Niseko Annupuri

The thing about going to Niseko from Hong Kong on CNY eve, it is MADNESS.

The whole airport was JAM PACK with people and it's almost like tons of people fleeing the country. I have never, never ever, seen the business line so freaking long like a normal pack economy line. Needless to say, it would have been mere impossible for me to check in in time. I had only given 2 hours excess to check in but the rate the line goes, I should have made allowances for 3 hours check in...

So instead, I turn to my left and saw the long but somewhat shorter first class Q. My honest husband was still searching for the end of the business Q but I dragged him to the first class Q instead. My reasoning, we dont have enough time. Apparently, we are not the only ones to do so, which somehow made me feel alittle better about "cheating".

My husband was obviously horrified by the snaking lines. He has NEVER travelled on a major holiday like CNY and XMas before, so he never had to experience the pain that I did before, hence always getting annoyed with me when I dont exactly jump up and down in joy when he suggested for me to fly on holidays. Previously, he always grumble about the fact that I want to skip town at least few days earlier before CNY eve or my complaints about having to fly to australia on xmas eve on my own (he would have headed home first since I didnt want to waste all my leave days in Sydney). FINALLY, this time, the chaos dawn on him the hassle of fighting with everyone else. I mocked him and asked "So how, next year?" He shook his head fervently and said "Never again. not on CNY. We will stay home and watch DVD." I laughed.

The flight to Niseko was full and filled with family packers. Thankfully for cathay gold card, I get to board and settle down first without having to stick around longer with the loads of people. (I will sooo freaking miss that card when it expires). I have never been in the same cabins with so many kids before. It was crazy, almost like stuck in a zoo with free roaming baboons and flustered noisy mother hens. Thank god for in flight entertainment...

We reached Niseko on time about 1.30pm but the immigration Q was horrendous. It was soooo long that the Q snaked all the way to the aircraft cabin. Yup. It was slow moving not to mention. So u can imagine those restless babies and kids in a confined place. Thank god for Ipod.

By the time we clear custom, it was about 3.45pm. Our bus wasnt due to depart till 4.30pm. I knew something was fishy when i received the itinerary and saw such a huge hour gap. The bus is about 2.5hrs away from our final destination, the ski fields.

There are 3 major ski area, namely Annupuri, Grand Hirafu, and Niseko Village (Hilton). I had opted for Annupuri even though Hirafu is the main area but I didnt want to contend with all the holiday crowd and noise. Which in the end of the trip, remains one of those decision that I am greatly thankful for and pleased with.

The night we arrived. The snow was falling quite a bit and everywhere is blanketed in snow. In the following days where the sun appeared, the thickness of it was slightly lessen (as u can see by the coverage of the snow on the car roof outside my room). Did I mention how blue the sky was when the sun came out to play in midweek?

(Day 1 in thick snow)

(Day 3: Sunny day, same spot, less snow)

Annupuri is a beautiful area, less rampaged by the major holiday makers. I personally found more Japanese here than Hirafu, and the whole area is so quiet and tranquil unlike Hirafu which is more like a vegas kinda thing, commercialised and filled with people. Here, we had a more community feel, accomodation in lodge form than hotels buildings.

I had stayed at Sekka Lodge Annupuri. I love it every minute of it. It's bright, neat, clean and remodelled. It feels more like I was staying in someone's house than in a hotel which is great! I found this accomodation by chance. I didnt want to pay through our noses for Hilton. So I pulled a whole nighter and found the website for this. The price was relatively reasonable and so I charged ahead since time was short and I didnt know how quickly vacancy fills up during this peak season. The price was inclusive of breakfast for two in the common dining area. And the best thing, it is 5mins walk away from the ski field and gondola chair lift! Superb!

Another advantage of staying here, they linked up with Niseko-fine ski company who not only charges lesser for their rental, they even deliver the boots and skis to the doorstep. I didnt have to go anywhere.


Takeda san who is the lodge care taker took very well care of us. If I have to rate the service, it would be 10/10 (that is if u are able to converse in Japanese.) He was so nice to let me use his computer too...heee hee.

The room was quiet, with a seperate living room and bedroom, with the bathroom in the middle acting as the divider. The whole place has been newly remodelled so many things are new. The only thing I didnt like was the shower area was not segregated, there was nothing to stop water flowing to the basin area and toilet bowl, hence the whole floor gets wet after I showered. Not good when u are waking in the middle of the night and need to pee with your pants down for the ladies.. Otherwise, the whole place is lovely! Especially the first few days there were no other guests, we had the whole place to ourselves!


The only problem i noticed was that all the places here take cash and not many places takes credit.

Directly opposite our lodge is 2 eating place. A japanese dine in, and a pizza place. I never tried the pizza place. Why eat pizza in Japan when I am not westerner? The Japanese diner is a small cosy family business (thank god they accept credit). In all the times I was there, I have only seen Japanese locals there and us being the only tourists. The menu is sub in English too but I think many tourists are not game in venturing our of their safe hut, so I noticed everyone took the bus to Hirafu for meals.

The Annupuri ski area is lovely. The ski pass is broken into 5hr, 8hr, 1 day etc. The 5hour is about 4800yen with 1000yen refunded when u return the key card. I personally love it much more than Hirafu ski field. For beginners especially, Hirafu ski slope can be a little tricky because the slopes are angled off in a way, and very much more crowded and packed. Even with school students on their annual ski trip, I found more space in Annupuri.

Between Annupuri and Hirafu is connected by several buses, the Niseko free pass bus or the red local bus. If you bus the Niseko day ski pass, the bus is free, otherwise, it is about 470yen per adult to hirafu. The bus is rather regular though u have to watch the timing because at times it takes about 40mins, at times an hour one way.

The Annupuri restaurant taste soooo much better than the crappy cafe at the base of the Hirafu Gondola. Price per meal per person range from 600yen to 1200yen depending on what u order. An average ramen cost about 800yen. However, the portion are big and most days, we order a meal to share.

The ski lessons in Annupuri are mainly in Japanese by local native instructors. If u need an english ski lesson, you are better off engaging one from Hirafu area such as from NAC. I didnt, i bravely stuck it out with my Japanese instructor from NASS and I think I did fine...not to mention I get bonus in learning skiing AND also Japanese lessons. haaaa haa :P

Plus half the time, it's watch and learn and getting the rythmn on your own. Kinda like learning to ride a bicycle. It's hard to explain to you. U simply need courage, and willingness to take the fall and eventually u will get it.

Surprisingly even though it is only my 2nd attempt at skiing after a 5 year break, I actually did alright and didnt fall the first few days, until the student beginners got in my way and I had a really bad fall. Still nursing my ugly bruise which runs longer than the length of my palm, and width of 3 fingers wide.

If I were to choose again between skiing in Zermatt and Niseko, I would pick Niseko anytime.
I have a lovely time there and in a way, I'm glad my India trip didnt materialise this time.

"New POSB branch concept"..is it really that new?

By Gabriel Chen (Straits times)
Extract
"The People's Bank, which has over 50 branches here, will launch 'new concept' branches at Rivervale Drive, Yishun Street 22, Eunos Crescent and Toa Payoh Lorong 1.

Conspicuously missing at the branches will be tellers at counters who help you with simple deposits and withdrawals. There will be machines to help you do just that.

For instance, one machine lets you deposit cash without your passbook or ATM card, while another lets you deposit cheques and issues you a receipt after that for your peace of mind.... "

Ahem. Finally. Singapore banks finally caught up with HK banks. Yep. It has already been done so dont feel too fancy pants about it.

I didnt even realise it is a new concept because HSBC banks here in Hong Kong have exactly that deposit machines that doesnt require ATM card or passbook, and able to issue receipt that has a SCANNED image of your check (U have option to display the scan image or not). I have been using for months.

In fact I am so impressed that the machine was able to recognise the exact numbers on the cheque and ensure there is no disparity in the banked in sum written vs the amount you manually entered into the machine. My partner was also impressed by the text/ numbers recognition. During the process, U can also create a code to label this transaction and this is displayed in your paper statement later as well. And oh yes Singapore banks, my name is printed on the receipt too so that it clearly tells me where my money was deposited too, an added layer of "security" that my bank number was entered correctedly. The whole process takes about less than 3 mins (if you know what you are doing). Counter? What counter?

