tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35605189100258133662024-03-13T15:05:44.733-07:00Mishie WishieAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01137296793865843112noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560518910025813366.post-71698647796215800502015-03-07T17:54:00.001-08:002015-03-12T06:28:47.521-07:00Say A Little Prayer<div style="text-align: center;">
I took a day off from work last week.</div>
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After running a few errands, I managed to finish early and decided to pop in St. Patrick's Catherdral for some much needed meditation and prayer time.</div>
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This cathedral is a marvel, and everyone knows it. Unfortunately, every single time I've visited a different part is under renovation. I do hope that one day I will have the chance to see this landmark in all it's renovated glory.</div>
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The gothic architecture in St. Patrick's always reminds me of one of my classes in university, MARKET1, where our professor held a one-off special lecture about art in advertising. We studied all kinds of art movements and how they were reflected in modern advertising. We even had quizzes and had to bring examples of which advertisments we thought was influenced by which movement (it was a nerve-wrecking exercise!). </div>
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I bring this up because I think about it a lot when I look around, not only St. Patrick's Catherdral, but in New York city in general. It is a melting pot of art influences and artists. I love being smack-dab in the middle of it all!</div>
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Another thing I about churches (which are often gothic in design) are the stained glass windows. Take a look at these beauties!</div>
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I often stare at them during mass and just wonder about the process of making them. Who conceptualizes them and just how is glass stained and molded to fit the panels? I'd love to take a class on the principles!</div>
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But my main purpose for the visit was prayer and it's exactly what I did. I find that even if I don't consider myself a devout or religious person, being in chirch or going to mass is a meditative, reflective experience. It gives me time to think and yet not be stressed about my thoughts. I've gone to chapels and churches for ten minutes of prayer since I was in college. It really helps me think and feel comforted. Perhaps someone, God, is really listening and taken the burden away from me. </div>
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St. Jude is the patron said of desperate causes. I cannot tell you how much I believe praying to him has helped me over the years. Anything from a lost bracelet to a midterm exam, defending my thesis to finding a job for me and my family--I have always prayed to him. It felt good to offer a prayer here through him.</div>
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Every now and then, we need some time to reconnect with ourselves and our beliefs. In my case, prayer helps. Sometimes, we forget to pray and only do so when we need something. But it is also good to visit whenever we can to just reconnect and give thanks. :)</div>
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<i>Tuttah,</i></div>
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<i>Mishie</i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01137296793865843112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560518910025813366.post-69305209409740443502015-02-16T18:49:00.001-08:002015-02-17T06:56:08.645-08:00An Outdoor Perspective (On Running)<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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Three weeks ago, I signed up for a 10K. Even when I think about it now, it seems farfetched and ridiculous, especially coming from me--one of the laziest, indoorsiest people I know! </div>
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I was talked into it by a coworker and, to be honest, as much as I am freaked out by my impulse decision, I am determined to accomplish it!</div>
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And today, as I had a day off and been itching to gauge how I would do in running in the elements, I ran outside (not at the gym)!</div>
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Pictured above was my running route today. It really was a blessing in disguise. I've lived in this area for three years now and today was the first time I stepped foot in Hudson County Park. </div>
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The track immediately surrounding the pictured frozen lake is almost exactly a mile long--so doing my 3miled was easily achievable despite my freezing fingers!</div>
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Not only was the atmosphere refreshing, but running outside gave me an oppotunity to think differently from how I would at the gym. At the gym, I'm fixated with numbers, counting down the seconds when I can dial down the speed and lower the incline. The only thing I could think of is "When will this run end?" </div>
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For the first time since I started training for the race, I thought "I want to go farther and further." </div>
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And the more I ran, the less I thought that I was applying those thoughts to running. I thought of all the things I have been going through lately and how I wish I could just put a halt on things and push them aside, sleep and not have to deal with them anymore. </div>
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But today I thought: "Bring it on. I'm excited to go through and over them." To be able to say that I took a challenge head on and conquered it--that's how I choose to look at this now.</div>
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So maybe I should run outside more often. But first, I'm gonna need to pick up some gloves.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01137296793865843112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560518910025813366.post-40942520909867510932015-01-27T12:04:00.000-08:002015-01-27T12:04:00.117-08:00Snow Day<div style="text-align: center;">
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They're calling it Snowmageddon2015 or Blizzardof2015 on Twitter. I'm just calling it a regular ol' Snow Day. And as it turns out (at least in my area) that's kind of how it turned out to be anyway.</div>
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I'm not one to panic over weather no matter how grave the situation may seem. Living in a typhoon-infested country for most of your life will get you used to that.</div>
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And since you're given an additional day (in the middle of the week no less!) to do whatever you desire, I think it's time to catch up on some things (TV series and books!). The chilly weather outside is perfect for snuggling up in bed too!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01137296793865843112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560518910025813366.post-40829555970559736192015-01-26T20:17:00.001-08:002015-01-26T20:39:00.720-08:00On Finding Myself<div style="text-align: center;">
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Hullo all,</div>
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I struggle to find the words to begin this blog, probably because I haven't written in so long. I don't mean that I haven't written a blog entry in a while (which, okay, I haven't) but also in general. The past few months have found me writing, at the most, To-Do Lists for work or little notes. </div>
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But, I realize, I'm probably grasping for words because I don't really know what I want to say. That's something I realized about myself recently. I've felt a little bit lost, restless and not totally myself. I've experienced a lot of new things in these past six months that I feel have been a bit overwhelming (mostly positive, some negative, but nevertheless overwhelming). And along the way, I set aside some hobbies that I've told myself now I need to get back to. </div>
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What I ask myself now though is, am I still passionate about the things I like? Loved? I still love the thought of books, of drawing and of writing--making video blogs and coming up with creative projects, but I just haven't done anything as of late and it makes me wonder--<i>what now?</i></div>
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I feel really torn. I don't know what to pursue or what to prioritize. Sometimes I wish someone would just tell me what to do in my life, what goal to set and gun for first. Maybe that way I would get a lot more done. But no, all I have are scrambled thoughts that I sometimes don't even want to face because I'm afraid of becoming even more confused. Most days, all I want to do is to workout, go out and socialize, spend my time with other people and less with myself. </div>
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But maybe that is exactly where I need to start: myself. I need to stop being scared of looking at myself and asking "Who are you, Mishie?"</div>
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I grimace at the thought of my Life Cliche. Finding myself? That is just about the lamest thing I've told myself I would do this year--and it's only January! </div>
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There is just no more room for confusion, restlessness and uncertainty in my life now. If I want anything to really happen to me, I have to do something. I have to start putting my life back in order, and maybe once I've done that good things will fall into place. </div>
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Did that sound vague? I will learn to use my words more again. I must. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01137296793865843112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560518910025813366.post-75497748675663860032014-12-30T12:07:00.002-08:002014-12-30T12:07:37.671-08:00CTNx 2014: Day One<div style="text-align: center;">
Hullo all!</div>
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Finally, after a year and a half of planning, and an even longer time dreaming about it, I was headed to CTNx!</div>
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I had bought our tickets back in February for the convention that was happening in November--talk about being early birds! I also decided to bring my brother along for this trip so that we could both be inspired and motivated to be involved in something creative, a field that we both like to dabble in. He's actually more of a photographer but this was in his wheelhouse all the same.</div>
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Obligatory airplane wing photo!</div>
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My brother and I decided to tag-team the taking of photos and videos. He just recently started vlogging himself so I was happy for any chance to be on camera as the subject instead of the cameraman.</div>
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We landed safely in Burbank after a short layover in San Francisco.</div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">We arrived a day before the actual expo so we decided to just take it easy and explore our hotel--which had a mini arcade!</span></div>
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I found Galaga (I loved Space Invaders on the PlayStation 1 as a kid) and did the geeky thing of spending five dollars in change to get the high score!</div>
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This is my failed attempt at a badass face.</div>
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We had dinner at BJ's which was right across our hotel. It was a very fulfilling deep dish pizza and alfredo, but the best part was this sampler of their famous Pizookie ala mode (pizza cookie)!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u style="background-color: white;">DAY ONE</u></span></div>
