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Think many times before coming to Japan for studies!

來日本唸書的話,要想得清清楚楚後才來!(中文版在下) I went for an interview for Waseda's non-degree program last Saturday and it went on like this: Professor A: We understand that you'd already passed the entrance for our MBA program, which will start in September. So why are you applying for this non-degree program, which starts in April? Me: I'll be graduating from my Japanese school this month (Mar) and the new MBA will only start in September, so I would like to take some classes during this 5 months period. Moreover, as you know, I come from Art and Design background, so I would like to take some classes first as warm up into the business area. Professor A: (sarcastic laugh) warm up...? ... Professor B: Well, that's your own personal problem, our program is not for people like you . Me: (shocked and disgusted) But I would like to take as many classes as possible... ...

Kyushu 11: Kyushu Hotel & hot spring 九州旅館和溫泉

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At last! The final installment to my (not so popular) Kyushu series! I shall end it with food and hot spring in the Kyushu Hotel, my favorite part from the entire budget trip. 終於要結束我(不是很受歡迎的)九州系列!整個行程中最喜歡的就是九州旅館的食物和溫泉了!

My current key word: Frugality 節儉是美德

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(Cont. Rental Nightmare in Tokyo ) After my battle with the evil property agent and management company, my dormitory staff recommended me to extend my stay here and then look for apartments/mansions slowly. This is much better than paying a huge sum upfront (4 months rent) for an apartment that I didn't get to see and with the fishy management company not returning any deposit. So instead of sayonara to 270,000yen (SG$4,2000) for a place I didn't get to view, it is better to spend a bit more, but to a place that I could actually see first. I accepted her kind offer and turned down my contract with the fishy property management company. This whole experience had made me realize one thing: that I hadn't been frugal enough. I'd been spending money too mindlessly and not saving enough for rainy days. More importantly, I'd underestimated the cost of renting a Tokyo mansion (concrete-built apartment in Japanese term) near my university within the great ring of fire

Kyushu 10: Japan and WW2

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Ok, I assure you that this is towards the end of my Kyushu series. We visited the Peace Park in Nagasaki that commemorated its atomic bombing on the 9th Aug, 1945. The government had erected numerous monuments to offer the souls of the dead clean water that they had so desired during their last moments. 這是接近我的九州之行的尾聲。 我們在長崎參觀了紀念1945年8月9日,原子彈投下的和平公園。日本政府到處設立有乾淨水源的紀念碑,為了就是要給生前渴望水喝的死者。(中文版在下)

Why you shouldn't get your art design degree in Japan

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My students admired me to have a chance to study in Japan and I used to have this dream of coming here to pursue an education in comics and animation. But after actually attending the Japanese language school here, I now know that dream and reality is totally different. -為何不該來日本修美術設計- 我的學生之前都很羨慕我有機會來日本唸書。我從青少年時代也很嚮往來日唸動漫的課程。不過在這裡上完一年的日語課程以後,發現夢想和現實是完全不同的。 (中文版在下)

Rental nightmare in Tokyo 東京的恐怖房租經驗

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Passing JLPT level 1 was not difficult. Passing my MBA entrance examination was also not a problem. But renting an ideal apartment in Japan, which fits your budget and requirements is a huge big problem, especially if you're a gaijin (foreigner)! 日語能力考試一級合格並不困難。MBA入學考試也沒問題。但是要在日本租到合適,又在預算之內的理想房子,卻是一件非常非常大的問題!特別是對於外國人簡直是困難$$$重重。 Everything here costs money, money, and more money$$$

JLPT level 1 Results 日本語能力試驗一級成績

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Finally after 8 years since my last failed attempt to pass level 1, I managed to pass it without much problem :P It seems that as long as you don't get any grade C in any of the sections, plus your score is above 100/180, you'll get to pass! This makes the percentage passing score at just 55.5%, compared with the previous old 60% benchmark. Sayonara JLPT1! 沒想到我一級不合格的8年後,居然可以通過新格式的一級合格!原來只要不要在任何項目拿到C級,再加上總分在100/180以上的話,就能過關!所以新合格率只需55.5%,比以前的60%來得輕鬆。再見啦一級!

Snow can't do us apart 連雪也抵擋不住的熱情

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Tokyo today was freezing cold as it snowed for the whole day for the first time this year. I was gazing outside my window to rest my eyes and admire the snow (because there's no where else interesting to look at in my tiny 9sqm room), when I spotted these 2 cute parrot lovebirds on the tree in front of my veranda. Aww, I thought, one pair. Were they hiding out from the snow? But the withered tree provided no shelter... or were they dating? 今天東京第一次下了整天的白雪。我為了讓眼睛休息,眺望了一下窗外的雪景。突然看見2隻可愛的愛情鳥在陽台前的大樹上休息。我心想是不是在避雪啊?但是枯樹沒什麼用啊。還是它們在拍拖? Then I got my shocking answer: 然後我得到了驚人的答案:

Chinese New Year in Yokohama 橫濱新年

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First day of Chinese New Year at Yokohama Chinatown wasn't as crowded as I'd thought. The area was brightly lit with chinois decorations and dotted with restaurants offering buffet. 橫濱的唐人街在新年的初一時並沒想像中的那麼擁擠。到處都有濃濃的中華燈飾,街邊也有很多吃到飽的餐廳。

Kyushu 9: Confucian Shrine 孔子廟

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I was quite surprised that Confucius is rather popular in Japan. 我很意外孔子竟然在日本如此受歡迎。