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Yuukon

is really a cat.
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BubsAdventuresSavingEaster SMALL copy




Saving Easter - Bubs' Adventures

Bubs has a dream to become an Easter Bunny someday. When he is relaxing on a nice spring day, suddenly, someone from Easter Bunny Headquarters shows up, requesting his help. Will Bubs' dream finally come true?


Release date: September 25th, 2020










Where to buy:

Paperback @ Amazon.com (also on .co.uk, .de, .fr, .it, .co.jp & .ca)

Paperback @ Brave New Books (Dutch)

Paperback @ Bol.com (Dutch)

Untitled-1 copy
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Today the incredibly sad news that we lost our wonderful friend, LawrenceCornellPhoto, was brought to the world by his wife Sarah. I'd known Lawrence for the bigger part of my dA-career, and we were fast friends from the early days on. We bonded over our mutual love for the Scottish highlands and photography, and we even vowed that one day we would take a trip there together.


Lawrence has left a void. In my life, the lives of his family and friends, but also here on the internet, and on dA itself. Who knew Lawrence, knows he was one of the kindest people. He was always supporting as many people as he could. I don't even dare to count the amount of artworks he shared through his countless features. Back in 2020, he earned his Deviousness Award for just that, and boy, was he proud. He was always happy to share one of his beautiful photographs, often with a memory attached to them. In his Deviousness award, he is referred to as a pillar of the community, and that's one thing he was for sure. But Lawrence was much more than that.


I still remember meeting Lawrence for a cuppa when I happened to be in London, and he had some time to spare. It was a scary thing for me, meeting someone I met on the internet. But Lawrence made sure that anxiety and discomfort was gone within minutes, and we talked. We talked, and talked and talked some more. That's the day we started planning our trip to the Scottish Highlands. Cameras, friends, it all seemed like a dream. But it was one that was about to become reality. Unfortunately, Lawrence won't be able to join me in his earthly form for that trip. But I'm sure he'll join me some other way when I do eventually take that trip. And I will do so in his memory.


Lawrence leaves behind an enormous archive of beautiful photographs and memories, one that we, on dA, will forever cherish. This void can never be filled, but let me at least attempt to bring a smile to your face with some of his photographs, just as he always did.

A foggy day in Cambridge.
Beautiful Blaven.
Smothered by the all consuming clouds.
The great gift of nature.
A mountain view.
A weather window.
Nature's wonders.
new season, new feeling
Days like these.
It only takes a minute.
Printed on my soul
Land of the ring bearer
The wonder of distant peaks.
Textures of Iceland
Soaked in Scottish mood.
just soak it all in, all of it
Sun on the rocks.
From this moment I have never looked back.
Clinging on.
A beautiful haven.
The long drop.
A battle of light and dark
A violent history
There is never any escape.

Lawrence, my dear friend, I can't put into words how much we'll miss you. But we all know you'll never really leave us. Your soul lingers on dA, and we're very happy to have it here. :heart:

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It's December

2 min read

It's December, which is my favourite time of the month. It's December, which means it's time to dream of snow, to dream of Christmas and Santa visiting. It used to be a very special time, I used to get actual visits from Santa, and actual snow. But times change, and so do I.


The past two years have been crazy, surreal and incredibly difficult. Being a teacher in the midst of a pandemic, where we constantly swing from home-teaching to classroom-teaching, where students aren't well has been the hardest job I've ever had to do. Supporting students online is so much harder, and often, it's not enough. I see students slip, and there is nothing I can do.

But aside from that, being a human in the midst of a pandemic hasn't been easy either. I've struggled, and I still do. I'm exhausted, and I am scared. I am done with the uncertainties we're constantly facing, and I hate that, due to my health, I am constantly at risk and I've had to isolate myself and keep my distance from everyone for the bigger part of two years.


All of this has caused me to withdraw. Withdraw from my physical life, withdraw from my online life. I've crawled back into my shell, and have been there for a while now, trying to find peace and comfort. Trying to stay away from the bad things that are going on right now. And while I am well aware that hiding away isn't the right way to go about this, I've been handling according to my instinct.


