Shinjuku Feels Like Home

My return flight by Delta costs SGD533. I know it’s a steal but I could have booked SIA at $618 if not for the management not approving my leave D:

Woke up at 3am, left the house at 4.30am and reached the airport at 5am. I spent most of my free time at Nuance checking out lippies but I couldn’t decide on one so I walked away. Just as it was time for boarding, I decided that I want a lippie so I had to rush back there to get a MAC. The stupid things I put myself through.

After my Europe trip, I decided not to love taking planes anymore. The flight to Narita was overbooked and it was mainly filled with passengers going to Detroit. I sat with an Indonesian uncle going to Detroit and he has a serious case of bad breath. Did I also mention the plane food was badddddddddddddddddd and the landing was the worst one I’ve ever experienced? The landing was so puke inducing that I sent a nice ‘feedback’ to Delta Airlines which they’ve yet to (even bother to) reply.

Queuing for the NEX + Suica pass was a bitch. I spent a good half an hour there and another hour waiting for NEX.

The duration from Narita to Shinjuku was an hour plus but it seemed like forever.

Lugging a 15kg luggage from Shinjuku station’s platform 5 to the South exit to the hotel was no problem. Nothing beats running for a train from Luzern to Zurich that’s departing in 15 seconds with a 20kg luggage + 5kg hand carry + 2kg hand bag.

The room was tiny… for Tokyo’s standard.

The parcel I received upon checking in as I paid for the Bmobile U300 data package when I was in Singapore. I spent my evening activating the sim by calling Bmobile.

Ahhhh McPork, I miss you! The first thing I ate upon reaching Tokyo!

Went shopping around the Shinjuku area because I was underpacked as I underestimated the temperatures in Tokyo. It was about 8-9degrees that night.

Anyway, shopping in Shinjuku is really expensive (compared to Harajuku).

Hello 2012!

It has been a long long time since I last blogged! I lost the inspiration, motivation and interest to blog in year 2011 even though I had a lot going on.

Well, in 2010, I job hopped and landed myself in the same Early Childhood profession but in a slightly more interesting environment. I bade a tearful goodbye to CH, had a month’s break to settle some stuff and joined Gug.

In 2011, I went to Europe, found new interests and upped my knowledge by 10 notches. I also moved to a spanking new place with my family.

In 2012, I gathered enough money, flew to Japan to unleash my closet lian-ness and spent all my savings there. I also have a new goal in 2012 for 2013.

And let’s just hope I don’t lose the enthusiasm to blog.

P/S. I’ve not finished blogging about Melbourne. ARGH.

Melbourne Trip 2010- Day 7 Part 1

Melbourne Trip 2010- Day 7 (Part 1)

Date: 28th February 2010 (Sunday)

Wow, it took me about 9 months to blog this.

Hectic morning while heading to Melbourne Central Station.

To Burnley and then to Camberwell.

It’s kinda easy to head to the flea cos almost 80% of the passengers alighting the metro will head to the flea.

Honestly, I wanted to get the chandeliers but thank god I didn’t. How impractical.

Overrated. But it’s still quite good on a chilly day.

I’m not a fan of second hand goods so I went home empty handed but my aunty bought a bracelet here!

I was in love with this little leopard printed chest but the owner wasn’t selling it. Apparently, her mother gave it to her.

Metro back to flinders!

I really wanted to try Lord of The Fries cos I saw it everywhere but I felt it was kinda overrated and expensive.

Anyway, I walked around Melbourne Central myself… I forgot why I did that… maybe I had to get something?

And got back to see my cousin performing ‘how to cook ravioli’.

It’s awesome and it sucks how expensive ravioli is in Singapore. Damn you imports!

And then it’s off to send my aunt at Southern Cross station while I waited for Nora there!

Cher Bags For Sale

CHER BAGS FOR SALE!

SWEET スウィート ２月号付録Cherシェル

SOLD

Description: February 2010 Sweet Magazine collaboration with Cher

Includes: Magazine, Medium size Cher bag, Cher card tag (fits EZlink card)

Condition: Bag & Card tag (BRAND NEW), Magazine (READ ONCE; AS BRAND NEW)

Price: SGD $45 (Very reasonable as it’s a SOLD OUT item in both Japan & SG)

____________________________________________________________

Cher 09-10 Autumn Winter eMook

above pic credits @ 8tokyo

Description: Cher 09-10 Autumn Winter eMook

Includes: CHER 2009-2010 Autumn Winter Catalog, 1 small dark beige Cher tote, 1 medium blue Cher tote

