"The unhappy person resents it when you try to cheer him up, because
that means he has to stop dwelling on himself and start paying attention
to the universe. Unhappiness is the ultimate form of self-indulgence.
When you're unhappy, you get to pay a lot of attention to yourself. You
get to take yourself oh so very seriously."
- Tom Robbins, *Jitterbug Perfume*
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
^__^
| What Ayako Means |
 You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality. You are a free spirit, and you resent anyone who tries to fence you in. You are unpredictable, adventurous, and always a little surprising. You may miss out by not settling down, but you're too busy having fun to care. You are a seeker of knowledge, and you have learned many things in your life. You are also a keeper of knowledge - meaning you don't spill secrets or spread gossip. People sometimes think you're snobby or aloof, but you're just too deep in thought to pay attention to them. You are well rounded, with a complete perspective on life. You are solid and dependable. You are loyal, and people can count on you. At times, you can be a bit too serious. You tend to put too much pressure on yourself. |
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
10 promises to my dog .
12-year old Akari fell in love with a puppy that had wandered into her house and adopted it. She names it "Socks" as its' paws looked like they had white socks on. The girl and dog are inseparable, and the pet was a great comfort to Akari while grieving her mother's death. However, as Akari grows up, her feelings and interest moves away from Socks. Year by year, their distance grows, which also leads to her physical distance as she moves to a far off city, and must leave Socks behind to a childhood friend. One day Akari remembers the 10 promises that she had made to Socks and her mother...
PS: went to watch the movie yest night and it was a touching cool movie especially if you are a dog lover ! ^__^ so do catch it if u are free !!!!
Thursday, July 10, 2008
shinto
Shinto is one of the two major religions of Japan (the other is Buddhism). Shinto is often considered to be the native religion of Japan, and is as old as Japan itself. The name Shinto means “the way of the gods.”
Shinto is a pantheistic religion, in which many thousands of major and minor gods are thought to exist. The Japanese have built thousands of shrines (jinja) throughout the country to honor and worship these gods.
Some shrines are huge and are devoted to important deities while other shrines are small and may be easily missed when strolling along roads in the countryside.
Shinto gods are called kami. Kami are thought to have influence on human affairs, and for this reason many Japanese make regular pilgrimage to community shrines in order to offer prayers to local kami.
The act of prayer involves approaching the shrine structure, passing through the gate-like torii, cleansing the hands and mouth with water and possibly ascending stairs to the main entrance of the shrine.
Usually without entering the shrine the worshipper will throw some coins into a stone or wooden collection box and then rattle the suzu bell which is at the top of a long hemp rope. The worshiper grabs hold of the rope and shakes it back and forth causing the copper bell at the top to rattle.
This is thought to get the attention of the shrine god. The worshipper then bows twice, claps his or her hands twice and then bows again.
In addition, the worshipper may clasp their hands together in silent prayer.
Shintoism and Buddhism have managed to find a comfortable coexistence in Japan.
Evidence of this harmonious relationship is found in the fact that that most Japanese are married in a Shinto shrine, but buried by a Buddhist priest.
Shinto is a pantheistic religion, in which many thousands of major and minor gods are thought to exist. The Japanese have built thousands of shrines (jinja) throughout the country to honor and worship these gods.
Some shrines are huge and are devoted to important deities while other shrines are small and may be easily missed when strolling along roads in the countryside.
Shinto gods are called kami. Kami are thought to have influence on human affairs, and for this reason many Japanese make regular pilgrimage to community shrines in order to offer prayers to local kami.
The act of prayer involves approaching the shrine structure, passing through the gate-like torii, cleansing the hands and mouth with water and possibly ascending stairs to the main entrance of the shrine.
Usually without entering the shrine the worshipper will throw some coins into a stone or wooden collection box and then rattle the suzu bell which is at the top of a long hemp rope. The worshiper grabs hold of the rope and shakes it back and forth causing the copper bell at the top to rattle.
This is thought to get the attention of the shrine god. The worshipper then bows twice, claps his or her hands twice and then bows again.
In addition, the worshipper may clasp their hands together in silent prayer.
Shintoism and Buddhism have managed to find a comfortable coexistence in Japan.
Evidence of this harmonious relationship is found in the fact that that most Japanese are married in a Shinto shrine, but buried by a Buddhist priest.
Omamori
Japanese religious good luck charm for health and wellness. Items such as this are called omamori or ofuda in Japan where they are used to invoke the protection and aid of spiritual forces associated with the Shinto and Buddhist religions.
Shinto is the native religion of Japan and an animist system supporting a pantheon of innumerable major and minor gods.
Omamori (lit "honorable protector") are simple bits of wood, paper or cloth holding a written prayer and/or the name of a patron deity, and made holy through consecration by a priest.
Omamori are normally kept safe within special pouches called omamori bukuro which are then carried or worn by the believer.
Ofuda are similar to omamori though the former are typically made of wood and are designed for domestic use, being displayed at the entrance to a home or held within special family shrines called kamidana (god shelf).
Omamori and ofuda are commonly replaced at the start of each year as the power of these charms is thought to be only temporary and subject to diminish over time. Below is a list of the most popular types of Japanese omamori :
Shiawasemamori - Designed to bring happiness into the life of the owner.
Kanai Anzen - Ensure general good health and help those with illness.
Koutsu Anzen - Protection for drivers and travelers of all sorts.
Enmusubi - Available for singles and couples to ensure love and marriage.