All this is one of the reasons I've not been here as much as I used. Of course, there are other reasons. But I think this might just be the biggest one. I have missed my friends on here very much, and to all of them; I apologise for not being here, and for not being there for you. I wanted to, but I simply couldn't.


I'm going to try to be here more often, even if it's just to check in and read your messages. I hope I'll have the energy to share new photos with you soon, too. Winter is the most magical season of all, after all, I do love capturing it. I hope you're all doing well, and I hope you'll still be here, with me, despite everything.

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Hi there, my lovelies :heart:


I hope you've all been doing well, and I truly hope you've all had a wonderful holiday season. I've once again been a bit on and off with my activity on DA, and to be honest, I am not entirely sure if that is something that will change in the foreseeable future. Offline life has been incredibly busy the last several months, and now that we're in the middle of February, I am finally starting to get some breathing room, which is very nice, and most of all; much-needed.


I think I told you guys back in November (or somewhere along those lines) how busy I was with uni-stuff and teaching. I've been simultaneously working on my Bachelor's degree for English language, my Master's degree for English Language Teaching and next to that, I was also teaching the most delightful students how to use and understand English. I am still doing all that- minus the teaching. That was a temporary thing, and while it was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed my time there, I am also quite glad it is over now and I can focus on my Bachelor's and Master's degree work a bit more, with a little less stress.


And next to all that, I've also been trying to make time for the ideas that are floating around in my brain. We're all artists here- so you know what it's like. It's not something you can simply shut off, it's something that always lingers and goes on. For me that's especially the case with my writing. I'm currently working on not one, but two projects. One of which will be the second book in the Bubs' Adventures series, and the other one... I'm keeping that quiet for now. I've shared it with some of my very close friends, but since I do not know just yet how it will pan out, I'm keeping it quiet otherwise. However, now that I am not teaching anymore, I have a bit more time to work on those projects, which is something I've longed for for a long time.


I've also not been doing a whole lot of photography lately, though I do try to get some time in now and again. Last week we suddenly got about 30 centimetres of snow, so I made the time to go out every day with my camera, since it's such a rare thing here in the Netherlands. When I lived in Finland, these were normal amounts, but here in the Netherlands, it's a rarity, and one I am very excited about. I was able to take some really cool photos- though I have not yet had time to work on most of them. I did however take Bubs out for a weather report... His report was very accurate, for sure!

Today's Weather Report

Bubs and I both love snow, and we also took his sister, Kuukie out for some fun and playtime in the snow. We had a great time. Kuukie thought the snow a bit too cold for her taste, so she didn't come along all the time, but Bubs sure did. He told me about the time he visited an amazing winter-wonderland, and he said he'd tell me the story when the time comes for one of his books... I certainly think that's a wonderful idea, and I look forward to Bubs telling me all about the adventures over there.


Aside from uni and snow, my life has been pretty uneventful. I've been at home most of the time, since all schools are still shut, so these little outings in the snow felt great. I take (almost) daily walks to get some fresh air, but with the lockdown still in full-swing, there's not much else I am able to do. I really miss hopping on a train and going book-shopping in Amsterdam, or visiting friends on the other side of the country. I miss visiting my friends in general, to be honest.


So yeah, a tiny little update on my life. I hope you've all been doing well- let me know in the comments what you have been up to so we can catch up. I haven't seen much of what you all have been doing because I simply don't have the time to go through my inbox (I went through all my comments this weekend). It's quite full, I can assure you. So let me know what's been going on with you and how you've been doing!


All my love,

Monique

:heart:


PS: a few of my recent photographs in case you missed them:


Yksinkertaista
Rakkauslaulu
Invisible to You
Brave New World
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As we say goodbye to 2020, we stand at the beginning of a brand new chapter. While I am glad to make the symbolic new start, I also need to remind myself that a new year won't magically fix everything that is going on in the world.


In this journal, I plan on having a look at 2020, and try to focus on some good things! They will be in no particular order, simply in order of what pops into my head.

