Christmas 2015

25th December 2015
Christmas Set @ Cobara-Hetta, Odaiba

I've always looked forward to Christmas even though I don't have special plans for it. I just love the atmosphere the festive season gives. I usually spent it with my friends and hang out at some Christmas market but this year was different. Christmas this year was brilliant. It was nothing too extravagant. It was simply a great day spent with a great company and delicious food at a french resturant. I can finally strike off something on my bucket-list! 

I'm already looking forward to Christmas next year! But before that, I think I should celebrate properly celebrate New Year first.

It's a little early but I think I should say this before I completely forget:

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year. May 2016 be kind to me.

来年もよろしくお願いします。

Woken up from a nightmare.

"BB! Doli!", she exclaimed and started bawling.

The realisation that they were not around anymore broke her. Then, she woke up. 

"Thank god that was only a dream", she whispered to herself under her breath.

--------------------------------

It was terrible. The worse possible scenario, if you ask me. What's odd is that it was them who died of a mysterious illness. But why did I feel that they weren't around anymore? Or was it fear that it was them. I wonder. 

I am back in Tokyo.

12th December 2015
Tasting of a new beer by kirin with some snacks for just 200 yen!

Being away and not being active on social media was very therapeutic. I wish I could have done it sooner. I've managed to settle down a lot faster than I initially expected. Big thanks to some of my friends who helped! I've got to meet up with some of my best friends, tidy up my room and got to know my new housemate a little. It was an amazing two weeks ever since coming back to Japan. If anyone was wondering; I am glad I'm back in Tokyo, Japan. (Thank goodness I am back!)

Going back home and coming back to Japan had made me realised a few things. I can't exactly spell out what exactly those these were but I do feel that I've grown a little, mentally. I couldn't have done it without my good friends by my side giving me all the life advises they had to offer. By letting the old go, new and more amazing stuff would come by. During my last few weeks before I hopped on the plane back to Japan, I met new friends, reconciled with the old and let some of them whom I thought were my best friends, drift a little further. I am contented with the displacement because sometimes people find new and better friends they could benefit from and decides to forget the old ones. And, that is completely fine because everyone changes.

Christmas is coming soon. This year would be a little different. But I'm still looking forward to it regardless. :)

xoxo.

So now you know.

11th October 2015

Location: Singapore
Weather: Humid and Hazy
Date: 28th October 2015

I have not updated this space for almost two months! I won't consider the previous post I wrote on September 1st to be an update. Or should i? Anyways, I just didn't want to be pretentious and write about my life back home as something exciting or like it's another 'wonderful adventure' when in actuality, nothing exciting happened. I tried writing and trust me, I have a lot of drafts but I just don't feel like posting them because I'm not comfortable with letting all my opinions on the world wide web. I'm going try to just write a brief about whatever that has been going on.

Most days were boring because I allowed it to happen. I just play games all day on my PSP and hang out with my two pet dogs while waiting for the rest of my family members to come home with dinner. Surprisingly, I'm very talented at doing absolutely nothing important. I'm not particularly regretful of days like these because, let's be real here, how long can I have days where I do completely nothing productive? Not a lot. So I'm trying to cherish them while trying not to have a mental breakdown.

During days where I can be productive are also the days I sorta dislike because of the stress it gives me. I'm not a person who is good at making decisions because I still have tons to learn. I know. So, the whole process of getting things done took a little while. Not because I want to procrastinate for the sake of it but rather, it's the stress that's keeping me from wanting to do anything. I believe it's similar to the feeling of wanting escaping the stress of writing essays, or worse. Nonetheless, it is not a pleasant feeling.

Now that I've finished most of them bloody errands (or should I say life changing decisions?), I'm currently at 'peace'. Or at least, I want to believe I am. With most of my things settled I just have to slowly wait for the day to arrive. It's going to be another round of rollercoaster ride very soon. I know it and I'm not looking forward to that. I'm trying to think of positive thoughts while I countdown my days. The one thing I'm worried is that if I'm still able to withstand all of it again or will I just be too tired and get burnt out. One thing I will never know until the day comes. I'm not that much of an ignorant daredevil like how I was before.

