Having "Me" Time

For the first time this year, today Bangkok citizens felt the first cool breeze of the upcoming winter season.  Last year we barely had a day of cool weather, this year seems promising.  Since early morning, the sun was out but instead of being hot and humid, it was wonderfully cool averaging around 25 degrees celsius.  Oh how I love this weather.  The entire city feels like it is airconditioned.  This cool air of autumn is one of my favorite times during the years and always makes me happy.  It reminds me of the beautiful autumn colours, hiking in the Shenandoah Mountains last year, or in the Austrian countryside.  It's always so relaxing and pleasurable after the summer rush and energy.  Then Thanksgiving arrives and the festivities begin.  Of course it also reminds me of  my recent trip to Japan when all the shops started putting everything up for Autumn and it made me think about what were my impres...

After we eat at Tokyo, we go pray.  Somehow this sequence reminds me of the novel Eat, Pray, Love.  As a first time visitor to Tokyo, I had to go see Tokyo's oldest and most significant temple, the Sensoji-temple or also known as the Asakusa. The temple is dedicated to Guan Yin or the Goddess of Mercy and is supposed to have first been built in 645.  Although most buildings have been destroyed during the World War, they have all been rebuilt and it continues to be an important temple in Tokyo.  People still worship and pray at this temple.  While I was there, I witnessed a ceremony taking place with a few monks but I wasn't able to ascertain what the ceremony was about. It's a fun place to visit even if you've been to a dozen shrines already.  I particularly enjoyed seeing how this place of worship just suddenly appears to you walking down the street.  The entrance is dominated by an enormous "Thunder Gate" under which hangs an equally gig...

In Tokyo, I discovered quite by accident an unexpectedly good kaiten sushi place on my way to visit the Asakusa.  I had to change trains at Ueno and I was hungry, so I walked out the station to find something to eat.  It wasn't the best sushi on earth, but it was definitely worth the price and extremely satisfying.  The salmon just melted in my mouth.  I discovered this little kaiten-sushi or conveyor belt sushi place called Oedo, just outside Ueno Station on a walking street opposite the station.  It's built under the train tracks so it's a tiny little place.  Anyways, the wonderful thing is that this kaiten sushi place offers everything at one price.  All the sushi and rolls are priced at 126yen or just $1.5 !!  Absolutely wonderful.  Now it not only had salmon, grilled, salmon, but it also had yellow tail, eel, tuna, shrimp and just about anything you could think of.  Of course no toro nor sea urchin, that would be too wonderful....

What is a holiday if you don't allow yourself to enjoy a little bit of eating? Japan is heaven for Japanese food lovers like me, so you have to eat and enjoy yourself while you're there.  What I always tell myself is this:  eat whatever you want, beware of portion size, and know the consequences.  As long as you are willing to admit the consequences from too much eating, then go ahead and enjoy yourself.  I did, and one of my favorite finds during this trip was at the Tsukiji Fish Market. As any food lover, I wanted to bare witness to the fish auctions that take place at the biggest wholesale fish and seafood market in the world: Tsukiji Fish Market.  I wanted to see tuna, salmon, sea urchins, eel and all sorts of food being auctioned away, but this time I have to admit I couldn't wake up.  It was too early.  It would require me waking up at around 4am in the morning and getting myself out to the fish market by around 6am to make the f...

After the silent Shinkansen ride where everyone was quiet, and extremely orderly, I arrived in Tokyo.  The capital of Japan, Tokyo was a completely different story from Osaka, Kyoto and Nara.  With a population of 13 million people it was bustling with people.  Everywhere I went, I was surrounded by people. At first glance of the underground map, I thought I was looking at a painting by Jackson Pollock with coloured lines and dots scattered all around the page in seemingly random patterns.  It was a piece of art in itself, but upon close study of it, you realize that there was really quite a lot of sense in all this chaos and a pattern emerged.  This combination of JR trains, Toei Line Trains, or Tokyo Metro Line allowed you to go anywhere you wanted to.  It is no wonder that Japan has one of the most extensive network of surface lines in the world. I stopped at Shinjuku station to see what this shopping area ...

