Because this is my first post... after a really long time*

Yesterday, a friend asked me: "Ate, do you still update your blog?" To be honest, I haven't really thought about blogging in a really long time. Do people still blog? My mind has been too preoccupied in the past couple of years to even try to put my thoughts into words. Sure, I update Instagram and Twitter from time to time but that's it. Microblogging was the only thing I could afford to do in my spare time. But now it suddenly feels like I have all the time in the world. And I've never felt this way since forever. Because yesterday was my last day at work - a job I've had for the past 9.5 years of my life. Funny how it feels like I only started working yesterday. Time sure flew by so fast. But it hasn't sinked in yet. I waited for this moment for more than a year and now that it's here, it feels surreal. This crybaby didn't even shed a tear. The only time I felt emotional was when I returned my company ID. Maybe because technically, today was supposed to be my last day but since it's a holiday, I got an extra free day. But tomorrow will be different. I wouldn't be doing the things that I've been doing every single day for the past 9.5 years. How does one break a routine? And more importantly, how do you start a new one? I'm scared of this uncertainty but also excited about all the possibilities of where it will take me. As cliche as it sounds, I know that all of this is part of God's plan for me. So I will learn to trust Him, and let Him take control of my new journey. I may have lost something that has been part of me for almost a decade, but my job doesn't define me. I will take all the lessons and experiences I've accumulated over the years with me wherever I go, and for that I am nothing but thankful. From here on, it's an all new adventure. And I can't wait to face it head on.

* Yes, someone just finished watching Because This Is My First Life, and is still very much affected by it ^^

I'm alive!

How sad is it that the last post I have on here was when Kero-chan passed away? Di naka-move on? I admit it has been painful - twice as painful as losing Chippy. There are days when I miss her so bad, I can't help but cry. I still greet her every time I pass by the little shrub Dad planted on her grave as a marker. But I can't stay sad forever. Cocopie's addition to the family has really helped us get through (not over) the pain of losing our dear Kero-chan.

So what made me come back here? Remember when I finally built up enough courage to apply for graduate school last year? Well, it's been a year and I'm currently on my second trimester (six more to go!) in the MBA program. Balancing work and school is a challenge but I'm getting by. So I figured it's time to take a bigger leap... which I actually did yesterday. It's not a sure thing yet but taking that first step took a lot of courage. I've never been this excited and terrified in my life. Yes to new adventures!

Good night, Kero-chan :(

People close to our family know who Kero-chan is - our trusty little guard dog with stubby little paws. Only a handful know that her real name is Carebear though (because the markings on her face made her look like a chubby little bear cub when she was still a puppy). As with all our pets, her name evolved into a couple of nicknames: Keroberos (because of Card Captor Sakura), Kero-chan (obviously taken from the latter not because of Jackie Chan), Kero, Kerocchin (because of Slam Dunk's Ryota or Ryocchin), Keroppi, Fluffy, Fluffy Tail, Fatty (for when she eats like a vacuum), etc. And anyone who's ever been to our house know the SOP: you have to find a seat ASAP or suffer the consequences of unlimited barking/scolding from Kero-chan.

But today, our home is unusually quiet as we finally had to say goodbye to our dear Kero-chan. It has been a difficult month for our family, especially for Kero-chan. After Chippy passed away in 2010, we knew we only have limited time left with Kero-chan as dogs live up to an average of 10-12 years. As she reached geriatric age, she developed lumps in her mammary glands (an illness old female dogs are prone to) which could only be removed by surgery. However, her weak heart prevented her from being a candidate so the vet put her on maintenance meds instead and we switched her diet to a healthier one.

She remained her jolly old self until a month ago when her condition suddenly worsened. I immediately got scared as it brought back memories of losing Chippy. She was so weak, she had to be carried all the way to the vet. I left the office to accompany her because I didn't want 2010 to happen all over again. I promised her that I will stay by/on her side - that I would fight for her and do everything to bring her back home alive. And that I did. Even when the vet suggested over and over again that we have the option of putting Kero-chan to sleep to relieve her pain. I refused because I can see in her eyes that she's still fighting. She has always been a fighter - even as a pup. We gave her away like all of Chippy's pups (because we can't raise more than one dog in our humble condo unit) but she refused to be given away. When our neighbor (her new human) went to the bakery with her, she made a run for it and came back to our house. So we decided to keep her. I figured, if she's going to leave us now, I don't want it to be my choice but hers.

Still, the vet advised that we should start preparing because it seemed like Kero-chan would only last a couple days. I cried countless times, praying for a miracle. I was so scared to let Kero-chan go because losing her will be twice as painful. It's like losing Chippy all over again. But God gave me the miracle I was asking for. After a few days, Kero-chan was back on her feet, happily welcoming us home again. I knew it wouldn't last - that God was just giving us time to prepare ourselves to slowly let Kero-chan go. Three weeks passed and she remained in high spirits. She was back to fighting Coco-chan again. But a couple of days ago, her arthritis kicked in and she fell ill once again. We took turns nursing her, feeding her, giving her sponge baths, and spending late nights by her side if only we could relieve some of her pain by being there for her and petting her. We even said our final goodbyes a bit early just in case she doesn't make it through the night. But she did. Dogs (or pets in general) usually go into hiding when they fall ill or are nearing their deaths. Chippy did. All our previous cats did. But Kero-chan refused to leave her favorite spot right outside our bedroom door. She remained the clingy dog that she is until the very end.

