Interview with Sayoko!

Hello!

Today we are going to be interviewing Sayoko from Simply Sayoko!

1. What is your name (or Blogger name) and age (if you don't want to say your age, that is just fine :)?  Tell us a little bit about yourself.

My name is Sayoko Tachibana, and I'm 13 years old.  I love writing, drawing (especially anime/manga), and I've been a gymnast for nine years - four in Japan, five in America.

2. What are your blogs about, and why did you start blogging?

My blog, Simply Sayoko is just a place for me to rant, share whatever is going on in life, and post pictures from time to time.  A few friends of mine: Eriko, Natsuko, Hyun-Ae, Taro, and Nagi-chan post, too!

3. What are your hobbies?

Above all else, I am a writer and a gymnast.  In my spare time (which is rare!) I read, draw, study French and Hindi, and ride my bike.

4. If you are a doll lover, how many dolls do you have, and which ones?  If you are not a doll lover, how often do you go to the library?

Well... if I am a doll does that automatically make me a doll lover? ;)  I have three dolls, Rebecca, Nimi, and Uri.

5. What is your favorite book (or book series)?

My favorite series is A Series of Unfortunate Events.  If you like rather... bizarre books, then you'd like these!

6. What is your favorite movie?

The Help and any "scary" movies.

7. Do you prefer to watch the movie before reading the book, or do you prefer to read the book before watching the movie?

The book first!  Differences from book to movie are annoying!

8. What is your favorite kind of ice cream?

I don't eat ice cream.  But I do like pomegrante-green apple frozen yogurt.

9. What is your most favorite place that you've ever been to?

Two-way tie between Ober Gatlinburg in Tennessee and the Mall of American in Minnesota.

10. What do you like best about my blog?

All of the different pages!

11. What would you do to improve my blog?

Absolutely nothing.  It's perfect! :D

12. What are your top 5 favorite blogs?

(In no particular order)

1. Dabbling Dani
2. Saoirse's Space
3. It's My Life
4. Ushi's Story
5. The Haleyverse

13. Would you be interested in guest posting on my blog?

Of course!

Thanks so much, Sayoko!  I really enjoyed your interview!

If you'd like to be interviewed, visit my 'Interviews' page here.

Have a great night!

~Grace

Breaking the Barrier

Within the past year, my family moved to a new place.  We had lived in the place before for nearly my whole life, and I had some really, really good friends there.  I was all for this move, and I don't regret it in the least.  I love where I'm at, and I wouldn't change it for the world.  Being the 'new girl' at the age of 13 is super difficult.  The girls here already have their groups of friends, because they've grown up together. Plus, being homeschooled is kind of a disadvantage.  Don't get me wrong; I love homeschooling, and I definitely wouldn't change it.  It's just extra difficult, because I only see the girls at dance, and the 'socialization period' is very short; before and after dance for maybe 10 or 15 minutes at the most.  How do I become 'involved' with these girls' lives?  How do I make friends?  It is really difficult for me, because I am very shy.  I know that being shy can be taken the wrong way sometimes.  What if they think I'm stuck up?  What if they think that I think I'm better than them?  I don't want that at all.  I just want to be friends with them.  I'm really, really trying to create conversation, but what do I talk about?  What do we have in common besides dance and skiing?  I don't know.  I'd like to ski with them, but most of the girls don't ski where I do.  I try to smile, say 'hello' and 'goodbye', wave, make friendly gestures.  My mom keeps encouraging me to be friendly, and talk, but it's just so hard.  It's so hard to figure out how to break the barrier.  Sometimes a lot of times, it gets lonely.  I have my friends from where I used to live, and I keep in touch, but it's not like I can just hang out on the weekends.  This is one of the reasons that I love blogging so much.  You guys are my friends.  Even though I haven't met you in person, face-to-face, you are my friends.  I hope you feel the same way.  So, once again, the question comes back, lurking constantly in the back of my mind.  How do I break that barrier?  How do I ask if they want to hang out sometime? How do I ask that without it being totally awkward?  I. Don't. Know.  I need your help.  Have you ever been in a situation like this?  How did you get through it?  Can you give me some tips?

Oh How Pinteresting Wednesday ~ 10

Hi!

Here are some of my favorite pins from the week:

Hahaha!

Seriously.  It works.

Soap Box + Post Its + Crayons = On-the-Go Crayon Box!

What?!

Cut a noodle and tie a rope through it.  Put it around a rubbermaid bin, and you have a floating ice chest!

The marshmallow was first made to help relieve a sore throat.  Just eat a few of them when your throat is hurting and let them do their magic.  I wonder if this works...

Worth a try!

A standard mason jar will fit most blenders, turning it into a magic bullet type of contraption.  Cool!

I hope that you have found tons of fun pins this week!

~Grace

Sailing Cat!

Hi!

Claire showed me this really funny video, and I wanted to share it with you.  It is only 36 seconds long, so make sure to watch it all the way through. :D

Isn't that so funny?!?!  The music just makes it so much better.  :P  I love it!

Have a great day!

~Grace

Claire is Coming!!!

Hi!!!

Guess what???  My very, very special friend, Claire, who moved away last summer, is coming to visit us!!!!  We are SO SUPER EXCITED!!!!  We are picking her and her mom up from the airport a little bit later today, and we can't wait to see them!  My mom and her mom are also very, very good friends, so it will be a wonderful reunion!  Lindsay and I have prepared a little welcome party for the AG's (Claire is our special AG friend), and we just can't wait!!!  I will show you pictures of our party later.

Have a super fantastical day!!!

~Grace

Super Exciting!!!

Hi!

Guess what?????  I won a giveaway for a beautiful personalized necklace over at Danielle's Blog!!!!  

I am so excited!!!  This is the first giveaway I have ever won, so I'm pretty psyched. :D  Yaaaay!  Thank you Danielle!  Make sure to go check out Danielle's blog here.

Have a great day!

~Grace