I'M BAAACK!

Hi, guys! SO, how have you all been up to?? I know for a fact that I’ve missed so much going on in my blog world, and it feels amazing to be back on track. Thank you all so much for your encouragement, as always!!

While I was away, I pondered what I should do to take my blog and art in the right direction, and I think I was able to penetrate the surface of my worries and insecurities somewhat. Of course, it’s hard to feel perfect about everything, but that’s the point of learning and growing, isn’t it? Most importantly, I learned that I shouldn’t be so timid to keep experimenting with my method of doing things. That’s the best way to learn…trial and error, don’t you think?

Thank you all so much for staying with me through the break and from the moment I started my blog. Honestly, I was astounded when I hit the number of 15 followers in the beginning. That should be a lesson in and of itself! You just have to keep scratching the surface of what you only fathom could be possible and keep learning and working persistently along the way.

In honor of unwinding a bit, I think it’s time to let you guys know a bit more about me. Some sweet blog friends of mine nominated me for the Liebster Award quite a while ago, and I’ve been meaning to answer their questions. So thank you, Cathy of Cathy Trails, Camille at Wildflower Diaries, and Ines at SimplyClassyMe!

Before I start, I’d like to share a few things about these beautiful people:

Cathy: I have to say I love your outlook of life entirely! You are effervescent, full of happiness and positive potential, and you bring that to everyone you come in contact with. Just by reading your posts, my mood is instantly lifted, and I want to better myself and keep going when I see people like you.

Camille: You have a heart filled to the brim with love and kindness, and I look up to you for your missionary work and encouragement to those who need your help and care. It’s definitely not often to hear about people who dream of being a youth worker in Kenya, and it takes a strong will and heart to take such a genuine and giving path in life. Your bubbly personality never stops to make me smile, and your call in life warms my heart. One more thing…I LOVE the way you take your photos. That’s one thing that I hope to master!

Ines: Oh, my dear! You were one of the first supporters of my work, and I look up to you for more reasons than I can count on my fingers. You are a strong and loving wife, mother, and daughter, and I love the way you reference your family with immense love. Your sense of fashion is timeless and won’t dare to grow old, and I admire you for becoming an architect—a career you always wanted ever since you were a child. Your pull of inspiration is phenomenal, and I would die to see your architectural work as well. What an encouragement you are to me. I hope to be the mother, wife, and passionate worker that you are! Abrazos y besos (hugs and kisses)!!

Now then…here are my answers to questions asked by Cathy, Camille, and Ines:

Cathy asked:

1. Would you rather have super strength or super intelligence? Super intelligence! Physical strength can pretty much wither over time (as does beauty), and I think a sharp mind is a major component of the building blocks that propel the world forward.

2. What is one possession you cannot live without? Does my dog count? I love to talk to people…and since I work from home during the days, she’s the only one I can bounce ideas of off (even though she isn’t that keen on my thoughts unless it involved a green bouncy ball). I do love to chat with my other design-oriented friends on the phone if I run into problems, but then we end up getting distracted from work.

3. What is the most touching movie you have ever seen? I get emotional all the time, which makes me question why I don’t carry tissues with me at all times. The most recent movie that made me wipe the back of my hands across my face and nose was The Descendants.

4. Are you an old soul or a new soul?  Ha! I don’t quite understand what the means. I must be out of the times! I just looked up what other people thought it meant…as an old soul referring to a person that’s comfortable in their own skin and wise beyond their years versus a new soul, meaning a person who generally fits to conformity and has big goals and dreams in their future. That being said, I must be a new soul. I’m still trying to discover myself, and I can’t stop thinking about the future. There is so much to accomplish! Know what I mean?

5. What is your biggest accomplishment? Well. Speaking of accomplishments! I could say a lot of things that are shallow, meaningless, or braggy, but I have to say marrying my husband is my biggest and life-altering accomplishment. Much of the time, he’s a dreamer while I’m a realist…he was one of the main reasons I chose to pursue art.

6. Why did you start blogging? See number five in addition to the fact that I wanted to spread the audience base of my art and share ideas with other creative people around the world. You guys are such an amazing encouragement and driving force behind what I do on a day-to-day basis!

7. Who do you think is the sexiest female or male celebrity alive? I must be a bit lame, but I don’t really care for celebrities. Uh, can I say my husband? You know, since he’s my rockstar, ha.

