tAlk aBoUt pRocaStiNatiOn..

Whoa.. tlak about procastination. Its been a while .. again. Many things had happened, seasons passed and time has just been running past me like the North Easterly gusts here..

First off, missing Japan. That was great and one day, Ill be back again. ;) There is something about the land of the rising sun that keeps calling me..

Back to reality. Yes I have started wokring, for 3 months now. Good stepping stone, crap pay lol. Interested? Check it out Menzies Aviation. Since then its been work, work and work...

Eventually Ill be updating on more antics I have been upto, like Chia Min's and Gav's wedding :)

Now for my Things to do list:

1) House...
2) Hmmm...

Now what was that thing I had in mind....

Apologize...

Its been a while. Despite the abundance of time I have, yet my blog is not going anywhere. Much has happened, thoughts, feelings, events.. but most of the time they just dwell somewhere in my thick head..

Left wonderful Tokyo, and now back in Osaka. It just seems to quick. I loved Tokyo.. there is always something happening anytime, anywhere. But reality sinks in, have to go where life takes me. Speaking of life, nothing beasts the frustration and pressures of not being able to achive and do what I want. Yes, I admit I'm stagnant.. but its not as if I'm not trying. Call it procastination or whatsoever but time's running out. But soon enough :) Okay enough about my boring downside..

On the brighter side of news, LoL news caster wanna be... As many millions that fell in love with "apologize", Ive searched you tube for various versions of the song. I've found a few.. Dont forget to hit the pause or stop buttom on my music player ;)

Boombox accoustic version:


Accoustic versions:




My personal favorite:


Until then, Enjoy!~

Monkey Business..

Weekend was great, having spent it driving. have always wanted to drive on the infamous expressways of Japan. :D Rented a mazda 3 which so happen to be like Laura's, with exact same colour. Drive was good.. altho someone happily snored away (bweks!~)

Destination was Nagano. Home of Japan's winter olympics. Good thing I asked for snow tires, they work!~.. Left Chiba in the afternoon, which was a bit too late.. plus had to learn the navi system which was in Japanese. But useful tho, it even gives you an alternative route if you got lost or missed a junction. But what amazes me most is that it even tells you how much you need to pay at the next toll! Sugoyy...

Went to an Izakaya which mimics the pre/post world war Japan era.. like in the 40's or maybe even 50's. They even had those ancient black and white tv box thingys (monochrome tv's). Food was good too but didnt have much. Save on accomodation by sleeping in the car and left early the next day for Yudanaka and Shiga Heights. Why? To see monkeys.. :P see pics and ull know!~

They were very amusing, but i felt limited by my lens. No zoom lens you see.. So had to take close ups where the monkeys (babies) would be curious and grab my lens hood. Damn funny.. In a way some things they do are very humane. Like knowing how to relax in an onsen. Would come back again definately!~ more pics to come..

6 months later..

6 months later, still haven't lost the touch of home cooked meals :P being away from home and limited ingredients... Viola~ nyummmm

I call this chinese 10 spice sauce lamb :D and the "package"... not much of a presentation tho~



Had trout too (so I was told, bit difficult buying food in Kanji) and beef stew which I didn't take any pics of. You know the usual beef stew wih potatoes, garlic and onion o.O



And we had this from Tsukiji the night before.. Shellfishes the sice of dvd's (literally)...

Nyummmmm.... Bon Apetit!~

Tea: The Elixir of Life

Adapted from Yahoo! Dr Mao says:

Delicious, low-calorie, and brimming with antioxidants, tea is quickly becoming the most commonly consumed beverage worldwide, after water. Even in the U.S., its popularity is rapidly growing. And why not? With the health benefits you stand to gain, you, too, will want to drink up.

Soak Up the Health Benefits
It is no wonder that tea is the beverage most commonly enjoyed by centenarians around the world. Tea is full of powerful antioxidants that improve concentration, gently boost energy, and make people happier. The free radical-inhibiting property of tea is more potent than that of vitamin E, and tea is a proven preventive and treatment for atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). The polyphenols in tea, especially the catechins, are powerful antioxidants that help ward off diabetes and cancer.

