http://search.deviantart.com/?q=by:Rina-jo&section=today deviantART RSS for by:Rina-jo en-us Copyright 2009, deviantART.com Wed, 16 Dec 2009 11:39:58 PST deviantART.com http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://s.deviantart.com/minish/widgets/apple-touch-icon-precomposed.png http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/10905116/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/10905116/ Thu, 30 Nov 2006 18:14:28 PST
1. I belong to a family of Pokèmon fanatics and used to be one myself
2. I wrote 50,125 words for NaNoWriMo my first year running
3. My new turn of phrase is 'just a little'
4. I enjoy social dancing
5. I have perfect pitch
6. I am legal to drink in Europe and can buy porn and half-liquor in Ohio, and yet have not bothered to learn how to drive

And now that you have read this, you may carry on about your business ^_^

]]> ~Rina-jo http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/10884546/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/10884546/ Tue, 28 Nov 2006 21:24:27 PST
Freaking.

Crap.

I did it.

I made 50K.

*sits in shock for a few minutes*

...


WAHOOOOOOOO!

That's, erm, pretty much all I have to say about that

This last week after Thanksgiving was the easiest of the month. I wrote 7,000 words in two days and caught up to Casey (my writing buddy/personal threat deliverer) just in time to pass the 50K mark with her about half an hour ago.

For a while I thought I wouldn't do it but everyone encouraged me (and hinted at my violent death should I quit by turn) and so I kept going and wow, I've got a lot to show for it.

Am v. happy right now. I doubt I'll sleep tonight.

WAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

~~~

Word Count: 50,125/50,000

]]> ~Rina-jo http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/10835172/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/10835172/ Fri, 24 Nov 2006 13:59:26 PST
Thanks everyone who's supporting me in this crazy business. Thanks everyone who's been reading my caffeine-deprived rants about it too.

Happy Thanksgiving!

~~~

Word Count: 40,115/50,000

]]> ~Rina-jo http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/10771117/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/10771117/ Sat, 18 Nov 2006 20:59:11 PST
So I'm talking to Liv just now and she's sending me all these music jokes. The following conversation excerpt goes as follows:

Liv: You know you're a band geek if: the band uniforms turn you on XD!!!!!!
Me: *grins*
Me: yup
Me: haha that totally makes me want to write erotic band geek love
Liv: *DIES LAUGHING* OMFGGGG DO IIIIIIIITTTTTT
Me: nooooooooooooo *giggles*
Me: I'm a nice little girl
Me: we don't do things like that
Liv: XD NO YOU'RE NOT
Liv: You just said THAT!
Me: *grins*
Me: even nice little girls have their moments
Me: you know what they say about good girls
Liv: XD make wild women
Me: 'zactly
Liv: *busts up laughing once more* omg I love you
Me: *grins* thanks

Let this be a lesson to all of you whom I chat with online. You need to be very, very careful what you say to me as it gets later and later in the evening. My inner whore likes to pop out and have fun with you.

Not even joking.

Now for the rant...I am having issues with DW AGAIN. It's not that I don't want to write it, as I've finally gotten where I want to be, have passed 30k, and am in a generally good mood.

My brain has this complex with writing at the pace NaNo demands, at least for this particular story. Keep in mind it took me almost three years to write the last draft of it. Subliminally, I can't grasp that the story will be finished, or at least very close, by November 30 at 11:59. Normally I'd be back at chapter three, IF that, by this point. Instead I'm past the halfway point. The part of me that likes to take my time hates that. So while I'm attempting to type out the next scenes as fast as my fingers will go, my brain is yelling 'SLOW DOWN, BESSIE!' in the background.

I guess my Inner Editor hasn't really vacated for the month.

What's not helping is the fact that I was looking forward to going to my grandmother's for Thanksgiving, but we're not going after all. My theory teacher scheduled a stupid EXAM for the day that we wanted to leave, and I can't miss it or my grade is screwed, and he won't let me take it early. So my parents decided that since they can't leave when they wanted it's going to be too stressful to make the drive, and we canceled the trip.

I hate Dr. Hanks right now. Normally, I like him, but throwing that stupid wrench into my holiday plans was completely unfair. Grrr.

All right. Time for me to run get coffee and then get back to writing.

~~~

Word Count: 30,225/50,000

]]> ~Rina-jo http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/10728662/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/10728662/ Tue, 14 Nov 2006 22:04:57 PST
P.S. 'Bitte' is actually a German word meaning 'please' or 'you're welcome.' In Musicstudent, it has a different meaning that I'm sure you can guess. I love my fellow H-berg peeps.
~~~

Word Count: 25,006/50,000

]]> ~Rina-jo http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/10706588/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/10706588/ Sun, 12 Nov 2006 22:32:18 PST
I feel a lot better about NaNo now, having written 3,000 words today and finally gotten ahead of the game again. Oof. Last week really just stressed me out all around and I hated it. Bless Carrie and Chase...they are the driving force behind this draft. I'm not nearly as much in touch with any of the other characters.

Something else I've noticed with DW this time around is that it is getting progressively less and less comedic as I work on it. Here's what I mean:

1st draft- Complete joke. Too much slapstick and toilet humor. Quite honestly, it should burn. But that's not the point.
2nd draft- First half was heavy on the personal jokes and Chase in particular being a total goof. Second half after he was kidnapped got more serious because he wasn't around to be the comic relief. Ending was a little too depressing for my taste.
3rd draft- Barely comedic at all. It's much more about the personal struggles of the characters. Granted, there is some humor but that's not what it's centered on.

Which leaves me wondering what my reason is for writing it.

Amazing how something that started out as a labor of love for my friends (and a reason for not letting a perfectly good fuzzy frog notebook go to waste) has morphed so much. Or maybe this is about developing my writing style and proving that a story that begins in a toy shop can be just as deep and meaningful as other things.

I won't know until I've beaten this story so much that I can't do anything with it anymore. Til then, I'll keep working.

~~~

Word Count: 21,396/50,000

I will get that 50,000 words if it kills me.

]]> ~Rina-jo http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/10694774/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/10694774/ Sat, 11 Nov 2006 21:34:16 PST
NaNo is hard and not just because DW itself has become difficult. In fact, I think it's become difficult because I lost my stride on it about mid-week over having to write a bloody two-page paper completely in German and also write ten measures of this semester's composition assignment, both due Friday and both a pain in the ever-loving rear. (And to those of you who say ten measures is no big, you try it. There are a billion rules I have to follow. It took bloody forever.)

Either way, I hit my first huge transition and fell apart.

Those of you who have read the last draft know that chapter three is basically one huge transition from start to finish. Of course, that wasn't a problem for me last draft, because three years ago, when I was actually writing it (yes, Colt, it WAS three years ago...back when I still lived in Gundo) I was a much more patient person than I am now...and besides that, compared to the very first draft of DW, what I was writing was hot stuff. (Not even joking. The only reason I still have that draft is because the notebook is fuzzy.) I've reached a point in my writing development where:

1) I second-guess everything I type even after I've re-done the same sentence three times over
2) Transitions are bloody boring.

I want to get to the GOOD stuff, which isn't coming until about midway through chapter four. And when I hit chapter five I don't know what I'm going to do, because all they do is WALK AROUND. God. I'm going to have to do some serious Word Warring to get myself through this or I'll never finish.

On the bright side, I have less work to do this week so that'll be more time to write. I think that this week has just stressed me out all over.

Back to work with me...I still have 1000 words to write tonight.

----

Word Count: 17,684/50,000

]]> ~Rina-jo http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/10598251/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/10598251/ Thu, 02 Nov 2006 21:06:18 PST
And yes, everyone, I'm alive. Hello again to all of you. *waves*

As an aside, does anyone know how to put a widget in a journal?

~~~

Word count: 4,434/50,000

]]> ~Rina-jo http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/10574939/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/10574939/ Tue, 31 Oct 2006 19:07:13 PST
So, I haven't updated this journal or even posted anything new in more than a year *looks slightly appalled at self* but here I am again.

Why? I'm just showing some solidarity to my dear friend Colt, that's all.

In just five hours, California time, it will be Nov. 1st. This is a significant date of the year because it is the start of an annual event/challenge/whatever called National Novel Writing Month, NaNoWriMo (or even just NaNo if you're lazy enough) for short.

"Say what? Write a novel in 30 days? Are you NUTS, Marina?"

Nope. *grins*

The actual challenge is to see if you can write 50,000 words of a novel (approximately 100 typed pages) before midnight Nov. 30. And yeah, it can be done. Granted, the completion rate is about 20-30% every year, and most people trying it for the first time fail spectactularly, but it's a great challenge. Most of us say that we'd like to write a book someday, but how many of us actually do it?

And now that I'm finished paraphrasing the official site's propaganda, I'll get on to how I'm approaching this.

If you all have read the story I had on FPC for a time, called Meet Me in Midsummer (cheesiest title ever OMG) you'll know what I'm writing. It's a re-write of that same story, different title, slightly reworked plot. I'm currently working on my outline. Colt's attempting this too...I think she's going to rewrite Alpha Project, for what, the sixth time? Just kidding, I <3 you Colty *grins innocently* The rate of writing per day is about 1,667 words (three-four pages typed). I'm going to try my best to do more than that on the weekends and Thanksgiving break just in case a horrible class project should befall me during the week.

Think we can do it? Well, I guess we'll see at the end of the month, won't we?

If you want to read more about the challenge or want to try it at the last minute, here's the official site: [link]

