Freedom Moon

I have been an avid supporter of the Animals Asia Foundation for a couple of years now. I was so excited to get this book in the mail. The proceeds of the book will go directly to the moon bear funds.

It is thrilling and heart warming to see the bears thrive after so many years of being abused. Some more fortunate bears get to live out in the sanctuary, finally free, feeling the sun and grass, playing and getting proper nourishment and medical attention.

Some unfortunate bears never get to set foot on the grass, and have died after arrving briefly at the sanctuary. I was outraged to see the tortured images and it made me want to do more for them besides supporting the foundation. I want to spread the word, my righteous indignation at the humans who would torture animals for profit. I hope that more bears will be saved and this horrendous practice of bear farming will end once and for all.

Hooray to the team at Animals Asia for their tireless efforts in freeing the bears!!

Noka Chocolates

One piece of Noka Chocolate, price tag US$10....


The Gift Box....

The chocolate ice cream/sorbet is 3000yen....

The jewel-like display of Noka Chocolates.....

I am not a big chocolate fan, but an occasional chocolate mousse cake or a creamy hot chocolate is nice. Sometimes, I would splurge on my sweet tooth, and a Godiva or a Cova truffle would nicely satisfy me. I consider them luxury items coz one piece of truffle is pretty pricey.

Well, imagine my surprise when I walked into the Noka Chocolate Store in MidTown. The chocolates were framed by a backlight, so they somehow looked mysterious. There weren't a lot of choices, only 4 flavors to choose from, but the price tag was what made me go "whoa!!"

One tiny piece of chocolate costs US$10 and it's the size of a piece you break from a Cadbury bar!! I got so curious that I actually bought the one piece. The lady explained the reason behind the exotic price was that there's an initial taste, and an after taste that would linger in your mouth. Ok...

I tried it on my train ride from the onsen in Hakone back to Shinjuku. Maybe I was expecting too much. Indeed there were flavors described by the lady, but the taste certainly didn't linger long. 2 minutes of indulgence came with a US$10 price tag!! Luckily I wasn't sold to buy the 3000 yen ice cream!!

Takashimaya

This is the florist in Takashimaya, Shinjuku. I have very fond memories of the Takashimaya in New York. It is one of my favorite stores on Fifth Avenue. I was told that the store in Japan was not the same elegant one in New York, more like Daimaru.

Well, after visiting the store in Shinjuku, I must admit that the Takashimaya in New York is much more chic. However, one aspect is similar, that of the spectacular florist. The fragrance travels and the scents of the flowers are just heavenly.

Tokyo MidTown

Tokyo MidTown.....


Aoki Parisienne Cafe Entrance.....

The interior of the cafe.....

The Dessert Display with Calla Lilies is a nice touch....

My order of cappuccino....

The Tea Set Display at the cafe, they are models....

Tea Set Display, again, they are models....

My favorite place in my Japan trip is visiting Tokyo MidTown. The subway exit goes directly into MidTown, so you don't have to get out into the cold to get there. Aside from brand name shops and specialty stores, there is this nice cafe that I went.

The entrance looked more like a jewelry store than a cafe. Tall vases of white calla lilies sat atop tall displays of all kinds of sweets imaginable, from cookies, chocolates to cakes and pastries. The display is certainly a feast for the eyes. When my order of cappuccino arrived, the foam came as a heart shaped design. It looked so nice I didn't want to dip my spoon into it and stir.

The whole ambience and presentation gave the impression that the food and drinks were to be appreciated as gems in their own right. I guess this is the best representation of appreciation with all your senses, visual, smell and taste.

Meeting Leigh

The trip to Japan has been a whirlwind. I have never walked so much in my entire life, and it's non-stop walking for 4 days!!

I am so happy to be able to meet up with Leigh and Pascale on the day before I left. We had drinks at the Bulgari Cafe and Pascale treated us. :)

Leigh is adorable and with her ponytails and pink boots she is just too cute in person. Here is a picture of us.

I am still sleeping round the clock and napping between my readings to catch up on my zzz. Boy, am I tired!! All the same, I am happy to have experienced so many things on this trip. When I had my fill of zzz, I will write about it!! Ciao!!!

Japan

I am off to Japan for a week. Porky is not pleased at all to see me packing. Usually, when I take a shower at night, he would go to sleep in my room. Not last night though!! He was at the door guarding the exit!! He has had experience of me going on trips and he knows what a luggage means!! Awe.....I miss my snoring P already!!

Can't wait to see Pascale and Leigh Leigh!! Here comes auntie Bonnie!!

Healthy Responsiblity

Today's entry on "A Year of Living Consciously" is
The Power of Healthy Responsiblity

".....The journey of conscious living is a journey of getting the responsibilty just right: 100% for you and 100% for me.

Healthy responsibility is defined as taking 100% responsiblity for yourself while inspiring others to take 100% responsibilty. Healthy responsibility can be contrasted with 2 forms of unhealthy responsiblity - the condition of less than 100% (perceiving yourself as a victim) and the condition of more than 100% (perceiving others as victims and you as their caretaker).

Conscious Living Practice for Today

Today, mount a vigilant search for ways in which you are thinking of yourself as a victim or thinking of others as victims. Begin your inquiry....

• I know how to make clear agreements with others.


• I enter into agreements initiated by others clearly and consciously.


• I can be counted on to do what I say I will do.


• I can be counted on not to do what I say I will not do.


• I know how to handle instances when I break agreements.


• I know how to handle instances when others break agreements with me.


• I know how to change agreements that are not working.


• Others keep their agreements with me.


• I take healthy responsibility for my life and the projects in which I am involved.

As we march into a brand new year, I think this is a grand resolution, to develop a healthy responsibilty with others, so we could enjoy each other's company with respect and integrity, instead of feeling either a victim or a martyr.