I'm here and waiting for you

nurseniknak @ 2010-03-20T01:53:00

2010-03-20T05:53:04Z

I think for my birthday, I'm going to save up my money and go to the spa. I've never been, and I feel like a relaxation hour would be great.

We have a really nice, upscale spa here that does all sorts of awesome stuff. I specifically think I'll get a 30 minute massage (I've never had a professional one) a skin consultation, and basic facial. THEN I'll go to my regular salon and get a manicure, pedicure, and get my eyebrows done. I think I'll go at the end of April.

Etsy shop doing great. Hit 555 sales today, lulz. I've also been buying a ton of sample items from there - they are so cheap and affordable! Little tiny soaps and lotions are awesome, and I bought 10 sample eyeshadow shades for only $5. All organic, too, so I don't have to worry about them causing any kind of reactions or irritations. These organic lotions are so rich and creamy!

Going to try to see Brett next month...

What else... vacuumed, cleaned, washed, polished, and windexed my car today. It was a warm 71 outside. The weather is just all around perfect this time to year.

I'm another week closer to my goals. I'm sorry I'm not here anymore. I do miss my friends, and I do miss hanging out here, but I've been so busy, I really only have time to jump on this journal once a day. It helps to get my thoughts out (aside from using my private leather journal, which no one sees).

Well, xoxo.

nurseniknak @ 2010-03-18T01:21:00

2010-03-18T05:21:39Z

Today was full of lavish pampering. Well, maybe not lavish. And if you consider organic hand lotion pampering. Well, I do. I ordered quite a variant of body cremes, soap whipps, and hand lotions. All organic, all home-made. My favorite so far is a Lilac scented lotion... it's so rich and moisturizing, but the smell reminds me of the Wisteria plants I used to play around when I was a child.

I'm putting my pretty little DS up for sale. I'm only asking $90, shipped, for it plus two games (Animal Crossing and Cooking Mama), charger, and games carrying case. I want to save some space around my room, and I haven't really played the DS in forever. If anyone's interested, drop me a note. If not, she'll be going up on Ebay.

Sushi tonight was fun. It was yummy, but I'm kind of tired of it. :\ I did make some money selling 4 necklaces hand-to-hand, though, so that was a big plus. I mentioned that Brett had got seasons 3 and 4 of Supernatural for me, and they arrived this week. I've been indulging in Winchesters, but it's getting late and I desperately need rest. I'm still fighting off something, and while I don't understand how someone can run a steady 100+ fever for going on four days and not feel like hell, I figure taking my medicine consistently will help ward off anything.

I enjoy grocery shopping. I think I'm getting old. :(

I was born of the womb of a poisonous spell
Beaten and broken and chased from the lair
But I rise up above it, high up above it and see

I was hung from the tree made of tongues of the weak
The branches were bones of liars and thieves
Rise up above it, high up above it and see

nurseniknak @ 2010-03-17T12:30:00

2010-03-17T16:30:43Z

Lá Fhéile Pádraig Sona Daoibh!
(Happy St. Paddy's day, everyone!)

Today will be full of fun and awesomeness! Being Irish, my mom and I used to spend St. Paddy's together, but with her being on the road, neh. While I do have sushi plans for tonight (and as always, none involving alcohol), I WILL be spending time outdoors and enjoying the things that I don't typically get to. I'm going to pamper myself today! Complete with good music, filling Etsy orders, cleaning the house, and maybe even washing my car!

Well, everyone, today will be a good, good day. :)

nurseniknak @ 2010-03-15T23:34:00

2010-03-16T03:34:43Z

Saying goodbye is hard, especially to something you've known for over five years. I'm getting rid of all but two or three of my Ah My Goddess collection. I still want to collect cels, but only high-end Cowboy Bebop ones. I want my collection to be strictly Bebop, with the exception of those few AMG cels. The good thing is that I'm using the money from my cel sales to work on that debt. I think I'll reward myself when my debt's paid off by going back into Bebop cel collecting.

