Sayonara 2005, Sayonara Japan (for three weeks)

I'm leaving my apartment in just about an hour to begin the long long long journey back to the 585.

Since I have some time to kill, I'm gonna do a sort of year-in-review and post a favorite picture or two from each month of this year.

January
From Michelle's (the only person to visit me!) visit. This has to be one of the best photo sequences ever. Poor Kate-o is always a step behind.




February
The view of the mountains as James and I drove back from a snowboarding weekend in Nagano


March
Most of the former Team Sanjo. I miss those guys!


April

On the most romantic night of my life, with the most beautiful man in the most beautiful city. Oh, Sydney


May
Cairns, Australia


June
A last minute beach barbeque in Maki


July
Team Sanjo Farewell Karaoke party


August
My and my mommy and sister at the Boathouse during my first trip home!


September
Thailand




October
Hong Kong


November
Nikko


December


And, hoping this isn't too cheesy I want to close this off with a quote from Paulo Coelho's "The Pilgrimage"
"When you travel, you experience, in a very practical way, the act of rebirth. You confront completely new situations, the day passes more slowly, and on most journeys you don't even understand the language the people speak. So you are like a child just out of the womb. You begin to attach much more importance to the things around you because your survival depends on them. You begin to be more accessible to others because they may be able to help you in different situations. And you accept any small favor from the gods with great delight, as if it were an episode you would remember for the rest of your life.
At the same time, since all things are new, you see only the beauty in them, and you feel happy to be alive... The word peccadillo, which means a 'small sin,' comes from pecus, which means 'defective foot,' a foot that is incapable of walking a road. The way to correct a peccadillo is always to walk forward, adapting oneself to new situations and receiving in return all of the thousands of belssings that life generously offers to those who seek them."


That is all...
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone!