Tag: traveling

Wedding Day Photos

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"Wedding Vows" Oceanside, 2018
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 44.4mm, f/5.6, 1/640 sec, ISO200
 “Wedding Vows” Oceanside, 2018

こんばんは。How’s it going?

Today my oldest brother and his fiancée got married. The wedding was held on the beach, with the sun and surf joining the 80 guests in witnessing the ceremony and vows. It was fantastic!

My brother had asked me if I could take photos during the ceremony, and of course, I was happy to do so. I’m not a wedding photographer so this was pretty new for me, however, I have some experience shooting events and have confidence in how to operate the camera so I wasn’t nervous at all. And that made it a lot of fun!

While I was taking photos, I remember thinking that when I was younger, I would have been so nervous about how the shots will turn out, if I am getting the right angles, if I am missing shots, etc. All those feelings were not present this time, though! I guess that just comes with experience and preparation. And I’m sure the fact that no money was involved and it was a casual wedding had plenty to do with it too. 😀

Anyways, the lighting conditions were pretty challenging (direct sun backlighting) but it made for some really nice shots too. I made lots of use of exposure compensation and was thankful that Fujifilm provides that dedicated mechanical dial just for that function. As much as I dislike using zoom lenses, I have to admit, the Fujifilm 18-55 XF lens worked nicely for the shoot.

All in all, I am happy with how the photos turned out, and I am happy that I was able to be a part of an amazing and joyous event!

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I hope you had a nice day!

またね～

Oceanside Run

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I LOVE to go running while on vacation, even a short weekender like this one. This morning it was a beautiful beachside jog up the Pacific coast. 🌞🌴🏖

If you are also on Strava, why don’t we connect?

"Oceanside Run" Oceanside, 2018
Photo info: Motorola Moto G (4), 3.64mm, f/2, 1/1200 sec, ISO50
 “Oceanside Run” Oceanside, 2018
"Cool Down" Oceanside, 2018
Photo info: Motorola Moto G (4), 3.64mm, f/2, 1/530 sec, ISO50
 “Cool Down” Oceanside, 2018

Travel Birthday

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こんばんは。How’s it going?

Today was a busy day for Mariko and me, plus a milestone for my son Bay. For him, it was the first time that he drove alone – he took my car to school and then back home at the end of the day. And happily, it was an uneventful trip. I am hoping this is the beginning of a long and safe driving career. 😆

The reason that Bay took my car today was that Mariko and I flew to California in order to attend my brother’s wedding this weekend. We actually flew to LAX, where my parents came to meet us, and then we all drove down to Oceanside together, where my brother and his fiancée rented a beach house for the weekend. We’ll be having the wedding here, on the sand, with dinner to follow. It’s gonna be a blast!

"Wine and Cheese" Austin, 2018
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 18mm, f/2.8, 1/90 sec, ISO400
 “Wine and Cheese” Austin, 2018

Earlier at the airport in Austin, Mariko and I splurged a bit on some wine and cheese at the Vino Volo wine bar. It was pretty good, but of course more expensive than normal being as though we were at the airport. Still, we enjoyed living the high-life for a little while before getting on the plane. Speaking of planes, we like Delta a lot these days. The Delta planes we’ve flown on the past few times have had a great entertainment system with plenty of Japanese and other international movies. I watched a little bit of a Chinese movie How Long Will I Love You but then decided to read my Kindle. I really enjoy flying (being on the plane) because I can concentrate on reading. I love it!

And when we arrived at the beach house in Oceanside, we had a little birthday celebration with cake and gifts. It was fun. 😊 (It’s 10/19!)

"Cake Time" Oceanside, 2018
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 35mm, f/2.8, 1/60 sec, ISO1250
 “Cake Time” Oceanside, 2018

I hope you had a nice Friday!

