JNTO

Finally I decided to visit the JNTO aka Japan National Tourist Office located at Hong Leong building unit #15-09 during lunch today. Its location is sandwiched between NTUC centre (OMB) and to Lau Pau Sat.....Heehee...I have been wanting to visit JNTO for so long but didn't really have the chances to do so and l was always coming up with excuses...So today I decided that I must go....and Guess what!? I wasn't disappointed at all...Whoa...I am simply amazed by the amount of brochures and informations that the office has for first-timers liked moi...It's simply a feast for the eyes...Oh yes!! Am l spoilt for choices ar?! For a moment; l wish l can and will have the strength to bring back all the stuff_Piggyback it if l have to or the will-power to bring all back to my home sweet home where l can relish them liked a Hot sundae..."Yummy"
I shall be back again....with a bigger bag....**Chuckling***

Frankly speaking; Japan am and still is tops my priority list on my every year wishlist of my travel destinations eversince childhood days...My greatest dreams is to travel to all the parts of Japan and not only settling it in Tokyo...I wish and hope to visit the rural areas too...to visit the plantations, to stay in a ryokan, to soak in Japanese Hot springs...to Stay with an Japanese family...to wear a kimono...To know and grow deeper into their culture, country, food and technology plus animation too...The list is endless...to tell the truth...I simply adore Japan....

So here I am the beginning of 2009; I am keeping my fingers crossed that l can and will have the chance to re-visit again in Spring time to see their Cherry blossoms, Mt Fuji, Disneyland, Sanrio Puroland, etc...Cos I still can remembered the first time in 2005 where l went to Tokyo,Japan with my colleagues...The memories are priceless and till this day, its etched freshly in my mind...Not forgetting the Very first time in year 2000-2001 when l visited Disneyland USA.....I can remembered my heart was racing liked F1 racers...so excited and happy just a small little kid.......I tried all the rides even though l don't really fancy it but such an adrenaline rush after each individual rides...that l would want to go for second...and took photos with my favourite characters Chip and Dale...watching the Disneyland night parade alone as my friends have to rush back to hotel to meet up their friends...so there l was, so daring and alone with anticipations, waiting for the night parade to start...I recalled that there's an American family who was kind enough to make room for me, a chinese girl to join them so that l would not feel so alone in this Happy wonderland....Heehee...

Magic was definitely in the air, l could feel it...and sense it. And when the parade ended, l remembered sitting down at a empty bench, watching the shoppers milling in and out of the Disneyland stores....and reminiscing the whole beautiful magical day that zoomed by me ever so quickly...The night sky was filled with million of twinkling stars....Aww...so brightly-lited liked diamonds in the sky....shining brightly upon me...Night such as this was and still is evoked "priceless' memories for me....
And I have always and still is dreaming that someday and hopefully in the near future, that l can re-visit Disneyland USA with my Prince charming...who is still outta somewhere....so that we can partake the wonderful magical activities togther and to watch the night parade together...Aww... ^@^

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA

Excerpts from Rodgers & Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA

"The Prince is giving a ball—and the magic of this enchanting fairy tale comes to life in a spectacular stage fantasy filled with timeless characters, irresistible romance and the unforgettable songs of Rodgers and Hammerstein—all brought together with a kind of dazzling stagecraft made possible only by a stellar international Broadway team.Starring internationally-acclaimed Tony Award winner Lea Salonga.This timeless tale of romance is given a contemporary, humourous spin under the gifted hands of award-winning writer/director Mark Waldrop (Bette Midler's Divine Miss Millennium Tour).Experience a night of magic where dreams come true in a dazzling, once-in-a-lifetime stage extravaganza!

What more can l add?! Simply magical! Guess it's every little girls' dreams to be a Cinderella where the and poor little rich girl lived happily-everafter...only in movies and theater...Oh well, it's a timeless fairytale..similar to The movie, Pretty Woman (Julia Roberts and that actor) Guess, you will never really know until you truly really believe in fairy-tales just liked the innocent kids...As for me; Frankly speaking, I am and still do...shamelessly believed in fairy-tales especially the rainbow where there is something wonderful almost magical at the end of a rainbow...My Prince-Charming...**HeeHee** ^@^

Thumbs up for this musical play...Simply adored every minutes of it..........

