I Wasn't Going to Share These, BUT...

     School starts Monday, signalling the end of my quiet, book-filled summer break. I got to spend six weeks in Driggs, working at Corner Drug. Summers in Teton Valley have been the quiet times in my life, with time to just appreciate where I am, what I'm doing, and who I'm with.

     I stayed fairly quiet social media wise over summer break because sometimes you should just enjoy what's going on around you and treasure up the memories, instead of trying to get people to "like" your photos. So this summer is just going to stay with me and not be shared with all of you. 

     BUT...I do have some pretty sweet pics to share with you, even though I originally swore that no one would ever lay eyes on these. You can thank me later for changing my mind. These were taken by a really talented photographer over in Japan - Nephi - and I just have to share his work, because he made me look beautiful even though I felt totally ridiculous. Enjoy:

     This whole thing was not super enjoyable for me because 1. Yukatas and matching sandals are extremely uncomfortable, 2. because I don't like having my picture taken, and 3. because although I'm used to people staring at the back of my head (my hair occasionally causes envy), I'm not comfortable being the obvious center of attention. And let me tell you, I was. The whole process, from makeup and hair to taking my yukata off took most of the day, and I uphold my decision to not become a model. But I got to wear real flowers in my hair (dream come true!) and many women came up and complimented me. In America it would probably offend a lot of people if I paraded around in a traditional Native American costume, but in Japan, I was showing respect to their culture, rather than making light of it. And yes, I do still have the yukata with me and I did learn how to put it on correctly (quite a process, especially for ceremonial kimonos, which I also spent some time in.)

     And that is all, for I have now embarrassed myself more than enough. The end.

P.S. The location for all but the last photo was Kamakura-super cool area that is most famously known for its Giant Buddha.