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Style Break: Storytelling Part III

3/21/2017

12 Comments

 
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Forgive me, y'all. It has been almost two years, since my last confession. Hehe. Not sure how many hail marys to do. Erm. You know, we can just work all that out, later. Yeah. So, uh. Hi! How's it going? Goooood. I'm doing OK, I guess. A lot has happened since my last style break in Spring 2015.

My partner and I celebrated 14 years, together, not that long ago. Hard to believe that it will be 15 years in August. That's a crazy long time to be with someone, you guys. Hehe. He's my best friend; the person I trust the most in this whole wide world; and he keeps me grounded in a way no one else can.
I am so thankful to be with someone who accepts me for who I am; who gives me the space and independence to explore what it means to be me; and who supports me unconditionally and every step of the way. He is my everything and I would be utterly lost without him. Lots of hugs and kisses, babe!


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I mean, without him, who would I have to eat and drink copious amounts of stuff with? Hahaha. I mean, that's practically our entire lives, aside from playing video games, board games, watching TV and getting out to socialize with other pesky humans, every now and again. Yeah. We're super f*cking boring, you guys. Haha. We spend a lot of time at home and, as for me, I'm totally OK with that state of affairs. It's a crazy world out there, you guys. I mean, I don't know if you've seen what's happening outside, but uh. Yeah. My home is my safe space and, lately, that's the only place I've wanted to be.

I guess I have some slight social anxiety, but I think that I've made tremendous strides in putting myself out there in terms of trying to make new friends (not acquaintances, but lasting, meaningful relationships) and even having people in my home, which is a really big deal for me. It would take too long to explain, but essentially, I don't allow just *anyone* into my house. Since, it's my safe space, I only want people in my home who I trust and respect. So, needless to say, if I invite you into my home, you should know that I think you are someone incredibly special and important to me. So far, this year, I've allowed four new people into my house. I cherish them and I'm so happy to know them. <3


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Yeaaaah. I'm actually a very private person, which I think a lot of people would be surprised to find out, in light of my blog and my Instagram page. The thing is, I really do value meaningful interactions with people. So, blogging and sharing things about myself on social media are ways in which I can try to further my efforts, in that regard. It isn't easy, but I've come to enjoy the process, over time. :P 

So, anyway....Yeah, I did mention how much my partner and I eat and drink, right? Haha. This pastime is enjoyed not only at home, but outside the home, as well. ;) I know I've mentioned our weekend brunch ritual and why it has become such an important thing for us. Well, as you can see from the photos above, the ritual is still going strong and I don't think we'll ever stop reveling in it. Hehe.


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As far as my work life is concerned, it has been going surprisingly well. As you may or may not know, I'm an attorney. I stopped practicing law several years ago to try and start my own law practice (and failed miserably, by the way). I definitely needed a lot more money to do that. After burning through most of my savings, I had to abandon the endeavor. Instead of going back to the practice of law, I decided to get certified to teach English and use my law degree to teach law to international students.

The ESL market in my city is heavily saturated. So, it wasn't easy for me to find paid work as an ESL instructor. Instead, I spent the first year, after earning my certificate, teaching English on a volunteer basis. It ended up being a fantastic experience and I got a great professional reference out of it. Anyway, while I was volunteer teaching, I started working independently on a law course designed for English as a Second Language learners. I finished two course proposals and pitched them to the local university, but ultimately it was a no-go due to budgetary concerns. Lame. So, rather than give up, I decided to offer the course independently to students in small groups and also offer one-on-one lessons. I wasn't expecting to be successful with this plan, given the outcome of my last entrepreneurial stint, but I ended up surprising myself. :DDD In addition to Legal English courses, I also provide private ESL lessons. I've been doing this work for about two years and it has been really great. *^_^*


