Sword Art Online + Etsy!

Sword Art is a lovely anime series that David and I came across back during our honeymoon in Japan. We recently are flipping through it once more since we started playing Wiess Schwarz, an anime inspired card game. David's deck is based on the characters from the show and mine is based off of Madoka Magika (another awesome series! go watch now if you haven't already!). I was curious if anyone else plays this card game?

On another note: I opened an Etsy store! There isn't much on there yet, but my ears at Bronycon were given such lovely complements I decided to make more for those who want them! So come and give us a look see! :)

https://www.etsy.com/listing/156624254/pony-cosplay-ears

It's been a year?! WHAT??!!

Woah... so much for my resolution back in January. The year isn't over though so I'll do my best to keep on track and update this lovely thing. 

To get everyone up to speed...summer came and went (almost! I'm still holding onto those precious warm days, I truly despise winter!) It was really a great season filled with fun beach, tennis, festivals, alligators and of course Bronycon! I couldn't believe how much love and attention I gained at this con. I am so used to the Big Apple and all the competition out there and basically feeling so horrible in general. I constantly throw my art out into the garbage (or burn it) because I beat myself up over the quality of my pieces. Normally I'll browse DA and feel so sub-par... but this weekend was so great! Having people say that my art style is "gorgeous", "unique", "inspiring", is not something I hear at home (even from friends and family), so people asking to have my autograph, pose for pictures with them or just shaking my hand and thanking them for the commissions was just so wonderful. I love the look when others faces light up with excitement when their expectations of me sitting for about an hour and a half on something of their wishing is surpassed... is so fulfilling. So yes, that was a great success!! 

Also, David and I celebrated our one year anniversary. Something he told me: "I've been with you for so long, I feel like we should be celebrating our 10th and not our 1st!" So true!! It was very nice and special. I took him on a dinner cruise around Manhattan and we had a great time!! Something I wrote on my DA journal, so I'll just shamelessly copy and paste it:


 I Can't Believe That The Time Went By So Quickly. Everyone Says That The First Year Is The "Hardest"; Well If That's The Case I Hope Our Whole Lives Are Just As Difficult. He Is Such An Amazing And Wonderful Person And I Can't Imagine My Life Without Him, He Is So Perfect To Me In Every Way Possible, It's So Amazing To Be With Him And Watch Him Grow Into The Inspiring Being He Is Today. Looking Back To The Dorks That We Were 8 Years Ago, Some Newbish Teens That Didn't Know Anything About Being A Relationship, Especially One Heavily Based On The Internet , With Everyone Practically Rooting Against Us (My Irl Friends And Family Weren't Much Help, I Mean Most Highschool Romances Barely Last Half A Year Right?)  I Recall Back When His Family Thought I Was Just "Imaginary" XD , Much To Their Shock I Was Indeed Real! Haha. Now We Are Still Dorks, Just A Little More Mature And More In Love.  

True, It Was A Tad Strange Adjusting From Being LDR To OMG I GET TO SEE YOU EVERYDAY NOW WHUT??!? However I Find That Now That I Get To Be With Him All The Time I Want To Only Be With Him More. 

Another exciting thing: I got a job with Random House! Ahh~ I'll be finally putting my talents to some use! Now to spam you all with fun summer time pics. BTW I chopped my hair. DERP. 

 Also did I mention we got a kitten that's simply ADORBZ? Well we did. Meet the lovely Moshimo! Isn't she precious? 

I'm going to Bronycon!

I got a table for Bronycon 2013!!

My face when I read the email this morning:

SO EXCITED!! Is anyone else going to be there? I'd love to meet you!

We bought a car!

That's right! A Toyota Rav4 2013 XLE to be exact and we are both absolutely thrilled! Originally we had bought my fathers old 2009 Rav4 off his hands a little over a year ago, but he got into an accident (not his fault) and totaled his Prius (which he only had for a month!) and because he has a lot of distance to cover for his job David and I let him "borrow" it. We were supposed to have it returned after our wedding, and then later after my father went to Poland.... and then that date again got pushed up to the New Year after my birthday....and then again till Easter... and there was pretty much no end in sight of the borrowing. I'm glad to be able to help my family out in a tight situation, but living in New Jersey sadly you really need a car to get around. I mean, walking the 5 miles one way to the grocery store was good exercise for me but took way to much time out of my day and forget trying to go anywhere else; America seriously needs a better Mass Transit system. As I mentioned in my previous post David had gotten sick and I wanted to take him to the doctor. I basically had to haggle to get a ride there and then again later to pick up medicine and it was sort of the straw that broke the camel's back if you will. I felt helpless as a wife to not be able to get medicine for my husband and what if there was a real emergency? So I just turned to him and said "David, let's buy a car." and he nodded in agreement and said "Sure." So we did!!! It was expensive but I'm ecstatic to have  this as our official "first car" (the other wasn't legally under our names). Some awesome features include:

Auxiliary audio input and iPod integration
USB connection

• re-wired for phone

• Bluetooth wireless data link for hands-free phone
  
  
  USB connection 
  Steel Wheels 
  Sunroof 
  Back View Camera
  Built in Navigation
  ETC. 
  
