finally back

time is really tight here...lolz

I'm finally back.except for the not so advanced(but still very sophisticated) entertainment system on the plane,it's been a smooth ride,fueled by 4 different alcohols,a nice dinner and 3 movies.in the age where being cheapskate and cutting all kinds of perks seems the norm(especially the Americans,who are as good as paranoid) since they run on costs only,SIA still seems mercifully trapped in the old days where air travel is a nice experience to savour.glass(which I drank my riesling),ceramic/porcelain(somethings have to be heatproof) and metal utensils remind me of the bygone days before the Americans cooked up all sorts of excuses about these being expensively cheap terrorist weapons

I love the riesling with the apricot chicken(don't be fooled.there's no apricots),had singapore sling(that looked and tasted like a fruit punch had the smell of the gin not gave it away) and tasted a French chardonnay as I touched down.all these crowned by a Jim Beam Black label on (excessive) rocks which's a in-your-face 8YO bourbon(was mooting the syrah,johnnie walker red and a few more had I not remembered to enjoy responsibly).last 3 were tasted with me monopolising a whole row as-thankfully-the plane wasn't full house

back at Sapporo it's a frenzied trip to buy 10 boxes of Royce chocolates(all with expiry dates similar to cartons of milk).I think i might have to bring some to enjoy with the others.the hotel which I was at,going online was actually at the centre of the city,except it was backing towards the redlight district!decided against eating sushi since I think I look like a tramp at the upmarket looking shops.and keep off the place upstairs

hahaha I think i forgot to buy fox,bear and salmon back home,but no matter....I've a lot of shit to deal with now

5 days at sapporo

Sapporo has been a rocking good city.after Tokyo and Osaka--brilliant I must say,except for a few quirky stuff

Friday: from Chitose/Sapporo it's a long drawn ride to some funny place called Tokachigawa where there's lots of onsen(hot springs) and many a chance to experience traditional Japanese living/hospitality.I wont go into the details here but it's a refreshing way to end a day which includes a crazy 5 hour plus ride to the hotel.nothing much to see actually,so well.but thats when the rest of us are celebrating CNY in school

Saturday: Lake Akan. appropriately a reserve,just like what you do in Canada but way more sophisticated.they got fireworks in one of the big carnivals where there are lots of snow sculptures. Bro got his shoes ripped off,so I enjoyed sushi at a shop in Kushiro while he was rushing to buy shoes,in time for the romantic train ride to some other place.a quaint coal fired train that emits a lot of smoke to the dismay of environmentalists

Sunday* happy new year! too bad contraband lifesize handcuffs are banned in Singapore,so I wasted money at the ice observatory.would have liked a jackass-esque present for the rest. basically another hot spring awaits. this time another ice sculpture exhibition,with snow(at long last)

Today:　another wicked trip to sapporo with a detour at Otaru. now that I'm ensconced in the hotel I'm enjoying the chocolates tonight

will update when I return since I'm paying 100￥ per 10 minutes

Osaka to Sapporo

its a little bit more time before i get on the next domestic flight to Sapporo and the confusing keyboard is killing me.flight on SIA is quite nice btw,and I can look forward to resting on the domestic flight though the movie marathon of the departed was cut halfway through the second half after i finished the VSOP

nice day folks I think I`ll leave everyone with seasons greetings before the gates for the next plane starts opening and I spare myself the misery of the really confusing keyboard

Sayonara Singapore, Hello Japan

My bank balance is finely poised at $50plus.This is what happens after valentine's day when guys spend and pamper their girls(or friends) and the girl just smiles or blushes.the worst thing is that with chinese new year 3 days from now,I'm in trouble. At least I did get a beautiful enough gift in the form of Noble One 2004. whether she likes it is another matter,but on hindsight when I went to buy my Vintage Valrhona bars at Taka later on,I suddenly thought of a Sauternes Permier Cru at Oaks and then I saw the price tag which was $1XX.My presents total $93 and I was glad I got the right stuff-I don't think she acquired a taste for French wines yet

(i actually told Pooh tt i wanted to top up $8 to $99,when in fact i got my maths wrong and she juz laughed when i told her i'm broke-haha girls don't expect guys to spend alot,even though guys almost universally flout this rule,either lying to their girls about how much it costs,or just spend alot and make it obviously blatant)

