I haven't finished posting up all my japan adventures pictures. Reasons being, the photo size is too big and I find it hard to resize them one by one.
Nonetheless, many events these days... I thought I can be excited.. but I felt a sense of sadness over me. To be frank, I really felt that I have been through alot this year. Yet, I have been strong.
But on the other note, my life is indeed bless. I have so many good friends, good health and family members around. I am blessed indeed.
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I have received a cheque for $472.93 yesterday from the Bank of America, AIG.
Yup, AIG never fails to deliver its claims promises. One exciting part of my Japan is that I lost my phone and money on the 2nd day in Tokyo! What an event! After meeting Jac on the first day at Tokyo, the next day is a fateful one that almost ruin my entire trip.
Started the day quite badly, as I was too tired the day before carrying my extremely heavy luggage around.. Jac gave me a black face because I couldn;t wake up on the time we have agreed on. And the whole day, she wasn't impressed at all with the shopping and walking around at Tokyo, comparing Tokyo with Paris. Honestly, I wished I was alone at Tokyo. =p ops.... sorry Jac. That day, I went to meet up with KC and his wife at Tokyo 101 whilst Jac decided to go back hostel to rest??? (Fancy going hostel to rest on a hols?? funny) So I called her up during dinner time to meet up, thinking that she will be very "ke lian".
But it turned out to be a "devastating" night for me.
God is good. On the train to our supposed destination "odaiba", I decided to take a good look at what I brought for that day in my pouch. I took out my wallet and passport in the morning that day and brought along my leftover money which amounts to $40k yen, my handphone, spare SD card for taking pic and the hostel keys.
When we were at one station for transition to another train, Jac decided maybe not to go anymore, and in the midst of discussion, I got really dull and "sian". After which, funny... my pouch was gone. huh??? ya, I really can't recall what happened. I guess I might have left it on the ticket counter while discussing with Jac and station master about whether we should get going, and someone took it. Faint. Yes, all my contacts were gone. I thanked God that at that crucial moment, I was holding on to my dear camera with irreplaceable memories of my Japan trip, photos for the first 5 days.
But, yes... my handphone was gone with all my contacts. I considered that really desvastating, not only so because my Hp is rather new, bought in April, but as a "sales" person, contacts are my lifeline. And, I thought of all my plans for the rest of the trip, getting to Mt Fuji and disneyland... and I thought of my lost money... all of it... no more yens left... in a foreign ground...
I cried and cried and cried.... right where I was.
Ha... Jac didnt response much, which added to my frustrations.
I think I was brave and insisted in looking for it in my best efforts then headed to the police post for reporting. I sat down at the police post and tried to regain my sanity again.
Self talk: "Shirley, what have you lost? Money. Handphone. Contacts.
Are they very very important in life that you find them hard to replace? Would you rather dwell in all these loss, cry for days and decided to get back to Singapore asap to forget about this "bad experience"? or get over it quickly and enjoy the rest of your trip?? Mt Fuji, Tokyo and Disneyland.
Shirley: "Okay, okay. Yup, it's okay. It's not the end of the world. I just lost some money. Besides, I got my travel insurance, even if I can't claim them, they are not so important in life that worth the ruining of the rest of my trip. Okay, I'm fine!"
I decided there at the police post to be well again. =)
Thanking God that I haven lost my passport, wallet, Ic or camera.
I had the most amazing day the next day. Good!
The next day was our Mt. Fuji trip and so we packed up and went over to our 3rd hostel to put our luggage. Then backpack and off we go! Went to the "electric world" full of the latest techologies in town to get a spare SD card for my camera. It's just a 5 min ride from my hostel. Found a cheap SD card, 2 G for only $10 Sing i think. Thanks to Jac who lend me some money. I decided that memories cant be replaced so Im determined to grab a SD card for the rest of my trip. Off we went on to our next destination, Tokyo New Life Church! Wow... small church with a big heart. Loved the church alot, warm people, great pastor from Hawaii, great love for God and people! Guess what, God used the pastor to comfort me as he related his 2 experiences of theft and robbery in Japan for his stay there. He lost $40k yen! Yup, that's what I lost too! God has used him to remind me that I am never alone. That topic of the sermon is Trusting God in crisis times. =) Yup, you are not alone too.
They sang lovely worship songs in Japanese and English. After the whole service, I went up to take a pic with the pastor and told him how God has used him to encourage me. He then decided to pray for me, knowing how bad I must have felt throughout the whole loss. The moment he laid his hands on me, I started crying and crying. It's not tear of sadness or disappointment. It's tear of joy from my Heavenly Father. The presence of God is so strong. God only allows himself to be as close as you allows Him to.
Lovely, got a book "Dream Releasers" from the church too. Written by their Senior pastor from Hawaii. Pastor Wayne. Heard of him in internet and how he led the fasting growing church in Hawaii with more than 10,000 regular attendees now. Hope I got the details right. So they started a church in Japan too and I got there. Thank God.
The route to Mt. Fuji was enjoyable too and the moment we reached there, wow....great weather! I'm loving it! =)
********************** to be continued plus the wedding story.......
At Shinjuku, before setting off to Mt. Fuji
At Mt. Fuji.... similar stores where i got all the very nice goodies!
Happy to know that I can withdraw money from my POSB debit card at the ATM! Finally have $ to buy goodies for friends le! =) $30,000 yen
This is the very nice hostel! k's house Mt. Fuji! Really nice! Love it! Japanese style! Clean and affordable. abt S$40 per night per person.
The book I got from New Hope Tokyo Church! The Dream Releaser!
Our first hostel "Tokyo Ninja Hostel" rated 6/10 by Shirley. Clean and fun. But too tiring, no lift.
Tokyo New Hope Church! =)
Pastor and his Japanese wife who will do the translation for him.
Yeah! Thank you for praying for me, pastor! =)
Met this family there at the church, very very cute baby! =)
Finally can rest after settling at Ninja Tokyo Hostel! Just exploring outside the hostel.
Asakusa area! all the souvenirs!
Bought a cute bowl here!
Caught a Sumo to take pic with me! Ai yo... scary....=p
So many arcades for japanese to vent their frustrations here.
My heavy heavy lugguge! Shouldn't have bring so many things to Japan!
Bullet train Nozomi behind me!
This is the bed that I slept on at Ninja Hostel.... Domitary style! haa... nice experience if I didnt need to carry the heavy lugguge!
A look at the corridor inside the room leading to my bed behind.
This is the living room at Ninja hostel. Actually out of 10, I will only give 6-7 for my experience here. Still prefer K's house! At Mt. Fuji and Tokyo. =)
Snoopy world at Universal Studio!
Very fantasy world!
Jurassic Park! The ride!
Standard merry go round!
The pink cafe! Pink panther! =)
Cute shop logos are common along Shinshabashi streets osaka!Love this street!
After Dinner by District manager Daisy Wee, she spent $10,000 yen ($130) for each person here. Generous boss!
We make it! AIA 12th Mini convention! =)Davy Goh is my manager standing behind me. Boss Daisy and funny uncle Jimmy.
At the dinner! 
With Laura, just arrived at Japan! 7am
My plane food (Japan airlines)
After changing into something comfortable, at our hotel, New Otani Hotel Japan
Hello Kitty shop at Osaka, shinsaibashi!
