headaches and sore shoulders

Friendly beach, Tasmania

Oh dear, I hope I am not succumbing to being a typical Japanese worker - have been getting really sore shoulders and headaches lately.. perhaps too much work at the desk?.. hmm.. wouldn't think so since I do take regular breaks and make sure my tea is filled up in my mug all the time. Guess I just need to do more exercise and try and not go to my massage therapist as much. However, did end up makgin a booking for a massage tonight which may be followed by a restorative yoga session after that. Depending if I am up for that or not. Probably will try and find an excuse not to go, but for this Friday night, I have no other plans - or hot dates (hahaha!) so will just have a very relaxing evening and look after my mind and body.

Tomorrow, will go to the pool and will try and swim a few lengths and some long stretching. Will have Japanese lesson on Sunday (really not my ideal thing for a Sunday at a Japanese language school), but my tickets are expiring in ten days, so really it is either waste them or use them. I choose to use them. Have to make the most of that. Guess I won't be going back there unless I lose my great Japanese language teacher that I have now. She is awesome and has become a great friend indeed. Will catch up with very good friend N after the lessons. May be a trip to Ginza is on the cards too since I have run out of my favourite green tea (Uogashi). Great small intimate cafe. Thanks to good friend M for introducing that to me. It is one of my favourite places to go and experience good tea in Tokyo! Along with Mariage close by.

Must decide on a topic theme for my thesis. I have chosen to focus on the linguistic side of things, however, it is proving harder than I thought to come up with a topic. Young Japanese people's language.. ho hum.. Not that excited about writing 30,000 words on that, but maybe that is the best option? I would like to write about the intricities of the speech markers etc but it seems that it may be hard to stretch it out to 30,000 words. Any advice or comments anyone on that?..

Next week, Theory Family sale which I am looking forward to going to. (Family just means all the brands that are connected to the main brand). Will update my winter wardrobe for next year. Do need some good suits and would like another long beautiful wool/cashmere caramel coloured long coat.. But will see what is on offer. Do have a bit of a budget to watch...

Weekend almost upon us. Keep checking in on my blog, as I am always so happy to see that people do check it. Definitely makes a difference.

Keep positive thoughts in your mind
Keep negative thoughs out of your mind
and the rest will follow...
me

watering plants

The secret is watering plants every three days. When you water them make sure you pour enough water that it goes right through to the bottom (i.e. water coming out of the pot). Then leave them for three days and re-water them then. The flower shop guy told me this as this is what they do to their plants. So have been doing that and my weak-looking rosemary plant has come alive again and living to it's fullest. So thought I would share this small tip with you.. All my other plants have really grown as well. So I recommend this system for healthy and genki plants!

Not much longer to go till I leave. Before that though, so much to do, packing, xmas presents, sorting out what I am taking on holiday (summer back at home!) and xmas eve drinks and xmas dinner with friends. It's going to be a great end of year. Sharing with many of my closest friends, although very close friend Z won't be able to join. Will have a drink for you though sweetie!

Feels like today is Friday, and swore that it was this morning when I saw my friend in the elevator saying, yeah, it's Friday today.. she looked at me oddly and thought really? I thought it was Thursday..? Whoops, a day ahead of myself!

If you were all alone in the universe with no one to talk to,

no one with which to share the beauty of the stars,

to laugh with, to touch, what would be your purpose in life?

It is other life, it is love, which gives your life meaning.

This is harmony.

We must discover the joy of each other,

the joy of challenge, the joy of growth.

Mitsugi Saotomo

chilly days

Today my ears froze while I cycled to work. This is the first time it has happened, so it definitely has a winter feel in the air now. Almost time to bring out the cashmere coat?.....

Went to a great sushi restaurant which was very reasonably priced and tasty! Sushi is best when it is cold but sometimes you want to have hot food and sushi doesn't seem to be on the list for lunch. However it was really good and will go back there again! Good friend M was kind enough to show me the place. Lucky me!

Stayed at work till 7.15 last night. Latest I have been at work since I can remember! (at least over a year anyway). I had a few things to catch up on and it was nice and quiet in the office. Noone to disturb my concentration. The guy that sits to me has a rather loud voice, and hard to block out when you are working. Not to mention the decibel limit. Luckily he doesn't talk to me or that much, so it's ok. He keeps to himself which is great. Oh and one other thing, he doesn't smoke, which is a relief as some people can smell like ashtrays! (You can guess I'm not into smoking at all.) It's a shame that cigarettes in Japan are so cheap and you can buy them at any vending machine located pretty much anywhere over here. Drink vending machines are obviously a lot more common though.

The Norov virus seems to be doing quite well in Japan and more people have been becoming infected. I guess people's immunity is a lot weaken at this time of year and so it is very easy for them to pick it up, especially if the food contains shellfish and served at hotels where the food can be easily contaminated. Luckily I am not one for raw oysters. (Love them crumbed though!)

You must do the things you think you cannot do.
Eleanor Roosevelt

pizza..

Thought I would include a scene of NZ for you to feast your eyes upon. I will be around this area again soon. I just hope that the mountains aren't covered in snow! I would like it to be slightly hot over there. Well at least where I am heading. With global warming it seems that seasons are changing. Even here in Japan, the weather really could be a lot colder (since it is winter), however, there are still girls wearing sandals to work. Me, well, the sandals were all stored away as soon as the temperature hit 15 degrees here! Couldn't wait to wear my long black boots and get out my jackets and coats. I just want it to get a bit more colder so I can wear my long cashmere Theory coat!

