Everybody else is doing it, but why can't I do it differently?

Today WL is 1 week old. With dajie's survival tip (not to buy formula in the first place ), I have managed to breastfeed her exclusively.( Except for that few times when she was  under photo -therapy.)

However, she still got jaundice and my mil will visit us everyday and repeat the story of giving her supplement. Yes, I do know that almost everyone do supplement, but doesn't mean that I have to.

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First Christmas with baby at hospital

I am now lying on the hospital bed, waiting for the feeding time. Baby had high jaundice level and is not allowed to go home. Spending Christmas in hospital is not something i have expected, especially this is the 1St Christmas with baby. Last night we countdown while feeding baby at the breastfeeding room. Luckily baby got hungry in the day and feeding time changed such that the precious half hr we can visit baby to feed her coincide with the 'countdown. we had a cosy time singing our favorites Christmas songs to her while encouraging her to stay awake to drink more milk. Xl say he saw the change in me. He say I am extremely patient with baby and can do anything for her. I was surprise myself too, how I survived a day alone with her on the second day at hospital plus coping with the visitors, and how I cried uncontrollably when I saw the goggles mark on her face the first time I feed her after she was taken away for her photo-therapy. Honestly I am still not used to the idea that I am already a mother. I guess it is instinct that made me do all I did last few days. Sometimes when friends and family commented baby is very cute, I wonder why I do not felt the same way. I am just focused on fulfilling her needs, instead of her looks. the feeling I have for her is so different from the love I have for anyone. It's so natural, attached and unique, like she is a part of me yet a separate individual. I wonder if I am going to be a good mother, and will she grow up to be a fine lady and have a good life? This seems to be a long journey, I pray that everything will be fine and we can go home today.

38 weeks

It's officially 38 weeks!

I am now on my way to the regular gynae visit.

"Why are you still here at office?"
"Are you excited?"

These are the two most common questions I have to answer these few days.

I am not in labor, I have to walk around more often than just resting at home, I have work to do, it is safer to be in office with people around than to be at home alone, Office is nearer to KK than bedok... are all the answers I have for the 1st question. The truth is, i really don't know what else i can do, should do besides go office and finish my paperwork...

I am ok, in fact feeling much better this week, a bit in holiday mood. I feel more energetic, although still feel tired at the end of the day. i feel more calm and relaxed than excited. sometimes i may feel scared, worried about the delivery pain, and wonder if i can cope well after baby is born. but these feelings usually come and go, most of the time, I'd just feel normal. I will try to mentally prepare myself for the delivery, try to read more about taking care of babies when I have nothing else to do. I have even better appetite now, and i am indulging myself with all the nice food I like.

Every child is a gift

I just met a distant relative and had a small chat with her. She proudly showed me her autistic younger son's "kindergarten" graduation day photos. Her face beamed with joy while describing how his son got lost into his own world while performing halfway. She is just like any other mother with 'normal' child, proud of her own son. That's why I decided to write something about this...

Recently, a friend did the test for down syndrome for her babies, result wasn't too favourable. She decided not to do any further tests to confirm the result. She felt that all kids are God's gift, whether they are normal or not, she will keep her children. I was impressed by her courage and determination when she told me her decision, at the same time I wonder if she really understood the real implication of raising kids with down syndrome. Anyway, the test is usually not accurate so I thought it's more important to give her support as a friend, than to scare or upset her with these...

I have a brother who is different, and a mum who specialise in treating children with special needs. Seeing so many kids who are different from 'normal', I grow up believing if we knew these children will face with so many challenges in life, and not only their parents but also their whole family have to go through so much difficult times, if we can predict disabilities, maybe it is a better idea not to bring these children to this world to suffer.

However, to certain extent, what my friend said is true too; every child is a miracle, a god's gift. It is cruel to end a little life before it begins. Probably, it is not up to us to decide what kind of life the child deserve, or we deserve. Even though my heart will still twinge whenever my brother share with me his difficulties, but I am always proud of him, love him and glad that I have him as my brother.

