tanjoubi omedetou

I forgot to mention one thing.

It's Bryan's birthday today/yesterday?

Let's all wish him a very Happy Birthday everyone!

*Big hugs for Bryan*

Pimped

Went for my last 3 lessons with Kyogo today...I will miss him!

After class, a pimp tried to pick me up while I was walking to the train station tonight hahaha...
I found it quite amusing hee...he asked questions like "where are you going?" and "heading home
" and a whole bunch of other sentences I did not understand =P. I couldn't help it at first and smiled to myself and he actually picked up on that and said "oh you smiled, can we talk a little?" I just walked really fast through the street...and he gave up.

Interesting incidents in Japan!

ok that's all for tonight, my back hurts from all the back arches Kyogo did.

4 more days.....

P.S. Kyogo is darn phreaking hot!!

Photos from Osaka part 3

Dinner with Bryan's friends' Meku and Reina at a DIY Takoyaki place.
Yes we get to make the Takoyaki balls ourselves...


Bryan oiling the hot plates.
( I rotated and saved already but it still uploads sideways...)

Flat takoyaki ingredients into unsightly takoyaki balls!
We now know we will never make it as takoyaki chefs!

Unsightly shapes but simply delicious! Happy faces after a yummy dinner.
The curry and cheese takoyaki were oishiiiiii....

Photos with instructors and dancers

Kato from D'oam

Sakitch from D'oam (left) Take from W.C.O/JIG (right)

Nori from Nasty (beside me in left picture)
Tom (posing very cutely behind us in right picture)

I don't want to go back Singapore!!!!!!
But I do miss chicken rice and durians....=PP

5 more days.

Time

So much choreography to remember, so many basic techniques to work on, so little time.
So much inspiration here, so much motivation.

Time passes so quickly.

I just wish I were here a little longer.....

Nan de??

Have you been checking back often to find out what "Village" is?

Wait no longer, Village is a gay club!

We had a spur of the moment feeling that night after dance class to go take a look at the event held there that night. It was an end of summer kinda festival event held by the club and it featured drag shows and underwear shows haha. So, after class, we crept up to the club to get tickets and headed out for a quick dinner at Hep five. I use the word crept because the "Village" is located just next to our dance studio and there were still quite a few dancers hanging around outside the studio area. Bryan and I felt a little weird having to walk past them hahaha.

So after dinner, we headed back to the club and there were still dancers outside the studio. A few of them recognised us and we greeted them before trying to make a quick and brief entrance to the club. At that point, I think the dancers turned to watch us go up to the club and i think i heard one of them exclaim "nan de??" meaning WHATT?? After that, we both got really worried about meeting those dancers again during classes but what the hell right? we already paid for the tickets!

I was feeling a little wrong being there at the start because hey I like guys and yet I can't pick up or get picked up by a guy there hhahah. It's like putting a piece of cake in front of me and telling me I cannot eat it! But the drag show was insanely hilarious and very entertaining! Very ugly drag queens but very professional performers haha.

The underwear show was next and hmmm ok la, the underwear was not too bad, the models so-so and seeing men ogling at men in underwear was a very hmmm "interesting" experience for me. It wasn't as entertaining as the drag show though.

Words cannot describe the performances I saw, and sadly, I did not bring my camera that day. I only have a few photos on my phone and a short video of one of the drag performers spoofing Boa. Will try to upload when I return to Singapore.

It was a very interesting and entertaining night and the people there were generally fun, relaxed and easy-going, just that yeah like i said earlier, "putting a cake in front of me and telling me i cannot eat it". There were a few cute guys around even!!

I think my hopes of finding a Japanese Boyfriend are dropping by the day!! hahaha....dang! Well, Bryan did have a good time on the dancefloor though. The DJ was female and phreaking good!

And counting down, 7 days left!

"Village"

We went to "Village" tonight.

Stay tuned to find out what "Village" is and the exciting performance we experienced there.

Am tired, going to sleep first!
=P

"Zero"

We went to watch a dance showcase performance at Namba Hatch today. The place was really cool, like a mini auditorium in the city. First level is just flooring and you can sit or stand anywhere you like, gives a very street feeling which is very appropriate for the dance showcase atmosphere.

The event was called "Zero" and it featured 25 of Japan's more well known dance crews and special guest performers from Osaka and Tokyo. Some of the performers included D'oam, Electric trouble, Exze, Outset, JIG, Hilty & Bosch, Gallager, Teddy Dan, Go Go Brothers and Yoshie.

The event lasted about 4 hours and I set there amazed throughout. There was an all female popping group which actually made me feel tempted to learn popping. Exze was pure power and energy while Electric trouble did a more lyrical hiphop piece. D'oam's item felt very carefree and groovy and even though they all had their own dance styles, the 4 of them complimented each other really well.