8. Do you believe true love can last forever? Yes, I do. I only think it can work by overcoming hardships and communicating and loving one another unconditionally, though. A strong relationship takes a strong will and genuine care.

9. What's a quote that you live by everyday? "Work with passion. Indeed, become a passionista, wherever you find yourself right now." -Mark Cohen
Got that one from a small book I was flipping through for my very last paper in grad school. That phrase can be applied to all aspects of life, don’t you think?

10. If you could give a person only one piece of advice, what would it be?  See number 8.

11. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?  Oh man, I used to always say near a beach, but now I’m not sure. I think instead of basing my dream city on appearances, I would most love to be in a place surrounded by family and friends.

12. What is your favorite meal? A Filipino meal that my mom is insanely good at making called sinagong. It has ribs and all types of veggies mixed in with a mouthwatering soup. Throw it all on a bed of rice in a bowl, and I’m so happy.

Camille asked:

1. Do you have a nickname? I used to only allow friends that had known me forever and very well to call me Danie (short for Danielle), but I’ve changed my selective ways. I love being called Danie by everyone now. My husband calls me Panda sometimes, and we really have no idea how that started…

2. What camera do you use [and what's your favorite lens]? Nikon D60. I don’t have a favorite lens yet…there’s still so much to learn!

3. Are you in to all things organic? I love to try and be healthy, but I’m usually the person that grabs fruit and vegetables that aren’t organic because they’re more readily available and cheaper. Oops!

4. Is denim on denim for reals a thing now? I would’ve said no this time last year, but I sort of love it now…as long as it’s different shades! You won’t see me wandering around in light on light or dark on dark.

5. Are elephants just like the best things ever or what? They’re pretty great. Did you know they cry out of happiness when they reunite with one another after years of separation? Incredible, huh?

6. Are you wearing astronaut pants? [because your donk is outta this world] Okay. What now?

7. What's your favorite blog post that you've done so far? Hhhm, I can’t say I have an absolute favorite! I really love my Art + Short Story posts whenever I’m able to get around to making them on Fridays.

8. Hey, how you doin? Hey, awesome! How YOU doin'?

9. If you were trapped in a room with a spider and nothing else, what would you do? Don’t ask me that. Act like a girl, of course.

10. What is something that made you happy today?  Well, since I typed this up last night, I'll say sitting in bed after work with my guy and the dog while we watched a couple of shows together. He got to pick one show and I chose the other. That's fair!

And last but certainly not least, Ines asked:

1. Why do you blog? See my answer to Cathy’s question #8.

2. What’s your favorite way to spend a Saturday? Waking up after 8 AM, making a big breakfast with my husband, and going to coffee shops to work on art and catch up on reading. If I’m not feeling too lazy, I love to spend the night with friends while we make dinner together and watch movies.

3. Are you a night owl or an early bird? I definitely used to be a night owl, but that’s changed. I wouldn’t say I like to get up at 5 AM either, though. I do want to train myself to learn to want to be an early riser.

4. What is on your bedside table? My sketchbook, an issue of Entrepreneur magazine, Falling Up by Shel Silverstein, The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin, and The Success Principles by Jack Canfield, a small white canvas lamp with a silver base, and a triangular white porcelain bowl that holds a pretty little rock from the beach in San Francisco, a few hair ties, and bobby pins.

5. Have you ever travelled to a foreign country? Fortunately, yes.

6. If yes, where? The Philippines when I was 2, Mexico in my teens, and all over the US growing up. I know the US technically doesn’t count, but it differs so much from state to state that I thought I might as well add it. We’re in the middle of planning a trip to Europe this coming July, and I’m beyond excited! 

7. Sea or mountains. Sea

8. Favorite chore. Vacuuming. You can dance and sing while pushing it all over the place, AND it's overwhelmingly satisfying to see dust getting sucked into oblivion.

9. Least favorite chore. Putting up clothes. I don’t really mind the washing and drying, but our closets always look somewhat disheveled. I feel like I'm always trying to re-fix everything in the closets.

10. What's your favorite place in the world? Our home.

11. If you could change something about you or your life, what would it be? You know, as much as I want to gain recognition and praise, I don’t think I would change anything. I’m blessed with everything I have and to have experienced so much in life. Guess you just have to keep moving forward to get to your goals!

Thank you girls again for the nomination! I feel so loved.

Whew, it’s good to be back! I’ve missed you all!