ILLUSTRATION: Love Yourself

After having the privilege again to watch another live concert, I couldn't help but illustrating something else! One of my good friends here in Japan is working towards her dream to become a singer abroad in the states. She's working on making English songs besides her Japanese songs. Her group is called TOKYO POST IT and they are working on their first album! I went to one of their first live concerts a couple of weeks ago!

I am so happy and grateful I have such good friends who are working towards their dreams. Watching my friends work so hard makes me want to work hard as well!!!

The song I drew this illustration to is called "Love Yourself." Go take a listen!!! The song is so smooth and happy, it was really something I needed to hear at the time they debuted it.

Love, Mana <3

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, by Mana

growth

THE MOVE: Love where you are NOW.

It's been a couple weeks since my last blog post slash illustration. The reason being I recently moved to Tokyo!! Moving was a very exciting experience for me and it taught me a lot (and still is!). My life in Ibaraki was a time I will treasure forever. Now I'm starting a new season of my life.

I spent a while debating whether or not I should talk about the move because most of what moving entailed was busy work and having to go to multiple offices -- ADULT THINGS. Which sound completely boring on paper. However, there were specific things about the process which meant a lot to me and I wanted to take time to share.

One thing which meant a lot to me and something I am proud of, is my language skill level up. Despite being extremely nervous about completing important paperwork by myself without any help from a native Japanese speaker, I was able to successfully talk to government office workers and get everything squared away for my move without any problems. This means a lot to me because I remember thinking I could never get my Japanese level up enough to do this sort of thing. This process proved myself otherwise!!! One of my goals for living in Japan is to become FLUENT in the language. When you live the everyday, talking to people, you don't notice how much you actually LEARN. While the boring adult things were mundane, I can look back at these moments and be PROUD.

Unfortunately a small portion of the move was indeed stressful. When things become too big to think about, or even something I know will force me out of the present moment, I have a bad habit of shutting down completely.

I take up weird hobbies or activities to distract me from the situation I probably need to focus on. For example, I started reading the Harry Potter series and also picking up Pokemon White again. I also slept a lot. In addition, I realized I was starting to look at the calendar much too often and resenting my job. I wanted to just LEAVE already because the process of uprooting again was too much for me. I didn't like this feeling. So I did something about it.

Instead of counting the days of when I would finally be in Tokyo

I took a LONG LOVING LOOK at my surroundings.

My school, my classrooms, my apartment, my friends, my neighborhood, all of these places. I looked around me and thought about how much I really loved where I was. I this everyday until I left, and what once was a place I labeled as "the place I will be until I move to Tokyo," became a place I will treasure forever. A lot can change when you stop and take a long loving look around you.

Now I'm in Tokyo, trying to adjust to my new environment and new job. I'm hustling a lot, and it's not as slow as it was in Ibaraki. Still, I'm learning to love where I am now, just how I learned to love Ibaraki. On my commute I get the privilege to look at Tokyo Tower just a few minutes away from me. When I'm having a busy day and too tired to think, I try and remember to look at the tower and remind myself where I am -- because it's easy to forget. I'm nervous and excited for what's ahead of me, and I'm going to work hard to make Tokyo my new home.

Have you taken sometime to take a long loving look around you?

❤ With love, Mana ❤

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, by Mana

Holiday

Every Day Can Be Valentine's Day

Have you ever met someone who you could sit and work next to in peace? The room isn't quiet but you're able to work and enjoy that person's company and comfort. It was a day or two before Valentine's day and while I was sitting like this with my s/o, I thought that even this moment felt like Valentine's day.

I was thinking about how we celebrate Valentine's Day as the day to focus on your s/o, family, friends, etc. and express your love to them through chocolates, dates, and flowers. But what about AFTER Valentine's Day? It's easy to fall back into the grind and forget to tell the person you're always with how much they mean to you.

I've composed some illustrations to help keep the love going post-valentines day.

Hug the person you care about ANYTIME ! It doesn't have to be a special occasion. Bring that s/o, friend, family member, etc, in for a nice hug. Before that someone leaves for work or school, a hug can go a long way. (I love hugs.)

Put down your phones, get some tea or coffee, and really LOOK at each other. Nothing says you care like making eye contact and really paying attention to what the other person is saying. It's so simple, but we forget to do this on a daily basis. (I am also guilty of this!)

Take a trip to your local park, hop on some swings or a slide, and have some silly conversations. Again, put away those phones or tablets, leave your work and worries somewhere else! Talk about nonsensical things, laugh, and smile together.

Thinking about these ideas sounded so obvious in my head. But when you're on AUTO-PILOT it's crazy how you can forget to really pay attention to yourself, your partner, your friends or your family.

Go tell that someone you CARE about them!!! (even if that someone is your dog or cat!!!)

❤ Love, Mana ❤

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, by Mana

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ILLUSTRATION: Love Yourself

THE MOVE: Love where you are NOW.

Every Day Can Be Valentine's Day

Hug the person you care about ANYTIME ! It doesn't have to be a special occasion. Bring that s/o, friend, family member, etc, in for a nice hug. Before that someone leaves for work or school, a hug can go a long way. (I love hugs.)

Put down your phones, get some tea or coffee, and really LOOK at each other. Nothing says you care like making eye contact and really paying attention to what the other person is saying. It's so simple, but we forget to do this on a daily basis. (I am also guilty of this!)

Take a trip to your local park, hop on some swings or a slide, and have some silly conversations. Again, put away those phones or tablets, leave your work and worries somewhere else! Talk about nonsensical things, laugh, and smile together.

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ILLUSTRATION: Love Yourself

THE MOVE: Love where you are NOW.

Every Day Can Be Valentine's Day

Hug the person you care about ANYTIME ! It doesn't have to be a special occasion. Bring that s/o, friend, family member, etc, in for a nice hug. Before that someone leaves for work or school, a hug can go a long way. (I love hugs.)

Put down your phones, get some tea or coffee, and really LOOK at each other. Nothing says you care like making eye contact and really paying attention to what the other person is saying. It's so simple, but we forget to do this on a daily basis. (I am also guilty of this!)

Take a trip to your local park, hop on some swings or a slide, and have some silly conversations. Again, put away those phones or tablets, leave your work and worries somewhere else! Talk about nonsensical things, laugh, and smile together.

About me

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