Hols and Festivities

I finally finally got my Japan stuff all straightened out. After some procrastination, I have came up with a rough plan for the upcoming trip. I read up about the place, bought the necessary stuff and now I am ready to go.

Somehow this trip feels different. I am surprised how much interest I had when I started reading up about the country. I was hugely curious about the history and so I bought a book about Japan's history and I am halfway through the book. I never had any interests in history when I was in school. I was so bad they had to put me in a Geography class. Somehow as I grew older, I had a interest that I never had in History. History finally I find, can be interesting.

Anyhow......

After hearing many many horror stories about how I could get lost in that huge metropolis that is Tokyo and how difficult it is to navigate your way around, not just because of the lack (or very bad) of city planning, I took up a Japanese as well. I always wanted to take up a third language. I can't decide between French, Spanish and Japanese. This became sort of the decisive factor I suppose. I enjoyed it thoroughly. I will continue when I am back from Japan. Maybe if I were to go to South America one day, I may pick up Spanish again. It seems easier than the other two. I tried learning a little on my own, I seem to pick up quite a bit. But French sounds better leh. I love how it sounds. But French is tough, like Japanese. Japanese has wacky wacky grammar. I need to go memorise those Katakana characters before I go.

I am so looking forward to seeing Kyoto!
I guess I will need to start looking for tour packages for the next trip soon. Next trip's going to be in February, during Chinese New Year. I am hoping there are still vacancies since it is a hot time to travel. This will be my first time travelling during CNY. I like being at home during that time of the year. Isn't it about being with the family and loved ones? I suppose in Singapore, it isn't much of the issue, especially in my family, since everybody is home and not overseas, and we do see each other very often, there isn't much fuss. But I do do do miss having the reunion dinner with them! As long as I see them often, I am happy.

I was just at my friend's place for Hari Raya last Saturday and he broke such a happy piece of news! That was the happiest thing that I heard from him so far! I am thrilled and so so excited for him! Perhaps happily-sad. Since it may also mark the end of a decade old tradition. But we can always carry out the tradition somewhere else!

In 2 months, it will be Christmas! I missed Christmas at home last year, since I was in China, high up on a mountain, stuck with a chinese Santa Claus. So this year, we will have dinner at home. Maybe I should plan a dinner at home for everyone, thought mum will have to roast the turkey... I can buy the bird though!
The last leg of the year are always abuzz with dinners and holidays and parties and what nots.There are especially a lot more weddings too! Why do people like getting married end of the year? I got married in December too. But it was more of a timing thing than anything. We got married on the day we met, and that was some kind of coincidence. So far, I have 3 weddings to attend. Not a lot, some of my friends have more invites! Ouch for the wallet!