I do not know how long HSBC banks machines have been in operation since I only returned in July but suffice to say, they probably are three steps and eons head of Singapore (again).

Funny how when I was much younger and less travelled, I used to think we are the fastest, the best inventive nation who sought to be most efficient.... now, having lived away, I constantly wonder why are our nation always so slow, so inadept in adopting the best practices which has been done in other nations. Considering the significantly SMALLER size and population, you would think it is easier for us to adopt it quickly and leap with greater spring... I wonder what is weighing us down?

Akai Ito Episode 07 Review

Finally caught up with Akai Ito Summary for episode 07. It was so nice to be able to watch the drama on TV proper in Japan for a change. For summary and video, here it is!

Back from Niseko

I'm back.....finally.

It's always with great anticipation bebfore I leave and with much reluntance each time my trip to Japan comes to an end. 7-8 days flew past before I knew it.

The weather had been real good in Niseko, plenty of powder snow, and good consistent snow fall except for one day where the visibility got really bad and one can barely see 5 steps ahead. That wasnt too fun when you are at the halfway up the snow mountain and everything is blanketed in white, and U cannot see the sharp steep slope for a novice skiier like me. However it was absolutely thrilling for a thrill seeker like me, zipping down the slope with no care, and the wind and snow in your face....

The food in Hokkaido was excellent. I mean honestly, what can i complain about with their fresh sea produce, buttery marble-like beef and especially their fatty tuna that literally melts in your mouth with a fresh butter like taste.

One thing is for sure. The ability to speak Japanese even if terribly structured did me much favors this trip, otherwise it would not be half the fun. Language is such a beautiful thing, it does wonders to relationship bondings.

The place I stayed which is Sekka Lodge doesnt have any staff who speaks fluent English (I didnt realise till I arrived) and so, of course my dear husband completely and happily relied on me the whole trip to make all arrangements. I didnt mind too much since it was a chance to practise my Jap. However, even if one doesnt speak the language, it doesnt matter because one doesnt need to talk much and all the maps are pretty self sufficient. It just helped me because I wanted ski lessons, plus I needed to see a doctor one day because I had a rash allergy on my face. Stupid sunscreen. Organic my arse....

Another thing, I personally think we are very very lucky because the guy who lives and work at the lodge is a very very very very helpful and sweet Oji-sama. He was utterly relieved when he realised he could just stick to Japanese with me and so things were much more convenient for us because we could understand each other.

Well, more about the trip and my stay later.
For now, let me lick my "battle wounds" from the ski fields and download the pictures to share later.

I love Niseko!

hello from Niseko

Here I am, surrounded by tons and tons of fresh white snow in Niseko....

Had 2 full days of ski now and it was an absolute blast!!!! Life couldnt be better!!!!!!

The temp went down to minus 10degrees and while skiing, fresh snow just falls every half hour of so, so the ground is piled with powder snow that is absolutely the best ideal condition. Surprisingly, I did rem how to ski despite havent done it since 5 years ago. I guess its kinda like bicycle riding.... I still have problem controlling my speed but at least I havent fallen once in the easy slope. 

Was ambitious and tried the intermediate ski slope today and went had a few tumbles coz i couldnt break fast enough. My ankle is alittle sore and I hope I didnt twist it...otherwise I will be in a fix for the next 4 days.... my arms are aching a little by otherwise, my body is coping well. My face turned really red and looks abit funny under white light now because its seemed puffy. strange and hope it goes down soon.... I had a Japanese ski sensei for 2 hours today and he doesnt speak a word of english ... neither does the person at my hotel...so I had to squeeze every single brain cell to survive and well..thankfully coping alright though it takes me ages to form a sentence. Talk about being thrown into deep end of the pool.... if I stay any longer, my japanese will get better I am sure, even though the Japanese people said my language skills is good/ understandable, i think they are just being polite! 

The food here is average. Not cheap but at least it is still tasty. Tomorrow am going to try night skiing. Hopefully my ankle holds up!

well that;s all for now. bye bye from niseko annupuri! 

