http://browse.deviantart.com/journals/?order=5&q=by%3Aimaeko deviantART RSS for in:journals sort:time by:imaeko en-us Copyright 2013, deviantART.com Fri, 24 May 2013 02:38:05 PDT deviantART.com http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://st.deviantart.net/minish/widgets/apple-touch-icon-precomposed.png http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Happy-New-Year-346244393 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Happy-New-Year-346244393 Wed, 02 Jan 2013 06:29:00 PST Happy New Year nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2013 =imaeko
I thought I'd post a quick journal, anyway as it's really been ages since I last did. I've been busy living on my own and continuing my teaching degree and it really has been hectic. There hasn't been much time for fun and just enjoying life over the past few months.

I'm sad to say I've barely drawn. Im working on a commission at the moment and it's made me realise just how much I miss drawing and how disappointing it is to be at the level I'm at - if I'd had the time to continue drawing as regularly as I used to, I could be so much better by now than I am. But ]]> http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Normality-what-s-that-330339384 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Normality-what-s-that-330339384 Tue, 02 Oct 2012 09:42:21 PDT Normality - what's that!? nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2012-2013 =imaeko
In any case, I can probably be deemed as "settled in" here (admittedly, since I have had internet activated it feels a WHOLE heap more normal/awesome lol), and also university has started up again. Le gasp, I'm a second year student now!! :O I feel a mild amount of pa ]]> http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Alive-again-D-329279245 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Alive-again-D-329279245 Wed, 26 Sep 2012 06:57:52 PDT Alive again :-D nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2012-2013 =imaeko
So what this really means is that I have moved house, am now reasonably well set up and can start getting back on top of things again!

I have a lot of messages to check. A looottttttt. Eek. I also still owe 3 competition prizes for the anthro-fantasy contest... I haven't forgotten! They're back on my list of things to do. :-)

Hope you're all well. Aaaah, it's good to be back online. :love: ]]> http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/BRB-326766249 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/BRB-326766249 Wed, 12 Sep 2012 06:30:17 PDT BRB nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2012-2013 =imaeko http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/The-Calm-Before-The-Storm-325994802 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/The-Calm-Before-The-Storm-325994802 Sat, 08 Sep 2012 04:12:51 PDT The Calm Before The Storm nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2012-2013 =imaeko
On Monday I sign for my apartment lease and pick up the keys... Honestly I'm pretty terrified! All along I've thought that this is what I need to do and this is the right thing for me, but now that it's really coming to it... I'm terrified! I feel so out of my depth and to be honest doubtful that I can do it. I really hope I can! I think I have to just be strong and keep going and it will work out and I will prove to myself that I can do it... Everyone has to strike out on their own at some point I suppose! Big life changes are daunting. :S

So from Monday th ]]> http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Of-being-a-total-idiot-323936743 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Of-being-a-total-idiot-323936743 Tue, 28 Aug 2012 12:07:25 PDT Of being a total idiot! nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2012-2013 =imaeko
I fell down the stairs on Sunday night (and I was 100% sober too so there's no excuse)! I really wanted to kick myself for the sheer.... stupidity required to fall down the stairs. Who even falls down the stairs!?! Wow I feel like a complete numpty!

In any case I am a little worse for wear! I totally busted my ankle... it bent in a way ankles are not meant to bend.... :S The size of the lumps and the bruises.... wow. They are pretty spectacular! I have the Olympus Mons of ankles now and am hobbling around with even less grace than a penguin/puffin/etc. It's quite painful... and is certainly teaching me patienc ]]> http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Moving-323064419 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Moving-323064419 Fri, 24 Aug 2012 03:46:03 PDT ~Moving~ nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2012-2013 =imaeko
After spending weeks powering away through my book, I didn't write for two weeks until yesterday, due to emotional turmoil and general life events. The long and the short of it is I'll be moving out into my own little place in September, in just under 3 weeks, before I go back to university for what is set to be another hectic year!

