Indian Tea

As a person who lives in the UK, I love tea as most British people do. Last two weeks my partner was in India and Japan for work and I asked him to bring some tea back, because Indian tea is my recent favourite. In the UK there are many different kind of nice teas we can easily buy at shops, and although most tea leaves are actually imported from India, Sri Lanka, Africa and China, I like the one sold in India. Last time when my partner went to India he brought some tea back and I absolutely loved it. That's why I asked him to buy more this time.

I don't know why the tea sold in India is so nice. I haven't really compared many products. Probably I'm just imagining Indian tea is nice only because the country is famous for it. However, my partner also says it's quite nice and different from British ones. India has a variety of tea leaves, such as masala tea, cardamon tea, lemon leaf tea, green tea an so on, as well as local specialities like Assam and Darjeeling etc. My favourite is masala chai tea and cardamon tea, which are quite spicy. Although we can buy these kind of spiced tea at supermarkets and Asian shops, the packaging is different! Look at the picture. The tea leaves are in lovely boxes with embroidery! They are products sold as a souvenir. Oh I love them. Just lovely.

So, I have many cups of tea a day, enjoying many different flavours, in heaven!
After having a nice cup of tea I feel refreshed and can concentrate on my work or feel like writing Haiku. Well, hopefully I'll show my Haiku again here, but not now...another time...(actually I haven't written one yet;))

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Wabi Sabi

Now the TV programme called 'Japan Season' is on BBC4 every Monday. This programme introduces some interesting Japanese culture and the first episode was about 'Wabi Sabi'. A British man travels around Japan and looks for the meaning of 'Wabi Sabi'. Am really pleased to watch such a programme refers to the profundity of Japanese 'heart' in the UK.

Every Japanese person appeared in the programme is struggling to explain what 'Wabi Sabi' is. Nowadays the sense of 'Wabi Sabi' is deteriorating among people having a city life... I think 'Wabi Sabi' is a kind of philosophy. It's the distinctive virtue of Japanese people, in which simplicity and and rusticity are considered to be the basic of human life.

Simple things, rustic things tell more stories than gaudy, mixed up and messy things do. For example, when you have an argument with your boyfriend or girlfriend, what is the most effective word to say? Just saying only one word which is really shocking to him/her is the most effective, rather than moaning a lot, isn't it? Well, this example might be a bit bad, but that's it. Or think about Haiku. Haiku poems don't have many words but they tell so many stories. That's it. This is the spirit of Wabi.

Also, every person dies. To consider it, life is somewhat a sad thing. Everything changes. The life you have at the moment is temporary. It ends eventually. This sadness, impermanence of living creatures (especially human) is the fundamentals of life. It's sad but unavoidable. It's our destiny. However, temporary things are more beautiful than ever-lasting things, aren't they? If you can live forever, your life must be boring. Life is short and that's why you can try your best to have a good life, right? Feel the sadness and joy of impermanence, it's important. This is the spirit of 'Sabi'.

Basically these two meanings are contained in the word 'Wabi Sabi'. However I explained this, it's just an explanation. The spirit of 'Wabi Sabi' should be felt by your heart. So, if you want to have a sense of 'Wabi Sabi', please just forget what I explained. My explanation doesn't help you in gaining the heart of 'Wabi Sabi.'.

In the programme the guy travelled around Japan has so many experiences such as going to a karaoke-bar, tea ceremony, maid-café, haiku club, staying at an ordinary Japanese home and becoming a monk of Buddhist's temple to understand what 'Wabi Sabi' is. This guy is so sincere and really tries to understand this philosophy, which is quite impressive and respect-worthy. I don't think many of young Japanese can do the same. And after all the experiences in Japan this British guy seems to understand 'Wabi Sabi' somehow. It must have been a precious time for him and also for us who were watching this programme. I don't even think about 'Wabi Sabi' usually, although I think it's a very fundamental and important thing. Well, I know I shouldn't think, should just feel it subconsciously.

Anyway it was a very impressive programme and I recommend everyone watch it. You can watch it on BBC iPlayer (click HERE).

*the photo is a traditional Japanese inn in Sumatakyo-Onsen in Shizuoka prefecture.

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Life in the UK Test

I am planning to apply for my permanent residency in the UK this summer. What I need to do before that is passing 'Life in the UK Test', which requires applicants' knowledge about this country. A few years ago Home Office changed the rule for immigrants and everyone who intends to settle in the UK (except people from EU countries) has to pass this test before applying for residency (indefinite leave to remain) and citizenship. My boyfriend, who is planning to get citizenship this year, passed this test in September last year, which exerted some kind of pressure on me...I thought 'I have to pass the test as well!!! Gosh, can I do it? CAN I?'