So, what exactly have I been working on that is giving me all these stress? Well, university applications. Again?! Yes. Again. I hate it so much. I've also been trying to find a new place to stay and settling all that is to settle. Which, none of those, are my forte. But I am damn hella glad phase one is f-ing over.

I've decided to finish my studies. I'm transferring to a university to complete my studies. It's not going to be post-graduate studies because I'm just not smart enough for all that. I'm just going to finish my undergraduate studies. I only managed to finish first half of it so I'm going to finish the second half of it.

There, I've said it. And now you know.

I know studies isn't everything but I just want to finish what I started. I'm going back to Tokyo a few days after my birthday and celebrating my favourite holiday, Christmas, with my friends back in Tokyo. I'm not sure what is installed for me next year but I'm hoping for the best. x

PS: Yes, I am skipping Halloween because I don't like scary stuff. 

Hello.

All I am going to say is, this might be a 'perfect' chance for me to really focus on myself and motherland and re-organise myself. This might be also a chance for me to take a break from everything and shift gears and reexamine everything that has happened thus far. I'll give myself and motherland a chance. I'll try to like everything that there is from inside the country. 

Hello Singapore. I will be staying a little longer than intended. x

I've graduated and it's time for the summer holidays!

8th August 2015
Me in my graduation gown!!

Hey. It's August. Let's talk graduation.

I was really nervous about graduation because I didn't have much confident as to whether I could graduate. I was doing pretty badly on one of my most dreaded subjects - Algebra. (Wth! Why is this even a compulsory module to take?!) Everyone was saying I'd graduate, and that I was over-reacting. Well, I can honestly say I'm not because I know how bad I am at this subject. It has been years and leopards just can't change its spots!

Despite having to undergo such emotional turmoil for the whole semester, I'm really glad I was able to join all my friends in the graduation ceremony. I managed to graduate from college with an Associates of the Arts Degree! College wasn't easy but thank goodness I made so many good friends from all around the world and had a wonderful time in college!

I was really looking forward to graduating this time because I know I put in effort and enjoyed all of my classes (Okay, maybe except for one). Looking at the photos from this graduation, it's obvious that I enjoyed myself. I had my wonderful LCJ family graduating with me and wanting to take photos with me. It was the best graduation I had in years!!

I really want to thank all my lovely and passionate professors and school staffs who guided me and pushed me through my journey through college. Also, I want to thank my lovely friends who have made my life in Japan and LCJ so wonderful! For the first time in my life, I've actually enjoyed school.

I'll be transferring and moving on to university soon! I must say, I'm excited for another round of challenge. Let's hope for the best!

I'll be posting photos of my trip around Singapore on the ASEAN Japan Net TV Facebook page! So if you're interested, do check it out! Until then. x

Done with my final semester!

After worrying for the whole semester about whether I could graduate, I guess I did manage to graduate from college! I had to take subjects I'm not very good at, as well as one that I completely suck at - imagine the stress and struggle I had to undergo! Either way, I'm glad that I'm finally done with my final semester.

I'm looking forward to my graduation ceremony. For the first time, I'll be able to receive my AA degree without any sense of disgust. Though, my parents won't get to attend my second graduation, I think they'd be please once I get home this summer.

There are some things I would want to do once I get home:

1. Hang out with my dog, BB.
2. Eat them local delicacies!
3. Play some RPG games on my PSP/PS2
4. Visit some museums and library
5. Cook dinner for my family
6. Hang out with my friends and do a little catch up
7. Settle certain errands and application stuff
8. Take more photos/ make more videos
9. Solo day trips around town
10. To be treated like a princess *grins*

I've listed down ten things. I think that's about enough. I don't want to be over listing things I want to because I tend to get lazy and procrastinate. Though, I think i'll be able to finish at least half of this list! We'll see how it goes after my summer holidays! 