It's pretty exciting, I'm really looking forward to it and I feel like I'm making a good decision for myself. However it's not without its stress and hassle; now I have to figure out how to be a proper adult and pay scary bill ]]> http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Watercolours-To-Re-subscribe-or-Not-317098382 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Watercolours-To-Re-subscribe-or-Not-317098382 Thu, 26 Jul 2012 07:48:53 PDT Watercolours + To Re-subscribe or Not? nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2012-2013 =imaeko
So yesterday I happened to pass an art shop and magically some watercolours appeared in my bag? Ok ok, I confess! I went in and spend a few minutes umming and ah-ing over watercolour sets and in the end I bought a small Winsor & Newton set with 12 half pans in; got home and realised I don't have a black which isn't too useful but hey ho, I shall manage (especially since I managed to just buy one online >_>; W00t!)! I also bought a set of 6 synthetic brushes.

I realise student quality watercolours and synthetic brushes are *so* not up there with the big boys but I have spent far too much money in the past (literally over a thou ]]> http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Carpe-diem-and-all-that-jazz-316449316 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Carpe-diem-and-all-that-jazz-316449316 Mon, 23 Jul 2012 04:39:51 PDT Carpe diem and all that jazz~ nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2012-2013 =imaeko
I've finished university and also (as of last week) now school volunteering for the year, so over summer I just have pretty much my normal work hours to work every week and the rest of my time is my own until September. It's good, because it gives me time to catch up on all the things (or some of the things!) that I've had to put off for ages.

I've been writing a lot lately; on Saturday I reached 75,000 words on my novel's first draft. Yay! :-) It's been amazing to have the time to devote to it and to seize that time with both hands. :heart: You can ]]> http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Guten-Tag-312065479 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Guten-Tag-312065479 Mon, 02 Jul 2012 06:16:52 PDT Guten Tag :-] nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2012-2013 =imaeko
Hopefully once I've caught up on sleep and energy and general things, and got back into the rhythm of life I can draw a bit. Despite now being super chilled out, I feel totally uninspired on the writing front. I haven't written in weeks which is really really bad! I don' ]]> http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/lt-3-310164793 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/lt-3-310164793 Sat, 23 Jun 2012 07:43:55 PDT <3 nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2012-2013 =imaeko http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Commissions-are-OPEN-307972185 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Commissions-are-OPEN-307972185 Tue, 12 Jun 2012 12:38:37 PDT Commissions are OPEN! nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2012-2013 =imaeko
I'm opening my commissions for the summer, so please contact me if you're interested in me drawing something for you! :-) You can either send me a note on DeviantART, or email me at: megan@artbymeg.co.uk

I will pretty much draw anything you ask for from tattoos to book covers to personalised portraits and more! I have a standard price list which covers the basic possibilities here (prices listed in British GBP), but for anything else please contact me to discuss.

I look forward to hearing from you. :-) ]]> http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Creativity-is-Stirring-307288698 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Creativity-is-Stirring-307288698 Sat, 09 Jun 2012 06:29:13 PDT Creativity is Stirring... :) nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2012-2013 =imaeko
As you can see I have awoken from my slumber by *le gasp* posting a new piece!

:thumb306342921:

If you've been keeping up with my art blog, you'll notice that I also just posted the first WIP of what shall be my next piece of art and if you have been keeping up with my Art By Meg @ Facebook page (which is the easiest way to keep up with all of my progress), you'll see that I've been a busy bee writing, drawing, and finding cool artwork to feature. :-)

I made a huge push on my book, the first draft of which is now 57,533 words long (out of, I estimate, 90-100,000 words), but in the past week an ]]> http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Time-for-sleep-304297965 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Time-for-sleep-304297965 Fri, 25 May 2012 11:56:19 PDT Time for sleep! nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2012-2013 =imaeko
Now it is time to rest and re-couperate: I have a few small university commitments and general other things over the next six weeks, and next week I shall be back at work for my usual 4 shifts a week, but there will be time for me to sleep and rest. To tidy my neglected room. To also tidy my neglected mind! To draw and to write and most importantly to relax and I suppose find myself ag ]]> http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Hmm-getting-there-303318282 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Hmm-getting-there-303318282 Sun, 20 May 2012 10:21:24 PDT Hmm, getting there? nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2012-2013 =imaeko
I really hope this ]]> http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/50-000-301843210 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/50-000-301843210 Sun, 13 May 2012 05:10:20 PDT 50,000 nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2012-2013 =imaeko
But alas, for now, other things are taking priority so I doubt if you will see anything from me this month, or at least until that magical date; 25 May 2012, when all's over and done with. Life has been busy. Really busy and really stressful.