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The excellent view outside our window at the Holiday Inn Burbank Media Center!</div>
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Eggs Benedict is my all-time favorite breakfast food (alongside bacon and <i>Pampanga's Best longganisa hamonado</i>). I am constantly searching for the best Eggs Benedict in the world. True story.</div>
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My brother and his corned beef! It was a very nice sibling breakfast date. :)</div>
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Gonna fast forward a bit here. We had no clue on how we were going to get to the Marriott Convention Center. It was no walking trip so we were going to Uber it. Fortunately, a very nice Shuttle Driver at our hotel said he would take us there. His name is Jorge and he was our savior for the day! </div>
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We got there as people were registering. I suppose a lot of people pre-registered online because the line at the registration wasn't as crazy as I expected it to be. Of course, registration also started 2 hours before my brother and I got there so we probably (fortunately) missed the rush hour. </div>
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Some confusion over the registration process. I think overall, CTNx has to improve on their system. I had bought and registered for both my brother and myself. They couldn't find my brother's name in their system which made it difficult for him to be found in the roster/registration for workshops. I had to make sure I sorted it out with the organizers so that day 2 and 3 would be smoother sailing. </div>
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But with that settled, CTNx officially began with a Kickoff Keynote from *drumroll*</div>
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Legendary Animator and Disney Legend, Glen Keane! For those that don't know, this man is responsible for every film in the late 80's and 90's (known as the Disney Renaissance). He was the lead animator for <i>The Little Mermaid, Beauty & the Beast, Tarzan, Aladdin</i> well, you get the idea.</div>
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He talked about his wonderful short film called Duet. Watching this made me cry, I swear! And this film is my bet to win the Oscar for Animated Short Film! </div>
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We had time to kill after the opening keynote so my brother and I took a look around the front of the convention center.</div>
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Hands in your pockets and away from your wallets!</div>
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Pretty graphic novels and artbooks <i>everywhere.</i></div>
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Art books from my favorite people at Imaginism Studios! I ended up getting MUSE from Ronnie Del Carmen.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KAK_V6Yah6A/VIffvow68CI/AAAAAAAACIc/2iQjZTufTGg/s1600/IMG_0957_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KAK_V6Yah6A/VIffvow68CI/AAAAAAAACIc/2iQjZTufTGg/s1600/IMG_0957_2.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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When it was time to head into the workshops, my brother and I had to scramble, occasionally separating. We had chosen various workshops, demos and panels. Most of them were held in conference halls such as this called Vine AB.</div>
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My favorite venue, however is Hall C which was specially built for CTNx! It had a very unconventional theater-in-the-round setup which made the speakers interact with their audience more. </div>
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I wish I could go through all our workshops one by one. But honestly, that would be a lot of commentary! Instead, I will highlight my favorite ones in the upcoming entries!</div>
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<i>Talk soon!</i></div>
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<i>Mishie</i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01137296793865843112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560518910025813366.post-61659538452578350532014-12-09T08:24:00.001-08:002014-12-09T08:24:35.553-08:00Final Fantasy VII on PlayStation 4<div style="text-align: center;">
Hullo all!</div>
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Something people must know about me, I grew up on video games and am especially attached to those with great storytelling. The Final Fantasy Franchise, Kingdom Hearts, Fatal Frame, The Walking Dead, etc. are all games that I loved playing because, while most of them involved frustrating level-grinding (and nightmare-inducing concepts), at the heart are some amazing stories that I dream of being able to tell someday. </div>
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A couple of days ago, <a href="http://www.ign.com/videos/2014/12/06/final-fantasy-vii-ps4-announcement-trailer" target="_blank">SquareEnix announced</a> that it was bringing Final Fantasy VII to the PlayStation 4. </div>
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As you may have surmised, I am one of the legions of Final Fantasy VII fans that absolutely need this franchise to be remade before we die or grow too old to use the controllers with our hands. But, to many, this announcement was a let-down because they were not remaking the game--just rereleasing it.</div>
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<i>It is NOT the same, people. </i>Let's roll back the tape to the remake of the opening FFVII sequence (Technical Demo for the PS3), shall we?<br />
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May I have more plz?</div>
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The disappointment of a rerelease versus a remake is a feeling that I can only liken to that of when (SPOILER ALERT), Aerith is killed in a cut-scene and you hoped and prayed and wished that at some point in the game someone could just Phoenix Down her and she would be revived and all will be well---but it never happened. </div>
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On that note, I made a quick, mouse-made little something to express my disappointment. :(</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CaG_CEW7hb8/VIchnJ8Bv4I/AAAAAAAACHc/o1tU73Z6eS4/s1600/Aerith.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CaG_CEW7hb8/VIchnJ8Bv4I/AAAAAAAACHc/o1tU73Z6eS4/s1600/Aerith.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Still hoping for a remake,</i></div>
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<i>Mishie</i></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01137296793865843112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560518910025813366.post-77017156647394258422014-11-17T20:17:00.001-08:002014-11-17T20:17:53.709-08:00CTNx 2014: The Pre-game<div style="text-align: center;">
Hullo all!</div>
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Has it really been over two months since I last updated? Golly!</div>
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Before I get to my main post, I just want to greet everyone a super belated Halloween! I dressed up as Hipster Ariel. Who did you go as?</div>
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November is upon me and that means the most eventful month of my year begins! Seriously, since high school, November has happened to be the month where a number of events and memorable experiences have occurred--some planed, some totally by coincidence.</div>
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Anyway, off tangent--this month is finally the time I attend the Creative Talent Network Expo 2014 (CTNx 2014 for short)! I've been itching to be part of this expo for a couple of years now, since finding out about it the year before arriving here in the U.S. For those hearing about it for the first time, CTNx is a gathering of artists from the different branches of visual entertainment: animated films, illustrators, video game designers, visual effects artists, photographers, etcetera in California. CTNx hosts panels, discussions, workshops, demos and other special events for people in the industry and for those interested in making this industry their career (like me) to come together and share in their love of visual storytelling.</div>
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Right in my wheelhouse, ammirite???</div>
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But now comes the tasking--er, well, <i>task</i>--of preparing for the expo. Doesn't seem like I would need to prepare much since I'm going as an attendee, not as an exhibitor or a panelist, but one should not forget that CTNx is also a networking event. I may not have a portfolio to show (which I am kicking myself for), but I do have a chance to still make an impression. Many artists that I <strike>stalk</strike> follow and sometimes talk with on Twitter are going, and I wish to meet them all. But in the hubbub of a bajillion artists that are going to this event, you want to make sure you are remembered.</div>
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What better way to do that than with a business card? I heard that business cards are traded like Pokemon cards out there--gotta catch 'em all. So, gotta make myself catch-worthy. OTL</div>
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Now, you'd think it's easy, but the screenshots of the several versions of drafts I've been working on ought to show you how difficult it's been for me OTL<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7C8_nZGF-kU/VGrD6UFczcI/AAAAAAAACFc/-_aKZSNQHEg/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2014-11-13%2Bat%2B3.07.24%2BAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7C8_nZGF-kU/VGrD6UFczcI/AAAAAAAACFc/-_aKZSNQHEg/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2014-11-13%2Bat%2B3.07.24%2BAM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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No.</div>
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NOPE.</div>
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Until finally I thought of a concept--how it came to me, I've already forgotten, but I got very psyched about it. Process is below! :D</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dyOvAdyo3Ow/VGrGbjLNfJI/AAAAAAAACHA/vhWj6saLNiI/s1600/output_xSPHJg.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dyOvAdyo3Ow/VGrGbjLNfJI/AAAAAAAACHA/vhWj6saLNiI/s640/output_xSPHJg.gif" width="427" /></a></div>
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I suppose all it takes is a kick in the butt and a tight deadline to get me to finish this. The truth is, I ran the risk of hating it after I ordered it because I rushed something just to have cards to hand out. But I actually really like the final result!</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QwuPu76svmk/VGrHaQXapQI/AAAAAAAACHM/yy5uw1C2Hg8/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2014-11-17%2Bat%2B10.46.02%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QwuPu76svmk/VGrHaQXapQI/AAAAAAAACHM/yy5uw1C2Hg8/s400/Screen%2BShot%2B2014-11-17%2Bat%2B10.46.02%2BPM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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I ordered through MOO, as I've seen many artists do for CTNx and their prints. And I'm glad I did! The cards also arrived earlier than scheduled (even if it was through UPS, which I do not like) which may be the one time I was impressed with UPS (whoops!)</div>
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Now I just can't wait for CTNx! Time to charge my camera and get ready for a blog! </div>
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<i>Tuttah,</i></div>
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<i>Mishie</i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01137296793865843112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560518910025813366.post-45531113372902725102014-08-17T21:09:00.004-07:002014-08-17T21:10:03.894-07:00Drained and Exhausted<div style="text-align: center;">