This morning I rode the famous "bullet train" or Shinkansen for the first time from Osaka to Tokyo. It was fun and exciting. This train is supposed to be one of the fastest trains in the world with speeds averaging around 300 km per hour and one so punctual it's stressful. I stress that I'll miss the train or not get on the train in time. They only stop for 3 minutes at the stop. 3 minutes exactly. Not 4 nor 5 but 3 minutes. 3 simple minutes. How did they determine it? I get to the train station early so as not to stress. It's a good decision as it allows me to wander around, take pictures and get myself to the platform. I'm immediately impressed by how organized and clean everything is. I thought the Germans were organized but not as much as Japan. The platform's signs allow me to know exactly where I am to stand wait. I reserved seats so the ticket tells me clearly what bogey and seat number I am to take. These are all clearly defined on the platform ...

Not far from Osaka, Kobe is a city of approximately 1.5 million inhabitants and it is said to be one of the most attractive cities in Japan.  I thought it was a very "cute" and quaint city especially if you go walk around the neighbourhood of Kitano where there is a uniquely European-American atmosphere.  Very different from all the shrines, castles and small wooden houses found elsewhere. On this hillside, away from the hustle and bustle of centre city where all the shopping and businesses are located, I feel like I have just travelled to a little hillside town in the US or somewhere in Europe.  I walk up some steps and find myself in a little plaza where ice-cream shops and cake shops adorn the place.  I could be in Germany, I remember seeing a small area like this when I was last in Frankfurt, the only difference is that the ice-cream is all Japanese style, soft served in a cone and green-tea flavored and the people eating it are japanese. I walk further up ...

On holiday one goes to so many sites within the space of one day that after two days you feel like you've seen so much, experienced so many things and nourished your senses.  Yesterday I went to visit Nara, founded in 710  as the first capital of Japan and it is definitely a site not to be missed.   There are eight Unesco Heritage Sites in Nara alone and the best part is that a lot of them are within walking distance (though make sure you have comfortable shoes.)  I like it because it doesn't have the large bustling atmosphere of a modern city.  I can feel its history in the air. The main sites are located in Nara Park which is an area so large you would probably need an hour or so to walk around. Being someone who loves to just soak in the atmosphere of the place, I took longer, much longer. I spent at least two hours walking around.   I couldn't help but just stand and look at the large wooden columns that towered over the entrance of the Todai-ji Temp...

Today I was as tourist in every way possible.  I went around most of the major sites around Kyoto together with my guidebook, a large camera hanging around my neck and a video camera for those moments you just want to catch in action. I visited the beautiful Golden Pavillion of Kinkaku-ji whose shine radiated across the peaceful lake amidst the mountains and the towering Japanese Black Pines.  It's beauty reflected in the water in front of you and the whole place radiated a sense of peace and calm.  If only there were less "tourists" like me around it'd be so much better, but who wouldn't want to visit a site so marvelously beautiful? I went to Nijo Castle, built to demonstrate Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu's power not far from the Imperial Palace ,  gazed at its beautiful painted panels, and treaded on the nightingale floors which made bird-like squeaking sounds.  The large planks of wood really sound like birds chirping.  What methods do they use to build it? ...

I love vacation. Who doesn't right?  From your childhood days, through your teens, college and later in working life, vacation seem to take on a whole different aspect.  These days, an interesting and fascinating part of vacation seems to me to be the people we meet along the way.  Of course if you're traveling in a group it can be a little different, but if you are traveling alone then I guess it takes on a whole new meaning.  I'm not traveling alone, but I did get a seat alone next to someone who turned out to be a very interesting fellow with a wonderfully unique character of his own.  I just HAVE to write about him.   Conversations start like they always do when strangers meet for the first time.  A smile followed with a few nods of the head and then some opening question like "Hello, isn't it nice we have an empty seat between us to put things on?"  "Yes it is." goes the reply and then conversation continues.. It was all small talk until h...

