Mr.Hedgie

This has not been the best semester. I'm doing well, but it's very stressful. Haven't had much time for drawing. Guess that means I've gotta do some little doodles so I don't completely dissappear from the interwebs.

For all those stressed about this year, things in general, or things in specific, you are not alone. You will get through this, even if just barely. Keep going, little by little. It gives a little more contentment than what doing nothing will give you

- Mr. Hedgie

And I just found like a week ago that redbubble stopped doing custom masks. So none of my geometric patterns, made for masks, are available as mask anymore.

While I’ve been having fun getting projects and hobbies done this summer, next month it will be back to lecture notes and assignments as I do a summer class.

Having been back home for the past year now, I can say for certain that I miss the meals I had while studying abroad.

As the first dandelions of the season start taking over the grass fields, I look forward to being able to spend time out in the sun again.

One of my favorite ways to spend time during the summer (at least, until I graduate), is to spend the mornings outside. Whether it’s listening to music, drawing, or working on something else, it’s a peaceful moment before it gets too hot outside. Some summers, I’m able to get the hammock out and chill in the forest near my house. It’s been a while, though. It’s difficult to relax when the caterpillars keep falling out of the tree onto you, and they’ve gotten worse in the past few years.

I can’t wait for the weather to get warmer, and for the tree’s leaves to return. The lighting outside at about 10 A.M is so pretty, and perfect for photos. It’s the only season where I’m not a night owl.

I’m already making sure I set aside time in my schedule this summer. It’s going to be a bit different this time. Not only do I need to take driving lessons, but I’ve got an online class to take. And also maybe a few big projects. A part of me wants to just do nothing, but it made the summer feel so bad back when I just played video games all day. Plus, I need something to add to the portfolio in lieu of an internship. I understand that it’s a tough market right now, and it does me no good to worry or get frustrated at it.

And, who knows? I have a hundred odd hobbies and things I like to do. Maybe when the time comes for me to say goodbye to summer breaks and midnight deadlines there’ll be something already there waiting for me. Or, maybe there won’t, but what I do in the meantime will become more worthwhile.

Life is strange. You rarely end up exactly where you thought you would. In a way, that’s kind of beautiful. Like the summer-morning sunlight.

Until next time!

I was very lucky in that none of my flights in Japan has any major delays.

This wasn’t as important on the way home, but it sure was for arrival! There were only three times given for the campus shuttle, and missing them meant you had to call your own taxi. As I found out later when trying to call for a taxi, my phone couldn’t even call them! I still haven’t figured out the reason as to why. No bus and no taxi, I would have had an hour walk ahead of me!

Luckily, everything went well. I had plenty of waiting time at the airport before the shuttle arrived, and I got to chat with not only fellow students I met at Haneda, but others who had arrived on the flight before! It was very reassuring that I was not alone, and as a rather shy Hedgehog it was a new experience getting to meet so many people and chat with them so quickly.

It was quite cramped on the shuttle bus! I had three bags with me, and I was travelling rather light compared to some of my new friends. There more suitcases than people in the seats!

Most of us at this point were tired from all the travel here, and we all quietly took in the views out the bus windows. It was a beautiful forest area around us. It reminded me of back home, though the hills and mountains were much steeper and jagged.

I spent so long beforehand worried about how I could handle this adventure. But the minute it reminded me of back home, I knew it was all going to turn out okay.

Until next time!