First off, I must declare that waffles are the fucking most amazing thing since toilet paper. Don't deny it. You know it's true.

Personal
Aaaaall right!! I'm quite ashamed of myself haha, I haven't journaled since November o.O quite rude of me not to even try and wish you guys a Merry Christmas (holidays)or Happy New Year. I did get in two scrap photos for the occasions, but they weren't art, just a little somethin' to let you guys know I was thinkin' of you. I'm gonna do a quick personal update now and then get serious. Wass been goin on? Lesse...a couple weeks ago, me, my best bud Alyssa (xXSaruNinjaXx), my dad, my Sensei and his fiancee all went to the martial arts expo at the Tropicana in Atlantic City, NJ. Boy, was it awesome Just a small gathering of dedicated martial artists, but there were some big names there, too!! The Shaolin Warriors of China were there, in all their kick-ass flippyness and hawtness (omg that one guy didn't speak a word of English but I KNOW he understood somethin!! He took his shirt off RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME ) And I got to meet Bill Wallace, Cynthia Rothrock...also, Don the Dragon Wilson, John Pelligrini, Joe Lewis were there, and many more!! I had a lot of fun sparring and getting my ass kicked by black belts XD, shopping in the Quarter, getting drunk on Vanilla Frappuccino, and running around in the spinny doors at the entrance to the Tropicana (rofl. that is a story for another day XDDD)...
School has been going well. I just got done Midterm exams yesterday, they were annoying and I bombed my History one, but overall I did decently...And I can't believe it lmao, for once I am ABSOLUTELY caught up on ALL my homework Let's hope I can somehow keep it that way...Everything else has been going okay, too. But I'm just kind of apprehensive, because it never stays easy for long =/ The only thing I'm really worried about is whether my crazy mother will let me play on the lacrosse team this year...she's convinced it'll ruin my life and I'll fail everything and that I'll suck...which isn't true at all...but...we'll see :gloomy:

[In]Fluence
All right, things that you really care about now haha. If any of you watch ^kkart, you'll know about his recent inspiring journal. Here be a link in case ya don't [link] Check it out, mates =] It's important to contribute in every aspect of your life, and if you expect something to come to you, you better be puttin' somethin out there to be deserving of that something in return. I wish for good critiques and advice on my photography, because I know, I am only a decent artist, I'm only a beginner and I need help, so to gain that, I need to give something in return. I need to try and contribute to this amazing community more, even if it's only little at first and even if no one really sees it at first. So...from now on, there'll be something important in each journal. Features of less-noticed artists, links to important art articles, world articles, and other such things. I need your help, guys, so...let's give it a start =]

***So You Wanna Make a Difference?
2009!! Politics!! Obama!! Holy crap!!

What do you guys think so far? How many of you stopped to watch the inauguration? He hasn't had time to do much so far, but I feel Obama will be this generation's FDR. He's got a lot on his plate though, and some more important aspects seem to get lost among all the hustle and bustle, and that's where we come in. It's out job to remind the Obama Administration about what's important to us! The Defenders of Wildlife is a national nonprofit membership organization dedicated to the protection of all native animals and plants in their natural communities. They work to protect and restore America’s native wildlife, safeguard habitat, resolve conflicts, work across international borders and educate and mobilize the public. Joining the organization DOES NOT COST money, it helps get your views across in a mature, affective way and DOES make a difference. There is no long-term contract, mandatory contribution, and signing out of receiving emails is just as easy as signing up! To learn more, check out their homepage [link]

To take immediate action, help erase the stain the Bush Administration has left by ramming an eleventh hour assault on protections for polar bears and other imperiled animals. And guess what? Doesn't cost a cent! [link]


Other Important Links
What is Global Warming?? [link]
A short, informative and easy to understand article to explain the age-old question

Earth Share [link]
One enivornment, one simple way to take care of it

Green Tips [link]
Just a little change in our daily lives and affect the ENTIRE environment!

Gorgeous Wildlife Photography
I don't have a subscription, so all I can do is post links, but believe me, it's definitely worth checking out!!
~supremestar
[link]
[link]
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Remember, it only takes a few like-minded people to get the ball rolling. HEY!! LIKE-MINDED PEOPLE!! OVER HEEEEEERE!!!!
Help me out guys, we can make this work!!
<3's
~Odak-chan
uhmm...

***I don't want any political debates on my journals over what my views, what I support, what I link to, any of it. I'll delete your comment and everything you say/do will be in vain. Don't test me. I have monkey ninja.