Instant happiness

People usually have a hard time to understand how I can go nuts about some celebrities that is to say rather random people I don't actually know and whom I most likely won't ever meet (though, you shouldn't be so sure with me... hehe ^^)... the thing is, celebrities are most often artists ( at least the ones I like) ~ and isn't art supposed to give you energy and make you happy? I enjoy falling in love a lot ^0^ Yeah, sounds weird, but I don't know why I should put any energy into negative emotions and isn't love the best thing you can feel? But since I only have one heart and already gave it to one single person, I have the starcrush option ^^ There are people who are amazingly inspiring and who give out love and energy so generously, so whenever I need positive emotions, I know what to do. That's why I call some people ~ injection of instant happiness...

Anyway, yesterday I almost got a happiness overdose ^0^ OMG! One of the best bands on this earth came to perform close to the place I live at! Fanfare Ciocarlia ^0^ Now, check them out!

 This is a tiny concert, now imagine a cheering crowd going crazy in front of them ~ that's what it was like yesterday ^0^ I arrived really early since I always want to be in the first row and then two of the band members walked by and greeted me ^^ We shook hands and I told them how much I love their music and how happy I am that they came to play here at last ^0^ They were like ~ ok, then you have to go crazy in the front row... I said ~ok... because that's what I do ^.^

Apart from that, the last few weeks have been crazy... our flat was a chaos and work was like ~ hey, you have a million things to do! But things have been settling down a bit... I also felt a little odd because I can't stop drawing the person I showed you last time... I have over a dozen drawings in different media and sizes so far and after I hung up five picture above my desk, I thought I should be more selective ^^ It's pretty freaky, but her wonderful face (and personality ^^) teach me SO much about drawing, so I even made a tumblr blog to record my experience...

here are a few tries that I don't find too bad ^^ and a work in progress that I should finish today...

 yes. she speaks Greek and I'm learning that too ^^ no, not just because of her ^^ but she inspires me here too, so I'm saying 'thank you' here ^^

 an older one with markers ^.^ not very much alike, but I think I caught a bit of her positive vibes here ^^ at least it's a picture that makes me happy when I look at it because it's so cheerful ^^

 bookmark for my Greek stuff ^^ she says ~ let's go ^.^ have you noticed how I went almost to the waist?? she totally pushes my boundaries ^.^

 My favourite Greek word so far ~ kalimera (good morning) ^.^ 

gosh, this original photo totally blew me away that first time I saw it... it's an amazing portrait of female beauty, she's a freaking goddess! and I was very happy to see that I didn't screw it up ^^ I love markers, they're just so freaking expensive... and I don't even use copics... sigh...

 should finish this one soon... she's so charming on this original photo, I could almost see her fairy dust, so I added some fairy-like things, I couldn't resist ^.^ it's also quite a flattering picture, so I think she might get it ^.^ (it says 'fairy' too) It was also done in an A5 book, so I'm getting bigger ^.^ 

OK, but I have to say that I'm not cheating on Maura ^.^ I miss her terribly and hope that I can watch the new series soon... How splendid she looks on the promo pic! You must be insane to cheat on that woman *.*

 

while I was writing this (mainly waiting for my photos to upload ~ that's exactly the reason why I use tumblr for my other blog +.+) I bought the latest album of Fanfare and my beloved Eva Quartet (they made me fall in love with all things Bulgarian more than a decade ago) and discovered that their most amazing singer Gergana Dimitrova has made a solo album... I adore her! And she has that kind of hair that I love ^.^

I wish everyone a great week ahead and don't forget to pursue your dreams!!

Sticking my head out again...

Wow, quite a few blog comebacks these days ^0^ Must be the spring season! Congratulations to everyone who wants to share their awesomness ^^ Congratulations also to those who feel energetic and alive again, who feel like their life is a bit less of a mess, who feel inspired by the new green leaves and blossoms outside, by wonderful life itself...