OH GOD. I just killed a spider crawling on my closet door. NNGH. Okay, I'm good.

I gave my friend Katie one of my necklaces. Her and I meet for sushi every couple weeks and just hang out. Well, she wore it at work (she's the manager at a high end store in Raleigh), and four of her coworkers all want necklaces. Haha, so that's pretty neat. :)

Let's see... got our room booked for Animazement. Really nice hotel in downtown Raleigh, and I got a rate cheaper than the con rate :B I'm excited to wear my labcoat!

Oh! I bought some really awesome organic body lotion and whipped soap. :) They are cherry blossom scented! I also got some vegan lip scrub (it helps to make lips super plump and soft), and perfume.

Another dine and draw on the 25th. Semi-stoked about it, I don't have much to share. I'm so tired all the time. I'm trying to spend my non-work and non-shop time cleaning. It really helps clear my thoughts, and I'm a lot more positive and patient.

Spring's here, but the air is still nippy. I'm happy to be able to drive with my windows down, again. It's almost time for another haircut!

:) Life IS good.

No regrets.

2010-03-14T04:54:42Z

In light of recent events, I believe things are looking up. Getting prepped to pay off my Chase Disney card.

Earlier this week, I was contacted by an Massachusetts consignment shop who want me to service their consignment shop with two dozen or so of my items. Super awesome. :)

I'm saving up my money for the festival next month. I am thinking of taking Dad to Ruth's Chris in DC for my birthday, since he's never been and I'd like to go somewhere nice for a steak for once when I'm there. He's been really stressed over finances since he lost a couple of jobs, and he deserves a good steak. We'll also be visiting Hillwood Estates, and spending most of the day at the festival. There are all sorts of Japanese venders and cultural events. :) I've been going to the Cherry Blossom Festival for a few years, now, and am thrilled to go on the peak day this year. I'm staying at my favorite hotel... I just melt thinking about the hotel itself. It's so classy and sophisticated, and the view is unbelievable. Put on a little smooth jazz and I could spend hours just sitting by the window.

Did go grocery shopping today. Stayed within my budget. :D Also picked up Boondock Saints 2 on DVD. Loveitloveitloveit.

Off I go to draw!

nurseniknak @ 2010-03-12T01:20:00

2010-03-12T06:20:31Z

Y'all should play Sushi Cat. :3

Taking time to stop and smell the roses. Today was really relaxing, although I got over $100 in Etsy orders today alone, so I'm getting everything organized to pay off my second credit card. My goal after that is to pay off the other two, and I will officially be out of debt! With my car paid off in a few months, and the credit cards, I'll save about $300 month, probably more. As my pal Melly suggested, I've been rationing out weekly money from my paychecks to buy my medicine with, so when it comes due, I don't have to go without food/gas for two weeks just to pay for it.

I need to start stocking up for Animazement, but I still have about 20 Etsy orders to finish filling tomorrow. I've been busting through them trying to get them done and out. I've even been getting orders off of DA... Over 530, now, and that number is only Etsy.

I was distracted for a couple of days from my Etsy orders by... *cough* Supernatural. Brett had got the first two seasons for me, so I watched them earlier this week. Then just the other day, he bought seasons 3 and 4 for me off of Amazon... It's been a few years since we've been financially stable enough to buy the occasional gifts for one another, so I'm just in perpetual shock over all 4 seasons of Supernatural being given to me as a gift. :) He's trying so hard, and I'm just... I'm so proud of him for pulling himself out of the mire he was stuck in.

But yes. Supernatural. That show is just... terrific! I'm totally addicted.

Dad reminded me my birthday's coming up. Ghhhhhh. I won't mention it anymore.

