Take off !

It's the view of Yokohama/Kawasaki area and Mt. Fuji behind it. It's from an air plane taking off from Haneda Air port one early morning.

That was really beautiful.
As it goes higher, Its view were changed to spectacular surface of the Earth. Some places are hard to believe that it is Japan !

I felt “Earth”.


I found the words in a book my friend has.

“The limit of us, human being could live is the only 5km from land surface, from the point, It's space.
So from its outer space, we probably like mosses, sticking on the land surface.”
（a book 「no travel no life」）

Mosses, sticking on the land surface...
Moss＝苔（こけ）

Yes... We might be.... I feel like that when I look down the surface of this planet. Sea, Mountains, Clouds... I can not see any mosses from up here... of cause also from space....


Taking off from the moss world !! !

chill breeze

Winter sky is very beautiful.

North wind brought us clean air and sky.

The clouds of yesterday sunset made a little space to the surface of the sea.

It's an endless sea, rounded earth. 

Where is the end of the clouds? I wondered.

This morning i took an hour's walk in my neighborhood.

On the surface of the water were beautifully shining.

People are enjoying paddle board and surf.

Mt.Fuji was a bit hidden by clouds but I could see how much there are snow on the mountain.

Winter is finally here...

Because it's chilly winter, I thank for the sun.

An old woman talked me on the street, ''It's very windy today isn't it ?''

Because it's chilly winter, those humaneness make my heart very warm.

Have a wonderful day today...

The end of fall...

The fall foliage are still beautiful in Kamakura.

I walked around Kaizouji. 

the area was very nice and quiet ...

 I love Kamakura, makes me feel calm.... 

Take a deep breath.... 

beautiful fallen leaves

a rose

First lookout of Mt.Takao, overlooking Tokyo, Hachioji area with beautiful red and yellow fall foliage, I found a beautiful pink rose sticking high out from other fall foliage.
It's there, very strongly making a statement. 

It was really cool, the rose was like saying “I am me”,“ I am just me”, keep head up and back straight with looking down the big city Tokyo.

I want to be like this rose, have real strength, accept and love my self like...
I am just me ! Can't be anyone else.....   

The fall foliage

I went to see the fall foliage to Takao-san (Mt.Takao is about 1hour30 train-ride from Tokyo) when its peak color.

Gingko, Maple, Oak..... Red, Orange, Yellow.... All the colorful leaves are amazing nature creation which human can't make it.

That was first time I went to Takao-san, it was abot 2hours slow walking with my family.

Enjoying with fall foliage with having pleasant sweat walking.
To see the fall foliage is called Momiji-gari which means Leaf-viewing.
It is started since ancient times. Enjoying changes of the seasons is definitely one of our culture.      

Takao-san was full of people all the way to the top.

However, It was the only time we could see this colorful foliage as the perfect timing this year, so many people came to the same place at the same time !
I think it's wonderful thing Japanese people still enjoying our old culture.

A friend who lives in Seattle sent some pictures, there are snow snow snow on the picture...

It seems like long winter has already started.

A friend who lives in Sydney Australia starts enjoying hot weather.

Earth is very interesting planet ! 

After the fall foliage season, Winter is coming.

Changes of the seasons are very quick.

I will keep enjoying and discovering new changes !!

Enjoy the seasons wherever you are on this planet !!

Thank for the nature...

On the way to the bus stop, I see this island named Enoshima (which flows into Sagami bay in Japan) in the distance every morning, If it's lucky, I also see the Mt.Fuji on the left side of it.

The scenery has been my emotional support through hard times and good times.

On the Weekend, I go for walk around beach area near my house or go to Kamakura.
Every week, I could go for a little trip so I like this beach life even though commuting 1h30 4 days a week to Tokyo.

The gate on the rock at Issiki beach

Old people built those gates called Torii in Japanese, for marking the entrance to a sacred area. You could see the Torii every where in Japan.

All natural objects and phenomena used to be considered as having kami (god), so the gods of Shinto were uncountably numerous.

I have met those similar thoughts and spirits the places I traveled, such as First Nations in Canada,U.S. , Aborigines in Australia. Animals and nature are their spiritual guide.

