Lunch at Professor Hashimoto's House & Omote Sando Street

This was my first time visiting a Japanese home. Together with my new friends of the International & Japanese Student Council, we headed to Professor Hashimoto's house for a get-together one Saturday afternoon.

We found immediate comfort from a rainy afternoon in a warm, cozy and colorful home. Professor Hashimoto's wife had prepared sandwiches and decorated the table with flowers. It was so heartwarming!

This is Taku & Umi, both from the Tochigi Prefecture (where Nikko is). I was just about to leave for Nikko that weekend~!

We were supposed to prepared a short presentation of our country/prefecture to share with the rest. It was a laidback session while we enjoyed a delectable lunch selection. It was very interesting to listen to a variety of stories from so many different countries, like Pakistan, Africa, Phillippines, Thailand, China etc. Even within Japan, the different prefectures have their own stories of pride.

My presentation was entitled ' 10 things I love about Singapore '. I had so much fun preparing for it and sharing my thoughts about Singapore with my international friends. Of all these lovely things about Singapore, they were particularly interested in the following. 1) Durian, 2) Kaya Toast with Egg & Teh Si, 3) Chilli Crab... ;)

My neighbour Yaxing has definitely brought out the 'mean' streak in me. I can't help laughing at him everyday... Sorry Yaxing... hahaha.

Well, Professor Hashimoto also invited his daughter and children back for the gathering.

Isn't she adorable?

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The Omote Sando Street leads to the Sensoji Temple. It is more of a place for the rich and famous. Nonetheless, it was worthwhile seeing how some world-class brands have decided to showcase their latest winter collection.

Jimmy choo shoes, anyone?

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The exams are finally over, at least for a while! We headed straight to town to take a breather and shop for some 'cute winter accessories'. Now , walking along the Ginza streets make me feel like I am taking a stroll along Orchard Road back in Singapore. Indeed, places and things are getting more familiar and comfortable, not to mention the pleasing weather of the autumn season.

Meanwhile, we are busy working on the annual ski trip, badminton and chess tournaments & excursions in December for the student body. It will be a fun-filled christmas for all! (not to mention the awesome shopping...)

Next week, we will have a chance to visit the Japanese Diet Building as part of our Politics in Japan class!

@Rikugien Gardens

"One of the greatest moments in anybody's developing experience is when he no longer tries to hide from himself but determines to get acquainted with himself as he really is." ~ Norman Vincent Peale

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Our Professor brought us to the Rikugien Gardens to enjoy the autumn koyo that were lit mildly in the night. It was a whole new way of appreciating the beauty of these autumn leaves. The subtle silence of the night made everything that much more serene and comforting.

It would have been perfect if someone recited a poem that reflected the mood of that wonderful evening. ;)

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It is impossible to not feel more optimistic about life when one sees such a riot of colors.

I am ready for alot of flowers in my room!

The beauty of a changing season

Sometimes, it is hard to imagine without photographs, but this time, maybe words will do.

The leaves have turned from bright yellow to glorious red, and finally a dull brown here in Tokyo. Maybe it is time to bid Autumn goodbye.

Today, as I looked out of the classroom, I saw something most amazing. The wind was blowing strongly and the leaves of a large tree rustled vigourously and began to fall..

A lady and her dog found their way underneath this tree and began to enjoy the wonderful sensation of being surrounded by the swirling, falling leaves of autumn. She was smiling, her hands stretched out, trying to catch a leaf or two....

I realized that I am slowly beginning to better appreciate life's flow through the beauty of a changing season. Leaves fall, but they will grow again. Yet, the approaching winter possesses its very own flavor and gives us our own space for reflection. We should not yearn for the autumn leaves to stay yellow forever nor eagerly await for their arrival in spring.

Maybe, it is enough to find some comfort in the here and now of a passing autumn.

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I wish I had more time to spend outdoors, if not for my floundering yet intriguing politics paper that is finally taking some decent shape. !!!!! And exams...

Random thoughts as I work on my paper on the state of Government and Politics in Japan...