To get the most health from your tea, brew it fresh from tea bags or loose leaves and herbs, as instant and bottled teas contain less active compounds. Let the tea steep for three to five minutes to extract the most beneficial compounds. Drink to your health!

Cut the Morning Coffee
For many people, the first thing they reach for in the morning is coffee. Although it may initially give you a jolt, coffee actually depletes your vital essence, "borrowing" energy that you didn't have in the first place.

Caffeine acts as a central nervous system stimulant. It causes you to experience stress, anxiety, a racing mind, and even insomnia, working against your attempts to relax the body and calm the mind. A healthier alternative to coffee is herbal tea. On average, a cup of black tea contains about one third of the caffeine you would get from the same cup of coffee. Green tea contains about one sixth of that amount.

Of course, caffeine content will vary depending on the particular tea and the brewing time. One way to naturally decaffeinate your tea is to steep for 45 seconds, pour out the liquid but keep the tea leaves, then add fresh boiling water and let it steep for 3-5 minutes or longer to allow the beneficial polyphenols to be extracted from the tea.

Slim Down with Tea
As a weight loss tool, tea is a wonderfully cleansing way to flush the system, replace fluids - and pump the body full of powerful antioxidants at the same time. Aside from the health benefits, tea is a zero-calorie beverage, making it your best choice for weight loss. Pass on the diet soda, loaded with sugar and bone-weakening bubbles, and go for tea.

It is best to drink tea unsweetened and without milk, which can minimize some of the health benefits. To sweeten the tea without the extra calories, forgo the sugar and try instead honey, stevia products, or a stick of cinnamon.

The Healthy Varieties of Herbal Teas
Aromatic and chock full of amazing health benefits, herbal teas are made from various leaves, roots, bark, or flowers. Here are just a few:

• Ginger: Soothes the digestive system and keeps your energy fired up
• Chamomile: Settles the stomach and is calming and soothing for the nervous system
• Peppermint: Increases healthy gastric secretions, relaxes the intestines, and settles the stomach
• Dandelion: Detoxifies and supports healthy liver functions
• Valerian: A natural herbal substitute for sleeping pills

You can combine these herbs in any combination according to your taste and health preferences. Among my patients, an incredibly popular herbal tea is Internal Cleanse Tea, which is specially combined to detoxify, calm nerves, clear the mind, balance emotions, and ease digestion. This tea formula is available online at askdrmao.com.

I hope you reap the powerful health benefits of tea! I invite you to visit often and share your own personal health and longevity tips with me.

May you stay healthy, live long, and live happy!

-Dr. Mao

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So, Drink up my fellow friends!!~

Suburban Romance in this Modern Age..

Here's to all you lovebirds celebrating. Whether with the one you love or with someone special!~ Japan has made such occasions so consumer oriented that they even made these..

Its Japanese culture where women gives during valentines, very unusual as I thought that it would be otherwise if not reciprocal. Either or, I wonder where my box of chcolates are hiding.. hmmm Oh where, oh where?!?!

Happy Valentines Day!~

Ooooo Whats this??

I wonder whats in the bag...

o.O
About 3 years in the waiting...

Eat all you can, Jap style.. till you LauSai (literally)..

This is how Japanese have buffet. Very Different indeed, unlike our usual "pile the plate" approach, its all small and cute.. and has time limit o.O ?!? You can guess who's plate is who's..

Round 1



Round 2



Dessert Rounds

getting full.. so after 5 mins

another 10 mins..

finally .. another 10 mins..


nyum nyum nyum.. although full, was damn kiasu LoL

So had these..

yes including the tea..

but end up like this in 3 mins... cuz our buffet 2hr limit maxed :(
Bottoms Up.. literally


Felt like an overfilled wine barrel after that..
Walking from side to side!~

Dirty Japs!~

Been learning Japanese, I came across this book, and owned it. Its pretty hilarious and very very amusing. A Must read/buy for that "looking for something different" person. This basicaly is a book on words more commonly used by the norm "in the box" japanese. Slang and culture vocabs that you would most likely hear everyday. Love it.. :)

Rate: 4/5 (I think)~

Winter Escapades..

