Debbie's Doings

and another month is gone

2011-10-25T11:11:00.002+13:00

Alright, for anyone still wanting to read my blog, I apologize for the lack of posting (yet again). I'm settling into my life in New Zealand and not really sure how this blog is going to proceed. I might keep it going and find a topic to focus on. I'm getting more into gardening and cooking again, so I might try to post on those for the time being, but it's still going to be a ways off before I get that going.

News update- I'm moving in with J. The house I'm currently in is up for sale and we've all got to find new digs. I mentioned it to J and he suggested that I move out to Spring Grove and stay with him (and Tai). I thought about it and accepted. It's a good decision for us, seeing as I spend most of my week out there anyway. At least now I won't have to pack and unpack bags! So the next couple of weeks will be spent cleaning his house and making room for me when I get out there as of November 11th. I'm really excited about it and am looking forward to a quiet country life.

I am still searching for a sponsor for my work permit here though...I know God will provide, but it would be nice if it could happen soon! I'm still waiting on paperwork from the FBI and then I can meet with an immigration lawyer to see what my next step could be. Fingers crossed that I can get this taken care of and then not worry about it! In the meantime, I might be making a quick trip to Australia to get another 90 day tourist visa for NZ. We'll see though.

I'm alive, in love and happier than I've been in a long time. It's good to be home.

ps.- you all should come visit sometime.

it's been a busy month

2011-09-26T21:05:00.003+13:00

I can't believe it's been a month since I posted on here. It's been busy though, in my defense. I moved back to New Zealand at the beginning of September and have been settling into life here again. It has been a decently smooth transition and my boxes that I mailed by surface mail are FINALLY starting to show up. My Christmas box arrived today!

It took some time and two extra days in quarantine, but my buddy Tai made it down to Nelson and is LOVING his country life in Wakefield. He gets to run around like a fool outside most of the evening and terrorizes the cat by playing with his rope and running around the house. Poor Squeak doesn't quite know what to do about this new furry creature living in her house.

The highlight of this month has been getting to take my relationship with J further than phone conversations once a week. It has been awesome to be around him and spend time together, learning more about each other every day. I've met a lot of his mom's family and he met my dad and one brother this weekend. He also met two aunts and my sister-in-law. Being with J is different and wonderful. He's so unlike anyone else I've dated, but still feels really familiar. I suppose 7 months of long-distance phone calls will do that.

The next step is to sort out my visa situation as I'm here on a temporary visitor visa. For that I need work and I've managed to find a job working for a rental property management company as their viewing agent two days a week. It's not enough to live on, but it's a start and I'm really happy doing it. It'll sponsor my visa and allow me to stay here more permanently until something else comes up. I'm hoping to get a teaching job, but until that happens, I will gladly show people rental homes (and look for one myself) and do any other odd jobs that pop up.

I'm so happy to be back in Nelson finally and am enjoying every day that I am here. I don't know where this blog is going to go now since I obviously had a hard time getting anything out in the last month, but I hope to sort that out soon and possibly get back to a schedule of some sort.

ABC's of Me

2011-08-26T12:15:00.003+12:00

A. age: 28

B. bed size: queen

C. chore you hate: taking out the trash. It sort of makes me want to puke.

D. dogs: one adorable pain in my butt...Tai.

E. essential start to your day: orange juice.

F. favorite color: Purple all the way, although turquoise seems to be gaining.

G. gold or silver: Silver...I don't have anything in gold.

H. height: 5'4"

I. instruments you play: I played clarinet and baritone sax when I was in school...that's about it though. I do a mean air guitar.

J. job title: English teacher (for five more days and then nothing).

K. kids: I love 'em...I'd like to have 3.

L. live: Ilsan, South Korea for now, Nelson, NZ soon.

M. maiden name: I still have it, but I'm looking forward to losing it sometime.

N. nicknames: Deb, Debs, Debster, Deborama, Snake

O. overnight hospital stays: Nopers

P. pet peeve: Inconsiderate pedestrians.

Q. quote: my favorite is "When two people sing together, they're in love; when two people dance together, they make love."

