Summer Trip 2015 - Kyoto and Osaka

Finally took some time to blog on my super backdated Summer trip. I tried to include all the things that happened during the trip but of course, that's just impossible. For now, I'm only done with Kyoto and Osaka. I'll blog on Korea soon.

I'm missing Japan more than ever, honestly.

Kyoto
If you read posts about Japan, they say for you to really experience the Japanese culture, you have to make a stop at Kyoto. All I can say is that, they were saying the truth.

The Japanese are known to be friendly and hygienic. I felt it the moment I touched down in Japan. The air was clear, the people would never fail to make eye contact with me and when I put on a smile, they smiled back at me. If I smiled at someone in Singapore, they would be staring back at me or worse, some even would roll their eyes at me.

You guys probably know by now where I stayed when I was in Kyoto.

The place we stayed in is really the perfect place to stay! I really felt like I lived in Japan, though it was only for 4 days in Kyoto. Really small, no doubt. But that's the whole point. Japanese homes are known to be small.

What about the house that I really love?
The area. There's like a mini supermarket nearby. Though the uncle who was selling at the mart there couldn't understand Japanese, he tried really hard to help us choose the best fruits (body language, my friend!) and trust me the fruits really tasted goooooood. I'm someone who is fussy about my vegetables and fruits.

Many wonder how long did I stay in Kyoto. It ain't that long. But I really had a great time to the point where I felt I treasured my time in Kyoto the most.

Kyoto itself has so many places to visit. I listed so many places I wanted to go and well, I visited some and I had to forgo some since we were running out of time.

Where did I go to when I was in Kyoto?
Nishiki Market - Shopping paradise similar to Bugis Street.
Arashiyama - A really famous bamboo forest
Kiyomizudera - A temple at the top of the hill so you can see the whole of Kyoto (I guess!) from there
Fushimi Inari - Shrines where you can take really nice photos (HAHA)
These are the more popular tourist attractions. So when you go to these places, you'll end up passing by other tourist attraction places too. 

Nishiki Market

Luckily for me, this place was really near to my guesthouse. A good 15 minutes walk (my grandmother's speed!) and you'll be able to shop your Japanese Yen away~

How's the prices like? 
Well all I can say is that, the price ranges from really cheap to totally not worth it prices. I bought my kimono and my sunglasses (which I later lost it at the Kansai Airport! T_T) at this place. If I had known that I wouldn't spend so much in Osaka, I would have spend more money here because the Japanese fashion is just really on point. Especially for someone who is not so adventurous like me.

What do they sell at Nishiki Market? 
Everything. Like literally, everything. I bought my laundry detergent and washing powder here. Not forgetting the sunglasses and my kimono set with the cloaks. The shops there were also selling really nice straw hats, tops, bottoms, cool backpacks, knives (in all sizes!) and many more. Too many for me to list out!

You'll be able to walk pass Takashimaya and many more shops along your way here.

Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

Living in Singapore means that I spend most of my time being close with buildings. So when I started researching on where I should visit in Kyoto, I had doubts of making my way to Arashiyama. I even thought to myself, "Oh, what is there to really see in Arashiyama other than bamboos?" and because Daya and my grandmother are the kind of people who love nature... I just go with it.

I mean seriously, not like they have cute furballs of pandas there. Pandas eat bamboos so why aren't they there?

How to get there?
Subway! A good 30 minutes walk (my grandmother's pace!) from the JR Saga Torokko station.

The weather was great. Not hot. Not cold. No complains at all despite the walk.

Looking really short here sigh is there a way to make me grow taller at this age?

We walked all the way to the end and even stumbled upon an LV cafe.

Didn't go in though, because it's kinda pricey.

Met this cat while we were walking down. It weighs 8 kg. A really huge cat, I must say!

For those who plan to go to Tenryu-ji Temple, you can plan your day properly now.

It's all in the same place.

A really cute boy I played with in front of the temple.

I can't even stress enough how much I want my kids to be Japanese coz they're so freaking cute!

Is it worth the time to go to this place?

Definitely! Especially if you're crazy about taking photos like me. HAHA instagram all day err day

What to prepare before going to Arashiyama?

A good camera. I'm thankful that Daya brought her semi-pro camera to help me take lovely photos of the place.

