Monday, 27 April 2009
Sakura Japan 2009
Sharing some of my favourite collections of Sakura trees in Japan..
Sakura also called as Hanami (cherry blossom) in Japan has been Japanese custom since 7th century when the aristocrats used to enjoy beautiful Sakura & wrote poems..Sakura is a symbol of Japan and is said that it has more than four hundred varieties. The most popular kind of Sakura which can be viewed everywhere in Japan issomei-yoshino..
Hanami or cherry blossom festival is held everywhere in Japan in spring. In this festival people have parties, fun and eat out. The most famous food inhanami festival is dango. In this festival people in Japan also play many kinds of sports in which they have competitions for the best sports.
The blossom of flowers takes place at different times throughout Japan. This bloom is at their peak during mid- March till May first week.
1) A river side view: This shot was taken at a river which is very close to Gotanda Station. Gotanda is a busy but unfashionable neighborhood in the Shinagawa ward of Tokyo, Japan. The name "Gotanda" can be literally translated as "a (rice) paddy of half-hectare's size". The district straddles the Meguro river, and is located between the Meguro and Osaki stations on the important JR Yamanote line.
2)) Some lovely Shot's taken in Hida Takayama:-Set deep within the mountains of Gifu Prefecture, Takayama has been called a "little Kyoto". Its temples, shrines, festivals, rivers and bridges are indeed reminiscent of Kyoto on a smaller scale, but in some ways Takayama has delights that even Kyoto cannot match.
3)Some closer Shots:-around with a camera in hand is my favorite pass time habit. Taking every shot closer, so that one can view the actual flower.
4)Shrine covered with Sakura
5)) Walk-way Shaded with the Sakura Trees:- This walk-way is near the Tama River in Ikegami itself...
Tuesday, 21 April 2009
Golden Period of Life
This morning I wake up early and am enjoying my hot cup of tea with ginger. My 1.5 year old son is still sleeping nicely and husband has left for work. This is also the time you cannot help getting into thinking mode. Thinking about past, present or future. Today, it is the past.
I am 30 years old now. I can divide this life journey in 3 spans of 10 years each. I think about them separately. If I have to choose the best, the golden period, which one I would?
Very first my early childhood, wondering was that my golden period. As a child I had nothing to do, I had to listen to my parents, cannot go out alone with friends, and no pocket money at that age. So am I supposed to happy that time? The answer is NO. But why do I forget about the playing time which I use to enjoy a lot, watching T.V without any tension of studies, playing games for which I don’t have time now, being the eldest child pampered and loved by parent’s lot. Yes I should say that this was the GOLDEN PERIOD..
Now coming to my teenage I had more tensions compared to my childhood as had lot of pressure of studies, choosing the right career, taking care of family affairs, help cooking at home, as an Indian girl supposed to do. So is this the golden period again the answer is NO.
Again am I forgetting something or missing out something, yes friends, it’s the lovely college days in which I made many good friends, go out for movies, bunking lectures and enjoying with friends, good pocket money and so on. I miss all that fun now. I am sure this is the GOLDEN PERIOD of my life.
Thinking about my life between the ages of 20 to 30 years. This is the time when I got married. I had to leave my family behind, had to adjust in the new atmosphere, had to change habit of waking up late in the morning. In this due course of time I even gave birth to a cute little baby boy. Happiest moment of my life still had to face many problems, waking up in nights for the baby, taking care every second, no time for my-self etc.
But, but and but why again here I forget the joy of new life & all new things coming in the way, enjoying every bit of time. Even though I left my parents & siblings behind I have a very nice partner who is so much caring, loving and the most responsible person in my life. I have my in-laws who are equally caring & loving like my parents & not to forget my brother-in-laws & sister-in-laws who love as my siblings. In these 10 years I was born twice as said by everyone getting married is a re-birth for a women & giving birth to a kid is to be called as a re-birth. I have a baby boy who is my life now. I enjoy playing with him, getting tensed for him, cooking and feeding him, love when he says MUM. I find all the happiness in his smile..
Am I supposed to think that this is the golden period of my life??? Coming to a conclusion here I say I have enjoyed almost all my life. Ah!!!! Now I have a ratiocination that the real golden period is the present which you are living…People always feel sad about events in the present saying this is the worst time. And when the present becomes the past then one realizes the real happiness, the joy, the fun, he missed.
It’s the “PRESENT” which is to be called as “THE GOLDEN PERIOD OF LIFE”. Don’t let your present become your past & regret on missing that time. Live your present to the fullest as PRESENT is only THE GOLDEN PERIOD OF OUR LIVES.