Last day class at Nihongo Center -- Winter break

The time flies without notice. I never thought of that I had been staying in Kyoto for 3 months. This was my last day class at Nihongo Center and I had to leave Japan after few days. 寂しい　(samishii) ～～

Anyway, my sensei (teacher) like to write a lot of kawaii (cute) words or draw a lot of kawaii icons on the white board. I'm gonna miss them so much.

During the last section of my class, they decided to have a small farewell for us (Jonathan, Charles, Simona and me). Thus, we were playing some games (with using Japanese conversation) for our last day class. In this games, for those who were standing in the middle of the circle more than 3 times, they had to sing a song.

While playing this game, we kept charging our seat. Thus, I just took this opportunity to take photo with those who seat next to me. I miss all of you .. !! ~~

After the class, Ueda sensei and Kubota sensei decided to have a farewell dinner for our class and 5Th floor class. A lot of people attended this dinner. Thus, we had to target those not so many people Izagaya (Japanese bar restaurant) and big enough to fit 2 classes of people.

Thanks you guys. I had a wonderful dinner. You guys are awesome.

~ Final Day ~ I miss you All ~

Kansai foreign Students Music Festival in Kyoto 21st, 2010

Last year I went to Japan, I felt that I was lucky to join this festival. This Kansai Foreign Students Music Festival in Kyoto 21st is an event that foreign students from universities around Kansai can introduce music and dance from their native countries. In fact, the aim for this festival was to deepen each other's understanding of everyone's culture and foster friendships among the performers and audience alike.

This music festival was held on Sunday, November 28 at 2pm, at Kyoto Kaikan Hall (Second Auditorium).

Nihongo Center's classmates and I were invited to join the world stage performance which was sing a Japanese song with the title of "Tomodachi Say What You Will" from SMAP. We went to practice in the morning. Luckily, I still can remember the dance step and the song lyric.

Food were provided for all the participants. We had a great dinner and met up a lot of people from different countries. But, I was the only Malaysian there.

I had a wonderful moment with all of them because we sang, we practiced and enjoyed this festival. I gonna miss you guys ... ^.^

Yes, My dear Nisse Nisse, haha .. because she sticked my name tag on her chest.

Je t'aime ...

A video - during rest time ~~ haha .. ^.^

Outskirt of Nagoya Trip

Yeah, I was away from my blog long time again .. Anyway, I am back =)





Where I had been ??? Yes, Nagoya ... (Actually, I just passed by only) .. XD
Most important, I have to acknowledged to Kitto san ... Thanks a lot ~~




In this photo above, we were travelling in Nagoya and heading to outskirt of Nagoya. Due to I had already shopped a lot in Osaka, thus, I have no point to shopped again in another city.

Our first stop at Inuyama. Inuyama is about 20 minutes drive distance from Nagoya city. This is not a big city, actually you can visit all the attractions with 1 to 2 hours. Around this Inuyama, there are few shrines, museums and castle available. Combined all attractions' ticket actually is cheaper than individual separate ticket. If not mistaken, all the attractions are open until 5pm only.

This is Inuyama Castle which is one of the oldest castle in Japan and one of the most original castle that never destroy until now. Furthermore, this castle is constructed with 3 level, 4 stories with 2 stories underground. Due to the originality of the castle, staircase is the only method for you to reach the top floor. In fact, the top floor has the most wonderful view of Inuyama. This is best castle that I had visited.

At the top floor of the Inuyama Castle, you can see a lot of houses or buildings surrounding it. This is wonderful.... ^.^

Anyway, I like this photo with no reason ... haha .. this was taken outside the Inuyama Castle with maple leaves.

