the one that circulates

I have been putting off getting a fan because I wasn't sure how long I'd be in Japan. Mainly because I didn't want to spend on something that would take up unnecessary space, and perhaps I could train myself to withstand the heat.

Coming into my 3rd year, I realised the electricity bill could be reduced, especially with increasing hikes that came with the Jap government's nuclear policies. I searched all over Amazon Japan and finally found something which was compact and affordable.

It's named an air circulator, because apparently you can tilt it in different angles to improve the indoor circulation. When you put it facing upwards near an air-cond, it will divert the cool air around the room.

Of course you can have it straight at you, and it will do the job of a regular fan.

It comes with a dust guard filter, which makes it difficult to get dirty.

Another reason to clean the portable heater, and to store it back into the closet when warmer days are here. I like how they both come in colours matching to most of my furniture. And I can sleep better with cool circulated air, rather than dry air-conditioned chills.

Now why didn't I get one when I first came?!

swirling in crimson

The day came last Saturday. The heat and humidity didn't really help, but I suppose it's not any different from being in Malaysia. Just that in Malaysia most people go around in cars, so we're not really exposed to the elements.

Anyways, I digress.

We did a medley of songs where we took turns to play instruments, sing and dance. Since I'm such a shy person not comfortable with being in the front, the crimson skirt and bright tropical flowers wasn't helpful in blending in.

The CPM meetings are usually quite mild, and most of the time, songs are sung acapella when no musicians are available. So a lot of people were pleasantly surprised seeing this motley group perform, complete in accessories.

I think it's been a long time since I felt butterflies in my stomach. I couldn't remember much of what happened, except that I was glad when it was all over!

Looking back, I thanked God for the opportunity. I've always wanted to help serve in some capacity, but to be honest was quite traumatised by the incident at church last year. It's amazing how God works.

I just got some messages that Pastor Fuku-chan has invited us to do the same performance at his church next weekend. I guess I'd better get used to the butterflies @.@

of scarlet nails

It was meant to be some fellowship time after the home church service. There was Fumin's keyboard in the living room, and I was itching to move my fingers across the keys. Some people were singing, some were just playing instruments. When Fumin was around she would bring out her flute.

Then someone suggested the hoola dance that was performed at the Homecoming Gathering. I had just been observing mostly when they were coming up with ideas, because I really thought we were just hanging out doing stuff.

A week before I returned to Malaysia, it dawned on me that these were all for one of the CPM services. We had to practice our pieces, harmonise our voices, and know our steps.

What made it so fun was that (thanks or no thanks to my Japanese skills), I didn't know we were going to "perform", and so I was just enjoying the time of coming together, and serving Him with our talents.

And everything else just came together on its own; like how we should sequence the songs, who should play which instrument, and what formation would be best for the dance. Then the hoola skirts came, then the matching nails were done, and before you knew it, we had an ensemble who were eager to worship while having fun at the same time.

I still have my scarlet nails, and trying not to be embarrassed when people look, because it's such a showy colour!

crossing the red bridge

Love these sisters. Who would've thought I'd spend so much time with them this summer. It had meant to be a little getaway from the usual church I attend, hoping to also brush up my Japanese and have a deeper knowledge of the Word.

They said they were going to walk back to the mainland. We had just finished some dance, song and music practice; the weather was still very pleasant. I was in great mood having come back from a week in Malaysia and a wedding weekend in Jakarta.

Even though I work on the island, I've never actually walked along the bridge like this before. I know some colleagues travel to work like this for health purposes.

We were accompanied by soothing breezes and a beautiful sunset despite the balmy weather. I couldn't help but thank God for more sisters who journey with me even as I enter into my 3rd year in Kobe. Especially those who love Him and desire to be more like Him.

count thy petals

One of the things I love about Japan, or at least being in a four-season country is the variety of flowers. There's always something I've never seen before that surprises me. Some flowers only blossom during spring, like sakura. Summer is when hydrangea come out in their full bloom.

I'm glad to be living near 3 parks, though to be honest I wish I could spend more time in them. It was a carpe diem moment few months ago when I had a picnic with Dora to celebrate a belated birthday and to usher in the spring season.

I guess I don't really have to create my own garden in the little balcony that I have, since there are plentiful greenery and pockets of flora near where I live!

sportify

One of the best things about working here is we get some employee perks when it comes to company products. And once in awhile, there are some internal sales or sample sales through which I've been able to get sporty goods at really worthwhile prices. I guess it's okay if you're not chasing after the latest styles.

The other good thing is that we have an atrium right in the middle of the company building. Different sports are played here at different days of the week; it's even used by outsiders for basketball (teenagers), ping pong (senior citizens) and gymnastics (local schools).

When I first joined I was too bogged down with calls and meetings that I started to feel the irony of it. I even started to wonder to myself how can this company claim to be sports-minded when some of us have too much overtime work and can't even enjoy some decent physical exercise.

Thank God it's been a bit better recently. I even bought myself a badminton racquet for the weekly games that are held on Fridays. There's no point getting all these sporty apparel if I have no chance to use them! (So let me know if anyone feels like helping me use my employee benefits ;p)

for all the desert weeks

Even though I have been going back to KBF, I'm still treading gingerly in the premises. I know it's beginning to sound ridiculous but I just don't want a repeat of what had happened one Sunday when I thought the coast was clear.

It was an unexpected bouquet of blessings : meeting up with a long-lost Pinoy brother, saying hello to dear Akari, getting compliments from Dora on my already-worn-out shoes, being invited for the home team meeting, enjoying Russian food made with love, and getting organic cake for dessert.

Oh, I was asked if I'd like to serve in the music ministry.

the many many blossoms

I had returned to KBF after a hiatus of almost 2 months. It was nice to see familiar faces again, and also pleasant to meet up with the missions team from NLRC Malaysia after almost 2 years. The last time was when I had just came to Kobe and looking for a church.

Some had asked what I have been up to. It's nice to know that people ask these sort of questions, but also at the same time they don't bug you about it.

It all started with the hanami season, and plenty of reasons to be out and about. Like when I took one Monday off to enjoy the beautiful weather and had some drawing-blessing time with Dora.

And because it was getting cold towards the evening, I suggested we could continue back at my place while sipping lovely tea and share some chocs I got for White Day. I know some people get offended if their recipient share their gifts, but I can't finish all these chocs by myself and what's the point if I can't share some blessings especially with those who appreciate such things too.

Come Easter weekend, the sakura was either at full bloom or about to fall off branches, but still was nice to catch some last glimpses.

And what better way to celebrate the Saturday before Easter by having some apple pie-flavoured Easter-themed Kit Kat bars. It's quite hard to see, but they actually imprinted bunny ears on the wafer coating. My friends thought these Kit Kats had some defect because they didn't have the divider in the middle all the way to the bottom!

How can I forget the time when I went all the way to Osaka to collect my Milo and gifts from mum meet Fong Jiao who was on assignment for the next few months. Had the pleasure to meet her fellow researcher Jah, my first encounter with a Thai Christian. I had to drag Fong Jiao to enjoy the early cherry blossom blooms and some local sights during her short stint here. After all, it's the best time to be in Japan.

So, these are not really the reasons I was missing from KBF to be honest. Just wanted to show off the wonderful time spent outdoors. No regrets taking off, and thankful I had all these opportunities to appreciate His beautiful creations.