Hello everyone!! It's been a little while, huh? I officially got started up on drawing again and did some practicing and worked on some art today~ I just have to finish this commish and then this other picture and I'll be all set! ^^
So goodness what to say about school...well it's been pretty rough so far even though it's only been 2 weeks! Golf practice started last week(or this week...whichever you prefer xD), and my word practices go LATE! I don't get home until 6:30pm monday-thursday now T__T And plus the course isn't exactly close to my house either...but nonetheless if I'm gonna be captain and dedicated to the team, I've gotta do what I've gotta do, right?
Which reminds me though(please be warned, mini story up ahead), I am not so comfortable around my coach as of this week...I've known her since 4th grade or so but lately she has gotten really personal about things with me. And not in a good way. *sigh* The other day on Thursday(since she drives me home from practice), she asked me how my summer was and apparently my mom told her about my grandmothers passing away AND my neighbor passing away PLUS the argument I had with my parents right before I left Korea..and she just kept barreling me with questions about it and reminding me about such terrible and depressing things. At first it was just "so what did you guys argue about?" and then when I told her "just family matters and school" and she was like "and why are we arguing about matters like those?" and I said I wasn't sure but that it was mostly from SAT stress and she then went on to ask "and why are we getting into arguments over disagreements on SAT prep that's supposed to be good for you?" and obviously she wasn't aware of the 6-10 hours that my dad made me do and wanted me to do, so I told her and she was like "and why are we making a big deal about SAT prep and being recognized by parents when my parents didn't recognize me even when they died and I had back to back designer school classes?" Agh and she always asks questions with the "and why are we etc etc" like as if she was THERE, and we even got into a slight argument ourselves because I almost snapped when she said "well honey, they are the ones paying the bills. and if your dad says 6-10 hours of SAT, you'd better do it because if you live under their roof, it's their rules." But that wasn't even the worst bit, she even went on to say "And I think what's really causing the argument between your parents is this. (and she points to me while she's driving) You aren't appreciating your culture and you don't UNDERSTAND your culture either. If you live in a korean house with korean parents then you'd better learn to accept the korean culture with it. And look at this, you probably wouldn't be unable to speak korean right now if you actually DID appreciate your culture like your parents want you to."
Now this slightly annoyed me because it's not like she's lived in my house since she's known me and seen all that's happened to me for my whole life either. It's not MY fault NOR my parents' fault that I don't know how to speak korean fluently. In fact, I don't know if you guys knew this, but they didn't WANT to stress my speaking korean at home because they didn't want to make the same mistake with me as they did with my sister. Because when SHE got to the States, she was so stressed and almost in completely culture shock because she didn't know how to communicate with anyone at school in english, and she didn't really even have any friends because of this until late middle school and high school(which was like 6 years later). So when I entered elementary school, they made sure to try and speak English at home with me at least until I got the hang of it before switching out to speaking korean AND english at home; that way I wouldn't experience the same kind of culture shock my sister did. And my coach TOTALLY did not know this and it just upset me that she pretended to know everything that has happened to me and about what my parents wanted for me and she doesn't. *sigh* I just..it was really difficult getting barreled with these questions especially they were all about REALLY personal things that I didn't want to be reminded of AND she was accusing me of not appreciating my parents or my culture enough. I didn't really answer about half the questions but when I gave obscure answers, she'd just ask why I wasn't being respectful and not answering... as if I wasn't shaken up by the subject already OTL.
But in any case, I was remembering what you all told me while she was saying these things to me and I just reminded myself during that whole time that what she says isn't 100% true. I understand that she might have had it tough in her life and she never even BOTHERED to question her parents because she thought it'd be futile. She even told me "why are you trying so hard to get your parents to recognize you? If they aren't now, they probably won't change, and won't EVER change. You're just being stubborn, and an idiot too, at that." And she even said that while my friend was in the backseat of the car....
