Friday, May 30, 2008

Sorry guys for a temporary absence from blogging, been more lazy than anything else, procrastinating and delaying my Japan photos. Haha.

Been quite sick these past few days as well, bouts of headaches, cold and BAD BAD dry cough. finally today I'm feeling better; mustered enough determination and enthusiasm to put up more (overdue) photos of my Japan trip. Moreover, I was thinking since I was sorting out the photos for printing later on, may as well pick up where I've left off....
DAY 3 (Harajuku,Omotesando)

Back in 05, we had already came to Harajuku and Omotesando, and it was such a nice place so we decided to pay it another visit. During our previous visit, we went to the Meiji Shrine but this time we just decided to stick to the shopping areas, because we would be visiting Kyoto later on. Being the previous imperial capital, shrines and old castles would be aplenty.

These places are known for its several international brand outlets, Zara,Louis Vuitton, Topshop, GAP, Gucci, Burberry,Ralph Lauren etc. etc. You'd be surprised how much cheaper these things in Japan are cheaper than in Singapore, plus the range of stuff you can choose from is much more varied and all in all, a better shopping experience.
In my humble opinion I feel these two places are better than the much touted Shibuya area, because it has a better appearance, the people are friendlier (to be honest everyone I've talked to is friendly lol) and the tiny streets weaving in and out of the entire stretch offer almost limitless shopping, dining and fun.

There was this particular street that had very good bargains,(mostly 'brandless' stuff, but they had shirts at $14 SGD and scarfs at $5 SGD and good genuine leather bags at $45 SGD and lacoste shoes at $50 SGD etc. lol) think of it as Japan's version of Bugis Street + Good Cooling Weather.

BUT I FORGOT TO TAKE PICTURES of that place. Probably due to the fact I was too busy rummaging through all the small stores heh.
Well, I'll let the pictures do the rest of the talking yeah.


Wanted to go this very unique UT shop that sells limited and exclusively designed T-shirts that are packaged and sold very specially, but it had closed already.
We did, however, manage to come back on Day 5 I think. More on that later.

And so for dinner was a neat little cafe that offered very good food and drinks.



and finally back home for a rest.



Nothing like watching an NBA broadcast in all HD goodness woo.

More on Day 4 tomorrow.

{ 5:36 pm }

Saturday, May 24, 2008

FINALLY THE JAPAN PHOTOS!
Ok it is alot, and I mean alot of photos (3GB worth of it lol)

Soo I will attempt to sort them out, post by post, on the highlights of the trips, in chronological order. I think it kind of defeats the purpose if I just post every picture i took, but if anyone wants to see all of it, please tell me haha. Anyway I kind of regretted not uploading and posting everyday since I had my dad's laptop, but was really tired and lazy everytime I got back. Plus every night we always had to plan for the day after, which was accompanied with drinks, coffee, snacks and a hearty dose of japanese television.
Anyway, to those who read my first post when I was in Japan, would know what I did basically in day 1. Roaming around my apartment etc. Nothing special, but here are additional pictures I took, just to start the ball rolling properly yeah.

DAY 1 (Akasaka Hills,Ark Hills,Akasaka Streets)

Wondered around basically nothing really special, but nice nonetheless. Had superb napoleon pasta at an outdoor cafe, overlooking a wide open square where people usually have lunch outside, talk and where the kids have some space to run around. the weather was slightly chilly but I didn't mind at all hahaha.


okay now for day 2.

DAY 2 (Shibuya)

I didn't take much pictures because it was raining super heavily as the day progressed. Everyone on the streets in Shibuya were holding umbrellas as well, so it was quite difficult to navigate and walk around, but we managed. For those who don't know, Shibuya is one of the hottest shopping zones in Tokyo, like an Orchard Road x 2 if you can't picture it. However, you won't find names like Takashimya or any other big malls we do have back home, but rather huge buildings housing various shops or a single brand i.e HMV, Tower Records, UT, 109 & 109 Men etc. 109 by the way is this fantastic huge building filled with clothings etc. 109 is 9 levels of female stuff, where as the men have their own across the road too. Unfortunately the stuff at 109 is pretty ex, but you'd be surprised that some things elsewhere that are cheaper than they are in Singapore. So you would have to rummage and really dive deep to find bargains. Didn't stop walking unless for the odd snack and drink, and took managed a peek into the old graniph store (back in 05 graniph was almost non-existent in Singapore) but now it seems the size is smaller now. Basically we all knew what we wanted to look at, so it was quite efficient. Guitar lovers will find there is an awesome acoustic guitar shop with ovation guitars and of course, the ESP custom shop. OK here are some of the pictures.

the main highlight however was the food at night.

imagine stepping into a small, warm ramen restaurant all drenched and cold by the rain and wind, with the smell of noodles and tasty soup all around you.

TORIDE!
a spot we frequented in our 05 trip, because our apartment then was located near it. trashes any ramen you have eaten I guarantee. And the gyoza also trashes anything you've eaten in Crystal Jade, or wherever.
seeing these pictures make me feel hungry.



alright, day 3 and 4 would be up soon.

{ 12:20 am }

Thursday, May 22, 2008



sorry guys, took a little break from blogging, partly due to the fact I'm doing lots of songwriting recently and been organising the japan trip photos, and other slack-related activities.

so here is some pictures of yummy homecooked food i've had the benefit of tasting and enjoying these days.

my dad's oven baked salmon fillet, pretty good stuff, tops many i've eaten in restaurants.



and then there's desmond's mother's katsu curry and california rolls.





compare it with desmond's attempt! haha, it takes skill to make it look like it is.



but hey, everybody has a first try yeah.

been digging up some old toy models for display in my room too

the 3 mechs/robots are from Gundam, Metal Gear Solid 2 and Front Mission 3.


miniature soldiers and vehicles are micro machine military models, don't know whether they still produce these anymore.



and here is my new revamped desktop, for those who haven't seen it.



its just a mac skin, haha. thought it was a refreshing change after I got my 22inch wide screen monitor.

alright, japan photos up tmr!


{ 6:36 pm }

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Conniption Fit

Theres only so much a wall can take before it breaks from strain.

Just stop all that balderdash here,there,wherever,whenever --flawed vision hinders

so why doesn't it hinder yours ?

Some questions i can never get into my irreverant brain..we never will know, never will find out.

Little whispers circle about your head as you try to deal with all that logic burnt at the tip of the decievers tongue.

we start lying so much so we find reaffirmation in ourselves.

"Who hell you , Challenge me Fool? "

or so the Cockamaroo sings everyday to the pedestal that reads

"Judge not lest ye be judged yourself."

Just like the moon revolves round the stars,

indeed you are Holier than thou.

we cant deny , we cant refute.

if an extinguished consequence lies bare on the oil plains of eventuality

We all know what to do, Yes, We graciously accept what we will know what to do.


{ 10:54 am }

Friday, May 16, 2008

hey guys! good news is that i got the pictures from japan already. shall upload it bit by bit, cause its super alot. anyhow, today's post is a seperate thing altogether.

me mel and des rented a car for a day and drove around today for the fun of it.







some waffles and snacks at waffle town at balmoral plaza.









proceeded by some serious slacking at sentosa till late.

ignore the poses hahaha














followed by nice supper at geylang. tmr's prata at jalan kayu ! till tmr then.








{ 1:44 am }



shawn ang
leo | 3rd august 87'
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