Boys Before Flower OST (Korean)

If you like Korean songs, you will probably like the new Korean drama OST for Boys Before Flowers.... there are several good songs in it. (download) .

My fav being track 2 from SS501, one of the hottest korean boy band now. Incidentally one of the band member is also acting as Hanazawa Rui in Korean's version of F4. I think he is the BEST version of Rui ever!!!!

First haircut in HK with a Japanese stylist

Despite having spent such a substantial time in HK, I have never ever had a hair cut here before in the past.

Reason being, I am such a cheapskate...I didnt want to pay such a large difference in hair cut price.

Just cut and blow alone, I can get a very good hair cut @ REDS in town for about SG$40 (HK$120) for an experienced stylist vs average HK$400 (SG$80) for their junior stylist in HK salon. So explain to me, how can I bear to pay double the price just for keeping my hair neat? Come on, its just hair right? I'm not a model or going for some fashion show, so I will never want to fork more than necessary for a hair cut. Treatment to hydrate the hair maybe, but never a cut. So in the past, I have stubbornly kept my hair long and wait till a return trip home to get it trimmed.

However, seeing that I wont be making a trip back to SG any time soon, I decide to relent and try out a salon here. Yet, I still refuse to pay HK$400, and adding one more condition, I rather choose a Japanese Hair stylist. Why? Well simple, have you seen a bad haircut on a Japanese lady (excluding those who deliberately have it "mangled") ? No right? So I presume Japanese stylist must be relatively proficient. So I googled.....there is sooooooo little information out there but finally I found one in causeway bay!!!

I chanced upon this salon called Hair-do. It is a franchaise brand from Japan (http://www.hair-do.co.jp/). I am assuming the Japanese stylist in HK comes from the main salon in Japan as well. Hairdo has 3 salon in HK and the only country they venture out of Japan it seems. The one I tried is located at Soundwill Plaza (location)at Russel street, with Japanese hair stylist Asami. (Random choice). The price is also within my acceptance level. HK$320 for normal stylist and HK$390 for Top stylist.

So today I went to get my hair trimmed. I didnt want to do too much since I am going to ski this coming week and I need to bun up my hair when wear my ski cap and mask. The whole experience is pretty different from that in Singapore.

After feeling my hair and looking at it, and affirming I just want a simple cut, she started to trim off the excess bit by bit. I cannot describe it but its just different from the ones in singapore where they seem to "fly thru" the process. Here, I observe every hair stylist takes each cut careful constantly measuring the balance on each side. Then they have a washer boy as well. As they do in japan, they have a seperate towel for leg and upper body, and they will cover your face (eye area) with a white soft towel (to protect from splashing).

I have never had such gentle wash in a salon. It isnt weak, it is gentle. For once, I didnt have to tell the washer person not to scrib so hard, or tug my hair. My hair felt "loved". Silly i know. I even had a warm towel place under my neck as I lay there... felt so shiok.

Then after the hair treatment ( it was on 30% discount from HK$530, so I gave it a try) which made my hair really soft and smell goregous, the washer guy spray some stuff on my head and it was time for massage! So he started with the temple, the head and proceed to the neck and upper shoulder. I was thinking, wow! massage!

When he was done, here comes the difference. Unlike in singapore where it is always the washer boy/girl doing the hair dry, here, the hair stylist would blow dry my hair. As she dry it, she observe how the hair fall and finally when it was dry, she further trim it to finish the cut. It makes sense for stylist to blow dry since she/he is the person who knows what the final look should be.

As I was looking around, I saw this top stylist guy doing the hair for this Japanese girl. My god, her hair was beautifully cut and curled to perfection! I have never seen a long hair cut and curled so gorgeously! It was truly what u see on those Japanese artists. I was very very impressed!

When I was paying the bill, I was given 10% off my hair cut so it came to about HK$288. I was also given a set of week's worth of treatement tube for continuing home care for the treatment session i had. Cool! I wasnt sure why there was a discount on the hair cut, maybe because under referrer I indicated their Japan website? I was also give some discount coupons for next visists, and some namecard to recommend to other friends that comes with 10% discount as well.

