Summer Weekend Flea Market- Ario Sapporo

Occasion: 'Treasure' hunting

When: One fine summer Sunday morning 10am- 2pm

Venue: Ario Sapporo Shopping Mall, Outdoor Arena

Address: Sapporo- Shi, Higashi-ku, Kita 7 Higashi 9

Sapporo during summer time brings you quite a number of weekend flea markets that are organised at several designated places. I visited one a few weekends ago with Lan. If you are interested to find out where is the next flea market going to be, you can download the "What's on in Sapporo" monthly English newsletter (PDF format) published by the Hokkaido's International Women Association (HIWA) by clicking here.

The one we visited that day was located at Ario Sapporo Shopping Mall (the next flea market is to be held on September 10). We weren't looking for anything in particular and was just browsing around to see what's offered there. It can be really fun when you find something of a 'gem' or 'treasure' in flea markets such as these where the price for the item you fancy costs only a fraction of the original price.

Here was how the flea market we went to that day looked like. 

It was a hot summer day but it didn't deterred the crowd flocking by
to check out the sale items and great bargains

Ario Sapporo is a new shopping mall located at the former site of Sapporo Breweries. Hence, once you are there, you can see gorgeous red brick buildings that used to be the grand brewery hall of the famous Sapporo Beer. 

The background depicts the gorgeous brewery chimney during
it's good old glory days

The 'stores' are all situated on the ground 

People bargaining and treasure hunting 

Some of the pre-loved toys being offered on site

Someone else's rubbish may be another one's treasure (:

Loving the poplar trees at the back (:

Some of the items are new and unused and some are used but
still in good condition. Note the mini portable sewing machine
in pink at the top centre of this pic.. i wanted to get it for myself but
decided against it in the end.. sigh..

Children's clothes on sale.. this what they call 'hand- me-down' clothes?!
Except that, you need to pay a minimal amount for these clothes

House hold appliances are also being sold here

I took a slow stroll along the market and just stopped over at stalls that have items that attracted my eyes. At that moment, I wasn't looking for anything in particular. This makes my experience even more fun when I discovered hidden treasures amidst all the items in the market. (:

Some of the 'gems' that made moi a very happy girl that day were as below:

these zipper bracelet was a brand new item from Claire's
I found it with its' plastic and price tag still intact!! (:
Retail price: ¥800
Got it for: ¥50 *jumping around the room in joy*

Yellow fun mini 'iPod' inspired pouch
Retail price: Unknown
Got it for: ¥10 (are you freaking kidding me?!!)

This pouch is too cute to resist!!
Also got it for ¥10!! ( I KNOW!! I can't believe it either!)

NOW...... this is the ultimate 'treasure' i found that day...
CDs!!!!!! I love music so imagine how happy I was to find these babies!!
Retail price: ¥1500- ¥2000
Got these for: ¥200 for all 3 CDs (can i faint now? hehe)

So yes... please go visit an upcoming flea market in Sapporo and start hunting for hidden 'treasures'. It can be real fun cos I truly believe one man's rubbish can be another's treasure. So do give all these pre loved or new unused item a home where the new owner will show it much love than its previous owner. Everyone needs to be appreciated so this goes the same for toys, accessories, CDs, electrical appliances or even books. (:

It also can be identified as a way of recycling what you do not need and pass it on to others that may find better usage in these items. So, by shopping in a flea market, you are doing your part in making the world a better place through your effort in recycling... LOL.. okay.. I slightly exaggerated on that part but I still think it is a plausible reason (:

So go and have fun and enjoy your lil 'treasure' hunting while at it!!

"What is your best price? It's the treasure hunt that makes it fun." 