No matter how many times I prepared myself for the worst, I still wasn't ready when it happened. I was getting ready for work when she started crying. Really loud. I was panicking because she was panicking but I rushed to her side to pet her, make her drink water, and give her a sponge bath. I was already telling her that it's okay to let go, that everything will be okay. She calmed down from time to time but I knew it was happening soon so I called mom and cried over the phone because I don't know what to do and I just can't make THAT decision for her. But after a few minutes, she stopped crying. We were all relieved to find out that she just pooped. False alarm but still, I've never been more scared in my life. I didn't want to go to work but Ate Elsa made me because Kero-chan already went back to sleep. So I did but not without saying good night to her (like I always do before she falls asleep), and not without reminding them to just keep petting her in case she starts crying again. After an hour, I received the devastating news. I tried to fight back my tears because I need to drive home but I just couldn't. When I came home, Kero-chan looked the same way she did when I left her - sleeping. But this time, she was sleeping for good.

Mom and Nee-chan came home from work too. We all gathered to say our final goodbyes for Kero-chan and buried her near our house because that's what she would've wanted. My heart is still aching but I'm glad we never gave up on her. As weird as it is for me to say this, love is indeed watching someone die. It was painful to see her in pain but we were there for her as she has always been for us. She left us two days shy from my birthday. And despite all the tears, I know she gave me the best birthday gift she can - the peace of mind that she's now in a much better place, free from any kind of pain. A place where she can sleep all she wants, and eat all the Dentastix she wants. A place where she can be together with her mum, Chippy, once again.

Thirteen years (or 77 in doggy years) might seem too short but for a sweet puppy like Kero-chan, that's more than enough time for her to bring happiness and cheer to our home. As they say, dogs are not meant to live for as long as we do. They come into our lives when we need them, and leave us when we need to start a new chapter. So good night, Kero-chan! See you in the resurrection morning. :)

Japan 2014: Counting Stars

スターズオンアイス!!!

Today's the day! Right after checking-in at City Hotel Lonestar, the front desk staff handed me the coveted package I've been waiting for since February - my Stars on Ice Japan tickets! It wasn't easy for a non-Japanese speaker like me to get them and I have this post to prove it. But nothing's impossible for a determined fangirl. Haha So yay, I will finally get to see my Romeo on Ice in a few hours!! Cue: “'Cause I~I'm seeing youuuuu ohhhhh~” to the tune of Des'ree's Kissing You (R+J 1.0) lol #kalandiansajapan

Dream come true!

After a quick lunch at Mos Burger, Nee-chan and I walked all the way to Yoyogi First Gymnasium. Sure, the venue was pretty close but the entrance was all the way across from where we were. Still, it was quite easy to spot since there were a lot of people making their way over there. As in exodus levels! The gym's capacity is 13k+ and it looked like a sold out show. Before anything else, I searched for the souvenir program booth. All signs were in Japanese except for one which had BACK NUMBER (yes, in caps!) written on it. Nee-chan and I wondered what it was but the Yuzu fangirl in me thought, “Uy that's the band Yuzu was listening to before his FS program in Sochi. Are they selling albums here?” only to find out that BACK NUMBER = back issues. Haha Assumera kasi!

My Stars on Ice goodies

After getting a copy of the souvenir program (¥2,000!!!), we went along with the crowd to the entrance. There were no clear queues so I just let the people around me guide me through the doors which was surprisingly chaotic and organized at the same time. Chaotic because there were just too many people around you and yet organized in a way because there was absolutely no pushing. Everyone had their personal spaces all to themselves. Weird, I know, but it works. As we entered the doors, they handed us glow sticks which we were instructed to use during the finale of the first act. The amount of people got even more overwhelming once we were inside the gymnasium - it felt like standing in the middle of Shibuya Crossing during rush hour. Despite that, we were able to spot a Free WiFi sign on a vendo machine so we decided to queue up as well to get the code or something. But as I looked around the venue, I saw the familiar Ice Rink Sendai sign so I left Nee-chan in the queue and went to buy some merch. The key rings and skating gloves were already sold out (BOOOO!!) so I bought an Irene mobile accessory and some Yuzu* candies instead. The merch don't come cheap but it's for a good cause so that makes it worth it. #excuses Also, proud moment for me because I did it all by myself (and all in Japanese!) without my ever reliable translator. Hihi After returning to the vendo machine and getting our drinks, we found out that the wifi is indeed free (kulit ng lahi e haha) and there's no need to buy anything. Hahaha Badtrep!! Madami lang pala talagang nauuhaw. =))))

Look at all those pretty lights! And pretty boys? Haha
Photo credit: Maia Shibutani

The show started on time and as the lights dimmed, the crowd quieted down as we waited with anticipation. As the first skater stepped onto the ice, the sound of the blades touching the ice sent chills down my spine. I still can't believe how lucky I am to be here. The show opened with the cast skating to "What Are You Going to Do When You Are Not Saving the World?" Watching the skaters perform live is a whole different experience from watching them on Youtube. They just draw you in and it's a magical feeling. My eyes can't help but search for that one person though. Hihi Spoiler alert: He wasn't part of the opening number. Haha #kalandiansajapan

Being among the Japanese fans is another experience in itself. I've never seen such a responsive crowd. No, they're not rowdy nor hysterical. They don't even sing along. But you can hear the ooh's, ahh's and gasps all throughout the show. They just stay seated while ceaselessly clapping along to the music. My hands were actually aching by trying to keep up with them. By the end of a performance, the applause becomes deafening. You'll even see some fans giving a standing ovation but they'll sit right back once the lights dim in preparation for the next skater. Throwing of flowers and gifts may be prohibited but the sound of applause totally makes up for it.