But the question is, I am already not sure if I can cope with bringing up a normal kid. like handle the crying and  feeding etc, if my baby needs special attention and care, do I really have the courage, the patience and love to go through the special journey with her?

It's going to be the end of 2nd week...

悉尼是否是天气晴朗?
这里天天都下雨乌云密布让人心情无法好起来。

时差让我们无法上网聊天，只能偶尔互道晚安...
现在也只能希望你能快点平安回来。

我28了

在我28岁的第一个早上，我5点多就醒来了。这也许是27和28最大的不同吧。 我希望bb可以成为像周慧敏一样优雅又漂亮的女生 希望爸爸妈妈，公公婆婆都能健康长寿 希望向岭能够多运动，早睡早起 其实没有什么比快乐更重要的，希望所有朋友都会快乐幸福!

My secret plan

tmr is XL's bday. i am trying to secretly plan some surprises.

I had given him his present many weeks ago before our trip to Thailand, a nike bag.
We had cut his bday cake with his family last sat.
The known plan is to have lunch tog near his office tmr, to use his voucher at a restuarant.
All the above are boring and uneventful celebration which are totally unacceptable.

My actual plan:

1) to buy a Koi bubble tea for him before the boring lunch date. He had never tried Koi before!
2) lunch to utilise vouchers...
3) Make Sukiyaki for dinner!

Then again, after looking at my written plan, it seems boring too... eat n eat n eat.... haiz.. maybe i should think of something interesting to do.....

NOTE: This was written last mth but I forgot to publish it.. :p

updates

I have been lazy with my blog recently... Many things, yet not much had happened..

1) I have a nephew! cried while I brush my teeth after I read the msg from dajie that Baby L came to this world. After almost 2 days of waiting in hospital, he is finally here in this world! It felt like miracle..

2) I am now in the final trimester. It felt strange to see my fingers and feet got swollen, and tummy getting bigger and bigger everyday. I think I will miss baby not being inside me. She seems to be a part of me already. Yet, I still cant get used to the discomfort, and pain I am going through everyday...

3) seeing dajie in her confinement, I tried very hard to mentally prepare myself for it too. I cant imagine myself tolerating not washing hair for days, not able to blow fan, and most importantly taking care of a small baby...

Japan trip part 3 - Fukushima

Ok, this section is on our trip to Iizakao Onsen in Fukushima. Our favorite part of our Japan trip. We took a local train to the onsen, then we were welcome by the tranquility at the riverside. Xl was fascinated by the ducks in the river, as it reminds him of his fav song "寒鸭戏水”。

The local train

寒鸭戏水

 

And here, we fulfilled our dream to be in the traditional Japanese Onsen Inn.

Personalised welcome message board at the inn

And traditional Japanese dinner in our tatami room. Just like those in 'Japan Hour'

We found an interesting beer- Sapporo+Royce: Chocolate Beer in the convenience store here. Beer that smells like choc, taste like Sapporo beer

 

 This is a lovely town. All houses have nicely trimmed garden. The hotspring here is awesome. We had wonderful time enjoying the scenery, all the yummy traditional meals.I hope it is still around now...

Japan Trip Part 2 - Hokkaido

Hokkaido. Yes, I know it's kind of overdue.. But here it is:

Noboribetsu:

　登别温泉。地狱谷。very "touristy" place, but pictures look great! nice weather. pretty scenery. famous hotspring. (Pls see part 1 for more details)

Sapporo:
The city.
Roads are covered by ice, not snow.(I think coz more ppl walked on the road, so snow become ice). taller buildings spotted. shopping centre, etc

We had lots of good food at Sapporo:

Ramen

Hairy Crab!

Rutsutsu Ski Resort:

This is where we had our first Ski experience。

Ski slope at night

Ski Slope in the morning

Otaru:

We made a day trip to Otaru, a food paradise!