  
  
  Long story short, it's a pretty pimp ride that I highly recommend. :) 

Spring Fever

Isn't being sick the worst? That's what David and I have been experiencing the last week or so. The weather has been so unpredictable lately. One day it's a lovely 75 and beaming and the next it's down in the 50's and pouring hard. April showers I suppose but it surely makes it easier to catch a cold. My husband has gotten the brunt of it, even losing his voice at one point. I scheduled a doctors appointment for him today so hopefully that will be all taken care of. I hope everyone else has been able to keep healthy!

Sword Classes

It always amazes me; all the things you can do in the city. Sword classes are surely one of them! Anna and I have started taking a course in form of Japanese/Korean martial art called Silijun Dobup; which apparently translates to "Real Sword Training". We've taken about three classes so far and even though I was rather nervous at first, I'm really starting to enjoy it. It's an art that really focuses on form and concentration, in a way to make ourselves and the world around us better (Not about slicing people, haha.) I feel that if anyone has had a dream to wield a sword or find a unique form of exercise and learn new things then this is something for you!!

Check out their website! http://swordclassnyc.com/sjdb/

Appropriate Cosplay

Always being interested in Japan and it's media, there is something that I've noticed has become more and more widely acceptable in the States-cosplay. I personally have only cosplayed once for my dance group
 (Sailor Neptune as shown here. SeraMyu/ Manga inspired) and it's certainly fine when you go to specific Cons or meet-ups, but lately I've been seeing more and more people dressing up (or making plans to dress up) in a larger variety of places and thus leads me to the question- when does it start being inappropriate?

One such location was the cherry blossom festival I recently attended. This year they actually held a contest simply because of the overwhelming amount of people that showed up in costume, but it wasn't this way in previous years. I know that Sakura (cherry blossoms) are considered to be staple imagery in Anime and Manga but does that automatically make a site for Hanami a place to show up in Pokemon garb? I've also seen cosplay in Japanese super markets (it's a supermarket people!!), Sushi restaurants (oh yeah...), China Town in NYC (just because it's Asian guys...) and recently the one that takes the cake: people planning to go to Japan in order to cosplay in front of real life locations from Anime (Tokyo tower, Hikawa Shrine etc.). I mean, going to a store is one thing, going to a shrine and dressing up as a Miko Priestess while OTHER Miko are present? I feel that's just plain disrespectful.

How about you guys? Do you think there is such a thing as an inappropriate place to cosplay?

Spring!

Spring is here at last and I couldn't be more excited! I love the fact that it is finally starting to warm up. I've been going out more and exercising which feels great!!

But first lets catch up to speed a bit on what has happened since our last post. Easter came and went, and even though it was a bit dreary and cold, we had a lot of fun. David and I went to spend 3 days with my parents and family. There was a bunch of cleaning and preparation to do but it was so worth it to just kick back and relax afterwards. One of my brothers even spent the weekend teaching me to play the violin! I'm so proud of my talented siblings!



We spent Saturday painting eggs and having the food blessed, which is a Polish tradition that I adore. My Mother was also doing a catering for the following day so there was a lot of work on her part. I almost can't believe she's able to almost single handedly prepare a 3 course meal for both us and someone else s family practically overnight. The next day we played board games, had an Easter Egg hunt, played with these really neat colored bubbles outside... all in all I can say it was a success; I was just bummed we had to leave early. Le Sigh. Also, I got to see my Chimbs!


Practically starting the next day the weather decided to jump from mid 30's to the 70's. SO GORGEOUS!!! We were having such a wet and spontaneous March I was happy to welcome the sunshine and warmth.













In particular I was glad that the sudden heat wave made the Cherry Blossoms Bloom quickly that whole week. Last Sunday, David along with my good friends Matt, April and I went down to Philadelphia to see the Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival (aka Sakura Sunday). I was a bit bummed that they didn't have a contest this year (we won our honeymoon to Japan last time) but at least we had a lot of fun.