" Ideas are great arrows, but there has to be a bow. And politics is the bow of idealism. "

~ Bill Moyers

The dynamism of politics in Japan is my latest object of fancy. It is at once a contest of principles of different political parties and sometimes, simply a masquerade of interests to gain the support of the electorate. It seems to require too much determination for an outcome that is highly unpredictable, yet no endurance is too little for the bureaucracy, businesses and politicians to unite in assorted ways to achieve their goals. The lack of strong political leadership of the Prime Minister, as he attempts to satisfy the shifting alliances of his own party's factions and an opposition that is becoming more credible day by day, makes it almost more exciting than Survivor.

"While the present Japanese politician has brought political stability to Japan, we may be inclined to complain about its immobilism, inflexibilty, corruption and the like, the underlying stability that has previaled has been an inestimable benefit, which the Japanese electorate is unlikely to relinquish lightly. An proposal for reform must address this question of political stability and ensure that stability is not jeopardized". ~ J.A.A Stockwin

Unforgettable Nikko ~ A birthday gift from Ee-Ee & Ching

I think I am very blessed to have seen some wonderful things in my life.
Thanks to Sweeching & Ee-Ee, I had a chance to see the autumn leaves in Nikko this year.
It is the first time in my life where I saw trees of a myriad of colors - red, orange, pink, yellow and every hue in between... Simply an amazing sight to behold.

This is the view from the ryokan in which we stayed in, Asaya Hotel. Where the river flows and mountains stand tall, we were a part of this natural landscape for a night.

The highlight of the trip had to be the rooftop onsen (hot spring bath) where we had a chance to soak in piping hot spring water with the autumn wind blowing against our faces.

Only one word to describe it : SHIOK!

My favorite tree. ;)

Lake Chuzenji, made by the eruption of Mt. Nantai, lies in the background.

Since young, I have always thought that mountains are green in color. But here in Nikko, they come in the brightest and most cheerful colors! I really couldn't help gushing about how amazing everything was... :)

Thank you Swee Ching and Ee-Ee, for everything!

The calm waters of Lake Chuzenji.

Someday, if I have a chance, I would find a place in the countryside with four seasons - own a small little cottage and grow alot of flowers and maple trees in my garden. Something like this. ;)

This sweet rice-drink reminded me of a favorite drink I used to love when I was in Sydney!

With Kegon Falls in the background, sipping '아침햇살'처럼을 was simply perfect.

"Autumn is a second spring where every leaf is a flower", Albert Camus.

Life outside lively Tokyo possesses its own charm.

In the absence of skyscrapers and neon lights is a simplicity in lifestyle that is soft and peaceful. Its own steady pulse is deeply attractive to the part of me that has been wanting to escape from all the hustle and bustle of this urban life. I will create that chance someday. ;)

Nonetheless, I am now back in happening Tokyo, only to realize that some Christmas lights are up!!!!!

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Patience

Time & tide waits for one man.

Annual Dance Competition@Aqua City

This annual fusion dance competition was held in conjunction with Cultural Day as well. Dancers from all the different prefectures in Japan gathered in Aqua City to perform and compete.
The atmosphere was simply electric, with singers cheering alongside dancers in their energetic voices. I posted some pictures here which I felt captured part of that splendor, grace and energy in the different items.

Culture Day, Nov 3rd, 2008

Culture Day is an annual holiday in Japan that aims to promote culture and the arts. On this day, all around the country, a variety of art exhibitions, performances & traditional cultural activities would be organized. Of course, we were not about to miss out on the fun!

A Kimono head instructor first showed us how to don a kimono correctly. The entire process took about 40 minutes! We were then individually guided by our own instructors as we barely remembered the steps.

Clad in our kimonos, we were then treated to a traditional tea-tasting ceremony. It did feel that we were transported back in time, where there was much importance placed on beauty, precision and a deep understanding of nature using our senses.

See the white board in the background? The teacher drew us a graph for us to learn about how the temperature of the hot water would fluctuate, so that we will know the best time to serve.

My first time in a kimono. :)

& (possibly) a moment of grace?

It took us some time to get to the garden as we had to walk baby steps. ;)

In the afternoon, we then attended a Traditional Japanese Music Concert. It was my first acquaintance with the light yet powerful sound of the flute. The nagauta (traditional music that accompanies the Kabuki theatre)ensemble consisted of singers, shamisen (a plucked lute) and the hayashi ensemble of the Noh.

Interestingly, this concert was a collaboration with the British council so there were some English kids who performed the drums alongside their teacher. It was very entertaining!

Caught a glimpse of the 'stars' after their performance.
Happy tea-drinkers!

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