Wow... it has been almost a month since my last blog entry. The past few weeks have been insane, but things are slowing down. We took our week vacation to Vietnam (don't worry, I will be blogging all about it in the new few days. It was amazing!), one of my close friends came from America for a week visit (woot woot!), yesterday was Canadian Academy's International Food Day (I am breathing a big sigh of relief now that it is over), and now my husband's best friend is visiting.
I have taken over 1000 pictures the past 3 weeks, so be prepared for some heavy blogging coming up. And with all this going on, there is bound to be a "stupid move by Alexis" in there a time or two.
Showing posts with label pictures. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pictures. Show all posts
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
A Walk To Our House
Last Friday I decided to take some shots on the way home from the train station. I thought it would be cool to show some of the things I see on my daily walks.
This is the back entrance to a famous restaurant here called Soshuen. Weddings and parties are held here everyday. Our cul-de-sac entrance backs up to this restaurant. It is pretty fancy, so Matt and I will need a special occasion to go.
This is a look down the street at the entrance of our cul-de-sac.
A tree blossoming near our house. I can't wait until all the trees look like this.
We are a 5 minute walk from the Mikage Hankyu train station and about a 15 minute walk from the Sumiyoshi JR train station. On the way home from the JR line we are always stopped at this train crossing. The Hankyu line has 2 trains that run every 10 minutes so it is inevitable that we will get stopped nearly every time we walk home from the JR line.
Point in case. Waiting for the Hankyu line to go past.
You will see statues like this "dressed up" everywhere. This is at the foot of a train crossing. Chris said it has something to do with remembering people who died. You will see them not only dressed, but with food and drinks surrounding them at some places.
This is a Temple right by the Sumyoshi JR train line.
This is the back entrance to a famous restaurant here called Soshuen. Weddings and parties are held here everyday. Our cul-de-sac entrance backs up to this restaurant. It is pretty fancy, so Matt and I will need a special occasion to go.
This is a look down the street at the entrance of our cul-de-sac.
A tree blossoming near our house. I can't wait until all the trees look like this.
We are a 5 minute walk from the Mikage Hankyu train station and about a 15 minute walk from the Sumiyoshi JR train station. On the way home from the JR line we are always stopped at this train crossing. The Hankyu line has 2 trains that run every 10 minutes so it is inevitable that we will get stopped nearly every time we walk home from the JR line.
Point in case. Waiting for the Hankyu line to go past.
You will see statues like this "dressed up" everywhere. This is at the foot of a train crossing. Chris said it has something to do with remembering people who died. You will see them not only dressed, but with food and drinks surrounding them at some places.
This is a Temple right by the Sumyoshi JR train line.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
A Year With My Camera - A 365 Day Project
I have decided to jump on the 365 Day Project bandwagon. For those who are not familiar with this project it basically means that you take a picture each day to document your life, while trying to improve your photography skills. It will be cool to look back after day 365 and see the past year in photos.
It's never to late to hop on the bandwagon. Just start from whatever day you wish. If you do decide to join, or already, feel free to post me a link. I'd love to follow yours.
So bookmark, follow or put in your reader or bloglines my 365 day project blog at this link. I am sure there will be some interesting photos throughout the year. And as always, comments are welcome!
It's never to late to hop on the bandwagon. Just start from whatever day you wish. If you do decide to join, or already, feel free to post me a link. I'd love to follow yours.
So bookmark, follow or put in your reader or bloglines my 365 day project blog at this link. I am sure there will be some interesting photos throughout the year. And as always, comments are welcome!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
A Peek into Matt's World
Tuesday Matt became a legal alien of Japan, got his re-entry permit, opened up a bank account and picked out his cell phone. I guess he is official now.
Everyone in Japan has data packages on their cell phones. Internet and texting all the time. (You aren't allowed to talk on the hone on the train, so this may be why) Some phones even get television on them. Electronics just seem so much more advance over there. So Matt picked out an iphone and seems to have had no problem figuring out how it works. I am just hoping the newness wears off before I get there as I think he may be in love with it more than me.
He sent us a few pictures of the house with the rental furniture and also sent Emily a picture of the train at 6am on his way to work. Everything seems to start late in Japan, probably since they are out until late hours working (it is not unusual to see people getting in the train at 9pm or 10 pm with briefcases and suits) so the few people on the train look like they are sleeping.
His air shipment arrived yesterday, so now he has some of the food we shipped over, a small TV for our bedroom, his bike, his clothes, a bunch of medicine, 36 rolls of toilet paper, and enough tampons to last 3 years. I am trying not to think about where he is putting these things, as I know I will redo everything once I am there.
