Day 282. Lesson learnt

   Building a house is a tough job that takes years, yet a strong wind can shake it in a matter of seconds. 

  How do you react to it? Do you watch it shred your house to pieces then say there's nothing you can do to undo the damage or do you wait for it to pass then try your best to mend what was broken and take it as a lesson to be learnt?

   The wind comes from time to time. It has to. That's its job. But there's always something you can fix after it passes. It's your choice if you want to do it or not but if you just walk away at the first sign of strong wind you lose the house you built with a lot of hard work and passion. And you don't want that, do you? So be patient and let the storm pass, but never give up. In the end it's the house of your dreams, right? The one worth fighting for. So go back and rescue it.

Day 272. The perks of being brave

   Today I went the extra mile. I got out of my comfort zone and I jumped into a whole new type of experiences for photography. Today I was brave.

   I've seen a terribly beautiful house all covered in roses somewhere near where I live and I decided to go take some shots of it. After a lot of planning I got there and I struggled to mingle my camera through the fence and I actually succeeded to take a photo when I saw a man. I freaked out and I quickly went away. I wanted to leave with just that one photo I had. But my photographer instinct told me I needed more than just one photo to own a piece of art of that house that deserved to be praised. So I went back and I decided to ask the owner if I may enter the yard and take a proper photo. 

   He was an elder in his 80s dressed as a gardener. His face was kind and his voice was mild. He said photography and roses were also his passions so not only did he let me take as many photos as I wished but he also explained to me how he tended the beautiful roses covering the old house and he even invited me to follow him behind it.

    I followed him and then my eyes saw more than I could take. A huge garden full of all sorts of roses. All types, all colors, all shapes. And not only roses but also cacti and lily pads and ferns and trees of all kinds. I literaly felt like stepping into a Botanical Garden. And it was even more than that. It was a piece of heaven that made me go from surprise to ecstasy, from smiling to being in awe and saying "wow" every 2 minutes. 

   We took a long walk in the beautiful garden while the old man gently presented to me the types of roses (he had more than 40 types) and let me take photos to anything my heart desired. He even said "Here are some roses you haven't seen, enjoy yourself":) After a while we bonded so well that I felt like walking with my grandpa. I felt so much peace, happiness and amazement. I felt it all at once. 

   When I wanted to leave I took my bag and I saw a red rose inside of it. The old man gave me one of his beloved children. I guess he noticed we bonded too. Because when I left, we were both smiling like we had known each other for ages and this was just another visit I used to pay to him. 

   One thing though. He asked me not to share the photos of his house and garden on the internet so be my guests and imagine them as you please, but make sure you make them top perfection. Because that's how I felt today:)

   What a day!:) And how different might the things have been if only I didn't turn around. 

Day 112. Dream home

   Today I went to my best friend's place for a cozy Christmassy day together. As I stepped in the house I gazed in wonder all around me. I always believed her home looked the way I want my house to be "when I grow up" and have my own one:) There's simply so much attention put in every detail and everything looks so classy and just perfect. You always feel welcomed, loved and at peace when you step in:) I used to say that whenever I entered that house I felt like going in a hotel but today I felt I was visiting a museum... one with valuable pieces that I couldn't take my eyes of:) It was all because of the Christmas decorations placed with care and passion in the hall, in the kitchen and in the living room. In the end that's what makes a simple house... home. And my best friend's home is my personal dream home:)

Day 31. Japanese retreat?

   No, just a beautiful morning in the garden next to my block of flats:) I love admiring the garden that a neighbour takes such good care of. There are always seasonal flowers in there and watching them grow and blossom is a real pleasure:) Not to mention I have continous photographic material:P 

   I'd love to have a beautiful garden myself when I am to live in a cozy house along with a dog, a cat and my family:) That sounds lovely just thinking about it:)