But anyway, I remembered what you all told me from before. I'm not stubborn, although I can be, I admit, but if anything I'm just PERSISTENT. My logic is that persistence and determination leads to success. A person that really works hard at a skill can outdo someone with talent in that skill that is lazy and does absolutely nothing. And I BELIEVE that I can get my parents to see how hard I've worked one day, even though my coach, sadly, didn't attempt to give herself that opportunity. I already think I'm on that road actually, especially after clearing up some of the misunderstandings I had with my dad after that horrendous argument. But yes, never put your hand out to have your head cut off. That's what I thought to myself and I knew that in that situation I just really had to trust myself and not listen to what she was saying, but at the same time be sure to know where she's coming from with her position and perspective. And although I cried that day because the terrible memories she reminded me of came flooding back, I knew I was a bit stronger because I was able to perservere through it all and still believe in myself without letting her words bring me down in full. So again I wanted to thank you guys SO much for that. You all REALLY have no idea how your words helped me that day! =) *super hugs you all*
And lucky me since it's a 3 day weekend I have work to do BUT not as much as usual and I can draw for certain! ^^ I think I'll be livestreaming my coloring process for my latest pic(which currently has major anatomy problems so I'll be working on that xD)~ so yeah I'll be sure to let you guys know maybe a day or two ahead of time before I begin! I'll be aiming to start coloring this weekend probably haha.
And now for the theOtaku meme everyone's been doing! Here we go!
1. Type your full username.
aragorn1014
2. Do you have other accounts? If so, what is the name(s) of it/them
Nope, none whatsoever!~
3. What do you submit on theO?
Fanart~ but I try to keep it limited to only my best work/gifts for friends. I'm gonna start submitting much more original art that I've been wanting to do for myself though! So get ready for that! =D
I also submit some e-cards, but they aren't exactly my strong area, so yeah xDD
4. Out of what you submit most, what is the most popular piece?
Still this rather old piece from May of last year xDD But I'm still proud of it! First shot at cel-shading haha.
5. Are you surprised?
I was at the time xD I didn't know that it would do that well...But now I'm aiming to outdo myself and top that picture in style and skill!
6. Who is your best friend on theO?
Oh geez...too many to list haha. From my REALLY old theOtaku best friends circle though from when I first joined(and I'm still close friends with) are Sora_Hanaki, Fire Fox Sakurie, Cherryshock, FUNimation, RSRKingdomstars, iKarebear, innocent heart, SaxGirl, just.me, AngelBestDream, and Yours Truly(but mind you my best friend list goes a REALLYYYY long way LOL). And of course, special mention to Suerte, my best friend from before I even joined theOtaku that I met on Maplestory<33.
7. Who is your enemy on theO?
*laughs* Is it even possible to have an enemy here? The community is so tight-knit, I'm pretty close to everyone even if I haven't talked to them. I pretty much recognize almost every name I see in the fanart section and sometimes even the other sections too nowadays xD I do have some sort of ill feelings towards people who's methods I don't agree with, but I usually disregard these feelings because only my friends and the wonderful people here are the ones that matter. =)
8. Who do you admire on theO?
If you saw my influence map on DA, you'd probably know who xD But for now, I'll be keeping my favorite artist a secret. ^^
And I don't even know if I should even bothering mentioning how much I admire my friends because of how wonderful and supportive they are! Not just for their amazing creations, but also for their absolutely caring hearts!
9. When did you join theO?
10/24/06- Ten days after my birthday after I saw art from my favorite artist and several of my friends from my reallyy old theOtaku circle(Sora_Hanaki, Cherryshock, and Kokkoii-Matoku xD).
10. Do you like theO?
I wouldn't rather be at any other place than here! DA and Gaia, sure, but I will never be as active there as I am here. The community and the people here are just so wonderful and I find it much harder to feel that in full in big places like DA and Gaia.