Had an unexpected visit from Z last night and we shared a great Italian dinner from Salvatore.
Chef Makoto Onishi, made our pizza too! Was really good!! I can see how he is the best in Italy for making pizza! http://www.salvatore.jp/restaurant/index.html Definitely worth checking out if you haven't already experienced the taste sensation. The Caprese is awesome! Just the right amount of what you would make yourself if you could. Simple and quality. The ironic thing is, this is better than the pizza I had in Napoli (and I susposedly went to one of the best restaurants in Napoli for the pizza!)

Oh and a goodbye to wonderful and happy friend A. She left today back to start a new life in Europe. I will miss her, but if good friends stay in touch, then you will always stay in touch.
I wish A all the best!

Believe in yourself
and you can accomplish anything.
Me

soon to be christmas..

Good sunny weather makes you feel so much better. What would we do without the sunshine. I know I would probably become quite depressed and lethargic. Nothing better than waking up early to a morning of sunshine and a relaxing breakfast. Most days I have muesli with yoghurt (teamed with hemp oil, black seasame & soybean powder) and green kale powder. If not, then I can be found having some very good French bread with a dab or two of butter.. mmm :p

Was a bit disappointed in a very well-known Spanish restaurant in the weekend (Espeso), which is known for it's great Spanish food and has won numerous awards. I either ordered the wrong food or it just wasn't up to par. Even the usual polite waiters at Japanese restaurants had an air of arrogance on them (Spanish influenced??) and the food was hardly even worth taking a photo of to be remembered. I suggest go with no expectation and don't expect cheap quality food from there, not to mention great service. Very ho hum.

Did go to a pretty good Egyptian restaurant last night to say farewell to a very good friend A. Will be really sad to think she is leaving the country, but if good friends remain good friends, then one stays in touch forever, and now there is email, so even easier! Not to mention Skype.

Was treated to some homemade Italian bread by my good friend I. Very talented. Was good to catch up with her and check out her apartment. Very cosy and for the small space it occupied, it felt quite large. Well renovated. I love looking at apartments and how people have arranged their lifestyle and interior in them to suit themselves. Japanese apartments, while being small, are really great and it always inspires me to study interior design (or architecture in this case..)

There are so many things I want to do, it's just a matter of setting up a timetable. Still haven't got round to learning the piano yet. Next year perhaps? Will have to start thinking of my thesis topic too.

Christmas is almost upon us. Not that excited about it yet, but will be good to have some very good friends together to celebrate the day. Will be working on the day since I will be off back to NZ on Boxing day! Getting a bit more excited about it and just realised I really need to pack and sort out what I am going to take over. Not to mention, buying a suitcase very soon! Mama Mia!!

No sign of the bird flu this year, but there is a new virus called Noroi (no idea what it means) out. Seems they invent all sorts of things to boost the sales of drugs. Guess everyone is into buying presents and not drugs at the end of the year (therefore, invent scare tacits to increase sales). Don't be scared, and just be aware. Wash your hands thoroughly and keep your mouth closed. (oh and smile and laugh too! good for the immunity!)

Whoever is happy will make others happy, too.

Mark Twain

a bit of history

Took this today at 4pm.

The other day, something rather unusual happened to my bike. Only parked it for about an hour outside Freshness Burger around 6pm, and what do you know, I have a whiskey bottle (mostly empty) in my basket. I guess they must have been celebrating Friday night perhaps? A student? A salaryman? The mind ponders.

I caught up with Z yesterday and had a relaxing day just mucking about. Good to have mental days off work, sure helps with life in general that is for sure.

Not long till Xmas. Haven't even started my Xmas shopping yet, but I know what I am getting people.. so that is a good start. Have even bought the New Year Greeting cards, so now just have to sit down and write them out in my best Japanese writing! This will be first time to send them out, so am looking forward to the reactions from my friends. I am sure they will be surprised to receive a traditional card from me.

Have been munching on a great souviner senbei from Kumomoto, my dear friend M gave me. Just the right amount of sweetness and a slight kick of paprika in it. Sounds like a weird combination, but I tell you what, it is good! I learnt from Z, that on the box, there is an ancient map and it tells us of the different areas that the prefectures of Japan were shifted to in Kumomoto. Tokugawa Ieyasu, made the most important (or influential) people in each prefecture move to Kumomoto, in order to sustain any rivary and to make communication difficult between their home towns. So when you look at the old map of Kumomoto, one can see that there is a section of Sado Island, Hiroshima, Nara, etc situated in different areas and they are calculated on the amount of rice produced (since that was the most important unit at the time of the era).

More info can be found on him by this link. http://www.samurai-archives.com/famousgenerals.html

Having said that, Hokkaido (land of the Ainu) wasn't even acknowldeged since it didn't produce any rice, and it wasn't until Meiji era that they became interested in Hokkaido, and developed a strain of rice that could grow up there and handle the coarse climate.

Another bit of history that Z also told me about (thanks Z for telling me about all this), was that before the world war, the land was governed by rich families and lords, and it was only after the world war that it was split up evenly among everyone. So the ones with the large farms couldn't do much at all, since it was the law. Guess that is what Democracy is about. This could have happened to England, however, it hasn't and the lords are still lords governing the land that they held from common people.

Life can be found only in the present moment. The past is gone, the future is not yet here, and if we do not go back to ourselves in the present moment, we cannot be in touch with life.

