.:reflections of twilight:.

Sorry I haven’t been posting much lately. Time seems to get away from me sometimes…

I didn’t do a Year in Review post like I usually do, mostly because I forgot and also because I don’t know how many people are actually still reading this journal anyway.

My GI doctor wanted to put me back on Remicade again, so I had my first treatment in well over a year two weeks ago and it went fine. I slept through most of it since they give me Benadryl so prevent any allergic reactions and the like. I was supposed to have another one Wednesday, but I was supposed to have lab work done apparently (even though we asked the nurse TWICE if I needed it and she said no), so I had to reschedule. So, mom and I went to Target to get me some more long sleeved shirts and then to Books A Million to browse (and to buy, who are we kidding here). Then we had lunch at my favorite Chinese place before going back home. I’ve rescheduled my appointment for next week and I will make sure to have my labs done well ahead of time.

I also went to my allergist Monday, and he gave me a prescription for an EpiPen for my shellfish allergy. He said that even though I won’t consciously eat shellfish, there is always a chance for cross contamination. He also said I can start getting allergy shots, so I have an appointment set up for that in a few weeks. I used to do them myself a few years ago, but here they have a place to go to to get them done. I also started doing Neti Pot rinses and I can tell a major difference when I do! It does feel weird, though and I have to position my head just so, so I don’t dribble water down the front of me.

Classes started up again on Tuesday. I had to drop one class and register for another when I realized I got one I really didn’t want. Things should be all set now. So, after this one, I just have one more semester to go before graduation and then my Praxis exam (which I am NOT looking forward to in the slightest). Luckily, next fall I only have to take one class in addition to my Practicum, so that will be easier for me since the Practicum will take up a lot of my time. For those who don’t know, the Practicum is the School Librarian version of student teaching. We go into a school library, one-half in an elementary school and the other half in a secondary school. Sort of like a hands-on approach. I need to talk to my advisor about what I’d need to do to possibly get a certification to work in a public library in order to increase my employment chances.

I’ve been knitting some. I had to take a bit of a break since I hurt my arm somehow, but I may start up again soon since it’s feeling better. I made two scarves for my Tonner Jasper and Alice dolls, and now I’m making one for me. I have no pattern to follow, just basic stockinet stitching. I did buy a book of basic patterns, so hopefully I can attempt to make something other than scarves.

I started reading a new manga series called Vinland Saga by Makoto Yukimura. It’s about Vikings in the 11th-Century set around Danish occupied England and Iceland. It’s pretty good so far and the art is amazing! I’ve always been impressed with these series where the manga-ka does a ton of research and puts a lot of details in their work. Plus, Vikings!

I did get a phone upgrade since I was due for one and my other one was acting up. I went from an iPhone 5 to an iPhone 6. Gold colored! I like it. The screen is bigger and it has a few new features that I like, such as the fingerprint identification to unlock the phone. I need to find a way to reset my iPod so that I can go back to factory setting so that I can reload it with my music and podcasts and not much else. However, I have it registered to my old email address from my Florida ISP, and I can’t remember the password in order to change it. So it’s a bit frustrating.

I’m signing off for now. Hopefully, I’ll be back on here sooner rather than later.

Sorry I've been so sporadic with my posting on here. My depression sometimes tells me why I even bother since hardly anyone reads it, but I know a few of you still do, so I appreciate it.

Health wise things seem to be getting better. I still have a few problem areas, but otherwise I'm doing good overall. Maybe now that we're getting into fall, things will get even better. I do know there are those out there who have it worse than I do, so I guess I'm appreciative for that at least.

Things at work are actually pretty good. I think it's partially because I'm working on changing my overall attitude to try and become a better person. I don't want to be the kind of person who holds onto all of the petty crap and bitterness that happened in the past. It does nothing but hold you back keeping you from moving forward with your life. It won't always be easy, but it's worth it to try.

I also think it helps with the fact that my co-worker that had the most issues with everything is no longer there and not feeding into the situation. I still keep in contact with her and we're still friends and all and I value that friendship, but she's a bit anti-social and misanthropic. So since she's not at work anymore, it helps to stay focused on other stuff and not get dragged down by the little unimportant things.

There's still heavy talk of a buyout, but some of us had a meeting with our supervisor last week and the subject was addressed. It seems for the most part that our department will most likely stay intact. My boss reasons that since we have the more advanced computer system, that it would be foolish to get rid of people who have been using it for awhile and are familiar with it. And since we'll be implementing a new data entry system (which will take a few years to be fully operational) that we'd still be needed. Now, granted this is all guessing, but it still gives me some relief to say the least.

