Nihonglish

i'm glad it's your birthday

2012-01-28T23:49:00.000+09:00

for ai's birthday shy, debs, and i made her a chocolate cake with orange cream cheese frosting. ai has a sweet spirit, she is always on hand when it is someone's birthday. she makes sure everyone feels special on their special day. and the whole community came out and pulled together to make sure that ai felt extra special. the bar was packed and ai had three cakes!!! happy birthday ai chan.

happy birthday ai from the fab four....

finn family moomintroll

2012-01-24T00:31:00.000+09:00

oooppss......a new reason to scour the second hand toy stores of japan.....

1-23-12 evening, coffee table

duckies and octopi

2012-01-21T22:00:00.000+09:00

bathtubs are amazing because they facilitate baths. bathtubs with bath toys like rubber duckies and flying monkeys are even better. bathtubs with bath toy bags filled with rubber duckies and flying monkeys that are attached to the wall by two green pirate octopi are perfection.

bathtub yuta's apartment 1-19-12

rainy night through the kitchen window

2012-01-20T01:10:00.000+09:00

almost midnight yuta's kitchen 1-19-12

where all the magic happens

2012-01-05T16:12:00.000+09:00

this is my last daily blog post of the winter holidays. i kept my promise to myself to have at least one post per day. this must mean that i deserve a treat?

1-5-2012 afternoon: Apartment living room/bedroom/craft room/headquarters

getting things done

2012-01-04T15:25:00.000+09:00

one new years resolution on its way to reality! reopen my etsy store....stop by and take a look:

japan a la mode

1-4-2012 Ishii Biru floor vintage beaded clutch

invisible, impossible, troublesome mass of mischief

2012-01-03T10:00:00.000+09:00

one should for sure ring in the year of the dragon with a roar...yes? saw the clock strike the first minutes of 2012 during a lovely night in with a few close members of my family/friends, fondu, bad jokes, booze and good conversation then on to two shrines for the yearly hastumode ritual. in bed by five-thirty am, covered with glitter and filled with love, warmth, champagne, sake, and greasy street vendor food. ROAR! ROAR! ROAR!

pete's dragon

how a new years day should be spent...

2012-01-02T22:53:00.002+09:00

1-1-2012 Lunchfeast, Yuta's parent's house

after feast, pre-nap nap

開けましておめでとうございます！

2012-01-01T20:51:00.000+09:00

1-1-2012 Kagamimochi first seen after awoke from afternoon nap at Yuta's family's home

two troublemakers, a bombshell and three teeth

2011-12-31T17:15:00.000+09:00

12-31-11 my vanity Ishii Biru

who needs a prince when you have a perfectly good frog

2011-12-31T00:59:00.001+09:00

12-31-11 Yuta's apartment with our personal mascots

successes happen too (sometimes)

2011-12-29T15:56:00.000+09:00

and here is something that came from my hands that doesn't suck so much...a christmas keepsake for yuta and i from this past christmas.

front

back

ps. this is the 200th post of Nihonglish...

failures happen

2011-12-28T15:03:00.000+09:00

i planned to make Momomi the most amazing batch of brownies, chocked full of almonds and chocolate bar pieces and decorated with happy birthday and outer space kittens. The universe had other ideas...mostly burnt and squished (guess i was channeling my inner bridget jones?). Sorry Momomi. It's the thought that counts right? Happy Birthday pretty lady.

Space Cat design amazingness

pretty tubes of colored chocolate

finished disaster that got even more disastrous/squished by the time it arrived at birthday restaurant

may your days be merry and bright and may all your christmases be white

2011-12-27T18:50:00.000+09:00

This Christmas all of us here in Gifu had our very own Christmas miracle, the first snow of the season. As I am sure you can imagine Christmas overseas can be lonely. Lucky for me, and the rest of the people that I celebrated the day with, we all have each other. Most of those in attendance I have known for years, and even if I have not, I intend to know them for years to come. As you can see the huge feast (including lots of roast beasts), made us all a little sleepy after it was devoured. There were a few mini naps and eye restings going on. Debbie, Victoria and I hung out on Christmas Eve and constructed the beautiful winter wonderland and baked gingerbread cookies. The cupcakes were chocolate and the icing was peppermint. Yum and yum yum!

when dreams become realities...

get out the bibs....

2011-12-26T14:07:00.002+09:00

12-25-2011 Vic and Mhairi's kitchen table and the Winter Wonderland cupcake explosion

no matter how far away you roam, when you long for the sunshine of a friendly gaze...

2011-12-22T07:00:00.000+09:00

Here is a mini-session that I did for Dakota this week. He wanted some photos that he could bring back to his family for Christmas. We took a bundled up walk around the park near his apartment and had a chat and took some shots. I think that my favorite one is this first one; the way that the water of the creek was shinning under the bridge was really magical. Safe travels Dakota brother man, enjoy home for the holidays and come back safe.

there is no place like home for the holidays, and The Carpenters want to tell you all about it.

i feel better when i have you near me

2011-11-30T10:29:00.000+09:00

Rebekah and Brandon's engagement session has landed. How cute are these two love birds? It made me beyond joyful to take these pictures for my sister and her husband as part of my wedding present to them. Heres to years of happiness, kindness, love, laughs, and not too many tears, unless they are tears of joy!

the ultimate little sister says it ALL!

introducing

2011-11-26T08:30:00.000+09:00

the new ploener family member...Georgie Girl...

11-07-11 Georgie Girl at home

sunny day

2011-11-25T08:30:00.000+09:00

my american sunglasses and my american hunk taken by my american wife...jessica horwitz

taken by Jessica Horwitz in Forsyth Park, Savannah, Georgia 11-01-11

yummmm....

2011-11-24T08:00:00.000+09:00

some possible reasons for my weight gain while back in the states..

11-01-11 Savannah's Candy Kitchen

smooochhh

2011-11-23T18:18:00.001+09:00

sneak peek: Rebekah and Brandon Engagement Session. goal: to have a blog post from their session up by next week.

10-24-2011 Engagement Photography Session with Rebekah and Brandon

in the graveyard

2011-11-14T13:23:00.001+09:00

even Minnie Mouse likes a bad boy to try and turn good now and then.

Taken by Sheena Singh October 31st, 2011 at The Cat Cave

ain`t no mountain high enough

2011-11-13T11:12:00.001+09:00

mt. fuji greeting yuta and i through clouds on the last leg of our journey returning to japan.

Mt. Fuji, November 12th, 2011, about 4:30pm

make like a tree

2011-10-27T11:51:00.000+09:00

snapshot of little sister taken during engagement session. soon to be married love bird pictures to follow.

10-24-2011, Rebekah, Fayetteville house backyard late afternoon

a lantern named jack

2011-10-17T12:46:00.000+09:00

all things halloween make me smile, and so here, a halloween smile for you.

japanese jack-o-lantern

there's a brand new talk, but it's not very clear

2011-10-13T00:14:00.001+09:00

Almost a month back Dee took Debs and I to a fashion show about an hour outside of Gifu city. It was a lovely start of fall day, and the drive was refreshing. It is nice to get away from the concrete and into the country every now and again. Debs, Dee, and I were all quite the fashionistas, and it was an all around inspiring day. All the kimonos were reconstructed by high school students and modeled by them as well. Reconstructing a yukatta or kimono has been floating around in my creative subconscious for a while. Mayhaps this little adventure has given me the inspiration to finally do it.

not sure what is with me and bowie lately but beep beep, maybe has something to do with the NPR book review that I listened to a few months back: Starman.

spoiled alert!

2011-10-10T17:20:00.001+09:00

So far so good with this one picture post business. Today was a much needed day to myself, which was devoted to souvenir shopping and pre-packing planning. All the Japanese goodies that my beloved friends and family will be receiving soon are colorful and fun. They were shouting to get their portraits taken.

pre-packing planning 2pm 10-10-2011

the egg and the shell

2011-10-09T17:19:00.002+09:00

With holiday season coming up, my life, and most of yours, will become a bit of a tornado. Not sure when it hasn't been such, not complaining, simply informing. And so I have decided to change the format of this blog, or simply add something new; the one picture post. I will still be posting longer posts with youtube links like always, just when I have content and time.

So the first one picture post...and the answer to THAT question, atleast in the Nihonglish universe, the egg.

Seki knife festival, October 8th, 2011

あなたと私が夢の国

2011-09-26T22:10:00.000+09:00

京都で佑太の妹が結婚をしました。私は日本の結婚式を初めて見ました。アメリカの結婚式とは違って静かな雰囲気でした。美都と秀則はとても幸せそうでした。式の後の食事会は皆楽しく会話ができ、料理もとても美味しかったです。美都と秀則は楽しんで、そして頑張って下さい。

About three weeks ago, I attended Yuta's little sister's, Mito's, wedding. It took place in Kyoto, and was very intimate. Though I have been to many receptions in Japan, I had yet to be invited to an actual ceremony. There were a few differences between Japan and America, but the feeling was the same. Two people coming together in front of their families, the community and a deity and declaring their decision to live from then forth as a unit. The over feeling of Mito's wedding was one of happiness. The biggest surprise for me was how calm the whole event was. Never before and I doubt from here on will I be apart of a wedding so laid back and stress free. Good luck Mito and Hidenori! I am wishing you years of happiness and a marriage as calm and lovely as your wedding.