Catch ya later peeps ^_^

~~~~~

NaNoWriMo Word Count: 0/50,000

]]> ~Rina-jo http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/6580843/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/6580843/ Fri, 23 Sep 2005 11:04:30 PDT
Liv: *TACKLEHUG* I completely don't know what to say right now. I love you to absolute pieces and I'm so sorry about Furball. *hugs tightly*

Loki: *hugs LOADS* I hope you feel better soon, dear. Don't forget I love you dearly.

Lani: *HUG as well* You are lovely and I love you. Let's talk soon, okay?

Colty: *HUG* I miss you! ^_^ We should do some more comic planning later. Love love!

Brenna-bunny: *hughug* I miss you too, sweetheart. *blows kisses*

Much love and hugs to all of you! Take care!

~Marina ]]> ~Rina-jo http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/6297889/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/6297889/ Mon, 22 Aug 2005 13:57:39 PDT Listening to: Audio Adrenaline
Reading: College stuff
Working on: Paper for college
After this I will: work on that paper some more

I feel like a good rant, seeing as NSO starts TOMORROW and I've been away all week, so I haven't been able to keep up here (or anywhere, frankly). I've had a very lazy summer and then all of a sudden so much stuff crammed into one week, it's insane.
Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday morning, I was in the South Bay. *grins* I got to see everyone! Christel on Monday, and the gang on Tuesday. Don was even here, so I got to see him too. ^_^ Plus it was fun traipsing around Gundo again, and going to Blue Butterfly, and ride in Liv's truck. *laughs* Ah, good times.
Brenna walked me to the bus on Wednesday morning and waited with me for it. I missed her when it left. Thankfully the traffic wasn't bad and I was home before two *relief* At four, Daniel and Conner came over to play Game Cube, and Marshall and Jesse showed up later and played as well.
After that was youth group, and I got to play the song I'd been working on...'This Road' by Jars of Clay. It's a relatively easy song to play, except for the C# minor chord that comes every eight measures...I suck at barre chords. But it came off all right and Roslyn, our youth leader, was pleased.
Thursday was Magic Mountain with Daniel and Daniel Williams. (Needless to say, hanging out with two boys of the same name was VERY confusing.) Those two are such bullies. They made me go on all the rides, including Goliath and X. Though Goliath isn't as scary as rumors have it. I liked it. And the day was fun in general. *grins* We tried to get Ela to go, but she didn't want to go on the roller coasters, so she wouldn't come with us. She missed out, and we're going to rub it in when she comes to see us. ^_^
Friday through Sunday was WORLDS! *grins* That was loads of fun. Well, except for getting stomach flu on Friday night. I was supposed to play in the grinder to see if I could get a spot to play in the big tournament the next day. Was too sick to play, so stayed in the hotel the whole time and took a nap. But the next day I found my friend Ashley (who I may not see for a while as she and her mom, Nicole, moved to Illinois a while ago) and we hung out, went to get lunch, and watched Pokemon 4Ever and Destiny Deoxys in the movie room. *laughs* I find those movies so hilarious.
I also met a friend of my mom's from high school. His name is Glenn and he's very nice. He brought his girlfriend with him, and she's very nice too. They're going to come up and see us one of these days.
Last night we drove home, left at seven and didn't get back until eleven (my dad stayed another night, and still isn't back). The traffic was heinous the whole way, and it wasn't even rush hour! We had to make several pit stops for treats to keep us occupied, as driving in the dark is NO fun. And I finished Guardian 27 last night, as I brought my laptop with me and was extremely bored. Chloe throws such a tantrum. *grins*
Needless to say, I'm glad to be home at last, but *sigh* student orientation is TOMORROW! I can't believe it's so soon. I've kind of been in denial about college this past week because I've been so busy...haven't had time to think about it, really! Plus I've been kind of lazy all summer. ^_^ But no matter.

So this next week is NSO, week after is the first week of school, and then we're off to CO for my grandparents' 25th. Hopefully I won't have a full Friday, because I'll have to miss it for the drive. *sigh sigh*

That said, I'm outta here...gotta finish a bit of writing for tomorrow! *grins* Love and hugs!

~Marina ]]> ~Rina-jo http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/6149393/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/6149393/ Sat, 06 Aug 2005 11:07:35 PDT Listening to: Newsboys
Reading: College stuff
Working on: DW 11/GII 11/Guardian 27
After this I will: Write and do various chores

Well, Marshall's been home for a week. It's been an interesting week, for summer. I've been playing with my laptop (which has been named Tsar Nicholas II ^_^) and trying to write things. Haven't drawn anything (even chibis) in a while. Which is unusual, for me, but I'll get drawing again soon.
Marshall has been replaced by one of the pod people, I swear. He didn't like much music when he left for Colorado, and now that he's home he's mooching mine like freaking whoa. On Monday, he asked to borrow Rebecca St. James, and the next day he just asked for the whole CD case. Now he's playing Newsboys and Switchfoot. I honestly don't understand it, but I'm glad because he'll be more fun to talk to about music now. *grins* We've really gotten to be much better friends since we moved, and I'm glad I'm not moving into a dorm yet so I can take advantage of that.
Speaking of Marshall, he and I and my friend Melissa and her little brother John (who is Marshall's friend) all went to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory last night. *cracks up laughing* Johnny Depp was so good...he made Wonka look so WEIRD! The four of us were laughing pretty much the whole movie after he showed up. The kids were very well done, too. Afterward, we went out for ice cream and had a good chat. So, all in all, it was a fun evening.
You all know that Nickelodeon show, Zoey 101? It's being filmed at Pepperdine, so every couple of days we'll look out our window and see them filming a new scene. *grins* We may even catch a Jamie Spears sighting, if we're lucky. Britney lives in Malibu (*dies*) and she is also sometimes on the set, to watch. It's all very amusing.
College in less than three weeks! I can't wait.

~Marina ]]> ~Rina-jo http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/6091361/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/6091361/ Sun, 31 Jul 2005 16:57:41 PDT Listening to: Marina's Mix #2 ^_^
Reading: HP 5/old Guardian chapters
Working on: DW 11/GII 11/Guardian 33/random drawings
After this I will: prolly go eat sumpin.

Before I forget... [link]
Everyone please support this. I agree completely...this is an artist's COMMUNITY and needs to stay that way.

So. Update.
Not much has been going on hereabouts...most of my friends are on vacation, and even Caroline is gone, so no little girls popping in and out to make things exciting. However, Marshall's home at last *BIG BEAM* I missed him so much. Seriously. We've become much better friends since we moved, which is an immense relief all around.
I finally updated my stories on FP (DW 6, GII 10) and put up a new short for Guardian. It's been a good week for writing. I'm taking a short breather before diving into DW 11 because Guardian is finally letting me edit it (I'm working on chapter 33) and I want to get as much done as possible while I've still got the drive. More is being changed than I anticipated when I started...but oh well. If it'll be a better story, I'm happy. *smiles* DW will still most likely be finished first.
Voice lessons have been going okay, but have been interrupted for a few weeks because my poor teacher was hospitalized. She's ninety, and has come down with acute gastritis, which has weakened her a lot. She's planning to be up and about next week, so we can continue lessons, but I hope she won't rush herself.
College is looming over the horizon...ACK! I start the 29th, and NSO starts the 23rd. Everything seems to be in order except I have to do my reading and get SHOTS *dies* But I'm looking forward to starting! Then, Labor Day weekend, we're making a rush trip out to CO for my grandparents' 25th. Which means I'll have to miss a day of school so we can stay two days. It's going to be tiring, and I hope I don't miss too much (or a class I especially like) but we'll see.

And other than that...I don't think there's much going on. Brenna, you still need to tell me what you want me to draw for you...while I have time to draw it *laughs* Happy birthday again!
Much love and hugs to the rest of you as well.

~Marina ]]> ~Rina-jo http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/5917350/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/5917350/ Tue, 12 Jul 2005 20:04:33 PDT Listening to: Rebecca St. James
Reading: Nothing (should be starting on HP 3 and my college reading shortly though)
Working on: DW 11/GII 10/various other stoof
After this I will: putt around more on this lovely lappy

Well, graduation was pretty awesome, and Grad Night was even more awesome. I had a super time at the school with the Malibu friends, dancing and doing karaoke and falling off the Bronco Bull with no fight. *grins* After Grad Night some of the girls and I stayed overnight at the school (in the FOG and the DEW and the COLD) and that was fun, too. As a souvenir I now have a jacket that is way too big for me. Good times.
Other than that, not much has been happening. I got my graduation presents (iBook and iPod mini, everyone!!) and have been playing with them more than is really healthy *looks sheepish* but it's awesome! I've got iTunes now too and downloaded "Ordinary Day" which I've been wanting for about a gazillion years, plus three or four others I don't have. YAY MUSIC! *dances*
Melissa, Daniel, and Danielle came over last week to swim in the new pool (YES THAT'S RIGHT! POOL! no more PIP *cries*) and we had a good time. I also want to make a trip down to Gundo to see the peeps.
Missing everyone like whoa. Am surprisingly unable to keep up a coherent conversation over AIM.
Other than that, I don't have anything planned. Worlds is in August (right before NSO, ah ha ha) and we're planning some kind of trip out to Colorado to see my grandparents, for their twenty-fifth anniversary. Which reminds me...mad congrats to Colt's sister Lyndie! Best wishes for both of ya!

*sends ferocious hugs to everyone*

~Marina :hugs: ]]> ~Rina-jo http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/5917236/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/5917236/ Tue, 12 Jul 2005 19:49:14 PDT
You are...(looks)
[x] tall
[] in between
[] short
--
[ ] blonde
[x] redheaded
[ ] brunette
[] black-haired
--
[x] blue-eyed
[] brown-eyed
[ ] green-eyed
[ ] hazel eyed
[ ] gold eyed
[ ] grey eyed
[ ] with glasses
[ ] with contacts
--
[ ] with braces
[x] with freckles
[x] with piercings
[ ] with tattoos
[ ] and have long hair
[] and have short hair
[x] and have mid-length hair



Your favorite color(s) are?
[] red
[] pink
[x] yellow
[] black
[] green
[x] blue
[] gold
[x] white
[] silver
[] purple
[] brown
[] orange
[] indigo



Some things you've done/played include...
[x] soccer
[ ] cheerleading
[x] dancing
[] lacrosse
[] field hockey
[] hockey
[] football
[] softball
[ ] wrestling
[ ] gymnastics
[] track/cross country
[] basketball
[ ] baseball
[] golf
[x] chess
[] playing in the mud
[x] playing music
[x] hiking
[x] kayaking
[x] camping
[x] horseback riding
[x] marching band



You are sometimes...
[x] annoying (*innocent smile*)
[x] talkative
[x] shy
[x] sweet
[x] funny
[] mysterious
[x] serious
[x] bubbly
[x] spazzy
[ ] paranoid
[x] fun-loving
[x] laid back
[x] strict
[x] hyper
[x] nervous
[x] weird



The music you like is?
[ ] rap
[x] rock
[x] pop
[x] country
[] hip hop
[] r&b
[ ] slow jams
[x] Christian
[x] classical
[x] techno
[x] oldies
[x] the 80s
[] punk
[] Metal
[] reggae
[ ] Goth
[ ] Latin
[] 90's Grunge
[x] musicals
[x] drum and bass
[] IDM
[] goa


The pets you have are?
[] cat
[x] dog
[ ] lizard
[ ] snake
[ ] ferret
[ ] spider
[ ] rabbit
[ ] fish
[x] bird
[x] hamster
[x] little sister (*laughs it up*)
[] other



You're mostly labeled as?
[ ] goth
[ ] emo
[ ] prep
[ ] punk
[ ] hippie
[x] nerd (or geek, take your pick)
[ ] ditzy
[ ] hyper
[ ] happy
[ ] everything
[] I hate labels! I'm just me!!!
[ ] I have no idea
[ ] Bitch



You eat?
[ ] dessert every night
[ ] no meat
[ ] diet stuff
[x ] healthy foods
[x] junk foods
[x] a lot of carbs
[x] ice cream
[x ] lots of meat
[x ] salad
[] seafood
[] exotic dishes
[x] Mountain Dew



A typical friday night...
[ ] mall with your friends
[ ] partying
[ ] doing my homework
[ ] watching movies
[ ] going to the club
[x] staying home
[] playing videogames
[x] babysitting and getting $$
[x] hanging out w/ my friends
[] hanging out w/ your boyfriend/girlfriend
[] working while your friends are out having fun



Currently you are... (a little embarrassed at having to answer this question lol)
[] in a relationship
[x] single and lovin it
[] crushing
[ ] single and looking for someone
[ ] just broke up... and so sad about it

Online, you use:
[x] lol
[ ] sup
[x] lmao
[] stfu
[] ty
[x] j/k
[x] <3
[x] ttyl
[x] g2g
[] xD
[x ] ^^
[x] T_T
[] x_x
[x] ^_^
[x] o_O
[] TOT

(+) had feelings for someone who didn't have them back
(+) lied to a close friend
(-) had sex at 16
(-) celebrated mardi-gras
(+) hate certain things about yourself
(+) been overseas
(-) skipped school (classes...not a whole school day)
(-) been drunk
(-) kissed a member of the same sex
(- ) crashed a friend's or family members car
(-) ridden in a taxi
(-) been in love
(-) been dumped
(-) shoplifted
(-) been fired
(-) snuck out of the house
(-)ever had a crush on someone of the same sex
(-)ever dated someone of the same sex
(-) slept with a co-worker
(-) cut yourself on purpose
(-) been married
(-) gotten divorced
(-) had children
(-) seen someone die in real life
(+) Slapped someone you love
(+) Slapped somone
(+) Driven over 400 miles to attend a show/festival
(+) Been on a plane
(+) Seen the Rocky Horror Picture Show
(-) Had a sexual dream about a crush or some... ]]> ~Rina-jo http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/5712213/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/5712213/ Tue, 21 Jun 2005 08:51:58 PDT
Well, it's quarter to nine and Daniel will be coming by in about forty-five minutes to give me a ride to the high school for Senior Clearance Day. Until then I am typing like a madwoman, trying to get something ready for Mr. Carrier to read while I'm there today. I'm typing this while what I've already got prints.

I have through chapter five of DW typed, and chapter six mostly typed, and that's about as far as I'm getting since I have to edit a lot out as I type it. I wanted to type up through eight, but that's not going to happen today. I'll do it later though. Meantime, I hope Mr. Carrier likes what I have. I've noticed that there is a LOT of dialogue in this story. Might need to work on that a bit when I dive in for my second polish of this draft. It's insane.

*beams* Did I mention I absolutely love Chase? Typing gave me a chance to read through happy him before I finish chapters ten and eleven and traumatise everybody. He's going to change after that, too, which makes me kind of sad, but it works with the story. *sighs* I am such a heartless author.

All right, this is almost done printing, so I'm going to go. See you all later!

~Marina

]]> ~Rina-jo http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/5669218/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/5669218/ Thu, 16 Jun 2005 17:44:44 PDT Listening to: Phantom. Again. ^_^
Reading: NOTHING! HAHA!
Working on: Guardian 5/DW 10/typing up something for my CW teacher to read
After this I will: very likely have to get off the computer, depending on when Marshall gets home

Okay. So, I've been on DA only sporadically over the past...what is it, three months? Horribly sucky of me and I'm sorry I missed all that artwork. Two weeks ago I checked my inbox and I had more than two hundred deviations waiting for me to look at. Had to delete them. But I will be looking at everything that's been uploaded since then and leaving comments on most. I hope. *crosses fingers*

I'm going to Pepperdine in the fall, as most of you know. ^_^ Accompanying me are Daniel, Lexi, Jessie Tisdale, Breana, Daniel Williams (whom I've barely met) and this other girl from our school apparently. Big group. We will probably be knocking the poor school off its feet, it just won't know how to handle us. I'm really excited about it. Now I just have to register for student orientation and my life is great.

More graduation stuff...my last official day of school is TOMORROW! And I graduate next THURSDAY! How weird is that? High school is so close to being over for good. I don't believe this. *sighs* I have such problems with denial.

I want to go to El Segundo's graduation to see my dearest Lanikins graduate. I still have to work the details of that out. It'll all depend on whether I'm going to Grad Night at Malibuuu or not (which, at the moment, is likely not. The costs of these things are so high, but I'm going to try).

