My Tips on Long Distance Relationships

So as you all may or may not, my boyfriend and I are in a long distance relationship. We are ~1080 miles (~1740 kilometres) apart or an approximate flight of 2 hours and 45 minutes. While I can easily say without hesitation that we are in a very loving relationship, we certainly do not have it easy-- much like most long distance relationships. However, there are certainly ways of maintaining a healthy long distance relationship and I thought I'd share a penny or two with you guys.

Before I go into details about what my relationship is like, I'd just like to say that all relationships are different, whether if they're LDR or not. These are merely just things I personally find that keeps mine healthy and working; in no way is this professional advice and applicable for all relationships!

My Saturday Shopping Spree: Daiso & Summerwear Haul

I honestly didn't know what got onto me on Saturday but I took myself on a crazy shopping spree that last approximately ~6 hours (including the time it took me to go to and fro) and to me, that's completely insane considering I've never been one to shop a lot. I guess I was feeling super excited about Summer vacation in SoCal so I took myself shopping solely just Summer wear (which I absolutely adore). I was supposed to drop myself off by the office where I'm starting my internship but since my supervisor told me to come in another day, I took myself to a super Asian mall here and dove straight into Daiso.

For those who don't know Daiso is, it's basically a super diverse Japanese Dollar Store where most items are usually $2 unless specified otherwise. Most items have a very Japanese feel to them (if you can relate); everything is generally super adorable. I completely lost myself and blew ~$50 within a matter of running through the two levels in 15 minutes.

Adorable Dress Finds: Korean and Japanese Styles

So, I recently came across this super adorable Asian online store called Syndrome, and I can honestly say I want to buy out the whole store! To be honest, I don't know if I can even pull off the cutesy kawaii look because lets face it, these girls were made to wear outfits like these but on the other hand, they're just too adorable to not have. Everything from their, tops, bottoms, dresses, to their super sugoi accessories (wow, I'm really busting out all my weaboo knowledge aren't I?) If you guys are into that kind of stuff, I suggest you give it a visit if you haven't already. Anyway, I took the time to pick out some of my favourite picks that I most likely will get around (especially the more simple and casual ones) to buying since Summer is headed my way fast.

In order from to top feft to bottom right:

Lace Polka Dot Dress | $35.90

Grey Suspender Skirt | $31.90

Floral Flouncy Dress | $50.90

Pastel Lace Strap Dress | $50.50

Illusive MIA, updates on her whereabouts [AKA adventure in SoCal!]

Hehe, I've been so busy the past few months that I've completely abandonned my poor (viewerless) blog. Oh no! In hopes I can really make this place something special to me, I am continuing to make attempts to bring it back to life. *cue resuscitation*

So, what exactly have I been up to? (I mean, I don't care if you're wondering or if there is anyone even wondering, I'm about to tell you why anyway) I had the chance of spending time with my boyfriend in SoCal a few weeks back during my Spring Break and I've been pretty much strung out about the fact, since. And yes, for those who don't know, I am in a long distance relationship; my boyfriend is in SoCal while I'm in Vancouver which is about a 3 hour flight, and yes, it can be difficult!

(Left to Right: LAX Bound, Watch Lovebirds, View from JW Marriot Hotel, South Coast Plaza)

As a sort of late Valentine gift to me, my boyfriend bought me plane tickets and then continue to go on forward to spoil the shit out of me, taking me out to eat nearly every single day. Something I'd like to mention is the weather-- As a Vancouver citizen (Vancouver isn't even THAT cold, mind you), I nearly had heatstrokes. Holy shit, it was incredibly hot and it wasn't even Summer yet.. Anyway,we didn't go to all the typical LA tourist attractions like Hollywood, Disneyland, Universal Studios, etc., but we managed to visit some places like Santa Monica, the South Coast Plaza, and lots of random places here and there (And restaurants, like, lots of them). Since I was only there for approximately 10 days, we tried to fit as many places in our schedule as possible but I also wanted to spend some time with him just at home to watch movies so we had about 2 days of that ;-; To be honest, talking about it may not sound super exciting but it really was something huge for me considering I've never really travelled on my own and I got the chance to spend time with my super sweet boyfriend.

(Left to Right: AYCE Sushi, First In-N-Out Experience, AYCE KBBQ)

Something that actually really surprised me was the fact that I wasn't even the slightest bit homesick but I suppose 10 days isn't long enough for it to kick in. However, I have to admit I was pretty teary eyed upon leaving California and missed it the moment I boarded my plane. My boyfriend actually went on to book my next flight back to LA about a week after I came back because according to him, knowing the date I'm coming makes him feels better even if my next trip is about 3 months from now, haha.