OMG i'm stuck at which Valrhona bars to bring on the plane.they not only are very ex-I haven't tried alot of them before.was mooting a tasting of:
vintage 2006 bars from:
Trinidad(Grand Couva)
Venezuela(Palmira)
Madagascar(Ampamakia) ,
Porcelana de Venezuela(not available in Singapore)
those are Premier Grands Crus of 64% at $13 for 75g(don't say I didn't warn you.but you get great chocolate from a single site-talk about having winemakers as your nieghbours)

and a selection of non-vintage cuvees,called Grands Crus:
Abinao(Africa blend 85%)
Araguani(72% from Venezuela.I think that's the name,but I think i might only remember the pruple hint in the black packaging)
Guanaja(South American assemblage 70%)
Caraibe (what else?the Carribbean.the nut part though is a problem 64%)
Manjari (Madagascar.forget about the orange peel 64%)
Jivara (39%.South American.a milk chocolate with malt,not quite what i was thinking)
$8 a bar.not so bad but still a guilty experience(once shared a Guanaja with a fren while watching Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.cool and still remains a favourite had it not been for the fact that Paragon doesn't have them anymore :( )

Those bars made in Lyon(my mistake it's Hermitage.where you get those special wines) are the ultimate chocolates that I'd eat,second to the Prestats and the Bernachons and the Amedeis(the former was for Pooh and the latter means having to mail order from Lyon(again) like mad.As for the last one,I'm still figuring out on how to mail order from Italy)

Flying off today.my bank balance might tide me through-just.I've a job lot of stuff to buy,not to mention that Royce in Singapore actually costs slightly cheaper than in Japan.that's the paradox of economics.same with the Budget this afternoon.They must have been starting to scratch their heads on how to decrease the rich-poor gap and still foster economic growth,now that the big GST is rising yet again.but yet again they have lots of tricks up their sleeves and don't be surprised if they suddenly decide to raise CPF contributions

Another irony. Since today is total defence day we remember the Japanese occupation 65 years ago during the Chinese New Year period and their atrocities.apparently though,it's us who's doing the conquest of Japan this time-with the help of more travellers.this time though we are boosting everyone's coffers

haha enjoy my trip la.,..don't talk too much

Without Warning

Without Warning.that's how crap the title is, interspersed with somewhat funny scenes once in a while.but it was a sobering message behind that,complete with IRA-esque bus bomb.I don't recommend watching it actually,but it's good for some good old National Education/Total Defence stuff

Without warning too...I find myself listening to George Benson's Nothing's Gonna Change My Love For You.and a whole gamut of 1980s retro love songs too.The ultimate crowning glory is Class 95.I suddenly found myself ditching 987 for the past few months(Jamie's departure didn't help) for Love Songs.I probably won't expect Carrie to read my dedications but I can count on the Class 95 DJ to get a very soothing love song to sleep away. My new top 10 pastime is now slumping on the bed and listening to Love Songs.especially on sentimental or lonely days...I don't know,it just sucks some of the loneliness out

Of course the next day is Valentine's Day and I finished ordering my rose,and maybe the chocolates. Sometimes it's extremely difficult to keep a long distance/online date. especially when you get to see your fren once in a blue moon. It just sounds a bit scary,but I feel this thing needs a very very long time to develop.It's always a case of unrequited love,especially for the guy.I think I might have to stop before I teeter further to the brink of collapse.Maybe for this while I'm glad for NS. Alright that's what many are thinking. But I think that's one side of the coin,if the other one was shying away from love. It feels like your heart is pounding and still you can't seem to do anything. You might look tough,but maybe it only tells part of the story

Alright gtg bye

wad can i do 2 make u luv mi...

"I haven't slept at all in days...It's been so long since we have talked...And I have been here many times...I just don't know what i'm doing wrong"

oh well...I think i've an idea of what my valentine's day present for her is now...godiva,rose and something else.had mooted the idea of gold coins(too ex),swarovski crystals(i try not to send similar presents in the space of 2 mths) and gilded orchids...this is what happens when a guy tries to dote on a girl but the girl either says it's too cheapo(economist economics) or superficial (sumptuous splurging)

then there's the added risk of her saying she's not free again,making sure that whatever plans you make are thrown into disarray.it's quite easy for a guy to like a girl and do anything to please her.but it's a gamble anyway...the girl,most of the time won't initially like the guy.that's the most difficult thing now

"What can I do to make you love me...What can I do to make you care...What can I say to make you feel this...What can I do to get you there"

(Italics are song lyrics from The Corrs)

Haha just now there was this dialogue session with the MND.good insightful topics but i suddenly just felt weird with the adults there...that's why I left 30 mins early for Vivocity,where they've got the Lions back.To get their autographs you will need to be risking getting taupok-ed by fans who wants autographs and they follow their heroes into Nike store.Basically vivocity Cold Storage rocks big time.I even managed to 'rip off' $8 out of the 2 exotic English imports by telling mum it was $5.xx per bottle.It's $8.35-$9.95 for a 500ml bottle,good for 2 people,so I bought the Old Peculier(in case you're wondering,there's no spelling error) and the Bishop's Finger(which comes in a clear glass bottle).