~Shelia Strong~

MISS AUGUST 26th~ festa di compleanno a dal segno

Occasion: Moi's birthday celebration

When: August 26, 2011

Venue: Dal Segno 1988 (Ristorante Pizzeria) URL: Click HERE

Address: Sapporo-Shi, Higashi-ku, Kita 22 Higashi 1

Once again, it was that time of the year where i celebrated another year of getting older maturity and wisdom.. *cough cough*

But all in all, it marked another birthday event which was well celebrated. On the eventful evening, I was whisked away in a cab to the 'place of mystery'... it just took less than 10 mins cab ride to get to the restaurant from my place.. but i guess all in all... to make it special for me, i was chauffeured there.. In which I shall not be complaining as i was dressed to the nines for the occasion and my nine west and gucci does not complement my 2-wheeled ride very well.. LOL

My face lit up upon reaching the destination because i've heard a lot of good stuff about this ristorante and was very much excited to try it soon.. and it was good to know that I can do it on my birthday.. credits given to Tah and Lex for picking the dinner venue. Excellent choice! (: moi likey!!

Reservation is encouraged to be made

I'll let the photos below to do all the show and tell of this place..

Obligatory pic of moi in front of the ristorante

Loving the Italian felt ambience of the place

Small dining room to fit a cosy private function affair

Another private function room to fit a medium sized crowd
Loving the old-styled lamp at left corner

A framed-up newspaper article featuring the place

Dining area located downstairs for the guests

We stayed until closing time and I took this opportunity to take all the photos of this place without causing discomfort to other dining guests. 

The reception area

Entry to kitchen and bar

Stairs leading up to the private rooms area

Entrance to the biggest private room

Artistic looking deco to add up to the mood of the evening

Mind you, if you're there, please do take notice of the wall is embedded with corks from bottles of wines. It was a real cool deal. I can't seem to find any pictures of it in my camera but let's just say, you just gotta be there to check it out then. (:

I couldn't take pictures of all the food we had that night but almost everyone sang praises on their food and the bottles of wine chosen wasn't bad at all. However, the price range of the items offered in the menu was slightly on the steeper side. The price of food was on the average side, however, the wine list was priced slightly higher than other establishments. Offered on the menu are as seen below:

Spaghetti alle vongole bianco o vongole rosso

¥ 950

Tomato Cheese Ravioli (specialty of the day), price unknown

Pollo ruspante alla griglia

¥ 1,470

Spaghetti con melanzane e salsiccia al pomodoro

¥ 1,100

Pizza margherita

¥ 1,470

Apparently the pizza margherita was such delish that the group ordered seconds of it. 

Tagliatelle alla bolognese

¥ 1,050

Guancia di bue al Vino Rosso

¥ 1,680

I was craving for some red succulent steak that day and was presented with the dish above. The tender beef was braised in red wine sauce and served with potatoes at the side. It was actually pretty decent main however, it didn't satisfied my craving for some good old beef tenderloin steak- medium rare s'il vous plait..... *salivating*


Anyway, don't worry if you can't make up your mind on the extensive food and wine list. Like every good restaurant, you would be offered the 'Specialty of the Day' menu as seen being 'advertised' below:

Please don't ask why the total randomness with the menu board *__*|||

Thank you to all my lovely friends for celebrating my special day with me. BIG HUGS to ALL!! (:

super hearts all of you (:

I will definitely recommend this restaurant to those looking for a romantic dining place for 2 or a perfect location for a wonderful celebration affair with close friends and family. 

The birthday girl (:

It has been a great year and many more greatness to come.. What's my birthday wish? Nothing more than just being happy (:

Summer Beach- Bikuni 美国, Shakotan 積丹北海道

Occasion: Summer Holiday International English Village 

(Organised by Hokkaido University Faculty of Education)

When: August 20-21, 2011

Time: 7am (Day 1) to 3pm (Day 2)