And...three people just called within the past forty-five seconds. That's weird.

As for inspiration, mostly this semester it's been stories. This weekend I drew my first couple of pictures since March, and they weren't even for me. Really strange. And as far as stories go, I'm on chapter five of the second draft of Guardian and chapter ten of Dragon World (which is likely what I'm going to be showing my creative writing teacher), and everything else is completely and utterly on hold. Which I don't like, but I want to finish these and get on to a new story line.

With that said, I must go. Much love to all of you and I'll see you all around!

~Marina ]]> ~Rina-jo http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/4920356/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/4920356/ Sat, 26 Mar 2005 23:39:34 PST Listening to: Phantom/Switchfoot (what else?)
Reading: random books
Working on: AP workbooks/HW/Guardian-editing
After this I will: Go to bed

Well, college stuff is going fabulously. I'm in the process of getting all my letters back...

1. UCLA (3/15/05): REJECTED. *thumbs down* Boo. *grins* I got over it, though. I didn't really expect to get in...that school is HARD.

2. Pepperdine (3/25/05): ACCEPTED! *does a happy dance with her yay flag* I got accepted to my first-choice college! YES! (Daniel did too. I also have another friend who applied, but she probably doesn't have her letter yet, as she lives in Palos Verdes)

3. USC: no answer yet. Hoping for an acceptance, just so I can be proud of myself, but it doesn't matter anymore. I'm going to college no matter what happens. ^_^

*grins* Happy Easter to everyone! May you all be blessed with bunnies and Easter eggs.

~Marina ]]> ~Rina-jo http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/4838204/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/4838204/ Thu, 17 Mar 2005 15:06:23 PST Listening to: Switchfoot/Phantom/Newsboys
Reading: FP stuff/Siddhartha
Working on: haha, currently nothing. Had two tests today.
After this I will: Go home and go on AIM. Talk to people. Love on them. Because they need serious Marinalove. (*grin* Don't take that last part seriously if it annoys you)

Okay.
It was my sister's birthday on Tuesday. She's a teenager now. Honestly, that scares the heck out of me. She's getting older...and taller...and frightfully more annoying. *sighs and bangs head against wall* However, she's horribly sick today, and had to stay home. *grins* She got a hamster, and it is the cutest thing! It fits in the palm of my hand almost perfectly, and is REALLY soft. I think it's a teddy-bear hamster, but I'm not sure.
Also on Tuesday, we had a group quiz in Calculus *thumbs down* BOOOOOOOOOOOO... *grins* But something really funny happened just before it...because of course something always happens in Calculus! (i need to tape it sometime. *nods*)
Okay. So, David never brings his own pencils to Calculus, and I lend him some, but he has to give me his cellphone or iPod as collateral because he never gives them back.
David: *turning to me* Marina, can I borrow a pencil?
Me: Well David, did you bring your collateral?
David: Well, no, I didn't. *pause* In fact, I didn't really bring anything. So, I'll just have to give you my shirt. *starts taking off his yellow button-down shirt*
Me: *eyes widen* David! NO! Leave your shirt on!
Nick and Leif: *laughing*
David: *can't get the shirt off over his head, so starts unbuttoning it* This is for you, Marina.
Me: *covering my eyes* Dear God, David, leave it ON! It's indecent exposure!
Leif: *grinning* Yep, that's a little too hot for this table.
Me: *laughing really hard by this time, probably red in the face* David, if you leave it on I'll give you a pencil.
David: *grinning* All right then. *re-buttons*

*grins* It was fabulous.
On the other hand, today we had a pretty bad fire scare. This movie trailer EXPLODED on Morning View this morning during second period (and ironically during our calculus test), so there was an emergency fire evacuation to the blacktop. Thank goodness neither MHS nor the next-door elementary school caught on fire, but it was a pretty bad scare. Daniel was in art class that period and saw the thing explode out the back. The smoke was visible as soon as we walked out of the building.

Well, that's my tale for the day. Gotta go now. *hugs Loki briefly before shutting down computer* See y'all later. Possibly tomorrow. Dunno. *shrugs*

~Marina ]]> ~Rina-jo http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/4837669/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/4837669/ Thu, 17 Mar 2005 14:07:52 PST
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Copy this whole list into your journal.
2. Bold the things that are true about you.
3. Whatever you don't bold is false.

01. When I was younger I made some bad decisions.
02. I don't watch much TV these days.
03. I love psychodelic mushrooms.
04. I love sleeping.
05. I have loads of books.
06. I once slept in a toilet.
07. I love playing video games.
08. I adore marijuana.
09. I watch porn movies.
10. I watch them with my father.
11. I like sharks.
12. I love spiders, I think they're adorable, especially the ones with bright colours on their backs.
13. I was born without hair and I still have no hair.
14. I like J. Bush. (as in the president or someone else? Confused...)
15. People are cool.
16. I have changed a lot mentally over the last year.
17. I have jacuzzi and a Porsche.
18. I have a lot to learn.
19. I carry my knife everywhere with myself.
20. I'm really really smart. (people say so)
21. I've never broken someone's bones. (sadly, this one is true)
22. I have a secret.
23. I hate snow.
24. I drink only milk.
25. Punk rock rules.
26. I hate Bill Gates!
27. I love Chinese food.
28. I would hate to be famous.
29. I am not a morning person.
30. I wear glasses.
31. I don't need glasses, except sunglasses.
32. I have potential.
33. I'm pure Japanese.
34. My legs are two different sizes i refuse to believe my legs are identical.
35. I have a twin.
36. I wear a padded bra. (*blinks* why would you want to ANSWER something like this?)
37. I can ramble on about absolutely nothing.
38. I'm left-handed. (or ambidextrous)
39. I hate llamas, but I'm one of them.
40. I don't like horror movies.
41. I suck at climbing, but I love it anyway.
42. People hate me usually.
43. I love pop music.
44. I hardly ever go to bed before midnight.
45. I hate parking fines.
46. I know national anthem of my country by heart.
47. I know more than two languages.
48. I spend too much time on the computer.
49. I often want to throw out the computer in a window.
50. I live on a ground floor.
51. I don't like chocolate.
52. I'd like to be more original.
53. I've lied.
54. Cocks are my favorite birds.
55. I want to conquer the world.
56. I wonder what happens when you die.
57. I've read all books about Harry Potter.
58. Eat your dog!
59. I love to exercise.
60. I hate chemistry with a passion.
61. I love to write.
62. I like changes.
63. I hate going to class.
64. I am afraid to die.
65. I hate dish washing.
66. My hair is long, brown, and incredibly curly. (well, if I hadn't dyed it red over and over again...)
67. My nails are nine inch long.
68. My favorite color is black.
69. I like to sleep on the floor.
70. I am hopeless at cooking.
71. I sucked my thumb when I was little. (omg until I was six...)
72. I should be doing something else rather than writing this.
73. I am online a lot, but not in AOL.
74. I hate government.
75. I don't have a girlfriend/boyfriend.
76. I'm too nice for my own good.
77. I love to read, I read as much as I can.
78. I don't trust newspapers.
79. I like debating.
80. I live in a vagon.
81. I clean my room once a month.
82. I'm scared of american fast food.
83. I have a third eye.
84. I love Mozambique.
85. I don't trust any religion.
86. I used to play with barbies because all the other girls were doing it.
87. I wanted to be a super hero when I was little.
88. I like listening to wind chimes.
89. I'm very disorganized.
90. My hair is long and straight.
91. I earn a lot.
92. I don't like spicy food.
93. I keep a diary.
94. I can't do cartwheels.
95. I am very lazy.
96. I'm sarcastic.
97. I think my hair is annoying.
98. I'm very sensitive.
99. 100. My left eye is violet and my right eye is a light blue. ]]> ~Rina-jo http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/4729677/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/4729677/ Fri, 04 Mar 2005 18:11:29 PST Listening to: Phantom of the Opera/Switchfoot
Reading: People's History of the Supreme Court/The Stranger/Waiting for Godot
Working on: Chapter Four of Guardian/Chapter Four of Writer's Block/Chapter Nine of GII/Calculus HW
After this I will: go eat dinner

Wahoo!
Okay, does everyone know about that little workout room down the hill from my condo? Hmm, maybe not. Anyway, there's a little workout room down the hill from my condo. We knew it was there, but it wasn't ready until a few weeks ago, and we only this week got the key to it. So today my mom and I went down to check it out, and possibly walk on the treadmills, get a little exercise.
I walked on the treadmill for half-an-hour while reading A People's History of the Supreme Court (for Government class), and burned 96 calories. I feel so proud of myself. I'm going to get regular exercise! I won't be so out-of-shape! YES! *does a dance* I'm especially happy that I can take charge of my own exercise because taking PE did ABSOLUTELY NOTHING for me. So glad I don't have that class anymore. *nods furvently*

Oh yeah. My math class (well, I should say Nick, David, and Leif) found out about Guardian the other day. *laughs at the memory*
Nick: *looking at me writing in my green notebook* Can I read that?
Me: *looking up* Huh? You want to read this?
Nick: Well, yeah. You write in that every day before class. Is it a story or something?
Me: *starting to blush* Well, yeah. I'm working on the second draft of a story I've written. *was working on Chapter Three at the time*
Nick: Oh, really? Can I read it? How long is it?
Me: *laughing* Thirty-six chapters plus a prologue and an epilogue.
Nick: Oh. Damn.
David: *has been listening to this conversation with half-an-ear* What? How long is it?
Nick: *answering for me* Thirty-six chapters plus a prologue and an epilogue.
Me: *blushing further* It took me a year-and-a-half to finish the first draft.
David: Whoa. That's awesome.
Leif: *has said nothing but eyes are wide*

Then David and Leif asked me about it again today. *laughs* It was nice of them to be interested. Oh, and Mr. Carrier (my CW teacher) gave me a very nice compliment on my writing the other day. So that made me happy.

Current progress on Guardian:
~Have re-written chapters 2,3,18, and 34
~Have outlined chapters 1-10

*laughs* Phantom of the Opera music is very inspiring. *is currently obsessed with that soundtrack*

Also, I have one final, important annoucement to make...*dramatic pause* WE HAVE A SCANNER! *dance* So now I can scan my art and stoof. And people who come over can scan theirs. So I'm happy. *nods*

And...I think that's all I have to say today. *ponders* Yep, that's it. ^_^ See you guys later.

~Marina ]]> ~Rina-jo http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/4529673/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/4529673/ Tue, 08 Feb 2005 13:30:02 PST
Yeah. Today's senior teaching day, where the seniors get community service for teaching classes. I signed up to teach Ms. Zimmermann's sixth period Algebra class, which just HAPPENS to be the class my brother has that period. Fun that we have the same teacher for math, neh? I realize now, of course, that I should have also signed up to teach her fourth period, which I T/A for. But it's AAAAAAAAALL good.

I'm teaching them exponents. It's one of the most basic lessons you can learn in Alegbra, except I don't remember how basic Algebra was because I took it six years ago, in seventh grade, so I have a sneaking suspicion that I might go too fast. But otherwise I'm looking forward to it and am not even nervous. This is going to be FUN!

And no, I'm not going to pick on Marshall. I'm going to be dignified. I have already informed him that if he tries to mess ME up that he's paying for it...after class. ^_^ Ms. Zimmermann told me someone thought he was a senior...not hard to make that mistake lol.

So, with that said, I'm going to go back to the room and do some more prep...even though this is like the easiest lesson known to man! I mean, how hard are the laws of exponents? ^_^ I'll tell you guys how it goes.

~Marina

Liam: ...huh? Sofi? What are you doing in here?
Sofi: Waking you up, Liamdarling! GET UP UP UP!
Liam: Don't wanna. And you poke too hard.
Sofi: *sounds of ripping duvet covers away* GET UP!
Liam: *screaming when he realizes that Sofi has seen him in his boxers*
Sofi: Aww, come on Liam, they're cute!
Liam: They are NOT. *trying to take covers back*
Sofi: But they have little cat faces on them! That's so cute! *sounds of boxer-fondling*
Liam: HELP! She's groping my boxers!
Sofi: Liam, groping's a little harsh...now get UP UP UP!
Liam: NO! Go away!
Sofi: Don't make me drag you
Liam: You can't drag me. I weigh 200 pounds and am a basketball player, and a damn good one if I say so myself.
Sofi: Then what if I just TIP THE BED UP? *crashing sounds*
Liam: Aw crap. That hurt.
Sofi: Come on Liamdarling, you're out of bed now so you might as well get up
Liam: *grumbling, putting on a robe before entering main room*
Sofi: *dashes out behind Liam, snatches his robe away, and dances about the room with it*
Liam: *cringe* Oh...dear...God...
Casey: *laughing and petting Liam* They're cute, dear.
Liam: NO ONE was supposed to see these boxers. They make me look girly
Sofi: *hiding behind Sorin* Cute, Liam. They look cute.
Casey: They really make you look adorable, Liam. *coughs* I mean MANLY.
Marina: *laughing, taking Liam's robe from Sofi* Go put on pants, Liamdarling.
Sofi: *sitting on the floor laughing* Pants...hehe...he...he's already wearing pants...
Liam: *glares at Sofi and then goes to put REAL pants on*
Ren: *still laughing hopelessly with Jay*

~Excerpt from muse conversation 2/5/05 (yep, the insane things I do with my friends online ^_~) ]]> ~Rina-jo http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/4480093/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/4480093/ Wed, 02 Feb 2005 13:42:27 PST
1) I'm almost better...still can't talk normally and and getting rid of remnants of coughs, but almost all the way better!
2) We did that "Matchmaker" survey during lunch...the questions were so hilarious. I can't wait for the results
3) 4th period is practically a free period now because Ms. Zimmermann hardly ever needs me to do anything
4) I have my personal computer back! Well, not really. But I DO have all my documents from that computer on a Zip disk, and now I can WORK ON THEM!!! *dancedancedance*
5) JASON GOT ME A SUBSCRIPTION TO DA FOR A MONTH! *dancedancedancedancedance*

So now until March, I get to do cool things like polls that I didn't get to do before. SUPER, SUPER SWEET. ^_^ So go answer my poll and humor me.

Didn't get to update BT last night...Mom and Dad were busy with the tournament results from the Malibu City Championship on Saturday (the results got botched up and Mom and Dad spent hours fixing everything). I'm hoping to update tonight, since I've finished the comic.

And other than that...there's nothing worth commenting on! I don't think...yeah. ^_^

See y'all on the flip side!

~Marina

]]> ~Rina-jo http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/4466577/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/4466577/ Mon, 31 Jan 2005 21:19:29 PST Listening to: Switchfoot/Stacie Orrico/Jars of Clay
Reading: Hamlet
Working on: Chapter Eight of Dragon World/Episode 5 of BT/Chapter Four of Writer's Block
After this I will: Finish BT and go to bed

Well, finals are over for me and now I'm about to waltz right in to the second semester. The bad thing is I have another semester of Calculus to get through. The good thing is I now have only four classes. (YAY!!!!!)
My schedule looks like this now:
1) AP Government
2) AP Calculus
3) AP Statistics
4) T/A
Super sweetness. I only have three real classes. This so rocks.

I didn't update BT yesterday. Why? I'm still kind of recuperating from being knocked over by whatever I had this week. And I don't think it'll be uploaded tonight, either, because my dad will be at work. Tomorrow is probably when it's going up.
I went to Phantom of the Opera today with my mom, Mer, Loki, and Mer's friend Caroline. It was wonderful. The music was brilliant and the camera work and special effects were spectacular. And of course the phantom was just as handsome without his mask as he was with it on. Just slightly more pitiful is all. ^_^ And, I also got a new haircut that I really like. I have little bangs on the sides of my face now, and it gives my hair the appearance of having more body. And of course, new haircuts always make me feel good.
I am posting BT on time next week, and also on Friday I'm putting Dragon World on FP. That's because I'm planning to remove Guardian (the first one) some time this month. (Nicole, Brenna, and everyone else, do not warn anyone on FP, as I'm only going to tell them afterward.) My mom said seven months is long enough to leave a completed story up and I'm finding I agree with her.
