a dream is a wish your heart makes

Here are a few fun things I'm dreaming of right now:

A nice hot bath [with a good book, of course].

A lovely new tattoo.

A pair of sassy wedges.

A couple of fun outfits for summer [and the roadtrip].

A mint green manicure and fun statement rings.

A pair of crazy leggings.

A trip to the beach [via Los Angeles].

What are some things [silly or serious] you've been dreaming of lately?

Spotlight On Actress Kyoko Okazaki

by Armand Vaquer



Kyoko Okazaki is a rising young actress who appeared in the play, Utsutsu in Los Angeles this month.

She played the character Otose, who was a tomboy and dressed in male clothing to hide from yakuza's boss, Gonzo.

Kyoko was born and raised in Okayama, Japan and has appeared in several movies this past year, including Mr. Sophistication, The Scenesters, Luster and The Runaways.

She attended the Theater of Arts, College For The Contemporary Actor in Los Angeles.



I first met Kyoko at the press and kick-off party for Utsutsu earlier this month and found her to have a bubbly personality.

She has a natural style to her acting and I found her performance in Utsutsu to be compelling.

Above, Kyoko Okazaki with Armand and "Utsutsu" co-star Masamichi Kanobe.

She graciously put me on her personal list for a performance of Utsutsu.

Here is the link to her IMDb page.

Kyoko Okazaki is one to keep an eye out for!

six months

You might have seen Heather's post today that it has been six months since we've moved home. If you read Jenny's post in February I finally figured out how to explain how I felt about leaving California. It was like breaking up with a boyfriend (not that I would know, but I can imagine that it's a similar feeling). Some people assumed that we left because we didn't like California and that is DEFINITELY NOT the case. We LOVED it!! We were adventurous and did and saw so many things I never thought I ever would. It was gorgeous and there was always fun and amazing things to see and do. I miss it terribly. Life has changed a lot in the last six months. I still don't really know what I'm doing or what's next for me. But as Heather said, "I am in God's will and there is no other place I would rather be."

In a week it will be exactly a year since I was let go from my job. I remember sitting in my car bawling my eyes out, knowing I had to go back inside and turn in my parking pass, etc., trying to breathe and praying, "God, you are in control. I don't know why this is happening, but You do. I'm trusting you." In the last year I've completed my first year in an online Master's program at Academy of Art University and I moved home. I'm starting my photography business and it looks like Heather and I will be working at the National Interagency Fire Center Return Warehouse this summer. It's definitely not what I thought I would be doing, but I know I'm where I'm supposed to be.

We Leave You Now

Jenny first posted this and then Heather did. It's very relevant to us and our goodbye to SoCal.

Los Angeles
by Peter Bradley Adams

Oh Los Angeles we leave you now
At the setting of your skies
As we leave the comfort of your ground
With your angels we will fly

Well you carried us in broken dreams
Like a mother does her sons
We were scattered 'cross your dirty streets
We were dying one by one

And you held us in your city lights
When our eyes had lost the stars
And we made our peace with lonely nights
And you healed our broken hearts

Well they say the Big One's gonna come
And you will fall into the sea
We will know that then your work is done
And your angels will go free