Smelling the Roses

I'll admit that I'm always in a hurry, and I'm always giving myself deadlines, goals to meet and I'm pretty much my own worst critic. I hardly ever stop to smell the roses. I notice them, admire them from a far, but then I'm on to the next task. It's easy to get caught up in the rush of a daily schedule from work to play. Many people get stressed out during vacations- and it's easy to get caught up in the fray. 

One of the things I must practice is appreciating the here and now, the present moment. 

This is essential for a writer, observer and an artist. Part of art is getting caught up in the moment, whatever that moment may be. 

It's one way to feel grateful for what's around you. It's a different perspective. 

Is it easy? No. It's very difficult because most everyone is doing the same thing- complaining, rushing from one place to the next. And yes, I've done my fair share of complaining, but sometimes the healthier and happier choice is to appreciate the here and now. 

Disney Descendants Polyvore Sets for Halloween

In the spirit of Halloween, I decided to do a set for each of the kids who were rotten to the core: 

Mal's outfit is a simple dress with a black leather jacket. Her earrings are the exact product used in the film, and I used her icon for the background. 

More details here: 

http://www.polyvore.com/mal_disney_descendants/set?.embedder=3527081&.src=share_app&.svc=pinterest&id=177401194

Evie is a fan of mirrors, so her look, a coronation dress costume and a few details (the blue hair and nail polish) was easy to organise. The necklace is a fan made product on etsy, and the tiara and bracelet are random finds on Polyvore. 

More details here: 

http://www.polyvore.com/evie_disney_descendants/set?.embedder=3527081&.src=share_app&.svc=pinterest&id=177404685

Carlos didn't even have a costume! So I used a simple color palatte from his formal outfit in the film. I added the stuffed dog for a prop, and used a black and white background for obvious reasons. 

More details here: 

http://www.polyvore.com/carlos_disney_descendants/set?.embedder=3527081&.src=share_app&.svc=pinterest&id=177395590

Jay's outfit was a color pallate of red, blue and yellow. I threw in the Aladdin lamp necklace for a signature prop.

More details here: 

http://www.polyvore.com/descendants_jay/set?id=177393068

These sets were a lot of fun to make, and I hope I did each character justice. I might do a set for the Auradon Prep kids in the future. If you have any requests, let me know. :) 

A Butterfly's lesson

Nuturing Creativity: A TED Talk

This is an interesting look at creativity and what drives it. This perspective is actually very useful when it comes to dealing with criticism and during the long painful process of editing your work.

An Inspirational Presentation

I know that everyone is excited about the Final Fantasy VII remake and Kingdom Hearts 3. Believe me, I am too ^_^ 

But the introduction to Unravel caught my attention. It is very heartfelt and inspirational. It's a small studio, debuting their work in the form of a creative and clever video game. 

It's an honest presentation, and you can tell that Martin Sahlin is so excited to share his work with the world. 

He's nervous, because who wouldn't be? But, he's also excited to be there, presenting his ideas. 

It's a beautiful reminder to never give up on your dreams. 

Magical and mystical

I have heard much about the Outlander series, especially from the Tattered Cover Bookstore. Mom and I decided to start the TV series, and I was impressed.
This scene in particular, the Druid Dance is so beautiful.
The story itself is very interesting, and although the show is a bit gory (some 17th century medical and torture scenes) it's an amazing adventure and enticing historical drama.
The story starts in the 1940s, in Scotland, where Claire and her husband Frank are on their second honeymoon, celebrating the end of World War II. But ties to the mystical and historical soon unfurl, and Claire is sent on an adventure she could never have imagined, leading her to make difficult and life-changing decisions.
Thrown into Scotland in 1743, and taken in by the MacKenzie clan, Claire must decide how to survive the historic events that tie to her husband's ancestor, and a man named Jamie Fraser.

Imagination

 It is a song to the soul.

Magic in the real 

And at times confusing world.

Great heroes and heroines go on

 Incredible journeys that reflect the

Noble spirit craving for

Adventure

Thoughts that humanity enjoys through

 Inspiration of fantasy

On the winding path,

Neverending. 

Creativity

I think this is my favorite TED Talk.

Happy Birthday Tsubasa!

Today is April 1st, which most people know as April Fool's Day, but for me, it is the shared birthday between two amazing characters created by CLAMP. Sakura and Syoaran. In Tsubasa, because Syoaran doesn't know when his birthday is, Sakura offers to share her birthday with him, and then they celebrated their birthday on April 1st every year. 

These two characters are very strong, and they have been through so much. I'm excited to see where their road will lead, now that I know we will be getting a new anime, and another manga for the Tsubasa series. It was such an epic tale, and it will be great to see these characters again. 

Happy birthday to the CLAMP power couple ^_^

Serenity (A Sailor Moon Haiku)

Once upon a time

the moonlight will dry your tears,

turning them to laughter

Writing and Living

Sometimes they are very different. 

