Friday, August 17, 2012

reflections :: japan

five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes, 
how do you measure a year? in daylights, in sunsets, in midnights
in cups of coffee
in inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife.
(random fact:: im a musical theatre dork..)

we've very recently relocated to singapore and 
said 'sayonara' to our home of almost 2 years. 

when we first found out about japan, we were in the middle of wedding week. 
we were both super excited and thrilled to be moving to such an exciting city. and to fulfil daniel's long-term dream. the timing was perfection! we couldn't have asked for a better honeymoon-like beginning to our lives. 

we built ourselves a lovely home that revolved around this bustling crazy city that never fails to fascinate (and occasionally frustrate) us. mentally, we set ourselves two years to live this little adventure. we selfishly wanted it to be all about us! but somewhere along the way, we picked up really unbelievably awesome friends and picked up a stray. and life was complete.
 see? we picked this one with crazy eyes.

i never learnt the language. i lived my (almost) two years pointing and gesturing and depending on the kindness of people (thanks daniel!) around me to help figure me out. but i never went hungry and i was never bored! i was always up to some mischief with my friend, jen.

we travelled extensively within japan and out of japan. we constantly gawked at the inflated prices of everything (seriously ridiculous!). we abandoned our dreams of saving for a house while living here! (lol). we loved the food even more than ever. we picked up crazy culinary tips from our friends. our work was fun and interesting in different ways and we grew up so much as a family.


:: snuggling in nara ::

we also had a very steady flow of visitors! we'd like to think that it was due to our popularity!! but truth is, their visits kept our friendships afloat and we got to share a little bit of our lives with our cherished pals back home. that.. we're very grateful for. 


we also did new things. i snowboarded. daniel ate so much udon and oden (out of love). he surfed. 
i ate fish. we ate eel. musashi swam. we all made fire-place smores and pizza. all great new experiences we'd carry with us for life. 

when our initial "two year" timeline was up for discussion, we were lost. we loved where we were. there was more to do. but we knew we'd struggle to make this our forever home. 
(plus out goddamn toaster died on us cos we scrimped and got the cheapest model) 
we were in a pickle. 

then we found out that we were expecting a baby.
due the day our lease ended (!!)
so we were in a bigger pickle, a baby and toasterless...


and then singapore happened.
once again, the timing was perfect. so perfect it left us a little unready.
so we made a call & packed up our lives as efficiently as we arrived. 
and with two babies in tow, we left humbly. 

i kept telling daniel that i don't need any souvenirs from japan..
because i have musashi.
but truth is, we took everything we could carry but left our hearts behind.

i'll definitely measure our life in japan in love. 
we're so grateful and proud to have lived it. and met the people we met. 
and man was that a crazily awesome adventure!!

xx

23 comments:

  1. Aww..what a beautiful reflection! I am sure you will continue to build new and wonderful memories in Singapore especially with the arrival of the littlest one.

    wishing you all the very best as you embark on yet another exciting adventure.

    xx

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    1. thank winifred! :) its gonna be so much fun! different but fun!

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  2. *sobbing* we miss you! tokyo isn't the same without your happy (and one fuzzy) faces. but boy did we get into some mischief, huh? sample sales, yummy udon, Costco with our luggages, snowboarding, surfing, a summer we don't remember, picnics in the park, tons of parties, CTLs, yakitori, hot dogs, and ohhhh the desserts :)

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    1. COSTCO with our luggages! hilarious!! man why in the world did we go that!! Lol! :)

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  3. I can only imagine what an amazing adventure it has been for the both of you. Kinda been in your shoes and boy Japan will forever hold a dear, dear place in my heart.

    Oh and we do know of a pretty decent oden place here in Singers, so if Daniel ever gets that craving.. call me! ;)

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    1. im the one crazy about udon and odens! daniel tolerates it for me!!! :) im so amazing at the number of ramen places that popped up over the years! yayy for singapore!!

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  4. ooh yay, singapore! what lovely timing. hope to see you around! :)

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  5. I love that song, love the musical too.

    Beautiful reflections and thank you for sharing. All the best to you guys in Singapore!

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    1. one of my favorite musicals of all time! :) such a classic!!

      xx

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  6. welcome to SG hon!! Hope muu is taking it well :)

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    1. he's settling in well! :) now i can enjoy all the yummy and fabulous things i read about in your blog too!!

      xx

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  7. This post made me tear! Thank you for sharing your adventures in Japan with us! I love this song too.. first heard it when Jessica Biel sang it on Oprah (after the last season of 7th heaven!) gosh.. Sending love to your family of 4 zhiying & hope to bump into u soon in sg!

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    1. awwwwww i went to google that version! its so beautiful! :)

      yes certainly! holler if you see me in the streets! im SUPER blur and looking lost half the time!

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  8. I'm going Tokyo/Kobe next year for 17 days and my husband is very against it. There are rumors where woman who came back from Japan was informed that they can't conceive for the next ten years. Otherwise there are women who are pregnant and something went wrong either with the pregnancy or their baby.

    With all the radiation fears, what are your take on this? Any advise?

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    1. oh im not sure about the rumors but we lived there for two years so hopefully our bub is ok *fingers crossed* but either way if you're worried perhaps you should give it a miss!!

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  9. You are so adventurous to take on a move with a little one on the way. I have yet to knit for a baby, and I would love to send you something for your sweet pea. If you don't think that's too weird, and you feel comfortable sending me an address when you settle, I'll be glad to put something wee on my needles.

    xoxo

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    1. awwwww thats such a sweet thing to do! :) definitely would LOVE to own something handmade by you!! will try to drop you an email! :)

      xx

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  10. so BEAUTIFULLY written! gotta be one of my favourite posts of yours yet! You are making me miss SG even more. Good luck with it all and maybe now FINALLY we'll get to meet at some salsa or NON salsa event! x

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    1. awww you have a favorite post! thats so sweet!!

      its gonna take me a while to get back into salsa shape! lol! :) i look at my salsa gear these day and laugh. they look ridiculously tiny!

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  11. welcome to singapore, babe! :))

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