no.380 140515 Thank you for a friendship that will last

Kimchi fries and Kalbi taco for lunch

I have my window open and I am listening carefully to the rain drops. It's been raining the entire day. It's nice, however, I'm afraid that it's gonna make all the flowers fall on the ground and break my heart. I didn't even get to go on a picnic!!!! When I checked the High Park website to see the status of the cherry blossoms, it says that they are currently fully blossomed. Most likely I won't get a chance to visit the park, but I just hope that I can make a trip to my school at least.

So many things happened today as I had to meet three different groups of people. Although I had a good time with every one of them, one moment comes in mind as I look back at my day. I really enjoyed the time when I was sitting at a Starbucks by a big glass window, watching people pass by with their umbrellas. It only lasted about a few minutes max, but for some reason that moment left a strong impression on me I guess. Rain and music can shape the way you feel.

Today was the last time seeing my friend in Toronto. She is visiting Japan for the next two months and after, she will be joining her husband in Lebanon as he found a new job there. I'll surely miss her and her cute little baby girl! But I also know that I will see her and her family again in the future. The biggest concern for me is her safety in the foreign country. I hope her husband finds a job in Toronto again and come back soon!

There are certain types of music that I like to listen on a rainy day… one of them being "One Lovely Day" by Citizen Cope. It's a nice song to listen to on a rainy night like this:)

no.374 140509 Thank you for the pretty flowers in the field

Jeju, 2007

I was checking to see when the cherry blossoms in High Park will be blossoming this year. According to the website, the anticipated date is mid May… which is next week. From my photo albums, it was early May last year that I went to see the cherry blossoms. Hmmm, the spring is definitely delayed this year. However, I'm starting to see colours - there is a field of daffodils on my way to work and the pink magnolias in my neighbourhood are slowly blooming. Oh yes, I also saw the lovely dandelions in the field… ahhh great. Thankfully, I'm not allergic to pollen. Hopefully the mix of rain and sunshine will make the flowers grow faster. I can't wait to go on a picnic!

no.134 130911 Thank you for the memory of one rainy day

Spices. Flavourful. Aroma.

Everyone has a story that they like to ponder on, on a rainy day. I do too. I can recall a lot of memories in association with the rain. I've already shared one story a while ago about that one rainy night in Korea, when a stranger offered me his umbrella. When I was in grade 4 or 5, I had a sudden urge to go out in the rain. So, I just went out in the pouring rain to got soaked... and I loved it! Hmm.. what else... I'm sure there's a lot more if I think harder. But these are the ones that I have to think hard to get it out of my life story book. On the other hand, there is one memory that automatically pops up in my head whenever I see the raindrops falling. I don't want to share the story yet, because it is my personal memory to cherish.

There is also one song that I play on repeat on a rainy day like this. It's not necessarily relevant to that one particular memory I have, but it just became my "go-to" song when I hear the rain. I love listening to this song with the sound of the raindrops in the background, so I have my window wide open. In fact, that's what I'm doing right now. I don't remember since when I've been doing this. It's a Korean song called "비오는 거리 (Rainy Street)" by a singer named 서영은 (Seo Young Eun). Well, this isn't the only song I like to listen on a rainy day, but this is indeed the first song I would play.

My memory of that one rainy day may be happy, or sad, or even bittersweet depending on which perspective you want to view it from. Actually, that day itself was far from sad. Anyways, I'm thankful for that day. I am thankful that I have something to ponder on when it rains. It must've been a special day for me, because that's the first thing I think of whenever it rains. It's something that I can cherish. Not that I want to go back to that day, but I'm glad I have something to treasure. Do you think a more special thing will happen on a future rainy day to replace this memory I have? Who knows? Perhaps. I'm just going to enjoy this moment for now.