Cherry Blossomsssss. *does little dance* Excited!

nurseniknak @ 2010-03-11T01:22:00

2010-03-11T06:22:58Z

Ah, man. Went dress shopping tonight and ended up dropping $100 on the black and white Bride's Maid dress for Ashley's wedding. It's really pretty, I'm happy with it. I felt kind of pretty trying on all those dresses, but I was VERY ready to get out of there... there were some bridezillas who were arguing about which dress looked the best. 8| Iiiiiii could care less.

I am trying to go to bed earlier, but I can't seem to get to sleep. The weather has been absolutely lovely, so I've been spending more time outdoors. My knee has been giving me some trouble, it's grinding when I extend it and bend it. It sounds like two rocks rubbing together. It aches a bit if I bend it too much, but this is interfering with my bellydancing classes. (j/k about the bellydancing! ... or am I?)

Humh... Oh, paying off credit card #2. I want to live debt free. *nod nod* I want freedom.

Weight loss is going great. 195 now! Only 20 more pounds to my 3/4 goal! My overall goal is 150, but I'm already feeling better. Another 20 pounds and I'll be down to a size 10. ^_^ As strange as it sounds, ... I miss the extra weight around my pelvis. ._. My pelvic bones are sticking out a bit, and when I bump them on counters or whatever when I'm doing dishes, it hurts and I bruise. :(

Let's see... Cherry Blossom Festival is in three weeks. Super excited.

Also, hit the 500 sales mark on Etsy! Supercool!

Oh, I saw this ring at Kay jewelers. If I had the extra cash, I would definitely get it. I don't know why, it's the prettiest ring I've seen in a long time. It reminds me of a treebranch.

ANYWAYS. Miss my friends. TTYGL.

nurseniknak @ 2010-03-10T16:50:00

2010-03-10T21:50:23Z

My Umbrella Corporation labcoat! I can't wait to wear this at Animazement!

Going shopping for Bride's Maid dress tonight... Yay.

The glory days.

2010-03-09T01:07:09Z

Rena Belenial on the far right:

Commission dump 2 by =Lisemo on deviant ART

nurseniknak @ 2010-03-04T22:48:00

2010-03-05T03:48:43Z

I actually got a lot more accomplished today than I first thought.

Made some changes on DA, did the dishes, went to Walmart, shipped out packages, worked on Etsy orders, filled the tank up, and got ALL my stuff together to go for my first jog of the year in the morning! I'm excited to get back out in the fresh air. The online changes I've made have helped a lot... now I'm going to be limiting my online time to 9:30am-9:45am, 1:00-2:00pm, and 10:30-11:30pm.

Also, my brother's been depressed, I think. I called him tonight and he wants to go to Southpoint on Saturday. He doesn't have a job, or band, or school... so he's home all the time. I'm going to try to get him out a bit.

Working on stopping bad habits like procrastination, biting my nails, chewing on my lips, and going to bed too late. ...One step at a time!

Tomorrow, my alarm is set for 8:30. Here's my schedule:
- Jog from 8:30-9:15 (this is about 2 miles)
- Breakfast from 9:15-9:20
- Shower
- Go home at 9:45
- at home I need to: Do laundry, do PDF for school (again, because apparently my fin. aid guy didn't get it)
- back at work at 11:30
-- at work: finish schoolwork and checkpoint, clean room, do laundry, work on Etsy orders
- Make it to the post office before 4:30
- I also have to make a spring cleaning list (house, car), animazement inventory list, and re-work my budget with new goals

WISH ME LUCK!

nurseniknak @ 2010-03-04T02:10:00

2010-03-04T07:10:39Z

You promised you'd take me there again someday.

But you never did.

It doesn't matter who I am...

2010-02-21T17:39:58Z

What have I been up to?

Just finished my 8th playthrough on SH2. I still get tons of compliments on my Mira tattoo.

Back on my medicine for the past week or so. It's already helping a bit, I'm less anxious.

