Artwork, Youtube, and More Life Updates

So following my last post, I've been working on myself and my life lately and though it fluctuates, it's been a lot better just focusing on myself.

Also therapy. Lots of therapy.

But while I've been doing this, I've been setting lots of new goals, both small and big, to kind of jumpstart back to where I was before all of this.

And if you have been an avid reader here, you know that I have been really pushing to start drawing, improve my skill, and gain confidence to post my work.

So one of my steps has been creating an art instagram! So if you wanted to check it out and see my progress, feel free to check it out @raineedayze_art. And while you're there, feel free to follow my main @raineedayze!

(Ya like that shameless self-promo?)

Other than this, I also started reading some more. Just like when I first started reading again, I've been bringing a book with me everywhere and got a lot of my reading done in waiting rooms, car rides, and while running long errands like laundry.

But the good news is that means more reviews will be coming here on the blog and more bookish posts so if you are a fan of that, your prayers have been answered!

Also for some interesting news, I started uploading on YouTube! So if you just can't get enough of me, you can see streams, unboxings, vlogs, and more nerdy content there as well. Obviously I'll be updating this blog more since it's a lot easier to write than edit a video but check it out as well here!

Again I wanted to thank all of you who have shown support and who read this blog and have reached out to me whether IRL or online. It means a ton. <3



Always, Raineedayze
 

Life Update - What's Going On

Hey ya'll. 

I know it has been a hot minute since I've written on here and it kind of came out of nowhere. To be honest, I had tons of posts sitting in drafts waiting to go out and I actually have been writing this post over and over again to get everything out in a way that makes sense.

Let's just get it out in the open. I've been struggling a lot lately. 

If you've been a follower for a while or follow me on my social media, I've always been very upfront about my battle with depression and anxiety. It's something I've dealt with for over half of my life and I've talked at length about the ups and downs with it.

The past month has been kind of a really big pit of depression. I ended up leaving my job because of it, as I could barely get out of bed everyday. That hurt me a lot because I loved my job and it felt like this illness took it away from me. My boss and coworkers were super awesome and understanding but it really hurt to have to give up something that I enjoyed because of this.

One of the things that I hate the most about having a mental illness, is that it's invisible. So even to me, I sometimes get really angry with myself and feel like "Why couldn't you JUST GET UP?". Not seeing physical symptoms can make it feel like I'm crazy for not being able to just force myself to be "normal". To hold a job, to go out, to hang out with my friends...

It's been a lot weighing on me since then. I'm struggling with this mental illness and also struggling because the other half of me is constantly feeling guilty for not having a job and being this lump of sadness and guilt.

I started going to a new counselor and taking new meds and at this point it just takes time. It's hard because most days I feel like a shell of myself, going through the motions. 

I usually try to end my posts on a happier note, but at the moment I'm just trying to stay afloat. I just wanted to let you guys know what's going on and why I've been MIA online (or in person to my IRL friends).

Thanks for all your support and I will continue to update and try to bring some more content when I can. 

Lots of Love

Raineedayze

Wizards and Wands Craft Festival

It's that time of year again!

Every year one of my favorite malls in town holds a Wizards and Wands craft fair, basically a huge Harry Potter-themed extravaganza where I spend way too much money!

I try to go every year because, aside from all the cool merch, there are HP themed snacks, cosplays, and you can support local business which is always a plus.

This year was no different. I had planned to go in full HP gear, but realized, I am SERIOUSLY lacking in Harry Potter clothes. My one HP shirt is a bit too small and I couldn't find my beanie or cloak, so I donned the closest thing to a witchy shirt and a big Harry Potter bow and we headed out.

As soon as we arrived, I saw one of my favorite sellers, Enchanted Enigma Crafts, who makes GORGEOUS fandom charm bracelets. I already own a Wonder Woman one and there was a deal if you bought three so I picked up a Ravenclaw themed bracelet, a Star Trek themed bracelet, and a Supernatural themed bracelet. I'm absolutely in love with them and they make me feel so fancy while repping my faves.

