HAPPY NEW YEAR

Happy New Year! 2007 Is the year of the pig or in Japan they say its the year of the boar, aka "inoshishi, いのしし". The year marks a good time for fertility and virility, aka pumping out kids.
SAYINGS - In Japan before New Year's day people say, "yoi o toshi wo, よいお年を" meaning "have a good year". After New Year's day people say, "akemashite omedetou gozaimasu, あけまして　おめでとう　ございます" meaning ...
FAMILY - New Year's is family time, much like America's Christmas. Grandparents and relatives and the whole gang get together.
DESTINATIONS - People go and visit shrines and temples, or go to the top of mountains to see the first sunrise of the year.
DREAMS - People believe if their first dream contains, Mt. Fuji, or a hawk たか, or an eggplant なす, many good things will happen in the coming year.

AROUND THE CORNER

As the old year comes to a close. Whats there to expect in the new year? Who knows? Only time will tell ... just enjoying life one day at a time ...

MISSING ...

Hate to say it, but I could sure eat some dick's now. Dick's hamburger that is!!! Proud of this shot, as I took it one handed while driving using my DSLR.

TRANQUIL

Another pic from the motherland, Laos, taken one year ago.

SCHOOL TIME IN LAOS

Some more olides.

JUMP!

Some old school favorites from the beaches of Fukuoka.

MERI KURISUMASU

ho ho Merry Xmas everyone, wishing ya all a good one from Nippon.

TEMPLE

Somewhere in onsen (hot spring) country.

OLD SKOOL

Nothing like walking around in traditional wear and carrying some swords.

NISHINOMIYA

NISHINOMIYA, originally uploaded by greenlake.

HANGING OUT WITH THE MONKS

IMG_4491, originally uploaded by greenlake.

About one year ago, I was out and about in the mother land. It was cool to see where my parents grew up as well as meet some of the local folks.

KOBE BY NIGHT

AS THE SUSHI ROLLS BY...

Gotta love "kaiten sushi" the sushi that goes around and around and around, plus its cheap!