January || 2017 Roundup

Wherein it has been an obscene amount of time since I last posted.

Like whoa.

But hey, I figure the best thing I can do is start again, right? New year, new me!

And what better way to start than with my annual yearly roundup?

Buckle up, ladies and gents, it's gonna be a long and hilarious ride.


1.) What did you do in 2017 that you’d never done before?

     Mmm. 2017 feels like a really long year. Let me think...
First date, first kiss, first time getting my own internet, first time writing with my right hand. (Yeah, that's a long story. lol) First time shooting a rifle and a shotgun. Started a stick fighting class.

 2.) Did you keep your New Years’ resolutions, and will you make one this year?

    So New Year's Resolutions are impossible and I refuse to answer this question.

3.) Did anyone close to you give birth?

    Probably

4.) Did anyone close to you die?

      No.

5.) What countries/states did you visit?
2017 was a crappy year for travel lol.

6.) What would you like to have in 2018 that you lacked in 2017?

     Self-confidence! Woooo!
(Or my concealed carry license, it's a toss up)

7.) What date from 2017 will remain etched upon your memory? 

      November 1st, because reasons.

8.) Did you move anywhere?

YES! OH MY GOSH! MY SISTER'S AND I MOVED INTO THE CUTEST STINKING HOUSE!
Not an apartment, a house! With bedrooms! And a big old kitchen! (With a big enough oven to cook two pizzas in at once.)AND A FIREPLACE! And my own room!
And a garage! And a backyard! (No, washer or dryer though, but we have hookups, so that will change.)

You guys. I can sing as loud as I want.

It's amazing.

9.) What was your biggest achievement of the year?

      I am an underachiever.
I'm a designer of flowers at the shop now. So whoo.
I shot a shotgun. (It nearly dislocated my shoulder. I kick butt.)

(Yes, dangit, I am aware this is a rifle, not a shotgun. But I don't have any pictures of me with the shotgun. Deal with it!)

Also, no, that is not my jacket, why do you ask?

10.) What was your biggest failure?

  I my blogging sucked. Also any attempts to make my art better sucked.

11.) Did you suffer illness or injury?

       So, I dropped this entire dumpster lid on my left thumb.
11 stitches later, I looked like Frankenstein's Monster's Daughter, and it was freaking stupid.

12.) What was the best thing you bought?

        Eh. My bed.

13.) Whose behavior merited celebration?
Probably Gavin, because Gavin is a good person.

14.) Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

        The same person who has left me appalled and depressed the last couple times I answered this question.

15.) Where did most of your money go? 
Rent, art supplies, and Christmas pressies.

16.) What did you get really, really, really excited about?

        November 1st.

17.) What was the best concert you’ve been to this year?

        Ehe...Probably the Beauty and the Beast musical in Carson.

18.) What song/album will always remind you of 2017?

        The song of the year would probably have to be Something Just Like This by the Chainsmokers, (although I usually listen to the version by Luciana Zugbi, cause her voice.

19.) Compared to this time last year, are you:

       More tired.

     

20.) What do you wish you’d done more of?

        Praying, I think. And drawing.

21.) What do you wish you’d done less of?

       Stressing out and fighting. Cause that's been a thing this year.

22.) What was your greatest musical discovery?

       Prolly Dear Evan Hansen?

23.) How did you spend Christmas?

       At our new house. With Christmas Mass in the morning (which we sang,) and presents later on in the afternoon. It wasn't the way we normally celebrate, so it was kind of bittersweet.

24.) How did you/are you spending New Year’s?

       We have decided to make the Lord of the Rings marathon an annual thing.

So we did that, and then I got sick. It was awesome lol.

25.) Who did you spend the most time on the phone with?

        Charlie and Gina

26.) What was the best book you read?

       Best new book would have to be The Empty Grave by Jonathan Stroud,
and the best reread would have to be the Queen of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner.

27.) Did you fall in love in 2017?
I did most of the falling in 2016, so no.

28.) What was your favorite TV show?

I haven't really had a chance to watch new shows this year. So, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is still currently my favorite, although Stranger Things is also really good, and weird as heck. (It does have some adult content, however, so you know.. Be warned.)

ALSO WHAT HAPPENED TO DOCTOR WHO? I AM SO MAD AT MOFFAT. I HOPE THE SHOW BURNS AND DIES.

29.) Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? 

       Not really. The people I don't like as the same people as last year.

30.) What did you want and get?

A HOUSE.
A heavy duty metal target.
This amazing St. Teresa of Avila statue. (totally cried.)

31.) What did you want and not get?

Nothing really, I didn't get a glock 43 (cause California sucks)
or a concealed carry (Because I'm a procrastinator and I suck.)

32.) What were your favorite films of this year?

        Spiderman: Homecoming because that kid is perfect as Spiderman and Peter Parker.

