But what if the 2012 prophecy is true?

May sound stupid to some, but I believe it to a certain extend. So. I want to fulfill some stuffs before I “die.”

1. Go Taiwan. (Happening this coming April :D)
2. Make my business idea come to live.
3. Spend lots of quality time with my loved ones.

Just 3 simple ones. And if you think it is too shallow for a bucket list, come on. One more year to enjoy, why so serious? If we get pass then say lah!

Looking back at the 11 things I wanna do in 2011, I’d say the most gratifying one was traveling alone – 9 days of Japan, more than I can ever ask for. I also accomplished almost every other thing on that list, except for the exercising and hitting ideal weight part. That, I can comprehend and I shall forget about the idea, ever.

Also in 2011, I’ve gained and lost a loved one. Well, I guess sometimes in life, it’s like that. I’ve spent the past 12 months learning how to let go (a lot), and now, I just embrace life as it comes. After all, we are nothing but particles in the universe, so just keep doing whatever that makes you happy.

In a nutshell, watch this clip.

It totally speaks my mind.

I’ll most likely be full-timing and joining you guys for Monday blues soon, so Imma head out now and enjoy this freedom while I still can. Ciao!

UPDATE:

This is a damn poser photo of myself. I was merely fooling around when Sil said I looked like a cowgirl after randomly wrapping a shawl around me, but I didn’t expect her to capture THE MOMENT on camera. Hiak hiak.

Sometimes I wonder if I should stop blogging. In terms of money sense, it is a complete waste of resources because I could put all these hours to more money making. However, it’s something I like to do. Even if my readership is zero (okay, can’t be zero cos’ I’ll read it myself lol.) Even if my readership is one, I’ll still be blogging. Time spent on something which makes you happy shouldn’t be time wasted.

I like to scroll through my own archives and look back at everything – photos, people, stupid thoughts, whatever I had at that point of time. So one day if I ever get amnesia, this is a place I’d love to come home to. (Someone please remind me of my own blog address tyvm.)

Today, I was guilty of scrolling through my archives again (read: doing useless web browsing with no drive to start work). Stumbled upon an old post at my old blog and I’d like to share it again.

I’m living my life now and I don’t care what people think. Similarly, I shan’t interfere in people’s lives as well. Everyone’s an adult and should know how to make his / her own decision by now. I can always listen, but I’ll not advise / preach anymore. I suck at that anyway.

Wanted to do something relaxing, so I went to a garden – a waka poetry garden, Rikugien.

Teahouse without tea.

Teahouse with tea.

Was contemplating about spending 500 Yen for a tea set but it was done with no regrets!

I got to try matcha at its finest and it tasted really really really great!

And how I savoured the view while sipping tea :D

面包超人 museum / building(?) outside the garden.

Had ticket vending machine curry rice for brunch but it sucked. Makes me miss Yoshinoya’s curry cheese rice even more. Why they no have in Singapore? D:

Checked out, and I was on my way to the airport.

Narita Airport’s observation deck.

My backpack was 7kg when I left for Japan, and it ballooned up to 15kg when I came back, which is still not inclusive of my hand carry luggage where I dumped tons of snacks in after checking in.

Spent like 25000 Yen at the airport merely buying food stuffs back for my family and friends.

OMG the Royce in Japan has Matcha flavour! *Swoons. I bought only one box back for myself and I regretted deeply D’: It was too nice to be true.

My final cup of green tea latte before flying off.

Yucky airplane food. Or maybe I was spoiled in Japan.

Alas! To sum up this trip, it was without doubt, a nine days well spent. I feel so so accomplished that I finally did what I wanted to do for the longest time – traveling alone! Many of my friends gave me the “HUH!?!” look when I first told them about it, thinking that I’m some sort of emo loner, but I tell you, the experience was really out of this world! Perhaps to begin with, I’m already someone who likes me time a lot. Thus I enjoyed every single bit of doing everything (eating, shooting, shopping, walking, resting) myself at my own pace without feeling bored or lonely at all!

It was a trip for myself; a trip with the longest number of days in my life; a trip with fresh enriching experiences altogether; and definitely, an unforgettable trip.

Ohoh, and I’m so gonna miss bidets and polite people everywhere I go!

Love this jacket that I got from Harajuku for 1500 Yen. I almost wanted to walk away but luckily Lynn insisted that I buy it :D

The rooftop and exterior of my hotel.

It doesn’t look that bad in the day and from the outside, but still…..

Arrived at the Kaminarimon Gate too early (at 8am).

All the shops not opened yet lor.

So I took a detour and went for breakfast. Their MOS burger so-so only lei. I think it’s of the same quality as Singapore’s, nothing extraordinary.

Got back one hour later.

Sensoi-ji (Asakusa Kannon Temple) – Tokyo’s oldest and most significant temple.

Stupidest pose I did in front of a stranger. I mustered up a lot up courage for that.

Lighting the incense.

Shot of the day.

