clear space
I’m having a good decluttering run and keep on finding things that I no longer need. Such as the above swimsuit; fitting to yesterday’s theme: seasons. This swimsuit taught me, once again, a lesson about not buying swimwear online. To find a new one though, I have to wait until the shops remove their rainy season items to make space for mizugi (swimwear).
Summer is upon us, so I thought it was a good time to sell the baby paddling pool that we’ve had in storage for a few years now. The memory of it are my son’s first hospital visit in Japan (when he slipped inside the pool and banged his head on a sharp edge) and realising that our garden isn’t the best place to hang out in a paddling pool as it’s infested by mosquitoes. Besides these, not so glorious, memories, getting rid of the pool made me reflect about seasons in Japan. Continue reading “memory archive — day 70”
More baby stuff is being sorted out today. Some dribble bibs which were extremely useful when my children were babies and toddlers. They both were heavy dribblers and, as far as I remember, bibs were changed in thirty minutes intervals back then. I thought it would never stop…
We’ve had this mug for years; I can’t even remember whether it was me or my partner who brought it into our household. It’s a promotional mug with a big, fat logo printed on one side of it. For this reason, I have no problem with discarding this mug today (even though it is still intact). Continue reading “memory archive – day 67.2”
This is a bubble machine which came with the little starter bike that we got secondhand for our daughter a few years back. When seeing the bike online, the bubble machine wasn’t attached. Thankfully it was an option to take it off; learning to ride a bike, while bubbles are popping up in front of you sounds like a serious health and safety threat. To keep our daughter happy, we promised her that we’d attach it once she knows how to ride the bike. A useful incentive to get her going quicker. I’d be lying if I said I was disappointed when the bubble machine turned out to be faulty.
On our way back from the House of Light the other day, we were approached by an old man on a local train. I had already noticed him earlier; doing some origami while waiting on the platform. We found out that what he’d been working on were two talking lips which were intended for my son and daughter. From time to time I try some origami myself; the easier ones like a simple flower, star or butterfly. The process requires deep concentration as the moment you do a fold less than 100% accurate, the whole origami shape will be affected by it. A great way to practice focusing.
Only recently my partner and I went to see the NHK Symphony Orchestra,Tokyo playing at the Suntory Hall in Akasaka. We’d been meaning to go to a classical concert for a long time, so I was excited when my partner managed to get hold of some tickets. The orchestra was conducted by the 90-year old (!) Herbert Blomstedt and played two Beethoven Symphonies (No.8 and the beautiful No.7). I very rarely go to classical concerts, however, whenever I do, I enjoy the calming effect those have on me. Continue reading “memory archive – day 66.1”
