What a difference a year makes.

My mind is at its worst when I am alone. I think too much and it's not something good or happy that usually comes to mind.

It's a quiet Sunday, which is unusual for me to have. I am sitting at my usual table in my regular coffee place. I thought of the first time I came here for the tasting and the first time it opened. So much has changed in a year. What used to be my usual table now has a plastic tree over it. 

As unrelated as it seems, the changes to this place got me thinking about myself and what changes in my life from last year to date. It can't be possible if I'm still the same person as I was a year ago. So is the world around me. 

I wouldn't list down things I thought have changed throughout the year. Some I am grateful for (like new friends and new responsibilities at work), some I just have to accept and endure (like the weight I gain!).

As for myself, I wouldn't be so sure if I've changed for the better but I am sure I've tried and will keep on trying.

Cheers,

RP

Disney Sea in pictures

Day 1 - morning walk to Kyobashi St.

It was 8AM when we arrived in Tokyo. I was sore from the 10hrs night bus ride. My feet were swollen too. The complaints could go on and on but the mood was up because I was very excited for the itinerary for Tokyo D-1. Drum roll please.....it's Disney Sea time!

From the Kajibashi bus station in the Yaesu area, we went straight to our hostel Khaosan Labo in Asakusa area. We took the Asakusa line via Kyobashi st.
Dragging your luggage up and down the stairs is inevitable in subway stations. Enjoy the exercise :)

Since we arrived early in the morning, our room was not ready yet. However big thanks to Tsubasa the host, we got to use the public shower room. While waiting for the rest of the gang, we took pictures using the cosplay props available in the reception area. Don't mind us silly people.

Day 1 - Khaosan Labo - act all silly as a crab & a rabbit

Day 1 - Asakusa area - eating Soba at Tenya

All set and ready to go for Disney Sea!

Day 1 - Disney Sea - a pose with Mr. Disney & Mickey

I am not a big fan of rides so I spent the day strolling around the area and watching shows instead of going on rides. The only ride I wanted to try was the Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blaster, but I was told that the queueing time is 240 minutes. Yes, 240 minutes or you could just say 4-freakin' hours. So I'd suggest buying yourself a FASTPASS ticket next time you go to Disney.

Day 1 - Disney Sea - hello Woody!

Day 1 - Disney Sea - Tower of Terror
cr: @putriavicenna 

Day 1 - Disney Sea - #shamelessselfie
cr: @putriavicenna 

Day 1 - Disney Sea - Thumper says hi!
cr: @putriavicenna 

Day 1 - Disney Sea - view from the lighthouse
cr: @putriavicenna 

Day 1 - Disney Sea - Mickey & Minnie popsicles

Day 1 - Disney Sea - Indiana Jones' temple

and one last stroll around Toy Story Mania.....

my happiest spot from the happiest place on earth

Osaka in pictures

Welcome to Osaka #fromwhereistand

October 2013 came, and it was finally time for the long awaited Japan trip to begin. 

Day 1 - upon arrival at Kansai airport

Day 1 - Osaka Unlimited Pass, a must-buy

Day 1 - Fukushima - the alley to J-Hoppers

Day 1 - Fukushima - lunch at Yoshinoya before exploring Osaka

Day 1 - Osaka Castle area - where to go?

Day 1 - Osaka Castle - panoramic view 

Day 1 - Osaka Castle
cr: @putriavicenna

Day 1 - Osaka Castle
cr: @putriavicenna

Day 1 - Osaka Castle - group photo in front of the Castle
cr: @putriavicenna

Day 1 - Osaka Castle - triple trouble

Day 1 - Osaka Castle - a map showing the extensive area of the park 

Day 1 - Dotonburi - the famous Glico running man

Day 2 - Osaka Bay - in front of the Kaiyukan ~ Osaka Aquarium

Day 2 - Osaka Bay - group photo in front of Tempozan Ferris Wheel

Day 2 - Osaka Bay - Kuma Cafe, a very homey cafe owned by Paul the Aussie guy

Day 2 - Umeda - lunch at Kumakura Ramen at Lucua

Day 2 - Fukushima - Coco Ichibanya's chicken cutlet curry nomnomnom

Sayonara Osaka - off we go to Tokyo

Sherlocked all over again

"Oh, please, killing me? That's so two years ago." -- Sherlock

The new year resolutions.

Don't you feel that time really does fly? It's already December of 2013 which means the year will be changing soon. By the time I am writing this, there's only 26 more days of 2013.

For the past 330+ days of 2013, have you achieved all your new year resolutions? Have you gotten things that you wish for?

Unlike most people, I have never written new year resolutions. Not once, not ever. However if I ever write myself a new year resolution, probably the list would be like below:

• Be a better daughter, pick up the phone from your mom & dad! Or at least call them back.
• Be more positive than the person you are now. Stop complaining over ten thousands tiny things that annoy you each day! 
• Work smarter and harder, learn from the best colleagues. You just might get promoted along the way.
• Travel to where you've never been.
• Hit the gym more often, remember the expensive monthly fee you pay each month.
• Laugh more (as if I don't laugh much these days). Even so, laugh more and more. It's a medicine you don't have to pay for.
• Spend less money on sneakers. Too many sneakers, not enough Fridays.
• Start investing. Could be something small like mutual funds and stocks. (Ugh, what a boring sentence I just wrote)
• Get a very understanding boyfriend, you've been single for way too long. Sorry this is never in my priority.

What a short list I make. Maybe I'll think of something more and update this post.

But then again, I most probably won't. Seems like the list covers it all. What I want to be and what I want to do. 

To a better version of me. 

Cheers,

Purti

The recent traveller.

"The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page" - St. Augustine

Guess who's stuck in one page just until recently? Me!!
I rarely went out of town, I never went abroad until I was 22. Yet, I've always wondered how it would be like going somewhere out of my comfort zone. 2 years and several trips made later, I haven't been to that many places really but I can say that all those trips changed and enriched me in ways I can try to explain but I won't because it's hard (I'm just lazy like that!).

I regret that I didn't travel much but I promise I'll make up for the lost time. Trust me they are all in my bucket-list.

Here's to more trips to make, more places to explore, more spots to sit just to people-watch, and more strangers-turn-friends to exchange stories with.

Cheers,

Purti

The name.

Blahs. Noun. A general feeling of boredom and dissatisfaction.

After much hesitation whether or not I should start a blog, I decided to finally start one. Spent quite a while thinking about the title (see, I am not good at this!!). There you have it, Blahs by Purti. Not a good title, I know, that way you can manage your expectation when you're reading this.

Anyways, looking forward to writing/blogging/overly-sharing my boredom and dissatisfaction.

Cheers,
Purti