Ravenclaw

Above: Supernatural---Below: Star Trek

Walking around we stopped for some cupcakes to refuel during this journey. Jonathan got a butterbeer flavored one and I got the most adorable Gryffindor-themed vanilla cupcake. The picture doesn't do the Butterbeer justice because IRL the sugar made it look like it was foamy mug at the Three Broomsticks, which was really cool.

I also picked up this really adorable print for the entranceway of my house. I love the Burrow and I think it sums up my home pretty well. 

I of course, had to accessorize. I managed to snag some super cool bows from another one of my favorite vendors. I buy bows from her shop every time I visit, so I already knew I was gonna be picking some up. The Harry Potter one is a leather-like material and is super pretty when you pin it in your hair, so it's definitely going to be one of my staples.

Supernatural

Vanellope

Wonder Woman!

Lastly, I found these adorable earrings with my favorite half-giant, Hagrid, on them.  I'm so in love with these and I need more Hagrid in my life (seriously most underrated character), so I was so excited to find these.

Overall, I spent way too much money but I am so happy with all my purchases and can't wait til next year!

Always, Raineedayze

Why You Should Be Watching Derry Girls

I've mentioned a few times here about how much I wish I would be able to watch more TV the past few years. I have so many things on my watch list and then end up re-watching the same things over and over.

However, the past couple of weeks, I've really been making an effort to watch new things and check things off my list. 

Derry Girls was actually not on my immediate watchlist, but after seeing a few different posts on Tumblr about how amazing it was, I decided to check out the first episode.

I am so happy I did. The show focuses on a group of friends in Derry, Ireland in 1992. The main characters are all distinct and hilarious, but very much teen girls (and guy) in their antics and attitude.

The episodes are pretty short, but so funny. I am partial to Michelle, the tough bad influence, but every character brings something fresh to the table. 

The most interesting thing about this show to me though, is the contrast between light-hearted humor and politics in Ireland. One of the characters is from London and the rest of them constantly rag on him about it. It's played for laughs but throughout the series, undertones of conflict, and the violence are always present, providing a haunting reality of the time.

The last episode is probably the most intense however. 

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The episode focuses on friendship after Claire comes out to Erin and Erin responds negatively. When Orla gets teased in front of the school, the girls decide that their friendship is worth so much and that they can overcome this. Interspersed with shots of the girls laughing, and dancing together are scenes from Erin's house where Mary, Sarah, Gerry, and the Grandfather are watching the news, confirming that a bomb has gone off. 

It's a somber moment and it's something that sticks with the viewer because of how jarring it is, yet this was reality for many people. 
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Season 2 is already confirmed and I am really excited to see how they are going to address this and how the relationship between Claire and Erin will work. 

This show is an absolute must-watch and it's hilarity and history are what make it so unique to TV right now. If you like humor, Irish accents, and friendship, I highly recommend this series.

Have you seen Derry Girls? Let's chat about it?


Always, Raineedayze

5 Year Anniversary

This past week Jonathan and I celebrated 5 years of being together!


We spent the day together, celebrating our relationship by going to our favorite places together, eating our favorite foods, and overall just being together.


Our anniversary always falls at a weird time financially, since it's right after Christmas and New Year's and right before my birthday, Valentine's Day, and Jon's birthday. So while we couldn't splurge too much, the truth of it, is with work and adulting, we tend to not spend a whole lot of time together when we aren't exhausted or busy so just being able to spend the day together was perfect.


I've also been battling a bit of illness, so we didn't want to overwork ourselves. 


We started at our favorite breakfast spot for tacos and menudo.

Then off to Starbucks for some sugar coffee.


After that, it was off to go see Aquaman (which I fell asleep during). But we got to go to the Drafthouse and get boozy and full on some delicious noms. 