In less than two day's time I'll be on my annual block leave and wondering around the land of the Samurais.  I've been planning this trip for years and for some reason or the other never made it.  I've made plans before with friends, bought the guidebook and even had an itinerary. Then something comes up and 'phoof' it's off and gone. This time though the trip is set in stone with tickets issued and an itinerary prepared.   It'll be by first time in Japan and I'm excited.  I have always loved the Japanese maple tree, the landscape, I die for japanese food, I crave to visit the zen temples and discover some peace, I admire the japanese sense of order and am enthralled by the strangeness of Murakami novels.  There is so much that is yet to be discovered in Japan.   I grew up with a wonderful Japanese friend, and I can't wait to see her once again. It's been many many years.  Much too many. Yet despite all thi...

Over the weekend, I went out with my dear friends for a birthday celebration (Happy Birthday again!)  and since it's now the "Vegetarian" Festival in Thailand, we discussed and wondered about its origins and what is this festival really for?  All we know is that for a period of 9 days, people of Chinese descent in Thailand go "vegetarian" or "vegan."  During this period, those participating in the festival abstain from eating meat, anything made from meat (including oil or fat), eggs, and vegetables that have strong flavours.  Garlic, onions, and chives are all off limits.  Even fish sauce that is used in most Thai dishes are substituted. I wonder what is this festival for?  Do people in other countries celebrate this festival as much as we do here in Thailand?  Everywhere I go during the 9 days of the festival, I find shops and restaurants all raising the signature yellow flag to tell me that they serve "Je" or Vegetarian food.  Almost eve...

The other day I went shopping for clothes. It's something I haven't done too much of since I lost those 15 kgs, as there were still so many "small" clothes I had left in my closet waiting for me to "one" day be small enough to fit in.  It's a good thing I never lost hope and just donate them all away.  Now that I am small enough, I have been busy wearing those "small" clothes.  New ones had to be bought though I never realized how much I was still the "chubby" me inside even though I have been shopping for almost a year. I suddenly realized the other day when shopping and trying on clothes, that I kept unconsciously picking out clothes were subject to the old rules. Rules that had been part of my life for much too long.  An eternity it feels like. The list goes like this: No horizontal stripes. No light coloured bottoms. No large lines. No large patterns. No sleeveless. No skinny or pencil skirts. A-line or pleats only. No ...

And so the weekend is over. Just like that its done and over before you know it. Just like that and your life will have passed you by.  Just like that you'd have gone through that experience you feared, undergone that operation or crossed that terribly high bridge.  Whatever happened, it didn't kill you and it was over.  Over just like that. It's the same thing with exercise and weightloss.   Many people still ask me how I did it. (Even a year after)  The answer is simple.  You just take a deep breath, decide to do it and DO IT.  Don't hesitate, don't waste another minute of your precious life wondering when is a "good" time to do it, when is a "good time" to start that project. If you just do it, before you know it , you'd have reached your goal and be done with it forever and ever.  There is never a "good" time to do it as when the "good" time arrives,  you'd undoubtedly find another reason why some later time in...

Going out to run the other day, I tried something different with my laces.  Usually I just pull it at the ends and then tie the shoes without much thought to it.  I mean, I've been tieing my own shoe laces for almost three decades and at this age, who can't tie their shoe lace?  I never gave much thought to it until one day I realized my shoes weren't feeling as comfortable as they should have. Some days I felt like they were just an extension of my body and I could run easily.  Some days they felt big and bulky.  So in an attempt to discover what's making me feel so different, I slowed down my pace and carefully tied my shoes.  Instead of just pulling the ends, I went through the middle of the laces and pulled them tight with both my fists.  I pulled it up all the way to the end which made the shoe seem to fit a bit more and then I tried to make my bow looked good. Surprisingly, it made a huge difference to how my shoes felt on my feet a...

