Apr 222024
 

We have wanted to see the ABBA Voyage concert since we first heard about it. Using technology the band is a digital version of their younger selves playing and singing the songs from times gone. Although at first it was a bit surreal, by the end it was almost as if it were a “real” live concert. Of course, there was some mindshifts in that clapping was really only for the live band and live back up singers, but then it was also for the mutual appreciation of the music. I did say, though, it was the only concert I’ve been to where people actually moved backwards instead of forwards to see the images on the screens and the average age-group probably needed eyeglasses. ðŸĪŠ

After the concert, we went on a 24-hour whirlwind tour of England to visit M’s family. From long country drives to city sights, we had a rather lovely long weekend. Next time, though, I hope to stay for a few days of relaxation in London as I’m growing to love it more each time we visit. ðŸī󠁧ó Ēó Ĩó Ū󠁧ó ŋâĪïļ

~T ðŸ”Ĩ🐉♋ïļ

Apr 152024
 

This weekend was very full and very very fun. That’s all I can say about that. The pics only tell a small part, but you can imagine the rest. 😀

~T ðŸ”Ĩ🐉♋ïļ

Apr 122024
 

It’s that time of year again. Flowers are blooming. Sun is shining most days with a slightly cool breeze. Days are cool in morning and evening, but comfortably warm midday. Eyes are itching and watering. Nose is tickling leading to sneezing and sniffles. And, a lovely layer of pollen lands on everything that stops for a short period outside. ðŸĪŠ

Sarcasm aside, I do love this time of year. It’s nice to sit in the warmth of the sunlight and get some Vitamin D soaked up naturally. Still, I am balancing my time in and outside. The good thing is that I have plenty to keep me busy on the computer. The bad thing is that I sometimes feel guilty for sitting in a cool, darker room when it looks so lovely on the other side of the window.

In any case, like with most things, it’s all a passing of time. Therefore, I am making the most of the season while it lasts.

Views from our garden

All is well from this past week. I have a nagging sense that I am not living up to my ability to dig deep into thoughts when it comes to writing or my poetry. Of course, the poems can be added to later so it’s enough for me to write out the ideas of them for now. However, something is just on the edge of my mind that I think will open up a new perspective on how to manage the more spontaneous lifestyle that we lead a bit better for a schedule-proned/dependent person like me. It’s just not yet in full formation, but it’s coming – I can feel it.

In the meantime, I am enjoying the days, spring colors, and lots of activity! Happy Friday! (OH, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY today to my mama!!! 🎉âĪïļ)

~T ðŸ”Ĩ🐉♋ïļ

Apr 082024
 

This image about sums up my world these days – a bit of chaos, distracted by the sun, the world keeps on moving, emails and writing take up the time I do find myself with before other things come up to take me away.

Life is good.

The sun is shining most days now. The temperatures are rising. Social season has begun and the flowers are in bloom. Aside from my allergies not cooperating, everything is beautiful.

So, I am still writing and doing work, but less so in some spaces. We’ve also had visitors and been socializing more so that my usual schedule is a little off. With more travels coming and taking in as much of the lovely weather as possible, I may continue to be a little more sporadic, but I’ll post when I can!

Off to warm up in the sun!

~T ðŸ”Ĩ🐉♋ïļ

Mar 292024
 

Well, I have been a little delinquent here. There’s no real reason other than being busy with a visit to France and spring fever distractions – more happening to me rather than by me.

So, this is a just a brief Hello to check in and wish any readers here a very Happy Easter! Will write again soon, I promise. 😁

~TðŸ”Ĩ🐉♋ïļ

Mar 182024
 

The mood swings are real today and it’s not yet 10 am. ðŸŦĪ I didn’t post on Friday either because I couldn’t quite figure out what to write about or how to formulate my thoughts. So, this may just be a random post of ups and downs, ins and outs.

A friend is going in to surgery today for his prostate. Yesterday, we saw another friend who just had prostate surgery and is still recovering even after a month.

Although I was in for a very different reason, I find myself heavily empathizing with these folks who have to spend any time in a hospital, worry about surgery, and cope with recovery. It’s been just over a year now since I had my ankle drama and yet I still suffer from stiffness and a little fear of breaking it again. I can remember the days in the hospital, the near tears over the thought of another hospital meal, and the creeping despair that one day I might die alone in a room with no one knowing. Of course, the latter sounds overly dramatic, but the thoughts do run the gambit when stuck in unfamiliar, uncomfortable, and unsatisfying circumstances. 😎

In any case, some of my thoughts and energies are going towards them in hopes of swiftness and ease.

Then, there is the grey of today. The weekend was actually quite lovely with sun shining and warmth in the air. Yet, I still had little clouds lingering over me. 😟 One reason was the need to get out and away from the house.

