Things I like about Japan : )

I've been thinking about Japan lately. Ok, I'm ALWAYS thinking about Japan.
I've been thinking about what it is that I like so much.
I'm going to try to pinpoint a couple of things.
1.) The gardens:
While I absolutely love wild growing forest, I've always been particular about gardens. I have this idea that when you have a garden it needs to be perfectly clean, trimmed, and green. In simple language: controlled.
Sometimes we get a batch of plants that is growing a little crazy and mom just loves it. So do I, its amazing when ANYTHING grows! But I Love it when it is trimmed and clean. I've always preferred Japanese gardens over European gardens. I think my mom likes European over Japanese. Also, (yes I'm going to compare myself to my mom the whole time) Mom likes lots of color. The more color the better. Japanese gardens focus on different shades of green, and then every once in a while there will be a splash of color. I like that way more. Also green and brown are my favorite colors! Maybe this also has to do with the fact that I enjoy perfection. I also love art. The dedication and work that makes a Japanese garden is so much that I appreciate the art that is formed all the more so.
This leads to another thing I like about Japan:

2.) The Dedication that goes into anything that a person chooses. Tea ceremony, flower arranging, gift giving (wrapping is an art), fashion, etc... It doesn't matter what it is, Japanese people seem to be very good at picking something, dedicating their extra time (usually very little) to it, and trying to perfect it. (even teens sporting ridiculous fashions on the weekends. :)
Now, while I may fail miserably in this area, I still highly admire it. HIGHLY. One of my favorite books is Geisha, a Life (or Geisha of Gion). That woman worked like none other. She perfected the art of dance so well it is amazing. She believed that self-discipline was the answer to everyhting. I don't think that's true. But if you DO have self-discipline it makes life that much better.

There are many MANY more things that I love about Japan, and I'll probably post about them later.
Till, then
じゃあ、またね！
＊ヘイヴン　Haven