Water bottle. It's gonna be a long walk and save some money by bringing your own water bottle. Don't have to splurge on drinking water!

Comfortable shoes. Daya had blisters along the way. Luckily I had plasters with me. It's like walking up a hill. And no, even Mount Faber couldn't beat this hill. 

Oh this is a must to share! They sell really super good ice cream at the the foot of the whole area! Best ice cream I have ever tasted! I even tried to buy ice creams again and again after I tasted that ice cream but no, nothing can beat the taste!

Kiyomizudera

A Buddhist temple. Up on a hill.

This is the entrance of the temple.

How to get there?

I got there by bus from Kyoto Station! There are a few buses that go to the temple.

In Singapore, you pay when you board. But in Japan, you pay when you alight so I had a funny encounter when I was on the bus.

So I tried asking someone on the bus for help. He was with a friend. Sadly, both of them turned out to be from Hong Kong and they were also trying to figure out how much did the bus ride cost. They were actually trying to follow us. Monkey see, monkey do. Thankfully, we figured it all out after observing the locals there for quite some time. 

Oh and in Japan, you board the bus from the back and alight from the front which is totally the opposite in Singapore. That got us really confused.

This is how Kiyomizudera looks like.

One word. Breathtaking.

This grandfather right here is way older than my grandmother but his painting skills are on point 💯

Worth going? 

Yes, yes, yes!

Expensive entrance fee?

Not at all. About SGD$4 if I was not wrong.

Fushimi Inari

How to get there?

Subway! Just 5 mins away from the station.

What is there to see at Fushimi Inari?

Honestly, nothing. BUT! A nice place to snap some vain photos hahaha

I'm sure the photos speak enough, right?

Osaka

I didn't spend much time in Osaka. Honestly, I can say about a day only in Osaka. Kinda regret, but it's okayyyyy because I will definitely go back to Osaka.

I took the JR Haruka from Kyoto to Osaka. Best decision ever!

It took us less than 90 minutes from Kyoto to Osaka which is a distance from Yewtee to Ayer Hitam.

I wanted to visit the Osaka Castle when I was there but we were a few minutes late from the closing time so... we ended up going to Shinsaibashi for dinner at Ali's Kitchen.

Took some photos near the castle since we couldn't get into the castle.

It's okay I will definitely be back.

Ever since I tasted the ice cream at Arashiyama, I couldn't stop buying ice creams in Japan.

Saw this boy in the subway and he couldn't stop looking at us from the corners of his eyes.

So we asked him for a photo and he didn't answer.

But I just told Daya to pose and well... he posed for the photo HAHA

At Ali's Kitchen with a Malaysian family and a Japanese couple.

We made friends with a Malaysian family and a Japanese couple. The Malaysian family were really happy to see us and started conversing with us in Malay. Honestly, it felt good whenever we walk pass any Muslims and if they can converse in our mother tongue language, it felt like we met our neighbours.

Anyway thanks to Ali, we went to this camera shop nearby and my grandmother bought a camera at a really really cheap price. I should have bought one for myself but I was not prepared to spend money on cameras. Kinda regret now.

This was a candid shot taken by this Japanese grandfather who works at the camera shop.

Right after buying the camera, we went to walk around the streets there. Since we had some yen left, I suggested to Daya to do something the locals usually do. And we settled with making our own spectacles. 

Everywhere in Japan seems to have spectacle shops that can make your spectacles ready within 20 minutes. At first, I didn't believe it at all. But damn, they did an eye check on me and it really was about 20 minutes. We took quite some time to choose our frames tho. So many colours and designs to choose from!

How do you like my spectacles?

I'm still wearing this pair of spectacles now.

Many things happened in Japan and honestly I wanna go back to Japan again. Everything was perfect when I was in Japan. The weather, the people... I had a really good time there!

Bidets.

I miss them.

There should be more bidets in Singapore.

And toilets in Japan are so freaking clean. 

Japan's hygiene, you win hands down!

Friendly people.

Whoever said that Japanese are not open towards foreigners, maybe you just suck.

When I was in Japan, the locals there came up to me and talked to me.

They even complimented me.

They came up to me to say I was beautiful which have yet to happen when I'm in Singapore.

