Action!

I've had these photos for a while now, but am just getting around to posting some of them. Abe's team had a photoshoot before his season started and he invited me to watch how they do these kinds of shoots. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera. :(
But I was fortunate enough to get some of the shots that the awesome photographer took. I wanted to post some on my blog. (Even though my name is on the photos, he took them) :)

I'm having lots of fun learning sports photography from the friendly people I've met in Japan.

Yellow

I was driving to Abe's game on Sunday and saw the most beautiful sight: A single street flooded with cascades of bright yellow. It looked like a scene from a movie. It was just perfect. So I went all the way back home to get my camera and join the crowds of other nature enthusiasts and captured some yellow goodness...



































By the way, the game was great. The Brex won. Abe was happy. Which meant I was happy. Yay!

Still here!

Booo me. I haven't been able to update my blog lately. Being a grown-up can really take time away from doing stuff you like to do, as opposed to what you need to do. The good news is that I got a new gig teaching at a local kindergarten which is fun, but terribly exhausting. Also, Abe's season has been keeping me busy, but it's been exciting so far and they are currently third in the league.

I've still been taking lots of photos, which I hope to post soon. Hope everyone has been doing well!

The season...so far

I can't believe I haven't done a basketball post since the season started. So far, Tochigi is ranked second in the league and they have beaten the 2-time reigning champs once already. That's one more time than I thought they would ;) So things are looking very promising right now...

The first three pics are from the season opener against Toyota (Abe's old team). The Brex won both games, so they were really excited.










The last few are from last weekend in Gifu against Aisin, the number one team in the league. Even with injuries, the Brex were able to surprise a few people.












This one is for my friend Anna. She likes photos that show emotion ;)




This weekend we play against Hokkaido's team here in Tochigi. Good luck Tochigi!

Architecture

One cannot live in Japan without noticing its amazing and unique buildings. I'm constantly intrigued while walking down streets by the neatness and sharp angles that form the scenery of Japan.

A year ago, one of my students told me she was going to move out of her apartment and into her own home. A home that she was going to design and build herself (with the help of an awesome architect). She described it to me as the home was being built, but I couldn't quite grasp a home made out of solid wood and different levels with open space...especially in Japan. Last month, her vision became reality as I was able to visit her new abode...











Can't you just feel the openness and airyness of her home?







Pretty much everything in the house is made of wood! (It smelled wonderfully!)






I just loooved her kitchen. There was so much space and it had such a simple layout:





Skylighting in the kitchen? Yes, please!





The house also had this sweeeet balcony/deck. It extended across the entire top floor! I know a good place for a summer bbq :)





I'm sure I didn't do this house the full justice it deserves...but I DO know that I've got some cool new ideas for when we move home to the US for good for our own house. Just don't tell Abe yet ;)

Kjerstin: She's One!

Sometimes, things just work out pleasantly. Last Sunday, I was fortunate to experience an instance of this as I met a lovely family in Tokyo to do a special family shoot. Little Kjerstin was just about to turn one, I happened to be in town for the start of Abe's season, and it was the one day the whooole week that wasn't raining. Ahhh. I love when the timing works out. And I love when I meet amazing, laid back people like I did this session.


We met at Meiji Jingu Shrine in Harajuku. The birthday girl's parents, Tami and Erik, were hoping to do a somewhat Japanese-looking session as their time in Japan is limited. Sundays are busy in Tokyo and there were heaps of people throughout the area, but with those people came Japanese culture, like ladies in kimonos:






There were also a couple of weddings. Kjerstin was very eager to observe the lovely procession!






Aren't they just an adorable family?!








And look at this little princess!












Ummm, hellooo pretty eyes!







How would anyone be able to tell her no?!















Tami and Erik, I cannot thank you enough for allowing me the opportunity to capture your family portraits for your adorable daughter's birthday. You truly are a beautiful family. I hope you like your photos :)

Japan on a Sunday

Yay for Fridays! I had such a tough week (lots of teaching and feeling under the weather) but it went quickly and now I'm ready to watch Abe's team play in their opening homestand this weekend.

Last weekend, I had the opportunity to visit Meiji Jingu Shrine in Harajuku and took a few moments to take some photos of the wonderful details that truly remind me that I'm in Japan and am fortunate to be here. I'm never disappointed when I visit shrines, and this is one of the most famous in all of Tokyo.


This is a huuuge Torii that marks the entrance of the long walk before entering the shrine:




A child's view of the torii...









These are large barrels of sake that are gifts to the shrine. They bring good luck and prosperity:









I loved these ladies enjoying their Sunday together:





I was surprised to be able to witness parts of two Japanese wedding processions...









Find out why I visited the shrine tomorrow! :)

Birthday Girl: A preview

Still recovering from a very busy, yet extremely fun-filled weekend. But I had to take the time to wish a very special cutie a Happy First Birthday...

...more photos to come this week!