Mom and I are prepping for our vacation in three weeks. I'm so excited! We're going to be in Tennessee and see the fall colors and the beautiful mountains and the crisp air. It's gonna be very hard for me to go back. Especially since more friends of ours moved up there this weekend. I keep hoping and praying that the opportunity will arise for us to make the move up there once and for all. Hopefully...

I finished my reread of Furuba yesterday. I still get the warm fuzzies when I read the last chapter. I have such affection for this series as well as the friends I met through it that it makes me smile every time. I may reread my Ouran series next, even though I'm missing the first ten books. I hope to be able to acquire them at some point in time. Either that or High School Debut, another shoujo series that I find cute and charming. I haven't made up my mind yet.

Well, happy fall everyone! Enjoy the changing of the leaves, the cooler air, pumpkin flavored everything and the coming holidays!

Hey, It's August, which is generally considered the hottest month of the year. Yippee.

Not to mention the fact that the month has barely started and I'm already busy.

First of all, there's all the Olympic watching to be done. I swear, I've watched more TV this past week than I have in several months. Then after the Olympics, a lot of regular shows are returning with new episodes. My DVR is already cringing.

I did have a rather nice, if low key, birthday. I got a Soft Kitty T-shirt, singing plushie and a red velvet cake from mom. Later on, she took me to dinner at my fave Japanese steakhouse. From dad I got a stylus for my Kindle Fire, a portable modem/WiFi hub (for travel purposes) and a MST3K set.

Friday mom had surgery on her bone spur she had on her right foot. She had a difficult time coming out of the anesthesia though. So she ultimately spent the night with my aunt, who lives in a one story house and has a wee bit more medical experience than I do. Mom is better now that she's fully alert and no longer nauseous. She's abusing her patient privileges I think though. I told her not to get used to it since I have to go back to work on Monday.

At the end of the month is when I have my colonoscopy, so that's always a good time... I have my Remicade treatment that same week, so I'm gonna take the last three days of the week off.

I've also been dealing with a heat rash for the past few weeks. So yeah, I'll be happy when this summer is over and the weather gets cooler. But, seeing how i live in the armpit of the world, that could be awhile.

In fandom related news, I picked up the newest volume of Sailor Moon. Still enjoying it even while finding the artwork a little old school, it's not a turn off for me. I tend to be an art snob when it comes to my graphic novels. I mean, even if the story is good, if the art is bad, I can't bring myself to read it.

I also picked up the latest volumes of Bakuman. I've been reading this series from the very beginning since before it was licensed and have been enjoying it quite a bit. It ended in Japan a few months ago, but I've been picking up the English volumes when I can.

Another series I found is Vagabond by the same manga-ka as Slam Dunk. It's an historical series about Musashi Myamoto and I have to tell you, the art is AMAZING! The attention to detail and the way he gives each individual character distinctive looks and personalities is incredible. I highly recommend picking it up if you get a chance. Word of warning though, it's pretty long, so you need to be dedicated in order to read it. I've also started to read his earlier work Slam Dunk due to this despite the fact I have no interest in basketball whatsoever. My mother would be so disappointed in me since where I grew up, basketball is practically a religion.

I'm trying out this new gel nail polish I saw in at Wal-Mart in the hopes it'll last longer than regular nail polish.

My mom came up with the suggestion that I start a blog about anime, manga and graphic novels in a way that people who don't know what any of that is, can learn about it and understand what it is. And I must say, the idea is very intriguing and possibly has some merit.

Now, I don't know what will come of this, but she says I need to do something that I feel passionate about and I do really enjoy reading manga and graphic novels and watching anime. However, it does feel a little daunting. I mean, I need to find my niche somewhere that others who have more experience haven't already done.

I mean, there are a few people out there who already do blogs and sites regarding manga and anime and graphic novels and have already been well established up to this point. So I'd like to focus on maybe coming from a viewpoint of someone who doesn't know anything about them, like my mom.

My first and main issue is trying to find a hosting site. I already have a WordPress blog for my Alice and Jasper blog and I have a Blogger one that I rarely use, but unless I can change the name of it, I don't think I can use it either.

So, any kind of suggestions/comments/words of advice/encouragement in regards to this somewhat daunting project would be appreciated. I ask you guys because I met the majority of you through manga and anime, so it is to you I cleave to right now.

Rukia is awesome. She seems to be the only one to knock any degree of sense into Ichigo. Excellent chapter for the IchiRuki shippers. :DDD

Papillon Volume 7 by Miwa Ueda




As you may have noticed, this is the Japanese edition of this volume. This series WAS being published in English by Del Rey, but due to the fact they stopped publishing manga, there is strong doubt this will get translated.



You would think KondanshaUSA would publish this and volume 8 (the final two volumes in this series), but there is no indication they plan on doing so. I feel this is a shame. They could publish the last two volumes together like volumes 5 and 6 were done so that the series can be finished.



