[28/365] Autumn Leaves, Kyoto, Japan

Autumn in Japan is amazing! I've never seen leaves so red! Anyway, that's all from me tonight. Good night, friends!

[27/365] Street Lights, Port Hueneme, California, USA

Nighttime in the streets of Port Hueneme! A little trip for work... It's a nice drive on the 101 - reminds me of my past Santa Barbara visits. Passed by the Camarillo Outlets on the way back and really, really wanted to make a stop, but somehow got myself to keep on heading home. This self-control thing really works. =P

[26/365] Window Shopping at Anthropologie, Americana, Glendale, California, USA

I know, I know, I'm always posting up pics from Anthropologie. I just like the store display so much! This was a winter time display as I was "window shopping". I'm trying to stay away from clothes shopping, but somehow I chose this photo for today - maybe this is my way of telling myself it's too hard to stay away from the malls. Haha... All I need is self control. Easy as that...

[25/365] Sunset at the Beach, Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

Today, I decided to look back on my photos from Costa Rica from summer of this past year. It was so much fun! Costa Rica seriously had one of the most beautiful beach sunsets I've ever seen. The beach at Manuel Antonio was amazing to swim in during the day and even more amazing to watch as the sun set, creating reflections in the mirror-like surface of the wet sand. I was mesmerized - I couldn't stop taking pictures!

[24/365] Craft Super Show, Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, California, USA

Learn. Create. Buy. This is the motto for this year's Craft Super Show.

I love arts & crafts and when I found out about the Craft Super Show in Anaheim, I just had to go! This is the first year that this event, sponsored by the Craft and Hobby Association, was open to the public for two initial days. It's a heaven for those who scrapbook, stamp, design and create - rows and rows of booths from crafters from all over. I mean, its sponsored by 2 of the biggest craft stores I go to, Michael's and Joann's. I was just bound to enjoy it! Bought some things to create personalized cards with stamps and embossing. Yes, there are people that enjoy doing these things, and no, they don't have to be old ladies (example: me). This is a photo of one of those wooden stands that you can put your face in and take a picture - only for this one, I opted to show other attendees at the fair.

[23/365] Brighton Train Station, Brighton, United Kingdom

Sometimes I ask myself why I do this - I've had many hobbies and collections in my lifetime, but committment hasn't been my strongest point. I started this photo diary on April 12, 2009, and amazingly, I am still going - nearly a photo a day - a few misses here and there. I'm actually proud of myself for still keeping up with this. I think its the love of art and beautiful things. Photography is an art form that captures a moment in reality. I make an effort to get out there and see new sights in the world - I think it is the best form of memory I can find.

What started my love of cameras and photography? Maybe my parents instilled this in me - I was photographed many, many, many times since birth - I have albums upon albums at home of each year of my childhood. I got my own film camera sometime in high school and my freshman year in college brought me my greatest gift of all - my first digital camera. Several digital cameras later and I'm still at it. :)

Keeping a daily photo blog keeps me interested in new developments in the photography world and challenges me to find new camera accessories and new destinations - it has certainly been an expensive hobby, but thank goodness for my full time job. It's been fun and I hope to be doing it for a while to come. I'm trying to expand my horizons and dive into fashion photography and portraits. Hopefully you have enjoyed following me on my journey... I like to think this is my own personal mission, and even though having a ton of readers isn't my main goal, it sure helps motivate me to continue. Thank you for reading!

With that said, this is a photo from last summer. I went to visit my friend, Kristin Espanola, in Brighton, UK and I took this photo of the trains as I was leaving to go back to London. I can't say it enough, the rail system in Europe is amazing!

[22/365] Calle de Los Suspiros (Street of Sighs), Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay

Loved the quaint town of Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay! This pedestrian street is known as the Street of Sighs, and the origin of it's name has many variations involving love, death, romance, mystery and secrets. The foggy day added to the mystery of this street. There was a art gallery along this street with beautiful paintings. A short ferry ride from Argentina, this town along the coast was a great stop on our adventures.

[21/365] Leaving the Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA

Sunny day in Arizona! Watched as the horses descended up and out of the Grand Canyon as we were hiking further down. Arizona trip from Spring, almost 2 years ago.

[20/365] One Year Ago: Presidential Inauguration of Barack Obama, Washington D.C., USA

One year ago today, I was standing in the frigid cold weather of Washington D.C. as President Barack Obama was inaugurated as the 44th president of the United States. From where we stood in this picture, we weaved through people all the way to the closest gate we were allowed to be at. What an amazing experience! I can't believe it has been one year already. Time passes by too fast - must make the most of my time. One of my favorite quotes that I actually got from someone I met while traveling, "You'll regret more what you didn't do than what you did do".

[19/365] Travel Section, Powell's Books, Portland, Oregon, USA

It's 2010 and I need to figure out my travel plans for this year! I'm getting anxiety about not really having anything planned yet. So many places to go, limiting factor: time. This was from the travel section at the massive Powell's Books in Portland. This was from a trip last Spring. Will update with future travel plans! :)

[18/365] Rainy Day, Kyoto, Japan

It's pouring rain in LA! Well, not so much right now, but earlier it was and there are supposed to be a couple storms this week. Supposed to be the most rain in LA in a few years?!? We'll see if that's true. This picture isn't from LA obviously - its from Kyoto, Japan, just outside the Kyoto Train Station. Hope everyone braces for the rain to come - stay safe!

