Japanese "Point and Speak Phrasebook" Singlish version

My new Japanese friend insisted on giving me a book today. She say I'll need it to communciate with the Japs when I go to Mt Fuji on Saturday.



It's embarrassing how our Singlish has gained so much limelight internationally. Malu lah!



I'm completely amused by the words in this page. Oh yes, the book also has explanations of Kopi-O, Teh-O Kosong!

Tokyo Tower finally (Day 4)

Need I explain more about the caption above?

Yes, after bugging my colleagues for 3 days, they finally took me to Tokyo Tower. What a magnificent sight!



Took lots of photos tonight but I have decided to save them for posting on a later day, until I have some time to sort through them and do some editing (hehe cheating). Actually I don't have any better shots than these 2 that you are seeing here!



I shan't be staying up all night to blog today because I've got plans early tomorrow morning.

Next up.... Tsukiji Fish Market (ETA: 6am 21 Sep 07... tomorrow!)

OT in Tokyo (Day 3)

... Continuation from Day 2

So you think I'm living like a queen and enjoying my life for the past 2 days in Tokyo huh? Guess what I had for dinner tonight.

Not this...


Or these...


But this!


Due to over run in our training schedule, some of the "students" have to stay behind after office hour to catch up on our progress. Our original dinner plans were thus scrapped and I think the Japanese felt really apologetic about having to feed us with pizza only. Man, they shouldn't be. I love Domino's for it's freshness and great taste! Unfortunately it has completely "extinct" at home.


Thank goodness my colleague was still having fun. "Perrier or Coke?" O-San said.

I'll keep this short as I'm totally flat out today. We left office at 10.30pm when everyone has completely stoned out.

"It's been a hard day's night, and I've been working like a dog...."

PS. I didn't make it to Tokyo Tower today, though I am too tired to feel much disappointment. Will try again tomorrow.

Tokyo 大惊小怪 (Day 2)

It is the first official working day today. In the morning, me and colleagues walked almost 20 mins, carrying bags full of gifts and local delicacies, only to reach the Tokyo office hot and sweaty.

(1) Tokyo Tower reveals
I have already heard before I left for Japan that our Tokyo office is near the famous Tokyo Tower and that I can get a view of it from the office itself. So here she reveals....



I was told that in February (Valentine's Day) the Tower will be lit with pink lights and during Christmas, in green. Lovely! Tomorrow night I shall pay her a visit. Now, let's just be satisfied with a glimpse of it out of the office window.

(2) Toilet 风光
Everyday is full of new discoveries in this amazing city. How can I not show you what I found in the ladies room? Check out the 4th button from the left, "Flushing Sound". I realised that in this city, you will have plenty of opportunity to experience the true meaning of "trial and error", not only because most instructions are in Japanese, but also the equipment and gadgets are so innovative that you would probably not have seen it anywhere previously.



So I pressed the button and a long series of flushing sound went off. Geez, do people really need this to disguise the sound from "minding their own business"? I don't see how meaningful this is because when someone hears this artificial flusing sound, she'll know you are doing your business anyway.

(3) Defiance is human nature
See how my colleague performs "illegal jaywalking". She deserves an award for her daring and candid performance!


Contemplating on how to cross to the opposite side of the road.


Noticed this signboard but it is in Japanese, what does it say? The words sound like "Do Not Cross" but the pictorial seems to suggest "Pedestrian Crossing". I think it meant the former, but who cares? Defiance is human nature.


Caught in action! Look who's jaywalking!

To be continued....

Land of the extravagance

My first encounter with the extravagance of Japan was during my visit to Osaka about 1.5 years ago. I was totally overwhelmed when I discovered my laundry packed threefold: first wrapped in paper, then individually packed in plastic bag and finally all laundry were packed inside yet another bigger bag.

This is where I will be putting up at for this week. Not a huge room size but look at the gadgets packed inside the room. Massage chair and LCD TV! Goodness, what kind of extravagance is this? Of course, the hotel also throws in unlimited internet connection at no cost at all.


Central remote control of the drapes and day curtains... the last time I saw this was in the boardroom of my old office. I would never expect to find this in a hotel room, especially when er... this ain't that particularly big a room.



Clean and bright bathroom is something I have always appreciated when I travel.


Such a cute iron and board. Why do Japanese stuff have to be so cute and compact?

And this is my dinner, beautiful isn't it? And big, of course along with it came a "big" price tag too. This cost Yen5,777 (before taxes) which is equivalent to about US$50.


I feel embarrased as it is now, to indulge myself in a lifestyle like this which I consider excessive and extravagant. It is hard for me to understand that while some are obssessed with quality, trying to offer only the best, there are others who have few, so few that it is barely enough for subsistence.

Do you feel the sufferings of many others when you look up into the sky, the same sky that the sorry ones are looking at too? If angels are there, please do not look to our side only because someone far away is yearning for you too.