Just finished 2 midterms this week - one on Tuesday and another on Friday! Yay! Not too sure how I did but the important thing is that it's over! =D
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To the little small bit of itchy-twitchy on my hand:
- are you a real itchy part or a psychological mischief?!
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And I really should go sleep NOW. Tomorrow will have to be up by 6.20am to go to Surugadai University for my first Japan League Match with the Ducks! So excited!! =)
Showing posts with label Floorball. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Floorball. Show all posts
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Monday, April 5, 2010
Dinner
My dinner tonight is...
Mountain Dew, Macdonalds Large Fries (150yen! cheap cheap) and strawberries from Seiyu.
For some reason, couldn't really focus at floorball practice just now. Mind kept wandering off.
And of late, my dinners and lunches have been very scrappy put-togethers, with the main theme of "cheap" haha. Hope this mindset manages to continue on throughout even though school starts tomorrow. I really need to get down to actually looking for part-time job. Money aside - but I really think I need some new environment, or new activity of some sort to stimulate me, get me going. I'm actually getting bored. Raaa.
Mountain Dew, Macdonalds Large Fries (150yen! cheap cheap) and strawberries from Seiyu.
For some reason, couldn't really focus at floorball practice just now. Mind kept wandering off.
And of late, my dinners and lunches have been very scrappy put-togethers, with the main theme of "cheap" haha. Hope this mindset manages to continue on throughout even though school starts tomorrow. I really need to get down to actually looking for part-time job. Money aside - but I really think I need some new environment, or new activity of some sort to stimulate me, get me going. I'm actually getting bored. Raaa.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Random Things
Interesting trivia:
Apparently Japan has one of the world's most expensive pizzas; second only to Norway.
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One of my floorball friends at the club is a Norwegian married to a Japanese; and they had met whilst studying in England. He can't speak Japanese (yet; learning but still very basic) and she can't speak Norwegian. Was just thinking earlier what it's like to be communicating in one's second language most of the time. Or perhaps for them it's close to their first anyway. Hmm.
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Just played my first match with Chofu today, albeit a friendly and not the Japan Cup. But didn't go too well, and the worst thing was, I forgot to enjoy the game. Hopefully won't be repeating this!
Apparently Japan has one of the world's most expensive pizzas; second only to Norway.
=======================
One of my floorball friends at the club is a Norwegian married to a Japanese; and they had met whilst studying in England. He can't speak Japanese (yet; learning but still very basic) and she can't speak Norwegian. Was just thinking earlier what it's like to be communicating in one's second language most of the time. Or perhaps for them it's close to their first anyway. Hmm.
=======================
Just played my first match with Chofu today, albeit a friendly and not the Japan Cup. But didn't go too well, and the worst thing was, I forgot to enjoy the game. Hopefully won't be repeating this!
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Chofu Floorball Club 忘年会
Back from the short trip to Osaka/Nara/Kobe, but more importantly, Happy New Year!
Will post my winter break photos in the next post, but for now, I realised I forgot to put up photos of the 忘年会 that I went for with fellow members of the Chofu Floorball Club! This was held on the 19th December, Saturday, and we had yummy Okonomiyaki(お好み焼き)!
忘年会(read bou-nen-kai) is basically like a year-end gathering/party that most people in Japan seemt to have as the year-end approaches. From as early as November, started seeing signs for these at restaurants and it always struck me how it's interesting that it'd literally mean "a gathering to forget the year". That's how I saw it anyway. Nonetheless, what an interesting experience it was.
Went to an okonomiyaki place at Shibasaki (near Chofu where I usually train) for the Bounenkai. And for 1300yen (19sgd~) you get to choose an okonomiyaki or monjyayaki, yakisoba and a free flow of softdrink as well as a soft serve ice cream. Pretty good deal. But what was more interesting was that I basically learnt how to make okonomiyaki and fry yaki soba!! The teppanyaki (hotplate/stove cooking thing) was in front of you at the table and you basically made it yourself. Yutaka, one of the male floorball players was absolutely pro at this! And he taught me how to cook yakisoba too! Am gonna try doing it myself next time.
Some pictures:
After okonomiyaki, they moved across the street for part 2 - the drinking part - so the high-schoolers went on home. Basically you pay a fixed price, and get to order any alcoholic (or not) drink on the menu for 1.5 hours or 2 hours and they provided several side dishes as well. It was in the traditional Japanese setting where they sit on the tatami-matted floor. So by the end of the night my legs were in pins and needles from having to sit on the floor - so uncomfortable I dunno how they do it! No photos though - forgot to take any. Highlight of the night was when I somehow 'won' a lot-drawing game and got a long-sleeved adidas jersey as a prize! Just in time, since I don't have any long-sleeved jerseys for training! Lady Luck must have been smiling down at me =)
Will post my winter break photos in the next post, but for now, I realised I forgot to put up photos of the 忘年会 that I went for with fellow members of the Chofu Floorball Club! This was held on the 19th December, Saturday, and we had yummy Okonomiyaki(お好み焼き)!