R. righty or lefty: righty

S. siblings: 2 sister and 7 brothers

T. time you wake up: M-F, 6-ish...It takes me an hour to get moving and out of bed. Ugh.

U. university attended: Greenville College and currently Ashford University (Masters)

V. vegetables you dislike: It really is broccoli

W. what makes you run late: internet

X. x-rays youve had: tooth x-rays and chest x-rays. But never because something is broken.

Y. yummy food: chocolate chip cookies always top the list. Tuna melts and pasta as well.

Z. zoo animal favorite: I have a soft spot for the zebra-donkey hybrid.

Five for Friday

2011-08-19T16:21:00.003+12:00

I'm sitting at my work desk and thinking to myself, in two weeks I won't be sitting here...:) I pretty much despise my work computer. It locks up, runs slow and generally does everything within it's power to annoy me. It wins all the time. I finished my last summer camp today. The kids are going to get their butts kicked by Juliet when she takes over the drama after I go, but we did have fun during camp. I did make a point to learn all of my camp kids by name, and use them often. That's big for me.

Okay, so I'm leaving here soon and slowly getting things done. It's absurd how slowly some things are going for me. Can't really change it though. I got Tai's kennel in the mail, and they sent me a medium instead of a large. Tai doesn't fit into a medium because of his gangly legs. Going to mail the medium back and pray that the large gets here before we have to head out. Ugh. My apartment is in various stages of clean and packed and disaster. It rotates what stage it is in. Needing prayers and happy thoughts as I wrap things up. It's a lot to do and I still have to be at work most of the time. Oh yeah, and I have a final paper to write for my class before I move as well. Oh good grief.

I really like this bracelet. I wonder where I could find something similar?

I keep this thought in my head when I start to feel overwhelmed by my big move (which is almost every day) and remember that I have a plan, I see the path before me and I am praying that things work out. Good days.

There are days when I just need this...today is one of them. Thank goodness today is Friday.

I remember Mom always made custard pies during the holiday season (at some point) and now I want to make one with blackberries in it. Yum!

This is so very true. I never thought it was going to happen when I was preparing to go on vacation last January and certainly didn't expect it after we met. Glad I was wrong.

What's wrong with me?

2011-08-07T15:13:00.002+12:00

I'm in a funk still. I managed to get out of it a little bit last night while out in Seoul, but it's back again today. So let's remember the really awesome things going on right now that I should be focusing on instead of the things that are funking me out.

1- I have awesome friends here in SK. Mina, Irene and Tom: you guys rock.

2- I get to start summer camp tomorrow with my drama kids. 2 weeks of playing drama games and watching movies? Awesomeness.

3- I only have 25 days before I move back home to NZ. Tom was awesome last night in that he kept referring to my move to NZ as going home. It is going home for me. A new home with my created whanua (thanks for that new word, Trish). I think it's more important to surround yourself with supportive, loving people even if they're not blood family.

4- I'm healthy and my dog is healthy.

5- I just found out that I have a place to live when I get home that can be as permanent as I need it to be. Fingers' crossed that Tai get's to live with me as well. And at only $92 a week, I think I can deal with that.

6- I have an amazing future to look forward to with J.

So what is my problem? I have all these awesome things going on and all I can do is get bummed out by stupid things. Dumb, dumb, dumb. Alrighty then...time for lunch and sewing this afternoon.

Five for Friday

2011-08-05T16:09:00.003+12:00

Even though I apparently struggle to even blog once a week, I'm back again. Today kind of sucks, I'm not going to lie. The festering wound that is my family dynamic has burst open again. I love my family, and I always will, but it's disheartening when I find out what some people really think about me and it hurts. Today I really wanted to stay home and stay curled up in my bed all day, but I didn't. I got up and went to work to sit at my desk so I don't get in trouble. Although, I'm pretty sure I could have stayed home and no one would have been the wiser. I have 27 days left here, camp starts on Monday and I'm looking forward to at least having that going on so I am not bored out of my mind. It really feels like summer today, 90+ degrees, sunny, humid and I can hear the cicadas going berserk. The only thing I really miss about summer is going barefoot. I can't really do that as I live in a city, but I really love going barefoot outside.