Thich Nhat Hanh

love..

This sometimes how I feel when I am trying to find the perfect job or love.

Climbing up a cliff vertically, at least with harnesses on! (A photo of a friend)

Sure could do with some inspiration today... Why is it that some days you feel so much energy for living, and other days, you feel sad and really there is no reason for you to feel down. I look inside myself and I do kind of know the reason, but part of me can't seem to fix it. Try to and yet it feels worse in a way. Just feeling down and no explanation, well, that is a different story, but if you really look into yourself, I think you will find the answer, whether it lies in work, friends, family or in a majority of cases, love. Ahh, love, what would we do without it? Love makes the world go around and if there wasn't any love, then heck, we would live in a pretty dismal world.

They say we should give love and not expect any of it back. Perhaps that is what I am not doing; giving love freely.. hmm.. am I charging for it then? Hmm.. how can one charge for true love. If we could buy it, sure, but I think true love is priceless. It is one of those special things in life that we cannot buy (like our health), and love comes to you when you least expect it. Then is love like luck?

I guess, we should never give up on love and always believe in love, as the power of love is so strong that it will come to you no matter how far or distant you may be. How and when it comes to you, is a different story, but the universe knows when and how and you just have to be recipient to it.

That's my three and a half cents for the day. Feel free to write any comments about love to enlighten me with. Always happy to hear stories of love and how it found you.

Free love? As if love is anything but free! Man has bought brains, but all the millions in the world have failed to buy love.

Man has subdued bodies, but all the power on earth has been unable to subdue love.

Man has conquered whole nations, but all his armies could not conquer love.

Man has chained and fettered the spirit, but he has been utterly helpless before love.

High on a throne, with all the splendor and pomp his gold can command, man is yet poor and desolate, if love passes him by.

And if it stays, the poorest hovel is radiant with warmth, with life and color.

Thus love has the magic power to make of a beggar a king. Yes, love is free; it can dwell in no other atmosphere.

Emma Goldman

and I just wanted to add another quote, since I found this one quite good too, and on the topic of love..

Infantile love follows the principle: "I love because I am loved.

"Mature love follows the principle: "I am loved because I love.

"Immature love says: "I love you because I need you.

"Mature love says: "I need you because I love you."

Erich Fromm

inspiration

Just took this photo from work. Thought the sky looked quite dramatic and powerful and wanted to share it with you. Sorry it can't be clearer, as the windows are quite dirty and only have my camera on my phone.. I am thinking of buying a decent digital camera, but there is so many to choose from I have no idea. I better get one soon though as I am going away on holiday to Australia and need to capture the moments and scenery over there! Any suggestions on which camera to buy? I am thinking of the Canon IXY (I have had before), but am open to suggestions..

Just a quick entry today, off to a free wine tasting of the best wines they have had a wine bar over 2006, then off to a family sale for underwear (family sale means a variety of brands sold from 30-80% off the retail price). Only the ones that have been invited can attend.. Then to Fujimama's for a catch up with some friends and enjoying live music. Don't normally go out on a Tuesday night, especially with the cold and wet upon me, however, have decided to try and make more of an effort and see my friends and support local events. A change in me? Perhaps. But do need to upgrade my skills and definitely learn how to use Photoshop properly as well as webdesign. Not to mention, decide on my thesis for next year! Good news though, I got an A for my paper & exam! I am sooooo happy about that. Talk about a great Xmas present (well an early one). Feels that my study and hard work has paid off. Not to mention it has given me motivation to hang in there and do my thesis next year. Just what on though and need to have enough to write 30,000 words.. (120 pages..?)

Thanks for tuning in and keep tuning in, until Xmas, after that will be out of the blogging world for a while..

To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.

Anatole France

time and knowledge

Oh dear, seems that the cat got stuck in the fridge again..!

(One of my funnies that I got sent to me a while ago..)

Have been having a bit of an interesting week. Decided to take a couple of mornings off from work and heck, it makes a difference. Don't get paid for not being at the office (even if I do work at home!), but it definitely puts the bounce back into your step when you have a bit more time up your sleeve and can enjoy a bit more leisurely time in the apartment or with your friends.) I recommend doing this if you are just feeling a bit fed up with work. Of course, not being paid is not the greatest thing, and the cheque can seem a bit less than normal, but for the well-being of your life and health, then I suggest to you, just take a morning off, or take an afternoon off. Sure puts a smile on your face and the day goes by so much more pleasant.

Still working on immunotherapy and cancer and it is getting a bit more interesting to what it first appeared to me. Obviously, I am not a rocket scientist and don't really have much more knowledge about cancer than college student, however, the more you read into something, you can become immersed into it. Even if you aren't that interested in it at first, I think you can find something in there that can act as a leverage, and as you know, knowledge is never wasted. Although, I have yet to find the use of algebra since leaving high school. Everything else has come up, including scattergrams and histograms from Biology. Who would have thought when I was studying at high school that I would find myself using the knowledge I learnt regarding genetics and the recombinant of DNA?! Certainly not me. So, I always contemplate that, eventhough I may not like what I am researching or learning, there will always be a time in the future that will help me in what I need to know. And if you are stuck to try and find something new to learn, I suggest talking to someone (you do or don't know), and find something that you can learn from them, or just observe what is around you..

And if you are wondering, my kidney is better. Must have just stretched a side of it or Something. Kind of weird..