Well, I tell you the result. I took the test yesterday and I passed!

Now I'm officially eligible to apply for residency, although I need to wait until summer.

The test is 45 minutes and there are 24 questions about the UK. If you get 18 questions right you pass. The details of questions are about : the society of the UK in 19th and 20th century, the modern government of the UK, population, ethnicity, religions, local services, health, men, women and young people in the country, education, jobs, taxations, benefits, traditions and so on.

The test is all computer based. Each candidate sits in front of a PC and answer the questions by clicking the right answers. The candidates' information such as name, purpose of taking the test, postcode and passport number are registered in the test centre's and Home Office's database as well. After taking the test they receive the result straight away.

I used the book below to study for this test, which is a really good book, easy to read and well- edited.

'Life in the UK Test-Study Guide'

However, Home Office says the only official book for the test is the book below and everyone should read this book. The book is not really concise and I found it quite boring to read, so I didn't use this book for my study.

'Life in the United Kingdom: A Journey to Citizenship' (2nd edition)

The important thing is to use the newest books. The laws and rules sometimes change, for example until early last year from the age of 16 we could buy tobacco but now 18. If you use an old book, you'll learn wrong information and as a result you'll make a mistake in the real test.

As for the application for any kind of visas, you need to keep your eyes on Home Office's announcement on the website.

Anyway, I feel much better after passing the test and hopefully get my visa in summer, then live in the UK for long time! ha ha ha.

For free online pretest, I recommend this website: http://www.lifeintheuk.org/

The Victorians

One of my recent favourite TV programmes is 'The Victorians' on BBC 1 presented by a famous journalist Jeremy Paxman, who is also the presenter of popular quiz show 'University Challenge' (I like this show as well). In this series Paxman introduces Victorian era in Britain through art (mainly paintings). I basically love watching art and that's why I am enthralled by this programme.

The Queen Victoria reigned over Britain from 1837 to 1901, which era is called Victorian era. There were so many great changes in this country in the era, for example terrible famine in Ireland, Jewish people's immigration into the country because of racists' attacks in Russia, Poland and Belarus, purchase of Suez Canal, serial murders by Jack the Ripper, publication of Darwin's 'On the origin of Species', opening of London Underground System etc. Especially the development of the middle class people in the society was significant, as a result of which more freedom were allowed in business and art world. In art, more nudes were painted and this caused many arguments among critics on what 'obscenity' was.

In the programme Paxman introduced many painters, but there was one painter who I couldn't help fixing my eyes on. His name is Richard Dadd. The interesting thing about him is his life. He studied art at Royal Academy and painted lots of fairies and other fantastic things, but he went insane when he was 25. He killed his own father, because he thought father was evil... After that he escaped to France and tried to kill more people, then got arrested and put into a mental hospital for the rest of his life.
I fell in love with one of his paintings, which is shown below.

'Come unto this yellow sands' by Dadd

This painting is based on my favourite story 'The Tempest' by William Shakespeare. The painting is exactly like what I imagined when I read the book. I also love the film based on 'The Tempest' called 'Prospero's Books' directed by Peter Greenaway, but this is another story...

Painted in the hospital, Dadd's another famous painting 'The Fairy Feller's Master-Stroke'

People say 'There is a very fine line between the genius and the insane'. Richard Dadd was both, there wasn't a line... What a disaster, but at the same time what a miracle. In fact he painted most of his famous paintings in the prison (hospital)...I was so glad to learn about this painter, and I have to thank Jeremy Paxman...ha ha. Paxman doesn't have such a great passion for art, but he was interested in the society of Victorian era and art tipped the balance of the society in this era. He wrote a book as well. I might buy a copy...


In addition, after watching the programme I found a fantastic manor house in Buckinghamshire. The house is called Waddesdon Manor, which was built in Victorian era and has amazing architectures and gardens. I HAVETO VISIT HERE! I thought. It's not too far from my place, so might go there next week if I have time...Yes, I want to go, I have to go...lol

Waddesdon Manor in Buckinghamshire

Anyway, the programme 'The Victorians' attracts my interest and lets me learn so many things. You can watch all four parts of the series on BBC iPlayer, if you are interested. I absolutely recommend this:)

Japan Day in Cambridge

The breath of spring is slowly coming, lifting on winds these days, although it's still a bit chilly. In Cambridge, flowers of narcissus and crocus are blooming.

