Asakiyume mita

Growing up in Alaska, there were literally moose that lived in our backyard - they'd hang out in the little forested greenbelt behind our house, and occasionally come up into our yard to look for tasty willow shoots or (on one memorably warm day) drink from/cool off at our lawn sprinkler. Suburban moose. :) I asked my mother once why they were so awkward looking, and she said, "God probably made them out of leftovers."

I know it's something of a new-agey buzzword, but your last goal sounds similar to "practicing mindfulness". Noticing things around you without letting your preconceived judgments and expectations get in the way. I've been working on it myself, and it's surprisingly difficult (holy heck, do I have a lot of preconceived judgments and expectations)...but at the same time, rewarding. You learn a lot more when you come at things from a place of humility and newness.