Yup, that’s me on Etsy’s Virtual Lab giving a talk to a lot of people all over the world!

... are filled with lots of work, art and fun (not necessarily in that order) so much so, that I find it difficult to even devote one day in a week to update my personal blog.

I’ve written down my accomplishments so far in my little red book, which is a little too much to get into right now on the blog. I’m only half-way through 2009 and it’s been a fantastic journey so far. There’s just so many things to explore, to see and to do; so many experiences to soak in, and so many people to meet.

I’m just afraid I won’t have enough time to do everything.

I wrote up two articles that might be of interest: 9 tips to be more creative and Creativity, Competition & Copycats. These were done as a recap to my Etsy Virtual Labs where I talked about creativity two months ago.

And oh, there’s also another project in the works: The Good to Know project : a monthly zine on advice + inspiration from artists/illustrators/designers on creativity, business and life. I’m loving this one!

Oh, so many things to do!

Was marked with our marriage registration ceremony.

Yum in a can, pencil on paper + Photoshop

Apparently I can just have fun and not think too hard about the subjects for each Illustration Friday entry.

This was fun!

Go now if you haven’t!

GO!

I’m having a lot of trouble with Flickr today, so I’m just going to take it as a sign.

I’ve fallen off the daily drawing wagon for awhile, but I’m planning to get back on. You’ll be the first to know. ;)

I’m still in Kyoto — but I forgot to let you know that I shared with readers of Design for Mankind about my day, which I have to admit, is now a little more focused on Pikaland.

This isn’t a necessarily bad thing — there was bound to be more time spent at my new project, and I have enjoyed bonding with the lovely artists that I previously could only have admired from a distance. And this leaves me wanting to improve myself, and to pick up a pen again and to wander about, even if I’m seemingly lost.

I was wondering about how I am going to post over at two places at the same time, but then I realized that there can be a division. And there should be, at times. Over here at re:makeables, I’ve grown by experimenting — with work, at play, and at illustrating. Although I’ve thought about whether I should keep one or the other, I think that I shouldn’t necessarily have to choose.

Because I grew up with re:makeables, I’m going to continue documenting my journey here. I have to admit that although the slow and unconscious drift from crafting to art is something that surprised even myself, I still find myself drawn towards fabrics and notions, and the act of creating. There is so much to share, and the past few months have been exhausting — that the thought of being able to write again makes me feel all tingly and excited.

A blog revamp is in the works. What do you say? ;)

I’ve been spending the last few days catching my breath — there was a lot of things to do right after I touched down, that I only managed to slow down yesterday to think and dream.

I told myself that I must not forget why I came here for in the first place, and what I should be learning throughout my stay here. There’s a few deadlines to meet and so many things to see and do, that it’s going to be an exciting and mentally challenging month for me here, I can tell.

I love meeting up with my dear friend again, and to see everything as they were a year ago. I’m going to go to the zoo tomorrow, and then to an art museum, and hopefully another quiet walk along Philosopher’s path.

Oh, and salsa class is Thursday. Whee!

Have you guys entered the giveaway yet? ;)

I bought me some ribbons from Rosa Pomar. They were sold out last year, so I didn’t hesitate when they came on again!

I know it’s horrid that I don’t blog here often enough — Pikaland keeps me so busy that I can hardly can see straight sometimes. But it’s a great feeling to have, so I’m not complaining!

Taking things slow is what I’m aiming to do. I’ve been zipping around like a fly on meth (don’t ask me where I got the idea), constantly flitting from one place to another — I felt that I missed out on chunks of life that’s happening around me. So the resolution for the year, which I kept, is to take things a little slower, and to find my ground.

My last day at the office was this Monday, and boy was it difficult to say goodbye to routine. Switching off my good ol’ Powermac at work for the last time was bittersweet. Hugging colleagues and drinking in the environment which I have been bitching about became a little ritual in itself.

Now that I’ve leapt into the unknown, I’m surprised to see so many nets waiting to catch me should I fall. It’s a great feeling, and after a few weeks of nervous twitching and re-thinking (yes, there were smack-me-silly moments where I almost chickened out), I breathed a sigh of relief throughout the last week I was at work. I could only feel a calm joy coursing through my veins.

I’m pushing as hard as I can, but at the same time I’m also unwinding and unraveling parts of me that I didn’t even knew existed.

Discovery is a great feeling.

“So did you make a wish for your birthday?”

“Yup.”

“Peace and happiness for everyone? Like last year?”

“That you’ll be my wife.”