Adopting the Pace of Nature

This is the first time that I am blogging from Japan, my new home. Married life proves to be interesting and challenging, especially when one is married to a foreigner (Jun and I got married on April 30^th). In this blog, I would like to write about my experience with my new environment.

Unmistakably, the first encounter with a new environment usually proves to be positive and exciting, if not a disaster Even though, this is not my first time residing in Japan, a new environment always overpower my mind and emotions. As the saying goes, ‘Different culture, different way of life’. Not forgetting, this new land leaves me lots of opportunities to make new friends as well.

Two weeks ago, sitting a cup of hot tea while engaging myself with my Japanese studies, nonchalantly I looked out towards the kitchen window. To my surprised, I saw a clueless bug moving swiftly towards the center of a spider web. Not that I have a microscopic eye or extremely good eyesight, the distant from my window to the spider’s web is virtually ‘close enough’ for one to reach out and wipe out the web.

Like how one would enjoy a McDonald hamburger, the spider savored and feasted the bug. Queerly, I found the whole incident fascinating. It’s like going back to school, and sitting in the science lab, studying nature and environment. Just at that moment, I was more appreciative towards the study of science and nature than when I was in school.

Though, I did not categorize the spider(s), I started my observation every morning since then. Undoubtedly, there are many more spiders and insects surrounding the spider closest to my window. Typhoon came last week and brought torrents of rain leaving many stranded, included the spider outside my window.

After the typhoon passed, I opened the window to greet my eight-legged friend, and found that its web was no longer hanging in the air anymore. Nevertheless, I believe that my friend will be busy rebuilding its web again once the sun beams again.

I have never felt so close and appreciative of nature, not since I came back to Asia from States. Do not misinterpret my engagement as ‘Oh, I am in Japan, so I MUST enjoy everything around me’. It’s far from it. It’s more of an escapade from my daily worries.

In the country, insects dance and buzz day and night, unlocking the autumn spell. Every drop of rain has its bright association with some beautiful form of growth or life. Long, glinting dragonflies shot across the path, or hung tremulous with gauzy wings and gleaming bodies.

Till then my eight-legged friend.

Ben Folds

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