Books & Life

So I started this 50 Book Summer Challenge on my Book Review blog, and I'm thinking I may only get to do about 30... (if that). I'm going to try to do as many as possible, but I do have other things going on in my life this summer.

1) DH and I are moving into a new apartment on Friday! (YAY!) We are going to be moving into a new place that is bigger (2 br instead of 1) and WAY more windows and less like the dungeon we live in now.

This dungeon has more light then our apartment O_o

2) DH and I are visiting a friend in St. Louis, MO in June for a week. I'm super excited because I have never been there and they have AWESOME museums and stuff that is free to the public. Also, I've come to find out that in a certain museum they are going to have inventions that Da Vinci has made! I'm super excited, because this came from Italy, and I will have a chance to see it!

Did you know that Da Vinci wrote upside down and backwards in his journal to keep people from being able to read it?

3) My brother and sister (twins) are coming to stay with us (hopefully) for a week in July. Don't have much planned yet (and we won't have a lot of money this summer) but I'm excited to see them!

4) My OTHER brother and sister (youngin's) are coming for a week in August for the first time! I can't wait to see them, and I'm sure we will go to the zoo or something like that.

5) All summer I work at art camps from 8am-1pm (sometimes til 5pm).

6) My other job is from 1pm-5pm.

7) I start yet ANOTHER job at a magazine as a photographer at the end of July or August.

Sooooo yeah... These books may not get done in time (doesn't help that I just wrote an extra long post either).

Final Fantasy X Rant

So, lately I have been playing all of the Final Fantasy games, going up to 13 because I recently bought it and I KNOW none of them have anything to do with one another, but I have just been feeling like playing all of them.

I started with 8, because that is the earliest I own, and I got to play all the way up to the 3rd disc... and then it was scratched >_< loveelyyy.... Sooo... I just decided to watch the cut-scenes from the game all the way to the ending, and well... yeah. Just left it at that. If I knew someone who owned it and was willing to let me borrow it, I would have finished it... but I didn't... soooo... 

Onwards to IX! 9 is definitely my favorite final fantasy. I don't know what it is about it, but I love all of the characters, the wit and humor, and just really everything about this game. And I mean, the main character have a monkey tail. How awesome is he?!

So I finished IX, and here I am at X... all is going great until Yunalesca.

ASEROJEWNF@)%*)#*HEWFJQ@#($&%~!

That's what I have to say about her. She is really aggravating me. Everything was running so smoothly. And I thought she was going to be easier than this. The first time I encountered this when I was thirteen, my best friend played this fight in ONE battle, in like 20 min max. So I thought, you know, maybe it was easy if it was easy for a 13 yr old. Not.

I want to have fun playing final fantasy, so I'm going to take a break for a while. I heard somewhere, that if you take a break, your brain works things out for you, even if you are not thinking about it. I'm hoping this will happen.

So while I'm waiting to replay this battle again, I'm filling up my time with Eternal Sonata, and am going to play it to the fullest - since the first time I played I didn't get all of the scores or any other side quest items.

Watching Full Moon

So, recently I just rewatched the anime Full Moon (o Sagashite).

BEST. ANIME. EVER.

Oh so many tears.

Has anyone ever watched it? I was proud to find out that it was on Hulu... but the only thing about that is they have like 3 commercial spots and then they play 3 commercials in each spot -_- - but I did rewatch all of them on Hulu because it had the best quality. If you don't care about quality - this show is easy to find online with out commercials.

On a side note - Full Moon is free on Hulu - You DO NOT need a PAID account.

The ending of Full Moon tugs at your heart strings! I won't put any spoilers on this post, but *tears* Meroko!♥

 (This is not a picture from the anime - but it IS one of my favorites from the manga!)

Sooo... Scheduling...

So making a set schedule for posts every week is pretty hard. I used to make up these alot.. but as you can see they don't work or I just dont follow them well lol

I'm going to have a 'set schedule' but I'm not going to post it cuz maybe that's why I never write.... haha IDK.

So today was a short work day and I have a test tomorrow I must study for eventually. Its a Intro to Special Education class and its not really that hard, but it is a very fun class.

I also have to write a paper on this Tom Franklin book, Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter, but I haven't gotten around to it yet (I did a review on this book here.) It's definitely a great book though, so I really recommend you check it out.

