Tokyo Weekend: Disney Sea, Shinjuku, Harajuku

My friend since high school and her family visited Tokyo for their Holy Week vacation, from April 5-9. And because I was so excited to go around Tokyo with my friend, Joyce, I took a 3-hr bus ride worth 2,700 yen from our place (Suwa City) to Tokyo City, at around 5 am of April 7th. Thanks to my cousin for driving me to the bus stop.

the view at the express way

I met with my Japanese uncle at Shinjuku bus station and he accompanied me to Keio Plaza Hotel where my friend was staying. Then we took a fee bus ride from the hotel to Disney Resort for a fun day in Disney Sea. The 1-Day Passport cost me 6,200 yen. Then meals at a total of 3000 yen.

 the sun's shining bright but the weather's freakin' cold

Polaroid photo before my 1st rollercoaster ride which was disappointing due to the small loop!:))

We took a lot of rides. We only got one Fast Pass at 11m which we were able to use by 6pm. There were lots of guests. But since we really wanted to ride all that we can, it took us a lot of patience to line up to multiple attractions for an average of 45mins per ride.

 it just looked so real!

 Joyce and her sister Adette

 Aladdin

Agrabah

outside Agrabah

 lunch at Port Area

 Disney Sea Electric Railway

I really enjoyed the Tower of Terror, the Journey to the Center of the Earth, and the Indiana Jones. As the sun was going down, the temperature kept dropping as well. It was freaking cold! At around 8pm, we watched the Magical Light Show on the water. It seemed better than that of Disneyland's light/fireworks show.

Tower of Terror

our funny photo inside haha

funny photo inside Indiana Jones

 magical light show (i wish i could post the video but the file's so heavy

 Mickey cape with uhm...mittens? lol

 Disney Resort bus

After a long day, we were dead tired but happy. We got some good rest at the hotel.

The next day, we had a breakfast buffet at one of the hotel restaurants. Then we headed to the Shinjuku Chuo Park which was a few meters away from the hotel. We had a nice (yet cold) walk to the park where we took photos with the cherry blossoms or "sakura".

vanity at the hotel

done with breakfast

walking to the Shinjuku Chuo Park

 Shinjuku Chuo Park

"sakura" aka cherry blossoms

peg: Korean Drama lol

more flowers!

 Joyce' failed attempt lol

 so picturesque!

 heading back to Keio Plaza Hotel

We headed back to the hotel to meet her family then we all walked to the Shinjuku Train Station. We took the JR Yamanote Line going to Harajuku, which was just 2 stations away. I wasn't able to do a lot in Harajuku because I had to rush back to the Shinjuku bus station for my bus back home at 2:40 pm. I just joined Joyce' family for lunch at Wolfgang Puck resto in Harajuku then I took the train back to Shinjuku. I was literally running back to the hotel to get my stuff at the lobby before heading to the bus station. Thanks for my buzzer beater arrival at the station 'cause I arrived the same time the bus did! Whew! Good thing I already bought ticket (worth 2500 yen) the previous day so I headed directly to the line of passengers boarding the bus. Besides the bus ticket, other things came in free. Thanks to Joyce' parents!

Track #14 is headed to Harajuku:)

 Harajuku Station

 Harajuku girls

 Harajuku!!!

 Tamagochi!!

 trying on a stylish eyewear

lunch at Wolfgang Puck. yummy!

I just had an awesome weekend!:)

Back in Japan:)

Last 28th of March, I flew to Japan with my grandmother, little cousin, and my aunt and uncle who were like my second parents. It was during the same time of the year when I last went to Japan in 2010. We flew a flight with Philippine Airlines from Manila to Narita. Thank God I have escaped the heat of the P.I. haha!

at the airport w/ my little cousin

sorry PAL but I didn't like the in-flight meal

first Japanese meal upon arrival

I was so happy because I finally got reunited with my favorite cousin, who's also like a sister to me. And I was surprised that at 21, by working so hard, she got her own car -- a white Suzuki Swift that's filled with pink and Hello Kitty stuff inside. Well, same thing for her room, which I was using.

I really love a lot of things about Japan. I like their awesome photo booths with perfect lighting and retouching/editing before printing. Plus it will be emailed to you! How cool is that?!