Anzan - Protection for pregnant women during term and to ensure a safe and easy delivery.
Gakugyojoju - Aid for students and scholars.
Shobaihanjo - Success in business and matters of money.
Yakuyoke - Protection during bad luck years.
PS: hehehe i am a collector of omamori !!!! so if u are heading to japan or hawaii or america ...plzs do get me a omamori !! ^__^
Shinto is the native religion of Japan and an animist system supporting a pantheon of innumerable major and minor gods.
Omamori (lit "honorable protector") are simple bits of wood, paper or cloth holding a written prayer and/or the name of a patron deity, and made holy through consecration by a priest.
Omamori are normally kept safe within special pouches called omamori bukuro which are then carried or worn by the believer.
Ofuda are similar to omamori though the former are typically made of wood and are designed for domestic use, being displayed at the entrance to a home or held within special family shrines called kamidana (god shelf).
Omamori and ofuda are commonly replaced at the start of each year as the power of these charms is thought to be only temporary and subject to diminish over time. Below is a list of the most popular types of Japanese omamori :
Shiawasemamori - Designed to bring happiness into the life of the owner.
Kanai Anzen - Ensure general good health and help those with illness.
Koutsu Anzen - Protection for drivers and travelers of all sorts.
Enmusubi - Available for singles and couples to ensure love and marriage.
Anzan - Protection for pregnant women during term and to ensure a safe and easy delivery.
Gakugyojoju - Aid for students and scholars.
Shobaihanjo - Success in business and matters of money.
Yakuyoke - Protection during bad luck years.
PS: hehehe i am a collector of omamori !!!! so if u are heading to japan or hawaii or america ...plzs do get me a omamori !! ^__^
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
omikuji
Most shrines in Japan sell fortunes (Omikuji). If one draws a good fortune they take it home with them. But if it comes out bad, then you leave it at the shrine. The concept is that if you tie your bad fortune to the site the spirits will come and take it away.
this particular Location is in Osaka, Japan ^__^
Thursday, July 03, 2008
7th July the star festival !!!!
Tanabata, the Star Festival, is an event based on a Chinese legend. Two lovers (the stars Altair and Vega), who were separated by the Milky Way, meet just once a year on the night of July 7th.
Its one of my favourite days in a year ^__^
Here is the song that is sung on Tanabata.
Sasa no ha sara sara
笹の葉 さらさら
Nokiba ni yureru
軒端に ゆれる
Ohoshi-sama kira kira
お星さま きらきら
Kin gin sunago
金 銀 砂子
Meaning:
Bamboo leaves are rustling
And swaying at the eaves
Stars are twinkling
Like gold and silver sands
On colorful papers
I wrote my wishes
Stars are twinkling
And gazing at me from the sky
Bamboo leaves are rustling
And swaying at the eaves
Stars are twinkling
Like gold and silver sands
On colorful papers
I wrote my wishes
Stars are twinkling
And gazing at me from the sky
The Tanabata Story
Translated by Minobu
from this Japanese website:http://www.sci-museum.kita.osaka.jp/news/text/a980630.html
July 7th is TANABATA.
There are a lot of stories about the origin of TANABATA. The most well-known story is as follows.
A long time ago, TEN-KOU, the god of the sky, had a daughter called ORIHIME. Everyday she wove cloth for the Gods with a special machine called TANAHATA.
It is believed that the word TANABATA comes from the name of this weaving machine, TANAHATA.
TEN-KOU was worried because his daughter worked every day and did nothing but weave. So he introduced her to a guy on the other side of the river named AMANOGAWA (to us it's the Milky Way).
His name was HIKOBOSHI or KENGYU. KENGYU took care of cows and was a workaholic. (I am not sure why he has 2 names. But I think KENGYU means cow care-taker, and HIKOBOSHI is his actual name.)
When they met each other, they fell in love immediately, and spent all their time together. As a result, all the cows became sick and the gods' clothes became worn out, but there was no new cloth to make more.
This made TEN-KOU very angry and he stopped ORIHIME from meeting KENGYU anymore by taking her to the other side of AMANOGAWA. This made the two lovers so sad that they couldn't work. TEN-KOU also felt sorry, so he decided to let them meet each other once a year on July 7th if they worked hard.
Now, they work as hard as before and look forward to seeing each other only once a year.
Traditionally, people wished the sky would be clear on that day so the two could meet over the Milky Way. If it rained that day, the water level of the river AMANOGAWA got too high and could not be crossed.
People wished this by writing the wish on a piece of paper and hanging the paper on a bamboo tree.
Nowadays, people write their own wish on the paper.
This is the most well-known story of TANABATA, even though there are many others.. It seems this story originally came from China.
In the Chinese Calender, there is almost always a half moon on July 7th and they believe ORIHIME and KENGYU use that half moon as a boat to meet each other over the great river in the sky, AMANOGAWA.
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
the hot and humid arts street @ clarke quay
this photo was taken at the arts street @ clarke quay where cindy & i shared a table for this festival . Gosh the weekend was so hot and humid and we were sweating under the scorching sun for whole day long ...... whts our return ? hmmmm we munched alot and went in and out of liang court for the air-con and bentos !!! hahahaha .... gave some of our namecards away ..
learnt our lessons too ! not to be at a fair where its so quiet in the daytime .... no flow of human traffics of any kinds except for vendor's own family/friends crowd ......
Oh well, its a well taken photo by betsy nevertheless ! hahahaha ....
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