Alright, the tomatoes and sunflowers were planted! Most of the pots have seeds waiting to sprout and give me some nice garden by july and august. After a rainy May, the terrace is not looking too bad.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Saturday, May 12, 2012
An ice cream and a show
Juggling of a football, climbing of a street lamp, impromptu band singing on the steps of Sacre Coeur, opportunists selling bottles of beer under the sunny Paris sky, and us enjoying the view with ice cream and a chat.
Meet Jeff, of Montmartre
While on a layover in Paris, I made a lunch appointment with Laeti to bring her swimming towels she forgot last summer. She had a small studio at the foot of Montmartre, in the IXeme arrondissement, and I was happy to visit a new area of Paris. From the metro Notre Dame de Lorette, we grabbed a small lunch in a Chinese restaurant in her street, and walked leisurely towards the Sacre Coeur, seen here and there between the buildings.
The weather was somewhat sunny and not warm enough to make us sweat, due to a chilly wind lingering under the shades. We strolled slowly, window shopped, caught up on work and the election results. She showed me the cafe des 2 moulins, from the movie Amelie, and we admired the rooftop gardens and the view on Paris from the heights of the streets. I also took note of the different eateries and bakeries along the way, reminding myself I was not hungry.
After a nice windmill at a corner (le moulin de la Galette, which inspired the painting by Renoir), which is now an expensive garden restaurant, my eyes suddenly were staring with fascination at a window displaying an amazingly detailed maquette of a ranch. Inside, someone was motioning invitedly and opened the door. I hesitantly entered the gallery, while whispering to Laeti how I always end up in weird situations like these.
I was fascinated by the maquette, and he seemed eager to find out whether we were artists, which we were not. But he played on my vanity and insisted I was one, since I write, sometimes paint int he middle of the night, and play music (for only myself). He described the maquette in details, indicating the inside of the cabin, which has dining table with drawers, and inside there are things too, or how the moss is growing, and that it is a hobby of his to make this little ranch. It is a maquette of about 2x1m and the details extend to the mouse in the rocks of the well, or the bird's nest in the tree that contains eggs, or the toilet paper roll in the toilet outside the cabin.
And much like the expat American that he is, he invited us in the back of the shop, where a sunny room with a chimney was occupied by the double bed, and the back garden was seen through old Provencal ceiling to floor windows. Outside had an air of south of France, with a "ceci n'est pas un cafe" colorful store referring to René Magritte's "ceci n'est pas une pipe". It didn't feel like Paris, wit Bob the cat shyly evading our caresses between pots of plants of a cozy English garden.
He said the backyard kept him sane and brings him joy and calm. I understood and agreed with his point of view, and could only marvel at his achievement of getting this haven of peace and quiet in the middle of Paris. His encounter was one that I remember for his detailed ranch, which I could look at for hours.
While leaving Jeff's gallery, I was somehow struck with this thought:
" My ideal man would fascinate me this much, in his work and peculiarity, his passion, and artistry"
I was glad Jeff was married and too old to my taste, because I am still superficial despite my nerdiness....
After a nice windmill at a corner (le moulin de la Galette, which inspired the painting by Renoir), which is now an expensive garden restaurant, my eyes suddenly were staring with fascination at a window displaying an amazingly detailed maquette of a ranch. Inside, someone was motioning invitedly and opened the door. I hesitantly entered the gallery, while whispering to Laeti how I always end up in weird situations like these.
I was fascinated by the maquette, and he seemed eager to find out whether we were artists, which we were not. But he played on my vanity and insisted I was one, since I write, sometimes paint int he middle of the night, and play music (for only myself). He described the maquette in details, indicating the inside of the cabin, which has dining table with drawers, and inside there are things too, or how the moss is growing, and that it is a hobby of his to make this little ranch. It is a maquette of about 2x1m and the details extend to the mouse in the rocks of the well, or the bird's nest in the tree that contains eggs, or the toilet paper roll in the toilet outside the cabin.
And much like the expat American that he is, he invited us in the back of the shop, where a sunny room with a chimney was occupied by the double bed, and the back garden was seen through old Provencal ceiling to floor windows. Outside had an air of south of France, with a "ceci n'est pas un cafe" colorful store referring to René Magritte's "ceci n'est pas une pipe". It didn't feel like Paris, wit Bob the cat shyly evading our caresses between pots of plants of a cozy English garden.
He said the backyard kept him sane and brings him joy and calm. I understood and agreed with his point of view, and could only marvel at his achievement of getting this haven of peace and quiet in the middle of Paris. His encounter was one that I remember for his detailed ranch, which I could look at for hours.
While leaving Jeff's gallery, I was somehow struck with this thought:
" My ideal man would fascinate me this much, in his work and peculiarity, his passion, and artistry"
I was glad Jeff was married and too old to my taste, because I am still superficial despite my nerdiness....
Tuesday, May 08, 2012
An exercise in focus
As the days go by, monotonous and unnoticed, it was refreshing to suddenly concentrate all my focus in one single small task: balancing.