てんとう虫のサンバ

would you have liked a present too?

2011-09-12T10:46:00.000+09:00

Little Corine turned one a few weeks ago! Time goes so quickly. Look at how big she has gotten, Corine's first blog post. Two Sundays ago, Yuta, Dakota, and I went to visit Corine, Kyle and Twyla, Kyle's mom, to bring Corine belated birthday presents. Twyla is always fun to see and talk with. She has a way of bringing a bit of home with her. She made us chicken and dumplings and fried okra for lunch. In true one year old style, Corine was much more interested in the wrapping paper than her present. Corine, you are growing into such a darling young little lady, I can't wait to see how much you will have changed by your next birthday!

happy birthday happy birthday happy birthday happy birthday

let's sway under the moonlight, this serious moonlight

2011-08-31T20:59:00.014+09:00

Some night photography at Gujo Odori, or all night dancing in Gujo with Yuta and his parents. I was wearing my yukatta, summer kimono, (see post below this one) and here are some examples of some other yukattas. Yuta's grandmother lives right in the town of Gujo, so we did not have to fight with the crowd for a parking space, or dance all night. All the dances are choreographed, basically line dancing...where are a girl's cowgirl boots when she needs em?, and I did not know any of them. Not being one to be left out nor to pass up an excuse to dance, I did my own little bit of free dancing. Yuta's cousin, her husband and two little children went with us as well. By the end, the smallest girl was ready to head home and had had enough walking, dancing, eating and goldfish shaking. Gujo is such a lovely town, and the atmosphere at the all night dancing was a different kind of festival atmosphere than I am used to. I hope that we can go back next year!

sometimes bowie says it all: let's dance

they do it over there but we don't do it over here

2011-08-18T16:30:00.000+09:00

For my past birthday Yuta's parents oh so kindly and wonderfully gave me a yukatta, a summer kimono. Yukatta are usually worn at summer festivals such as firework displays or Bon Odori (dancing for returning from the dead ancestors....more on that next week!). I had never worn one before last Saturday. As you can see it is a bit of a process to put on, and though some can dress themselves, I certainly can not. Yuta's mother and grandmother helped me. My Yuta took some pictures of the process. He is a latent professional photographer! Who knew? I can't wait for another excuse to wear my beautiful birthday gift.

like a cat from japan

i'm headed for a land thats far away beside the crystal fountains

2011-08-14T23:17:00.017+09:00

This past Saturday I went with Yuta, and his parents up to see the Gujyo Odori (all night dancing). Before we arrived in town we stopped at Otaki Shonyudo, or limestone caves.

where they hung the jerk that invented work

i love my red shoes

2011-08-03T20:36:00.009+09:00

Some people, maybe even most English teachers in Japan, think that teaching English is all just "playing with children while speaking English". Us veterans know a bit better than that. I will probably never cease to cringe when I hear a "newbie" utter those words. Kim is the first person I met in Japan, infact, she is the person who helped hired me and trained me at my first job. Though, we have both since moved on from that company, we have kept in touch. Kim has been an ear, and a shoulder, and a hand through problems both professionally and personally. (Thanks Kimu!)

A week and a half ago Kim gave a presentation at ETJ (English Teachers in Japan) Aichi in Nagoya. Her presentation was titled "Brain Rules and Tools for Teaching Young Learners." As with most things Kim, her presentations are not dull. She has you moving, shaking, yelling and smiling the whole time. Any attendee of Kim's workshops will at the very least leave with one thought: Kim loves what she does, and it is infectious. If you are an English teacher, or any type of teacher, here in Japan, and you ever have a chance to participate in a presentation by Kim Horne, please do. You will not regret it.

Did he cry? Goodness NO! He kept walking along and singing his song

happy birthday maligayang bati cumpleanos felix tanjyobi omedetou

2011-07-11T23:19:00.017+09:00

Birthdays. Love em or hate em, you cant really run from em...guess you can...but they come anyways. I have to admit I am pretty fortunate for always having pretty stellar birthdays. This year was no exception! My lovely wonderful hunky heart squeeze started my birthday weekend off with a beautiful large bouquet of pretty flowers, a cake, a very sweet love birthday card and made me dinner. As you can see below food played big part in my birthday. As it should, as I am a bit of a hungry hippo! Shy was lovely enough to get me DARK rye bread from Nagoya, with which I made reubens for Yuta and I. He had never had one before. Thanks Shy! Sunday a bunch of my dearest and closests went down to Nagaragawa under the bridge, as it was threatening to rain, and had a bit of a BBQ. We celebrated Yuta's return to Japan as well. Thank you everyone for coming and celebrating with us.