Drew a lot in the main hall. It was a bad one :(

But seriously, after seeing all the beautiful and magnificent temples in Kyoto, the ones in Tokyo suddenly pale in comparison.

Saw this ‘space shot’ ride sticking out in the middle of all that tradition and I know it’s from Asakusa Hanayashiki – the oldest amusement park where Japan’s first roller coaster was built.

Initially, I thought getting pay-per-ride tickets would be substantial enough, but after looking at the height of the space shot, the adrenaline junkie in me decided to go for the unlimited pass.

Here I come!

They were so strict with their no-camera policy that the moment I whipped up my phone halfway up on the roller coaster (like I always do), the operator stopped the whole ride, climbed up and told me “no camera” and went back. WHAT! First time experiencing this, and it was pretty embarrassing :\

There was a kind of nostalgic charm to this whole small colourful amusement park.

This was fun!

Bee tower.

View from the bee tower.

A closer look at the space shot.

View from the space shot. (See the shadow?)

I took the space shot for about ten times at least before I could get this photo while up on the ride.

I admire my own threshold level for thrill rides sometimes, cos’ after three rounds, I don’t feel the least scared anymore. Every time the ride shoots up I’m like “wooOOohooOOOOOoooo~”

Panda matcha latte.

Asakusa is filled with all these creepy characters.

Plastic food models.

Kena conned by the looks of the sweet potato. Not nice one.

The fried green tea manju was nice!

The soy sauce coated mochi balls were nice too!

And this was THE BEST lah! Silk pudding! In case amnesia gets me next time, I must still remember this. Location: a few streets from the left of the Kaminarimon Gate; website: here.

Next up, Ameyoko – short form for Ameya Yokocho, which means candy store alley, as candies were traditionally sold there.

Colourful like candies too!

Passed by this promising looking eatery for the first time and I was tempted (by the crowd). Passed by a second time I couldn’t tahan already. Went on in despite being super full from all the constant snacking before.

Damn good, indeed. Anywhere with lots of locals can’t go wrong.

I noticed that almost every customer there ordered a beer too, so I reckoned that beer should go well with the skewers.

But I gei kiang. I ordered Sake, and it was a wrong move. Tried sipping and gulping down but either way also taste like shit.

In the end, I only managed to finish 30% of it and I was done (and red).

Panda bread!

Returned to Akihabara, the Otaku town, for the second time. Didn’t had enough time to explore the area on day two cos’ we were stuck in the maid cafe.

I went into the adult amusement park.. okay…. sex shop for the first time in my life. Don’t judge me! I have always been curious but never had the balls to enter, so since I was overseas (and no one recognises me), I stepped in. It was quite an eye-opener, and seeing how all the guys buying kinky costumes for their girlfriends / wives / mistresses / fcuk buddies amuses me muahhaha.

Back to Asakusa.

And back at the silk pudding stall, again. Just couldn’t get enough of it.

Green tea flavour for supper and cheese flavour for breakfast the next day. I’m a happy happy kid :D

Ordered the wrong item for dinner. Thought it was ramen, but oh wells.

The day started with a trip to the neighbourhood Onsen (hot spring) recommended by my guesthouse’s owners.

I paid for the 大人’s ticket cos’ I refuse to admit that I am 小人.

My first time stripping naked in front of so many strangers. It felt so weird initially, but after a while, I couldn’t be bothered. The water was way too shiok!

Everything only cost 900 Yen inclusive of locker, towel rentals and all. Sounds very reasonable to me, and I’m so glad that I did it! When I have time the next time, I wanna travel down to the mountains to experience true blue natural hot springs!

Past by this little cemetery on the way back.

Breakfast place also recommended by my guesthouse’s owners.

I really like the area where my guesthouse is located at. There’s a certain kind of warmth I get from the shop owners and locals there, and I happened to break into conversations with two old folks over breakfast. One mandarin speaking, and another english speaking. It felt really good (to finally have people whom understand you HAHAHA).

Simple comfort food.

Checked out, dropped my bags, and off I went to visit the last place before I left Osaka.

The Instant Ramen Museum!

1958: first instant noodle.

Of all the touristy places, I find this museum the most interesting. Best part is, you get to hands-on and customise your own cup noodle!

1. Purchase an empty cup (for 300 Yen) from the vending machine. 2. Disinfect your hands.

3. Proceed to the “art” section and go crazy with the markers.

I realised I wrote the wrong ‘板’. The correct words should be ‘大阪’. Mine meant ‘big plank’ -_-

4. Place your cup over a bunch of noodles.

5. Choose your flavour and (up to four different) ingredients.

Mine! Base: curry; toppings: spring onions, eggs, cheese, and the chicken dunno what just cos’ I thought it was cute.

6. Seal the cup and shrink wrap it.

7. Pump up and keep your cup noodle in an air package like this and you’re done.

Tadah! My very own cup noodle :D I skip the last step however cos’ I still want to be able to pack this into my luggage, so plastic wrapped was good enough for me.

These three girls damn gei yan. Did drama poses at every other station.

On the Shinkansen back to Tokyo.