Blogging and leaving in record time.toodles!-I need to pack my luggage tomorrow and still get a pretense to go on tuesday

flush

flush with what? chinese new year! it's the red time again. everything new and tidy...but I don't seem to get the mood yet...perhaps it's all about worrying who to send valentine's presents to. anything cheap or trivial and the guy loses his girl.anything expensive and significant,and he's gambling with his gold...argh!

now cupid showed with a survey and asks me about this...

SEVENTEEN:U LOOK AT THEIRPROFILE/PICTURE CONSTANTLY-(Yeah,virtually all the time)
SIXTEEN:WHEN YOUR ON THE PHONE WITH THEM LATE AT NIGHT AND THEY HANG UP, YOU STILL MISS THEM EVEN WHEN IT WAS JUST TWO MINUTES AGO.(not phone calls,but IMs)
FIFTEEN:YOU READ THEIR TEXTS or IMS OVER AND OVER AGAIN.(a resounding yes)
FOURTEEN:YOU WALK REALLY SLOW WHEN YOU'RE WITH THEM(ambiguous status at the moment,no comment)
THIRTEEN:YOU FEEL SHY WHENEVER YOU'RE/THEY'RE AROUND.(yeah.my first real meeting with her was...)
ELEVEN:WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THEM, YOUR HEARTBEATS FASTER AND SLOWER AT THE SAME TIME(yeah)
TEN:YOU SMILE WHEN YOU HEAR THEIR VOICE.(voice?yeah...but when they reply my sms or IM then it's...)
NINE:WHEN YOU lOOK AT THEM, YOU CAN'T SEE THE OTHER PEOPLE AROUND YOU, All YOU SEE IS HIM//HER.(YES)
EIGHT:YOU START LISTENING TO SONGS THAT REMIND U OF THEM(lots of them.I've a collection)
SEVEN:THEY'RE ALL YOU THINK ABOUT.(basically yes.addicted maybe)
SIX:YOU LOVE THERE HUGES & KISSES MORE THAN ANYTHING.(she hasn't hugged or kissed me yet,but one day it might,so watch this space)
FIVE:YOU REALlIZE THAT YOU'RE AlWAYS SMILING TO YOURSELF WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THEM.(YEAH =) )
FOUR:YOU WOULD DO ANYTHING FOR THEM, OR ANYTHING TO SEE THEM.(basically yes)
THREE:WHILE READING THIS, THERE WAS ONE PERSON ON YOUR MIND THE WHOLE TIME...(spot on)
TWO:You were so busy thinking about that person,you didnt notice number twelve.(?I'm a commando?)
ONE:You just scrolled up to check & are now silently laughing at yourself.(LOL ;) )

OMG.I juz wanna meet the Lions again...Die hard lion at work

Un Dia Normal (A Normal Day)

I suddenly have the urge to buy some Spanish language tracks.Since it's just such a normal day with the sun,I thought I might just think of something meaningful as Valentine Day looms near.Especially Juanes. some of his titles are just so...nice.

Volverte a Ver (To see you again)

Daría lo que fuera por volverte a ver
Daría hasta mi vida y mi fusil, mis botas y mi fe
Por eso en la trinchera de mi soledad
Tus ojos son mi luz y tu esplendor mi corazón

coro
Y si no fuera por ti yo no podría vivir
En el vacío de estos días de no saber
Y si no fuera por ti yo no sería feliz
Como lo soy cuando con tus besos me veo partir
Y es que solo con saber que al regresar
Tu esperarás por mí
Aumentan los latidos de mi corazón
Volverte a ver es todo lo que quiero hacer
Volverte a ver para poderme reponer
Porque sin ti mi vida yo no soy feliz
Porque sin ti mi vida no tiene raíz
Ni una razón para vivir
lo único que quiero es poder regresar

Poder todas las balas esquivar y sobrevivir
Tu amor es mi esperanza y tú mi munición
Por eso regresar a ti es mi única misión

coro

Eres todo lo que tengo
Y no me quiero morir
sin poder otra vez
Volverte a ver

Porque sin ti mi vida yo no soy feliz
Porque sin ti mi vida no tiene raíz

Volverte a ver es todo lo que quiero hacer
Volverte a ver para poderme reponer

Porque sin ti mi vida yo no soy feliz
Porque sin ti mi vida no tiene raíz
Ni una razón para vivir


(en Ingles)

I would give anything to see you again
I would even give my life and my rifle, my boots and my faith
That is why in the trench of my solitude
your eyes are my light and your splendor my heart

coro (chorus)
And if it weren't for you i wouldn't be able to live
in the emptiness of these days of not knowing
and if it weren't for you i wouldn't be happy
as i am when i see myself departure with your kisses
because only knowing that when i'll come back
you'll be waiting for me
increases my heart beats
To see you again is all i want to do
To see you again so i can recover
Because withouth you, my life, i'm not happy
Because without you my life has no root
and no reason to live.
______________________________...

