I miss a lot of people lately...

I'd rather be in Japan. More than most things, this one is true right now.

I want to ride the shinkansen, blasting through neon cities while drinking bottled green tea. Shooting through the lush green countryside while eating local bentos in cute novelty boxes. I ache for unadon.

It's the rainy season in Japan right now. That means sultry days with humidity such that a fish could breath air. Barrages of rain bullets pound all into submission. The local Lawson is selling onigiri for only 50 yen each. A single coin takes me from Izumo to Hirata. I purposely get lost on the Tokyo train system just to see where it takes me.

I love pushing through the noren at a tiny hole-in-the-wall sobaya, sitting down, and staring back at everyone staring at me. They make awkward attempts to greet me in English, but give up when I order in Japanese. The cool soba is refreshing on a hot day; it's also half the price and twice the quality of what you can get in America. Infinitely better than what I had on the plane.

Vending machines remind me of the infinite possibilities of life: Will I drink Boss Coffee, C.C. Lemon, one of eight kinds of green tea, or beer? How about cigarettes? That's odd; none of the machines have food in them...

From the burning sun to frigid department store air; from pristine mountains to a maze of skyscrapers; There's something magical about finding a little shrine surrounded by rice paddies out in the country, and then finding another one, almost identical, squeezed between two buildings near downtown Shibuya.

I'd rather be in Japan

My site looks really good for the next theme, 「花火~farewell~」

Take a look --
http://sutiiven.bravehost.com/

The theme is based on how this Summer is the end of my high school career. I know it'll be sad, but this is the beginning of adulthood, yes?

So what's been going on... hmm..

Nothing much really to update on. My artwork is coming out better than ever. I think its the weather. That's good, eh? Also, I'm very excited about St. John's University. I'm still debating on dorming or not. It's a hard decision, that unfortunately has to be made within 2 weeks. I wish I had more time.

The superintendent of the school district wants me to recite a speech of my own in Japanese. He also would like if I said a few words in Korean and Chinese. He finds it fascinating that I am learning these languages, which I guess is a good thing haha ^^;. I'll let you know how that goes.

Well, on this note, I should go to bed. I have to be up in 5 hours!! Blehhh. Until next time,
good night (^^)

-sutiiven.

更新〔再生〕をウェブログに載せてください!! あなたはそれが好きですか？ 私はそうします！ 様子　私　気迫 「シャツは来た最も良い　-BoAアリーナツアー2005



I hope to keep in touch with this journal more. I went a whole 2 months without any updates. I'll try to post an entry every few days! Look too, my BoA t-shirt came!!! I'm very excited!! I will post a real entry soon. Right now, its off to homework and a Japanese / Korean lesson. (^^)v

さようなら！

- スチィーブェン

This will be my home.





I'm almost there. It will be amazing -- no one is going to stop me. I can't wait to complete the dream.

It has been a long time since I have updated.

In Art News, this is a debatable image... I'm not sure if it'll be an official picture, but for the time being, this is a raw preview of an image from my upcoming art project, "masks" :


Not that good, I suppose. The poems are good - they flowed right out and, I feel... they are perfect for it. The art is like no other I've done before. I hope to put it in with my portfolio. Who knows though- we shall see how it comes out.

I have an interview coming up with St. Johns University on my portfolio. Hopefully, all goes well. I am also interning with Northrop Grumman for Graphic Art. That should be very interesting. There a few things also, the ginal decision on going to Beijjing this summer is coming up. I'm a little nervous, but I feel I'll make the right choice. I might also have a chance to see Tokyo if I enter the Japanese Translators contest. I know I wouldn't win, but how exciting would it be?

My website is finally coming to a nice new way of working - a new layout is almost complete, and it is entitled "mask" after my new art project. Note, this has nothing to do with a my space theme, it is actually different.
I'll be uploading a lot of my art work finally to post on ym site. This should ahve been done a long time ago, but there was no time. Now, with this upcoming break ,I feel theres some time. The site will be fully functional in Japanese soon as well! I'm looking foward to opening that part of the site. Lani's site is almsot up and running too. I'm in love with the instrumental in the background.

