January 1, 2012
by アナ(Anna)
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New year, new challenges, new goals, new CRAFTING!

Craft or Bust 2012

OK, friends! Are you ready for this year to begin? I am, I so am! So many new things to begin, so many challenges to continue on with! One thing that I put down last year in a lot of different ways was my crafting habit. I had too much else going on to worry about. This year? Not so much! New year, new challenges! I’m taking up the Craft or Bust Challenge again! That is, to craft something every single week of 2012, and write about it. Are you ready? You can also read more about it at Craft or Bust Headquarters.

Also: 365 pictures! I’m actually doing 3 kinds… a general track and also 1 for each of my kids. Here are today’s!

Jae, being dramatic. She just woke up from her nap, and climbed into the pile of laundry that I was working on putting away.

Joshua watching Bakugan. His favorite show.... And lastly:

The Earl Grey, watching out the window. He was a very convenient subject for Picture #1 of the year. I actually haven't figured out exactly what I'll be crafting tonight... I will work on something though, after I've put the kids to bed. At the moment I'm working on prepping the house and putting Christmas away. More later! Cheers!

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December 27, 2011
by アナ(Anna)
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Prepping for big things.

Do you make New Year’s Resolutions? I do! I love the opportunity to start fresh each New Year. I love making goals for myself. I love tweaking my system so that I can get further and further along towards the goals that I set up. In the past few years, my goals haven’t changed that much. I want to be fit, I want to learn Japanese, I have specific family, crafting, photographic, writing, and domestic goals. I love these kind of opportunities! I mean, sure, they come every single day, right? But the whole thing about the New Year… it’s special—a completely fresh slate.

Some things that I’m taking on this year:

365 photos – this is hard for me, I’m really forgetful! But going to try and make some kind of calendar or schedule or something so I have subject matter and join a group so I don’t forget.
Craft or Bust – I did not do Craft or Bust last year. I waaaanted to, but there was so much going on, I just did not ever get into the swing of things. This year? I think I’ll be able to manage it. It will be a challenge, of course, but I’m going to do it!
Running 3x a week – trying to cross train when I’m not running
Writing 750 words every day. Every. Day.
Going to church every Sunday. This was a struggle for me this last year. It really was. There was a lot going on and I think my relationship with God got a bit lost in the shuffle. But I want to be at church and also
Read through the entire Bible. I’m going to be listening along with the Daily Audio Bible.
Make and maintain a household notebook. I’ve had attempts at this before, but I always forget to be updating them at some point and then they become irrelevant. I know they are dead useful and I just need to be more disciplined in using one.
Be able to pass the first tier of the JLPT. I am at a point where I can read a lot, but I’m not understanding what I’m reading. I need to expand my vocab and start practicing speaking and listening a whole lot more. I have the tools! Thanks to my friend はなちゃん I have plenty of good tools and practice reading material!

This is quite a list, but most of these things I’ve been working on already. It’s just getting in the habit of doing them more regularly, being more disciplined about it all. That is the trickiest part, the discipline. Definitely doable! So worth it.

I wish you well, reader! Until next time.

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November 29, 2011
by アナ(Anna)
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The war of self.

I have a war going on in my head. A major one. It’s between the different parts of me.

The green hippie artsy fartsy girl.
This girl loves to garden, make cool things with fiber and take care of the environment every way she can.

Geeky-chic music lover.
This girl is awesome at all things computer, and rawks out to whatever she feels like while she’s doing her thing.

The cool gaming girl.
World of Warcraft anyone?

The student.
Constantly learning new things, working especially on Japanese right now, but studying to become a better…. everything.

The girl with the cause.
I have had human trafficking on my heart quite a bit. Quite a bit.

The career girl.
Have I mentioned that I also work full time?!

And let’s not forget mama!
This one should actually be first.

How do I reconcile all these different versions of self? How can I possibly have enough time to get all this in make it work? These are all important sides of myself. I love them all…. but need to prioritize in a major way, figure out which direction I want to take myself most.