This Japanese grandfather left a really great memory to me. He couldn't speak English but he really wanted to converse with us. He asked where we were from and I answered Singapore. He then started using his body language, trying to tell us that he went to Singapore before and he swam at the Infinity pool before. How cute!

I also miss that shades I hanged on my top. Lost it at Kansai International Airport sigh...

Japan, you were just perfect.  I would definitely be back.

History.

Imagine.

You woke up at 10 a.m. because it was June holidays and well the sun was shining brightly. You said to yourself, "Such a hot sunny day! I wish it would rain later." You then started getting ready for school because you had a CCA session that afternoon. You got ready and headed out to school.

While on the way to school, the clouds started looking grey and few moments later, it started to rain. And you started going, "Shit! I should have brought an umbrella to school. Shit!"

You looked around in the bus and you saw another boy wearing the same PE t-shirt as you so that means he was also going to school. You started talking to yourself, "Let's just ask him if we can share his umbrella and head to school. Oh wait, what if he doesn't have any umbrella? Alright, let's just hope he has an umbrella with him."

The bus arrived at your school bus stop. Both you and that boy alighted. You both looked at each other. It turned out that the boy too was hoping you had an umbrella so he could share it with you.

He then made his way to a nearby shop and bought an umbrella. You were still standing at the bus stop, thinking on your next action so that you could get to school on time. He came to the bus stop with an umbrella in his hand and asked you if you wanted to share the umbrella and make your way to school together. You agreed.

He cling his right arm around your shoulders and you looked at him in the eyes. He smiled at you and you both made your way to school.

You finally arrived at school. You were not wet at all. He was wet on the left side of his body because he wanted to make sure you were not wet at all. You thanked him and from that day on, you never talked to him till graduation.

And today, you saw a photo of him with his friends going back to your secondary school together to reminisce the good memories.

You just... couldn't forget about that short moment with him.

By you here, I mean me.

Skechers Sundown Festival 2015

I've been busy the past two days thanks to Skechers Sundown Festival this year. So this year marks two years of me covering events for K-Pop. Good job Syafiqah!

I finally (well, kinda) joined the Officially KMusic Singapore team all thanks to Daya.

Getting your own name cards made me feel so grown up.

If you want any media coverage from us, just drop us an e-mail. Not necessarily K-Pop. But preferably K-Pop. 

Alright, back to Skechers Sundown Festival.

The stage I was more focused on.

I had to cover this event because of Epik High. It was kinda obvious that they had quite a lot of fans that came down. (They're from YG, duh!) But the performances from other acts were not disappointing at all. I actually enjoyed most of the performances.

I mean, what could go wrong when you have guys who can sing and perform in front of you? HAHA. 

Taiwanese band Ground Zero and I.

They were walking around but not many know them, I guess. Well, I have not known them until the other time during press conference. They played James Bay's Hold Back The River and that was enough to make me fall in love with them.

This is Koki Tanaka from INKT.

(Guess you know who is my bias?)

So so so thankful I got really near and up close to the performers because I was in media. This Japanese dude really made me fell in love last night. Can't even explain hehehe! 

He then posted this on his Twitter.

A photo with him hehehehe

Spot me!

My Japanese boyfriend and I on a date HAHA

Took this right after the press conference when I saw him after he went to 7-Eleven. Apparently fans had to pay $60 just to take a photo with him during the event and well, lucky me didn't have to pay $60.

Oh and INKT is no joke. They're really popular. I was busy updating Officially KMusic's twitter and tweets on them got really a lot of RTs and likes.

A little blur, but this is my Thai boyfriend and I.

Chantagan saw my post on Potato and apparently this band is so so so popular in Thailand according to her. Well, what a name! Potato hahaha shall I name my band Carrot? Ok, kidding.

Last but not least, Epik High!

All taken from my iPhone. Yup that's how close I am to Tablo hehehe thank you Skechers! Though I didn't get to see them at Press Conference because their flight got delayed, watching them this close last night was enough to make it up for it.

I have a pair of Skechers shoes but I didn't wear them yesterday. Don't worry I wear them most of the time. Just look at my Japan/Korea photos. Skechers, you should employ me as your brand ambassador!

For yesterday's event, it's couple wear with Daya.

