Dinner at Grissini (HK)

Went out for Italian dinner today at Grissini@ Grand Hyatt Hotel. There was some Channelnews asia event at the hotel and many reporters were snapping away at all the big shots coming through the main lobby. Remembering my last personal experience in Budapest Four Seasons, where I was most unceremoniously shoved aside by Bill Clinton's body guard as old Bill was crossing path with me through the hotel's main door, I am not in a hurry to get in the way of another mob.

Frankly, dinner was quite a let down and disappointing. U can be sure that we wont be back in a hurry, or rather, won't consider going back.

The service is polite but relatively slow, inattentive and at times no service staff were in view for minutes. When asked about the base for a particular pasta item in the menu, the staff had no idea but she was polite enough to state she would find out and get back to me. Hmm.. not exactly great training if she wasnt even sure what goes into the pasta sauce, for an ITALIAN restaurant. Well at least the chef was nice enough to change the base for me.

Granted the view of the harbor was spectacular with the lights, laser show going off and tonight, shrouded by misty fog, it still didnt warrant the price nor the time wasted waiting for food to arrive. At one point, our plates for starters were sitting so long on our table that I had to wave and wave for some service staff to remove it. I had to like raise my hands 4-5 times before someone finally saw me, that is excluding the few minutes before trying to even LOOK for one service staff.

The bread stick was excellent, and probably the only decent thing for the whole dining experience.

My fried calamari starter while wasnt close to disaster, was pretty far from good. In fact, I couldnt quite understand how an expensive restaurant can ruin a simple dish by over salting it. What made it worse was the way it was presented, like bloody KFC chicken pops in a paper wrap, with greasy oil spot showing through the wrapper. The sauce was bland and absolutely worse combination to go with the food. The whole serving looked cheap, tasted cheap and they are charging me HK$160 for it. I could get a spectacular fried calamari in Sydney for half the price and twice the serving size.

My pasta fared slightly better though I didnt quite like the olives in my tomato base sauce. The linguine was cook right and scampi done right, but it was not something that tickled your imagination nor one's palette. I suddenly missed the fantastic pasta I had in Tokyo back in Nov. That was my last Italian meal.

My husband's choices fared much better. The mussels starter was reasonably good and so was the veal sirloin which was tender. Though again, I personally found it a little oversalted for the meat sauce. Not as bad as my calamari.

We waited ages for the choc pudding dessert till I had to wave for someone again to check on my order and it came prompto. Sigh. Again, not a dish that made me excited nor wow. I had more interesting facial expressions over a hawker fare than here, and I had more memorable food reviews of food at tasted at the backpacker alley in Ho Chi Ming than this.

So word of advice, skip this place even if u have cash to burn. There are much better options out there.

Watch Akai Ito Ep08

Ok for all those dying to watch Akai Ito Ep 08...hee heee.. I finally found a site that you can watch. Watch it quick before the site is forced to remove the video. Dont say I didnt remind you! To find out where...refer to my drama blog.

Conversation with my Filippino Helper

The thing about foreign helpers, they "scare" me to a certain degree.

Currently, I have a part-timer who comes in once a week to help with the ironing and some basic chores. Frankly, I dont really need her since I'm doing the main chores on my on throughout the week. However my husband who is used to having a helper prefered to have one coming in once a week to relieve me on weekends.

Well, I always believe in treating helpers right and respect them like you would to a friend. So even though she is a part timer by the hour, I didnt mind her taking time off to have her quick lunch -may it be noodles or bread on me. In return she is equally honest and diligent, and I can safely say we got along well.

Last sat, my helper for some reason started this conversation with me. She started off saying she enjoyed working with us, saying if there is no perfect boss then we are prob close to perfect. She shared that she looked forward to coming our place every sat because she get to laugh, listen to music (my ipod selections), and we never hover around her watchin her (No wonder I always thought she never want to leave our place early sticking around till eve). Then she started to tell me about her HK employer.

She is currently upset with her HK employer because the HK woman is trying to reject her maid's leave back to Philippines. Technically, the maid is entitled to go back for a month based on her accumulated leave. However her HK boss said that her brother just had a newborn and she wanted her maid to help with the new born, so the HK boss said she is "troubled" if the maid return home. I was astonished. How could the boss be so inconsiderate? The maid also have 4 daughters of her own and she hasnt seen them for a year, and she really wanted to go back for her daughter graduation. So I could sympathise with my helper.

While working, even in winter, she isnt allowed to use the hot water because her employer said the hot water may melt the water filter installed at the tap! I was like snorting in disbelief! Melt? Then she must be some HK cheapo to buy something cheap and nasty for a tap filter to melt! I mean tap filter are meant for BOTH HOT and COLD water stupid! She also had to hadwash all the clothes instead of using the washing machine because the HK owner said the washine machine is dirty. How ridiculous?! I was shaking my head. If the washing machine is dirty, go freaking get a new one!!!

