THE childhood book

   

When I was back home in Japan a couple months ago, I had to go through all my stuff.

I brought back my favorite childhood book that I still love 'till this day!

As you can see, I've read it quite a few times ;)

(Gotta love the original movie with Gene Wilder too! no offense to Johnny Depp!)

I've started reading the book again and it always puts a smile on my face :) 

What is your favorite childhood book?

More happy things are ahead of us!

a moment of silence

the tragedy that happened exactly a year ago in the Northern coast of Japan...

I really can't believe it's been a year...
and although I still can not get over how horrifying this massive earthquake and tsunami was,
all I can say is the people of Japan have CONTINUED to be resilient, caring and positive.

Today I want to look back. But look back at what we've DONE to spring back from this event.
Many people volunteered to help clear up towns affected by the tsunami..I know several people who actually went. I wish I could as well... Lots of charity events, concerts happened.
I myself, put together a benefit event last May here in Los Angeles.
I was grateful to be organizing this event and be part of the entertainment as well.
I was so glad to have done it. We were able to raise $1001 which went directly to the Japanese Red Cross. You can read more about it here.

We LOST a lot. But let's also think about what we've GAINED from it.
Our people have learned to appreciate LIFE and PEOPLE more.
Through charity work, people (victims as well as the volunteers) have connected, shared love, and gained HOPE.
And we've come to love our country more, and be proud of who we are.
At least all the above apply to me.


There's not a whole lot I can do from here, but today I took part in a run hosted by NIKE, where anyone in the world could participate, as long as you had the Nike+ GPS app.
For every 1km (0.6 miles) ran (the app would track your distance), NIKE will donate 500 yen (about $6) to Architecture for Humanity for the relief effort. So I ran and walked 6 miles.. donating about $50.
Not a lot, but I believe that any amount can make a difference.

It makes me sad that hardly anyone over here in the States ever talk about this disaster any more, including the media. People may have forgotten, or it's tucked away, way in the back of their brains...
 or perhaps they are being considerate and don't want to bring it up in front of me.
It's not considered a big issue any more.. yet there are still many issues involved.

So please, don't ever forget about this event and please join me in a moment of silence.. to think of the victims and those people still affected by radiation, and still without homes.. on this day, March 11th (Japan time) for one short moment.

One Year Blogiversary!

It's been a year already!?

Thank you to all my followers and lovely people that stop by my blog to comment!

With my new DSLR, I hope to post more pictures and posts in general this year.
I hope that you'll continue with me on our journey to remember and appreciate the smallest things that make us happy!!!

More happy things are ahead of us!

through my new DSLR camera...

So I bought my very first DSLR last year and have been playing around with it when ever I can!

I am still a super-beginner!! But I wanted to share some pics I've taken anyway!

Gonz

Montana De Oro State Park

Osaka Castle, Japan

wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings...

2012...

Happy New Year everyone!

I'm a little late.. but better late than never, right? ;)

I'd been back in Japan visiting my family.
I also got to see many of my high school friends as well as friends I met in college here in L.A.
It was a definitely a great trip!

As for my new year's resolutions...
My three main things are:
1) to work on my album (CD)
2) exercise A LOT more
3) be a positive/patient/happy person!!!

I look back and rememb how I would get super sad about ANYTHING that went wrong..
But we can't live like that..I shouldn't! I've been pretty good so far and have been positive in all situations! Or I try to forget about the bad things!
I try not to let my anger explode either... it's hard sometimes, especially for a LEO like me.
But I've realized that it usually is a waste of time and energy to let such emotions out.
Life is too short and there are so many great things out there that I should look at rather than the not so great things!


After all, this is what my blog is all about :)

What are some of your New Year's resolutions?

winner winner winner

Thanks to those who entered the My Memories Suite Giveaway! Not a lot of entries as I've had in past giveaways but that meant a higher chance of winning for those who entered! If you didn't win, don't worry, you will have more opportunities as I will be able to host another My Memories giveaway again soon! You can always use the promo code on the left side of my blog to get $10 off plus $10 credit to their store...

Congrats to Elyse Angel! You will now be a proud owner of the fantastic software! My Memories should be contacting you soon with instructions on how to redeem your free software!

Thank you again to Liz @ My Memories for letting me host this giveaway.

My Memories Suite Giveaway!

Have you heard of My Memories Suite?
It is an AMAZING digital scrap-booking software that is getting popular and popular each day!
I found out about them through lots of other bloggers and had always wanted to try out the software..
So when they contacted me to review and host a giveaway on my blog I was SOOOOO excited!!

They have TONS of super cute scrap-booking kits.. I've definitely visited their website a ton before, just to check out their templates.

We just started receiving holiday cards from our friends last week, and I keep thinking to my self every year "I wonder if we'll ever send out holiday cards...?" because we haven't...ever... I've wanted to, but we're just so lazy I guess..
So as a start, I've created a little holiday card with my very own copy of the software! Yay!

Not bad for my first try right?
The awesome thing is..I can just email this to everyone! Super easy!

Speaking of super easy, the software it self was easy to use as well!
It was a lot of fun experimenting with the different tools..

This is just a page out of a complete album of cute templates. (I used the "A Gift for You" template)
You can edit the backgrounds, insert your own text, shapes, and add even more photos per page!
The templates are basic outlines and you can change them according to your likings!
Of course, you can create an album from SCRATCH too!
There are many templates included in the software, but you can also buy more templates from their website at any time.

YOU can own a copy of this super fun software too ($40 VALUE!) or give your savvy friend a great Christmas present!

To Enter this Giveaway:



***Please follow all instructions carefully. All entries are validated***

Mandatory: Follow this blog PUBLICLY! (click Join this Site and make sure your follow is set to public and not set to private). Visit MyMemories and comment below with your favorite layout (Leave only 1 comment)

If you'd like bonus entries, please leave additional comments for each of the following:

Follow the My Memories Blog (1 comment)
Like My Memories on Facebook (1 comment)
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That's a total of up to 4 entries :)
(You can do 1, 2 or all of the bonus entries to increase your chances of winning!)

Giveaway will close Tuesday, December 20th 11:59 PST
Winner will be randomly picked via random.org

Can't wait? My Memories is offering a $10 OFF DISCOUNT CODE to my readers!
Just enter STMMMS71659 at checkout and receive $10 off the My Memories Scrapbook software PLUS a $10 credit to that can be used toward something else in their store!

Spread the word! Good luck everyone!