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manda-j-panda

Amanda M.
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Hello!

I'm sure a lot of you guys thought I fell off the face of the earth due to my long absence... but I'm still around!
I'll be honest- the new DA is killing my laptop- it makes everything so slow that I honestly have been overwhelmed trying to use it on a regular basis. I came through and went through my messages last month, and swore I'd do better... but it just hasn't happened. I still have to answer  some important notes and stuff and I feel bad for putting it off this long. :(

Important news:
I didn't end up going to Minneapolis to school this year, but I was re-accepted, so I'm going to try my hardest to make it work out for this year! It was a serious blow when I found out I wouldn't be able to go, because it was literally a month before I was supposed to leave, and that was one of the reasons I stayed away from this site. I was so disappointed in myself, and I felt like I let so many people down that I just didn't know what to do. Here's hoping this time will work out! (Now that I have a better idea of what I'm doing)

I put Marcel, my Crobidoll Marcel up for sale on Den of Angels. It made me sad to do this, but my girl Maybre has been nothing but a floating head for the last 2 years. I sold all of my other dolls last year in preparation for my move... which didn't happen. Originally, I was hoping to sell Marcel and re-shell him into a YOSD because I've wanted one for a long time. However, I'm not any closer to saving the money for Maybre's body (I suck, I know), so if he sells, the money will go towards finishing Maybre off. If not, I may have to sell my floating heads and just keep Marcel with me. I don't want to haul around a bunch of dolls while in school, so that's another reason I put him up for sale.

I'm thinking about opening an Etsy shop and selling some artwork. Although I need to do some more research because this isn't something I considered when I signed up for Etsy, and I'm pretty sure my user name is mega lame and I didn't take into consideration that I could be stuck with it.

I did some new artwork for my portfolio, so after I clean out my inbox of messages, I'll start to upload some more stuff.
I hope everybody has been doing well!

:huggle:
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Okay- the (bad?) news first... I've been thinking of selling Marcel. I really do love him, but I was thinking about hauling 2 sd sized dolls with me when I move next fall and I don't think I can do it. Maybre takes priority for me- I feel particularly attached to her even though she's not technically all the way here yet. I think I'm going to list him for sale sometime and see how it goes. This doesn't mean that Marcel is going away, however! That's right- if I can sell him I'm going to by a yosd version of him. I'm thinking a Crobidoll Tori. That way he's still here with me and his size won't be nearly that intimidating for me. He can sit in Maybre's lap on my bookshelf.

The good news is... my dad recently sent me a rather large amount of money, and even though it's enough that I could buy Maybre her body right now if I wanted to, I'm actually going to stick some of it in savings for next year's rent. So, I should be able to order her body around Christmas! I think it'll be gift to myself. :) Even though my friends think I should be saving all my money for school- they may be right, but if I don't get Maybre her body and figure all this stuff out by next fall it won't happen for 4 years or so. I might as well sell everything I have, and I feel like I've invested too much time, love, and money to just give it up. Especially for Maybre... I don't want her going away before she's even happened!

Those are my deep thoughts for the week LOL
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Thankful

3 min read
So.... tired :P

I've been going nonstop since two weeks ago Tuesday with a house full of relatives for a church function, two weddings, and work. I'm so glad I have the next two days off so I can collect my thoughts and relax a little.

As you may know, I'm planning on moving the last part of August to Minneapolis, Minnesota for school. I really have no idea what I'm doing and am pretty much just winging this move- only bringing what fits in my car and praying everything goes well. Anyway, I recently realized I'm a little short on funds for my costs this semester, and so I had a really frustrating day Friday as it seemed like everything I'd been hoping for was falling through. It was a hard day for me. I don't think I've wanted to cry so much. However, after calming down a little I realized that things will go the way they're meant to, and everybody faces trials sometimes in their life. Dwelling on "should of" or "if only" only serves to bring me down, and I decided that I wouldn't let this setback stop me.

During these last few days, I realized how blessed I am to have the amazing people in my life I do. My manager who told me "I was like a daughter to her", my father who was willing to "sign away his life" if I needed, my older sister who wished she could help me even though she's going through a rough time of her own, and my Mom and Stepfather who can't help me financially but are always so supportive of me. Even my cousin Cory left this message on my Facebook page: "Without hardship your joy would be lackluster." Which was exactly what I needed to hear at that time.

In the meantime, I have gotten in touch with the financial aid office at my school, and will be looking forward to see how the next few days go!