All in all a very statisfying experience for my first haircut in HK. The good thing too about Japanese hair stylist, they dont attempt to talk to me. So for once, I get a very peaceful session where I am not obliged to talk and talk. Instead, I was more intent in looking at all the different hair stylists at work. Most of the stylist there are very young. Even the top stylist isnt very old, maybe about early 40yr+? The rest of the crew look about mid 20s++, all very hip and easy on the eye, decked in Japanese style hairdo.

The HK hair stylist next to me of course will chat with their client. I think its some chinese thing that is suppose to cultivate relattionship i guess. I hate it though. I hate having to chat when I am cutting my hair. Nothing against the hair stylist, I like my stylist. I just prefer to space out and relax than make small talk...bordering on the verge of gossip.

Well guess that's it. Just thought I would write my experience in and about a Japanese salon in HK since there are so little info about it.

Update Oct 2011: My fav Japanese hair stylist have left Hairdo and opened his own. check here for adress and phone contact, as well as updated photos of my permed hair by Ito san

Akai Ito 05 Review

Yeah!!! Akai Ito Episode 5 is out!! The suspense is building up!!

Akai Ito Episode 5 Summary

The story begins with a time rewind back to 6 years ago.Young Nishino declined to play softball with his friends so that he can head home early as his mum has promised to make hamburger for him. However .... (read more and watch video)

"Two" much of everything...?

It's always 2 maids, 2 cars, 2 dogs and at times 2 kids.
Hong Kong people has this affinity for "two".

Is it some sort of competition or status thing that many households which can afford maid in Hong Kong, always seem to have 2 maids? This is especially true for those families with kids. Apparently I learnt, one maid is dedicated to caring for the kid(s), while the other is solely for household chores. I'm not sure who get to walk the dogs...

Why does one need so many maids in a small 3 bedroom apartment is beyond me. Half the time those who have 2 maids doesnt even have a working mum. Bizarre. On the other hand, 2 cars are great because that mean additional income for me as I rent out my parking lot.

During evening time as I head to the supermarket, I spot those maids whom are suppose to walk the dogs. The sight that greets me is a whole bunch of Filippinos gathering at one spot in the walkway, chatting and laughing away happily, while the poor leashed dogs could only either sit, stand or venture within the radius their leash allow them to.

It's a daily thing I see. The same maids, the same poor dogs, the same spot.

So if you ever entrust your maid to do the "Walking", I would sugguest you either spot check them ocassionally, or do the dog walking yourself since the stroll would do your health some benefit anycase. Why bother to have a dog if you dont do anything of those things that comes as a responsibilities of a dog owner is beyond me...

Dentist..what an "eye-ful"

My life is often a magnet of "incredulous" freak incidents that makes myself laugh, if not others. Something as simple as a trip to the dentist can evolve into a story to be blogged...

The sensitivity in my teeth area on the left has heightened in the early 2 weeks of Jan. I wasnt too sure why except I suddenly experience mild gum bleeding. Upon closer inspection and "poking" with my finger, I noticed that one particular upper molar has exposed dentine due to receding gum line and hence causing me the mild discomfort during brushing. Wanting a professional to take a closer look at it, I booked myself an appointment with dentist. Yes, I belong to the strange category where I have absolutely no fear or squirmish about seeing a dentist. I quite fancy the thought of someone cleaning and scalding the plague in between the teeth actually and reduce the staining from regular tea consumption.

Dental care in Hong Kong is very very expensive. A normal routine care in Singapore averages about $75 or more (depending on where you go, i go to NTUC dentist). In Hong Kong, my recent visit cost me a whopping HK$1000 (about SG$200). However that is not my main story.

What was really funny was how I went to the dentist to get my sensitivity checked, and ended up teary with blood-shot eye. That wasn't the way I had anticipated, having one pain over-riding the other :)

You see, the dentist was ok, but his nurse aid was terrible. She is a Flippino but inexperience from the way she fumble around. Even when the dentist was taking teeth x-ray for both sides, he had to tell her "COME ON, what u doing, where is the other film?" Apparently, she just passed him film and forgot the other and stood there dreaming.