I can't remember the exact order of performances so here's the official list from TV Tokyo:

And here are the highlights for me:

• Nobu was the first solo skater and it was my first time to see him skate. He was so serious! Totally different from his personality off-ice.
• Seeing Akko on the ice made me teary-eyed. How lucky am I to see her skate after her retirement from competitive skating? I will surely miss her elegance on ice.
• I love Javi but I was kind of disappointed that he didn't skate to "Aerobics Class" which is my favorite program of his. :( His SP was fantastic though and he looks really good in person.
• The Shib Sibs' "Michael Jackson medley" was so fun to watch. I love their vlogs but I also love the way they skate.
• Kana!!! I love how she skates super fast which is unusual for a girl. She fell during one of her jumps but her performance was nonetheless entertaining.
• Tatsuki!!! I was surprised that he was the next skater because his silhouette was so slim. His jumps were beautiful and I held my breath as he took off for each one. Amazing skater.
• Seeing Shizuka skate made me realize why Yuzu looked up to her so much. Her Ina Bauer is flawless! The best one I've seen so far. Yes, even better than Yuzu's. *goosies*
• The all-boys "The Walker" number is hands down my favorite from the first act where we get to use our glow sticks as the words “みなさんもご参加下さい” (Everyone, please participate) flashed on the big screen. Define organized fangirling! The entire gymnasium was lit up like it was filled with fireflies. So pretty! Oh and the prod number included lifts and guess who was the lucky liftee?? JAVI!!! Haha It was too funny!
• There was a 25-minute break which I initially thought was pretty long but it turns out, it was just right as the queue for the restroom was also excruciatingly long. MRT levels!! So we spent the entire break queuing up then running like mad to make it in time for the second act.
• The second act opened with Shizuka introducing Team Japan. She gave a little speech about how we all have problems that we are going through and how we can conquer them all as long as we stand together as one. ♥
• Then Team Japan came out to skate to Fukuyama Masaharu's latest single "Kazoku ni Naroyo" (Let's Become a Family). If it's not obvious enough, I love Team Japan! Their rapport truly shines through which made the performance really moving. I especially love how Yuzu stood in front of our section most of the time. Hihi Meant to be! ♥
• Jeffrey's rendition of OneRepublic's "Counting Stars" was really fun and I couldn't help but sing along. His energy on the ice is really something. I can totally picture him skating to "Parisienne Walkways" which he choreographed for Yuzu.
• I'm not used to hearing "Romeo and Juliet"** without seeing Yuzu on the ice. But since it was being performed by Qing Pang and Jian Tong (Sochi Pair Bronze Medalists) it only made sense for a pair to use it for skate music. I've liked them ever since I saw them skate to "I Dreamed a Dream" in the Sochi Gala. I found myself standing by the end of their performance. So amazing!
• Surprisingly, I really liked PChan's program. The way he utilizes his entire body when he skates is truly exceptional. No wonder he's a favorite even among his fellow skaters. I also felt that his choice of music was on point with what he's currently going through as a skater.
• MAO-CHAN!!! It was amazing to see her skate in person. Without any pressure to win, her confidence was at an all-time high and you can really tell how much she enjoys skating which resulted to a flawless performance.
• HANYU YUZURU-SENSHU!!! Aaa the moment I've been waiting for is finally here! Tatsuki introduced him as the gold medalist who loves Pooh-san and who is, of course, a genius skater. Yuzu skated to "Hana ni Nare" and surprisingly, I didn't cry…a lot! Haha As usual, Yuzu sang along (I did too) and maybe he got caught in the moment (yet again) because he failed to land his opening quad. :( Seeing him fall in person was even more heartbreaking but knowing Yuzu, he recovered quickly and skated the rest of his program flawlessly. Ah his axel is just perfect~! And the Ina Bauer? Dramatic as ever. A dream come true indeed! The only thing missing is Sashida Fumiya himself.

The cast skated to "Don't Stop Believin'" to close the show and it was wonderful. During the encore, I witnessed a Yuzu x Javi moment as Javi brushed Yuzu's head when he came up to his side. I nearly died from too much kilig. ♥♥♥

Lastly, the cast skated around the rink to greet fans and on the last lap, Yuzu stayed behind to show off/try and land his quad loop…which he failed to do so. Hahaha The crowd gasped as he struggled to tuck his feet in which resulted to him just jumping in the air with his legs spread out. Haha The crowd laughed along with him as he realized his mistake which was just too cute!!! *u* Not to be discouraged though, he skated one more lap in preparation for another attempt. This time, he was able to take off with his legs tucked in but failed to land it. Seeing him fall on the ice again (and closer this time) was even more heartbreaking than the first time. </3 I hope he masters his quads soon in time for the next season.

The cast bowed once more as they thanked the crowd and left everyone wanting more. We left the stadium with exclamations of “Subarashi~!” (How wonderful~!) all around us. And indeed, it was a wonderful experience. I promised myself that I would do everything I can to be able to watch Worlds 2015 in Beijing. I just can't wait to see Yuzu skate again! <3


*Yuzu = lemon
**And now I can't stop listening to Josh Groban's Un Giorno Per Noi. Sooooooo good!!! :(((((

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Traveling party: Daddy, Karly, Nee-chan (organizer), and Sera
Travel date: April 13, 2013 [Day 5]

Romeo on Ice

I've never been into sports. Heck, I even used to cut PE all the time back in elem. I'd rather read books in the library (bookworm alert!) than do lay-ups in the hot sweltering heat. No, thank you. But every now and then, something sparks my interest. For instance, I got interested in volleyball because of the FIVB World Grand Prix, taekwondo because of Japoy (HS crush lol), UAAP basketball because of the Blue Eagles (sige, Fighting Maroons na rin :p), football because of the Azkals, and now figure skating because of Michael Christian Martinez. As the lone representative of the Philippines in the Sochi Winter Olympics, who wouldn't be interested in him? A figure skater from a tropical country where the closest thing to snow is probably in the form of halo-halo. I instantly admired his determination and courage to pursue such a sport. At such a young age too! But this post is not about MCM. Haha