Condition: ALL BRAND NEW IN PACKAGING

Price: SGD $45 (Very reasonable as it’s a SOLD OUT item in both Japan & SG)

______________________________________________________

Cher 09-10 Autumn Winter eMook – SMALL TOTE (INDIVIDUAL)

Description: Cher 09-10 Autumn Winter eMook SMALL TOTE

Includes: 1 small dark beige Cher bag

Condition: Brand New

Price: SGD $20 (Very reasonable as it’s a SOLD OUT item in both Japan & SG)

_________________________________________________________

Limited Edition Pink Cher

Description: Cher Pink with Blue hearts

Includes: 1 medium Pink CHER tote bag with blue hearts

Condition: Brand New

Price: SGD $35

_______________________________________________________________

All Medium totes are bigger than A4 size.

All prices are in Singapore dollars.

All prices do not include postage.

All items stated are authentic.

Singapore buyers preferred.

Email all orders and enquires to dearsushi@gmail.com

Canelé Macarons

Canelé

They’ve got this super cute Andy Warhol inspired macaron box.

Caramel, dark chocolate, rose, pistachio, hazelnut and cafe.

They’ve got some sub-standard macarons.

Melbourne Trip 2010- Day 6 (PART II)

Melbourne Trip 2010- Day 6 (PART II)

Date: 27th February 2010 (Saturday)

(cont)

So after the Puffing Billy ride, I headed to Melbourne Central alone so that I could go back to my cousin’s place to refresh myself for a date with a best friend!

Nora was the bestest friend in my early to mid Secondary school years and after she left for another school, Canada and Australia, we never met up! That summed up to 7 years!

On the day when I had to leave Melbourne, Nora replied on my Facebook status that we HAD to meet so after a few phone calls and Facebook wall posts, we decided to meet at Melbourne Central where the Seiko clock was.

When we both saw each other, we started shrieking and hugging, oblivious to the people around staring at us. I mean, after 7 whopping years! We went for lunch at Lygon Street, a pity I didn’t take any pictures and then walked all the way back to QV.

We went to Big W, laughed at Easter bunny chocolates, kissed white helmets, talked about Twilight, gushed about SOLO and giggled at every single thing.

Then we headed to Max Brenners, got a seat outside, chatted about our lives, secondary school days, the people we liked and disliked and laughed at people behind us, as usual *rolls eyes*.

Hot chocolate on a cold night; the feeling is just so awesome but really, skip this American Marshmallow Chocolate if you’re intending to visit Max Brenners.

We took this vintagey photo at Melbourne Central for AUD$8.

This is such a sad picture. Nora took this because the guy behind me (extreme left) was cute.

One night with her was definitely not enough, let me tell you that

Melbourne Trip 2010 – Day 6

Melbourne Trip 2010- Day 6

Date: 27th February 2010 (Saturday)

Tired from the previous day’s road trip (p/s we reached home at like 1am), I still managed to drag myself out of bed, went to Queen Victoria Market at like 7 in the morning to buy macadamias and also went to Woolworths to get breakfast.

Breakfast: Mrs Macs beef pie, SOLO from Woolworths.

The fillings is zomg.

Did I mention that I overspent and the AUD800 I brought along was so not enough that I had to do another currency exchange at a daylight robbery rate?

Anyway, be sure to take note of the money changers at Swanston Street! Though it’s my favourite street,  you still have to make sure that the money changer you change at doesn’t charge commission.

On the metro to Belgrave. Anyway something special about the metros there (actually not really)… is that you can eat and drink, unlike Singapore. Try bringing Hungry Jacks on the metro and start munching your burger, nobody’s gonna stare at you and neither will anyone charge forward and demand a fine.

Yay! At Belgrave station.

This way to Puffing Billy

This is the Belgrave train station for Puffing Billy.

Anyway, we knew we’ll be there early so we got takeaway Japanese bentos at Swanston Street before heading to Flinders Street Station.

While we have lunching, we saw this train approached; it was back from a long journey.

And yeah, damn it, it was drizzling.

A random ad but guess what? IT’S MRS MAC’S BEEF PIE REMEMBER I ATE IT IN THE MORNING??

The ticketing office’s a little weird. It opens half an hour or so only when the train is about to depart.

The souvenir ticket we received when we purchased the return tickets. It was about $23 or $24 to Menzies Creek per person.

If you’re wondering what’s the hype with Puffing Billy, let me tell you: It’s a steam train… you know like choo choo train? Like Thomas & Friends? And it has existed since 1900; it’s like 110 years old?

This man, I suppose he’s like the person in charge, kept pacing up and down and he has got this British look and god, he appeared in so many photos of mine.