Hullo all,</div>
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I usually try my gosh-darn hardest not to talk about anything too personal on this blog--or on social media in general--regardless if it's happy or sad. And as much as possible, I would like to surround myself (and eventually, my memories) with happy thoughts--most especially since I am usually treading the line between optimist and pessimist.</div>
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In any case, the past few months for me have been more than just a little bit interesting. The thing I want to talk about the most, is what I need to be most vague about. I can't bring myself to say anything in detail (because I remember my reaction to reading my high school blog--yikes). </div>
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I've experienced a lot of things I can say with full confidence that I haven't been able to in, literally, all my life. And, in more ways than one, I've come to feel and learn things about myself that I didn't think I would find out until way later. Everything from capabilities I didn't know I had, to patience I didn't know I could practice, to flaws I didn't know I had within me. It just goes to show that there is still more about yourself that you can find out, even if you claim to know yourself. </div>
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I also have to admit that I've made mistakes--mistakes that I have accepted, but still make me very sad, even tearful at times. And no matter how many times I look back, analyze, point out what I could have done differently, what's done is done. Even if I have tried to remedy things, it's difficult. </div>
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There are too many what if's and too many things that I want to happen at this point, and to be honest, it's all about to make my head explode. For the past few weeks, my general mood has made me want to cry, drink, dance, scream, run, punch and eat my heart out. And I have gone from sad to furious, but all I am now is just very confused. </div>
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Not only is the situation confusing, but I have no clue how to conduct myself. One day I'm thinking "Yes, this is definitely what I should do. This is the situation and this is my plan of action." and the next, "No, maybe that will make things worse. I don't want to do that. Should I do that? I don't know what it all means." And I end up going through the cry, drink, dance, scream motions again. </div>
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There are also things that I am now itching to do more than ever--the first and foremost is to have my own space. I do have a little of that here. But my current living situation won't last for long. I have made it known to my family that I want to be able to try going out on my own soon, and it surprised me that they haven't been as receptive as I thought they would be. This obviously disappoints me. There are a lot of contradictions regarding their reaction that I don't quite get and I don't know how to deal with. The thing that they probably have not known (because I did't really mention it to anyone) is that even before coming to the U.S., I've had this idea of living on my own. It is not at all because I don't want to be with them. I love my family and I appreciate all that they've done for me, but it is a phase I always knew I would go through. I know for sure that it is something I need for myself, and an experience I would learn so much from. Whether that experience will be good or bad remains to be seen. But I have already planted those seeds of thought in my parents' minds, so I do plan on following through with it. I don't want it to come as a surprise, but I also don't want it to create any tension amongst us. I have been saving and doing my research, but just this one thought alone has given me major anxiety. </div>
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Another thing that has been worrying me has been my lack of a social life. It's been difficult, I realized to have my friends so far from me. Social media has made it so easy for us to talk, but nothing beats having them physically around you, having a drink together, or just be in the same timezone. And with the past events of the last couple of weeks, I just wish it were easy for me to call on them and just get lost in each other's company. Now I can't help but feel like a nagging high schooler that can't decide on what to do. It makes me feel like a needy friend, but I don't want to pretend that I'm okay, when I'm not. </div>
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I have been trying to concentrate and do things to keep my occupied. I have been drawing more and getting back into exercise. I've gotten started on reading again and watching more movies which I have been meaning to get back into. Yet, in the midst of it all, when my mind decides that it wants to preoccupy itself with something, it will find a way to multitask. In short, I haven't been very successful. I'm trying so hard though, which is probably why I feel so drained all the time. </div>
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Drained and exhausted. That is what I feel all the time now. There are so many questions I'd like answers to, but so little energy to handle what I might hear--I don't know if I'd be able to take the answers even if I were granted them. </div>
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There is a light at the end of the tunnel, there always is but I have to be patient. Ah, patience. I should get a dog and name it that. I could use Patience for company, badly.</div>
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I needed this writing release. I hope I can overcome all these challenges. </div>
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<i>Tuttah,</i></div>
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<i>Mishie</i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01137296793865843112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560518910025813366.post-49439871915460686592014-07-07T14:07:00.000-07:002014-07-07T14:07:42.212-07:00Visual Development Portfolio Vol.1: Getting Started<div style="text-align: center;">
Hullo all!</div>
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It's no secret that, for years now, my dream job is to become a Visual Development artist.</div>
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One of the things I need to overcome, which coincidentally seems to be the biggest hurdle, is putting together a portfolio. I currently have one on Behance, but given my specific direction, I feel that I need to create a new one.</div>
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And so I figured I would do some spec work for my portfolio. "Spec" is a term I learned off studying Advertising. It also applies in portfolio creation where, instead of placing work you've already created for clients or classes, you create an entirely new piece of work on a hypothetical, what-if-I-got-to-work-on-this-project type of basis. </div>
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I've long been a fan of thesis portfolios of illustration and visual development majors. And I'm taking my cue off of them. </div>
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The idea for my own portfolio came on pretty quickly, and I've made many a sketch creating the characters in my sketchbook. But now it's time to start putting it all together into a few pages. </div>
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Now, I have a tendency to want to reveal everything all at once, because I want there to be a grand reveal of "Hey! Look what I managed to put together!" I figured, that if I do that, I can make a grand entrance and it's done in one go. And on the flip side, if it takes me forever to create everything and the desire fizzles out, no one ever need know that a grand idea existed that just never came to fruition. </div>
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But no, I'm not going to let that happen this time. This time, everything comes true. So, I decided to share a little bit of my progress as soon as I make it. </div>
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So here is the first piece that I've completed! A character lineup of my take on the Grimm's fairy tale: Maid Maleen (which I have temporarily titled "Maid Mari" given my personal take on it)! :)</div>
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Stay tuned for more! :)</div>
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<i>Tuttah,</i></div>
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<i>Mishie</i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01137296793865843112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560518910025813366.post-60817583190110195502014-06-22T00:07:00.000-07:002014-06-22T00:07:03.955-07:00On Repeat: June 2014<div style="text-align: center;">
Hullo all!</div>
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A lot of people may not realize it, but I consider myself quite the musical person. While not in terms of actually being able to play an instrument (I've tried the piano and guitar, with dismal results), I do like to think I have good taste in music and I enjoy it a lot. </div>
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Nowadays with Spotify, I'm able to constantly expand my auditory horizons too. I discover many new artists all the time and I find myself adding more and more songs to my favorites. </div>
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So, here are the songs that are on repeat for me this month of June. </div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/oM60hSMqIkI?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<b><u>"Tee Shirt" by Birdy</u></b></div>
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This is the #1 song that's been on repeat. Not only has this been on loop for the past three weeks, but I've also been singing and humming this whenever I'm brave enough to do so out loud. I love Birdy's voice and I've been listening to her since January so to hear this song, with lyrics that I just love, is something I definitely want to be able to sing flawlessly as well. </div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/9Wz4rXraAgU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<b><u>"Shriek" by Wye Oak</u></b></div>
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This is one of those tracks that I mentioned discovering on Spotify. It was timely, because the night that I first heard it was a particularly good night, with interesting memories. I remember drifting to sleep with this song playing, and I had a happy, knowing smile on my face. And that night made the line of the song "this present seems invaluable" mean so much more to me.</div>
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<b><u>"Let Me In" by GROUPLOVE</u></b></div>
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Anyone that knows me, knows that I have been IN LOVE with GROUPLOVE since hearing 3 of their tracks as insert songs for the Japanese drama, Sprout, in 2011. Something about their tone and vibe just makes me feel free, like I want to hop in a car and drive on the interstate with reckless abandon. Theirs is the only show I've ever wanted to see live. And this song is another of those fantastic ones.</div>
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<b><u>"I Wanna Get Better" by Bleachers</u></b></div>
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This reminds me more of something that probably would have been in the soundtrack of Perks of Being a Wallflower. It has a retro vibe to it, beyond the music video. The lyrics could mean a lot more than they initially seem, but I'm going to take them for what they initially seem to me and I think that I could relate with the chorus quite a bit. </div>
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<b><u>"Boom Clap" by Charlie XCX</u></b></div>
