Summer holidays

It's already ten days to September. (Time flies! )

I hope you all are enjoying your summer.

Here, school summer holidays are from around July 20 to August 31,

and most of the companies have Obon holidays from around Aug.13 to 18 

(just about a week, by adding weekend holidays on it). 

So some people have gone back to work already, 

and school boys and girls are busy finishing their homework 

for the summer holidays now (the last stage for it!).

*Obon (or just Bon) is the time when we commemorate our ancestors.

During this period, people go back to their hometown, visit their graves 

and spend some days with their families.

During the summer, we have lots of summer festivals

such as Tanabata (the star festival), Hanabi (fireworks), Bon Odori (dance), Yosakoi, 

and various kinds of Matsuri, traditionally-held festivals involve Shinto shrine, 

which are different according to the region.

Bon Odori(up), Firework(down left), and the Star Festival decoration.

Normally, the weather during Obon season is hot and humid, 

with glittering sunshine and cicadas buzzing.

I somewhat like that atmosphere because I feel "alive".

However, it was quite different this August.

Soon after my previous post, we had continuous rainy days until today.

I gave up visiting some events, most of which were held at night, 

because of the sudden rain showers in the evening through the night.

Just one sunny day, I enjoyed "summer", browsing the town 

with old rows of houses (Koedo-Kawagoe) and visiting the shrine. 

You can enjoy more photos at this site.

When I visited the shrine, there were many couples.

This shrine is an Enmusubi-shrine, 

which comes from enshrined deities (five gods):

two Gods are couples and one God is their son.

"En" meaning "fate" and "musubi" meaning "tie".

You see many Fuurin (wind bells) in the photos.

These are Enmusubi-fuurin. 

Couples write their wishes on the strip of paper 

and tie it under the wind bells.

The note on the shrine's website says:

it is said that ancient Japanese people used to say that

the wind brings "Omoi"; its literal meaning is thoughts, 

but "pray" is more suitable, I suppose :). 

They also hold wedding ceremonies.  

You can enjoy one of the traditional weddings here,

I love the words En and Musubi. 

The original meaning of them is a bit deeper than just "fate" and "tie".

So I would like to write about it next time.

Please just enjoy "Musubi" here:) (sorry this site is only Japanese).

Back to reality

Howdy?
I am just back from holidays. I was lucky to have a friend who invited us to stay one week in his house on the Atlantic coast. Lucky, right?
As usual, I feel it was short and packed with emotions and errands and discoveries. One of the things I dig most in holidays away from home, is the change of habits, the novelty. Changing home and space sounds like the radical solution to see everything with new eyes.
I even found some little time for myself: long walks on the beach early morning,while toddlers and friends and spouse were sleeping still. :)
It is so easy in these condtions, to find beauty in everything. Yet I am not sure everyone does. I somehow feel like hundreds of treasures are overlooked, here and there. Unseen. Unappreciated. Forgotten.
I just feel I want to lose track of time watching them. Losing track feels nice. It feels like joining the birds in their flight. Like racing with the waves. Like dissolving in the wind. Like tiptoeing on kids' laughs as if they were stepping stones. Like melting in the ocean's colours.
I wasn't treasure hunting. No need to hunt. Just to breathe and walk and sit, eyes open wide.
Did you come across many treasures on your holidays? Did you have time to slow down and watch around you?
I hope you've had the sweetest holidays, no matter near or far.

Going nowhere, doing nothing, planning nothing

Hello, hello...I think I never let this blog down for so long?

And suddenly, Spring was upon us, and suddenly it was holiday time!

I think it is obvious that I am going through a mini crisis,

Questioning our consumers' society, our need to rush and show off,

Our race to get more, prove more, speak louder...

It is something I feel, and life as a working mom adds to the rush.

Well, does it really?

It does, but it's up to us to question what we do, the way we live...

I am personally by Nature torn forever between my contemplating tendencies

And my love for activity and movement...Well, Life is a constantly self-readjusting balance

Between all our aspirations and needs...

This week, I've chosen my balance :) Everything comes to a stop...

No more going here and there, no more activities for the kids...Exit judo, riding lessons,

Exit getting ready for school, exit getting prepped up and cute-looking for work.

This week, it's holiday at home. Spring has finally arrived,

The garden is in full bloom, and my motto is 'no rush'.

Each time I have something to do, I stop and think about how I can do it

Without hurrying...I think of all things, hurrying is one of the most harmful things

I have to face. 

I also have enrolled in an online course, fascinating...and I'd like to present you

Our new family member...I am falling in love with that one, too:

Well, it feels good to be back here!

I know Sachi has plans that may include this blog too,

She has come up with great ideas...

Wishing you all a happy, sunny day

(Like many, I am so fond of Pharrell Williams' song!)

Val