[17/365] Sunset in Long Beach, Long Beach, California, USA

Sunset in Long Beach! I don't know what this is called (the bridge) but its just outside the Aquarium of the Pacific. Lazy to do research today :(

[16/365] Empire State Building, New York, New York Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Empire State Building, not in New York. Cloudy day in Vegas, but the sun managed to peek through just over the building.

[15/365] Crystals, City Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Just visited the newly built City Center in Las Vegas! This was inside Crystals, a mall with high end luxury stores - definitely out of my price range haha. These are ice blocks that were slowly melting throughout the day. Always good times in Vegas! :)

[14/365] Walkway Through the Forest, Columbia River Gorge, Oregon, USA

The Columbia River Gorge area in Oregon is beautiful. A short hike from one waterfall to another, we walked along this walkway through the forest. Ah, fresh air!

[13/365] Powell Library Interior, UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA

I can't say I spent too many days and nights in Powell Library, but I always thought it was beautiful inside and out. This is the intricately designed ceiling of the 2nd floor of the library, with a neat light hanging down from it.

On another note, my thoughts and well wishes are with Haiti and the devastating earthquake that occurred there. As much as I wish there were more I could do, I think that it comes down to money that is most crucial and beneficial right now. I have chosen this site to donate to: http://www.yele.org/. Whether it's that one, or another organization directly helping out in Haiti, I hope there's one you find that you want to donate to. Every little bit helps.

[12/365] Ships Along The Waterfront, Long Beach, California, USA

Peaceful day along the waterfront in Long Beach. :)

[11/365] Lorikeet Forest, Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach, California, USA

The Lorikeet Forest is just one of the exhibits at the Aquarium of the Pacific. This one was as interactive as it gets - visitors are able to purchase nectar to feed the lorikeets. Once inside the sanctuary, you are surrounded by the birds showing off their colors straight from a palette of the brightest and most vibrant colors you can find. The birds zip by right above and besides you, and this particular one landed on a hanging basket. The Aquarium is not just for aquatic animals!

BLOG UPDATE: Commenting on the blog works again! Don't be a stranger, leave a note. :) Also, I'm up to date on the blog - 11th post on the 11th day of the year!

[10/365] Lighthouse, Long Beach, California, USA

Just steps away from the Aquarium, this lighthouse lights up and glows this blue color when the sun starts to set!

[9/365] Translucent White Jellyfish, Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach, California, USA

It's January, and still, today was a sunny day in California. Finally made it out to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. These translucent white jellyfish were one of the first tanks I saw. It's fascinating to see them swimming around the tank!

[8/365] Designer Paper for Scrapbooking, Los Angeles, California, USA

Every single trip I've taken, I've kept tickets, maps, postcards, receipts, brochures and and other memorabilia that will help me remember my trip in cute photo boxes organized by trip. That, along with the thousands of travel photos, make for comprehensive documentation of my trips. I must admit, I'm quite behind on my scrapbooking, but its definitely a forever ongoing work in progress as I continue to travel the world! Beautifully designed scrapbook paper is crucial to the process, and I have plenty of it!

[7/365] Christmas Market, Umeda Sky Building, Osaka, Japan

Reminiscent of the Christmas Markets in Germany, this was set up at the base of the Umeda Sky Building in Osaka.It was complete with sausages, drinks, and crafts, including these colorful ceramic houses. Markets like this are so much fun!

[6/365] Rollercoasters at California Adventure, Anaheim, California, USA

Another one from the lovely California Adventure in Anaheim! I don't know if you can see it, there is a thin white line that curves up into the rollercoaster tunnel - thats the light from the rollercoaster that actually zipped by as I took this photo.

[5/365] Leaves Ready to Fall, Kyoto, Japan

For some reason, I really like this picture because of the background and how the orange of the leaves and the blue of the sky merge together. This was a tree outside of the Golden Palace in Kyoto, Japan just before leaves were going to fall to the ground.

[4/365] Trees Overlooking Lake Tahoe, Lake Tahoe, California, USA

Just around the area we walked down in order to go to the beach, the houses had these thin, tall trees reaching up to the sky with the snow-capped mountains in the distance

Starting a new project involving my photo of the day. Not sure when it will be "released". Will keep you all updated! Have a good night!

[3/365] Fireplace at the Cabin, South Lake Tahoe, California, USA

Loved the cabin we stayed at in Lake Tahoe! Nothing like a fireplace to warm everyone up.

[2/365] Snow-Covered Cabin at Lake Tahoe, South Lake Tahoe, California, USA

We left the cabin and it was still pitch black outside. As we drove the short distance to the lake, the sun slowly started to rise. This is one of the first shots with a snow-covered wooden cabin in the distance. Amazing view!

[1/365] Lake Tahoe At Sunrise, South Lake Tahoe, California, USA

WOW. That's the first thing I thought when we arrived at the crack of dawn to a beautiful, cold Lake Tahoe, with the full moon still up. The view made the 6am wake up and freezing temperatures worth it! Usually, this part of Lake Tahoe is a beach, but in the winter time, a layer of white snow and ice covers the beach and extends out onto a part of the lake that freezes. The steps down to the beach were covered with icy snow and prone to slipping, but we eventually got down and close to the water's edge. I'm amazed how the ducks were able to survive the cold. Tahoe for New Years was so much fun! :) I hope everyone had a Happy New Year. 2010, here we are!