Nice weather again, by the canal at Otaru

Wanted to try Uni-don, but we couldn't read the Japanese Menu, so we ordered Roe-don by mistake

还有很多小吃！This is a huge 'tako' ball with lots of ingredient, cheese, bacons, sweet corns etc

 

Another day trip to Shiroi Chocolate Factory

We had a nice walk to the factory and fun time at the factory. Oh.. I missed the biscuits and chocolates!

Hakodate:

How can we miss sashimi in Hakodate? Ah...sashimi....

Chinese waitress told us this is Hakodate's signature: Sotong Sashimi! The correct way to eat this is to eat with ginger, instead of wasabi. yummy yummy!

And we had ice-cream too! It was on sale that day, half price, I guess no one is as crazy like us to eat ice-cream in this cold winter night. 

We visited the market just beside our hotel early in the morning!

Hakodate is a port, one of the first cities in Japan to be influenced by westerners. We visited the churches, interesting architecture even though they are built hundreds years ago.

Stay positive

Was told I hav low lying placenta now during the recent scan.


I have been telling myself it'll be ok, I shud not be too paranoid. Most of the time it will move up to the correct position. Probably human mind really cannot process negation, this creepy thought of 'what if' lingers.. From now on, I will just think positive.

Everything will be fine.

I am 6mth pregnant!

已经6个月了！ 有时候我会看着镜子里的我，怀疑我是不是只是胖了。已经6个月了，怀孕这事还是有些不真实。不知道是不是我天生反应慢，所以才会这样？可是最近肚子里总是时不时有生命跳动的迹象，一直提醒着我：“我身体里正孕育着一个生命，一个神奇宝贵的生命“。 我做好准备了吗？ 我能胜任当一个好妈妈吗？ 有了小孩的生活会像他们说的一样那么辛苦吗？我会后悔吗？ 现在我只能步步为营，希望接下来的3个月一切都顺利，我的咳嗽会快点好。

Who will you vote for?

It's the President Election in a few days time. Who will you vote for?

Someone told me he'll just void his vote as he sees no meaning in this election. He asked, "If I vote for one of them, so? What can he do? Why should I vote for any of them?" President to him, is only someone who will show face at some charity show, or wave at crowd during National Day Parade. After so many years of not needing to vote for our President, maybe its time to think, why do we need a President?

Do we just need someone who looks wise (old), respectable, reputable to represent Singapore when needed? (It'll be easier to choose,we can vote based on looks like vote for Mr Singapore) I think if we really need a figure head, he should be able to complement the government and bring some value to Singaporeans. We do not need a puppet. Maybe someone to uphold the humanity part that is often neglected in the economic-driven policies? Someone who really care, and loved and respected by Singaporeans? Someone with no hidden agenda? Of course not someone who will cause political unrest. We do not want a head of State to incite a riot or worst internal war to bring down the economy. It's good to have someone, but do we really need one?

Before a meaningful conclusion can be drawn, we have to vote in 3 days time! So, who should I vote for?

氧气

想抱着你入睡
却只能努力呼吸
怎么感觉快要窒息
没有你的空气
好像少了氧气

其实并不想写那么恶烂的东西，只是刚好昨夜睡不好。有可能是baby压到了肺，导致呼吸不顺畅；又有可能是天气太热，所以觉得呼吸困难。。。想起范晓萱的「氧气」。空气的＂空”让人觉得窒息？

探病

刚到医院探一位朋友。到时她正熟睡着。坐了一会儿，看着她熟睡的身影，有些感慨。

她已经不是第一次住院了。记得最后一次看她时是华人新年刚过，她刚出院，在家养病。一直陪在她身边的猫在大年除夕那夜过世。她因此沮丧了很久。我去探望她时，她和我说起此事时眼眶还泛泪。