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I wasn't expecting to like this song as much as I did. I heard it once and wasn't too blown away by it. That is, until I let myself feel the music. This song is supposed to make you feel good, and that's exactly what it does. I had this song on repeat at work (with my headphones on, of course) during a gloomy, rainy day. I was eating a fat smoked salmon bagel with hot chocolate and doing a lot of filing. BOOM CLAP, this song made me feel good!</div>
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And on that explosive note, I end this mini-list. As you may or may not have noticed, a good number of these songs can be found on the soundtrack of The Fault in Our Stars. Two months ago, I found out that Birdy, Ed Sheeran and GROUPLOVE were all going to be on the soundtrack and--pardon my French here--I freaked the fuck out. I <i>love</i> them all and having them all on one album is just insane to me! It really made me feel like the TFiOS OST could be the OST to my own life. It's not, for sure, but I want them all to be on my life's OST. Haha! </div>
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Anyway, I don't have a long list of on-repeat songs simply because, well, they're on repeat so there wouldn't be a lot of them to begin with. </div>
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Which one did you enjoy the most? :)</div>
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<i>Tuttah,</i></div>
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<i>Mishie</i></div>
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P.S. I didn't include Ed Sheeran's songs in this list because I don't actually like them as much as his previous songs. They're brilliant, but I haven't had them on repeat. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01137296793865843112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560518910025813366.post-83496613423170573272014-05-15T12:18:00.001-07:002014-05-15T12:18:52.431-07:00Book Review: Never Have I Ever, My Life (So Far) Without a Date<div>
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Hullo all,</div>
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I forget exactly what led me to read it. I was jumping back and forth from Buzzfeed, Tumblr, Huffington Post and Thought Catalog (as you do in the wee hours of Saturday morning). But I eventually stumbled across <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/katie-heaney/never-have-i-ever-my-life-so-far-without-a-date_b_4577782.html" target="_blank">this article</a>. I read it out of boredom, at first. I related with the title and thought, "Meh, why not? It's 2AM and the struggle with potential insomnia is real."</div>
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The deeper I got into the article and Katie Heaney's "Lighthouse Theory," the more I realized that I felt the same way towards my other girlfriends. They were lighthouses and I was, for some reason, a Bermuda Triangle. I bought <i>Never Have I Ever</i> that same night.</div>
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Katie's premise is simple: she was 25 years old and despite all her crushes and "experiences" with different guys, she was still very single and nowhere near being in a relationship. And, sure, I knew that statistically-speaking she and I weren't the only two people in the globe that were 25 and single, but it was enough for me to pick it up.</div>
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Within the first couple of chapters, I was convinced that Katie was my American Doppleganger--at least in the love (or lack of love) life department. It was as if she had been living a mirror image of my own experiences. I remember thinking near the tail-end of the book, "Well, she hasn't done a chapter on online dating..." and five or so pages later, BAM, there it was. So, change the names, switch the locations, tweak it here and there, but keep the humor and the over-analytic thoughts plus the "WTF did I just do/say" actions, and viola, you've got a <i>Never Have I Ever Volume II</i> by Mishie Del Rosario (hmm, let me revisit this idea later).</div>
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I've already lost count of a number of things while reading this book: my wide-eyed "Oh my God that's exactly like me!" reactions, "I know how that feels like" smiles, "<i>Aww man</i>, I know exactly how that feels like" slow head shakes, and most of all the "Me. I'm reading about me," thoughts. </div>
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More than the experiences that Katie recalls in the book though, the one thing that made me relate to her stories the most is her humor. Mayhaps because it is almost exactly like mine in that she (in hindsight) sees this stories and tells them in a self-deprecating, sarcastic manner--or maybe the quirky side comments she adds (I too have a tendency to get carried away with side-comments. I have way too many thoughts in my head). You just don't think that way in the process of these events unfolding, but this tongue in cheek humor that she adds in the retelling of them entertain me the most, as if I were telling my own stories to people. </div>
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And apart from her misadventures with boys are her girlfriends that she takes along for the ride. Somewhere past the middle of the book, in her section in grad school, she gives all her girlfriends roles to play whenever she is over-analyzing and freaking out over a guy: the level-headed, logical best friend that just tells it like it is, the uber optimistic friend that is convinced it is meant to be, the friend that freaks out along with you and justifies your craziness and a couple of back-ups that may or may not actually be as invested in your love (or lack of love) life. This part elicited my wide-eyed "oh my God that's exactly like me (and my best friends)!" reaction. They know who they are, and what role they play, and they know me. </div>
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It is a highly enjoyable book that I've found myself reading anywhere: in bed, on the train, on the bus and during lunch (okay, maybe not during lunch where I might tempt someone to ask me what the book is about and why I like it). </div>
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The only thing that I was unsure what to feel about was the Epilogue. I suppose I didn't really know how she would end it. Obviously her life continues, and I couldn't really see how she would end it properly apart from eventually finding a long term relationship. Part of me thought that it sounded like a cop-out. Katie made it sound that she had just learned to accept herself for who she was, a single learn who just did not know how to get herself into a relationship. It might have had more impact if I didn't already think that way about her all throughout the book. </div>
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I thought of myself, about being too similar to her. I had always been that way: an overthinker that knew what I was expecting and what I wanted, even if it did not seem realistic to other people that have actually been successful in dating people for longer than a couple of dates. I don't know, I just felt that there could have been a different way to do it. But then again, maybe that's also be being idealistic, not real. Maybe there really isn't a way to properly end it because there isn't much to end--her trying to find a date still continues. </div>
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Did I make sense?</div>
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But there's the rub: while most people will stop right there--simply enjoying the book, putting it down after and shelving it maybe permanently--I will do the usual me when it comes to anything that hits close to home, I analyze. I think. I over think. <i>Guh.</i></div>
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<b>By the way, this is where the review ends and the bonus (?) material begins. </b></div>
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<i>Soooo</i>, I'm like Katie Heaney. 25 years old, now working my way up the ladder, had my fair share of struggles with guys (see below GIF that illustrates perfectly my struggle with crushes).</div>
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I have accepted that part of me, but now what? Just because I've come to terms with my past, doesn't mean that I am willing to continue on this way for the rest of my life. Okay, not the rest of my life--until further notice. The dilemma is, though, that I perfectly happy with the way I am, thank you very much (except the over-analytic part of myself. I'd like an adjustment with that very much thanks). </div>
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I am single, but having someone would be nice. Not necessary, but nice. I don't need someone, but would I say 'no' if I were asked "do you want a boyfriend?" I honestly doubt it. I have survived by myself for 25 years, you know, having a partner-in-crime doesn't sound like a bad idea to me. Besides, not to brag, but I feel like the cumulative experiences of my friends has taught, armed and maybe even molded me into being what I imagine to be an effing good girlfriend. I also know this for a fact because I have none of the signs from this <a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/undateable/14-signs-you-may-not-be-ready-for-a-relationship" target="_blank">totally legit list</a>. </div>
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That doesn't mean to say that I'm desperate and will just say 'yes' to anyone right away. I have some dignity, I know that I'm a catch. But we'll see. No amount of planing, hoping, wishing and wondering will make any of it come true. So, we'll see. Either way I know when the time comes, by entourage of girlfriends will be there to back me up (or confuse me even more) along the way.</div>
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Now let me revisit this <i>Never Have I Ever Volume II </i>idea. </div>
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<i>Tuttah,</i></div>
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<i>Mishie</i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01137296793865843112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560518910025813366.post-23679517525487283042014-04-02T20:27:00.000-07:002014-04-02T20:27:17.190-07:00PHL Part 3: Reading Terminal Market<div style="text-align: center;">
Hullo all!</div>
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By far, though, my favorite part of this trip to Philly was Reading Terminal Market.</div>
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Yes, yes. Leave it to me to make anything that has to do with food on top of the list.</div>
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Some shelter from the rain--eeek!</div>
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The first thing that washed over me when we went inside was a feeling of overwhelming awe. The place was <i>huge</i>! I wish my camera could capture it!</div>
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Bizarre Foods America is currently one of my favorite shows. I can appreciate it so much more now that I'm actually living in the U.S.</div>
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Reminds me of Honeydukes (I say this as if I've been there before. Spoiler alert: I have not)!</div>
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Fun fact (?): I never really understood why Easter is celebrated with the symbol of the rabbit. Back at home, the mention of the word "Easter" to me meant the time to visit fourteen (seven, if I'm lucky) churches has arrived and I have to drive and park in tight spaces again. Not as exciting as chocolate-covered bunnies.</div>
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<3</div>
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The search for the best Philly Cheesesteak (I kept saying "Chilly Feesesteak" by the way *headdesk*) has begun!</div>
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The Flying Monkey!</div>
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Signage, signage! I just loooved the signage in this place!!!</div>
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This man had such a booming voice that made me think of what Santa would sound like. He is also pretty much what I imagine Santa doing on his off-season--selling cookies.</div>