Other than my lovely trip, I've of course been busy with school. Actually, today was sort of my final day of classes, hence why I felt like I have the time to do some blogging hehe. So, after this week, I'm going to start my internship program which runs for approximately 2 months. I have applied to work for an enterntainment company that does event planning, carnival games, and various themed events; they're even a part of a pretty big night market here which I thought was pretty cool. My tasks with them involves working as a junior web developer which I'm pretty stoked about.

Anyway, I'll let you go for now, this was quite a mouthful of a post since I haven't updated in so long so I hope I'll be able to keep it more short and sweet with the upcomming posts!

Update: To do as I finally wish!

I don't know what I've been so afraid of all this time, I kept trying to bottle everything up and restricted myself from everything I've ever wanted to be bound to. As of late, I've made lots of crazy decisions the old self wouldn't have even thought of! I realize I'm sounding kind of crazy but I'm so incredibly happy in this moment, even if it meant I had some slip ups in the past and might have put someone else's happiness on the line for my own. I realize it may be incredibly selfish of myself to have let certain things happen in the past and for that, I'm genuinely sorry. However, I honestly believe everything will be fine. Anyway! Sorry for that random confusing rant. I just kind of wanted to get that off of my chest. As I said before, I've made some decisions this month; it may not be "crazy" for others but they are for me. Hehe.

I finally made my mind up and I'll be in California this Spring, which is something I'm super incredibly happy about, I'm like bouncing off the walls as I type this! I don't know how I'll be able to last until then, to be honest. I just know that I'll be full of love and well, amazing food too. I haven't really gotten the chance to really travel, especially on my own so this is also kind of nervewrecking for me as well. Oh my god, what to do, what to do. I guess it's time to do some research on Google. I'll probably update you guys with how I prep for things like this in the future haha.

My Experience with Matte Painting on Photoshop

For my Photoshop class, I recently learned many different techniques in order to create a matte painting. Now for those who don't know what matte paintings are..

"A matte painting is a painted representation of a landscape, set, or distant location that allows filmmakers to create the illusion of an environment that is nonexistent in real life or would otherwise be too expensive or impossible to build or visit."

(source: Wikipedia)

So in other words, on Photoshop, I learned to create unrealistic fantasy environment comprised up of many different stock photos, images, and textures that were available to myself online. 

While my instructor encouraged us to be highly creative and imaginative, I suppose I'll always be stuck in the depths of Final Fantasy (sometimes, I find myself wanting to live in a world such as this), which is why I decided to create a scene where Kraken emerges from the depths of "Hell" (or whatever's beneath the ocean floor). Now, I know Kraken didn't originate from Final Fantasy but I recently just killed him in Final Fantasy IX and I love sea monsters so I decided to go with that.

Here's the product: 

Now, I hardly even want to come close to calling it the final product at all. I really just want to call this a draft to be honest. I cut far too many corners and did a really unsatisfying job at colour correction, lighting, and even proportions.. HOWEVER, I am pleased with the concept. I wish to revise this very, very many times until I get it right but I guess it's not too shabby for a first attempt at matte painting right?

So here, as you can see, Kraken's tentacles have elevated from the cracks on the ocean floor, which symbolizes him rising from the depths of hell. You may also notice that there is a lot of rubbish such as old abandoned and sunken ships, buildings, ruins, cars, etc.~ all the while, there are no signs of any other sea creatures or life forms in the surroundings which identifies the location as uninhabitable place in the ocean and yet here Kraken is, spawning in that area.

Like I said, there are many changes I'd like to make but I love the concept and well, just Kraken in general!

Here is a gif of my layering process, I suppose I'm not really experienced with it at all but I find that lighting and colouring is truly key!

Also, this is my first time ever updating any of my projects or works but I think I'll keep doing this in the future if I find myself ever creating anything neat. Thanks for reading!

Christmas gift ideas for him ($100-$500)

Bellroy Slim Sleeve | $85

Trunk Club | Starting at $200

Corter Leather Standard Belt | $55

Winston Komono Watch | $90

Timberland Stormbuck Boots | $200

Les Essentiels de La Vie Groom & Wash Bag | $225

Handcrafted Leather Briefcase | $100