The 4 seasons in Japan.

As it is well known, Japan has very distinctive seasons.

I really like and enjoy the changing of the seasons for several reasons.
One is that you are always looking forward to something all around the year and there is always something to look for!
Of course I there are things that I do not like about each of seasons but that is how things come 

For instance, Spring is Cherry blossom season and I really enjoy taking photos of them and doing Hanami (viewing Cherry blossoms and have a picnic under the trees). But I am not that keen on the rainy time of spring. 

In summer I look forward to the fireworks festival and Kanto festival(Lantern festival in Akita city) at University. But I disliked the high humidity. It depends on where you are but it was like walking in a sauna when you walked out side. 

In fall or autumn I enjoyed the process of all of the leaves changing and falling down on the ground. It is sad but it has its beauty in the colours and the beauty of enjoying that moment you are living in. But it was that strange season where you do not know that you need to take a extra clothing with you or not. 

In winter it was being able to eat hot food and also the enjoying your surroundings becoming this winter wonderland like opening the door and entering Narnia. But it gets really cold and you had to think ahead to make sure you have extra time if you need to walk in the snow.

*All of these photos were taken in Akita Prefecture

Over all, all seasons have there ups and downs but I think every thing has, don't they?
Seasons are really important in Japan. In literature, art work, Kimono and for tableware: in almost everything!

I hope this is a little of an introduction to what Japan is like in each seasons :)

See you soon!
Ellen

Muisc and my own Ukulele

Music has been in my life from when I was little. I was fascinated at how music was played and was always amazed at how people can play musical instruments. 

As being a young girl, I thought playing the piano was easy and just had to "press the keys" in order to make music. 

I was wrong.
I still liked playing the piano but I really disliked and I got board easily from playing the same tune over and over again and eventually stopped going to lessons.
I still continued music by singing in the school choir club until I entered Junior high school.

I still loved music and still had the curiosity to learn. In one part of the Music lessons we had in junior high school we had to learn how to play the guitar and I was really excited.
There were multiple guitars in the house when I grew up because my father played it when he was young and on very occasions he would get it out and play it.
The lessons were fun and we had to play "Stand by me" by Ben E. King. But one thing I struggled the most was holding onto the strings and play chords, and changing between chords. Yes, it is comes with practice but I have quite petite hands and when I hold most of the guitars I struggle.

Time went by and I still wanted to be able to play the guitar or the base or anything that I can join in to enjoy music. I often want to the Jazz salon and met many local musicians in my home town when I was back from university.  In my last year of university I borrowed a guitar called Taylor Mini from my father. it was small enough for my hand to go around it and I loved it!
I practiced and practiced and I was able to play some notes but still I wound difficult.

After playing on the guitar for a while I saw a Ukulele in my fathers room and started strumming and I found it was much more easier than the guitar! Since then I borrowed several Ukuleles from him(he has enough instruments to pen a shop!) and practiced.

After I moved, I wanted my own one. my own one that I like the sound of and fits my hands nicely. I thought back and forth and I found this ukulele which I can call my own Ukulele!
I am going to practice as much as I can to get better! :)

I hope you liked this short story :)

See you soon!
Ellen