My students are sweet, kind, highly motivated and full of ingenuity. Honestly, I've been absolutely spoiled. I've taught students from Spain, China, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Iraq and even Tibet.
Over the years, I've encountered students who want to show their appreciation through gifts. I always tell my students not to give me things, but many of them just don't listen. Haha. >_< That being said, I really do appreciate the gestures and, as you can see above, the popular gift is candy. Heh. With regard to the Korean candy, it's something I've never had before, so it was a really nice introduction. I have to say. :P It was also really nice to have a traditional South Korean meal with one of my students, her husband and her brother. Again, it was just a cultural experience that I'd never had and I was super grateful. I'm addicted to ddeokbokki, now. <3 I've also returned the favor in the form of cupcakes (above) and macarons (mainly because they're easy to transport in a backpack on my bike hehe).
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My cat is still an asshole. Yep. Yeah. I know. It's kind of like saying, the remote for my TV still works. Heh. I mean, it's great and all, but we all know how remotes work. Similarly, we all know that cats are dickheads. Well, most cats. I don't know. It's arguable. The point is...haha. My cat is a dickhead and I love my furry dickhead. Did I just say that? Yeah, I think I....OK. Well, anyway. I mean, if I didn't love Bonaparte, why would I get a super cute portrait of her delivered all the way from Russia? Haha. Yeah! The portrait was a very thoughtful XMAS gift from my partner's sister. It didn't arrive until sometime in February, though. Also, I haven't gotten around to sharing it with my Instagram peeps, so you're seeing it first. Oooh la la. :PPP Anyway, when she isn't rifling through my panty liners and chewing up every box known to man, she's pretty alright. Yeah. She's OK. Pretty decent or whatever. Good stuff. ;)
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Oh yeah and I finally got my little home studio set up! In my last Storytelling post, you'll notice that things were pretty bare bones. Looks pretty sweet, now, eh? Ehhhh? ;D~ I recently updated my controller (pic on the lower right). So, those grey boxes between the decks (pic on the lower left), yeah forget about those. Hehe. I also played music for a live audience for the first time ever in early February and it was so awesome, you guys! That's the top photo and you'll see I'm using my new controller. <3

It wasn't like a big deal or anything. I just offered to play for like 40 minutes if the event organizers needed someone to fill some time. I had brought my stuff just in case and I had practiced my set (deep house and disco house) maybe a few hours prior to the event (again, just in case, heh). So, yeah. Things just kind of worked out. I had a lot of fun and it felt good to give back to marginalized groups by providing a safe space for people of color, members of the LGBTQ community and others to socialize and dance without fear. That's what the event was all about. :D I don't have a live recording of that set, but I'll do a home recording soon and share that on my music blog. I also had an opportunity to play, again, at another event in mid-February and I do have a live recording for that! Here you go. :P
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I'll upload that second recording to Youtube sometime in April and you'll be able to hear that on my music blog, as well. :D Yep! So, this will be my last post for March, as I mentioned, last week. My partner and I are going on a much needed trip and we won't be back until April. As much as I'd like to chronicle my travels over Instagram, it probably won't be possible for me to do any uploads until I get back. Apparently, phones and laptops are being seized and data stripped at international borders. As a result, we're bringing one phone with us to share and it probably won't have many apps on it. It'll be bare bones, but I'll definitely share photos after the trip! I'm super excited and ready for a break. <3​

If you haven't already had a chance to listen to my latest mix (produced in my super sweet home studio...not really, I mean it's OK, but still heh), check it out and let me know what you think! Enjoy!
I'll see you guys when I get back! Thank you for reading and, as always, thank you for your kindness.
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12 Comments
Charlie link
3/21/2017 06:03:49 am

Great post! Thanks for telling us a little more about yourself. Love the brekky/t-shirt mash up! Good luck with your business endeavours and I bet they feel better as contributions to humanity than the normal stereotypical lawyer thing does. Lastly, I totally agree about home. If I could, I would never leave - it's so much nicer than outside! Well outside my garden too. Have a great week!

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Anna
4/2/2017 12:21:45 pm

Right on. Thanks! Well, I was a public interest lawyer, so I always felt like I was making a difference. Hehe. I just wanted to do it on my own terms and ended up losing my footing a bit. I might get back on the horse, again, at some point. I dunno. I'm just going with the flow, right now. Heh. <3

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Denise link
3/21/2017 04:09:08 pm

Loved to know a bit more about you, Anna! How amazing that you played live for a audience, of people who have a space to dance and be themselves! I also loved the mix you share, hope you share more - I really loved that! Many sweets and how lovely to get some sweets as a present, and that love;y illustration by your partner's sister! I hope you have a very nice trip! And 14 years together is amazing! Also, how nice to change careers, in some way. Teaching is such a blessed profession! And I also stay at home a lot, and I love it! Really nice to get to know more about you! Hope you have a great day!
DenisesPlanet.com

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Anna
4/2/2017 12:26:11 pm

Omg. Yeah. Playing music for a receptive audience was the most exhilarating experience. After having that kind of experience, it's hard to go back to just playing music for myself, you know? Hehe. I find myself looking at sourcing new music differently, now (i.e. I give a lot more thought to how the tracks would translate in a live setting and this is already starting to influence my music library). :D

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Rebecca link
3/21/2017 10:57:43 pm

LOVED this post! I always love getting to learn more about you. :D

Have an amazing time on your trip and seriously... laptops and phones are getting confiscated at borders? Or is that just the USA border? I'm going to 3 different countries over the month of April, but none are the USA so maybe I'm safe?!

So I read this post and was like - Anna - you NEED to move or at the very least visit Melbourne! It's foodie + music + fashion heaven and full of hipsters but we'll still forgive them. Honestly, I think you would love it. All of my friends here have cats and go to brunch and... well I think you'd fit right in and honestly no one would look at you twice at anything you wear because people here dress really cool - you'd have to level up your scary factor. ;) THINK ABOUT IT.

[Technically I don't live in Melbourne, of course, but I'm sort of Melbourne adjacent so... you know.]

-Rebecca
http://mn2nz.wordpress.com




Reply
Anna
4/2/2017 12:27:59 pm

We were so ready to have our electronics seized and then it never happened. Haha. I guess we got lucky. I don't know?

Ahh, you know. That's very good advice and I think, the way things are looking, I just might be able to do that. ;) Would LOVE to visit you, too!

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KizzyDoll link
3/22/2017 07:55:02 am

This was so precious, I loved it! x

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Anna
4/2/2017 12:28:30 pm

<3 <3 <3 ^_^ <3 <3 <3

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Suzanne link
3/22/2017 05:25:32 pm

It doesn't surprise me to know that you are a very private person.

Thanks for sharing all these extra bits we don't get to hear about often.

bisous
Suzanne

Reply
Anna
4/2/2017 12:28:57 pm

Right on. :P Thanks for reading! <3

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karolina link
3/23/2017 12:13:16 pm

You've got a partner who supports you and understands you, you've got the job you love, you've got the time for your hobby - is that called happiness? :D
14 years together, that sounds really impressive! May I ask how old are you? I hope it's not rude question, I'm just curious, cause you look sooo young!
You guys are so adorable, really. I and my now husband are together for almost 4 years and all we need in our life is the job we love, a house and some money :D but we're happy we have each other and we know we can do anything, just give us some more time, haha!
Have a good time on the trip <3

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Anna
4/2/2017 12:32:16 pm

Hey! Thanks! :D I'm in my early 30's. My partner and I met when I was a sophomore in college. :PPP

Yeah, I totally understand your frustration. I have the same lack of patience. I constantly feel like my life hasn't "started," yet. I'm so ready to just get moving. You're right, though. Once you've found your partner in crime, you can do anything. You guys will do great! <3

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    Hi! I'm Anna <3

    I'm fond of artistic fashion, esoteric music, retro games (the older the platform, the better), delectable noms, good libations, my Maine Coon, Bonaparte, and my Tabby, Winsome.

    Also, I attended university in Hyogo Prefecture and I am proficient in Japanese.


    もし、あなたは日本語が話せる、あたしに日本語で話て下さい!練習が必要だ!*^_^*
    



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