The teaching practice for my degree that I last mentioned ]]> http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Forgetting-how-to-be-creative-299073843 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Forgetting-how-to-be-creative-299073843 Sun, 29 Apr 2012 08:25:27 PDT Forgetting how to be creative. nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2012-2013 =imaeko
In years gone by I would have simply put on my music and immersed myself drawing from morning til dusk and beyond... only... lately I feel like I've forgotten how... does that makes sense? I think I have become so conditioned to sitting down and writing essays or doing background academic work, or planning lessons or just being so generally focused and driven. on some necessary task.. that I've suppressed that creative part of me so far within myself (or scared it ]]> http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Devious-Journal-Entry-296967461 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Devious-Journal-Entry-296967461 Wed, 18 Apr 2012 06:57:52 PDT Devious Journal Entry nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2012-2013 =imaeko
Of course I have teaching practice for my degree up and coming but I don't feel as stressed about it anymore, by far. I feel confident I can manage the workload. Afterall, I'm only a year 1 student - they wouldn't give us anything we couldn't do, surely. :-) I look forward to getting the chance to prove myself in the classroom but at the same time I am nervous because ]]> http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/25-May-2012-295454868 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/25-May-2012-295454868 Wed, 11 Apr 2012 08:13:55 PDT 25 May 2012 nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2012-2013 =imaeko
Whoever said university, especially year 1, was easy, clearly wasn't doing a proper degree! It's heavy. To get the grades, you gotta put in the time and effort! Don't get me wrong, I've been told I could slack off, but I want to be the best. I'm running for a first class this year already which is fab, so hopefully I can keep on track with that, but there's so ]]> http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Patchy-Internet-Access-Bleh-292593827 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Patchy-Internet-Access-Bleh-292593827 Tue, 27 Mar 2012 07:20:38 PDT Patchy Internet Access, Bleh. :-| nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2012-2013 =imaeko
However, this week is my last week at university so that's good. By the end of this week I'll have handed in another two essays which means there's only two to go, due in on 16th and 27th or so of April. But, having two weeks off means that I'll have a lot of time to work on them which is great because it also means I'll have a lot of time to SLEEP. :love:

Erm, might not have a lot ]]> http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Last-Day-on-Earth-290614639 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Last-Day-on-Earth-290614639 Fri, 16 Mar 2012 09:31:22 PDT Last Day on Earth nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2012-2013 =imaeko
Well, I was thinking over it today at work and it just struck me how impossible that is (unless you have no constraints; financial or otherwise on your life).

How can this be achieved? I think I might have found an answer that's at least better than "it's impossible".

The real world commitments every day; for me university, work, school, financial and relationship commitments (and probably more things I don't realise), make it impossible for me to "live each day like it's [my] last". Just as I have commitments and responsibilities, so do we all (and then there's the financ ]]> http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/The-weeks-just-keep-rolling-by-290129258 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/The-weeks-just-keep-rolling-by-290129258 Tue, 13 Mar 2012 10:20:26 PDT The weeks just keep rolling by! nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2012-2013 =imaeko
Hope you are all well!

Life is still busy; every time I check the date I'm sure another week has passed! I have 4 more assignments due in, the next deadline being for science two weeks today. I'm finding things really hard but slowly, very slowly, the fog is lifting and more and more things aremaking sense with regards to what I am writing my assignments on! Combined I think I have about 8,000 words to write haha.

I have found out what I will be teaching in my block teaching placement anyway. I have over 25 lessons to plan. Eep! No rest for the ]]> http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Please-take-a-moment-to-vote-for-me-288556887 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Please-take-a-moment-to-vote-for-me-288556887 Sun, 04 Mar 2012 08:56:20 PST Please take a moment to vote for me? :) nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2012-2013 =imaeko
As you know I entered my recent piece (above) in a DeviantART based competition, and voting is now open until 11th March.

I'd really appreciate it if you would vote for me by going to http://lemonfox2002.deviantart.com/art/Contest-8-Vote-For-The-Winner-288514265 and taking a moment to simply comment with my entry number (14) if you feel I deserve to win over the other entries. :-)

After I spent a lot of time and effort on this piece, it would be brilliant if it won or placed. :-) Thank you to anyone who does go and vote for me. :)

:heart: ]]> http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/The-Shock-288194181 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/The-Shock-288194181 Fri, 02 Mar 2012 11:52:17 PST The Shock! nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2012-2013 =imaeko
Hope you all like my new painting!

