Pepakura Papercrafts!

Do you fancy at paper models? Interested but not sure how to start? Well here's a simple guide I made to get you going rightaway.

Okay, first we will be needing these:

1. A4 Papers weighted at around 110 to 200 gram. I personally prefer 160gr.
2. A sharp scissor. Don't use dull one because it may leave small torn edges.
3. A ruler, to make folding easier.
4. A white glue.
5. A pen with rounded tip, to curl paper.



Let's get started, shall we!?

1. The printing.

Print the paper model that you'd like to make. You may download some from these websites:
- 3D Paper Model (www.3dpapermodel.com.tw)
- Paper Modelz (www.papermodelz.info)
- Ninjatoes' papercraft webpage
- Fanikyarakuta Papercraft Cafe
- and there are many many more! Just google on "paper craft" or "paper model", or key in "[your favorite model or theme] paper craft".

2. The cutting.

Read the instructions, usually they're quite descriptive and easy to follow. If you're having difficulties obtaining the instructions, there are basic symbols on paper models which follows the same pattern as in origami.

• Fold lines. There are two kinds of folding pattern:
  - --.--.-- This is mountain fold, which means, you fold the paper mountain like ( ^ )
  - ------- This is a valley fold. You need to fold like this ( v ) along the pattern.
• Cutting line. Lines to be cut usually printed in bold line _____ around the edges of the model.
  
• Punch hole/line. A hole or line pattern which appears on the center of the model. You will need to use a cutter or a piercing pen to do this.

3. The gluing.

Areas to be glued usually appear with a descriptive mark or shown in extended folds. Be careful not to put too much glue on them, as it would take longer time to dry and stick. Take time to decide what areas to glue first, or do I need to paste it on all areas at once. Wipe out excessive glue that appears outside the glued area to make the model clean.


4. The finishing.

After the assembly, basically you're done and it's time to show your piece! But I also got this idea from one of my nephew who used to spray his paintings with clear paint to make it durable and even waterproof. You can also try this trick with your finished model, I think it will definitely make the model last longer.

Here are some of the models I've made a couple of years ago.

Piano Concert #1

Gabe's first piano concert was held on Saturday 27 January 2008 at Symphony Music School, Bekasi Barat. There were 14 participating junior students, each played one to two songs. Gabe played Beethoven's Little German's Dance and Bach's Minuet in G. Everyone was having fun and playing their songs beautifully. Thank you, Mrs. Ester and Mr. Evan for hosting this wonderful show. We really appreciate and enjoyed it.

And now, here's a little treat from the show. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome, Gabe Theron!

Yu-Gi-Oh!

Joey Starter Deck double set pack was the first trading card game Gabe's got from his cousin Timmy. It has been kept inside Gabe's toy box for some time. One day, near the end of 2007, we were browsing for old toys to give away and suddenly I picked up the Starter Deck. "Hey, this looks interesting.. Gabe, want to try this?" Gabe replied with a resounding "Yes!".. he was very excited but first, of course, we've had to learn how to play this.

Was Gabe ready for the battle ahead?
Ha! You betcha!

But he had to endure grievious losses and countless destructions in battles. Now that he has developed his own deck, he is coming back ready to pour his wrath upon any flesh unfortunate enough to even look at him. Gabe is relentless, he would teach others just so he can beat them in battles. Ah, the agony of the defeated is obviously delicious aroma for Gabriel.. ha ha.. Hail to Gabriel the Cardmaster..!

I'm exaggerating, really.. ;)

Gabe got better and yes.. he even had beaten me several times now. What's next? We promised him a new set of deck after his first piano concert. So, gambatte ne, Gabe!

If you want to know how to play this card game, you can visit www.yugioh-card.com. It has loads of info and how to play instructions. Really, it's a fun game.
Also, Yu-gi-oh tv series are still playing on SpaceToon channel every Monday to Friday.

Love is...fantasy

"It's challenging a seemingly impossible obstacle. Falling in love with someone out of your world... winning that person's heart... and realizing your love... those are the things fantasies are made of."

It has been a month or two since I got hooked up in a Korean drama, particularly Lovers in Paris, which was aired in Indosiar every 7AM. Lovers in Paris is -surprisingly- a beautiful and refreshing romantic drama comedy beyond the ordinary. We don't see weak, submissive female person as the main character there as in many old fashioned dramas. Instead, we see a self-empowered, strong-willed and determined woman, doing what she wants to do, being what she wants to be courageously.

Okay, so I missed a couple of episodes, but the end was pretty exciting, albeit confusing for most. Heryati was screaming "What's going on? What happens with the two of them (Tae Young and Ki Joo)?" all the way down to the last minute.

Several interesting thoughts about the ending were juggling up in my mind. But I took out one interpretation which I think is the most probable..

There are two worlds of the same person. One is in the fantasy of the other. The real world begins when the fantasy world ends..

Tae Young, a novelist by heart, is working as part time maid for the house of a CEO (in Korea), and while she's at it, she stumbles upon her boss' laptop, on which she started her writing a story.. the love story about two lovers who meet the first time in Paris.

When TY finishes her last part of the story, her fantasy world coincides with her real world. Events are unfolding as they were in her story. It creates a kind of awkward, de ja vu feeling for her.. and for Ki Joo, whom she later meet for the first time, accidentally as it was in the fantasy.

That's how I saw the whole story. Ah, we lost count at how many times we cry when things get worse, laugh at the funny things they do, and cheer at Tae Young's bravery. Lovers in Paris is no doubt in my opinion, a breathtaking, thought provoking, and extraordinary Korean drama series I've ever seen.

Let me know if you have your own interpretation to share..

Info:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lovers_in_Paris

Betta Splenden

Around two-three months ago we were given two bettas from an old friend of mine whom we have just visited after so long. There they are, one red Crowntail and a blue-gray Halfmoon, put in separate two small pet container.

We love them both, but I personally like the crowntail. I've never seen this type of betta since my childhood. Of course, nowadays we do not keep bettas to pit them against each other. Yet I saw several old-type siamese fighter bettas lining in pet stores.

The first days of caring them was a bit challenging. Bettas (probably like most other fishes) are sensitive to water quality and pH. One day I sprinkled dry food on the red and left it for work. At night I saw the water was foggy so I changed it. On the next day Red showed symptoms of illness. I didn't know at first but then I suspect it had to be the water which was contaminated with uneaten food. I read about this then and found out that Red is catching a Fin Rot disease.

Okay, so me, Her and Gabe went to a pet store and grabbed a "blue potion", and give Red two days treatment. Red's health gradually returns to normal and so we felt happy and relieved.

Gabe loves to feed them everyday, he even takes out dirt, poop, and leftover food, while his parents do the cleaning every two days.

By the way, if you are looking for great looking or contest-class bettas, I heartily recommend you to my dear friend Yono (his website at GM Betta). He is not just a professional betta breeder, but also a jury member of IBC (International Betta Congress).

Go betta, go!

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