Tuesday, December 31, 2013

day 7 : mini file

12月31日のプレゼントはこちらです。薄い緑の紙と緑のMTテープの中でちっちゃいファイルが入ってます。日本らしいのファイルで、超可愛いと思ってた~それで、蝶々のメッセージもあります。


「昔のことを追いかける疲れたでしょう。人生を整理して、前に向けを、感謝して、私が主は私の将来の可能性が見えるから。Please read Philippians 3:13-14」


よいアドバイスと思ってた~

christmas in kobe

Just a glimpse of the early Christmas celebrations and festivities in Kobe...


Was a little tiring having to make the cards and wrap the presents the night before, and then waking up earlier than usual to cook, but I guess it's been some time since I got myself busy and creative~


It's fun when everyone else has also put in equally much effort, if not more, to celebrate Christmas together at Soga cafe. Only managed to get some shots of Yumiko with her lovely creations. She was the perfect hostess with Christmas decor all put up, and even had time to roast a chicken, make seafood paella and baked potatoes all presented very nicely. Made me wish I could have done more than just curry chicken >.<


Our last bible study gathering was back at the Crillo cafe, too bad Ako-san couldn't join us. Erike gave away gifts, while we had already gotten handmade ones from Dora few weeks earlier. I'm planning to get something Malaysian for them when I get some time this week!


Some of the illumination put up near the Sannomiya station and shopping malls for the festive season.

Monday, December 30, 2013

day 6 : note papers

12月30日のプレゼントはこちらです。透明な封筒と四枚の紙があります。一枚の紙は英語のメッセージが書いてます。


「You may like to share your story with people, just a few lines, that made you feel blessed or being encouraged of the day ^.^ Find one, or even yourself, write a letter to share your glorify life with the Lord. Shine! Perfume of heaven.」


実は、何もまだ書いてないんですが、何か書きはずですか、誰に渡せばいいんですか、と思ってます。。。

Sunday, December 29, 2013

day 5 : balloons

12月29日のプレゼントはこちらです。赤い糸は二つ紙を包んで、可愛い花の模様があります。ゆっくりで開けて、大きい紙の中で、紫とオレンジの風船が入ってます。小さい紙にメッセージが書いてます。


「毎日新しいことをやって、新しい~が取って、”新しい”イエス様に出会い。。。
今、新しいあそびにするよ。(水玉風船)水に~入して、ふうせんが~~7-8cmぐらいに」


~のところに漢字がちょっと読めないんですが、意味もちょっと分からないんです。だから、まだやってないんです。。。(^。-)”

実は、もうすぐ神戸に戻る予定なんですが、多分神戸にやったほうがいいと思う。

Saturday, December 28, 2013

day 4 : polka-dot button

12月28日のプレゼントはこちらです。お茶袋の外で選択挟みを使われて、中でピンクの水玉のボタンとメッセージを入ってます。


私の日本語まだ下手なんですが、新しい言葉学べなければなりません。(^。-)”

「神の約束(~書の言葉)を信じして;心が繋ぐ、行動にして自分の~になる、そして信仰や神様と愛情もうまれた。FAITH!!!」


~の漢字が分からないので書けないんです。。。

Friday, December 27, 2013

day 3 : hot lemon

12月27日のプレゼントはこのカラフルの袋です。柔らかい糸の飾りを使われました。ホットレモンを入ってます。少し中国語のメッセージを書いてますがちょっと読めないんです。英語のGod please youと日本語の神様も書いてます。


まだ飲んでないんです、日本に持ち帰りたかった。冬の寒さに合うと思う(^。^)


Thursday, December 26, 2013

day 2 : black sesame rice cake

12月26日のプレゼントはこのストライプの封筒です。中は黒ごまのもちが入ってます。聖書の詩篇68:19を書いてる紙も有ります。


「神様はすばらしいお方です。 日ごとに私たちの重荷を肩代わりして、救いの手を差し伸べてくださるのです。」



Wednesday, December 25, 2013

day 1 : grapefruit drop

12月25日のプレゼントです。三角の中で飴が入ってます。グレープフルーツの味でした。



Tuesday, December 24, 2013

8 days of christmas

ドラちゃんからもらったクリスマスプレゼントでした。八日間の贈り物って一日ずつ開けて下さいと言われました。


すごく可愛いと思ってた!



Saturday, December 14, 2013

stroopwafel

The Japanese are so polite and try not to intrude that I found it rather amusing. So you see, I brought some Dutch waffles (stroopwafel) for my colleagues to try. Usually whenever someone comes back with an edible souvenir (omiyage), they would have an email sent out to announce for people to help themselves to the food at the little coffee corner.

This time, I didn't feel like doing that again, so I just left the waffles at the usual spot. Thinking that is where colleagues gather to fill their coffee and tea, I thought it would be obvious why the waffles were left there. Usually snacks like this would be quickly snapped up, especially nearing teatime.

Seeing that no one had touched it, I realised almost with a whack to my head, that they were not aware that these were meant to be shared!


