Why must the marital status be printed on the visa?? Sigh..

I will be flying off with 34 students and 2 colleagues to Tokyo for study trip. We will be visiting animation studios and schools in tokyo, as well as DISNEYLAND! But the best bit is, I can visit my FRIEND who is from one of the animation studios.

Well, I only managed visit a few attractions in Tokyo Disneyland previously. There were always long queues to rides and attractions. Even buying a hotdog took me 15 minutes to queue.:(

This picture was taken at Christmas day, Shirakaba ryokan. We went there for skiing. We had nothing better to do at night and so my japanese friends dressed me up like one of the pop stars and did her favourite pose. (In case you can’t find me, I am right in the middle with a weird hairstyle)

This trip is all about WORK, hence it is posted under WORK instead. It is going to be challenging handling 34 students in TOKYO. Hopefully they will behave, listen to instructions and remember them in heart. The last thing I want is to hunt for them in Tokyo. Sigh..

The weather has changed this year. It is still going to be as cold as 10°C in Tokyo this friday. I have learned my lesson from my Hong Kong trip last month. I underestimated the weather and was almost chilled to death.

These were what people wore..

And me Audrey Hepburn wanna-be…at 5°C. Well done..:(

Nonetheless, I look foward to a fruitful and enjoyable 9 days with my students and colleagues.

Posted under Travel , Work | [7] Comments 

Last month, I went to Hong Kong to attend my Brother’s wedding. He is one of the most important people I have met when I was studying in Perth.

During the first day of university orientation, both of us were placed in the same hotel by our school. I met him at the lobby in the morning while waiting for the van to pick us up.

I saw this guy awkwardly carrying lots of bag with him. And I was thinking to myself, “Gosh, we are only going for an orientation. Why on earth is he carrying almost all his belongings with him?”

So I politely asked him,”Erm, do you need help carrying those bags? Co’s I only have..er..a handbag?”

He politely rejected my offer with “half-past-six” English. Then I figured out that he was probably from Hong Kong.

My ‘Dai lou’ and ‘Dai sou’ (Brother and sister-in-law in Cantonese) The guy in the picture is his younger brother, whom his mom wanted to “match-make” me with.

So I spoke to him in Cantonese and he was very relieved. We became good friends after that. I helped him in the bank, looked for houses and took him places to eat. But what I didn’t know that, he had, in turn, helped me A LOT when I needed it the MOST. And since then, he has become my “Brother”

I remember vividly that one day, I was crying so badly (can’t remember what it was about) and I sat on the roof, waiting eagerly for him to come to my “rescue”. (My room was on the second floor and I can easily climb out my window to sit on the roof of the first storey). When I saw him from the bus stop opposite my house, I stood up and waved frantically that I almost fell off the roof.

At the airport – My last day in Perth. They came to send me off with chocolates and presents.

That was 6 years ago. 4 months ago, I received his invitation to his wedding in Hong Kong. Without hesitation, I knew I had to go to witness his most important day in his life.

From left: His parents, me, the couple, his youngest brother and my mom

When he gave a speech in his wedding, he specially thanked his “SISTER” who flew all the way from Singapore. He also asked me to stand and waved to the crowd. I was so touched that I almost choked with tears. *sniff*

He offered me a place to stay if I ever go back to Perth. “It is only 5-mins walk to your university, you know?”

Frankly, I am very tempted to go back to Perth. I miss Perth very much. I guess it is the people who have made the place a special and memorable one.

Mm…I suppose April is a good time to visit Perth – IT’S SPRING AUTUMN!! (thanks Rodney, as long as it is not winter nor summer, I am happy!)

Posted under Life documentaries , Travel | [4] Comments