またね～

"Night at the Beach" Oceanside, 2018
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 35mm, f/2.5, 1/25 sec, ISO3200
 “Night at the Beach” Oceanside, 2018

Sense of Place

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"Cloud" Cedar Park, 2018
Photo info: SONY NEX-6, 37mm, f/9, 1/1250 sec, ISO100
 “Cloud” Cedar Park, 2018

こんばんは。How’s it going? Today’s blog post will be a bit of a ramble, but hey, it’s my blog, so here goes.

I’ve been lucky so far that I have been able to travel for vacation, and also on rare occasion for work, and I now recognize certain distinct affinities I have for different places. For instance, when I traveled to Japan for the first time, I immediately felt like Japan was somewhere I wanted to live. So much so that I gave myself a deadline of 6 months before I moved there.

On the other hand, when I returned from trips to Morocco and Spain, I didn’t have that feeling at all. It was really fun to visit those places and experience a bit of the culture, but I never felt a deep connection. I’m sure it has to do with being Asian in a non-Asian country, although I haven’t thought too deeply about it yet. 🤔

The same can be said of my trips to Stockholm. I’ve visited twice and although I loved it there, felt safe and free, I was simply just a visitor. The thought of having a life there never crossed my mind. Nevermind the complications of having kids and a family… but even if I were single, I don’t think Europe would be on my list of places to live.

And how about my hometown of Torrance? I love visiting family there and am happy I grew up in Southern California, but I have no desire to live there. It’s just not interesting to me… and speaking about the USA, I’ve lived in Texas for almost 20 years now. Honestly, living in Austin never even occurred to me as a possibility before we moved here. It’s a wonderful place, and the people are so friendly and warm. But no, I have no real affection for, nor interest in, Texas and the moment we have the freedom to leave, I’ll be the first one on the plane. 😆

But back to places that I feel a real affinity for. Obviously, there’s Japan. Whenever I visit, I feel right at home, even though I can only understand maybe 25% of conversations. But I love it there. When I lived there I never considered leaving. It’s somewhere I want to live again. (My dream hasn’t died, haha)

Interestingly, I felt a similar feeling towards China when I visited there last month. After returning home, I felt that same blue feeling (could it be like homesickness?) that I felt after returning from Japan after my first visit there. That’s how I know I feel a real connection to a place – after returning, I have that melancholy feeling. It’s like I am living in a dream. 😌

Anyways, that’s pretty much what’s on my mind these past few days. Thinking about a connection to a sense of place I suppose. Although I live in Texas, I feel like it’s a temporary situation… just waiting to move on really. Someday. 🛫

I hope you had a nice day, and thanks for reading!

またね～

Back to Texas

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"Bye California" Long Beach, 2018
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/7.1, 1/1100 sec, ISO200
 “Bye California” Long Beach, 2018

こんばんは。How’s it going?

Well, I’m back home. It has been a great trip but unfortunately, vacation’s over. As my friend told me, “Even banquets have to end”. 😢

"My Plane" Long Beach, 2018
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/5.6, 1/950 sec, ISO200
 “My Plane” Long Beach, 2018

The trip from California to Texas was actually quite good. I made it through security quickly, and while waiting at the gate, the Jetblue gate attendant asked me if I’d like to switch my seat to an “Even More Space” type if I was willing to be in the exit row. I agreed, and the gate attendant assigned me his favorite seat, which is special because the seat in front does not recline! It was so nice. Even though I have short legs, the extra space is welcome. 😀

"Even More Room" Long Beach, 2018
Photo info: Motorola Moto G (4), 3.64mm, f/2, 1/30 sec, ISO160
 “Even More Room” Long Beach, 2018

To add to the “luxury”, I got to feast on a pastrami sandwich that my mom made for me. So good… 😋

"Lunch Spread" LGB-AUS, 2018
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/7.1, 1/60 sec, ISO6400
 “Lunch Spread” LGB-AUS, 2018

It was nice to see my family again after over two weeks of being away. And the super-bonus was that I got to enjoy my favorite meal, oyakodon. ❤

"Oyakodon" Cedar Park, 2018
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 35mm, f/2.8, 1/60 sec, ISO500
 “Oyakodon” Cedar Park, 2018

I hope you had a great day!

またね～