11. Have any nicknames on here?
Sayura-chan(I think I've adopted the honorific on the end of my name now..it didn't used to be like that when I first joined xDD), Riiya for some, Hyunji for others(but very few...mostly like..Korean people I know on here hahaha)
12. Belong to rps? If you do, names?
Nope! But I sometimes do mini RPs by PM with some friends for fun =P
13. What do you usually do on here?
Comment when I absolutely can, post on my world like once a week, and browse all the sections! I make it my goal to comment everyday on one random artwork of someone that hasn't been recognized(like less than 5-10 hugs...) and give critique/feedback! And you have no idea how great it feels to hear Thanks so much! from those people after I comment ^^
14. Do you know anyone on theO in real life?
The most I know for real life really is by phone or facebook/photos LOL. I plan to meet you guys though! I promise!
15. Is a family member on here?
Nope! But I do have quite a few sisters on here =P *hugs Ima-chan, Sora-chan, and Kiyoko-chan*
16. Do you comment often?
Yes! And no...I really try my best, because my comments are usually lengthy because I like to say what I like in a picture and what can be improved. I love doing this because I know that people appreciate it and besides, it's fun for me anyways ^^
17. Is there anything you wish you could take back involving theO?
I think I'll say yes to this xD
18. If yes, what?
Not drawing as much for myself xDD I really think I should have balanced myself out more..BUT I don't regret ANYTHING I've submitted here! They are all a part of me and my journey to become a better artist!
19. How much of your time is spent on here?
Quite a bit haha. This is like my second or third home...I have so many wonderful friends here, I never can stay away for too long because I love seeing what's up with everyone! ^^
20. Do you keep in contact with anyone on theO that you don’t know in rl?
I don't really understand this question but um...I have quite a few of my friends added on MSN/facebook and even some phone numbers to call and text with! Oh and Gaia and DA haha. Let me know and I'll definitely be sure to add you outside of theO into any of these if you'd like =)
21. Something you LOVE about theO?
The community, hands down. It's so close here, and I always feel really comfortable...never overwhelmed like the atmosphere at DA. So that makes me happy ^^ And especially all of the wonderful people here I've met and gotten to know!<333
22. Something you HATE about theO?
Well there isn't anything I really HATE about theOtaku..I think there are just some minor things in the systme that could be changed probably. I am still a bit concerned about the popularity system though...so many wonderful artists are out there that just don't get recognized because of the system here.
23. Something you wish you could change?
I'm gonna have to say the Featured Fandom as well. It definitely should be more like DA with the Daily Deviations so more than one art could be featured AND for those that don't get noticed in ANY section to get some attention that much deserve! I know this may sound hypocritical considering how blah I can be about DA, but really I do like that part of the system that they have there.
24. How many subscribers do you have?
167~
25. Are you fine with that number?
Haha I guess I can say I am! Mostly because many of the popular artists only sub back to a few people that subscribe to them, but I'm VERY happy that I pretty much know almost everyone that has subscribed to me! ^^ It's great to know that I have so many friends =)
26. Do you call people on theO with “Chan”, “Kun”, “San”, “Sama”, “Sensei”, etc.?
Yep, Sayura-chan is my most common nickname haha and I've even been called Sayura-san but never the others. I do use honorifics because for me it's kind of natural(since I do have relatives in Japan after all).
27. Do you know what any of those even are?
I'm part japanese so yeah I'd better know what they are xD Japanese honorifics, of course. And if there is anyone on theOtaku that doesn't know what this is, I will be VERY surprised.
28. Who do you talk to on theO the most?
Well..kinda everyone really xD The people I talk to the most though are usually the people that PM me really frequently and especially people that contact me outside of theOtaku.
29. Does theO have a influence on your every day life?
Every single day ^^ I always learn something new from what I see my friends submit on here!
30. What did you think of this 30 question meme?
It was interesting! I'd really like to see a theOtaku DRAWING meme someday..I think that'd be quite interesting haha.
Take care everyone! I do hope you enjoyed reading the meme and a bit about how I've been doing since my pretty sudden announcement in my last post xD If you have an MSN, add me at [email protected] if you want to keep in touch there too! =) Or PM me since I love to respond to those of course! I love you all so much!~ I'll see you all soon! ^^