So I tried to write a note in Japanese and left it next to the waffles. I had seen some of my lady colleagues do this, so tried to follow. And true enough, people started to open the packaging and try the waffles! (^.^)

And oh, one of the colleagues wandered aloud asking who "se-ra" (/ˈsɛərə/) was, as written below. Waka-san who sat in front me started laughing. I wasn't sure if I should take it as a joke or genuine question. But of course I knew that they usually call me as how my name is spelt, which is "sara" (/ˈsɑːrɑː/), hence the "confusion".

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

I AMsterdam p3

Though this was my 3rd trip to Amsterdam, there were many "firsts" this time around. Or rather, many significant memories that made this trip rather different from the previous ones.


First time entering the airport lounge. Not as fancy as a proper airline lounge, but a little rest area for those with certain corporate cards. I managed to get some warm corn soup with crackers before catching my flight. I only found out about this "privilege" when my colleague told me he was waiting at the lounge.


My first evening arriving in Amsterdam, I discovered from my boss that there was some winter market near the city. Looking for food I landed upon the Swiss stall because the raclette looked tempting. The puffs of steam escaping my mouth as I ate the melted cheese must have attracted tourists, for soon, the stall got crowded. I certainly brought some fortune to the merchants!


Trying a different hotel this time because the previous was a bit pricey, I managed to get a good deal online that came with breakfast. And it was still much cheaper than the Hilton! First time staying at the Crowne Plaza, I have lots of good things to say about this hotel, in Amsterdam. In fact, I have just left some really good compliments when they sent me the survey form to fill.


Going in winter to Europe meant there would be some special celebrations. In Netherlands it was Sinterklaas. Apparently the bearded guy in red suit walks around the city distributing presents. I've only seen a glimpse of him though from a restaurant. I know my colleagues in the European office got some gifts (most likely through HR), so I was delighted to get this on my table when I got back to the hotel one evening.


Our UK site went live on Friday morning, 7am to be exact! We popped the cork and enjoyed some champagne courtesy of the EC Director. It's like having champagne for breakfast, needless to say it was hard to get through the morning already having little sleep because of the early launch.


There were some strong winds across Europe that week. Apparently it went up around 50km/h, that's faster than the car we used to drive when we were learning how to drive! I almost got blown away a few times, remind me to eat more when I get back to Malaysia.


Unfortunately on the day we went live, I found out that Nelson Mandela had passed away the evening before. We were in a rather sombre mood that morning, as a sign of respect.

There are not many heroes out there willing to suffer, sacrifice and put their lives down for a cause they believe in, especially for so many long years. My condolences to South Africa.

I guess it's a reminder to myself, if I'm willing to do that too.

Tuesday, December 03, 2013

rainy tokyo this time

It was the beginning of autumn when we had our first global ec summit. After the week-long workshops were over, we played host to our overseas guests and bring those who had some hours to kill before their flight.


It was a rainy Saturday morning, and all I wanted to do was to snuggle in bed but had to push myself to get up to check out of the hotel. First up was the retail tour in the shopping streets of Omotesando and Harajuku. Our competitor seemed to be enjoying brisk sales with a queue outside even in the drizzle.


The Onitsuka Tiger flagship store in Harajuku, tucked in a little alley behind Ralph Lauren. To be honest I never knew how big this brand was back home, but slowly appreciated the legendary shoes after joining the company.


Seems like a new store just opened. You can tell by the long queues outside the store. Even in the rain. I remember when living in Tokyo, and Krispy Kreme had first opened a store in Shinjuku the Japanese would queue up in the winter cold just to get a taste of the sweet doughnuts. Same when H&M opened its doors - I couldn't be bothered and am always amazed at their patience!


After the long walk around the Shibuya shopping streets, we decided to get some Japanese for lunch. I've bragged about how fresh seafood are here, but when my Tokyo friend visited me in Kobe he commented that Kobe sashimi seemed even fresher!


Tamai-san ordered some sides to go with our chirashi sushi (sushi rice topped with sashimi slices), this "siham" lightly sauteed with Japanese sake and butter.


After saying goodbye to our regional guests, I explored the latest shopping mall in Shibuya while waiting for Aishah. Felt like a country bumpkin in the big malls and amazed again at all the pretty creations. It's nice to just wander around window shopping and just enjoying what novel new stuff they've come up with this time.

What creativity - these are aprons - pretty enough to be worn as a dress I think!


My ex-housemate Aishah was nice enough to meet me at the Tokyo station before I had to dash off to get the shinkansen. She still loves pastries and all things sweet, so she introduced me to Fairy Cupcakes. This walnut bear and macha frog were just too cute to be eaten!


I found some new flavours at one of the souvenir shops - rum and raisin, wasabi and strawberry cheesecake. Guess which one I'm bringing home for you guys to try!


I got broke spending on the Kitkats, and cute cupcakes that I could only afford these for dinner on the shinkansen. But again, what a lovely design they had just for some rice cakes :)