Death Note

I finally watched Death Note, at least the first part of the 2 part movie.


It's a cool movie. I especially like the final scene when Light asked his father to let him join the team to go after Kira. Then L's voice came up, welcoming Light into the team. The camera zoomed on L's shadow, then his shoes, and finally his face. He appeared with his right hand behind him. When his hand came to the front, he was holding ....


Ah well, you go watch it yourself. Don't want to be a spoiler.

Continuing story of my jogging shoes

I got my new pair of jogging shoes today, thanks to Dennis. The size fits nicely and comfortably. It's nice to have a pair of shoes without the crocodile's mouth. Knowing me, I will continue to run in the old pair of shoes until the soles completely separate from the rest of the shoes.

Brand new shoes


No croodile's mouth

Blessed Christmas, everyone!

To everyone reading this blog, a very blessed Christmas to you.

Last Saturday, I shared this thought with the Boys. In the 70's, at the height of the Vietnam War, somebody asked this question: what if they gave a war, and nobody came.

This question struck me this Christmas - what if we gave a birthday party, and the birthday Boy didn't come.

The bigger question then is: what if we gave Jesus a birthday party, and He didn't come.

As we celebrate Christmas this year, is Christ the reason for the celebration? If not, who or what is?

It is important that we make room in our hearts for Jesus this Christmas. It is even more important that we allow Him to be the Lord of our lives, as we make room in our hearts for Him.

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. - I Peter 3:15

Once again, blessed Christmas to all.

旅立ちの唄 (tabidachi no uta) by mr children

Listen to the new song I posted. I like this song very much. I've posted the lyrics below, but don't know what they mean. The video is akan datang. I saw the single and live album in Tokyo. Now really regret that I didn't buy them.

Dennis - no need to understand the lyrics - listen to it, it grows on you.

Meng Soon - can find the English translation of the lyrics?


怖がらないで
手当たり次第に灯り点けなくても
いつか一人ぼっちの夜は明けていくよ
転んだ日は　はるか遠くに感じていた景色も
起き上がってよく見ると　なんか辿り着けそうじゃん

君の大好きだった歌　街に流れる
それは偶然が僕にくれた　さりげない贈り物

Ah　旅立ちの唄　さぁどこへ行こう？　
またどこかで出会えるね　Ah　
とりあえず「さようなら」　
自分が誰か分からなくなるとき　君に語りかけるよ
でも　もし聞こえていたって　返事はいらないから

大切なものを失くしてまた手に入れて　
そんな繰り返しのようで　その度　新しくて
「もうこれ以上　涙流したり　
笑いあったり できない」
と言ってたって　やっぱり　人恋しくて

今が大好きだって躊躇などしないで言える
そんな風に日々を　刻んでゆこう　
どんな場所にいても

Ah　はじまりを祝い　歌う最後の唄　
僕は今手を振るよ　Ah　悲しみにさようなら
疲れ果てて足が止まるとき　少しだけ振り返ってよ
手の届かない場所で
背中を押してるから

Ah　旅立ちの唄　さぁどこへ行こう？
またどこかで出会えるね　Ah　
とりあえず「さようなら」
自分が誰か忘れそうなとき　
ぼんやり想い出してよ　ほら僕の体中
笑顔の君がいるから

Kowagaranai de
te atarishitai ni akari tsukenakutemo
itsuka hitoribochi no yoru wa aketeyuku yo
korondahi wa haruka tooku kanjite itakeshiki mo
oki agatte yokumiruto nankatadori tsukesojyan
kimi no daisukidatta uta machi ni nagareru
sore wa guuzen ga boku ni kureta
sarigenai okurimono

