We’re the first of January 2014, and it’s time to read what the past year brought me, and what I had brought to this year.

The highlight of this year was surely my trips to Japan and the people I met there, several of whom were physical, some others being there from far away, bringing back memories in the process…

First one goes to my dear Bibz with whom I don’t spend enough time even when being together. Unfortunately, this might be even harder soon. But sometimes, thanks to circumstances, it just feels so right.

Thanks to Baci for hosting this specific evening. Thanks to you for being you no matter what.

I was having my obligatory night stroll for the Chinese new‑year when I received a SMS announcing the birth of a new lil’ firefly, which incidentally, was still dragon at the time.

Thank you China for illuminating my nights.

It seems like most of 2013 came from France. After deciding we’d spend Hanami together while in Paris, we met in Tokyo.

My first time in Japan was amazing, so rich in encounters that I can’t really describe how I’m grateful to the people I met there.

Thank you Japan for welcoming terrible French tourists like you do.

One of my Japanese experiences was culinary. After following Olivier’s advice and getting lost in the neighbourhoods of Setagaya, I finally found Tobu Sakana and discovered I could not only like seafood, but get my taste-buds exploding of pleasure.

Thanks Olivier for the help from far away. Thanks Saori and Kyoshi for sharing this experience with me.

My second trip to Japan was a surprise to the one I left there and was so eager to meet again. As of today, I don’t know how all of this happened, all I remember were the butterflies all around.

Thanks to you for this amazing time together.

Cheesecake and fat overdose! I finally managed to make one with the consistency I deemed perfect. Great success!

Thanks (so much) lil’ sister for giving me the recipe of this artery blocker.

My third trip to Japan went through Hokkaido and eating a bento at the top of the mountain after a few hours of hike was one of the best feelings in a long time.

It happened I discovered onigiri could be way more than the cheap food sold in Lawson a few weeks before. Ume Onigiri while contemplating the snow and the clouds floating around us was the best trophy ever.

Thanks Hiromi for being part of it.

A road trip through windmills, swamps, alleys filled with birds flying in front of us, which ended contemplating the sea and the long illuminated serpent of concrete on top of it.

Thanks Renee for the car, the laughters and simply being here.

When the family comes around, you know you’re in for a lot of good times. When this family has a dreaming little 10 years old girl, you know these good times will stay in memories.

Thanks to the three of you for paying me a visit! I hope Clarinette will remember at least part of it when growing. We’ll take out photos if not.

Kino is an initiative that started quite a few years ago, and China was waiting for someone to kick-start its first representation in Shanghai.

I met a lot of open minded and passionate people, and an amount of creativity I didn’t have the chance to encounter for quite a while.

Thanks Ying for introducing me to this. You rock!

We were invited to visit a Lilong that was going to be demolished soon after. We got invited by the remaining inhabitants to enter houses in what was once an eventful community, listening to stories of people being threatened because they didn’t want or could not leave their place.

Thanks Jérémy for the invitation. Thanks Sylvain, Sumi and Miliyun for the company.

I couldn’t post something on Ze Internet without a picture of a kitten.

He’s not really a kitten any more, but he’s always around, whatever my mind’s weather report.

Thank you fluffy one for being cuddly anytime and funny the rest of the time.