Today I went to Kaetsu Educational & Cultural Centre in Cambridge, where the annual 'Japan Day' is held. This centre is the place introduces Japanese culture by providing classes of calligraphy, oriental painting, tea ceremony, flower arrangement and Japanese language for kids. The building is nice and modern, and there are meeting rooms, a big lecture theatre, a Japanese room with rock garden and so on. Every year they hold the Japan Day in the beginning of March, and many Japanese people and Japan-lovers visit here. I went to this event 2 years ago as well.

the modern building of Kaetsu Cultural & Educational Centre in Cambridge

a small zen-garden in the building

This year is 150th anniversary of Japan-UK relationship. So, I visited this centre with my Japan-lover friend and some Japanese friends in Cambridge.

There was a Japanese Food section, where we could taste some Japanese food such as Yakisoba (wok-fried noodles), sushi, sweets etc. However, I didn't try any of them, because they didn't look so nice...(I can cook them easily, you know) although I got some packaged snacks. It was a bit of shame that there were more varieties of foods 2 year ago, but never mind.

There also were exhibitions of Japanese calligraphy, oriental painting, and origami experience section for kids. Some British people were trying calligraphy and oriental painting, and I was amazed many of them did really well, much better than my calligraphy and paintings...(well I don't have a sense of art maybe). In the lecture theatre, we could see the traditional tea ceremony and flower arrangement.

the amazing flower artist did 6 beautilful arrangements in 40 mins

I used to do flower arrangement when I was in high school. So I knew the basis of this art. But these days I buy flowers at Tesco's (big chain supermarket in the UK) and just cast them into a vase...Probably I should remind myself of the beauty of flower arrangement, I thought after seeing the fantastic modern arrangement by the professional...

Well, anyway I really enjoyed Japanese culture today, which I tend to forget in this country.

King's College's chapel and the river Cam

After visiting the centre my friends and I walked through King's College and went to Asian noodle shop in town. Had a big portion of Malaysian style noodles and finally came home. Now am relaxing, drinking some green tea...goooood!
Hopefully the real spring is coming to Cambridge soon, and I want to see cherry blossoms here as well, because I don't have any plans to go back to Japan until summer this year. But actually I feel I am really lucky to experience 'Japan' even living in such a foreign country far far faraway from the Land of the Rising Sun. Cheers to the relationship of Japan and UK!

My favourite quote

My motto, and one of my most favourite quotes is:

Be silent, or say something better than silence. -Pythagoras

I'm not a talkative person and not a huge fan of 'yakety-yak', probably that's why I like this quote. Haiku, which is one of my hobbies, consists of as little words as possible. Not only is it a form of literature but is also a sort of philosophy. The basis of Haiku is exactly what Pythagoras said, I think.

Hmmm....I usually write quite a lot on this blog, but it might be better to choose words more carefully and write less....? Well, I'll do dome trial and error, and hopefully someday might find the best way of expressing myself...

*the photo is the scene of Cambridge at dusk.

Hinamatsuri

March 3 is Hinamatsuri, which is the Girls' day in Japan. Families that have any unmarried girls display a set of traditional dolls at home and wish their daughter(s)' good life and happy marriage in the future. Dolls are set up before Hinamatsuri, and after this day they are put back in the box again. It is said if they keep the dolls displayed longer, the daughter's marriage will be later.

The set of dolls basically consists of 'Ohina-sama' which is the girl (princess), her partner 'Odairi-sama' the boy (prince), and most sets contain lots of other small male and female dolls, who are the servants of the couple.

The other day my mum displayed my dolls for me. Look at the photo. Cute, aren't they? There are only 'Ohina-sama' and 'Odairi-sama', no servants for me...lol. The boy doll was made by my mum about 20 years ago. It's quite funny that the boy somewhat looks like a Westerner although he is wearing kimono. Then my 'Odairi-sama' will be a Westerner?
Ha. Oddly so is my boyfriend...

March is apparently the month for women. As well as this Japanese Girls' Day, there is 'International Women's Day' on March 8. This is the day to celebrate all women's achivement in societies and in the background there was a big demonstration by women claiming equal rights in 1857 New York.

In addition, Mothering Sunday is in March in the UK, probably the name 'Mother's Day' is more common though. Mothering Sunday is 3 weeks before Easter... This is quite complicated and I never remember, because Easter day is different each year and so is Mothering Sunday. This year Mothering Sunday is March 22, which date I must remember to send something to my mum and my partner's mum...

Furthermore, I have just started my new translation job for women's books. So, this month is definitely a women's month for me!

Now, what shall I do this month...wear a very very girlish dress or be a glamorous woman wearing red nail polish and high-heeled shoes? Have to try not to fall over...ha ha.