Happiness in the little things

Last weekend, we finally were able to push through with a family gathering of sorts with my brother and his family.  It is true what they say that life has the habit of getting in between of things so even if we all wanted to meet up more often, we just have to make do with the scarce opportunities that are given to us. 

The last time that we met up was for Patrick's birthday last July.  This time it was for Neejay's birthday.  As always, it's a treat for me to see my brother, Neejay and his family.  I can't get over how much Rich looks like my brother when he was still toddler.  We tried one of the Japanese restaurants in Rockwell, Zaifu.  Yummy.  Well, I'm biased when it comes to Japanese food but one sure sign that the restaurant was good was that there were at least two Japanese families eating there when we came in.  I don't think you can see that happening in Tokyo Tokyo anytime soon. Special mention goes to Spicy Tuna Cheese Roll.  I'm not even sure if it's their specialty but I loved it nonetheless.  Hehehe.

It is also worth mentioning that after months of scouring various bookstores for a copy of Anna Karenina, a classic by Leo Tolstoy, I finally hit jackpot last weekend.  Considered to be one of the greatest novels of the 19th century, it is really sad that when I try to look for a copy (or even any book by Leo Tolstoy), the closest I get is Android Karenina.  Just goes to show how much books are valued or not valued in this country.  Fully Booked in Rockwell only reopened last Saturday so it was really luck in my part that I happen to be there last Sunday and that we had a few minutes to burn.  I was also lucky to chance upon an extra-helpful employee who was patient enough to look for the book despite the chaos. 

Last weekend reminded me that happiness doesn't have to be in the extravagant things.  Most of the time, it is in the small things that we tend to overlook.  Happiness is finding a book when you least expect it...it is in watching my nephew's eyes light up while watching the water fountain...it is in the silent moments when you don't feel like doing anything else but just hold hands with the one you love....