Am hoping that anyone else is doing better, while much is happening here these days, zapping energy fast. zzz...
Which explains why I'm blogging a lil behind, even for the trip to 日光 ( Nikko ) in early November when Bear had a week break.
I've heard so much about Nikko - which encompasses one the World Heritage Sites belonging to Japan, and many renown hot springs. Am taunted from time to time, 'How could you live in Japan and not gone to Nikko?' So Bear decided to check one down in my bucket list, and drove all those loathsome 12 hours - to and fro.
Well, to each his own. Turns out Nikko isn't our kind of nirvana. The scale and finesse are hardly superlative compared to others I've seen, and I've concluded that pictures in books and magazines can be deceiving. Structures are ancient alright but heavy with repaint - I'm the kind who appreciates good pictures, rather than images cleverly photoshoped, get my drift?
The red lacquered 神橋 ( Shinkyo : Sacred Bridge ) that arches over the Daiya River. It could only be used by the emperor during feudal times.
Famous 5 storied pagoda, around 36 meters high, an anti-earthquake construction.
Shrines and temples, constructed in glittering gold, but not good enough to awe the visitors. Here in the assuming 'holy ground', the Japanese visitors were endlessly bad mouthing about the visitors of mainland China, the opposite didn't relent either. Imagine me comprehending both sides. I'm just baffled. If these visitors are buddhists and believers, how do they bring themselves to utter slander so openly before their gods and deities?
The three wise monkeys that embody the proverbial principle - see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.
View from 'that famous window'.
Lotsa national treasures within, but no pictures allowed.
Endless towering cedar trees, and gravelled paths. Heed my word, NEVER go in heels like me, wear a pair of steady flats.
This Maple tree is the oldest within the premise.
And off we went to catch some Nikko's falls and fall.
To sum it all... I'm hardly impressed with the reknown sites. People were generally unfriendly. We were prepared to spend liberally but the souveniers weren't attractive, in fact, I bought nothing. I've figured that we've spent more on parking. The accomodation paid with a fat fee didn't fetch a memorable stay. I'm not craving any local delicacy after the trip. This is Nikko, if you ask me. Well at least I've been there once, and for good.
I guess what's memorable is Bear's sweet personality, despite those awful driving, lack of parking lots, and disappointing outcomes. He's a joy to travel with even on a mediocre trip. :)
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先生、今までの優しさと沢山の祝福 ありがとうございました。 どうか天国でご家族と皆さんのことを暖かく見守ってください。 会える日まで。。。
It's hard. Bear received a call this morning. Our Pastor in church has passed away last night.
But I know he's now looking down at us from heaven and seeing the glory of God he's been serving his entire life.
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Thank all of you who have prayed for my baby brother. He's finally home after some harsh time in the Australian desert.
I got this T-shirt during my recent trip back to Singapore. My baby brother owns one too, and another one here. Love its personality, and look how vocal the message, I should wear it before Bear everyday. ;PMy bro will be fulfilling the military conscription in a mere week's time. How fast 2 years have gone by huh.It's been tough for the boys in army. There were glorious moments too among mostly demanding periods, whichever it was I was never able to be there for him. But my baby bro has never whined or lamented over the painful moulding. He went in a boy, now stands a man. Somehow, he's overshadowed me by lightyears, we've switched roles and I'm the one being taken care of now. I'm just so proud of him, and thankful to all Singaporean boys who serve our country, they truly deserve some respectful recognition.
This feeling is just intensified after spending time with guys who have never known hardship in the army. Bear? I doubt he can survive a day or even hours.
靴下を片付けてください！That was me screaming 'Please don't just leave your socks there!' for over a million times.
Don't make me angry. Really.
Since young, I've lost count of people telling me what great hair I have. It's silky, lustrous, it falls into place with a gust of wind instead of getting messed up, the kind that people will spend hundreds in saloon just to own for months. It sure lacks a little body, but it hardly requires maintenance. In fact, I don't even bother to blow dry my hair, it's the kindest thing that I wear. I often step out of home thanking God what a manageable head He gives me.But the spell breaks whenever a snip takes place. A pair of sisscors is the last thing on earth that can damage my precious locks. Somehow, fly outs boldly protest at the loss of the severed ends , and manz, they sure are crossed. It hurts. I've never felt less confident, especially with seeing that dishevelled shocker gasping in the mirror every morning, ok who's spooking who here. And the shorter it gets, the more severe it is with the fly outs! Surely I'll beat any other on the street with some outlandish outfit. It's the most hilarious sight you must see.
Use a dryer! I know. But I don't use a dryer at all remember, so obviously I'm not good at it. Even if the fly outs are done for, it'll a nice round big fleshy mushroom I'll have to settle for this time. Several meters away, it'll be mistaken for some lazy afro.
So you thought you had another bad hair day, with this length I'm having, it lasts for months till the satin effect kicks in again. :(Then again, it's just hair. Time that I outgrow it.
