To Be A Better Person

It was learning day in the office and Michael Teoh was one of our speaker. He came from Penang and was victim of bully. At the age of 24, he already had Richard Branson as his mentor and traveled around 22 countries with him. Now, he is the founder of Thriving Talents, a training consultancy company.

Some key points that I gathered from his training:-

1. Motion changes emotions. Simple mini experiment is when we are at a sitting position versus standing up, our volume will naturally be different. We raise our voice when we stand.
2. It's important of what kind of story we tell ourselves everyday. If we are always telling ourselves that we cannot do it, chances are we can't. So, be confident and believe that we are awesome!
3. Focus on the outcome regardless of what kind of approach that leads you to the result. If you and your boss have different approach of doing things but it drills down to the same outcome, try doing it his/her way and you would be able to achieve the end result. 

It was really inspiring and also prompted me to do a self reflection of where I am and where I want to be... 

Are You Human Too?

Just finished watching 32 episodes of this Korean drama - Are You Human Too?

With the advancement of Artificial Intelligence technology, it wouldn't be long before I can own a smart and handsome robot 😝 I should really stop watching drama and start planning my Japan trip 😩

Japan : Kyoto > Osaka > Kuromon Ichiba Market > Den Den Town > Matsunoya (Day 5)

27 May 2018

It was a bright, 🌞sunny day. Our last day in Kyoto and I knew I was going to miss Fresco and its strawberries 🍓😋 (a mart that was right opposite our Airbnb). 

We headed towards Omiya Station and took the train to Nippombashi Station. The whole journey took slightly more than an hour. One thing odd about Japan was that we couldn't seem to find escalators or lifts in some of the train stations. 😖Japanese (even elderly) seemed to be perfectly fine with taking stairs. Or perhaps the lifts were hidden somewhere. I remembered hauling my heavy luggage up the seemingly endless stairs at Nippombashi Station. 😰

Finally reached our Airbnb in Osaka. It was quite spacious and a lot bigger as compared to the one we stayed in Kyoto. But the bed at most was Super Single and we ended up sleeping in futon on the floor. It was a disappointment that the stove was not installed as advertised in the Airbnb since we were looking forward to cook in Osaka. The plus point was that the bathroom was big and washing machine was provided. Good thing I brought detergent from home as it was not provided.

Tips: 

Bring detergent from home if washing machine is provided. Also, if you want to cook, better double confirm with the owner whether stove and cooking pans/utensils will be provided.

Our accommodation was strategically located around 10 minutes walking distance to Kuromon Ichiba Market. We went to pick up our Osaka Amazing Pass at Ochihonpo and also to check out the delicacies. 

As we stepped into Kuromon Ichiba Market, we saw a long queue at the Wagyu/Kobe beef stall. It looked so yummy that we joined the queue. Wagyu Beef - 500Y (RM19), Kobe Beef - 2500Y (RM94), Crab Meat - 300Y (RM11).

I managed to capture this epic moment when a Hong Kong tourist asked whether he could have the Kobe beef that was laid out at the tray in front because the beef looked so much yummier 😍. I had the urge to request the same since the owner kept taking beef from the container behind. 

The Japanese owner was trying to explain and asked the Hongkie to touch the "beef" in the tray. Apparently these were artificial food sample and not real beef 😱. I was shocked and felt a bit conned 😒but impressed 😮with how real they made it to be. 

They had two types of sauce. If I recall correctly, the one on top was Shio (Salt) and tasted better. The other one should be teriyaki sauce. Some chunk of the meat was hard to chew and full of fat, so I guess it really depends on your luck. 

Right opposite, there was a stall that sold hokkaido scallops, wagyu beef, and crab meat for 300Y (RM11). We tried the scallops but the meat was a tad little. 

As we walked further down the alley, we found a shop that sold sushi. We bought unagi & tuna maki for 1000Y (RM38). I don't recommend this shop because there were cheaper and nicer sushis as you walked further.

Tips: 
If you have the luxury of time, don't rush into buying something. Survey first!

These were sold at one of the big supermarket (黒門中川) somehwere in the middle of  Kuromon Ichiba Market. 

The tuna belly sushi looked super duper awesome 😍😍😍!!! It was sold at 2400Y (RM90). We couldn't afford to eat them 😭. 

