MelMuff's blog

Winterlude

YAY!!! I got a one month subscription from deviantART from sending in a Christmas card for the Christmas card project last year. I'm gonna milk it for all it's worth. I also hit the 25000 mark on my deviantART's account, which means I got over 25000 pageviews.

Around where I'm living, we had a very late winter. There was mostly no snow throughout the month of January cuz of the mild temperatures above the freezing mark. Usually every other winter, the snow comes between Christmas and New Year's Day and stays until the end of February or mid March. At the end of January, we finally got that awaiting snow and cold temperatures. I went to Winterlude on Feb. 10 and I'll be going again on Feb. 17. At first it was kinda warm but once I got to Dow's Lake, the wind picked up and it became very cold due to the windshield factor. My friend and I couldn't stay long because of that. We were too cold and didn't finish watching the bed races. Winterlude is a huge winter festival held in the capital of Canada. I've gone it ever since I was a little girl but I have missed it some years because I can't stand the cold weather. Gotta say I'm lucky too. Besides that throat infection I had last summer, I haven't been sick in many months. I've bee surrounded by so many people who have the cold, including my roommate but I have yet to catch a cold. I guess I'm immune right now. I also haven't gotten the flu shot and never will as long as I live. I was told of the bad side effects and I strongly believe them.

On Jan. 26, I played in a poker tournament. There was no real money involved and I just did it for fun. I would never play for real cuz I truly believe that I would all my money. I really expected to be gone right away in the first few rounds because I hardly know anything about poker except for the hands. The poker they were playing was Texas Holdem and I'm mainly familiar with Draw Poker. Very rarely I would watch one of those poker shows on TV. The only real experience I ever had playing poker was from video games back in the late 80s to mid 90s, mainly the casinos in the Dragon Warrior series. The casinos had poker, blackjack, slot machines and a monster arena. I remember my beloved Balakooda always winning in the monster arena for me and Princess Alena was one of my fav characters. I also played a bit of poker in high school during a casino night once a year, where we played different casino games with play money and used that money to bid on an auction at the end of the night. I kept losing and finally won $14000, winning back what I had lost then calling it quits. I made a profit and didn't want to lose anymore money. However, I didn't get knocked out so early in this tournament. I was seriously beginners luck. I ended up being the only girl to make it to the final round and I won 4th place in the end. No one believed me and they all swore I was lying but I SWEAR that I hardly know anything about poker. I kept asking questions about these blinds and call. The only thing I knew was anti. I wanted to be gone from the tournament as soon as possible too. I really wanted to go home and watch anime but I was compelled to see how far I could go. Some guy even offered to buy my chips from me but I refused. Even though I desperately wanted to leave, I'm no sell out and never will be. I am very happy that I got fourth place and didn't win the tournament. The prize was a trip to Toronto to play in a big tournament. There's no way I wanna go. I definitely lose. I was just freakin' lucky. Even if I would have made it to the final two, either I would turn down the prize or lost on purpose.

I can't believe that "Bridge to Terabithia" has finally been made into a movie. I remember reading that book when I was 10 years old back in grade 5. It's a really good book and I never thought that it would be made into a movie. Now I start to think about other books I've read in the past for school. I'd like to see "Z for Zachariah" made into a movie now. I'm definitely going to try to see "Bridge to Terabithia". The only thing I don't like is a certain tragedy that happens in the story. I'm not gonna say what it is cuz that would ruin the movie. I already learned my lesson when I blurted it out at school this week and one of my classmates got made at me and said I ruined the movie for them. I honestly didn't mean to. I just wasn't thinking. Since I've learned my lesson, I'll say no more on the subject.

I'll be done classes in two weeks. I'll never have to take another class again as long as I live. I'm so happy. I'll have a week off for spring break then I start my fieldwork on March 5. I'm still trying to find a placement but I've had no luck so far. I still have two weeks for that. I hope I can find something in web design. I'll have fieldwork for 2 months and then I'll be done school for good. I might get employed permanently or if not then I will look for work or work my summer job at UCV one final summer. I'm going to lose my student status at the end of October.