Then my helper started to tell me how usually she is told she is disallowed to have breakfast until she finished teh designated chores, and she is also not allow to eat her dinner until all the chores are done. WTF?!! And the dinner is only instant noodles that's it, while the HK family eat their own stuff and told the maid not to touch anything from the fridge. No wonder I was wondering why my maid was so happy when i offered food before and she told me she was very touched. I felt like I am supporting some abandoned and mistreated home pet.

I can never understand some people. Why employ a maid if you cannot be decent enough to treat them right? Instant noodles everyday while you eat your fish and meat before her? What is worse is that my helper cannot let them find teh biscuits she bought or they would stop buying stuff for her assuming she can buy food herself with her own pay. I think it is so inhumane. Even if I am only listening to one sided story, I have a tendency to believe at least 70% is true.

Because the HK family also doesnt drink from tap water direct (since they are often discoloured and yellowish), the maid is suppose to fill the water container with the filtered water from the tap. My maid gleefully told me she deliberately filled it with pure tap water instead of filtered just to spite them. When it comes to laundry, she also deliberately misplace some socks and stuff just to piss off the old lady at home who apparently nag at her everyday. Everyday, she would call her other friends to complain and curse her boss in her own language,calling her bitch, asshole etc etc....I laughed at her description (because I am also not the victim) and told my helper she is sooo bad! My helper looked at me seriously and asked me if i really thought so.

I told her it is not my place to comment since I do not live together, and living together often have conflict and frictions and so its easy to get angry. I did tell her that she shouldnt though unless they really torture her or abuse her rights.

That eve, I told my husband, it is scary to have a live in maid. I am "scared" because you really do not know what they can do to you if you piss them off too much. Which is why we are to date, no keen of ever entertaining the thought of having a live in maid.

I'm just thankful I havent done anything to piss her off!

Akai Ito Episode 08 Review

OMG. I just finished watching Akai Ito Epsiode 8. It is one of the best and saddest episode to date.... I felt sooo sorry for Taka and Mei.

Read Akai Ito Ep08 synopsis here.

Em's birthday

Yesterday was one of those days, where almost everything went perfectly. It was also Em's birthday, the first that I got to celebrate with her. It's one of those things on my "must do" thing since I missed the previous one while living in Sydney.

So come this year, I am glad to have a chance to do so for couple of reasons, mainly being that she was the first to extend a warm hand of friendship when I first arrived cluelessly in Hong Kong few years back. With that, came along a bunch of friends who gave me much infinitely happy moments and laughters. Even when I was living away, getting her calls were always a highlight, especially precious since I know she doesnt earn alot. U just know when u meet those people whom u know u want to keep as friends for life and those people u thanked for during Thanksgiving day.

Since her boyfriend couldnt take leave off for the day, I gladly took her out for lunch and treat to Japanese movie "Ponyo on the cliff by the sea" till it was time to pass the baton back to her man. It must be her birthday luck because everything went so smoothly that day from timely buses, to getting a slot at a popular Jap restaurant at peak lunch hour.

Lunch was really good at Tonkichi at World Trade Center. It was my first time there and I was pretty impressed by the serving and attentive service. Em was especially happy coz she had always wanted to try the place but never had a chance to.

I'm glad we had fun, even more so that I made someone else really happy.

Movie: Cape No. 7 (海角七号) OST

Just finished watching the new VCD i bought - Cape No. 7 (海角七号). My interest arouse solely from the fact they had won so many acolades and so I thought I should check it out.

True to its review, the movie is surprisingly good for a Taiwan production. The story weaved through several characters, interconnected by a series of 7 letters, written by a Japanese man to his lost Taiwanese love Tomoko somewhere 60years ago. The address stated on the postal mail no longer exists after all these time and the guy working as partime postman decide to open and read the letter. The man was forced to leave Japan after WWII defeat, leaving behind the love of his life and hence a written journal of his emotional turmoil.

Accompanying the letter narration is another story of a modern love-hate relationship between this aspiring band guy vs a Japanese lady working in Taiwan.

While the acting may not be of worthy of A-list ranking, yet the plot is simple and at times touching. There were also moments that I found myself guffawing so loud, much to my own surprise. The ending is somewhat cliche but I love the part where the letter was being read. If I were the old granny reading that long overdue letters, I think my tears would not stop flowing with my heart tugging away...

If u havent seen the movie, I think its a nice show worth considering. If U had, then you will rem this song sang towards the end.

Track: 國境之南 [download]

Niseko Pictures

Here's a slideshow to sum up the views of Nisekko

Onsen time!

One of the nice thing during my ski trip was the trip to Onsen.