I said to myself, if the third time I get out of Tokyo and its freezing cold, Im going to stay in Tokyo.. ;P But sure enough the third time wasn't as bad as expecte. More snow but not as cold as when I met the weather back in Nikko and Yokohama. Hakone was interesting.. I say interesting not making it a pun nor sarcasm but it indeed was interesting. We got to Hakone after a long train ride. Higashi-Chiba - Chiba - Shinagawa - Odawara. Then a bus from Odawara to Futagochaya, about 50 mins. The actual long weekend plan was to go to Hakone then Atami then a night in Oshima. But due to weather, the trip was cut short.. and we only got to Hakone. All we did when we got to hakone was eat at Motorhankone, which we walked from the YH, and found joy in 7/11. I never had thought that 7/11 would be the happiest thing when we were left with nothing to do.. serious.. funny as hell though. We ended up with..


The Yoth Hostel was great. Clean and has an Onsen. And I had a fiancee for a day too.. Most intriguing part was this was a 2 story hostel, run by 1 man. When I say run, it means that he does absolutely everything, he cookes if you order breakfast, lunch of dinner. He cleans, he does the laundry, he tends to the reception and greets every guests. I wonder when (if any) is his own time apart form sleep.. or even have time to visit his throne.. :/

The second day was better, not so gloomy and snowy as when we arrived. Weather was beautiful despite having snow everywhere. Had great shots of Mt Fuji and Lake Aishi. Soft powdery snow as well, perfect for snowboarding. Funniest thing was we were trying to hitch-hike but no one stopped, and when a taxi passed by, the thumbs dissapear. LoL. Walked all the way to next "town" which was about 15 mins walk from motorhakone. Wanted to go to Atami from there but weather did not permit us. No buses to Atami due to snow. oh well. Then we decided we had enough and head back to Chiba. Interesting weekend huh? Was indeed, was indeed.

Kung Pow Chicken!~

Happy Chinese New Year!!~

Gong Xi Fa Cai,
Ang Pow Na Lai!

To all we "ratarians", lets rise and prosper!
This is our time,
right here
right now!~

Best Wishes..

My Dawn

Missing my Dawn today!~ Have a great concert! *hugs*

Riwayatku di persimpangan detik detik masa..

I hope the malay title makes sense. Was just reminiscing on old times, back in the days when we were younger.. particularly when I was in primary school. Countless fond memories.. and things we go through. Although it was short lived, there were some of my best memories there. yes I admit I was an ass back then.. At such a young age, I was already exposed t this thing called "image". Didn't think I did a good job back then, but I just hope I have changed for the better. Its been 12 years, and when I look back. I can sill remember vividly the events that occured, people I met, and how they sound like then, facial expressions, habits, characters.. but bad at names. I remember the corridors, the teachers, class rooms with that metal bar up top supporting the ceiling, how the best room was the computer room cuz it had aircond, and how i spoilt a few computers because I was doing things I was not supposed to do. The KH room at the back.. also our music room.. and the green melodian, some had blue.. the ping pong area at the back, smith's corner. Taman alan & manusia which was like a small garden full of weeds.. the prominent carpark in front.. and most of all, the "canteen" where the makcik and pakcik sells their food on the ping pong table.. and because I was one of the earliest to be in school and one of the latest to go home, got free left overs sometimes.. and how i use to ride the Bas Sekolah to Laura's place.. if I didnt wanna go home.

Ahh.. those times.. I hoe most of you sri mawarians remember because believe it or not, those memories are what shaped me today, well partly. But does add some sort of value in my upbringing. Now with the past I shall look vividly into the future..