Another big supermarket that was crowded with customers was Kuromon Sanpei (黒門三平). Look at those fatty tuna!!! 😍At this point of time, I really regretted buying those pack of unagi & tuna maki earlier. 😞 The cheapest was 3 big fatty tuna sushi - 2300Y (RM87), 4 big fatty tuna sushi - 2800Y (RM106), 10 tuna and salmon sushi - 3000Y (RM113). If I have a chance to come next time, I will definitely buy from this place.

  

Japanese melon juice - 1200Y (RM46) and grapefruit juice - 300Y (RM12). If you want it to be serve in a cup instead of direct from fruit, its 500Y (RM19) per cup. I bought the grapefruit juice. Honestly there was not much juice. I peeled it to eat the flesh as well.

Japanese melon set - 600Y (RM23). It tasted just like honeydew. Haha. 😆

Sea Urchin - 600Y (RM23)

I don't know what is this but it was one of my favorite. Its slightly chewy, warm, with red bean fillings. Doesn't taste like green tea thou. 120Y (RM5) per piece. The shopkeeper even gave us tea and dessert to go with it.

Warabimochi - 350Y (RM13). I didn't try this because I didn't like the one I had in Nishiki Market. It was too sweet and not chewy as the typical mochi.

  

Suntory (the purple soft drink in the middle) - 117Y (RM5) was one of my favorite as well.

The facial products were sold at a competitive price at Kuromon Market. 

Tips: 
Some of the shops will pass you flyers. Be sure to check it out as most of them have discount coupons in it. 

We explored Den Den Town at night. 

Matsunoya - They serve one of the best pork loin cutlet. Highly recommended!

Pork Loin Cutlet & Chicken Tenderloin Cutlet - 680Y (RM26). The portion is actually extremely huge. Do dip the meat with their mustard sauce. It's heavenly!

Pork Loin Cutlet & Pork Tenderloin Cutlet - 730Y (RM28)

That sums up my fifth day in Japan... Sorry it took so long to update 😆

Japan : Kyoto > Kyoto International Manga Museum > Nishiki Market > AEON Mall > Kyoto Tower (Day 4)

26 May 2018

It was our free and easy day. We took the train to Karasuma Station and headed towards Kyoto International Manga Museum (800Y). If you have Kansai One Pass, do bring along as you will be given a free postal card upon presenting it to the counter.

From Karasuma Station, you will still need to walk around 15 minutes to reach the Manga Museum.

You will pass by this playground. It is amazing that the place was well maintained. There was a sand pit that allows the kids to play with.

Kyoto International Manga Museum

It has a soothing and relaxing ambience 🌳that allow you to read your manga (comic books) outdoor.

To be honest I was rather disappointed with the fact that almost all of the manga are in Japanese language. I would not recommend this place if you cannot understand Japanese. But I was quite happy to find my favourite comic - Shin Chan 😍. 

Side track : I wish we have these canggih toilet functions in Malaysia as well. 👍

 After that, we went to Nishiki Market. You really need to bring enough money to enjoy all the delicacies here.

First stop - The famous Soymilk doughnuts (10 pieces - 300Y, 23 pieces - 600Y). It's delicious 😋even for someone who doesn't fancy soymilk like me. You would see a long queue for the soymilk doughnuts or soybean milk soft ice cream.   

Takoyaki (140Y). 

Takoyaki has always been one of my favourite food in Malaysia. But the takoyaki in Japan is so different from the one I am familiar. They made it lembik (soft) and mushy; whereas the one made in Malysia has more flour in it, which made the texture more solid. It is still hard for me to accept that this is the real takoyaki 😐.

 Walk further down the lane, you would see people crowding around this stall for prawns.

The prawns are so fresh and simply delicious. But it is quite expensive. One prawn stick is 500Y 😱. 

Another must-eat item - Octopus (300Y). The price varies according to the size of the octopus.

What makes it interesting is that it has a quail egg in the octopus head. Seriously no idea how they put it in. 😨

Yummy scallops (500Y)

Salmon Sashimi (400Y) 💓

Matcha Warabi Mochi (300Y)

I was quite disappointed with this as I thought it would be chewy mochi. Turned out to be more like jelly and its too sweet to my liking.

After so much of eating, we went to my favourite shopping mall - AEON Mall.

Not as great as I expected. It was just another shopping mall. The food bought at the supermarket was not that great as well.

As we were heading towards our last stop - Kyoto Tower, we found a long queue at a cheese tart shop. Bought one original cheese tart (216Y). It was yummyyy 😆. 

Took the train to Kyoto Station just to have a view of Kyoto Tower. 

That sums up for Day 4!