Princes on Ice
L-R: Patrick Chan, Yuzuru Hanyu, Daisuke Takahashi, Javier Fernandez

Before the men's singles SP event last February 13th, Erin and I took to Google to scout the competition. We googled and watched videos of the current male top skaters such as Patrick Chan, Yuzuru Hanyu, Daisuke Takahashi and Javier Fernandez. We were instantly in awe (after getting over the frilly costumes and unusual music choices) at their performances. Yuzuru Hanyu and Javier Fernandez were easily my favorites - Yuzuru because of his smooth skating and his ability to execute one jump after another without much effort, and Javier because of his Hispanic looks and manly moves. I knew right then that MCM needs to up his game to get on their level.

MCM proudly holding up his Philippines jacket at the kiss and cry.

So I stayed up late and tuned in just in time to catch MCM's SP. I've never watched a figure skating competition before so I was instantly mesmerized by the skaters' dedication to their programs and passion for the sport. As much as I wanted MCM to place well, I didn't want the other skaters to fall. My heart broke each time a skater falls on the ice (even going as far as blaming Sochi for the lackluster ice lol) and I cheered them on every time they get back up. I even shared their feelings of either triumph or despair at the kiss and cry. I was surprised at how much an FS competition virgin like myself was already so invested in the sport! Haha Ang drama e!

Yuzuru Hanyu at the Flower Ceremony.

As much as I wanted to catch Yuzu's, Javi's and PChan's (yes, we call them by nicknames now haha) performances, my eyelids just couldn't hold up any longer by 1 AM! I did the same thing the following night but gave up again around the same time. Darn you, 4-hour time difference! But thank God, TV5 aired a replay of the FS event last February 16th. I was giddy to finally see Javi perform but got heartbroken upon realizing he got 0 points for a jump because of a schoolboy mistake. Apparently, you can't perform the same jump twice and he under-rotated one of his quads to a triple so yeah, one jump got 0 points. When it was Yuzu's turn, I couldn't help but snicker a little at his costume. He looks so delicate - almost like a girl! For someone skating to Nino Rota's Romeo and Juliet, he totally looks more like the Juliet part. But once he started skating, I couldn't take my eyes off him. His movements came naturally, it's almost as if it didn't take any effort on his part at all. So I was really surprised when he fell on his first quad! </3 But he stood right up as if nothing happened and carried on with his program. Boy, his jumps were spectacular. Maybe it's his lean physique that enables him to jump beautifully across the ice. Nevertheless, it was a performance worthy of a gold medal even if he fell twice.

One of the most creative memes I have ever seen. Haha I especially love how Pooh-san is in there too!

As expected, the internet responded in the form of gifs and memes after Yuzu won the gold medal. The more I looked/laughed at them, the more I got fascinated with the kid. So I did the next step: google him. After reading his back story, I couldn't help but admire him even more - his courage in believing and pursuing his dream is amazing. Not to mention, his unbelievable love for his hometown, Sendai, which was terribly hit by the 2011 Tohoku earthquake. The next day, this was obviously inevitable...

Initial stages of fangirling. :))

Before you know it, I was browsing through photos in every social media site you can think of, reading articles and interviews, and watching videos on Youtube. But it's not his super adorable face or obsession with Pooh-san that made me a fan. It's the way he skates his heart out on the rink that not many skaters can do. Sure, the jumps are my favorite part of FS and a lot of skaters can jump beautifully as well but only a few skaters can make you feel something when they skate. And Yuzu does just that (to be fair, Yuna and Mao too). I watched most (if not all) of his programs and even ranked Romeo and Juliet 1.0, Parisienne Walkways and Hana ni Nare as my top 3 favorite programs. I watched interviews and documenteries, some of which didn't even have subtitles or translations. Haha It brought me back to my Johnny's Jr fangirling phase where I used to watch Shokura regularly even if I couldn't understand a thing. :)) A Yuzu-filled day turned into a Yuzu week then a Yuzu month and yup, it's still going! Erin, Mabel and I even created a Yuzu (Love hahaha) group in Line and Skype to regularly update each other about FS but mainly Yuzu stuff. Hahaha #FFFs

And as if the universe wanted to take my fangirling up a notch, I happen to be flying to Japan later in the afternoon. This was totally coincidental, okay, as this trip was a year in the making so yeah why am I even explaining myself. #defensive =))))))) And if that wasn't enough, I will be watching Stars on Ice Japan on the 13th. How lucky could I get?? But luck won't get you anywhere if you don't work hard for what you want. I already blogged about how difficult it was to get tickets but yay my fangirling woes finally disappeared last week when I received these:

Best news ever!

So yeah, I can't wait to get to Japan and finally see my Romeo on ice! Lol Too bad, my fangirling buddies won't be coming with me. :( But I promise to bring back as much Yuzu/FS omiyage as I can because that's what #FFFs do. Hihi

うれしい~☆

Nee-chan and I have been planning our Japan trip for the longest time. But it was only after we got our visas (multi yay!) last February 17th that we started finalizing all the details of our trip. As usual, Nee-chan's in charge of the itinerary (sights to see, things to do, how to get where, etc.) while I'm in charge of reserving everything that can be done online - accommodation (5 different hotels in 5 different cities!), bus tickets, attraction tickets, etc. Of course, I'm also responsible for anything that has to do with food (what/where to eat, what omiyage to buy, etc). And Karly? He's responsible for taking pictures, reading maps, and carrying our daily supplies in a backpack. Haha Team work at its finest, eh?

