Because I couldn’t spend a lot of time at Ohayocon and because Dad wasn’t expecting the registration line to be so long, we decided to skip registration and just walk around the convention for a couple hours. I think I was so mesmerized by all the amazing costumes, I totally forgot to take pictures (that and I was too shy to ask ). So I’ll just dump the pictures at the end! (Be sure to read on to see the gallery!)

One of the many reasons why we couldn’t spend so much time at Ohayocon was because we needed to head further up north to purchase a puppy. We ended up at this rustic farmhouse that probably could’ve used some remodeling (I noticed a broken window!) The weather was freezing, so I didn’t stay outside too long — I ran into the sanctuary of the car most of the time. But I did capture a picture that I found… interesting…

Inter-species love! But their love can never be...

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I’m pretty sure people that read this blog already know that I’m hard at work trying to get published. Trust me, it’s tough trying to grab an agent with that oh-so-amazing query letter that has a really short summary of what you’re story is about. I’ve been rejected a few times so far, but I haven’t given up. I checked my mail this morning and received a rejection that accidently got sent to my spam folder. What I found amusing was that the agent spelled my name wrong and then I realized I had misspelled the agent’s name. (What a noob mistake!) Coincidence?

And just because I’m starting to fret and worry about my query letter, I’m going to reveal my summary right here! Reviews and critiques are absolutely wanted. I’m starting to wonder if it sounds too cliche. Technically my novel did start out as a parody for epic fantasies and anime (e.g. Lord of the Rings meets InuYasha) but somehow spiraled into something more serious. I’m starting to wonder what Stephenie Meyer wrote in her query letter to make her agent take her on; I read she had a hard time trying to make Twilight not sound like some sort of weird Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode.

If you were asked to save the world, would you comply or try to find a way out of it? What if you were asked to save a planet you had never heard of? In THE CHOSEN, fourteen-year-old Kaia Ketoki is faced with that very predicament.

After nearly being killed in a massacre, Kaia is taken to another planet where the priests of their gods reveal that her grandmother had saved them once before eminent danger. A prophesy with a dire outcome is revealed, but they hope that the last descendent of their previous savior can help them; before she can agree to it, she is sent out to scour the planet for the gods’ treasures before their enemy, Malum, can get to them first and destroy order.

Actually, maybe mentioning my novel is like Lord of the Rings meets InuYasha might be something I want to consider adding to my query… But how many agents actually read/watch manga/anime?

Besides working feverishly on writing out a synopsis for my novel and writing another novel on the side, I’ve decided to start working on a short story to keep me sane. It’s just a little humorous mystery novel about a girl who runs around to anime conventions and solves little mysteries. Her first case: finding missing Pocky. It’s just something to keep me entertained, though there’s a good chance I’ll end up posting it here when I finish it. Anyway, in my short story, the protagonist has to meet up with a Japanese musician, whom I’ve decided to be Yoshiki just because I have his name written down somewhere. I had no idea what he’s written or done, so I did a little research (Wiki your my hero! ) and found out he did a cover of a KISS song, "Black Diamond", for their 20th anniversary tribute CD. Since I grew up listening to KISS (Dad is a huge fan) I was curious to know what his take on the song was. My dad might glare at me for admitting this, but I found Yoshiki's version amazing. Literally, it's so epic and the song just swells that it just makes you want to write. Definitely a must listen! *runs off and hides*

Further note: I just found out that the Tsubasa series box set has finally been released by FUNimation! Woot! I’m so excited! You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting for it; and the greatest part about the box set is that the movie is included! Totally worth every cent (Amazon has it listed for: $62.49)!! But the convention is this week, so I’m going to have to refrain from buying it right now.

So in an earlier post, I made the declaration that I was going to cook more foods from scratch, and if at all possible have them be a lot healthier than what I eat now. My boss gives away hams to everyone for Christmas, but since I work with my dad, he decided to give me a turkey, because what household needs two hams for Christmas? I think my parents wanted to fix the turkey with the ham for Christmas, but since it was technically my turkey, I requested that we save it for a later date until I figured out what to do with it.

Well, I figured out what to do with it. I’ve always wanted to try to make a roasted turkey, like the ones you see on TV when they show a fancy Thanksgiving/Christmas dinner. My family has never made a roasted turkey, so I decided to give it a go. I found a recipe that I was praying would be simple to try, and luckily it was. My main concern while the turkey was roasting was: is it going to turn out moist and tender? The answer: yes! I had invited my grandmother over for supper since I knew I was going to have enough food to go around and everyone loved it. Apparently I’m in charge of the turkey for Thanksgiving this year now.

Roasted Sage Turkey

I stuffed the cavity of the turkey with some garlic, onion, apples, and sage. And then I created a buttery sauce, injected half of it into the turkey (I had way too much fun with the meat syringe) and then with the rest of the sauce, I brushed it right on the turkey. For some sides, I made creamed corn, mashed potatoes, and garlic green beans. The garlic green beans was something different I wanted to try too. Unfortunately I don’t have a picture of them… Oh well. I put some cayenne pepper with the green beans, so they had just the slightest kick to them, and sweetened them up with just a pinch or two of sugar. Mix it all together with fresh garlic, butter, salt, and pepper, and you apparently have a recipe for success.

Yesterday was blonde brownie day. I was going to make a blonde brownie, but I came across this recipe for a regular brownie and decided, why not? I made it late at night, so unfortunately Dad couldn’t eat it because it didn’t cool enough before he went to bed. I was worried that my brownie would dry up since I’ve never made a brownie before and instead of buying brownie mix, I made everything from scratch. It actually tastes kind of fudgy and it's quite rich tasting.

Layers of Chocolate Brownie <3

The recipe didn’t call for it, but I had extra chocolate chips left over so I just dumped it right on top. Dad calls it a heart attack brownie, yet he keeps eating it. Even if I wanted to stop baking and cooking right now, I don’t think my family will let me. They’re already wondering what I’m going to make that’ll top tonight’s supper, though I highly doubt I’ll be able top that turkey anytime soon. My brother’s birthday is coming up in a few weeks and apparently instead of a cake, he’s requested I make him brownies. I agreed to it; hopefully they’ll come out tasting as delicious as they did the first time!