Tabidachi no uta saa doko e ikou?
mata dokoka de deaeru ne
toriaesu sayounara
jibun ga dareka wakaranaku narutoki kimi ni katari kakeru yo
demo moshi kikoete itatte henji wa iranaikara

taisetsuna mono wo nakushite matate ni irete
sonna kurikaeshi no youde sonotabi atarashikute
kore ijyu namida nakashitari warai attari
dekinai to ittetatte yappari hitokoishikute

ima ga daisukidatte chyuchona doshinaide ieru
sonna fuu ni hibi wo kizande ikou
donna basho ni itemo

hajimari no iwai utausaigo no uta
boku wa ima te wo furu yo
kanashimi ni sayounara
tsukarehatete ashi ga tomarutoki sukoshidake burigatte yo
te no todokanai basho de senaka wo oshiterukara

tabidachi no uta saa doko e ikou?
mata dokoka de deaeru ne
toriaesu sayonara
jibun ga dareka wasuresonatoki bonyari omoidashite yo
hora boku no karadajyu egao no kimiga irukara
senaka wo oshiterukara
demo henji wa iranaikara

Jinyi's Wedding Lunch

It’s been a long time since I last blogged.

I was in a reflective mood after attending Jinyi’s wedding lunch last Saturday. I’ve known him since he joined us in the BB when he was in Sec 2. We kept in touch after he graduated from Shuqun Secondary. He paged me when he got his posting into Ngee Ann Poly, and we met up for dinners before he left for Brisbane to continue his studies, and before he left for his training in France.

Last Saturday was the first time I officially met his mother. I was considering whether to attend the wedding, since Jinyi invited only me from the BB. But Dennis told me it was all the more reason that I attend – I should feel very honoured. Thankfully, Jinyi’s cousin Jianzhong was there. Jianzhong was with us in the BB too. He has not changed much. Much like when he was in the BB, he was very late for the wedding lunch. He said he was waiting for his father. He said something that really touched me, and reminded me of the reason for the BB ministry. Jianzhong said he thinks about God, and still reads the Daily Bread.

It was the first time I attended a wedding lunch. It was a simple affair without the usual frills (champagne pouring, yam sengs, thank you speeches). The whole event was over in a little over 2 hours – so unlike the wedding dinners we are all used to.

The next one in line to get married should be Hwaluen. It will be good to meet up with the BB gang if Hwaluen invites more of us.

Here’s the picture I took with Jinyi and his wife Yilian, and Jianzhong. I don’t think I need to put any caption. It is obvious who is who in the picture.


The wedding invitation and table gift (a pair of chopsticks).

Wanted, then unwanted

I felt so wanted when Dennis came up to me after the Planning Retreat and asked if I wanted to join Philemon's squad outing this evening.

Then he added,"You brought your camera, right?"

And I realised he was actually inviting my camera to the outing. Ha ha!

Story of my jogging shoes

I am posting this because I need help getting a new pair of jogging shoes.

This is the pair I have now. Justin bought them for me. It is very comfortable. I brought them to wear in Tokyo, but the soles gave way again. I wanted to leave them behind in Tokyo, but couldn't bear to. So I am still wearing them to jog these few days.


See the soles - I brought the shoes to the cobbler many times, each time paying $2 for each shoe. Add them up, I can buy a new pair of shoes.



Well, hopefully, the person who can help me will respond to my call for help this morning. Not asking for a free pair of shoes - just asking for help to buy a new pair.

Today

I was on leave today, hoping to attend to some personal things. But ended up spending half the time on the phone or email about work.

I've been working late since I came back from Tokyo, and worked last weekend as well. Last night, I suddenly felt very tired, and had a fever this morning. God is good. The fever was gone by late afternoon, and I didn't take any medication.

Still waiting for someone in the 28th BB Coy to graduate as a doctor. I may not get free treatment then, but it is good to know there's a doctor out there who MAY attend to me first.

Our medic almost became a doctor, but now he will train to be a psychologist. Hopefully, I won't go crazy and need his help by the time he graduates. Jia you!!

Dakishimetai - Mr Children

words and music: Sakurai Kazutoshi

Just like the day we met
a drizzling silent night
when I close my eyes, I see us there again just like that day.

that time, pushed by the crowds,
something in the store front window caught your eye,
and you got tripped up.
even now I feel the warmth in my hands from when I caught you.