其实她还有很多姐妹，侄子侄女的。可是她说都没有人来探望她。她还说老板和同事都不能谅解为何她常生病住院，耽误了许多工作。她也不想这样啊。医药费已经花了她一大半的积蓄。因为常进出医院，可用的病假，年假都用完了，现在在家养病也只能用无薪假。她也为接下来的生活担心。我不知道怎么安慰她，只能当个听众，静静地听她说。

我真的希望我认识的所有朋友都能健康，都能过着幸福的生活。但很可惜，人生并非如此。我能做的也只是尽力的确保我的朋友的保险啊，储蓄投资计划啊等等都能有周详的安排。金钱并不是最重要的，但少了这烦恼我们可以把时间花在更重要，人生更有意义的事情上。

离开病房时还能听到她的打呼声，她睡得还很香。希望她能早日康复，不需要再到医院了。

i thought it is supoosed to be better?

It is 16 wks. i am supposed to feel better.

Why is it that i feel worse instead?

i am vomitting more, feeling more nausea and feeling more lethargic...

is there something wrong with me?

or it is 期望越大，失望越大？

Maybe baby is upset that daddy is not ard with us?


i am seeing doc tmr, maybe i shud ask her...

思念所以旅行

胡志明市是个到处都听到"叭叭叭＂车笛声的地方。 胡志明市是个过马路需要胆识与自信的地方。 胡志明市是个摩托车比车多，德士比私家车多的地方。 胡志明市是个有高楼大厦，名牌商店，修路却是用锄头和手的地方。胡志明市是个说下雨就下雨，多雨的地方。胡志明市是我和baby第一次一起出国的地方。

星期三买机票，星期四就飞来这个城市。我不是来旅行的，只是单纯地想见一个人。一个人从机场搭德士到酒店时，心情是忐忑又兴奋的。对这个城市，我毫不了解。越南话的'你好'谢谢'怎么说，这里有什么必去的光观地点，有什么特别的历史背景，这里的食物有什么特点我完全不知道。从来都没试过这样就到一个陌生的地方。

这里的德士司机，驾车手不离喇叭。每隔几秒就必须按喇叭。有可能是提醒前面的车绿灯了，有可能是警告前面的摩托车＂ 我在你后面哦＂，有可能是提醒前面的车驾快一点。xl说这里的司机很没耐性，我觉得这只是他们的一种“礼貌”的沟通方式。毕竟他们开车的态度是relax的，不急躁，不骂人，后面的车叭他们，他们夜还是默默地，无动于衷地开着他们的车。

xl说他三年前来的时候这里的交通更乱.至少现在在市中心里，车子会在红灯时停。

XL当地的同事跟他说，他们都不喜欢这个城市的发展。高楼毫无规划的冒起，物价也毫无预警地乱起。残旧的道路旁，是另一个新的五星级酒店及商场的工地。在转角是一群当地人在路边摊吃着午饭。这是有快速经济增长的越南，这是日渐繁华的越南城市，这是贫富差距日渐增大的胡志明市。

在短短的几天内，我也花了点时间参观胡志明市的观光景点。其中一个是战争纪念馆。比起第二次世界大战，越南战争对越南的伤害似乎更大。战争残酷的照片，老实说对孕妇其实并不是太好。我很快速地穿越挂满战争证据的走廊，尽量不要多研究那些用来虐待战役俘虏的刑具。

“胜者为王，败者为寇”
XL看完展览的感想。如果这场战役，美国赢了，纪念馆展览的会是游击队如何残忍的杀害他们的同胞吗？

“战争使人疯狂”
这是我离开展览馆的感想。看了很多好莱坞拍的战争片。有几个在战场上的兵士是自愿杀敌的？彬彬有礼的日本人，也会在WWII用极残忍的手段对付阻挡他们的人，犯下极为可耻的罪。在Hiroshima对下原子弹的军人，知道他丢下的武器不止杀死爆炸后所伤及的无辜老百姓，还会残害他们的子子孙孙吗？离开展览馆之前，我尽量避免注视到在一旁，一群因为Orange bomb而变得畸形的人，在贩卖他们制作的商品。