The diagonsis is that my teeth are in perfect condition. My dentist is an Australian. One look and he guessed correctly I must be from singapore because he shared that back in the early years in 70s -80s, Singapore govt copied the New Zealand Dental care. So in primary school, we had nurses to inspect and fill our molar to prevent cavitiies. I think what surprised me was more like how our govt back then already took such initiatives from overseas to care for our oral health, than letting them rot. I rem having to visit school dentist at least once a year till I finished high school. The slip of white card from the nurse was like time off from class. My fav times.

Anycase, he said judging from my oral condition, I was told I am prob one of the unfortunate few who probably didnt need those silver filling that makes it look really hideous but they were there to be preventive measures.

As he progressed to polish my teeth, the nurse was fumbling around holding the suction tubing in my mouth. She must be bloody daydreaming because she clashed with the dentist's polishing instrument and the water spray, resulting in minute grain of polish landing into my right eye! Oh fuck that hurts!

I immediately sat up, much to the surprise of the dentist. I couldnt blink nor open my eye as the grain was in the eye. I couldnt yell or talk because my mouth was still halfway in progress with the washing stuff. I spit it out and reach for the cup, which was left EMPTY because the dumb nurse didnt bother to fill it up for me to gargle. I had to gesture madly for her before the slow witted one still did not realise. I pointed to the sink on my left divided by the cup holder (and the tap), gesturing i need to wash my eye. The right hand side was block by my dentist and the instruments.

I couldnt really talk because the grainy stuff was in my mouth and i didnt want to risk swallowing. The not very bright nurse noticed I wanted the sink but she just stood there like a moron and not making any effort to make way for me. I pointed to my eye and the sink and she went repeating thrice "oh she wanted water!" but she did NOTHING. I wanted to murder her.

The dentist of course asked what happened? I got fed up of waiting and yelled "MY EYEEEEEEEE!!!" , shoved the cup divider thing and the useless nurse out of the way, jumping off the chair and headed straight for the sink to wash my eye with the tap.

When I was finally done, I could finally explain the washing stuff splashed into my eye. The dentish was concerned of course saying such a thing had never happened before. When I settled back into my seat, he insisted on taking a look at my eye. So 2 nurses (the older nurse came in hearing all teh commotion) and the dentist crowded near into my face with the bright shining light beaming into my eyes as well. It reminded me of X-FILES really, when the aliens want to dissect me....

I stretched out my hand to block the light from my eye. The slow witted nurse moved the light and the dentist snapped at her "I NEED THE LIGHT TO SEE!" before she moved it back in position.

So my ordeal continues, with the dentist proclaiming there are tissues caught under my lower eye lid (used to dry my eye earlier after rinishing the grain out). He insisted we must removed them even though I feel no discomfort. So the more experienced and older Filippino nurse decided to use a cotton bud to wipe it while the dentist forces my eye to remain open. GOD its awful!!!

My eye was pierced by the bright light, and dry from the air, and someone poling at it to rid the tissue. I was thrashing quite a bit and screamed "OUCH OUCH.. my eye, MY EYE!!!!!" Suddenly I laughed too because the whole scene was too ridiculous and funny. I said to the dentist "Would I be scaring your other patients away?" haaa" He said not to worry, my eye ordeal continues....

After several minutes and prob 5-6 attempts, when I shouted "Its enough stop!!!" The nurse exclaimed "I got it!!!" WHat a relief.

When the brushing was completed, I went outside to make my payment. The dentist came out and asked if I was really alright. I told him I was fine before heading to the loo to check out my poor eye. Funny how my teeth doesnt hurt but my eye is tearing....

The mirror reflection shows a poor right eye to be blood shot of course. Otherwise its fine. When I return, the dentist asked me again if everything was fine. I replied "I feel like a rabbit now" (refering to my pink eye) The dentist broke into a laugh and went back to his work. The slow witted nurse laughed too but then before I stepped out, asked me "Why a rabbit?" If she doesnt get it, so what on earth was she laughing earlier?

I just smiled and left without elaboration, saving my last breath for myself....

Doctors order... OFF the PC!

Sigh, have finally succumb to the winter bug. What make matters worse is I have got an inflammatory at my neck area, resulting chronic neck ache. The C6 nerve got affected and so my elbow been feeling funny. Had to see a doc, whose specif order is for me to "STAY OFF THE COMPUTER." Apparently the lack of motion is the main culprit....

