I've never been one to wear plaid button-up shirts, which seem to crop up every where during the fall/winter seasons. Dresses or skirts? Yes, please! I also haven't ever come across anyone who refers to them as "tartan" prints either. I don't know about you, but it just doesn't roll off the tongue the way "plaid shirts" do.

Since today is a holiday, I won't bore you all with all my blabbering. But I'll admit I cheated a little. These were actually taken on Christmas Eve. I later wore the same outfit but different coat to attend mass that evening. Christmas isn't the same if I don't wear something red at least!

This plaza next to an old mission was so fun to waltz through. The original chapel itself is beautiful, but is quite small. A newer, bigger one had been constructed long ago right next to it to accommodate the mass of people who attend each week. The area nearby is often used to take wedding photos. I'm not

 And so we come to the end of my adventures in Japan. This visual diary meant a lot to me. I had always meant to document my stay there while I was actually there, but I never did get around to it. I wish I had done it then, but it's better late than never. In that time,

We chased after this train intending to capture it as part of the backdrop for this photo set.  We have yet found a way to cross this fence barrier to actually take pictures on the train tracks. I advise all caution when attempting these kinds of things. You never know what can happen. Anyway, we hurriedly snapped some

 Inside this beautiful multi-story mall with its lovely white Christmas tree was a most delicious restaurant that serves a very interesting dish called ochazuke, which quickly became my favorite dish to eat. To this day I still crave it but there is nothing like it here in So Cal - at least as far as I know.  Ochazuke

Wafting under my nose is the warm, comforting aroma of cinnamon scented pine cones. As I am sitting here typing, I can't help but feel a little giddy at the thought of Christmas approaching faster than I can breathe. I've already begin my gift shopping, but I'm not quite finished yet. Thanksgiving was gone in the blink of

 After all this time, I forgot to mention that each of us EAP students were assigned to a group of buddies based on compatibility. We all loved this buddy system because it helped integrate us into the Japanese society. We became good friends with our buddies, who would take us to places we wanted to visit or eat.

"To love is to burn, to be on fire." -Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility (1811)

 Thanksgiving is not a traditional holiday for the Japanese, but they are aware that we Americans celebrate it. Many of us during our stay experienced bouts of homesickness as the holiday season drew near. We began to miss our family and friends back home and the special foods that are cooked and served during that time. My Japanese

 When I think of the holidays coming up, I immediately think of lush velvet dresses or skirts. I scored this beauty at my local thrift store a couple of years ago. It's the most beautiful velvet, wintry green skirt I've ever laid eyes on. Oh, a most beloved treasure. And it was only about $6! It was in

 We had a birthday celebration last Sunday for my mother, baby niece, and baby nephew. We managed to find time before the party to snap a few quick photos - we were supposed to be picking up the cakes and heading straight back to the house. I always thought the print of this dress reminded me of the

 Last week's #tbt post featured Miyajima Island, which we all dubbed the "deer island". This week, I'll be talking about our visit to Okunoshima, which we accordingly dubbed the "bunny island". It houses a large population of bunny rabbits, who also do not shy away from people and will approach you. We toured the island in the midst