CHINESE COPY CAT...

A Real China Doll~

Aunty likes to copy everything I do. If I wear a dress, she does too. If I buy a new lipstick so does she. And, if I blog about turning Japanese, then she must blog about turning Chinese.

Everyone enjoyed my post about how much I love, and am influenced by the Japanese culture. Aunty did not want to be upstaged by her niece, so she pulled out her shirt that was made in China, grabbed her chopsticks and her Chinese cup which she borrowed from a joint called Lucky Moon. She reminded me how much she enjoys oolong tea. She boasts…“That’s the kind they serve in Chinese restaurants you know, and the type that little old Chinese men drink.” In copious amounts, I might add.

She just ran with this Asian thing. She even posed for a photographer with her china tea cup. Is it me, or does it look like Aunty is saying… sure my niece Renee is turning Japanese, but I am a China Doll? I say she is a Chinese Copy Cat!

Any way you look at it, we are having rice for dinner tonight. And, one thing Aunty and I agree on is that both cultures have an appreciation of tradition, family, honor and beauty, just like she and I do.

I DID IT AGAIN...and so can you...

Before I tell you what I am referring to, I will say this blog is pretty powerful. The more I follow all the guidelines and thoughtful suggestions I have set forth for others, my own life improves.

A few weeks ago (before all the talk of turning Japanese) my dear friend Lori told me not to make any plans for Saturday June 5th. She had a surprise, belated birthday gift for me. I circled that date on my calendar and carried on with my busy life; care giving responsibility to Aunty, and all my writing (including this blog). Then, as I mentioned, my cousin from Japan showed up, invited me to tea. He also brought me sake (labeled in Japanese) and a fancy fan. However, my friends believe my karma is so good, and because I don’t let obstacles keep me down for long....> fun, exciting, and extraordinary things keep showing up in my life.

I had been so excited about re-connecting with my cousin, expanding the Japanese theme I had been creating, and open to more, well, needless to say, another serendipitous occurrence…..

This past weekend, June 5th, I found myself with two of my closest friends, in an authentic Japanese tea room, called "The Flying Heron." It's run by a man who studied the art of tea with a Japanese sensei named Kaji Aso. Our sensei prepared a traditional Japanese tea ceremony just for us. My belated birthday gift had appeared!

I was treated to a meditative and tranquil tea (the green matcha powder whipped up slowly with a whisk in the most precise way). There was bowing, sipping, ooh-ing and ahh-ing. I was in my element,  soaking up the culture, and the froth.

My friends continued the celebration by ending the day at a nearby Japanese restaurant. On the way there we stopped in a well-stocked consignment shop where I spotted a piece of jewelry I had been searching for… a sky blue cocktail ring. That particular hue, the shade of the sky, is the color of the popsicles Uncle D would bring me as a little girl. The ring fit perfectly, and was well priced. I walked out with my new belonging, strolling in-between two friends. Later, while sipping one of my favorite drinks (a rare sparkling sake called Moon Rabbit) my new bauble sparkled too. More good fortune can not be too far away.

Things keep getting better when you know they will. Surrender…. Let everything go… So it can all fall into place just for you!

Arigato

TURNING JAPANESE...

This could easily be me...

When I say “I think I’m turning Japanese,” I mean it…

The first thing I see in the morning (after a good night sleep on my Japanese buckwheat pillow) is a picture of a Japanese Garden hanging on my wall. I walk into the bathroom and wash my face, hair, and body with everything Shiseido. After breakfast I brew a pot of Gyokuro green tea. During my writing ritual, I sip more green tea, and burn Shoyeido’s Lisn, Sound on Wave, incense…the best in all the world! Later, I get into my Honda Accord and take Aunty to buy Hello Kitty items.

When we get home we watch Miyazaki films. My Neighbor Totoro, is one of my all time favorites. Aunty and I enjoy organic ice green tea. We often eat Udon and Soba noodles for dinner.

We bow before bed (and this is not a joke)… prayer and meditation are two ways we stay young and healthy, and we often genuflect in the practice. One of these days I am going to acquire my own kimono… I have my eye on one that is simply sublime (and way out of my price range).

Friday, I went to a concert to hear Elizabeth Bennett play the Shakuhachi. She is the First American woman to master the Shakahachi in the US. This is a Japanese end-blown flute traditionally made of bamboo. It was used by the monks of the Fuke school of Zen Buddhism in the practice of suzien (blowing meditation). Its soulful sound made it popular in 1980s pop music in the English-speaking world. Her playing transported me into a deep, sonic spiritual journey. That night I dreamed I was in Japan, sipping sake under the cherry blossoms…

I can’t wait to actually go to. The people there seem to smile a lot. I will fit right in. They might even mistake me for a native. I have got the grin, the bangs, and a kimono on lay-away. I’ve even got the bow down pat. I love temples, gardens, and tea parties. I am really on a roll here…Make that a California roll…with extra ginger.

Arigato…
Sushi all around

I hope I am by no means politically incorrect here. I am simply paying tribute to a fantastic culture that has captured my heart and pocket book.~

For more go to:
http://www.shakuhachi.com/
http://www.howtojapan.blogspot.com/
http://www.japan-guide.com/
http://www.miyazaki.com/
And, check out the song Rainy Night in Tokyo, by Michael Franks ~

Save the Date: The 2011 National Cherry Blossom Festival -- March 26 - April 10, with the Parade on April 9, right here in Washington D.C.