Birthday Booty! ARGGGG! Notice the lovely hand made gifts. Love love love my friends. Not that birthdays are about presents....but it sure is awesome to get a handmade pair of earrings with your favorite pinup (thanks Vic and Mhairi), apron with whales and octopi and black lace trim (thanks Shy), My Little Pony (thanks James), earrings and peacock bangles (thanks Ai), fireworks (thanks Marcel), beer and hot dogs (thanks Master and Hatsumi) not pictured: earrings (thanks Mai), a pink mouse shaped lunch box (thanks Kim), some moomin and pon de lion goods (thanks Debs) and David Sedaris' new book (thanks Aunt Maggie and Aunt Jean). But honestly and truly, just everyone who came and had a good time and shared the day with us was gift enough for me. Lots of hugs and loves. xoxoxoxo

To MEEE!

just the way you are

2011-06-19T08:18:00.009+09:00

This is Naomi. For her birthday this past winter I promised her a portrait session. Between the winter weather, our schedules, and rain we had to keep rescheduling. Finally, about three weeks ago we were able to meet up and go to a park near Gifu and have our session. I had not done a portrait session in a long while, and so at first was a bit out of practice. But once Naomi and I were both comfortable, it was a blast. Naomi was a GREAT model, playful and natural in front of the camera. Thank you Naomi for letting me take pictures of you, and for being a wonderful, supportive, loyal, amazing friend. You are a strong, beautiful, warm woman, and I am glad to know you. Kisses hugs hugs kisses.

state your name and beat it!

ps. i dont think that naomi is a grouch...in the LEAST! but she once sang this song one for me, and this is just my favorite version. i love love love you naomi!

i got me some horses to ride on

2011-06-12T20:18:00.011+09:00

About a month ago, I went on a little day trip with Yuko, Airi and Papa. They took me to a place called Bokka no Sato. It is about an hours drive from where we live. It is known for its flowers, animals, and fruits and veggies. My favorite animals were the sheep. They were paws and hooves down the kindest. The horses were spoiled and bratty (except for the one featured here, who was a baby marshmallow heart), the bunnies were shy and a bit snobbish, and the cows were too busy chopping for any type of decent conversation (not to mention their crazy eyes, which were off putting). It was a fun day with the family. Thank you Yuko, Airi, and Papa for a wonderful shared time with animals, flowers, and each other! Lets hang again soon soon soon!

fool on the hill takes a little ride on some boss hosses

she takes care of herself

2011-06-06T22:02:00.011+09:00

Last March. Northern Trip. Upstate New York with Maggie and Jean. NYC by my lonesome. crashing at a certain svenska flicka's apartment across from the Gershwin Theatre (FINALLY me and a snickers....we got to see Wicked!). Zabars. Central Park. MOMA (with Tim Burton exhibit). The Museum of Natural History (with childhood friend AND her child). The City of the Museum of New York (with a Charles Addams Exhibit). Pizza by the slice (with a few current Atlantans). The Chelsea Hotel (stumbled upon while on a failed mission to gay dance club). Brooklyn to visit old college friends. The New York Public Library. Penn Station. Chinatown. Little Italy. Central Park. And all in about two or three days. New York, I love you, and thank you for loving me too.

sing it long island brother from another mother

i dont know why i love her like i do

2011-05-15T20:04:00.014+09:00

For some strange odd reason the little town of Gujo Hachiman keeps calling me. Do you believe that places have personalities, or energies? I do. Gujo might have the hots for me, and if I could be so bold, I would like to admit that I have taken a shine to her as well. About a month ago I was invited for lunch (at a certain sweetheart cutie pie's grandmother's house) and to see the Spring festival. I was able to witness the Spring dance, called Kagura. The thing that struck me the most about the dancing was that it was all done by children so precisely, in full costume and makeup. After we watched the dancing, Yuta's parents took me to a few museums, one the city museum and then a couple of art museums. We even stopped for ice cream!

take me to the river

what do i do when my love is away

2011-05-05T22:01:00.009+09:00

The annual Bierhall hanami, or cherry blossom viewing, was held at the beginning of April. It was a lovely day filled with families, both the real blood kind and the real unblood kind, booze, football, food, conversations, laughs, a drowned guitar, and oh yeah....those cherry blossom thingermababers too.

does anyone remember woodstock?