I don't think I've ever seen an Olympic gold medalist as happy as him!

Coincidentally, February 17th also marks the day I started researching Yuzuru Hanyu ((羽生 結弦), the Japanese Olympic gold medalist for Men's Singles Figure Skating event. After watching his performances and learning he's from Sendai, I just had to google him. His back story touched me and I admired the kid even more. But! That's for another post. Hahahaha So basically my week turned into a Yuzu week (okay, it has now turned into a Yuzu month lol) and I ended up watching some more of his performances including ice shows he participated in such as The Ice and Stars on Ice. I could only wish to see these shows someday. And because I was on a Yuzu high, I managed to accomplish all the online reservations come Februray 24th so we're basically all set for our Japan trip.

Lucky~!

However, the universe begs to differ! Because the very next day, I found out that Stars on Ice Japan 2014 will be held in April instead of the usual summer dates. WHAT!!!! Not to mention, the Tokyo dates also happen to fall on the same dates we're traveling to/arriving in Tokyo! MEANT. TO. BE. *cries happy tears* Now the only problem is how to convince Daddy and Karly to watch the show with us as tickets don't come cheap. Nee-chan is practically a sure deal since she supports all my crazies like a true sister would. Hihi But yeah, our itinerary would have to be adjusted to make way for Stars on Ice which means more work for Nee-chan. Oopsies.

Even though I was ecstatic as hell, I didn't rush to buy tickets because the line up of skaters is yet to be announced and it will depend on the skaters' availability. Something tells me though that Yuzu's gonna be there. And my ever supportive friend, Erin, suggested I check out ISU's event schedule. If there's no major competition in April, then Yuzu will most probably be there. Still, I decided to wait it out but I was already thinking of purchasing either the ¥7,000 or ¥9,000 tickets. *ouch*

Feeling Stars on Ice!

Coincidentally, February 25th also happens to be the day us converted FS fans went to SM Megamall's newly renovated Ice Skating Rink to catch Michael Christian Martinez (MCM) in action. Funny how we've been planning to try out the rink way before the Winter Olympics started but it only took MCM for our skating sesh to finally happen. It's been years (almost a decade?) since I've last skated and ahh it feels so good to be back on the ice! Indeed, there are skills you never forget - like biking and skating.

Clockwise from top left: Mao Asada, Akiko Suzuki, Kanako Murakami, Tessa Virtue & Scott Moir.

February 27th. The first batch of skaters was announced which included Sochi olympians Mao Asada, Akiko Suzuki, Kanako Murakami, and Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir. The feeling that Yuzu will soon be part of the line up only became stronger so I read up on how to purchase tickets. Problem #1: I need to sign up for the ticketing site (I chose Rakuten) and it's in Japanese. Thank God for Google Translate but there's also Problem #2: The site requires that I type in my name in kana (Japanese writing system - either Hiragana or Katakana). Again, the internet helped me out on this as I signed up as モピア サラ using an online Japanese keyboard. Finally, Problem #3: Sure, tickets can be bought online through credit card but there are only two options for claiming tickets - through 7-11's ticketing machine or home delivery. Patay. I immediately thought of asking a favor from our friends in Japan but unfortunately, they will all be home for summer. I even asked Szet who will be in Japan in March (she comes back this week actually) if she could buy tickets for me but that might be too late. So I did the most obvious, touristy and kapal thing to do - I emailed our Shinjuku hotel and asked them if I could use their address for ticket delivery. Thankfully, the kind City Hotel Lonestar staff were accommodating enough to grant my request. Huhuhu I'll make sure to bring them dried mangoes as a token of gratitude!

Tickets are selling like taiyaki**!

But my sorrows just seem to never end. Problem #4: As I checked the available seats, 4 sections were already sold out - the 3 cheapest sections and the most expensive one! WHAT. Japanese fans sure are dedicated. :(( So now the cheapest available seats were priced at ¥13,000 (roughly P6,000). I thought about it hard. I do want to see Yuzu but the ticket is almost the same price as the Section A ticket I plan to buy if ever I watch Wicked for the second time. In the end, I chose Stars on Ice over Wicked. Yes, I want it that much! And because tickets were expensive, I had a feeling Karly wouldn't want to splurge on them so I convinced him to just skip the show with Dad (whom I know might just fall asleep during the show :p) and roam the streets of Harajuku/Shibuya while Nee-chan and I watch the show. When he agreed, I went ahead and bought our tickets. There's no going back now. All that's left to do is pray to God that Yuzu will soon be part of the line up and that our tickets get delivered to the hotel. Yup, I'm relying both on God's and man's goodness to make my dreams of seeing Yuzu come true. :)

Last Wednesday (March 5th), the second batch of skaters was posted and I was shaking (and praying!) as I waited for the site to load. Like an answered prayer, this was the first thing that greeted me:

Hanyu-senshu!!!

AAAHH YUZURUUUU~!!! I wanted to cry right then and there but I still checked the Tokyo page just to be sure. And there it was! *cue happy tears* I was only wishing and praying for a chance to see Yuzu - kahit si Yuzu lang. But OMG there's Javi and PChan too! AAAAAHHH うれしい~!!! GOD IS SO GOOD! I couldn't help but cry tears of joy and relief as it wasn't easy for non-Japanese to get tickets to SOI. But as you can see, it's not impossible. If you want it bad enough, you'll find ways to get it. Still, print-at-home tickets would've been nice. Haha

Complete Stars on Ice Japan 2014 cast.

