茶叙会TeaTime Talk: Making everyday a joy and harmony

I woke up this morning immediately thinking of the things to be done for the teahouse, which I´m mostly occupied with these days. And since these things need my logical head, so this is probably why I´m a bit slow on my blog which needs a more creative mind apparently. This is the time when I wish I have two heads.

Anyway, this is as I have said the Da Hong Pao I am enjoying lately. I failed to take a good picture of their beautiful brewed leaves the last time, so here it is, this is how they look like brewed and unwrapped from their own embrace. Very beautiful.

And althought I do enjoy many other kind of music, but when working for the teahouse, drinking tea for energy and positive thinkings, preparing east asian menus, which of course turn into getting homesick and start looking at pictures to promise me my next visit to east asian countries, I thought it´s great with chinese music or japanese taiko in the background, but specially with my teenage kids, born partly european and scandinavian in culture, I could actually  hear another song in the background, but well, who cares, when it´s as great as these girls, Molly Petterson Hammar and Moa Lignell.

And besides, as mother checking what my kids are up to, like watching the swedish Idol, I think this program is great giving kids some challenge with their interest and talent. And I think Idol in Sweden has got much much better since I last saw this program with my kids two or three years ago. Judges are now encouraging these young contestants with good manner and right conduct, humility despite their talent, and true friendliness and sportmanship among them, where you could really see these kids admirably giving each other moral support backstage despite contesting for one prize only.

Anyway what do I do in times like this when I´m drinking green tea and my kids are in the mood for music of another theme? I enjoy the moment of course. How? Thanks to the east asian way of unstressing oneself I was born to perhaps. We have learned to be receptive to every situation given to us, no matter how. And unexpected or unfamiliar sounds suddenly sound harmonious to our ears. Kids stuffs, giggles or cry suddenly become a happy part of our everyday too, and old traditions looks or feel great even in the very advanced world we have today.

Try how we do it sometime: Don´t block things, no matter how unfamiliar or unsuitable you might think a situation, sound or sight is at the moment. Accept it. Welcome it to your ears if its a sound, to your eyes if its a sight or be content of it if it´s a sittuation. Try it and you´ll see - everyday is a harmony and tea is a joy no matter how and everyone you love is a part of the joy.

和气致祥!

for chadao ...

黄琼丝 /Celina Huang

Photo: En Kopp Zen Teahouse