Nobu’s Weblog

2010 / 08 / 10

I was enjoying my chamomile tea during a break from work in the pantry, when my colleague came in and discovered (°〇°;) おおっ？“Oh! You look like Miss Lipton!!! That would be a great photo! “ I was looking at him and I did not understand anything. He came back with a camera and explained “You are wearing yellow hair band and shirt, this is SO eye-catching. And SO matching!  It really fits to the tea? What are you drinking? I can see a yellow tea tag?! However, you are holding a yellow cup. A Lipton cup! Miss Lipton!” He was very excited and very happy.
Then I just realized that I was holding the Lipton promotion cup in my hand enjoying my tea (from TWININGS). Suddenly I felt like a promotion girl and started to pose. At the end we both had a lot of fun! o(^o^o)o(^o^)o(o^o^)o ウキョキョキョ

Well, this is my BEST shot:

(Now I feel like one of the candidates of the Germany’s Lipton’s next top model during judgement.)Mentioned slogan has been deduced from the original Lipton’s slogan “Direct from the tea garden to the tea cup.”

2010 / 04 / 22

除了服装的比赛以外, 也有其它的, 一个游戏是喝啤酒的比赛, 另外一个游戏是猜画的比赛, 还有麻将的比赛.
Beside the costume competition, we also had beer drinking competition, guess-photo-competition, further on Mahjong competition.

很多同事参加了. 我们有二十五个组, 每个组里有三位.
A lot of colleagues took part. We are 25 groups in total. Each group has 3 people.

我的组败局了每个比赛但是我觉得没关系,  因为很好玩 !
Our group lost all games, but I think it does not matter, because it was great fun!

2010 / 04 / 16

下个月下班以后  , 在香港赛马会有我们公司的周年晚会.
Last month after work, we had annual dinner in the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

每年晚会的时候, 我们都应该穿特别的衣服.
Every year during annual dinner, we all should wear special clothes.
前年的主题是黑色  , 红色或者金的衣服.
Two years ago the topic was wearing black, red or golden coloured cloth.
去年的主题是绿色的衣服.
Topic of last year was the topic green coloured cloth.
我觉得今年的主题是特别的. 我们衣服应该是闪亮和耀眼的.
I think this year’s topic was special. We should wear shiny and blinking cloth.
我穿了黑色和绿色的越南和中国式的衣服.
I wore black and green coloured cloth in Vietnamese and Chinese style.
它闪闪发光.
It was shining.
而且戴了长长的假发和绿色闪亮的大眼镜.
Besides I wore a long-hair-wig and big green blinking glasses.
两年前我在越南买的这件衣服, 我没有机会穿它, 因为是很特别的.
I bought this dress two years ago in Vietnam, but I have not had the chance yet wearing it, because it is very special.
今年的晚会是第一次有机会穿, 所以我非常高兴.
This year’s annual dinner was the first chance to wear it, so I am very happy.

有的同事穿耀眼的衣服, 还有其他的同事戴面具.
Some of our colleagues wore shining clothes, others wore masks.
大部分的同事努力穿漂亮的服装, 因为有一个服装的比赛  .
Most of the colleagues made a lot of effort to wear beautiful clothes, because there was a costume competition.
 穿最好看服装的人能收到现金奖品.
The person with the great costume can win a cash prize.
我没赢, 但是我觉得没关系,  因为很好玩 !
I lost, but I think it does not matter, because it was great fun!

很多人觉得我的新发型是真的.
A lot of people thought that my new hair style is real.
他们问我在哪里加长的头发. 我回答  “这是我的秘密!”
They asked me where I did a hair extension. I answered “This is my secret.”
有的人问我 “加长头发多少钱?”
Some asked me “How much was the hair extension?”
我回答 “只七十九港币.” 的时候, 他们很惊奇 , 因为很便宜.
When I answered “Only 79 HKG dollar.”, they were surprised, because it is so cheap.
他们不知道我的长头发不是真的.
They did not know that my long hair is not real.
连我的老板和最大的老板都不能辨认我是谁.
Even my boss and company director could not recognize who I am.