:thumb288177666:

I seem to be getting a lot of views, faves and positive feedback on it so far so that makes me happy! I've missed drawing so much. :heart:

Life hasn't suddenly become more erm.. well abundant with time though. Lots of assignments. But I am gonna make an effort to get back to writing. I haven't written in a couple weeks (been busy pulling together a uni assignment and keeping up with stuff - until late April I'll be doing that and then from then, straight away I'm on te ]]> http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Universe-1-me-0-288004560 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Universe-1-me-0-288004560 Thu, 01 Mar 2012 08:53:53 PST Universe 1 : me 0 nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2012-2013 =imaeko
In total I've ordered *2* netbooks in the past week, and *both* orders have fallen through in spectacularly stressful fashions, and the only solutions left are either unappealing or unjustifiably expensive, so I actually give up. The universe doesn't want it to happen so I can't be bothered fighting it anymore. I feel so mad and upset and frustrated. I don't understand why it's so hard to find something you like, pay money for it, and get it! That exact thing! That you worked hard to pay for! But that seems to be nigh on impossible.

So, for the foreseeable future ]]> http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Subjective-Time-285716662 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Subjective-Time-285716662 Sat, 18 Feb 2012 03:28:00 PST Subjective Time nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2012-2013 =imaeko
On the upside, I've gotten my to do list done, which I'm really happy about. :-) The only thing that has of course been sacrificed for the productivity regarding university related to do items (a.k.a. almost the entire list) is of course my writing and drawing. But I have had time to write a lit ]]> http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Half-Term-284833411 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Half-Term-284833411 Mon, 13 Feb 2012 04:50:08 PST Half Term! nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2012-2013 =imaeko
I finished uni on Thursday; I have a week off. I'm so glad! I desperately need time to catch up on mainly uni related stuff. Hopefully there will be time for writing and drawing too, though! I have tonight (Monday) and Wednesday night's work shifts off too, so I have a few days where I am utterly and completely, blissfully free from all commitments! Happy, happy days!

It started off productively; I've sorted out all of my filing so things are muuuch tidier now and I feel less panicky when I go into my room because now there's not stacks of paper and books everywhere! ^^;

Tod ]]> http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Looking-Up-282893265 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Looking-Up-282893265 Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:13:00 PST Looking Up nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2012-2013 =imaeko
I was feeling pretty fed up with things, but to be honest I think I was just a bit run down from how busy things are at the moment. I was feeling incredibly fed up of working, and wishing that I did not need a job to financially support my university degree. It would mean I had so much more time to commit to the degree, and my own wellbeing through my art and writing.

I actually still feel like that regarding work; it would be wonderful to not have to work during this degree, but, I feel more positive this week at least which is a good thing. Mainly, this is because I've ]]> http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Actually-Drawing-282134343 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Actually-Drawing-282134343 Sun, 29 Jan 2012 04:12:39 PST Actually Drawing nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2012-2013 =imaeko
This week has been really.. well.. arty.. surprisingly so! I doodled some things in college on Thursday, and I also started working on a new portrait, which will be really heavily stylised. I've nearly finished colouring the portrait in using my yummy but much unloved Copic markers, and I am enjoying giving them some attention again. :heart: I really want to get back into traditional portraiture (be it pencil/colour pencil realism or copics stylised or whatever). It's the one medium I can really carry around with me (i.e. sketchbook and pencils can fit in my college bag), and it's been so nice to work on one this ]]> http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Priorities-280880004 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Priorities-280880004 Sun, 22 Jan 2012 03:51:25 PST Priorities nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2012-2013 =imaeko
For example years ago I was totally hooked on Neopets, to the point I laughed at the idea I'd ever in a million years leave that site... But I did leave, years ago, after devoting all that time and energy to it, because my priorities changed. Something so vital to my existance at the time (Sad I know, don't judge me haha. But it was fun).