Well ja ne~ I have this homework to do and also have to run by the Ceramics lab and try to throw some pitchers and start my sisters birthday presents! (I'm making them dolls. Here's how to make these adorable dolls here. - very old site though)

Holy Awesome Sauce

So... Realized I haven't been on my blog for a year. Again. Hah! Are you really that surprised my non-existant (except four) followers?!

I have been on Deviantart alot lately though (Check that out here). I also have a Tumblr I *try* to update as often as I think about it (That would be here).

I am ALMOST finished with my Art Degree!! *Cheers from crowd* *bows* OMG I feel like I've been in school forEVER. Ready to be out!! But it's also scary because I have to actually go out there and *hope* to get a real job...

Well, non-existant ones, thanks for *not* listening to me =)

I bid all of thee farewell and maybe Ill be on my blog again next year! haha.

BTW Im addicted to this game!! Click here to play.

Bleach

So, I'm REALLLLLY behind in Bleach... LOL I had stopped watching it for a year and I and finally watching it again. I forgot how much I LOVE this show. I'm on episode 213, so I'm still watching about the Arrancar (but I'm not sure if anyone is off of the Arrancar because of all of the filler in this show >_<)

Sundays...oh Sundays...

I wish I had Sunday's off =( ...

I think they are the WORST days to work...

How's everyone's Sunday? What are you all planning to do for 4th of July this week?

I'm just glad I'm off. =)

Hey, I'm going to post a link to my Tumblr, which is my online portfolio of my art work... A long time ago one of you said you wanted to see some of my art... well here it is LOL a little late?

http://aprilbernadette.tumblr.com/

I'm Back!

Hello everyone. I am back... for probably only a short time.... but hey, it's okay, right?? Right??!?!

Well first of all, anyone who loves books should check out my book lover blog. It just has a few books up right now. It's just my review on the book and what its about and yadda yadda.

I really don't know what to post about on this blog. I want to use it for random things and about my other website and all.

For those of you who DONT know, I'm a Web Developer. Right now I'm redo-ing my whole site or else I would link it.

I'm using WordPress and LOVING it. I'm also making templates for WP so i've been REALLY busy. School has kept me busy as well.

As soon as I get my portfolio page up an' runnin' I will be sure to post the link on here along with anything else like templates and so forth.

Thanks for reading my 'I'm Back' post.

Here is something to think about while I'm gone!

A dead man is found in a locked room, hanging from the ceiling 4 ft. above the floor. The room is completely empty, except for a puddle of water below him. How did he die?

Answer is found here.

..::Rambling::..

Sooo i know that i never get on.... and im REALLY realllllly sorry u_u

I really do want to keep up with this site....

T_T

one day...

..::;;**Gaming Day**;;::..

So for all of my gaming fans out there ~ -cricket- ~ Oh yeah... so i don't have any fans, probably because i don't get on my blog and update enough... Welllll, i'm starting a Tweet, and maybe i shall have more fans. One day when i actually have time i'll get on more often. PROMISE.

ANYWAYS ~

Today's Game of the Day is ~~~


Which is, as all my friends will try and tell you, one of the GREATEST final fantasy games EVER made.

ALSO i have some links to AWESOME walkthroughs, if you use them, and other great information
on this game!!!

WALKTHROUGH

FINAL FANTASY VIII INFORMATION!!!

WIKI -- Alot of information if you feel like reading.

Also, just as another link, i have the beginning video on YOUTUBE.

ANNND Just coming from me, this IS the coolest RPG ever, so if you love
squaresoft, try it out!!!

And if you actually use the walkthrough, your a cheater O_O unless you played it through the first time
and are just using it for the second or whatnot...

...cheater...

anyhow.. Its a really fun game, guys and girls love it. Guys for the awesome action,
and girls for the lovely graphics (even though now we have better) and for the ... romance?

LOL So just be sure to check it out if you haven't.

If you haveee, Gimme an i ..::heart::.. FF8

~Ja Ne

~~April

PS Follow me on Twitter!!

Manga Day!! .:WoOt:.

Soooo I haven't posted in like... almost a year..... so yeaaaah im sorry...

Here is a bit about one of my favorite mangas. I give it a 5/5.