I am still thinking of buying the Cinderella Black T-shirt with all the blings....35bucks for a flimsy piece of clothings that stated "made in China".......Not that l am brand-conscious...Still wondering......Got till 22 Jan to make the purchase.......

30% off Jurong BirdPark, Night Safari, Singapore Zoo admissions

Received this email on NTUC Members' Promotion on Jurong BirdPark, Night Safari and Singapore Zoo...NTUC U card promotion:
-- 30% off Jurong BirdPark, Night Safari, Singapore Zoo admission
-->- While stocks last- Exclusive to NTUC members only
- Present NTUC member card upon purchase at NTUC Customer Service Centre
- Limited to 5 admission tickets per card
- Not inclusive of tram ride- Non exchangable for cash or other goods and services
- Only available at NTUC Customer Service Centre, One Marina Boulevard, #B1-01
**Admission tickets to Jurong BirdPark is temporarily out of stock.

-> Am pretty upset when l saw this little clause...**Bummer**
Was so hoping to re-visit Jurong BirdPark in 2009.
Guess l would settle for Night Safari, Singapore Zoo...The consolation prizes...
Hmm...I like Singapore Zoo actually......Ha-Ha though l usually don't really show it...Guess l was trying to act liked a 'tough cookie' but failing miserably...As for the Night Safari...I wonders what the fascinations are about since l have never been to...Been meaning to do so but l always didn't have either time or Khakis to go with...most of my friends are not really into animals.....
Wondering if l can muster the courage to venture to Night Safari alone... **Sniggers**

My first 2009 Worship and intercession night session

Hello to all

Happy OX year! Wishing you and your family a very Blessed week ahead!
Endless opportunities and possibilities...Let's toast to a great year ahead!!

I had just attended my first 2009 Worship and intercession night session on last Tuesday.Feeling pretty good about it...And l myself felt that it's was pretty good talk.
So l thought of sharing since Good stuff must always around ar...**Ha-Ha**

Our Paya Lebar Methodist Church Pastor Peter Koh said that the lady speaker (I can't remember the lady speaker' name but strangely l remember her speech..Scratched heads) will be speaking to us again come this Sunday sermon....
Her speech was indeed useful and she had shared with us how 'her niece who's nurse had received countless awards for her good service in her hospital. Despite of that, she was having a difficult time befriending and communicating with her doctor and another nurse. This had caused a strain in their working relationship for a period of two years.**Shudders**

To make matters worse, the whole hospital or most of the departments in that hospital knew about their strained working relationship and it was liked "tip-toeing in a field full of granites while working there". Even the CEO of that hospital had to pacify her niece (She was very out-spoken and vivacious lady who knew her rights well enough.) and asked her to bear with it and be more tolerant of the whole deal. The speaker also related to us how her niece finally managed to change her way of praying and hence her whole perspective changed too. The best part was that the doctor and the other nurse also begun to treat her better and things has also started to look so much brighter and better in her workplace, etc."

So l thought of sharing her stories with you.
In the meanwhile, frankly speaking,though it's **easier said than done**it's especially so of our human nature aka weaker mindset, I am and still is trying to put it to good practice though its can be a bit trying.....I might add
The lady speaker also used some excerpts from the Bible as appended below :

“Don’t repay evil with evil.
Don’t retaliate when people say unkind things about you.
Instead pay them back with blessing.
That is what God wants you to do, and he will bless you for it.”
For the scriptures say, ‘If you want a happy life and good days, keep your tongue from speaking evil, and keep your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Work hard at living in peace with others. The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.’
1 Peter3:9-12

“May the Lord bless you and protect you.
May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you.
May the Lord show you this favor and give you his peace.”
Num 6:24-26

Cheers and God Bless always,
Nicole Xu