On a week holiday at a waterpark resort, I was tempted by the thrill of treetop adventure. However, after seeing how high the circuit was, and witnessing another group crossing platform after platform with worried looks, I became deflated and even sick in the stomach.
Nonetheless, because I initiated the idea, and because there would be no other time to try it, I went ahead and climbed last. I was worried about getting dizzy and fear the heights, so much that my legs felt like cotton before I even climbed the first wobbly stairs.
In a matter of minutes, it became clear that it wasn't at all what I expected. I was awaiting nausea and fear from the heights, but what welcomed me was pure physical effort in climbing the stairs while swaying and being restricted by my pants and shortness of leg. In addition, my arms had to pull me all the way up, and I had to find a grip comfortable enough to be repeated endlessly and hold me for a while. When I stepped foot on the first platform, my breath was taken away from the effort, as well as my strength, but I told myself not to give up. After all, kids were doing it in the morning, so I had to work myself up for the challenge.
It was interesting that I didn't even look down once, to see how high it was. I was instinctively attracted by the tree trunk, which I hugged and kept close while I proceeded to the next path. My eyes were fixated on the cable to cross to get to the next platform. I could hear encouragement ad jokes down below me, but they were easily blocked as soon as I set foot on that cable. From all that remained in my focus was the cable, my feet, and my breath.
For the remaining of the next 45-50min, I would look only at the green ropes, wooden plank and cables that I had to cross. Each gesture was carefully executed with a conscious breath out, while my brain was counting 1 to 10 at each breath. Funnily enough, I felt strangely reassured by the counting, and a wild sense of achievement was always felt after the number 10, even if I was in the middle of the air, mid-cable or mid-circuit.
I experienced a brain blank at the 3rd exercise, but a suggestion from the instruction below helped and I was soon back to counting. There were some exercises that could be done by just walking on cables instead of swinging the rope or climbing the wall. Although I found it exciting to try, I always opted for the cable, reasoning that at least there was something below my feet.
That feeling was challenged at the rope sliding exercise. I could not talk myself into letting go of the ground. Eventually I listened to someone suggesting to just sit down and let harness support me. Zab was also waiting for me across the rope, so I let go and made it to the next platform, to be told there were 2 more of these before the end...
I haven't been focusing so hard ever, so it was very rewarding to learn how I reacted and what I do in such stressful situation. My mind is a strange thing, content to count form 1 to 10 to abstract everything else but the task at hand, partitioned into tiny gestures that suddenly have its importance: the sliding of a foot, the bending of knees, the breathing out (I cannot remember when I breath in!).
I hope to be able to enjoy the landscape, the next time I climb or trek an have to challenge the height, lack of air, and physical effort involved.
On a week holiday at a waterpark resort, I was tempted by the thrill of treetop adventure. However, after seeing how high the circuit was, and witnessing another group crossing platform after platform with worried looks, I became deflated and even sick in the stomach.
Nonetheless, because I initiated the idea, and because there would be no other time to try it, I went ahead and climbed last. I was worried about getting dizzy and fear the heights, so much that my legs felt like cotton before I even climbed the first wobbly stairs.
It was interesting that I didn't even look down once, to see how high it was. I was instinctively attracted by the tree trunk, which I hugged and kept close while I proceeded to the next path. My eyes were fixated on the cable to cross to get to the next platform. I could hear encouragement ad jokes down below me, but they were easily blocked as soon as I set foot on that cable. From all that remained in my focus was the cable, my feet, and my breath.
For the remaining of the next 45-50min, I would look only at the green ropes, wooden plank and cables that I had to cross. Each gesture was carefully executed with a conscious breath out, while my brain was counting 1 to 10 at each breath. Funnily enough, I felt strangely reassured by the counting, and a wild sense of achievement was always felt after the number 10, even if I was in the middle of the air, mid-cable or mid-circuit.
That feeling was challenged at the rope sliding exercise. I could not talk myself into letting go of the ground. Eventually I listened to someone suggesting to just sit down and let harness support me. Zab was also waiting for me across the rope, so I let go and made it to the next platform, to be told there were 2 more of these before the end...
As the obstacles appeared, my body and mind would work really hard to focus and balance. I forgot I had a harness and every step was to advance to the next platform. I realize now I did not even see the surrounding landscape. But after every exercise, I would let go of all my breath and relax all my muscles, as if I was about to faint, before focusing on the next obstacle.
I hope to be able to enjoy the landscape, the next time I climb or trek an have to challenge the height, lack of air, and physical effort involved.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Thursday, April 19, 2012
What's in a life
As we get blessed with a new life, my thoughts went to the lives that ended. I wanted to share the excitement and joy with the ones that departed. And it made me wonder what their thoughts were about before they let out their final breath. As I refused to dwell in sadness, my thoughts came back to the livings, and to the proud parents. Even as an aunt I am so proud and want to give everything to this little one, and even bought gold, which I cannot send via DHL... I can only imagine how a parent would feel.