Peace! x

Silhouette

Silhouette @ Odaiba, Tokyo Japan.

It's the mid of July. How are you feeling?

I'm as fine as I can be or at least... try to be. I'm not sure if it is alright to feel this confused at the last leg of my time here. I feel stupid to be asking people for advices and not being able to settle down on one. At much as I want to fill my space with positivity, all I do is fill it with angst. I don't care what people will think of me at the end of the day. All I want to know is how I think about myself; how I will feel at the end of the day. Regrets? Guilty? Contentment?

I don't know.

【外国人レポーター対決】日本クイズ大会 （日本語）

(**English translations of this post is below**)

皆さん、ASEAN Japan Net TVのレポーターさんたちと日本についてのクイズ番組をやらせていただきました！

いつもと違うASEAN JAPAN Net TVの動画です。そして、私たちのいつもと違う面が見れます！

こんなのこのようなバラエティー番組ずっと参加してみたかったんです！

想像した通り楽しかったです！

日本にいる瞬間はもう2年半ぐらい立ったが、沢山な日本についてのことがまだ分からなくて、恥ずかしいです～！( *´艸｀)

でもね、勉強になりましたから
沢山間違いがあっても良かったと思います。てへ～( *´艸｀)

日本はとても面白い国と思います。昔の日本と現在の日本はとても面白いと思います。

何年間ここに居ても飽きないと思います。( *´艸｀)

はい、それでわ！今は皆さんの番です！

レポーターたちと一緒にクイズを受けて、日本についての知識に挑戦してみよう！

日本語が分かる方が参加できます。国籍が関係ありません！一緒に楽しめましょう！

皆さんは全問正解席るでしょうか！

それじゃぁ～

チャリスより

=================

ASEAN JAPAN Net TV's

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asean.japan.nettv

Homepage: http://www.asean-japan-net.tv/

=================

Hey guys! Last few weeks, I participated in a quiz show alongside with with other fellow ASEAN JAPAN Net TV's reporters!

This video is different from the usual video's we've been done thus far. In this video, you can also witness a different side of us!

I've always wanted to participate in such variety programs and I finally got a chance to do something similar! It was really fun as I've imagined!

Even though I've been in Japan for about two years and a half, it's kind of embarrassing to still have tons of things I don't know about Japan. lol. But it's alright because I still learnt a lot from all getting so many wrong answers. :P

I think Japan is an interesting place, be it classical or postwar Japan. I find it difficult to not to fall in love with Japan's main or subculture.

Check out the video and join us in trying out the quiz! Regardless of nationality, if you can understand Japanese, try out the quiz and see if how many points you can get! Time to test your knowledge about Japan!

Until next time, I'll see you soon! :)

Love,
Charis

It's all getting real

Ayame Flowers
Itako City, Ibaraki Prefecture

I just got done with mid-terms and I screwed it up pretty badly. I didn't really study for it and I'm paying the price for it. Well, I guess I caught the 'it's-the-final-semester-that's-why-i-don't-give-a-shit-anymore' symptom. It wasn't expecting that to happen but I guess I got tired after working hard for all four semesters. Either way, it's a good wake up call for me to boost up my grades.

With mid-terms done, it's the finals next. I've already started packing and I'm preparing to send some stuff back home. I've also bought my flight ticket home. It's all getting real.

Side note; I've picked up my camera again after a month and a half. I guess I needed the break. I've been doing matting with my prints. It's going to go up and be on display. I'm excited. I love my college, it makes me feel like anything is possible. x

A concert we went

Summer Diaries: A concert we went.

On 23rd of May, my friend and I attended a concert by a famous Japanese rock band, ONE OK ROCK. I couldn't do any filming in the arena because it wasn't allowed, not even a selfie before the performance started. But it's alright because I could enjoy the performance to the fullest without having a camera blocking my view.

