Sigh. Carmen just released a ' jumbo plane' as of 5.42pm. Yeah, get what I mean.
Her explanation makes no sense to me. Whatever, I still have to go out to buy things.
Looks like I'm dining alone tonight again.
じゃ、またあいましよ。
おわり。
Monday, November 10, 2008
Japanese Charity Fair and Bazaar, Hotel Nikko
Well that is exactly 2 months ago since I last blogged. But as explained by the narrator in the previous post, I'm back and good to go. I'm sure Michelle would be saying that I'm a lazy bugger and all, but yeah I am lazy :P No excuses and I admit downright! But hey I'm not one to remain the same forever. Humans can change given sufficient amount of time. And that is what I do, trying to make up for my weaknesses.
And it was. Greeted by Japanese staff members upon arrival at the hotel lobby carrying placecards and signboards pointing to the direction of the venue, I bought entry ticket of RM15. My uncle and aunt had pre-booked tickets for RM 12 each. Admission is free for children below the age of 12. Kids have the best things in the world I tell you!
En-route to the hall was a very long queue. However, it only took 10 minutes from the lobby to the hall upstairs. I guess they have a good system to manage all these queues. Now by then, more and more Japanese staffs greeted us in Japanese. It was like *****- kudasai (* is used to denote words I do not understand or could not hear properly). Well, there is my uncle to thank for. He and his two babies looked like Japanese, but in truth he is just a Chinese Hokkien from Johor. And because of his face, the Japanese talked to him as if he was a Japanese himself. And no, my uncle hardly knows any Japanese despite working in Osaka, Japan for a short period of time (It was more like a business trip).
The hall was packed with people! The air-conditioners were working just fine, but with so many people, it's a little hot inside.
For the first time in Malaysia, I felt like a foreigner in a far away land from home. There were Japanese people left, right, front and back! All I heard from my immediate surroundings were Japanese words and I don't really know what they meant except for simple words like hisashiburi, konichiwa, omaera, otsukaresama deshita, arigato etc etc. And lots of Irashai! Irashai! Irashai!, meaning as a "Welcome" to customers (okyaku-sama as customers in Japanese) upon patroning a shop or a stall. Most of the stalls are operated by the Japanese.
There are lots of Malaysians there too. But from what I see, most of the crowd who came early were Japanese, just like when I first entered the hall at 11-something in the morning. And slowly more Malaysians came in. There food there is nothing special as I can clearly see Jusco workers preparing sushi, udon and bento. Basically, food prepared there can be bought at Jusco supermarkets. Even other food products such as green tea, biscuits and seaweeds are sold locally.
However, a few special things can be found here, such as handicrafts made by Japanese people, a summer kimono booth, and tea ceremony. I had no time to snap pictures of handicrafts as it was crammed with people. However, here are some pictures from the summer kimono booth.
People trying on the summer kimono. This booth is a hit with the crowd, especially the girls and the ladies. Both local and Japanese people love to put on ready made kimono of various colors and pose in front of the camera. Of course they charge you a certain fee to have your photographs taken. It's a must if you wish to try the kimono. Girls in kimono look so pretty!
It's no wonder we were mistaken as Japanese! Everytime a Japanese approached my uncle in Japanese language, my uncle's standard reply would be "I'm sorry, we are not Japanese."
He even told me that once when he worked in Osaka, Japan, the locals there thought he was a local as well. And they ignored him until he told them he's a foreigner. Then all the guidance and help for directions and simple language/conversation only came in. Poor fellow? Lol.
Then there is this Japanese Tea Ceremony. I'm lucky to be able to witness it here in Malaysia. My first time, by the way.
Obviously, I do not know how to read the words. Must be something about the tea ceremony. Haha.
The tea ceremony is a delicate step-by-step process of making and serving tea. Each step must be done carefully and gently. 
If you pay a certain fee, you get to sit down and witness the ceremony from upclose. Japanese women dressed in kimono will then serve hot green tea to patrons when it is done. Each ceremony begins with a bow and ends with a bow. It's good I do not have to travel to Japan to see such a traditional ceremony, it's hard to come by in Malaysia!
Kimberly likes to play with my straw. Had to let her play with it, or face her crying. Lol. Wise decision eh, SK? Hehehe.
Even Digi's advertisment on the balloon and props outside the hall is in Japanese.
Overall, the event was fun although I did not buy anything apart from food, drinks and dessert. Handicraft stuff did not interest me :X Still it was a charity event, so it was good.
And now, to remind me not to forget about the next Bon Odori.....!
じゃ、またあいましよ。
おわり。
Now let's see, it was a fine Sunday morning on the 9th of November 2008 when we left my aunt's place at Bandar Sri Damansara. We went to the Japanese Charity Fair and Bazaar in Hotel Nikko, KL. This event was organized by the Japan Club of Malaysia. All proceedings goes to charity.
The 2 little ones came along with the aunt and uncle, namely Melanie and Kimberly.