R to L (Japanese Style)

In company-owned rabbit-hutch apartments live tenants who can't afford to live anywhere else, and the apartment complex in which high-school girl Hatsumi Narita lives is ruled over by the rumor mongering, self-righteous Mrs. Tachibana. Get on Tachibana's bad side, and life becomes hell. When Hatsumi has to buy a pregnancy test because her popular sister Akane is late, Mrs. Tachibana's son, Ryoki, who used to bully Hatsumi as a kid, promises not to tell the world about Hatsumi's secret, only if she becomes his slave. Suddenly Azusa, Hatsumi's protector in their youth, reappears to save her again! He's moving back into the neighborhood! Despite the budding romance between Hatsumi and Azusa, Ryoki has control over her through the secret that could ruin the lives of everyone in Hatsumi's family, and he hasn't forgotten who his slave is!

Hatsumi is a sensible and mild-mannered young girl, but she suddenly finds herself in a swirl of drama that threatens to drive her totally crazy. Her younger sister is a shameless flirt and might be pregnant. [Oh no!] An old friend is back in town and is now a famous (and hot) fashion model.[Swoon...]Her neighbor is a bully and is blackmailing her to be his love slave. [Hate him!!]And this is just the beginning! Miki Aihara turned the manga world upside down with her salacious, outrageous, and funny hit series. If you think being a teenager in America is hard, wait until you read Hot Gimmick. These Tokyo boys and girls are really messed up!

CGing W/ PhotoShop!!!

Yeah... so here is the wonderful how to on CGing......... And yeah.... i totally haven't been posting like i said i would....... X_X sooo busy.... darn college... lol But i can't write much more..... too busy.. but here is a photoshop pointer!

So......yahhhhhhh........

Soooooo..... No need to tell me........ I know i haven't been on for a month....... or maybe weeks...... but i haven't had to because this was a project for my class....... but now its not and i think i'm going to use this site for other stuff n_n....

So the new way this blog will work....

• MONDAYS- Anime Day ..::WoOt::..
• TUESDAYS- Manga Day (lol, I'll explain this in the later paragraphs...)
• WEDNESDAYS- Fanart Day (mine and others)
• THURSDAYS- Gaming Day ..::wOoT::..
• FRIDAYS- ...My Ramblings Day!!! (hahahahaa)

Yeah......... So anime days........ Its just going to be me and my ramblings about a different anime, what i like about it and what not... But i'll have a link to my other page where you can download the anime and see more of my smart little comments on it.... and basically the same for manga.

Fanart day.... I will post my art sometimes, and i will post my friends and what i think is cool.... And i'll post some things on How to Use PhotoShop if you want to learn how to CG.... I'm still learning, but you know. My friends make up some How To Guides... So we can learn together, ne?

Gaming day........... My blahing on games... I don't own an Xbox...... so i won't be talking about Xbox games....... ever....... one day i will get one for the eternal sonata game....... UNLESS! I buy it for PS3, yah!!!! lol..... it needs to come out soon....

Rambling days....... may turn into another sort of day...... but i couldn't think of anything......... but its cool.....

<3

Lego Art

This Lego Art is by Nathan Sawaya. It's amazing and beautiful.

(btw......... i haven't been feeling good, therefore i haven't written for a while T_T sorries)

Bleh....

Today i'm not feeling very well. AT ALL. bleh.... Homework is due.... and i feel like i'm going to fall over any minute. I'm tired, and i'm so happy class was cancelled this morning, or i would have died by now. I don't think im going to write much today.......

blah.

peace out.

april.

Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure

So... I forgot to post on FRIDAY, my game, manga, anime, whatever day......... So today i'm posting for that day n_n.............

Today I want to talk about the video game RHAPSODY: A MUSICAL ADVENTURE, by Atlus. It was made for playstation 1 in JULY 2000. It's mostly seen as a girl game, and yes, i think so as well. It has wonderful music, and also comes with a CD when you buy the game. This game is also coming to the DS soon.

The game centers on the adventures of Cornet, a girl who can talk to puppets and has a magical horn that grants wishes, and Kururu, a puppet that is very close to Cornet. The majority of the game is about Cornet and Kururu trying to save Prince Ferdinand Marl E. (whom Cornet has a crush on) after he has been turned to stone by the self-proclaimed "most beautiful witch in the world." The witch, Queen Marjoly, also has a crush on the prince and had meant to transport him to her castle, but messed up the spell and accidentally turned him to stone.

When starting a new game, the player can select a game difficulty (easy, normal, or hard), which affects how long it will take to finish the game. The player selects different places on the world map and encounters random encounter battles. Unlike most RPGs, the player can save at any time, except during battle.

