Trees of the Bay

Trees at UC Berkeley (North gate) When I was there... to return an overdue book ;A;

It took me 3 hrs on Bart / bus to get back to Cupertino

Trees in West Sunnyvale at sunset, right across from my office. Friday is always the best time to do some drawings while waiting for the shuttle~ I thought I lost my drawing kit after this, but it turns out I dumped my palette in an open suitcase after I got home, and then proceeded to put more clothes on top. After I found my drawing kit, I found out that my pen was missing. I was almost ready to give up and order a new one, when it just fell out of the blue when I unfolded a pair of pants while getting ready for work on Monday. Such drama :P

Early in the day, somewhere in Shanghai

The exact view out of my hotel window. Drawn between early morning conference call, breakfast, and running for the shuttle, in the span of two mornings! Just by looking at the drawing reminds me of the rush...thankfully I'm not going back anytime soon

Kyoto Focus: Yasaka Shrine + Kyoto National Museum

 There were two consecutive weddings going on at Yasaka Shrine. All the same old stuff...until I noticed the two photographers with special armbands! The official wedding photographer of Yasaka shrine and his assistant. So I sneaked up on them while they were busy recording / attending the wedding. The feeling of drawing someone that they themselves would never expect to be captured was great!

The older one of the pair of buildings of Kyoto National Museum, and in my opinion, the best piece of the collections! I noticed this place a few years ago when I visited its neighbour, Sanju-sangen-do
The most interesting part of the building was the relief on the main entrance, it is of completely Japanese motifs.

Kyoto Focus: The Two Pavilions

 The Temple of the Golden Pavilion! Sort of...made it look like a two-story building, but the bottom dark layer is actually the first floor! After reading about it so many times through Mishima, it looks a bit...underwhelming. Maybe I should come back during sunset

Its nice brother, Temple of the Silver Pavilion. Looks a bit mundane at first, but when paired at the right angle with the sand "Moon viewing Platform", there's actually a nice balance of colour and shape (the view also comes with a seating area on the engawa)

The Atlantic Frontier: St. John's

Finally, North America's most Easterly point! Important enough to be on one of the pages of the Canadian passport. There are actually two lighthouses, the one with the strange hat (above) is the original one (with bits and pieces borrowed from Scotland)

View off the actual most Easterly point. Waves crashing, wind roaring. Freezing my hands off...ears too if I hadn't my hoodie on!

Canada Trip: the Atlantic Provinces

Cape Breton National Park, Nova Scotia

The winding Cabot Trail is said to resemble Scottish highlands. 

Cavendish Beach, Prince Edward Island

Distinctive red soil, even the beaches have a red hue. Apparently the sand dunes (to the right) are important breeding ground for some animals

Gros Morne National Park (along the Tablelands), NFLD

Canada trip: Ontario

Muskoka Wharf, Gravenhurst, ON

The ship on the left is the oldest operating steamship in North America, RMS Segwun. But sadly under repair because it's still a full month before the sightseeing season ;A; 

According to the nice lady selling handmade soap next door, this place will be crazy crowded once the summer season starts...

Lake of Two Rivers, Algonquin Provincial Park. (The red thing in the background is the canoe assigned to our cabin~)