The only thing i want to do is to be able to come back
To be able to avoid all the bullets and survive
your love is my hope and you my munition
that's why coming back to you is my only mission.

(chorus)

You are all that i have
and i don't want to die
without being able
to see you again

Because withouth you, my life, i'm not happy
Because without you my life has no root

To see you again is all i want to do
To see you again so i can recover

Because without you, my life, i'm not happy
Because without you my life has no root
and no reason to live.


Last time I ran 2.4km,it was nearly human impossible for me not to stop and walk at least 100m when it mattered that it's 13 and a 1/2 minutes before I get into trouble.I reckoned that this time round 12 and 1/4 mins was a small achievement.And best of all I didn't have quite a bit of stitch though I'm tired. pure motivation was the eventual NAPFA silver but I'd never know what a hunk I can aspire to be if I don't. Sounds stupid I must say not to start hitting the gym eventually.I want my 6 packs if Mr Gary comes out of the Commando Camp with his own 6 packs as well...and that means...?

Singapore 2 Rock

Singapore rocks after winning the Asean crown after a brilliant shot by Khairul Amri whose cracking slammer floats past a pair of Thai defenders into goal!Well there ain't any stupid nasty incidents and they just let football talk,which is always a good thing.

I'm not quite into watching Italian rugby,not when they were being pulverized yet again by the French on TV5 live...but that's better than nothing as the Flaminio is the only place where you don't have idiots doing ridiculous stuff such as 'fans' lobbing a bomb into the police car (Catania),fixing matches and get a few of your title rivals in the act (Juve,Milan,Lazio,Fiorentina and Reggina) or having enough ultras throw flares and coins targeting the ref to award walkovers (Inter and Roma).Even the motorcycle throwing antics of Inter Milan seem a trifle compared to getting the police killed.that's asking for trouble

What's the use of SPA when you've some idiots cocking up their experiments all of a sudden after a smooth test run

Poof!

Rama was beaten by a photo finish...and bubble gum trounced Ariana to spoof us in the race... I was lucky I didn't start Josef Poolz or I'd have had been slammed home with mounted debts

Happy to see Ci,Sweaty and Yangz back at the track,as well as Sab and Cinder,now teachers and bank admin assistants,and that Gary the commando may be back out to catch poor me.That's a double motivation since I was thinking about just how incapable some people are nowadays.fat commando?yeah still doable.But it'd be impossible to imagine a commando with very little mental strength.SAF might promote the SAF as a noble profession,but just how they can do with a bunch of mollycoddled jackasses is another story altogether. If even Feline can be tougher than some guys,she might be awarded the Order of L*n*n instead while those lazybums should be sent to the g*l*gs to reflect(above doesn't mean that the dark days of Soviet Union should be revived)

Another thing...and I might as well say I'm so tired

Crazy Hell in Kallang

Hell yeah this is one hell of a match...and with Kallang going to be torn down it's a monster end to the 30 years and the fading granite of the stadium.I missed the first 10 minutes as I did against Indonesia,but as far as I'm concerned I barely settled down when Noh Alam Shah scores.that was lucky,but they made the mistake of closing up shop and then they have a defensive loophole which pegged them back.ideal for the Thais...until...

What started out as an exciting final turned nasty when those Thais walked out of the pitch after they got a controversial penalty. What happened was that there was a fair and square battle for the ball and guess what? The ref suspected that the Thais was fouling Noh Alam Shah when the TV(on every other household) showed otherwise. They were crowding the ref and the next thing you see is the players trooping out of the pitch one by one.It's very ridiculous you know...right in front of 54000 booing Singaporeans wasting 15 minutes of their time,while the grandstand breaking into song makes things even more funny...it's so English...hehe. you piss the Kallang Roar off and you get it.predictably though the Lions scored the penalty and that put an end to our worries...the Thais were booed everytime they touched the ball right after they conceded the penalty...much to the delight of the Singaporeans who now look forward to the TV broadcast of the match on Sunday

oh well...it's the Great Human Thoroughbred Race tomorrow...lolz