Although happy and welcoming of the child I find myself sad that this world is the way it is. I now understand why people shelter their children. But even we turned out alright, why worry?
Because what's in a life? Something sweet, something bitter and something sour. The sweetness comes in small bundles, after much bitterness and sourness. It is as if it is only reachable because our efforts made spent our energies and we came to settle on a state where it suddenly became sweet for a while, like painfully running a long distance and settling on the feeling of the finish line coming closer, finishing the run in sweet pain, and being even more sore the few next days.
So even if it is painful, sorrowful, worrisome, let me settle and focus on an enjoyable moment: my grand mother has a grand-grand child, my brother has a son to raise, I have a nephew to dot, and the mother and child seem healthy. I will not project into the future, and enjoy the moment. Because for the child, his foremost joy is having both parents and feeling their warmth and love.
Although happy and welcoming of the child I find myself sad that this world is the way it is. I now understand why people shelter their children. But even we turned out alright, why worry?
Because what's in a life? Something sweet, something bitter and something sour. The sweetness comes in small bundles, after much bitterness and sourness. It is as if it is only reachable because our efforts made spent our energies and we came to settle on a state where it suddenly became sweet for a while, like painfully running a long distance and settling on the feeling of the finish line coming closer, finishing the run in sweet pain, and being even more sore the few next days.
So even if it is painful, sorrowful, worrisome, let me settle and focus on an enjoyable moment: my grand mother has a grand-grand child, my brother has a son to raise, I have a nephew to dot, and the mother and child seem healthy. I will not project into the future, and enjoy the moment. Because for the child, his foremost joy is having both parents and feeling their warmth and love.
Monday, April 09, 2012
Adventures in couchsurfing
Back in 2009 I stumbled on the couchsurfing community by a strike of luck. At that time, I was in serious preparation for my first trip to Asia and rummaged through many sites before settling on that site. The main idea is to crash at your stranger of choice for a few nights before moving on during your travels. This also includes that as a community member, you can host the traveler of your choice as well.
In addition, one can also just join an event locally, usually initiated by a local community member, and promoting a local shops, food, or event. it seems like a 3D extension of all the social networking sites, with the added common interest, which is finding a place to sleep or a place to enjoy local activities.
So in 2009 I was on the receiving end, meeting tokyoites at monja dinner near Tsukiji fish market, or having beer and tomato juice drink in west Tokyo. I also met the now currently full time geisha who hosted a wonderful nabe dinner for a couple of us travelers. With new friends to exchange emails and news, I was also able to host F. during her summer trip in London, allowing me to experience a somewhat subdued couchsurfing hosting. She was no longer a stranger after all.
Lately, I decided to check out the local couchsurfing community in Geneva. What lured me out was a dinner at Gaya, a korean restaurant. The turn out was decent, with 12 people from around Geneva and various experience with couchsurfing. There were no travelers this time and the majority of attendees were actually living in France across the border. The dinner organizer just returned from a trip in South Korea and we are keeping in touch for various tips she might give me. It seems there was a weekly meeting where a lots of au pair and CERN interns socialize. I will need to check out those meetings but I am less thrilled since it involves mainly a bar.
Last Friday, which was a bank holiday (Good Friday), 2 Chinese students doing exchange in Portugal couchsurfed at my place for a rainy night. We arranged for the stay a week ago on the site, and exchanged a couple of emails for the details. However there were no personal information or civilities exchanged, and I didn't even look thoroughly at their profile. Instead, I just rapidly viewed the feedback on the profile and accepted their surf request.
It was with anxiety that I picked the 2 of them from the train station after work. And because it was their first time in Geneva, and they were left on their own since morning to roam an empty town, I felt compelled to give them a tour of my own: walk to my place...There are not many thing I know about this town, but somehow we took pictures of the giant chess boards, blooming magnolia trees, Grand Theatre, fancy closed shops. The main hurdle was at home, when we had to make conversation, a skill I certainly lack. But fortunately, cooking dinner, going in turn in the bathroom took most of the time. And I remembered those discussions with a 8 year old English student in Indonesia (hi Bayou!) and his pop quiz:
-what is you favourite sport?
-what is your favourite music?
-Do you like coffee ? (this one is from Suju 'Oops')
It also turned out they had to catch a train at 5:30am....So basically, our encounter was short but we still managed to add each other on facebook...
I take it as an incredible experience and thinking that it would surely help in building myself some confidence in hosting, whether for future travelers, or future business.
In addition, one can also just join an event locally, usually initiated by a local community member, and promoting a local shops, food, or event. it seems like a 3D extension of all the social networking sites, with the added common interest, which is finding a place to sleep or a place to enjoy local activities.
