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?
Category Archives: Advice
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.
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.
Blogging Subjects- Help is Here(Hopefully)
I’ve hit a wall- one that refuses to collapse unless I bring in Mr.Gorbachov or the Hulk; either way, I hit the point in my “blogging career” where inspiration isn’t a wide and flowing river, but a trickling stream that offers nothing but pity.
We all come to this soon enough, now, what you do in response is what matters. If you decide to give up altogether, then that won’t get anything done; but if you try to find a solution, then you might hit the jackpot.
Writing daily is a good practice, but for those busy folks, writing on occasion is alright, too.
Writing ideas. Coming up with something to write and post isn’t always easy, so here are a few simple examples to set your mind at ease and give you a small helping hand.
1.)Nature. Describe the scenery around you- it can help give your readers a feel of where you live, and can even bring you closer to them through possible similarities.
2.)Childhood Reminiscence. Post something a little more personal- maybe a funny occasion when you were younger, something that you looked forward to, or even a heart-gripping story. You could write about your favorite pet, elementary school, or best friend.
3.)Opinions. Start a discussion about technology, environmentalists, famous singers and actors, or anything with which you have a genuine interest.
4.)Review Movies, Books, Etc. If you’ve read a book, seen a movie, listened to a song, or done a drawing or arts and crafts object, voice the description of it and state your likes and dislikes while trying not to give spoilers(unless you’ve included a spoiler warning).
5.)Lists. You can never have too many lists. Lists… well, list, your likes and can be helpful for others who are searching for something. Make a list of the top 10 books you recommend for others to read and why, or do the same with any other topic. The length and subject is up to you.
6.)Gathering Resources. Leave feedback on other Blogger’s posts and ask for advice. Read their posts and study the topics that they cover, why they do so, and how they format it. Everyone has a different style, but looking at their way of doing things might inspire you to make some changes or write about something new.
7.)Facts. Not all blogs are educational, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t post random facts like why flamingos are pink and other things.
8.)Awareness. Not everyone has time to watch the news in the morning, listen to the radio, or even pick up a newspaper. Watching the news and writing down the important and current events can help keep others up to date, and make you a semi-journalist.
9.)Cultural Studies. If there’s a country or culture that you’re fascinated with, do a little research and post about that. Let others know about India, Brazil, Mexico, Japan, China, Spain, or any place that you like. It doesn’t have to be a full-on report. Just include some common facts, maybe photos, why you like this place, the system of currency, or some unknown facts and opinions.
10.)Target: Stomach. A lot of people love cooking, and eating the food that’s cooked. Jotting down clear steps to making a dish that you like or want to try can appeal to a great deal of people and give you something to write about.
11.)Secret Talent. Maybe you have something that you’re really good at. Don’t keep it all to yourself. If you’re talented, be proud and tell people.
12.)Everyday. Write about your day- why it was good, why it was bad, what the weather was like, if you met anyone new, what you did that made you smile, anything and everything that happens to you in a single day.
13.)Arts and Crafts. Share D.I.Y(Do It Yourself) projects that you liked and want other to know about. Explain the hard or easy process and be sure to tell everyone how to do it and how it turned out, whether it was a failure or a success.
14.)Quotations. Quote things from others- famous or not- that go with your mood, style, or anything else.
15.)Support. Share information about a charity or at-home-cause that really calls to you. Include things like what they’re supporting, how to help the cause, other social media pages to follow, like, contact, etc., and what you can do to help.
16.)Dreamland. Dreams can either be weird, or completely normal; then again, our thoughts on what normal actually is varies. Describe a dream that you had(old or new) that you want to share. Cover the dream itself and how you acted when you woke up.
17.)It’s a Drabble. A Drabble is a short, fictional post of only 100 words. It’s a good challenge for writers and those who are interested in writing, and it helps the mind. You can create an account at Drablr.com.
18.)Shopping Hauls. Focus on what arrived in the mail or was bought at a store. Clothing, jewelry, any accessories, shoes, art supplies, you hobby supplies- use your stuff at a shopping session and share with your readers. There’s Miss A, eBay, Amazon, Milanoo, Goodwill, Barnes and Noble, Baby the Stars Shine Bright, h.Naoto, Hot Topic, and so many other hauls.
