I first saw his works in Amsterdam and Paris in 2017 — stunning and extraordinary! So when “Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience” came to Singapore, I didn’t think twice to go.
While there was so much to enjoy, the huge room where people can just relax within the expo before continuing their look-around or after doing it was my favourite.
This video was of my first entry to the room. After enjoying the Van Gogh VR experience, I went back there to enjoy the time before finally left the expo: children playing, adults chatting, some sleeping, even a lady dancing. There was serenity in this dark room full of Van Gogh’s colours virtually projected to the walls by technology.
In a bottle of perfume You are the heart note. In a cup of coffee You are the acidity. In a full course meal You are the entree. In a life of a human You are the love.
The main cable’s cut, Power surge’s down. Light’s off. Ruin of pride sprawling—
——
Mori Tadamasa — the owner of Tsuyama Castle
not taking high IQ to learn that many if not all the daimyos and above were human beings thirsty of power
human beings are both individual and social, original and political, psychological and cultural, good and evil; let life be fair at the right time and the right place to me — i just want to be humane and nothing else 😊 avoiding people with intrigues is paramount even if they are the ones that i love the most 😘
life of non aristocratic is more interesting to me where politic is just about how to stay in self control with some occasional sparks of witty explosions and to gracefully stabilise the society ♥️
rebuilt part of Tsuyama Castle’s Bitchu Yagura (viewed from not so nice a point) — you don’t have to look pretty or grand all the time, dear Castle 😍
when i saw the high stone walls of this castle, i could imagine how it was strongly fortified
just with 6 ruins of hundreds of castles in Japan I visited (Asahi-san has visited 75 and counting) and it is already clear to me what kind of culture this nation was built upon and what type of aristocratic people started the build — all nations are blessed in different ways
this is how beautiful Tsuyama Castle scenery was in one sakura season (foto borrowed from tsuyama.kokosil.net) — i’m blessed enough to see it in Jun ♥️
thank you, Tsuyama 🙏🏼
Note: Castle is open from 8:40am to 7pm Japan time
It’s green grass back home, Her grass looks greener, sweeter Though. Is it the sun?
——
There is a proverb in Indonesian “rumput tetangga selalu kelihatan lebih hijau“ that literally means neighbours’ grass always looks greener. And yes, that’s always what I feel in many countries outside Indonesia and Singapore yet at the same time I miss to be home in either Indonesia or Singapore where sun is both indulging and heating.
I am truly “green-eyed” some time. And I so much miss home.
🧑🎤
dancing orange
orange in joy
yellow having a chat
it’s just sweet!
inspiration for the garden right in front of my bedroom; right size to copy — thank you!
This head, Beloved Is full of colours That suck all memories To an abandoned landfill Where poems dance in joy Recycling precious moments Into glowing beads Jingling around a neck, Chuckling on millions of love wishes That scatter on a table.
——
yeah! this is one busiest corner of my head everyday! messy yet full of love 💕😀
Dress up, Beloved Even when you work remotely. Dress up, Beloved Even when you’re alone in the cubicle. Dress up, Beloved Even among the crowd; wave your hands with genuine smiles. Dress up, Beloved Even if your style’s outlandish; be busy with how your story can go.
There’s sun spotting your colours. There’s wind kissing your scent. There’s moon drawing your silhouette. There’re stars showering you with breathing confetti.
——
all my path is catwalkon which i walk presenting a designer’s masterpiece — no excuse of low performance, any chance to walk is to display the best of my designer’s pride
my style is work of art that might be differently interpreted and appreciated — it doesn’t matter, people see what they want to see and hear what they want to hear although they can’t lie to themselves
Walking the aisle Two smiling earthlings can’t stop waving hands To us Who wonder “They were toddlers we hugged, Now they read solemn vow?” It is a happy day When we pray, laugh and eat together Witnessing happiness that proceeds.
——
Matt, my best friend’s youngest son is getting married today! Matt and Cheer, Tante Rike happy for you 😘😘😘 send me all our pictures ♥️
cheering with groom’s mama after eating 😂 day is good with those looking forward to bright days ♥️
My poem for you Is not in the words. My poem for you Sits on the bed of this heart. The words that you recite Is what language can say About what is still, Admiring you from a secret place That keeps everything And keeps flowing.
——
some poem is better utterred on canvas
a small play for a toilet at home; an intermezzo to take a break from the gift painting in progress
You’re my best omiyage From wherever Nihon I visit. You’re my desperate love songs I sing From wherever corner of the world I sit. You’re my sweet mystery That I can never solve. Why Oh why, Dear Omiyage?
I present You to only Those that I love.
Wrapped in white Ribboned in red Wished in indigo
Dear Omiyage
——
Japanese omiyage is the same tradition of Javanese oleh-oleh in which local souvenirs are brought for others after traveling to a specific place or simply when visiting. So it is not just random souvenirs, omiyage or oleh-oleh is a token of experience sharing and caring friendship from someone to someone else.