Hotel Kanronomori which was close to where we stayed had one. So we decided to head for it one day when we returned early from ski and didnt feel like more physical excercise.

During our first try, we couldnt get the outdoor onsen as it was fully book. So we settled for the indoor one. It was good and relaxing and even comes with a massage bed! We were both fighting like kids for it of course in the precious remaining 10 mins after our onsen soak!!

On our second visit, we manage to get our private outdoor onsen which was located 2 floors below the reception area. This time, there wasnt any shower facility nor massage bed. What we got instead was just a normal room with TV, and an outdoor onsen in a wooden tube out in the cold air.

For reasons of modesty, here's a preview of the tube before my session:)

Playtime in the Snow! Snowman and Fairies!

I love snow. Especially fresh falling ones.

Just outside our lodge, I got a kick out of making my snow fairies and snow man for the first time in my life! I'm a big kid at heart. When we were done, we were laughing so hard that it has got to be the "ugliest" snowman and "weakest" snow fairies ever in Hokkaido this season :P

On our last night, I decided to have another go at making another snow fairy. Yeah, I'm like that in a way. Just have to get it right or it will kill me... :)

Consultation at Japanese Hospital

After the 2nd day on monday, I woke up in the morning with a hideously red and blotchy face. The face was warm to touch. The angry redness was strangely restricted to my mask circumference at the middle of my forehead to the sides of my nose bridge. However did that happen is unknown.

My initial thought was F*@k! It's an allergy!!! Upon further examination, it was strangely localised at the 3 areas on my face only. I was relieved since it wasnt something major that would have ruin my trip. I figure the culprit was probably the new sunscreen I had been using. It prob wasnt meant to be used for sports. Organic bastards.

The puffiness didnt subside. So on wednesday, I decided to trouble Takeda san to drive me into Kutchan town to visit a doctor in the local hospital. Fortunately for me, Takeda san was heading in the same direction, which made me a little less guilty about have to "baby me" for the morning.

As in typical Japanese style, the registration to collection of medication was efficient, quick and over in a blink of an eye. While I had the great fortune of having a native Japanese local with me to handle everything, the place I noticed was relatively friendly for English speaking "visitors."

They actually had a sign that says "Registration for new visitors at counter 1". On one hand its great, on the other hand, it makes me wonder exactly how many foreign visitors they have have treated here to make that English sign worthwhile! (^0^)

Anycase along the way, Takeda san called the hospital to say we are running late, due to road delays of shovelling the snow off the pavement. I didnt quite understand since I didnt know we had an appointment. Upon arrival, it dawn on me that there is a cut off registration time which stops at about 11am and the next session is 1.30pm. So that's why!

Takeda san was funny. There was an English registration and a Japanese registration form. He cheekily ask me i i want the Japanese version. I would have if it wasnt already 11.30am so I stuck to the English version which simply only require your name, nationality, allergies queries and contact address. No verification was required.

Then I was told to sit and wait for someone and in less than 5 mins, a sweet Japanese lady came by, issued me with my first ever Japan Hospital swipe card personalised with my name on it.

Next, I was asked to follow her upstairs and there was another seperate waiting lounge. I was told that I would be attended by a dematologist specialist. I was crossing fingers I wouldnt be slap with a big bill later. While waiting, I noticed a family of Hong Kong people behind me yakking away. What is it with Hong Kong people who just cannot shut up even for a minute?

Another sweet looking nurse appeared at the counter window and called for me. First question was do i speak Japanese. I didnt know how in depth the questions was going to me especially later with the doctor so I figured I better tell her I wasnt very good. Sensing her relief that I could at least understand her, she decided to forge ahead with the rest of "questionaire" in Japanese. At this junction, all I had to confirm was area of concern, when was first occurrence and allergy queries again. Phew. That wasnt too hard.

Next was the HK family and the mum acted annoyed with the nurse when she was asked in English if she can speak Japanese. The HK mum barked "Noo NOO NOO. We DONT SPEAK JAPANESE." (I bold this as this was exactly the loud volume she was talking to the polite nurse)

The nurse told her to wait a minute and dial "emgergency" request to someone, asking for an English Translator to come up.

In the next 5 min, a very pretty and well dressed lady came up in a hurry, wearing a bright yellow sign round her neck, stating "English Translator".

Very quickly, it was my turn to see the doctor and the translator came to me and started to explain her role. She is apparently also a doctor, or surgeon to be exact, but is acting as translator today between patients and my doctor. She was efficient, business like and meticulous. Could I say I was in awe and never in my life until now, did I wish I am a doctor by profession. I thought she was soooo coool! U know those doctors in Singapore are always nerdy and reserve, but here I am with this female doctor who gives u the feeling she is in control. Damn she is hot too, not to mention perfectly fluent in English!

