Bulletproof Heart

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Hmyzn0BHvo

One year ago today, I started blogging. It’s been an interesting journey, to say the least. My conclusion though, after a whole year of observation, is that most people in Tokyo have lost the ability to love. And I believe the reason is that nobody trusts anybody anymore. Trust is such a rare commodity here.

So everywhere in this city of 8.7 million people, you see restless souls roaming about in their own shadows, furtively looking for something they don’t even know. The only thing they know is never to trust another soul.

Many western friends have told me that the gaijins here in Tokyo are a completely different breed from the people they know back home. They’ve become corrupted during their struggle to survive here in this jungle.

Why do we all feel we should work hard and play harder? Ok, you might blame it on your star sign, but nobody I know can just sit still for more than an hour now. Everybody has to go out every night to feel they still exist.

In this Age of Uncertainty, we feel obliged to live the life to the fullest. Who knows when the next big earthquake will strike Tokyo? Who knows if you will lose your job next month? Who knows if your partner will be diagnosed with cancer tomorrow, or worse, caught red-handed cheating on you?

How many truly happy people do you know here? Some people are good at masking their despair, but deep down nobody knows what to believe and who to trust anymore. We don’t want to be disappointed or hurt, so we have stopped expecting anything from anyone long ago.

People nowadays are a miserable lonely bunch. Everybody insists that he is his own best friend. It’s just sad. Tokyo is a really sad city.

But look, we have to start believing again, because that’s when dreams start to become true.

Allow yourself to dream again!

Say Hello

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsPygguW7XQ

OK OK I know I should be preparing for the coming new semester, but look, many girls have asked me this question and I am just trying to help:

     What are the best pick-up lines for girls to use on guys?

1.  John? John? It’s been a long time! Hmmm, you look a bit different. Hotter than ever in fact.
2.  Sorry, the music is too loud. Did you just say something?
3.  I never do this, but I’m tired of waiting for you to talk to me. (pout)
4.  I know you are probably wondering, so here is my answer - nope, I don’t come here often.
5. I speak English. (only in Japan)
6. What’s the pick-up line you usually use?
7. Kiss me if I’m wrong, but you work out a lot, don’t you?
8. What did you just order? There are so many different kinds of beer here. Could you help me to   choose?
9. Do these look real?
10. What if I tell you I’m not wearing any knickers?

To be honest, I’ve never used any of above. Actually I’ve never bothered with any pick-up lines. I play ice queen when I am in a pub. I don’t smile at any guys and I avoid eye contact. And I keep my answers short when someone still tries.

But that’s only because I don’t go to the pub to hunt. I go there to meet my friends, enjoy live music and if the music is good, I dance too.

Also I don’t really think girls should hunt, not with words anyway. The best weapon a girl’s got is her smile. If you want to be subtle, a glance should be enough too. Use your body language. Turn towards him. Look in his general direction. Throw in a shy smile or two. And if he doesn’t get it, then he is either gay or (happily) married.

I don’t really know what advice I can give to girls. All this is just theoretically speaking. I’ve never put any of this into tests. So good luck, girls!

Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJb-DSKAuMA&feature=fvst

It’s good to be home. I suppose that’s why we need to travel sometimes, so that we can learn to appreciate home all over again.

I just got back from the Kiwiland, which in fact is home for me too since my family is there. But every time I return, I am still surprised at the breathtaking scenery. It’s unbelievably paradise-like.

Everything is suspiciously picture perfect - the sun, the sea, and the sheep. Ok, I’ve probably heard hundreds of sheep jokes already, but they do resemble fluffy stuffed animals when they are not moving. I can’t really blame the Kiwis for liking them! :p

Apart from all the lunches and dinners with family and friends – the way Chinese connect to each other, I had a weekend trip on Waiheke Island, 45 minutes from Auckland by ferry and famous for its vineyards.

Naturally I visited a winery and tasted the delicious wine. I also went to a flea market, sat in the sun at an outdoor café, ate too much ice cream, and had a walk on the beautiful beach. And on top of all that, there happened to be a jazz festival going on that weekend. So I went to 2 gigs and was very impressed with the Kiwi bands.

Yup, lucky lucky me indeed. From what my family and friends told me, I was extremely lucky with the weather as well. They had a crappy, cold and rainy summer before I arrived, but it was sunny and warm almost every day when I was there. Ha!

But now, unfortunately, I have my newly acquired 2 kilos to deal with. I’ve been keeping a safe distance from the weighing scale since I got back. I wonder when I will have enough courage. But then again, I really have to try those 6 different flavors of Whittaker’s chocolate bars that I brought back. Hmmmm, what a dilemma! :(