Spring is beginning to show here in New Zealand, with blossoms blooming and daffodil sprouts coming up. I’m so grateful to see more blue skies and sunny afternoons. After spending a very unexpected winter back in my home country, I’m super appreciate of the promise of spring & summer to come.
When I set out on my nomad journey, I had planned to chase the sun. Other than the occasional dip into wintery climates, for the most part, I’d succeeded for six years! So all this cold and darkness came as a bit of a shock to the system.
But it’s not all bad, of course! I am very lucky to be where I am during the current state of the world, and I am enjoying feeling the anticipation of spring coming on all around and focusing on gratitude for this month.
Japan Love: Hanami and Sakura
I’m obsessed with all things Japan, and left the country earlier this year just before their cherry blossom spring season started. Since then, I have become mildly obsessed with experiencing my own Japanese style spring time.
While it’s not possible to travel to Japan right now (nor is is coming into springtime there, either) it is here in New Zealand & I’ve been seeking out the best ways to celebrate – from seeking out the perfect hanami spots in my country, to obsessing over my favourite Japanese food blogger’s Sakura Mochi recipe, and even reliving the spring season 2020 in Kyoto through the Camelia Tea house’s live hanami and tea ceremony recordings.
I had the most wonderful time at the Camelia Tea house earlier this year when visiting Kyoto, and I love how they have been adapting to the lockdowns by hosting online tea ceremonies.
September Gratitude
A little over two years ago I started posting daily gratitude for 100 days. It was such a powerful practice, and it helped me to see everything with thankfulness.
Things I’m grateful for this month : blue skies, daffodil blossoms and the fragrance of budding daphne, the anticipation of fresh spring green salads to come, the promise of warmer weather, farmers markets, an abundance of locally produced breads, meats and produce; helpful medical diagnoses and new dietary adventures to plan; road trips; spotting baby lambs frolicking in the countryside; new green grass and buds on the trees; University semester slowly slowly getting closer to completion, and enjoying the anticipation of a summer break from study – ah, the good life of just a single full time job lies just around the corner!
September Reading List
My reading habits have gotten lighter, too – as winter slips away behind us I’ve been enjoying more light, happy & romantic stories and have been working my way through Jasmine Guillory‘s books. It’s been a nice change of pace to enjoy lighter, uplifting reading and I enjoy how diverse and real her characters are.
Latest Updates to the Blog
I’ve been working away at more frequent publishing, with a 2 per week post plan moving forward which is going well. So stay tuned for more regular content!
Featured in:
- I was Featured as a World Traveller on dontstopliving.net
- Selected by Feedspot as one of the Top 200 Travel Blogs on the web.
Collaborated on:
- Provided some details on the magnificent Maruia Valley in Be Free With Lee’s Travelling New Zealand in a Campervan Post
- Shared some info about my favourite Caribbean Island, Martinique in Les Berlinettes Guide to the most beautiful places in the Caribbean post
Curiosities and favourites from around the web
- Delighted to learn you can watch Live Penguin TV each evening where every evening at sunset, the world’s largest colony of Little Penguins waddle up Phillip Island’s beaches to come home – and they livestream the whole thing. Adorable
- I love seeing other peoples own gratitude posts, and this month I have particularly enjoyed reading the August Gratitude Post of Shalzomojo.in
- I’m not always a fan of social media reminders – you know the ones, the here’s what you were doing this time last year! however I was reminded today that it was four years ago I was in such a magic part of India, visiting Jaisalmer. Sleeping on rooftops, eating the most delicious curries & having a magical experience.
- The Crane Wife, I’ve shared this before and I’ll share it again. A magnificent piece of work from a talented writer on life, loss, love, and birds.
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