It's the same with deviantART. It's been such an integral part of my life since 2004 now, on this account and my old one (wow, 8 years ne ]]> http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/40-000-Slowing-to-a-Snails-Pace-279795657 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/40-000-Slowing-to-a-Snails-Pace-279795657 Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:03:57 PST 40,000 - Slowing to a Snails Pace nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2012-2013 =imaeko
Writing will progress probably much slower now unfortunately; I am back to real life! Although I've been working all through Christmas break, now I'm back at uni and school placement so my free time has drastically dwindled. Life is back in full swing! Today I had university, and for the rest of the week I am at school on teaching placement. I am a little apprehensive at that! 4 whole days at school will be tiring, but hopefully it will b ]]> http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/12-January-2011-278972539 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/12-January-2011-278972539 Thu, 12 Jan 2012 04:07:57 PST 12 January 2011 nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2012-2013 =imaeko
I just wanted to mark today I suppose, because it's a year to the day that I sat down and started properly trying to write my book. I still remember the thoughts swirling through my head at the time, the "How do I possibly begin this?" "What words do I choose?" and the "I wonder where this will lead..."

One year on, and I am so much further. It's been a real learning curve, and I can be positively sure that I've not done things the best way around! But these things take time and ]]> http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Invisible-Productivity-277652131 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Invisible-Productivity-277652131 Wed, 04 Jan 2012 13:53:55 PST Invisible Productivity! nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2012-2013 =imaeko
I am being productive, albeit somewhat invisibly! As you may have already read, I finished plotting out the book I am writing at the moment just before the new year. So, I've carried on writing. Yesterday I hit 30,000 words... Which again is the biggest milestone I've ever achieved writing so from here on in I continue to be breaking all my own personal records with each word I type.

I'm only on the first draft, so of course I will need to re-draft it and edit it (and find an agent, a publisher and the rest, bla bla bla! ]]> http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Happy-New-Year-2011-Roundup-277041357 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Happy-New-Year-2011-Roundup-277041357 Sun, 01 Jan 2012 10:06:54 PST Happy New Year! + 2011 Roundup nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2012-2013 =imaeko
It feels really just like any other day, but it's an odd feeling to know that yet another year is over and yet another has begun. 2011 was a year of huge change for me; I basically changed my whole life. I started 2011 as an almost qualified Accounting Technician, completely miserable and finding no point in life. I finish it a more confident young woman having quit my job after deciding that I couldn't spend the rest of my life doing something I hated. I'm now a student teacher; enrolled on ]]> http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/December-277034312 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/December-277034312 Sun, 01 Jan 2012 09:19:33 PST December nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2012-2013 =imaeko
The last month of the year... goodness it seems to have rushed by now that I'm at the end of it (though January to August were painstakingly slow!).

3 or more notable (good) things that happened...
1. I finished all of my essays and handed them in! Such a relief. <3
2. I finished university and school placement for a 5 week Christmas break! <3
3. Work kept me on, offering me a permanent contract! I am so so happy!
4. I have had a really social month! Met up with lots of friends and had such fun! Seen friends both old and new, whose friendships I treasure. <3
5. I finished plotting my book and am now in a position wher ]]> http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Merry-Christmas-275555256 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Merry-Christmas-275555256 Sat, 24 Dec 2011 04:30:11 PST Merry Christmas nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2011-2013 =imaeko
It's 3 years ago today that my Grandma passed away, and I miss her very much. In a couple of days it will be one year since my cousin passed away too.  It's sad when you think of those who are no longer about to share the good times with you, but I suppose that's how life is and it makes you really feel that you must make the most of your own life and the people you share it with. I plan to appre ]]> http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Art-Blog-274716295 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Art-Blog-274716295 Mon, 19 Dec 2011 07:54:52 PST Art Blog nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2011-2013 =imaeko
Basically, I upload final pieces here on DeviantART, to keep my already pretty busy gallery as clutter free as possible. But, if you are interested in seeing all my sketches and works in progress, please head on over to my art blog (which you can follow via RSS feeds). If you're o ]]> http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Breathing-Space-273748449 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Breathing-Space-273748449 Tue, 13 Dec 2011 04:53:59 PST Breathing Space nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2011-2013 =imaeko
It's busy though! I don't really have the time to be creative, even more so than when I was an accountant, but it's much better to feel so alive again and I wouldn't trade back. :) The past few months have been a whirlwind ]]> http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/November-273747483 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/November-273747483 Tue, 13 Dec 2011 04:38:15 PST November nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2011-2013 =imaeko
My usual monthly roundup so I can remember what on earth I got up to. Positive memories only, of course. :) It was a quiet month, because I had so many assignments to do for university! ^^;

