Friends and Origami

Back from a long vacation, and would like to blog about this trip. This trip was a little sudden, and I am very very lucky to be able to have my leave approved. Special thanks to my team leads Alex and Alid; and to my team mates, Shruti and Esther, who covered up for me during my absence. It has been a good project, would be nice if I get to know them better.

Anyway, back to my trip. First stop, Minneapolis. Minneapolis is a very quiet place, nothing much to do. It is however a very good place to retire in. I enjoy the quiet and peaceful times there. Good to be somewhere where I don't need to worry about work. Of all the trips I have taken, this is the first one which I have voluntarily stayed away from my phone. Usually when I go overseas, I would be hoping to receive phone calls or sms from Singapore. Kind of like the feeling of being connected to Singapore, or maybe the feeling of knowing that someone is looking for me. This trip however, I don't really care if anyone is looking for me or whatsoever. Think this is a good thing. Afterall, there's not really anyone whom I was hoping will call me or something. Anyway, something to add: I don't understand why there are people who call me, but simply do not sms me when I don't pick up the phone. C'mon, if it's important, pls sms me instead of just calling and getting no answer. The feeling of not caring too much about what other people think of you is good...

Some highlights of the Minneapolis stay is:
1) I did a LOT of shopping. And I mean A LOT!! Didn't have a chance to sum up how much I spent, but I think it's almost close to 1k.. No more shopping for me in the near future man..
2) I met Oscar again!! And I met Eva, his gf. So glad to be able to meet Oscar again. Didn't expect we would see each other so soon. It's a regret that I can't visit him at Wisconsin this time. If only I knew how to drive.. :(
3) Speaking of driving, I drove for the first time in my life in Minneapolis!! I can't believe my sis allowed me to drive her car!! Haha, that's the difference between family and friends. Dave and Oscar had never once let me sit behind the steering wheel.. haha

After Minneapolis, I went to Tokyo for a few days. Since we are going to pass by Tokyo, and since mom has never been there before, why not stop over there? And that's what we did. Special thanks to Yohei for helping us get the wonderful hotel at Shinjuku. If Minneapolis is a retirement house, Tokyo is a stock exchange place. The pace of life is so fast there that it is stressful even to watch the people.

This tokyo trip is very special, because it feels like being home. Every day I was there I was never alone. Yohei and Yuko was nice to come to the airport to welcome us. The train ticket easily cost them $40 each way!! Man, they shouldn't have come..
On our second day, Atsushi-san was very kind to drive us to the subsurbs to visit a volcanic region as well as a shrine. Took him 3 hours to reach there, and 5 hours back due to a nasty traffic jam. :(
Santoshi-san joined us for dinner. Good to see him again!! Had raw liver (chicken I think), as well as raw pork for the first time. Interesting, but a little scary. But the raw pork is very nice! Can't remember the name for it though.. :$

On the third day, Suzanne showed us around tokyo old town. Haven't seen her for three years, and we chatted a lot that day. Very kind of her to spend the whole day with us. Misato and Yuko joined us for dinner later. Good to see Misato again. Been 3 years, and I think her English has improved a lot. But she still have the habit of talking to me in Japanese.. haha, fortunately this time I can understand a little bit more. Thanks to Yuko for organizing this get-together.
Managed to met up with Mr Higuchi and his wife and his two beloved pets later that night. Good to see old friends again.

On the fourth day, we went to Kamakura. Thanks to our guide (whom I am obligated to not identify), we had a great day there! Excellent guide and friend. After which, had dinner at a friend's place. It is definitely one which I would always remembered. Again, can't give details due to my commitment to my friend :(

We left Japan on Sunday with wonderful memories and incountable debts to our wonderful friends in Japan. Hope to see them in Singapore, so that I can return the hospitality. =)


PS: As for Origami, time to sleep.. Maybe next time..