can i have your sweater? cause it's cold cold cold in my {rabbit} hole hole hole

2011-04-26T21:00:00.013+09:00

I have found that being out of America makes holidays and traditions and what we take for granted (eh hem....like peeps) all sorely missed parts of Japan-land living. At home everyone else is keeping the traditions alive for me, and I leave 'em to it. Easter is a holiday that I have not actively participated in since before high school, however this year the bunny bug bit me. I dyed eggs, I wore an Easter dress/outfit (gloves included), I watched "It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown", I made myself an easter basket (down to the hello kitty bunny sticker detail, leftovers from new years). I even had plans to attended Easter morning service, but a wonderful girl's night out turn into a wonderful girl's morning still out. Somethings don't quite mix, like mixed drink hangovers and Easter Sunday Sermons. Now. I have one problem with you Easter, and it may very well be Winter that should be on my sh*tlist and not you. But. You ma'am are supposed to be bringing in Spring, and as far as I can tell that has not come to pass. Get on it.

Figure it out

i love my brain, i love my heart

2011-04-20T09:38:00.001+09:00

Two Saturdays ago I went to Kakamigahara to enjoy the cherry blossoms with one of my old students from the kindergarten (she was the only child who NEVER cried, a very independent strong wee one) and her mother. We had a great time chatting, playing, eating, and looking at the cherry blossoms. On our way back home, and before the little lady passed out in her stroller, my student and I both got cherry flavored pink soft serve ice cream. It tasted like real cherries, not like the fake gross flavor that is manufactured in factories on the Jersey Turnpike. Ewww...

I am really glad that you are you too

The ABC song with more sassafrass than....

hello world i'm your wild girl

2011-04-08T08:02:00.002+09:00

Cherry blossom season has begun. Victoria and I went out last Wednesday evening and had our own little hanami, or flower viewing. I will be attending hanamis all weekend. So there will be cherry blossoms in the daytime pictures being taken, and a bit more in depth exploration of the tradition of hanami.

Cherry Bomb

And a little bit of regurgitated fame: La Flash La Faith La Photocredit

you're the picture of my love blossom for me....

2011-03-31T23:03:00.009+09:00

About three weeks ago there was a Plum Blossom festival at Bairin Park, a quaint park that I don't frequent enough, walking distance from my place. A whole bunch of buddies, my new darling amazing honey and I went. We enjoyed the delicious festival food, a strange parade of older people dressed in costumes only possible in Japan, a novice magic show, and not to be forgotten, the plum blossoms.

Blossom

safely walk to school without a sound

2011-03-29T08:49:00.002+09:00

If you would like to help Japan here is a link so that you can do so: Help Japan.

This past week I finished up teaching at my kindergarten. On my last day I brought my camera to school to catch all of my little beasts' adorable faces for the last time. And though I would love to share those photos with you I want nothing but their safety and so instead I am posting their bentos that their families make for them every day. Bentos in Japan are serious business and by that I mean the cutest things you have ever seen. I was not able to get to all the bentos, and some of them had been mostly eaten. If you are interest in learning more about Bentos here is a great website: Just Bento. Or you could just google image search "bento" and see all the amazing things that can be done with rice and ham and cheese and seaweed.

Very beautiful goodbye flowers given to me by two of my students.

The beginning of my very own bento empire! Yes, it is a giant donut.

I can tell we are gonna be friends

a lock of hair, a belt he wore, it's not enough, i need more

2011-03-17T01:18:00.016+09:00

At the end of January an Atlanta band, Deerhunter, came to Japan! It was great to see some hometown boys doing their thing. Joshua, the bass player, and I have known each other since high school a la my bestie, Sunni-bear. (Props to that ole Alan C. Pope). I saw them on Friday night in Nagoya with some friends from Gifu. (Thanks for the song dedication!). Then on Saturday, Debbie and I went to see them in Osaka. Our weekend was filled with rock n roll, takoyaki, okonomiyaki, freaky fashion, great shopping (check out the little green number I got at H&M), and being able to show Joshua a small little part of Japan.

Debs attempts to make Joshua invisible to the autograph hunters.

It doesn't work.

Hero Worship

cause i'm with the band ya know

2011-02-28T21:34:00.010+09:00

Meet the Dead Gazzelles. They are friends of mine here in Gifu. They played a great set at a long almost all day punk festival at GifuGoIchi in the middle of January (promise to be better with the updates....sorry guys). Goichi is a punk venue that I pass on my way to work everyday. Was glad to finally be able to have an excuse to check it out!

