Next Chapter

Our time is quickly passing as we get ready for our next chapter in our lives. We have loved spending our last three years in Japan and having the opportunity to visit various places such as China and Thailand. We are moving to South Carolina. We are going to miss so many things about Japan that I don't think I have enough time to list all of them. I am happy we had this opportunity to come to Japan and get a taste of world travel. I hope we are given many more opportunities to travel the world. We hope to come back and visit our beloved Japan. We may come in for a quick shinkansen ride to grab some of our favorite bites to eat. Tonight we had sushi and I know that it will not be the same in the USA.

I also have started my own "Where is Slyly?" It is similar to the knome idea of placing him in spots around the world. Slyly is the mascot for the Carps team and I thought it would be cool to keep him with us as we travel. It will not only remind us of our great times in Japan but we can connect the Carps with our travels. You can follow his photographs on Facebook. Just click on the link and it should take you directly to my album on facebook.

Maybe I will be a better blogger when I get back to the USA. :)

Thailand Photos

Visiting Thailand became a whirlwind of an adventure. Thai people are very kind and live in circumstances some Americans can not even imagine. However, they greet life and guests with a smile and would be willing to take you in if needed. Many of the Thai people I encountered would give anything they had when they had nothing. However, as with all countries of the world you must realize that their are thieves and people who will take advantage of you. However, as long as you are mindful of your surroundings and how people engage you. You will do great in your travels.

I attached a picture that I snapped during my travels and you can check at more at www.ashleighhowellphotography.com or www.facebook.com/AshleighHowellPhotography

Great Friends

As my time here in Japan comes to a close, my birthday arrived. My thoughtful husband decided to plan a surprise birthday party at one of my favorite places, gyu-kaku. This birthday has become bittersweet as we plan for our return stateside, I will truly miss Japan. I have learned how to embrace this wonderful culture and it may be more difficult to return home than I ever imagined. I have enjoyed my travels during my time here. I hope I can continue my worldwide exploration after my return to the states. I have made wonderful friends in my time here and hope to see them at future installations. If you ever have a chance to visit Japan make sure you visit the places off the main tourist areas. Some of my favorite spots are not well known, but can be easily found with research online. I am glad that I have been enriched with this experience and blessed with such wonderful friends.

Thailand awaits...

Well I am taking a trip to Thailand with some other wonderful ladies to enjoy the sites and scenes. This is also to learn more about photography. I am really excited to see this unique culture. My husband has been to Thailand twice and didn't take a lot of pictures. I am hoping to really be able to capture the essence of Thailand. Keep on the look out for photos. :)

<3 Ashleigh

Easter in Japan

We spent a lazy day this easter. We relaxed and ate hung out with the animals. We are house sitting for a dear friend and we decided to take this easter easy.

It is a sad realization that our time in Japan is quickly coming to an end. We have enjoyed our time here so much and there is so much more we would like to see and do. I guess we can always come back and visit or possibly get stationed here again.

I highly recommend visiting Japan. They are recovering quickly from the devestating earthquake and tsunami of March 11, 2011.

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Japan- 3-11-11

On March 11, 2011 in northern Japan experienced a major 9.0 earthquake followed by a massive tsunami. Many lives were lost and the recover is still ongoing. I have worked with several people here in Iwakuni, Japan to set up fundraiser to donate money for the recovery. One of the events we are hosting local photographers donated their work to sale to raise money for the earthquake relief. It is wonderful to see the humanity emerge in a crisis. Although I wish that the earthquake had not occurred and been so devastating. It is wonderful to see people helping people.

On another note, we got orders and we are heading to Beaufort, South Carolina this year. It is exciting and frightening all at the same time. We will miss our dear friends we have made in Japan. I will miss the country Japan and the kind people who are everywhere you go. But it is the begining of a new chapter and I can't wait to see what adventures we will experience next.

Japan Countryside

I really do love being in Japan. The weather has turned cold here again, but on Wednesday I was able to go out and get some great shots of the Japanese countryside. A great friend, Jackie, opened her home to us to come and take pictures. Her place is absolutely beautiful and had a wonderful view. We were able to wonder around the rice fields that bordered her home and get some great shots. Enjoy!

Various Photos

Japan is a wonderful place to take photos. It has such unique beauty to capture. Tomorrow I will be doing some landscape shots and will post them later. I love have satisfying photography can be and it is so relaxing. Stay tuned for more picture. :)

Walking through woods on a snowy evening

When I was in middle school, my mother was my teacher. One of the poems she had us memorize was a famous Robert Frost poem "Walking through woods on a Snowy Evening." When I took this picture, it was like the poem coming to life although my horses were nowhere to be found as stated in the poem. We have been here over two years.We were lucky to have gotten to see snow in Iwakuni because it is so rare. and this is actually considered a pretty good snow shower for here. It turned out to be a wonderful day to take photographs as well. Even though it has been several years, I can still quote that poem word for word.

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village, though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

Photography Snapshots!

The first picture is an example of the use of macro. With Valentines day coming soon I thought this picture was a great example of macro to tie along with the season. The second photo is an example of portriat photography. This is Jess and she was wonderful model. She is very talented in many things including photography. The bridge in the background is the Kintai bridge which is famous in Iwakuni, Japan.

Long Time...

I know I have not blogged in a while. I am super busy working on my Masters and it definitely keeps me on my toes. I have also immersed myself into classes at the International Learning Center here in Iwakuni. I have taking Ikebana, Kimono doll making and I am currently in a photography class. I would love to make a career out of taking pictures because I absolutely love it. My husband seems very supportive about me taking on this career. I have a lot of building up to start a business. But as much as I love photography I think that it will work out wonderfully. :) We are coming to the end of our stay in Japan and I am going to miss this place. I have met some wonderful people and I love the Japanese culture. When I first set foot in Japan I was skeptical about enjoying my time here but it has been the time of my life. I am a travel bug now and I can't wait to begin our next adventure. I am fortunate to have this oppurtunity and I hope to come back and visit. It has been a cold winter here in Japan and I am ready to see the Cherry Blossoms one last time before I leave. I will be posting some pictures from my photography class soon. Enjoy! I will try not to be away as long this time. :)