Hello 2007!!!

Hello 2007!!! Goodbye 2006!!! I hope everyone had fun over the holidays. Happy New Year to everyone! I've been back for awhile but I just haven't updated yet. School started Jan. 2 but due to something problems, I couldn't access my schedule and I had to miss the first day of school. I'm settled back in school now and loaded with more homework, which is just great. Two weeks of holidays was not enough for me. I wish it could have been longer. Oh well! I have classes until the end of February then spring break and then I start fieldwork in early March for another two months until the end of April. It looks like I did maintain a B+ average throughout school so far. If I really did then I get a college sanction and get first dibs on what type of fieldwork I'd like to do. I'm going to try to choose web design. If that is not available at all then I will choose graphic designer.

For Christmas, went to my grandparents on Christmas Eve and opened some presents as always. Opened more presents on Christmas morning. Since my mom is German, I grew up always opening presents on Christmas Eve. When I was older, I noticed on TV that kids opened them in the morning and I asked my mom why we did if differently. Since then, she's always left some presents for the morning so we can celebrate Christmas like most people but I still like opening them on the eve. :lol: I just list off somethings I got.

-Avatar: The Last Airbender video game PS2 version
-Evenescence's "The Open Door" CD
-Eva Avila's "Somewhere Else" CD
-Theresa Sokyrka's new CD
-A colourful chess set
-A pair of purple leather gloves
-A purple purse
-Clothes

I got a screenshot that marked 30 million deviations submitted to deviantART.  Click here to check it out!

I was cooking some cream corn and a caterpillar turned up in the pot while I was cooking it. I was so hungry and so looking forward to eating cream corn then this happens and totally ruins my appetite. I felt like barfing afterwards. I also feel sorry for the poor caterpillar but it was already dead so I didn't kill it. It was light brown with black spots and its length was about half the size of a pinky finger. I bet it would have turned into a beautiful butterfly if it had live and not got turned into canned food.

Late Update

I feel so fucked up lately cuz of school.


Two weeks ago, I attended my first anime convention EVER. I was at w00t of fun. I went with my friend Yana and it was her first time too. I don't know how I'll do it but I definitely plan to cosplay next year. So many people were dressed up and I really wished that I was one of them. Most people were dressed up as characters from Kingdom Hearts 1 & 2, Naruto, InuYasha and FF7. I bought a few things while I was there. A one of a kind ReBoot poster. A small image of Aerith from FF7. A FF8 pillow case for someone in my family. I also got the same person a FF8 box set containing a miniature gunblade that Squall's uses in the game. There was also the necklace and the ring that he wears. The pillow case and box set are going to be Christmas presents for someone. Anyway, I also participated in a scavenger hunt but I didn't win. I also didn't win the fan fiction contest either, which is okay. My chances were good though. Four people won out of 10 entries. Anyway, there's always next year and I will definitely enter my "12 Days of Christmas - InuYasha Style". I may have even started something new. As I was asking questions if I would be able to enter it next year, they may now start a filk competition next year. Wouldn't that be awesome and I may be the cause of it. Sweet! Anyway, I will enter my Christmas filk either way. While I was there, I attended a few of the events that they hosted. The most interesting one was the doll panel, which was about modern Asian ball jointed dolls. I never knew they existed before. I think they are so cool. Other panels and events that I went to was the Improv, Lessons in singing anime songs, Otaku dating, Kingdom Hearts panel, masquerade, manga library, fan fiction panel and I can't remember anymore than that but there was other things that I went to. There was also a game room and two rooms set up for people to sell their art or products. Anyway, the convention this year was a blast and I can't wait to go to next year's convention. Hopefully dressed up! :D