And of course, I super love authentic Japanese food! My favorite resto is Sushiro, a sushi bar. And it's all high-tech!:)

And here in Japan, I don't mind doing the laundry because it's all automated! Even on rainy days, the clothes are dried. Just insert coin, let it wash and dry. What we normally do is leave the laundry in the machine as we shop at the grocery store. I enjoy grocery shopping, most especially because I was the one cooking our dishes everyday.

Spring time is coming and I'm glad that I was able to catch the last snowfall of winter. We also visited Mt. Kuruma (Kuruma Yama) on our first weekend here so to catch the last day of skiing. However, I wasn't able to try to ski for the second time around because I was way too scared and I didn't want to spend for something I do not know if I could survive haha! Yeah, not much of a risk taker! But it was fun taking photos in the snow!:)

 grandma, cousin, me, aunt

forgot to bring shades!!!

 So that's how my first week has been. I'm currently on my 4th week here. Oh my, one month happened so fast! I wish this vacation won't ever end...

Quick Rundown of March Events (Overdue)

Super late post due to the unexpected turnout of events...

My classmate got married on March 21 but I was too busy with work and other errands so I was only able to make it at the reception at Blue Gardens, Quezon City. Gosh, this year a lot of my friends got engaged so I expect to attend lots of weddings starting the second half of the year. No I won't get alarmed even if I'm still single now haha!:)) Anyway, my friend's wedding was cute. It was inspired by cherry blossoms. In fact, they came up with a photo booth with a cute concept.

Last March 22, we celebrated the World Water Day in Quirino Grandstand by having a parade and forming the world's biggest human water drop formation. Despite the rain, the event had a successful turnout. After that, we proceeded to Manila Ocean Park for a music festival and to witness the Lights and Fountain Show.

And as I have mentioned earlier, there's an unexpected turnout of events. The last 2 weeks of March were never easy for me. I was doing a lot of things in school for final exam, final paper, and business plan. I had to quit my job to accompany my grandma and little cousin to Japan. I was forced to make this decision because the company didn't allow me to be away from work for about 40+ days. This made me extra busy with work since I had to fix my clearance while cleaning up my stuff for turnover plus I was still doing existing and future projects that time. My last day at work was March 27 but I had to take a leave on my last day to finish my final paper for school since my flight's on the 28th. It was a tough decision for me, most especially that I was enjoying my job and the company of my colleagues at work. But as always, things happen for a reason and I was just letting God rule my life.

I was so happy after accomplishing all the requirements in school and I was so touched because my friends an co-workers joined me for a send-off. I felt really loved. I had 4 send-offs: classmates, colleagues at work, TNT friends, and the KSP gang. I was so lucky to have them all.:)

 March 24 - Dinner at Tomato Kick w/ classmates

 March 26 - Karaoke night w/ officemates at Music 22

 March 26 - Drinks w/ TNT friends at Dilinger's Greenbelt

March 27 - Victor's birthday surprise and my last Wintermelon Milk Tea at Moonleaf Don Antonio

And on the 28th of March...we flew to Japan. Will be away from the Philippines for almost 3 months. I knew I truly deserved this.:)

FEB 2012 Happened so Fast at WORK

While at it, I never knew I have been doing A LOT until I've seen the photos at work that I have collected for the past month. I didn't even notice it was the Valentine month haha!:)) So let me share how my February became a packed month at work...

Feb. 1 - Oh we planted mangroves in Putatan, Muntinlupa City...at least for photos ops purposes haha!

the Chief of Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA), Sec. Neric Acosta

Feb. 3 - We were invited to the Ibon-Ebon Festival in Candaba, Pampanga, the home of different migratory birds.

 Mayor Jeff Pelayo led the parade that we joined

Feb. 3 - Yeah, all the way from Pampanga, I went to Tanghalang Pasigueno in Pasig City to see David Archuleta's taping of a concert scene in his new teleserye on TV5, "Nandito Ako". Well it's my first time to watch him perform live and it was cool!:)

free tickets from the office

Feb. 8-10 - Our team went to Cebu City for the 33rd PAWD (Philippine Association of Water Districts) Convention at Radisson Blu. I loved our room, the buffet, and the lace cookies that I got! Plus I was able to meet with my Cebu-based friend. However, it was really a stressful 3-day trip because of work. I wished I have enjoyed it  more.