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Gotta be honest. When I saw the lobsters in the tank, I thought "<i>awww</i>" and "<i>yuuum"</i> at the same time.</div>
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A big part of Reading Terminal Market houses Amish-owned stores. This little boy was helping out his dad for the day! So cute!</div>
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Aaaah, cute!</div>
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<i>Yikes, they caught me</i>!</div>
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<i>Scented candles</i>. These have been a waterloo of mine in recent months. I just loooove searching for a candle with the perfect scent. Karen and I must have spent half an hour at this stand sniffing through each one!</div>
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Just look at all those lovely pastel colors! I love looking at them all!</div>
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I ended up walking away with two scents: Sweet Pea (for my mom!) and Love Spell (because I fell for it)! And I'm realizing more than ever that, as much as I love food, I'm not fond at all of pastry-scented candles!</div>
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Lilies are my all time favorite flowers--especially white ones because I'm such a white person. :)))</div>
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And because I was getting so overwhelmed with finding the perfect Chilly Feesesteak (lol) stall, I just opted for ice cream!</div>
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I got Dark Chocolate Chip and Butterscotch Vanilla--<i>BEST THING EVER.</i></div>
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Cool story, bro.</div>
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I love the idea for this book! I browsed through the inside and there are actually whole passages from Alice in Wonderland that are in between the recipes! All cookbooks should be like this from now on! Imagine an illustrated Harry Potter series of cookbooks!!!!</div>
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Speaking of Harry Potter--does anyone care to come to Witch Camp with me?</div>
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Troll head wind chimes! I love it!</div>
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I got exhausted after this stall--we had spent over two hours inside Reading Terminal Market! And that was just through one, very meticulous run through the place!</div>
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I'm definitely coming back here to get my Philly Cheesesteak and maybe that ice cream again too!</div>
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<i>Tuttah</i>,</div>
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<i>Mishie</i></div>
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Read more of my mini-adventures in Philadelphia!</div>
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<a href="http://mishiewishie.blogspot.com/2014/03/phl-part-1-golden-standard-center-city.html" target="_blank">PHL Part 1</a> | <a href="http://mishiewishie.blogspot.com/2014/03/phl-part-2-thrifting-second-time-around.html" target="_blank">PHL Part 2</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01137296793865843112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560518910025813366.post-63297579792748058282014-03-31T20:21:00.000-07:002014-03-31T20:21:06.771-07:00PHL Part 2: Thrifting! Second Time Around + The Wardrobe Boutique<div style="text-align: center;">
Hullo all,</div>
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After Karen and I had our super yummy and overindulgent brunch at The Golden Standard Cafe, we hopped on a trolley and headed to our first stop: Second Time Around.</div>
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I know, I know-- "Mishie, you're in Philly, you should check out historical and cultural sights instead of going shopping!" I hear you! But this is how it is, folks!</div>
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The colors were so bright! I get so excited when I see a lot of color. I just want to put as much of it as I can into my life.</div>
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Second Time Around was definitely a less thrift-shop looking thrift shop (haha!) because everything was set up to feel like a boutique with a lot of one of a kind items.</div>
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GPOY--looking at myself in the mirror. Little known fact that I am willing to admit, I'm always sneaking a peek at any mirror around me. But then again, who doesn't nowadays!</div>
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WALL OF SHOES. I will be the first to confess that I have become quite obsessive with shoes in the last two years. If you told me three years ago that I would be lusting after shoes, I would throw one right at you. I think I now need a shelf like this in my life!</div>
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Karen almost knelt on the wet sidewalk to take this photo of me while we waited for the bus to our next destination. This is one of my favorite pictures from the trip! Lol, I'm biased.</div>
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I love all the angles of the buildings in Philly. Some of them look really old and historical right next to these more modern ones.</div>
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We made it to The Wardrobe Boutique!</div>
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Proof of how windy/rainy it was that day! It was so funny that I captured this moment!</div>
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We actually just found this place through Yelp (it's amazing how many places you discover through that app, to be honest!) and we thought we'd give it a shot.</div>
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I quite liked the idea of a boutique-like thrift store, but all in all, I think the fashions in this one were definitely not for my age group.</div>
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Do you like to go thrift-shopping? Maybe if you live in the PHL area you can share with me more spots for when I visit again!</div>
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<i>Tuttah,</i></div>
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<i>Mishie</i></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01137296793865843112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560518910025813366.post-70542377997177614232014-03-30T22:38:00.000-07:002014-03-30T22:38:14.692-07:00PHL Part 1: The Golden Standard + Center City <div style="text-align: center;">
Hullo all,</div>
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I took my first trip with a friend this weekend! My super good friend, Karen, invited me to go to Philadelphia with her. She was going down to visit her best friend and I was so lucky that she thought of me to go with her. </div>
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The only unfortunate thing about the entire trip was that it was raining all throughout the weekend! There was so much to do and see that we had to take off our list because the rain just prevented us from doing so!</div>
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Luckily though, Karen did amazing research on some of the good places to go to. The Gold Standard Cafe was one of them.</div>
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The Gold Standard Cafe is on 4800 Baltimore Avenue and it has a nice location of where two intersections meet--kind of like the Flatiron Building in Manhattan. </div>
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One of the things I liked about The Golden Standard is how cozy it felt. You could really feel that the cafe belonged to the neighborhood and that the people in it were regulars that loved the place.</div>
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I love the community board!</div>
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How awesome is this flyer for a Strange Girls gig! Very art deco.</div>
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It looked like a teeny, tiny cafe upon entering but apparently there is a large dining room at the back, complete with a chimney! It feels very homey.</div>
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I love the colorful art on the walls. It really feels like someone's dining room.</div>
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Tried Eggs Benedict for the first time! I ordered it with some smoked salmon (which I absolutely love). Not shown in any photo is the Everything Bagel with smokes salmon that I had <i>before </i>this.</div>
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Check out the lovely view from my table seat. It's a nice vibe even if it was raining outside.</div>
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My super pretty and awesome friend Karen! I met her a year ago during my internship and I'm so thankful that we've always gotten along well--well enough that now we're taking trips together!</div>
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The rows and rows of Victorian houses in Philly are such eye-candy! If it weren't raining, I could have captured photos of multi-colored ones too! It's so colorful and vibrant.</div>
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Gloomy and rainy? That's fine when you've got an awesome environment and cool company.</div>
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We had no guide for the day so we discovered the transportation system of PHL: trolleys and buses! It's quite an experience. And thank goooodness for Google Maps!</div>
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The moment I saw it, I knew I had to take a photo of city hall. The architecture was just too gorgeous to pass up!</div>
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I love this photo of the city hall next to all the more modern buildings. Isn't it just an amazing thing to see past and present co-exist?</div>
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It wasn't too obvious to us where the generically touristy places were in Center City (the business district). I suppose that the historical district (aka Old City) would be were most of the tourists are, but I still think this place was picturesque. I totally want to print this photo out!</div>
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We spotted this building two blocks away from city hall! It was so amazing and slightly overwhelming. The longer I stared at it, the dizzier I got. But also, it reminded me a loooot of The Grand Budapest Hotel! Can anyone see it?</div>
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Up Next: Thrifting in PHL!</div>
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<i>Tuttah,</i></div>
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<i>Mishie</i></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01137296793865843112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560518910025813366.post-25698835601047448992014-03-25T21:17:00.000-07:002014-03-25T21:17:26.190-07:00To Be In a Wes Anderson Film<div style="text-align: center;">
Hullo all,</div>
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I had the pleasure of watching Wes Anderson's "The Grand Budapest Hotel" a couple of weekends ago. </div>
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I am a recent fan of his. I recall seeing the preview of "Moonrise Kingdom" a few years ago and feeling just the strangest itch to watch it even if it looked like the most eccentric film I'd ever see. It did not fail to disappoint, but I suddenly felt like his eccentricities were mine as well. </div>
