Erma Zurita
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Erma's Plournal May 2019

5/2/2019

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Original Post: May 02, 2019 - Planner + Journal = Plournal - Thanks to Kell S.

May 2019 Journal Headers & a Holiday

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May 2019 Week 18

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May 2019 Week 20

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May 2019 Week 21

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My friend Kathryn just passed over. She was a beautiful & kind soul. She gave people tree readings. She said mine was the monkey pod tree. ​

May 2019 Calendar & Details

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Erma's Plournal April 2019

4/2/2019

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Original Post: April 02, 2019 - Planner + Journal = Plournal - Thanks to Kell S.

April 2019 Journal Entries & a Feature page

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Journal entry headers and a feature for a holiday.
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April 2019 Week 17

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Week 17, not 19, Header
“Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.” ~William Wadsw

April 2019 Week 16

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Week 16, not 18, Header
“The world is holy. Nature is holy. The body is holy. Sexuality is holy. The imagination is holy. Divinity is immanent in nature; it is within you as well as without. Most spiritual paths ultimately lead people to the understanding of their own connection to the divine. While human beings are often cut off from experiencing the deep and ever-present connection between themselves and the universe, that connection can often be regained through ceremony and community. The energy you put out into the world comes back.”
-Margot Adler, April 16, 1946 - July 28, 2014
Drawing Down the Moon

April 2019 Week 15

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​“It is wonderful how much may be done if we are always doing.“ Happy Birthday, Mr. Jefferson - Week 15 header

April 2019 Week 14

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April 2019 Calendar & Details

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Erma's Plournal January 2019

12/31/2018

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Original Post: January 3, 2019 - Planner + Journal = Plournal - Thanks to Kell S.
One of my greatest loves is science fiction. It probably started when my dad gave me these pulp novels about a guy who would get into a machine naked and get transported to other worlds with women in fur bikinis and saber-toothed tigers. Best novels ever! Especially when you're only 8-9 years old. Since Jan 2nd is Isaac Asimov's birthday, I went with a sci-fi theme for the monthly calendar. The robot from the movie, I, Robot with Will Smith (flying a kite in honor of Ben Franklin) and the Dune sand worms and quote are my favorite pieces... so far.
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January 2019 Week One

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January 2019 Monthly Calendar

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Erma's Plournal 2019

12/29/2018

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2018 was my first foray into full-on DIY planner/journaling; also known as bullet journal-ing. My book was a $5 everyday special from Michael's called a Purple Dot Journal by Artist's Loft. I loved this book. It held up extremely well to watercolor and Crayola supertips and the bevy of pens I tried in it. There were a couple of times where ink bled through to the other side but not enough to stop using the journal. I highly recommend this journal for people just joining the community and for all kinds of journaling. 

The cover is hardback and plain. I decorated this with gold and silver paint pens, a black sharpie, and donated stickers of women from around the world and cute little owls from my BFF. 

Seven Seas
However, this year, I decided to make my everyday book a Seven Seas "CROSSFIELD" A5 Grid Journal. It has the famous Tomoe River paper and 480 pages of it. Now I can include all my research notes and endlessly drone on and on when I journal. I can't wait. The Tomoe River paper comes highly recommended for fountain pen users. It is the 2nd reason I chose this book. I am a calligrapher and like to write with actual calligraphy pens and ink, on occasion, and the Artist's Loft pages couldn't take it. I ended up gluing some pages together because of some extreme bleed-through. 
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ErmaZurita 2019 Z page pucker
For some people, the Tomoe River paper is far too thin for them. There is definite ghosting (show-through), the paper puckers when watercolor is used on it creating pages that "crinkle" when turned, and using a hard tipped pen tend to emboss the page on the other side. For me, these factors fell into my "sold" column.  (Left: Puckered paper.)​
I LOVE the crinkliness of the watercolor pages, the embossing gives the page texture, and I embrace the ghosting whole-heartedly. (Nanami has a fix for "show through", if you're interested.) 
​

FIRST & SECOND

One of the very first things I do when I get a new notebook is to designate four pages in the very back for a Pen Test. It doesn't matter that I've tested the same pens in another book that is exactly the same, I do it again anyway. This serves 2 purposes:

1.) I use new pens I didn't have when I obtained the first book and
2.) It breaks the anxiety EVERYONE usually feels about first writing in a blank book.

