It’s a little bit late, but
Archive for February, 2009
Another health rant
February 14th, 2009
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I’ve been rambling about the additional pounds gained for the last six weeks. I really need to take action soon or else I will be in danger of getting back to my post-natal figure! I need to take a weight loss pill! Just kidding. I really do not mind sweating it all out especially now that I am in my late 20′s. But, it is still cold outside and my jogging pal, Luanne is still in the Philippines. I don’t really like Spring because that would mean summer is near. But I want it to hurry up a little bit so that I will not be too cold and lazy to start again my exercise regime. Honestly, most of pants now are already too tight!
Friday Quote #10
February 13th, 2009
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You come to love not by finding the perfect person,
but by seeing an imperfect person perfectly.
~ Sam Keen
The heart has reasons that reason does not understand.
~ Jacques Benigne Bossuel
Love does not consist in gazing at each other
but in looking together in the same direction.
~ Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Will I be brave enough?
February 12th, 2009
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Let’s just keep this between us, OK? I’m really, really scared of getting on roller coasters and the like.
During an educational trip when I was still in college, we went to the Enchanted Kingdom in the Philippines. I was about to be seated on the Space Shuttle but I backed out at the last minute. However, I was convinced by some friends to try the Log Jam and that one ride became one of my nightmares. Nothing bad happened but I’m not thrilled by these rides, rather, I’m terrified.
I went to Disney Land and Disney Sea in Tokyo. I survived some attractions like the Space Mountain, but still, I couldn’t get over my fear. Yesterday, I went to Universal Studios Japan (USJ) with some friends. We tried the Spider Man and the Snoopy Ride. Not much sudden falls on these rides but I was already scared to death and screamed at the top of my lungs! We intend to take the Hollywood Dream in our next visit but will I ever gather the courage to try it?
Almost 10 pounds in 8 weeks!
February 12th, 2009
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Working on a home-based project has its advantages and disadvantages. I am not an early riser so flexi-time is really good for me. But working at home is messing with what’s left of my self-discipline. Since the year 2009 started, I’ve been waking up at 10:00AM! I can deal with this one but I can’t impose any control on my appetite!
There are five of us working at home and we’ve been taking turns in preparing lunch. All of us are Filipinos so most of the time, we prepare Filipino dishes. Having lunch with people I enjoy working with really makes me consume more than what my tummy can hold! I guess that makes me a glutton. This resulted ganing around 10 pounds in just 8 weeks!
I guess this time it would really help to resolve to Solo Slim. It is said that this lessens the cravings for carbs and sweets. Aside from appetite suppression, this increases metabolism. Well, let’s just see until next month. I’m pretty sure I would be forced to go on a diet as I will be sent to another company starting next week. Wish me luck!
Tempting Offers
February 8th, 2009
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My flatmate and I signed up for Yahoo BB ADSL more than two years ago. At that time, we didn’t just get some promotional pens, but we got a gift certificate worth 10,000 Yen and free internet for the first two months. I don’t know how it is in other countries, but here in Japan, internet service providers usually give new customers two months free internet if they agree to the two-year contract. If you go to big electronic stores like Sofmap and Yodobashi Camera, you could even get up to 30,000 Yen discounts on laptops. Sometimes, you could even get a PlayStation for just 980 Yen.
Last month, I switched to NTT’s Hikari (Fiber Optic) Internet connection. And now until the end of March, I’m taking advantage of free internet. If I had a credit card, I could have gotten that gift certification worth 20,000 Yen.
“Saifu wa uchita” Scam?
February 7th, 2009
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Some of you might have heard of the “ore ore sagi” here in Japan. Just an overview, I took this from the article written by Rev. Ai Hironaka:
“In Japan, males refer to themselves as boku or ore, so ore ore sagi is fraud committed by males pretending to be sons or grandsons in need of money. Victims, mostly mothers or grandmothers, receive a frantic phone call from someone who says, “Ore ore!! Ore dayo!! (Mom, it’s me!)” Because the caller is talking and crying at the same time, it is difficult for the distraught mother to truly recognize the voice of her son or grandson. Instead, the frantic mother responds, “Is that you, Ai?” (using her son or grandson’s name). The caller responds, “Yes, it’s me, Ai” and assumes the identity of Ai. Then the caller says, “A debt collector is after me for money I don’t have. If I do not pay now, something terrible will happen to me. Can you put money in an account for me?” And he gives a bank account number.”