 Mayor Mike Rama of Cebu City plus our boss and some personalities I don't know haha

 the Bollywood-inspired Fellowship night in Cebu International Convention Center

got this from Don Merto's! awesome but expensive haha!

Feb. 22 - Advanced birthday celebration of our Company President/CEO. Of course, I got involved by making some logistics-related arrangements. On his actual birthday, Feb. 24, he was in Baguio, then a lechon was delivered to the office...and since he's away, we took charge of eating it! LOL!

Feb. 23 - We attended the LGU Sports Summit Welcome Dinner at the Rizal Stadium in Manila. There I got to talk to the Head Coach of the Philippine Rugby Team (yes, the VOLCANOES haha). I was introduced to some members of the team who were there. Some of them really looked good. And the next day when we googled them at work, what popped out on the screen were their photos wearing just underwears! haha! So they were those guys who were once in the huge billboard of Bench somewhere along EDSA.:))

those 2 hotties at the center were Jake Letts and I forgot his name!:))

Feb. 27-29 - Had another stressful 3 days at EDSA Shangri-la Hotel for the Water Loss Conference 2012. It was a huge event attended by lots of foreign delegates, plus the President of the Philippines, Noynoy Aquino. We also invited some beauty queens. Good thing I was friends with some of them. On the first day, we invited Czarina Gatbonton, Ms. Philippines-World 2010; on the second day was Angelia Ong, the Face of Binibining Pilipinas 2011, and on the last day was Nicolette Henson, Miss World Philippines 1st Princess 2011 and Binibining Pilipinas 2nd Runner-Up 2010. Among them, I was closest to Angelia 'coz she's really a good friend of mine even before she became a beauty queen. I've been friends with Czarina 'coz of lots of our common friends. It was the first time I met Nicolette but she's really nice and I really enjoyed talking to her.

Czarina (oh please excuse the stressful me haha)

 my soul sister Angelia! also our barkada's bunso:)

 new acquaintance, Nicolette!:)

and this is me for the Gala Night! Lady in Red!:))

See, I survived February! Just imagine how varied those events were. From tree planting under the sun to a sophisticated gala night in a high-end hotel ballroom. My job is stressful yet fun. And btw, I didn't have much photos of me 'coz I've been stressed out almost the entire month and it wouldn't be nice to show that haha!

Well I'm really gonna miss work. It's too bad that I NEED to leave the country with my family, and leave work because of that. However, we'll never know. For sure God already has made plans for me. Whatever those are, it's for the better. We'll never run out of good opportunities. Just be patient and calm.:)

Been so Busy but Blessed!

Hey! I missed my blog site! Haven't posted anything here for a month now. Been so busy at work and in school. But I hope to share what I have been doing in the past month that I haven't blogged.

Well I was just so thankful with my classmates/friends in my graduate school because they're making me feel how valuable I am. They make me enjoy studying too! I actually have been nerdy with them lately haha! And of course, I have always appreciated my colleagues at work who make me enjoy at work no matter how stressful it can be. The after-work drinks, lunch time bondings, and random chats are just priceless! 

One thing I look forward to is the weekend! It gives me time to rest and to enjoy with friends. I just feel awesome, more especially with my girl friends around! We never run out of things to say haha!

But what makes me feel sad now is the fact that I NEED to leave my current job and be with my family abroad for the next 2 and a half months. Will be watching over my grandmother and little cousin in Japan. Too bad, the company wouldn't allow me to be away that long but I completely understand that. It's just that I've been so attached with my job that I've been doing for  year already, and my colleagues at work whom I super love! But I like how they make me feel that they will miss me. It actually makes it harder for me to go. I'm not good at saying goodbye!!! But I know that our friendship will always be there. I've always been in touch with my colleagues in my previous jobs and I believe that I'll be more in touch with my colleagues here because the office is near my school and my house. I'm thinking of visiting them regularly when I get back, as if I'm still a part of the team.

So there, I'm leaving SOON. And I believe there are better opportunities when I get back. God is good and he will never let me down. Hoping for the BEST!:)