So from Matt's view... a bit of his first week in Japan.
The train at 6 am.
The rental kitchen table. I bet Matt's knees hit when sitting there. He complains how nothing is built for a 6-ft 2-in man.
Rental furniture in the living room. Matt has been sleeping on the couch as he says the floor would be softer than the bed .
The bed in our bedroom. The kids bedroom furniture will come in January. I really like the cover in here. I wonder if we could somehow forget to return it.
Everyone in Japan has data packages on their cell phones. Internet and texting all the time. (You aren't allowed to talk on the hone on the train, so this may be why) Some phones even get television on them. Electronics just seem so much more advance over there. So Matt picked out an iphone and seems to have had no problem figuring out how it works. I am just hoping the newness wears off before I get there as I think he may be in love with it more than me.
He sent us a few pictures of the house with the rental furniture and also sent Emily a picture of the train at 6am on his way to work. Everything seems to start late in Japan, probably since they are out until late hours working (it is not unusual to see people getting in the train at 9pm or 10 pm with briefcases and suits) so the few people on the train look like they are sleeping.
His air shipment arrived yesterday, so now he has some of the food we shipped over, a small TV for our bedroom, his bike, his clothes, a bunch of medicine, 36 rolls of toilet paper, and enough tampons to last 3 years. I am trying not to think about where he is putting these things, as I know I will redo everything once I am there.
So from Matt's view... a bit of his first week in Japan.
The train at 6 am. 
The rental kitchen table. I bet Matt's knees hit when sitting there. He complains how nothing is built for a 6-ft 2-in man. 
Rental furniture in the living room. Matt has been sleeping on the couch as he says the floor would be softer than the bed . 
The bed in our bedroom. The kids bedroom furniture will come in January. I really like the cover in here. I wonder if we could somehow forget to return it.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Friday's Fumblings
- Because of the humidity, we have had horrible storms roll through for about 20 - 40 minutes every evening. The storm 2 nights ago was probably one of the worst lightening storms I have seen in a long time. Somehow the storm knocked out Time Warner's digital service all over the area. We had no cable, phone or Internet for over 24 hours. Twenty four hours. I could handle the phone and cable. But the net? I broke out in a cold sweat just thinking about not being able to retrieve my email or check my daily news sites. (Can you say addicted?) One of the projects I am working on can only be done by accessing a server. So no working either. After 10 pm last night we were finally back up and running.
- I have over 36 books checked out at the library and 2 more waiting for me to pick up. Oops. Now to my defense, probably 10 of them are the kids books. But that probably doesn't make it any better, huh? I also have $100 in bookstore gift certificates and $148 in trade credit at the local used bookstore that I am needing to use. Maybe I will do a little shopping today.
- Speaking of reading... I had set a goal to read 20 books from Memorial Day to Labor Day. I am happy to say that with 8 weeks left I have read 12 books. Woot!
- Matt has his yearly review this morning. He always gets so frustrated when it is review time and then always does awesome. Fingers crossed that today is the same.
- Sami has been moved out of her regular gymnastics class and onto preteam. Last night was her "evaluation" night and other than a few stubborn Samisms, she did awesome. Being that she is such a drama queen, this is right up her alley. The way I see it, it cuts down in carpooling Sam to some other activity. Who knows. Maybe she will do this for awhile and decide it isn't for her. With Sam you never really know.
- My dad is going through some physical therapy and will be having surgery on July 24. Please keep him in your prayers. I am not ready for this whole aging parents thing. Sigh...
- Only 37 more days until I get to see David Cook. I.Cannot.Wait.
- I just downloaded a trial of Photoshop Elements 6.0. I have been told that it is much more user friendly than my Photoshop CS program. Anyone have any tips?
- I am hoping to be able to blog several Thailand and beach vacation entries in the next week. I am needing to upload pictures online first and am trying to decide if I still want to use Shutterfly (which I like) or switch to something else. And if I switch, can I transfer over my current albums. Sometimes technology just brings too many choices.
- That cat is still hanging around. And one night he brought a friend. Oops. We have opted to not tell Matt that one. Emily has named him "Buddy". Original, huh?
- Matt's heading back to Japan next month, and possibly Puerto Rico. Joy. Joy. Joy.
- I cannot for the life of my figure out the call waiting on my cellphone or my Bluetooth headset. I can switch over to the other caller, but I cannot figure out how to switch back to the original person I was speaking with. I have a Verizon Chocolate cell phone. Can anyone help?
- Only 10 days and Jamie, Hannah, Ashley and even Mark are coming to visit! I am so flipping excited. I am trying to fit golf, a trip to the farmers market, a day at the beach and dinner on the boat all into their 4 day visit. I hope they are resting up and buying lots of sunblock.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Here Comes Peter Cottontail... Just a Wee Bit late
I am working on uploading pics online to start blogging about our trip. I realized between packing our href="http://www.luggageuniverse.com/briggs-riley-travelware.aspx">Briggs and Riley luggage and all all our traveling I never uploaded our Easter pictures and since I used this holiday to really try out my new camera, I have to share. (Plus another reason to show off my cute kids)
Here is just a preview of a few. Check out a bunch more here.
Here is just a preview of a few. Check out a bunch more here.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Monday, February 04, 2008
Back It Up
It's here! It's here! I am excited to announce that my camera and lens arrived safe and sound on Friday. I have to say I am a wee bit intimidated. Okay, alot intimidated. Just ask Val about my 900 frantic emails.
So trying to prepare myself for the learning curve of this camera I started burning old pictures off my computer. Let me stop for a moment and explain the system I have. I take lots of digital pictures. After all, they are free. So why not take hundreds, or in my case thousands. I then upload them to my computer (almost always my laptop) and then erase the photo card. I sometimes then upload the pictures to my online photo album. Do I ever print any of the pictures? Rarely. But hey my goal this year is to print more and actually hang them at the house and send to relatives.
Now at this point I am supposed to burn the pictures from my computer each month to a CD and then file them in the fireproof safe. However somehow I have not done this since December 2006. Yeah, big oops. So last night I started burning and got through June. This morning Matt asked me when the last time I backed up my whole system was. My response? Never. Sure I have pulled files to a CD or a jump drive. And I do have all the pictures on CD through December 2006. But as far as a whole system backup. Never. I really have meant to do it. I even had Val email me what she bought as far as an external hard drive. So what if the email was dated July 20, 2006. I fully intended to do it. And the bad part? I have two computers I have never backed up. I am really really really lucky I have never had a problem.
So as I type, I am finishing burning the rest of 2007 pictures and then I am going to plug in my new 320 GB external hard drive and backup my whole system –– pictures, mp3 files, work and personal documents. Truth be told, I'd rather be searching for Branson rentals. An external hard drive stresses me out just as much as my new camera does. I have this fear of plugging it in and frying my whole computer. Or corrupting all my files. It makes me really nervous. And since I am a Mac girl it isn't like I can get much help in the stores about what is and isn't good.
Now all I need to do is figure how to sync my desktop and laptop computer together and I will really be on the ball. Maybe someday.
So trying to prepare myself for the learning curve of this camera I started burning old pictures off my computer. Let me stop for a moment and explain the system I have. I take lots of digital pictures. After all, they are free. So why not take hundreds, or in my case thousands. I then upload them to my computer (almost always my laptop) and then erase the photo card. I sometimes then upload the pictures to my online photo album. Do I ever print any of the pictures? Rarely. But hey my goal this year is to print more and actually hang them at the house and send to relatives.
Now at this point I am supposed to burn the pictures from my computer each month to a CD and then file them in the fireproof safe. However somehow I have not done this since December 2006. Yeah, big oops. So last night I started burning and got through June. This morning Matt asked me when the last time I backed up my whole system was. My response? Never. Sure I have pulled files to a CD or a jump drive. And I do have all the pictures on CD through December 2006. But as far as a whole system backup. Never. I really have meant to do it. I even had Val email me what she bought as far as an external hard drive. So what if the email was dated July 20, 2006. I fully intended to do it. And the bad part? I have two computers I have never backed up. I am really really really lucky I have never had a problem.
So as I type, I am finishing burning the rest of 2007 pictures and then I am going to plug in my new 320 GB external hard drive and backup my whole system –– pictures, mp3 files, work and personal documents. Truth be told, I'd rather be searching for Branson rentals. An external hard drive stresses me out just as much as my new camera does. I have this fear of plugging it in and frying my whole computer. Or corrupting all my files. It makes me really nervous. And since I am a Mac girl it isn't like I can get much help in the stores about what is and isn't good.
Now all I need to do is figure how to sync my desktop and laptop computer together and I will really be on the ball. Maybe someday.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Vegas Roundup
I know, I know. I promised to be a better blogger. Things have just been crazy around here. But here are pictures and details from Las Vegas, as promised.