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<a href="http://a5.mzstatic.com/us/r30/Video/v4/e8/14/c6/e814c6aa-6ff1-99f2-4d2b-45b045f4aff9/mza_901933579579271147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://a5.mzstatic.com/us/r30/Video/v4/e8/14/c6/e814c6aa-6ff1-99f2-4d2b-45b045f4aff9/mza_901933579579271147.jpg" height="640" width="425" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.shawna-x.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/moonrisewallpaper-byshawnax.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.shawna-x.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/moonrisewallpaper-byshawnax.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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What can I say? His color palette, love of symmetry, the dry and hugely sarcastic humor and everything that fit into the screen was everything I felt I was (and am), so how could I not love it? </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LxcI2JAxXxA/UxeIuATiJRI/AAAAAAAAqBI/8SqFG2FGlDA/s1600/The%20Grand%20Budapest%20Hotel%20by%20Marie%20Bergeron.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LxcI2JAxXxA/UxeIuATiJRI/AAAAAAAAqBI/8SqFG2FGlDA/s1600/The%20Grand%20Budapest%20Hotel%20by%20Marie%20Bergeron.png" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
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The Grand Budapest Hotel (art by<a href="http://www.mariebergeron.com/" target="_blank"> Marie Bergeron</a>)</div>
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In any case, finding out that he had a new film, finally, got me excited and after months of waiting for it, I saw it and was not disappointed.</div>
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I leave the reviews and criticisms to those more trained for it, but personally speaking, I just could not get myself out of picturing how I would fit into one of his films. And since I had no patience for arranging a shoot of my own, I figured that the next best thing was to create a portrait. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ouDXahSjshA/UzJUm3NC0rI/AAAAAAAABpk/FmViXInz6WM/s1600/Wes+Anderson+Mishie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ouDXahSjshA/UzJUm3NC0rI/AAAAAAAABpk/FmViXInz6WM/s1600/Wes+Anderson+Mishie.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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What's your favorite Wes Anderson film? :)</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01137296793865843112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560518910025813366.post-73506320417670684662013-12-21T21:35:00.000-08:002013-12-21T21:35:13.120-08:00"Frozen" Review Part 1: Character & Story with SPOILERS!<div style="text-align: center;">
Hullo all!</div>
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It's been a while, hasn't it? Well, I'm back with a review of another Disney film! Was it really last year that I wrote about Wreck-It Ralph? Whoa!</div>
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<a href="http://mishiedelrosario.tumblr.com/post/70756961521/frozen-review-analysis-part1-spoilers" target="_blank">Click HERE to go to my review!</a></div>
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From now on, I'll be posting anything art-related like reviews and such on my Tumblr page! I'll have a tag on it! And I'll be reposting the link here as well!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kD73LPbGeBo/UrZ54w2aPLI/AAAAAAAABow/lwM_vh3A2SM/s1600/Elsa+Kristoff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="542" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kD73LPbGeBo/UrZ54w2aPLI/AAAAAAAABow/lwM_vh3A2SM/s640/Elsa+Kristoff.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here's a doodle I made for this review! ;) Elsa x Kristoff, anyone?</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01137296793865843112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560518910025813366.post-69028844859479190862013-10-09T21:46:00.002-07:002013-10-09T21:46:52.161-07:00The Earth Manual Project: The Filipino Spirit is Waterproof in Kobe, Japan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hullo All,</div>
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More than a year ago now, a large not-quite-a-storm hit my homeland. I was still living there at the time, so I know the effect that it had on a lot of people. </div>
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However, one of the things that bloomed out of the flood waters was something that not a lot of people had expected. Over Twitter and Facebook came an outpour (pardon the pun) of help and rescue efforts. Social media stirred the nation and really utilized the different networks to help everyone. My bosses at the time, Ros Juan and Tonyo Cruz were major pillars for <a href="https://twitter.com/RescuePH" target="_blank">#RescuePH</a>, the team that would then form a <a href="http://www.rescueph.com/" target="_blank">major method of locating and sending help </a>to people during crisis such as the <i>habagat</i>. </div>
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But that wasn't the only movement that formed as a result of the rains. There was also the creation of motivational artwork. The Ayala Museum had asked artists to contribute motivational pieces of art for everyone in the country, following the theme "<a href="http://waterproofph.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">The Filipino Spirit is Waterproof.</a>"</div>
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This was unprecedented since there was no reward whatsoever for creating these pieces apart from the major goal of uniting and uplifting the spirits of everyone affected by the heavy, traumatic rains and floods. As a result, hundreds of artworks made their way into the Tumblr account set up by the museum and the Filipino Spirit shone mighty like a tsunami of hope and strength!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ANjp9nsRbkg/UlYvgSSRDjI/AAAAAAAABng/G_t2mjE19UQ/s1600/MishieDelRosario+-+AboveWater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ANjp9nsRbkg/UlYvgSSRDjI/AAAAAAAABng/G_t2mjE19UQ/s640/MishieDelRosario+-+AboveWater.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DqiRGW3ENNc/UlYvgT0CBVI/AAAAAAAABnk/JV90GwSjlUk/s1600/MishieDelRosario+-+Waterproof.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DqiRGW3ENNc/UlYvgT0CBVI/AAAAAAAABnk/JV90GwSjlUk/s640/MishieDelRosario+-+Waterproof.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
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I, myself, had submitted a couple of pieces for the effort. I felt that this was the best way for me to utilize my talents during the crisis (days after I made these pieces, I donated a ton of clothing and some toiletries too).</div>
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The reason why I say that these (#RescuePH and The Filipino Spirit is Waterproof) are surprising results of the <i>habagat </i>is because both projects have been acknowledge in the best utilization of Social Media during a national crisis. #RescuePH has become recognized in conventions like Social Media for Social Good, while The Filipino Spirit is Waterproof graphic design campaign was recognized nationally in newspapers and several credible news sources.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-miHeLxUMKKk/UlYp_rd2GuI/AAAAAAAABm4/0jEgNMryI5g/s1600/1383305_645338328820083_1623908307_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-miHeLxUMKKk/UlYp_rd2GuI/AAAAAAAABm4/0jEgNMryI5g/s640/1383305_645338328820083_1623908307_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And recently, the Design and Creative Center (KIITO) in Kobe, Japan recognized and included this project in their Earth Manual Project, an exhibition that featured many creative projects for different efforts for disaster mitigation, relief and response.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wPWJIfriY9k/UlYp_PJf7YI/AAAAAAAABnI/4kb2zVeqQ-c/s1600/1379684_645337795486803_1676564245_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wPWJIfriY9k/UlYp_PJf7YI/AAAAAAAABnI/4kb2zVeqQ-c/s640/1379684_645337795486803_1676564245_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The pieces contributed for the showcase of The Filipino Spirit is Waterproof project! It was so wonderful to see the unintentional cohesiveness of all the designs that made it to the exhibit! It makes me feel very patriotic and sentimental!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JKQsEhS1kk4/UlYp_NDyFzI/AAAAAAAABmw/FM1Q7lbK6u0/s1600/1379411_645338082153441_2018478321_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JKQsEhS1kk4/UlYp_NDyFzI/AAAAAAAABmw/FM1Q7lbK6u0/s640/1379411_645338082153441_2018478321_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Check out my two pieces side-by-side near the bottom left of the page! </div>
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Trivia: I came up with the "Keep Your Head Above Water" piece before my own version of "Filipino Spirit is Waterproof." But if you look at the entire collection of pieces, they all have a similar aesthetic, which I love seeing!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JSL_tuEjuvc/UlYp_9L7M8I/AAAAAAAABnA/20HmkZgSpfA/s1600/988736_645337615486821_835606565_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JSL_tuEjuvc/UlYp_9L7M8I/AAAAAAAABnA/20HmkZgSpfA/s640/988736_645337615486821_835606565_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Spot my name! ;)</div>
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Another trivia, a course-mate of mine from college, Crae Achacoso, is also featured in this exhibit! :)</div>
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Overall, I felt very honored to have been asked to participate in this amazing exhibit--one that has a very strong message for people all over the world. I like knowing that, as a fan of the power of Social Media, I was able to contribute in communicating the idea of social media being more than a place to stalk people *cough* and scroll endlessly through Tumblr. :))</div>
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I had already forgotten about creating those pieces of mine. So I was very surprised and thrilled to be contacted by the Ayala Museum. And until now, I can't believe that I can say, "My work has been exhibited in <i>Japan</i>." Goodness gracious!</div>
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Thank you to Ayala Museum for bringing the country together in such a unique way, and of course for this opportunity to be part of sharing this message to the world! :)</div>
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<i><b>Photos are by and belong to The Ayala Museum.</b></i></div>
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Check out their <a href="http://www.ayalamuseum.org/" target="_blank">website</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/theayalamuseum" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> for more of the exciting work that they've been doing!</div>
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Seriously, I have so much fun when I go there--and it's not even for school! They have a lot of amazing exhibits all the time!</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01137296793865843112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560518910025813366.post-62801967685581360082013-10-06T16:55:00.001-07:002013-10-06T16:55:56.798-07:00Inadequacy. <div style="text-align: center;">
Hullo All,</div>
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When I wrote about how Dreams are Hard, one of the things I failed to mention was my fear of inadequacy. </div>
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Sometimes when I hop around the internet looking for inspiration, the most common thought I have in my head is: "Oh, I don't know how to do that. My skill level is way below par."</div>
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Most recently, I was scrolling through the blog of <a href="http://britsketch.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Brittney Lee</a>, <a href="http://www.griseldasastrawinata.com/" target="_blank">Griselda Sastrawinata</a> and <a href="http://nnayam.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mall Lucidine</a>. I love their art styles so much and one trait of their art styles that I have always loved is the texture they have in their work. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8IpznHtZc2s/TroRBo2JZfI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/axOElzFdkok/s1600/mermaidlagoon_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8IpznHtZc2s/TroRBo2JZfI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/axOElzFdkok/s640/mermaidlagoon_01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Mermaid Lagoon by Brittney Lee</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jsg-H7qvZw0/UdkzB_Tjj5I/AAAAAAAACMg/YYDrebeUhp0/s1600/whitefloties.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jsg-H7qvZw0/UdkzB_Tjj5I/AAAAAAAACMg/YYDrebeUhp0/s640/whitefloties.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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White Floties by Griselda Sastrawinata</div>
