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Fourth day of mission. Today is a bit relaxing. The day started off later. Mr. Heng left for Sg early morning. And the mission group is shrinking. Left only 4 companies, which means I can do a longer presentation as compared to the rush ones we had previously.

Just now when we were on the way back from Kyushu, we passed by a grape farm. Took some pictures there and I thought of my good friend who is pregnant. She loves Japanese grapes. The price is cheaper compared to in Sg. I bought 2 small boxes, which cost me JPY 720 only but I am not sure if I can send one back to her. We were even given some green coloured golden grape, which was claimed to be first bunch harvested this season. It looks like my little finger, and it was sweetish “sour-ish”.

The day ended early today, so, I took the opportunity to window shop the shopping mall beside the hotel. Well, things are really expensive here. Tried a blouse, supposedly 70% discounted, but still costs JPY 2.1K. I was quite determined to buy it, until I found that the sleeve is too big. Too bad, nothing for myself.

Then I went to look for sandals. Japanese girls wear very nice and beautiful sandals and shoes. But too bad, they are too high! I asked Noriko san and she said normally they wear 6cm high sandals, which is slightly more than 2”. Goodness, I can’t imagine myself walking in 2” sandals. Again, nothing for myself.

Next stop was earring, hmmm… I find that the earrings were not that attractive. At least I’ve got myself at least 5 pairs in Bugis village at one go. Hmmm.. maybe price does matters? Still… I have not found one that I like. Too bad, shopped for 1 hour and couldn’t find anything for myself.

Tomorrow will be the last day of mission… ganbate ne..

Third day of mission, one potential customer and JETRO. Nothing much today, except flew to Fukuoka from Nagoya. First time taking domestic flight, in Japan, again. We flew on a new jet, named Golden Jet. We have got a tiny souvenir from ANA. Maybe I’ll try to take some pictures of souvenirs I have got in Japan. That will have to wait till I am back in Sg.

Practically no time here. Meetings, plant tours and traveling. At the end of the day, I was so tired, but still have to check emails and respond to customer and management. Why in the world were we given the mobility…. When every other participants can go shopping, I had to sit in front of the laptop and forcing my eyes opened while replying the mails.

Second day of mission, we went to visit 2 more potential customers. Now, I don’t really feel nervous during presentation. You know why? Because I got to pause a while so the interpretation is done. So, I got a few seconds to think of my next line. Though actually I have already memorized all I had to say, in addition to a few impromptu lines whenever appropriate.

This morning woke up to have dried blood in nose. Not sure why, was it because of the chicken last night?

We had dinner with Chubu Official (Singapore). They are older Japanese men who worked in Sg for quite some time. They like Sg very much and missed food like nasi padang, curry fish head, hor fun and etc. Funny, another thing they missed most was SINGLISH. Haha… that was why we were arranged to meet them…

Kusano san (airline biz), Kato san (freight biz) and Shigiyama san (printing biz) sat near me and I had a wonderful night chatting with these gentlemen. Of course, I took some pictures with them, but I still can’t publish them yet here. The dinner was good, with more than 10 courses and the last one of course, ice-cream. Hehe.. Shigiyama san gave up his ice-cream to me. Pai seh… I had proven that his theory about women is right, that we always have a small little compartment in our stomach to put in food that we like. :-p

First mission’s meeting was with Aichi Prefectural Government. I have never been to any of the government for meeting in Sg nor in M’sia but in Aichi, Japan… Hehe..

I was kind of nervous because it’s going to be my debut in Japan. My first presentation in overseas. Well, it went out fine because it was a brief one with the official. We had lunch in the canteen, I had the most rush lunch in my life because our meal came late and we were all rushing for time. Most important thing was my tummy if filled. J

Well, looks like Japan is opening up and is now trying to attract foreign companies into Japanese market. Barriers are still around, no matter what. Corporate culture is different and most Japanese are still very conservative, can’t really open up.

After that visited a potential customer (sorry, cannot name them here due to confidentiality) and proceeded for dinner with some of the mission participant. We had “whole” chicken dinner, except the appetizer. We tried every part of chicken made in any way they can and even tried chicken sashimi. It was not bad, because the chicken was fresh.

The day was tiring but I enjoyed myself knowing Japanese people and their culture.

We went to Tokyo Tower in the morning. I had a wonderful time observing around Tokyo in just a building. Took some pictures around the area, but unfortunately, I have exceeded my quota for pictures in the Friendster’s album.

Met Koh and Sin at Roponggi-Itchome subway station, then headed for lunch, sushi. Sushi was not that good, but the companions were. We caught up with each other, couldn’t really talk about work now because of different opposition now. We went to Takeshita Street, a very crowded street with many pretty girls wearing costumes or characters from comic or movie? However, it was still nice to see some familiar faces in a foreign country. Sin lost lots of weight, very skinny but looked more and more like a Japanese. Haha… Once again, I have to thank both of them for making way from Fujisawa to meet up with me for only 2 hours. Arigato gozaimasu again…

Then, it was time to move on to Aichi. We took shinkansen from Tokyo to Nagoya and we were introduced to Tze Khin’s newly hired Marketing Executive, a Japanese girl, Noriko san. She speaks very good English as she studied in San Francisco for a year before. Noriko san is chatty, and we have same interest, reading romance and non-horror books. Haha..

Then, we checked in to Westin Nagoya. Goodness, the hotel is good. Noriko san helped to arrange and order food. Dinner was fantastic, the conversations were lively. J Had my first glass (or shall I say container?) of sake. And it made my body red all over. We are going to stay here for 3 nights here and move on to Fukuoka later in the week.