19.)Faith. Religion. Share your beliefs and what you think is right.
That’s all I have for now. Hopefully this served its purpose and I’ve lit a fire under you. Good luck, and happy hunting fellow bloggers and readers.
D.I.Y. Denim Projects
Do you have an old pair of pants laying around? Maybe they don’t fit, are way too faded, or your love for them has simply vanished. Instead of throwing them away, and if you’re not planning on giving them to someone else because of sentimental value, why not cut them up and use them to make other cool things?
I had a pair of denim pants that didn’t fit anymore(they were high water), so I got my sewing kit out and went to work.
Phone case. Materials: 1.)Needle and thread(preferably a color that matches your pants), 2.)Old jeans, 3.)A phone, and 4.)Scissors(fabric would be best, but since I didn’t have any, I used regular).
Step 1: Cut a piece of fabric large enough to fold over your phone, leaving about an inch or so on each side. You can also try something else: Cut two symmetrical pieces of fabric and leave an inch of space on each side.
Step 2: If you cut a large piece that folds over, make sure that your phone is placed on the inside-out part. If you cut two pieces, place the phone in the center.
Step 3: Begin sewing. When you’re sewing, leave some space between the edge of the fabric and the phone. Don’t sew directly beside the phone, but don’t put too much space. Whether you’re using one or two pieces, leave the top open and don’t sew it. Use your phone as a guideline.
Step 4: Cut off the excess fabric on all sides, mindful not to cut too near the thread, otherwise it might unravel(so you have to leave some space). Take the phone out and turn your pocket right-side out so that you can see the darker part that you normally see on pants.
You’re done! Add other things to it that will be your own design, if you want. I’m sorry that I couldn’t show the step-by-step pictures, but here’s my turn out.
Japanese Words of the Day
I’ve been studying the Japanese language, both symbolic and in words, and I’ll not be the first to say that it is way harder than it looks and isn’t too hard at the same time.
As someone who comes from Spanish and English speaking households, when I look at the Japanese system of communication, I can spot some words that sound English, Spanish, and even French.
For instance: when I was in my early teen years(at least, I think that’s when it was) I thought that the word “sayonara” was French. I knew that it meant “goodbye”, but I had no idea that it was actually Japanese.
The language can be difficult to master and speak/write fluently for beginners, but practice makes perfect. I used to- and still do so on occasions to keep my mind sharp- stay up practicing my symbols, and how to put them together to form a sentence or phrase.
I you know Spanish, then you’ll know that most of the times, a statement is what I call “reversed.” This means that you’ll say one thing in Spanish, and if you translate it directly into English, it’ll sound off or as if the verb came before the subject. The same rule often applies to Japanese statements: Bandodesu za• Gazetto– or The GazettE is a band.
Bando=Band, Desu=Is, Za•=The, and Gazetto=Gazette. Normally, you’d think that it’d be “Za• Gazetto desu bando”, but that’s incorrect. In this case, “band(bando) and is(desu)” are linked and followed by “the(za•) and Gazetto(Gazette).
Also, if you take the words band and Gazette, you’ll notice that the Japanese form of these words are very similar to that of the English form. Use the knowledge that you have of other languages and combine it in your efforts to pursue a new language.
Good luck to you if you’re currently trying to learn another language. Try your best and don’t be discouraged!
The “RGV Lolita” Group
While at Omnicon, I attended a panel, or seminar, about Japanese Street Fashion which covered Decora and some Visual Kei, then gravitated toward the Lolita fashion. I was very impressed by the three representatives of the “RGV Lolita” group that directed the Power Point and gave all of beginning Lolitas easy hints and tips on how to start off in that category.
They have a Facebook group especially for those Lolitas in the Rio Grande Valley, which is at the tip of Texas, that currently has 61 members, myself included. They gather and meet monthly to discuss small events and other gatherings, trade clothes and buy and sell garments as well, have a tea party, and trade any advice that they’ve acquired.
I’m very excited to be a part of something that has others who are interested in the same “odd” things that I am when it comes to Japanese fashion. If you live in the Rio Grande Valley and are interested in or are already Lolita, I suggest checking out their Facebook group.
thathelpfulperson 