So in 2009 I was on the receiving end, meeting tokyoites at monja dinner near Tsukiji fish market, or having beer and tomato juice drink in west Tokyo. I also met the now currently full time geisha who hosted a wonderful nabe dinner for a couple of us travelers. With new friends to exchange emails and news, I was also able to host F. during her summer trip in London, allowing me to experience a somewhat subdued couchsurfing hosting. She was no longer a stranger after all.
Lately, I decided to check out the local couchsurfing community in Geneva. What lured me out was a dinner at Gaya, a korean restaurant. The turn out was decent, with 12 people from around Geneva and various experience with couchsurfing. There were no travelers this time and the majority of attendees were actually living in France across the border. The dinner organizer just returned from a trip in South Korea and we are keeping in touch for various tips she might give me. It seems there was a weekly meeting where a lots of au pair and CERN interns socialize. I will need to check out those meetings but I am less thrilled since it involves mainly a bar.
Last Friday, which was a bank holiday (Good Friday), 2 Chinese students doing exchange in Portugal couchsurfed at my place for a rainy night. We arranged for the stay a week ago on the site, and exchanged a couple of emails for the details. However there were no personal information or civilities exchanged, and I didn't even look thoroughly at their profile. Instead, I just rapidly viewed the feedback on the profile and accepted their surf request.
It was with anxiety that I picked the 2 of them from the train station after work. And because it was their first time in Geneva, and they were left on their own since morning to roam an empty town, I felt compelled to give them a tour of my own: walk to my place...There are not many thing I know about this town, but somehow we took pictures of the giant chess boards, blooming magnolia trees, Grand Theatre, fancy closed shops. The main hurdle was at home, when we had to make conversation, a skill I certainly lack. But fortunately, cooking dinner, going in turn in the bathroom took most of the time. And I remembered those discussions with a 8 year old English student in Indonesia (hi Bayou!) and his pop quiz:
-what is you favourite sport?
-what is your favourite music?
-Do you like coffee ? (this one is from Suju 'Oops')
It also turned out they had to catch a train at 5:30am....So basically, our encounter was short but we still managed to add each other on facebook...
I take it as an incredible experience and thinking that it would surely help in building myself some confidence in hosting, whether for future travelers, or future business.
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Going by the book, movie review
I just finished watching this peculiar movie that touches upon so many things behavioural. In short, it is a long bank robbery. Or is it?
The premises are summarized as a cop who enforces the law too well without exception and who does everything he is ordered to his best of his abilities, who is then given the role of a bank robber in a police simulation...
Watch By The book here
As the robbery unfolds, the line between simulation and real robbery gets blurred easily from the viewers point of view. And it takes the character something like " if I were a real robber" to get back to the simulation situation. In fact, the the police is trying everything by the book as well, following procedures as if the a real robbery happened. The hostages are behaving naturally like real hostages as well after some resistance were crushed.
What is most interesting is the cop turned pretend robber's character: a righteous cop who needs to be a thorough thief. It may be because of my current state of mind but it is pretty much a question to the audience to me. What if you are given free reign to act out your unlawful repressed desire ?
It is very tense to watch the character maintain both his thief and cop logic, the thief doing his best to evade the police, and his cop self justifying what the thief was doing:
For example, the thief did not yield to his mother's plea to surrender. Accused of not behaving like a real thief, he indicated that his mother did not shed a singe tear, since she knew he was a cop. Hence the thief was not moved and did not surrender.
Although I hope this kind of character exists, one that can maintain its righteous belief and orientation, it was very surprising to see that the thief character did not take over, armed with rifle, money and free escape.
It is labelled as comedy, but one that is a serous comedy, asking some valid questions.
The premises are summarized as a cop who enforces the law too well without exception and who does everything he is ordered to his best of his abilities, who is then given the role of a bank robber in a police simulation...
Watch By The book here
As the robbery unfolds, the line between simulation and real robbery gets blurred easily from the viewers point of view. And it takes the character something like " if I were a real robber" to get back to the simulation situation. In fact, the the police is trying everything by the book as well, following procedures as if the a real robbery happened. The hostages are behaving naturally like real hostages as well after some resistance were crushed.
What is most interesting is the cop turned pretend robber's character: a righteous cop who needs to be a thorough thief. It may be because of my current state of mind but it is pretty much a question to the audience to me. What if you are given free reign to act out your unlawful repressed desire ?
It is very tense to watch the character maintain both his thief and cop logic, the thief doing his best to evade the police, and his cop self justifying what the thief was doing:
For example, the thief did not yield to his mother's plea to surrender. Accused of not behaving like a real thief, he indicated that his mother did not shed a singe tear, since she knew he was a cop. Hence the thief was not moved and did not surrender.
Although I hope this kind of character exists, one that can maintain its righteous belief and orientation, it was very surprising to see that the thief character did not take over, armed with rifle, money and free escape.
It is labelled as comedy, but one that is a serous comedy, asking some valid questions.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Let's pick a number and win big!