Venue: Bikuni Beach, Shakotan

As an international student in Hokkaido University, one will never get bored studying here as there are plenty of interesting and cultural programs offered by the university to gather both the international students and locals here for fun and exciting activities. Just this weekend, I am privileged to go for a summer beach holiday with the local elementary school kids from Sapporo and Bikuni. To be frank with you, I am not one that is comfortable with children especially a bus FULL of all these little monsters!! Even more intimidating, these lil monsters are all the time throwing questions at you in their rapid Japanese!! I was more looking forward to the snorkeling activity stated in the trip itinerary. I really miss our gorgeous beaches back in Malaysia. BUT I was proven wrong by the end of the trip!!!! My highlight of the trip was actually the wonderful moment spent with these children (: *super hearts them all*

Had less than 2 hours of sleep the night before the trip and it was amazing that i didn't wake up late and miss the bus ride. LOL. Took my car motion sickness pill and was knocked out the entire 2 hours journey. 

Check out the refreshing scenery out of city (:
Just looking at the water, I want to jump in and swim away

Upon arrival, we were briefed on the activities and itinerary of the day. Then, we changed to our swim wear and head out to the beach (: Woot woot!!

Happy to be embracing the summer beach breeze (:

Obligatory pose for the camera

Each of the international students were assigned to children who we grouped together to form a 'Buddy' system. I have 2 of the cutest and mischievous buddies ever!!! Both of them came over to ask me to be their 'Buddy' just right after the facilitator yelled "START"... so i have to admit.. i am very flattered by the invitation of these 2 'lil monsters' (:

Posing with my buddies: Saki-chan and Zena-chan (:

So once at the beach, we put on our wet suits and snorkel away looking for fugu (blowfish)!! I was acting just as excited as the kids i tell ya!! hahahahaha... and YES!! We did spot so many fugu in the clear water... it was AWESOME to the max!! (:

Buddies picture wearing our wet suit after the snorkeling session

FYI, the wet suit was so hard to put on!! Oh My... i think i lost almost 1000 calories just putting them on.. and another 2000 calories helping the kids putting on theirs... I almost died from exhaustion..

Of course... the adults have a little fun of their own as well.. hehe

I can't say it is comparable to the beaches back home but it is
still beautiful enough for me (:

Another 2 of my favorite kids... these 2 'belongs' to
my friend... they are super sweet to the max!!

We also had a good laugh burying my fren with sand... especially the kids were squealing in delight doing it.. hahahaha... their laughter were so contagious.. they can make you feel all warm and happy.. (:

Thank you, Gie for offering to be the victim LOL

Kids and adults all teaming up to bury her under.. 

the end results.. LOL

I even brought along my シャボン玉 along so the kids and I can have a little fun blowing bubbly loves all along the shore of Bikuni beach (: 

As the saying goes.. "Sharing is Caring"... so let's spread some bubbly love to the locals in Bikuni (:

Super warm feelings looking at them amusing
themselves with the love bubbles (:

Even the other kids joined in and the boys were busy bursting the girls'
bubbles .. LOL *pun intended* hehe

Wonderful skyline of this little beach town

At the end of snorkeling session, we all gathered back at the
community centre and does many other activities with the children

Here's me helping the kids work on the Welcome Board.
It was a real coincidence that we all wore purple too.. hehe

The kids also busy taking pictures of us with their mobile phones
We felt like a celebrity getting paparazzi-ed LOL

Super cute Misaki-chan here is super smart and beautiful.
She has the most gorgeous eyes i've ever seen and she was drawing
a picture of moi right here (:

On Day 2, the children had to attend the life saving courses and the adults are allowed to roam freely around the area. 

Me and the board showing the co-organiser of the life saving
course of this program

The giant 'buddies' of this 'English Village' program.. 

Strolling along the beach shore area

Fishing boats around the port arena

The lights hanging on top of the boats are used to attract
squid and cuttlefishes

Summer love for the beach (:

Group photo of the 'English Village' participants

bringing home with me wonderful memories..  (: 

I went to Bikuni, Shakotan with a different expectation, and i left there gaining more than what i was expecting... Thank you to the young innocence of these children... I love this feeling (:

"While we try to teach our children all about life, Our children teach us what life is all about." ~Angela Schwindt~