Haven't blogged in two months (although I don't really consider my last post an 'official' entry). I feel like a lot has happened in the last two months...like driving, picking up some projects, attending several events, etc. Some lifestyle changes since college started, but im slowly adjusting to the college life. I'll start with driving...to be honest, I think I hate driving. I've made a ton of stupid mistakes, I've discovered that people aren't very compassionate when they're on the road HAHA. I feel bad for my mom since I've probably given her a few major heart attacks while she sat on the passenger side. Thank god my dad haven't witnessed any of my mistakes, he would've completely burst my ear drums with his bellowing.
As for college, so far so good. Im enjoying a few of my classes, although there are some that has been making me want to shoot myself in the head (while I sit there for 4 hours). As I said earlier, im slowly adjusting and starting to enjoy the independence of college. I've been trying to have a more positive outlook on life (ha.ha) and other crap that makes me want to crawl back into my cave. Hopefully, college will help drag me out of my little cocoon and throw some more self-confidence in me. Life is all good at the moment :D
Some exciting things coming up... I received the Local 14 women's scholarship previously and the art show is finally starting tonight! One or two of my pieces will be displayed among 85 other amazing local women artists. Im pretty excited to attend tomorrow and hopefully, be able to take some pictures. Second, my aunt and my dad decided to turn the garage (which was FILLED with junk) into a studio for my sister and I. Currently, we are still remodeling the inside (a lot of work needs to be done) and when the studio is done, my sister and I will be decorating the interior ...maybe exterior too. I finally get to have an area to do my work, display my toys, buy shelves for my books, and etc.!! The construction may go on for another month or so and my sister would be in Hong Kong for 2 months ...so im not quite sure when the studio will be completely finished, but at least we have started.
Some weird things I've done... I've been obsessed with making guacamole and cooking potatoes hahah. Too delicious! I also tried jalapeño bagels and it was the most amazing bagel I've ever tasted. I've also made mango pudding with real mango + pudding/jello mix from asian markets.
Another random thing, I've decided to continue piano lessons throughout my first year of college (might be a bit of a crazy idea), I THINK I can handle it since I'll only be auditioning (again) for level 10. Playing the piano has become an enjoyable hobby, and I've discovered a lot through learning the piano. Although I've been playing for many years (and is still quite bad at it), it took me many years to find the true joy in playing. I was never really passionate about playing since I was hardly ever interested in the songs my previous piano teacher taught. I could have quit piano when I was in eighth grade, but thankfully I suddenly became interested in playing after I learned a song I loved. So after eighth grade I changed teachers. I remember how stressed, scared, and regretful I was. I thought my new teacher was extremely intimidating and I was CONSTANTLY embarrassing myself with my lack of knowledge and skills in playing. But now, I believe that changing teachers was one of the best decisions I've ever made. I've enjoyed almost every song my teacher suggested and discovered the beauty of real classical music (my previous teachers only taught modern songs). Im quite slow at sight-reading, can never for the life of me count beats correctly, but my teacher would never tell me, "this is too hard for you to play". Even when I doubted my own abilities, my teacher would always give me the chance to try. Playing the piano has taught me that I can accomplish anything if I put my heart into it and that no matter how scary and terrible something seems in the beginning, I will always adjust to it as time goes by. I knew I would probably have to give up a lot of things I've enjoyed on my free time once college started, but piano is something I want to keep for a little longer.
HOLY CRAP. I wrote so ridiculously much...
Anyway, I don't have a ton of pictures to share. I've been lazy...in fact, I should really be doing my homework right now. I have a flip book project due next week which im kind of excited about starting. I sense a lot of frustration and hair-pulling but its okay haha
My current 'other' toy collection
I SWEAR I did not win a lottery, or get a job, or found a million dollars in my backyard. My obsession with toys just sort of skyrocketed. Luckily, most of these toys were bought for a very good deal. I hardly ever buy anything for its original price (not very worth it in my opinion, unless its a rare toy). There are still a ton of toys I can't afford and are on my wishlist but so far here is my other mini collection thats stuck inside a box because I don't have room to display them yet. Im lazy to take stuff out of its package and take pretty pictures (will do that when I actually put them out for display). These are only pictures of the undisplayed/new toys (the rest of my old/other ones are still in my room on my shelves)
>My favorite!! (thats why I took it out of its package for a photo). I've been looking for this strawberry gum to-fu for AGES and finally found it on ebay. Love it!!!