Any piece of knowledge I acquire today has a value at this moment exactly proportioned to my skill to deal with it. Tomorrow, when I know more, I recall that piece of knowledge and use it better.
The eye sees only what the mind is prepared to comprehend.

Mark Van Doren

appreciation..

These days, Tokyo is getting cooler, but seems like the summer in NZ is also. I couldn't believe it when I was told by my mother that there was a fresh snowfall on the mountain and it was colder over there than here! Seems like global warming is really starting to affect the weather over there. So much for going back and experiencing a hot summer! At this rate I will be lucky to shed my polar fleece jacket!

I visited Kamakura on Saturday and went to the more non-visited temples, although, they were quite crowded. Seems at this time of the year, the autumn leaves bring out the crowds. Best to avoid these beautiful hilly towns, unless you want to be waded down by the crowds. It was great to be out of Tokyo though and enjoy a fairly happy atmosphere, as everyone appreciated the beautiful weather and scenary, despite being crowded.

Met up with Z last night and we enjoyed some very good sushi with some very special black (large) bean natto. You really have to taste it to enjoy it. It is one of my favourite delicacies in Japan (black bean natto), and if you are fan of natto, you will know what I am talking about. Check out Kamakurayama for their natto and beans.

A mediation worshop was held on the Sunday which I participated in. Kind of interesting and that the key to mediation (to start off with), is to focus on something, like the rising and falling of the breath, fire and water symbology, just something that the mind can focus on. There is also a technique that we can use call the "samurai", in which when a thought comes into the mind, we just chop it off! Learnt a lot more about meditation, but it doesn't make it any easier to meditate with so much going through my mind. Which is more the reason why I need to meditate! It's a catch-22!

When I leave work, it is great to bike back and smell the different smells and the mixtures of nature. There are quite a few spots that have trees between the office and my home, and I always appreciate the natural scent that the trees invidicate the air with. I feel so lucky to have the choice to use the train, bike, taxi, foot and/or bus to get to the office, and appreciate being where I am in the world at this point of time.
Even if you are really in a tough spot and think you are depressed, take a good look at yourself and really wonder if you are? Do you truely need to be sad and depressed about things, or is it just something in your mind and that you just don't want to face. Are you fully appreciating what is around you and what life has to offer you, or are you just going from day to day without awareness. Eventhough everyday life may seem mundane, in fact, it isn't. It is just you overlooking things and really not wanting to make anything of something that could be out there. But we never really know when we are fully satisifed or appreciating life since we just take it for granted at times and what we are presented with. We are what we make out of life and what we put in, we get back out. So take a moment and think to yourself. how much you appreciate what is around you, the people that you are connected with and yourself.
I just want to thank you and appreciate your acknowledgement to me.

The deepest craving of human nature is the need to be appreciated.
William James

reality

Thought I would just log and write a bit since it's been a while. Quite a bit has been happening, just trying to find the right time to write here. Perhaps I haven't been motivated to write here.. well, yes that is partially true too.

The photo is of a shop that I visited in Venice. I liked the masks and always wonder who really is behind them. It must be so much fun to be at one of those masked balls. Perhaps, we are in masks everyday. Do we really know someone that well and if we do, are they really the same person with the face that we think they are? I guess a lot of guys can say, they are completely fooled by some women with their make up. Isn't there a saying about coyote ugly and where the situation is really bad, the coyote will chew off its' leg in order to escape the situation of having to face what they are lying next too.. Hence the phrase "coyote ugly". And here I was thinking coyote's are cute!

Work, well, at the moment searching on immunology and how the immunity is depleted when someone gets cancer. I have to search for proven "scientific" methods, not real health methods that actually help people. A bit hard for a health-techie like me.. But at least I am trying to help those people that do believe in drugs and what modern technology can offer. I say good luck, but first take a look at your diet, lifestyle, stress levels, environment, viruses you may have picked up through water in third-world countries (or your own country?) first and then you may really be able to get better than having to put yourself and family and friends through the agonising pain of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. I would like to see the success rates of people that have only received that and did no other alternative treatment. I bet there is not a doctor out there that would rely completley on these two treatments. They would seek alternative therapies if they have researched well-enough. There sure is enough information out there that can tell you what is right and wrong and how many people have died from a result of trying to help people by natural means. (We will leave out the fraud's for the time being..). However, all in all, it is what you believe in, and there is nothing more powerful than the power of thought and positive thinking. That's my two cents worth.

Thought I would end this with a cute funny...

Reality leaves a lot to the imagination.

John Lennon

timing of life..

taken on a venetian bridge

Sometimes when you think of someone they can scare you and intimidate you and you wonder why you have agreed to meet them. Then when you do meet up with them, you find that it was just in your head and they aren't as intimidating as you thought (or scary for that matters), and are actually willing to help you out. One of my friends is like this, and although I find them a bit intimidating, at the same time they are very helpful and only wish the best for me. I sometimes have to clear out the negative self-made thoughts in my head and really start thinking out of the box more. It is sometimes quite hard to do this when you are boxed in, but it is only your thoughts that make you feel this way and really you are what you think. So think the best and take advantage of what the world has to offer you. There is plenty out there for everyone and it is only the pettiness that you may think that there isn't, which brings about, depression, sadness, anger, loneliness, jealousy and all those other insecurities. The more you think about what you want in your life and being happy for others, the more joy it will bring to your life.