Beside the Inuyama Castle, there is a Fushimi shrine. According to my friend, he said this is a branch from Fushimi Inari shrine that located in Kyoto. How true is it? I not sure .. Haha .. ~~

On the way to Gifu, We passed by Gero. What famous in Gero? No doubt, Onsen (Hot spring) which is one of the top three best in Japan !! This was soooo comfortable to take a hot bath in extremely cold temperature. I love it. This was amazing. You just need to pay around 200 to 300 yens to enter the public bath. Around this Gero area, there was a lot of hot spring that prepare for foot spa. And most important, this is free.

Next station, Takayama !!! A lot of place in Kansai region was not snowing yet. This must special thanks to my friend who purposely brought me there to see snow. Anyway, we were crazy actually. The night was extremely cold with -2.3 degree Celsius. We still playing snow ball fight.

Anyway, I had a nice trip around outskirt of Nagoya. Before we leave, my friend introduce a nice and famous food in Nagoya for us which was fried chicken wings. Most important, Nagoya people have their technique to eat this chicken wings. You can try that if you want.. haha .. !! great man ~~

"Love more" mask

Last year, my friend bought a souvenir which was a mask for me from Taiwan. This mask name as "Love More". I didn't use it until yesterday night due to I seldom do mask.







This is peptide moisturizing duo lifting mask which with rose fragrance. Furthermore, this mask is quite watery when I took it out from the packet. In fact, I found the shape of the mask is extraordinary to me. The reasons are the mask cover my ears and neck as well.

I can see the immediate effect right after I used this mask. I love this effect because my face looks not so puffy now and the mask is just fit my face.

Manicure of the day - spring flower

Spring Flower

1. Apple base coat

2. Apple base colour (red with pink)

3. Apple light pink colout on the tip of finger

4. Use sliver glitter cross a line between the red and light pink

5. Draw a dot with pink nail art pen in the middle as "bud". Then, draw 5 short fine lines as "petals" from "bud" to outside.

6. Use white nail art pen to replace the colour of "bud" by making a small dot. After that, dot another 3 dots in a curl shape below the flower.

7. Apply top coat -- Finish ~~

~ dOnE ~

Gifu -- Shirakawa

I do away from my blogspot almost 2 weeks time due to many reasons. Anyway, I am back !!! This time, I would like to share about wonderful Gifu - Shirakawa. For those who watched the "Last Samurai" before, you may think this place is familiar to you. Two words to describe this village -- "amazing" and "extraordinary".






Shirakawa village is one of the UNESCO traditionally village that located in Gifu Prefecture. In fact, all the houses here were built with wooden beams that connect to each other which called as Gassho-Zukuri. Furthermore, the triangular roof built to avert the heavy snow fall.





Anyway, we took about 2 hours to reach Shirakawa from Nagoya city by car. However, this is quite difficult if you take any public transport, unless you join with the tourist agents. Free entrance to access into Shirakawa, but not inside the houses. The entrance fees usually are 200 to 300 yens and these are varies from house to house.

Don't worry if you are new to here. In Shirakawa, there is a tourist information center. You can collect Shirakawa map from here. The clear and detail maps are prepared in many languages such as Japanese, Chinese, English, Korean, and so on.

A lot of Gassho-Zakuri built houses here. Basically, some of them are souvenir shops, motels, cafes, museums and private houses. You can get a lot of Shirakawa limited products here.

Inside the Gassho-Zakuri house, this was built with wood and tatami in the living room. Each floors display with many olden used living tools. Anyway, you must be careful you head because the ceiling is quite low.

Follow the map, you are able to climb the mountains nearby. On this mountain, you can have a beautiful view of Shirakawa village with plenty of wooden houses and paddy fields.