Work, for the most part, has been okay. Nothing really of note going on. Just cleaning a lot... it helps me feel a bit better, for some reason, when I constantly clean. Time goes by so fast - you don't even realize it, but after cleaning the kitchen, two hours could have passed.

Art has been great - I have a ton of new things I'll be uploading on DA and in my Etsy shop. It's fun being able to be so creative with handcrafts. I haven't been able to draw much... I haven't really spoke a lot about it, but when I draw for more than twenty minutes, my arm hurts really bad. It starts at my fingers and goes up my arm, first it's numb, then it stings, then it aches. I can't draw for more than thirty minutes max, and it takes a while for my arm to feel better. The sculpey creations aren't so bad because my hands and arms are constantly moving in different directions. I do have MattG's art to scan, Brett's Valentine's Gift, and a couple other things to show off. I get three hours at home every day, and those three hours are usually spent doing laundry or cleaning, and I forget about scanning art.

Had another dine and draw. Got gift art. Dawww. Even after six months, I'm still humbled by the awesome talent around me. And they aren't snarky, boastful, or lording about their talent. Each one of them encourages me on my art. Each one is polite, respectful, yet proud of what they can do.

Weight goal still set - I've been halfway working on it, halfway enjoying the fruits of my Rice Krispies labor. I make a mean rice krispy treat.

School's great. Environmental Science is a fun, fun class. Once I finish my online courses, I'm thinking of getting my Bachelors at UNC.

Hisako... been drawing a lot of her. Her spirits sclera being black makes it more fun to draw. Definitely changes up the design.

I have a million messages to reply to today, photos to take, art to scan, and bags to pack! I'll be leaving town Thursday and returning Monday. ALICE on DVD Tuesday. YEESSSSSS. God of War 3! Heavy Rain! Alan Wake! YESSS.

OH OH.

I GOT CONFIRMED FOR ANIMAZEMENT! I'll have a table in AA this year. *insert Courage the Cowardly Dog styled YES here!*

nurseniknak @ 2010-02-19T23:10:00

2010-02-20T04:10:29Z

I'm making plastic charms! I'll be doing my own art - CG. *gasp* They'll be either necklaces, charms, or earrings. The charms will be paired with a sculpey charm (ie: Pikachu will have a matching pokeball charm). The necklaces will be by themselves, and the earrings as a set.

Who should I make? I have a few ideas, I'll make 10 charms per character:
- Link, Zelda
- Cloud, Aeris
- Alice, Hatter
- Ariel
- Pyramid Head, Lisa, Heather
- Leon, Jill
- Pikachu, Eevee,
- Okami
- Chocobo, Moogle
- Tom Nook
- Warcraft alliance/horde symbols
- Spike, Ed/Ein, Faye
- Princess Peach
- Fruity Oat Bar girl
- Ichigo, Renji
- Luffie
- Haruhi
- L
- Haro
- Silent Hill town map

Symbols:
- Umbrella Corp
- Halo of the Sun
- Companion Cube

I'm also making glow int he dark Kodama charm and Cheshire Cat necklace.

Anyone have any other suggestions on what might sell well at two cons?

nurseniknak @ 2010-02-19T11:03:00

2010-02-19T16:03:53Z

Run away.

Run away! Run away! Run away!
Run away! Run away! Run away!
Run away! Run away! Run away!

nurseniknak @ 2010-02-18T01:06:00

2010-02-18T06:06:02Z

Do you really love her?
In sickness and in health?
If you truly love her, then you
must act. It all depends on how
hard you fight for her.

Whatever happens, don't give up.
Always try just one more time.
Even though there may be hard
times, never turn to another
woman.

And if it comes to it, you must
be willing to protect her with your
very life. After all, true love means
a willingness to sacrifice.

Be true to your heart and with
luck, things will work out in the end.

SILENT HILL JUNKUUUU UPDATE

2010-02-17T07:17:20Z

I guess it's that time again. Time for the Silent Hill awesomeness update! I've been working hard on my Etsy store to bring in extra money, and have enough to get my medicine, groceries, and some little knick-knacks I've found!

