed over to sit the cable car and went for night-viewing to see the Hakodate town. The view was like a piece of black cloth spread with diamonds. Although Hakodate is just a town, it looks as if it is a big city with all the lights shining.   Hakodate was the last stop in Hokkaido Island, before we left for Tokyo. We spent about 4/5 days in Hokkaido, and I feel it was just right. Maybe not if I would prefer to just relax at the ryokan and enjoy the onsen. Truthfully, my most wonderful and unforgettable experience was the onsen experience. I have never seen nature so beautiful while enjoying the onsen. Really really really love it!!! I want to go back to that onsen place again!!! Hopefully I’ll have the chance to go there again while I am in Japan in the next 5 months!

Day 6 – Feb 18th, 2009
Our last day in Japan – we were supposed to go the famous temple in Tokyo (forgot the name again), but everyone agreed that we should just abandon that plan and go for shopping spree instead. So, well, after having lunch (one of the best tempura in town), we headed right away to Ginza where all the luxurious brands are located. Ginza is an area mostly for the upper classes of the Japanese society. We were only given about 2 hours in Ginza and we have to head over to Shinjuku already. Shinjuku is just like Times Square in New York – the difference is just that everything in Shinjuku is selling Japanese brand and of course there are also some other foreign brand like LV, Coach, and Gucci. I thought I’ll enjoy the shopping spree in Shinjuku, but well, no! The things they sell are so expensive!!! Haihz… Well, besides shopping, Shinjuku is also a place to see many different kind of Japanese people with different sense of fashion as well. There were so many cute guys, but most of those cute guys are gigolo. Haha… I didn’t really notice much of the girls since I was busy spotting cute guys, but all I can say is that, in Japan, being fashionable is so damn important. Girls are all wearing make-up, wearing heels, and wearing all kind of cute outfits! Even the guys are also like that. I won’t deny that I am actually impressed!
For dinner, we had Sukiyaki buffet! The Sukiyaki was so delicious – 美味しかったなあ！！！After dinner, some of us went for the strip-tease show. The yakuza (Japanese gangster) is the one that guard most places in Shinjuku, including the strip tease place we went to. The place was not that good, very dirty, and dark. I didn’t really feel good walking into the place. Anyway, the show was not as exciting as I thought it will be. I nearly slept throughout the show. The girls are really hot though! In the beginning, it wasn’t that bad watching them, but in the end it got so bored – to me at least. I don’t even know why people enjoy watching the show so much. All I can say is that the girl is hot, but the show was quite sucky.
Since we went for the show and going back to the hotel quite late, the tour bus couldn’t wait for us. So, we have to take the train. OMG~ the train station is so busy! Even the train routes are so confusing. ConfusedThe people inside the station are just like ants. I didn’t really like it and that’s when I thought: SurprisedOMG, I have to study in Tokyo next month and to go to school, I would need to go through this type of condition every day. Oh God, help me! That’s also when I felt I made the wrong choice to study in Tokyo. Now i felt that I am not really looking forward to go to Tokyo anymore. I just want to go back to Wisconsin to study!Disappointed
So, after spending a night in Tokyo, we headed back home to Indonesia. I just reached home yesterday night and felt tht this trip wasn’t bad at all even though I am the youngest and the only unmarried yet in the tour group! It felt so weird to know that I am actually the only one like small kid during the whole trip! Haha….Angel Even the tour guide thought that I am only 15. Embarrassed LOL…

That’s all my update on this Japan trip. I dun have a lot of photos taken during the whole trip, I just took many pictures of the cakes, food, and cute items. My mom’s fren has more photos of human and not just things. Haha… I hope he could pass me the photos sooner so I can upload them. In the next few days maybe if I have time, I’ll post some photos, but not today I guess.

Argh….the next few days have to settle my passport and visas. So troublesome!!! So lazy!!! Eye-rolling
Tongue out

Posted in Travel | 2 Comments »

My Winter Break and CNY back home

February 7, 2009 by ~Stephie~

Haven’t really updated my blog for 1-2 months I guess.
Update after  finals:
1. Been making lots of cakes – made a lot of Japanese Cheesecakes during the break
2. Just hanging out with friends and having lots of fun
3. Prepare for the 20 days winter break trips
 
20-days Trip:
1. Went to Boston for 6 days – stay in Double Tree Guest Suites – not a bad hotel, but quite far away from downtown and Boston’s attractions. Explored lots of places in Boston – Chinatown, MIT, Harvard Museum, Prudential Tower, and lots and lots of museums… Oh ya, went skating for the first time also in Boston. Boston often rains when we were there, but luckily the temperature wasn’t as cold as Wisconsin – which is good!!!
2. Flew to Orlando – reached at night. First night – went to Disney’s Downtown. Spent 4 days in Disney (Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood, Epcot, and Animal Kingdom). Spent 2 days in Universal Studios, 1 day in Sea World, and 1 day in Cypress Garden. The last day was spent shopping at the Prime Outlets in Orlando.
3. Left Orlando, headed towards Miami by car. Drove there in the afternoon and reached Miami at night – spent 4 days in Miami. We didn’t explore much in Miami – got to explore South Beach at least….Didn’t get to explore the nightclubs though 😦

After the trip:
1. Reached Madison and have to start packing my stuff and also settle some study abroad stuff (documents, reports, payments, etc…)
2. Look for storage and moved my stuff into storage
3. My lovely housemates and friends planned a farewell for me…So sweet of them…They’re so good to me….Feel blessed to have such a wonderful group of friends and housemates in Wisconsin. Love them lots!!!
4. On the day I have to leave for airport, my best ever friend Jessie drove me to the airport together with Caryn and Win Tsen. Before leaving the house, when I saw Wan Mei, I actually cried! I thought I’ll cry during the farewell party, but I didn’t, so after that I thought I won’t cry anymore. But who knows – I really cried. Wanted to cry again in the airport when the thought that I have to leave my friends crept up to me…well, but I tried to hold it. I know I shouldn’t cry but everyone of my friends are so good to me… 😉
5. Left Madison on the 19th and reached KL on the 21st.

CNY in Malaysia:
1. Reached Malaysia – went for FOOD! Ate nasi lemak, chicken rice, fried kuey tiao, my favorite pan mee, etc….too many good food to mention! Haha… Also, went to Jogoya before I left for Indon.
2. Went friends’ hse for visits
3. Went relatives’ hse for visits
4. Eat dinner together with my Uncle’s family…good food again!!! Yeah!!!

After a week in Msia:
1. Came back to Indonesia – Home Sweet Home
2. Play a lot with my cute little cousin, Ryan! He’s so cute now! He’s been cute all the while actually! 😀
3. Want to eat lots of good food, but duno where to start! At least I already ate some of my fav food – "Terang Bulan", martabak, Ba’so, nasi campur. Other food I want: Nasi kuning, more ba’so, kroket, jalangkote, pisang ijo, es buah, lots and lots of seafood!!!
4. Been doing nth much here. Just go online everyday and waiting to go Japan next week
5. Going to Hokkaido next week for a week and then back to Indonesia again. Will only leave for study on March 18th.

I want a new hp too!
I want to bake but cannot!

Nothing much to say anymore…I am going to enjoy being lazy for this 1 whole month! Haha…

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

Older Posts »