Unlike in the Pinas, UK, US or Singapore where all my friends were whining about how hearts and commercialism about this day flutter all around the places, it is the complete opposite here in the land of the rising sun. It is as mundane as usual, quiet and no im-so-sad-i-don't-have-a-date-today faces splattered on the streets.
But the stores are filled with chocolates though, because on this day, the girls actually have a chance to send their feelings across a clueless man with a pretty box of chocolate, hoping that at the same day next month they will reply with another box of chocolate or flowers if they are lucky.
Days before valentines I get fliers for a session of chocolate making lesson or valentine cake baking lesson. And the hundred yen shop is brimming with cute wrapping stuff and baking ingredients that are not ordinarily available. While stocking up on confectionery sugar, dried fruits, peanut crush.. etc.. which I don't plan to use for valentines but just contingencies in case I will need them in my future cooking or baking attempts, I see lots of giggly high school girls shopping for their ingredients and wrappers for the chocolate they were going to make. All these because if you want to send your feelings across with a stronger impact, the chocolate should not just come from a store's shelf, but should be lovingly made with your own hands from scratch. If Maria Clara have known about this, it would definitely make her gasp for air in protest.
One may see this as a male chauvinistic part of their culture, but after seeing those high school girls smile with excitement and after a walk down the memory lane, I wished we had a day like this back home. A day where girls are given freedom to say how they feel without fear of being judged. If we just had a day like this, it could have saved a lot of young and not so young hearts from suffocating which is much worst than breaking. I personally think it's fun too.
I think this is the only part of the planet where the commercialism of the Heart's day cannot penetrate. Maybe Japanese are just too stoic for that or maybe they just want to keep it real. I never hated valentine's day, even if I am no longer the "I AM NOT BITTER" kind person that I used to but I still hate the commercialism that engulfs the whole meaning of Love which is the reason for the celebration. The pressure and expectations that are pumped to the limit cheapens everything and make you wonder if it's real or obligatory.
I spent this day working, actually forgetting that it's the V-day if not for my friends back home who greeted me. I had no expectations because I am in a V-day twilight zone, if the day ended without a date or flowers, I'm perfectly fine with it. Workday ended with a plan to just cook for dinner and make my Hubby a heart shaped strawberry cake. But Hubby took me to Hotel Centraza, with a reason that he had to meet a Japanese client, he is a bad liar but I believed him still because he always meets with clients so I thought this is just one of them. But instead of meeting another Japanese to impress, I was greeted with a table with a "Reserved" sign on it. He made reservations to that expensive restaurant I have been wanting to go! The place was not full but he insisted on making a reservation because he said it is more special. I was suprised and very happy, especially with the buffet of crabs, incredibly tender steaks and the DESSERT table that can make you cry. And he just grinned from ear to ear saying "akala mo hahayaan ko na wala tayong valentines?". We left the restaurant with very full bellies so we opted to just walk home. It was romantic.
I had no bouquet of flowers to boast this year, but this time the day was unexpected and more sincere and special. I think this is how we should celebrate it, it doesn't really matter if its with friends or loved ones, as long as there's no expectations, no pressure... just love.
just one of those on the dessert table
But the stores are filled with chocolates though, because on this day, the girls actually have a chance to send their feelings across a clueless man with a pretty box of chocolate, hoping that at the same day next month they will reply with another box of chocolate or flowers if they are lucky.
Days before valentines I get fliers for a session of chocolate making lesson or valentine cake baking lesson. And the hundred yen shop is brimming with cute wrapping stuff and baking ingredients that are not ordinarily available. While stocking up on confectionery sugar, dried fruits, peanut crush.. etc.. which I don't plan to use for valentines but just contingencies in case I will need them in my future cooking or baking attempts, I see lots of giggly high school girls shopping for their ingredients and wrappers for the chocolate they were going to make. All these because if you want to send your feelings across with a stronger impact, the chocolate should not just come from a store's shelf, but should be lovingly made with your own hands from scratch. If Maria Clara have known about this, it would definitely make her gasp for air in protest.
One may see this as a male chauvinistic part of their culture, but after seeing those high school girls smile with excitement and after a walk down the memory lane, I wished we had a day like this back home. A day where girls are given freedom to say how they feel without fear of being judged. If we just had a day like this, it could have saved a lot of young and not so young hearts from suffocating which is much worst than breaking. I personally think it's fun too.
I think this is the only part of the planet where the commercialism of the Heart's day cannot penetrate. Maybe Japanese are just too stoic for that or maybe they just want to keep it real. I never hated valentine's day, even if I am no longer the "I AM NOT BITTER" kind person that I used to but I still hate the commercialism that engulfs the whole meaning of Love which is the reason for the celebration. The pressure and expectations that are pumped to the limit cheapens everything and make you wonder if it's real or obligatory.
I spent this day working, actually forgetting that it's the V-day if not for my friends back home who greeted me. I had no expectations because I am in a V-day twilight zone, if the day ended without a date or flowers, I'm perfectly fine with it. Workday ended with a plan to just cook for dinner and make my Hubby a heart shaped strawberry cake. But Hubby took me to Hotel Centraza, with a reason that he had to meet a Japanese client, he is a bad liar but I believed him still because he always meets with clients so I thought this is just one of them. But instead of meeting another Japanese to impress, I was greeted with a table with a "Reserved" sign on it. He made reservations to that expensive restaurant I have been wanting to go! The place was not full but he insisted on making a reservation because he said it is more special. I was suprised and very happy, especially with the buffet of crabs, incredibly tender steaks and the DESSERT table that can make you cry. And he just grinned from ear to ear saying "akala mo hahayaan ko na wala tayong valentines?". We left the restaurant with very full bellies so we opted to just walk home. It was romantic.
I had no bouquet of flowers to boast this year, but this time the day was unexpected and more sincere and special. I think this is how we should celebrate it, it doesn't really matter if its with friends or loved ones, as long as there's no expectations, no pressure... just love.
just one of those on the dessert table
1 comment:
wow ka sweet.... sa dessert. hehehe
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