Exactly like this
Even though in the last few days I haven't had quite as much time as I would have liked right now, I have still managed to get outside occasionally and enjoy the magic of this time of year. As I mentioned before, it's cherry blossom season and the world around us just looks so much lovelier than before. The white and pink blossoms that the many cherry trees are delighting us with these days easily manage to put a smile on my face. When I'm out and about, I'm thrilled about every tree that's in bloom and luckily there are plenty of them. By now I also know where to look. I'm trying to visit the places that bloomed so wonderfully last year again this spring and quite often I manage to repeat the familiar spectacle and fulfill my own expectations. You probably don't need much right now to feel good and enjoy life. And so it was that I found myself standing on this little bridge again this year, letting my gaze wander over the water, which is lined on both sides by a gallery of cherry trees. Wonderful, even if the weather didn't want to play along at that moment and it was raining. But I wouldn't let a little water falling on me from above spoil such a wonderful sight. On the contrary, I got up close again and took a more intimate look. There are some things you just can't afford to miss, because the whole spectacle is over far too quickly. I prefer to throw myself back into the middle of the action and simply enjoy all the beauty on offer. When life calls, you should definitely answer...
Exactly like this
Even though in the last few days I haven't had quite as much time as I would have liked right now, I have still managed to get outside occasionally and enjoy the magic of this time of year. As I mentioned before, it's cherry blossom season and the world around us just looks so much lovelier than before. The white and pink blossoms that the many cherry trees are delighting us with these days easily manage to put a smile on my face. When I'm out and about, I'm thrilled about every tree that's in bloom and luckily there are plenty of them. By now I also know where to look. I'm trying to visit the places that bloomed so wonderfully last year again this spring and quite often I manage to repeat the familiar spectacle and fulfill my own expectations. You probably don't need much right now to feel good and enjoy life. And so it was that I found myself standing on this little bridge again this year, letting my gaze wander over the water, which is lined on both sides by a gallery of cherry trees. Wonderful, even if the weather didn't want to play along at that moment and it was raining. But I wouldn't let a little water falling on me from above spoil such a wonderful sight. On the contrary, I got up close again and took a more intimate look. There are some things you just can't afford to miss, because the whole spectacle is over far too quickly. I prefer to throw myself back into the middle of the action and simply enjoy all the beauty on offer. When life calls, you should definitely answer...
Exactly like this
Even though in the last few days I haven't had quite as much time as I would have liked right now, I have still managed to get outside occasionally and enjoy the magic of this time of year. As I mentioned before, it's cherry blossom season and the world around us just looks so much lovelier than before. The white and pink blossoms that the many cherry trees are delighting us with these days easily manage to put a smile on my face. When I'm out and about, I'm thrilled about every tree that's in bloom and luckily there are plenty of them. By now I also know where to look. I'm trying to visit the places that bloomed so wonderfully last year again this spring and quite often I manage to repeat the familiar spectacle and fulfill my own expectations. You probably don't need much right now to feel good and enjoy life. And so it was that I found myself standing on this little bridge again this year, letting my gaze wander over the water, which is lined on both sides by a gallery of cherry trees. Wonderful, even if the weather didn't want to play along at that moment and it was raining. But I wouldn't let a little water falling on me from above spoil such a wonderful sight. On the contrary, I got up close again and took a more intimate look. There are some things you just can't afford to miss, because the whole spectacle is over far too quickly. I prefer to throw myself back into the middle of the action and simply enjoy all the beauty on offer. When life calls, you should definitely answer...
Ready for the new beginning?
Now in April many people are going to face quite some changes in term of work and school. And that applies for us too. Well, actually its is rather the little one, for whom the serious side of life is about to begin and the carefree time she has been able to enjoy so far will unfortunately soon be over. Of course, school is compulsory in Japan as well, although fortunately it is not quite as strict as in other countries. For example, it is quite easy to take your child out of elementary school for a few days without the school and youth welfare authorities turning up at your door. Nevertheless, the first grade is the start of a journey that ultimately prepares you to forget being a child and eventually accept your place in Japanese society. In the end, this may not work for everyone, but on the whole, the Japanese school system succeeds in forming a fairly homogeneous and well-functioning collective that manages to get along quite harmoniously in this sometimes rather narrow country. Once again, the signs point to a new beginning and a fresh start, but also to quite some repetition. For me at least, the new working year often seems to be a copy of the old one. Some things are different, but many things are very similar, which, as usual, has both advantages and disadvantages. Overall, I'm probably content with this, because as you get older, you're often not so keen on changes and new beginnings, but sometimes you're just happy to be able to do things the way you're used to. Although, of course, a breath of fresh air never hurts though. So fingers crossed that everyone will be off to a great start and that the coming months will be successful for all of us. Whether you will enter school or move to a higher grade, change the company or start your new or first job, let us do our best and also enjoy life as much as possible.
Ready for the new beginning?
Now in April many people are going to face quite some changes in term of work and school. And that applies for us too. Well, actually its is rather the little one, for whom the serious side of life is about to begin and the carefree time she has been able to enjoy so far will unfortunately soon be over. Of course, school is compulsory in Japan as well, although fortunately it is not quite as strict as in other countries. For example, it is quite easy to take your child out of elementary school for a few days without the school and youth welfare authorities turning up at your door. Nevertheless, the first grade is the start of a journey that ultimately prepares you to forget being a child and eventually accept your place in Japanese society. In the end, this may not work for everyone, but on the whole, the Japanese school system succeeds in forming a fairly homogeneous and well-functioning collective that manages to get along quite harmoniously in this sometimes rather narrow country. Once again, the signs point to a new beginning and a fresh start, but also to quite some repetition. For me at least, the new working year often seems to be a copy of the old one. Some things are different, but many things are very similar, which, as usual, has both advantages and disadvantages. Overall, I'm probably content with this, because as you get older, you're often not so keen on changes and new beginnings, but sometimes you're just happy to be able to do things the way you're used to. Although, of course, a breath of fresh air never hurts though. So fingers crossed that everyone will be off to a great start and that the coming months will be successful for all of us. Whether you will enter school or move to a higher grade, change the company or start your new or first job, let us do our best and also enjoy life as much as possible.
Ready for the new beginning?
Now in April many people are going to face quite some changes in term of work and school. And that applies for us too. Well, actually its is rather the little one, for whom the serious side of life is about to begin and the carefree time she has been able to enjoy so far will unfortunately soon be over. Of course, school is compulsory in Japan as well, although fortunately it is not quite as strict as in other countries. For example, it is quite easy to take your child out of elementary school for a few days without the school and youth welfare authorities turning up at your door. Nevertheless, the first grade is the start of a journey that ultimately prepares you to forget being a child and eventually accept your place in Japanese society. In the end, this may not work for everyone, but on the whole, the Japanese school system succeeds in forming a fairly homogeneous and well-functioning collective that manages to get along quite harmoniously in this sometimes rather narrow country. Once again, the signs point to a new beginning and a fresh start, but also to quite some repetition. For me at least, the new working year often seems to be a copy of the old one. Some things are different, but many things are very similar, which, as usual, has both advantages and disadvantages. Overall, I'm probably content with this, because as you get older, you're often not so keen on changes and new beginnings, but sometimes you're just happy to be able to do things the way you're used to. Although, of course, a breath of fresh air never hurts though. So fingers crossed that everyone will be off to a great start and that the coming months will be successful for all of us. Whether you will enter school or move to a higher grade, change the company or start your new or first job, let us do our best and also enjoy life as much as possible.