These few days, I have suffered from Red eye condition called " subconjunctival hemorrhage" It was not pain, but bit unconformable and looked scary.
I was bit worried and requested for antibiotic eye drops. Doctor insisted it unnecessary, it will heal on its own in 2 weeks.
So, now, I look like a vampire.
Since young I have been traveling , traveling for work, traveling for holiday. But solo travel is the first time.
Technically speaking, I did travel alone for work, but when I reached to destinations, I had local colleagues to be with me, so I don't count those travels as solo travel.
This time, for the first time in my life, I did solo travel.
From Singapore to Haneda airport,
The flight was a breeze. No issue at all. After clearing the custom and getting my luggage, I went to pic up my rental wifi, I have been using " Japan Wireless" for many years, whenever I travel to Japan. It is so convenient to receive and return, the service is always reliable, and the quality of WiFi is good , can be shared with multiple devices .
After that, I went to local delivery service shop, Yamato 宅配便, as I was going to take 新幹線, I wanted to travel like locals.
Upon inquiry, as there was Tokyo Marathon on that day , the same day delivery was not available. No choice, I decided to carry my own luggage.
From Haneda airport, take monorail to Hamamastsucho, then change to JR line toward Tokyo. It was less than half hour.
At Tokyo station, I went to Green Window service counter to get my 新幹線ticket to Yamagata station. It costs 11450 Yen. The Tsubasa つばさ新幹線is the one goes to Yamagata.
I got into my platform, bought a bento, all set.
From Yamagata to Zao Onsen
I stayed at Zao shikino Hotel 蔵王四季のホテル, the hotel has free pick up from Yamagata station. You need to book 3 days ahead.
When reaching Yamagate station, go to west exit, cross a link bridge towards a shopping mall, go to the ground floor, you will find the waiting area. The bus is quite punctual. Only in the winter season, it is better to wait indoor.
There is a lovely library corner , the books are for loan for free for two weeks, there is no one to man the store, so that you can borrow the books by yourself. That speaks volume of Japan culture, people are highly trustworthy, it is assumed that no one will steal the books.
The doctor in Polyclinic referred me to National Cancer Centre under "fast tack"!
Within a day, I got an appointment in NCC. NCC is no strange place for me, I had accompanied my late mother to NCC many times for her cancer treatments. But that was the old NCC building. The new NCC building is right at Outram MRT, exit 7, you will find the link direct to NCC.
The ambience of NCC is so soothing, everything is brand new, very spacious, the layout is so comfortable, I felt like in luxury private hospital.
The lady doctor who examined me was gentle, she asked me whether the lump in the breast was painful. I replied yes. She said: " The pain is good. As breast cancer does not present in painful lumps.
I felt so grateful.
God is so good to me!
I have been blessed with many things. My family, my career, and my friends.
When I was a young girl, I could not imagine what I would be, only had a vigorous idea that I would like to be someone who is able to do many things useful and beneficial for this world.
Now, I am half retired. I started to learn gardening, sewing, and to go hiking and traveling. I am planning to upskill my ski :). I also booked a few trip for work and leisure.....
Now I have a surprise.
I discovered a painful lump on my left breast, it is about 4cm and associated with pain when touching. I went to see doctor, who immediately referred me to National Cancer Centre.
Now, suddenly, I was once again reminded, our life is at mercy of GOD.
Man proposes, God disposes, blessed be the name of God.
I will go to see specialist tomorrow, and I pray nothing serious!
Reflections of 2023
Failures
Ø In 2023, I fell into the scam, the scammer pretended to be the police officers, and I was accused to be involved some money laundering cases, in the process of so called “cooperation for investigation” and I gave out all my bank accounts’ information, by God’s grace, the security setting of 12 hours cooling period, saved me from loss all my cash assets.
I truly thank God for protection, should had I not made police report just in time, I could have lost all my savings.
Ø In 2023, I was also overcharged by slimming treatment. Dorra Slimming claimed to give me the best price for slimming treatment, but in the end, I was charged 4 x of price what I thought they offered. I reported the case to CASE, the company refunded me the unused portion of treatment fees, but I was still overcharged as I had used almost half of total package . It was a very expensive lesson.
Ø In 2023, I also failed my JLPT N1 exam, the first time was an accidental mistake, as during the exam, my phone alarm suddenly rang; the second time, I was 8 marks away from passing mark. That shows that I need to work harder in studying Japanese.
Achievements
Ø We completed the designs of our house and moved to a smaller house while the old house being rebuilt. It took almost 1.5 half year, discussing with architect and various contractors, finally it was moving forward.
Ø Moving and packing took more than 2 months, but finally, it was a nice and comfortable home.
Ø Our company’s anniversary event, that went smoothly, thanks to all my colleagues and organizing committees, that was a memorable event.
Ø We hosted a dinner for VIPs at our new home, I felt not adequately prepared, but it turned out to be very nice time for all of us.
New learning experience
Ø With my Japanese learning friends, we started to hiking training to prepare our next year hiking trip. It has been a fun and great experience for all of us. The hiking has improved my stamina and, I felt more energic and healthy than before.
Ø I started to learn sewing, at first, I struggled with usage of machine, after overcoming the initial difficulties, I enjoyed sewing some simple bags, porches as presents for my colleagues and friends. I made Christmas present using those handmade bags. Learning a new skill is always so much fun.
Memorable moments
Ø I went to Ise, Wakayama with my two sons after their competition in Nagoya. We stayed at Ryokan, visited famous and scared shrines, had lots of fun time together.
Ø I also jointed with my sons for Asian Game in Huangzhou, China. Though both of them didn’t manage to win a medal for Singapore, I think it was a great experience to learn from failure and other competitors. That has motivated them to train harder and prepare for their future competitions.
Summary of 2023
It was a great year filled with ups and downs, full of learning moments and
thanksgiving. I am grown as a
person. I feel that I need to be more
compassionate towards others, more discipline towards myself.
While I was moving house, I went through so many clutters in my house, in
life, I also have so many clutters, with human relationships, with past
experiences etc.
I have decided to cut off some unnecessary ties with people, to give up some habits which have no benefits; and pursue a simple life but Give thanks to God for all things, treasure family time and enjoy every moment of life.
Next Year Goals
Hiking training, 3 times a week to prepare for Mt Fuji
Continue studying Japanese and pass JLPT N1
Learning new sewing skill and garden skill
Improve as a person in the following areas.
六つの精進
1. だれにも負けない努力をする
2. 謙虚にして驕らず
3. 反省ある日々を送る
4. 生きていることに感謝する
5. 善行、利他行を積む
6. 感性的な悩みをしない
Six diligences
1. Strive to work harder than anyone else
2. Be humble and not arrogant
3. Spend days with reflection
4. Be grateful to be alive
5. Accumulate good and altruistic deeds
6. Don't worry emotionally