What have I found on the wide world of internets?

Silent Hill 9 Save Points Hand Towels. Yes, you read that correctly. And yes, I will soon own these. They are super, super affordable. The seller is really talented (embroiders the details) and got these done in one day. CRAZY.

Also, Silent Hill stickers for $1/each. (purchase them here). Shy/Coey do awesome Silent Hill work, and these stickers are going to wind up all over my room, I just know it.

Robbie the Rabbit keychain, Robbie towel, Save Point Necklace, and Nurse Wallet. Granted, the save point and towel are from Homecoming, they are still awesome on an nth scale. The Nurse Wallet pleases me, as it's 2's nurse, not the movie nurse. The Robbie keychain is rad, too, as it rocks my socks with detail.

There was a hole here shirt. Yep, it's that awesome.

Halo of the Sun shirt. Incredible, they have the whole script.

Pyramid Head necktie. If I were a dude, I'd wear this to work every single day.

Save points shirt, mousepad. Definitely neat.

I'm also experimenting with charm making materials soon - like, plastic/acrylic charms. I'm going to make myself a Silent Hill charm bracelet with Robbie, Nathan Ave., Mira, and a bunch of other little acrylic charms on them. <3

Sleep tiem nao.

nurseniknak @ 2010-02-16T12:22:00

2010-02-16T17:22:15Z

When I was young, my mother had a China cabinet in the dining room of her home. It had her wedding mementos, photographs, and fragile trinkets made of glass inside.

She also had these little scenes, inside of tiny glass cases. I didn't know what they were at the time, but they were beautiful and fascinated me. I never touched them, and I think they might still be down there if they didn't get burned in the fire.

I finally found what she had: Cork Art.

I don't care about their Taoism roots or whatever - I think they're beautiful works of art. I remember mom taking the pieces out and dusting them off, and showing me the tiny cranes inside. Something makes me guess they were my grandmother's.

Anyways...

Yeah.

nurseniknak @ 2010-02-14T13:29:00

2010-02-14T18:29:00Z

Spent all morning with Grandma in Duke ICU. She went in for a more or less routine heart surgery to help her, but they ended up opening her up and replacing an artery with a pig artery because it was so bad.

Got a few drawings to scan tonight when I get back from seeing her again.

Last night, I went to Southpoint and got a cute abstract Alice in Wonderland throw for only $10, and a pair of fingerless Veritas/Aequitas gloves. Also got a few turquoise hair extensions I'm going to make use of.

Anyways, thought I'd let everyone know I'm alive. More or less.

Recommendations:
- Sia, "Milky Way" (cover)
- Kanon Wakeshima, "Still Doll"
- Civil Twilight, "Letters from the Sky"
- Ritsuko Okazaki, "Morning Grace"
- Shiny Toy Guns, "Major Tom" (cover)

nurseniknak @ 2010-02-11T12:03:00

2010-02-11T17:03:34Z

So, I need to work on getting in shape. I've got my jogging clothes out again from their pre-holiday slumber, and am going to work hard to shed my other 25 pounds (then another 15-25 after that). But my immediate goal tier is as follows:
- 2 pounds per week
(results: 25 pounds by my birthday in April)
(results: 40-50 pounds by July)

I've also got my diet food back on track, and am drinking tons of water and eating fruit like some kind of frickin rainforest mammal.

The problem:
I want to get my upper arms into shape, without bulking them up with manly muscle. 8| Are there exercises that will lose fat on the arms without making them too strong?

And:
I used to be really good at sit-ups, and I'm trying to focus on getting my stomach, lower back, and sides, in shape. The problem is that for some reason, when I'm on the floor doing sit ups, there's a bony part of my lower back that digs into the ground and hurts really bad. I've tried putting a pillow underneath me, but it's too thick and I don't get as good of a workout.

