That light feeling

This year I am savouring summer like never before. Its dawning on me what a beautiful season it is. Incredibly liberating and the light feeling hasnt left me. Funny - living in places with perennial summers (Mumbai,Singapore..) one just misses this small joyous fact.

For all those inveterate tropical animals - like me - yes you can survive winters (like I did).No, you dont necessarily die/get frost-bitten/suffer hypothermia in the cold (yes even in temperatures below 25 C).And the temperature setting is normally less than in Great World City (mall in Singapore) and no you cant turn it up when you want to. And yes you can get spoilt by it all if you arent careful.

So I survived a winter and am actually reminiscing fondly about its joys (who would have thought). I do miss the long winter walks when I could walk for hours without panting like a Retriever. After walking a while the warm rush of body heat from within made for a neat inbuilt body warmer.

I miss those nippy winter mornings ,bright blue skies and a bright sun lightly toasting your skin (ah bless the Tokyo weather).I miss the excitement of predicting the turn of seasons - spotting the first yellow leaf or the first sakura bud (or read about it in the mornings newspaper)...

Before it sounds all wrong I have to say this...I am still glad, very glad its summer.

I like the feel of cool cotton against my skin again.

I like the feel of the breeze through my open window and the sound of rustling white curtains...

I like not walking around like a shapeless ball of wool (all those layers) weighing a ton (not having learnt the Japanese art of winter chic yet).No wonder I feel lighter.

I like the fact that I can walk out of the house in a lark with just one layer of clothing and my house keys. No more endless dilemnas (everytime) about what to wear and how many - gloves-no gloves, thermals or plain cardigan or fleece.Or all. Neck warmer or cap.Or both. Heck going out should be a hop, step and out and on your own terms.

Its nice to have your feet aired in open toed sandals...and no socks. Freedom.

Its a happy feeling hearing birds sing song-ing in fresh green leafy trees. Goodbye to lonely stick trees sadly reaching out...

No more darkness at five in the evening and six pm seeming like mid night.Thank God. What a weird feeling that.

Am I imagining it or do people around me actually look happier and 'free' this summer..like a burden just lifted off them..

Maybe its just the song in my heart that is making me see things..

Or the humidity.

Sayonara!