My mother is staring at me.

Me: Mom, don't stare.
Mom: *reading the journal* I said that?
Me: Um, yes. Like a week ago.
Mom: Okay. I'm glad you agree with whatever I said that I don't remember I said. *disappears, returns with a brush, and starts brushing my hair while I type*
Me: Why are you brushing my hair?
Mom: *humming while she brushes* Because I can.

Yeah. I'm sitting here typing while my mom is brushing my hair and I've completely forgotten what I was going to say. *sigh* I think this is some evil trick she's playing to get me off the computer so she can have it. Either that or she just likes playing with my hair.
In any case, I have to go finish BT so my dad can play with it tomorrow. Good job to everyone who survived finals. To those of you who have them this week, good luck.

~Marina ]]> ~Rina-jo http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/4412357/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/4412357/ Tue, 25 Jan 2005 14:59:32 PST Listening to: Switchfoot/Stacie Orrico/Jars of Clay
Reading: Hamlet
Working on: studying for finals
After this I will: go home and drink peppermint tea while reading over my Government notes

I just read Loki's journal, and I realized something I had completely forgotten. DON IS LEAVING TODAY. In fact, already has left, more than likely. I feel so stupid for having forgotten. -_- He was here for a month and I saw him a grand total of THREE times. Well, Don, consider this your welcome back to college message. Sorry I didn't see you more, and I hope you had fun and a safe flight home. *hug*

I had a college audition on Saturday -_- I went to meet the faculty, Dr. Price and Dr. Emilio, and they were both really nice. Later, when I actually auditioned, I met Dr. Pollon and Dr. Minh. They were nice too, although Dr. Minh was a little businesslike (and she played the accompaniment for one of my songs too fast. But what could I do? I forgot to give her the tempo and I couldn't exactly make her start over. So I just did the best I could.) I think my audition went really well. It was a lot better than my UCLA audition CD, anyway. And, oh yeah, later I have to make a VIDEO of myself singing for USC. Yay for me. *sarcastic waving of yay flag*
If I go to Pepperdine, I'm majoring in Music Education. Which is fine with me, considering I expected that anyway. I'm also thinking I'll probably have to get my master's degree later *grouse* so that's eight more years of school for me. Yippee skippee. Always wanted that.

I haven't been doing much drawing lately. I updated Broken Trainers on Sunday and need to start working on #5...but finals are first *ACK*
My finals start tomorrow and go through Friday. Since I have no sixth period, on Friday I get out at ten. HOWEVER all of y'all prolly have the whole DAY off on Friday. (must think about a two week Spring Break) *smiles* Better now!

I think everyone who's sick in Gundo must have given me the plague by aura or something because my lungs have been bothering me all day, and when I cough it makes it worse. And we have to run the mile in PE tomorrow. *small voice* HELP.

Okay, I'm going to go now, since I have to catch my mom before she drives off and leaves me. I'll see you all later hopefully.

~Marina

PS-I'll try to get more artwork up next week. ^_^ ]]> ~Rina-jo http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/4336600/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/4336600/ Sun, 16 Jan 2005 17:21:09 PST Listening to: Switchfoot/Point of Grace/Stacie Orrico
Reading: Portrait/Hamlet
Working on: Scroll Seven/Guardian editing/Homework/Broken Trainers
After this I will: go finish outlining the issue of BT I'm working on and then work on homework

I so love my parents. They are the most awesomest parents in the whole WORLD.
After we finished dropping off Steven and Kory after church today, Dad mentioned that we were going to Round Table Pizza for lunch. Mom had mentioned earlier that there might be a Sunday school gathering after church (which I took to mean Homeport, her and Dad's class...they have lunch and stuff after church a lot), so I wasn't surprised. Homeport LOVES Round Table.
So you can imagine my surprise when I walked into the Round Table, dazed from sneezing (I'm still sick) and was met by a barrage of familiar faces and majorflyingtackleglomps. I was thinking, "Okay, why are my friends at a Homeport luncheon?" until they all shouted "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"
Because of course it wasn't a Homeport thing at all. My parents had arranged a surprise birthday party for me.
It turns out that my mother had been getting everything together since Wednesday. She recruited Lani and Christel to invite everyone else (Loki, Nicole, Liv, Christina, Lucy, Nikki, Nina, and Kirstie) and they all showed up just before I got there. Some others were invited who couldn't come.
It was a fantastic party. We had pizza (really good pizza too, though I could only manage one slice) and yummy cake, and I got lots of nice presents. Three new journals with which to do creative things! OH BOY. *runs off, and then promptly comes back* Yeah. But it was awesome, and after I got over being scared out of my mind, I was extremely pleased. My dream of being surprised for my birthday had come true...my mom was so smooth about getting everything together that I had no clue what was going on. It was the bestest.

My wooden bead bracelet broke yesterday *cries* So now I only have two bracelets and soon I'll just have one, because my fortune bracelet is fraying like whoa. But on the flip side, we exchanged my purity ring and now I have one that fits. FEAR MY SYMBOL OF COMMITMENT! *flashes ring* ^_^ Maybe I don't need that big stick anymore...but I'll keep it just in case. *straps stick to belt loop*

Okay. My mom wants the computer, so I'm going to go finish BT now. ^_^ Love and hugs to everyone.

~Marina ]]> ~Rina-jo http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/4320913/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/4320913/ Fri, 14 Jan 2005 18:11:04 PST Listening to: SWITCHFOOT! SWITCHFOOTSWITCHFOOTSWITCHFOOT!
Reading: Portrait/Hamlet/Silenced/Man of Many Faces
Working on: Scroll Seven/Guardian editing/Homework/Broken Trainers
After this I will: get as far as I can on BT before I collapse, and listen to more Switchfoot ^_^

My eighteenth birthday completely and utterly ROCKED!

After a most hilarious day at school, I went to Finding Neverland (which is such the best movie and highly recommended). Colt and Don came up to watch it with me, and they surprised me by bringing Lani with them. SQUEEEEEEEEEE! That was the BEST surprise ever.
I cried at the end of the movie (couldn't help it). I don't cry at many movies, and I can't remember when the last one was (didn't even cry at Walk to Remember, though it's prolly cuz I read the book first, and that's my favorite movie of all time). But I loved FN because it was so simple and beautiful. AND it's a movie where the married hero doesn't have an affair with the heroine, FOR ONCE. Makes me happy. ^_^
So then the four of us adjourned to my house for dinner and cake. It was a yummy cake but a little rich.

My Presents:
From Mom and Dad: THE FIRST THREE CDS OF SWITCHFOOT (in a nice collection!) as well as my purity ring (which was too small, so we'll have to exchange it. I told my mother I was a size nine, but she didn't believe me).
From Grandma: $75. Now together with my Christmas money, that's a lot! More than I've had in a while. It will be most useful, especially when I go to get the newest Switchfoot tomorrow. I love them sooooo much! AND I can put together my Guardian soundtrack that I made(we have iTunes now!!!!!!!).
From Meridith: A candle in a decorated base. It smells like soap, but it's nice. And the base is the kind where the candle never goes out. ^_^
From Colty: Man of Many Faces Volume 1. This has been on my manga wish list for two years. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!!!!! Utako and Akira are so CUTE together! (Although Makoto gives really adult advice for someone who's only seven years old. But then again, this is Clamp!)

Now I just need AA batteries and my life wil be good...

I was going to go to Disneyland with the gang today, but couldn't for two reasons:
1) I had school, and they didn't
2) I'M SICK.
Yeah. Worst birthday present ever. I woke up with this awful pressure on my lungs and I've been congested ever since. I feel like crap. More so than when I was sick this fall, because at least I could BREATHE. But I'm thankful I got to have a healthy birthday, at least. Last year, when I turned seventeen, I had the stomach flu and had to stay at home throwing up all day. No KFC, and no cake (just Jello). And when I was sixteen I sprained my ankle four days before my birthday. The really bad part about that? We had planned an ICE-SKATING PARTY and they wouldn't let us cancel because it was less than five-days' notice. So everyone skated but me. -_- It was okay, though.

So I'm here all by my lonesome while my family is cavorting down South. But that's okay, because I need to get better so I can go to choir tomorrow. Which is another good thing...I GET TO GO BACK TO CHOIR! BEST BIRTHDAY PRESENT EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*cough* Now that I have fully scared a lot of people, I'm going to see if anybody is still online. I LOVE EVERYBODY AND THANK YOU FOR ALL THE BIRTHDAY WISHES! Even Christina remembered and sent me a nice email! I didn't even know she knew when my birthday was. Wow.

Okay. REALLY going to go now. ^_^ *massive hughugs*

~Marina ]]> ~Rina-jo http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/4311344/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/4311344/ Thu, 13 Jan 2005 14:58:25 PST Listening to: Jeremy Camp
Reading: Portrait/Hamlet/Silenced
Working on: Scroll Seven/Guardian edits (Trevor angst!)/Children's story for CW
After this I will: go slack all afternoon! Why? BECAUSE IT'S MY BIRTHDAY! WHEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!

*cough* It's my birthday today! Do you know what that means? It means I'm eighteen! OMG, I'm legal! *faints, and then immediately revives*

Everything got off to a SUPERB start last night when I was talking with Casey. The randomness was GREAT and we both nearly punctured a lung laughing. Then Lani came on and I got to talk to her (haven't in a while) and then Myth left me a nice birthday message. I went to bed really happy.

Highlights from the day (so far):

~Math Class (2nd Period)

Ms. Zimmermann: *going over problem 45 on the board*
Nick: OMG that's what I did wrong! *scribbling fanatically*
Me, David, and Leif: *raised eyebrows*
Nick: FINALLY. After FOREVER. *scribbling some more*
David: *starting to snort*
Nick: GET OUT OF MY LIFE! *still scribbling. Big black marks appearing on paper*
Me: OMG.
Leif: You'll have to excuse us, Marina. You see, we're seniors, but not really.
Me: So I see. *trying hard not to laugh at Nick, who is still telling off the problem*
(Other interesting things happened during the period, but I forget them *cries* Math class is always hilarious)

~Lunch (about 11:30)
Me: Hey Elise, can I go off campus with you?
Elise: Sure! We'll go in the Explorer.
Me, Elise, Laureen, Ela, Courtney, and Michelle: *piling into the Explorer, driving to nearby Starbucks*
Me: *hopping up to the counter* Hi!
Nice Barista (I forget her name): Hi, how are you?
Me: Just fine, thanks! Can I have a Venti Java Chip frappuccino with whipped cream and chocolate syrup?
Nice Barista: Sure!
Me: *hopping off to the counter with Michelle and Laureen to wait for our drinks*
Ela: *looking at my drink* That looks good.
Me: It's the same one as Laureen's, except bigger.
Elise: But yours has started to melt, it's got streaks.
Me: No, they put chocolate syrup on mine.
Me, Ela, Elise, Laureen, Courtney, and Michelle: *riding back in the Explorer, listening to Elise's metal music*
Ela: This almost makes me want to undo my ponytail and head bang.
Me: There's a kind you can do with a ponytail called the helicopter.
Elise: *trying to do the Helicopter with short hair*
Laureen: Elise, I think your hair needs to be longer for that. *smiling*

~P.E. (4th period)
Me: Hi Lauren!
Lauren: Hi Marina.
Me: I brought my sketchbook.
Lauren: Ooh, lemme see *flips through sketchbook* OMG YOU'RE TOO GOOD! You're not getting this back. *runs off with it*
Me: *limping after her* I WANT MY SKETCHBOOK!
Lauren: Uh-uh. Mine. *hides it in her locker*
Sharlima: *laughing*
Me: It's my birthday, you have to be nice to me.
Lauren: Happy Birthday, now teach me how to draw like that.
Me: Only if you give me my sketchbook back.
Lauren: But I want to take it home and scan all the pages!
Me: I want my sketchbook for my birthday, but I'll give you my DA site and you can go see that.
Lauren: Okay. *retreives sketchbook* Now teach me how to draw like you.
Sharlima: OMG it's your birthday? Happy Birthday!
Me: Thanks.
Lauren: OMG LOOK AT THE CHIBIS!

^_^ And no, I did not break my New Year's Resolution, getting that Venti frap. My birthday is one of the exceptions.

I already know what I'm getting from my family for my birthday, except for my sister (and Marshall...I doubt he got me anything):
Mom and Dad: a CD or two (prolly Switchfoot and Avalon) and a purity ring.
Grandma: $75 ^_^ YEAH BABY!

This has been a great day, full of laughter and fun things, and I am looking forward to more of the same. And Lauren's compliments were immensely flattering (especially since the first half of what I drew in that sketchbook completely sux).

Since school's just about over and my mom will be here any minute, I'm going to go. But I will report if any more crazy/funny things happen today. ^_^

~Marina

Liam: These authors and their quirks...
Casey: What's THAT supposed to mean, Mister? *glares at Liam*
Liam: You guys are strange *looks at Marina* In a good way.
Marina: *pets Liam* Good boy.
Casey: I second that. ^_^
Liam: You don't have to treat me like your DOG you know.
Casey: It's not that kind of pet...I pet all the time. ~Rina-jo http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/4295792/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/4295792/ Tue, 11 Jan 2005 15:57:35 PST Listening to: Jeremy Camp
Reading: Portrait/Hamlet/Soon
Working on: Guardian edits (Chapter Thirty-four)/Scroll Seven/Homework
After this I will: go read chapters three and four of Portrait

Well, in spite of two things that I don't like that happened today, I feel okay right now.

1st Not-So-Great-Thing: The sun came out today. So there was school again. It wasn't so bad though. I got to leave PE and go to the art room to hang out with Daniel. We listened to cheesy German songs and he translated for me. They were funny. The bad thing about going to school, though, is my bruised toe isn't any better and I'm limping when I walk all the time, and I'm afraid a two-week excuse from PE isn't going to be enough. *pets toe* Owie.

2nd Not-So-Great-Thing: I didn't make the cast of Beauty and the Beast.
Now before you all get pissy and try to kill the people who were running the auditions, remember that 1) There were more people who tried out than they could have used and 2) I CAN'T DANCE WORTH ANYTHING. And I'm in a whole school of people who CAN dance, as well as act and sing exceptionally. You tell me who they're gona pick.
So, I think it's for the best that I'm not going to be in it. I'll go see it, though. And i'm going to see if I can usher for a couple of the performances, depending on what's up with choir this semester.
Just the experience of auditioning was worth it, though. I'm so glad Daniel talked me into it. (He's going to be the Bookseller from the first song, btw.)

Having said this, I think I'm going to go work on homework now. The day off was very bad for math class...we're already a week behind where we're supposed to be and we're going to have to double up on several assignments. Tonight's assignment is HEINOUS.

Two days until my birthday!

~Marina ]]> ~Rina-jo http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/4284252/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/4284252/ Mon, 10 Jan 2005 08:25:07 PST Listening to: Jeremy Camp/Cabaret
Reading: Portrait of the Artist/Hamlet
Working on: Scroll Seven/Broken Trainers
After this I will: go play around and do fun things!

I will never say good things never happen to my anymore, because they DO! Because of the rain, SCHOOL IS CLOSED TODAY. OMG.
Seriously. We are blocked from getting to the school. So now we have an unofficial day off! *leans back with hands behind head* So now I have time to do all the things I wanted to do last week but couldn't, because I had college applications to work on. And now that those are almost done, I'm in good shape. *does a happy dance*

The second issue of Broken Trainers is up and if you want to see it, the thread is displayed on the front page at pokegym.net. My dad and I are currently fighting about which comic is next. We have six planned so far, and dad doesn't like the order I set them up in.

And other than that...I don't think I have much of anything to say.

Three days until my birthday! *dances*