​Pen Tests let you know just how much ghosting there will be and if any of your pens will bleed through. Here are my pen tests for 2019.
ErmaZurita Nanami Pen Test 2019
ErmaZurita Nanami Pen Test 2019
ErmaZurita Nanami Pen Test 2019
I also run a water brush over all the writing to see if the water and ink from the pen will cause bleed through. It looks like I'm golden with every pen, so far. The next thing I do is a book blessing and protection. 

THIRD
​(optional)

While I do the first two, (and during the last month or so), I thought about what my word or quote of the year 2019 will be. Last year's was adopted in April,
​"The magical and the mundane are not separate."
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It is not an absolute that you have to have a word or quote. I only do it because I did it last year.
This year's quote comes from Star Trek: TNG but I'm not ready to unveil it yet. Here's a teaser.
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FOURTH

I skip 4 pages for the INDEX. This was one of the ideas I found in the Bujo community that made me want to try it (along with collections). Last year's experiment taught me that the FUTURE LOG is an amazing tool for the DIY Bujo-er. All your important dates are in one place; easily accessible. I draw in my weeks and months as I go so this is the best place for me to pull all the information from to populate my monthly calendar and my weeklies.
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​Last year's future log (left) and this year's (right.)
The next four pages after the future log are the ones that cover Birthdays, Anniversaries, and Holidays. I tried to combine these in a practice book, but quickly ran out of space. As my mom says, "Ohma... You have too many friend."

NEXT

I start marking (in pencil or with post-its) what my collections pages are going to be. I may start a few pencil sketches for them, but I definitely start working on the first month. The CALENDAR with space to write is the most important part of the month for me. It's like a mini-future log just for the month. I've taken to doodllng in holidays which I love doing. Drawing in miniature is so very fun.
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Keep checking back. I'll be posting often as the year progresses.
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Plournal 2019 Works In Progress

12/23/2018

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Original Post: December 23, 2018 - Planner + Journal = Plournal - Thanks to Kell S.
"It's all in the planning."
I hate planning. I'm pretty good at it but I hate it, however, I have learned that planning is a necessity if you want things to look halfway decent... for me, anyway. I will admit that it took several pencil sketches and erases to get the cover page right. I can't wait until it's inked and watercolor-ed. *Squee* The future log is almost complete because I learned in the last year, these are my most important pages.​
ErmaZurita 2019 works in progress bujo bullet journal
ErmaZurita 2019 works in progress bujo bullet journal
ErmaZurita 2019 works in progress bujo bullet journal
ErmaZurita 2019 works in progress bujo bullet journal
ErmaZurita 2019 works in progress bujo bullet journal
ErmaZurita 2019 works in progress bujo bullet journal
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Plournal: September 2018

9/30/2018

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I was only able to get a few September Before the Pen photos. I was trying to see how I liked the B6 Slim Size, hence the artwork on around the edges. After the Pen post coming soon.
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Plournal: August 2018

7/30/2018

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Original Post: July 8, 2018
Planner + Journal = Plournal - Thanks to Kell S.

Added 07-30-18: Week 31

ErmaZurita Plournal August 2018 Week 31
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ErmaZurita Plournal August 2018
In August, I'm opting for simple. Easy. No hard work required. No challenges... just getting the work done. Don't worry though... there will still be doodles. Always doodles.
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Plournal: July 2018

7/16/2018

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Original Post: July 8, 2018
Planner + Journal = Plournal - Thanks to Kell S.
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Added 07-16-18: Week 29

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Added 07-08-18: Week 28

Erma Zurita July 2018 Wk 28
Erma Zurita July 2018 Wk 28
Erma Zurita July 2018 Wk 28
Erma Zurita July 2018 Wk 28
Erma Zurita July 2018 Wk 28
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Added 07-08-18: Week 27

Erma Zurita July 2018 Wk 27
Erma Zurita July 2018 Wk 27
Erma Zurita July 2018 Wk 27
Erma Zurita July 2018 Wk 27
Erma Zurita July 2018 Wk 27
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Erma Zurita July 2018
Erma Zurita July 2018
Erma Zurita July 2018
Erma Zurita July 2018
Erma Zurita July 2018
Erma Zurita July 2018
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Plournal June 2018 After the Pen

7/15/2018

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Planner + Journal = Plournal - Thanks to Kell S.
"After the Pen" in the journaling community means what does a plournal look like after it has been used for the week. Here are mine for ​June 2018.