I’ve been slowly working through the Digging Deep workbook from Tara. I’ve also been doing a lot of reading and watching… here, and here, and here. Talk about a slow process!!! I’ll get there! & have a good time along the way. But wheeeeeeew!!!!!!

In the mean time….. it is Music Monday! I haven’t done any Music of the Week since I went to Vegas (October!). Time to get back with it! So without any further ado:

Music Monday, November 28, 2011

The Jayhawks: Mockingbird Time (Spotify link)*

I’ll let you know near the end of the week what I think of them… I only know the album title song at the moment. Which I luuuurve. But let’s hear the rest of the album, shall we?

*I didn’t realize, before I just linked the single, whoops!

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October 12, 2011
by アナ(Anna)
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New Mai-HiME Anime Wallpaper

Hello, happy Wednesday!

I’ve started watching Mai-Hime (舞ーHiME!) with my son. He really digs it so far. Much of it is beyond him (he’s 6), but he loves the monster-butt kicking parts. I have quite a few HiME wallpapers that I’m going to share eventually… Today, however, I’m posting one that I made. It’s of one of the end-credit scenes, but for whatever reason, I’ve not found a wallpaper of this particular scene yet. I’m sure there must be at least one somewhere (let me know if you’ve seen it, and where!), but I’ve not found any thus far. That’s why I created the paper below. I hope you enjoy it!

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October 10, 2011
by アナ(Anna)
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Kill Bill: (Volume 1) Album of the Week … Music Monday!

I was right! My last Album of the Week did drive me nuts. I still really like “Run the World (Girls)”, but I did not make it listening to the album every day. Near the end of the week I just didn’t want to put it on, I was tired of it. Beyoncé’s voice is lovely, but the R&B hip hop style is just not my thing. I made it through to Friday, and then didn’t listen any more. She is just not on my list.

Music Monday came and went last week, and I barely noticed, I was so busy! This week’s is going to be another compilation, but from a movie this time, not TV. I’m going to listen to the Kill Bill Volume 1 Original Soundtrack.

The only songs I can think of on this album off the top of my head are the Woo Hoo song that makes me cringe every time I hear it, and the whistling song. I know there’s some other really good stuff on here! More on this after I get to know the tracks a little bit more. Looking forward to some good jams this week!

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October 7, 2011
by アナ(Anna)
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Freilecheh Friday! Savoring the things that make me smile.

Some things that made me happy this week

The world record for the most video game character costumes in one place was broken this week. In Wisconsin.

I read this post about a posted ‘found’ sign… and laughed. Loudly.

Saw this dubstep remix of one of Imogen Heap’s songs:

I’ve been listening to various dubstep mixes all week; I’d never heard about it until now, but it is definitely one of my favs. I’ve probably listened through at least a hundred mixes now, and the above is still my fav.

I read this post about Grace from Joe (the Peacock). Nodding my head. Striving towards that.

Last Saturday I woke up naturally. At around 6am. Waking up like that rarely happens to me. Especially when I have the chance to sleep in… there is hope for me becoming a morning person after all!

Finally: I now can say I enjoy hot foods. I used to be like my mom, panicking even at the slightest bit of jalapeño flavoring or too much pepper. After this week of scarfing wasabi in large quantities (for wasabi, anyway) and not being able to pass a meal without adding a good dusting of chipotle powder… I can say I’m now much more like my dad in this respect. I’m not quite eating habaneros with dinner yet, but I think I’ll get there before too long.

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September 26, 2011
by アナ(Anna)
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Beyonce’s 4: Album of the Week September 26, 2011

This week, I’ll be listening to Beyonce’s 4 for my Album of the week. I have a feeling I might regret this decision. I am very attracted to the one song, Run the World (Girls):

…. it just gets so stuck in my head! But in general the rest of the album, I’m not sure it’s up my alley style wise. I may be regretting having to listen to it every day this week. We’ll see! I don’t deny that Beyonce is a fantastic musician and performer! But not my usual thing. I’ll try to report near the end of the week whether or not I’m going crazy with it!

Listen with me? What do you think, hmmm?

