got a trench for the first time!

I'm so used to being mistaken as a local that sometimes I just play along. I get a kick out of seeing their reaction when they realise I'm actually Malaysian.

It's not so much because I speak so fluently that I can pass off as a native, but apparently due to my appearance. However, I'm sure there are times where they must think this Japanese grrl is just trying to show off her English, or being rude because she speaks on the phone in the train, or not having the manners due to eating while walking on the road.

There are times where being a foreigner gets you away with things, just as there are times where it's nice to blend in and not be noticed.

Just last weekend as I was walking past the Sannomiya station with my Swedish colleague, we bumped into one of the HR managers and his son who were just coming out of the exit. I had to made the effort to wave and smile at him though the encounter was a brief one.

Later I commented to Stefanski that if I was walking alone, no one would have seen me there. It's not that I had anything against the manager, but would be nice to just chill out and be part of the wallpaper... ne!

hosting mikatan

This time around, I've had more activities packed into my year-end break compared to previous trips. Some of them have been quite impromptu, and I'm glad in many ways that I've been able to spend time with people whom I believe I needed to meet.

I had the pleasure of hosting some Japanese friends the previous week and last week, and also able to squeeze in a mini escapade to the Pearl of the Orient in between. Mikatan, who was in our dance group, had told me quite last minute that she was coming to visit Malaysia during our last Bible Study group of the year.

She was supposed to spend the night at my place and had wanted to meet my family, but due to some stomach discomfort decided to rest instead. She typed this message to my parents as we sat there at the backpackers hostel lobby.

セラのお父さん、お母さん、今日はお家に呼んでくださりありがとうございました。お会いするのをとても楽しみにしてたのですが、日本の冬からマレーシアが急に真夏の暑さで体調が悪いので今日はホルテルにおります。残念です。いつも、セラにはたくさんの励ましもらったり一緒に祈ったり本当に感謝してます。だから、今日は、ご両親に、セラを日本に送ってくれてることお礼を言いたかったたです。が、メールになってごめんなさいね。今度お会いできるのを楽しみにしてます。セラのご家族がますます祝福されますように。祈ります。感謝。祝福。美智子

I was so touched by her message, I wouldn't have known her thoughts until she came here. There were some other plans at first; and I wasn't sure if I could host her or even be around, so I was hesitant to promise a grand tour.

In the end, we managed to cover quite a lot of places; some I have not even been myself! I even brought her around different places to try some local delicacies.

Unfortunately, her stomach had a cultural shock, but she kept thanking me for bringing her around even after she left.

Recalling last Sunday's message on the topic of Hope, I thought how apt it was that sometimes the little that we do might have a big impact on others without us realising it. Sometimes we may need to go out of our way for someone, and it's easy to just stay in our comfort zone; but perhaps it's better to take that extra effort and look back at life without regrets.

quilt of love

I woke up today realising that I have been covered with Granma Wong's handiwork these few weeks. It was nice to just feel the fabrics as I wondered what must have gone through her mind as she worked the old sewing machine, matching the different pieces and sewed these blankets for her family members.

Even though she is no longer with us, her memory and legacy remains in our hearts. It's too bad the one she made for my parents' wedding is too tattered to be saved, but at least we still have some of the newer ones in good condition.

I wonder if I can not use them, so they can be preserved even longer!


Note : I realised after taking the picture, how the sunlight fell upon some parts of the quilt, in particular the golden and purple pieces. How notably royal.

pampered by

Whenever I return to Malaysia, I have to remind myself it's... well, Malaysia. According to Jib Gor, it's on track to becoming a developed nation in a few years' time, though there is much to suggest we are only half-baked and mainly it's just facade.

The things which are seemingly normal and expected of in Japan, are actually very-nice-to-have's and accorded in special cases in this country. Some would say, even the rest of the world.

Just a couple of days before I was due to fly back, I was trying to do some last minute Christmas shopping. Antonio happened to tag along after I had passed him some delayed gifts.

It had been a rainy day, and we both had an umbrella each. Reaching the entrance of Sogo, we were greeted with a "gadget" that wraps umbrellas with a plastic sheet so that you don't make a mess of the shops inside.

It's found almost everywhere. It helps both the customer who don't have to worry about shaking off the excess water, and keeps stores dry and safe for all.

Just push wet umbrella in. and out comes a neatly wrapped umbrella!

As part of extra service, shops also offer additional packaging for the goods that you have just purchased. Japan is well known for elaborate packaging as part of their hospitality and culture. It's normal for each piece of confectionery to be individually packed, then presented in a gorgeous box which is then covered with nice wrapping paper. These are usually put into a matching paper bag which might contain smaller bags if the goods could be presented to various people.

However, on rainy days, they also add a layer of plastic that fits the size of the paper bag just nicely so that your gifts don't get wet. Since most people take public transportation and have to carry everything back by hand, this I must say is really thoughtful of them!

The other thing which I find that really epitomises Japanese hospitality is what I call the "closing shop bow". Maybe this is just in Sogo or other high-end stores, but as I was still lingering around after closing hours trying to find the right gift, they didn't hurry me or shoo me out the door. Instead they allowed me to get what I needed, and as I walked out to the exit, each store attendant would stand by their booth/area and bow down and thank me.

