Secret Santa 2015

What up homies!!! Another year has come and gone so I have returned to this blog for the sole purpose of putting some things I covet in a single place. If you're my Santa, just know that I will enjoy anything you get me, even if it's not on my list. New things are just a lot of fun.

~*Calendar preferences*~

• monthly calendar: wall or desk is fine
• size doesn't matter because I don't tend to write on calendars; only planners (bonus: small enough to carry around?)
• I really don't like having real people pictures on calendars. Pretty please don't force me under the gaze of a stranger ;_;
• art preferences: Monet, other impressionist artists, trees, nature, sunlight, cityscapes
• super bonus: handmade calendar with photos you chose (lol if it's of yourself. I guess you'd be the exception to the real people pictures)

~*2015 wishlist*~

MIX CD of music you like - dearest Santa, this is the only thing I really really really want for Christmas. If you can't make me a physical one, even an actual list of songs would suffice. I believe that the music we like, especially those we call our favorites, and especially those we share with others, creates strong bonds. Let me be bonded with you~ (but seriously; please help keep my music fresh and varied)

 

SHOULDER REST (~$20) - This is more a need than a want, exactly, but if you'd like to play it safe, I'd like a Kun shoulder rest, non-collapsible (original), for a 4/4 violin (full size) to replace my disintegrating one.

MUSIC STAND (~$30) - This is extremely practical but I would like a non-wire music stand such as this black Gearlux one, vented, because it has actually knobs to loosen and tighten at all the moving parts.

(A LIST OF) BOOKS - The thing about books is that there is little likelihood of me re-reading them, so sometimes these aren't the best investment. Doesn't mean I don't love reading them, though! A list of your favorites? Your TBR list?

MASSAGE - If you can get me a $30 massage somewhere, or a certificate for a massage, that would increase my happiness levels immensely. My shoulder/neck bothers me now and then.

CONTOURING - If you're good with make-up, I'd want a dark shade of something that is nice to my face and can put in the hollows of my cheeks. Is this called bronzer? I think it's bronzer.

SOYMILK - Vanilla flavored soymilk is my new coffee creamer because it doesn't cost me an extra $0.50 if I make a barely passing attempt at a latte at home and it also doesn't make me exhausted like cow milk does.

NERDERY & MISC - I like Gravity Falls, Over the Garden Wall, science themed kitchenware, Professor Layton, Ace Attorney, Kuragehime, and Doctor Who, somewhat? Polaroid instax mini film is useful. Jellyfish and cat motifs are A+++. I currently have been listening to Macklemore and Estelle though my heart goes to Fall Out Boy, the Hush Sound, and Bo-En. I like 80s shoujo, spring, and fall clothes/color schemes and would dare someone to buy me clothes lol. Please, do not get me celery under any circumstances.

Things I kind of already have too much of BUT would still make me happy:

• glittery eyeshadow - ($5 at The Face Shop) I'm not skilled with makeup at all but I kind of want this creamy glittery stick in brown or the pinkish/coralish or even the purplish color. (Over Girl Edge Stick Eyes) 

 

• deco/washi tape - ~$3-7 each; The washis I have are mostly simply patterned; I don't have a lot of solid color or thin washis like those in the pictured set, but I like cute things like animals, happy colors/patterns, and vintage/scrapbook-like designs... the MT brand in the Stickerrific store could easily drain my bank account.
• hair bows - $2-7 each; I wear these but also try to shy away from being super girly or have something that stands out immensely, like the color yellow. Also, if it doesn't have an alligator clip with teeth, it won't stay in my hair. Alternatively, you could buy me a ton of these clips so I can make my own bows. (:

• office/craft/art supplies - My greatest weakness. I'm starting to want pens with as thin of a nib (?) as possible, ~0.38 mm or less! If anything, maybe a set of  watercolor cakes with mixing pans (~$15-20; I already have watercolor pencils and waterbrushes...)? Or a book that can teach me how to do them?
• Lupicia tea - ~$6-10 for a bag of 10 teabags; Though really, I have too much tea.

• art prints - I tell myself not to purchase prints because they're not extremely useful. But I 've been eyeing out Crowd and Sea Uribo & Jellyfish amongst many other beautiful prints by maruti-bitamin.

When shopping gets tough:
Don't worry Santa. A Barnes and Nobles gift card, Amazon giftcard, Starbucks giftcard, or cash would be fine... as long as you give me a list of new tunes to listen to with it :P (please no iTunes cards though).

Thank you Santa!

All the 3DS games I currently desire

With the holiday season's bestowing of gift cards and money, I have been pondering what I'd like to spend them on. There's a list of things that I should buy -- a list that includes items such as no-show socks and blouses - and a list of things that I could buy. The latter is a list of splurges; It is a list of unneeded yet coveted things. The most notable type of item on that list is "3DS game".

When I got my 3DS about a year ago, that was a splurge within itself. I spent a good portion of my earnings from my first "real (ish) job" ever on buying that purple beauty. I didn't purchase it on sale - or even look to see if there were any sales. I just went to GameStop, swiped my card, and got it.

I currently own three games for the 3DS. Back then I purchased Pokémon Y so that I could play it on the flight and during down time on our quartet trip to New Mexico. I haven't made much progress on it since then so even now I haven't yet finished the main 8 gyms. I only went through the climax of the main storyline last month when I realized I had made such poor progress.