忘年会(read bou-nen-kai) is basically like a year-end gathering/party that most people in Japan seemt to have as the year-end approaches. From as early as November, started seeing signs for these at restaurants and it always struck me how it's interesting that it'd literally mean "a gathering to forget the year". That's how I saw it anyway. Nonetheless, what an interesting experience it was.
Went to an okonomiyaki place at Shibasaki (near Chofu where I usually train) for the Bounenkai. And for 1300yen (19sgd~) you get to choose an okonomiyaki or monjyayaki, yakisoba and a free flow of softdrink as well as a soft serve ice cream. Pretty good deal. But what was more interesting was that I basically learnt how to make okonomiyaki and fry yaki soba!! The teppanyaki (hotplate/stove cooking thing) was in front of you at the table and you basically made it yourself. Yutaka, one of the male floorball players was absolutely pro at this! And he taught me how to cook yakisoba too! Am gonna try doing it myself next time.
Some pictures:
After okonomiyaki, they moved across the street for part 2 - the drinking part - so the high-schoolers went on home. Basically you pay a fixed price, and get to order any alcoholic (or not) drink on the menu for 1.5 hours or 2 hours and they provided several side dishes as well. It was in the traditional Japanese setting where they sit on the tatami-matted floor. So by the end of the night my legs were in pins and needles from having to sit on the floor - so uncomfortable I dunno how they do it! No photos though - forgot to take any. Highlight of the night was when I somehow 'won' a lot-drawing game and got a long-sleeved adidas jersey as a prize! Just in time, since I don't have any long-sleeved jerseys for training! Lady Luck must have been smiling down at me =)
Saturday, November 14, 2009
CFC + Culture #1
Cultural Exchange #1
Wednesday's practice was not so good - the feeling of frustration and being a burden on the rest. But today was a nice way to start the weekend. I scored my first-ever goal in Japan; Tomoyuki-san said:" 日本に来てからJingwenさんがうまくなった。”Although I totally didn't understand what he saying until a few explanation attempts later, but I finally understood that he was saying... I've improved!! So made my day =).
After practice today was a teach-little-children-floorball day, and it's so amazing to see some of them holding sticks which are obviously too long for them (6~13year-olds) and yet handle them with such dexterity that belies their young age. Joined in for a little bit, and A's mother was so kind as to do the drills with me and Y-san kept asking me to join the small kids in groups. Nice. And then there's the chat with T-san and R-san, and learning about Unihockey (a sport probably only found in Japan), and just about many more random things. Both of them have been to Singapore before (T-san 4times, R-san once) and they were so funny; Singapore is known as a food haven, but the one thing that they said they kept eating there was.... MACDONALDS at Orchard Road! Gosh! Made me laugh so hard. Apparently because it was so tasty and slightly different from the Japanese Macs. Interesting haha. And they actually still kept the laminated floorball souvenirs that NUS gave them 2 years ago during the Christmas friendly!
I really liked this chat with them, because I feel like despite the huge language barrier, it's really nice to know that there are people out there who still try to communicate with you and sincerely so, despite the evident difficulties. =) Esp T-san. He's always been one of the first to actually call out my full name properly and talk to me (in Japanese). Appreciated!
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Cultural Exchange #2
I often got to practices with another teammate J - a Norwegian who has played for the Norway National Team before, and just moved to Tokyo last year after marrying his Japanese wife. Most of the team stay in Chofu, or nearby, and J is 1) the only other English-speaking person 2) the only person staying near me (ie, near Shinjuku rather than Chofu). So most travelling time is spent learning more about each other's culture and way of life and common mindsets. He made a comment today that he liked how I described Singapore as a "forward-looking country" and I found that so odd because I mentioned it a few weeks back so it must have really struck him to have stuck so well - and yet this was a very common notion and nothing special to me at all. Turns out Norway not only has 37.5hour weeks, (8 hours per day, 5 days a week, 0.5 hour lunch break), but it also has a flat societal system whereby most people get 5 weeks off per year, 1 week paid leave, many days of (singly occuring) unexcused (ie no doctor's MC) sick days, just 0.5 million population in Oslo, 6 lines that run through the central train station on ONE track, free healthcare - and yet people complain about things like not being able to get a single room for free hospital stay. The laidback pace and mindsets are worlds apart from Singapore's - but I guess the societies are in vastly different stages. Norway's a society that has probably already settled down comfortably and no longer sees the need to partake in the daily drearies of the global rat race, having found it's own niche. Singapore is so young; so eager to try everything new and have all the best and be the best. Each society faces its own perils though - the former is so comfortable that it borders dangerously on complacence, and the latter is so quick to move on that it never stops to look and appreciate its past, however short. Such striking contrasts, and SO interesting to learn about others! =)
Wednesday's practice was not so good - the feeling of frustration and being a burden on the rest. But today was a nice way to start the weekend. I scored my first-ever goal in Japan; Tomoyuki-san said:" 日本に来てからJingwenさんがうまくなった。”Although I totally didn't understand what he saying until a few explanation attempts later, but I finally understood that he was saying... I've improved!! So made my day =).
