I Got THE Ring!

Go ahead, guess!

That's right. It's a miniature replica (down to every elvish word engraved) of Elessar from The Lord of the Rings topped with the-ring-to-rule-'em-all on my shelf by the apartment entrance.

T got this when he was in New Zealand and saw one of the three films (I'm guessing "Fellowship of the Ring" judging from the time in which he claims he saw it), and had kept it in tact, until I came along claiming to be the biggest fun of the trilogy. He decided to give me the "precious", saying that I would appreciate this more than he does. Would I!!!!!

To me, no other ring gift can possibly top this in this life time. In fact, I am quite tempted to wear it on my ring finger (the size happens to be perfect!) on a regular basis...

You rock, T!

Until next time,

Sak

Tees in Wonderland

My most recent faves just got delivered. I am in looooooooove.

Until next time,

Sak

'Tis The Season To Be Blooming

It's the cherry blossom viewing season, or hanami, in Japan, as the flowers on the cherry trees are in full bloom everywhere.

So I visited Matsumoto Castle yesterday with T to take it all in. The castle is one of four castles designated as national treasures because it has remained its shape on the inside and out, which is understandably a very rare thing.

The cherry trees are planted mostly along the moat. So we took a lovely stride around the castle before we went into the garden and its property.

The flowers are more beautiful than I managed to capture in the photo.

We also went into the castle itself, which was packed with tourists that came just in time for the cherry blossoms. But it was a really nice tour, especially since T is a serious castle freak and knows pretty much everything there is to know about castles and explained every question I had.

It was still a bit chilly to be out all day, but sure was nice walking under the flowers.

Until next time,

Sak

Colors Everywhere

So many flowers were delivered and handed during my birthday week. My flat has been in full bloom everywhere!

For those who gave me my favorite gift of all time, thank you all so very much! You made me feel so very special.

Until next time,

Sak

Shodo -Way of Lettering

Ever since I came back to Japan three years ago, I wanted to take lessons of some sort of thing. I semi-started going to French class but after awhile the schedule didn't quite fly for me. I looked into kimono lessons, but couldn't find anything available during my time off. I really wanted to do horse-back riding, but it was way above my budget.

And guess what, though! I just started taking a calligraphy lesson.

It's something I always was fascinated, yet didn't quite think of actually trying simply because I didn't know where to begin. I did learn it at school when I was 10 or so? but the main thing I remember is that I liked the smell of the ink and the yet-to-be-used brushes felt really nice on my cheek and back of my hands. I also remember having the hardest time writing my name with a brush so much that I believe that my childhood loath for my name had partially been due to being calligraphi-cally challenged.

I was shown some works of Japanese calligraphy of late, and was immediately fascinated. Like drawing that I am partial to, it's art on a piece of paper. The letters come alive and they can mean so much more than what it reads, or tells a story more strongly than what it means. I loved that. So I was offered a lesson to try at home, and I took it.

We practiced lettering "a path of cherry blossoms" upon my request to use the letter cherry blossoms for the starter. The master said it's easier to start with two letters instead of one, so we added "path".

The first one being the master's, of course. He did that in a matter of 20 seconds or less. The second one mine, on my first try. Took me like 3 minutes.

"You have a good feel," he said kindly, "but you DO suck at lettering your name." Well, thanks. I just have to practice, then.

I've found another hobby, I'm afraid.

Until next time,
Sak

I Am Back!

Finally, my laptop is back! I have been away from the cyber world for the longest time. Thank you soooooooooo much, H, for fixing it. I was so ready to totally give up on all my precious pictures and papers from Eng Lit. student years and everything. You saved it all!

And, to you, all my faithful readers, sorry I have been a long absentee. I shall slowly get back into blogging, especially since a lot has been going on while I was away: my 30st birthday, a bacherlotte party/getaway, to name a couple.

I did a lot of drawing while I was away, and I have already posted some new works on my other blog. So, do check those out.

Until next time,

Sak