After couple years I traveled, every time I see the Torii in Japan, I understand more why my ancestors built those gate in the each places, beautiful places... and I appreciate more for this mother nature...

In Peace

The fall trip

HAPPY　DARUMA

I went to a short trip to Ashigara couple weeks ago, went to local vegetable store, bought some fresh yam potatoes and oranges.
Then, I went to see a water falls named ''Shasui no Taki''.
It's been a long time, enjoying Japan's natural beauty, I was brought back to life again !

This time at Ashigara wasn't good time for the fall foliage yet, but this week finally started turning yellow and red.
The fall foliage called ''KOUYOU'' in Japanese.
When the season comes, full of people are going nature side to look the colored leaves.
There are many good spots viewing it.

I like fall foliage, Maple trees and even the silver grass.
And also fall vegetables, yum potatoes and sweet potatoes....
Using my eyes and mouth to enjoy the season.

いいですね。秋(あき＝Fall)。

Heart stone

Two of my friends gave me the same and pretty special present.
These are small, cute, and heart warming present.

Thank you....

Dear all my friends,

Thank you for always sharing your love... 
I will pay it forward, sometimes to you, and sometimes to others...

Remember... even though we live miles away either oceans away, I always always feel close to you !

Love you all.

eri

feel like astronaut

These pictures were taken from a plane bound from Tokyo to Okinawa, taken by my cousin.

It made me feel like an astronaut when I looked the pictures...
Mt.Fuji came to surface of the earth beautifully....
Beautiful Japan...and Beautiful planet....

We got to cherish our only planet.... EARTH....

Lotus pods

Lotus pods and berzelia

It's heartwarming that having a plant in usual life.

Satoko

My friend Satoko, she has a dream, having an own store which selling her hand made clothes with ecologicalｌｙ friendly way.

Last weekend, She got a chance to sell her original kid's clothes.
So, she has taken a step forward to the dream. 
Kid's baby's bib, pants, Organic cotton T-shirts etc.... Those are very pretty stuff.

Above all, The organic cotton T-shirts is something special.
There is pretty embroidery on the back.
It is Japanese lost custom doing embroidery for clothes (probably Kimono at the time) of baby or kids as a charm against evils, protecting precious lives in the Edo period.
so, It's kinda cool ! 

We have old saying,
“We tend to be good at those things we like.”
「好きこそものの上手なれ」

Sewing was her hobby, but now she is trying to get more skills and wants to share her tastes for others.
She seems like finally found the way to express herself.
However If it became business, things are not always fun. That is the difference from hobby.
But I believe one day ! she will have her own shop !! がんばれ！    

 

Garden party

A garden party at my friend's.


It was a Potluck party.
I love eating outside, even our meals tasted better !!
Home made meals, Cold beers with good friends.
Good time...



And This beer 「秋楽」“AKI RAKU” it's for a limited time.
The Kanji character of 「秋」 means fall, 「楽」 means fun.



Drinking beer in a bit cooler late Summer.
Taste good !
We are hearing some crickets.
Fall is coming.

「秋楽」
Yes, as the name suggests, Let's enjoy this coming fall.

Late summer

I spent one late summer weekend in my local beach area. 

A beach bar in Hayama, named “Blue moon” is coolest place to spend late summer night. We went there for a live concert of a musician Ikue Asazaki from Kakeroma Island Amami Oshima where lying in the sea south of Kagoshima.
Ikue Asazaki, she is in her 70' however she is singing beautifully high-piched voice. 

She said “Amami culture is preliterate culture, our songs are passed on to younger generations from person to person, voice to voice over thousands of years. The songs were sung without instruments but the sound of waves and wind, all the nature sounds have created our music together.”



The night, the sounds of waves joined her music just so perfectly.
It was such a beautiful moment.
It was beautiful late summer night.

Next day, we went to hike down to Jyogashima in Miura peninsula.

Cloudless blue sky and blue of the sea, green of the mountains and farms....
I realized how beautiful the nature of the places I grew up.


There are more natural beauty of my country I haven't met ! I want to travel my country more....