When I was young, I used to take everything seriously.  I'd get upset if I go into a store and found an unresponsive salesperson, or one who was too pushy.  I'd get upset if someone cuts in line in front of me orders the last few servings of that delicious cake I'd been eying.   Being given the dinner bill before asking for it.... All these little things used to make me upset and it'd end up ruining the rest of of day.  I'll go on ranting about my "bad" experience and complain incessantly.  My complaining probably annoyed everyone else around me too.  Now, I am trying a new approach to everything and it's working pretty well so far.  I'm just laughing everything off :) Yes, LAUGHING it off with a big grin and a big smile. Laughing is actually beneficial for your health and we would all benefit if we added a little laughter into our lives.  For one thing,  laughing is widely believed to reduce stress hormones while...

Sometimes I get all worked out about trying to do something well, that it no longer becomes fun.  When something is no fun, you just don't really want to do it anymore and then you end up not doing it.  No good.  Like running or exercising.   I tell myself I want to be fit and healthy, but running can be hassle and the lazy bones inside of me keeps telling me to just forget about it and let the lazy chubby me reemerge. So I fight the sounds and voices in my head and tell them: "No, I will remain healthy and I will continue to run for as long as I live." So far, so good.  I've been running on a fairly flexible schedule with flexible eating regime.  I watch what I eat, and watch the portions, though at times I do find myself pigging out on chocolate or the freshly baked donut.  Today I had cheesy pizza and oily chicken. Oh, I also had a Krispy Kreme Donut.  Yummmy. During these pigging out events I feel "guilty" and th...

With all my rantngs on good eats around Bangkok and around Malaysia, I assure you I have not given up on running.  I still do go running at least twice a week even after I hurt my back and had to give myself a one week break.  It has been hard to regain the momentum I had when I was on my diet after a week off, and a lazy week after, but it is important not to give up and stop running if you want to maintain that health you worked so hard for. I am planning to run the 5K at the Bangkok Marathon which is held annually every year in November and its about time I started training seriously.  If you are reading this, I hope you will join me this year. It's on November 21st, 2010.  ( http://www.bkkmarathon.com/ ) The last time I did the 5K (which by-the-way is considered  Micro-marathon, Walk and Fun Run which means they don't even consider it a "real" run) was in 2007 when I was totally unfit and unprepared.  My good friend invited me to join and ...

Sunday is here once again and what a lovely Sunday it is.  Waking up to the sounds of birds humming at my window and blue skies.  I thought to myself, "If only it wasn't so hot and humid, Bangkok would be just lovely."  I decide to spend a relaxing day indoors as much as possible.  This weekend with the "Pay Day Effect" in full motion (as mentioned in my previous post) I dare not venture afar.  Of course I did have to go out some time so I went out with my brother today. Almost as certain as the sun will rise tomorrow, if I keep walking around with my brother long enough, I'm bound to get a comment from a shop assistant asking me about my "boyfriend."  It is always said matter of factly, as if it was a sure fact and that things couldn't be otherwise.  It usually comes in the form of a passing question like the one I got asked today: "What tea will your boyfriend have?" To which I responded: "He's my brother. ...

I wonder if the same phenomenon happens in other countries.  In Thailand, you can tell when its the month-end Friday by simply looking at the traffic jam on the streets and the number of people eating out in restaurants.  The streets are packed with cars, crawling as if they were old men and women walking.  Motorcycles zoom in and out through the cars as if they were bees buzzing around looking for pollen. Cars and people fill up every nook and cranny.  The city is bustling with life and sounds.  It's Bangkok. The first indication that pay day has arrived is when you noticing long queues along the ATM machines.   If there is no queue, and its an ATM in an accessible spot, there is a good chance it'd be out of money.   If you happen to pass by one of the AEON machines, which is easy credit or personal loans for those who have limited funds, you'd be surprised at the queue at the snakes around outside the office as peopl...