For a reason unknown, we started talking about a dozen of bus drivers winning the lottery at work, and somehow ended up fired up to play as a group as well. It is 10€ per 5 sets of numbers, drawn twice a week, and there are 9 of us who got absolutely pulled into it. The guys were even making plans already about what they will do, where to put the money to pay less taxes, because in Switzerland apparently 30% of your game earnings belong to taxes...
In any case, today we finalized the numbers and payment. It took us a full half day to pick the damn number, after a whole day yesterday of a strategy on how to pick numbers. one would think statistics would play a big role, but for some of the big talkers among us, it is a matter of positive energy...The conversation started to be a bit irrational so I spaced out, until they'd ask me for a number.
Somehow some numbers were called out frequently, as much as 3 times (such as the number 5, 3, 41), and we planned to have the most frequent numbers in one of the grid. That didn't go well with one for the participants because he wanted to have everyone remember the numbers we called and see which numbers would be drawn frequently and have the persons that picked those numbers pick more numbers, using that person's positive energy...he got a bit ignored and we now have a set of 5 grid that we would play for at least 8 draws, since we already paid for the month.
As soon as the numbers are set, Friday morning one person will buy the ticket and set the numbers. So one of the question today was: what do we do about the original lotto ticket?
So all kind of scenarios started to emerge:
-the buyer will disappear with the original ticket and the money
-I had to borrow some euros to pay my entry fee, and so my lender asked: if we win tomorrow, can I get 40% of your earning then?
-If yo in big, would you still come to work?
It was all very funny and jovial but it makes me wonder what would really happen if we win, because money changes people, and on never knows until faced with the situation.
In any case, today we finalized the numbers and payment. It took us a full half day to pick the damn number, after a whole day yesterday of a strategy on how to pick numbers. one would think statistics would play a big role, but for some of the big talkers among us, it is a matter of positive energy...The conversation started to be a bit irrational so I spaced out, until they'd ask me for a number.
Somehow some numbers were called out frequently, as much as 3 times (such as the number 5, 3, 41), and we planned to have the most frequent numbers in one of the grid. That didn't go well with one for the participants because he wanted to have everyone remember the numbers we called and see which numbers would be drawn frequently and have the persons that picked those numbers pick more numbers, using that person's positive energy...he got a bit ignored and we now have a set of 5 grid that we would play for at least 8 draws, since we already paid for the month.
As soon as the numbers are set, Friday morning one person will buy the ticket and set the numbers. So one of the question today was: what do we do about the original lotto ticket?
So all kind of scenarios started to emerge:
-the buyer will disappear with the original ticket and the money
-I had to borrow some euros to pay my entry fee, and so my lender asked: if we win tomorrow, can I get 40% of your earning then?
-If yo in big, would you still come to work?
It was all very funny and jovial but it makes me wonder what would really happen if we win, because money changes people, and on never knows until faced with the situation.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
The strangest thing: pizza delivery
G. is visiting for a couple of days and just returned from a ski weekend with her parents. After catching up on our nonexistent love lives and meager career opportunities, it was dinnertime. She offered to order some delivery, and I warned her about the unavailability of reliable information on Geneva businesses online, especially on restaurants. All the nearby restaurants have no website or menu online. But we assumed the major delivery chains like Pizza Hut or Dominos would be a safe bet.
While doing other things, we decided to order online, after registering my email address, and choosing toppings etc, we managed to order after getting over the initial shock of the price: 37.50 CHF for a medium pizza with 3 toppings, plus a cheese bread and 1.5L drink (Nestea). She lives in NYC so she can eat for a whole week at that price. But this is Geneva and a pizza can cost 30CHF.
It took us 30min to order, and we set a delivery time 1h afterwards, at 20:00.
Time flew and our stomach started to crave the pizza. 20:00 came and went, and at finally at 20:30 we called both Dominos branch nearby to ask when our order would arrive. Their answer was depressing: they did not receive our order, despite the fact that I received 2 emails confirmed that our order was accepted....We gave up and decided to cook something quickly.
I started making my okonomiayaki base, with flour and eggs, to mix with the cabbage, onion and lardons that I cooked at noon. I mixed everything and prepared the pan to heat, when the bell rang...
A not bad looking delivery man was holding our order, and i still cannot wrap my head around it. Nobody supposedly received our order but we still got our pizza....1 hour late but I suppose I am glad I didn't order another one by phone...
I guess I will have okonomiyaki for the next 3 days...
While doing other things, we decided to order online, after registering my email address, and choosing toppings etc, we managed to order after getting over the initial shock of the price: 37.50 CHF for a medium pizza with 3 toppings, plus a cheese bread and 1.5L drink (Nestea). She lives in NYC so she can eat for a whole week at that price. But this is Geneva and a pizza can cost 30CHF.
It took us 30min to order, and we set a delivery time 1h afterwards, at 20:00.
Time flew and our stomach started to crave the pizza. 20:00 came and went, and at finally at 20:30 we called both Dominos branch nearby to ask when our order would arrive. Their answer was depressing: they did not receive our order, despite the fact that I received 2 emails confirmed that our order was accepted....We gave up and decided to cook something quickly.