:heart:

A big thank you to all of the people I've met here on DA and through the BJD hobby... your photos and kind comments cheer me up immensely!
I'll be cleaning out my closet and my bookshelves the next two days and seeing how much stuff I can get rid of... and trying to figure out what I still need to buy. (Shoes with laces is probably my #1, I don't think flats are going to cut it... and some winter boots for the freezing cold I'm going to be feeling this winter).

How is everyone doing? Do you have any great trips planned or fun events for this summer? I feel like I'm a little out of the loop!! 
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Hello! It seems as though it's been a while since I've updated, so... here. *throws confetti just cause*

These next few months are going to be crazy busy for me! I have transfer portfolios to complete for school this fall, as well as my immunizations, scholarships, and thinking about what I'm going to do with all my stuff. I think I'm going to be insane and not work my first year just because moving to such a huge city from a small town and going to school full time is all I'll be able to handle. I don't want to have to worry about having to find a job on top of all that as well.

I still haven't done much with bjds- work and school prep are sucking up all my time. I'm a bit disappointing that my plans for my Jina may have fallen through AGAIN and I'm trying not to let it get to me. I may end up selling my Lina head after all... but I'm having such a hard time giving it up. (It's just toooo pretty!!) I'm ordering some stuff from Taobao with a friend who was awesome enough to find me a bunch of shop links and provided some translations as to sizes and stuff. Wish I could find some cutesy animal themed sweatshirts for Marcel, but I found some cute outfits and an adorable pair of shoes... which will be for Maybre if she ever sees the light of day :/

I don't know what to do with all my books or all my stuffed animals- I really don't want to get rid of any of them, but I can't take them all with me. Not to mention my crazy supply of notepaper and cards. I'll just have to really buckle down and sort it out. *cries*

In the meantime, I'm fighting a cold and hoping it goes away before I go to visit my little sister and her husband next week to meet my newest nephew. She sent me a video today of her oldest boy (who is 10 months old) using finger paints for the first time. I told her he was going to make a fabulous artist someday ;)

Life is going the same almost as always, but lets see how freaked out I am the last week of August, shall we? :D
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Tagged x 2!!

9 min read
I was tagged by these two lovelies: :icontinaheart: and :iconlucidrequiem:

1. You must post these rules.
2. Each person has to share 10 things about themselves.
3. Answer the 10 questions asked to you and invent 10 questions the people you tag will have to answer.
4. Choose some people to tag. Up to 10.
5. Please answer the questions in a journal entry, not a comment!

10 facts about me:

1) My father is a tribal member and I grew up on the Flathead Indian Reservation
2) I just ate a Russell Stovers Coconut Nest (YAY EASTER!!)
3) I've connected with a lot of cousins that I lost touch with (after my parents divorce and us moving) on Facebook this past year. It's been really nice, actually.
4) I just spent an hour on the phone talking to my older sister about the crazy amount of snow they got last week. It drifted in the road 4 ft (10 ft was reported in one spot) and they were snowed in for 2 days. She was driving in it and it ripped the bumper off her car which is now in the shop
5) I struggled with depression for a long time, and even though I stopped taking medicine for it (because I couldn't never remember to take it) I try my best to keep positive because I know that dwelling on things are what bring me down.
6) My dad is exactly 50 years 1 month older than I am and is turning 75 on his birthday this year, while I will be turning 25.
7) When I was in high school I wanted to be an Accountant.
8) I love owls.
9) I love looking at the stars and the first thing I do when I get home from working the night shift is look for the Big Dipper.
10) I love stationary and buy entirely too much with no intention of actually using it like I should.


Questions from :icontinaheart: first!

1. What's your current song of the moment?
    I discovered Unbreakable by Kim Hyun-joong yesterday. I really liked the music video, so I've listened to it several times today already. Here's the link for anyone who is interested. ------> [link]

2. If you could have one super power, what would it be?
   I'd love to be able to fly- or breathe underwater.

3. What's a huge dream/goal of yours?
    To graduate from college with a degree I'd love to have. I know a lot of people who opted for "safe" careers, and even though I studied for 2 years for something "safe", I realized there's no point if you hate doing it.

4. Is there people you've met online that you'd love to meet? If so, who & where are they?
    I'd love to meet :icontinaheart: :iconqueenobvious: :iconplaguebearerbjd: :iconlucidrequiem: just to name a few.

5. Do you play any games? If so, PC or console, which game(s)?
   I play Harvest Moon, Rune Factory, Ace Attorney, and Professor Layton on my 3ds. I don't really play games on my PC... but I do own the Sims 3.

6. What's your favorite dessert?
    I love apple pie.

7. Would you ever want to take a road trip to somewhere or would you just rather fly to get there faster?
    I actually love road trips. Especially when it's just me.