3 or more notable (good) things that happened...
1. I got a letter in the post from Christopher Paolini! As I already wrote about here... Very exciting!
2. I went on a charity curry night with my partner and his family, it was really enjoyable! :) And for a good cause. :) We had the nice surprise of a limousine to take us there and back... very swanky though it did make me feel car sick!
3. I went to the cinema with my good friend to watch th ]]> http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/6-935-272649868 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/6-935-272649868 Tue, 06 Dec 2011 08:07:11 PST 6,935 nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2011-2013 =imaeko
I have one morning at college left (tomorrow), and one day of school placement (next Monday, though I may volunteer my services on Tuesday too I'm thinking), and then it's Christmas break!

I feel so happy, right now! :w00t: Such a great sense of relief, I feel so light and carefree now I have finished my work! :heart:

I am really looking forward to having less on my plate for a few weeks (i.e. my normal working hours a ]]> http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/A-Chink-of-Light-270489794 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/A-Chink-of-Light-270489794 Wed, 23 Nov 2011 06:19:12 PST A Chink of Light! nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2011-2013 =imaeko
I just finished one of my assignments (2 to go now!); just have some small niggly bits to sort out, such as checking my reference list and doing a final readthrough for sense, grammar, punctuation, etc. But it's done! 2,085 out of 2,000 words (I believe we're allowed a tolerance of +/- 10% thank god, I've managed to shave several hundred words off this already but I would struggle to axe anymore!)

I also had a maths assessment today in class, and it went really well! I'll be surprised if I get anything less than brilliant marks. We had to show our reasoning and proble ]]> http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/One-of-those-weeks-269784657 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/One-of-those-weeks-269784657 Sat, 19 Nov 2011 03:16:16 PST One of those weeks! nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2011-2013 =imaeko
Monday was a really long day; on placement at school in the day, and then work in the evening.. still unrecovered from that! Really enjoyed school though, the kids are great to work with.

Tuesday was another long day; a full day at uni and I spent the evening working on my placement files (we have lots of stuff we have to write out...) until 9pm.

Wednesday was.. another long ]]> http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/October-268786660 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/October-268786660 Sun, 13 Nov 2011 03:33:37 PST October nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2011-2013 =imaeko
October

3 or more notable (good) things that happened...
1. I got a job! An actual honest to God job. :) It's on a temporary contract (which I just found out ends on boxing day, 26th December 2011, how depressing! But hopefully they will extend it..)
2. It was my mummy's birthday. I got her a gift she was absolutely chuffed with and made her tea. It was lovely to spend the afternoon cooking!
3. It was my birthday! Despite not having anything planned I had a great day. :) I went to archery and got a personal best score, the weather was lovely and I enjoyed seeing my family and boyfriend. ]]> http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Inheritence-End-of-an-Era-268238802 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Inheritence-End-of-an-Era-268238802 Thu, 10 Nov 2011 03:22:59 PST Inheritence: End of an Era nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2011-2013 =imaeko
I'm gutted it's done. Absolutely devastated. :( I am as gutted as I was when Harry Potter finished, that is the level of significance this series had in my life. Out of my entire life, Harry Potter and Inheritence have been the most inspirational and capitivating series of books I have ever read. I ]]> http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/A-Letter-From-Christopher-Paolini-266762772 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/A-Letter-From-Christopher-Paolini-266762772 Wed, 02 Nov 2011 07:27:26 PDT A Letter From Christopher Paolini! nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2011-2013 =imaeko
I received from him a two page signed letter dated 24th October (posted on the 26th so it's only taken a week to get here :O), on "Inheritence" letterhead, in which he expresses his enjoyment of my giftart for him, an ]]> http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Writer-s-Block-Writer-s-Sidestep-266625047 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Writer-s-Block-Writer-s-Sidestep-266625047 Tue, 01 Nov 2011 13:51:57 PDT Writer's Block... Writer's Sidestep? nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2011-2013 =imaeko
So my focus in my free time (apart from sleeping!! So tired!) is my writing, really. But I've found myself at a bit of an impasse with my book. I know where it's going, I am simply struggling to bridge what I have written thus far, to where I am going next. It will take some mulling over as to how I can write it.