What can you eat here?? haha ... I like to eat ice-cream in extreme low temperature !! OISHII ~~

Shirakawa Information website: http://shirakawa-go.org/english/index.html

Starbucks Sakura tumbler 2011

Yes, finally is here. I love it very much !! XD

Japan Starbucks Sakura collection 2011

www.starbucks.co.jp

Manicure of the day ~~ stAwbErry

~ Manicure of the day ~

sImplE And nIcE stAwbErry drAwIng

Reference from an online magazine

Step 1) apply base coat to protect nails

Step 2) apply base colour (pink) evenly

Step 3) apply green colour for its leaf

Step 4) used white france manicure colour to make 3 small dots

Step 5) apply gliter on the leaf

Step 6) apply top coat to make it shiny

What my friends said (In Japan now)

Last Friday, Japan was facing big disasters. Most serious areas were affected by Sendai, Fukushima and Tokyo. Finally, I had received all safety notes from my friends who are staying in Japan right now. What did they say ?

Picture from Google Map

Fukuoka (Japanese) - My host family said that they are safe and having normal daily life. But, they felt sad about the disasters happened in their country.



Kyoto (Japanese and various international friends) - Most of my friends said they felt a bit shaking in the class and may be the class was located on the 6th floors. They thought the earthquake 6.0 magnitude only. However, they only knew there were tsunami hit and the 8.9 magnitude after the class. Some of them went back to their home country last weekend even though the class will be ended end of March.



Nagano (Malaysian) - She felt stronger tremor than my Kyoto friends. The tremor kept on repeating through out the day. She scared when she was staying alone in the room. Initial plan, she will go back to her home country after Sakura season. Anyway, She came back home yesterday.



Shizuoka (neighbour travel) - They went to visit mount Fuji. The house was shaking terribly. The tremor kept on repeating. Then, they went to airport and looked for flight tickets. Finally, they used about RM6000 to buy an one way economic class ticket.

Tokyo (Japanese) - She felt strong tremor earthquake in Tokyo. This earthquake kept on repeating frequently. She claimed that Tokyo buildings are strong and ready to face the strong earthquake. In fact, people in Japan are well trained to face the disaster. Thus, we no need too worry about their conditions.

Sendai (Japanese) - He replied three days after the disasters due to phone and internet connection were terminated. In his mail, he said that everything was gone. His old hostel was corrupted also. In fact, all his memories things were gone. During that moment, he thought that he may die because of this killer earthquake. Anyway, He felt he is lucky because he is alive now. Furthermore, he felt miserable because he couldn't get any latest information from government due to lost of TV and other media communication tools. He got limited gasoline as well. Now, electrical and water supply are scheduled for affected areas.

Newspaper was still showing the disasters that affected Japan everyday. I can't imagine a beautiful country that I came back 3 months ago became like this. I am glad to hear that everyone of them are safe now. Let's pray for the others as well.

皆さん頑張って下さい。。

Thanks god !

After three days worried about my Sendai's friend. He finaly replied to one of his friend an hour ago. Then, his friend annouced his conditions in Facebook. From the mail, he didnt mention much about Sendai and his's condition. However, we got the news that he is ALIVE now. What a great news today ~~ ORIKAMI really working after I post the previous post since this morning. Thanks god ~

~ May God bless everyone of you ~

Pray for Japan

Orikami （折り紙）can be interpret as "Ori" - folding and "kami" - paper. Crane （鶴） in Japanese culture is representing about loyatly, joy, happiness, long life, prosperity, good health, good luck and peace.


Thousand Orikami cranes （千羽鶴）mean strings are used to connect all the orikami cranes together. Japanese legend believes that crane can live up to 1000 years. For those who fold thousand cranes, crane will give them a wish. In fact, this can allow poeple wish comes true. Furthermore, people usually will wish others long life or recovery from illness.

11 of March 2011, Japan was affected by 8.9 magnitude earthquake and 10m hight tsunami around Kanto and Tokufu area as well as less serious in Hokkaido. Even though majority of my friends were staying in Kyoto - Kansai region, they still can feel the tremor. 80% of my friends had replied my emails or messages. However, I do wish I can get the safety note from Sendai's friends as soon as possible. Worry ~~~~ (>.<)

I can do nothing to help them. Maybe fold thousand cranes to make a wish is the only thing I can do. Let's pray for everyone safeness in Japan as well as worldwide safety in the future.

