happo-en-八-芳-園

today you ask your hubby to call the ministry of foriegn affair of the netherlands because you don't trust the website anymore, there's no update since first april.  you are desparate because there is still no approval from your company, and each time you file a request it was rejected immediately because the travel advise of the ministry of foriegn affair is the only source of decision. you over heard the conversation and you are just confirming your gut feeling that the website is not up to date.  the outcome of the conversation is "there is no reason of not going to tokyo".  with that piece of information you challenge your human resource department.

you know that you cannot work on like this any more, taking calls in the middle of the night or early in the morning.  you woke up with no urgency to change your pajamas, all you do is sitting behind the computer and talking over the phone all day.

meantime your burden for japan is still fervently strong....

mean time sakura is blossoming...

today your hubby has more faith than you.  he even says that you will be on your way to the land of the rising sun this week.

for now you want to travel back to february, on a sunny but cold weekend.

you were here at happo-en (八芳園). it was way too early to see any sign of cherry blossom but you know this garden is pretty any how without sakura and it's just a few stations away from where you live....

it was a beautiful day and there were many joyous occassions and happenings in this park.

weddings after weddings...

you stood there for just a few minute and you already observed at least three pairs... in western white gowns

or like this one, in japanese white kimono... still in the ceremony...

and most attendees of the wedding if not in suit then in the kimono...

you wondered around the park and spotted these nice bonsai...

and a little hut by the pond...

and you discover this little place, all for yourself...

all you imagine now, is sitting in this quiet place, having your quiet time, perhaps doing some journaling, perhaps just praying, talking to God, or even simply just observe the cherry blossom from here...