I think this would take longer than I would like to make, but it's just so bright and cheery. Just what I need on a day like today.

I found this quote earlier this week and it rings especially true for me.

Remember how I said I missed going barefooted? These are a bit fancy for everyday use, but would be super adorable at a casual outdoor wedding. PS- I walked barefooted a little bit today because my new sneakers rubbed my ankles raw and really hurt. Hence the missing going barefooted thing.

Whenever I am having a down day, I just go to youtube and watch this video and laugh a lot. What a funny video.

Five for Friday

2011-07-29T15:05:00.003+12:00

Where have I been all month? Good grief! It's two days until the end of July, which means I'm 34 days away from my new adventure in New Zealand. How close am I to being ready for this? Yeah....not so much. I've been really slow about packing and sorting my things. I keep getting more sewing projects to do instead of finishing them so I can pack up that stuff and the last week has been spent with my brother John. He leaves tomorrow to head back home and then I can spend a few days cleaning/packing/organizing my house again. It's been a bit of a disaster since he got here. I've had more escapades with him in a week than I did on my own in a year and a half here. I'm exhausted and now I've got a major upset stomach because of it (that and eating out too much).

Oh, yesterday I went to North Korea. Yep, I stood there for a few minutes. We went on the DMZ tour with a company in Seoul and we got to visit the JSA (Joint Security Area) where the North Korean border and South Korean border meet and where talks can go on with both countries. It was weird being there, but really cool as well. That was the last big thing I needed to do before I left Korea. Now I can check that off and be happy with it.

I'm ready to work on a house and work on making said house a home. How cool would this be?

I want to do this for my house! How fun?

I love the old floor here...I'm falling in love with wood I think.

I hate my current dishes...these I could never hate.

Five for Friday

2011-07-08T17:48:00.003+12:00

How is it that life doesn't seem to slow down at all as we get older? I could have sworn yesterday was Monday. With so many things going on in my life right now, time just seems to be slipping through my fingers like dry sand. I'm almost finished with my current online class. I have a lot of work to get done with it this next week though! Four projects, two discussion posts and three chapters to finish reading. But the next class I do will be my last general education course and the last class before I move to New Zealand!

Accomplishments this week-

1. Got word that I can apply for my visa after the DMZ trip at the end of the month and get it before I am set to fly out of here.
2. Sorted out my health check paperwork with my local hospital. I don't care how much I struggle with Korean bureaucracies to get anything done (still waiting on my tax refund from three years ago), I am so grateful that the national health insurance is covering the majority of the costs for my visa health check. I paid 56,126 won for the testing this week. *(that's about 50 dollars!) I got another chest x-ray, EKG, urinalysis, and extra blood work. I'm on an I-love-Korea kick because of this. Most definitely.
3. Most of my friends will be able to hang out with me next weekend for my birthday party.
4. I did yoga two nights in a row, and managed to do a complete head stand the second night. My body is stronger than I thought.
5. Got to talk to Jeff twice this week. Phone call on Monday (good start to the week) and then he was online Wednesday at a friend's house and we proceeded to waste my afternoon at work talking about silly things like vegetables we don't like, cheesecake flavors and the possibility that I am a Greek goddess with all my lounging around at work. lol.

Here are this week's top five...enjoy!

I decided I'm buying purple wellies tonight after work. I really am. I've been wanting them for awhile and they're just so darn cute! And cheap too, only about $25.

I need more of this in my life...patience that is. The waiting time is definitely the hardest. Waiting to move, to see where my life takes me next, waiting to settle down and sort out things. Waiting for word on whether the local hospital was going to help me out or not. I'm not a very patient person sometimes. If there's something I want, I am usually pretty impulsive and just go ahead and jump at it.