Only lately did I realize that I'd backed out of a lot of things. I didn't feel like my usual self ever since we came back from our Asian holidays... I've spent the past few months poking around in my inner world, trying to find out what exactly was wrong. I thought I wasn't satisfied with my life in Germany, now that I've seen my beloved Taiwan again... but nope, it turned out that my life is super awesome and that there was only one thing that made me lose my balance and we've got rid of it a few days ago and embraced a new chance for a happy little life ^.^

My usual self seems to be coming back... My usual impulsive, easily elated, curious, life-entoxicated, enamaured self... Little things are so delightful again ^.^ And recently I felt the urge to sit down and to draw like mad again... I'm even looking forward to the new term, even if I didn't do anything that I wanted to do during the holidays (like preparing the classes +.+)...But I miss Maura who has been hiding just like I did... so I started to see someone else... 'see' as in 'look at' ^^  my new little crush has such a wonderfully expressive face that makes me want to draw her all the time... maybe I will...

Do you know who she is? ^^ Her name starts with M, like all the other awesome names...

So far I only did this one drawing... I need to talk about it in detail, so I'll do it here, because not everyone would want to read that in a letter or in an extra message about a drawing ^0^  And no matter who she is and whether she likes it or not (though I must say, I haven't seen any fan drawings yet that were significantly better), I was so fucking proud of myself *.* Folks that are really good with portraits would maybe laugh at my efforts, but gosh, you have to start somewhere!
I've been drawing people for these past two years... My greatest achievement so far was being able to make them look like people. But damn, it would be kinda nice if they looked like the people they actually are for a change... For people like me, the Germans say that they go through the wall with their head. Imagine a sheep with its horns, running through no matter what... Yep, exactly that. This is me. Not only do I break down walls on my way to the finish line, but I also try to be the first and to get there as quickly as possible... Of course, at times the result isn't exactly what I expected, but yeah, so what... But sometimes, I do want things to work out in a certain way... and then I am surprised that all my passion and enthusiasm doesn't suffice in itself ^.^ I'm usually the kind of person who likes to skip the little annoying details like measuring, but most often than not, I have to accept that they're actually necessary tools. Guess what, this time I measured! I chose the pencils carefully, I made the effort to find my artist rubber (the kneadable one, whatever its name is) and I took the time to actually finish it. All of it... even that hair that I adore but that was pretty awful to draw... So, it was like a freaking epiphany for me to learn that I can do it, if I can tame my temper and take little steps instead of sprinting ahead like my ass is on fire. So, thank you, M ~ for captivating my restless mind long enough to make me learn that it takes time and effort to create beauty... And I think as a picture it turned out... quite... moving... Has it ever happened to you that somebody's beauty leaves you breathless? I'm incredibly grateful for moments like these... (I'm talking about the original now ^.^)

Maura, brace yourself, you might be next... ... ... Though I will die if I screw her up +.+

And here is some stuff that I did in these past months...

 a birthday card

 a Girls swap ^.^ I started to use markers, they're so awesome ^0^ but I still need a lot of practice...

 postcard ^.^

 the last four were for a Big eyed creepy but cute swap ^^ 

 I love this one most ^0^ could hardly part with it... 

 this one is really kinda creepy...

 and watercolour pencils again, my first love ^^

What else? I'm meeting a pal tomorrow for the second time ^0^ She'll stay the whole week, but not at my place since she's bringing a bunch of other people... and then all the birthdays are coming up, wow... Will be a busy week! I'm wishing everyone who reads this a great week too! I'll sign off with a song that I've been singing for these past few days (not that well of course ^0^) and it always almost makes me cry... who knows why... but it's beautiful...

Tu me rejoindras

Ne me sauve pas

Coule avec moi

Ne me retiens pas...

Back?? not quite sure about that...

sooo, hello folks ^.^ Some of you know that I've been travelling in Asia for all of August and I arrived back home a week ago... I don't feel like I'm settled though... there are a few people to meet and a few things to do (like changing my working computer) and there is no routine whatsoever in sight for now... I've certainly had the time of my life, but there is only that much company and entertainment that a person can take and I just feel like I need a rest... it's weird considering that I'm actually back from a holiday... I feel like I'm floating in the air and what I need right now is to feel some solid ground under my feet. What to do? I guess I'm just going to enjoy my weekend with more friends at a non-routine place and then try to build up something like a schedule...

Plans ~
*mastering some stuff about powerpoint... yeah, I know how to make a presentation... now I want to learn how to make a GOOD presentation... this term my class has to be stellar! (I might have somewhat of a competitor)
*learning Japanese (for fuck's sake, I really need to get serious about that!!)
*reading loads of books on language change and Indoeuropean languages (well, I might manage three or four ^.^)
*updating my diary (one week is still missing)
*slowly getting back to creating stuff ~ drawing, papercuts (bought three books on that in Japan ^0^), calligraphy ~ opening that book on watercolours
*showing a little bit about my travels on this blog

Maura is on holidays too and I'm totally dying... am using old stuff to keep my Mauraddiction under control... she should start shooting that pilot for an ABC show pretty soon, as far as I understand... I'm crossing my fingers for the show, she totally deserves an Emmy a role to show all her skills!! screw the Emmy, who the fuck needs an Emmy?!?