My session with my specialist was over in less than 5 mins. Apparently we all concluded it was prob allergy to my sunscreen. When it was finished, I thanked them both and waited patiently for the nurse to give me next instruction. The cute nurse appeared again with my file, and explained to me the medicine which was to given later, as well as the usage frequency. Takeda san appeared just then to fetch me and she thought that was my grandfather? haaaa haaa. So funny.

Anycase, I took my file, went back to the first level and handed my file to counter 2. Then I was told to sit and wait for a number, which came shortly. With the number, I was to proceed to counter 7 to pay my payment. Luckily they accepted credit card, and my bill came up to 6350yen for the visit. Wasnt that expensive thankfully!

After payment, I was given another number to collect my medication at counter 10. There was a huge signboard that has all the numbers. There was no english instructions but the Japanese instructions states that so long as your number appear on this screen, you can collect your medicine. So its not going to be some arrow flashing for numbers one by one.

While I was waiting for Takeda san, I noticed the same HK family again who was completely lost and the mum was flustered and nagging at the dad in cantonese. (U know those loud HK woman in market? Yeah she was acting like that n a quiet hospital drawing much stares from the older Japanese patients.)

Initially I kept my distance since I want no association with such people. Yet, seeing how bad tempered and clueless the HK mum was, I thought I would be helpful to explain to her the process in CANTONESE. Guess what? The Hk woman not only did not bother to look at me in the eye, she didnt even bother to say a word of thanks and walk off as if I owe it to her to tell her anything. I wasnt expecting some gushing gratitude but hey, at least a civil word of thank you wasnt that difficult right? I almost regretted instantly for helping her but then thought better since her bad behaviour is a reflection of her ill upbringing, not mine. With that notion, I felt better.

When it was my turn, the guy who dispense my medicine showed me my ointment, explained its usage in English and packed it away with a paper instruction and a colour print out of the ointment tube image. Being everything in Japanese, I asked him for the English version of the ointment so that in even that my face has further problems, I could tell the HK doctor what I was prescribed with. The staff understood and went to dig a large book and wrote the English translation for me.

Everything was over in less than an hour. I am truly impressed. This is faster than the Singapore Raffles clinic at non peak hour!

So there, my consultation experience in a Japanese hospital. Can't say I didnt try everything there is to try. Thankfully it wasnt a broken bone!

And oh, the medication work wonders, my redness was gone overnight after the first application!

Niseko Food Talk

Food...glorious food.

With our constant nightly ripping of smelly loud farts going for us, I reckon we probably overate every night... (^-^) Who would resist good food?!!!

I was often famished and so I didnt take much pictures. Also, half the time I was skiing and it was too much of a hassle to bring my camera along. For those moments I remembered, here there are.

We had dinner one night at J.Sekka (Hirafu),Bang Bang (Hirafu), Rin (Hirafu) and another 2 nights at the Northern Niseko Resort, which is in Annurpuri. I personally would like to try staying here one time only for the reason it is a ski in/ out hotel to the door steps. However, Sekka lodge is just as good and we prob got a better deal out of ours.

That aside, the hotel's Japanese restaurant "An-Non" is SERIOUSLY GOOD! When we work out the price conversion, the meal is actually comparable if not cheaper than a meal out in a fancy restaurant in HK! Bear in mind we are eating really fresh seafood like fatty tuna sashimi, broiled snowcrab leg, BIG FAT scallops and the buttery tasting beef. Funny how we keep thinking yen is strong but after being here, meals still work out cheaper if u compare it to dining spots of the same yardstick.

At An-nonMy husband said this is the BEST tempura prawns he had ever tasted. previously he had never been a fan because the batter was never light and crispy without being oily, and prawns cooked just right. Here, he actually proposed ebi Tempura twice in a row! Our personal fav were the Fatty Toro Tuna that doesnt taste nor look anything like fish, and the beef which is so sweet and soft. By the time I rem the camera, my beef were all gone in a flash.


For the sake of demonstrating the ratio of how big the scallop was, I decided to "model" my hand for it, and also a very much satisfied diner when the butter steamed scallop is all gone.
J.Sekka was alright but I felt it was more catered to a caucasian crowd and the seafood wasnt as big and fresh as a typical Jap restaurant.



Bang Bang is a yakitori place and supposedly recommended by those ski mags, so i see way too many expats here. Never a good thing when u do not see much Japanese. Dont get me wrong. It's decent and fresh food, but I felt, my money would be better spent somewhere else. Too much hype I think. However, the distinctive FANTASTIC singular dish I love here is their scallop. How on earth they get such huge scallops with all the pink juicy bits is unfathomable.




Rin is a typical Izayaka, family style. The food is alright and value for money, but not exactly spectacular. It's just the produce is sooo fresh that it is almost a sin to ruin any dish. Their tofu salad and grilled snapper stood out the most that night we feasted.

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!