33.) What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

   My birthday was odd this year. Although my bestest cousin came up to see me, which was awesome.
I had a meltdown in the evening.

I was 22.   

34.) How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2017?
lol, so funny story.
When I was little, I was the single most girly-girl on the planet. I had twirly skirts and patent leather shoes that clip-clopped. I liked tea parties and princess stories.

These days I am the single least frilly girl in my entire family (and I have a lot of sisters.)
baseball shirts and maxi skirts, and little to no make-up or jewelry. I can't tell if that's because I legitimately made that choice, or because I am too lazy to make more of an effort except on special occasions.

35.) What kept you sane?

God, music, and my people.

36.) Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Surprisingly enough, I didn't fancy a celebrity this year.

37.) What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? 

I don't know. I want a family of my own with little tiny babies and a dog, please and thank you.

38.) What political issue stirred you the most?

*starts list*

39.) Who did you miss?

Charlie, Sammi, and my sisters.

40.) Who was the best new person you met?

I am a hermit.

41.) Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2017.

42.) Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

"I hope you're somewhere praying. I hope your soul is changing.
I hope you find your peace, falling on your knees, praying."
"Praying" by Kesha  

43.) Five personally significant events of 2017:

       1. November 1st.

       2. November 3rd.

       3. Moving into our new house

       4. Shot a rifles and a shotgun

       5. I dunno, crap hit the ceiling this year.

44.) Five things I want to do in 2018:

        1. Art.

        2. Visit my sisters.

        3. Visit Alaska

        4. Get my concealed carry license.

        5.Go on retreat

45.) Five people I’d like to know better in 2018:

I am seriously considering just replacing this question, because I never have 5 people I want to get to know better. Because I hate people.

 And that, my dears, sums up my 2017. 

Honestly, I don't know how I feel about this year. It was simultaneously really good, and so bad it rivaled 2012. (Which if you know me or my blog at all, you will know I hated 2012 with every fiber of my being.)

A lot of amazing things happened.
A lot of awful things happened.

I'm sick to death of drama.

But I've been so blessed too, you know?

Uuuugh. With God all things are possible, and God's ways are not our ways, but seriously.. I'm tired.

That being said, I hope you all had a fantastic year, and a fantastic New Year and here's hoping that 2018 means a lot of prayers will be answered and a lot of good will happen, yiss?

Question Time!

Best gif usage?

What did you do for New Year's?

Can you answer at least three of the tag questions for me? I'm interested!

 

I love you all!

And here's to 2018! I hope it's wonderful for all of you. 

 

June || #notdead

But I'm posting anyway.

I woke up with a start a few days ago and proceeded to facepalm in dismay.

Because, holy heck no, I haven't posted in like two months.

I'm appalled at myself.

I'm sorry, guys. It's been a weird couple of weeks. And I haven't drawn hardly at all, I haven't had the energy.

That being said, I will try to be better, but I make no promises, because I just don't know if I can keep them.

I very much apologize for being gone so long. I haven't been reading or commenting on blogs either. I'm a horrible human.

But for now... Please observe my art. *Bows*

1.) Here, we have the first hug of the evening. It's cute. It's cuddly. Her hair makes me happy.

 2.) This one is just different. I'm not sure about it. I like her ponytail. She's probably listening to a musical or something.

 3.) I call this one, "Art block at it's finest,"

 4.) "Art block 2.0"

 5.) My sister-in-law asked me to draw a thing, and I did, and I'm mostly pleased with it. But it could use some tweaking.

 6.) The "Memorare" is a great prayer.

(I'm absurdly happy with that veil. Like YES, it actually looks like LACE!)

 7.) We listened to a version of Phantom of the Opera that none of us had heard before. It was an old version ('88, I believe?), with Michael Ball, Dave Willets, and Rebecca Caine, and oh my my. Can we talk about how the earlier casts actually kept the tune? And got their timing right?
And the Phantom didn't scream "GAO KNAOW AND LIIEEAVE MAAAEEE!"??*

*Go now and leave me

Good times.

8.) What's happening in this one? I have no idea. But I don't like it. Like... at all.

9.) *Whistles*

10.) This cuteness. 

11.) MAX! He hasn't shown up in a while. Poor Max.... I'm not wild about the way the post turned out, but Max is such a sad potato here. 

12.) So.. sometimes when Kate is recovering from injuries, she wears Tristan's shirt cause it's looser and more comfortable. Tristan thinks it's adorable.

13.) And sometimes even the toughest, most hardcore leaders need someone to hug them and let them know they're doing a good job.

Yeah.

I don't know, guys. I've just been... out of it lately. I'm trying to work drawing into my daily routine again, but I'm having a hard time with it, so please bear with me. :)

So that being said, I hope you all had an awesome weekend!

I miss you all! 

Question Time!

Favorite overall?

Best in black and white?

Favorite colored?
Best Tristan and Gang?
Any plans for the 4th of July?