#bff

Everest.

Yesterday I finally met Haris after weeks (probably months!) and damn I just realized how much of the world I have yet to see.

Haris is an avid traveller. Well, not really. But he wants to travel more, that's for sure! As far as I know him, he has only lived in Brunei for a few years, travelled to New Zealand for a month and recently he just came back from Nepal.

Anyway, he was telling me how people who live in the Himalayas (yes he went there, that's so near to Mount Everest I know right!) can absorb better oxygen than normal people (aka me) and that also means that they're supposedly healthier than yours truly. So I went like, "Maybe I should move and live in the Himalayas. I'll be healthier." He actually told me that I should and that there is an ATM and there is wifi there.

THERE IS INTERNET IN NEPAL. And according to him, the internet connection is not that bad.

Damn can you imagine me living the village life in a small town in Nepal? Well let's see... If I move to Nepal, their mode of transportation are using animals or by foot. Hey, I can bond with animals. That's quite a good point. And if I go everywhere by foot and it's all uphill, I can keep my body slim and probably lean. Another good reason for me to move there.

People don't eat meat there because it takes days to transport the meat and meat is kinda sacred there. Oh damn, how do I live without my fried chicken wings and my hot spicy beef stews? Forget it. I will continue living here then hahaha

On a side note, Haris was telling me that he met a guy while travelling and he turned into a vegetarian because consuming meat is all a luxury and the whole process of producing meat requires too much resources. I have to applaud this dude for that kind of mindset. I can never imagine myself going vegetarian though it's healthier and it will be a great help to Mother Nature.

Guilt all over me now. (Who am I kidding? I'll be eating meat tomorrow oops!)

Met Daya right after her Infinite press conference.

Haris really needs to shave.

I'm allergic to facial hair 😭

Busy, busy busy.

One word to describe it all. Busy.

My life has been nothing but crazily busy with so many things going on for the past few months. Well, school has started and I can only say that Year 2 is no joke but crazily busy as compared to Year 1.

Aside from school and all the study sessions, I've been trying my best to allocate as much times as possible for my loved ones and... probably some exercise sessions (who are you kidding Syafiqah?) oops!

Anyway, I'm not sure how many people know this but my secondary school is gonna be renovated pretty soon and well, I went back to the school recently with Nabilah because I just had to reminisce some good old memories there.

The school will be opened for the alumni this 14th November. But all the classes will be closed. I made the right decision to come on the students' last day of school because... well, why would you go back to your secondary school and not take one final look at the places you spent most of your time in school before they revamp the whole place?

That used to be the spot I sat during class as a Sec 4 Emerald student.

If you were to ask me whether I regret going into Dunearn, I would not have the right answer. But one thing for sure, I had great memories in secondary school. Five years ago, I was dying to finish secondary school education. I just wanted to get out of the whole secondary school drama. I was in a clique. So there were so many dramas. But in secondary school too, I did many things in life and it has shaped me into the person I am today. Though I may no longer be close with some people who used to be my everything in secondary school, not a day goes by where I do not care for them. Also, I'm glad that in secondary school too, I met with people who are now people I am comfortable with. They saw me grow and how much of a b*tch I can be and still accepted me for me. I am thankful for that.

For all the bad things I've ever done to anyone up to this point of my life, I am truly sorry for it. 

Right after I visited my secondary school, I had to go off for a Korean event.

The Opening Ceremony Korean Film Festival 2015.

Still waiting for my Korean boyfriend to appear 🇰🇷

I have so many Korean events coming up, especially in December. Is this gonna raise the probability of me getting a Korean partner? Well for now, you can check out my article for this event at OfficiallyKmusic's website here.

Alright I think I am gonna be done until here for now. I have not gotten any sleep for today because well I went out with my OG last night for some karaoke session and supper after Huijing's 21st party.

They've been nothing but a great bunch of people to hang out with.

Not everyone in the OG was present last night but still my night was 💯

Gotta thank Dickson for sending me home all the way to Yewtee when he stays at MacPherson. Like seriously, thank you Allah for blessing with really nice friends. And also... because he accompanied me to watch Our Times last Friday.

Seriously, you guys have to watch Our Times. My life as a whole.