Even thought I didn't win the scavenger hunt or fan fiction competitions, I did end up winning something. There's been this contest for like the last 9 or 10 years that if the milk cartoon moos, you win. Back in the late 90s, a friend's brother won a cell phone and since then, I always wanted to experience winning one myself. Well I finally did. On Nov. 21, I was typing up a 5 page report last minute. I couldn't concentrate anymore cuz my lack of sleep and hunger so I finally gave in and went downstairs to the store in residence to buy some breakfast. I decide on a bagel then I see a girl buying some chocolate milk so I said to myself that I haven't had any in quite a while so I decide to buy some. I couldn't decide on chocolate milk and the new strawberry milk in a carton that's new to the marker here so I decide on buying one of each. I go back upstairs to my room and eat the bagel and strawberry milk. After an hour, I'm thirsty again and open the chocolate milk and it happens to moo. I was so groggy that I didn't know what was happening at first or where the sound was coming from. I then realize that it's the cartoon and I suddenly jumped up and down for joy from excitement. Boy did that sure wake me up. I ended up winning a $20 worth My Tego skin. I could a skin for my cell phone or but I think I'd rather a custom skin for the PS2. Yes, I can get a skin for a PS2 if you don't believe me. My Tego can make skins for PSP, game consoles, MP3 players, hand held devices and many other things. It's so cool.


I'm glad that I was able to make it to the anime convention. A day before, I seriously almost killed myself. Since I live on the 5^th floor, I normally take the elevator down but for once I decide to take the stairs down cuz I wanted to check out the posters I made for the anime convention that were distributed around the residence. It was a stupid decision and like curiosity killed the cat, it almost killed me or I could have broken my neck or leg. The stairs are made out of concrete. Between the 3^rd and 2^nd floors, I somehow mis-stepped or something and I began falling down the stairs. Luckily I was already beside the railing and I grabbed it in time. I just ended up skinning my knew and ankle without any bleeding. I was scared going down the rest of the way but I managed. Later that day at night, the fire alarm went off. I don't care if people thought I was crazy or what not but I went down those stairs slowly and carefully. I'm going to be very careful for now on going down any stairs in residence.


Nov. 23 ended up being a very busy day for me. Luckily I have no classes on Thursdays so it was okay except I was suppose to do some homework, which I didn't get to until 10:30 that night. I went to have lunch with a friend at 1 pm in St. Laurent, the east end of Ottawa, and I get back around 2:30 or so at the bus stop. I was about to head back when I remembered that I had to buy more bus tickets so I went over to the Quickie to buy some. As I was finally starting to head back, I bump into my friend Yana. She was going somewhere and, at the last minute, I decided to go with her. After going to Carleton University, I get back again around 5:30. Just as I get into my room, the phone is ringing. I go to answer it and it's my parents. They happen to be in town and I decide to go with them. We go to Kanata, the west end of town, and check out a new Costco store that opened up this past summer. I had planned to be back by 8 pm but due to some problems of finding the store and buying a certain item, I didn't get back until 9 pm then I had a meeting to attended right then. Afterwards, I eat supper then head over to do my homework and it's around 10:30. I end up staying there until 12:30 am. I'm too tired and the lab would close in 1 am anyway. I also had to get up by 7 am so I didn't get much sleep. Through all of this, I did get some nice Italian buns. In the end, I've been to both ends of Ottawa, the middle and back in one day. LOL


Dec. 1 is a very special anniversary for me. It was 11 years ago on this day that the last new episode of Sailor Moon aired in Canada on Global. I remember the episode was called "Treed" that ended the Ann and Alan saga. For some odd reason, The Nega Moon saga was aired before the Ann and Alan one even though it comes after in the storyline. Another thing happened back then on that day. I was fourteen and I happened to be on TV. I wasn't in front of a camera but it was just my voice on the air. I had called in about something about what would your 3 wishes be. I happened to get through earlier that week for Tuesday Trivia, which I really wanted to do but I never got a call back for that one. Back then, it was very hard to get through so twice in one week was extremely lucky. Anyway, this time they did call me back and just my voice was on TV but that's still awesome.