Well, that is my two cents for today. Other things on my mind.. Well, I had a very unexpected visit from Z last night. Totally took me off guard. Really nice to see Z and had the pleasure of consuming some very good Aussie Shiraz combined with some Brie and Blue cheese. A very nice evening indeed. Lucky with the timing though, I must say. The funny thing was, I was thinking of Z and that it would be great if they just turned up on my doormat! The next thing I knew, my doorbell rang! Coincidence or is it the power of the thought?

This week has gone fairly fast I guess and will be Thursday before I know it. The time at work usually goes quite slowly, but there are perks with the job that I won't leave until those perks don't seem so perky. Until then, will keep my ears and eyes out for anything that may crop up. A lot of seems to be with the contacts that you make and who you know not what you know with these kinds of positions. Also, timing. But isn't everything in life to do with timing these days? The people you meet, the luck that comes your way, work, friends, almost anything can be gauged on timing. Some people believe in it, others think it's just logical, not magical. How can coincidences be explained though? There must be something out there that bring things (or people) together for a reason and not just because of the events that just happen to collide.

like two wild toadstalls beside each other, it is all in the timing..

Life begets life. Energy becomes energy.

It is by spending oneself that one becomes rich.

Sarah Bernhardt

weekend in tokyo

The Takao shrine where monks stand underneath the waterfall to meditate.

It seems I came across an article about trees in Tokyo and how they are going to cut down 1.8 million cedar trees (that's sugi in Japanese), in order to cut down the hay fever that hits Tokyo residents each year. (This has been approved by Gov. Ishihara). They are, thank goodness, going to replace the trees with pine trees, so at least we will have some trees to clean the air that is so polluted in Tokyo. However, by the time the Pine trees have grown to a reasonable age, they will find that there is another problem with pine's and have to cut them back in order to stop Tokyoites suffering from Pine hay fever..! Well, either that or they need to make more desks and use the timber for government official's housing.. Check out the link and see for yourself. http://search.japantimes.co.jp/mail/nn20061114a3.html

These days have been beautiful, but they have also brought the cooler temperatures to Tokyo. At least it is giving us a chance to wear our Autumn coats and get ready for the on-coming cold season. Always good wrapping up warm in the apartment, with either a good book or DVD and hot cups of green tea, or sometimes cocoa..

My exam on Sunday went fairly ok, as far as not studying for it. (I was so worn out from the last exam I had on Tuesday), so pretty much just went in there with no idea what the exam will be about! A code for disaster huh. The campus itself was set out in the country (Takao) and was surrounded with beautiful trees (at least they are keeping these ones). It reminded me of a campus that would be set in the States or somewhere overseas. I was quite impressed and the buildings themselves were nice. The exam was over and done with by 1pm, and so I thought I would climb up Mt Takao, since I was in the vicinity and enjoy some fresh air. I am so glad I did, as I felt wonderful after the walk (about 2.5hours) and felt that it was just what I needed to regain myself. The view of Mt Fuji was quite empowering, although it was mainly covered by the clouds. It was still quite impressive and would have waited around for the clouds to leave Fuji san, but I was already cooling down and didn't want to make my cold any worse than it was.



Since it was in the height of "momiji" (autumn leaves viewing), there were quite a number of people (that I managed to cut out of the photo), on the top of Mt Takao. It really was a spectacular day and one that you really wanted to be out in the outdoors to appreciate. It wasn't quite half of Tokyo up there, but it sure wasn't peaceful and quiet though.
I finished up in a lovely Japanese cafe devouring some much needed energy - an aduzki bean dessert known as Oshiruko. (see photo below)

So all in all, having the exam way out in Takao, proved to be a blessing in disguise. I first thought how annoying it would be, as it would mean having to get up at 5am to make it there by 8.30.. however, I ended up checking out a hotel in Hachioji (amazing value and great service - Hachioji Plaza Hotel), and was there relaxed and refreshed. Nothing like staying away from home for a night. Also, managed to do some shopping at the local department store and had my favourite dish (tonkatsu). Obviously, as you can see now, I didn't have a chance to study at all with all this going on..

Leave those that believe in their ideas,
for it is those beliefs that they need to learn from.
(me)

new challenges and believing

Just thought that this is a cool photo of an iceberg somewhere by Argentina.

Makes you want to go there and see for yourself..

Well, I believe that if you don't challenge yourself then you can't believe in what is out there and what may come to you. I guess at the end of the day, if you really believe and have faith in something, then it will pull through and it will present itself to you. The world presents it in mysterious ways and just when you think there is nothing that can be shown or anything further that can be done, something will happen and will confirm your belief that you just have to keep believing in yourself and what is out there. Welcome what you want and create a space for it inside yourself.

I am not sure if you have noticed and have been checking my blog daily, however, I have managed to put a very cool analogue clock on my blog. I was quite pleased with it, as I looked up the source code and then found my source code and the right area and added in the html code. And viola! There you have it on the right hand side of my blog. Some small achievement for a very non-programmer like me. Will probably do a bit more dabbling with programming from now on, if I can adjust my brain around the logics of it all.

Today is Thursday and tomorrow is a public holiday! I did have a day off last week (Friday), and another short week is great! Keep them coming. Of course the bank balance could be in better shape, but it is coming along slowly. Just have to keep welcoming the money flow and creating the abundance.

Tonight am meeting up with Z, as Z had an unexpected business trip cancel and so decided that they would hang out with me instead, which is really nice. Other than that, the long weekend entitles me to a lot more study and revising the highlighting notes that I have done over the last 650 pages, meeting up with a friend for coffee (in my part of the neighbourhood), followed by more study, a couple of episodes of Desperate Housewives, a Japanese lesson and a Tibetan Bells vibration workshop. Oh and perhaps if I have time on Saturday, I might even go and swim a few laps at the pool to let the study sink in.