How's my mail doing? Not so good... I'm getting there though... I've accumulated quite a few missives in the crazy last months of the term and well, then I was away... I am writing, but I have a lot to tell mostly and I refuse to send random mail to people who are waiting for letters... you know what I mean, I guess...

Here is what I came home to... it was awesome ^.^ some mail was totally unexpected, but lovely ^^

And even while I was away I've experienced some interpals batshit-craziness!! Here's the story: Just before I went, a girl contacted me and asked what I considered really long letters... we exchanged a few messages on that and other topics and she was so eager to write to me... I said, well, I'm going away, but she insisted on sending the first letter right away and I said, if I get it before I go, I might send something from my holidays place... well, I got nothing before my flight and thought ~ typical for the mail service... then forgot all about everything until I reached the place where I did have some time for myself... Then I noticed that she already deleted me from friends... not a really big deal so far... Then I got home ~ and there was no letter from her... which was weird, because she has stalked my profile as if she expected a reply letter beamed over to Japan (she's from Japan... poor Japan!) the minute she sends hers... So I took a look at her profile and well, noticed that it says how she doesn't snail mail anymore (uhuh, did she actually send letters at all?) and people should just leave her alone, especially Europeans with their decadent culture (loved that ^0^) and fake Japan-fans with their bad google-translated Japanese... What can I say, at last, somebody is blocking Europe instead of Africa! ^0^ My point is, I'm really pretty weary of all that insanity all over... It makes me feel numb, because you always have to deal with all kinds of crap when you actually just want to write letters and send mail... so numb that I can't even feel as thrilled about potential great friends as I used to, I totally take a step back and think something like ~ oh, it might turn out alright... Does it happen to you that you try not to expect anything to avoid feeling disappointed when it doesn't work out? 

Anyway, I'll have to send a few postcards and notes to some awesome people I met during my travels... this time I'm only returning the kindness and not expecting anything, because I already got more than I probably deserved ^.^ And I feel thrilled enough about the awesome friends I already got... don't forget that you are loved!!

Oh and Heidelberg totally has its own panorama stamps and maximum cards @.@ I also like the new sky stamps, looking forward to sending stuff ^0^

And here's some stuff I sent sometime... ages ago... as it seems...

 I googled something about 'Algerian' and this is what I got ~ Algerian hedgehog! Thank you, Earth, for this wonderful creature ^0^ 

 Combination ATC ~ rabbit and moon ^.^ 

 yep, we have some stamps with Korean themes now too... 

 birds can be cute too ^0^ 

 this one is actually still sitting on my desk... let's see who'll get it...

 Haiku swap ^.^ 

I totally forgot what swap that was for, but yeah, that's a Beijing Opera actor... a little bit of Leslie Cheung atmosphere ^.^ sigh...

EDIT: I deleted my bloglovin account because I can still see everyone's updates right here on my own page... so yeah, screw that...

EDIT II: I just can't go without a Maura pic T.T deal with it...

*~awesome week~*

Guys.... I've seen Balkan Beat Box ^0^

It was a helluva concert and my un-fit body still needs to recover after going totally crazy with these awesome people! (Though I started to do some sports each week and I think things are getting better ^^) However, I was amazed that they played at that little place in our little town. The stage was so tiny, same as the hall (unlike this video's location) - which made the atmosphere really cozy, but I felt a little sad for the guys who didn't have much space. Also, the sound was CRAP! That's when I felt sorry for everyone, especially the saxophone guys, because you only heard the bass +.+ Still, I guess, everyone had a great time ^^ I do hope they'll come back ^0^

Then, this week was the birthday of ~ Le sacre du printemps ~ by Igor Stravisnky. It was performed for the first time as a ballet in Paris 100 years ago. I'm dreaming of seeing such a performance live at some point, that's definitely on my bucket list ^.^ But this week I just enjoyed two performances on TV ~ the original choreography by Vaslav Nijinsky and a new choreography by Sasha Waltz. Both were awesome, but I prefer the original because it's so Slavic ^.^

 

Then, Maura.... It's not exactly this week's news, but I love her every day ^0^ 

 

Mau-stache?? she looks like a little beaver... ^.^ (many thanks to Deirdre Lovejoy for all the pix!)