There he is.

I look like a retard but whatever.

The Monbulk Creek Trestle Bridge.

If you’re wondering what the fuck is the lady and man doing, bloody seating on the window ledge… check this out.

I waved and alot of them waved back. It was so fun that I waved so many times.

Yes, yes, we were ALL seated like this on the window ledge!!!! Everybody in my carriage was kinda hesitant until the old man on the right who’s the train conductor, encourage them to seat like that to fully experience Puffing Billy.

Retarded face but yeah I did it too. This was what I was worrying about – if it’s drizzling, how are we supposed to sit at the ledge and get drenched but in the end, who cared?

We waved to everyone we saw. Even the guy in the car came out to take a picture of the train

Finally, at Menzies Creek, we alighted and hopped on the next available train (which I was on when I took this photo) back to Belgrave. The train we alighted (in the photo) goes on to some other place.

“Can I take a picture with you?”

SURE.

The train I took back to Belgrave. How pretty isn’t it?

The back.

The controller and his stuff. It would have been more realistic if he wasn’t holding on to that Nokia 6500 slide Get the phone out of here!

An artistic shot of my cousin on the metro on our way back to Flinders Street Station.

\

Mazazu Crepe

Japanese crepes!

My 2nd time at Mazazu Crepe. You’ll never miss this shop because it’s smacked right in front of the escalator to Meidi-ya.

I know, you strawberry & cheesecake fanatics, just scream.

It’s called Double Strawberry Cheesecake because there’re both REAL strawberries and strawberry syrup in it. A mixture of sour, sweet and cheesy causes explosion in your mouth. Not kidding.

Here’s what’s left after 5 minutes. Even though the worker made the crepe right after I placed my order, it was still kinda cold. It’d be best if the crepe’s piping hot and the cheesecake freezing cold!

Melbourne Trip 2010- Day 5

Melbourne Trip 2010- Day 5

Date: 26th February 2010 (Friday)

GREAT OCEAN ROAD

Yes, yes, yes! We went on a Great Ocean Road trip! You can skip all my Victoria entries but you cannot skip this because day 5 was the best day I had in my entire life

Frozen solo drinks, mineral water, home cooked Tom Yam noodles, wet tissues and a kite; the necessities for our road trip.

Waiting for my cousin and aunty because they went off early to collect the car.

At the petrol station.

Yes, a convertible. If you want to go to Great Ocean Road, please rent a convertible. Only when one has experience the convertible on GOR then one can totally understand how it’s like. Oh btw, Singaporeans, PLEASE DON’T DRIVE IN VICTORIA PLEASE! Melbourne’s roads are very very weird because of the trams and it’s very different in Singapore. It’s very easy to get into accidents with the trams in Melbourne. Sidetrack, I don’t think young Singaporeans should drive to GOR as well because… here’s what my mom was nagging about and it sort of scared the shit out of me when I was GOR; link: http://www.theage.com.au/travel/travel-news/warning-on-long-road-trips-after-tourists-die-20100128-n1pv.html

From Geelong to Torquay.

Anglesea:

And that’s Anglesea for you. I know it’s like the most amazing place! Our first beach stop was actually Angelsea and it was really deserted but it’s the cleanest unspoilt beach I’ve ever set my eyes on. I wanted to dive into it but I was dumb enough to wear jeans. The next time I’m going, I’m gonna wear berms.

And that’s Split Point Lighthouse and its surroundings. I had my lunch there and it’s one of the most unforgettable moments. Blue sea, blue skies, breeze and noodles. Weird combination but splendid one.

Great Ocean Road

Most of the roads on GOR are rather curvy and it can be fatal when it comes to night time or when you’re speeding.

LORNE:

Erskine river.

Lorne Pier

Lots of great seafood here, I read.

I spent a really long time at Lorne.

The seashell my aunty found and gave to me.

On Lorne pier.

I was rather good with the maps when I was in Victoria  but somehow I couldn’t figure out maps when I was in Singapore.

I look like a retard in the 2nd picture but I still love them deeply. As I’m typing this, I’m actually smiling

Anyway, the roads between Lorne & Apollo Bay can be quite scary and alot of accidents happen there as the roads are all cliff sides.

Apollo Bay:

Had lunch at Georges. Yeah, I know lunch again. Not really lunch… just a snack to fill up our tummies.

Notice the girl on the extreme left giving the look.

There was this particular Asian girl who caught my eye; I couldn’t figure out if she was Chinese, Korean or Japanese and that really annoyed me.