Lately, M has been content to potter around the garden, planting vegetables and flowers, mowing the lawn and doing all things domestic outside. He did get me to plant a few things in pots that we moved around the patio, so that was my brief outdoor activity. However, I also pushed for getting into town for garden center shopping on Saturday and lunch in town on Sunday. We took the pups in for lunch for the first time in almost a year and they were little stars – no major barking or even pulling on the leads. Phew was that a relief! 😁

Another reason was lasting triggers from childhood. My dad always wanted me to be outside. If it was sunny, it was expected that I would want to be outside. Yet, I never really did. I mean, I love the sunshine and being warm, but in the spring when it seems most get the fever, I just want to hide indoors. My nose itches, my eyes water, and so being out on a “beautiful spring day” equals misery unless it is in town with a cup of coffee or over a delicious meal – ha! 😅

Of course, I shouldn’t let these things cast shadows. I am an adult now fully in control of my own actions and moods. Still, the mind is a mysterious control center that can surreptitiously push the spirit off balance. Then, before we are aware, our moods have fallen into a valley with only one way out – through it. ðŸ’ŠðŸ―

So, that is perhaps where I am. Fortunately, I have plenty to distract myself with in terms of work and other activities. I have managed to find some outlets for myself to get involved in, but more on that later.

With that, I feel better now. Thanks for reading me through the process! ðŸĪŠ

Until next time,

~T ðŸ”Ĩ🐉♋ïļ

Mar 112024
 

I’m in a bit of a post-travels slump. The weather isn’t helping as it is pouring rain as I type this now. It has been a little chilly, though not overly so, but the rain 🌧ïļðŸŒ§ïļ and thunderstorms ⛈ïļâ›ˆïļ and wind ðŸ’ĻðŸ’Ļ have not been inspiring. 😟

Although it is likely to sound spoiled of me to complain about the weather after having been away on travels for three weeks, I am doing it anyway! ðŸĪŠ We had thought that by now we would have escaped most of the bad weather as we are indeed “fair-weather” people. Apparently, this is the tail end of spring’s entrance and we are hoping for sunnier skies soon. ☀ïļ

So, keeping with the doom and gloom theme – today’s post is about the use of words and tone.

There are any number of quotes or song lyrics about how words can be weapons. While some people use them freely without thought or care, others take so much time to consider each one before speaking or sharing. Somewhere in the middle, as is the case for most things in life, is the balance of expressing ourselves adequately yet with consideration on how they might be received.

In this day and age of being told that it is not for us to worry about how others respond to what we say or do, the need for taking responsibility in affecting the response has been shirked away as “not my problem”. However, imagine how just the simple tone of statements can be received in such different ways. Then, add on all the nuances of meanings behind words that vary person to person and see the complication of communication. So, why make it even harder or worse by being unkind from the beginning?

Kindness in heart. Kindness in intention. Kindness in gestures. Kindness in words.

This should be our starting point for all conversations. Follow this with the feeling of respect and I can guarantee that even the most contentious of discussions can be had without belittling, dismissing, or hurting the other person’s feelings or sense of identity.

It is really no wonder that our world is in a constant state of tension, anger, and frustration. Humans have lost the art of kindness and respect yet crave it to the point that it is commanded rather than demanded through presence and etiquette. These days, I feel very old or of another world. Social and personal standards are dropping, but if I express my lamentations of it I am seen as the odd-ball. So, I have started to withdraw from society and others.

Unfortunately, this is not working for me either. Now that we are back home and returning to our regular lives, I am finding that I need to adjust my strategy in building a lifestyle that is fulfilling. I’ve let myself carry on limiting beliefs; thus limiting my chances at experiences, friendships, and who knows what else.

Therefore, I am determined to break out of my self-created box. With my own words of kindness and respect, I hope that I can create a bit of sunshine in the rainy and stormy lives of others as well as my own. ðŸĨ°

~T ðŸ”Ĩ🐉♋ïļ

Feb 122024
 

It’s award season. 🏆 Whether or not she would agree, I always felt that watching the Grammy’s or Oscar’s was something my mom and I bonded over. Probably, at the time, it never seemed like it meant much to me and over the years, she wouldn’t know that I make a point of watching these shows as an act of nostalgia. (Now you know, Mom!) ðŸĨ°

For the most part, I barely keep up with the latest of anything. I feel pretty content in my life that it is not important for me to know who’s who. However, I had heard that there were some legends performing at this year’s Grammy’s so I tuned in (after it aired live). 🎉

I was not disappointed by the performances. Even the newbies to me were entertaining.