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September 24, 2011
by アナ(Anna)
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Why on earth haven’t I cut my hair yet? Oh yeah, I have dread-envy… still.

I enjoy short hair. I look good in it. Great in it, even. I live in the south, in Texas. Short hair makes sense. It’s easy. At this time, I’m not much of a morning person, and with the kids at the stages that they’re at, short hair seems like it would be the choice to make. We’re just ending one of the hottest summers on record…. and I managed all season without cutting it off. So why haven’t I yet?

I want dreadlocks. Still.

I have had dread envy for the loooongest time. I’m trying to think back to what first started my obsession with it, and I think it began with Stargate Atlantis and my crush on Jason Momoa, playing the role of Ronon Dex. Just look at that hair! Isn’t it lovely? Well it helps that he’s so hot, but I don’t know that he would have struck the same chord with me if it hadn’t been for his hair.

Since then, I have seen and admired dreadlocks all over the place….

I absolutely am in love with both Tara’s (of theorganicsister.com) & Sara’s (of walkslowlylivewildly.com) dreads & here are some of my favorites I’ve seen around Pinterest that I’ve been collecting:

Don’t they look fantastic? They just make me go “Aaaaaaah” every time I look at them. I especially love the colorful bits, with ribbon and yarn stuck in….. and the pink hair**, of course. (**NOTE: I am still trying to bring together what I like best and what I am learning is best for my body….!)

If I ever do decide on dreads I have 2 major factors that I need to consider — Number 1: I work in a fairly conservative office, so dreads and/or hats and/or hair scarves are out. Either they would have to have quite a loosening of their dress policies (I don’t see that happening any time soon) or I will be headed elsewhere. Who knows what the future holds? I do NOT, but I do know at the moment I have financial obligations that I am taking care of, and I have a good job, SO, I will be staying put.

Anna's Hair Which gives me plenty of opportunity to work on factor Number 2: Length. I’m doing OK with length. My hair in the back is just past my shoulders, and in the front it’s just past my chin. By the time I get to a spot where I can do anything about it, I should be all set.

In the mean time! While I wait for my hair to grow and am occupied with this stage in my life, I like playing this song by India Arie, called “I Am Not My Hair”. It’s a good reminder for me!

“I am not my hair. I am not this skin. I am not your expectations. I am not my hair. I am not this skin. I am the soul that lives within.”

What words! Definitely a good reminder, especially when I get antsy and impatient for change…

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K-On! Wallpapers

September 21, 2011 by アナ(Anna) | 0 comments

SO – if it hasn’t become apparent to you yet, it will be over the next couple of days/weeks/months about how obsessed I am with wallpapering and making things look pretty. Here are some K-On! wallpapers I chose out when I was exploring yesterday. I hope you enjoy them! I know I looooove them.

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September 20, 2011
by アナ(Anna)
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K-On! (Album of the Week September 19) + otaku musings

This week, it’s K-On! I keep on getting the Don’t Say Lazy ending theme

stuck in my head on random occasion, but I don’t know the rest of the music very well. I’d like to get back into the show (it’s so 可愛いー!) and I really do like the music from what I’ve heard. This week my office and home will be streaming this lovely anime rock and theme music, from the album Anime Collection Volume 5: K-On! (2009). Listen with me?

The pretty picture above can be found in wallpaper format at theotaku.com. Click at your own risk: you’ll get swallowed up by the sheer awesome that is that site! So many wallpapers, so much to look at, so little time…. :sigh: While browsing on that site, I discovered that they have art challenges. Speaking of so little time, holy moly! The first one I looked at talked about MMD wallpaper… Miku Miku Dance…? Know what that is? Here are the examples they linked, for people who are not familiar with it: #1, #2, & #3… I was half familiar with it. I’d seen it before, but didn’t realize what I’d seen or the name. Can’t even explain how excited that made me. Not going to tell you that I squeaked a little when I realized what I was looking at. I think that this is going to be a new favorite site/outlet for me. I’m sad though; looking around I did not see anything but Windows programs for the MMD. I’ll keep looking. I’ll post if I find anything!

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