Hello Hokkaido

Thank you Hokkaido, I can finally cross of the long overdue resolution of mine (to see snow). 

Also, I would like to share on the budget of the trip since this is the most FAQ.

HOW MUCH DO YOU SPEND FOR THE TRIP?

It was 5 days trip only, the itinerary was pretty much as follows (I will blog more about it soon) :

19th January: Travelling day

• KUL - CTS via Air Asia X 

20th January to 21st January : Tomamu, Hokkaido

• Stayed at Risonare, Tomamu Resort
• Skiing!

22nd January to 23rd January: Sapporo, Hokkaido

• Stayed at Watermark Hotel, Sapporo
• City tour by foot

24th January: Travelling day again

• CTS - KUL via Air Asia X

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We bought the flight tickets during sale time and it was RM1398 return trip for two person and also we add on bags and meals for both ways that cost around RM416. As for all the accomodations (Risonare and Watermark) and rental of ski gears which cost the most, it was RM3352 for two person. Extra expenses for the ski activity is the gondola use to go up the mountain to ski down which cost RM200 for two person (it's a day pass)

All in for flights and accomodation plus ski gears rental (head to toe all complete) = RM5362 for two person.

The transportation from airport to Tomamu by bus is RM280 for two and the train fare from Tomamu to Sapporo is RM76 for two. We spent like RM2000 for two for food, subway trains/bus and shopping- that's like your pocket money to bring.

To make it easy for you, the numbers for ONE person is

Lodging + ski stuff = RM1676

Flight + what not add ons = RM907

Gondola/lift = RM100

Bus (Airport -> Tomamu) = RM140

Train (Tomamu -> Sapporo) = RM38

Total = RM2861

Pocket money for meals, miscellaneous subway/bus trips and shopping = RM1000 (just to be on the safe side since most places in Hokkaido do not take credit cards)

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We engaged H.I.S company for booking of the lodging and the ski stuff. It is a very good company and the staff is actually helpful in providing the itinerary for us plus the tips and directions in finding the correct train platforms and stations to go down. If you are up for a whole lot of adventure this semi DIY trip by this company is actually a lot better than those tour groups that usually bring you to the places that you do not want to go. Haha.

Do watch our travelogue here.

Eye Specialist

A trip to see any doctor usually scare the shit out of me, let alone a specialist; an eye specialist to be exact. I have been experiencing eye discomfort on my right eye and recently I discovered that my right vision has yellow tint to it aside seeing things relatively further from my left eye even with my glasses or lenses. It scared me so much man! Like seriously. 

At first, I thought it is just my eyes has increased the astigmatism problem or maybe the power / degree (whatever it is) increased as well. Went to get it checked, not much changed on the power or astigmatism and the optician asked me to see a doctor regarding this condition.

Before I actually went to see the doctor for referral letter to see a specialist, I googled my symptoms and of course usually googling things will always make feel very bad. Stupid right. Self diagnose is not the right thing to do.

Went to see doctor and got my referral letter to see an eye specialist in UM Specialist Centre. Freaked me out. Can't sleep well the night before.

My assigned eye specialist is Prof Dr Tajunisah. My condition is suspected to be a retina related problem, potentially the CSR where the retina might be swollen. You can google it to know more, I just do not know how to explain. Anyway, got my eyes scanned with my pupils dilated with some drops that my vision was blurred for a few hours. Thank God the mister accompany me to the hospital as driving home in that condition is practically unsafe.

So here's the scan of my retina using the OCT machine. The doctor was actually surprised to see the result as my retina was not swelling as she expected. Just some inflammation. Anyway, I was prescribed some eye drops that has steroid in it and have to put religiously four times a day for a week.

The doctor want to see me again at the end of the month. If my right eye vision still doesn't change, they might have to scan my brain to see what's the problem that might be causing it. Argh!!! I don't want things to escalate until that point. Praying hard everything will be ok.

By night time after the appointment with the doctor, my eye pupil is still very much dilated. It's causing me to see things with more exposure and brightness. You know like when you increase brightness for your photos on Instagram. The pupil dilation drops really have a long effect on me. The pupil came back to its original state only the next morning. 

Pole Dancing 101

I tried pole dancing yesterday. Seriously, it is not easy. I do not know maybe I am not used to it, I still do not know the correct techniques or I am too thick for this. I end up with bruises and blisters. They said it is normal. Hey, no pain no gain right?