Good thing, I went with my intuition and bought tickets right after the first batch was announced because when I tried checking the ticketing sites, all of them went down with the announcement of the second batch. :O As expected, the demand increased because of the newly added skaters - they even added another date to the Tokyo show. Now my excitement for our Japan trip just doubled - tripled even. And I can't believe I'll be seeing Yuzu in a couple of weeks! Huhu Thank you po, Lord!!! *cries even more happy tears*


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* うれしい (ureshii) - means 'happy' in Japanese; used as an expression for happiness (i.e. "I'm so happy!").
** Taiyaki - Japanese fish-shaped pastry filled with red bean paste, custard, etc.

Japan 2013: Mata ne!*

On every trip I take, I make it a point to save the best meals on the last day so I can have a good memory to hold on to when I go back home. So for our last dinner, we headed to Aqua City in search for a yakiniku restaurant. We've been craving yakiniku since we landed in KIX but our sked is always hectic so we kept putting if off.

Food is always a serious business.

Since Ariel is a vegetarian, he decided to have more tamago sushi at the nearby food court while we headed to Heijouen and got down to business. Heijouen serves the best of both worlds where Korean and Japanese barbecue meet - or should I say meat? Hihi

As usual, Nee-chan and I were in charge of picking out the food. It was pretty tough looking at all the yummy-looking choices but it's a job we enjoy doing. Just look at our serious faces! Haha

Melt in your mouth goodness.

We settled for their best-selling platters where you can sample their best-selling cuts. And can I just say, BEST YAKINIKU EVER! Sure, it's a bit pricey (at least for Pinoy standards) but melt-in-your-mouth goodness don't come cheap. I promise you, it's so worth it! It was actually pretty sulit. We were reluctant to order rice since we want to savor the meat but Pinoys will always be Pinoys. We just can't live without rice, eh?

Happy tummies!

We were all stuffed by the end of our meal. And good thing we were because we sure needed energy for the upcoming (mis)adventure we're about to experience. Oh I forgot to mention that the booths in Heijoen have wooden blinds to separate the customers so you can have all the privacy you want while enjoying your meal.

Oishiikatta!

After billing out, we met up with Ariel and walked back to the station. Remember how full we were? Well, Dad was so full, he had to stop for a bathroom break which made us miss the train by just a couple of minutes! And now we're pressed for time as we have to wait for the next train to arrive.

Japan 2013: Traditional Meets Modern Art

Nee-chan took care of almost everything for our trip but I contributed a few must-see places myself and Tokyo Trick Art Museum (TTAM) was one of them. I've been to Trick Eye Museum in Hongdae (South Korea) last year and had so much fun. I wanted my family to experience it as well so I made sure to include TTAM in our itinerary.

We've been to Odaiba once for Miraikan, Gundam and Toyota MegaWeb. But you see, one day is simply not enough to see all the sights and attractions Odaiba has to offer.

Odaiba day 2!

TTAM is located at Decks Tokyo Beach, a mall divided into two areas: Sea Side Mall and Island Mall. If it isn't obvious enough, it's a beach-themed mall - two of my favorite places in one! So if you're a beach lover like me, you'll fall in love with it's calming interiors too.

Japan 2013: Visiting My Neighbor Totoro

Animation has always been a part of my life as I grew up watching cartoons as a kid, anime as a teenager and animated films from childhood up to now. So imagine my excitement upon visiting a museum entirely dedicated to one of my favorite animation studios - Studio Ghibli.

My Neighbor Totoro

Tonari no Totoro (となりのトトロ) or My Neighbor Totoro was the first Ghibli film I've ever seen and I just fell in love with Studio Ghibli right then and there, especially Hayao Miyazaki's work. So being surrounded by everything Ghibli is a dream come true for me. It's the closest thing to seeing the animated films I've grown to love come to life.

Admission to the Ghibli Museum is limited per day and tickets should be purchased prior to your visit. Chances of walk-in visits are absolutely slim as tickets run out fast. You see, tickets come with an appointed entry time to avoid crowds. But even with the scheduling, the place was still pretty packed even on a weekday! I guess everyone's crazy about Ghibli.

How to get to Ghibli Museum

To get to the museum, you can either walk or take the community bus from Mitaka Station. We availed the round trip tickets for only 300円 each. You can easily spot the community bus even from afar as it's painted yellow and has Ghibli written all over it. I got all excited upon getting on the bus as it might be the closest thing I'll ever get to riding the nekobasu (cat bus).

Museum tickets are already as good as souvenirs.

Upon arriving at the museum, we exchanged our Lawson-bought paper tickets to the real museum tickets which were something much more magical - a film strip with frames from your favorite Ghibli films. Lucky I got a Ponyo one!

The entire place screams Ghibli from the lush greenery to the outdoor fixtures to the museum's layout to the furniture inside. It's like being transported to another world especially created for you by the creative and magical minds behind Studio Ghibli.

Welcome to Ghibli Museum!

Before going into any of the exhibits, we decided to catch the featured film at the Saturn Theater. I had no idea what to expect so I squealed a little upon seeing Mei! I CAN'T BELIEVE THEY'RE SHOWING AN EPILOGUE OF TOTORO!!!! :(( If you've seen Tonari no Totoro or any Ghibli film, you know how they don't really end films. Sure, there's a conclusion but you always end up guessing what might've happened afterwards which is what I actually love since it makes you invested in the story. Of course, I won't spoil the short for you but it was a relief to see the characters again. And I love how you don't need to be fluent in Japanese  to understand the story as it had little dialogue. That's the beauty of Ghibli films. Who needs words when they can make you fall in love with characters who don't even speak? Instead of speaking through words, the characters speak through their emotions.

Look, it's the susuwatari (house sprites that look like dust bunnies)!

Being in the museum itself is a wonderful experience. It's like walking inside a storybook so taking photos, videos or even the use of mobile phones are prohibited inside the museum. Instead of looking through lenses and viewfinders, the museum encourages the visitors to completely immerse themselves in the exhibits by experiencing it first-hand. The only souvenirs you'll need are the memories you create in the museum and those available at the shop.

