A visit to Hermes

I went to Hermes in the weekend and predictably, bought nothing. I just wandered around and lusted after the beautiful scarves. I hope one day I can proudly hang a Hermes in my home, but for now it might have to be wishful thinking!

Black and white

From the top: 

The coolest kid ever. I befriended him in A.P.C while he was walking around with his crazy little helmet on. When I left the store he was waiting at the front window to further our farewells! 

Toy selection in Tokyu hands - so so good

One of the kids at my local dry cleaners

A rather crazy (but super friendly) band member from Theee bat

Water soaked film

Oops! I've been carrying film around in my bag, which has been sitting in my mamachari basket as I bicycle around, and it's rainy season. As a result my film got a little bit wet. I kind of like the blue tinge it gave to some of my photos. These snaps have been taken out and about. I've been having lots of fun on the weekends! x I'll pop up some black and white snaps soon.

Happiness

photo by Ume Kayo

Happiness occurs when I least expect it. It comes from moments of deep appreciation that someone else might not notice. Birds swooping past power lines against an orange morning after a night of karaoke, or a smile from a stranger in a funny hat. I don't have to go to the Grand Canyon or Niagara Falls and stand in front of vast and majestic wonders to appreciate life, and be happy.

I can have hot tea and biscuits, use inky pens on recycled paper and feel the softness of my grandmothers cheeks. I could dip my hand in uncooked rice, practice whistling or make a mix tape. I can smell the crispy bendy pages of my favourite magazines or write an anonymous note of encouragement to a stranger. I can strive for happiness in unexpected moments and endeavor to never ever let my day be mundane, instead, a little bit spectacular.

I love books like Into the Wild and The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. Protagonists who search deep within themselves to find answers to questions that have riddled them for years. It's a great thing to explore this big wide world and ask 'what is all of this?' all the while holding tightly to your ability to imagine and experience awe. This doesn't mean you have to have lots of money to travel all around the world, just explore further than your front gate, your street, your suburb. And at very worse, if you can't leave, step into your imagination.

What if you have no imagination? What if, horror of horrors, you lost it some time ago when you were departing childhood in eager anticipation of the freedoms of adult life? Then read a children's book, go for walks in unexplored locations, sit alone with pen and paper and see what happens.

No one thinks like you. No one will ever produce what ends up on that piece of paper. We all see the world so differently. If your imagination has deserted you it will come back, because it never wanted to leave in the first place.