Imagine going down the aisle with a few confectionery stalls on each side with the sales person bowing down as you sheepishly walk toward the exit. Hmm, maybe that's the reason - You would feel so bad for such indulgent hospitality that you would walk faster so they don't have to stay back to do extra bowing!

treats to treat

Since I have been house-bound for the past few weeks, I've been busier than ever. Trying to recover is a job of its own. Preparing own meals, washing up, boiling water, making herbal tea/lemon juice/ginger water, and taking naps in between working from home. Trying to cough out phlegm and blowing my nose takes a toll too, I think I have developed stronger abdominal muscles.

I've almost depleted my emergency stash. These are interesting tidbits I've gathered in my travels, which I keep as treats. They may be as cheap and common as a Marie biscuit, but there's only 1 in my larder and I would not be able to get them again.

Thank God for a Godly mum who prays and sends over Chinese herbs. She would get me packets of traditional Chinese herb or medicine or ingredients whenever I come home, which now I find extremely useful. I've never had to make all these when I was in Tokyo.

The first week was quite okay, just me battling common flu and sore throat while working till past midnight. Since I'm no robot, my body crumbled the 2nd week with the lack of rest. Thinking a trip to the doctor would fix it, I waited half a day and ended up getting medicine that didn't even help much. In the end, my Hong Kong friend's recommended medicine made a difference. It turned out these were traditional chinese medicine, but packaged in Japan.

I guess it's kinda good to be made to rest once in awhile. If not, I'd leave these treats untouched, and as Sute-chan says, they would just expire and go to waste. I'm such a person for delayed gratification and would deprive myself of little delights even though I deserve 'em.

more tou miau farm next to my balcony

It's been some time since i grew tou miau. Actually I started growing this batch to see if it would do better than the previous ones that I kept giving away. I left it for a few days and was excited to see it growing quite well in the autumn sun.

So it was with a little ache that I had to leave it, as I was summoned for a last minute business trip to Tokyo. When I got back, the water had all dried up, and the stalks had fallen to the side. It was both hilarious and sad at the same time!

I tried to put some water back into the container, since they didn't look that bad. One of my previous batches dried up completely when I was away for more than a week! Nothing to lose, I thought.

And it rewarded my optimism by soaking it up, and slowly bent upwards again towards the sun. Wow, there is hope after all! So I kept watering it, amazed at each mini progress daily. It was fun waking up to see how much better it looked.

After a few days, I decided it was time for harvesting. It didn't look like it could grow any taller, or maybe the weight was making it bend down. So I cut off and stir fried with chopped garlic and sprinkled with oyster sauce. Of course, it looked very little at the end of it!

I showed my parents these pictures, and my mum commented that they looked too skinny. Of course, they had only water to drink and no nutrition at all. I was about to let the remaining seeds grow into a 3rd batch, but realised it had probably given all that it had by then. Oh well, was a fun and edible experiment nevertheless!

options on a platter

Some months ago, when my bigger boss was in Kobe he asked for some impromptu time with me. I started forming project updates in my head and imagined what questions he might have for me. There were some projects which weren't progressing as well as scheduled but I had my points ready just in case.

I was surprised when he started drawing on the board of the various systems and ongoing projects. I put my laptop aside and started to pay attention.

After some time of explaining, I realised he was sharing with me upcoming projects and the possibility of moving into one (or more) of them. Some would involve mobility to another city, and even country.

I thought it was all very fascinating, being able to choose and have some say in what I would like to do next. I think the others don't have that as much, possibly because I have dealt with most regions to a certain degree and my skills are quite transferable.

前菜盛り合わせ

I wish it was that simple; like this platter of hors dóeuvre. Just choose a little bit of everything, take it in a bite at a time and then move on to something else. Once you've gobbled it down, you don't have to think about it anymore. Except for how good (or bad) it was. Because after that you get distracted by the salad, and the pasta, the pizza and the main dish, and the dessert.




* On a side note, this was my first time going to a Michelin rated restaurant. Someone told me that Japan, and even in fact Tokyo itself, has the most number of Michelin-rated restaurants compared to anywhere else in the world. Though it's rated Bib Gourmand, I think it was still very lovely and worth its entry.

L'aranceto is located in a quiet part of the Kitano area which boasts one of the best, if not the best Kobe beef steak restaurant around. To be honest, it looked rather unassuming at first from the outside, but the modest interior is just a front for some fine Italian cuisine in a cosy setting.

明石たこと水なすとフルーツトマトとアボカドマリネ

サザエのガーリックバター焼き

仔牛フィレ肉とアスパラガスと水牛モッツレラチーズのコンカドーロ風

finally some fireworks

Actually I realised, I'm entering into my 4th year in Kobe! Even though I did not post up pictures here of the previous fireworks, this event is quite memorable because it always remind me of when I first moved here.

The first was with Yuri and Lucinda who also just moved to Kobe, so it was very exciting because (almost) everything was new. We were just here 1 week and already there was something to look forward to.

The 2nd year I won the department lottery to enjoy fireworks from the top floors of NTT's building. It was a treat because they prepared a very elegant bento box, set up the viewing area, and even sent us off with premium peaches.

I decided to give it a rest the 3rd year as it has been a tiring weekend. After all, how different could the fireworks be this time.

Come the 4th year, I was about to do the same, but because Sute-chan was new to Kobe, I thought I'd play the role of gracious host. We found quite a lovely view from the Kitano Club. We weren't allowed to enter, but the climb up the slope was worth it.

I wonder, what the 5th year would bring... if there was one?!