Meet the ultimate.

she never truly hated anyone or anything.....a baby of the south

2011-02-01T21:30:00.015+09:00

Two or three Sundays ago, Gifu saw its first blanketing of snow of the season. This came about a week or two after Atlanta saw its own snow coating. At which I was insanely jealous and beside myself. Lucky for me I spent most of my youth in the northern states and was exposed to many play in snow days. In fact one of my very first baby memories is trying my hardest to follow in my father's snow foot prints, which were to me at the time in my now grown's minds eye, eye-high. I think I had to scream and cry for him to be able to find me and rescue me. (Hey Dad, if I write more stories about you will you check out my blog more than once a year?) Snow is just one of those things that all human beings I would hope to believe find mystical, uplifting, and otherwordly. After going to brunch at a new pizza place with Nolan, Dakota, and Debbie (the meeting of the hungover minds), I suited my camera up in a plastic bag and headed out into my neighborhood to explore. As with all play in the snow days, the possibly best part is coming home, dumping all your snow gear in the front hallway and enjoying an amazing cup of hot chocolate.

20 years of snow falling

or if you are more of the bookworm variety: Snow

and there's no map and a compass wouldn't help at all

2011-01-26T22:48:00.000+09:00

A few weeks ago, Mai and I went to Gero, a town in northern Gifu that is basically a hot springs resort smorgasbord. As always with Mai, our time was spent relaxing, girl talking, and giggling to the point of not being able to breathe. Thanks baby girl for such a lovely weekend, and as always for sharing you with me.

human behaviour

Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu

2011-01-17T21:17:00.016+09:00

One of the Japanese traditions for New Year is to take a trip to a shrine, which is called Hatsumode. You make your wishes known to the gods for the upcoming year. A bunch of the Gifu family and I made our way in the cold to make our yoroshikus, drink some brews and eat festival food.

i just want you for my own

2011-01-04T13:53:00.013+09:00

Christmas is for surrounding oneself with the people in your life whom you love, and filling your gullets with all things warm and sparkling. A lot of ex-pats go home for the holidays, but there were many that stayed in Gifu this year. For the most part, not a minute of my Christmas was spent alone. Though I must and will confess that the moment I opened my eyes, and had no one to run and scream "Merry Christmas" to left me feeling empty and cold. I soon turned around my mood by enjoying the snow flurries outside my window, and finding Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer on youtube (there is nothing better than a land of misfit toys, and a dentist elf).

Apartment's Christmas best:

Lebo's for brunch:

Shy's for dinner:

The fun did not stop after Shy's, but picture taking did. As we all know a sauced me and expensive camera equipment really need not be meeting one another...ever. The rest of the night was more friends, booze, love, and karaoke. Thank you Gifu family for making my Christmas amazingwonderfullovelybrilliantwarmwarmwarm.

all i want for christmas

our house it has a crowd there is always something happening and its usually quite loud

2011-01-04T13:25:00.006+09:00

Night photography, christmas baking, and filth and squalor. My life. My house. Our house.

our house

and yesterday i saw you kissing tiny flowers

2010-12-29T12:54:00.013+09:00

Mountain escapes are required every now and again. Lucky for me I met an amazing lady who so kindly allowed my little soul to rest with hers for a weekend. Meet Lou. She lives in Gujyo which is about an hours drive north of Gifu. We had a great time driving up to her place chatting and singing out loud. Konomi and her friend Nahoko joined us for dinner and general girl nightness....giggles and bad snacks. We woke in the morning and took a little walk through the town of Gujyo. Which is famous for plastic food.

thats the way it is

i won't do you no harm

2010-12-27T14:35:00.008+09:00

There is a shrine about a forty minute drive from where I live that has a festival at the end of each month. The shrine is dedicated to business, and the goddess that inhabits it is a fox. A couple would be unwise to visit this shrine together as it makes ms. foxy lady jealous and she will tear you apart. My landlord goes every month, and sometimes he invites some of his tenants along with him. After making our rounds to all the little god's houses, we stopped off and had some kushikatsu, which is fried pork on a stick, and beers.

foxeeeyyyy lady!

hearts will play tippy-tippy-tay, tippy-tippy-tay

2010-12-19T20:26:00.012+09:00

Some how three weeks have gone by, and finally these photographs are making their way into the universe. At the end of November my friend Naomi took me to meet the Mori Family. And I am very glad that she did. They treated me to home made pizza cooked by Mr. Mori outside in a proper pizza oven, beer, wine, and two whole Harry Potter movies. Not to mention an engaging, rejuvenating, humorous time filled to the gills with love. Some of us took a walk around the neighborhood to view the Ginko trees, and enjoy a nice little festival that was just winding down.