Saturday, I will be travelign to jackson to sketch and of course, see Lani. I can't wait to see her as well a work ony portfolio. IT should be quite a nice day. (^^)v

Until next time~

sutiiven :]

So basically, here it is:

Monday : re do my room till I feel a good ambiance :]
Tuesday: School, work, homework, Japanese lesson, portfolio work.
Wednesday: School, work, homework, Japanese lesson, portfolio work

etc, etc, etc.

I will get this portfolio done before February and promote it to every college in New York if I must. (^^)v

I hope St. Johns excepts me...

That's all for now- until next time.

(^^)v


さようなら~

It is simply amazing - each year seems to go faster as I continue to mature. I cannot even fatham how it is already the year I graduate high school, 2008; it is slowly approaching.

2007, in retrospective was an interesting year. I saw many things, learned various things and sparked many ideas. Let's begin...

The beginning of this year was a tad gloomy I suppose. A friend of mine, a good friend of mine - we stopped talking. The ideas behind it all were very odd and honestly, meaningless - to let a friendship die over another is a really terrible thing. Hopefully, this grudge wil cease. As the year progressed, I did many different things. One thing in particular, was an anime convention - animeNEXT 2007. A lot of people thing its very nerdy - so what if iti is? I'm surrounded by other Otaku and anime fans, I loved it. Being there, did a lot for me. One, I was alone with friends. I felt, as my friend, Ernie put it, I came closer to my friends. It was a great time and I loved it. Also, it showed me that I could take care of myself if away from home. My plans in 2010 - 2011 are to study abroad in Asia - particularly Japan and South Korea. To make those happen, I must be on the ball and study, yes? With this in mind, I must have the mentality to be able to be "alone". Although I am sure I would make friends in Japan, I will still feel lonesome when I want someone familiar near my side.

Two of my friends went to Disney to study for college - how amazing is that? This helped me out even more - it gave me a sense of "enthusiasm" I suppose. I felt I could get to Japan if my friends could get to Disney. I miss them dearly and I await their return in January.

There have been many things wrong lately. One in particular ,was the loss of Tara. A lot of people thing she was just a cat - she was honestly, my companion. You can say what you want about me, but she was like my little girl. I remember the day I got her clearly, i even remember what I was wearing. That day to me, will never leave my heart. The day of Tara's death, I died too. A lot of my muse died. I learned that friends - all types of friends can be taken at any time. Don't waste time having petty fights; they aren't worth it. I all admit I did cry for a few days after losing Tara - I will never forget her. I think about her when I go to sleep - I miss her sleeping on my chest cuddled up in my covers with me, how she woke me up by running on me, running into my arms when I came home from work or school or squeaking at me to be picked up. I will never stop thinking of Tara - you will never be replaced in my heart.

I feel I have been distant from my friends these past few weeks, and I am sorry. I needed time alone, but I feel I'm alright now. I needed that time alone for various reasons. I feel now, I am ready. I needed time to recooperate from various events that occured to me as well as my family. I begin anew this upcoming year.

I have learned so much this year, some times I had fun learning them, and yet others, I cried over. But this is what life is- if I were to mourn all the time from my mistakes, I wouldn't be where I am at this very moment. It is now time to pick up the pieces and continue on.

This upcoming year, I will be getting a second job. I will continue saving money for college, however, once in while I plan on buying a few things for myself. This was one thing I never did, and I feel if I do, I will remain content. Also, I plan on changing my diet scheme. Honestly, I didn't have a diet scheme, but latley I think at the way I eat, I will be digging an early grave. I plan on a healthier eating style and be a wise spender. I will continue my Japanese and Korean studies. When I feel I have enough skill, I plan on taking the Japanese and Korean Regents exam. After that, I shall begin Chinese. My plans on going to Asia will happen. I will make it happen. I will become someone.

2007 was an incredible year, some amazing times, some bad times, but overall, I have matured in so many ways. I am looking foward to this upcoming year.

Rest in peace Tara. I love you; you were my best friend, my daughter even. I love you and I will see you in Heaven soon <3

RIP
Tara Belle D'Onofrio

November 3rd, 1997 - December 1st, 2007

I sometimes get into these moods. It will go away soon, I hope. Do you feel this way sometimes?