Our company did a "Giving Tree" for charity where we picked up a request of a child in need and went out and got a present for them. The impressive thing is, as a company we donated to 400 kids! That's a lot! For the past few days the table where you drop the gifts off have been overflowing!



On a different note...I am definitely getting sick...dammit. I've been lucky all this time and I even fought one off before I left for Japan last time. Going to try to do it again... Ugh. Going to bed early today. For anyone waiting on photographs from me...sorry...give me just a bit longer to finish the edits! :(

Tags: 8pm
Current Mood: sick

Xmas photoshoot for another coworker's kids. Had a hard time getting them to smile let alone look at the camera... I'm afraid I'm not very good with kids under the age of 5... (-_-)



But their eyes were very expressive so I hope I managed to catch a few that their mom and dad will like!



I get cute results when they smile and look at me!!



:)

Tags: 8pm
Current Mood: tired

Yup...more food. But in my defense it was a test for my new camera is terrible lighting conditions. But as you can see, it turned out grrrrreat. And really...who doesn't like some fresh crusty baguettes???



(Some of you readers may complain that I took bread photos before and it's true, I have. But this was with my new Panasonic GF-1 and not with my Canon so it doesn't count...*ahem*)

Was at the market with Colleen and we stopped by the crepe place. I got the one with cheese, egg, and spinach. It was awesome as per usual :)



And we stopped by Galluccis. Why have I never come here before??? It's a pretty cool place! I equated it to the Italian version of the Asian supermarkets. Just as specialized and just as crowded. This balsamic taste test display was cool. Never seen so many varieties in one place!

Tags: 8pm
Current Mood: lazy

Nothing new today (Friday...I'm a day late...). They had some vendors come to work so I bought some salsa. I'm not an olive fan but I gotta say, it was tasty.



:)

Tags: 8pm
Current Mood: lazy

Ahh...Thursday...week's almost over...

So! Today's photos!

First, my coworker Judie made her cupcake debut at Mojo's!! It was sooooooooo gooooooooooooood. Mmmmmm. Everyone should go get one!



Then after work I went over to take Xmas photos of Jane and Sarah!!

Jane's growing up so fast!!! Cute!!



Jane and her big sister Sarah :)



And a moment of quiet from the princess of the house.



:)

Tags: 8pm
Current Mood: amused

A new novelty in Japan. Cute maches named "Jinsei no Tomoshibi" that means "A life's light". It's just cute matches that strive to help you feel just a bit warm when feeling down.



But what's so special about a match with a cute box? See the next few pics :)

They each have a cute little saying and a face or a paw print on the match head! Like the panda one is saying "Sometimes things aren't all black and white - but don't worry about it too much" :)



The crane one is a very popular one with the red head though the chick one is cute too.



There's a Japanese traditional "kokeshi" doll and a dog.



But for some reason I like the rabbit one the best.



:)

Tags: 8pm
Current Mood: amused

Full moon tonight. Well...officially it's tomorrow...but even today 100% of the moon is illuminated. It was incredibly bright and the clouds were wispy and really nice looking. Can't wait for tomorrow since it's supposed to rain! Long exposure on this one with some digital manipulation done.

Nice way to welcome in the last month of the year.

Click on the image for a bigger version!



:)

Tags: 8pm
Current Mood: tired

...so...tired...

Aaaanyway.

At work, as a joke, they made a Snuggie with our company logo embroidered on it. Awesome. Too bad it's not openly available. I'm not really a corporate logo wearing kind of guy...but I'll take a branded sunngie for sure!



My sister engrossed by the Kamakura guidebook I dropped off at her desk :)


:D

Tags: 8pm
Current Mood: amused

The one thing cool about Japan is they will take the best part of many different cultures and make it available to anyone. Like this baumkuchen cake from Germany. Popular in Europe. Barely heard of in the US. One of the most popular pastries in Japan. It...is...AWESOME!

Tags: 8pm
Current Mood: tired

Travel day on Saturday so not much photos. I spent most of it at the airport or on a plane with even a detour in Anchorage where we had to land due to a medical emergency on the plane. Got to Atlanta late, missed my connection, and got on another one and got home at 9pm and then couldn't sleep. Good times...good times...

So...the organized chaos that is Narita Airport.



The same organized chaos many hours later at the Atlanta Airport.

Tags: 8pm
Current Mood: tired