Anyone there?

Just wondering if anyone out there still stops by this blog. I am thinking of trying to start it up again...since my last attempt was...uhhhh, less than stellar.

back from my long hiatus

Well.....hello everyone. It's been so long, I'm feeling a bit of stagefright. After some much needed pushing, I am finally back to update this blog. I'm not sure if I was subconciously trying to wait a full year to post something, but I'm back...hopefully with frequent updates for those few of you that actually check this site (you know who you are). lol

Let's see now...where did I leave off...oh yeah!! Since my last post (Father's Day '08), a lot has gone on. I finished up my contract in Okaya City, Japan...accepted a position at a well-known university in Saudi Arabia...went home to process the visa...bought a new lappy (HDX Dragon)...went through two hurricanes...started my M.A. degree...drank a whole hell of a lot of Jim Beam...had a few b-b-q's...had to pass on the uni job because the visa process was taking too long to make the start date...interviewed with a BIG company based in Saudi...got good feedback but no offer...decided that I had better get a job somewhere...took a job back in South Korea...arrived in December for three weeks of work...went to The Philippines for winter vacation...got my PADI Divemaster certification during the two months I spent there...got a new tattoo...arrived back in Korea on March 2nd...back to work...and this brings us up to the present moment. Turns out not that much to write about afterall. Over the next couple of days I will be trying to upload various pictures from the past nine months. I'll give you one just to whet your appetite. Bear with me for the rest.

For all you Fathers out there!

Have a good one!!

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Sister's visit

Brattnay visited me here in Japan from May 2nd until the 25th. Now, that's over THREE weeks of us living together...something I had thought of as being mildly IMPOSSIBLE!! lol Actually, with only a few exceptions, it wasn't so bad. I was able to take her to various sightseeing spots around Tokyo and here in Nagano. Let's see if I can recall....Shinjuku, Shibuya, Asakusa, Akihabara, Tsukiji, Matsumoto, Okaya, Suwa, Shimosuwa, Narai-juku, Shiojiri. All in all, not too bad considering I was working during the week and she usually slept till 1:00pm. Lots of pictures were taken, we saw shrines, temples, kimonos, hot springs, castles and she was able to teach a few classes at my school as well as visit some local schools around town.

Anyone who has been to Japan will tell you one thing for sure.....it's expensive. She came with $500 for the three weeks, and I thought that was cutting it close. Turns out she wouldn't have had enough...but, as I mentioned before, she taught a few classes at my school and was paid accordingly....$25/hour. Not bad money for a high school graduate.

We should be expecting some good photos from her as well, as I passed down one of my old cameras to her......my trusty Canon S2 IS. I had used that camera since 2004 and it had been pretty good to me. I'm hoping she'll take the time to learn how to use it.

. . . .

last weekend pics

Just a couple of shots I took while out last weekend. My favorite, the first one, was actually taken while I was in my car stopped at a red light.

Spring Hath Cometh....

I took this beee-u-ti-fulll picture yesterday around Lake Kawaguchi. The Sakura (cherry blossoms) were out almost in full bloom. That, combined with a great view of Mt. Fuji, made for an interesting photo idea that came out quite well. Me and a couple of my students went out for the day. Our itenerary included the Lake Kawaguchi area, then off to Iwara where we visited a huge park with lots of blooming flowers, then our last stop was in Kofu to check out a cool Samurai festival at the old castle grounds. I'll get some more pics up on here....if I somehow snap out of my lazy streak. :D