 

African thunderstorm

TVKim- Watching: Kim's Picks- African thunderstorm
This fun YouTube video features a 1980s pop classic. The rock band Toto scored their biggest hit with Africa in 1982.  The song is instantly recognizable.  But it has been reinvented.  Perpetuum Jazzile is an a cappella jazz choir from Slovenia.  It's hard to think of something further from an '80s rock band.  But their version of Africa may best the original.  The group has amazing voices.  But the beginning of this video is really striking.  Group members simulate an African thunderstorm with their hands.  It's really something to see and hear.

My friend Val always shared her emotion, impressive experience with me.

This time was the video. It was really something...

I am always impressed that the power of music.
Music shake us, shake our hearts, shake our five sense.

Good life, we need to have impressive experiences once a while...
Enjoy the music, rain and thunder !!

Summer Vegetables

A friend gave me colorful tomatoes from her garden. It's like jeｌｌy beans.
Eating seasonal vegetables is known as one of key to how to live in health.
Nowadays, people are enjoying home garden, it's fun growing vegetables at home.
It makes us feel cherished the gift of nature.

HANABI -Fireworks-

This is the season for fireworks in Japan.
Last week, I watched fireworks from my friend Karin's (almost) private beach in Hayama.
What was beautiful the fireworks from the beach is we could see Enoshima (a small island in a popular beach area) on the right side and Mt.Fuji on the left, Then fireworks set off between ....
(I know it's hard to see from a picture above but might be from a picture below?....)
This was beautiful Japanese summer scene...

My friend's wedding in Seattle

I went to Seattle United States for my friend Emi's wedding.

I met my friend Emi, when I started working at StarBucks. We have so much in common in our life experiences so we hit it off with each other right away.
We always talk passionately about lives or any topics.

Emi is very attractive and beautiful woman and more beautiful since she met Tim who she has decided being entire life with.
Tim is dependable and always make Emi (even us) smile with his humor.

I feel so happy every time I looked at her shining.


The wedding was planned all by themselves. 

Emi's mom also helped a lot. She is very talented woman. The dresses of bride made, a big lease of the main decoration and the ring pillow.... many things she made for the wedding.

The wedding was in a chapel like building at a park surrounded by beautiful natures near their house.
Us Emi's friends decorated at the chapel in the morning, made balｌoons and put up the lease.... we often got emotional just imagine the ceremony begins after couple hours... 

After the decorations, we girls got together at Emi's room, dressed up, made up together, We all enjoyed the special time before the big event. Emi always likes having a fun time with friends. I remember Emi said ''This is definitely my wedding !'' so we all said ''Yes it is !!''

Then, the bride Emi with gorgeous wedding dress drove down to the park by her self.
There were many people already waiting Bride and Gloom.
I was in charge for audio. I switched on for the music then the ceremony was started.

Sadie their lovely dog was in charge for carrying their rings. Sadie started walking down the aisle when Gloom Tim called her name.
When he got to them, he sat down between bride and gloom quietly...
He had done wonderful job and made warm atmosphere ! Well done Sadie !!


When the ceremony finished, We toasted with the SAKE cup witch the name of bride and gloom on it, KAMPAI !!
Then, BBQ party was started.



What a blessing day, beautiful blue sky showed up, it was actually first blue sky for last couple weeks. Everything celebrates them....

Sake, home made salad, sushi and bbq meat meat meat ! 

Japanese, English and smile smile smile !

It was so much fun.

Then, We got a happy reunion with great friend Val and Mike and their son Mikey.
They drove up from Yuba city South California for Emi.

I got lots of love from Emi & Tim and all the happy people there, and for sure it was once-a-lifetime memorable wedding.

I am a woman, however I sometimes amaze how beautiful women are... toughness, kindness, generosity and forgiveness.....
Through the time spending with Emi and her mom, looking at beautiful women, again I learned many things.
Those beauty might bring out more and more with their loved one.
I won't forget the smile which loved one make, from the smile, I also felt that it's free her mind from some kind of fear which singles have... 
ah.... It was wonderful day. she is alright.
It's a new start.
Walk happily with new life-journey....
Happy life together and forever ....
Congratulations.