June Month & Trackers

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Week 23 

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I absolutely LOVED the oceans theme that I'll be sure to repeat it next June for Oceans Month. Besides getting to try so many cool doodles, I learned so much and was able to see wonders I never imagined. 

Week 24

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For the budding "artist / doodler", Pinterest is the best. place. ever.

Week 25

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As you can see by weeks end of 25 and the majority of 26, my plournal was just kind of pretty to look at instead of functional. Sometimes that happens.

Week 26

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See Before The Pen for June 2018 here.
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Doodles For June 2018

7/11/2018

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Original Post: June 4, 2018
Planner + Journal = Plournal - Thanks to Kell S.
I was unable to complete my doodle challenge for May but have high hopes for June. I don't have a designated list of art to draw, instead relying on what catches my fancy from my social media feeds, news stories, or perhaps even memories. I love the sea. I miss the sea. In searching for quotes for the month of June, I ran across one I think I will adopt.
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June 2018 Doodles ErmaZurita semifinal
I see a developing trend of not finishing the challenges I set for myself. It could be because after so many days in the month, I can't really call them "doodles" and that is something I need to correct within myself... (It's just supposed to be a g*dd*m DOODLE!) It could be because I get a little busy towards the end of the month... we'll see. I doing SPACE next month. It should be just coloring, basically.  (LOL) Anyhow, I loved the things I learned this month. 

2018-06-19 Erma Zurita Ryūjin
June 19 - "This Japanese dragon symbolized the power of the ocean, had a large mouth, and was able to transform into a human shape. Ryūjin lived in Ryūgū-jō, his palace under the sea built out of red and white coral, from where he controlled the tides with magical tide jewels. Sea turtles, fish and jellyfish are often depicted as Ryūjin's servants."
Information from Wikipedia

2018-06-18 Erma Zurita Mazu
June 18 - Mazu - "a tutelary deity of seafarers, including fishermen and sailors, her worship spread throughout China's coastal regions and overseas Chinese communities throughout Southeast Asia. She was thought to roam the seas, protecting her believers through miraculous interventions. She is now generally regarded by her believers as a powerful and benevolent Queen of Heaven."
Information from Wikipedia

June 17 - ​Rauðkembingur - Of all the illhveli, or evil whales that ply Icelandic waters, the Raudkembingur (“red comb” or “red crest”) is the most savage and bloodthirsty. It may not have the size or raw power of some of the other whales, but it is unmatched in ferocity and determination to harm boats. As with all illhveli, the raudkembingur is an abomination, and eating its inedible flesh is forbidden. Boiling its meat causes it to disappear from the pot."
Information from A Book of Creatures
2018-06-17 Erma Zurita Rauðkembingur

2018-06-16 Erma Zurita Amphitrite and Poseidon
June 16 - "Amphitrite was the goddess-queen of the sea, wife of Poseidon, and eldest of the fifty Nereides. She was the female personification of the sea--the loud-moaning mother of fish, seals and dolphins."

​Information from Theoi.com

June 15 - “Blue holes are... named for the dramatic contrast between the dark blue, deep waters of their depths and the lighter blue of the shallows around them.” “The Great Blue Hole is a giant submarine sinkhole off the coast of Belize. It lies near the center of Lighthouse Reef, a small atoll 70 km from the mainland and Belize City. The hole is... 318 m across and 124 m deep.” ~Wikipedia
2018-06-15 Erma Zurita Blue holes

Erma Zurita doodle long armed squid
June 14 - “Ten years ago, out in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico, a ROV employed by the Shell Oil Company was quietly moving through the chilled, dark waters of Alaminos Canyon. It was nearly 8,000 feet below the ocean’s surface, creeping along, inspecting the underwater area around the Perdido oil platform (the deepest offshore drilling site in the world) when its operator came upon a creature that inhabits both the depths of the ocean and the subconscious mind. The strange being from below was a “long-arm squid,” a 26-foot-long nightmare with elbowed tentacles and pulsating fins that undulate in a way that says: My kind were here for eons before you, and will be here for eons after you.” - from Matthew Hart at the @Nerdist - my friend Scott showed me this one, too. . . .


June 13 - The blue dragon (Glaucus atlanticus); a type of mollusk known as a nudibranch; it rarely grows larger than three cm long; an air bubble stored in its stomach keeps it afloat; it floats on its back, exposing its brightly colored underbelly to airborne predators; It's favorite snack is the Man O’ War and once it ingests it's stinging cells it becomes a greater threat than the Man O’ War.

