Selfie while wearing a blue button-down shirt with yellow tie and a pin with the American and Japanese flags.

Picture Post: Can’t say I ever would have expected to be wearing a tie to the Japanese Garden, but then I can’t say I ever expected to receive an invite to their annual signature event either: the Golden Crane Reception. I was so surprised, I even made a rather awkward phone call to make sure there hadn’t been some mistake. I’m incredibly honored there wasn’t, and I’m thrilled to be attending the first member event since COVID suspended them indefinitely.

Selfie while wearing a blue button-down shirt with yellow tie and a pin with the American and Japanese flags.

Taken on Jul 10, 2021 @ 16:59.