Diamond dust

Woke up to an overcast Saturday morning after a heavy overnight snow. Had the blinds drawn when Mr. Sun started peering through and gave the white mass a grand sparkle. Then it happened, when the skies started clearing up...





Diamond dust. Bear taught that the phenomenon takes several prerequisites to happen, so you've got to be really lucky to catch one. Like my first encounter 5 years ago, the glamor yesterday lasted for a good half an hour. The garden looked as if dusted with shimmering diamonds descending from the air, just... magical. And we looked on, awed by the Maker of all things magnificient.


Oh, the shot isn't mine.

When it looked like the sun wasn’t gonna shine anymore

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Down poured an autumn shower yesterday, like it had to rain a volume for the entire season. I was happy for the trees planted at home, but then again sad; for rain would mean quite another to others.


Lately, some of our dearest aren't having the best gait of their lives.


こんな大雨で、奥さんはどうやって病院へ行くかな。。。　先生が又寂しい一日過ごすんでしょう。。　雨さえ降らなければな。。。　


As I battled with the raining questions that challenge to drench what's already a sadly-soaked faith, the Sunday message kept reliving in my head.



Remain in Me. Trust Me.



I fell from a trance to a sleep after watching the rain for some time, only to wake up with a startle. Do you have childhood memories of waking up in the middle of a nightmare? You couldn't recall what the dream was but fear was capable of haunting you by transiting dimensions? I rushed for the door as I needed air badly. And there outside the rain has stopped, the air was cool, sky was clearing up, but my heart was that of a helpless childlike state.



Remain in Me. Trust Me. How?



I noticed an aunt passing by, watching me. In order not to confuse her with my perhaps uncollected countenance I pretended to study the maple tree. But she hanged around, so I faced her eventually... 'Let me show you something good' she said and made her point.


If you look carefully, it's a double.








While Christians have this biblical understanding about rainbow, my believing years have sort of got it reformulated. Like a private covenant between God and myself, it's an reassurance, a sign that He understands. And God's control ensues, there's nothing I need to see to or hold on to so badly. I can't anyway.


When it looked like the sun wasn’t gonna shine anymore, God put a rainbow in the clouds.


This is how my faith has got me going on through the years. It's tailored for me. 'Remain in Me, trust Me' my Tailor says.

The peaches are travelling

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These days may be roasting at 35 degrees celcius or so, but the body is cleverly adjusting! =D In fact, we're enjoying Summer's treats like gelatos and delicious fruits.


Summer would mean that fridgey will smell like mouth-watering white peaches ( 白桃 ). Japan's white peaches are nothing I've come across in my earlier living years.


First, the trees are really pretty in Spring.







Then, the fruit looks sexy and tastes wicked good in Summer!







I love sinking teeth into the tenderly soft flesh that sends a honeyed waterfall down my cheeks and throat. But it's a little blue everytime having them - I so hope to bring peaches home for dad someday! He'll love em.


Guess what? The peaches A.R.E. going home this year. I'm travelling in 2 days!! Yay!!


And I get to use Piggy's handmade pouch this trip, how timely! ;)


As for Bear, he'll be one baking cookie in Japan. =P Ohh he'll be fine, summer nights are cool!





























He gets all these to himself at the comfort of home. ;P Plus more peaches from fridgey!
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So see you from Singapore!

Starry, starry night

We caught the meteors yesterday!

It was the

Orionids meteor shower everybody's talking about. Lights off 10 past 10 and I kept watch by the window wistfully, trying hard not to blink in case a star should pass me by.


For the record, patience has never been my thing. Stargazing is different though. A little personal, spiritual, indulgent time with the outer world shut down... Basked in darkness, I marvelled at the twinklings that dotted the stupendous space above that knows no end. Feeling small, humbled...

... I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?

Psalm 8:3-4

Then it happened! The first meteor whisked by brightly!! By the second faint and slow, Bear is enticed. So we caught the 3rd one together, which left a bright long tail, the largest of the night. 3 shooting stars within an hour.

Nope, I didn't make any wishes. I praised God who places them above. =)

Glorious summer night

Summer of 09 has absolutely left in a hurry. A week or so of hot brew is all I can remember,with the rest nice and breezy. Now that I'm typing this, the weather forecast is declaring today as a ' fair-weathered autumn day ' and yes, I'm already putting on my fleece jacket.

We managed to catch the last fireworks of summer this year, and we're incredibly blessed as many other prefectures have had their events terminated due to economy blues.