在胡志明市最开心的就是吃了。奇怪的是这里看到最多的竟然是日本餐厅。我很乖地遵从长辈的话，不吃路边摊，只在干净的餐馆用餐。所以除了连锁店卖的‘pho’之外，吃到的越南菜，只是在酒店附近的一个叫“CO DAO" 的餐厅吃的“hue cuisine"。色香味俱全。食材却简单得不得了。没有山珍海味，主要用腌肉，香料和蔬菜（还有一些虾）。体现了当地（Hue)资源不富裕，却是古时的都城应有的华丽。现在好怀念那些美食啊。。。

回国时很多人都问我，这次去越南好玩吗？我都很勉强地回答“还好噢”。并不是因为这个地方无聊，无趣。只是我真的不是去玩的，怎么会好玩呢？

2nd wedding anniversary

Yesterday was our 2nd wedding anniversary.

we had leftover dinner for breakfast, had dim sum for lunch, movie in afternoon, and dinner at my parents' house.

nothing special or romantic.

its quite pathetic as this is only the 2nd yr! and neither of us remembers it, let alone look forward to it or plan anything special for that day. ok, we have valid excuse like xl was overseas for work, or i am still getting use to the pregnant symptoms etc. but, still kinda feel disappointed that i still dun hav any present for this special day until now...

baby 爱吃什么

我又是在三更半夜爬起来觅食。
自从怀孕后，我的口味变重了，爱吃辣的，炸的。薯条，薯片，炸鸡，这些我几乎不碰的东西变成我爱吃的东西。我最爱的叉烧，奶茶现在竟然碰也不想碰。人都在笑说baby继承了xl的口味。我开始也很不服气，baby怎么好学不学，学xl的不良饮食习惯呢？

后来慢慢观察，其实baby还是喜欢很多我喜欢的东西。像酸酸甜甜的咕噜肉，像雪糕，炒粿条等等食物还是会让我胃口打开。xl特别喜欢的鸡饭会让我反胃。baby也不喜欢我最讨厌的粥。我们从来都不热衷的pizza和炒面baby却很爱。

baby，妈妈错了。你是特别的。只是下次我吃健康点的东西，你能学着也喜欢吃吗？我不想成为大肥婆啊。。。。

情绪化的我

我又是一大清早，天还没亮的四、五点醒来。吃了一块饼干，肚子还是不知道是饿了还是涨了的不舒服地让我睡不着。看着XL熟睡的脸，我就莫名地哭了。本来就爱哭的我，怀孕后更是情绪化得有点极端。看一张照片哭，听一个故事哭，想一件事哭，看一个广告哭，看戏更不用说也哭。有时候想吐，吐不出来哭。有时候吐完了哭。有时候吃不下哭。有时候太饿也哭。

那我刚刚为什么看着XL会哭呢？

是嫉妒他可以睡得那么香？
是感动有这么一个他在我身旁宠我、爱我、照顾我？
是庆幸我能怀着他的孩子，即使小小的小生命折腾着我的生活？

这几个月听了很多让我很激动的故事。有妈妈要和爸爸离婚，丢下两个年幼的女儿，明知女儿和丈夫有可能会无家可归还逼着要卖掉房子。有连名字都取好了，宝宝却就这样没有了。有怀着BB不能吃不能睡还坚持每天做工的。有很想要有个孩子,却一而再再而三的失望的。有孩子生病进医院妈妈担心得不得了的。

幸福不容易

常常我们都在追求与知足之间拉扯。

我不能说我怀孕的过程很艰难，但也并不容易。毕竟本来健健康康的身体，一决定要有孩子就出一大堆怪怪的问题，我也很懊恼。很庆幸自己害喜没那么严重，但发现大部分同事怀孕时根本都没有害喜，我就觉得上天真不公平。有时候也难免觉得，这3公分的小生命怎么会带给我那么多痛苦呢？消极的想法出现要提醒自己惜福。有些事不能比较，有些事要珍惜，有些事要放弃。

天降大任于斯人，必先苦其心志，劳其筋骨，饿其体肤，空乏其身。

是啊，好一个'饿其体肤，空乏其身'。。。以前怎么运动，不吃鸡饭都无法瘦下来。如今短短一星期我就减去我这三年来的多出来的体重，我应该开心的。这“大任”真是得来不易，我应该惜福！

Cha Soba

Green Noodles with greens!