I want to hold you before these feelings about to overflow
escape from me.
in our hearts let's go walking our own little dream,
keep the scars on your heart of a love gone by in me.

this shapeless feeling the two of us gently nurtured
as if lighting a candle, is even now burning strong.

I never forget that promise I hushed my voice to pinky-swear with you,
in the shivering night.
Don't worry, I'm only looking at you.

if you're hurt so much that you want to cry, when you're hanging your head,
let's go look for a smile more wonderful than anyone's.

I want to take on everything always together

I want to hold you, I'm filled with these feelings for you about to overflow.
I'm sure we can walk together, and when you're sad, I'll always be there.

Translated By: Brian Stewart &Takako Sakuma

Dinner with Dennis and Darren

I wanted to blog on Friday night, after a long week. I wanted to write - Finally, it's the end of the week. Then I had to work on Saturday, and again today.

When Dennis knew I had to work today and couldn't attend church, he messaged to ask if I wanted to attend worship this evening. He didn't say it, but I knew he thought I was back-sliding. Right, Dennis? Anyway, we ended up going for dinner, with Darren also.

Dennis suggested going to IMM, Holland V... I suggested going for Sakura buffet, and Darren was so enthusiastic about this. Unfortunately, there was a long queue when we got there. We ended up eating steak at Jack's Place in West Coast. All 3 of us had steak. Darren wanted the $7 add on. Dennis and I couldn't decide at first. Finally, we chose the $4 add on - with Dennis coveting Darren's banana split when it came. I'm surprised Darren shared his ice cream with his greedy brother.

I blogged this, because Dennis and I agreed to blog about the same event, to see how it turns out. He was moaning that we didn't have a camera with us.

Dennis, Darren - thanks for your company tonight. Hope the tiramisu cake won't keep me awake tonight. Darren - you look nice with your new hair colour. Hope to see you in church every Sunday now that your exams are over.

Bee Fong called when we were at Jack's Place. I thought she was still in the States, but she was calling from JB. She will come to visit when I can take leave.

Here's the answer

Matsuyama Kenichi in Shindo

Matsuyama Kenichi in Death Notes

1st day back at work

1st day back at work and already had to face 2 crises. What a day! Reached home at about 9.30 pm and got yet another call, asking for information. Challenging, but tiring. Pray for a peaceful and restful day tonight. Tomorrow will be another long day.

Back in Singapore

Hello everyone

I am back in Singapore. Touched down at about 1.45 am. We were delayed taking off from Narita Airport in Tokyo. A baby fell sick, and the parents decided to disembark so that a doctor could attend to him.

Intend to flop on my bed early tonight. Already swamped with work. Tomorrow will be worse.

Looks like no one is bothered with my quiz question. Here is the clue. One of the primers' laptop has (or had) an alphabet or letter as the background. Know the letter? Know the answer? Post it in the chatbox for all to see.

Last day in Tokyo

I had a lot of exercise from walking today.

Went with my friend Hiroshi to Takaozan, a little mountain 600 m high, 50 mins away by train from Shinjuku. There were so many people there. The views were breath-taking. Very tired from all the walking. Please pray that my legs don't ache tomorrow since I have to get to the airport to fly back to Singapore.








After Takaozan, we went back to Shinjuku, where I bought my airport limousine (it's actually a coach) ticket for 2.30 pm tomorrow. We had a simple lunch of sushi (on conveyor belt type) and miso soup. Hiroshi made rice balls which we ate on top of Takaozan.

From Shinjuku, we travelled to Komagome, where we visited the Rukigen (or something like that). It's a park with beautiful trees. For 2 weeks each year, they light up the trees at night. With the cold weather, it was really magical. Unfortunately, my camera couldn't take nice pictures, or rather, I didn't know how to take nice pictures with my camera.