We got to see Shofuso, which is an authentic 17th Century Japanese house and garden and apparently is ranked 3rd in North America. Later we went to see Eastern State Penitentiary. Looks like a Castle!! I thought those didn't exist in North America. Haha. As we drove home I wished the weekend wouldn't end. How is everyone else fairing?

Shofuso!!

Do not Pass Go, Do not Collect $200. 

March and Minecraft!!

Hello everyone! Finally well into March, and its only STARTING to get warm here. (48 degrees today, however it did snow last week.) I can't wait for it to hit the 60's! Crossing my fingers here for next month!

Recently David and I have been getting into Minecraft. We originally started about 3 years ago, but we mainly played separately and for some reason my computer couldn't handle it very well back then, constant bugs... I couldn't even move my character!! (Probably because it was still in beta). However we recently started it up again about 2 weeks ago and tend play together most evenings before bed. It's deffienetly a fun thing to unwind to. I like the fact that it's a game that you can pretty much sign on for a few minutes and still get something done.

We play on our own world called Chimberland and are currently in the process of building our very first home. :) it will be a tudor styled house and I simply can't wait to upload the completed piece!

We play on an adventure type server (not creator mode) which basically means we have to collect all of the supplies ourselves (so many sheep I have sheared and trees chopped!! uh, Punched, UGH!) we find it more rewarding this way, rather than just spawning an infinite amount of blocks; though you can create some very impressive things it's personally more fun for us this way.

BTW!! This is the T-shirt I'm wearing in the pic. Isn't it adorable? ^.^

So, does anyone else on here play Minecraft?

Half a Year!

                                      8 years as a couple and 6 months of married bliss.

Vote for us on Corbo Jewelers

Not sure how many people read this blog but for anyone reading this we would appreciate it if you could vote on Facebook for a contest we are entered in for Corbo Jewelers.  All you have to do is click on the link  and like the picture.  We really appreciate it!

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151387552399731&set=a.10151387552129731.494166.72649274730&type=1&theater

Happy Birthday Luff!

Hello! How has everyone been holding up? Hope that everyone is healthy and safe from the flu!

This February 3rd was awesome; no not because of the Super Bowl, but because it was David's Birthday! Since both he and I also had this Monday off, we decided to make it a whole birthday weekend. Whheee!

On Saturday we started off the morning in Randolph, FINALLY getting back to our photographer about the wedding albums. I'm so excited for those to arrive!! We had an early birthday lunch at Five guys (Yes, not a huge help to my diet here, but her, I can make an excuse on my husbands birthday no?)








After driving back home we invited his family and some close friends over for a "Game of Thrones" themed party. We had streamers with the House colors and even a Dragon Piñata. (Since David has never had one!!) I had a fun time surprising my husband with his cake (Which I rode the bus/train for 5 hours to get) and sticking 25 sparkler candles for him to blow. (Haha, made the cake a little ashy but the effect was worth it.)













Afterwards we went to Izumi's, which is a Japanese Hibachi Restaurant that our friends Matt and April taught us. I adore their Green Tea ice-cream! YUM!~

It was a tad difficult to get back home, as it started to snow and the roads were covered in ice. David really wanted everyone to stay a bit longer, but we deemed it safer if everyone returned home while the roads were still clear. (Yeah groundhog, so much for "Early Spring".)

The next day, was David's actual Birthday. While everyone was out pigging out on buffalo wings and rooting for their teams, we decided to go to Medieval Times. For those who have never been, it's a dinner/show with horses, knights, even a falcon that swoops over your head! You eat with your hands and cheer for your kingdom. Though our knight didn't win (ALMOST!! arrgh!) We had a blast. I was cheering so hard that I almost lost my voice. Haha.

If anyone has ever loved the notion of horses, castles or just plain traveling through time, please check it out! you will not be disappointed!

We then spent the night having a Game of Thrones marathon and I made David his favorite chocolate pudding pie. It was nice to spend his special day with just the two of us.







However, the festivities didn't end there. Birthday fun part III ensued the next morning. I drove him out to give him MY present. A day of Rock Climbing! It was so fun, but our arms were sore afterwards. It felt great. I think my favorite part was doing the "cave"; my man is such a little ninja.

A lot of places to climb. We went bouldering (that means without using ropes) so there where some paths we deemed too difficult at this stage but we'll get there for sure!



Now it's back to the old grind but hey, I was so glad to make my husband's 25th a special one. Happy Birthday darling luff!

New Year, New Goals, New Phone!

Hello everyone! It's already nearly a month into the new year, how are you all doing? I've been super excited lately because after about 4 or 5 years I've finally upgraded from my Blackberry. Behold my lovely iPhone 5!!