Bubs' Adventures: Saving Easter




I released the first book in the Bubs' Adventures series

After a few years of taking photos of Bubs, this year I finally achieved something I've been wanting to do for a long time: I wrote and illustrated a books about one of Bubs' Adventures. I love that I was able to share some of his adventures with you this year in both in written form. If you haven't yet, and you want to, you can get the book through one of the channels on my website.








We celebrated one year of GuidingLightProject

This year, my dear friend LadyLincoln and I got to celebrate the one year anniversary of Guiding Light! Guiding Light is mainly active through Discord these days, since it is hard for us to find the time to post journals with the lack of the scheduling ability for journals. You can still join us on Discord, and we'd love to have you!

This year on GuidingLight, we've had some wonderful guest journals too! The lovely ugnip wrote about staying mentally healthy during social distancing, and Felizias was kind enough to interview us both about the project!


Chrome 2020-12-31 12-48-56


I read a 114 books this year

I had set myself a goal of 50 books for 2020, but I more than doubled that goal and read a 114 books! I read many different books, and if you're curious as to what I've read, you can check them out here.




I started working on my Master's Degree

This year, I also started working on my Master's Degree in English Language Teaching as a Second Language. It has been challenging to combine it with everything else I have to do, but so far, it has been a lot of fun and I definitely want to keep going.

Photo 2020-12-31 12-53-07



I adopted a cat

I adopted this boy as well this year! Or well, it's more the case that he adopted me. His name is Heathcliff, and he's been a stray for a while. Now he has a home to come to whenever he feels like it, and he absolutely loves to cuddle!


We've become best friends, and I hope he'll stay with me for a long time.








But most importantly...


I survived. And so did you.

2020 hasn't been an easy year. A lot of stuff has happened, but we're all still here. We still have each other, no matter what has happened. And I think that is worth a lot. I look forward to heading into 2021 with all of you, and let's keep our fingers crossed that things will be better soon!


I am wishing all of you all the best for the new year, and hopefully, 2021 will be better!


Much love,

Monique

blue heart bullet


Happy 2021!
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Hi guys,


As I am writing this journal I am thinking of how long it's been since I've spoken to many of you. And you now, that does suck. Because I love hanging out with you all and talking to you, but lately, I just haven't had the time or energy to be online a whole lot.


I have a lot going on these days. I'm back to teaching, back in uni and aside from that I'm also working on my Master's degree in English Language Teaching. Next to that, I'm working on the next book in Bubs' Adventures series, and I have plenty more things to do. This leaves little time to hang out online, unfortunately, but it also makes me cherish the time I get to spend with you even more.


I have been posting some things that have kept me busy these days, though. A little while ago I posted a wedding photo I took of some of my close friends who married last month. I also shared the cover to the first book in the Bubs' Adventures series, which is out and for sale by the way!

Autumn Wedding
Bubs' Adventures: Saving Easter

You can click on either to full view them. Speaking of the book, I have also created a website that has ALL information about me, my books, and of course about Bubs. The website also lists all sales channels for both my books, so if you want to check it out:

My website


I would be delighted if you'd like me know what you think of it! Also, if you've read either of my books, do feel free to send me a message to let me know what you think! I'm always happy to hear people's thoughts on the things I create. The easiest way to do so is to either send me a note here on DA, or send me a message through the contact form on my website.


I have to say that my DA inbox is currently fuller than I can handle, so I'm not sure how quick or when I'll be able to respond to comments in general. A lot of you commented on my deviations recently, and I've read everything, I just haven't had time to respond to everyone just yet.


I also want to invite anyone who feels like it to join the Discord server for GuidingLightProject. LadyLincoln and I set that up quite a while ago, and we've created a wonderful and supportive community there with the people who joined us. We love meeting new people there, so if you haven't joined yet, but you want to, click here.


I guess I used a whole lot of words to tell you I haven't been around much, but that I am lurking. If you're reading this, thank you for sticking with me. I appreciate you, deeply. :heart:


Much love

x M.

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