~Marina ]]> ~Rina-jo http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/4231021/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/4231021/ Mon, 03 Jan 2005 16:30:55 PST
The first issue of Broken Trainers is up! Here's the link:

[link]

If this link doesn't go through just go to pokegym.net and look in the featured content/articles forum. It was posted yesterday, so it should be there. I don't think you can comment if you're not a member of the forum, however you can go look at it and tell me what you think. Or just how the artwork looked. Jason already saw it and commented...thanks man! I appreciate it.

Well, I've made three word slip-ups today. During Soulgaze I was giving Chris a plate for his pizza and said, "Here, man, pizza for you. I mean...plate. Grah!"
Then in P.E., I accidentally called Travis "Trevor," probably because I've been thinking a lot about Guardian today. He got offended and ignored me for about fifteen minutes.\
Then, in Creative Writing, I accidentally called Griffith "Griffin" because I always get the two of them mixed up. He was nice about it, but I still can't believe I called two people by the wrong names within the same hour. I should not even be allowed to speak anymore, since I say the wrong things all the time. -_-

During P.E. today Lauren asked me if I'd been asked out yet (I'd told her about my private wish to be asked out before I graduate from high school, which is probably not going to happen) which got us started on the subject of the Senior Prom and whether or not I'm going. The way things are going, I'm either going to go in a group with my friends or ask one of my guy friends to be my escort. Except asking a guy friend to go with me presents problems, because each one of them presents an obstacle. So maybe I could ask Caleb to go with me, but I'd have to ask his girlfriend first, and even then he'd meet Mitchell and Daniel and start interrogating me about them, like he did to Michael when he was here Christmas Eve. ^_^
But since the Prom is in May, I'm not worried about it yet. I have bigger problems, such as college applications. I still need to finish the USC app, and I need to call Pepperdine for an audition and tape myself singing for UCLA. GRAH. So my life is basically nonexistant for the next WEEK while I get everything in. ^_^

10 days until my birthday! *dancing up and down*

~Marina ]]> ~Rina-jo http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/4211897/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/4211897/ Sat, 01 Jan 2005 12:22:28 PST Listening to: Super Smash Brothers fight music
Reading; Portrait of the Artist/Princess in Pink
Working on: Homework/Broken Trainers
After this I will: go across the street to Drescher, scan things, and go back home to mess around with Photoshop some more.

First Item: I have decided to follow in the footsteps of the Loki and make some resolutions for the coming year. ^_^

1. I will finish all my nightly homework and try hard not to procrastinate on long-term assignments
2. I will not get behind on Broken Trainers and I will get ahead if possible
3. I will write at least two thousand words a day on my stories
4. I will finish the second draft of Guardian by the end of the year
5. I will stop lying about reading in the bathroom
6. I will use the treadmill in the training center for at least 30 minutes a day once my dad gets a card key for the place
7. I will be nicer to my siblings
8. I will have Mocha Light frappuccinos at Starbucks instead of the regular kind because they are better for me
9. I will stop ordering my coffee in the largest size unless on very special occasions (such as holidays/my birthday/graduation/exceptionally good things happening, and NOT on my Monday dry cleaning expeditions with Mom)
10. I will think before I speak so that I don't say something uberly stupid on an impulse and then regret it later

^_^ Hopefully I can keep these...they seem reasonable. I already do all my homework, but it never hurts to remind myself.

Second Item: Broken Trainers.
A couple of you have heard me mention this before. My dad revamped PokeGym (which is a forum for the Pokemon strategists and other similarly obsessed people in this world) over the past week and it is now much cooler than it was before (only I'm not the best judge because I'm a new member and haven't been on much before). To celebrate this, he's having me do an experimental comic strip, called Broken Trainers. My dad and I are collaborating on the plots, and I'm doing the artwork.
That's right. I am now the proud artist of an original comic strip. *dances*
There's going to be a new episode of Broken Trainers every Sunday night (after all, I'm not Fred Gallagher--I don't draw full time. So I can't exactly update three times a week, like he does) for six weeks. If PokeGym likes the strip, we'll continue it. If not, it'll be a worthy endeavor and something I can put in my portfolio (not that I have one, though...)
So later, we have to scan the first episode again (it got errored up the first time) and mess around in Photoshop, cleaning up the lines and adding in the text (I pointed out to my dad that it just plain looks better if the dialogue is typed instead of handwritten, something he never considered) and generally making it look pretty.
I'll put up the link when the first episode is posted. I don't exactly know how much of it you're going to understand (since most of you don't play the game) but you can bask with me in my glory and tell me how it looks.

Okay...time to see when my dad can open the computer lab for me so we can do some more scanning things. Happy New Year to you all, many hugs, and may you all receive many blessings and have the ability to keep your resolutions. ^_^

~Marina ]]> ~Rina-jo http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/4203833/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/4203833/ Fri, 31 Dec 2004 15:42:17 PST Listening to: Selah
Reading: Portrait of the Artist/Princess in Pink
Working on: Homework/Scroll Seven of Guardian II
After this I will: go mess around with Photoshop!

Yesterday was fun. My friend Christel came over with her family for lunch, and after that we went over to Heroes Garden with her sister Amanda and Amanda's friend Tim. There is this woodchip trail next to the Heroes Garden that leads right down the mountain to the street, and we decided we wanted to walk down it.
I'd never been down it before, so I was unprepared for the fact that the woodchips disappeared after a while and turned into dirt...in this case, mud. The four of us emerged from the trail CAKED in it. (Well, at least on our shoes. And Amanda and I had it on our pants, too, since we weren't smart enough to roll up our pants, unlike Christel.)
Then Christel and I took the street back up the hill (ACK) and Tim and Amanda took the trail back up. Chris and I beat the other two, even though our way was longer, because Amanda had something wrong with her foot and had to go slowly. It was a good half-a-mile walk AT LEAST. But it was fun, because Christel and I had a good visit while we were walking up the hill.
The downside to all this is I have to give my new boots a good soaking before I can wear them again. I got most of the mud off, but they still look really dirty.

So today's New Year's Eve. This means that 2005 begins tomorrow. And we all know what that means...
MY EIGHTEENTH BIRTHDAY IS IN TWO WEEKS! *cymbal crash*
I don't know whether to say 'yay!' or 'aw shoot' to that. Because it also means I'm getting older, that I'm about to graduate from high school, and I'm going to college next year. Which is only slightly scary. Okay, more than slightly. I'm not that thrilled about college. However, I need it so that I may establish my career.
I have to record myself singing for UCLA and call Pepperdine so I can get an audition. And finish my USC application. Grah.
AND I've still got homework. I finally started Portrait of the Artist, and I was right. It sucks. This stream of consciousness technique MAKES NO SENSE. I'm so confused, I wouldn't get it at all if I didn't have that summary of the book my teacher made.

Team Slack is coming over later for a New Year's Eve Slack-fest. I think I'm gonna die.

Tomorrow my mother and my sister and I are going to get coffee and watch the Rose Parade. My mom wanted to go see it live, but I guess she realized it wasn't going to happen, because NO ONE in our family wants to get up that early on New Year's. In fact, to even get a good seat, you have to go and camp the night before. Otherwise you get eaten by all the pedestrians. I was at the Rose Parade ONCE with my family. And it was enough for me.
And school starts again on Monday. Yippee skippee. ^_^

Well, before I turn this into a complete and utter ramble, I'm gonna go. Happy New Year's to y'all!

~Marina

"How many times do I have to tell you, Amelia? Men are like little woodland creatures. You have to lure them to you with soft words and tiny breadcrumbs. You cannot simply whip out a rock and conk them over the head with it." (Princess in Pink) ]]> ~Rina-jo http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/4170004/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/4170004/ Mon, 27 Dec 2004 14:04:17 PST Listening to: Jeremy Camp's new CD--I got it for Christmas!
Reading: Princess in Pink/Portrait of the Artist
Working on: Pink Roses (still!)
After this I will: finish Pink Roses and post it

Christmas was fun!
The madness started Christmas Eve, when my cousins came. Matt was home from college (it's his senior year, but he might be going to grad school), and Caleb and Jesse were hyper. We had a great time eating popcorn and "swerving" each other. Except I'm not good at swerving, so mostly it was me getting swerved, which was really annoying. Also, Caleb was following everyone around with a video camera, and interrogating me about my guy friends (because Michael called).

Caleb: *pointing the video camera at me* So, Marina, who's Mike?
Me: *playing the Game Cube* A friend of mine.
Caleb: What KIND of friend?
Me: A FRIEND. One that I knew in fifth grade before he moved and promptly lost my phone number.
Caleb: Oh, I see it in your eyes, Marina. You know you love him...
Aunt Kay: So how is he calling you if he lost your number?
Me: *to Aunt Kay* He found it again five years later. *to Caleb* Please, he lives two hundred miles away from here. And he's engaged to his girlfriend.
Caleb: And how old is he?
Marshall: Seventeen.
Caleb: REALLY.
Me: You know what, go away. Why do you persist in interrogating me about my guy friends? I don't have a boyfriend.
Dad: Because your brother won't so it, so someone has to.
Caleb: That's right. So who else do you know that I don't know about?
Me: GO AWAY.


Those nosy cousins. Can't get rid of them.
I'm just glad Caleb doesn't live with me all the time, because having my guy friends talked about like that is really annoying.
So yeah. Christmas.
Meridith and I woke up at five to open our stockings. I got two new pairs of socks (one that is a pair of cow toe socks, so CUTE) and a Janette Oke book. Then, I had a package from Mark De La Torre and his family (he's the guy who gave me my Copic art pens). They sent me more Copic markers! Except these were in colors, and one was a blender. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO USE THEM. I think they're for coloring, but I don't know. Someone who knows more about art than I do is going to have to tell me, and then show me how, if they know.
But the presents were better. I got Princess in Pink (which is the funniest out of the series so far), a songbook for Jars of Clay songs, two new CDs (Jeremy Camp and Selah, the Selah one is so pretty), a C.S. Lewis book, and seventy dollars from Grandma. Oh, and a twenty-dollar gift card from my aunt, for Bath and Body Works. *rubs hands together* SHOPPING TIME!
We had turkey for dinner, and although I don't like it, it wasn't bad. Dad is a good cook.
We gave Dad the extended edition of Return of the King, and spent two nights watching it. AND THEY PUT THE FARAMIR/EOWYN HOUSES OF HEALING SCENE IN! *does a dance* They didn't do it justice...they were supposed to have a party in Ithilien where Faramir is all: "Eowyn, I love you, will you marry me?" And Eowyn would be all: "Yes, Faramir, I will." But oh well. It's there. I'm happy.
Okay, before I get all fangirly, I should probably stop this journal and go finish Pink Roses. I wanted it done by Christmas, but I worked on it all day and didn't finish. *cries* But I'm almost done.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

~Marina ]]> ~Rina-jo http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/4138664/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/4138664/ Thu, 23 Dec 2004 17:41:58 PST Listening to: Christmas music galore
Reading: Portrait of the Artist/Mars
Working on: this journal/Pink Roses/Meet Me in Midsummer
After this I will: eat something. I DON'T KNOW.

Well, I'm glad Loki and Nicole are getting along so well. They scared me so much on Tuesday. The two of them had never met before, and within an hour they were best friends.
I had been wanting them to meet because I knew they would like each other, but the way they hit it off was SCARY.
I have been getting some nice Christmas presents so far. They include a Gir wristband (from Liv) a pair of pretty earrings (from Loki) my sweatshirt that says "Oneesan" on it (from Danni) cute colored pencils/pens and a darling little notebook (from Lani) a faerie figurine and my letter of recommendation (from Ms. Simons) a handmade ornament (from Christina) two volumes of Mars (from Nicole) and THE BEST PICTURE EVER (from Don).
Yeah, I looked at the picture. A while ago, in fact. Couldn't help myself. BUT I JUST LOVE IT SO MUCH. It was inspiration for one of the flashbacks from Pink Roses.
Which, by the way, I don't believe I'll be finishing by Christmas. I wish. But I've still got most of the story to go and I have to work on Meet Me in Midsummer too. Haven't updated it in seven months...a record for me.
Ms. Simons came today. She wrote one of my letters of recommendation and brought me a Christmas present. That was so nice of her. We took her out to lunch at this Mexican place, and she was very helpful with recommendations for a vocal instructor. My parents are going to get me private lessons ASAP, since I need them for college. For vocal technique and all that.
Tomorrow my aunt and her family are coming, and then Saturday is CHRISTMAS. I can't believe it's here already. Looking forward to the day, but not to the turkey we're going to have for dinner. Dun like turkey. *waits for people to attack her* I'm sorry, but I don't. Honey ham more better. *nods*
Haven't started Portrait of the Artist yet, though I probably should. Heh. I procrastinate on homework, and I shouldn't.

Well, Merry Christmas to all of you and I hope you have a good one!

~Marina ]]> ~Rina-jo http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/4105958/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/4105958/ Sun, 19 Dec 2004 20:15:08 PST Listening to: Jump5/Christmas music
Reading: Portrait of the Artist
Working on: Christmas cookies. We already made three kinds: snickerdoodles, peanut butter with Hershey Kisses in the middle, and chocolate chip. Also, my Guardian short story (A Spray of Pink Roses).
After this I will: write things. And probably work on my Christmas drawings for my family.

We got our Game Cube back!
Seriously, this is the first afternoon it's been up since we moved. I'm so happy. Playing Smash Melee again was so, so sweet. It was awesome. I'm hoping I will also get my personal computer back during Break. I have to work on editing Guardian while I have both the time and the motivation. Otherwise I will not live.
Oh yeah...DON'S HERE! ^_^ Well, he's not HERE, exactly, because I'm in Malibu and he's down there with Danni and stoof. But he's in California!
I was so pleased with how Friday turned out. I was a little worried, but everything worked out beautifully. I was driven to Danni's house in the late evening so I could actually go with her to meet him at the airport, because there was no way I was getting down there early the next morning. No possible way. This is the part where I say I love my parents and Danni's parents. They have all been so nice about this--mine for driving me down to Gundo at ten-thirty at night, her parents for letting me come that late and putting up with first three and then six hyper teenagers cooped up in a small room, roughhousing. ^_^
Saturday was cookie-making day. And cleaning the house day. We're having so many people over to see the house, now that the holidays are here. So it has to be squeaky clean. Especially for Ms. Simons, who is coming on Wednesday.
Oh yeah, another good thing. I GET TO GO BACK TO CHOIR NEXT SEMESTER! This is so great! I'm so jazzed. I wanted to go back so badly. It looks like it's going to work out, especially since I'm only taking four classes next semester and will be getting out at one o'clock every day, eleven-twenty on Fridays.
Can you believe how fast the time has gone? IT'S WINTER BREAK ALREADY! Holy whoa. I think time needs to slow down a bit.
One thing I'm not happy about is that callbacks for Beauty and the Beast were postponed until January. But at least, this way I can see the cast list myself instead of having someone else look at it for me.