There were “stewardesses” pushing trolleys up and down selling food and coffee on the Shinkansen, similar to that of budget airlines.

Checked into my “Tatami room” at Tokyo, and I was instantly disappointed. Paid double the price of the Osaka’s guesthouse, but received half the (let’s just say) cleanliness standard.

There was also this blast of mouldy smell every time I enter the room, but I checked with some of my friends and found out later that it was the smell of tatami. Right… I wanted to try traditional style, and there I got it. Traditional IN MY FACE.

Was actually quite depressed that I have to spend two nights there.

Took a walk around the neighbourhood in Asakusa area.

250 Yen beef bowl dinner.

Back at the hotel. The whole place kinda freaks me out too because of it’s creepy stairways and blardee red corridors.

Dislike the decors.

Now I see that they had complimentary tea in the room for a reason – to calm your nerves down.

A trip to Kyoto via the Shinkansen!

I swear that the bullet train really travels at bullet speed. The stated time from Osaka to Kyoto is 30 minutes, but it definitely took lesser than that. I didn’t even have time to shut my eyes after finishing my matcha pudding.

At Kyoto’s train station. Damn old school.

Fushimi Inari-taisha.

Holy water.

Saw from Japan Guide that this shrine is most famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, and when I say thousands, I kid you not.

At the start of the trail, I was duly awed.

Looking very happy.

Trying to cover my double chin! Hahah.

Love the lens flare created by the iPhone camera. It looks like a flower.

After reaching the first stop, I didn’t make a U-turn to head back. Instead, I acted smart and took another route thinking that it will eventually lead me back to the main entrance somehow.

So I climbed a million stairs, passed a million gates, got stung a million times by the mosquitoes, and I wasn’t impressed anymore.

Finally the endless stairs came to an end, and this was what I saw. BEAUTIFUL, YES. But by then I had already spent more than an hour walking around and I just wanna get back.

Walked uphill further till I saw a rest house and I stopped to ask for directions. The holy man handed me a holy map.

HOLY SHIT……. The red circle indicates where I was then, and the purple circle is the main exit. If I continue to walk in my direction, I’ll be going around in circles (see red arrows). So, the only way to get out is to WALK BACK TO WHERE I CAME FROM!!! Which means it will cost me another hour down the freaking stairs again (see purple arrows). OMG I wanted to faint T_T

I totally underestimated the size of this shrine. It is like the size of DisneySea (maybe I’m exaggerating), just that it’s filled with trees and endless torii gates.

Then again, the thought of the construction work left me in awe.

Alas! I made it back to the train station. Wanted to hop by Tofukuji Temple along the way to Kyoto station but I gave it a miss due to the time loss at getting lost in Fushimi Inari-taisha.

Kyoto Tower.

Switched to a bus to my next destination.

It was an uphill thing again.

And how I wished I was in this.

Kiyomizu-dera. Actually, the main gate looks like Fushimi Inari-taisha’s.

Three cute ah mas.

Favourite shot.

Kiyomizu-dera means “pure water temple”, and located at the base of its main hall is the Otowa waterfall, where the waters are divided into three separate streams.

Visitors can catch and drink the water, which is believed to have wish-granting powers.

Matcha float!!! Got it at one of the many snack shops in Higashiyama District.

One of the traditional houses. Actually, their houses there all very old and traditional one.

Even their Lawson looks damn old. (Lawson is their mini mart btw.)

And as I was walking to Gion district, a sudden force made me stop in my trackes. CRAB RESTAURANT!!! Spotted a similar set to the one that I missed out in Dotonbori the day before, and with no hesitation, I stepped in. It was the road to no regrets.

I was seated in this private space all to myself.

Here came my crab feast! Crab hot pot, crab sashimi, broiled crab, crab tofu..

..and crab tempura which came later. The best was the crab sashimi! OMG I’m drooling just by thinking about it.

Happy retarded kid.

I really took my time to savour the best meal of my entire Japan trip. It cost me above 3380 Yen (same as the stupid maid cafe) but it was all worth it.

And the journey continues.

Bus stop.

Kyoto is like made up of temples, literally.

My initial plan was to stay three nights in Kyoto then travel down to Osaka for a day but luckily, I swapped it the other way round. The feeling that the entire Kyoto gave me was very “老气”, and the people there kept shooting me weird stares, like I was an alien or something. I still really like the traditional and cultural part to Kyoto, just that I may die of boredom if I were to stay there for long.

Tried to spot for Geishas in the Gion district but all I can see are women in traditional kimonos. Okay lah, good enough for me, and I love this photo.

Back to Kyoto station. I purposely took a later train so I can check out their Sky Garden.

For the first time, I don’t have to pay to see the view from above.

Though it may not be very high up, Kyoto’s buildings are generally very low-rise, so it was actually quite okay for a free view haha.

Green tea cream puff from Beard Papa’s and green tea shake from Godiva. But I think Starbucks > Godiva.

By now, you should be able to tell that I’m CRAZY over green tea.