I started making my okonomiayaki base, with flour and eggs, to mix with the cabbage, onion and lardons that I cooked at noon. I mixed everything and prepared the pan to heat, when the bell rang...
A not bad looking delivery man was holding our order, and i still cannot wrap my head around it. Nobody supposedly received our order but we still got our pizza....1 hour late but I suppose I am glad I didn't order another one by phone...
I guess I will have okonomiyaki for the next 3 days...
Monday, March 12, 2012
Monday, March 05, 2012
My body in numbers
This is what happens when one just wants to try out something popular. As expected, the Iyashi dome made me sweat buckets of water, but the main feature that they do not explain until you get there, is that they weigh you naked before and after 30min of sweating...
Starting from the beginning, one undresses then hops on the scale then the attendant input your age and height into the device, which then programs itself like an intelligent microwaves to administer sufficient heat. Then it outputs a little ticket with different numbers, all scary numbers, starting with:
Weight of fat, weight of muscle, weight of liquid, BMI, etc...and a final statement indicating whether one is overweight or not (clearly I am, with an obesity degree of 67%). As an encouragement, it also indicates the ideal weight (49.5kg).
After 30min of sweating, another trip on the scale indicates I lost 300g of water, and also the fact I need to drink more water (% hydrique= 45.7%).
So in short, I'm obese and need to drink more water. I guess the fact that the flu came at me full blown 4h later is an indicator, and now I am drinking 1L/h, with all the teas and soup ingested...
I can't wait for the 6th session of that sweating machine to know how my body changes. In the meantime I bought a scale to look at with guilt...
Starting from the beginning, one undresses then hops on the scale then the attendant input your age and height into the device, which then programs itself like an intelligent microwaves to administer sufficient heat. Then it outputs a little ticket with different numbers, all scary numbers, starting with:
Weight of fat, weight of muscle, weight of liquid, BMI, etc...and a final statement indicating whether one is overweight or not (clearly I am, with an obesity degree of 67%). As an encouragement, it also indicates the ideal weight (49.5kg).
After 30min of sweating, another trip on the scale indicates I lost 300g of water, and also the fact I need to drink more water (% hydrique= 45.7%).
So in short, I'm obese and need to drink more water. I guess the fact that the flu came at me full blown 4h later is an indicator, and now I am drinking 1L/h, with all the teas and soup ingested...
I can't wait for the 6th session of that sweating machine to know how my body changes. In the meantime I bought a scale to look at with guilt...
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
失敗した (I failed)
I received the JLPT score and was very surprised, not because I didn't pass, but because my score in the different sections were not what I expected.
The score for language knowledge is tough even if I was expecting something like that. The passing score is 50/60 for that section, so I have a lot of work to do. There is a table indicating the pass score to be 19/60 but still, given the overall pass score at 95/180, I needed at least a 31/60 in that section to pass. The score is language knowledge is detailed in the score for Vocabulary and Grammar, since the only kanji I remember knowing was the character for tears...sniff. I need to have at least a B and score 50% or higher for vocabulary and grammar.
I was expecting a higher score for listening since I thought I understood things about 80%. So now I can correct myself and tell everyone I only understand 56.666667% of things I hear as it seems I misunderstand what I hear. The biggest surprise is the reading score. I know it is a scaled score but it feels strange to have a score of 30/60 when I answered at random, giving up at understanding the questions or the answers. I did try to read the texts to gather what they were about, but that was pretty much what I understood. I cannot even remember the theme anymore since I'm mixing them up with the mock tests I have done.
So in short, I passed Reading and Listening (passing score is 19/60) but I have lots of vocabulary and grammar to catch up...sigh
And now the big debate: shall I register for the July exam or not? And at what level?
I was expecting a higher score for listening since I thought I understood things about 80%. So now I can correct myself and tell everyone I only understand 56.666667% of things I hear as it seems I misunderstand what I hear. The biggest surprise is the reading score. I know it is a scaled score but it feels strange to have a score of 30/60 when I answered at random, giving up at understanding the questions or the answers. I did try to read the texts to gather what they were about, but that was pretty much what I understood. I cannot even remember the theme anymore since I'm mixing them up with the mock tests I have done.
So in short, I passed Reading and Listening (passing score is 19/60) but I have lots of vocabulary and grammar to catch up...sigh
And now the big debate: shall I register for the July exam or not? And at what level?
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Potty talk
Because I tend to drink quite a lot of water or tea at work, and my bladder only holds half a cup of liquid maximum, I usually go to the toilet every 30-60min. I experience all level of cleanliness on the 1st floor, from pristine to right outrageous. And this is a corporate environment. I always wonder how some women leave such disgusting traces: do they stand on the toilet to hit the wall? Do they sit facing the flush? I really cannot understand why there are shoe marks on the toilet.