我的朋友看了公司周年晚会的照片以后, 她告诉我, 我长得像卫兰. 你同意吗?
My friend, who took a look at the photos of the annual dinner, told me that I look like Wei Lan (Janice Vidal). Do you agree?

My friend from China called Tim was visiting Hong Kong last weekend, so I accompanied him to Ocean Park, which is a popular destination for tourists and a great amusement park combined a zoo and riding attractions.

Tim has already pre-booked tickets in China. I was very surprised (°o°;;) ナント！ that after discount tickets only costs 150 RMB (=175HKD), original entrance fee is 250 HKD in Hong Kong!! Thank you, Tim!

We always speak Chinglish, a mix of English and Chinese. It is a great exercise for both of us, he can improve his English and I can improve my Mandarin.

While Tim was trying to find the tour guide, who will issue us the tickets, I was waiting at the entrance. A lady with her daughter was sitting at the entrance. A small yellow and red sticker named with a travel agent in China was labeled on her shirt; she probably joined a tour to come to Ocean Park. Well, I assume the lady observed Tim and me for a while. After Tim left in order to find the tour guide, she talked to me “Ey, 朋友,你很漂亮! [Ey, friend, you are beautiful!]“ I was surprised and answered “我的朋友你很漂亮吗?  [Is my friend beautiful?]” When the lady rose up her voice and used her hands to express her feelings, I recognized that I misunderstood her. She said, it sounds a little bit angry, but she was not angry at all “不是! 他不漂亮!! 你是朋友!! 你很漂亮!!! [No, he is not beautiful! YOU are beautiful!]” First I thanked her （*＾.＾*）エヘッ
, but then I remembered and said with a big smile in my face “哪里哪里! [Not at all!]” The lady and the daughter were laughing. Tim rushed back and asked me “Any problems?” I could not answer clearly, I just smiled to Tim, to the lady and the daughter. (^ー^* ) フフフフ

We received tickets from the tour guide and explored Ocean Park, mainly the riding attractions. Later on we went to a German pub “Schnurrbart” in Lan Kwai Fong. In total it was nice day!.. and a beautiful day *ggg*

Tim, hopefully you have enjoyed your stay in Hong Kong! 

PS. In this context 朋友 is used as a greeting to an unknown person. It does not mean “friend” (orginal meaning).

Yes, yes, yes, YES!! I need to confess my love to Nodame Cantabile! I love the whole drama-it’s hillearious! ρ( ^ｏ^)b It is like a cocktail made love, friendship, realizing dreams, music, spiced with a lot of fun,  unique camera taking and at the top nice actors and actress! All characters are nice!  When I finished this glass full of joy, I will pour new Nodame-Cantabile-cocktail in! Although I saw this drama already more than 6 times in a row, I am still thirsty! I can highly recommend this dorama to you! For review, please refer to here.

Nodame and Chiaki is my favorite pairing ever since Hachi and Nobu (from NANA)!ρ( ^ｏ^)b

So, you can imagine how fast my heart was beating o(≧∇≦o)(o≧∇≦)o, when I saw girls and boys holding signs written  Nodame alias Ueno Juli and Chiaki alias Tamaki Hiroshi  on them randomly on the 27th of Feb 2010 at HKIA. 

“Are they coming to HKG TODAY? Really? It is not true? Or, or? “ It cannot be true! But yes, yes, yes, YES!. It is true. I DID know that Tamaki san is coming to HKG since he will have a concert end of March, but I did not know that he has been accompanied by Juli san. They are really coming!♪☆＼(^０^＼) ♪(／^-^)／☆♪
 I was at the airport picking up a friend, Proto. Fortunately his flight has delayed, so I decided to wait for Juli san and Tamaki sam while I was holding my camera. I felt exciting I can meet them in reality. And then THE moment came, ＼(^o＾))／…＼((＾0^)／ Juli san and Takami san came out, wearing casual clothes:
Right after they have been surrounded by many many fans soon.