From what I remember, there were four indoor exhibits. The first exhibit showcased different Ghibli films where I fell in love with all the installations. However, two especially stood out. The first one being the circular display of what seemed like ordinary (c'mon who are we kidding, this is Ghibli we're talking about!) figurines of Totoro characters in different poses. When the wheel that the figurines stand on spins fast, it makes the characters come alive right before your eyes. It's like watching an old school animation, only this one's in 3D. Too cool! And my other favorite is the mini animation studio where you can watch how animated films are made - from hand-drawn drawings to the screen. I literally spent minutes watching the whole process over and over again. Not to mention crying a little from the short. I love how every Ghibli film tugs at your heartstrings which goes to show how passionate these animators are in their craft.

Love their attention to detail!

The second exhibit showcased Hayao Miyazaki's early works. From mere sketches to full-blown storyboards to movie stills. Photographs of locations that inspired the films were also on display. You can actually flip through some of his work and I noticed how every Ghibli fan handled the books with care and respect as if they're leafing through a historical artifact or a holy book.

The third exhibit featured Japan's animation history and showcased different styles of drawings which was awesome. But compared to the other exhibits, this one seems just alright. And the last exhibit is both my favorite and least favorite among the indoor exhibits. I love it because it features a huge furry nekobasu (cat bus) and at the same time, I hate it because only school children and younger are allowed to play in it. So unfair!!!! :((

With the robot and command cube from Laputa.

After hoarding tons of Ghibli merch (both for omiyage and personal use) from the souvenir shop, we went on to explore the vicinity of the museum where photos are highly encouraged. I was ecstatic upon seeing this life-size robot from Laputa (pronounced La-pew-tuh and not la puta haha) or Castle in the Sky. And they even have the command cube hidden somewhere in the garden!

♫ Tonari no Totoro, Totoro! ♫

Of course, a trip to the Ghibli Museum wouldn't be complete without meeting the famous Totoro! It was quite difficult to locate him but after a thorough search, we were able to find him sitting in this ticket booth. Too cute! And he really is huge. I wish I could've hugged him though.

Goodbye, Ghibli Museum!

After getting our dose of Ghibli magic, we went back to the bus stop and waited for the community bus to take us back to Mitaka Station. We were already starving but the Straw Hat Cafe was packed so we just had a quick lunch at the nearest McDonald's and ordered happy meals. Haha After lunch, we were ready to head back to Odaiba for more adventures.


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Traveling party: Daddy, Karly, Nee-chan (organizer), Sera, and Ariel
Travel date: April 17, 2013 [Day 8]
Photo credits: Karl

Japan 2013: Kitty Love

Just when I thought I've been to the happiest place on earth, here comes Sanrio Puroland to provide more happiness! This seriously comes close to being the happiest place on earth. Okay, maybe the most kawaii place on earth.

I wanted to go to the park the last time we were in Japan but we ran out of time. So this time, there's no turning back. Especially since we plan on hoarding a couple of Meiji Milk Cream spreads in the grocery store nearby. Haha Daddy had to pass though since he badly needed a day off to rest his aching feet. Note: boat shoes are not walking shoes. :p

Stocking up on Meiji goodness.

First stop: grocery store at Tama Center. Nee-chan studied for a year in Chuo University as a foreign exchange student and she used to do her grocery shopping here. This is where she discovered our oh-so-favorite Meiji Milk Cream spread. It goes with absolutely everything. You can even eat it on its own! Before my Peanut Butter & Co./Cookie Butter/Biscoff spread addiction, there was Meiji Milk Cream. We bought four tubs each of milk and chocolate variety. Why only four each you ask? Well, those were the only ones remaining on the shelf that's why! Haha We also bought some chocolate and custard-filled bread (which became another favorite) and some KitKat green tea.

Welcome to the cutest place on earth!

Then we started walking towards Sanrio Puroland. I love how Kitty-chan can be seen on every street sign. Too adorable! It's like living in a fantasy town. And we haven't even gotten inside the park yet. Since Sanrio Puroland is targeted towards a younger audience, we didn't bother buying Passport Tickets and just opted for the Welcome Tickets (good for entrance and all shows).

With Pokopon

Upon entering the gates, you will immediately feel the warmth of the place. All the staff are smiling and there are characters already waiting to welcome you. We immediately went up to them to get our pictures taken. I love how Pokopon acted a bit alarmed after seeing the faux fur on my jacket. Haha He kept stroking it as if it were alive.

Sugarbunnies

Since we were still lugging our groceries around, we decided to go to the lockers first before going back for more pictures. Luckily, the characters were still there mingling with the visitors when we got back. I especially love these two - Kirousa and Shirousa. Aren't they the cutest? I wonder how the people inside manage to move around in these costumes though. How can they see?? Or are they midgets?

With Kuromi

Here we are with Kuromi before going inside the park. Who says Sanrio Puroland is only for kids and girls? Look how Karly and Ayel seemed more excited than Nee-chan and I in these photos!

Inside Sanrio Puroland

We were having so much fun already even though we're still at the lobby! Haha When we got inside, the park looked like something that came straight out of a storybook. Very Hundred Acre Wood ang feel!

A Night With The Piano Guys

Last night was one of the best concerts I've been to in my life and I've been to quite a lot. Seeing The Piano Guys perform live is definitely one of the highlights of my 2013. And who knew they had a great sense of humor? They should consider changing their name to The Funny Guys. Okay, seriously though, I was alternating between laughter and tears the entire time.