From the park, we walked around Komagome station and entered a side street where the things were really cheap. We bought Oden (Japanese yong tau foo) from a convenience store, and 2 cans of a drink that "looks and tastes like beer but is not beer". We sat on a bench by the road side and ate.







That was the last programme for the day. We took the same train, and Hiroshi got off at Ikebukuro. He said, "See you again in 5 years." He's one of those people who turned out to be a faithful friend although we hardly meet. Only exchange birthday, Christmas and new year greetings each year. Kok Yong asked me to post a picture of Hiroshi on my blog, so I will do it this time.


Time to adjust back to work and the heat in Singapore. It was a really good holiday. Two weeks is just nice. Any longer and I wouldn't know what to do anymore.

Thank you for reading my blogs about my holiday. Not sure whether I will be blogging anymore after this. This is all Dennis's idea.

One more picture - S$60 durian in Shinjuku.


Posted by Mr Chin on Sunday 25 November 2007, 8.52 pm Tokyo time

This is Sunday - let's worship Him who is God alone

Today is Sunday. Let's worship Him who is God alone.
(thanks to Kok Yong whose posting of the dril videos on our Coy blog taught me how to do this). Ignore the spelling mistakes in the video.

Shinagawa and Asaka

I didn't have any plans today. Met my distant cousin and her daughter in Shinagawa for lunch. Then we went to Daimaru and Takashimaya around the Tokyo Station area because she wanted to buy some gifts for me to bring back to KL.






The last picture is of Nihombashi (or Japan Bridge). Apparently, it is the reference point for the whole of Tokyo. Everything is measured from this bridge.

I came back to the hotel and did the internet check in for my flight back to Singapore on Monday at 7 pm. I thought I would rest for the night.

I talked to my friend Hiroshi on the phone and ended up going to Asaka, where he lives. I thought we would have dinner near the station, but ended up going to his apartment instead. Nice place, but needs some tidying up. He bought sashimi and cooked some rice. Simple dinner. Asaka is a suburban town, really quiet and nice. Very different from Shinjuku. There was hardly anyone on the road.








When we were walking from his apartment to Asaka Station, it was really super cold. The coldest since I came to Tokyo. But when I reached Shinjuku, the temperature was 9 C and didn't feel so cold.

I reached Shinjuku station at 12 midnight. You should see the crowd. Everyone was rushing to catch the last train home. Real exodus.

One more day to sight see, then it's home to Singapore.

Posted by Mr Chin on Sunday 25 November 2007, 1.00 am

Let me rephrase the question

Dennis and Kok Yong thought the guy in the movie poster is our old BB Boy.

Time to rephase the question.

What other movie did he act in before?

You ain't seen nothing yet

I thought I saw everything there was to see in the religious festival this morning, but I ain't seen nothing yet. Take a look (taken tonight).

Nice lighting effect



Religious artifact



The crowd




Posted by Mr Chin on Friday 23 November 2007, 10.30 pm Tokyo time

Two more days in Tokyo.

Yes, 2 more days and it’s back to Singapore

Today is some kind of religious festival in Japan. Near the hotel, there’s a temple. A lot of people went there to pray this morning. They buy some kind of religious artifact. There’s a place where people dump the artifact. Don’t know what it all means. Outside along the streets, there’s a Japanese pasar malam – almost all food only.

I went to Harajuku and Yoyogi Park today. Unfortunately, didn’t see any Harajuku kids (they dress outrageously and dance on the street there), probably because it’s not a Sunday. Still, the place was really crowded. There’s a shrine next to the Harajuku Station. Some tiny tots were dressed in Japanese traditional kimonos. They looked really cute.

The sun was hot when I left the hotel this morning, so I wore one jacket but brought along another. It got really cold in Yoyogi Park, so I had to put on another one.

Temple in Shunjuku





Japanese pasar malam









Harajuku and Yoyogi Park













Room in Urban Hotel, Shinjuku



Posted by Mr Chin on Friday 23 November 2007, 7.30 pm Tokyo time.