Man's Best Friend

Had an enjoyable time and learnt something very interesting yet touching in today's Japanese Consumer Culture.

Statue of Hachiko in Shibuya

Hachiko was born in Akita in 1923 and was first brought to Tokyo in 1924. He and his owner, Mr. Eisaburo Uyeno, were inseparable friends right from the start. Each day "Hachi" would accompany Eisaburo, a professor at the Imperial University, to the train station when he left for work. Upon returning, the professor would find the dog patiently waiting, tail wagging. This happy routine continued until one fateful day in 1925, when the professor was taken ill on the job and unfortunately died before he could return home.

Despite the fact that Hachiko was less than two years old at the time, the bond between dog and owner was strong. Hachiko continued to wait each day at Shibuya station for a friend who was never coming back. At times, he wouldn't return home for days at a stretch.

The Akita became a familiar sight to commuters as he kept his vigil for over ten years. On March 8, 1935, Hachiko finally went to meet his master. He died on the very same spot he last saw his friend alive.

I am sick. Sore throat 'cos of eating too much ginger. Fever 'cos of the sore throat. Flu 'cos hmm..of the fever. Haha. Cough 'cos of the flu. It's a cycle kinda. Not bad already. Think the last time I fell sick was 12 weeks ago. Haha. And when I am sick and tired, I say silly things. And here it goes:

[At one of the benches at Mediacorp, during our smoking breaks]

Me: Hey Peiyu, what fruits are those hanging on the tree?
PY: Where? Huh....those? Coconut lor..
The rest: What fruits? COCONUT lor. You never see coconut tree before huh? Think you need to go East Coast more often..

But I am not the only one who speak like that..haha..and here it goes again:

[At Mediacorp's canteen]

PY: Jia Bao, help me order Lemon ICE Honey Drink Hot.
JB: *stoned 'cos thought he heard wrongly*
Me: *stoned 'cos thought I heard wrongly*
Both (JB and Me): *looked at PY*
JB: HUH? You want Cold or Hot one?
All: laugh..

And the best thing is...I have gotten a packet of VICKS from someone so sweet! As always! Hee..

I looked at my feet, not once, not twice, but several times today. My mummy once told me that I had the ugliest feet that she had ever seen. And so I thought they were hideous. But today, they did not look as bad as what I had imagined them to be. Just like what Dap had said, "to love myself for who I am. To start accepting myself for who I am, my weaknesses and strengths, and to start falling in love with myself".

And for a start, I am beginning to fall in love with my feet. Haha..