Hello, World!

After nine long months, I am proud to say that I have returned to this precious, dear blog of mine, which has received so much support from fellow bloggers and you dear readers.

  I have to thank you so much, every single one of you, for the continued support and following and kindness.

  I hope to rejoin the blogging world at full throttle, though I may be a bit rusty.

  If you have any requests whatsoever that may serve as a welcome back, please feel free to message me without hesitance.

  Thank you, and have a lovely day!

The Commonplace of Irony in Life

So, yesterday I decided to venture out into the world for the simple pleasantries of ice cream and decent weather.
Needless to say, I decided to sit outside. I found it more than interesting when life’s odd and rather funny plan unfurled before my very eyes.
I spotted an old childhood friend of mine. Over the years, we had lost contact and our bond faded into the oblivion of familiar faces. I didn’t say hello, because I knew that she’d most likely forgotten me, but I found it very entertaining, either way.
Has something like this ever happened to you? If so, what was the end result?

Holiday Rants

  It’s Christmas day- the time of year when families are said to gather around the fire of a fireplace(or technologically savvy flat-screen television that now poses as the red and orange flickering tongues of flames and burnt bark of the fictional labor of chopping down a tree and hauling its fruit toward home) and exchange gifts with one another in the spirit of love and Christ’s birth.
  When I look at this international holiday carefully, I see a commercialised enterprise of money and food and selfishness. Some people do give gifts out of the goodness of their hearts, which is fine and wonderful, but others just look forward to getting something for free.
  If we really love someone and appreciate them for what they do, then why do we need a specific day in the year to tell us when to show our appreciation? Shouldn’t we always tell others we’re glad to have them around us?
  Of course, this is just my view of things and mentality. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions.
  Christmas really is a holiday for which we should be grateful- a request from me(which is completely optional) is that you look deeper into the meaning of this day and any other holiday or celebration and give the people around you a random “thank you.” Yes, some people will think you’ve lost your mind, and others will be glad.
  If you have a Christmas story you would like to share, or simply want to say something, leave a comment and I’ll get back to it as soon as possible. Merry Christmas.

Wattpad- Excellent Book Site

  Lately I’ve been busy- research has always been a hobby of mine, and it’s always interesting what one can find with no real purpose. My attention has been drawn to and captivated by “Wattpad”, an official app that allows one to read, or even publish books.

  I started off as just a visitor. Since I hadn’t made an account yet, I just picked out random reading lists and began reading from there. The idea of a writer, professional or not, being able to share a book they wrote on this website and to get feedback from the people who’ve read it intrigued me.

  Within a month of discovering the app, my love for writing shone through and I opened an account.

  My point: if you’re a writer and would like to publish your works, download the Wattpad app and create an account. It’s simple and free; which are two of the best things.

  I’ll occasionally share a story from Wattpad that I think might catch the lovely reader’s interests, and post the link here for you to decide whether or not you want to give it a shot.

  If you have a Wattpad account and would like a story featured, or have any questions, just leave a comment and I’ll get back to you as soon as I possibly can.

Annabelle Review

  I was flipping through a magazine, music blasting somewhat subtly in the background as I came to an advertisement for a Halloween product.

  Seeing as to how I didn’t exactly spend the holiday in such a celebratory manner, I had decided to meet an available friend at the most nearby theater for a movie.

  What we happened to see on October 31 was Annabelle- a considered masterpiece by the creators and directors of Insidious and Sinister, and excellent producer, James Wan.

  Since I haven’t done a review in a while, I decided to review that movie.

  Warning: there are most likely a variety of spoilers ahead, and they will undoubtedly ruin your day if you were looking forward to said motion picture. Continue reading at your own risk.

  While I did enjoy the film greatly, I also found it somewhat disappointing.

  Credits:
    Most of the time, movies are quick to throw in a full-blown doll movement such as its walking or disappearance; however, the doll of this film did things subtly- it wasn’t until toward the end that anything significant such as it being lifted by a demon and held upright for a minute or so while the protagonist stood there in horror had actually happened.
    The art and making of the doll itself is horribly good; every aspect of this object terrified me, including that seemingly innocent smile.
    Use of satanic worship and spiritual knowledge has been a key feature in both Annabelle and The Conjuring- and they’ve got their facts right.

  Demerits:
    The plot came across to me as somewhat confusing. It’s said in the movie that ghosts attach themselves to spirits, not to things- yet, there it is, both a demon and the spirit of a satanic worshiper sharing the doll as an apparent conduit.
    While I do admire the toned down use of slow moving action that sends a chill down your spine, I’m afraid that that’s all it did. I didn’t stay awake, nor did I have nightmares or find the movie particularly scary. It was more of a suspense and thriller than a horror film.

  Overall, I give Annabelle a 3/5(*****) star rating for the amazing twists and turns that this film has presented.

  If you have any questions, comments, or would like a review done, please leave a comment and I’ll be sure to respond as soon as possible.

Send Me Away

With a saddened heart I look upon your silhouette, distant and cold in demeanor as I step away.

Your eyes are empty and your hands are rough- oh, whatever happened to the gentle, caressing feel of your compassionate hand on mine? Where has the shine of your eye gone?

To whom have you given the last of your will? Did I not give you my all; love, kindness, and attention is what I showered upon you incessantly as you so pleased.

Now, the bed is more spacious, the quilts maintain less warmth. A broken promise, a shattered dream- our solemn vow has been so blatantly disregarded.

So, now as you see fit, send me away to where your heart desires, that you may not be concerned with my petty emotions. Send me away to mourn the loss of the you, the one I loved.

On Authors

  I often wonder about authors and their seemingly unbreakable spirit of creativity and pure determination.
 