Well, I'm going to go. Oh yeah. Early Happy Seventeenth Birthday wishes for my Danni-bear! She's going to be seventeen tomorrow, and all I can say is no flipping way. *doesn't believe it* Anyway, it's her birthday tomorrow. I hope you have a good day tomorrow, Danni! *massivetacklehuggleglompofmajormajordoo m*
And a Very Merry Christmas to everyone!
I'll do a request for the first person to guess what the title of this journal means. ^_^

~Marina ]]> ~Rina-jo http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/4075799/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/4075799/ Wed, 15 Dec 2004 18:41:11 PST Listening to: Jump5--Dreaming in Color
Reading: Pride and Prejudice/Macbeth/Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man
Working on: a comic
After this I will: finish the comic and try to scan things...hopefully. that might have to be changed to tomorrow night.

Well, I like that.
Don's finished my Christmas present, and emailed it to me and put it on DA. However he says I'm not to look at it. Really, Don. You are just tempting me too much. IT WOULD SERVE YOU EXACTLY RIGHT IF I'VE ALREADY LOOKED AT IT. Why are you making it easy?
*sighs* apart from that...
I am feeling immeasurably relieved because I've finished most of my presents. I only did actual shopping/putting things together for a few people, the rest of them get pictures, except I need to find time in the next ten days to draw them. Am I giving hints? Well, let's just say that's Colt's prerogative. We went in together for some of them, like with the Beanie Baby project. You guys remember that? WASN'T IT CUTE...? ^_^
The comic I am working on today is my community service plug for the year. It's of Liam, Chloe, and Amy doing a community service project like Angel Tree, where they're taking presents to needy kids. It's going to be so cute.
Oh yeah, I love the fact that we're reading three books for English at the same time. Granted, Pride and Prejudice is supposed to be finished by tomorrow, and we're supposed to be done with Macbeth by Friday, but still. And it looks as though I'm going to HATE Portrait of the Artist, and I haven't even started it yet. It switches off between first person and third person omniscient, and is about interesting things (our teacher gave us a summary of what happens so we wouldn't be confused). Yep, gonna hate it.
So, lessee...gotta draw pictures for my family, that comic, wrap my Secret Santa gift for Candace (my group at Malibu did a Secret Santa type deal, since there's so many of us), go shopping for cookie ingredients with my mom, put my beige pants in the wash because I got dirt on the seat of them today, and peek over my Government notes because I have a Unit Two test tomorrow.
However, the silver lining in all this is that I DON'T HAVE TO GO TO SCHOOL ON FRIDAY. Woohoo! *dances and starts singing* Woohoo-ooo-oooo (and the people sing!) Woohoo-ooo-oooo (and the times are good!)
Yeah. Ignore me. It might be best for your sanity.

~Marina ]]> ~Rina-jo http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/4068161/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/4068161/ Tue, 14 Dec 2004 18:24:16 PST Listening to: Jump5-Dreaming in Color
Reading: Pride and Prejudice/Macbeth
Working on: NO HOMEWORK! I'm so jazzed! Slack-off time!
After this I will: work on this short story I'm doing, and go to the school's band concert

I didn't get called back. T_T Anticlimatic, neh?
The surprising thing was, Daniel didn't either. Here's how it went down after he went to see if it was there for the third time.

Daniel: Hey, the callback list is up.
Me: *preparing to log off and practically jumping up and down with excitement* really? I wanna see!
Daniel: *with a slightly cynical smile* yeah, too bad neither one of us is on it.
Me: Well that's a bummer...wait, YOU aren't on it?
Daniel: *looking kind of sad* Yeah. *practically wailing...at least as much as he can* I WANTED TO MAKE A LAST IMPRESSION!
Me: Don't worry, I have faith in the fact that they were impressed by your Lumiere performance.
Daniel: *still looking kind of sad* I dunno. They're calling people back for that part, and I don't know if those are all the guys they're considering or not.
Me: Don't worry about it.

So then we went to look at it. Only a few people got called back, most for two or three different roles.
But it doesn't mean people like me and Daniel and Connor and Jessica and Elise and everyone else didn't get cast. Those are just the people they needed to see again. We'll all probably at least be in the chorus or have some small part. Maybe I'll be one of those blonde chicks who are drooling over Gaston the whole movie. That would be fun.
In any case, I'm sure I'm not getting a major role, and I'm fine with it. The audition was fun and I'm sure the show will be even more so.
The cast list is posted on Friday and I am going to have to have my sister look at it for me, because, again, I'm not going to be there. I'm going to be in El Segundo, partying! w007!

Updates on other things:
I'm going to the high school band concert tonight, because Robin asked me to come, and I know full well the pain of having a nearly empty auditorium at band concerts. So I wanted to support her.
Also, I'm working on a short story for Guardian...where Liam and Chloe get married. ^_^ It's going to be my Christmas present to my FP readers. So no telling anyone, Brenna. It is to be a surprise.
I'm also working on various pictures and getting that one to mhz to color for me. I finally figured out which one I want him to color. Gomen!
Okay, I'm gonna go work on that story now, I suppose. I'll see y'all on Friday...well, most of you. Three days...time REALLY flies.

~Marina ]]> ~Rina-jo http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/4058669/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/4058669/ Mon, 13 Dec 2004 14:46:54 PST Listening to: people who are humming in my ear and throughout the library
Reading: Pride and Prejudice/Macbeth
Working on: ditto the last three journals
After this I will: make a mad dash for the callback list

Friday actually went a lot better than I expected, although I didn't think so right at first.
We went into the choir room and met the choreographer (I forget her name) and then when the middle schoolers came in and everyone was there but the chamber singers, we started learning the dance (which was review for the middle schoolers...they were coming for callbacks, since they already had their audition like a month ago).
It was hard to learn and I was freaking out. While learning this dance, I must have stepped on/bumped into three different people, and whacked several more in the face. It was that bad.
Then the middle schoolers (who had a dance to go to) went first and the high schoolers were sent out to practice.
I'm glad other people than me were freaking out, and there were many other people besides me who couldn't pick up on the steps right away.
A big group of us followed Marin (whom I met the first day, she's nice) out to the little quad area by the library. You guys know the Center Street quad area? Think of that, mini sized. I swear it was like a musical. We just got up there and started practicing the dance, over and over and over. Someone should have been filming us, it could have been a high school version of 'Chorus Line.'
So after we went over the steps a million times, I was finally able to do it. So we started walking back to the music room. I practiced a couple times with Elise and Jessica, just to be sure I had it down, and then I went to the music room to go in for the audition.
They were calling people four at a time...no names, it was first come first serve, like Thursday. So I went in with Daniel, Sam (who is a girl) and this other guy (I don't know his name).
I honestly don't know if I made them look bad or they made me look good. But I wasn't a colossal failure. I actually did a lot better the second time they made us dance, when they told me to smile and I stopped caring about whether I messed up or not.
The callback list is posted today.
We went to go see it, but it's not up yet. I'm a little ticked because we have to wait until after school, but it doesn't exactly matter to me. I'll probably be SOMETHING at least if I'm not called back, but the cast list is posted on Friday and I won't be here. *cries* I'll have to call someone.
Daniel and I have been amusing ourselves by talking about books and looking at his senior picture, which just came. Sixth period is actually kind of boring if you have nothing to do.
Anyways, I'll give you guys an update on callbacks later, I suppose. If I don't get called back, it doesn't exactly mean they're not casting me. But I'd like to be called back just the same. It's my security blanket.

Four days until Don comes. *looks back over the past month* Wow that went by quickly!

~Marina ]]> ~Rina-jo http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/4034759/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/4034759/ Fri, 10 Dec 2004 12:19:30 PST Listening to: same as yesterday
Reading: Pride and Prejudice
Working on: same as yesterday
After this I will: go trip over my own feet in an attempt to make a good impression

Yesterday also went exactly as I expected.
It was first come first serve, so we had to get in a big line. I was near the front, with Daniel and Griffin in front of me. Thinking about it now, I should have thought, "How am I supposed to make an impression coming in, virtually unknown by anyone, after these two awesome singers?" Especially since Daniel had CHOREOGRAPHY to go with his song.
But I still wasn't that worried. I knew the song and I'm not nervous about singing. I love singing.
But, as I expected, I didn't get to finish the song, probably because they were trying to get through all the girls in two hours before the pianist had to leave. But I think they liked it. They smiled, at least, and when I asked if I should stay, Ms. Leonard said no but asked if I was going to be there today. I said yes, of course. I'm not going to give up just because they're probably not considering me for a big part. That would be stupid. Heck, more than stupid. Cowardly.
Then Daniel and I waited half-an-hour until Connor (who is Daniel's brother) took his turn.
Then I tried to call my mom, but my phone didn't have enough battery and shut down before she picked up. So, I had to bum a ride with Daniel.
It was fun. Connor and I had a nice conversation in the car. We talked about the auditions and he asked me if I danced. (The answer is not well. I have to be given choreography and time to practice, otherwise I suck.)
All in all, I didn't have to stand in a crowded hallway for two hours with loud people. But it still didn't go exactly as I would have liked. I would have liked to finish the song, but I can understand why they had to cut me off.
Hopefully today will be fun and the movements aren't too hard. I hope they put me in the chorus, because that would be AWESOME.

Also, I don't have to go to school next Friday! I'm so jazzed. I told my dad I wanted a ditch day, and he said it was FINE as long as I didn't have any tests, which I don't! *dances* I will be free to go to my homeland and hang. And go to airports to meet friends. I'm happy.
See y'all at the band concert tonight!

~Marina ]]> ~Rina-jo http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/4027990/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/4027990/ Thu, 09 Dec 2004 14:58:35 PST Listening to: same as yesterday
Reading: Pride and Prejudice
Working on: same as yesterday
After this I will: go sing pretty songs!

Okay, yesterday went exactly as I expected.
The auditions lasted about two and a half hours as 70 kids read lines. We were called in a few people at a time, many more than once. Most of the guys went in at least three times, AND were held back at the end.
I was only called in once, and I read a grand total of three lines. WOO7. *not*
However, this doesn't bug me much. Like I said, I'm sure I'll be in the chorus at least.
Most of the two and a half hours were spent rehearsing with Leah, Daniel, and other people, and then sitting in the hallway singing "Carol of the Bells" over and over and over again.
Today is the singing audition. I'm happy. I love singing.
Oh yeah...something really funny happened yesterday. Daniel was just kind of standing in the hallway, and then all these girls who were sitting along the wall were all, "You did really well reading lines," and he was all, "Thank you," and they went, "Oh wait, you're that guy, the one who draws and sings and dances! That's so cool, what's your name?" And they were shaking his hand and introducing themselves. It was so funny...he has fangirls now. ^_^
Well, the period's about to end, so I'm going to have to take myself over to the music room and prepare for another two or more hours of standing in the hallway. Cheerz.

~Marina ]]> ~Rina-jo http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/4019644/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/4019644/ Wed, 08 Dec 2004 14:21:31 PST Listening to: the sounds of people around me who talk to each other.
Reading: still Pride and Prejudice
Working on: nothing. It's sixth period and I don't have a class. SLACK OFF TIME!
After this I will: work on the script or something, I don't know.

Well, today's the day, peeps. Today is the day I try out for the high school musical, Beauty and the Beast. w007!
Actually, tryouts are going to be over the next three days. Today is acting, tomorrow is singing, and Friday is dancing. DANCING! I can't dance...not really. Unless I'm given choreography, like in Broadway Fantasy two years ago. Which is probably what is going to happen.
I do not expect to get a big part. Secretly, I would like to be Mrs. Potts. She's so awesome. However, there are hardly any girl parts, and even though I'm a senior, there are going to be plenty of girls trying out for those same parts who are just as qualified if not more than I am, and a lot of them will be seniors. Plus, I'm one of the tallest girls here. Girls who are not taller than most of the boys in this school will probably be cast.
But I would just like to be in the chorus, if some miracle doesn't happen that gets me a big/good part. I love musicals and plays in general, especially if I'm in them. Plus there won't be such a big fuss made about me not being able to be there on Tuesdays in February.
One problem...I'm sure the audition is going to be in the auditorium, but I don't KNOW. So I was hoping Daniel would be here, because he's trying out too and he'll know, having been in them before, BUT HE'S NOT. I'm sure he's at school, just not in the library. So when the bell rings I'm just going to go over there and see what I can find out. *prays it's in the auditorium*
So, wish me luck people! I'll need it. Tell you guys all about it later.

~Marina ]]> ~Rina-jo http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/4000617/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/4000617/ Mon, 06 Dec 2004 06:22:17 PST Listening to: WOW Christmas, and the teakettle
Reading: Pride and Prejudice
Working on: nothing. it's six o'clock in the morning, for crying out loud. I'm still trying to think.
After this I will: go eat something.

Well, something just happened that I think is pretty funny.
I have to go to tutoring today because I got another B on a test (but my averages are getting higher, so hopefully I'll start getting As again) and I was supposed to get up a little early so that I could be all ready in plenty of time and not be late again. *takes a sip of her coffee thoughtfully*
The first thing I think is "Meridith, I'm SO gonna kill you for leaving the bathroom light on and the bedroom door open" as I walk toward the shower. The bathroom light, which is quite bright, has been trying to wake me up since 3 AM.
I take my time in the shower and even more time getting dressed, thinking "Wow, I'm taking too much time, it must be 6:30 already." So I get up and go to the kitchen, where everything is still dark--no mom happily moving around and making school lunches for her two younger kids, no dad lurking about playing with his laptop and drinking his coffee.
This is weird for a Monday, but like them. Sometimes they are just as slow in getting ready--no, slower than I am. (Remember the SAT?) So I'm thinking, gee, I'd better wake them up, and I checked the time.
It was 5:45.
Here, apparently, is what I did. Since my alarm clock is not a digital one, I set it for about five o'clock instead of five-thirty, which is what I had intended originally. So here I was at five-forty-five, going "What the heck?"
Then I was like, "Wait, this is awesome. I can get on the computer first and make some coffee for myself before my mother emerges."
And that was what I did.
Except my poor Tyger...he heard the sound of the computer turning on and the kettle whistling and bounded right up the stairs, thinking Mom was up. He saw me instead and looked a little disappointed, but he was all, "Pet me please." He's so cute and soft.
So yeah, interesting morning. I'm tired of waking up earlier than I'm supposed to, though, and it's all Meridith's fault because she leaves the stupid bathroom light on and won't shut the bedroom door. She should have pity on the one who sleeps nearest to the door.