I enjoyed myself thoroughly today and I am now inspired to dance harder than ever. Sometimes I feel so small and insignificant and I have no idea how much I have improved on this trip yet but I know I have picked up, seen and gained new exposure and to build on this, I will continue to train hard if not harder than ever.

Cheers!

P.S. I have more photos, I'm just lazy to upload.

P.S.S. 9 more days to learn as much as I can and shop as much as I can and EAT as much as I can!

Bad class

I had a really really bad class today!

I sucked big time. I sucked completely and utterly.

I felt like a child thrown into deep waters without first learning how to swim.

The most frustrating thing was that I knew I could do the steps, yet I clamped up mentally because of stress and lack of confidence.

What I learned out of this experience?

I need to build up on confidence, performance and strength of mind.

Hair Braids and naked men

I am very very very tempted to go braid my hair like the picture above.
Should I?
Would it be too outrageous for Singapore?
It's rather expensive but still cheaper in Japan than if I do it in Singapore, I'm just wondering if I can maintain it haha.
It's a bloody cool hairstyle though.
Should I???
Any comments, friends?

Just some quick photo updates, the above picture was taken when we went to tennoji to have dinner. Street buskers with a whole lot of talent. The vocalist has an amazing voice. The song plus the night view of tennoji was really very enjoyable.

We went back to Suma beach on Sunday for the sun, the sand, the sea and uber hot beach boys. They have little shops that rent out parasols and floats. Bryan and I got 2 floats and jumped into the sea like 2 little kids! =P The sea was amazing cooling on a hot summer's day!

Bryan looking all cool.

Bryan taking a cat-nap under our rented parasol and on our rented floats.
Still cool?

We spotted 2 naked men walking on the beach hahah. Everyone was just staring and laughing and not doing much to actually stop them.
The guy would just walk with one hand covering his "ahhem" and at intervals, take his hand off!!
And that concludes tonight's interesting happenings from Japan.


P.S. If anyone's wondering, I only saw the backview. =P

Day out with Huishan

At Amerikamura. It's like our Heeren/FarEast area.
Popular with the youth of Japan.

Smiling for the camera while waiting for class.

After 4.5 hours of dance classes!
Tired but very satisfied!

$$$$

Just spent a bomb again on dvds at HMV.

Back at the hotel now and slacking in my room because we feel very broke after spending so much.

We have resolved not to go out so much anymore next week. If we can pull through next week without shopping, we'll be safe for the last week of our stay. Only then can I spend all my money! =P

Shall go enjoy the dvds I bought.

Ja ne!

Photos from Osaka

Bryan before perming his hair, in the adidas tee we bought for dirt cheap!

me and shidah on aqua liner while sight seeing osaka castle area.

See the similarities??

Osaka Castle top floor view. They have delicious ramen!!

Dessert while waiting for class...so fattening!!

kyoto golden shrine

Us slacking in my room. Check out Bryan's Third Eye!!!

Idol!!!!!!!!!!
We had dinner with our idol and a taiwanese dancer named "xiaoP" haha.

Osaka Photos, Week 1

Bryan and Rashidah looking kawaii for the camera. We had crepes at Umeda on our first day there.

Fireworks display at night and a picture of me in that expensive Yukata! This was the night we walked like 2 train stations distance to get the view the fireworks.

We met up with Huishan at Kobe. This is us at suma beach. You know, the beach with all the hot japanese boys and pretty japanese girls...

We set off at like 10am that day to meet huishan at 11am. We ended up taking the wrong train to the wrong destination and got lost! Finally managed to find our way and meet her at 1pm!! 3 hours late!! I felt so embarrassed. hahaha

Bryan hugging his pooh bear. We were shopping in Shinsaibashi when we came across this pooh bear in a "fishing" device, those machines where you put money in and you use a claw to pick up stuff toys and stuff. Anyway, we decided to try our luck at it and finally after spending 2500yen and some help from the shop attendant (he actually opened the machine and placed the pooh bear nearer to the drop hole for us, so nice), we managed to obtain this pooh bear for Bryan. We gave it to him for his 30th Aug birthday haha.

Rashidah and Ahmad have left Japan already. It's just me and Bryan left. We had a really enjoyable night out with Kato-san tonight after dance. I think Rashidah is going to be jealous because we had dinner and a nice long chat with Kato-san. Kato-san is one of the instructors we took class under and he is super cool!

(I'm sorry for the unrotated pictures. I haven't found out how to use the edit function on my mac hahaha.)

going to do laundry now.
Ja ne!

