Sorry-ology

DSCF 1238 Originally uploaded by Wanchen Tai A bonsai is placed above an artificial pool in the garden with its branch flowing downwards towards the water. It resembles a mini green waterfall pouring into the pool a stream of freshness. The leaves have an extraordinary texture, thick and rich, substantial but weightless.

DSCF1205.jpg Originally uploaded by Wanchen Tai Since last week, the small tree of bell fruit has been laden with red bells in our front garden. Dad is extremely proud of his efforts and have been counting the rubies everyday. Although 'wax apple' or 'java apple' seems to be more true to its texture, its alias-- bell fruit-- is certainly more accurate in visual terms. As a popular nickname 'bell fruit' is always preferable to me. Such a poetic alternative projects a romantic imagination about summer! They would be ringing delicious melody between leaves in an orchard, if its heavenly taste and smell could be translated into audial patterns. These bells on our small tree are just miniatures in comparison with those sold in the market. Unsellable though they are surely jewels, the apples of Dad's eye. I love looking at them, especially their fat bottoms. It's always amazing to see how the shape is formed and the pattern created. Hanging upsdie down, they...

DSCF 1188. JPG Originally uploaded by Wanchen Tai Between the end of spring and the commencement of summer, we found a mother Chinese bulbul and its three babies nesting in the Azalea bushes at the garden. These small lives have brought excitement to my parents, who have attentively watched them and faithfully reported their progress since the day the nest took shape. Two pumpkin-shaped calamondins were found among their plump comrades. The orange skin shone like the beaming sun. I was amazed at the visual effect that was produced when they were rested on an old rattan chair. The stripy pattern that was shared between them made a wonderful tapestry of simplicity. The time that I have spent at home since January has been an ongoing observation of different moments of lives: living and dying. While I was celebrating the tender lives of the 3 chicks and the vibrant color that signaled summer's approach, a life faded out in that same afternoon. After several months' illness, lit...

Engagement in March, 2009 Kunio and Wanchen are getting engaged.

MOMAT (Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo) Originally uploaded by Wanchen Tai We visited MOMAT , Museum of Modern Art Tokyo, the other day. It was right facing the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. I was there visiting the imperial palace when I was fifteen years old, my first visit to this country. At that time, this museum was unknown to my limited view of the world. It happened to be rather quiet and little visited on that day, perhaps because it was after Christmas and almost the end of the year. We browsed through some of its permanent collections in exhibition, witnessing the interactions between Japanese and western art movements. It was quite interesting to see how the art of a certain culture adopted the style of that of the other, and how it resisted the influences. To be honest, as I have discussed with K during the exhibition, I found dislikable and rather uninteresting those painters who have simply adopted the techniques and concepts of the modern art movements in the western world...

K gave me two adorable Christmas cakes! : ) Originally uploaded by Wanchen Tai I received two palm-sized Christmas cakes from K on Christmas Eve when he came back from work. These two were simply adorable! The smiling faces of the two small figures, a Santa and a snowman, simply made me smile too. I was surprised to know how easily I can be pleased. It was a very good Christmas holiday, quiet and sweet.

Christmas Penguins in the Open Market in York Originally uploaded by Wanchen Tai It was my last December in York. It's rather sentimental as I knew that I was leaving England for good. I am surely coming back to visit at some point, but the fact of moving away from York, a place that I've stayed for 4 years, is somehow very hard to cope with. On some farewell occasions , my friends and I were almost tearful that we had to force ourselves to say goodbye and turn away as if it's just another temporary departure as it used to be, as if we would still be able to text each other for an afternoon tea on the next day. Meeting up again is definitely the plan, and there are several wedding occasions next year to expect. I told myself not to be negative about the departure and stay optimistic that friendship will keep us close and near no matter how far away from each other we are. Saying goodbye is just as difficult as braving a new life.