An oft-mentioned point of appreciation is its relatively unique plot premise and flow. Rhapsody is a theatrical musical in regard to its presentation style, containing frequent cut scenes that are sung, rather than simply spoken and acted. Players are given the option of listening to the lyrics and voice-overs in Japanese, English, or muting them entirely.

I would give this game a 8/10, but some may say that i think it is good because its a girlly game, and i happen to be a girl.

Beautiful Hand Art

Artist: Guido Daniele

This art is not photoshoped. It is actually painted on hands of other people by the artist named above. Very creative n_n

Intro To My Life...

Hellooooooo! n_n So today is random blog entry day, so im going to post about me... lol Well, maybe someone will find it interesting!!! I just thought maybe you would like to know whats going on in my life.......since your reading my blog.........or maybe not......but it gives me something to do, okay?!?! LOL so.... without further ado, i shall explain myself....

My name is April Bernadette -----.... (im not fond of people knowing my full name on the web.......) i have 2 brothers, 3 sisters, and 2 step sisters. lol full house, yes i know. I have a wonderful boyfriend named Ryan.

I love video games, manga, anime, crafts, yadda yadda.... animals... friends.... blah so on. My favorite colour is aqua and i like spelling colour like that bc not alot of ppl spell it that way......... Is it a British thing? I also spell grEy like that instead of grAy..... Which is correct? lol, does it matter?.........

I got off topic. Sorry. I love final fantasy games.......... X that. I love SquareSoft and Square Enix games the best. lol To be more broad....... cuz i'll go on and on about video games....

My favorite anime and manga.......................x that.......... My FIRST manga was Fushigi Yuugi, by Yuu Watase. Big Yuu Watase fan. Check her out. My first anime was probably Sailor Moon.... I don't remember that far back.

Yeah... so i have 4 dogs (3 being golden retrievers and 1 being a german shepard), one guinne pig (ADORABLE!!! But sheds alot!!! @_@), and one fish (names Sakana, which means fish in japanese.... lol)..........

And i think i talk too much.......... so im done.........now.............yeah....... So thanks for visiting my blog. Can't wait to blab some more tommorrow.....

~fin~

Button Cookies n_n

Ingredients

• 2cups sifted all - purpose flour,plus more for work surface
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 cup(1 stick)unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• Gel - paste food coloring in pink and green
• Sanding sugar, for sprinkling

Directions

1. Whisk together flour , salt, and baking powder in a large bowl; set aside.Put butter and granulated sugar into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment; mix on medium speed until pale and fluffy.Mix in egg and vanilla.Reduce speed to low. Add flour mixture; mix until combined. Divide dough into thirds. Knead pink food coloring into 1 piece and green into another. Shape all 3 pieces into disks. Wrap disks in plastic wrap, and refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour.

2. Preheat oven to 325 . Remove 1 disk from refrigerator; let stand at room temperature until slightly soft, 5 to 10 minutes. Roll out dough on a piece of lightly floured parchment to a 1/8 - inch thickness, dusting with flour as needed. Cut out circles with a 1 3/4 inch round cutter, then lightly press with a 1 1/2 inch round cutter. Make button holes with a skewer. Reroll scraps, and cut.(If dough becomes too soft,refrigerate 10 minutes) Repeat with remaining dough. Space 1 1/2 inches apart on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Sprinkle with sanding sugar.

3. Bake, rotating halfway through, until edges are golden, 16 to 18 minutes. Transfer to wire racks; let cool completely. Cookies can be stored in airtight containers at room temperature up to 1 week.

How This Blog Is Gonna Work

So............. Yeah.... I'm not very good at blogging. haha but, i've decided that if i make myself a schedule, maybe i'll get on frequently? Or at least more than i do now......... And i need to get on, bc my grade depends on it!!! lol not only that though, ive wanted to start a blog n_n but never got around to it until this web class. So here's how its going to work ~~~

• MONDAYS - Random Entry Day (yayyy)


• TUESDAYS - Recipes (Yummmm)


• WEDNESDAY - Random Entry Day (yayyy)


• THURSDAY - Art Apreciation (mine as well as others n_n)


• FRIDAY - Anime/Manga/Game Review Day!!! (Anyone with questions on the games or need help, don't be afraid to ask!!!!)


• SATURDAY AND SUNDAY - If i get around to it, i'll post. If i miss a day then i'll post one of these days.

Yayyyyyy.... So there is my schedule. Thanks for coming to my blog. I shall try to post often.