People believe that writing is a very solitary activity. 

It's a little strange to see someone so focused on their notebook or computer screen, and they are not very attentive to the world around them, but for me, writing is living. 

With writing I explore so many scenarios, and I am able to better understand the people around me. 

Even if I may not always agree with or appreciate them, I've come to realize that life is filled with all sorts of people, and the more different characters I create, the better I understand others. 

Writing is life for a writer. 

It's the complex emotions, the big questions and the life lessons. 

It's the mistakes we make, and the "what if"s afterword. 

Writers explore, and through that expolaration, we grow. We learn about who we are by getting to know our characters. We discover what we're capable of when the character must face their demons. And as the character grows, we grow. 

It's our way, and it's the most interesting and inspirational stories that stay with us over time. 

Love for writing runs in my family, and I am honored to share stories and ideas with my father about books, movies, television shows and my own stories. 

My father has just published his book, and his journey from writer to author has inspired me to walk a similar path. 

I wish and hope to be an author someday, but until then, I will write and write and write. But more importantly, through writing I live and learn, and hopefully my expreience will benefit others in the future, or even the present :) 

It's been quite awhile since I have blogged daily, but I'm going to take up the trend again, and I hope my stories, poems and blurbs will help whoever reads them. 

I wish to be a spark of light in a world of darkness, and even though I can't always be happy or positive, through writing, I learn more and more about life. 

Love in the Avatar world- A Tribute to Two Great TV Series

"When love is real, it finds a way." - Avatar the Last Airbender

http://www.polyvore.com/formal_kataang/set?id=145099017

"The Spirit World is very mysterious, but so is love." - The Legend of Korra

http://www.polyvore.com/formal_korrasami/set?id=145107255

Because these TV shows have been a huge part of my life, I wanted to make something to remember them by. Mike and Bryan are amazing storytellers, and they know how to weave life lessons and wisdom into their tales. 

Avatar the Last Airbender was a show that taught me so much about growing up, and Aang's journey from a goofy kid to the Avatar the world was waiting for has inspired me to go on my own journey and trust that things will fall into place. 

The Legend of Korra was a nostalgic show that was very different from Avatar the Last Airbender. The content was darker, and Korra was a very different character compared to Aang. But her journey, from expecting the world to work her way to understanding that she was one piece of a major puzzle was a powerful story and a step forward in the world of entertainment. 

Thank You Mike and Bryan for these incredible stories. I hope there are many more to come. 

"The choice must be yours . . ."

"Alice, you cannot live your life to please others. The choice must be yours, because when you step out to face that creature, you will step out alone." - The White Queen

- Alice in Wonderland

When I first saw this film, this scene stood out to me above all others. For years I put pressure on myself, believing that the pressure was from the people around me, but it wasn't. People don't make choices for you. You make the choice yourself. And if you believe that people control you, then you allow them to do so. I have put pressure on myself for too long, and I have not listened to my own heart. I have avoided those important questions : "Who are you?" and "What do you want?".

But it's time to stop avoiding this. It's time to face my own Jabberwocky and make my decision. I will take one step forward, and I will start making my own decisions. 

I need to breakaway from the nest. I need to start paying attention to my own heart, and I need to start going after my dream, instead of just talking about it. 

No one can help me make these decisions, because these decisions don't affect them. Only I can do this, because when I face my own Jabberwocky, I will face it alone. It's time to be brave, and make the decison instead of run from it. 

My Ideal Bookshelf

So Tattered Cover sells this book called My Ideal Bookshelf by Thessaly La Force, and I came across it yesterday.

This is a coffee table book where well known authors, designers, movie producers, poets, doctors, and so on select the books that represent who they are. It's a cool assignment, and this is how it works:

"Select a small shelf of books that represent you - the books that have changed your life, that have made you who you are today, your favorite favorites." 

So this is my book shelf: 

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by JK Rowling

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by JK Rowling

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by JK Rowling

Fruits Basket by Natsuki Takaya

Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle by CLAMP

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

City of Masks by Mary Hoffman

A Swiftly Tilting Planet by Madeline L'engle

Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

StarDust by Neil Gaiman

The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien

The Fellowship of the Ring by J. R. R. Tolkien

The Two Towers by J. R. R. Tolkien

The Return of the King by J. R. R. Tolkien

Best-Loved Folktales of the World by Joanna Cole

This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen

Just Listen by Sarah Dessen

Dune by Frank Herbert

Mara Daughter of the Nile by Eloise Jarvis McGraw 

A Walk to Remember by Nicolas Sparks

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Mattimeo by Brian Jacques

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'engle

Beastly by Alex Flinn

What's on your bookshelf? 

Lightning Farron Polyvore set

Due to my excitement over the near release of Lightning Returns, I decided to do a Polyvore set for Light, and I'll probably make a Hope Estheim set next. 

I added the lightning bolt earrings for obvious reasons, but the set is actually based off her new look in Lightning Returns, with the exception of the red cape from the first game. The leather arm band is one of her trademarks, and I wanted to include a picture of her from the first game, to reflect the human she once was. 