Yep, we finally made it to Vegas.
Emily did really well at the meet. She placed 4th on vault, 7 on floor and 9th all-around. Considering the amazing gyms that were there, she did awesome. And I am happy to say this is her last time ever competing as a level 6/compulsory gymnast. She is competing 7 next month.
Here is Em and 4 of her fellow teammates. Or should I just say "sisters". These girls spend so much time together in the gym that they really do become family. It was cool getting to watch them bond even more over the 4 day trip.
New York New York hotel. Emily loved the roller coaster so much she rode it twice (for a mere $14 each time). They had some awesome pizza and even better Matzo Ball Soup! This also was the home of Coyote Ugly, the place the parents closed down Saturday night. Luckily we all forgot to bring cameras. Don't worry we weren't as wild as those who were in need for some drug rehabilitation . After all we are gym parents.
Emily and Jessica.
Emily inside the Coca Cola store.
Me and my roommate Carlette outside of the Bellagio. I think the parents had just as much fun, if not more, than the kids. I really have made some awesome friends at the gym. And boy are they fun! We are already planning our next get together.
There is just a few. Sadly I forgot to get any pictures of Emily and myself together. Luckily Ken, one of the dads who was lucky enough to come with his daughter since his wife is deployed, took several of Em and I. I will post them (provided I look normal) when he emails them to me. In the meantime, you can see all the pictures here.
Yep, we finally made it to Vegas.
Emily did really well at the meet. She placed 4th on vault, 7 on floor and 9th all-around. Considering the amazing gyms that were there, she did awesome. And I am happy to say this is her last time ever competing as a level 6/compulsory gymnast. She is competing 7 next month.
Here is Em and 4 of her fellow teammates. Or should I just say "sisters". These girls spend so much time together in the gym that they really do become family. It was cool getting to watch them bond even more over the 4 day trip.
New York New York hotel. Emily loved the roller coaster so much she rode it twice (for a mere $14 each time). They had some awesome pizza and even better Matzo Ball Soup! This also was the home of Coyote Ugly, the place the parents closed down Saturday night. Luckily we all forgot to bring cameras. Don't worry we weren't as wild as those who were in need for some drug rehabilitation . After all we are gym parents. 
Emily and Jessica.
Emily inside the Coca Cola store.
Me and my roommate Carlette outside of the Bellagio. I think the parents had just as much fun, if not more, than the kids. I really have made some awesome friends at the gym. And boy are they fun! We are already planning our next get together.There is just a few. Sadly I forgot to get any pictures of Emily and myself together. Luckily Ken, one of the dads who was lucky enough to come with his daughter since his wife is deployed, took several of Em and I. I will post them (provided I look normal) when he emails them to me. In the meantime, you can see all the pictures here.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Catching Up Through Pictures
I have finally uploaded pictures to my photo albums. Yes, finally.
I uploaded pictures from a weekend camping trip at the beginning of the month with Shannon, David, her parents. It was a blast going to Virginia and seeing the beautiful mountains in the fall. Plus Shannon has the most awesome parents. I just love hanging out with them. Maybe next time we will go to one of the Pigeon Forge cabins.
More Camping Pictures
I also uploaded pictures from my "girls only" weekend with college friends Kate, Michelle, Tracey and Jess. The beach and weather was a perfect 85 degrees and it was nice spending time with friends I only see a few times a year. I'm already counting down until the next time we get to do this.
More Girls Pictures
And of course this past weekend with my brother. We had an amazing time. The kids really enjoyed spending the extra time with Uncle Scott and it was a great time for him and I to get to know each other better. And don't worry mom, he isn't packing his bags and heading south ... yet.
Scott Visit Pictures
I uploaded pictures from a weekend camping trip at the beginning of the month with Shannon, David, her parents. It was a blast going to Virginia and seeing the beautiful mountains in the fall. Plus Shannon has the most awesome parents. I just love hanging out with them. Maybe next time we will go to one of the Pigeon Forge cabins.
More Camping Pictures
I also uploaded pictures from my "girls only" weekend with college friends Kate, Michelle, Tracey and Jess. The beach and weather was a perfect 85 degrees and it was nice spending time with friends I only see a few times a year. I'm already counting down until the next time we get to do this.
More Girls Pictures And of course this past weekend with my brother. We had an amazing time. The kids really enjoyed spending the extra time with Uncle Scott and it was a great time for him and I to get to know each other better. And don't worry mom, he isn't packing his bags and heading south ... yet.
Scott Visit Pictures
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