Tomorrow is the 1st day of the mission, I am quite nervous because it’s going to be my 1st presentation to non-Rayconian. Stressful but the bed looked so good and sake made me sleepy. Hehe..

Well, Japanese definitely have different culture as compared to us back home. Guys here are so “superior”. I am writing “superior“ because I think it is not true, just superficially. It’s the 21st century now, there is no such thing as in superior or inferior. But it still exists in Japan, OBVIOUSLY.

When you are in Rome, do what the Romans do…

Slumberland, here I come… ZZZZzzzzz….

Flight to Narita was at 2340 hours. I fell asleep as soon as the plane took off. I woke up at nearly 4 am to have breakfast. Then slept again till slightly past 6am and started my Shopaholic HK show. It was funny, but too bad, I managed to watch only ¾ of it. We touched down before I could finish the show.

First impression of Tokyo, well, not bad, cigarette smoke reminded me of Batam. Weather was good, around 20degC, cool. Then we bought Aiport Limousine tickets to make our way to hotel. Well, being the first timer, I thought limousine means “limousine”, you know, the white coloured posh car with chauffeur. But to my surprise, it was a bus.

In hotel room, took some pictures of what I have always heard of, but didn’t have chance to experience before. 1) Warmed toilet seat (oh, so comfortable :-p) 2) Warm water bac*si** washing 3) Heating element on the mirror in the bathroom such that you do not have to wipe the mirror after hot water bath. 4) Generous amount of bath foam, shampoo, conditioner and also liquid soap.

Had curry rice with Terakaji san at Silver Kettle just nearby hotel. Sigh, I ordered chicken curry rice, and it appeared to be “minced chicken” curry gravy rice. Well, ain’t gonna complain much about it.

We went to Bic Camera (check my pictures in my album) to check out on the electronic stuffs. Wow, mobile phones are so cheap here. Didn’t take any picture though, too crowded. I forgot how many levels was Bic Camera, but I remember having sore feet at the end of the day. The great thing was, Tze Khin brought us to B1 for a free massage session. Another surprise, it’s sort of the marketing strategy by massage chair manufacturer. There were so many people enjoying the great moment on massage chairs before resuming their shopping I guess.

Took a picture of the innovative idea of Japanese, the 256MB thumb drive, made into sushi. Whoa, look so appetizing.

Then, we went to Venusfort after that for dinner together with Tze Khin’s gf, Hyejeong, a Korean. She is sweet, demure and a very nice girl. (check my pictures in my album) The special thing is, Tze Khin and Hyejeong converse in Japanese. So great… We had Mediterranean food. Well, Venusfort is very westernized. Not at all Japanese. Felt like in Italy, Greek or wherever it is. Food was good too.

Ok, end of the day, I was so exhausted. Koh and Sin will be meeting me tomorrow. I feel bad to have them travel all the way here to meet me but they insist. Arigato gozaimasu.

I am feeling a bit emotional now, she is pregnant. J But feel slightly hurt because I didn’t get to know from her. Feel really happy, really very happy for her and hubby.

Remembered how I asked her to touch the Laughing Buddha’s tummy so she can conceive but she refused. Superstitious but I meant well. I prayed so she gets what she wants. I have even contemplated to buy “Pregnancy for Dummies” for her birthday last year, but didn’t want to give her such a great pressure.

Didn’t ask question about “baby” till today when I was told that she is 4 months pregnant. Well, suddenly, I feel bad for not rushing back to KL on Friday night for the mini gathering with the girls. Feel bad for letting her down again and again.

So, I think I have to buy the grapes she craved for when I go to Japan next week. If you are reading this, please do not put too much hope on me. The most, I go to the Cold Storage at Orchard to get the grapes and bring back to KL for you.

God bless them, may the mommy and baby be well, healthy and happy. Sukhihotu..

Ok, it’s time of the year again. Sg National Day is just around the corner, it’s fireworks time. This year, there will be another 4 teams, from Italy, Sg, New Caledonia and French.

Hopefully we are able to take some picture this time with the new camera. New camera comes with a "Fireworks" mode. Not sure if it’ll turn out fine, but we shall see very soon.

This year’s begin a bit later, starts at 9pm. If you are interested, check this out http://www.ndp.org.sg/index.php?id=144.

Remember Xia Xue? She is now one of the seven Star-Bloggers, in Stomp, the latest interactive Straits Times, sort of informal kind of informative website, from food, to the court room, and of course to star bloggings.

The seven Star-Bloggers are, XiaXue, Nick Fang, May, Choy, Dawn Yang, Ju-Len and Koay Teow Man. Well, the girls are attractive, especially Dawn Yang. Are they bimbos? Check their blogs out at http://www.stomp.com.sg/starblog/ and judge by yourself. Koay Teow Man however, remains anonymous. Who is Koay Teow Man….?

Through this interaction, The Straits Times aims to strengthen its relationship with readers and reach out to non-readers.

A story about convenience marriage between Kipp and Abby…

Kipp promised his mum on her deathbed, that he would marry before he turned thirty, and secure the title of Viscount Willoughby before he reached the ripe old age of thirty-five. Well, that was part of the reason he was looking for a convenient bride.

Abby was trying hard to salvage what’s left of the family fortune by pairing her beautiful but dim-witted niece with a suitable husband. Kipp seemed perfect, too perfect as he was drowning in his own wealth.

Kipp proposed to marry Abby (ya, instead of Edwardine, the niece) and both agreed to stay out of each other’s business. I guess time tells all. Both fell for each other, much more than they intended to.

Happy ending…