cheerio and merry christmas...well its a bit late now

I did start this message in mid December and now all of a sudden its almost mid January......I do hope you had a nice round up to the year. I had a great 2008. Japan has been a great place to come back to. Despite the searing summer heat that seemed to last forever, it was really just a couple of motnhs out of a pretty nice year. I was wishing time would pass so I could hurry back to Melbourne for those 3 precious weeks with my family and friends. And, now it passed so fast. And it was wonderful. I am kind of glad qantas does not fly direct to Melb anymore because it means you get to fly into Sydney, and I have to say it is one of the most beautiful entries into any country I have been. The bus transit to domestic, weaving throughout many big airplanes was also pretty exciting for a 2 year old. Coming into the green fields of Melb is also so special...its so small compared to Tokyo. So, all the best for 2009. Thanks for being here with me and being lovely friends and I wish you luck and love.

immediate lightness...

We arrived at the park yesterday afternoon after a long morning of rain and low temperatures. It was still cold but we all needed to get some air.....................across the grass we saw this amazing sight!.....................it was impossible not to go and see what was going on...........

These guys had the most simple tools to make the most huge bubbles...

it was beautiful to see them floating in the breeze and changing shapes until they popped....

this one is caught mid pop....there were a lot of kids squealing with delight as they chased bubbles and popped them with sticks..........I'm not sure if that was the reason why I could not stop laughing. It was like a sudden weight had been lifted, to stand amongst thousands of silent and beautiful bubbles, big and small, with kids squealing, cold tempearatures, and people just standing in wonder (and taking photos)...it was totally bizarre......and totally lovely....

ummm

A very rainy day today.................................

I realise its been a little while since I last posted! I really havent had much to say!...a little unusual for me I know :) the days are counting down until we leave for our Oz holiday and I havent really go that much to do. I think when going to a familiar place there is far less to pack because you know everything about the destination. I also realise how important it is to enjoy the moment you have, like our Tokyo time, because soon it will end or change and I dont want to leave here and feel the whole time I was hoping or feeling like I should be somewhere else. And for the most part I think I have been here in mind and body. I have been thinking a lot about this year, as you do at the end of any year, and reflect that I have done a lot of things and although Ive been a full time mum I have done a lot of stuff in addition to that. I plan to write my yearly wrap up and then take off for a few weeks. I dont intend to blog but I will keep reading my favourite blogs when I get access to a computer - and I will note a list of them too (always a source of inspiration and motivation and sometimes just visual and imaginative delight)!

This huge xmas tree is in the neighbourhood. It is stunning, especially when it gets dark. Illuminations, or thousands of lights and music covering streets, buildings and parks are very popular at this time of year and it is so beautiful and feels magical. I hope soon that the Myer windows will grow into something like these kinds of illuminations because they really feel like Christmas! Sorry for being a bit of a hermit and thanks always for your lovely comments and words :)

help

I love getting moo to help me make dinner.....and he loves the kinds of jobs where he gets to cut or bash or mix and of course, taste. Its a good chance to get him to try some veges and he did eat this sweet potato.

pool rules

morning sun

It is just so lovely at the moment. I want to be outside all the time. Its a bit cold but not freezing, only in the mornings and nights.

natural illumination and ruminations

Look at this ginko tree...it looks like its illuminated...I guess it is, by the sun....there are so many pretty trees in this early winter time....walking under many falling leaves with a gentle breeze would have to be one of life nicest pleasures in Japan. I have some very nice photos taken by my loved one which I will post later........

I sent off my birds.....

and I hoped my coffee beans would last until I got back to Oz but I think I might be a couple of days short. Lucky a new supermarket opened up just nearby that not only sells coffee beans but 5 different types of TIM TAMS!!! Ohhh so exciting :) Do you notice the reflection of the yellow capped jar found almost only on the benches of Aussies?.......I only just noticed it myself......I love preparing for a holiday, getting all the things organised and packed and pressies bought. I must say though, with one morning to myself yesterday, I was ready to finish off my xmas list, but the soon as I got to the shops I had the most underwhelming feeling of not being in the mood to be in the shops...I think its just the very poor exchange rate which makes everything so expensive or maybe self imposed pressure to get the best/cutest/most original Japanese stuffs I dont know.....I did try to get inspired, even hanging out in the beautiful xmas lights section but came home with only the essentials, milk, bread, nothing exciting and nothing off the list.....why does that happen?......so I will try again....next week.....

the end and the beginning...

Nearing the end of the year means time to think about the new year and clean up the remaining things from this year and hopefully pave a clean path for new and exciting things to come. In terms of what I can do as an almost full time mama and keep the brain working I have realised a few things. I cannot do everything. Now, this is not a major realisation for most people who already got to that place but I just got there!! And, it feels like a relief! So, as my main priority is being a mama, which is exactly where I want to be, I need to let go of the anxiety that I have keep doing so much more and more and more on top of being a mama. And this is mostly in the realms of how I can keep my brain moving/my part time self employment. So, to simplify my life I'm shutting down my website and using a blog instead, it far easier and cheaper. I'm no longer going to sell wholesale to shops or do custom cards and stationary. I will still make cards and bits and bobs to sell through my etsy shop and focus mostly on illustration jobs. This seems to be such a simple solution to my self imposed pressure and already feels decluttered in my mind. I have thoroughly enjoyed my custom jobs and selling to stores and it is a thrill to see my cards in lovely shops but living away from Oz and with the current variations in currency it just isn't worth it. I have one last order to ship off to a lovely gallery in QLD and then thats it!! So, with a new year just around the corner and a new blog for illustrations, I am feeling happy. I will maintain this blog for lovely friends, family and readers and of course my 'one second life' photo journal of weird and wacky stuff in Japan.

Thomas Land

It was moo's 2nd birthday today. Amazing how fast 2 years has passed. It seems time is easily quantifiable now we have a living and breathing measure. As planned we went to Thomas Land...home of Thomas the Tank which is located right next to Mt Fuji. Take a look at the day!! I'm am always stunned to see Mt Fuji looking so beautiful and to have such a clear day was a huge treat.

Mt Fuji from Thomas...

The sparkling ice skating rink with Mt Fuji in the background. Thomas Land is part of a greater amusement park with many roller coasters and rides. Only in Japan can you ride a roller coaster with such an amazing view....but we stuck to the kids rides with whistles and beeps.

The whole place was themed for xmas so it made me get even more excited about our trip home....

I really wanted to have a go on this guy as it reminded me of my days a kid when on school holidays my sister and I used to ride the Thunderbolt at Dreamworld and the Corkscrew at seaworld.....

...at the end of a busy morning, mini moo was so tired he could hardly keep his eyes open. It was a preferct place for a young child, not too crowded, very safe and clean and the entry and rides were very reasonable priced even with a poor conversion rate!

Happy Birthday my little treasure, you are the most amazing and special little moo and I love you with all my heart xxx