The instructors taught some basic moves to swing around the pole. I can't remember the names, too many - it's like uhm some "Fireman something something". Whatevs! I had fun though although it is painful. I just cannot imagine those people who are in the advanced classes, what kind of pain that they have to endure to get there.

The studio is in Hartamas called Talent Hub. Parking is a nightmare here but I was lucky to find a parking nearby the studio yesterday, so it was alright.

2016 Resolutions!

Hello to a new page of the 2016 

Before I write out my new year resolutions (yeah, this is like the second week of the year already, late but it's here nonetheless), let's see how was my 2015 resolutions being accomplished. Gahahaha! 

Nampaknya kurang sedikit pencapaian di situ or maybe I was too ambitious. 

• Overdosed on item 2 since I got like three certifications instead of one. 
• Failed miserably on item 3, I should try better this year then.  
• Item 4 is in progress for the snow so should it be recycled?? Hehehe. 
• I saved money last year, pat pat on my back. At least I see my bank account is actually growing. Yeay for item 5!

My 2016 resolutions:

1) Finish my research and submit it in by December 2016.

2) I want to see snow!

3) Save money every month, bigger savings this year hopefully.

4) Start teaching Hot Hula and Zumba Kids

5) Eating healthy for dinner whenever I cook at home.  

6) Blog more! I only blogged like 40 posts only last year and that's the lowest number of posts ever. Tsk tsk tsk

Everything sounds realistic and do-able or not? Hahahaha. What's yours?

2015 review

Exam is done! And I officially on my semester break. Finally some ME time. Now blogging time. Onto some mandatory post to review the year that was.

January

I finally got my cuti belajar with pay approved. That's a huge huge burden lifted off my shoulder. Thank God! Get to know my comrades as well who are on the same boat. Hopefully everything is smooth sailing until the graduation year in 2017. 

February

Enrolled new course since the requirement of the scholarship needed me to do something else. New challenge but hey, I am coping well. IT shit and what not, I am surviving.

Turned 30 WTF. Hmmmmmm. Ya lah, ya lah..no longer in my 20s. Shait!

March

Crossing out one of my 2015 resolution. Yes, a new certification. New knowledge unlocked!

April

Picked up flyoga. I love it so much! If only, there are more places offering this. Also, I have limited time to practice this also lah.

May

Got purple hair. Crazy hair color is the in thing to do in 2015 for me. Keep recoloring every two months. Ngeh, burn a bit of hole in my pocket but yeah, I am vain like that.

Bye bye Mesra Terrace! Huhuhuhu. I miss my previous crib. Spacious but no more. Thank you for the memories.

Jun

Pindah rumah time time sibuk mo exam lagi. That's life la. Susah senang mesti sama-sama. Oil price drop you suck!

But look on the bright side, airplane tickets are actually cheaper then with oil price drop. Gotta break some piggy bank juga lah but the annual family trip could happen. Siok juga lah. Relieving our childhood dreams to visit this place. Umur 30 tahun macam tu baru dapat pigi sama my parents and sisters. My second visit but a first for them, happy juga lah!

July

Big Bang concert. Yeah, I am a BIG FAN. But not crazy enough to buy the RM900++ tickets to be next to the stage. Still very sane enough to know that money do not come raining down on you. But, BIG BANG concert, always confirm puas hati!

August

Peace Run. Checking out another one in the resolution list. In fact, this was the only run. Bodoh bah these runs usually. Money making machine saja. Makin mahal itu fees segala. Bangang.

Attended Merdeka Day. Did you see us got interviewed on TV. Hmmm, maybe I should post up the guide to attend Merdeka Day in Dataran Merdeka. Hehe

September

Subbed to KFit. Yes, and still an avid KFittter. Love it. I can have a buffet of exercise programs and facilities.

October

Hot hula certified. Yeap, that polynesian dance fitness thingy. Sexy, I can teach you that!

November

Cameron Highland revisited. My last visit was in college days. The cuti cuti Malaysia that we can afford now. Domestic tourism it is!

December

Group Fitness and CPR certification. I believe my love for fitness knowledge keep on growing. Something that I rarely have a chance to do it back in Sabah.

Written a new song and its on iTunes and Spotify

All in all, 2015 was a year with full of surprises and more learning opportunities. I am SO GRATEFUL for everything!