This kitchen is just so bright and comfortable. I've been looking at rentals in Nelson, NZ recently and am sometimes saddened by the pictures of kitchens I see there and how they fall into one of two categories: the most boring space ever or eye-burning colors. This one is neither of them, but has possibilities that I could incorporate into either of those depending on what I end up renting.

This week I've been listening to Ingrid Michaelson and Adele A LOT. Most of the songs I put on repeat tend to be either solo guitar songs or simple piano accompaniment tunes. It's a simple time this week I guess, music-wise. Nothing crazy or really wild. Next week might be different and that's okay.

happy day

2011-07-05T13:09:00.002+12:00

I love it when I'm having a mediocre day following a somewhat blech weekend. Well, not really. The good part is how all it takes for my point of view to be turned around is an evening spent on the phone. That's it. Somehow the problems seem smaller, goals seem much more attainable and the good things appear larger.

I told J last night that I would call more often if it didn't mean that my evening would be completely unproductive around the house. I think he liked that.

Getting ready for summer camp soon and my vacation before that point. I am pretty sure July is going to speed by much the same as June did. I'm kind of excited about it though, only 57 days now! At this point in two months I'll have successfully moved back to New Zealand and hopefully overcome any jet lag I have. I'm really looking forward to seeing J again and starting my life there. Excited to see what happens and settle down finally.

A little change

2011-06-29T17:15:00.002+12:00

So I've been debating this decision for awhile. Debating on my relationship status, that is.

What exactly is my status? Complicated. Complicated by the fact that I'm in a different country, by the fact that we're both incredibly shy around each other, and by the simple fact that I've only spent time with him during my vacation in January.

I have only 62 days left in South Korea and J remembered that last night when he called. :)

I hung out with a Kiwi last Saturday and was sharply reminded of J...I really wanted to call him or see him again, but I know it'll be soon. I'm all sorts of nervous and excited to see him at the airport when I arrive. He's picking me up. :)

What's not complicated are my feelings.

Five for Friday

2011-06-24T17:40:00.003+12:00

Another week has come to an end. I'm glad the rain stopped for the afternoon, although I'm not holding out hope that it lasts through the evening. It would be nice though! Monsoon season started this Tuesday. We've had torrential rain for the last three days straight. Let's just say I'm really grateful to be leaving this all behind me in 2 months. It's the last week of June now and I'm freaking out a bit...what happened to this month? I mean seriously, where did it go? Yikes! Although, I am 67 days from taking off from South Korea for my new adventure in NZ! YAY! The excitement might kill me.

I have fallen in love with Owl City again...got the album finally and LOVE The Bird and the Worm..."with fronds like these, who needs anemones?" teehee.

Now that I'm getting closer to moving to NZ, I am trying to focus what I want my living space to look like once I get a rental place. Mostly having to do with colors...I may or may not end up living in a really teal house!

I adore this ring very much...I've always liked clannagh rings and knotwork in general, but what I really like about this is that it's more delicate than any clannagh ring I've seen before.

This is my first car...it's a 93 Mitsubishi Gallant. I've never owned a car before in my life, so this was a pretty huge deal for me!

New favorite video from this season's So You Think You Can Dance. I was ambivalent until I saw this dance last night. See it HERE!!!!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend and that you manage to stay drier than I have!

Five for Friday

2011-06-17T17:57:00.003+12:00

This week is finally done! Yay! I feel like yesterday was Monday though. I got home last night and then realized that the next day was Friday and I was suddenly thrilled. Time is flying by. I've been busy with my new online class, it's full of great ideas for differentiating instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners and I am itching to try some out. I've already changed a couple aspects of my classroom format to get more interaction between the students (besides cheating on writing assignments in the book) and I'm pretty pleased so far. I think this is the best class I've done so far and I'm only a week in. It's really practical applications that I can use now instead of research or theory-based work. I enjoy research and theory though, but it's not at all helpful in my current teaching situation. Anyway, today is Friday and I have only 74 days left at my school and 75 days before I leave. How exciting is that? VERY!