Yet, I was disappointed by those who have today’s spotlight amongst the youth. ðŸŦĪ Now, I realize that I might be showing my age (gasp!), but I felt a real un-relatability to the likes of Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift. While the masses seem to enjoy jumping on the bandwagon of either hate or love for these two, especially TS, I could really care less. I enjoy some tunes from both and dislike many tunes from both. That is not the age gap, in my opinion.

What is the issue at hand, is the lack of class. 😔 Both of these ladies, who are touted as being role models for young females of today, gave acceptance speeches that were contradictory and lacking humility. “I accept this award, but I don’t need this award.” “Thank you for this, but it doesn’t mean anything because I’ll keep doing what I do.” “I’ve already won so many of these, but I make my music for you.” These kinds of words are so strange. 😟

At the crux of it for me, was the lack of etiquette, appreciation, and humility to be recognized. In this growing entitled, social media is everything world, I cannot relate to the inability to simply say “Thank you. I appreciate the recognition and I hope to keep making music that you all continue to enjoy.” That’s all they need to say. Nothing more. ðŸĪŦ

Anyway, as my dad likes to repeatedly point out, giving them time and attention feeds into the problem. Or, at least I choose to turn his words into a more proactive statement. ðŸĪŠ So, this is all the attention I will give to them for now. I’m sure I’ll have some words about the Super Bowl and the media’s obsession over TS… I mean seriously, who really cares?? Ooops, getting ahead of myself. In my usual tradition, I shall be spending some time on YouTube watching the adverts, highlights of the game, and then will pontificate in a later post – perhaps.

We leave tomorrow for three weeks in Australia, so I just might have better things to do with my time! 😅

~T ðŸ”Ĩ🐉♋ïļ

Feb 092024
 

There are certain cultural elements that I have acquainted myself with as it relates to my Asian heritage. While I do not lament that I never knew about these aspects of my original roots, I find that there is a sense of familiarity in acknowledging them. Take, for example, the Lunar New Year.

Thanks to modern times forcing people to stop calling it Chinese New Year, I have found more comfort in embracing the zodiac calendar (which seems to still be called the Chinese Zodiac) where there are 12 different animals that are attached to the Lunar year in a cyclical fashion.

For some reason, I have always been fascinated by the fact that I was supposedly born in the year of the dragon – supposedly because I am not convinced this is true based on certain facts. In any case, it is the year I choose to accept as my spirit animal, so to speak. Really, it’s just another way – like the Myers-Briggs, or astrological horoscope – to somehow connect with others in this world; to feel as if I’m not completely alone in my uniqueness.

Just like Joseph Campbell suggests, there are hero and antihero stereotypes. Just like Carl Jung defines, we all have certain personality types in common. Just like you, or the person next to you, or me, we are all trying to fit in with each other, with this space, with this community of mankind, with this planet, with this universe and beyond.

So, it is for that reason that I take advantage of my ability to pick and choose what elements of my Asian background I want to embrace. The Lunar New Year is harmless, a celebration of hope for what is to come, a reminder for the past, and a sign that all is temporary yet cyclical. In that circle, we find that any gaps we think exist, are actually enwrapped in unity.

Happy Lunar New Year! May the year of the dragon bring peace, prosperity, and promise.

~T ðŸ”Ĩ🐉♋ïļ

Feb 052024
 

It was many years ago when fell in love with rugby. 🏉 I had many male friends from Australia and New Zealand who introduced me to the game. Having grown up with sports always on TV and an appreciation of the community that is involved in watching it, I was interested in this very international one that resembled American football – but better. ðŸĪŠ

Perhaps it was because I was living in Japan where it can often be hard to distinguish between a man and a woman when looking at them from behind, but I came to truly appreciate the rough edges of a rugby player. Soon, the New Zealand All Blacks became my favorite team due to their pre-kick-off tradition of the haka.

If you’ve never seen one, here is a sample:

What’s not to love?! âĪïļ

Anyway, then I met an Englishman who also loves his sports including rugby. So, we make sure to enjoy matches live where we can. Last year was the Rugby World Cup, so we saw a match in Nice, France.

This year, we took in a Six Nations opening weekend match in Rome of England vs Italy.

It was fun to see the Italian way of supporting their team and watching the crowd get involved. There were also a lot of white-shirted English team supporters as well, which made it lively. I told my partner that it seemed as if the Italian fans were “fair weather” cheerers while the English were “foul weather” fans – cheering more when they were down than up. 😅

All in all, it was a good time and I think we might make a regular event of it if we are around to watch matches in Rome. ðŸĨ°

PS Sorry for the weird photo of us, but I didn’t want to post with the other unknown faces in the background. 😎

~T ðŸ”Ĩ🐉♋ïļ

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