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)
Follow My Memories on Twitter (1 comment)

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!

Do you know Boy Meets Girl?

Yep, that's me up there!
Ever since Mara over at M loves M (one of the blogs I read) wore and talked about this awesome clothing line, I have been in love with them!!!
Boy Meets Girl has the most comfortable & stylish clothes. And I just LOVE their LOGO!!!!
I think it's gotta be my favorite clothing logo ever...
I known several of their stuff and I just wish I could own everything they had!

They were so cool to pick me, as their Muse of the Month for November..I was so excited!
And today, they're giving you 25% OFF everything online with CODE: BFRIDAY
Make sure to at least check out their cute stuff.. or follow them on Facebook.
I'm wearing their Missing Pieces Romper and their signature CoCo Hoodie!
I also own and LOVE their Drip Tee and My City Leggings!

Speaking of the Black Friday sale.. I should head over to their website soon!

More happy things are ahead of us!

15 Questions To Prompt Your Gratitude

Going along with other wonderful bloggers' posts!

 

1. Who do I appreciate? My absolutely patient, sweet, and hard-working husband, Michael-- who couldn't be any more perfect for me. My mom--who I just appreciate more and more as the years go by. 

She has always and continues to think of my sister and I first, and does so much for us even though we're so far away from her.

2. How am I fortunate? I am SO fortunate to have A JOB, and a GOOD one!
I'm also fortunate to have the best in-laws who have always treated me like their own daughter even before I was married to Michael. They are a huge support for me and are my family in the U.S. 

3. What material possessions am I thankful for? I'm thankful for my laptop that allows me communicate with my mom in Japan, and watch Japanese shows that make me super happy! I'm also thankful for our keyboard (digital piano) that we bought this year. It was definitely a step up from my old one that didn't have the standard 88 keys or weighted keys. Last but not least, I'm thankful for my "new wedding ring". I lost my actual wedding ring just before our first anniversary, and was soooo depressed for a very long time... I still haven't gotten over it of course, and so I finally had to ask for a replacement ring, and Michael got it for me for my birthday. It's the exact same model as the 1st one. It has made me sort of forget that I lost my first one, and I smile when I look at it :)

4. What abilities do I have that I'm grateful for? I'm grateful for my piano/singing abilities (they must be decent enough because I get to teach them both right?) because that's how I pay the bills! ha. But of course, because they have always been and will always be my LIFE!

5. What about my surroundings (home/neighborhood/city/etc.) am I thankful for? Definitely thankful for our new guesthouse we moved in to this year! I can say it's probably the BIGGEST, most beautiful, and coziest guest house you'll ever set foot into! Both Michael and I can play/practise what ever instrument and not bother any one. What makes things even better is that the neighborhood is great, and so quiet. What a change it is from our old apartment! We're both super thankful for this.

6. What experiences have I had that I am grateful for? I solely organized and put together a big benefit concert in June for the Japan earthquake/tsunami relief. It was the first time I ever did something like this. It was a lot of work but it was SO worth it! I raised over US$1000 which I sent to the Japanese Red Cross Society.  I gained so much from it and if I may so my self, I am very proud that I did this.  

7. What happened today/yesterday/this week/this month/this year that I am grateful for? 
Every day, I'm thankful that I get to teach what I love doing, as my job..
I'm also grateful that I could do a piano/voice recital for my students for the first time this year. Their second one is coming up soon!

8. What opportunities do I have that I am thankful for? I'm thankful that I have tons of amazing musician friends who I can jam with/play with me :) How cool is it, that you can sing with a live band all the time?

9. What have others in my life done that I am thankful for? People that have put together benefit concerts/events, donated money, volunteered, and continued to support causes in however shape or form. Personally, this year I am especially thankful for those that have helped out with the Japan earthquake/tsunami relief.

10. What have others done that I am benefiting from in my life (even if I don't know who those people are)? This may sound silly but I actually want to thank Mr.President for making my health insurance a way better one. We don't get any health insurance as self-employed or contracted musicians/teachers so I have to buy my own expensive insurance.. It used to be not so great and now it's changed and I know he had a lot to do with it so thank you! hehe.

11. What relationships am I thankful for? I'm thankful for my relationship with Aya, who I've known since 9th grade. She has always been there for me and is the most trust-worthy, reliable and patient friend I could ever ask for. We have a true and unbreakable bond!

I'm also very thankful for my ex-host parents Henry & Laurel that took care of me my first week here in America.. actually.. they continue to look out for me! Without them I would have died of home-sickness. They have come to every single show that I have performed at. I can not thank them enough for their love and kindness.

12. What am I taking for granted that, if I stop to think about it, I am grateful for? 
MY HEALTH! I am grateful that I live pretty darn healthy each day (besides my nasal allergies, weird foot cramps, my belly that blows up after I eat etc..)

13. What is there about the challenges/difficulties I have experienced (or am currently experiencing) that I can be thankful for? (e.g., What have I learned? How have I grown?) 

The tragic earthquake/tsunami in Japan was so heartbraking... reading articles and watching clips of the event still make me cry and feel so devastated. I still find it hard to believe that it even happened. But there is something I've learned from all this. I've come to appreciate life even more. Watching and reading about the strong, resilient and positive people of my country, it's also apparent that I am even more proud that I am Japanese.

14. What is different today than it was a year ago that I'm thankful for?  
I've gotten more students... And another BEAUUUUTIFUL year of marriage has gone by :)

15. What insights have I gained that I am grateful for?
Staying positive... no matter what!!!


More happy things are ahead of us!

great finds

I think this "great finds" post can be a reccuring kind of post!

This week I got a pair of Roxy corduroy shorts originally $36.50 for $9.99!!!!

Don't rule out the option of wearing shorts in the fall/winter.. you can pair 'em with leggings or cute tights :)

I also got the above dress with cute horses originally $27 for $17!

I had actually seen them a couple months back and had wanted them so I'm so glad I ran into them again!

Happy Friday!

More happy things are ahead of us!