Then there is the meet and greet. I prefer to ignore everyone when going to do my business. Why do you say hello and smile? Do you expect me to have a friendly conversation? Even if I walk along to the place with a friend, as soon as we push that door with the ladies sign, you are not anybody, so let me focus on finding a lean place to put my bottom!
The first order of business after passing that door is choosing a booth. For my part, the booth to use is never chosen randomly. The criteria are smell and cleanliness. There are 3 booths to choose from. The sink area as well as the booths have their own timer-sensored lights. If I am lucky, there is a booth that has no light on that is available. That means noone has been in there for while. In term of odor, it would be the safest. If it is clean enough, then it will be used. If one booth is being used, the farthest booth is the firs choice, unless it is disgusting. If the middle booth is busy, again select by odor and cleanliness...I am pretty sure those criteria are pretty the same for everyone.
Seriously though, there are people that lock themselves up in the toilet to speak on the phone, when there are plenty of fresh air outside, while admiring the Mont Blanc..
Then there is the meet and greet. I prefer to ignore everyone when going to do my business. Why do you say hello and smile? Do you expect me to have a friendly conversation? Even if I walk along to the place with a friend, as soon as we push that door with the ladies sign, you are not anybody, so let me focus on finding a lean place to put my bottom!
The first order of business after passing that door is choosing a booth. For my part, the booth to use is never chosen randomly. The criteria are smell and cleanliness. There are 3 booths to choose from. The sink area as well as the booths have their own timer-sensored lights. If I am lucky, there is a booth that has no light on that is available. That means noone has been in there for while. In term of odor, it would be the safest. If it is clean enough, then it will be used. If one booth is being used, the farthest booth is the firs choice, unless it is disgusting. If the middle booth is busy, again select by odor and cleanliness...I am pretty sure those criteria are pretty the same for everyone.
Seriously though, there are people that lock themselves up in the toilet to speak on the phone, when there are plenty of fresh air outside, while admiring the Mont Blanc..
Saturday, February 25, 2012
no sweating today...
I had a 9:00 morning appointment to the spa today for my first time at the Iyashi dome treatment. Beforehand, i probably drank 3L of water, between yesterday evening and this morning. So even after leaving the house my bladder was trying to empty itself mid-street in the cold crispy morning.
The was opened at ( as well so I lingered for about 2min outside before someone came to open shop. Then it turned out someone messed up the appointment schedule and overbooked the dome. So instead I was offered a treatment.
But first, i had to undress and put on this totally tiny paper thong. The most traumatizing could be when she measured my waistline, since I told her this is my problem area these days, and I hate to do crunches. All that precious information was immortalized on a piece of paper that I dated not to read.
The treatment was called cavitation, and uses an ultrasound machine to break down fat. The sound is quite high pitch as it resonates a lot, but after a while I got used to it. The area treated warms up a bit, and the therapist massaged me as well to help drain the fat. I need to exercise and drink 2L/day for 10 days to eliminate.
Next Saturday, I will try the iyashi dome for 6 more treatment. I feel like I have fallen into the plastic surgery world....
The was opened at ( as well so I lingered for about 2min outside before someone came to open shop. Then it turned out someone messed up the appointment schedule and overbooked the dome. So instead I was offered a treatment.
But first, i had to undress and put on this totally tiny paper thong. The most traumatizing could be when she measured my waistline, since I told her this is my problem area these days, and I hate to do crunches. All that precious information was immortalized on a piece of paper that I dated not to read.
The treatment was called cavitation, and uses an ultrasound machine to break down fat. The sound is quite high pitch as it resonates a lot, but after a while I got used to it. The area treated warms up a bit, and the therapist massaged me as well to help drain the fat. I need to exercise and drink 2L/day for 10 days to eliminate.
Next Saturday, I will try the iyashi dome for 6 more treatment. I feel like I have fallen into the plastic surgery world....
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Magic body
This beautiful smooth face of mine always adorn a pimple. It is not always at the same place, as it seems to move from my chin, right next to my only beard hair, to the entrance of my nose.
Every month, it moves to a different place, and it takes a lot of BB cream to erase the stamp of a nasty pimple.
The weirdest place? Behind my left ear.
Every month, it moves to a different place, and it takes a lot of BB cream to erase the stamp of a nasty pimple.
The weirdest place? Behind my left ear.
Thursday, February 02, 2012
salty tears...
In periods of high (or maybe low) level of hormones, when the times comes and everything seem so bothersome, and my sensitivity is maximum, I can't help but think about sad things. It's not love, it's not care, it's what you would call nostalgia. It's the remembrance of things or lives that have passed and that could not be lived again.
As my chest tighten and the knot is tied in my throat, I listen to these songs to let it go. Because the memory of you, and the things I still want to do with you can only be materialized in my tears.
"Memories live on" by 4Men
"...Memories live on
To tear to pieces all facets for the memories alive
Faded memories of living on memories of the trail
As the Hourglass shattered memories alive
Forgot your gonna be alive tomorrow, so that
Tomorrow is gonna be alive for the memories forgotten "
"Distance" by Ft Island
Now, over the crossing
Someone who was always besides me stands
First snow of the season falls on her back who is walking not knowing anything.
