13.june.2025

Dear reader, 

Considering that Okayama is known as the “Land of Sunshine”, we just had a week of endless rain. And with that overcast of melancholy, it gave me time to register the past 2 weeks. To note down what brought upon this warmth coursing through my veins despite the dreary weather. 

If you recall from I jotted previously, we were about to welcome our biggest group to date. A 5 + 1 combo featuring a Singaporean band, Elo Elo and their unofficial manager MJ. 

Prior to this trip, we (or at least I) had never met anyone in the band before. So it’s not just us that’s inviting people we don’t know into our house. But from their perspective, why would you choose to spend time with us? To put yourself under one roof with a chaotic 3.5 year old toddler? To adhere to a fairly early sleep schedule because of said chaotic menace? To get bitten by mosquitoes the second you open the door. To battle random insects hanging from walls. A million questions of why both parties should/shouldn’t be okay to reside together. Safe to say, everyone was pretty cautious except for our in between, MJ. 

Presented with their own key, the entire group could roam wherever they want, whenever they want so long as when night falls, everyone sorta has to creep around because our toddler can be deemed a light sleeper. My head was riddled with anxiety at how plausible that might be because we have creaky floorboards. Even as her parents, we run into unfortunate situations of waking her in the middle of the night. 

But then, the first two nights, it had been complete silence. In fact, we weren’t even sure if they had returned. Except that the dishes had been washed and put away. In the morning, our coffee machine had been freshly filled. Kettle, recently boiled. And most importantly, shoes at the front door indicating that everyone is home. Safe. 

When daylight comes around, you see each individual’s personality take form as they are drawn to various activities / missions. Whether it’s learning how to weld, making time for crocheting, mapping out the aforementioned creaky floorboards because we commented in passing that it’d be something nice to refer to (yes there was immense dedication to this and the entire thing looks like fucking minesweeper). Exploring the neighbourhood, painting a little something special for our kid, simply being present during this escape away from life in Singapore. Or even, write a song about what being here meant for them. 

And this was when I realised that this is it. This is what it comes down to. 

Forgive me, for still lingering on what I wrote about previously. But when it comes to finding a community that you feel like you can be yourself with; that notion will occupy my mind constantly. I am processing, dissecting, analysing, trying to make sense of it because truth of the matter - it’s incredibly hard to meet new people you can vibe with. 

So we figure out ways to challenge that sentiment. Cling on to our rose tinted glasses and see that it’s really not that tough. There are magical people out there, we just need to look more closely because they are everywhere. We begin by learning about one another. We establish an understanding and it leads to mutual respect. Making space because we accept each other and beyond that, we choose to exist together. Even if it requires to move like whispered silhouettes in the middle of the night. To be able to provide for and live with each other so seamlessly is the reason why we’ll never stop inviting people to come around. 

So even though their time with us had to end at some point, I do hope there are plans for them to return. Whether it’s full strength or individually. In the mean time, we’ll be here. Waiting to utter okaeri as they walk back in. 

ash

P.S. If it piques your interest, we've have been so kindly granted permission to share the song that was written during the time here. Have a listen : resting point (a song for isle of dreams)

And of course. Check ELO ELO out on Spotify.