On a slightly different note, I did make some very good minestrone/veggie soup last night. Lentils, garlic, potato, pumpkin, onion, Chinese radish (Daikon), Mushrooms, herbs and some Dahl sprinkled on top. Must say I was quite happy with how it turned out, although I think I put in a bit too much garlic.

Sometimes it's so hard to take a decent photo to show how great it tasted and looked. However, my philosophy (after being told from an ex-French patissier) that the desserts that look the most plain, are actually the best ones, since they don't have anything fancy to sell themselves by. (i.e. a plain pannacotta can be a lot more satisfying than a fruit tart..)

So give the food that doesn't look so fancy, the better of the doubt.

Anyway, was very warming and nice to come home too with some great bread I managed to get from the local bakery. It is back open again. Bread is good, but the atmosphere is different and really miss the girls that worked there. It felt really personal before and part of a community, where the bakery now is just a bakery and not really much more. I guess at the end of the day, at least the bread is good and they use natural yeast and organic products.

To accomplish great things, we must not only act,

but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.

Anatole France

autumn days

This photo was taken from my floor where I work.

The sun looked most amazing, shining her rays through the clouds on to Tokyo..

These days have been so nice, it is hard to be at work, especially after lunch and enjoying the fresh autumn air..

Today I had lunch with Z, since Z was around and managed to get a great seat in the park all to ourselves. Hard to imagine that there was noone else around at this time of the day in the middle of Tokyo. Just greeted with the sun rays through the leaves and the smell of trees. We picked up a couple of onigiri's (riceballs), made from brown rice and filled with the condiments of either fresh salmon, umeboshi plum, shiso herb and jako (small fish). All really good ingredients used too, so even better! Oh, and not to forget the miso soup which was the icing on the cake. A very nice, relaxing lunch hour, but time went too quickly and ended up being 15 mins late back to work! I don't know if anyone noticed or not.. let's hope they didn't and that all is well.

Last Friday, I ended up taking the day off (due to the weather being too nice), and Z and I decided we would both just hang out for a change and make the most of the weather. We visited my favourite cafe in Jiyugaoka and had scones and apple pie (I still think the best in Tokyo!), and then decided to go and have a Head Spa (consisting of your head being massaged for 30mins with deepsea Thallso mineral gel). Even got our shoulders massaged. If you haven't had a Head Spa before, I thoroughly reccommend it. The most awesome feeling afterwards and your head will feel so light you wonder if it's still on your head! Well, it definitely takes the stress off you and being pampered is great! A few guys there as well. Having our heads all sparkly and clean and stepped right out of the salon, we decided to head out to the standing bar. A very cool swanky place that is hard to get in, unless you just time it right - like we did! A couple of sangria's, tataki tuna and fresh smoked bacon, we were on a high! Nothing like a great day off like that to really appreciate life. Tokyo, I must say is great and I always feel spoilt when I go to my favourite places and able to share them with special friends, especially with Z.

The rest of the week, there is study, study and more study. Final exam for my paper is on Tuesday next week. I am a bit anxious and aprehensive about it, although, I did get some very good news regarding my assignment that I handed in the other day and received 80% for it! Was I a happy chappy yesterday! Almost shouted out in the main street by work when I read my mail on my phone!

Must keep believing in the best and expecting the best. And so should you. The world is full of abundance and you deserve it. Believe in yourself and you will attain what you are looking for and want. Money, love, happiness, acknowledgement, satisfaction, the list is endless, just like your dreams and goals. Believe in all of them and that you can accomplish them all! It is only your mind that limits you, and if you have an unlimited mind, then your potential is unlimited!
Just go for it and enjoy what life is offering you.

Every man takes the limits of his own field of vision for the limits of the world.
Arthur Schopenhauer

awareness

Just wanted to post this on my blog. I tried to find a way to post it on my page for a permanent sign, but having trouble and thought I would just post it for the time being in this entry. Definitely, one needs to think more carefully about the "associations" out there. Are they really trying to prevent you pain, or are they just thinking of how much the industry would gain from your "contribution" or in this case, illness.

Read more about this at this website. It may just save your life.
http://www.newstarget.com/020841.html

Take care and will be back into post later on.

If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment.

Marcus Aurelius

just one of those days...

I quite liked the above words and thought I would put them on my website. It is from the book

Yoga: Discipline of Freedom: The Yoga Sutra Attributed to Patanjali Barbara Stoler Miller regarding Yoga, however, I thought it applies to life in general and perhaps you would be interested in reading it.

Today, a slightly low energy day for me, after yesterday. I enjoyed catching up with a very close friend that I hadn't seen for some time. Managed to surprise me (yet again) and told me that they were stopping by for lunch and if I had time.. well, already had a lunch date planned, however, I ended up cancelling it, as it was a special occassion. Thing is, I haven't heard back from my friend regarding not meeting up with her, and am afraid I really am in the bad books. I thought good friends would understand these sorts of situations, I guess not. Perhaps, not a good friend as I thought... Anyway, has me a bit stumped and a bit sad to think that this could destroy a longterm friendship. I have apologised and even sent her a small "sorry" gift.