After the trip in January I purchased Animal Crossing: New Leaf because I really wanted to be a villager (or should I say hoarder?). We had an Animal Crossing game for the Nintendo GameCube but I couldn't get into that at all. However, I got stuck to this 3DS version and still enjoy it, but after I missed Toy Day festivities during the holiday season I have been sadly neglecting my poor town. My house, at least, has been fully expanded and I've completed my joke book, so I've been contented somewhat with my progress. Oh, I also probably stopped because things became a huge mess in my town there... Just like in real life.

For my sister's birthday in the summer I purchased her Rune Factory 4 (she was addicted to Harvest Moon and this just takes it to another level) which is the last of the three games I own for the 3DS. I don't play this game at all. My sister just sneaks my 3DS away and plays this when I'm not paying attention, which is just fine by me because at least it's being put to use.

Anyway, with this current collection of games, I keep feeling like I want something else to do. I enjoy the running around and the mundane tasks, such as shopping and collecting items, but I do want more adventure, battle, and conflict. More of a storyline! But anyway, here are the games I currently desire for the 3DS, but likely will purchase only one of if I purchase anything at all.

#1: Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney

Why I want it: I love Level-5. My collection of Professor Layton games for the DS is still growing. They are the only games that I have ever come close to finishing, and I love the style of them with such an ardor I can't bear to part with them (okay, that's kind of dramatic). I've only recently actually played a Phoenix Wright game (though I had understood the gist of them prior) and I enjoy the process of the trials. This game was the TRUE reason I told myself to buy a 3DS (other than the obvious reason of not wanting to be left behind by my other Nintendo-faithful friends), since I wanted to be able to own all Professor Layton games that were produced. Now that I've experienced Phoenix Wright somewhat, too, I definitely want this game. I just love the thrill of investigation and puzzles and finding out the TRUTH by using FACTS and REASONING (for the most part). Plus, sleuthing.

Why I shouldn't get it: I really don't need another puzzle game right now. I mean, I've finished most of the Layton games we own (I think?) but... I could spend money on the other Professor Layton games that I haven't purchased yet... (I lost count of what I own and how many there are that I could own).

#2: Pokémon Alpha Sapphire

Why I want it: I owned Sapphire for the GBA back in the day. I made a special connection to it because Sapphire is my birthstone! Plus, I had a Wailmer and a Wooper that I loved. Except one day, when the clunky metal-looking DS was out, my sister was using it to play Sapphire and lost the whole thing (DS and game cartridges) at some store. I wasn't with them at the time, so she just came home empty handed and I was heartbroken. I still kind of hold a grudge towards her. Anyway, I never got to finish that game so I'd like to take a new stab at it in a form that I hopefully can keep with me for many years to come. I haven't finished any Pokémon games so it hasn't grown old for me, yet!

Why I shouldn't get it: You know how I just said that I haven't finished a Pokémon game yet in my life? This definitely includes Pokémon Y and I probably should finish that game before buying any more Pokémon games. C'mon, I don't really need two of the same sort of thing (but they're so different, I know! That generation hits home!).

#3: Fantasy Life

Why I want it: Again, Level-5. It means my confidence level is super high for me enjoying this game. It looks super cute with RPG elements. And the BARS to fill. Boy do I love filling bars. It leads to a great feeling of progress for every little thing. We have Dokamon Kingdom for the Wii (by Atlus) and I enjoy that to an extent (its board-game movement gets kind of bothersome). I haven't actually played through an RPG game since the thought of putting in the time to level up skills is daunting, but I think the design and cuteness (CUTENESS!!!!!) would keep me hooked. Did I mention those bars? Oh, and ALCHEMIST? And getting to do everything because you don't have to be just one job ever??? I'm excited just thinking about it.

Why I shouldn't get it: RPGs and their bars are still RPGs and their bars no matter how cute it looks. I don't know if I would ever be able to reach a sense of satisfaction witht his game or even feel satisfied regularly with my progress. I got kind of bogged down in Animal Crossing due to the tedium of selling cleaning doing etc. so I don't know if I really truly could stick through an entire RPG. Did I mention that I tried one of the Final Fantasy games for GBA and, while entertained, kept getting tired out of it? This meant that I played it in spurts, with long breaks in between because I quickly got tired of what I needed to do. This was a problem because then when I'd get back to playing, I'd have no idea what I was supposed to be doing in terms of the storyline or what my next plan of action was.

#4: The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds

Why I want it: I went to the Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses concert (tickets for my sisters were their Christmas gifts) and was really intrigued when they showed footage from this during the corresponding movement. While my sisters occasionally (more than occasionally?) play Zelda (which is why they really wanted to go to this concert) I, on the other hand, have hardly played more than the ten minute Windwaker demo that came along with some collectors edition thing. I'm even at a loss to what it's called. So, while aspects of the folklore that were shared were familiar to me, much of it was foreign and very very very enchanting. I'm up for trying a game with lots of plot and periodic boss battles. By battles I mean actual battles - not just turn based picking of moves or battling with the strength of mind. Do you see what kind of games I tend to play? The battles look cute and almost like puzzles within themselves, and from what I saw, the story is something that would draw me to continue with curiosity and a motivating eeriness.

Why I shouldn't get it: Would I really play it? What if purchasing it would just be a move akin to pulling out the wrong block in Jenga -- except the tower falling over is the one I erected to retain the self-control that has kept me from getting immersed in really large game storylines? Will I become like my sisters???

Anyway, I figured I'd get that all off my chest -- or rather, out of mind. I think I could be pleased if I purchased one just from the joy of having something new to experience but I know that at this time buying new videogames would not be the best use of resources for my purposes in life. Which is... to move on from the way I am now. No way am I giving up games of any sort, but I no longer feel like it is the wisest of decisions since there are so many other things I want to do. We'll see.