After practice today was a teach-little-children-floorball day, and it's so amazing to see some of them holding sticks which are obviously too long for them (6~13year-olds) and yet handle them with such dexterity that belies their young age. Joined in for a little bit, and A's mother was so kind as to do the drills with me and Y-san kept asking me to join the small kids in groups. Nice. And then there's the chat with T-san and R-san, and learning about Unihockey (a sport probably only found in Japan), and just about many more random things. Both of them have been to Singapore before (T-san 4times, R-san once) and they were so funny; Singapore is known as a food haven, but the one thing that they said they kept eating there was.... MACDONALDS at Orchard Road! Gosh! Made me laugh so hard. Apparently because it was so tasty and slightly different from the Japanese Macs. Interesting haha. And they actually still kept the laminated floorball souvenirs that NUS gave them 2 years ago during the Christmas friendly!
I really liked this chat with them, because I feel like despite the huge language barrier, it's really nice to know that there are people out there who still try to communicate with you and sincerely so, despite the evident difficulties. =) Esp T-san. He's always been one of the first to actually call out my full name properly and talk to me (in Japanese). Appreciated!
=============
Cultural Exchange #2
I often got to practices with another teammate J - a Norwegian who has played for the Norway National Team before, and just moved to Tokyo last year after marrying his Japanese wife. Most of the team stay in Chofu, or nearby, and J is 1) the only other English-speaking person 2) the only person staying near me (ie, near Shinjuku rather than Chofu). So most travelling time is spent learning more about each other's culture and way of life and common mindsets. He made a comment today that he liked how I described Singapore as a "forward-looking country" and I found that so odd because I mentioned it a few weeks back so it must have really struck him to have stuck so well - and yet this was a very common notion and nothing special to me at all. Turns out Norway not only has 37.5hour weeks, (8 hours per day, 5 days a week, 0.5 hour lunch break), but it also has a flat societal system whereby most people get 5 weeks off per year, 1 week paid leave, many days of (singly occuring) unexcused (ie no doctor's MC) sick days, just 0.5 million population in Oslo, 6 lines that run through the central train station on ONE track, free healthcare - and yet people complain about things like not being able to get a single room for free hospital stay. The laidback pace and mindsets are worlds apart from Singapore's - but I guess the societies are in vastly different stages. Norway's a society that has probably already settled down comfortably and no longer sees the need to partake in the daily drearies of the global rat race, having found it's own niche. Singapore is so young; so eager to try everything new and have all the best and be the best. Each society faces its own perils though - the former is so comfortable that it borders dangerously on complacence, and the latter is so quick to move on that it never stops to look and appreciate its past, however short. Such striking contrasts, and SO interesting to learn about others! =)
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Foggy Breath!
Yesterday was the coldest it has been since I was here - so cold that for the first time I could see my breath condensing when I breathed out!
Brr. 10 degrees I think. The cold isn't the whammer though, but the strong, strong winds. Need more cold-resistant clothing for sports =/ Sigh. Went to check out the sports warm tights at Odakyu Department Store today but they all cost about 150sgd per piece. Sigh.
Brr. 10 degrees I think. The cold isn't the whammer though, but the strong, strong winds. Need more cold-resistant clothing for sports =/ Sigh. Went to check out the sports warm tights at Odakyu Department Store today but they all cost about 150sgd per piece. Sigh.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Floorball!
Thanks to Alvin, I think I'll be able to join a floorball club here! Quite sad that there're only 5 female teams in this region though (Kanto).
