life goes on...

on my way home today, i saw a huge bright egg yolk hanging mid-air against the backdrop of snow-capped Mt. Iwaki. The warm red glow was like an invitation... I didn't hesitate for long. Plans for the night were postponed as I set myself on a chase after the sunset...

...and that's how I ended up at the park again. I've always meant to go for the night view with the lights. There were still sporadic groups of people spreading out their picnic mats but...

the sakura have come and gone.

who in the world attach such emotions to flowers?! I felt silly. yet, the strong emotional stirring seemed to suggest that the sakura that had brought so much anticipation, excitement and hope previously, but hadn't last long enough were beyond mere flowers, more than just another part of the ever renewing ecosystem of nature.

"Couldn't you wait for just a little while more?"

But how long is long enough?

As the skyline dimmed, the swaying green leaves seemed to be mocking me,

"We'll blossom again with ever increasing glorious splendor next year, and His name will be forever praised and glorified. But u won't be ard anymore."

It must be my imagination.

and the caffeine too.

"All men are like grass,
and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of the Lord stands forever."
-1 Peter 1:24-25

At least the tulips are still standing tall. They are the faithful ones that stood around and waited for me.

100円 コーヒー放題

I finally found my 100円　コーヒー放題 (drink all u want)!!!



well, it's been there all along. I was just too shy to ask for my 2nd cuppa. Having confirmed that all I need to do is bring my empty cup for a free refill, now I know where to hide for a full day and get joyfully caffeinated ;p

"ブラジル産の「ブラジルNo.２」 、コロンビア産の「スプレモ」 、エチオピア産の「モカ・シダモ」 、グァテマラ産の「SHB」という厳格な格付け基準に合格した高級アラビカ豆だけを使用しています。" (from Mcdonalds Japan website)

Premium Roast Coffee - a strict selection of Brazil's "Brazil No. 2", Columbia's "Supremo", Ethipia's "Mocha Sidamo" and Guatemala's "SHB" high quality arabica beans. 100円. Unlimited. Unspeakable joy.

Delectable find of the day: Matcha McFlurry~! Starting today! If you're in Japan, hurry to your nearest McD's! =)

crazy busy and dead tired but... it's GOOD

心花怒放 - this is one Chinese proverb that I haven't found an equivalent in other languages. One thing about being multilingual is that there's no one language you can fully express yourself in at all times. Although I am sure ppl understand me most of the time whichever language I am speaking, certain circumstances have caused me to wonder if my background have somewhat skewed my usage of certain words.

Anyways...

Cherry Blossom's here! So are mum and bro =)

Highlights:

• Cherry Blossom

Sakura is in the air! Sniff the sakura and it makes u wanna dance~ Twirl around like nobody's watching. Skip along like nobody cares.

• Tulips!
  

they are such happy flowers! =) Now i understand why my grandma calls herself "flower-maniac".

• Hakodate Day-Trip
  

knowing very well that I might not step foot in Hakodate ever again, I was rather determined to visit the "Russain cafe" at the "Foreigner's Cemetery". Those were the 4 words that guided me to Cafe Morie - I didn't remember the name and I wasn't told the exact location. Took some coaxing to persuade mum to walk along some tiny road in the midst of lotsa tombstones. but it's all well worth it =) the sun hanging over the sea left me gaping and uttering "it's just so beautiful" every few seconds.

• my regional art class
  

this made up for being left behind while mum and bro headed towards Sendai. I can't imagine going to places digging up dirt for broken pieces of stuff but I must say it looks pretty impressive cleaned and repaired, behind the glass display under suitable lighting =) the tracing was fun! I can already tell this is my fav class this sem!

I am dead tired. But I am learning to have fun nonetheless =)

1st week back

random thoughts:

• i've been cycling too fast. my gluteus maximus hurts.
• it's too loud, too distracting. times like this u need reminders of why u're doing wat u're doing and why u wanna keep doing what u're doing.
  
• i think i talk too much. i just want to shut up.
  
• talking too much doesn't ease the pent up frustration.
  
• i'm tired. wanna go into hiding, retreat into my cave. but maybe... i'll just hide in the comfort of my duvet.

"For so He gives His beloved sleep."
-Psalm 127:2

Good night, world.

pancake frenzy

pancakeS. twice in a day.

for once, i actually forgot to snap photos of my pancake brunch. this is afternoon tea (literally, we had green tea) pancake.

reminded me of days when I used to get big boxes of these periodically. Ciwa was kind enough to share her treasures with me. I am grateful. I needed some comforting today. The giant tub of nutella looked comforting enough. Except after 3 big spoonfuls, I couldn't eat anything at the Welcome Party. I'll never touch Nutella by itself again. It's good, but not very comforting.

I ended up at the park again.











I need to find out if my camera has a night mode.

I think I prefer the daytime viewing of sakura. Night view without enough lighting doesn't seem very promising.

Daytime view of Sakura from my classroom window.

well, He did send a friend who walked me out of the dark dark park. Not really someone I can talk very much to. But at least someone to walk with. It's a calming reminder that He knows. He knows.