Being pregnant and staying at home, means I have to cook some simple meals for myself. Cha Soba with green vegetables is a great choice, as its healthy, very easy to cook and will be ready in minutes. (Oh but wait... its cold... hmmm should be fine right?)

The Black Pictures

其实从去年就想要有孩子了。可是身体不争气，经期不准，生病，甚至好几个月都测不出排卵期。在每个月的失望中还必须应付不同的人的催促：＂你们几时才要生啊？＂＂几时到你们啊？＂＂年轻点生baby比较好啊＂其实是难受的。在极度失望又极度期盼中，我怀孕了。开始还有点无法相信，由其验孕棒显现的那第二条线似有若无。第一个星期，XL一直是处在欣喜若狂又不可置信的状况。

This is the first "Black picture" as what RQ and me affectionately calls it. I was alone when the doctor tried means and ways to magnify the small white dot to measure the length. (Coz the scan is done through vaginal as baby was too small, XL was asked to leave the room)
"This white dot is my baby?" is the only thing I could think of, until the doctor showed me 'its' heartbeat. The white dot became a flickering white dot. "My baby is alive!"

One month later, another black picture was taken. (last week) We were both amazed how fast baby has grown, I mean, baby is no longer a white dot! There's head, eyes, little hands, little feet, and it is only 3cm!

XL din noe there is a big screen in front of me, he tried very hard to see from the small screen the doctor is looking at. So he missed the flickering white light which is supposed to be baby's heartbeat. Nevertheless, we left the room feeling excited and looking forward to the next photo-taking session!

我是只吸血鬼

我是只吸血鬼，一直都感到饥饿，却不想吃。
所有的情绪都被放大，嗅觉无可救药地灵敏。
我可以不要闻到那么多味道吗？ 很多味道其实很难闻。
不能，因为这已经是我的本能。
我能不要那么多感觉吗？很多的感觉其实让我很难受。
不能，因为我已没办法控制。
因为我已是一只吸血鬼，不再是正常的人类。
我还在等待发掘我其他的特异功能。也许我该学会怎么switch off所有痛苦的感觉。。。

（请参考"Vampire diaries" for more information)

等了又等

从小等着长大，上课时等下课，上学等放假，读书等毕业。等了那么久，毕业找到工作才发现，还是有很多的等待。上班等下班，月头等月底领薪水，领薪后等存钱，存钱等房子，买房后等结婚，结婚后等生小孩。生小孩又是等等等：等新的一个月开始，要等两个星期，等了两星期后等三个月，等了三个月，还要等半年，半年后又是一个一生的等待。

等待是一种期待。

现在我在等提名日赶快到，然后就等大选到。你也和我一样吗？

我就是不爽你威胁我

最近在看一部戏：美人心计。本来乖巧善良单纯的巧慧，受不了栗妙人不断的欺负，也开始耍些心机想反抗。窦皇后一眼就看出她的伎俩，苦口婆心地对她说：男人不是耍耍手段就能得到他的心的。

是啊，很多事都是强求不来的。就是你用威胁的也没有用啊！

最近在路上很开心地玩 ipad "plants vs zombie"，突然有人到我身旁，开始向我传教。我并不是虔诚的信徒，我也不排斥任何宗教。宗教信仰本就是让人有依赖，让人能向上向善的。可是为什么要用威胁的呢？套我们吴前总理的话，只要你的黑胡椒螃蟹好吃，你搬到哪儿都会有人慕名来光顾的。

竞选的日子渐渐逼近，不同政党的唇枪舌战也越频繁。这样是免不了的。但不要用威胁的好吗？有些事是不攻自破，有些事是勉强不了，有些事是大家心里有数的。一向都是大人们越威胁，小孩就越会反抗的。更何况我们已经是成年人了，手上的那一票是耍耍手段就能得到的吗？民心自在能者那儿。

New features added!

