Gift Card Dilemma

Good morning, minna-sama, have you been keeping well? The world environment all around seems to be getting more and mroe difficult, but don't get down on your luck yet. Remember well wishes and prayer, and move forward into your aspirations always. Spring is coming around the corner, so I am in the hope that the warmer weather will help shape up a better attitude all around. I'm also hoping to play the Spring Aristokei card. Which brings me to my dilemma.

A few weeks ago, I helped Momma out by retrieving her keys from Panera [she's in Delaware, coming down to Maryland, so it was quite a stretch and she couldn't come back the day of once she was already back]. More so than I deserve, I feel, she was uber grateful, expressed in several phonecalls to myself and the mother person, and e-mails, and overall overwhelemed me with praise. I was very flattered; the mother person is theorizing it's because Momma has 'wants-a-grown-daughter' syndrome.

To top it all off, Momma sent me a $20 gift card to Khol's in the mail the other day. And while I don't think I'll be able to use it right off the bat with a spring break cruise around the corner--and with Khol's prices, I certainly won't be able to cover the cost of one thing on it--it's something to look forward to in furthering my Aristo wardrobe. I had just been thinking about getting a new blouse, and then with some more eyelets, I would recreate this little number here.

[The back of the shirt is all that really matters, and should the sleeves be so inclined to it, I may put the design in there, better seen in the red one.]

But wait... I could buy that super wide brimmed hat I saw, and then I wouldn't have to worry about making one for my Akabane cosplay...

Or wait... I could buy another pair of dress pants with pockets, and then stud them with a cut from my leather pants...

Or wait... I could buy tall platforms [with a 'heel' rather than a chunk like my Demonia ones], so I can switch things up with my current ones...

Or wait... I could buy some more cosmetic things, so I can be further motivated for smoky eyed Aristo/racoon eyed V-Kei on a more regular basis...

Or wait... I could buy those chain belts, and that would save me the trip to Hot Topic, and the multiple links go good with a variety of things...

In case I've somehow managed to disguise it from you thus far, I am a very indecisive person. Especially when the choices are all super appealing, and ultimately, I can still choose not to do anything. I am pulled in all directions. I am leaning towards the blouse, because I am eyelet crazy and the above shirt makes my gears turn in how to recreate it. But when I get there, I have a feeling all the other choices I'm debating and more will pop out at me and entice me to choose in a wardrobe deathmatch which is worth spending free money on.

So I offer it to all of you. If you had a giftcard to Khol's [even if you don't shop there] for $20, what would you buy? Blouse? Pants? Hat? Cosmetics? Other? Kohl's actually does have quite the variety, including waffle irons and Nerf Guns, so just about anything could be on your wishlist.

Ahhhhhh, ahh~ haruyasumi wa~... suteki da ne~ I hope everyone will have an enjoyable spring break, if you are privileged with it. If not, do something extra special relaxing over the next weekened. You owe it yourself.

Eternally yours,
Il Ruinante Isaak

Let it Never be Forgot

Good morning, minna-sama. I take another detraction, but bear with it or not, it must be said. If by some chance, any of you have been living as a recluse away from any forms of media, or social contact in general, and haven't heard of the devestating 8.9 magnitude earthquake and ensuing tsunami that has changed the lives of many Japanese around and in Sendai, let me spare you the details beyond that, and ask you to join me in well wishes and prayer.

It may not seem very hopeful, nor helpful, if you can't give in financial aid to help repair the damage wrought. But even if all you can do is remember the event until each and every person uprooted from their home lives comfortably again, wake up and go to sleep each day and night with words of hope and prayer for a swift rebounding for the buildings, vehicles, boats swept away and families reunited, then that is enough. If you wear a piece of red clothing everyday from now until the end of April, or June, or ask a friend or coworker if they've been able to contact their family in Japan and ask how they're doing, then that is enough. For it is one thing to simply know that people have gone missing, and untimely died. It is another to wait anxiously to hear word that your friends and family abroad are all okay. I am fortunate; a family in Tokyo, a friend luckily further away in Osaka, and an entire sister school of students and staff that I know are all in good health.

The Japanese are smart, adaptive, and well prepared from previous experiences for a situation like this. But in all ways we can, let us show them that we willingly offer our help and services to bolster the measures they themselves have put into use. Living upon Mother Earth who has shown us her awesome and fearsome powers, we are all one people.

Find it in your hearts to show support or give in any ways you can. Let us move forward into restoration.

With love, and hope,
Eternally, for you,
Isaak