Simple Life

I always miss my hometown, modesty in daily living is completely the strongest

allure which attracts me to come home. My house is surrounded by green wide paddy
fields, there is a stream bordering my land and the farmer’s. Near that small river, there
is a footpath with lots of banana and mango trees alongside. I used to play and bike there
with some friends. If we had starved or had been exhausted, some kids would pick the
fruits. In the dawn, when there are only few vehicle passing by, light clement fog covers
the road and fields. I love walking or jogging while listening to the roosters which
alternately crow. When the sun rises, some birds will appear and perch on the branches of
the trees. Some are tweeting and others are flying above the farm.

Beyond thick strong and high of my house gates, there are spacious garden at the
front and at the back. They are planted by many kinds of herbaceous plants, orchids,
bougainvillea, roses, jasmines, lily and yellow frangipani. When I open the window at my
bedroom in the morning, I can smell redolence of the flowers and the morning dew. The
sweet scent of the red roses are mixed with delicate fragrance of the jasmines, creating a
pleasant feeling which can soothe my nerve. I also adore the gently aroma of yellow
frangipani, it is one of my favorite flowers. It reminds me to the calm atmosphere of doing
yoga in Bali, when I sitting on a thick pad next to a pool and frangipani tree. Under the
balcony, my mother put some of her orchid collections. Her favorite is a white
Phalaenopsis Amabilis, it has large petals, with a bright yellow pattern on the center. The
flower blooms for one to two months, twice a year. We also has a small ranch, with only
four or five goats, ten chickens, five ducks and a catfish pond. However, I can’t stand
staying long with the livestock because the odor annoys me so much. It gives me migraine
instead. On the other hand, the kids and my husband enjoy feeding and playing with them.
They could spent all day together there.

Last but not least, the food are the most substantial why I go home frequently. The dishes
are absolutely rich and flavorsome. My mother is such brilliant chef, the oxtounge steak is
incredibly delicious. She can make moist and tender meat served with classic savory mushroom
sauce, but her delicate mashed potato is the one I miss the most. On a shiny bright day, when the
weather is usually quite hot, my sister likes making fresh sweet lemon tea with ice or blending
frozen oranges mixed with cut red dragon fruits and soursops. I adore the fusion of the sourness,
sweetness, and the cold of frozen fruit.

Many people hope that they can stay at big city or go abroad, but I always become
the number one big fan of my village. I enjoy both the environment and the atmosphere so
much, and they become my quick escape from mentally and physically exhaustion. I think
life must be simple and I am grateful to live as one of country people. To be one of the
people who live in the countryside.