Any suggestions?

nurseniknak @ 2010-02-10T19:57:00

2010-02-11T00:57:28Z

Dear Santa,

I want an Ipod shuffle, Supernatural Season 1, a new wacom tablet, shoes that don't have holes in them, two Devil May Cry posters, ALICE on DVD, a plastic rocket, and a pony. They don't have to be in that order... I guess shoes come first.

Can't wait for Christmas! Literally ... so I will probably buy these for myself.

- Nikki.

nurseniknak @ 2010-02-10T18:53:00

2010-02-10T23:53:02Z

OH LAWD

HOW TO TWAIN YOUR DWAGON

...

Hah!

nurseniknak @ 2010-02-10T11:20:00

2010-02-10T16:20:12Z

Ember is S-E-X-Y!

She looks like Megan Fox ~~without the retarded thumb. <3~~
ITS OKAY MATTG WE STILL LOVE YOU

nurseniknak @ 2010-02-09T19:19:00

2010-02-10T00:19:30Z

Meh, Otakon's artist alley registration went up to $110 for one table and $65 pre-reg. Although I'd make a killing, I would rather take this year off. I did get my application in on time to get a table, but I think I will cancel. I'd rather just walk around in Cosplay and hang out with everyone.

Animazement's a different story - my table is booked and I'm waiting to the 20th to be invoiced. I'm super excited, as I made more at Animazement than I did Otakon, all while spending less in operating costs.

I've made new charms and items I'll be listing next week:
- Warcraft stones (yes, they glow in the dark, too.)
- Kodama
- Totoro
- AKIRA pills & Kaneda jacket
- Squall/Rinoa kissy necklaces
- Left 4 Dead items
- Glowing Zelda fairies
- Avatar items (Katara's necklace and tiny charms)

My internet is fixed at work- yay. I'll be online again tonight. Or try to be. I've been up since early this morning.. I took grandma to get her hair fixed and out to breakfast, then she spent the day with me and John before having chicken and dumplings for supper. Nom nom nom.

Speaking of noms:
I ordered some handmade Fleur de Sel caramels to see how yummy they are. <3

nurseniknak @ 2010-02-07T10:37:00

2010-02-07T15:38:06Z

I can't get my internet at John's to work.

- The wireless router is plugged in
- The POWER, DSL, and Wireless buttons are lit green and flickering, but the INTERNET one is not
- My laptop says there's a perfect connection, there are not any connection problems, and
- I tried a cable connection with the router, which worked (it lit green), but I still had no access to the internet

Does this mean that the servers at the company aren't feeding internet, since it's not my computer? If so, do I call them and say HEY WHERE BE MAH INTERNETS?

The wireless router they gave me less than two weeks ago broke. >B| They have to send me a new one, which won't be here/installed until Wednesday.

nurseniknak @ 2010-02-03T22:34:00

2010-02-04T03:34:06Z

Here is how awesome I am:

- I have almost 400 Etsy sales. I think I'm considered owning a small business at this point. p_p
- I drove to Greensboro and found 6 packs of bottles that I needed for my shop
- I also got a Devil May Cry shirt of Nero, and RE:5 shirt of Chris and Sheva for $2.49/each. I got 2 DMC shirts because I'm going to make a pillow out of one. <3
- I munched down a delicious pretzel
- I went to WalMart and picked up 30 Seconds to Mars newest CD, this is war. Don't know if I like it, yet. Jared Leto = <3, though.
- Akira Yamaoka hasn't left the industry completely. (This has nothing to do with my awesomeness, but attributed to my awesome day)
- I feel beautiful
- I didn't have to shop at Torrid for once
- I got paid (YESSSS) so my bills are paid (YESSSS).
- I got art done today (YESSSS)

So. On a scale of 1 to 10 on the freakin' sweet awesome scale, I'm a muthatruckin' 11.

Now, all I need is Syfy's ALICE to come out on DVD