What more can I do. (Sorry, but some Japanese girls are very complicated to understand, I empathsize with guys here...) Apart from that, it sure was good to catch up with good friend A. Time went too quickly and A had to dash off their meeting and I had to get back to the desk. Ho hum. For longer lunch hour breaks..

On to a brighter note, have been cutting down on expenses and have been pretty much making my own dinner everynight. Dishes have been pretty quick and simple, but I have made sure they are well-balanced and do not contain anything instant.

the good things in life...

The best bakery in my opinion(organic and natural), closed down last month (Pain di Ami).

Since there is no other decent bakery (well, there is Maison Keyser which is considered to be excellent, but it doesn't have that tender loving care like Pan Ami had.) Pan Ami also used natural yeast and organic wheat, I haven't had any bread for at least a couple of weeks. On the good side of things, I am able to fit back into my skinny jeans again! Bad news is, I really miss the bread and the wonderful, talented baker N there. We became quite good friends and it was always nice to call in there and say hi to her after work.. The bread was definitely a bonus.

Crossiants were like heaven!

She definitely rates as one of best patisser that I know of in Tokyo.. especially for her age and her vitality! I hope she manages to find another bakery that she can manage again. A very skilled lady in the way of creating all sorts of wonderful delights. It was worth not fitting in the skinny jeans! hee hee.. (this site is in Japanese, but it tells us where the bakeries this person has visited. What a list!) http://www.geocities.jp/sanzenri_panyatour/tokyopannya.htm It even has one of my favourite places listed near where I work. This person really is a bread-gourmet!

These days, I have been addicted to watching Prisonbreak. Got this great photo of the two heartthrobs that tickle me at the moment....

Great series and have watched all the episodes at the local DVD store (Tsutaya). I am only up to Episode 7, (there aren't any more episodes at Tsutaya), which means I am completely stuck and can't watch any more even if I want. SO have resorted to Amazon and bought the complete series 1! I know, it sounds really TV-junkie, but I can't wait till December to get it, besides, I would only end up paying around the same amount of cash if I ordered it from there anyway (got a good deal on a NEW/USED DVD set). So all is good. At least it won't arrive in the post till well after my big exam for Uni. So no distraction till after then. Will be a good after-exam present for myself (^_^)/ Will be busy though, as I have Desperate Housewives II also coming soon as well. And one more...

These are just a couple of the guys that push the buttons on in the right places. Of course, these ones are just based on the characters. You would have to know me well, for who really does push my buttons....

I had a great catch up with close friend Z last night. Talking about life, generally just a chit chat and the next thing we knew it was midnight before we hung up! Always like that when close friends get on the phone or catch up at a cafe. We didn't have to rush off any where and we ended up chatting for over 2 hours, and the best thing was - for FREE! (Usually, I am not the type that likes to chat for a long time on the phone! However, with Z it's different...) Anyway, Skype is amazing and if you aren't on it already, I highly reccommend you to go on it, especially if you are on a budget. Even if you aren't on a budget it is great and the quality is crystal clear! Like listening to a conference in a huge hall. Should wire my PC up to the speakers and have the voice booming out. That would be a laugh.

Weekend had some interesting aspects to it. Went to my favourite yoga class and felt wonderfully alive after it, then I guess I just mucked about (watched Prisonbreak) and went to bed around 11 (nothing that exciting, but that is what I wanted to do). Sunday, I had my Japanese lesson in the morning with now good friend Y and went to one of my favourite Italian restaurants for lunch). We were enjoying our pasta (named funnily enough, Shofu Special - prostitutes special?!! Or in Italian it is known as Spagetti alla Puttanesca - the photo below) and a very tasty pizza....

As one does, I sprinkled over some hot chilli extra virgin olive oil and was looking idly at my pizza slice when I noticed there was a soaked cockroach in it! Had to be careful not to throw up..! It is funny to think about it now, how I almost ate a cockie, however, at the time, my appetite just shrunk and had to contain myself. The only reason I didn't make more of a fuss about it, was that it is one of my favourite places to go and I really enjoy the food and service there. Luckily, we were spoiled to an extra special dessert and it was on the house! So there goes the saying "there is no such thing as a free lunch!" So just bring a cockie along and put it on your pizza next time and see what happens.

Sunday night, went for a good 1km or so swim, even managed to pull a few lengths of butterfly. Quite good considering it's been about a couple of weeks since I got myself into chlorine-induced waters.. Had a quiet night after that and ended up going to sleep after some very good Shochu (Murasaki). So life for me is pretty quiet, but that is how I am liking it at the moment. Need time to just unwind and reflect on things as well as taking my mind off the daily pressures of life (not that there is that much stress in my life). Just a bit of sorting out of which direction to take, but doesn't everyone go through that at times?....

Life can be found only in the present moment. The past is gone, the future is not yet here, and if we do not go back to ourselves in the present moment, we cannot be in touch with life.
Thich Nhat Hanh

friday - again

Have updated my blog to the new version and this is my first time to use it. Not sure on the differences just yet, but seems that it is easier to use..

Yesterday went for a walk in the park close to the office and took this photo. Was quite happy with it considering it was taken on my phone and it wasn't a lot of light where I took it. If you can guess where this is, you have to write and tell me!




Today is slightly cooler and definitely has a feel of Autumn in the air. Looks like we are in for good weekend weather too. Yahoo! I am all for sunny dry Autumn weather that is for sure.