I felt that the Blackberry was a very good phone for it's time and it had served me well. It fit into my pockets and purse, wasn't heavy, and I liked the fact that it had a keyboard. (I liked physically pressing the buttons). However; it's screen was relatively small, and over the years wasn't exactly the fastest. Having and Imac and using other Apple products, the iPhone didn't take me much to getting used to. I love the camera quality and I have yet to use the facetime options. :) I also like the fact that the phone will update words into it's vocabulary after seeing me use it a couple of times (especially if I use Polish or Japanese words, pet names, or just names that it wouldn't normally recognize.) Now I just need to find a case for it.


Several awesome dates are coming up! Well, one has already passed. SKO (Sales Kick Off), was a huge event held at David's company and the past two months have been very hectic as he and his department have been planning for it. Right before my husband caught a cold so he had to push through, but he did so with success. His CEO was very proud of him and so am I! I love my husbor! <3

Another big day is that my Sera Myu Group will be celebrating it's first year anniversary in a week! One year today my friend April asked if I was interested in starting a dance/cosplay group and we sure have grown and expanded. It has been interesting learning about running a large group and conducting practices and rehearsals as well as costumes props etc....; however it has diffinetly been a growing experience! I've met so many wonderful people who are so important to my life. Speaking of important to my life, David's 25th birthday is on the Super Bowl this year! (February 3rd). I hope to get off from work to celebrate with him!!

(My friends Kim, April, Matt and I posing as Sailor Venus, Super Sailor Moon, Tuxedo Kamen and Sailor Neptune respectfully.)

On another note, anyone still working on their resolutions? I have several this year! One is dealing with my body issues and making myself a better, healthier person. (The holidays were good to me, but not on my waistline!) I've started exercising more and going into strength training. I don't care what anyone says. I've started using the shake weight and it really works! My arms feel toner and stronger and it's only been a week! I'm also am trying to read more. Reading the Tiger's Curse series now, want to hit the Silmarillion afterwards. What are everyone else's goals?

Happy New Years!

Looks like its a new year and that means new resolutions.

As you can tell from my lack of recent updates and my sudden activity conveniently around new years; one of my resolutions might have been about posting on this blog.  And if you guessed that, you would be right.

A lot has happened these last few months and I know if I don't write this down now years later all the memories will blend together and I won't remember all of the details of what my first Thanksgiving, Christmas, wife's birthday and New Years as a married couple were like.

First off lets talk about Thanksgiving.  This was my first year that I got to spend Thanksgiving with my wife but not only did I get to spend it with my wife's family but also mine as well.  My parents went on their first real cruise (a boat ride around the Hudson doesn't count) and came back on Thanksgiving day.  This would not give them anywhere near enough time to prepare, so my in-laws graciously invited my parents and sister to have dinner at their house.  For the one holiday which is really about family gatherings I'm really glad that both Anna and I got to spend it with ours.

Next was Christmas which seemed to come and go really quickly.  One day we are getting ready for Christmas and then its here already.  I guess when you are a kid that month from Black Friday to Dec 25th is a lot longer.  This year we got to spend time with both our families again but instead we spent Christmas Eve with her family and Christmas Evening with mine.  Its a ton of fun when kids are around and we get to see what they get and watch them in their enthusiasm as they wake up at 5AM.  From my darling wife I got some clothes that are awesome(Game of Thrones Tshirts FTW) and Mists of Pandaren for the both of us(which we will need to play soon!)

The great thing about Christmas is right around the corner is Anna's Birthday!  For her 25th we decided to go all out and have a full weekend of birthday with the awesome bonus that this year she didn't have to work on her birthday.  We got to go ice skating, see Les Miserable, and play LOTRO with some friends.

Right after that corner is New Years!  This year, as a way of house warming, we decided to throw New Years Eve at our place.  The bummer was that Anna had to go to work the next day so we couldn't let loose completely but we had a lot of fun and got to spend the time with friends.  Got to have some great eats, drink a bit, play some zombie dice, Cards Against Humanity and Old School Smash Bros.  Late at night we got to play around with a Ouija board which honestly didn't do much for us.  I guess we aren't haunted enough.

At that leads us to the new year 2013.  This year I'm going to do my best to update this blog and keep myself more consistent.  I have so many goals and things I want to do that I am going to try to break things up by months.  I will be setting up some goals for the month of January and do my best to keep it.  I'll let you guys know how its coming.  If you don't here back from me in awhile you know how the keeping up the blog resolution went. ;P