View the entire set here: 

http://www.polyvore.com/lighting_farron/set?id=106089791

About Time: A movie review

I wanted to see this film since I saw the trailer. It didn't look like your typical chick flick, and it seemed to be a deep story about life. I wasn't disappointed.

We follow Tim, who narrates the story and watch him make mistakes over and over again. Some of these mistakes he can fix, but others are permanently etched in time, and they are best left forgotten. Once Tim's father tells him about the family secret, the ability to go back in time, he advises Tim to use this gift for something important. Tim decides that the most important thing is to find love. But along his journey, Tim comes across other reasons to use this gift, and learns valuable lessons with each decision he makes. He grows up, and faces more complex problems, some with no solution but to walk away. With each rewind, he steps through life and sees ordinary events in a different way. 

About Time is a beautiful film about life, and those little moments we take for granted. Those worries that eat away our time and energy can get in the way of the unforgettable details . It's about moments that we wish would last forever. It's about days we don't want to live again. It's the amazing, complex and unpredictable pattern of life, and how happiness is something we make through the little things in our day. 

I recommend this profound, wonderful film to people in their twenties and on. Especially my generation, where we worry about what we haven't yet achieved. Life may not be perfect, but we can make life worth living by appreciating what we have, spending time with those we love and doing all we can. 

This film delivers a heartfelt message without being cheesy and cliche. It takes moments we all recognize in our lives and puts them in perspective. 

My favorite quote from the movie:

"We're all traveling through time together, every day of our lives. All we can do is do our best to relish this remarkable ride." - Tim

                                                 About Time

Writing Prompt 60: Creating Art

Prompt: Is creating "beautiful art" more important than the process of creating?

I've heard that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I believe that art should be genuine. The process of art is more important than art trying too hard to be beautiful. 

Art itself, especially in writing is a process, and this process is unpredictable and can only be improved over time and with practice. If a writer doesn't go through the process of creating, learn from their mistakes and view their work objectivity as a rough draft, the story won't have an opportunity to grow.  

Criticism, for example, is very important. It may not stroke your ego, but it will help you step back and view your story as a work in progress instead of a final product. Another part of the writing process is brainstorming, outlining and of course writing daily. 

Many obstacles can get in the way of this. Writer's block is the main obstacle, and in some cases it can only be conquered by putting the work away for awhile. Some writer's take a walk, go shopping or even take a nap before picking up the story again. 

If you try to force your work to be great, it won't be genuine, and in some cases, your audience will be able to see right through you.

Some of the best advice from writers: don't write about anything you don't care about. It will come through in your writing. In fact, it will be obvious, and you won't have a single excuse when it's time for people to review it. 

If you don't care about your work, how can it be beautiful? And if you don't go through the process and brush up on your writing skills, how much does your writing mean to you? 

This is true for any artist. How many famous artists paint over their canvas works? How many song writers throw away songs? You'd be surprised to know that every artist you admire cannot just create perfect art in one try. They fail, and try again, and sometimes fail again. But through their process of failure, they get a new idea, or start writing a different song, painting a different picture and end up surprising themselves. 

Art, like life, is a process. And if the artist does not dedicate time, thought and a bit of their soul into their work, it won't be the best it can be. 

Creating art is more important than making your art beautiful. Everyone had different ideas and standards for beauty, and you can't please everyone. Art is something you create for yourself to share your dreams with the world. If you don't polish your dreams, work to improve them and view your art as a process, it will be difficult for anyone to see your art as beautiful. Never expect your art to be perfect, but do expect it to be the best you can make it.  

Light within the Darkness

It is quiet in the park

   and not a chill in the air.

      The trees are standing silently

         with twinkling lights everywhere.

            No matter where life takes me

                I know that I can see

                   the beauty in the simple things

                      and detail in their way.

                         Something I may take for granted

                            no matter time or day.

                               For as things happen and

                                  changes will appear.

                                      As life continues forward

                                          with every passing year. 

                                             This simple peaceful moment

                                               within my story arc

                                                   can be a beacon through despair

                                                        and the light within the dark. 

                            

Epic Disney Medley in Acapella

This was a wonderful surprise that my Dad sent to me.
Beautiful video and amazing transitions :)

I took myself for a walk today

I took myself for a walk today

to chase all the doubts and fears away.

To clear my thoughts,

listen to my dreams

and focus on the world 

as it seems.

I took myself for a walk today

to slow the time and get away.

To watch the sky

listen to the breeze,

and wave to people

as I please.

I took myself for a walk today

to listen to me, and not they.

To dream out loud

and be myself.

To wish and ask

the world for help.

I asked for perspective.

I asked for art

I asked for the ability

to listen to my heart.

I asked for time

I asked for quiet.

To enjoy the world

and not just buy it.

I took myself for a walk today.

It was perfect in its own way.