I've seen a couple videos on their YouTube channel before but it wasn't until recently that I was reminded of their awesomeness thanks to Erin's obsession with them. And then suddenly, we were hearing news that they're coming to Manila. Wow agad-agad! Of course, I'm always game for a night of good music so I was just waiting for my concert buddies to buy tickets and I'll just pay whenever. In the end though, it was just me and my ultimate concert buddy, Mabel, who got to catch the show. I feel bad for the others really because The Piano Guys put on a great show. Thank goodness, Mabel and I pushed through with the plan. We ain't no Pocahontases that's for sure.

Aia de Leon of Imago opened up the show. She was so nervous, she messed up the group's name but that's alright. Haha It's been years since I last saw her perform live so it was nostalgic when she sang a few Imago hits. I especially love that she chose Rainsong as her last song which is my favorite Imago song of all time. And probably the only Imago song I know the lyrics to by heart because I'm a sucker for anything that has a cultural feel to it. And come on, who could resist such creative and witty lyrics? Funny how Karly and I were even singing Rainsong on the way to MOA hoping that Aia would sing it. The chances were slim but hey, she did perform it and I was one happy girl. Trivia: It's been 15 years since she wrote the song. Gah, I feel old!

Then The Piano Guys came on stage starting with Adele's Rolling in the Deep and the crowd came alive. They performed covers of other several hits like Coldplay's Viva la Vida (which gave me goosebumps), Taylor Swift's Love Story (which made the crowd sing), and Christina Perri's A Thousand Years (which made Mabel and I cry. Crying buddies for life!). I have to say that it was after seeing their A Thousand Years cover on YouTube that I fell in love with their music. But hearing it live was something else. #mycreys

They also performed their popular mash-ups of classical and modern music like David Guetta's Titanium vs Faure's Pavane, Code Name Vivaldi (Bourne Soundtrack vs Vivaldi's Double Cello Concerto), Beethoven's 5 Secrets (OneRepublic's Secrets vs Beethoven's 5th Symphony) and Michael Meets Mozart which has 1 piano track and 100 cello tracks. How cool is that?! Steve (yes, I know their names na haha) even showed us how he does multiple cello tracks at once by recording himself and then playing that track later on throughout the song. With all that musical complexities, who would've thought it'll be just the two of them making all that sweet music on stage? I at least expected to see some touring members but no, all they need are their piano and cello. AMA-ZING!

Steve even introduced his cellos to us. Would you believe the guy owns fifteen (15) cellos?? Crazy! He only brought three (3) with him though - Boris, Carmen F-something (who is a Carbon Fiber cello) and Bruce Lee (who is a badass-looking custom-made cello). Oh and he has another cello that looks similar to Bruce Lee, only it's painted white and he named it Chuck Norris. According to Steve, Chuck Norris is so badass, he plays him. Haha

The Piano Guys may be famous for their covers and mixes but they also compose original tunes. Jon performed Waterfall, an original composition he wrote when he was 17 that got him the cutest girl in school. Aww. ♥ It only lasted two weeks though. Haha The piece was so beautifully played, it brought me to tears. Seeing Jon play the piano with such passion made me miss playing the piano. I loved the classes and the music but I hated the constant need to practice over and over again before I get to play a piece flawlessly. But I must say, the joy that comes from playing the piano is priceless. Hay my naive HS self, why did you give it up??

They even did a little improv on U2's With or Without You and it was awesome. I love Bono but in this case, words are optional when you have the cello singing for you.

Remember how I said they could change their name to The Funny Guys? Well, Steve demonstrated his cello prowess by imitating animal sounds and it was just too funny as they used it to attract some cows during a video shoot. They even played a silly song by combining The Phantom of the Opera and one happy song that I forgot because I was too busy laughing from the weird combination that could pass for a psycho-thriller theme.

They also performed their amazing remixes like Charlie Brown Medley (which was really fun to watch as the video of old people dancing played), Rockelbel's Canon (which was hilarious as Steve pretended to doze off while playing the same 8 notes over and over again. I couldn't help but laugh as he reminded me so much of Mr. Bean! Oh not to mention Jon's weird dance moves as they upped the tempo), Peponi (which gave a cultural twist to Coldplay's Paradise and gave me chills), and One Direction's What Makes You Beautiful. They brought out the rest of The Piano Guys to help them out on their last song and it was pure entertainment.

As they left the stage, the people started shouting a mix of "Encore!" and "We want more!" and I couldn't blame them. I want to hear more! So Jon came out first and told a lame joke but we laughed anyway as we waited for Steve to come back from the bathroom. Haha They performed Can't Help Falling in Love as they expressed their love for the Manila crowd. I especially love how they made the crowd sing along and it would've been a great end to a great night. But the Manila crowd was insatiable and started asking for another encore. To our surprise, they came back out again!

I was actually clueless as to what they're going to perform this time when Jon suddenly announced that they're going to play a piece from Les Mis and I just completely lost it. Define spoiled! First, Rainsong now this?? You see, I went through a Les Mis phase (actually I'm not even sure if I'm over it haha) and Bring Him Home is hands down my favorite Les Mis song after watching the 25th anniversary special where 4 Valjeans came together to sing the very emotional piece. I was singing and crying the entire time. Too beautiful. When the song ended, everyone was just clapping and standing. No more encore calls. That was simply enough. Or maybe everyone was just too emotional to even speak.

I went home that night feeling inspired and blessed by their music. How often is it that you get to enjoy music as it is without having to jump up and down or dance around? I don't think I'll get over this soon enough. So here, I'll leave you with Ramin Karimloo singing Bring Him Home beautifully. Wait, did I just post 3 consecutive Bring Him Home renditions?? Whatever. You're more than welcome to cry again anyway. :)