A sweet gesture that will be perfect when done with sincerity and mindfulness—
Salaam.
Niigata rice, the best omiyage for good friends this time — humble ladies, see you tomorrow 🙏🏼
Look! It’s blue on green Burning spirit to trueness Of living simple.
——
I love the rice field sprawling along the train track in Japan. It brings feel of peace at the same time reminding me that there are still those who are willing to live as farmers even (according to my Japanese friends) with not so high income.
God bless farmers without whom we won’t live.
Salaam.
irrigation that travels like blood in body
the clouds that travel by the windlike dream in mind
This blessed belly sings And dances then soon to sleep With a dream waiting.
——
i politely rejected an invite of dinner so i could eat alone in an izakaya – 😍 having dinner at the window while seeing people passing by bringing joy or anger after work or school brought me to a corner called “thanks god i’m alive”
💕 izakaya with a glass of green tea, carrot juice, and….
potato salad!
edamame obviously
chicken 🫣 oil oil oil!
most of Javanese love this fish! incl me! 💕😍♥️
pickled cucumber
chicken skin and gizzards! i can be joyful just with this cheap food! 😍 but i want the best sushi in town tomorrow! 😁
On a green mountain She stands, claps and bows to pray For what’s been wished for.
——
Day was clear, no June rain welcomed me. Black birds were cawing but not noisy when I arrived, the caws sounded more like “this woman is not important and harmless, let her do what she wants to do. Leave her alone.”
The scent of just mown grass infused stronger freshness to the hanging air and sprinkled refreshing vibe to the scenery.
A lady in the shrine shop greeted me excitedly in Japanese which made me feel like attending an oral communication test with a desperate teacher thinking “fail, fail, fail”. Yet her beautiful smile cajoled me to take one ema (wooden plaque in shrine to write wishes and prayer) to write what I wish to wish forever for me and everyone.
The most impressive that day were the taxi drivers who drove me to the shrine and back to the hotel— both were willing to find the most basic vocabulary and grammar to make me feel good to practice my pre-basic Japanese; two grandfathers who accompanied a confused granddaughter blabbering Japanese gibberish.
Yet the shrine itself was the cherry on top of the cake that day. Shrine and castle never fail me!
Thank you, Kasugayama Mountain for welcoming me and letting me enjoy the shrine and its surrounding.
Thank you for letting this heart throb seeing what can grow in silence and for letting this soul sit still observing what can leave with no trail.
I am lucky. Always.
💕
going in to the Kasugayama Shrine compound
my friend asked me in Instagram “how many steps?” i said to her “i didn’t count, i will next time” but in my heart “one third of my breath” 😀
torii at the front gate of Kasugayama Shrine
ablution station before stepping to the shrine inner area to pray
i wish prosperity and blessings for my company ♥️♥️♥️
ema: after almost 50 years living, i can only wish the loudest possible in my heart “May All Beings Be HAPPY. All my dreams come true. ♥️”
prayers are hanging everywhere, tied anywhere — people want their wishes come true; as simple as that
if people don’t believe in the power beyond powers, why do they want to pray? to boost confidence? formality? culture? i’m sure they do it because they’re sure it is there whatever people call it beyond what’s taught in religions — i prayas others do
do you know the guy standing on the hill? Uesugi Kenshin — respected daimyo in his era
I used to fly the life Faster and quieter, Passing by blue sky, White clouds over the lands and oceans. Yet now I ride mine Slower and merrier, Passing greenery and buildings. I heard others chat and laugh; I am not curious about the convo But I enjoy the laughter. I will arrive slightly later But happier, Friendlier, And luckier.
——
riding Shinkansen is more exciting than flying, I used to fly from one city to another in Japan but not anymore although recommended for some areas — always get new things in each ride! 💝
i feel lucky always and today i see same combinations of numbers appeared repeatedly that has made me feel even luckier — although i don’t know, i prefer to believe that it is a good sign before i forget it 😄
844
Hakutaka 555 departed at 844
sometimes i am superstitious 😁
yet i thank him for making some of my superstition sound scientific 😁
Do you believe sun will rise in the east? I don’t need to believe because I know it does.
Do you believe your mother will love you unconditionally? I believe it? I know she does.
Do you believe love will guarantee your happiness? I do believe it will. Why? I do believe because I don’t know.
——
i know Doraemon has a magical pouch from which he pulls all what he needs to either solve problems or to entertain Nobita — i believe he will give Nobita lessons learnt to wise up including giving him rather dangerous disaster, yet i know it is just a story
i believe i need to replace my Doraemon bag with one cuter one as i know someone would love to use this Doraemon bag for her weekend hangout 😀
rike jokanan 
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