Well, I'm gonna go. Gotta leave in ten minutes.

~Marina ]]> ~Rina-jo http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/3982618/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/3982618/ Fri, 03 Dec 2004 19:28:30 PST Listening to: Jars of Clay/Jump5/WOW Christmas
Reading: Pride and Prejudice
Working on: nothing right now. Later I will be very busy.
After this I will: scream my head off because no one is on AIM but Don and if I want to talk to him I have to start the conversation, HE never does, and then walk my puppy. *huggles Tyger*

I. Am. Ready. To. Scream.
Seriously. I got started on my USC application and I kept pressing the buttons to go to new things and IT NEVER WORKED. Finally I got so impatient that I said 'whatever, I'm leaving.' My dad and I will finish it later. Stupid websites. Why do I CARE if my connection to the stupid thing is secure? JUST LOAD THE STUPID PAGE.
I uploaded a new chapter of Guardian II yesterday and someone pointed out that I had a lot of typos. I looked over it and there were so many. OMG. I was so embarrassed. Examples: "askd" and "though" and "abut". It looked so bad. Serves me right for trying to type it all in a hurry.
Also, I feel really guilty because I haven't had time to reply to Kaitlin's letter yet. She sent it to me like a month ago and I've been so busy I couldn't write her back. She's very nice about it, though. Bless her. *hugs her*
Also, I think I'm losing the groove in my creative writing class. I started a piece that I had to share with a discussion group, and they all liked it, but they said I was being too polite about it. "You're obviously angry, but it's too nice," they all said. I was going for the frustrated factor, but I guess it wasn't enough to really give off that impression.
And everyone down in Gundo keeps going through all this crap and I want to be down there with them, BUT I CAN'T. THIS SUCKS.
May I just go scream now? Thank you. *screams* Okay, back.

Don will be here in approximately fourteen days. Time flies, don't it? I'm going to try to get a ditch day to go down there and spend the day when he comes. I earned one for each semester, since I've been faithfully attending like a nice little girl, and I'm going to tell my dad I want my first one on the seventeenth. *sigh* Such complication.
Okay, I'm going to go now. I really have nothing substantial to talk about. This is no longer a journal...but rather a rant column.

~Marina ]]> ~Rina-jo http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/3950196/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/3950196/ Mon, 29 Nov 2004 17:59:26 PST Working on: homework and college apps
Reading: Pride and Prejudice
Listening to: Jars of Clay
After this I will: go back and do my homework like a good little girl. *not*

*smiles* Well, the UC application is in, and my parents have now spent over one hundred dollars on my college apps. Yay.
CSU looks like it's not going to happen, though. Heh. But that's all right I guess. I have to focus on getting my USC in. HOWEVER I can stop worrying about Pepperdine and UCLA, two schools which I have a relatively good chance of getting into. Hee.
Another thing that at this point looks like it won't happen is sharing an apartment with my friends during college. *cry* I'm sad. But we can all be roomies after college, I guess. We will pursue our artistic careers together. BWA HA!
I have this ugly and very painful bruise on my thigh. WHY, you ask? Because I was stupid enough to climb my ladder after hanging a sweatshirt on it. Marshall and Aaron were trying to steal my stuffed leopard, Andy, and they went into my bed to get him. I went the other way to try to get there before they did, and on the way down slipped and hit my leg on three of the rungs. I looked at it this morning because it still hurt. IT'S SO UGLY. All black and blue and icky-like.
Yes. Self-injury abounds.
Well, I happen to have a substantial amount of homework, so I should probably stop writing this and get cracking. After all, I have to keep up my grades or I won't be accepted, but rather rejected. Not that A's in themselves matter...I just can't fail any of my classes, or get D's or C's in them. *grin* To those of you who have been seniors or are seniors now, I feel your pain. I will never laugh again. *not*

~Marina

"I think you're overreacting."
"He said 'fair lady,' Chloe. That always means something." (Guardian. Because I can.) ]]> ~Rina-jo http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/3939386/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/3939386/ Sun, 28 Nov 2004 12:47:40 PST Listening to: Christmas music galore!
Working on: this journal. My teachers were nice to me for once.
Reading: things. ^_^ FP stuff mostly...I finally updated over the weekend
After this I will: *smirk* do amusing things

Today is November 28th.
It's not special because it's the Sunday after Thanksgiving. In reality, people are gathered at my house to celebrate a very important National Holiday: Blame Mer-mer Day.
Yes. This is the one day out of the whole year when blaming my little sister for everything is not only permitted, but ENCOURAGED. It is a holiday recognized and sanctioned by the Cary family.
I am totally not joking.
This holiday, for those of you who don't know, was started two years ago by Marshall and Aaron. Aaron had spent the night the night before, and there was a Pokemon tourney that day. The two boys went around blaming Meridith for anything and everything that happened, regardless of whether it was actually her fault or not. As a result, they recorded the day and now we celebrate it every year.
This year, it was a given that Aaron would spend the night last night. Neither set of parents had to be asked for permission.
I call that sad.
But anyway, there was plenty to blame Meridith for yesterday (Blame Mer-mer's Eve is a day when everything is always at least half Meridith's fault) but not much has happened today so far, except for one very important event.
We came home from church about half-an-hour ago and were preparing to get the truck out of the garage and put the van in it. But guess what was parked directly in front of our garage.
A port-a-potty.
We were all laughing so hard, and we got out of the car to take a picture by the port-a-potty with Aaron, Marshall, Dad, and me all pointing at Meridith, because, after all, it WAS her fault that it was there in the first place *wink wink*. (In reality, it's been really windy up here, and we think the wind must have blown it over. But that's Mer's fault too, the wind.)
Then Aaron, Marshall, and Dad dragged the thing back to where it was supposed to be with their super-slak strength. Man, that was HILARIOUS.
The third annual Blame Mer-mer Day is in full swing.

I'm so sorry I'm not caught up on everyone's journals and drawings. I saw them all, but haven't replied. Why? Because you people like to write too much. ^_^ There are ten journals in my inbox and several deviations. I can't keep up. So, sorry for that. ^_^ I will be going on more from now on, so I shouldn't be so swamped and I can reply to them all again.
Let's see, how many more days until Don comes? *ponders* 19? That sounds right to me... *does the less-than-twenty-days-left dance*

Projects:
Homework: don't have any!
All them pictures: artist's block. It sucks.
College apps: I have to turn in and pay for my UC application, and it looks like I won't get to the CSU before the deadline, which is all right because my dad doesn't want me to go to Northridge anyway
Writing things: I finished Scroll Five of Guardian II and will post it on FP next week. Dang I feel accomplished! *pose*

*hugs for all of you* See you all soon!

~Marina ]]> ~Rina-jo http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/3903381/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/3903381/ Tue, 23 Nov 2004 18:03:28 PST
~Marina ]]> ~Rina-jo http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/3903329/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/3903329/ Tue, 23 Nov 2004 17:56:26 PST Reading: nothing. again.
Listening to: Jump5/Cabaret
Working on: homework. and various artwork.
After this I will: go the heck back to my house and do my Calculus homework.

Yeah, I'm writing this from the computer lab at Drescher. Good times.
Only one more half-day left and I get my long-awaited vacation. THANK GOODNESS. I've had enough of all this schol stuff. Time to relax. And sleep. OOH! I like sleeping. ...yeah, I'm a spaz.
Marshall is getting a big kick out of his new sk8board. He's ridden it twice today and loves it so much more than his old one. I feel loved. And appreciated.
The Mad L33t Wooper of Doom card that Jason just made is flipping HILARIOUS. I was laughing so hard when I saw it. I don't think anyone who sees that will ever make fun of Wooper again. EVER.
...I'm tired. ^_^
I hope to get a lot of things done that I actually WANT to do over the weekend. I would like that a lot.
Thanksgiving I will be gone. I'm going to Susie's house. (Susie is my cousins' aunt on the other side) We always have a talent show and this year I will be playing guitar as well as singing. Good times.
Okay, I think I'm gunna go now...yeah. I need to do my Calculus homework and go to bed early.
*does the 24 days left until Don comes dance*

Projects:
Homework: 0% (and don't you say a word, Don. I only have one assignment and it's an easy one)
All them pictures: don't make me laugh
College apps: 25-35% (gotta turn in and pay for my UC apps and then start my CSU)
Everything else: ...blah *falls over unconscious*

~Marina

"Hey, you just don't understand. Sometimes my sky's a little gray, and I know eventually I'll be feeling all right again. Life's been a friend to me. You don't need to convince me it's a beautiful world. I know it's a beautiful world!" ]]> ~Rina-jo http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/3887022/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/3887022/ Sun, 21 Nov 2004 17:33:36 PST
Mood: debatable. I don't really feel anything right now.
Reading: nothing. Except my Government text.
Working on: homework.
Listening to: various things...I don't remember them all
After this I will: find out if Mom wants to go to the store, and when, and then write my 500-word Government essays.

Well, I'm doing considerably better than last Wednesday when I was so angry with Marshall. We've been getting along better since then.
Um, let's see...nothing came of that quartet deal with Daniel. He got sick and stayed home for two days, so he couldn't get the music and we couldn't practice. Surprisingly, I'm not too cut up about it. I can understand about what happened, and I'm just happy he thought of me. My life can go on.
On the other hand, my sister, who actually is in the choir, tried out for a solo in the winter concert on Friday. (She sang 'What Child is This'.) To the surprise of us all, she has a really good chance of getting a place in the concert and will find out tomorrow. I'm thrilled. Mer is definitely not a soloist, but she does have the potential to become one.
I got new glasses on Friday. *shock* Yeah, I know. I've gotten used to not having them and my eyes are slowly adjusting. Marshall says I look considerably more intelligent now that I have them again. Great, just what I want people to remember me as: an intelligent person. I mean, that's great, but I don't want people to only think THAT when they remember me. I'm certainly going to shock people when I get to school tomorrow, since unlike when I got my braces off, I told no one I was getting glasses and why. ^_^
Oh yes...something completely awesome happened last night.
They were having a surf movie at my school and I had to go because the Christian club was sponsoring it and I was supposed to help set up and everything, and I wanted to support it, anyway. So after the movie they had a raffle. I filled out the stupid card and everything, not thinking I would get anyting out of it; I never win raffles.
Then they raffle off this TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTEEN DOLLAR SKATEBOARD and they call MY NAME.
Holy whoa.
I gave the board to my brother. He's been wanting an new one, and besides, am I really someone who has any kind of use for an expensive trick board? Uh-uh. I can barely ride a bike, much less control a skateboard. But it made Marshall really happy. Things like this help prove how random acts of kindness make you happy too. I was glad to give it to him and gratified that he was so jazzed about it. Meridith was there and she also won something...a wetsuit. ^_^
I have to go to school tomorrow...unlike most people I know. They are all laughing at me. *sigh* BUT I get to have the last laugh in April when I have two weeks for Spring Break and everyone else only gets one. So there. Anyway, I only get Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving Break. I'll be glad enough to have that...I've been working my tail off and seriously need some ME time. Plus college apps. Gotta get those done.
It's really windy out here. We can hear it even though all the windows are shut. The cold weather is coming in with a vengeance...it was FREEZING this morning.
26 days until Don comes!

Projects:
Homework: 35%
All them pictures: don't wanna think about it.
College apps: 25%

Later all. *weak wave* Golly I'm tired.

~Marina ]]> ~Rina-jo http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/3859616/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/3859616/ Wed, 17 Nov 2004 17:51:45 PST Reading: nothing
Listening to: Cabaret
Working on: Government homework and various artwork
After this I will: go find a hole somewhere and wallow

I would love to seriously maim my brother right now. He's so mean, and all he does is either criticize me for just about everything or pretend to be cute so I won't be mad at him even though EVERYTHING IS ALWAYS HIS FAULT. I am so sick of it. Thank goodness he's gone right now or I'd be bawling my head off. He has no right to say anything like that to anyone, especially when he is exactly like that himself. He even talks that way to Mom, and it's pissing me off. I can't wait until one of us moves out. I love him and everything, BUT I CAN'T TAKE MUCH MORE OF THIS.
Just wanted to rant. This seemed like a good place to do it.

~Marina ]]> ~Rina-jo http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/3852587/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/3852587/ Tue, 16 Nov 2004 19:03:57 PST
Reading: Canterbury Tales
Listening to: A Walk to Remember soundtrack
Working on: homework
After this I will: do my calculus homework and maybe draw something

Just wanted to share the news with anyone who hasn't heard it yet.
My friend Daniel (you guys have heard me mention him before, right?) has asked me to sing in a quartet with him and two other people for the school choir's winter concert. We will sing Sleigh Ride, and the audition is on Friday.
THAT IS SO AWESOME!!!!! I'm so jazzed about it and still shocked that he asked me, when I'm not even in the Chamber choir.
I will probably be on this major high for the rest of the week. Golly I hope this works out. I'll let you all know how it turns out.
See, I told you music gets me on more of a high than coffee does.

Projects:
Homework: 60%
All them pictures: haha
Sleigh Ride: we're still finding the sheet music
That picture I'm going to draw for mhz to color for me: roughly 10%. I've got the concept figured out, so it should be good.

~Marina ]]> ~Rina-jo http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/3829073/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/3829073/ Sat, 13 Nov 2004 22:00:06 PST Reading: Canterbury Tales/Rayearth
Listening to: the Walk to Remember soundtrack again. Have you ever seen anyone more sappy?...don't answer that.
Working on: college applications/homework/various pictures for various people
After this I will: put myself to beddy-bye

I've had a long day.
First there was a Pokemon tourney, and although I didn't play (I usually don't, because usually I don't have the money for the entry fee/a good deck) it was tiring. Marshall's friends were more annoying that usual, and Marshall's annoying meter always goes up when he is around them. Marshall and Kory kept on doing this disgusting sounding rap-like thing, and Aaron's personal mission in life was to drive me crazy. I deny acquaintance with ALL OF THEM.
My dad was looking through my sketchbook and then Jason made some comment about how chibis will be outlawed someday, in which case my sketchbook will have to be banned. Also, apparently DA is going to suffer an attack on its server. I have to smile at that, though I don't see what's so dangerous about chibis.
I take satisfaction in the fact that half of my homework is done. I only have Calculus review and my 500-word Government essay to write now, and I suppose I can do both of those tomorrow. I'll take Calculus along on the car ride to church and work on it during bagel hour.
I'm also exhausted because (drum roll please) I finished my first college application today! *dun dah DAAAAH* I took an hour out and finished my free-response questions/personal statement for Pepperdine. It was interesting. One of the questions was "Why do you want to attend Pepperdine?"

Mom: *looks at me*