Melanie and Kimberly
The former is still in kindergarden school while the latter just learned to walk. Cute little kids. To tell you the true, this trip is rather exciting for me. I've missed the Bon Odori for years without failure. So as a replacement, this charity should do fine.The 2 little ones came along with the aunt and uncle, namely Melanie and Kimberly.
Melanie and KimberlyAnd it was. Greeted by Japanese staff members upon arrival at the hotel lobby carrying placecards and signboards pointing to the direction of the venue, I bought entry ticket of RM15. My uncle and aunt had pre-booked tickets for RM 12 each. Admission is free for children below the age of 12. Kids have the best things in the world I tell you!
En-route to the hall was a very long queue. However, it only took 10 minutes from the lobby to the hall upstairs. I guess they have a good system to manage all these queues. Now by then, more and more Japanese staffs greeted us in Japanese. It was like *****- kudasai (* is used to denote words I do not understand or could not hear properly). Well, there is my uncle to thank for. He and his two babies looked like Japanese, but in truth he is just a Chinese Hokkien from Johor. And because of his face, the Japanese talked to him as if he was a Japanese himself. And no, my uncle hardly knows any Japanese despite working in Osaka, Japan for a short period of time (It was more like a business trip).
The hall was packed with people! The air-conditioners were working just fine, but with so many people, it's a little hot inside.
For the first time in Malaysia, I felt like a foreigner in a far away land from home. There were Japanese people left, right, front and back! All I heard from my immediate surroundings were Japanese words and I don't really know what they meant except for simple words like hisashiburi, konichiwa, omaera, otsukaresama deshita, arigato etc etc. And lots of Irashai! Irashai! Irashai!, meaning as a "Welcome" to customers (okyaku-sama as customers in Japanese) upon patroning a shop or a stall. Most of the stalls are operated by the Japanese.
There are lots of Malaysians there too. But from what I see, most of the crowd who came early were Japanese, just like when I first entered the hall at 11-something in the morning. And slowly more Malaysians came in. There food there is nothing special as I can clearly see Jusco workers preparing sushi, udon and bento. Basically, food prepared there can be bought at Jusco supermarkets. Even other food products such as green tea, biscuits and seaweeds are sold locally.However, a few special things can be found here, such as handicrafts made by Japanese people, a summer kimono booth, and tea ceremony. I had no time to snap pictures of handicrafts as it was crammed with people. However, here are some pictures from the summer kimono booth.
People trying on the summer kimono. This booth is a hit with the crowd, especially the girls and the ladies. Both local and Japanese people love to put on ready made kimono of various colors and pose in front of the camera. Of course they charge you a certain fee to have your photographs taken. It's a must if you wish to try the kimono. Girls in kimono look so pretty!Here's a cute Melanie in a small kimono
Cute isn't she? :P
Cute isn't she? :PIt's no wonder we were mistaken as Japanese! Everytime a Japanese approached my uncle in Japanese language, my uncle's standard reply would be "I'm sorry, we are not Japanese."
He even told me that once when he worked in Osaka, Japan, the locals there thought he was a local as well. And they ignored him until he told them he's a foreigner. Then all the guidance and help for directions and simple language/conversation only came in. Poor fellow? Lol.
Then there is this Japanese Tea Ceremony. I'm lucky to be able to witness it here in Malaysia. My first time, by the way.
Obviously, I do not know how to read the words. Must be something about the tea ceremony. Haha.
The tea ceremony is a delicate step-by-step process of making and serving tea. Each step must be done carefully and gently. 
If you pay a certain fee, you get to sit down and witness the ceremony from upclose. Japanese women dressed in kimono will then serve hot green tea to patrons when it is done. Each ceremony begins with a bow and ends with a bow. It's good I do not have to travel to Japan to see such a traditional ceremony, it's hard to come by in Malaysia!
Kimberly likes to play with my straw. Had to let her play with it, or face her crying. Lol. Wise decision eh, SK? Hehehe.
Even Digi's advertisment on the balloon and props outside the hall is in Japanese.Overall, the event was fun although I did not buy anything apart from food, drinks and dessert. Handicraft stuff did not interest me :X Still it was a charity event, so it was good.
And now, to remind me not to forget about the next Bon Odori.....!
じゃ、またあいましよ。
おわり。
SK
Yes, he is back and blogging. After all those exams, holidays and training, SK finally found some time to post a few interesting stuff and also to resume the 'Event for the semester' columns here. Depending on his mood though, he may not continue with that column as he is going through many things right now. Still, he'll try his best. Hope you guys enjoy.
いらしゃい！
ひさしぶり ね？ みんあ-さん は げんき です か？
これ は わたし の BLOG、SOMETHING NEW です。
わたし の BLOG に ようこそ と ありがとうございます！
じゃ、またあいましよ。
おわり。
いらしゃい！
ひさしぶり ね？ みんあ-さん は げんき です か？
これ は わたし の BLOG、SOMETHING NEW です。
わたし の BLOG に ようこそ と ありがとうございます！
じゃ、またあいましよ。
おわり。
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