Married!!!!!

Good News!!!!

In fact two good news!!!!

Can guess who's the bride in the picture?

Tata....It's WFH, Shaoxing's Yue Opera Troupe's Top Xiaosheng...(In Jap terms, Xiaosheng is equivalent to Otokoyaku)



Congrats!!! Congrats!!!

The 2nd piece of good news is that SYR is also married. SYR is the huadan of Xiamen GZX Troupe. (In Jap terms, Huadan is equivalent to musumeyaku.)

Both of them got married this winter.

I realise that the China pple prefer to get married in Winter...Er...why winter?
(That's what ML told me.)

The above 2 news I knew it quite some time ago.

Last but not least, DUN ASK ME WHEN AM I GOING TO GET MARRIED!!!

(I know some people are very very concerned when I shall get married...BUT U BETTER DUN INCUR MY WRATH BY ASKING ME THIS QUESTION.)

I will once I meet my Prince Charming...so don't worry about me. (LOL)

Toyoko's Postcards

Isn't she lovely? These are the latest postcards of Toyoko and there are only 2 types and so I bought all. ^^

You should see Toyoko in person. I know I have repeated it many times BUT I still wanna say...

Toyoko is really very pleasant-looking in person. ^^

Qin told me on the plane that she is going to target Toyoko next which I am very much in agreement.

Qin, send me a picture of the packet of sweets that Toyoko gave you. ^^

Takarazuka Goodies

These are some of the Taka Goodies that I bought. This time I bought lesser books compared to 2 years back. I targetted on Koju's stuff mainly this time round. I bought some of Kashi San's stuff and 2 of Toyoko's postcards. I was tempted to get some tapes as they are currently on 50% discount but later decided against it as I don't wish to overspend my budget.
We went to Quatre Reves at least 3 times. Qin and XM were in quite a dilemma on which dvds to get and later on settled with one dvd on Koju's, one dvd on Wataru's, one tape on Toyoko's, one dvd on Juri's and one dvd on Kashi. (Qin, correct me if I got them wrong, lols)



This time round, I bought Sei's personal calendar with my usual purchase of Todoroki's and Aran's. I should have bought Kashi's as she is going to retire next year but instead I bought her postcards and 2 folders.



I couldn't get Koju's pictures in Takarazuka An 2 years ago and I was advised to go back in 2 years' time and I would be able to get more of Koju's stuff.



Instead of dvds, I got Ichiro Maki's and Kashi San's cds. ^^

How I wish I could buy more...and you know what, our luggages were overweight by 9kg. In the end, we have to take out some of our Taka Stuff and backpacked them instead. ^^

Aran's Fanclub

Qin and I joined Aran's FC 2 years ago. I managed to catch hold of one of the FC's committee members. Initially she wouldn't understand what I wanted and I wrote on a piece of paper in chinese characters “入会” which means to join the FC. Hence she understood and we got to fill in our particulars and pay our membership fees.

Thumbs up for Aran's FC because they really do a great job. We get to have regular postcards and newsletters. We also have well wishing cards on our birthdays and special occasions like new year etc.

I heard of other FCs' refusal to accept overseas fans. Probably due to its overseas postage fees and the time constraints.

Anyway, I am going to continue Aran's membership as I am quite pleased with the FC's efficiency and positive work attitude.



Guess what were we doing?



We were amongst the lines of Aran's fans waiting for Aran at the backstage entrance of Umeda Theatre.



Are you able to spot us among the pool of fans?

Why were we all squatting down? It was quite tedious because we were up and down quite a few times. Each time a Takarasienne walked past, we would squat down. Gosh, imagine how many times we were up and down. It was quite an experience. Being a foreigner, I wasn't too sure about this, or rather too keen on the idea of standing up and down. Perhaps like a saying, when you are in Japan, you do what the Japanese do...(LOLs)

As usual, you can't take pictures of Aran when you are in the pool unlike 2 years back before we joined, we took some pictures of Aran. Well, it does make a great difference.

Our New Target - Suzumi Shio

Suzumi Shio alias Toyoko, an otokoyaku in Star Troupe is going to be our new target. ^^

She is so lovely in person and she is friendly and warm towards her fans. This gave me a good impression of her.

So I went to Quatre Reves and bought her postcards.

Towards the end of the performance, they went up to the audience and Shio handed a bag of sweets to Qin.

Qin told me that she couldn't bear to eat the sweets. (LOL)

Qin bought her tape - The Glassy Landscape. I can't wait to watch it.^^

Toyoko's role in Hayscode as Henry was so hilarious and cute. We all like her.^^



When she turned to wave at her fans, she took out her glasses. That's when I discovered that she is also another Taka Beauty. Her skin complexion is so fair and smooth. One good thing about her was that she didn't "shy" away from cameras.^^ (LOL)

Shio, ganbatte!!!!!