 

nobody holds hairpins like Maura does... *.*  (the hairdresser is totally cool, by the way)

absolutely sensational ~ for ONCE I liked all of her glamorous outfit! Her casual style is flawless, but as for glamorous... Usually she would destroy the whole picture by picking some atrocious accessory or hairstyle, but here I really have nothing to complain about. She's mindblowing *.* Even if the photographers make her look like a dwarf all the time =.=

 that type of cookies is called 'Russisch Brot' (Russian bread) for some reason... it's a very caramelly biscuit and those letters make it all the sweeter ^0^ 

oh yes, MAIL ^.^

 no, for once, I wasn't going to write 'Maura'... those are the initials for my friend... I know, I'm just a beginner, but it's a nice and relaxing pastime ^.^ 

 my friends gave me a gift certificate for my birthday and I've invested in awesome art supplies ^.^ I decided to make a thank you card and drew what I bought ^.^ 

 a birthday card for a friend

 that was for an ATC swap for a place with A ~ I don't know whether it's politically correct to dress a touareg man in Algerian colours, but I love this card... it inspires me to draw more faces!!

 my first attempts at Western calligraphy ^.^ the only part of address I can actually show ^.^  the paper was for watercolour though ~ I know, I'm stupid, but I had nothing better at that time...

 looks like I like drawing my supplies ^.^ 

 some more big-eyed girls...

 my part of the 10 doodles-swap ^.^ 

the recipient likes Russian, so I wrote some Russian for her ^.^ 

Don't feel like talking...

What the hell is wrong with this spring? Or this year? Or our world forever? I feel so tired and dull with all the weather changes +.+ But I'm working again and it feels quite good to be important for a small bunch of people during a tiny amount of time and I also have time to be inspired and creative...
I'm still writing my diary.
I'm using my goal-book.
I've got myself a sketch book for everyday drawings.
I feel alive.
I love Maura.
I dream of her every day and every other night.
I finished a 52-pages letter yesterday.
I'm lacking good songs on my cell phone, so this is the other thing that I'm going to take care of after this post.
I'm reading 'American Gods' by Neil Gaiman. I like it that his fantasy world is intertwined with real life. I need some reality in my fantasy books, otherwise I'm not interested. And his characters... I think I could find similar ones in my every day life ^.^
I've spent an hour drawing initials. The person with the huge letter has another thing to look forward to.
I totally need more Winsor & Newton inks. I'm in love with them.
Where is my waterbrush? It was sent from France on Thursday.
I'm learning Croatian. Or Serbian. Or Bosnian. We have to list them all for political correctness.
But actually it's Croatian, most of all.
I can say ~ na vrh brda vrba mrda. Yes, I can actually SAY it ^.^
Does it all sound like a quirk list? geez...

Maura with Stamos ~ both look so classy ^.^

 

 The Maura of yesterday... I love and adore you *.*

 

 went to a friend who appreciates a good llama in his mailbox... 

 

 awesome incoming ~ swapbot and postcrossing ^.^ 

 

 some paperdolls... or something like that... I like making gimmicks with faces that introduce German culture... Have you met Miss Spätzleschaber yet? ^0^ 

 

 Birthday mail ^.^ Taken on the day itself, so that wasn't all...

 

 Great Moomin letter and my inks ^0^ 

 

received and sent on one pic ^.^

 

 postcrossing custom made card... somebody had 'drawing of geishas' on their wishlist o.O 

 

 

 this one is probably lost in Russia...

 

 this one isn't lost in Russia... ^^

 

 

 blue-haired ladies ^.^ the upper envelope done with my new inks... now you understand why I'm in love with them ~ colouring looks awesome on the crappy envelope paper ^0^

 

 a rainbow swap... I'm not teribly fond of all of them +.+ but I really like Miss blue ^.^ 

 

 Easter beaver ^.^ 

 

 Wallace & Gromit ^0^ How I love them! 

 

 

 a little princess who just wants to be left alone... 

 I made a card for someone who loves goats... I happen to love them too, in spite of thinking that they smell atrociously... but they're such wonderful gentle animals *.*