how do you control your pet without pulling the leash tight?



fear and anxiety. How?

What's the hurry, Singaporeans?

Two months in Japan really opened up the way I see things. Especially when I come back to my home land, I started to notice a huge difference in our culture and theirs. Forget abt the land size, I'm talking about culture and values. Japanese was once associated with laziness as in the past, they would only start to work in the fields when the weather is not too sunny. Well, I'd say things have changed. The streets are bustling not only because of cars and people but also with street performers, trucks blasting music to promote their album and sales promoting the products in their high pitch voice. We hardly ever see that in our home land. Service in Singapore, as I gradually got to know, is bad. Real bad. It certainly is bad in comparison with Japan. Japanese are super polite when it comes to service. They thank you when returning your change, they escort you to the entrance and hand you your bag before bowing to a what looks like a 90 degree down. Maybe I got used to the service over there. But I did not carry that expectation to Singapore. That was fine. But what I got at department stores these days were far below what would be called ' appropriate'. I entered Mango at Wisma Atria few days ago. After choosing two skirts to try, I proceeded to the changing room. Perhaps it was the sale season, saleswomen were busy or smth, the lady from the changing room took the skirts from me with a smile, removed the hangers and as if her arm was dislocated swung her arm to the changing rooms. Excuse me? Was that a signal for me to enter the rooms? She did not even look at me and continued to do her own stuff. Hello? Is that the right attitude to handle customers? Singaporeans complain a lot, people complain that we complain a lot. But if we change the attitude in the first place, there wouldnt be complains at all.

And what's up with trains these days? Sorry, I'm talking about the kia-su-ism when it comes to boarding and alighting the trains. The yellow lines on the floor were there for a reason. WHy cant ppl understand that we all are able to make it into the carriage? Why cant we just wait for all the commuters to alight before boarding? Japanese actually queue to enter the carriage and would automatically stand at the side of both doors and wait patiently before boarding. If you cant take this train, take the next one? Are you in a hurry, Singaporeans?

Today my parents and I went to TP for dinner. Satuarday night's a killer when it comes to traffic and carpark space. Luckily we drove our car to the front to look for spots. We were right behind this old man driving his white hashback car. And right behind him was a black Toyota Celica. A young couple was inside. The car beside us was leaving alr, so we drove a bit to the front for them to exit, after which we backed up into the spot. Simple. Then the car on our right was leaving as well, naturally the old man in the white car thought of backing up into the spot. But NOOOOO. The Celica drove up and blocked the empty spot. Neither of the cars budged and we were all in the car watching the hoo-har. Then the young lady in the car actually alighted and went up to the white car. I think she said that they have waited for a very long time and that spot was theirs. In the end, the old man had to drive up to find another spot. And the Celica swiftly reversed into the space. The whole time I was staring at the young lady. Lady, where's the respect? Does it hurt if you offered the space for the old man instead? I really felt like slapping the lady and the man. Both young, maybe rich vs old man and wife with a grandchild. Come on man, so what if you waited for a long time, that doesnt mean that the spot is yours. And there was a car in front of you, not exactly your space, I would say. I realli wanted to hit them, especially when I started queuing for fish ball noodles, they were right behind me. Ignorant, bastards, bitches, impolite, inconsiderate, proud, haughty, ungracious and many more. Everything just came out. Just felt like doing a public scolding for the both of them. I saw the old man, frail and bony. He was just there to buy noodles for take away and his grandchild was there too. What's the hurry Singaporeans? Is there really no time to just do a good deed a day. I gave up my seat in the Tokyo metro for an old lady. Though the lady said it was ok, she took the seat anyway. Just before I alighted, she stood up a bit and thanked me once again and it felt good doing a good deed. We are just too carried with our lives walking the streets in Orchard, shopping, high tea, having lunch, working, driving, talking on phones, gadgets, technology. Stop right there, take a look around. Look at the people you never look before, see the things around you. Singaporeans should really take the opportunity to look at the outside world other than Singapore and really see that the world actually works a little bit better and nicer than the small world we currently have now. And that if our values are not fairly adjusted a bit, I'd say there's no use for GEMS program or Courtesy Campaign. Singa the Lion can retire soon and public transport isn't better. We are really not what people think we are.

I'm moving!! That means tonight is the last night I'll be staying in this guesthouse in Waseda. We're going to move to my sister's fren's hse. Plus I was given the hint that I'll be slping beside the kitchen stove. -.- Anyway, there's so much to pack now and I cant get everything to be stuffed into my luggage. Arghhs! Must get hold of myself, dawn is breaking soon and the inspector will be coming ard 10am to check the room. After which, I can get back my 20k deposit and finally eat smth!! Lolx. Ppl might think that staying in Tokyo for two mths is boring, that I should go out to Kyoto or Kobe to eat Kobe beef ( I still want that!!!) but exploring Tokyo requires more than just a mere few months. Dexter and I have realised other alternative street fashion streets admist their bigger version of Orchard Road and those were never mentioned in Lonely Planet or other guide books. Tokyo has definitely opened up my eyes other than Paris. Ok la, Paris one eye, Tokyo another eye. You'll be surprised to hear that we can spend abt two weeks walking the same road and still be amazed by the area itself.

I ask my sister which city would you come again now that we have experienced them : Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan. I asked myself too and the decision was unanimous. Japan is a country that emphasises on quality and quantity. Their limited edition labels and products can really get the tourists and japanese to queue for them. And japanese are very proud of them. They too are proud. The city is clean and almost litter-free. Way better than our 'clean and green city'. The separation of grabage is so detailed that you really finish your food instead of throwing them away. The overall satisfactory definitely make me want to come back again. And I am going to.

Dawn is breaking...