I am rather disappointed in how this was handled. Granted, it might not be as popular of a title as others published by Del Rey, but there was still an audience for it, and to leave a series hanging with only two volumes left is kind of pointless.



I have read detailed summaries of this and volume 8, so I do know the basic gist of what happens. Still, I'd like to read it in English sometime like the rest of the series beforehand.



Maybe they will decide to translate the remainder sometime in the future. I hope so.



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A Bride's Story, Vol. 1 by Kaoru Mori

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This series is by the same manga-ka as 'Emma' and has the same meticulous attention to detail and research as in the previous series. The artwork is outstanding. I have always been impressed by the amount of details that Mori-sensei put into her work.

Set in the 19th century along the Silk Road, the story is about a new bride in central Asia along the Caspian Sea. Her husband, interestingly enough, is a sweet 12 year old boy, the youngest in his family. She herself is 20 and considered too old to marry off by her family.

The story follows her as she adjusts to her new life with her new family and delves a little into the life of the peoples of the region during this time period.

I do suggest picking this up if you can.



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I really must thank secondlina for piquing my interest in this series.

Toradora! Volume 1 by Yuyuko Takemiya

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Based on a series of light novels published in Japan. I love this series. It's cute and charming and the art and story are both very well done. The chapters seem a little short, so it makes for a fast read which for me is a little disappointing since I want to savor the story.

Taiga is very adorable and the very definition of a Tsundere. However, she does mellow quite a bit (but never completely, you know) with the influence of Ryuuji.

And yeah, I do think Taiga and Ryuuji make for an adorable couple... if if they don't quite see it yet. I have been watching the anime as well which explore the story further. I never read the light novels so I have no idea how the series itself ends.



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I forget how I found out about this series. But, it is very cute and I do recommend it!

Well, this weekend was kind of busy. For starters, mom and I got our respective hairs cut. She also got a perm. I just stuck with a haircut. I used to have to get perms and I hated it with a burning, blinding passion.

I'd post a picture, but for some reason Semagic is being a bitch and not wanting to upload any pictures. DD:

If you follow my Tumblr account, you can see it on there.

You can see it here for convenience sake.

We then ate lunch afterward at the local brewery and grille. We just had the burgers, no beer. They were pretty good.

Then we got groceries and made a detour through the local park, mostly so mom could eye locations for photoshoots.

The rest of the weekend was pretty uneventful. I did manage to clean my bathroom on Sunday. That's quite an achievement for me, who has to be really motivated to clean. Sad, I know. I rewarded myself with Twinkies later. :DD

I got a new roomie today at work. Yes, another one. She seems to be more permanent though. I got that impression because IT made sure to switch the computer over to her name as well as the phone. She seems pretty nice though. Young, like in her mid twenties. She used to be a Medical Secretary bust she got burned out with it and wanted a change. There was an opening in our department and decided to apply. I think I like her.

I also cleaned out my bottom drawer in anticipation of our department's move in late May/early June. I accumulated a lot of takeout napkins and plastic silverware for some reason. My trash can was full of pretty much nothing but napkins and plastic utensils.

Been reading more of my recently acquired manga over the weekend. Mainlining more Ouran as well. Man, I have a sickness...

InuYasha, Volume 56 by Rumiko Takahashi




Final volume of this series. My first serious foray into manga.

I shall remember you fondly, InuYasha...



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Vampire Knight, Volume 11 by Matsuri Hino




More adventures of Yuki "Mary Sue" Cross. Face it, I'm here for Zero...



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So, I've been reading/watching more Ouran High School Host Club. I cannot get enough of this series for some reason. It's so cute and dorky and fun.

And yes, I find Haruhi and Tamaki so freaking adorable! XDDD

The series ended pretty recently and I've read the final chapters a dozen times at least. I cannot get enough. I don't have the collected volumes as of yet (except for two), but I have a stroooong feeling I shall be remedying that eventually. I do admit to liking how the art evolution has changed. I thought the way the jaw lines were drawn in the earlier chapters was a bit odd, but it's gotten better in the later chapters and it's really cute.

And I've seen all of the anime and am rewatching it gradually as often as I can. Since I'm doing it live stream from Netflix I only get the dub (which is pretty decent. They manage to keep the honorifics and the Japanese references intact), so I don't have to worry about trying to read and follow along at the same time. But it's the Netflix plugin so I can't do other things while I watch, so I have to make sure I finish everything else beforehand.

Oh, and I also got myself a Tax ID number, so I shall be setting up my photo gallery at ImageKind in due time! I have to go through all of my pictures and do some adjustments and the like before I can set up anything. So hopefully I can at least make a little bit of extra cash in the meantime.

I shall be sure to post the link and pimp myself out once everything is set up! Watch this spot!!