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<a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6150/6016696445_ee03531a48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="596" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6150/6016696445_ee03531a48.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Merrily, Merrily by Mall Licudine</div>
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Now, I know for a fact that they (at least, Brittney and Griselda) do this on Photoshop. Yet, for the life of me, I can't figure out how they are able to flawlessly remove outlines from their work--or even what brush they're using to achieve that texture. </div>
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Whenever I see artwork and technique that stumps me, I end up Googling everything-- "How to achieve sketchy look in Photoshop" or whatever ridiculous keywords I think will help me find the answer. And when after hours of searching I still end up with nothing, I slump my head on my keyboard and think, "I am inadequate. I have no talent."</div>
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I realize that I beat myself up this way. I try to think so much and so frequently about why artists are able to do things that I can't. I grumble whenever I take four hours to do a piece that seems like it should only take thirty minutes to do. </div>
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<i>This tendency to compare and impatience is a major flaw in my fight for my dreams. </i></div>
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And now I believe more than ever--and this was obvious to me in the beginning but I refused to believe that there wasn't any shortcuts--that I just have to suck it up and learn it slowly. Maybe I'll stumble into the answers I'm searching for, and develop the skills that I have been dying to attain. </div>
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In the meantime, I am doing <a href="http://www.youtube.com/myfakebritishaccent" target="_blank">Vlogtober on my YouTube channel</a>! Vlogtober is an annual thing that I do where I make videos for every day in October. Most artists are doing Inktober though. </div>
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<i>Anyway, wish me luck,</i></div>
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<i>Mishie</i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01137296793865843112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560518910025813366.post-84926315472581530132013-09-24T22:21:00.001-07:002013-09-24T22:21:49.501-07:00Caught in the Middle<div style="text-align: center;">
Hullo All!</div>
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This is the challenge I chose to face today:</div>
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<i>Challenge #21: Make an illustration influenced by your favorite illustrator</i>.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YdawV8Kj4JA/UkJv632MlxI/AAAAAAAABmg/TtJNOOTYFCw/s1600/Edith+Crawley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YdawV8Kj4JA/UkJv632MlxI/AAAAAAAABmg/TtJNOOTYFCw/s640/Edith+Crawley.jpg" width="494" /></a></div>
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Miss Edith Crawley from Downton Abbey, one of my favorite shows that just cannot come back on air soon enough! Sadly, Edith is one of my least favorite characters. But even though I feel sympathy for her the least, I feel bad that she's just so unlikeable. People are just now <a href="http://edithwithgooglyeyes.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">making fun of her on Tumblr</a>. I feel awful because she's being cyber bullied, and she isn't even a real person!</div>
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I feel that it might be because she's a middle child. Or maybe it's because her attitude about getting what she wants is not to my liking?</div>
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<i>Now onto my artspiration.</i></div>
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Truth be told, I have a lot of artspirations! But one of the first that I truly admired is <a href="http://www.victoriaying.net/" target="_blank">Victoria Ying</a>, who works at Disney Animation, my dream job destination! She did really amazing (understatement) work in <i>Tangled </i>and I could tear my eyes away from her blog when I first found it!</div>
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Now, she has many amazing art pieces, but these are probably my favorites. One is an original piece and one is, obviously, tribute art to <i>The Little Mermaid</i>. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FEBrMvP7ruI/UkJvkY7v_cI/AAAAAAAABmY/9BVTYt1xSG0/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-09-25+at+1.07.06+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FEBrMvP7ruI/UkJvkY7v_cI/AAAAAAAABmY/9BVTYt1xSG0/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-09-25+at+1.07.06+AM.png" width="505" /></a></div>
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I have no formal training in art whatsoever, but I like how both "stiff" and "flowy" her works are. You can pretty much break the elements down into abstract shapes that flow, but the lines are bordering on being pointed or jagged. I don't know why that makes me like it so much, but I do. </div>
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Case in point, instead of having Ariel's tail as a flowy "S" shape that most mermaid illustrations have (including my own), Victoria makes it like an upside-down L, and or a stiff looking "S." I don't know, by the dynamic is really exciting. It makes the illustration strong, but the subject matter of her drawings make them soft again!</div>
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And her coloring is very blocked. Although the colors blend and complement each other, you can still very clearly tell where one color ends and another begins. So her shadows are very clear and crisp. For me, I find that very educational because I learn a lot about lighting just by looking at her work as reference because obviously (as you can tell from my attempt above), I don't do stark shadows very well. I feel very off about it. But that's why looking at these works help. :) </div>
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So, I honestly don't know if I was able to capture the look and feel of Victoria's work, but I was (and always am) surely inspired by her!</div>
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<i>Tuttah,</i></div>
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<i>Mishie</i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01137296793865843112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560518910025813366.post-73384029326438224782013-09-22T21:47:00.002-07:002013-09-22T21:47:34.319-07:00Fair Fortune.<div style="text-align: center;">
Hullo All,</div>
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I got really excited about today's challenge!</div>
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<i>Challenge #6: Make a children's book spread of a fairy tale</i></div>
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It seemed like a no-brainer to go for Grimm's or Hans Christian Anderson. Both collections are ones that I love, but I got really excited to show off my Potter nerdiness and put a twist to this challenge!</div>
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And so, I created a spread for <i>The Fountain of Fair Fortune</i>, from <i>The Tales of Beetle the Bard</i>, a collection of tales for wizarding children!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b53jyySfK6U/Uj_HF4jq_FI/AAAAAAAABl4/ey_iGtymg1I/s1600/The+Fountain+of+Fair+Fortune.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b53jyySfK6U/Uj_HF4jq_FI/AAAAAAAABl4/ey_iGtymg1I/s640/The+Fountain+of+Fair+Fortune.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Click to enlarge and see the excerpt! (Might be a spoiler, though!)</div>
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I found this (<i>The Tales</i>) a great insight into the Wizarding World. Recently, it was announced that JK Rowling would be writing a screenplay for <i>Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them</i>! I feel that the Potterverse is so broad that, someday, these takes from Beetle the Bard could be films as well!</div>
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As for why I got attracted to this particular tale, I don't know. I just like it the most!</div>
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Are you a Potterhead? Please let me know! I loooove meeting fellow fans!</div>
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<i>Tuttah,</i></div>
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<i>Mishie</i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01137296793865843112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560518910025813366.post-20659788437201236442013-09-21T22:28:00.000-07:002013-09-21T22:28:14.310-07:00I Live for the Applause.<div style="text-align: center;">
Hullo All,</div>
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Today's challenge is #3: <i>Illustrate a song.</i></div>
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While I was tempted to go with a song with more story into it, I couldn't seem to shake off this image when Lady Gaga's "Applause" came on my Spotify playlist.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uafsVF8YO9E/Uj5-H0y3fKI/AAAAAAAABlg/ZnZqyqy3_OQ/s1600/Applause+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uafsVF8YO9E/Uj5-H0y3fKI/AAAAAAAABlg/ZnZqyqy3_OQ/s640/Applause+.jpg" width="494" /></a></div>
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For me, this song falls into the same category as Britney Spear's "Lucky." Obviously your head might be screaming "What?!" but if you think about it, Gaga and Britney were talking about some kind of discussion about Hollywood.</div>
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What song do you find is powerful? </div>
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<i>Tuttah,</i></div>
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<i>Mishie</i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01137296793865843112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560518910025813366.post-64227854540616901942013-09-21T00:00:00.001-07:002013-09-21T00:00:14.677-07:00The Risk of Weeping<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hullo All,</div>
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Determined to get the ball rolling with my path to Visual Development (like spiritual enlightenment), I've decided to take on some art challenges to hone my skills.</div>
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So, I turned to the Internet for ideas and came up with these awesome <a href="http://danidraws.com/2007/02/21/101-projects-for-artists-and-illustrators/" target="_blank">prompts/challenges</a> for artists.</div>
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<i>Challenge #1: Make a book cover for your favorite classic novel.</i> </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JZZ6940KOC8/Uj1By0tO65I/AAAAAAAABlE/ciTo1s_Msdk/s1600/Le+Petit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JZZ6940KOC8/Uj1By0tO65I/AAAAAAAABlE/ciTo1s_Msdk/s640/Le+Petit.jpg" width="494" /></a></div>
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Le Petit Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry</div>
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While not really a classic novel, this novella really means a lot to me. When I first read it in senior year, the story is so meaningful and full of explorations about life, humanity and love.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"<i>One runs the risk of weeping, if one lets himself be tamed."</i></span></div>