If you're a fangirl like me, you can totally relate HAHA

I thought I said I was done but guess I have so many things to say. Oh well, time to catch up on my sleep now!

Actually no, gotta catch up on my study schedule. #lifeofauniversitystudent

Pain.

Not in the pink of health.

I hate how I easily get diarrhoea. Can someone suggest to me how to stop making my tummy stronger than ever?

Just pop some charcoal pills. Let's hope it works.

Secret.

Have you ever loved someone so much that you are willing to do anything for that special person?
That includes doing things you dislike.

Listening to Jay Park's songs always makes me feel like I'm in a perfect romantic fairytale type of relationship with a guy.

Do you guys feel it too?

Anyway, Jay Park is coming to Singapore for a closed-door event at COACH Wisma Atria this 24th August.

Times like this...

I wish I was born into a rich family.
I wish I was a freaking hot pretty girl who gets sponsored all day err day.
I wish I was just someone powerful.

It is hard to be a fan.

Park Jaebum, I hope to meet you and be friends with you one day.

Love, Me.

Hello Again

So I haven't been updating this space for quite some time, exactly a month actually! Well, I'm busy travelling from one end of Singapore to the other end. And not to forget... I am a lazy person hahaha

Ramadan left us and now, we're in the month of Syawal. This also means... Hari Raya!

I still feel excited for Raya though many felt like they miss Ramadan more as they grow older. Well, to me, it's how you view things in life. I love Ramadan for the fact that people get closer to Islam and Allah s.w.t during that holy month. Some people change for the better during Ramadan and of course, it's a pleasant sight. On the other hand, I love Hari Raya for the fact that it's the time people get together and bond with people who are special to them like families. We often do not realize that we treat our family less special than how we treat our friends. So Raya is the time we make time for our families. Also, it's the time when people seek forgiveness from each other. And Raya... the time people who have yet to start work and look like students (aka yours truly!) to get duit raya!

Don't dread the arrival of a beautiful month, approach every moment of your life with optimism!

It's a must for me to at least wear the baju kurung or baju kebaya once during Raya because... well when can I wear the Malay traditional costume other than Raya? Ok, maybe during weddings whatever.

This year's Raya is a little different for me because Bigbang had their world tour in Singapore for the second and third days of Syawal. I had to miss the Raya visitings for the second and third days of Raya. Felt kinda guilty but it was all worth it because I made really good memories with really awesome company.

MADE Concert Day 1

My company for the first day of concert. (Yes, I went to both days!)

Kathryn and I. 

Our friendship all started from Bigbang. From the first time I saw my favourite Taeyang till now.

Our huge age gap does not even bother a bit.

Not sure how many know of this, but I actually just went crazy that night and approached some of the YG staffs to take photos of them since I know the chances of me taking a photo with the boys themselves would be really slim (in fact I haven't had any chance yet!) and well... I don't really think so much about my actions sometimes.

A photo of me with one of the YG dancers.

Captioned this as "With my future colleague"on my Instagram because I'm determined to join YG.

A photo of me with Bennie Rodgers II (aka briightred05 on IG)

Drummer from The Band Six

Posted this on Instagram that he's my American boyfriend.

My aunt actually believed it and called me up early in the morning just coz of this photo.

MADE Concert Day 2

The crowd was honestly better in Day 2. You just felt like it was more fun. I had a great time on both days!

The Band Six and some of Hidayah's friends who are now my new friends.

Really nice and friendly people.

Hang out together the next time you guys come to Singapore!

Seungri's Mum and Sister Lee Hanna.

Posted this photo on Instagram and it got me laughing like crazy reading the comments.

My secondary school friend Seri even texted me this few days later and told me I got popular.

Till today, I can't stop smiling whenever I recall all the memories.

If there is one thing I really enjoy from this whole crazy phase I'm in, it's the fact that I have made so many friends. Even though they may be judgmental and I will probably feel so disturbed by what they have to say, I know I had fun doing all those things. 

Be brave. Be courageous.

Looking forward to the next Bigbang concert HAHA

I am just trying to make myself feel more relaxed now (hence the too-hyped-up post above!) because results will be coming in soon and I am really scared. Hoping that I pass all my modules and move on to Year 2. Pray for my results. Pray for me.