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what happened

A look back at 2012!

2012 has come and will be soon gone!  Each year I try to do something new…and for this past year I dedicated it to expand my boundaries and to be more adventurous.  As I look back at this year, I can see God had blessed me with so many new friends and experiences! Below, I present some […]

Categories
food

Napa: Winter 2012

It’s always fun to make a trip to Yountville for wine and food!  This time, I revisited Bouchon Bakery, tried a new restaurant Reddwood, and more wine tasting! Bouchon Bakery:Bouchon Bakery is well known for their macarons — and occasionally they have special seasonal flavors.

Categories
travel

Sleeping in Japan (Part 1): Capsule Hotel

Capsule HotelThe first capsule hotel to open was in Osaka, Japan in 1979.  The need was driven mainly by travelers too intoxicated to safely get back home, or too embarrassed to face their spouses.  These hotels have extremely small “rooms” (capsules) intended to provide cheap and basic overnight accommodation for guests not requiring the services offered by more […]

Categories
travel

Japan: Conveyor Belt Sushi

Conveyor belt sushi The Japanese have always been known for being extremely innovative and efficient — it’s no wonder they came up with the conveyer belt sushi.  Here you will find sushi placed on a rotating conveyor belt that winds through the restaurant and moves past every table and counter seat. Customers may place special orders […]

Categories
travel

Japan: Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple

Otagi Nenbutsu-ji is a Buddhist temple in the suburbs of Kyoto.  There you will find 1200 rakans (stone statues representing the disciples of Buddha).  These statues, in keeping with rakan traditions, are generally humorous and kawaii. The sculptures were donated in 1981 in honor of the refurbishment of the temple. Most were carved by amateurs, taught by […]