German Elisabeth Concert

Zunko, Midori and Anri were the gueststars in this German Elisabeth Concert. The first half of the concert was a talk show when each discussed how they feel about their casts. I only understood the onscreen video which was in English while the talk show was in German and Japanese.
Only 3 months of Japanese really can't get me to comprehend the talk show but I had Qin with me. Qin translated some to me. ^^
One fun thing was that Maya Hakvoort mistook Midori as Elisabeth. She was surprised to learn that Midori actually played the role of Frances. The Germans were curious and asked Zunko how the girls play men's roles and would they fall in love with each other?
This created a roar of laughter among the audience.
Zunko replied by telling them that they are all normal offstage. (LOL)

I enjoyed the 2nd half of the concert. The songs that they sung were simply fabulous. I particularly like the duet sung by Zunko and Lukas Perman. Boy...Lukas is stunningly handsome!

We saw them outside the backstage entrance. There was a crowd waiting, hoping to catch a glimpse of them.

So we saw Midori (that's when we managed to have a picture taken with her), Zunko...(still as cold as ever...not surprising), Maya, Mate Kamaras and Lukas.



Mate Kamaras and Lukas autographed our Elisabeth Program Books.



Mate Kamaras plays the role of Der Todd. Powerful singer.



Lukas as Prince Rudolph. So so handsome, right?^^ No wonder the Japanese babes are crazy over him. ^^

Pleasant Midori

We attended the German Elisabeth Pre-performance Concert in Osaka. Zunko was one of the special gueststars along with Midori and the one who acted as Queen Sophie in Moon Troupe's Elisabeth.
We saw Midori and wow..she has changed to "female" quite successfully. She was very pleasant and friendly. The best thing was that she allowed us to take pictures with her.



Normally Taka Stars or retired OGs won't let you take pictures with them.
We were very very happy and look at us...we had ML and XM to take pictures for us.^^

We thanked Midori and she bade goodbye to us and said in a very nice tone in some Japanese which means take care. ^^

Koju Tatsuki In Osaka

Koju had a Christmas dinner in Hankyu International Hotel. An ally hotel with our hotel - Osaka New Hankyu. We went to the International Hotel to take a lookie. We saw posters of Koju and the rest placed at staircases in the hotel. How we wish that we could carry them away. Look at Qin, beaming so brightly. We all luv Koju dearly!^^



See what we got here? Rika sent Koju a nice potted plant to congratulate her on her Christmas Dinner Performance. How sweet and nice of Rika!^^

It was around 4 plus in the afternoon. Koju's venue was held in Shion Banquet Hall. Though we didn't get to see Koju in person but we hear her singing. It must be her rehearsal time. That time I was already coughing quite badly but I didn't want my cough to mar Koju's beautiful singing so I went out to cough. Once I managed to curb my cough, then I went back to continue listen to Koju's singing.

Koju was so near to me and we were separated by the door. I am contented enough to hear her singing in action. She sounded the same in DVDs and she sang so beautifully. We waited till she finished her rehearsal and then left the area.



We went to Takarazuka two days later and see what we spotted along the Flower Lane?



Nope...we weren't attracted by the flowers in the shop but only to this particular thingy...That was Koju's poster...It was the latest。 It was identical to the one we saw in the hotel but this time round, the poster was solely on Koju. Too bad, we didn't manage to get any posters. But we took pictures. The proprietor wasn't in the shop, if not, I would rush in and ask whether could I take Koju's poster away.

We went to Takarazuka An, a shop that sells 2nd hand Taka goods. Koju has already retired a few years and u can only find Koju's stuff in Takarazuka An.



I raided the shop for Koju's stuff and I bought her pictures and postcards and look at this picture of Koju. Isn't she so so so COOL!!!!

Koju acted as a bad guy when she was in Moon Troupe during Mami's time. So bad and yet so attractive. Qin bought another big picture of Koju when she was already a TOP.

How we miss Koju dearly......

Amai In Takarazuka

Takarazuka is our favourite place in Japan. This time round we went only once as the theatre is being closed for renovation and only will be ready on lst of Jan next year. We took a stroll down the Flower Lane. We didn't manage to catch hold of any Takarazuka Music School Students. Instead we saw many Taka Stars.



There are rows of shophouses along the Flower Lane that leads to Takarazuka Theatre. You can see many pictures and posters of Taka Stars pasted on the windows and most of them are already autographed by the stars. We were so tempted to tear them off. ^^

We saw some fans already gathered at the sides of the road and some of them were at the entrance of the backstage. Those who gathered by the sides are members of various stars' fanclubs. They lined up in 2 lines waiting patiently and eagerly for their stars to appear.