Chosen because of my friend, Scott.
Info and inspirations from PBS.org


Erma Zurita doodle Blue Dragon

Erma Zurita doodle Humpback Whale
June 12 - "Humpback whales are about the size of a school bus; known for their haunting & melodic songs & for breaching the water with amazing acrobatic abilities. the name comes from the large hump that forms when they arch their backs before making a deep dive into the ocean. The scientific name, Megaptera novaeangliae, means "big-winged New Englander."
Chosen because I recently watched  Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
Inspired by a photo by Jonathan Kingston
Information from LiveScience.com

June 11 - Guineafowl Pufferfish - unfinished - finished piece coming soon
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Erma Zurita doodle Octlantis
June 9 & 10 - Octlantis; scientists discovered a small octopus city where members of the gloomy octopus species congregate living in dens made of sand and shells. There was a similar site discovered in 2009 called Octopolis. Story by Science Alert here

2018-06-08 Erma Zurita doodle Leafy Seadragon
June 8 - Leafy Sea Dragons; found along the coasts of Australia w/ long leaf-like protrusions that serve as camouflage; A protected species since 1987; endangered by pollution, industrial runoff, & collection for the aquarium trade.

Inspired by a photo on ​AnimalSake.com

June 7 - Ichthyosaur - Nevada's State Fossil (1977) - Air-breathing reptiles that inhabited seas and oceans all over the world during the Mesozoic Era (252 to 66 million years ago). The Pacific Ocean covered portions of the west, including present-day Nevada.

Inspired from photo on  the Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park website - Info from there, as well.

2018-06-07 Erma Zurita doodle Ichthyosaur

2018-06-06 Erma Zurita doodle Bobtail Squid
June 6 - Baby Hawaiian bobtail squid; nocturnal predators that hunt for shrimp near coral reefs. The squid provide food/shelter to glowing bacteria in exchange for their bioluminescence which helps create a camouflage called counter-illumination. 
​
Doodle inspired by this photo from Mark R Smith of Macroscopic Solutions

Info from: Laboratory News

June 5 - Just about every culture in every century has myths about mermaids and mermen. The very first was a God called Oannes from Babylon in the 4th century B.C.E. From Assyrians, to Greeks, to Norsemen, and to Columbus; sightings of mer-people were probably Manatees. Manatees are the ocean's largest herbivore and are closely related to elephants. These gentle, graceful, slow moving mammals frequent coastal, warm waters and their largest threat comes from being accidentally hit by motorboats or entanglement in fishing nets. Doodle inspired by this photo 
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2018-06-04 Erma Zurita doodle coral
June 4 - "Coral reefs are the most diverse of all marine ecosystems. They have been called the "rain-forests of the sea" and the "big cities of the sea". The greatest threats to reefs are rising water temperatures and ocean acidification linked to rising carbon dioxide levels."
. . .
Info from The Ocean Portal Team at the Smithsonian NMNH 

June 3 - "At a depth of about 3,700 meters in the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument, this hydromedusa is identified as belonging to the genus Crossota."

From photo by NOAA.gov - also info from NOAA
​Doodle inspired by this photo
2018-06-03 Erma Zurita doodle hydromedusa

2018-06-02 Erma Zurita doodle Flamingo tongue snail
June 2 - "Flamingo tongue snails lives on coral reefs in the western Atlantic Ocean. The color comes from the snail’s soft tissue, which is almost always wrapped around the entire outside of the shell."
​
Info from 
Oceana.org
Taken from a photo on Reddit
Doodle inspired by this photo

June 1 - Horses were a gift from Poseidon, Greek God of the sea. There are many differing myths as to how they are associated. My favorite is that he was trying to create the most beautiful creature for Demeter. The earth is littered with his gorgeous creative attempts before achieving the horse. By the time he finished, he had lost interest in Demeter. Another myth is that he struck a rock with his trident and the very first horse, Skyphios, was created. Doodle inspired by this photo 
2018-06-01 Erma Zurita doodle Poseidon's horses
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    Artist

    Erma has been drawing she was a small child. She received lessons in chalk pastels at age 7, taught herself calligraphy at age 11, and learned the basics of figure drawing at age 13. She became a professional calligrapher in 1995. 

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