I feel so miserable......

Akai Ito Ep4 Review

Akai Ito Episode 4 Summary

The episode starts with time rewind back to a 2nd year Sara, at how she lost her mobile phone outside Riku Takashi's ramen store. She was running away from her taunters from the same school. She tripped over the signboard and dropped her mobile.

At the same time, the scene goes back to the shopping mall where Mei was helping her crush to buy the birthday present for her sister....

(Read More and watch video)

Cutting MY "Q" is NOT acceptable

I "scared" someone "shitless" today in Citysuper - so I was told.

The scene starts with us being @ Citysuper in Times, wanting to grab some lamb rack for dinner. The crowd before the meat display wasnt crowded and so we were the only ones to stand in front of the lamb section.

What is important to emphasize here is my relative distance from the display glass. I wasnt sticking my body onto the glass because I didnt want to obsure other potential customers from viewing the meat labels, but maybe I was about one step back so that I wasnt too far off to try to grab some staff's attention to serve me.

Just seconds into our arrival, while I was still looking at the meat display, this Chinese woman, shorter than me by half a head came from my left. Initially she bent, moved her upper body forward and inched before mine without a word, with her feet still planted on ground to the left of me. Thinking she wanted to have a better view of the meat label, I didnt pay much attention since I was sure she had enough room to stick her head before me. What I didnt anticipate was that she decided to step forward (and onto the toes of my boots), and MOVED HER WHOLE BODY RIGHT BEFORE MINE, so that her body was literally plastered all over the display counter.

I wasnt seething with anger but I was truly annoyed/ miffed, and BOY when i am annoyed by bad manners, I am truly unapologetic to be forthright about it. Mainly because it wasnt even crowded to warrant that behaviour on her part and I was there first! She shouldnt abuse my consideration not to block the meat display, using it as a mean for her to get before me, pushing me out of her way.

So the minute she made herself comfortable, with her back right in my face and body literally, not to mention callously placing her order BEFORE ME, my words just spilled out of my mouth (in an what I considered was an even tone ) "You Juuuuuuussssst have to stand RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME, dont you?" (yeah, i really dragged out the word "just" for emphasis of her "crime"). I wasnt yelling but it was loud enough for the intended audience.

When the woman heard me, she turned around as if seeing me for the FIRST time (like I was never there, liked my boot was some comfort floor rug). I gave her an icy look before looking past her and onto the meat. What happened next was alittle unexpected. She practically JUMPED OUT OF MY WAY and kept apologising profusely. I gave her a lame weak smile in return, before placing my order and ignoring her for the rest of the time. I mean what else do u expect me to say? I didnt feel like saying it was ok since it was not by my book.

Sensing she wasnt going to get a warm gushing smile from me, she scurried off to the other end of the meat display, steering well clear of my way like you would of a walking timebomb.

After she was gone, my partner started to chuckle saying "I almost felt sorry for her. I'm just glad I wasnt your target." However he agreed that if the woman had been in Australia, she would garner much worse verbal tell off, in a much louder voice that aims to embarrass. In their sober moments, Australians generally do not TOLERATE QUIELTY bad/ inconsiderate or offending behavior.

It was a little unfortunate that the woman caught the full brunt of my acidity, so much so that she panicked like a rabbit after I delivered my "loathing" sentiment across. Apparently, he said my abomination of her behaviour was delivered in such supremely sub-zero icy tone, dripping each word with acid-load of sacarsm that is almost deadright cutting.

Till this moment, I honestly didnt think I was mean or overboard. I wasnt screaming at her or being impolite. No no... one must still be civilised even if we are unhappy.

The good thing is, she did apologise profusely and that is RARE. Perhaps I should have given her a warmer smile, than the lofty one she received. My bad. Then again, I wasnt expecting a reaction. So my disdain just kicked in on its own. If u are in Hk, you would know half the time, these offenders normally just pretend that they didnt hear a thing.

Anycase, it was a good laugh for me.