This sunset reminds me of my trip to Golden Bay a couple years back in NZ. I was walking along a path trying to find the other beach supposedly within walking distance, which I never found, but the lighting was gorgeous at this time and I recall a sense of profound peace. Alone with my camera on a path with only a bellowing bull to keep me on my toes.

Umm...yes please. I want this sink and view. Sigh, I think I must be a Suzy-homemaker at heart.

I am continually being reminded of the love I have for people and the love they have for me. We're all connected through love.

This is a very true quote. Way to go Maya. I forget a lot of things these days, but the way someone has made me feel is something that hasn't been lost in the recesses of my mind.

I feel pretty stupid most of the time teaching in SK. It's not that I'm incompetent by any means, but it's just I find grammar rules (or lack thereof) really hard to explain to kids in simple terms. I guess I really don't understand it well enough!

Also, I'm thinking about doing Pinterest...(is that what it's called?) I don't think I can keep saving things indefinitely on my desktop at work and I'd like to start giving credit for where I find stuff, but can't do so when I save things throughout the week. Maybe I should look into that thing and see if that will do the trick. Thoughts on it?

Enjoy your weekend and tell someone you love them this weekend. You know there's at least one person you love that wouldn't mind hearing it. I know I wouldn't mind it one bit!

Happy Thoughts for Wednesday

2011-06-15T17:18:00.002+12:00

I think that life is all about perspective. It's easy to get bogged down by the bad things going on, the disappointments and the trials thrown our way. We need to practice changing our perspective in order to overcome things. I feel that I still complain a lot about things going on that I can't control or that I'm not 100% happy with, but I'm trying to change that.

Here are some happy thoughts for Wednesday that are buoying me up right now.

~~I get to hang out with some friends Friday night and eat at my favorite Korean restaurant.

~~I got a surprise phone call last night after 8pm from J. Usually we call each other around 7:30. Since I didn't get a call around that time, I figured I wasn't getting one at all. You get bonus points for that one. ;)

~~I have finished my final Market Day in South Korea...I really do not enjoy doing it at all. So much work, no break all day and psychotic kids crazy about shopping.

~~I am not having the terrible reaction from my school that I feared would happen when I told them I was leaving at the end of August. They're sad about it, but aren't being vindictive about it at all. Yay for working with adults.

~~The weather has been absolutely amazing so far this summer. I know there's a heat wave back home and I'm not looking forward to the typical Korean summer weather that is bound to come, but I am so glad it's held off so far.

~~I am so happy to be loved by so many people. Love in my life makes the bad days better and the long days shorter. I'm a sap and I can't deny it!

Five for Friday

2011-06-10T18:36:00.003+12:00

Well, I finally did it. I finally told my school I'm leaving. August 31st will be my last day of work and then I'll fly out September 2nd to my new great adventure in New Zealand. I typed up a letter explaining things for my school and then took it to my co-teacher. She read it and then we talked about it a little. Then we both cried. In my defense I started crying because she started crying. I'm a softy like that. Anyway, it's out in the open and now I can get more serious about finishing things up here and then moving in 81 days. After this weekend I'll be in the 70s! Yay. It was hard to do but I know it's the right move to be making. Now to find a replacement teacher for my school.

Needing a bit of funny on today.

I've never been much of a stripes fan, but this room is fantastic!

I think it's the blue in this kitchen I'm loving.

I had to read the image out loud before I got it. Sometimes I'm a bit dense, but overall, not really!

Lovely.

just a little happy here

2011-06-07T15:28:00.002+12:00

I got to see J last night for the first time since February. I hope I get to see him more often than every three months on Skype...oh wait, I will see him in 3 months! 84 days to be more precise.

It was nice to chat face to face though instead of just by phone. If I didn't have to do my final paper or Doug didn't have to go to bed, I think we could have kept talking for a couple more hours last night.

He has a beard now...I like it.