Me: *in this really sarcastic tone* Um, let's see, because my dad has worked here since 1990 and I will get free tuition. No other reason. I'd rather go somewhere that has a better music program.
Mom: *laughing* DON'T type that. Wait for Dad.

I really would rather go somewhere with a better music program, but if I get accepted, this is probably where I'm going. BUT it is just down the hill and they have a foreign exchange program. It would be really great to go to Germany or something for a year. So I put down that instead and I think it will be satisfactory. Tomorrow Dad will check everything I've written and help me fix things, and then we will submit it. *gasp* Next is Cal State Northridge, UCLA, and USC.
I've finally started buying the first season of Rayearth. I'd forgotten how preppy Fuu was in the first series. I really like her character better in the second one. (I know all of y'all like to associate me with her, but please tell me I was never that extreme) But I still LOVE Clamp's art and some of the pictures are very beautiful. I'm getting books two and three as soon as possible (aka after the holidays when i have more money to throw around).
It's very interesting, thinking about manga stories compared to novels. Manga generally has a much quicker pace (example Rayearth...how much more detailed would it have been if it had been a novel instead?) but it gets the benefit of pictures, and books usually don't the older you get.
I need to find something new to read. I've read everything on my shelf a gazillion times over and I'm a little bored of them. Plus I'm already enough of a sap, listening to the music I do, without re-reading all those sixties romances my mom keeps getting for me.

34 days until Don comes!

Projects:
Homework: roughly 50%
All them pictures: I don't know...ask me later
College applications: somewhere between 15 and 25%
Guardian editing: still 10%, but forget that for now. No way I'm going to get to work on that until Christmas Break
Finishing Part 7 of Space Journey: FINISHED! *dance* I've been working on that stupid twenty pages for THREE YEARS. Now I can finally finish the thing.

I hope to see you all next weekend...sorry I didn't come down yesterday. Didn't wanna go to League and didn't wanna endure another three hours on the bus. Oh, and Colt, I'm gonna post that pic of the Dragon World chibis tomorrow. I had to outline it and didn't get a chance last night.

~Marina ]]> ~Rina-jo http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/3820695/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/3820695/ Fri, 12 Nov 2004 19:55:50 PST
[01.] Who are you?
[02.] Are we friends?
[03.] When and how did we meet?
[04.] How have I affected you?
[05.] What do you think of me?
[06.] What's the fondest memory you have of me?
[07.] How long do you think we will be friends?
[08.] Do you like me?
[09.] Would you date me?
[10.] Would you kiss me?
[11.] Would you hug me?
[12.] Physically, what stands out?
[13.] Emotionally, what stands out?
[14.] Do you wish I was cooler?
[15.] Give me a nickname and explain why you picked it.
[16.] Am I loveable?
[17.] How long have you known me?
[18.] Describe me in one word.
[19.] What was your first impression?
[20.] Do you still think that way about me now?
[21.] What do you think my weakness is?
[22.] Do you think I'll get married?
[23.] What makes me happy?
[24.] What makes me sad?
[25.] What reminds you of me?
[26.] If you could give me anything what would it be?
[27.] How well do you know me?
[28.] When's the last time you saw me?
[29.] Ever wanted to tell me something but couldn't?
[30.] Are you going to put this in your journal and see what I say about you?

~Marina ]]> ~Rina-jo http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/3808961/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/3808961/ Thu, 11 Nov 2004 11:04:48 PST Listening to: the radio/the CD of last night's Cabaret
Working on: this journal and homework
Reading: Canterbury Tales
After this I will: go down to the South Bay and run errands with my homework

Lots of interesting things have happened since my SAT on Saturday.
We didn't go to church on Sunday. Instead, Dad and Marshall took Steven home (Steve spent the weekend) and Mom went to tea with her sister. Me? I did homework all day. That's about it. But thank goodness we're done with Invisible Man. I am thoroughly sick of that book after spending three hours doing homework on it.
Monday night Mom and Meridith went to get Mer's choir outfit and they were gone so long that I had to make dinner. My first time making chicken, mashed potatoes, and frozen vegetables. I'm surprised I didn't mess up the whole thing, especially since I had to peel the potatotes with a peeling knife before I did anything else. There were minor self-injuries: I have blisters in several places, actually cut myself in two more, and sliced one of my nails right off with the stupid peeling knife. But, the dinner was decent and now I know how to make mashed potatoes.
Mer's first choir concert, Cabaret, was on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. I was so proud of her. The middle schoolers were fantastic and their songs were so good. The high schoolers were awesome, too. Also, my friend Daniel had a solo. It was called Jolly Roger--it's a pirate song. The whole concert was so good, I'm still hyper over it. Music gives me more of a high than even caffeine.
Today I'm going down to the South Bay. I have to run errands with my mother because I need some things that she won't get if I don't go with her. So I'm doing most of my homework in the car. I say once again, Calculus should burn.
Finding Neverland comes out tomorrow! *dancedancedance* I hope Colt gets better so we can go see it.
Well, I'll hopefully see most of y'all tomorrow. I have some pictures and comics to return.
And oh yeah...Megatokyo is awesome! I read most of the rest of it online and it roxxors.
Well, i'm gonna go and eat something...apparently we're not having lunch out today. ^_^ Bai Bai!

~Marina ]]> ~Rina-jo http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/3769494/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/3769494/ Sat, 06 Nov 2004 15:30:07 PST Listening to: Jars of Clay
Working on: this journal and Invisible Man
After this I will: drink peppermint tea.

MY DAD FORGOT ME AGAIN LAST NIGHT. Good night. That's the second time he's done that. Never, ever trust him to pick me up. Especially late at night. I was angry because I tried to call him and he didn't pick up his phone.
So anyway, I didn't get to go to bed until one and had to get up early this morning to take my SAT in Thousand Oaks. My mom slept through her alarm and then forgot she had to take me to Cal Lutheran for my SAT. So we didn't leave until 7:30, then had to stop for Starbucks so we could have breakfast.

*After Starbucks*
Me: So, how far away is Thousand Oaks?
Mom: Oh, about a half-hour.
Me: Oh my God you're kidding.
Mom: Nope. *turns onto road*
Me: They'd better not give away my spot to anyone else.
Mom: *alarmed* They can do that?
Me: Yeah, that's how I got in on standby last time. Someone didn't show.
Mom: *panicked* I didn't know they could do that!
Me: uh, yeah.
Mom: Oh no! I hope we get there in time.

*Half-an-hour later*
Me: Where the heck is this place?
Mom: I don't know. Maybe we'd find it if you'd help look.
Me: I am looking.
Mom: Were we supposed to turn on that road?
Me: I don't even think we were supposed to get off at this exit.
Mom: Well, I don't know if Yahoo was right on their directions. That exit said Cal Lutheran next right.
Me: If they give away my spot I'll be mad.
Mom: If you say that again I'll scream! Don't make me more anxious than I already am!
Me: *smile*

*Fifteen minutes later*
Me: Oh, look, there it is. FINALLY.
Mom: *turning left* Now where are we supposed to go?
Me: Nygreen Hall, Memorial Hwy.
Mom: I don't see it.
Me: They're supposed to have a sign up saying 'SAT this way.'
Mom: I was hoping they'd have one, but I don't see--oh, there it is. *makes u-turn at next stop sign, turns left on Memorial Hwy* Now which building is it?
Me: I dunno.
Mom: LOOK. *evil glare*
Me: Oh, there it is. Nygreen Hall. *snatches up purse* They'd better still have my spot.
Mom: It's eight-thirty, maybe they won't. But if they don't, we'll go find a Denny's and have a NICE breakfast.
Me: Okay. *jumps out of car*
Nice Man: *runs up* Are you here to take the SAT?
Me: YEAH! Am I too late?
Nice Man: Naw, they're just starting. I'll take you in.
Mom: *very heavy sigh of relief as she drives off to go find a shopping mall to browse in for the next three hours*

Yeah. All's well that ends well.
I didn't feel too secure about the verbal part, but I did all right on Math. Now that that's over, I suppose I should get cracking on my college apps. *sigh* Oy vey...

~Marina ]]> ~Rina-jo http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/3747407/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/3747407/ Wed, 03 Nov 2004 20:01:20 PST Listening to: Jump5/Jeremy Camp/Veggie Rocks/Jars of Clay
Reading: Invisible Man/Megatokyo
Working on: this journal and several pictures, also Dragon World...I wrote seventeen pages in the last few days
After this I will: go the heck to bed. I'm so tired after the election party my Government teacher had at school last night.

Well, the election's gone to Bush. I'm so glad. My mom was nearly going crazy and I think she would have been in a state of shock for several days if Kerry had won. Sorry Don...but hey, at least Kerry got California and Massachusetts, right? *pause* yeah, I know, I'll shut up now.
I'm sorry I haven't been online much lately. School is taking a big bite out of my head. I have two tests tomorrow, one of which I have to pass to graduate. I read all the journals people have written and replied to some, but not all of them. Reason? I had FOURTEEN in my inbox. Plus my filter blocked quite a few of them out.
I'm glad everybody had a happy Halloween and a good time trick-or-treating and such. Makes me happy. To those of y'all who are going through all this bad stuff...I'm praying for you and I send long-distance huggles.

Here is the list of what I currently have to draw:
Page seven of Warrior because if I don't do it soon Loki will have my head (this is the experimental manga, btw)
Kaitlin's birthday picture
Palindrome for Brenna
Various chibi comics for Danni
Something for Mom since she did me this tremendous favor today

Here is the list of what I currently have to write:
Two poems and one sonnet for Creative Writing (due Friday. I hate poetry and can't write it to save my life.)
Finish Chapter Seven of Dragon World
Finish Chapter Four of Writer's Block (and I have no idea what I'm doing! Loki, you're going to have to help me on this one.)
Three college essays for my UC application

I have a lot on my plate.
Also, my brother is on the phone/computer for three hours a day AT LEAST. Will someone please tell him that other people in this family would like to be connected to the outside world, too?

*sigh* I'm so glad this whole election mess is over and that I don't have to take any more crap for being a Republican and anti-abortion anymore. I'm not sorry I wore my sticker yesterday, but it was very painful. I think I'm going to go read the rest of Megatokyo online for an hour. Forget what I said about going to bed. I need entertainment and Largo is just the thng for that...

Projects;
Homework: 100% for once
All this writing stuff: *laugh*
All this drawing stuff: *ditto*
Dinner: 0% (ooh, forgot about eating, my bad. I'll go do it soon)
Getting an A in Calculus: It looks possible. I'll get back to you after the next grading period.

~Marina ]]> ~Rina-jo http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/3689711/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/3689711/ Wed, 27 Oct 2004 19:57:40 PDT
IN ONE TRY..TYPE YOUR NAME WITH YOUR:

FINGERS: Marina
CHIN: mq4r8na
ONE FINGER WITH EYES CLOSED: marina (WOW!)
CHEEK: ,som
ELBOW: marina (YEAH!)
LIPS: marina (w007!)
PALM:marina (doulb3 w007!)
BACK OF HAND: marinsa (close...)
NOSE:marina

Oh yeah. That rocked.

Well, Calculus homework time. Hopefully more art will be posted this weekend.

~Marina
TONGUE: don ]]> ~Rina-jo http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/3672777/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/3672777/ Mon, 25 Oct 2004 16:49:35 PDT Listening to: the radio
Reading: Invisible Man
Working on: various things, including homework
After this I will: go slave away over Calculus

My creative writing teacher gave me the best compliment today. He says I could totally have a career in fantasy writing if I want it. THAT IS SO COOL! If it wasn't weird to hug a teacher, I would hug him. This is so awesome.

Well, I gtg. Mom wants me off the computer right now or she will wholesale slaughter me. ^_^ I'm thinking of doing Space Journey as a screenplay. What y'all think?

~Marina ]]> ~Rina-jo http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/3658990/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/3658990/ Sat, 23 Oct 2004 21:15:52 PDT
LIstening to: Jump5/Jars of Clay
Reading: Invisible Man/Megatokyo
Working on: Homework/art/Space Journey
After this I will: work on either math or English until bedtime

I watched Spirited Away for the first time last night. All I can say is that was an awesome movie. Haku is now going on my rockingest guys of the universe list, which I have complied here for your entertainment (skip if this kind of thing bores you.):
Haku from Spirited Away
Tamahome, Hotohori, and Chichiri from Fushigi Yuugi
Eagle, Lantis, and Ferio from Rayearth
Landon from Walk to Remember
Hunter from Golden Feather
Vicious and Dante from Everlasting Fire
Chance from Naught but a Dreamer
Quince from Free Flight (Marx is cool too but I don't know him well enough yet for him to be on this list...)
Enic from Guardian
Aragorn, Legolas, and Faramir from LOTR
^_^ I'm so fangirly with this kind of stuff. I wanna draw a picture of Haku and Chichiro now...
I'm currently planning out my 2004 Writing Portfolio and deciding which stories I'm gonna do a second draft of. I know I'm gonna do one of Dragon World (I'm working on it now) and I've decided to also do Guardian and Space Journey (which I will also probably re-name). But the other stories of mine are questionable. I'm trying to decide which ones are worth even FINISHING, let alone re-writing. I will only put myself through that for my favorites. It's tough work. Guardian is threatening to kill me. I havta get my computer back before I give it up in despair.
But this isn't what's getting me down. I'm lonely up here...I miss my friends, and besides that I'm worried about them. Most are going through some pretty tough stuff right now, and I wanna be down there with them. *sigh* This moving thing is the pits...I can see the smokestacks at the power plant from PCH...I wanna fly.
Danni and I made up this joke about how to get me and Don down there. I need a jet ski and we're gonna give Don a pair of wax wings like in that one legend. ^_^ I'm going to draw a comic of that.
The Homecoming game is THIS week, right? Barring tyrannical complications, I'm gonna be there. *takes determined pose and is immediately poked in the belly by all who feel like it*

Projects:
Homework: 50%, roughly.
My chappie of Writer's Block: this thing is eating me alive
Guardian editing: still 10%
My new Guardian/Akina picture: 45%
Getting my computer back: 95%
College essay: 100% (my teacher loved it. She (and three other people, apparently) says it's ready to go.)

*tired wave* I'm gonna go do Math before I collapse.

~Marina ]]> ~Rina-jo http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/3614461/ http://Rina-jo.deviantart.com/journal/3614461/ Sun, 17 Oct 2004 20:56:53 PDT Listening to: Jump5/Rebecca St. James
Working on: this journal
After this I will: draw with Marshall

I posted my art, thanks to Dad and the Drescher scanners! Four pics and four scraps. Yeehah!
Here is what I did NOT post:
The fambily pic I drew for Don. That looked SO much better before it was outlined. Seriously. So I'm going to trace it, re-outline it, and then scan it, now that I know how to use my art pens better.
Also, I didn't post a lot of the pictures from my sketchbook. Either they weren't finished or they weren't stuff I wanted up here. But now that I have easy access to a scanner, you guys will be seeing more stuff in the near future! YAY! I'm practically jumping up and down, I'm so happy about this.
One thing that it definitely going up here is yet ANOTHER picture I'm working on for Guardian. This one actually has Akina in it. I did have a full-length picture of her in my sketchbook, but it sucked. So although this new one I'm workng on isn't full length, it's a heap better. And I will draw a better full-length one. It's important for me to do that because of her costume. Plus I want to show that to my Fictionpress readers.
I don't think Don has ever seen anything of mine before...well, THAT will shortly be remedied.
I'll see the El Segundoites at the football game on Friday! The rest of y'all...love you to pieces! Leave me comments!

Projects:
Homework: 100%
Scanning art: 100% (ALLELUIA!)
My chappie of Writer's Block: 20% (what I've got is so stilted...stupid thing's living up to its name again)
Guardian editing: 10% still
Dragon World: 50%
The Guardian/Akina pic: mebbe 18%

~Marina ]]> ~Rina-jo