A week into Japan

Finally, I have internet access again! Updates! It's almost been a week since I arrived but it feels like I have been here 2 weeks already. I realise I am beginning to understand so much more of the language ever since I got here! Everyday is packed with activity and I swear I have not done so many things in a day like the past week. Try waking up at 9am in the morning and heading out wth a bag full of dance clothes and shoes, taking the train, grabbing a quick lunch, shopping along neverending streets, taking the train to dance place, dancing for 4-5 hours straight, rushing to catch the last train with all the shopping bags and dance stuff after grabbing a quick dinner,buying groceries on the way back to hotel and finally at 12am you reach your room and nothing beats this....you have to queue for the shower! hahahah

Well, I managed to do a little shopping. We shop everyday before dance! I swear the Japanese at the dance place must think we're super rich because we go there everyday with 2 bags minimum.

Food here tastes good everywhere! But. Their servings are huge and I have a small appetite. Bryan has been attempting to push me to finish up all my food each time! I hope I do not puke in his face hahahah....

Anyway, dance here is great.
Pluck any dancer off the street and they would probably be able to win top place in most competitions in Singapore I think. My opinion. They have kids as young as 7 taking classes and ALL of them can move! It just reminds me how untrained I am in techniques and body control. I shall work hard! It's phreaking tiring but it always feels good at the end of the day!


So....I am in the process of uploading my pictures. Might put some up la, I try ok? haha

Beachboys!

I went to Suma Beach today!!

It's exactly like how you see it in Jap Dramas!!!

I was in an euphoric state! More updates when I have the time!

Japan Exciting Day 1

Hello all...

This is me, typing from Japan. My apple macbook is not failing me and is steadily detecting wireless networks for me to access. I am so thankful for this application, I love you!

So I left for Japan at 1.10am this morning and I arrived at 8.35am Osaka time. Did not manage to get much sleep on the plane as I am a poor sleeper, got off a stop too early from our train and got a little lost, trying to find our hotel. Lugging around 20kg of luggage is no joke in Japan's summer! After finally locating the hotel, we checked in, met up with Ahmad and Rashidah and went off to Umeda for lunch and shopping. Had lunch at a small tempura shop and after that, Bryan just brought us around from place to place giving us a quick topography of the shops and that had us walking around quite a bit.

I managed to get 2 baggy adidas tee shirts for 20% off. The others bought similar tees as well.
We caught a brochure on fireworks display at some area in Osaka and decided on the spot to skip dance classes today and go see the fireworks instead. Bryan and I even succumbed to buying Yukatas (Summer Kimonos) to wear to the event! I'll leave you wondering how much they cost us!!

After we went back and quick changed in half an hour, we set of for Umeda again and joined the MASSES of japanese ladies and men all dressed in Yukatas on the walk to the fireworks display area. I can only say it felt like I walked a 10km marathon. It felt like a long walk that would never end!! But in the end, we managed to drag ourselves to the final point and were treated to a SUPER long and pretty display of fireworks. It went on for at least an hour!!

We left earlier because I was super tired and ended up taking a cab back to hotel =P

All in all, it was a super duper tiring yet exciting and vibrant 1st day in Osaka, Japan. With lack of sleep setting in, I got a bit cranky at the end but I think it was a really once in a lifetime experience to get to experience Fireworks during Summer in Japan and wearing a pretty Yukata to top it all off!! Will try to get pictures up when I can! Off to bed!

Signing off,
ZZ

Osaka e ikou!

All packed and ready to go!

msn, email to contact me: igiveuplah@hotmail.com
friends, I am still contactable via my 3G phone as well!

Have a good August!

I hate packing!

argh!

I am going mad packing my luggage!
I feel like I'm moving house! hahaha

How How How?
What to bring and What not to bring?!

Excited!

Ahmad and Rashidah have arrived in Osaka, Japan and they are having the time of their lives! I cannot cannot cannot wait to get there! Ahmad has already bought an entire set of clothes ( jeans, singlet, cardigan, belt and bling!) I have a feeling I will return bankrupt but I shall attempt to trick my mind into thinking otherwise! Well, two more days and I'll be living the life in Osaka! Wish me luck friends!

To anyone who reads this blog, you can still contact me via HP (3logy mah!) or email me at igiveuplah@hotmail.com ok! NO spam mail puhleese!

Will attempt to blog about my stay there if I can gain proper access to internet, keep your fingers crossed! I have installed Photoshop CS on my macbook so I can play around and present nicer photos for your viewing pleasure.

Here are some photos me, qira and cindy took when we went to St. James Peppermint Park to chill and some random photos of my dog sleeping like a PIG.

Peppermint Park, open air chill out bar. I only managed this dark photo on my Hp but there were swings and a barrel-like tube with cushions! very quaint!

Me,Qira and Cindy photo-whoring!
I love my "Little Miss Greedy" vintage tee!

And, Last but not least, Milo! I managed to take the first shot without him waking up and the second one as he stirred because of the flash! mwahaha so cute!