I don't have much to say about the concert except knowing how awesome it was. It was my first time attending a concert in Yokohama Arena. I must thank my friend, Benj, or I wouldn't have had the chance to see their concert in Japan, ever. It was amazing how he could still sound awesome despite having a pretty bad sore throat. After the concert, I was having withdrawal effects right and decided to buy some concert merchandises such as T-shirts and sticker set. Can't fight the inner fan-girl in me. (I'm hopeless when it comes to One Ok Rock).

Ended the day with a dinner with Mai at some izakaya. We talked about our plans for the future after graduation. It's scary but I think we'll manage. We always do.

I also did some experimenting with filming on the day of the concert and whipped up a short 1min-2min video about 2 days ago.  Hope you enjoy it. It's nothing fancy but yeah. x

Fucking Terrified

I don't know what I'm feeling half the time these days. When I think about my future, I get nervous and excited. Yet, I know deep down instead I'm terrified. Fucking terrified.

I look back at my photos of my life in Japan. It was brilliant. I love it. I love the people, I love what the culture can offer me, I love every single bit of it; The ups, the downs and the mundane days. But yet, I feel like breaking out of this place because I'm getting too attached, too accustomed to this place. 

The ambitious and adventurous side of me wants to go explore the other side of the world. The reticent and cautious side of me just wants to stay because why not? I'm not ignoring the fact that earthquakes are mighty scary, but that's mother nature. It's not something made up socially so it's all about getting use to it.

I'm thinking that because the path in front of me is full of uncertainties. Why would anyone is the right mind give up everything and start all over again? Especially starting over in a place where you've never been but only dreamed of?

Yet, I have this hunch that if I go on ahead and chase that rainbow on the other side of the world, I might actually be able to find what I want. I might be able to accomplish something. I mean, it's all about the journey, isn't it?

Y'know, I didn't feel this way when I was left with months or weeks before leaving for Japan. I guess it was because I didn't have anything. I was just starting out. I was trying to find my place in the world. Now that I  finally found a place in the world, It makes it a lot harder to step out again. Why? Because we, humans, seek stability.

I need to find more resolve for this journey or I'll get left behind. When will I find an answer to whatever I'm feeling right now? x

It's both exhilarating and nerve-wracking

Some of my best friends have graduated from college but I'm happy to still be able to meet up with them during my final semester. We're all looking forward to our graduation ceremony this August. It would be like a mini farewell to everyone as we all take on the next leap into another phase of our lives. Some will be heading to universities and some would go on ahead into the working society. Regardless of which path people take, everyone is moving on. It's really exhilarating and nerve-wracking just thinking about it.

I know it's still quite early to be talking about graduation since it's just the third week into my final semester. But I can't help thinking about it because time files without anyone realising it. I am willing to bet 1000 yen that before I know it, I'll be in my graduation gown (again). What can anyone really do to slow down time? No one. The scary part about nature.

I'm both excited and terrified about what's going to happen tomorrow, the day after next, and the weeks, months and years to come. When will I ever live in a life without fear and excitement? Never. Because that's also the beauty of life. I'm glad to be alive. x

PS: I've picked up a new book and I'm already one quarter into it. Amazing. I love reading memoirs.

Hello May.

Nonokaze Hotel @ Hokkaido

It has been about a week since I'm back in Tokyo. I've been trying to pick myself up ever since coming back. I had to adjust back to school life in less than 24 hours. I also had to get my creative juices back and stay motivated for the new and final semester of college. 

To be honest, I haven't been able to get all the momentum back. It's difficult. Really difficult. I don't have much creative juices to begin with so I really need to get it all back or this month is going to be really unproductive. But it's okay to have some down time, right?

This is what I feel like doing recently. I want to go on a long train ride to somewhere I've never been to. I want to go on an impromptu trip to the countryside during a cloudy and gloomy day. It sounds nice. I'd like some of that. 

On the other hand, I've been well. I've been trying to shed some weight gained during my Hokkaido family trip. I hope to produce something awesome for my final semester project for my mass media module. We all can hope. I want to graduate proudly this time. x

PS: Hello May.

Reenactment of the Battle of Kawanakajima

Hey guys, I was away on a family trip to Hokkaido without my laptop so I couldn’t share when it was uploaded on youtube. I was in Yamanashi Prefecture to film this episode. This video is about annual festival in Fuefuki city of Yamanashi Prefecture. In this festival, it reenacts a famous samurai battle between two samurais, Uesugi Kenshin and Takedashingen, called the 'Battle of Kawanakajima'.

Anyone who played 'Samurai Warriors' would have heard about their names. It's one of my favourite hack and slash games!

 I had so much fun filming this, I was obviously being silly half the time. Kudos to another fellow reporter who narrated the opening of this video! Check out this video. Don’t forget to subscribe for more videos about Japan and give this video a ‘like’ if you enjoyed it. :)

Also, check out their facebook and homepage for more information! :)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asean.japan.nettv

Homepage: http://www.asean-japan-net.tv/

I've posted some of the photos I've taken on Mongira. Click here to check it out!

Miharu Takizakura in Fukushima Prefecture

I've always heard from friends who were from the countryside that there is nothing there compared to the city. I did not want to disagree because I've never lived in the countryside before. But now that I've been visiting the countryside more often for the past few weeks, I can honestly say, the countryside has things that the city would probably never be able to have.

For the past few weeks of my travel, I've been travelling by car. Since I was there for work, my boss was the one who was doing the driving for hours (kudos to him!). I was able to see more things and enjoy the sceneries around. I must say, the sakuras were much more beautiful since there aren't buildings in the background.

While being in Fukushima, I was able to try out painting a traditional Japanese doll and learn a little about the meaning behind it. I also visited the top 3 must visit sakura viewing sites, Miharu Takizakura. It was so beautiful! I loved it. I'm so glad to be given s chance to see this. I wouldn't be able to see this if I stayed in Tokyo. Tokyo doesn't have something as magnificent as this! It's nice to get out of the city once in awhile and enjoy the simple things and enjoy spring!

Check out this video to know more about my adventures there. This time round, I went to Fukushima with Gen, another fellow Singaporean reporter and Roy, a reporter from our neighbouring country, Malaysia.

If you're interested, check out ASEAN Japan net TV's: Homepage, Facebook for more updates!
If you enjoyed this series, don't forget to give it a 'like' and subscribe to their youtube channel for future updates.:)

xoxo,
C.

I went to Fukushima Prefecture!

Driving to Fukushima Prefecture

As I was born and raised in a bustling city, it has always been one of my dreams to visit the countryside. Sometimes, I want to escape to the countryside because it seemed quiet and slow paced. Since I am in Japan, I was able to do that. The air was fresh and I was able to be closer to nature than ever before. I made it a point to not look at my cellphone that often. It was mainly because I was there for work, and was trying to save battery. (My cellphone battery never lasts!)

I just came back from Fukushima Prefecture a few days ago. I was only there for a day for filming so I couldn't explore other places. The trip was short but definitely memorable. I was very lucky to be able to paint my own traditional Japanese dolls and visit a top 3 must visit cherry blossom viewing sites. I think the cherry blossoms in the country side looks so much better than the ones in Tokyo. I guess it's because there is too many people around to really enjoy the scenery.

I've made a post sharing some photos about my trip to Fukushima Prefecture on the ASEAN Japan net TV facebook page here.
I've also shared some personal off-shot photos on my other website, Mongira. It is a joint website project I'm doing with a few of my college friends. We'll be sharing more photos and contents there so do check it out and like our facebook page! :)
The new video about it would be out really soon so look forward to it!

I'll be going on a few more trips before my spring break officially ends. It's going to be tiring but memorable. I'll probably have more photos to share as well! Look forward to them. (^^)

Until then, I'll write again soon. C.

What's Japanese Hanami?

