pictures

May these pictures begin to capture the bizarreness, beauty, and saturation of the enduring yet ever-changing culture of Japan.

Not explicitly captured in these pictures are my steep learning curves, confusions, realizations, isolations, assimilations, and well you know how it goes.

It's telling how I'd rather use my limited Japanese here, and as any competent speaker would say in the tradition of farewell speeches, かんどうしましたよ, or simply, "I was moved, no doubt."

With that, "Let's Enjoying Pictures!"

First Half
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2110727&l=3f80761e92&id=13303406

Second Half:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2110737&id=13303406&l=1de69b9800

blog ending? perhaps

So as all bad bloggers, I have inevitably given this thing up. Maybe I will come back and post about what came from studying the language, having a love/hate relationship with my job, and getting to know the locals. But I will probably just leave it to you to find time to chat sometime, or leave it to your imagination because that might be more interesting ha. Though I may end up posting a few things here so yours truly won't forget them, so we'll see if I can ever motivate myself to do that.

Regardless, everyone loves a good set of pictures. The digital camera has been a blessing and a curse. Imagine having about 385 pictures of cherry blossoms to sort through... realize cherry blossoms are cherished for being ethereal and oh so ephemeral, with each area peaking for only 3-6 days before a strong wind destroys them. Suffice it to say, I did a lot of sorting.