Excuse the darn pics.. I look weird.. Can't even stand properly!~

Wounded Angel~

Nothing is ever what it seems. We see it, we hear it, we smell it, we taste it and we feel it. But sometimes we can't explain it. Why is this so? Its because we humans love to complicate things. Especially when trying to keep things simple. We end up over doing it and making it obvious. Sometimes its good to confront, at times bottle it up. We strive for the better, despite all the negative criticism and obstacles that comes our way. The feelings of achieving it later, can never be bought but only savouring the moment. Sometimes you wish you knew more but most times, we tend to feel we shouldn't know more than we already know, rather what people think we know. Advantage maybe, but would you prefer not knowing than to suffer? Id rather suffer, quietly. Observe..

we are all angels, you and I,
mean to some, but nice to another,
we lend our wings to those that cannot fly,
even if we are hypocrites,
judging before we know,
we fly when we want to,
bringing those we want, leaving others behind,
we choose who to love, who to hate,
we protect what is dear to us, and abuse everything else,
but most of all,
we angels battle,
we fight daily for what we believe in, gaining battle scars,
and wounding others..

This is what it means to be an angel, because we know we are not perfect. Just trying to make the best of the moment..

But never ever let the demons haunt you, for you will only be a fallen, wounded angel.

Rise my angel, for we shall soar the heavens together.. gracefully~

Sumimasen...

Finally, an update. Back in Japan. Tokyo this time round. AS predicted, a very lively but busy place. Winter is cold, but warm at home. Darn wind. And its rather expensive..

First weekend was spent in Nikko. Visited the Toshogu Shrine, then Kegon Falls, Cheuzen-ji lake and finally the Yamoto Onsen where we failed to find monkeys in the onsens. But we did see monkeys. Very amusing. The snow and ice, beautiful combination. Still wished I have a decent camera mated with a good lens to play around with..

Not sure what lies ahead, but its job hunting priority now.. albeit the slight harsh coldness that provokes the aura of "unwelcome-ness"..

There is more to it than meets the eye...

Life in a DiGitaL age!~

Time in KL has passed by too quickly. It just seems that I just got here. Havent met all my friends, havent got everything I want or shop for.. so many things, so little time.. I'm in love for gadgets, especially pretty and unique ones... digital toys I wanna get:

1) HP Pavillion DV2715tx (verve imprint)
2) Canon 40D + lens
3) Razer Mouse n Mouse pad
4) Ipod (maybe...)

Decisions, decisions.. cant wait to get my own place..

Balik Kampung!~

Has it ended? It just felt surreal. I WAS in Italy.. wished I had more!. Always have seconds.. :D Anyways coming back here feels good, although hot, humid and busy.. We moved up last time I was here from the 7th to the 31st. Can see more of the city now. Makes me miss my garden tho.. lying and rolling in the grass, drinking what ever I fancy, cooking or BBQ'ing. Ahh NZ life. But thigns have changed, I feel the urge to get out and do something about my life. I know, I should start working soon, once I get everything sorted. My aim: UK!.. for a lot of reasons.

Meanwhile, I have every right to shop now, to regain what is lost, and start anew. New clothes, new image perhaps, new accessories (if any), shoes bags, gadgets etc etc.. even with new views in life. But above all that, I am the same old. Doing things to make me better. And doing things to make my dreams a reality..

You coming?