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If you have noticed, there are new features added to my blog!

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Jia Min

Cream Sausage Mushroom Pasta

First try on making my own cream sauce pasta... a bit too creamy.

三国

最近在看中国新播的《三国》，觉得还蛮好看的。

以前小时候，爸爸从中国买回的四大名著中，我到现在也只成功地读完《西游记》。《水浒传》，《三国演义》，这类战争，打杀不断的故事我实在无法消化。可是在看了几集的《三国》后，突然有要认真读《三国》的冲动。

也许是因为看过了《终极三国》好几遍，所以比较能跟上复杂的故事发展。即使终极三国只是取《三国》几段经典段落kuso地改编一番，对我这种对三国一点也不熟悉，看到那么多人物就头晕的年轻人来说，至少现在看正经八百的《三国》时能比较容易进入状况，也才能有多余的脑能量思考三国故事与人物如何能反映在生活上。而且他们还很贴心，重复地在人物出现时，在旁边打上他们的名字。这么多枭雄，有着差不多一样的打扮，蓄着类似的胡子，成天之乎者也的说话，要不是有他们的名字在，谁能记得他们个个的长相啊？更别说了解故事发展的来龙去脉啦！

所以推荐哦！

Japan-Hokkaido trip part 1

Japan - Hokkaido Trip 11-22 Jan 2011

11 Jan 2011
Our First Day in Japan - the land of rising sun

XL's comment of the day: Cold.

I stared at XL's glossy lip while he mutter the word "cold" , I couldn't help but to laugh... He really looked like he had just ate some very oily stuff...

Yup, Tokyo's really cold, especially this morning when we first step out of the hotel. Not as cold as I thought though.. The heat tech wear we bought from Uniqlo is really good! Kept us warm in this cold morning..

We reached Narita in Malaysian Airline yesterday morning. The flight with MAS was surprisingly pleasant, except for the strange Malay music they keep playing during the flight to KL. Reminds me of the Indonesian Spa Music... Nevertheless, the food they serve are quite nice.. I like the supper snack, 2 burgers.. Yummy!

We can't check-in when we reach hotel in the morning, so went for lunch. Lunch is recommended by Bib, Sukiyaki Lunch Buffet for 1260yen. The rice is too nice, we din had much meat.. Wasted.. But still very value for money!

Then we went Uniqlo to buy the heat tec wear n leg warmer. We were skeptical at first coz it's so thin, but since Bib recommended it, we bought one each to try. This morning walk to station proves that it's really works!

Then we proceed to Harajuku for shopping. Harajuku is a bit like Taiwan's 五分铺, more stylish boutiques and not so messy. Cool-looking jackets are easily 1500yen..too bad I dun need any... There are sale everywhere, maybe coz winter ending soon. Felt sad I dun need any winter clothes in Singapore..

We were there mainly for the legendary chicken wing Bib recommend... However, its opened only at 5pm.. So to kill time, we had sushi and walked the street outside the restaurant maybe hundred times... Maybe we had too high expectation of the chicken wings, it's not as legendary as we thought it'd be... But we both like the salt grill Yakitori A LOT. Nice!

