nostalgia

Winter. A time of year where the air becomes crisper, skin is concealed behind cloth, and warmth is everywhere. Autumn and winter have always been my favorite time of year, there's something special laced in between the days of the changing of the color of leaves, to the smell of cinnamon and pine in the air. Where the days are an endless shade of beautiful grey, and the sun falls asleep faster than usual. I am in Japan again for the winter, but I'm not going home for Christmas this year. It will be hard spending this family-themed holiday alone, but I can still feel the love of people from thousands of miles away, so it's just enough.

Yesterday, after attending an instore event, I decided to head down to Hakata to photograph the Christmas illuminations they have up this year. I had almost forgotten that they also have stalls up this year, something they didn't have last year. I felt a twist of nostalgia and warmth and my lips stained with smiles, wandering from stall to stall looking at items that are all too familiar, and the smell of "foreign" food filling the air. In this blistering cold, my heart felt searing hot inside of my body. I only wish someone had been there for me to share company with.

I hope you all have a warm, happy holiday!

kathryn

I feel so clumsy, I thought that I had posted Kathryn's photo set when a while back when I only posted the travel photos from Tokyo! Well here they are. I had such a great time hanging out and shooting with Kathryn. Hopefully when I do back, or when I move there we can meet again. <3

brighter than stars

almost a week ago, i traveled one rainy night from fukuoka to nagasaki to see the lantern festival with a dear friend. through looking at all of the photos, i've grown more nostalgic about the recent past, and where i strive to be in the future. i haven't been shooting anything recently, so just through taking "vacation" photos, i felt a little lighter, more like my old self.

after a short taxi ride from the jr station, i arrived in front of the hotel i would be staying at with a girl i hadn't seen in six months. piper is amazing! she is patient with me, and she does so much for me. sometimes i want to give her the world.

parts of nagasaki, the base in particular, reminded me of fukuoka. the towering hills surrounding us, the deep blue, grey, and green colors staining everything. the earth fresh and grey from the previous night's rain. 

the festival was beautiful. an array of lights shining bigger and brighter than the stars. they lined most of the city, as if they were keeping the city alive through one bright heartbeat. we mostly wandered around until some of the events and the dragon parade started, but it was refreshing being in new scenery with an old friend. 

although i'll be saving up for art school in tokyo for next year, i still hope i can travel a little this year, and mark the roads i've been on like the tangled veins in my body.

where my friend works <3

on the way to the city for the festival.

these days have been silent and placid for me. when my head is not filled with ideas, words, and images, it's filled with worry and isolation. i don't know what direction i'm headed in this year, what country i'll move to, or if i'll stay here, but these grey clouds will pass soon, as they always do. i hope that all of your skies are much brighter. sending love to all of you.