Tokyo Conference Trip 2018

I am off to my conference in Tokyo. Although the conference is from 22-24 August, I am going a bit earlier just to relax and to prep for my presentation. 
Departed Singapore at 0035am on ANA NH804 and arrived in Tokyo around 830am. 

Arrived at Shinjuku Washington Hotel around 1130am but check-in was only at 2pm so I went to Takashimya to pick up my Hello Kitty Taka card and shopped at Tokyu Hands lol.

From Tokyu Hands

Afternoon snacks - cream-wrapped crepes

I requested and got a room on the 23rd floor and a corner room right at the end of the corridor, away from the lift. Juliane and I had stayed in a similar room on the 21st floor during our trip in 2016. I requested for such a room again because it is quiet and I can see Mt Fuji in the distance.

My corner room, 2338

I took a nap before venturing out for a quick walk-around the area in the evening. Came back early to retire for the night. A new day tomorrow. 

Conference Trip

I have never left packing till so late. I will be leaving tonight for a conference in Tokyo. Thank goodness, I have travelled enough to know the usual/ standard things that I need for each trip. Managed to pack in 3 hours for a 6 days trip. :) 

Final!

I finally managed to finalise my conference presentation slides. I am usually still trying to finalise up to a day before my presentation. This is considered an achievement because it has been finalised a week before my presentation!  

Cosmos by Rian Gonzales

This lovely piece of artwork, Cosmos by Rian Gonzales is sitting in my office. I usually call it my green hair girl lol. 

It never fails to cheer me up with its vibrant colours and my favourite colour - green!

Unprepared

Attending a conference next Thursday and I feel so unprepared. Presentation is still work-in-progress. I have too many slides and trying to cut. 

Back to School II

Back in school again today at SCGS, my alma mater. 
Loved surprising my daughter and seeing the look of terror on her face! Hahaha. I think what tickled my friend most (who led me to my daughter's class) was what I said to my daughter when she stepped out of her class, "Where is your badge?!". :D Once a teacher, always a teacher. Certain things cannot be unseen. 
Never knew I missed teacher chat so much. Maybe one day I may just return to teaching. 

My girl and my former colleague, Mrs Fern

My former student! Now Mrs Ang teaching my girl Geography

Love the food, the chat and most of all, the company!

Back to School

I was back at SCGS today, not as an old girl, former teacher or parent but as a researcher. There are many hats I wear with regards to SCGS. :) 
I managed to meet two of my former teachers, Mrs Jean Chan and Mrs Quek and also my former student, Arlene Pang. :D I didn't meet my girl though lol. 
I will be back in SCGS again tomorrow morning. Maybe I can meet more familiar faces. :)

A Sobering Moment II

Death never fails to set one thinking about life. 
I came close to my own death back in 2006 where I nearly died from acute gangrenous appendictis with perforation and severe serositis/ pertonitis. I was in great pain for 4 days as the initial A&E doctor couldn't diagnosed what was wrong with me. A normal 40 minutes procedure turned into a 3-hours operation. I was lucky, I am lucky. 

Below is an excerpt of what I wrote back in my blog post from 14 June 2007: A Year Later 

"Work is longer than life. Treasure your Life. 
It is true, there will always be work but if there is no life, there's nothing. Work is only part of our lives. If there is something that you have always wanted to do, something that you have always wanted to learn, something that you have always wanted to say, PLEASE do not put it off to another day or time. Because you never know what life is going to dish up to you next, don't be caught short. Don't take life for granted. I am very lucky and very thankful. I am living on extended time. From now on, I will live my life to its fullest (within limits, of course :P). I am not going to take anything for granted." 

However, as time passed, I have forgotten to not take my life for granted. I have forgotten to enjoy life. I have forgotten. 

Now is a timely reminder to reflect on what I am going to do with the 2nd life I have been given back in 2006.

A Sobering Moment

I received sad news this afternoon that a classmate of mine has passed away. It took me a while to process the news and I am still processing it. Questions and thoughts like "What happened?! How?! Why?! Too soon! Too young!" came rushing into my mind.
It is indeed a sobering moment for me.
May she rest in peace.

My Mother's Mee Siam

My mother has just added mee siam to one of her dishes! 
She has been in Singapore since 1971, has had mee siam over the years but never had the chance to try her hand at preparing the dish. Finally, she managed to get the recipe off a friend and prepared mee siam for us. The verdict - YUM!

Happy National Day 2018

Happy National Day 2018!

(Source: Image credit to Ah Guo)

Surprise Visit

A friend and ex-colleague surprised me with a visit today! We last saw each other last year when he came back to Singapore for a visit. We used to work together for a number of years before he went to Hong Kong to work about 6 years ago. 

It is really wonderful to see you and catching up with you, Barry! Maybe one of these days I shall visit you in Hong Kong. Keep in touch! :)

Trip by Ella Mai

A song recommended by my younger daughter, Trip by Ella Mai (uploaded by Gold Coast Music)

Starbucks Local Delights

Starbucks has recently introduced a series of local delights. I tried this cake and it was surprisingly, light on the stomach and delicious. It wasn't too sweet either. Went well with my Earl Grey tea. 

Starbucks - "Tok Kong" Nestum Cake

Know Your Ships?

How many of you know these ships and from where?! :)

Salted Egg Craze

continues. Another brand that has appeared in the market that sells salted egg potato chips.  

I actually like this particular brand as compared to the current popular brand that starts with "I". There is enough coating of salted egg on the chips but not overly so. You won't feel as if your entire tongue has been rolled in salted egg which is not a nice sensation! I also like the print on the packaging which looks like Peranakan tiles! If I remember my History correctly, Shi Le Po is one of the local Chinese names for Singapore used by the Hokkien-speaking ethnic Chinese in early modern Singapore. 
If ever I have to choose a local snack to represent Singapore, I will most likely choose Shi Le Po for its historical name, its Peranakan packaging design and for its taste. 

Walk in the Gardens

My friend, who is stationed in Myanmar for work, is back in Singapore for a short visit. We went to Singapore Botanic Gardens for a walk in the evening before heading for dinner at Cluny Court. 

The setting sun

Never knew monitor lizard could climb trees!

Hello from France!

I came home to find a postcard from France waiting for me. It's from a dear friend whom I meet once a year! A real wonderful surprise. :)

Starbucks Limited Edition Drinks

This has to be my favourite limited edition drink from Starbucks - Apricot and Peach Yogurt Frappuccino. Drinking it makes me feel healthy. Hope they retain it as a regular. 

Yummy Souvenir

Received this souvenir from a colleague. Thanks!