However, I think it's really important to not just put something down and drop it and not do anything. So I'm thinking about that gen ]]> http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Time-Travel-266143421 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Time-Travel-266143421 Sun, 30 Oct 2011 08:50:34 PDT Time Travel nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2011-2013 =imaeko
Um, anyway. :)

It's that day of the year where we all get to time travel in our sleep - last night the clocks went back by an hour in the UK (meaning we get an extra hour in bed or an extra hour of the day, depending on how you see it - the latter for me!) so that was real ]]> http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Breather-264546636 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Breather-264546636 Fri, 21 Oct 2011 11:21:00 PDT Breather nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2011-2013 =imaeko
It's been very exciting, and invigorating, and to tell you the truth I have loved it. Yes it is very tiring, stood up for an entire shift, no chair, no drink, no food, no books/phone/etc, but it's such an engaging job. I meet so many hundreds of nice customers, and it's really lovely. They appreciate my service-with-a-smile, and they smile back in return. Theyre for the most part polite and patient, and my colleagues are so helpful in pointing me in the right direction for all the things I don't know yet! I def ]]> http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Tremendous-264054260 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Tremendous-264054260 Tue, 18 Oct 2011 07:49:14 PDT Tremendous nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2011-2013 =imaeko   1. Very great in amount, scale, or intensity.
  2. Extremely good or impressive; excellent.

It's been a very busy week since I last wrote! Lots of things have happened.... my birthday (thank you for all the kind wishes), my first shift at work, and some great feedback/news from college! :)

So it's been a busy week! I celebrated my birthday on Sunday so I had a bit of a long weekend leading up to it.

On Friday I went to see the Three Musketeers at the cinema with a uni friend... it was the first film I saw in 3D! The film itself was excellent, I really enjoyed it! As for 3D... well I was equally impressed and disappointed! ]]> http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Seasonal-Lurgy-Emerges-262899208 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Seasonal-Lurgy-Emerges-262899208 Tue, 11 Oct 2011 11:55:59 PDT Seasonal Lurgy Emerges nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2011-2013 =imaeko
My throat glands are huge, I have no use of my nose, which is blocked and running like a tap, my eyes are all itchy, my head is pounding, and I am struggling to breathe. Have started going hot and cold tonight. I hope it's just a bad cold and nothing more serious, anyway. I can't afford to have any time away from uni, it's just too important to miss.

Life, if I may ask, no serious illnesses for the next four years please... :XD:

So I feel very unmotivated this week for uni and everything, 'cause all my body wants to do is curl up in bed and sleep it off. :( I d ]]> http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Time-to-Mark-the-Passing-of-Time-262483395 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Time-to-Mark-the-Passing-of-Time-262483395 Sun, 09 Oct 2011 03:36:51 PDT Time to Mark the Passing of Time nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2011-2013 =imaeko
I don't have any plans though which is a little depressing. None of my school friends are around to celebrate it by meeting up socially (as per usual..). And I wouldn't say that I'm close enough to people at university to expect them to be up for marking it either. My boyfriend will be at college all day (yes, he has college on weekends, it sucks) and my parents will most likely be doing their own thing as us ]]> http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/September-262483058 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/September-262483058 Sun, 09 Oct 2011 03:32:59 PDT September nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2011-2013 =imaeko
September

3 or more notable (good) things that happened...
1. I had some much needed time off between quitting work and starting university on the 9th September. I enjoyed it, though I didn't get much time to rest!
2. I started university! Yay. Hello to the rest of my life, goodbye accountancy.. :)
3. I finally got my archery 1st class level! So happy. It's taken a while and there's been a lot of set backs. I need a stronger bow before I can move up (not an option), but I'm happy to have reached my full potential on this bow at least. :)
4. Best event of th ]]> http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Goodbye-free-time-262177582 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Goodbye-free-time-262177582 Fri, 07 Oct 2011 11:28:07 PDT Goodbye free time..... nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2011-2013 =imaeko
Unfortunately this does mean I'm going to be crazi ]]> http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Meg-Got-A-Job-261518521 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Meg-Got-A-Job-261518521 Mon, 03 Oct 2011 08:29:31 PDT Meg Got A Job....? nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2011-2013 =imaeko
I had a little stress (read: A REALLY LARGE AMOUNT OF STRESS) trying to negotiate the hours (they offered me too many and I obviously don't want to take valuable time away from my degree!), so I was agonizing over it, but I got it down to a level of 15.5 hours a week (although I am sure it works out at 17 but I can clear that up with them later...) across 3 evenings (Monday, Tuesday, Saturday), and Friday days. So I am happy with that. It's just on the maximum I am happy with so I look forward to seeing how it works out.