8. If I were to come to your city/hometown, where would you suggest I go eat? Any favorite non-mainstream restaurants (BC I love food)?
   If you like pizza I would suggest Mackenzie River Pizza, or the Split Rock Cafe (Even though they close at like 2pm so we always JUST make it in time) or the Stillwater Fish House for people who like seafood.

9. Dogs or Cats?
    I like both of them, but maybe dogs a little more- just because cats can sometimes be more "grouchy" at times.

10. What's the most exotic thing you've ever eaten?
    Calamari. I hated it the first time I tried it, but loved it the second time.

Questions from :iconlucidrequiem:

1. Let's start with an easy-ish one! Favorite food/s?
    Potatoes for the win!! I can eat them in any form... and when I was a kid I would eat them raw with a little salt sprinkled on them.

2. If you have OCs, do you have any that you absolutely hate? Why?
    It would probably be my OC Lucas. He's supposed to be your average nice guy next door, but I'm having a really  hard time with him... so I haven't really done much with him as far as character development goes.

3. Among your dollies, who gets the most special treatment? (C'mon, I know you all play favorites) ;) (Wink)
   I only have one complete doll at the moment, so Marcel gets alllll my attention :heart:

4. What one book/comic/movie/tv show character, do you relate the most to? Why?
   I would say Nanai from One Fine Day by Sirial. He can be a little grouchy sometimes, but he's the more adult and mature one out of the trio of pets. (If nobody knows what this story is about, it's basically about a black puppy named Nanai, a cat named Guru, and a mouse name Pritz Rang and they live with a magician-in-training named No-ah and go on lots of adventures. It's a really cute story and the artwork is very whimsical, so I like it a lot.)

5. What is the biggest impulse buy you've made in the hobby? Did it work out? Details! XD
    Probably my Luts boy. He was definitely my biggest impulse buy. Sadly, he didn't end up working for me. I went through a long time where I wasn't motivated for a long time, I debated selling all my dolls. I got over that, but when I was accepted to art school and realized I couldn't take them all with me, I decided I'd have to sell the 2 dolls that I just couldn't make click with the characters I created for them.

6. What is your favorite mythic/mythological/fantasy creature? And why? Like, really WHY? Not just because it's pretty...
    Mermaids. I've always wanted to be one- ever since I saw the Little Mermaid as a little girl. I've always loved swimming, and when we were little we would go swimming at this dam by the town I lived in. One year I discovered that there were a bunch of little saplings growing over by the dam side (and just to let you know this dam is basically wooden boards and towards the end of the summer the water is high enough to slosh over the top... but it's only like 3 feet there with no suction... so even though it's technically a dam, it's not a big one where it's not safe to swim) and grass. It was like this little forest buried in the water. I thought it would be so cool if I could breathe underwater and see stuff like that without worrying about drowning. I would definitely be a clear water mermaid though... dark, deep water creeps me out. My mom says it's a fear of the unknown lol

7. If you could exist inside any video game, which one would it be and why?
    I would exist inside the Ace Attorney series, just for Prosecutor Klavier Gavin who is my video game crush. *Not ashamed at all*

8. If there was an enchanted book that told your entire life story from beginning to end (the future end), would you read it or not? Why?
   No. I think that if I was destined to live a hard life or meet an unfortunate or bad end and I read about it, I would just give up on life and have a miserable existence.

9. What is one doll oriented goal you have for this year?
    Finish up my girl!

10. What is you favorite flower, tree, or shrub?
     I really love Chrysanthemums or daisies.

My 10 questions for someone else:

1) If you won your dream car in a raffle, what would it be?
2) What has your least favorite job been? (If you've had a job before)
3) Have you ever broken any bones? If so, which ones?
4) What sort of monster would be in your worst nightmare and why?
5) What's the craziest thing you've ever done?
6) If you could go anywhere in the world for one week, where would you go?
7) Did you have a favorite toy when you were young?
8) What is your favorite book?
9) If you could study anything and be guaranteed to make a good living from it, what would it be?
10) What is your favorite fruit?

And just tagging anyone who wants to do this, I procrastinated AGAIN (no surprise there. Sorry Tina, I said I would do it on Monday and failed! D:) and I know most people have been tagged multiple times already. So do it if you want to!!
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Featured

Hello! It's been awhile! by manda-j-panda, journal

Hrrrmmmmm.... bad news? by manda-j-panda, journal

Thankful by manda-j-panda, journal

Gah! Brain explosion! by manda-j-panda, journal

Tagged x 2!! by manda-j-panda, journal