=Natsu Matsuri=
I went with Esmond, Jian yuan and Alex on saturday in the evening for this japanese summer festival held in Japanese School of Association. It's my first time visiting a japanese school, first time attending japanese festival, so I thought it'll be quite fun. (Except for the waiting time for ahem and the queues...)

There's many japanese+locals going. Some who have fukata (japanese traditional costumes) wore there, so they won't need to loan there. There's a shuttle bus that will fetch us directly to the venue from opposite tanah merah bus stop. I think the bus we caught was the last bus... Most likely... I saw some TJcians going also but not very familiar to them so didn't say "hi" though.

When we reached the venue, it's already very saturated with crowds of visitors. Therefore, we cannot get the supposed free fans and tickets at the counter after queueing for a damn long time, in fact about 10 people away from the counter. That means we have to buy the tickets inside where some booths still may have the tickets.

As the name suggests and what common sense can infer, the festival is one that sells japanese food. I can't remember all the names of food there but only remembered seeing all the main dishes selling out. Even those that are not, it's not within our reach as we didn't buy the coupons with main dishes. It's only the main dishes that are really yummy... What a pity... Eventually, I had some pastries, watermelon/honeydew drink, pop corn, sausages, ice-cream x 2 and asahi beer for dinner. That's roughly about $8 I think.

Later in the night, esmond encourages us all to join in the traditional dance. I felt a bit reluctant due to shyness but since a lot of young people are dancing, soon everyone of us joined in. It's really quite simple to follow and learn. Basically, the crowd is dancing around in circle, and I remember some of the songs are "localised". I mean some elements of Singapore identity is brought into the songs. That's why there's songs like "chan mali chan" and "hey singapore". Overall, it isn't anything very much exciting but a pure sense of fun which I hasn't got for some time already.

We took many photos just before leaving, some are quite idiotic of course. I think I'll post those esmond and jian yuan took up here later. I only have those I took with my phone. Not very clear in night conditions though. Haha.

=Random Lyrics=
This is also one of the nice songs I like to listen. Don't ask me why this. Just another random thought.

**A1 - Learn to Fly**
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When you feel the dream is over
Feel the world is on your shoulders
And you lost the strength to carry on
Even though the walls may crumble
And you find you always stumble through
Remember never to surrender to the dark
Cuz if you turn another page
You will see that’s not the way
The story has to end

And if you need to find a way back
Feel you’re on the wrong track
Give it time, you’ll learn to fly
Tomorrow is a new day
And you will find your own way
You’ll be stronger with each *tear that you cry
Then you’ll learn to fly

In your head, so many questions
The truth is your possession
The answer lies within your heart (within your heart)
You will see the doors are open
If you only dare to hope
And you will find a way to fight
The fears that kept you down
Cuz if you turn another page
You will see that’s not the way
The story has to end

And if you need to find a way back
Feel you’re on the wrong track
Give it time, you’ll learn to fly
Tomorrow is a new day
And you will find your own way
You’ll be stronger with each *tear that you cry
Then you’ll learn to fly

Looking at your situation
There’s so much that you can do
Now’s the time to make your stand
This is just an observation
In the end it’s up to you
The future’s in your hands

And if you need to find a way back
Feel you’re on the wrong track
Give it time, you’ll learn to fly
Tomorrow is a new day
And you will find your own way
You’ll be stronger with each tear* that you cry
Then you’ll learn to fly

Give it time
Then you’ll learn to fly