What have you been up to? I want to know!

I love you all and I'll try to be back next week. 

Music Tag

I was going to do a Picture Saturday, but I haven't had time to draw more than like three things this week, and I feel like I ought to wait until I can give you guys a quality post. (Unless you guys would rather start seeing like... single pictures with more detail? I DON'T KNOW.)

So instead! I'm going to answer a bunch of questions about music, which ought to be fun and interesting. (Because I'm a very interesting person, dang it!)

I promise to have a fun Picture Saturday next week, just you wait! But until then, here we go!

1.) Do you play any instruments?

Well. I don't currently. I used to play French horn in middle school, and I was fairly good, but once I hit high school, that fell to the wayside while I started taking singing classes at the college.

I would really like to learn how to play guitar or piano... or both! So that I could sing and play at the same time, that would be freaking fantastic, am I right?

2.) What is your favorite music genre?

Ehe. I like a lot of different styles of music, depending on my mood. I mean I'll listen to whatever's popular on the radio, and then turn around and listen to full on opera.

But I would have to say that the music that I listen to and it... resonates in my soul... is classical crossover. I like music with full voices, and more skill than your average pop.

3.) Is there a music genre that you absolutely can't stand?

Uugh. I cannot listen to screaming heavy metal. Or rap. Rap is so obnoxious. 

But the kind of "music" where the singer is just screaming into the microphone, I get physically pained, like, "YOU ARE DESTROYING YOUR VOCAL CHORDS! YOU FOOL! NODULES, MAN! NODUUULES."

4.) What is your favorite way to listen to music? (CD, Vinyl, mp3, radio, etc..)

Ohh... either on CD or plugged into my phone. I like it when I can turn on the music and it just absorbs into my bloodstream and I can feel it pulsing inside me. Yassss.

5.) Top three favorite bands/singers?

*facepalm* Probably Il Volo, Josh Groban, and Anthony Warlow. They have this type of tone-quality that make my cold, cold heart go pitter-pat.

6.) What are your three favorite chords?

Ehm, seeing as I don't play any instrument that uses chords, I'm gonna just...

 

7.) What do you think about TV and Movie Soundtracks?

    

 *Pauses Magnificent Seven soundtrack* What?

8.) Ever made a mixed CD?

Hasn't everyone?

9.) The old days of music were the better ones. Do you agree?

I don't know. I think mostly yes? There was a lot more soul in old music than there is now... I mean...

Because you know I'm all about that bass,

'bout that bass, no treble

I'm all about that bass, 'bout that bass, 

no treble....
I'm all about that bass, 'bout that bass..

AD NAUSEAM 

 

But I think some music now is better than music then. I don't know. I think there's good and bad in both ages. I'm kind of under the opinion that we need to stop comparing the different times. Like music changes. Get over it.

this is my new favorite gif.

10.) Have a ever covered a song and recorded it? Which one?

Ehem. Here is a handy-dandy link to my youtube channel where I sing covers. Sometimes. Intermittently. Rarely. But I do sing.

Handy-dandy link.

11.) The saddest love song is?

Oh. Ehm. I'm gonna be super cheesy and say "When I Look at You" from The Scarlet Pimpernel Musical, cause... IT HOLDS SPECIAL MEANING TO ME OKAY?

Honorable mentions:

*Happy in my Heartache

*Caruso

*Always Hate Me

I can't chose. There are lots. They are sad. 

12.) The happiest love song is?

*Crazed Treskie laughter* Right at this particular moment I'm going to say, "When You Say You Love Me." By Josh Groban because yes. 

Honorable Mentions:

Be My Forever

Still Fallin'

We Are Love

13.) What makes you like a song?

Typically it starts with the lyrics, then the voice, then the melody.

I can't like music if I don't like the lyrics.

I don't tend to like music if I don't like the singer's voice... like, I'll find a cover or something that is tolerable to my ears. lol. 

14.) What song best represents you?

I sat here and thought about this one for like...a whole three minutes. (That's a very long time, as I am easily distracted.)

Gonna have to say... Let Me In, from Rigoletto, is pretty much me. 

15.) What do you love about music?

Oh man.

Music is something else. Music is like seeing someone's heart and soul. Very few things are as personal and emotional as music.

Music can make you happy, or sad, or wistful.

A single song can bring back a flood of memories from ages and ages ago.
Music can tell stories.
Music communicates things in ways ordinary words and actions can't.

Music connects people.

Music can be a window to someone's soul the same way eyes are.

Music is so powerful.

Music is like a piece of heaven on earth. It's magical and wonderful and absolutely necessary.

They say people who pray with song pray twice.

That's amazing.

Music is amazing.

Alrighty everyone, that's all I have for tonight.

Question Time
Have you heard any of my song suggestions already?
What do you think about music? 
Can you answer three of the tag questions for me? 

I love you all!