AC3 2006

I am going to my first anime convention this upcoming weekend. I plan to go on the Saturday and I'm so excited. This year it's called AC3 2006, which stands for "Anime Convention in Canada's Capital", and it's being held in Ottawa, Ontario, which is the capital of Canada, hence the name. I've been wanting to go to an anime convention for years but the closest was Anime North in Toronto and I could never afford to go since it was too far away. There's finally an anime convention close to where I live. I even looked up for the fun of it and Montreal also had one this year. It was called Otakuthon that was held in June of this year. I can always go to that one in the future now that I know about it. This is Ottawa's third annual convention. I found out about it back in May. I wished I knew about it before, I would have gone to the last two in the previous years. Oh well! At least I know about it now.  Is anyone else living in the area going? If you happen to live in Ottawa or the surrounding area and interested in going, here is the website:

http://www.ac-cubed.ca

You can find everything there from the admission to get in, the location, the events, etc. Remember that only cash or money order will be accepted at the door. Unfortunately I won't be able to cosplay because I don't know how to make a costume. Maybe I'll try to learn in the future. I hope to go with my friend Yana. I'm trying to talk her into going but she hasn't decided yet. I hope she decides to go. I don't really want to go myself but I will if I have to. I've been wanting to go for years and nothing is stopping me now. Also keep a look out for the fan fiction competition if you go. I entered one of my fanfics in the competition.

InuYasha's Halloween Mayhem - http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/24462096/

If they have the same competition next year, I'm definitely gonna enter "12 Days of Christmas - InuYasha Style" - http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/25324574/.

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Now I would like to update on what I've been doing since after Thanksgiving over a month ago. On Fri. 13 back in October, I help host a Fear Factor night at the residence I'm residing in while in college. I joined the SOS team, which stands for "Social Orientation Staff", and we plan and organize events. It was fun hosting this event except for the eating of live crickets. I had to walk away otherwise I would have barfed. I felt so sorry for those poor innocent bugs. There was also a huge bin filled it ice cold water and ice cubes, martini drinks filled with good and bad ingredients, bobbing for foam letters in cream cheese and an obstacle course.

On Oct. 26, I got to meet Eva Avila in person. She is the winner of Canadian Idol this year. She came to visit her hometown of Gatineau, Quebec, which is right beside Ottawa where the two provinces border. I bought the album, which contained her single "Meant To Fly", and I got her to sign it. Besides getting her autograph, I also got a pic with her. It was great meeting her. Her main album came out this week. It's called "Somewhere Else" if anyone is interested in getting it. I'm hoping to get it for Christmas.

For Halloween, I dressed up for the day as a witch. I later wore the same costume to a Halloween party held on Nov. 3.

On Nov. 10, I was informed by a friend through MSN Messenger that Howie Dorough from Backstreet Boys was in Ottawa and the St. Laurent mall promoting some new artist name George. My ultimate dream was to meet all the members of Backstreet Boys and Brian blowing me a kiss last year at one of their concerts was the closest I ever thought I would get. I went anyway hoping to meet him and I did meet him. I shook his hand, got his autograph, as well as George, and got a pic with him. I'm so excited. He was so nice. I told him my friend Rose got me into BSB and that I've been a fan of theirs for 10 years. I meant to tell him about the BSB Club that I have dedicated to them on deviantART but I ended up forgetting. I also should have mentioned that I have everyone of their albums, including the solo albums by Nick and Brian. I'm looking forward to their new album and I can't wait for it to come out. Howie is taking a break from recording it while promoting George.

Nov. 11 was Remembrance Day in Canada and I gave two minutes of silence to remember everyone who fought in the war. I had relatives on both sides who fought in World War 2 but, in the end, I'm glad that the good forces won.

On Nov 11 and 12, I finally got a sneak peak at the new Final Fantasy 12 game. I've been waiting 4 or 5 years for it to come out. I remember seeing pics of it from that far back. So far it looks awesome and the graphics kick butt.