FanimeCon 2009 Rocked!

I definitely had fun this past Memorial Day weekend enjoying FanimeCon in San Jose, CA.  This was the convention's 15th Anniversary.  I've probably gone for 13 or so of them and I can remember when it was at Los Altos College during the early years.

It's come a long way since then, but continues to be a wonderful convention for those who enjoy Japanese anime and manga (cartoons and comics, respectively).  There are tons of rooms showing anime and live action shows, panels with special guests covering a wide range of topics related to anime and manga, and a dealer's room with tons of merchandise to buy.  The plush "onigiri" in the picture above is one such item I bought this year.  There are also tons of people dressed in "cosplay" (costume play) of their favorite characters.  There are some real cheezy outfits, but the majority of people put a lot of time and effort into their costumes and they are always a joy to see at the convention.  I used to take lots of pictures, but these days, I just enjoy what I see and don't spend as much time "collecting" pictures of the various cosplay characters seen.

Fanime has been a family tradition and our kids, now 7 and 10, love going every year.  They've been attending since before they were born (lol)!

I highly recommend to those who have never attended to check it out next year and see how much fun you have.

Bonanzling my way to a clutter-free house

Well, I've lately gotten sick of eBay's attitude towards its sellers.  Since they removed the ability for sellers to give [deserved] negative feedback to buyers, I've had more unpaid items in these last few months than since I started selling a few years ago.  It's a shame.  So, I'm trying out a new site, Bonanzle, and hoping that I have better luck there.  I like how it's set up.  Each seller has a "booth" where they list their items.  It's like having a virtual store.  I like that better than have week-long auctions that have to be relisted all the time, which incurs more fees.  This "booth" is free to set up and listing is free.  The selling fees, so far, are much less than eBay.

I'm looking forward to seeing how it all goes.  Please check out the items I have for sale.  New stuff added at least once per week (I have tons of totes in the garage with stuff to sell).  My booth can be found here.

Thank you everyone!

RETREAT!!!

I just got back from a weekend women's retreat at Mount Hermon, CA.  It was the first time I've gone to one AND the first time I've been away from the hubbie and kids for more than a few hours.  I went with a couple of friends, Ronda and Melissa, and met many interesting women along the way.  It was a great time and a "me" break that was long overdue.  I enjoyed myself immensely.

The guest speaker, Marcy Pederson, was wonderful.  Her message touched the hearts of many women, myself included.  I haven't written many poems or lyrics in a while, but I kicked out two sets of lyrics this weekend!  I shared the first one with Marcy who, in turn, wanted to share it with everyone else.  What a blessing that was!  I'm glad that my lyrics were also able to touch others.  I've posted the lyrics in a separate blog entry.  The other lyrics I wrote later that weekend are posted in this blog entry.

Marcy's message, "Safe in the potter's hands," has given me much to think about as it relates to the pains I endured during childhood.  I'm hoping that if I can change the perspective of how I feel about the past, that maybe I can change to a more positive outlook for the present and future. (I'm currently a negative, pessimistic cynic, but don't want to stay that way.  It's the "rut" issue.)

I look forward to continuing my blog and hope that this is also a way to help me grow.

God bless!

Rain On My Heart

Crying again

Can't remember when

The last time my heart knew joy

I've hidden away

The pain felt today

No longer want to be an object, a toy

Lord, rain on my heart

Wash it clean

Give my life a new start

I want to be seen

Doing my part

Lord, rain on my heart

Joyous day, I see the Son

For me, the battle's won

The rain on my heart

Is a joyous song

Of the plan He's had all along

Lord, rain on my heart

Wash it clean

Give my life a new start

I want to be seen

Doing my part

Lord, rain on my heart

The Purpose in the Pain

God, please take these pains

And heal my heart

Make me whole

I've hid them away

Down deep for so long

Please help me to let them go

I know there's a purpose

In the pains you've sent my way

I know there's a purpose

And I'll be thankful, starting today

God, please show me the path

That these pains have prepared

Give me strength of heart

For there'll come a time

When your plan is revealed

And I'll understand my part

I know there's a purpose

In the pains you've sent my way

I know there's a purpose

And I'll be thankful, starting today