Today was the first training and surprisingly I was early by almost 30 mins. Took the slower train to Choufu and got some very precious shuteye on the way there, but still arrived early. Was out in Harajuku with Rachel in the afternoon first, all because of the lure of eating the ramen haha. I tried the BonShan ramen today (the pork bones one that supposedly is chock full of collagen) but honestly I don't think it's anything great. The soup was so-so and the pork was too salty and not like the slices that they give in the Kyushuu ramen! Next time I'm so sticking to the Kyushuu version. Oh but chanced upon another ramen shop at Harajuku though, all thanks to the atm search and the wonderful wonderful smell of the barbequed/boiled pork that emanated from the tiny little shop. There was a queue as well. Next time =)
The very nice coach had his brother and him fetch me from the eki (station) to the training grounds because it was quite far. Initially I thought this would be a one-off, since I assumed the training centre was within walking distance from the eki, but nope. So now apparently all the senior members with cars are going to take turns fetching me from the Choufu eki every week... so paiseh but, such a good opportunity to improve my Japanese I hope! I really really hope. I really really really want to improve so that I can at least converse with them! Especially the few nice ones who keep trying to talk to me like Aya-san and Miho-san and this other guy whom I sadly have forgotten the name of. And the keeper who gave us a lift 2 years ago still remembers me! Wow. First thing he said when he saw me was sashiburi (long time no see). Or maybe he just assumed man. Not sure haha.
So first training today was great! Tiring (so tiring) but greattt. Makes me realise how much I miss floorball. And also how unfit I am now. I probably played like 2 hours plus outta the 3 hours straight though, because my team had only 2 defenders. So maybe it's not too bad - my fitness anyway. Can't believe it's been 3-4 months since I've last played and since I've last exercised regularly... No wonder the pudginess. Only thing is they train 3-4 times a week and each time I go it takes about 40-60mins and 380yen (6sgd) ONE way. Pocket's feeling the pain. Hopefully will manage to get a teiki (special commuter pass) though. Oh and the club has quite a few ladies' national players, and even those who aren't are still pretty good. Hope I improve!
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Oh and during the car ride to training, Tomoyuki-san was asking me where in Japan I wanted to go, and well I just said Hokkaido because I couldn't really think of one place. I know I want to go everywhere to try the food though heh. Oh but I asked him about Momiji and he said there are alot of places with that. Best place is Kyoto though and that's abit far. A good place near Tokyo would be Mt Takao (at Takaosanguchi eki I think he said) but next month would be the best time to go. I should really check this out!
Today was the first training and surprisingly I was early by almost 30 mins. Took the slower train to Choufu and got some very precious shuteye on the way there, but still arrived early. Was out in Harajuku with Rachel in the afternoon first, all because of the lure of eating the ramen haha. I tried the BonShan ramen today (the pork bones one that supposedly is chock full of collagen) but honestly I don't think it's anything great. The soup was so-so and the pork was too salty and not like the slices that they give in the Kyushuu ramen! Next time I'm so sticking to the Kyushuu version. Oh but chanced upon another ramen shop at Harajuku though, all thanks to the atm search and the wonderful wonderful smell of the barbequed/boiled pork that emanated from the tiny little shop. There was a queue as well. Next time =)
The very nice coach had his brother and him fetch me from the eki (station) to the training grounds because it was quite far. Initially I thought this would be a one-off, since I assumed the training centre was within walking distance from the eki, but nope. So now apparently all the senior members with cars are going to take turns fetching me from the Choufu eki every week... so paiseh but, such a good opportunity to improve my Japanese I hope! I really really hope. I really really really want to improve so that I can at least converse with them! Especially the few nice ones who keep trying to talk to me like Aya-san and Miho-san and this other guy whom I sadly have forgotten the name of. And the keeper who gave us a lift 2 years ago still remembers me! Wow. First thing he said when he saw me was sashiburi (long time no see). Or maybe he just assumed man. Not sure haha.
So first training today was great! Tiring (so tiring) but greattt. Makes me realise how much I miss floorball. And also how unfit I am now. I probably played like 2 hours plus outta the 3 hours straight though, because my team had only 2 defenders. So maybe it's not too bad - my fitness anyway. Can't believe it's been 3-4 months since I've last played and since I've last exercised regularly... No wonder the pudginess. Only thing is they train 3-4 times a week and each time I go it takes about 40-60mins and 380yen (6sgd) ONE way. Pocket's feeling the pain. Hopefully will manage to get a teiki (special commuter pass) though. Oh and the club has quite a few ladies' national players, and even those who aren't are still pretty good. Hope I improve!
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Oh and during the car ride to training, Tomoyuki-san was asking me where in Japan I wanted to go, and well I just said Hokkaido because I couldn't really think of one place. I know I want to go everywhere to try the food though heh. Oh but I asked him about Momiji and he said there are alot of places with that. Best place is Kyoto though and that's abit far. A good place near Tokyo would be Mt Takao (at Takaosanguchi eki I think he said) but next month would be the best time to go. I should really check this out!
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