This year, I got a new haircut. I bought 3 inch heels. I learned to skate again and took up something else completely new. I started carrying my camera with me at all times. I now take my coffee black. I'm reading more. My new favourite movie is "Kontroll".

Overall, I suppose 2011 was an inspiring year of sorts. I said, thought, and did things I usually don't, sometimes even surprising myself. But despite all these new and different experiences, I don't feel like I've moved very far from where I was at the beginning of the year. And there's a part of me that's restless to do something about it. Because what I fear most is becoming someone who doesn't continue to evolve.

See you in 2012.

My arms are full, yet I have nothing
I can't get away from people, yet I am alone
So I drive on
And on
And on
Smiling yet silent
In hopes of reaching
I'm not sure where
(And, oh, is this forest ever tangled and dense)
But for now
The least I can do
Is try to get myself out of this darkness
Although there's no telling what lies beyond

...is how I thought Sakamoto Maaya's Driving in the silence was going to be like, but, uh, yeah, nevermind. (Actual lyrics this-a-way.) On heavy-rotation instead: Arai Akino's recent side project RuRu Chapeau, and the recently disbanded riddim saunter's acoustic album.

Dear Sir,

You are "a bit surprised"? And "You can only imagine…"? You clearly never knew me at all. But then again neither did I because I thought that you surely had more imagination than that.

Anyhow, I would write back to clarify my last message, but I am too busy enjoying my treat. The bitter edge of the dark chocolate plus orange rind is just right!

Love,
Me

-----

I do highly recommend Lindt's Excellence Orange Intense chocolate bar though.

To accept the world with grace and for what it is: seems like such a simple thing, yet on some days it can be so hard to do. And one day I will learn to forgive. Maybe.

Ugh, how many days does it take for me to actually get stuff online these days…

Originally scribbled Friday morning before heading in to work. Full version cross-posted on Flickr because I'm still having issues with my Internet connection.

Been so busy that the annual "ritual" almost didn't happen this year. Not having November 11th off as a holiday any more doesn't help either. The good thing about the current workplace though is that it's located right across from the provincial legislature. I was able to actually attend a public Remembrance Day ceremony for the first time in years. However, it took place outdoors, and I may have caught a cold as a result!

But yes, such a glorious blue sky we saw that day, despite the forecasts of rain.

Long time no see. I actually did get a lot done during the summer. It just didn't include any drawing.

So, took another stay-cation last week. Which means, time again for the 1-drawing-a-day challenge! Or is it a 1-photo-a-day-challenge?

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6

Sorry, and who said what about spring???

Summer has been here for over a week now and I have a long list of things to get done before it's all over. So, let's go...!

Dear ___________,

How are you doing?

It has been 3 years; 6 months have gone by. Winter has finally ended, and it is starting to look like spring around here again. I have my ups and downs, but I am doing okay.

Love,
M.

P.S. And yes, I know that snowdrops really aren't that big!

(Inspired by Arai Akino's tune for the people of northern Japan who have been affected by the recent earthquake and tsunami.)

Hello world. Yes, I am alive. Unfortunately, the sequence of:

1. Setting up a new computer right after New Years (yay!);
2. Not having the first week of January off (boo!); and
3. Starting another work-related course (what the hell was I thinking?!)

…has more or less done me in the last couple of months.

Yes, this loser, after vowing in her last post that she wasn't signing up for any more courses for work, is in yet another one (long story), and it's brutal. I keep telling myself that I (probably) won't regret my decision in the long run, but I am not having a lot of fun right now.

Anyhow, I wanted to check in briefly to say "Hi". That and because the Russian comment spam here is getting really bad. The course ends mid-April. Spring can't come soon enough.