Thank you Naomi and Mori Family for sharing such a relaxing yummy Sunday with me.

now....thats amore!

my body is a temple, i'm gonna give it...

2010-12-07T13:30:00.020+09:00

This is such an image heavy post that I am not going to write much. Other than this was two Saturdays ago at Tanigumi (here is the link for other posts having to do with my favorite shrine Tanigumi), and that I am so blessed to have Mai, Dakota, Debbie, and Kim in my life. Thank you four for sharing your Saturday afternoon with me.

gobble gobble

2010-12-01T22:22:00.005+09:00

Thanksgiving in Japan can be a lonely time for most ex pats here. I would dare say even more lonely than Christmas. Maybe because Thanksgiving is no bull crap and all about family and friends and love and fuzzies. Lucky for me I do have a few American friends that I was able to spend the holiday with. The boys did the cooking, and I brought the wine. It was just Dakota, Matt and myself, during dinner we watched an old tape of Mystery Science Theater 3000 with commercials from the early 1990s NOT edited out. All around delish!

and sews a bird in her knickers

2010-11-24T22:54:00.011+09:00

Oh birthdays! How we love to love and hate thee. Last Saturday brought about a birthday party at Travessia for a one Ms. Debbiedebs and Kana.

I stole this orchid from Travessia and tucked it into my hair. I did the same for any of the ladies at the party that walked by. I forgot about it soon after. The first thing my eyes took in on Sunday morning:

somehow this strong flower made it through bike rides, tequilia shots, dancing, running about, taking breaks in alleys, a bowl of ramen, the final ride home, and through a whole night of sleep.

Me favorite song about birthdays: Ms. Sugarcube In The Flesh

So get a witch's shawl on, a broomstick you can crawl on

2010-11-09T17:15:00.001+09:00

My favoritest holiday has come and gone. Alas. Thank god there is always next year. The first batch of costumed craziness is from Saturday the 30th, getting ready, pre-boozing it up. I learned from last year, and did not want to bring the camera out on such a hedonistic night. Only would lead to lens busting or worse, I shutter to think...mewhaah! If you are wondering what the F I am, here is a link: Wa-Lolita.

Halloween around the apartment. Wa Lolita Eyelashes discarded in bathroom sink and the front entry way. I wanted to have about five hundred tons more decorations. Guess next year I am going to have to start earlier.

Sunday the 31st was Open Mic and Bierhall. Went to support and see all my lovelies. Thanks for the beautiful music. Shy and I went together, and I am beyond lucky to have her in my life (for so many many reasons). As she too is even crazier about halloween than I am. So OFCOURSE we had to get out the (her) wigs again and come up with costumes for the real night of Halloween. If you are wondering what the F I am here is a link: Nancy Spungen.

remember. halloween doesn't have to be once a year.....take a cue from one of my most beloved families: Addams Family.

if she's besides me i know i need never care

2010-10-26T01:00:00.013+09:00

Two weeks ago I attended the wedding of my friend Takachan and his bride Nonchan. Takachan was one of the very first Japanese people to show me bottomless kindness, openness, and acceptance. I knew him long before he met Nonchan, who is just as sweet and kind. Japanese weddings are different than American ones, the list could go long, but the main difference is that the ceremony is for very close friends and family. While the reception is reserved for friends, as is the after party. Another difference: no dancing! What a crime! What is a wedding without everyone shaking their money makers! Needless to say I had a great time and am so happy for both Takachan and Nonchan. I hope that their life together is filled with joy, light, love, and blessings.

here, there and everywhere is where Takachan's and Nonchan's love lives.

I'm in love with the world around

2010-10-14T16:13:00.006+09:00

Visual diary of this past Sunday. Thank you Gifu Great Buddah for allowing me well needed introspection. Thank you Debbie for supporting and making it possible for me to eat chocolate cake. And thank you Jacob for going with me night shooting. I needed the inspiration, companionship and motivation!

ps. please excuse the trite little run of self-portraits. its been awhile since I have turned the lens on myself.....and I kinda had too much fun with it to stop!

Where is the harm in talking out loud?

burning down the house

2010-10-13T13:54:00.003+09:00

Early last week I attempted to take some pictures of a building that is being torn down in Gifu. In Japanese cities, a lot of the buildings are connected, which makes it visually interesting when they tear one down. They don't use wrecking balls, as the entire block would get demolished. Instead they use an excavator and dig out the building. Just as I was about to cross the do not cross line and climb into the rubble, I heard something very large and heavy drop. I took that as my cue to cease and go home. The mission for the most part was a failure. But I kinda like the three images below. The first was taken on my way home. And the last two are in the stairwell of the building where I live.

hold tight wait til the party's over

damn, sam (i love a women who rains)

2010-10-05T21:51:00.001+09:00

Here is Mai. You might remember her from our Takoyaki Party from a few months back. She is one of my bestest friends. When we get together we are very giggly and can make each other laugh at the most asinine jokes, concepts, or made up stories. I decided that I wanted to take some night portraits of her, and practice using my flash. Lucky for us, it was raining on the night that we had decided on, which added an umbrella and little raindrops. Thank you universe.