The set... basically the outside boxes are Toy Story 3 figures, Gloomy threat edition, Dalek Icebot Black, Large pink Treeson. Inside the semi-large clear box is a bunch of other random mini toys. Lots of dunnys, to-fu oyakos, treesons, hello kitty, etc.etc.
Got these at Target. I was only planning to buy one set but I couldn't decide between the two... ended up buying both sets and sort of felt bad for spending so much. Woody is in the bottom set, but I gave him to my sister.
Another one of my favorites, Astro Lapin gift from my sister as I mentioned earlier in one of my previous posts.
Some random stuff I got for a good deal from ebay and kidrobot forums. Knockman, Knockman mini series, be@rbrick, and a Qee.
Two sets of wanroom mini and keychains, and a set of to-fu magnet series 3. Had my cousin get these for me from Hong Kong.
My tiny treeson collection (rest are in bags). I have collected the whole Series 1 treeson set, but im still missing a mini Ren.
Side of my box...can kind of see some other to-fu toys, treeson blindbox bags, hello kitty figurines in tube.
Uglydoll, giant Scrump from Jallisa (omg I almost had a heart attack when I saw this <33).>
Adidas Outlet...
So my cousin got a pass to Adidas outlet and a coupon for 50% every product at the outlet. My sister, my aunt, my cousins, and I sort of went on a crazy shopping spree. Ended up leaving the store with two-three GIANT shopping bags.
Bought two pairs of shoes. One was around 21 dollars, the other was around 26 (i think...). I couldn't decide between the two and ended up buying both (need to get rid of this horrible decision making problem of mine)
My current 2nd backpack for studio classes. I wasn't going to buy this, but my aunt insisted that she would buy it for me. I felt extremely bad for making her pay :( cost $32 but its perfect for school. Very roomy and looks less boring compared to my old jansport backpack, which I use for 'textbook' classes.
Others...
Expensive textbooks!! Some of the prices of my textbooks are ridiculous, such a tiny book for a huge price -__- I guess some of these are useful though. Animators surival kit isn't required (may be later though), very useful book!
Got an itouch 4G as a grad. present from my dad because I didn't need to buy a new laptop for college (yet). Im completely dependent on this itouch for...everything. I think its the most practical thing I own (besides my computer). It's like my second life.
SOMEBODY convinced me to get a listography since I have short term memory. Its kind of addicting... a bit tedious as well.
Studio remodeling progress shots
Removing all the junk from the garage. Took around 4 trips to the landfill.
Let down the garage door for the first time in around 18 years (extremely dirty and needs to be power washed). Added a new door and window!
New door, windows (one more on the other side), and ceilings. The walls will be covered in new boards later.
Trip to Nevada
>Went to Nevada/Lake Tahoe a few months ago (feels soo long ago). I have a TON of pictures, but mostly of family members. I kept forgetting to take pictures of other interesting things :(
I'll only post a few here...
Went to Reno as well...
Super fun place called Circus Circus. Its not really a circus, its like an arcade and a carnival (full of those win-a-stuff-animal games). We spent quite a lot there, but had tons of fun. My nephews went home with a large bag of stuff animals.
Many days of playing in the sand!
TOYSSSSSSSS
I've been feeling a bit toy-deprived since I haven't bought any toys in ages (actually I did buy a few, but they haven't arrived yet). So here are more omgawesome toys!
Im a HUGE fan of almost anything Devilrobots (especially to-fu oyako)
I feel like I've posted this large Ren before.... he's a bit over my budget so im happy with just looking at it.
Suddenly felt all nostalgic when I saw these model kits and felt very tempted to buy a box. I remember when I was kid, we had a lot of those model kit toys where my sister had to assemble. They're not too expensive on ebay so I'll probably purchase a box later, plus I think they're worth it since you actually get to have fun with the building process.
Forgot the name of this thing. Its super cute and makes my day though :D
Need to buy this book. Its a photobook of Japanese mascots.
Snoopy & Charlie Now& Then set. Shows how much the characters have changed throughout many years. Previous Charlie was adorable!!
Trying to collect these Takochus, but they're extremely hard to find T_T
All for now!
WOW that took me ages. Blogging takes me (almost) hours since I have to resize images, edit on photoshop, upload, type entry, and then upload images on the entry. Its a bit of a tedious (but enjoyable) process...which is probably the MAIN reason why I take months to update now. I should really be finishing up my homework now...
Here is one last picture to end this entry. Its a character that took me forever to finish on photoshop (finally discovered how to use the pen tool!!!). There are some awkward areas, but its a start. Im hoping to do a series of character designs later. He looks a bit devilrobot inspired (espcially the 'M' on his shirt).