My heart hurts as I run.
Because it was as if I left you behind.
Do I still exist in you?
As a selfish person.
Because I wanna see you.
Just wanna see you.
I was holding your image in myself.
Changes into memory
Not to fade it away
"I love sad songs too."
Why wasn't I able to realize?
Over the crowd, I see your back
I was reaching out my hand unconsciously
Even if it's too late
Gotta tell you "I'm sorry"
Otherwise I can't move on
So I ran after you.
Just ran after you
As if I cut through the crowd
I called your name
called many times
Did it reach?
But straight
Just straight
You keep walking forward
Never looking back
As if you leave everything behind
As if it's for me
I cannot still find the answer
What's right and what's wrong Please reflect me into your eyes once more time.
Let me ask you.
So I wanna see you.
Just wanna see you.
I was holding your image in myself
It wasn't a dream
It was a reality
But I let your hand go
Snow keeps falling.
My feeling gets stronger
Express train passes
By the time this crossing opens
you will probably not be there
You will probably not even be there
As my chest tighten and the knot is tied in my throat, I listen to these songs to let it go. Because the memory of you, and the things I still want to do with you can only be materialized in my tears.
"Memories live on" by 4Men
"...Memories live on
To tear to pieces all facets for the memories alive
Faded memories of living on memories of the trail
As the Hourglass shattered memories alive
Forgot your gonna be alive tomorrow, so that
Tomorrow is gonna be alive for the memories forgotten "
"Distance" by Ft Island
Now, over the crossing
Someone who was always besides me stands
First snow of the season falls on her back who is walking not knowing anything.
My heart hurts as I run.
Because it was as if I left you behind.
Do I still exist in you?
As a selfish person.
Because I wanna see you.
Just wanna see you.
I was holding your image in myself.
Changes into memory
Not to fade it away
"I love sad songs too."
Why wasn't I able to realize?
Over the crowd, I see your back
I was reaching out my hand unconsciously
Even if it's too late
Gotta tell you "I'm sorry"
Otherwise I can't move on
So I ran after you.
Just ran after you
As if I cut through the crowd
I called your name
called many times
Did it reach?
But straight
Just straight
You keep walking forward
Never looking back
As if you leave everything behind
As if it's for me
I cannot still find the answer
What's right and what's wrong Please reflect me into your eyes once more time.
Let me ask you.
So I wanna see you.
Just wanna see you.
I was holding your image in myself
It wasn't a dream
It was a reality
But I let your hand go
Snow keeps falling.
My feeling gets stronger
Express train passes
By the time this crossing opens
you will probably not be there
You will probably not even be there
Monday, January 30, 2012
An older me
I have cleaned the house, sorted out the files, pictures and paperworks, scrubbed clean my body of dead cells, ate somehow healthy for the last 2 days to detox, and finally concluded another year of my existence.
I am thankful for all the love and support I have received so far. No matter what, I am what i am thanks to you.
Arigatou by Ikimono Gakari par loosesox4126
I am thankful for all the love and support I have received so far. No matter what, I am what i am thanks to you.
Arigatou by Ikimono Gakari par loosesox4126
Sunday, January 29, 2012
ずっと (zutto) by Aiko
In memory of Nenibe,
No matter what, I’ll forever stay by your side
You’re watching the same world as I am
If there’s despair behind your sweet smile
Give it to me. I’ll be fine
There’s a part of me here that no one knows
Being able to have met you was my ending
Breathing calmly, I lay my body on your chest
As long as I live I touch you again and again
And learn of your warm taste, forever
No matter what, I’ll forever stay by your side
Let’s also go to the other side of this clearly visible world
The things we can’t say and the small cold lies disappear
As I trip over your heel and we laugh together
I only need one unchanging thing
Even if the wind blows on us and invites us to different roads
Like the day we defied time and separated
I hear only your voice
No matter what future lies in waiting
Being able to have met you was my ending
Breathing calmly, I lay my body on your chest
As long as I live I touch you again and again
And learn of your warm taste, forever
No matter what, I’ll forever stay by your side
You’re watching the same world as I am
If there’s despair behind your sweet smile
Give it to me. I’ll be fine
There’s a part of me here that no one knows
Being able to have met you was my ending
Breathing calmly, I lay my body on your chest
As long as I live I touch you again and again
And learn of your warm taste, forever
No matter what, I’ll forever stay by your side
Let’s also go to the other side of this clearly visible world
The things we can’t say and the small cold lies disappear
As I trip over your heel and we laugh together
I only need one unchanging thing
Even if the wind blows on us and invites us to different roads
Like the day we defied time and separated
I hear only your voice
No matter what future lies in waiting
Being able to have met you was my ending
Breathing calmly, I lay my body on your chest
As long as I live I touch you again and again
And learn of your warm taste, forever
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