Ciao!~

In less than 48 hrs, I will leave this beautiful place. Albeit the bad start, it has made up for it. It certainly made and impact on me and how I would view things from now on, my philosophies. Whether things that happen with me, or without. Life is like that, we go where it takes us. Like the old saying 'Go with the flow'. But somehow I'm not ready yet.. or perhaps I will return. So much things in me I need to pour.. but where? Another day, another entry!~

For now, Viva Italia. I can truly say Veni Vedi Vici! :D

Bueno Sera!~

The words that greet you as you enter boutiques along via Montenapolena(?) and via Della Spiga, Italy's most sacred fashion streets, not to mention expensive. Although sale is on now, yes Milan, but I did not really find anything I wanted. When I did, no sizes.. what luck. All the luxurious brands you can think of.. And I'm leaving Milan empty handed, apart from bitter sweet memories. Plus lousy trip planning, wrong day in the wrong place. Recall my days in Florence.. beautiful but could have done more. There are, however, beautiful parts of the city itself. The "Duomo", and a church not far from the Piazza that houses the famous last supper painting. I was very intrigued by Milan's captivating beauty. The buildings, the history, the people, and the fashion... Still wished I got something tho..

fear not, I have another 4-ish days in Italy. Rest assured I wont be empty handed..

Quote of the day: Life is too short.. savor each moment, even by yourself.. Best things in life come unexpectedly (will have an entry about this one day I hope.. :S)..

mood: sick of pasta.. and feeling forgotten~

Link: Milan, Italy

Milano!~

Home of luxury shopping and fashion. Well not quite there yet.. staying in a own outside Milan, called Bergamo. 40k's to the east of Milan. 2 nights.. wish I was in Milan itself. Wonder how would Milan treat me tomorrow?!~ hmmm...

Album of the day: One Republic

Meeting Casanova, the Phantom, Juliet, Romeo, El Capitan.... gorgeous italian flair!~

From the beauty of Tuscany, Firenze.. then the captivating sight of Venezia. beauty I can only imagine before I got here. Seen in books, admired in films, heard by many. But alas, with my own two feet, I breathe the lustrous venitian air. 2days is definately not enough. Home to the gondola, water buses and taxi's and gorgeous Murano glass and venitian mask. It was like a dream.. although reserving that romantic punting atmosphere for that special moment. The food, the people, the island, the love, is worth every breath. Venizia, I bid farewell but I shall return my love.. I shall return..

Link: Venice, Italy

Ah, also not forgetting my visit to Maranello, home of the prancing horse :D Its like Mecca to me..

Carpe Diem!~

An evening walk in Florence, full of people, full of life, despite the shops closed on new years day is indeed an amazing feat. Its that romantic place everyone has been talking about, it was just near perfect as I gaze down the Arno river, looking through the scenes on Ponte Vecchio, with sweet guitar music on the background.. Italian style.. would have been perfect if I had my someone to savor the moment with.. Thus as the sun set, into streets lighted up with Christmas lights.. no shops open apart from cafes` and gelaterias.. that was my first day of the new dawn.

Ah.. Firenze, I shall return. Maybe not in the cold winter.. Tomorrow Venice..

Finally, I took that step and joined facebook. Yes I'm a facebook virgin no more... Add me @ ronald.adrian@gmail.com

Resolutions...

Usually new year resolutions are made before the year. As for me its ongoing. Adapting to change, evolving through experiences. But what I aim for will mostly be the same, getting there is another question. So far what I have established:

1) Get a Job
2) Expand social circle
3) Have more passion in what I do
4) Be more focused, mature and directed in life
5) Only start something that I know I will follow through
6) Have more patience
7) Listen more, and never to act by judgment of emotions
8) "Delete" bad traits, build on better and good traits
9) Be that better person

Despite all these new year resolutions, one thing that will never change, is me. I am who I am. Same old character, but improved and better. I believe everything in life happens for a reason. So will I not only celebrate it, but cherish every moment of it. Do what I have never done before, see things I have never seen, explore and taste this beauty we have around us, thats life. Thats how we justify ourselves and the things we do. We do it because we want to, because we feel like it, not because we can or not or because everyone is doing it. Through the years, thats what I have been thought, and I have someone dear to me to thank for, all though it took me a while to realise it and never seem to show. You are that zest and spice in my life. Thats where I want to be..

More to come :D

Goodbye 07..

Happy New Year!
May 2008 grant you what you are seeking for
and bring your dreams into reality!

-= Insert Smile Here =-

Ciao,
Ronald Adrian