How Can I Keep From Singing - Chris Tomlin

There is an endless song
Echoes in my soul
I hear the music ring

And though the storms may come
I am holding on
To the rock I cling

How can I keep from singing Your praise
How can I ever say enough
How amazing is Your love
How can I keep from shouting Your name
I know I am loved by the King
And it makes my heart want to sing

I will lift my eyes
In the darkest night
For I know my Savior lives

And I will walk with You
Knowing You'll see me through
And sing the songs You give

How can I keep from singing Your praise
How can I ever say enough
How amazing is Your love
How can I keep from shouting Your name
I know I am loved by the King
And it makes my heart want to sing

I can sing in the troubled times
Sing when I win
I can sing when I lose my step
And fall down again
I can sing 'cause You pick me up
Sing 'cause You're there
I can sing 'cause You hear me, Lord
When I call to You in prayer
I can sing with my last breath
Sing for I know
That I'll sing with the angels
And the saints around the throne

How can I keep from singing Your praise
How can I ever say enough
How amazing is Your love
How can I keep from shouting Your name
I know I am loved by the King
And it makes my heart want to sing

the friend that walked me out of the park pointed towards my God walking me through the journey, day by day, moment by moment.

"手作り雪”

making up for not having made a real snow man during winter







humble beginnings...

no easy feat to feed hungry students



okonomiyaki

yaki soba =)

Sneak Preview II

Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise;
his greatness no one can fathom.
One generation will commend your works to another;
they will tell of your mighty acts.
They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty,
and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
They will tell of the power of your awesome works,
and I will proclaim your great deeds.
They will celebrate your abundant goodness
and joyfully sing of your righteousness.
-Psalm 145:3-7

the best has yet to come.

Gratitude filled my heart just thinking how He has led me through so many little choices throughout the years that finally brought me here. He works in profound ways indeed. Though the future is yet unknown, I will choose to cherish this day which I have, and delight in this glorious splendor He's allowed me to partake.

For I know not if I'll ever taste of this again.

sneak preview

soon. i can smell it in the air. almost feel the burst of joy~ call me selfish, but it was really good to have the park all to myself. the peace and tranquility really calm one down.

if there's someone here to teach Para Para Sakura, I'm gamed to do the dance in the park - even with the crowd! (provided there's enough space, don't wanna be kicking ppl and knocking off their sake bottles ;p)

it looks learnable here. just need to find someone to decipher the dance steps. i heard there's someone currently in Cali Pomona who did this. wanna fly in for a hol? ;p



comfort food.



they're good. but they don't last.

change

there's been lots going through my mind recently. one of them is "change".

"the only constant thing is change"

"you're afraid of change"

"change is good"

hmmmmm. change is scary.

but it's inevitable.

it's almost akin to twirling too much on the dance floor and u kinda forget the next dance step, or even what the whole dance is supposed to be like.

that's when it's time to let go and let Him lead the dance.

finished?

"which means that your BSc is finished."

finally. it's about time I guess. while I loved being a student, I guess sometimes it's good to take a break.

my very last semester of undergrad studies (God-willing, keeping fingers crossed) has just taken off on Mon. Spring vacation wasn't the longest holiday I've had, but somehow I wonder if I've forgotten what it means to really be a student. Thinking a bit further back, I guess I've never really been one. There are higher obligations.

So this season is coming to an end. This chapter is wrapping up. Not just yet, but the end is within sight. Hmmmm. Let me finish this well...

baking disaster

i just had to bake today. the toaster looked promising for a half-dozen muffin tray. nope, didn't fit. thankfully, the muffin tray went into the microwave-oven.

as i went from place to place picking up ingredients, making up a few of my own substitutions, i realised baking ain't no cheap hobby.

with time, effort and money spent... it was rather discouraging when my bran muffins came out like this:



was it really because maple syrup wouldn't make adequate substitution for molasses? or that all bran cereal's a bad idea for bran?



actually... the bran muffin didn't taste all that bad. they just don't look too elegant. the real problem? i'll try halving the recipe next time and not be too stubborn in overfilling the muffin tray.

can't let one disaster stop u from baking.

a chance to redeem myself...



Raisin oatmeal muffins.



Haven't tried it yet. Looks ok. but I am already regretting not putting in the walnuts. sigh.

i suspect i harbor the dissatisfaction that it hadn't been a good day today.

KGK in action

it's probably equivalent to O-week in Otago Uni although "O-day" might be a more accurate description. over here, it's definitely way more simplified. passing out flyers, planning for the year ahead and bible study in the evening...

on our bikes to the City People's Hall:



where the new students had their inauguration ceremony:



planning for the year ahead followed:



Bible study in the evening:



yup, it's been a long long day:



impromptu dinner:



I had in mind to have Akemi over for supper even if she can't make it for KGK. I ended up bringing the boys home instead (Akemi was too tired). The thought of feeding 4 boys was scary initially, but God reminded me of the many times in Dunedin when He turned my water into wine and how He supplied the widow with the jar of flour that will not be used up and the jug of oil that will not run dry (1 Kings 17:8-16).

some people adopt sons. i adopt brothers.

MIA

i haven't blogged much. A lot has happened but I won't attempt to give a detailed account of everything.

• Takayama getaway

• my fav toilet in Japan

• Afternoon tea on a gorgeous day
• 
  

in short, it's been good to get away from routine. warmer days, more sunshine and pretty flowers certainly brighten up one's life. it's as if i'm taking refuge in a steady, strong shelter.



days like these won't last. let me linger a little longer, soak in this blissful quietness a while more, pause and breathe while i still remember how to.