Once their stars appeared, they would hand their cards and gifts to their star and followed their star till the entrance of the backstage. The fans would squat in rows and face their star at the entrance. The star would wave or talk to them before entering the theatre. The fans then queued up to get their stickers to paste in their Fan Card and then dispersed either to gather with their friends for tea or doing some fan-talking. The chairman of the fanclub would also give them instructions on their next meeting time or place before all are dismissed.



They are fans of Kashi San (the one in the orange jacket), the current top of Cosmos Troupe. Kashi San has many fans and we were amazed when we saw the line.



Look at the line again. Isn't it amazing? Lots more still forming the lines.^^

The Taka Stars were back for rehearsal and Kashi San still has a series of performances in Toyoko next year. Next year will be her sayonara year as she will be retiring in Feb.



A close-up on Kashi San. Isn't she pretty！ (Taken by Qin)

Amai Is Back

It was raining when the flight took off from Kansai Airport, Osaka yesterday morning. It was also raining when the plane descended in Changi Airport last evening. Our baggages were 9kg overweight and we had to take some out from our baggages to hand carry it to the plane.
This time I didn't buy that many Taka stuff compared to my previous trip. I attacked mostly on Koju Tatsuki's pictures and calendars. No dvds this time though the tapes are now having 50% discount. I was quite tempted but later decided against it. Qin and XM bought DVDs and they spent a big bomb on those.
I shall continue blogging about my Japanese trip though I fell sick in Hokkaido. Still, it was a nice and fun trip though the cold weather could freeze you out.

Amai Is Sick In Japan

I got 38 emails in my yahoo mail box in just a few days...Wow...is a great achievement.

Why I did not update?

Reason Number 1: Amai fell sick after that and had fever and flu. Went to pharmacy to get medicine and it cost me 2600+ yen...and later in another shop, the medicine cost only a meagre 880 yen...So I didn't really recover after that. (LOL)
First thing when I go back to Sg is to SEE DOCTOR!！！！！！

One BIG spoiler for my hol is that I get ill！！！!!

Reason Number 2: No wireless connection unless you PAY! The lst 2 hotels were free but the last hotel owned by Takarazuka's big boss - Hankyu has to pay. In addition Hankyu hotel is the most expensive hotel out of the three and it is of higher class...BUT NEED TO PAY!!!!! So I'm not going to pay a single cent for it. Anyway, Takarazuka has gotten a major bulk of my pocket money after buying their tickets and stuff. (LOL)

Reason Number 3: I've been thinking about KH's performance and sort of worried how the turn out would be. But I cough and cough everyday and even coughed out blood...So really no mood to look for a freespot to connect for internet. Now am quite assured that the performance has gone well and praises had been sung. ^^
Good Work Done, XJ!!!! But I still not in favour of you being a "laodan"...Can you wait till you reach the eligible age!!!(LOL)

TAKE A　LOOK AT THIS!!!!

I may be in Japan but I still wanna keep in touch with opera. ^^

TW TV gonna broadcast KH SHOW!!!!

1月6日~金水橋畔(上)
1月13日~金水橋畔(下)
1月20日~玉堂春(上)
1月27日~玉堂春(下)
2月3日~竇娥冤

I gonna ask my TW friend to look out for our shows...^^


Last but not least, I know XJ misses me a lot....Take me out for dinner date lah...BUT DUN WAN JAPANESE FOOD!!!! I kinda of sick of Japanese food...I think for the next 6 months...no Jap food but I dun mind Takarazuka. (LOL)

Amai In Fukuoaka (V)

We visited a musuem on Olden Hakarta and went to yanagawa in the afternoon to view the sceneries on a boat.



Qin was asked to try on the old embroidery wooden machine. Qin looked so flabbergasted as she was nervous and confused in the midst of using the machine. Yet she was still the best person to try as she was the only one able to converse in Japanese. ^^ I could only say "Domo Arigato Gozaimasu" and scamper off. (LOL)

We went for a afternoon boat ride in Yanagawa. Along the ride, we took some scenic pictures. A nice and peaceful river flow experience. Must not miss this if you are in Fukuoaka.



A boatman rowed past us and look at his weather-beaten face, could tell that he had spent tireless years in this line.



The ducks swimming in the water. Aren't they going to migrate to warmer places?



We met two Japanese kids and we waved to each other. I shouted "neko" which meant "cat" in Japanese and the little girl held her kitten high up for us to see. Isn't she kawaii ne?

Yanagawa, a small but tranquil place, I like. ^^



Took a picture of Yanagawa at night before we left. Not flashy, not glamourous but nice and simple. ^^

Amai In Fukuoaka (IV)

Ohayo gozaimasu n Warm greetings from Hakarta in Fukuoaka, Japan. ^^

I`m now using the Hotel Internet PC at the front desk. This hotel provides complimentary breakfast from 6.30 to 9.30 in the morning. Japan`s time now is 8.12am which is 1 hour faster than Singapore Time.
Imagine I wake up at 6plus which is actually 5am over at Singapore. I bet XJ and Co. are still tucked warmly in bed.

So how`s everything at Singapore?

How`s your rehearsal, XJ? Must be pretty tight up with the KH`s schedule.Don`t worry too much, I am very confident in XJ and I wanna watch the DVD next week when I come back.

How about Auntie YN? Wish you the best in your forthcoming debut in this Saturday`s performance.

Kanbatte everyone!!!!!!!!!

Amai In Fukuoaka (III)

Today's tour was "Jigoku Meguri" in Beppu. The highway bus took about 2 and a half hours to reach Beppu but we had to take another bus to "Jigoku Meguri".
"Jigoku Meguri" consists of 9 phemomenal, natural hot spring sites which conjure up images of the ellish depths of the "Inferno" as protrayed in the great Medieval poem by Dante. Hot water gushes forth from the ground , roaring an rumbling fiercely, as numerous enormous crocodiles jostle violently with each other.
The crocodiles came from Sarawak, Malaysia. In one of the spring site, they showcased unique animals that choose to live near to these volcanic grounds and also aquariums of exotic fishes and piranhas.
Different spring sites give off different colours due to its naturally spouts from the ground.

Here are some other pictures taken beautifully by ML.



Large and small bubbles of hot gray mud that boil up to almost 100 degrees celsius.



You can also use the hot spring water to make hot-boiled eggs. Can you spot those eggs in the picture?



Just me. ^^



The statue of "The Eight Immortals" was a gift from China to Japan in 2005.



Shopping fun again. (LOL)

Amai In Fukuoaka (II)

Guess what am I doing now? Surfing net alone in my hotel room while ML is doing her laundry a floor above me. ^^
There is laundry service available and you only pay 200 yen for the washing machine and 100 yen for the spin-n-dry machine.
I will be assisting ML in 10min time as I don't think she is able to handle that much clothes. ^^
Will update if there is time...But I need to eat first...Gosh, I am famished and my throat is still giving me problem.
I have bought masks and to wear them won't make you look strange in Japan. I'm gonna wear the mask tomorrow. ^^

Amai In Fukuoaka (I)

We left Hokkaido, Sapporo in the afternoon, on the way to our next destination - Fukuoaka, Hakarta. The plane was quite empty and that's why Bobo got himself a seat for his own. ^^



See what we had bought in Hokkaido Airport. ^^



Street of Hokkaido. We love Hokkaido and we would like to go there again.^^

I won't stay up late tonight as I'm not feeling that well...I didn't drink much water and thus resulted in having a headache and a sore-throat...

Fukuoaka, here we come. Shall update my blog if time permits. ^^

Amai In Hokkaido (IV)

I'm now back in Hotel Sun Routh in Hokkaido. It's about 5 min walk from Sapporo Train Station. Sapporo Train Terminal has many shops and restaurants. It's a nice place to shop.

We went to Lake Toya, a 2-hour plus journey from Sapporo. I slept in the bus as I was very tired and didn't sleep much the night before.



Along the way, ML took pictures of the sceneries outside the bus. So white and so beautiful and so cold. ^^



Me and my Bobo Bear



Look at me, I was struggling to put on my glove and ML just captured me on her camera. Town Toya was really very cold as it was windy.

Notice anything strange in the picture? Where were the people? It seems that many shops don't open on Sunday. The town was relatively quiet and only a few shops were open for business.

Still we bought some souvenirs and Hokkaido foodstuff at a souvenir shop and the lady proprietor was very friendly and rattled happily in Japanese which I could not comprehend 90% of what she was trying to tell me. (LOL)

Amai In Hokkaido (III)

It is freezing cold today and the temperature is about 0.3 degrees.It snowed in the morning and along the way to Ishiya, we played with snow.



Look at the snowball...



We had a snow fight and I got one hit on the face by Qin...The snow tasted salty...and I got some snow melted down my neck and it was very cold!



We took quite a few pictures before leaving for our next destination - Ishiya Chocolate Factory.



We took a train to Ishiya Chocolate Factory. I love everything in this place. If you intend to go to Hokkaido, you must visit Ishiya Chocolate Factory.



Bobo and Ishiya Chocolate Ice-cream



Ishiya chocolate is sandwiched between baked cookies that is called "Langue de chat" and then it is cooled and wrapped.
You can enjoy and relax in Ishiya Cafe with British antique furniture. The cafe serves many of chocolates such as chocolate milk, cacao cake, chocolate parfait and chocolate fondue.



How can you resist the temptation not to buy the chocolate? I bought some and the rest bought a handful...



Bobo and ML's Ishiya Surprises. I just bought only a quarter of what ML had bought and they cost you around more than 100 SG dollars. ^^

If I were to go to Hokkaido again, I would like to visit Ishiya Chocolate Factory again!!! A heavenly place for chocolate lovers！！！