Spring, one of the most anticipated seasons in the world. Perfect weather and beautiful sceneries everywhere. Like I've mentioned before (like a millionth time), I've never done Hanami in my life! But this year is slightly different. This year is about going outside of my comfort-zone (more than usual) to mingle with the crowd and socialise with actual humans instead of 2D anime characters. With that goal in mind, I went for a Hanami with a group of uniquely awesome people.

Earlier this month, I went for a hanami with the AJNTV reporters. We didn't just have our own hanami to fully understand the real meaning behind hanami. We also went out to interview Japanese and foreigners about what they think about Hanami and why they do it. Throughout the process, we met wonderful people and learnt quite a lot about Japanese cultures from the eyes of foreigners and Japaneses. I had great food, great scenery and an extremely fun time during the hanami with the rest of the AJNTV reporters! To be honest, I think hanami is a great time to enjoy nature, food and the company of your friends.

Don't just take my word for it, the video above would do more explaining. Oh! The video also includes the cute and dorky side of the reporters so this video would be quite the feast!

Check out ASEAN Japan net TV's: Homepage, Facebook for more updates!
If you enjoyed this series, don't forget to give it a 'like' and subscribe to their youtube channel for more updates.:)

xoxo,
C

Spring break = Hanami

Hanami - 花見
4th April 2015

Hey there! It is currently spring in Tokyo, Japan. I've completed my finals and it's the start of the spring breaks! (hooray!) Since my first year in Japan, I had never went to a hanami or visited the parks to look at cherry blossom trees. Even after I entered college, I didn't have to chance to do hanami with my friends either because I have finals during the time sakuras are in full bloom. I couldn't understand the hype about Spring. I couldn't understand the beauty of cherry blossoms/Sakura. But, this year was different. I felt the beauty of sakura in Japan and understood the meaning behind Hanami. I think I'll probably never understand the meaning behind hanami and cherry blossoms in Japanese culture if I had not done a research about cherry blossoms for my cultural anthropology class. It's definitely something I'd recommend people to do if they are in Japan during this period.

For the past few days, I've been visiting the park and joined in with the Hanami activities with the locals. The view was magnificent! I love it when the wind blows and the sakura petals starts drifting down to the ground. It's just like the scenes from animes. No, it was better because I was there in person to witness it.

***

I've also officially completed my Spring semester for college. I'm now down to my last final semester which begins in May. Congrats to my lovely friends who graduated in this semester! I'll see you guys during the graduation ceremony!

Since I was so busy last semester, I didn't have a chance to write about my trip to a tropical greenhouse with my fellow photography club members. Never fear, I've made a video about it! I'm not in the video because I was busy filming so... Yeah! If you enjoyed it, please give it a thumbs up. :)



Until then,
Good bye.

PS: I'd recommend anyone who's interested about Sakura and its symbolic meaning in Japanese culture to read this book. It was an interesting read.

Thank you for everything 'Papa Lee'

#RIPMrLeeKuanYew

I'm not good with words but I want to express some of my gratitude to my hero, also whom my family like to address him by - 'Papa Lee'.

Mr Lee, you've always been my hero. I am very sadden by the news of your passing.

I am grateful to able to live in a safe and prosperous country, Singapore, which I am proud to call my home. You've always been a strict fatherly figure to Singaporeans. Without you, I won't be able to be here. Neither would there be the Singapore I know of right now.

My eyes started swelling up with tears after receiving news about your passing. I couldn't stop crying.  I couldn't stop tearing every time I read the news about Mr Lee. I now understand how it is like to lose a fatherly figure and someone whom I really truly respect. I'm not sure what the future holds for Singapore now that you are gone. It's difficult to imagine the scene whereby you won't be waving to us during NDP anymore. It's difficult to imagine not having you around anymore since you've been around since the beginning of Singapore. #noYewnoUs

Now that you have joined your wife in heaven, I hope you will continue to watch over us like how you always have. Thank you for everything you've done for Singaporeans and Singapore.

With love and respect,
Charis, a proud Singaporean.