This afternoon, I’m pretty sure I fell victim to another type of scam. Let’s just call it the “saifu wa uchita” (I dropped my wallet) scam. I was in a hurry to my next lesson when an old guy, probably in his 70′s asked me something. I thought that he was just lost in the confusing underground structure of Osaka. He was wearing a suit and carried an attache case, an image of the usual “salaried man”. I told him that I didn’t understand what he said but he rambled on. He spoke so fast but I was able to pick up some words.
Old guy: densha … saifu … uchita (train, wallet, fell).
Me: [So, he dropped his wallet on the train. But why ask a foreigner like me instead of going to the lost and found section? I am sure that I'm being tricked.]
Old guy: kaererarenai… okane … kashite … okurimasu yo (can’t go home…money… lend…send)
Me: [Tadaaan! He finally said the "trick" words] Ikura gurai? (How much?)
Old guy: Mie-ken… 3,640 yen. (Mie prefecture … 3,640 yen)
I almost laughed out loud when I heard those words. If my Japanese were any better, I would have told him upfront that the best people to help him were the police. But I was running late so I just told him that I don’t have that amount and I could only give him 500 yen. After giving the 500-yen coin to him, he still asked me if I don’t have any more money! Honestly, I only had 1,500 yen with me.
I was held up for about 5 minutes already so I just said no and continued running. I was in a bad mood after the incident because I knew that I was being tricked but I still gave the old guy something. It was because a little voice in me kept asking… “what if the guy is really telling the truth?”. At least I gave him something that’s more than enough to use the payphone and contact someone from his home.
Photohunt: Bridge(s)
February 7th, 2009
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It’s been a while since I’ve posted a photo hunt entry! I’ve been very busy these past few weeks that I didn’t have much time browsing through my photos.
Fortunately, I have lots of photos of bridges so I get to join today. Osaka has many rivers, thus, it has lots of bridges, too. Here’s one of my favorites. This was taken in spring last year after I visited a cherry blossoms orchard. I’m also using this as a header in my other blog, Exploring Kansai.
This one’s also a favorite:
Same with most of the photos in this blog, these were taken using my old phone camera. I used Photofiltre to “revive” the colors.
Friday Quote #9
February 6th, 2009
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The toughest thing about success is that you’ve got to keep on being a success.
- Irving Berlin
Many people say that people who have constantly faced failure have a hard time getting back up again and again. But I also think that people who have been successful have their own share of struggles. After all, it is not easy to accept failure especially if one’s not used to it.
Success is going from failure to failure without a loss of enthusiasm.
- Winston Churchill
Although it is very hard to maintain one’s enthusiasm despite all the failure, I agree with Winston Churchill on this one.
Quotes taken from: Brainy Quote
Caught the AI fever again
February 5th, 2009
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I’ve been faithfully watching American Idol since Season 8 started. I love watching the auditions because it is very entertaining. Above all, I look forward to seeing and hearing Simon’s reactions. He is brutally honest but he is my favorite judge. If only I could join the auditions, I would have tried at least once just to be criticized by him. Of course I would still feel very bad, but I have known for a very long time that I can’t sing. There would be nothing better to do than face the truth.
Last season, I kept watching American Idol until Ramielle Malubay got eliminated. This season, I still hoped that a Filipino could make it. I was very delighted to know that Jennifer “Jenesis” Samoranos, a Filipino, made it to Hollywood and rumors has it that she even made it to the top 50. After reading some spoilers, I’ve learned that she is no longer in the top 36. She’s undeniably very talented, so I’d still want to say, “Mabuhay” to Jenesis.
There’s not a single Filipino contestant to look forward to during the live shows but this time, I would keep watching because of Danny Gokey! The first time I heard him sing during the auditions, right then and there, I became a fan. Just like what Paula Abdul said, he has a very soulful voice. Not to mention, he looks like Robert Downey Jr.
Can you keep a secret? I’ve been a Robert Downey Jr. fan since I saw him in the movies “Heart and Souls” and “Only You”.
Wordless Wednesday #30: Plastic Spaghetti
February 4th, 2009
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I have always been amazed by the displays at restaurants here so I always take loads of photos. They look so real that they could make your mouth water…
Universal Studios Japan
February 3rd, 2009
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The Universal Studios Japan (USJ) is just a few stations away from where I live. I’ve lived in Osaka for more than 2 years and I haven’t been there. Finally, last Sunday, Kay and I took advantage of the one-year pass promo at USJ. USJ usually put the one-year pass on sale around November to the first day of February. It was the promo’s last day last Sunday. I thought that most of the Japanese got their tickets way before the last day but I was wrong. The registration hall was crowded and we had to wait in line for more than an hour! It was already running late so we did not have a chance to try a single attraction. But it’s OK. I still have a year to try them all.
Just a glimpse of USJ:
