What I wore, chocolates and flour

Today was So Cal's warmest so far in 2011 and it was absolutely spectacular. Brilliant sunshine, warm breezes, joyful birds and... the biggest package from home containing 11 boxes of my favorite mushroom shaped chocolate snacks!! If this couldn't be awesome enough, my mom went ahead and caked the whole package with limited edition One Piece postage stamps!! See for yourself!!

LOL And so I was thrilled. I guess the images are self explanatory. 

So here's what I wore on this fine spring day!

Also, I enjoyed this evening listening to a benefit concert-ish performance of three Hawaiian guitarists. It was actually the first sound test rehearsal that was held in the brand new Performing Arts Center at our Soka University, and after the earthquake happened in Japan, the organizers decided to make it public and send all the profits to the earthquake/tsunami relief. So that was really enjoyable and the acoustics were great! These mellow middle-aged men brought the shores and plumerias with them in their cheerful Hawaiian melodies. c:

Finally, I wanted to share that I totally enjoyed Stranger Than Fiction the other day! Gosh, it was so awesome. I couldn't get over the witty narrative, the colorful and dynamic assortment of personalities, the clean, futuristic computer graphics, the delicious soundtrack and the overall creativity of the plot that kept me captivated from start to finish. I absolutely loved Emma Thompson's acting, and Will Ferrell wasn't bad at all for a change. I loved Dustin Hoffman's lit professor role as well. Gosh, what a fun movie! I need to go watch it again--I have a feeling the second time around will reveal even greater details!

Anyway, I drew this based off the relationship between Ana and Herald from one of the best scenes out of the entire movie:

That's it now. Hope all of you make the best of your April Fools!

SSSUUUUUSSSSHHHIIIIIIIIIII

fo' dinnah!

In other news, we watched Disney's Around the World in 80 Days for our Ideologies of East and West class today and I was kinda mortified by the poor execution of the general theatrical performance. Particularly Schwarzneggar as the Turkish sultan or king or prince or whatnot. But I'd be lying if I said I didn't get a kick out of Jackie Chan's minute and a half kung-fu action solely using a wooden bench. 

I'm'a off to watch Stranger Than Fiction with Scott now. Toodles!

Photo post of winter break Japan

Hello Blogspot! It's been a while since I last updated. I've been a little winded lately due to the sudden change of environment. As of Sunday I've been back at SUA in Orange County, and I'm simply waiting for the spring semester to commence. It's kinda nice arriving a little early so that I have this adjustment period to overcome my jet-lag.

I really haven't much to update, other than the fact that the Nuclear Disarmament illustration is done (last night), which is mainly what I've been investing my time on since arriving. It's a relief to get it off my shoulders at last. It was definitely the largest illustration I've ever worked on (13x10 inch in 300 dpi) and it took me all of winter break to do it. Unfortunately I can't feel too proud of it because I'm just not satisfied with the look and the overall design--I know that after a year's development I will look back at it and know exactly how to improve it. I'll share it here later once I get feedback from the client. 

Excuse me, but the rest I'll post in a sequence of bullets and photos. I'm not quite in the state to elaborate much and I fear I'll bore you to death. Here's a recap of the eventful things that happened during the last few days I was in Japan. By the end, I think you'll have a pretty vivid picture of just how mundane my life has been this winter break. lol:

Let's start off with the TINIEST BEER CAN I HAVE EVER PURCHASED.
To give you an idea, the picture on the left compares this tiny can to the average beer can.

Here is the tiny drink that I had from a tiny shot glass.
I put it next to the mandarin and chopsticks so you can compare the sizes.
I had about two gulps before I hit the bottom of the can. 

The cutest owl cake the world has ever seen. Hoot hoot! 

You can count on Japan to make the most adorable delectables. 

Note the cute angel pudding on the right. 

Also, Japanese comedian, Kanpei Hazama breaks the world record with his Earth Marathon, completing an entire lap around the globe in 2 years and a month. I was so moved and encouraged by this man, who even was diagnosed and overcame cancer during his journey. Amazing.

Then here are a few pics from my trip to Hakone hot springs. This is a seaside noodle restaurant where we had lunch on the way. The most beautiful and tranquil restaurant I have ever visited!

I had hot Aji no tempura soba (aji = horse mackerel) which was omgsogood and really filling!

Mom had this colorful assortment of veggies and crabs and fish on her soba noodles.

Since I can't share any photos of the hot springs (obviously cameras aren't permitted in the baths) here are a couple shots of the Hakone scenery we crossed during our road trip. That's the most of Mt.Fuji I we were able to catch. It's always cloudy at the foot of the mountain. 

And a big, pretty torii gate we drove under. 

Okay, this post seems to be long enough. Sorry to bombard you with photos. I hope to post a more meaningful and interesting blog next time. Uuuughhh jet lagggg x/

Finals and commissions

Finals are going all right. The rough portion (Monday) has passed. Now all I've got left are two papers by the 20th and an in-class paper (this one's gonna be tedious I'm sure) on Friday. I wished I could've written up more today but I felt so exhausted from yesterday and it didn't help that my menstrual cycle decided that this week would be the opportune occasion to drop by. She even brought along her irritating friend, Ultra Crampage. Ass.

I gave myself a break after 10pm to go stock up on some Spamusubi and Yakitori at the Grad Department Final Exams snack stand in Ruby's apartment. I only got there five past and already there was a ridiculously long 30 minute line. My hair now stinks of BBQ smoke.

But afterward I didn't feel like writing anymore so I decided to catch up on some commissions (I've got sooooo much to do this winter break). Here's one that I'm currently working on which is due before Christmas. Better hop to it.

All right, sleep time. Tomorrow's another long (and hopefully highly constructive) day of writing. With luck, I will be able to suppress my annoying guests with my good pal, Ibuprofen.