After the Mad Science job totally falling through, ]]> http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Busy-261337863 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Busy-261337863 Sun, 02 Oct 2011 09:07:02 PDT Busy nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2011-2013 =imaeko
Sometimes it's too busy and I'm tired and achy, sometimes it's busy and I'm able to throw myself into it with loads of energy. (At the moment, feeling the former!)

I am finding the course to be great; although my lack of knowledge scares me, I have only just begun, and I'm really making an effort to read around the subjects and compile lots of notes so... actually that's probably why I'm tired haha. I'm doing lots of work out of university still! (Contrary to popular belief, bei ]]> http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Meeting-of-a-lifetime-260923207 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Meeting-of-a-lifetime-260923207 Fri, 30 Sep 2011 00:29:13 PDT Meeting of a lifetime nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2011-2013 =imaeko
Ok, so.. wow. It's been a whirlwind, right from the word go! It was only a week ago that I even managed to find out about the talk and signing event; there's really been no publicity... but a Facebook group had announced it, saying the Manchester event had a few tickets left... well I jumped on it.

How could I pass up the chance to meet my favourite living author!? He's the person that has impressed and inspired me more than anyone else to pursue my writing, and I know I've not been that great with keeping up to it, but I do really want to succeed and become a successful published au ]]> http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Kiriban-40-000-Pageviews-or-nearest-260004807 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Kiriban-40-000-Pageviews-or-nearest-260004807 Sat, 24 Sep 2011 12:54:45 PDT Kiriban! 40,000 Pageviews.. (or nearest!) nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2011-2013 =imaeko
My 40,000 pageview mark is coming up. Catch it and win free arts!

Send me a screenshot of the 40,000 pageview and I'll draw you something nice. :)

Hope someone catches it! :) ]]> http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/BRB-EXPLODING-WITH-EXCITEMENT-D-259778502 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/BRB-EXPLODING-WITH-EXCITEMENT-D-259778502 Fri, 23 Sep 2011 06:14:40 PDT BRB, EXPLODING WITH EXCITEMENT!! :D nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2011-2013 =imaeko
Next Thursday evening, I'm going to a talk & book signing with the one and only Christopher Paolini, author of Eragon / Inheritance Cycle!! He's my single favourite male living author (fave female author being JK Rowling, obviously!) and wow, what a once in a lifetime experience - probably, anyway, as he never tours the UK!

I am just so... wowed by this. :D This is the man whose words enchanted me everytime I picked up his books and frankly inspired me more than anyone else to become a writer myself. To see him in person, to meet him.... is a fantastic thing. I am not a ]]> http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Please-May-I-have-Your-Vote-To-Change-My-Life-Jo-258657183 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Please-May-I-have-Your-Vote-To-Change-My-Life-Jo-258657183 Fri, 16 Sep 2011 08:37:49 PDT Please May I have Your Vote.. To Change My Life?Jo nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2011-2013 =imaeko
I applied some time ago for a bursary to help fund my 4 year full time teaching degree... There are 8 bursaries each of £15,000 to be awarded. This could change my life. However, this is a competition... To enter this competition, I had to create a video to show how I would make my mark on the world with this bursary; in short, I want to become a great t ]]> http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Progress-258347838 http://imaeko.deviantart.com/journal/Progress-258347838 Wed, 14 Sep 2011 05:28:58 PDT Progress nonadult journals/personal imaeko http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/i/m/imaeko.png?2 Copyright 2011-2013 =imaeko
Well, I'm all inducted and enrolled at uni! :)

Induction (Monday and Tuesday) was great - there's about.. hmm... 60-70 people in my year I think? So although I haven't met them all, I've met loads of people, all of whom are really nice! I hope I get to know them all better over the course :D The course still sounds brilliant and I am just really looking forward to starting next week. All the tutors seem really nice and our head of year is lovely. The college itself is frankly a labyrinth but erm... I'm hoping time will solve the problem of getting lost! We're had various group activities and been introduced to a taste of each ]]>