I ain't never been much for sunny days.

polka polka polka dots!

2010-10-01T21:48:00.004+09:00

Last Saturday I went with my new friend Rika to see the Aichi Triennial, which is in its first year! I am so grateful that Rika told me about it and was willing to let me tag along with her. (里佳ちゃん本当にありがとうございます！一緒に名古屋行きましためちゃめちゃ楽しかったでした！) We went to all the free exhibits, as I am still working out the whole getting back on my feet monetarily. The free exhibits were very interesting and one was interactive (double triple heart). Rika reintroduced me to Yayoi Kusama, and I am very glad that she did. All of Ms. Kusama's sculptures are covered in polka-dots!

Gertrude Meowschwitz aged six weeks

2010-09-29T19:57:00.007+09:00

She runs...

She hides.....

She plays...

She chews on wires.....(bad mom!)....

She is......6 weeks....

if your love was as sweet as mine

2010-09-28T09:00:00.009+09:00

Just a little mid-week post to snack on, all pictures taken before the open-mic night at Travessia. Polaroids are from the booze soaked Friday before. I am ashamed to admit that the Saturday was also pretty booze soaked, and so Sunday before open mic I enjoyed the most perfect way to handle a hangover in Gifu. Which, when the weather permits, is to lay by the Nagara River, take a dip, knock back some sort of alcohol, and in my case, nap. I woke up to the most beautiful sunset that became even deeper as I rode my bike home. Upon arrival, though short on time, I headed up to the roof give it one last look.

The true Sunday Girl!

The Workers In Song

2010-09-24T00:44:00.013+09:00

About two weeks ago, there was an open mic night at a place in Gifu called Travessia (a very adoramous cafe/bar/restaurant not too far from my place....food is tastetastic and the decor is beyond well executed). Continuing with the theme of my life, of having mostly everyone in it play an instrument, quite a few of my fellow foreign friends (and some Japanese friends) showcased their talents. I decided it was time I got some of the Gifu music scene on film....er ummm...megabytes (?) and brought my camera along. Have been practicing with my little blonde ukulele, Ms. Chu Chu; maybe next time we will be brave enough to wiggle our way onto the mic.

The mack-daddy worker in song himself: Chelsea Hotel No. 2.

Gertie Mame 5 weeks old

2010-09-22T20:54:00.013+09:00

Gertie's five week close ups were taken this past Monday. I decided that we should explore the roof, as in the daylight I thought it would be easier to get a good portrait of her for her flyers. She needs to look her cutest so that she can find the most best possible family!! I have to admit that the roof was a bit dangerous and dirty. As you can see below both of our paws were filthy after romping around. Gertie loves her tupperware container. It is the one that I originally used to carry water to her and then her home! Guess even animals can be sentimental......and wouldn't you know that the best shots that I got of her were after we came down from the roof. I sat at the kitchen table to get started on editing her pictures when I looked down and saw her staring straight up at me with the most adorable expression!

Finished flyers! Am about to do the dishes, clean the apartment and then go around and hang these babies up! What do you think?

Gertie Mame 4 weeks old

2010-09-19T16:43:00.007+09:00

Last Sunday, Gertie had her first vet visit. She is healthy and was graduated to solid food. Being a proud momma, I had to take a few pictures of her first real meal! I also took a few shots of her as she played around me and eventually crashed out. We have been potting training all week, and I must say that she is very smart and has had very few accidents. I will be taking some more photos of her today. I can't believe how much she has grown in just a week!

So I'm back, to the velvet underground Back to the floor, that I love To a room with some lace and paper flowers

2010-09-12T14:41:00.000+09:00

Summer is ending (and I hate that...why does everyone seem to feel the need to point that out? I want to go to the beach, and swim some more, eat ice cream and I am most certainly not ready to put away my sundresses!). The change of the season has coincided with a change of residence. Again. I have moved, again. I do love the gypsy lifestyle. It suites me, in a very strange way....ms. suzy gypsy homemaker.....better than a homewrecker...and many other things that I could think of.

A little Stevie and feathered hair and white boots and unicorn forests: Gypsy.