  What is it that spurs the mind of a gifted intellectual on and brings out the best and worst of their personal traits and gained skills?
 
  It’s as if without fail or error in the slightest form, each master of language– both published and unknown to the world– has taken at least one twinkling star from the sky as a means of encouragement, and indulged in bedizen actions for his work.
 
  If this is indeed the case, then from where does one gather information for a worthy piece of literature?
 
  Libraries and museums are within the confines of a tangible realm– the author must reach beyond such boundaries and seek nothing but the utmost sources of knowledge, which is more than often located quite directly in the cerebellum and is awaiting one’s need for it.

Local Inspiration

  Hopefully, I’ll soon be heading to downtown McAllen to gather some inspiration. I’ll be taking my notebook along to jot down some quick ideas.

  My goal is to make a compilation of the things that I’m generally interested in so that I can create my own unique style within that of Japanese street fashion.

  Does anyone have any suggestions such as stores, accessories, or things for which I should keep my eye out? I would also love to hear in what fashion genre you’re interested and what you do when searching for an outfit to expand your wardrobe.

Self-confidence: Introversion

  I often wonder why it is that I can’t leave my home without checking my reflection countless times for what I refer to as “errors” in my appearance and outfit choice.

  At first, my mind logically conjured the idea that it might be my self-diagnosed “OCD”(Obsessive Compulsive Disorder); but once I’d rid myself of that thought, I instantly came up with vanity.

  But the thing is, I’m not a vain person. So I decided to talk to one of my closest friends about this problem- and this was unusual because I’m often the one who people come to with their problems. I told them that I always fidgeted with even the most minuscule “faults” of my facial features, makeup, hair, and accessories.

  “Maybe,” they had started almost uncertainly, “you’re an introvert.”

  I had stared blankly at them for a moment, taking my time to contemplate their assumption and helpful input. I quickly came to the conclusion that this was inaccurate; after all, wasn’t I speaking to my friend confidently?

  What I failed to think about was that when we first met, I was quiet and it took over a year of our being in the same studies for us to actually communicate. I reluctantly began to admit that I had every sign of being socially impaired.

  “An introvert?” I murmured cautiously, my brows furrowing downward in deep pondering. “Maybe…”

  I couldn’t look people in the eye when they talked to me, nor could I compliment someone or start even a mundane conversation. I couldn’t walk up to someone and ask them if they liked something. It’s not that I didn’t want to, it was just that at the time, I really couldn’t.

  I slowly began to become even more insecure and worried. I stopped talking to friends and family members for about a month or two, I stopped doing the things I loved like drawing, writing, taking photos, and playing the guitar. I rarely left my room, and even less did I leave my house.

  That’s when I started to believe that I couldn’t do anything right. I went three days without eating one time; and just when I thought it was getting to be too much, I gathered enough courage to leave my comfortable place of isolation and meet a friend who was very worried about me.

  They ran up to me as soon as I stepped foot in the small cafe and smothered me in affection that I’d long forgotten. That’s when I began to get fatigued. They were just looking at me for an unusually long time. Was my hair messy? Did my makeup smear? Did my outfit not match?

  “You’re so beautiful.”

  I was stunned- how could they believe I was beautiful? That’s when I knew that what I was missing wasn’t the support from friends, but confidence in myself and the things that I could do.

  It didn’t matter how others saw me, as long as I loved me for me and saw past the physical appearance.

  My friend and I met each other regularly to work on this problem. That was about five years ago; we still meet each other frequently, but now I joke around and laugh and look straight into their eyes when they’re speaking- and although I still battle with my insecurities, it’s more about things of importance such as the bills and work and my studies.

  Have confidence in yourself; be proud of who you are, and don’t be afraid to have aspirations and goals. Do what you love, dress how you feel, be open with others. It’s hard at first, but if you show others that you’re comfortable in your own skin, you might just inspire them to be as good of a person as they can be.

Parent’s Guide to Understanding Visual Kei

  I know that I haven’t posted anything recently(I’ve been very busy lately- what with my second blog that’s still in progress, and all the work I’ve had- and really, I’m not complaining) and some of my dedicated readers may, or may not, be disappointed.

  I’ve gotten several requests from friends to write a post dedicated entirely to the “Do and Do not”s that come with having a child who has recently plunged into the world of blasting Japanese music, and men that look and dress like woman.

  That’s right- here’s the Parent’s Guide to Understanding Visual Kei.

1.)Your child is unique, so if they suddenly want to wear mismatched colored contact lenses, dye their hair ridiculous colors, and/or start dressing what is to you, ridiculously, then I assure you, it is most likely not a phase. Instead of trying to stifle their creativity, try to channel it into something less dramatic; maybe they can start out with a load of extra accessories, then build from there.

2.)Don’t let your child walk out the door looking like a geisha- Visual Kei isn’t about suddenly going from normal to crazy. Like the clothing, let them start off with simple or intricate makeup designs that best suit their age, face, etc.

3.)Be prepared to hear nothing but facts about with whom your child is currently infatuated. You’ll learn a lot.

4.)The likelihood of that “girl” actually being a female is close to, if not, ZERO. That’s right, Hizaki is a male who wears dresses- that doesn’t make him gay.

5.)Having your own opinion is very important. Let your child know how you feel about their interest in another culture. Think about it this way, at least they’re trying to learn something new.

6.)Japanese band merchandise can sometimes be expensive; but it’s worth it for a birthday or Christmas; or, you can make something on your own.

  That’s all I have gathered for now. Thank you for reading- I hope this helps you understand better what your child, niece, nephew, sibling, etc. is interested in and how to deal with it.