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Back then, we had been given a project to make a project of any sort inspired by The Little Prince. I had made a journal, sketch, scrap book. I chose my favorite quotes, made illustrations and then essays about why those quotes meant a lot to me. I put a lot of heart and of myself into that work that year. The best works were displayed in the school lobby for the whole school to see. My work was not one of those displayed. But, to my surprise, when we got our works back from our teacher, he had slipped in a little note saying that he had really wanted to display my work in the lobby, but thought that my personal thoughts that I shared with him in my project might not be something I'd be comfortable sharing. I treasured his consideration and it meant more to me than having my work displayed. It just showed how much this book has affected me. </div>
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Since then, I've also come up with a few The Little Prince inspired projects. In college, I used the idea to create a Writer's Manual for my Narrative class. I always get high grades when I am inspired by this, because it always triggers passion from me. </div>
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What books have inspired you?</div>
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<i>Tuttah,</i></div>
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<i>Mishie</i></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01137296793865843112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560518910025813366.post-18452200653073470692013-09-15T19:40:00.000-07:002013-09-15T19:45:24.360-07:00Dreams are Hard.<div style="text-align: center;">
Hullo All,</div>
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Dreams are Hard.</div>
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Actually, let me correct myself. Dreaming is easy. Achieving those dreams is what's hard. </div>
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It's sometimes too easy to dream. Technically and subconsciously speaking, dreams already let you live out what you desperately want in life. You are the person you want to be, doing the things you want to do, or experiencing things that you couldn't even believe you could go through in your waking life. It's an amazingly triumphant and ecstatic feeling--which is what makes waking so painful. That blissful feeling you get in that dream slips away really fast, and you get up in the morning, reeling at what it could be like, and what really is just doesn't hold up in comparison. </div>
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Personally speaking, I don't mean this to apply to every aspect of my life. In many ways, I know that I am happier than I ever was. A few years ago, everything I am living now was figuratively and literally thousands of miles away. I had to live vicariously through the dream fulfillment of other people. </div>
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People I knew, like <a href="http://the.rainbowholic.me/" target="_blank">Rainbowholic</a>, was living in her dream country and working toward doing what she loved doing as her main profession. Other people simply blogged about what made them happy and what they did in their every day life and suddenly that is what they did to earn income. </div>
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Anyone that knows me beyond as an acquaintance probably already knows that I would love to be a Visual Development Artist. But then again, the same people may also know that I want to write, whether for page or screen. To do either or both would be bliss and I realize, that I want to do is to tell stories. </div>
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What made me decide to want to pursue visual development then? </div>
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Well, from childhood to adulthood I have always enjoyed stories. The stories I loved the most are those that let me feel the stories from all the senses imaginable. It wasn't just Disney that taught me to dream; so did Harry Potter, Hey Arnold, anime, Final Fantasy, The Little Prince--and all these wonderful stories that taught me about life through different worlds. They taught me to be happy, sad, frustrated, angry, anxious and scared. I not only experienced these stories, but met so many wonderful people and had many real world experiences through them. </div>
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Harry Potter helped me meet my very best friends. I've had so many laughs and emotional moments with them. Referencing these stories helped make sense of the real life experiences we were having and helped us through different challenges. The same goes with other stories.</div>
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What I would like, no, what I would <i>love</i> is to be able to do this for others. Drawing and writing are skills I have been given so that I could really communicate the same magic with many people. This is what I <i>dream</i> to do in my life. </div>
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And now, call it a Quarter Life Crisis or what have you, I am experiencing a frustration. Now more than ever, I want to start reaching my goal. Dreams let you so easily imagine what it is already like to be in that state that you desire, but experiencing the grind to reach the top is the biggest struggle I've ever faced. Lately, it has been stressing me out physically and emotionally--even spiritually. Days go by where I would get up in the morning and think, "Why can't I just be there already?"</div>
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I have spent many late nights, wide awake and thinking about how hard it is to be where I am now and what could already be. Every morning, I heave a sigh and suck it up. </div>
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But the hardest thing about dreams is <i>not doing anything about it</i>. The more time I spend heaving sighs and sucking it up, the more time I spend <i>not doing anything to reach my dream</i>, the more time I spend not living it. </div>
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So, for the past few days I have been trying to pick myself up. And as an added spice of <i>destiny</i>, it was another magical wizard from an amazing story that gave me the inspiration to turn my dream into reality. </div>
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I am beginning with the end in mind. That is what the Merlin Method states. </div>
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I can see the end. And now, I'm going to power through to get to it. </div>
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This is the moment where I break out of my routine. Everything from here on end will have a purpose, exactly like everything in storytelling and visual development. </div>
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I am going to get there. Watch me transfigure dreams into reality like BAMF wizard. </div>
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<i>- MishieWishie</i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01137296793865843112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560518910025813366.post-53832773120441644032013-08-05T21:53:00.000-07:002013-08-05T21:53:30.535-07:00When Words Fail<div style="text-align: center;">
Hullo All,</div>
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I'll tell you: as much as I would like to consider myself a virtuoso with words (okay, maybe virtuoso is too superior-thinking of me--"good" with words, instead), sometimes the truth is that words aren't enough to tell a story, to evoke a feeling or to communicate an emotion. </div>
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So, when words fail, the aid of other senses seems necessary.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/kfb6FrFoxb8" width="459"></iframe></div>
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And with the lack of words that I've published in the past month or two, hopefully this gives a glimpse of the good that has happened since. Mostly food. And family.</div>
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<i>Tuttah</i>,</div>
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<i>Mishie</i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01137296793865843112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560518910025813366.post-17461241982538672532013-07-02T21:03:00.000-07:002013-07-02T21:03:14.204-07:00Review and Retrain<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zRRKhxyGaks/UdOiOuTfSTI/AAAAAAAABkE/WseF2B2MJo4/s612/f366fe2cd56b11e2943422000a9f3095_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zRRKhxyGaks/UdOiOuTfSTI/AAAAAAAABkE/WseF2B2MJo4/s640/f366fe2cd56b11e2943422000a9f3095_7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Sometimes I feel as if my brain isn't connected to my limbs and phalanges sometimes. It's as if a shot of electricity is put out by a circuit breaker some where in between my shoulders and forearm--a shot that, may I mention, the wirings of my body need to keep active in cyber space. </div>
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In these situations, a Pick-Me-Up is necessary.</div>
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But most times, I won't lie. I just feel like keeling over and crawling into the bedding when I get home. I want to stuff myself into my mattress and not come out until my body is willing; which, with things going the way they are, may take about a month or so.</div>
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Many things have been put on hold for a while since May, my videos and blog posts included. In fact, perhaps the only increase in activity I've had since is the amount of drawing I have been doing.</div>
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This is the first time I am using GPOY</div>
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But I would be lying if I said that I was still doing it as of this writing (no, I'm not. I'm currently reading two books at once. Eh, meh). </div>
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I would like to, however, be resolute. Maybe a few jumping jacks upon waking up in the morning will slap me back in fighting shape. Maybe I need to get back on an inspirational collage train or something. </div>
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And maybe stop eating this.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gPGuQOiUP1o/UdOhl8wfUPI/AAAAAAAABj4/sGwRE3c9YM8/s612/0742e3bce1e611e28a1922000a1fb0ef_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gPGuQOiUP1o/UdOhl8wfUPI/AAAAAAAABj4/sGwRE3c9YM8/s400/0742e3bce1e611e28a1922000a1fb0ef_7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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and this</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nzvf4QKDIhY/UdOhmKDJaWI/AAAAAAAABjk/S9VOn43bAd4/s612/b27a1674c72e11e29d7a22000a1f9d9b_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nzvf4QKDIhY/UdOhmKDJaWI/AAAAAAAABjk/S9VOn43bAd4/s400/b27a1674c72e11e29d7a22000a1f9d9b_7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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eeexcept maybe this</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H5UBcl9jud4/UdOhmQ6jdrI/AAAAAAAABjs/j11BhCWAd5A/s612/d6ac8396c65311e2b19422000a1f9bc9_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H5UBcl9jud4/UdOhmQ6jdrI/AAAAAAAABjs/j11BhCWAd5A/s400/d6ac8396c65311e2b19422000a1f9bc9_7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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and this</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Y8FHuX7FyY/UdOhmH4cDgI/AAAAAAAABjo/uGFewefjacM/s612/0aac48d6e11e11e2b42122000a9d0ed9_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Y8FHuX7FyY/UdOhmH4cDgI/AAAAAAAABjo/uGFewefjacM/s400/0aac48d6e11e11e2b42122000a9d0ed9_7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<strike>OMG fooood</strike></div>
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<i>Retrain your brain</i>, says an ad on TV.</div>
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I think I will, ad. I think I will.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01137296793865843112noreply@blogger.com0