Jus some weallly cute cats being total buds.

Green Tea Ice Cream.

It's everywhere in Kyoto, and it's soooo yummmmy.

                         How many out of focus pictures did I take? How embarrassing....

Mouf fullll.

Kiyomizu Temple

Wash bin before touching Buddha.

Temple Stamp

This temple was spread out with lots of little 'stations' for us to visit.  It really felt like an adult theme park to the outsider; there was a lot to experience here with little surprises around every corner.  When we first arrived, we went through an underground tunnel (completely dark) symbolizing entering and leaving the womb.  It was very disorienting (at one time I found myself standing still for way too long thinking there was someone right in front of me when in fact half the maze was completely clear).  After shuffling your way through the dark, you came to a dimly lit room with a turning stone. Following previously given direction,  I made a wish and put my hand on the stone to help turn it.  It was kinda like finding a huge penny heads-up!

I am so blessed to have this experience.

Sanjusangen-do: 1001 statues of Kannon

Before entering temple. 

Japanese student's practiced their English with us! Redheads (leah) were totally favored for this. And given gifts for talking and taking pictures.

The long hall.

Temple grounds.

This temple is known for it's long temple hall (120 meters) which is filled with 1001 statues of Kannon (Buddhist deity).  Pictures inside the hall weren't allowed, so click here to see what I'm talking about.  This was the first place we stopped at while in Kyoto, and it really set the mood of what was to come. Many of us bought a temple book here, which is much like a passport.  At every temple we pay 300 yen for a 'temple stamp' which is hand painted.  The book folds out so each stamp is side by side in an accordion style.  It is turning out to be quite an expensive gift for myself (and probably the only one now) but the memories/stories it holds are totally worth it.  Plus, it hold bragging rights :) Have you been to this many temples? Didn't think so....Poor James forgot his temple book on our second day, but I have a feeling he'll be back.....

Resting @ Zen Temple

Leah, me, Shanti.

Zack and Yitian

Kyoto Excursions: Ginkakuji Temple

This temple, also known as the 'Silver Temple', is a huge maze through immaculate gardens.  These gardens were designed to adapt to each season and are meant to encompass the spiritual world.  Walking through the gardens brought me back to a total appreciation of mother nature.  I'm so used to rushing around Bloomington I often forget to just look and listen.

*I really wish we had moss instead of grass; it's pretty awesome.

late night shootings: round 1.

Osaka Castle

Making fwiends.

The American Tourists

While I found the exterior and the grounds of Osaka Castle to be epic, I was really disappointed the inside had been gutted and transformed into a museum.  Why ruin the original only to fill it with a diorama of itself? Why couldn't the museum be built right next to it where they put vending machines galore instead? I would have loved to see what the inside looked like during it's prime.  Despite this complaint, the view from the top was amazing.  New and old Osaka....

Tsuda Nao: Visiting Artist Tomorrow

http://www.tsudanao.com/works/

playing around with diptychs for group project

Hanshin Tiger Self Portrait

newly uploaded. not edited.

   i want to make the cameras start to disappear in the design. sometimes I wonder if their purpose is to be obviously noticed or totally overlooked...

our communication isn't perfect, but it works!

Email from my adorable group on changing our meeting place for tonight's scouting.


Good evening I'm sorry at night late. We are Urahira and Yamamoto of
the same team as Elaine Miller. There is asking today. We cannot
report with Elaine Miller. Therefore, I want you to pass on the
content of mail to Elaine Miller. My best regards though an impudent
asking it.

Masaki decreases, and there is business since eight o'clock and the
time of the discussion will have decreased to the school Mr. Elaine
Miller and tomorrow though it was a set at PM 5:00. We go to the hotel
of Elaine Miller to increase [nanode and time. Therefore, please wait
for Elaine Miller in the lobby at PM 5:00 hotel. I'm sorry for
changing the schedule suddenly. My best regards. My best regards.

Deparrure time: There is no change.
Departure point: school →Elaine Miller of hotel.

Please continue your favors toward telling because it is good tomorrow
morning. Asking does suitably though it is a really mpolite thing.

Koalas are my favorite!

Hanshin Tiger Baseball game

A new Tiger fan was born this day.  Decked out in Tiger gear, people wanted pictures with this American fan!  I felt famous, and I loved it.  Despite losing, the game was a blast.  The Asahi beer girls were too cute to say no to, so I hold them responsible for having a few too many this night.  Favorite part of the game: blowing up balloons in the 7th inning to give the team some extra love and rally 'em back. Wish I had known not to tie them though, I had to bite a hole in mine in hopes they would fly in the air.  Most fell a seat or two pathetically in front of me, but hey, it's the thought that counts.