Framed

This small park is a ten minute walk from our Kyoto house.

Effects of Japan

Old Nihon can do strange things to a person. Grown men have have been known to eat raw fish, drink wine made from rice, sit crosslegged on a pillow for hours while thinking of absolutely nothing.

Nia appears to be in the midst of Phase 1: Wearing Clothes on Head. Her expression reveals obvious internal struggle. She doesn't really want to wear the green shirt on her head, but the urge is too powerful to resist.

Eat, Drink, and Be Nia

Once again, doing what she does best. Feeding the boilers.

Blast from the Past

Yeah, yeah, I know this isn't recent, but I couldn't resist. From Nia and Hiromi's previous visit to old Nihon during the summer of 2005, three years ago. This shot is way too good not to share. And it really shows how much she's grown since then. If you're wondering where that mouth came from, it's Hiromi's.

Hey, lady, where ya goin' with my squirrel?

Lunchtime

Oishii! Not your typical fare here. The bottom image is Nia's normal lunch, which Hiromi so lovingly prepares every morning before waking Nia and sending her off across the big city of Kyoto.

My Girl

I've got sunshine
On a cloudy day...

Clean Up Clean Up

In classic Japanese style, Nia is taking part in the daily clean-up of her own school. No maid service. Japanese children are taught that cleaning up is a part of life. What a novel concept.