Neither did the local organizers stinge on the crackers, and the recent new works ( 新作 ) were truly one of a kind. WOW!

Unlike my usual self, I rested my camera for the most of the evening to relish the show. Honestly, I didn't expect us to turn up for the fireworks display this year, so it all felt extra special, or even priviledged... Anyway, here's sharing the very few pictures of the night.


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A splendid evening it was though it must have been 15 degrees or so. We were smart to be prepared with some warm clothing. You should see how the others, kids and elderly alike, dressed in their cooling summer outfit, some sleeveless, and I couldn't help feel bad. But I guess the exhileration of watching the glorious combusts must have warmed many from within, for everyone stayed to the end of the show.

Prelude to the fireworks, everybody wowed and watched the beautiful full moon raising from behind the mountains, illuminating the waters and excited faces. For the first time, I was admiring the full moon with full appreciation and , hmm... for a moment, I thought having some mooncakes at hand would have made everything perfect. =P

Nevertheless, it was a beautiful Summer night to remember. =)

Up, up and away...

Japan has resumed from the odds of the Obon holiday : awful congestations and sweaty hordes!! We actually stayed within the prefecture to avoid frustration, and gladly embraced the break that came timely. =)

With the majority flocking out of town, this place is perfect for leisure shopping, gourmet experience and light travelling. Nicest of them all, Bear put us on a hot air balloon. =D

It was our first time on this carrier that flies!

Huge, plumply round and invitingly colorful, they made me forget everything! My boldness got the better of me, I opted for the fella that is arranged to rise higher and ooops... my knees started giving me away before the flight is halved at 15th storey!

It all began when you realize that you're peeping out from a weaved basket, and the cute balloon just never stopped elevating! 6 of us passengers and pilot, put our faith in a basket and a balloon, how's that?

Anyway, the pilot's advice to look up and far, helped. I bet the balls of fire expelled from the burner eased many cold feet too. =P By the peak at 30th storey, fear left me and I was happily admiring surroundings. =) Here you go, a sleazy panorama of a quiet countryside.

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Knowing that many have been disappointed due to climate jitters, we're totally thankful for the great weather that enabled this event! This is by far, the best experience of the year. =D

Ask me if I'll try again given the chance. Absolutely. ;) But I'll still need the Bear's paw to make myself comfortable. =P

Bits & pieces

Been away for a while...
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Bear has assigned me stuff to see to. Much concentration needed but I simply loooveee proving my competency. ;) I'm not just solely good in household matters, you know?!? =P By God's awesome grace, everything's in place and progressing great! =)




A little odd Summer we're having here however. There's been constant downpours, raging typhoos and a loud earthquake that shook us from bed at 5 plus this morning!


Too much pitter patter doesn't sound good actually, for it renders the harvest pretty bad this year. Landslide has been occuring across the country, taking several lives too. And though this place is well shielded thanks to geographical merits, we genuinely hope that the climate doesn't cross beyond what's already bad.








May many gets to see positivity, like a streak of colors across the gloomy sky! We catch rainbows quite often recently, sometimes even seeing double, like the one in the picture below. =D

Caught the second band above?


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A guest has been helping itself at my pots. It ascends to my herbs pot at the balcony by night, and decends to the porch by daytime, very much making itself at home. =P


Huge guts for a tiny guy my-thumb-sized. Bear says that it's obviously happy staying with us. =D

Here at our wonderfully green suburb, sunflowers are overlooking everywhere on behalf of Mr. Sun. Car rides are wonderfully pleasant along the sunflowers-pitched-roads, truly exclusively Summer. =)

Then on alternate nights, hour-long fireworks are all ours to marvel by the windows at home. And though much has been hindering us from taking taking a decent break for long, such little bits and pieces are spicing up days of an evanescent Summer.

He knows my mind

I have a habit of playing a CD while preparing dinner. As I listened to one of the CDs that I used to have in my good old Lancer last night, something struck me when it was playing ' Somewhere over the rainbow '.

I paused and thought carefully, we've yet seen a rainbow this year!

I have this thing for rainbow and other wonders in the sky. We sighted rainbow a few times last year during our spins ( a tug ), but not once in 2008.







And this morning, as I sent the Bear off at the carpark, there it was in the middle of a sleet!






The moment we saw it, a gush of joy washed over me and all at once, I felt my entire spirits lifted up!

I'm lost for words to describe my joy, all I know is, I feel my Lord so near and I'm totally comforted.

He knows my mind. Somehow, I'm once again assured, everything is in good hands...


"I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord." - Psalm 40:1-3

When the stars go blue...

Is there anything on earth that can lift you up at an instant, and drive your blues away?

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I was choking with emotions when I was shopping for the neccessities I needed to bring back to Japan. Deep inside I know, there is a likelihood that I may not travel back to Singapore as usual for the coming Chinese New Year celebration ( or maybe, I'll be able to return ). It all depends.

I guess only those who share same shoes like mine know how it feels to be in my shoes...

Blues found me when I awoke on the plane. Just when I thought it was when my world came crashing down officially, dawn was breaking before my eyes and put all thoughts to a halt.

I'm never sick of watching dawn. Colors that pierce the dark night, the beautiful entry it makes, a brand new day it promises, and hopes it whispers...

As I indulged in the beauty revealed, I felt my heavy heart understood, and the words of God found its way to the deep end of my soul.

“I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)”

Watching the sun rising within the bed of clouds. I felt so blessed at the sight. I thought it was prepared for me...

These days, whenever emotions surge again, I close my eyes and recollect the magnificient sight. Again the promises of God ring in my ears and I'm totally comforted.

It's life. Things may not go my way all the time, but I'm assured that God who holds my future, cares. Surely dawn will find me again, even when the stars go blue.

Have a good weekend, everyone.

Summer trip by the sea ( I )

We were off for a short holiday over the recent long weekend, at Niigata （　新潟　）alongside Sea of Japan.





The near 3 hours travel on highway provided a rare chance for me to run at 130km/h, definitely not a speed I get to drive on normal road, especially when I'm under the scrutiny of the Bear. Hahaha! Driving on highways makes me HIGH!












We were especially thankful about the weather, which was supposedly awful as forecasted. True enough, it was raining all the way during the travelling, but the skies cleared up by the time we've reached the sea! We couldn't believe our eyes as we watched the sky transform! God is so gracious to us!!



Watching the transforming sky.

The sea is probably a rare sight to those who reside in mountaineous regions. Like a little boy who sees the beach for the first time, Bear is often fascinated by the crashing waves and the scent of salted air.

For the love of the fishing sport that Bear is so passionate about, and the picky me who prefers seafood to meat courses, a holiday by the sea is a pick that can't go wrong. We love the place so much that we returned for the 3rd visit. =D












It's the time of the year that the Bear catches a breather and lays hand on his fishing rod, while I enjoy embracing the seaside nature. Watching the setting sun dyeing the sea and others in champagne gold, looking for special finds, and fiddling the camera...


Not forgetting to search for a heart rock I've hoped to find, but to no avail... Yet, let me show you what I've found!








It was a broken shell that seemed to be crafted into a shape of heart! I was filled with awe when it caught my eye, and pondered how nature worked to create something this incredible... Imagine my joy when I spotted the rare Heart!





And more to this, a beautiful sunset that took our breath away... Again, not something that we took for granted, for our room maid claimed that sunset could not be seen for the past 2 days due to a cloudy weather!














Fishing maniac Bear achieved his top purpose too! His patience duly rewarded with a puffer fish catch, which he promptly released back to the sea after this shot. It's our ' family tradition ' to release fishes caught. =)















Our stomachs growled as we watched the sun retiring to the horizon. Quickly, we had our hot spring bath of rich minerals before the sumptuous dinner of fine seafood!





Just a glimpse of what we had. I was too engrossed feasting, unwilling to stain my camera either. Hahahahah....For those who enjoy cooking and food presentation, I hope that some pictures do help as reference.

Enjoying Japanese cuisine or courses, can be pleasant and rather uncomfortable experience at the same time. Notice the number and variety of plates used? Note : I've not captured the entire course and the several dishes served later! Seriously, I often pity the person who does the dishes... what a chore it must be to wash up everything!



To hardcore seafood-lovers and friends who enjoy travelling Japan, here's a fact I feel a need to share. Forget the cities if it's supreme seafood you're looking for. A trip to prefectures adjacent to the sea, promises the most fleshy, fresh and sweet seafood at totally irresistable prices!





Niigata is especially famous for its produce of delicious rice, making the fresh seafood cuisine a total gastronomic delight. One of the reasons that makes the Bear return to Niigata faithfully over the years.




As we recollected thoughtfully, all would have been less than perfect if not for the goodness of the Lord. The miraculous change of weather that allowed Bear's fishing, a beautiful sunset, and the discovery of the ' Heart '. We really couldn't be more grateful!





A lovely memory it is, for Summer 2008. =)

I'll be sharing Part II tomorrow. Stay tuned!