After they left, I went back to the terminal (my heart was still beating), where my friend suppose to come out. After a while, young girls around me started to cry, scream and run towards to a young man covered by a mask and wearing sun glass and hat. They asked him to sign and took a lot of pictures of him. Well, I found out that he is a famous person in HKG, but I cannot regnize him at all, and you?

I am wondering why he has hidden hisself that much. He looks so unnatural. Compared to Juli san and Tamaki san…

Finally Proto came out! Welcome to HKG! And also thank you, because of you I had nice experience at HKIA!

Related article: Ueno Juri and Tamaki Hiroshi Arrives in Hong Kong Causing Chaos at the Airport

Dear Friends and Blog Readers,

My book of 2009 mentions a lot of happiness, but also sadness, as well as thoughts about myself, my new dream and my life.

Last year I quoted Edith Lovejoy Pierce, because I liked her phrase lot. Now I disagree her. According to her phrase, it sounds like every year a new book will be opened.
Well, 2010 I will not open a new book, I will continue my book of 2009 and extend it for 2010, because although this year was more a thoughtful year for me, it was not useless. 2010 will happen because of 2009. Therefore beside of “opportunity”, I would like to add “dream”, ‘”trust” and “challenge”.

I am living because of my dreams, which will encourage and me give me a lot of strength. But realizing my own dream is not easy, so I need to challenge myself and snap opportunity. The coming year I also need to learn to trust myself more, because I CAN do it!

What would you like add beside “opportunity”?

Let’s fill the blank pages and create a great 2010!

My best new year wishes
Nobu

P.S. Since I am homesick to CN, I am going to Zhaoqing during NY. After my return I will tell you more about my trips! Please take care!

Firstly I would like to appologize that I could not keep doing the advent calender. Last weeks I got busy with work and also private life. I am now looking forward to the holiday and can’t wait until tmr. I will go to Wuyi for Hotspring in China. I really need a off-time!

My friends and blog readers, I wish you all nice and relaxing holiday, as well as Merry X’mas!

           Please take care and see/read/talk to you very soon!

This year I also joined Mad Paddlers and we paddled from March to November. Every Wednesday evening we trained in Pak Sha Wan and every Sunday morning close to Sai Kung pier.
This is my second year for dragon boating. The first year was very tired and I was concentrating to coordinate my arms, legs, back and neck properly. At that time I also fight against fear of sharks…. So I could not enjoy view although I thought it should be beautiful.
This year my body got used to the movements, so it was a little bit easier. But still I need to concentrate.
Well, during one training session at the evening, I saw following great view:

A moon rise. I have never seen a moon rise before! Did you? Actually I did not even know that the moon is also rising! The moon was round (fullmoon) and it was shining in  orange! Oh no… the moon was burning! It looks like this moon came out of the water, hided between mountains before slowing going up to the dark night sky. The moon looked so handsome, incredible beautiful!!! Have you seen such a moon rise before?
During our training the moon rise and spent us some light for our training on the sea. The moon rise made me so happy and I was able to win new power for our tough training!

03 / 12 / 2009

My friend Gloria recommended me  Mayday for learning and singing songs in Chinese after my request. (and I recommend to you, if you like Rock Music!) We bought together a CD last October. I do not understand all their songs, but some of them.

Mayday is a group of 5 men; they are friends from the beginning. They are singing, because they like it. This one I can feel when I am watching and listening them during their concert. They have their own style in singing and performing. I have found out that a lot of performers/singers in Hong Kong always wear extraordinary costumes. I am sometimes wondering whether the costume or their singing is the performance. I really do not like that style. But Mayday is different: Casual “costume”, simple songs, clear voice and a lot of fun.