My cousin ALMOST knocked down one of the boys from this van (surfer dudes, I suppose).

Great Otway National Park:

I remembered standing up on the convertible when my cousin drove through the trees. The smell of moist green leaves and the wind against my face and hair is just so… unforgettable.

Sorry if I look like a retard but along GOR, you can see lots of cattle and I really got used to the smell (remember, convertible?) and I kinda like it. Uhm smell? Think: Cow dung.

Along Great Otway National Park, you’ll get to see wild koalas. It’s almost a guaranteed thing and I was so excited to see one so close to us and it looked so damn fucking cute. Along Great Otway National Park, I think I saw about 6 or 7 koalas.

And… *drum rolls* the reason why we are on GOR… the 12 Apostles. Most of the people travel to GOR is because of the 12 Apostles, London Bridge & Loch Ard Gorge.

Port Campbell National Park:

There used to be 12 apostles but some collapsed and only 7 are left now.

Before I went to Melbourne, my cousin already said “we’re going on a helicopter”. I didn’t think much about it and neither did he remind us that we were going on a helicopter at GOR and so, I didn’t bring much cash (only AUD40) because I overspent so I tried to bring a small amount out each time. And guess what, we didn’t bring enough money!!! When pooled together, we only had like AUD190 or something and that means only 2 of us could go on the helicopter. My cousin didn’t bring another card so it was like a nightmare for us and him being the gentleman, let my auntie and I go on the helicopter because we are the ‘tourists’ and he could always come again.

The helicopter ride is amazing. Of course I was scared initially but I got used to it after a while.

The pilot would explain the apostles while flying the helicopter (very dangerous) through the mic and I was like busy thinking, ‘what the hell this is amazing!”

The pilot stopped here for us the capture the amazing coastline and I was like awwwww… this is amazing. You can only see the 12 Apostles on the helicopter and not any where else (including the viewing deck).

I HAD to take this picture! Like how many times can you be in a helicopter in your life?

It was around 5~6pm when we reached the 12 Apostles and it was close to sunset after the helicopter ride.

The journey back home was scary because we had no money left and there was little petrol left. I could see the panic on everyone’s faces including mine and  I kept thinking if we had to stop by the cliff side and walk to some motel, should we hitch a ride from someone, if we will meet wild kangaroos and they’d box us and what if I slip and fall right into the ocean. I even asked my cousin if there’re grizzly bears here and he said, “Perhaps”. Haha. Thank god for friends! He phoned his friend and asked her to transfer money to another card he brought (which had no $ inside -.-). Thank god for friends, really.

The Great Ocean Road trip is so far the best best day I’ve ever had… it’s not because of finally seeing the 12 Apostles, it’s about the whole journey. The start from preparing for the trip to driving (not really, i mean, sitting in the car) through the cliffs, to listening to Jay Chou’s songs the whole day on repeats (cos my cousin is a Jay enthusiast and it keeps him awake while driving) to smelling cow dung and seeing the cows go moo, to squinting my eyes to spot koalas along the way to eating like the locals to taking off my Havaianas to walk along the beach with waves burying your feet to hearing the waves crash upon the limestone to seeing the sun set right in front of you when you’re in the car.

Tiring (for the driver) but definitely rewarding.

I’m proud to say:

I’VE BEEN TO GREAT OCEAN ROAD!

2.5 months since I last came back from Australia but it felt just like I was there this morning.

The Jay Chou songs played during my trip there still sends chills down my spine but memories, good memories.

Melbourne Trip 2010- Day 4

Melbourne Trip 2010- Day 4

Date: 25th February 2010 (Thursday)

I went to Queen Victoria Market the whole morning to noon and I didn’t bring my camera along. How dumbo could I get?

Anywayyyyyy we headed to Melbourne Museum at around 2plus or so.

Apparently, the dinosaur exhibition was on (or is it a permanent thing?).

Then we headed to this animal area.

The Melbourne Story:

And we finally left at its closing time.  There wasn’t enough time to explore everything but I didn’t really enjoy myself either… honestly but it was still ok. However, I’d choose not to go again.

Carlton Gardens:

This is what I like better! WOOLWORTHS. Seriously, I love supermarkets.

OMG HYPERVENTILATES. SOLO!!!

And we headed to Crown late evening.

omg yeah look at the retarded face!

Melbourne’s night scene is really pretty.

At Crown. I love the lights!

And we also saw the every-30-minutes fire thingum! It provided warmth for me because it was really chilly that night. What I really enjoyed throughout the whole day was the walk from Crown to Elizabeth Street and back home… although my flats were the ultimate killer.