Where in the world is Ri????

So I'm not sure if you've noticed, but I've been kind of MIA for the past three months or so. Or perhaps you didn't and you're like "what the heck?"

Anyways, like I said, I've been missing from blogging ever since school ended for me at the end of April. Or perhaps even a little earlier than that.

Blogging was starting to feel like a chore and I really hated that feeling. Blogging is something I do for fun and something I enjoy and there's no point to me doing it if it starts to feel like a chore. So I just kind of stopped posting and gradually disappeared from Twitter. I mostly follow bloggers on my twitter so going on there just made me feel even worse about not blogging.

However, I'm refreshed after taking the equivalent of a three-month break and I'm kicking off my return to blogging with a month long sort of event, in which I commit to posting three times a week, for the duration of August. It'll involve reviews, some original content, and a blog tour or two.

"So what have you been doing in these three months since you've been gone?" asked no one. WELL. I'll tell you.



I've been staying up till the wee hours of the morning. (This picture was taken at 4:30 AM)




I saw a baseball game! Unfortunately, the Toronto Blue Jays lost this game we saw.




I culled my nail polish collection down to a manageable 100 bottles. I know. It sounds like a lot, but I got rid of a lot of nail polish and my collection looks practically anemic compared to its previous state.



I baked some delicious lemon cookies with my friends. (OMG I went outside!)




I went to a Japanese festival! These were some really delicious and refreshing cold noodles that were perfect for a hot hot day! I put that entire citrus slice in my mouth thinking it was some kind of orange. Instant regret. It was like a slice of yuzu or something. My mom held the bowl for me as I took a photo of the noodles for the Instagram. LOL.




I saw the new Ghostbusters and omg I loved it! Chris Hemsworth was hilarious and Kate McKinnon's character was my favourite. I adore her omg. I had recently seen the first Ghostbusters for the first time with my friends and I didn't really enjoy it, but this remake definitely was more up my alley.



So Pokemon Go took over the world. I started playing Pokemon Diamond again just because I don't go outside and I couldn't actually catch Pokemon. I forgot how much fun that these Pokemon games are and it made me really want to get the new ones and a 3DS (though I definitely can't afford that LOL)



I played Catan for the first time with one of my best friends for her birthday and omg it was a lot of fun despite having lost both games.



I saw the Chihuly exhibit in Toronto! I've been a fan of his work since I saw it for the first time as a chandelier on one of the Disney Cruise ships - the Disney Magic. The exhibit is magical and if you ever have the chance to check out his work, do go see it! What he can do with glass is incredible.

These are all photos from my Instagram which I update semi regularly. Follow me on Instagram @Astaraya. *ding*!

And as a wrap up to this kick off post, I'm doing a giveaway! I'm giving away 2 swag packs! They're both slightly different, but for the most part, they're the same! This giveaway is international and will be occurring all month long!



Just a little sneak peek at what I'm giving away. ;)


a Rafflecopter giveaway




That just about wraps up this post and I hope y'all are looking forward to the posts I have planned for this month!

Happy Reading!