12 Jan 2011
Now were are on Shinkansen bullet train Aomori. Bought breakfast from Family Mart while we were on our way to the station. 因为赶时间随便买单饭团，竟然也好好吃！更恐怖的是我们也买了瓶装的温奶茶，竟然在那么冷的天气，一小时后还是温暖的！

因为火车线真的太多又好乱，一路上也问了好多人，也不像他们说的鸡同鸭讲。我们都很顺利地坐在通往雪的地方。有下雪的青森，是不是会更冷？带着又困又兴奋的心，乘着飞快的火车；完全像我们在赶火车时，穿着神奇Uniqlo的衣服的身体是热的，被风吹的脸和手却是冻着的：矛盾。
火车穿过一个又一个城市。我们像穿过时空隧道，从每个隧道冒出，就看到不同的风景：可以是一块块的稻田，可以是高楼大厦，可以是长满树的山川，也可以是铺满雪的山岭。虽然睡眼惺忪我舍不得合眼，身边的XL却已睡得在打呼了。。。明明进隧道前是青树蓝天的，出隧道时却已飘着大雪，一块块的田都已是白白的了！这些神奇的画面，睡着的XL完全没看到！可惜可惜！最后窗外一片都是白的，地上是厚厚的雪。。。心从按耐不住的兴奋变成忐忑。。外面到底该有多冷啊！？我看着都觉得好冷！

13 Jan
XL: 雪中泡澡，爽！

Our first experience of Onsen in Japan! There are indoor and outdoor hotspring. It's really cool to be in hotspring naked while it's snowing heavily.

The dinner though it's the cheaper buffet, is already very exquisite. 奢侈的享受！

We are now on train to Noboribetsu, going to stay in traditional tatami room and Onsen!

The snow-effect:
I slept at about 8pm after dinner yesterday, woke up at 6.30am and still feel sleepy. (set the alarm at 630 so can go Onsen again.. ) 看着白茫茫的雪真的会让人很想睡。天是白的，地是白的，屋檐是白的，树也挂着一粒粒的雪球，加上被风吹乱的雪花；那片风景也许太平静，也许太美，不知不觉就睡意浓。我现在就这样被催眠了。。。

14 Jan 2011
XL's comment of the day: pain pain... :( 第一次在雪中散步，好浪漫哦！

Haiz.... Noboribetsu is quite disappointing in a way... 1st I thought we'd have traditional Japanese dinner, but we end up having buffet dinner.. 像是从天堂掉入人间。也不是不好吃啦。。只是期望越高失望越多吧。。更何况我们是舟车劳顿，经过无数次的火车延误，晚上7点才到的。对，7点已经是很晚了。这里来说，7点已经像是9点。

第二天早上，在所有失望后带着平常心进行我们的第一次雪中探险：地狱谷。天气很好，被硫磺烟包围，风景也蛮漂亮的。 我们最后在火车站附近随便吃的午餐又便宜又好吃。登别也没想像中那么糟嘛。

17Jan 2011
XL: 他人笑我太疯癫，我笑他人看不穿。我们已在北海道待了四天了，还不是还好好活着。哼！

(下着那么大的雪，偏偏要耍浪漫，夜里散步。。。无语。。。）


到札幌后好赶又有头疼。。。一晃眼就这样离开了。。。现在坐在离开札幌火车最前面的位置。今天天气真好，天蓝蓝的，阳光暖暖的。。。这应该是几天暴风雪过后的福气吧！

这几天几乎都是：只要坐在餐厅里，望着窗外，我就觉得我们像是活在音乐玻璃球里的世界，有人一直摇着玻璃球让雪花一直一直飘着。要踏出真实世界时，就像要作战一样，穿上一层层的盔甲。踏出的那一刹那，迎面的是放肆飞舞的雪球，拼命地打在身上。有时老天爷心情好，温柔地下着雪花。在那样珍贵的时候，我们就必须倚偎彼此浪漫地散步。因为不知道何时雪花就会变成无情的雪球了。。那么多天走在雪中后，我的结论是：下雪和下雨是一样的。只是形态不同。下雪着的风景比较美，下雪后的世界白白的，也比较美。美是有代价的，我们必须忍着寒风刺骨的天气。

对，世上是没有白吃的午餐。滑雪也一样：要感觉自由自在滑下山的快感，必须辛辛苦苦地穿着厚重的鞋上山。