Japan does cuteness like no other country in the world. This was taken near Takayama in Shirakawa-go, an historical village full of old farmhouses.
If you dare ask why a cute stuffed animal belongs in an historical farmhouse village,
well, inevitably you will be dissatisfied with the answer - it's Japan!

Break-up (round 2)

Someone who was recently a guest at Grace Cathedral's Forum said,
"Things really started to turn around when I decided to give up on having a more perfect past."

I'm not sure what I am looking for. Someone with an expansive world view, forward momentum and sense of contentment with himself while honestly recognizing his faults - who sees the cup as half-full and can appreciate all the little miracles of daily life. Someone who recognizes joy and embraces it, and reflects it back to me. In my past relationship, I felt like I was trying to alleviate some pain that I couldn't take away, and I wasn't experiencing enough joy to balance things out. Devin has a broken heart and I grieve for him - as much as I love him, I don't want to grieve anymore. It's the end of a 5 and a half year relationship.

Time is the great healer, right? Time, a drink or 2, a cat in my lap - work, work, work. If you know of anyone who wants me to take them to Japan, send them on over!

shigoto ga owatta!

Another successful tour finished! Yay!!! Sue, Harumi, Doi-san, Masako and Izumi-san, thank you soooo much. The Friedlands were very pleased overall, I think. Can't wait to go home for a little r&r - although I'd be happy to take refuge somewhere in the mountains at a remote onsen...that would work too!