Here is thousand cranes. Wish Japan free from disaster now and recovery as soon as possible~~ and of course world wide peaceful.

SAY NO TO NATURAL DISASTER AGAIN

Kobe free and easy

Kobe city is part of Hyogo prefecture. Kobe is a prominent city which the sixth biggest city in Japan. Previously, this place was known by Owada Anchorage. However, Kobe was formed after 1889. Kobe was opened trade with "West" countries. Thus, there are a lot of old western style building around the city now-a-day.


Anyway, you can take JR line and stop at "Sannomiya" station which is the nearest to walk around in Kobe city. Around the Kobe city, there were a lot of information tourist center. One of the center is located just outside the Sannomiya station. You can get a map from them. They were helpful to us. Anyway, the map is very detail enough. =)







One horrible disaster had affected Kobe city. This is called as Kobe earthquake a.k.a Great Hanshin Earthquake was happened January 17th, 1995 at 05:46 JST. Furthermore, the earthquake magnitude scale was 7.3. This disaster caused about 6000 people lost their lives.





About 5 minutes walks from Sannomiya stations, there is Kobe Memorial Monument to memorise this incidence. Every year December, light festival which called as Kobe Luminaries will be held to memory scarify victims and reconstruct the city. Kobe Luminaries Official Website: www.kobe-luminaria.jp.

This is a port. Definitely, there were a lot of foreigners around in this city in the olden time. In this city, you can realise the building construction was more likely to Western style compared to another prefecture especially in Old Foreign Settlement. I felt this streets were quite even though there were a lot of shops around.

This big fish was located at Meriken Park. According to my friend, he said this was a production from a well known Japanese Artist production.

Meriken Park is Port of Kobe Earthquake Memorial Park which was destructed by Kobe earthquake. However, this is a famous travel spot now. Moreover, this is a beautiful waterfront park in Kobe. You can have wonderful and busy sea view at this park.

I not sure what is this for. But, I think this is an interesting building structure that built near the seaside. This is one of the famous building here.

Around the Meriken Park, a red tall ironic tower which called as Kobe Tower was built. This is 108 meters high. The tower is opened for tourists to visit with each entrance fee is 600 yen.

Beside the Meriken Park, you can ride the ship to have a better view of this port. I not sure the fees for each ride. Anyway, there are few types of ship you can choose to ride such as Royal Princess, Ocean Prince, Villaggio Italia, and Fantasy.

Even though there were a lot of people walking around this port, a lot of birds still staying there too.

Another 5 minutes walk from Meriken park, there were a lot of shopping center, amusement part and restaurants which called as Harbourland. For instance, those shopping center are Konan, Mosaic, Kobe Hankyu Department store, Ha-re and etc. In December, everywhere had a lot of Christmas decoration and Santa Clauses was coming to this town as well.

One of the landmark in Harbourland is Ferris wheel at the small amusement park of Mosaic.

Next attraction in Kobe is Nankinmachi which normally known as Chinatown. Along this streets were decorated with a lot of red "tang lung". Basically, there were a lot of Chinese restaurants.

Another interesting attraction in Kobe city is Kitano-cho. In this area, a lot of houses which opened as museum to introduce the olden time of Kobe. Those museums are Moegi House, Kazamidori-no-Yakata, American Teddy Bear Museum, Kobe Kitano Museums and a lot more. Each museum has to pay entrance fee. Hmm ... I think this is impossible to visit all museum because this might be cos a lot of money. Anyway, you still can snap a lot of wonderful photos surrounding this Kitano even though you are not enter into the museum.

This house is called as Kazamidori-no-Yakata a.k.a Weathercrock House. This was an old resident by Thomas who was German architect. Furthermore, this is free entrance fee. Anyway, this was a double stories house was built in 1909. You can enjoy the ancient living style in Kobe. (*^_^*)



~bye bye Kobe ~