Slow New book releases in HK stores

Went to Pageone at Times today, because I wanted to get the book "The Twelve Kingdoms - Vol 1 and 2" by Fuyumi Ono. Both volumes are released last year and the third installment is due this march. Singapore's Kinokuniya already stocked it for about SG$16.

Unfortunately, HK bookstores doesnt carry any of the title. Sigh. I kind of expected it because HK is always about 6 months to 1 year behind most developed countries when it come to new English book releases. WHy? I have no idea. Does the publisher not consider Hk as one of the primary market, or the buyer does not make good judgement, eitherway, we readers "lose" out.

I am suffering because being an avid book reader, alot of the English friction that HK carry now, I have mostly already read them at least a year back (I stockpile each trip back from Singapore). Their "new range" are often one year behind Sydney and Singapore. Some books that I have read, its not even in Hk yet. I just saw the Dymock new release pamphlet and some titles only coming end of the year - and its still hard cover edition. Sad huh.

Anycase, I asked Page one if they can order the book in for me.
They could if I want to wait 4-6 weeks.
Vol 1 will cost me HK$90, Vol 2 hardcover will cost me HK$170. The total will still cost lesser than if I order from Amazon which cost me US$45 all inclusive. I am still considering.... if I want to. To think the book only cost US$8+ in the states.

Sigh. I'm in 2 mind still....as to how desperate i want to read the book. This novel is the original source where the 12kingdom anime is adapted from which is never completed. The anime covered only 4 out of the 7 stories, and so I have always wanted to know how the story end. The animation is great, with an addictive fantasy storyboard. While the novel slightly differs based on reviews, I am still keen to follow the book. I just hope Tokyopop translated work doesnt stop!

EZ-link card REPLACEMENT BEGINS

Read this.... more hassle for me. Why couldnt they get the card right the first time. Do u notice how we often go one big round to try to be different from HK, but always end up copying/ emulating them and ended up using the same thing/ concept. Just get it right the first time for christ sake instead of trying to rush it out.

I rem HK Octopus card was in use way before EZLINK and so why didnt our people actually study the wide use of HK's model before plunging into our useless card is a mystery. Pride? Arrogant? Political? Whatever. Just dont tell me later another card change just to combine with Nets or whatever down the road. People, THINK before you ACT. Such simple concept, yet so hard to follow. Sigh

I want to laugh when I read this para from channelnewsasia Online where he said - "Imagine the possibilities..."

Quote: "Nicholas Lee, executive director, EZ Link, said: "Imagine the possibilities where you can develop schemes for cross-usage between public transport, ERP and parking. There can be incentives, discounts and rebates, where you can cross between modes to give consumers some preference to use our product."

Hello Caveman? Where have you been living? Timbatu?? Some remote caveland? Have you been to HK mister? If you want to give a marketing spin, for god sake, please be more creative that doesnt actually make u sound naive. Why do we need to imagine when there is a well working model for us to admire in HK? Granted they do not have ERP yet that aside, but hey, their wide diversifed use for Octopus card is renown and they are already giving rewards / point / rebates/ discounts system for the card when one shop or buy cinema tickets etc to. They allow their Octopus card for payment long ago. And topping up of card is sooo convenient that it can be done at any 7-11 store in split second, compared to our system of "die die top up at train station" if u didnt sign up for Giro (unless this practice has changed in recent years).

The HK octopus card is developed in Hk for max use and benefit for the population, it is not design to fit the limited "possibilities" provided by one company. Unless this chap has been so holed up in some countryclub instead of venturing outwards, you would know that SG is sorely lacking behind when it come to contacless card. His comment is just plain Funny to me.

Anycase, I visited the website and below is the official release for those interested. In case you go back and wonder why your card no longer works.....go get it change when u make your next trip back to SG.

Link: EZLINK card press release website

"MASS ez-link card REPLACEMENT BEGINSCurrent ez-link cardholders have 9 months to exchange their cards - from 9 January to 30 September 2009.

The one-for-one card replacement exercise will end in September 2009, when the current EIFS fare system will be discontinued. After September 2009, the old ez-link cards cannot be used for travel on public transit. However, cardholders may still get a refund on any remaining value in their old cards up to 12 years from the date the card is first encoded for use. "