Tonight am meeting up with friends in Ebisu (close to home) which is quite convenient. Not really feeling very social at all and was thinking how much I would rather just be at home watching Prisonbreak or Desperate Housewives! Is this normal for a 30 year old to be wanting to relax at home and watch numerous episodes of American TV dramas?! Perhaps it is just a phase that I am going through at the moment? Well, for one thing, once I have finished this TV series, I don't think I will start watching another one till well after my exam! (Start of Nov.)

Have sent in my assignment for Uni and am now awaiting results. I hoping for the same or a better score as before. Fingers crossed. The exam will be hard, however, we are allowed to take a dictionary which is great. Not electronic though, so will be using the old push of the fingers to get the pages turned! Been a while since I have done that!



As for the previous post regarding psychiatric experiments, I really had to try and compose myself afterwards. I felt so sick, sad, upset, angry and disturbed to think that these experiments took place. I wonder how many people really know what goes on behind closed doors. What is scary is, in another 50-100years time, the same thing will be happening, and it will be listed from 2005-2105. The crazy things people ate and fed each other, or the drugs and medicine they took in thinking they were getting better. This and North Korea, Israel, Palestine, earthquakes, murders etc, makes you wonder what exactly is the kind of world that we are living in. At least there are two things that can help the world and that is peace and happiness, but how many people around you seem at peace and happy?....

The days seem quite long, but the weeks go by so quickly. It's hard to believe it's Friday again! Since I haven't been too busy at work this week, I have been doing some websurfing (as one does) and I just stumbled across this blog. Kind of cool. The writer seems to be in the same sort of place as me at the moment kind-of-feeling. Also mentioned how bored at work she is and is blogging at work. And I thought it was only me doing this?! http://www.myspace.com/italianhunney


Responsibility does not only lie with the leaders of our countries or with those who have been appointed or elected to do a particular job. It lies with each of us individually. Peace, for example, starts within each one of us. When we have inner peace, we can be at peace with those around us.
HH The Dalai Lama

fine autumn days

Been a while since I last wrote in here. Guess I have been preoccupied with other things going on in my life... So where do I start to fill you in on what I have been up to? Hmm... Well recently, I attended a workshop on abundance. Was an amazing workshop and felt really positive and vibrant afterwards. Almost like I couldn't wait to see the future. My teacher who held it is an amazing person and you can just feel the energy off her as soon as you think of her.
A whole day to spend in a workshop, sounds such a long time, however, surprisingly it went really fast. A lot of meditations, writing exercises about what you want in your life and the obstacles that are blocking from what you want. I learnt a lot about what it is what I really want and how to magnetize what you want into reality. Hard to describe into words briefly, but believe in the power of positive thought and thinking. It can make all the difference on how you view yourself, others and the world. Expect the best out of life and trust your inner guidance.
Spent a lovely evening with very good friend N and we hung out in a very cool cafe near Meguro enjoying a macha espresso (yes, macha espresso with no coffee) and latte. Time with people you love always goes so quickly and you never want the time to end. I guess that is in the mind too, as really it doesn't end, it only ends when you think it ends. N and I are in similar positions at the moment, so there is always a lot to talk about in such great details.

Last night, I decided to call in on a good friend M, who lives in the same apartment building as me! Very cool chic and a very rare one that says, just drop in when you have time. Don't worry about calling, just ring the bell! Usually it is the opposite here in Japan and we have to call or at least mail beforehand, however, here is someone that doesn't mind and encourages me to just drop in. Ended up staying for over two hours chatting about life and all the other things girls like to chat about ;-)

Have recently got on Skype which is really cool! An amazing system and still cannot get over how clear it is! Skype to Skype calls are free. I think the inventor of Skype should get a Nobel prize, for the quality and putting so many people in contact with each other. I was using it last night and noticed that there were over 7 million other users using it at the same time! Mind boggling isn't it.

Watched the first 3 DVDs of Prisonbreak last night. Heck, that is as addictive as Desperate Housewives! Not to mention that the two main guys are very cute! Was going to have an early night, however, stayed up till 1am watching it! It is so hard to not watch the next episode. These days, I seem to be doing that a lot and that is just coming home, having dinner, relaxing and then watching 2-3 episodes in a row. For me, that is where I want to be at the moment and really enjoying just hanging out in my apartment. Must look at getting a sofa at some time though. My floor chairs and beanbag only is good for a while.. Looking forward to watching the next few episodes.. can see where my weekend is going to be heading.. in front of the TV watching Prisonbreak.

Another good friend, M, was over here for a week from the States and enlightened me about my work and career life, amongst other things. Since I work in a Japanese company with very minimal foreigners (I'm the only one on my floor), I don't get to mix with many and forget how the interaction is with foreigners. The chitchat, the compliments, the idle conversation over an espresso... The grass is always greener on the other side, however, have been contemplating on going to the other side recently. Perhaps that is where I need to go for my next step with work. Work here is not stressful and I do enjoy it sometimes, but feel that my skills and talents (?!) aren't being put to use, and if the complaints outnumber the positive aspects, then really one should consider other options. Will be a huge change if I do go through with looking at moving on from here. Today is a good day and enjoying not being challenged at work, so it's not so bad at all, however, the bad days are rather tedious and wonder what exactly I am doing here. (Today is a good day!)

Whosoever wishes to know about the world must learn about it in its particular details.
Knowledge is not intelligence.
In searching for the truth be ready for the unexpected.
Change alone is unchanging.
The same road goes both up and down.
The beginning of a circle is also its end.
Not I, but the world says it: all is one.
And yet everything comes in season.
Heraklietos of Ephesos