Lastly, we headed to the mall to walk around and grabbed dinner and ice cream. 


The whole day was a great way to celebrate 5 years, and here is to many more!

Always, Raineedayze

Roswell New Mexico: S01Ep2 Review

It's that time again, where we talk about last night's episode of Roswell.

I know what you're thinking. It's only the second episode and I am already late to posting! Well, that's because Wednesday was my 5 year anniversary with Jonathan (post coming soon) and since I watch on the CW app (a gift from the tech gods), I had to watch this episode a bit later than usual. 

But fear not, because I am here to discuss and review the second episode of this series,

I think for the rest of these reviews, excluding the first one, they will all be pretty spoilery, so if you haven't watched the episode, be warned! 

Synopsis:

This episode continues with the anniversary of Rosa Ortecho's death. Liz is trying to deal with forgiving her sister and enlists Kyle's help by pulling the autopsy report so she can see come to terms with her sister's drug addiction and how it led to her death.

She also asks Max to walk her through his personal memories of Rosa, to gain some more perspective instead of dwelling on the anger she harbors toward her sister.  He reluctantly obliges and walks Liz through his own memories, but abruptly stops after viewing a memory where she pushes him away, angrily.

Kyle then calls Liz and informs her that a false autopsy report was filed and finds the correct autopsy for Rosa, in which Rosa has an alien handprint over her face, leading them to believe she was murdered by an alien.

Liz recalls the memory of Rosa pushing Max and realizes it was the same day she died, making Max one of the last ones to see her still alive. After Max lies and tells her that he last saw Rosa a few days before she died, Liz reveals Max' secret to Kyle.

My Thoughts

LIZ WHY? Okay, I get that Max lied to her, but immediately outing his alien-ness to Kyle?? GIRL NO! Kyle seems on the good side so far, but I'm nervous how this information will change him and hoping it doesn't reach Sgt. Manes, who seems like the ultimate big bad.

The episode also dealt with a lot of racism and had a pretty brutal scene of guys beating up Arturo, Liz' dad, and telling him to go back to Mexico. I absolutely love Arturo, so that scene just broke my heart so much. He's just such a sweetheart and it's awful but a daily reality for people at the moment.

We also had more Alex/Michael (#Malex) scenes and, guys I ship them so much! We got a little more insight to their history, and I really am hoping for more flashbacks to see how this relationship even happened.

Overall, I love how the show is dealing with actual issues in today's climate and the parallels between aliens from outer space and immigrant "aliens". I think may be something that pushes Max and Liz closer to understanding each other. And I am so anxious to see what really happened the night Rosa died.

Tune in next week, where we will discuss Episode 3!


Always, Raineedayze

PAX South Recap

This weekend I surprised Jonathan with tickets to PAX South for our anniversary! We've never been even though it's held right here in San Antonio, and I figured it was time to get out and do something fun.

I bought 3-day passes but due to unforeseen circumstances, we were only able to attend one day. But what a day it was!

Jocelyn as Bowsette

We, along with my friend Jocelyn, took off and as total noobs to the whole scene, were a little nervous about the mob of people but super stoked.

Merch Queen

I ended up picking up some really cool merch, including a D.Va Bunny Blaster, a Tsundere t-shirt and some plushes, including my Stardew Vallew Husband, Shane!

We also got to demo some really exciting games including Wenches with Loot and Arcade Spirits, both which look super cool and had really awesome teams behind them.
 

Wenches!

I had originally planned to do a full Piranha Plant cosplay, but ran out of time so stuck with a very casual D.Va cosplay to rep my favorite gremlin.

Since we really enjoyed ourselves, we made plans to go to two more conventions this year, something that is really out of our comfort zone since we are both total homebodies. I really want to continue getting out and participating in things like this because I have an excellent time when I do it, even though I get super anxious right before.

Con-anxiety is a very real thing, but when you can push through, it's a really great experience that I will treasure forever. 



Always, Raineedayze