When I am listening to their songs, I am remembering their live concert.

 “五*月*天! 五*月*天! 五*月*天!“ Girls are shouting in the Concert Hall in Hung Hom. I am one of the girls. Yes, I like the Taiwanese Rock Band 五月天 (Mayday). I have decided to go to their concert on 22nd May 2009. Since I bough the ticket 2 days before THAT day, there was no wonder, that I could only get the expensive ticket for 680HKD. When I was buying the ticket, I did not realize the real value of the ticket: My seat was REALLY close to the stage- close to Mayday. (At my first Maydays’ concert I could see Mayday only as an “ant’-size”.) This time I could even see their face and movements of the mouth! Wow! Ｏ(≧∇≦)Ｏ イエイ！！
During the concert I was standing, jumping, singing  ♪~♪ d(⌒o⌒)b ♪~♪and clapping in my hands, shouting together with the other girls “回*来*了[Come back]!” and  “五*月*天!” after they finished one song.
I am able to sing few songs of them unless I have the song text. Luckily the song text had been shown on the huge screen display. But unfortunately I was sitting too close to the stage, so I could not see the screen very well . T_T, however  I think I could master it well.
Ashin was asking: “谁是从香港来的! [Who is coming from Hong Kong?] “ All fans (incl. me) stood up and shouted. It was amazingly great atmosphere!

In February of this year I went to (my first) Mayday’s concert in Macau. Also there Ashin was asking “谁是从香港来的! [Who is coming from Hong Kong?]  “ “我~[Me~]!” I shouted. I was looking around and had to recognize that I was the only one from Hong Kong in my row and also in my block…

I behave like every fan. I did not stick out … until I speak English “Excuse me, could you please help me to take a picture for me? Thanks.” The girls started to giggle and got suddenly very shy. They step one step backwards and tried to hide each other. Hey common, I am not an alien. Don’t be afraid of me! Some of them asked me to take picture with me together ….

At around midnight after the concert I walked (!) home, since the concert hall is so close to my home. Just 8 Minutes away! o(^o^o)o(^o^)o(o^o^)o I am so happy to be such close with MadDay!

03 / 11 /2009

This year we have decided not to go Lan Kwai Fong to celebrate Halloween, because it is sooo crowded and more tiring than exciting evening. Instead we went to the German Beer Festival in Tsim Sha Tsui and KTV in Mong Kok.

First, we met in Central for preparing our costumes and make up. Cielita helped me to draw some eyes on my eye lids (like Nodame from Nodame Cantabile). I pretty like it. And you?    

 May I suggest you my scary friends of that night?  Pirate Sisi, Cielita Hood, Wolf-Pirate Tama, Gothic-Serenlita, Hungry Masked Lady June and Vamp Nobu.

Thank you to Jonathan (left) and Cielita, who helped us for the Make-up!

Frankly speaking the combination of Halloween and German Beer Festival is quite strange - esp. for German. But nobody cares, the most important thing was, that we have a lot of fun, even WITHOUT alcohol. That’s why I really like to go out with “my” girls. We laughed a lot, we scared each other＼(〇_ｏ)／, danced on bench and table (it is common to dance on the table on this Festival).

After the Beer Festival, nearly midnight, we are still a lot of power, so we went to Mong Kok for KTV. Mong Kok is a local area, with old building and a lot of locals – compared to e.g. TST or Central. Everyone was starring at us. It seems nobody is celebrating Halloween there, hehehe.  Honestly, have you ever seen a Robin Hoor, Pirate, Bloody Lady, Gothic Lolita and a Vamp in the KTV?

 We sang silly, funny, sad and romantic songs until 6am next morning. It does not matter if we can sing well or not. We just had a lot of fun together!  It was really great night with you girls!  ！（　＾＾）／＼（＾＾　）

What did you do at Halloween? Did you wear any costumes?