Now I really can't wait to get back to Nelson...sigh. I can make it.

Five for Friday

2011-06-03T17:47:00.003+12:00

I'm going to start out by saying that I'm officially under 3 months left here! 88 days and counting. It's been a long week too...I'm so glad it's Friday! Yesterday I sat down at the end of my teaching day (six classes, no co-teacher and a bunch of parents watching) and realized that, hey, tomorrow is Friday! That's a very good thing to realize. I think this next fact might be a little sad. I left my phone sitting on my desk yesterday and guess what? No one called or texted me the next 16 hours. There were no missed calls when I came in this morning. Haha. Why do I bother paying for a cellphone anyway?

As I enter the home stretch and prepare to tell my school I'm quitting, I have to keep reminding myself of the amazing things that lay in store for me when I do go to NZ. It won't be easy, but nothing really worth it ever is. I truly believe that.

I finally have been able to download two of The Paper Kites' songs when the released their new single on Wednesday. I'm so happy about it. I've played them on repeat for about 30 minutes the last couple of days. Don't judge!

So true.

I just started watching this British comedy recently- Black Books. It is really funny and fortunately is short enough that I can watch an episode before bed without falling asleep partway through. It is just the latest in a line of comedy shows I've never quite gotten around to watching but have been convinced by J that I should watch them. This works both ways though- he's hooked on The Mighty Boosh and Spaced, so I think we're good.

I'm ready for a summer in Nelson spent where the sky is always blue and the views take my breath away. I am NOT looking forward to my final summer in South Korea.

Learning to say 'yes'

2011-06-02T19:06:00.003+12:00

I feel the need to lay a few things out that have been on my mind lately. As I draw closer to moving back to New Zealand I have been starting to get more questions as to my motives and intentions and whether I've thought this through all the way. I feel that I need to explain myself and what has changed about me.

It's been almost one year since my little brother Stephen passed away. It's been a tumultuous year since then as well. I know that before he died I wasn't sure when I was going to start my goals or really even what I wanted out of my life. I was a 27 year old flake without a solid lead. In the aftermath, I realized that life is just too damn short to keep putting things off. Tutti posted a creative writing assignment on facebook a few months afterward and I was struck by her description of me. I was like a tree with no direction, full of promise but no follow-thru(basically). I realized I didn't want to be a tree of wasted potential, but I really wanted something out of my life. So I thought about things, prayed about them and came to realize what it was I wanted. Since that point, I've started taking charge and not delaying getting what I want anymore.

This is why I'm moving back to NZ earlier than planned. I know what I want. I want to be there and I can financially do it without danger. I want to spend more time with the people I care about and settle down to start a new chapter in my life. I'm tired of being transient and not having a plan or a permanent address. I want to say "Yes" to life and not regret something out of fear or holding back.

I want to be the hero of my own story and I don't want to wait for the next chapter to start. In just over one month I will be turning 28 and I don't want to look around anymore and think I'm wasting my time in a place or job that I don't passionately love. Don't get me wrong, I do love South Korea but I have known for three years now that this was never supposed to be the permanent part of my life. I just figured that until I knew that place, this wasn't so bad. Well...New Zealand is that place and what's the point in waiting?

Is it going to be difficult? Sure, it will be. I have to get a job, buy a car, rent a house and apply for residency.

Is it going to be worth it? Absolutely 100%. I have thought about it, prayed about it and feel calm in my heart about moving back 8 months ahead of schedule. There are people who love and support me with this. I know it's the right move.

So I'm saying "Yes" to this and other things as well. It's about time I start the life I want instead of living the life I have because it's comfortable and easy. I'm almost 28 years old and all I have to my name is a dog, my sewing machine and my dreams. It's time to make those dreams a reality and keep growing up.

I want to live in honor of my brother, who lived with no fear or regret. Who never compromised and loved fiercely. I want to be like him, except maybe not quite so much swearing! ;)

hmm

2011-06-01T01:11:00.002+12:00

I'm working on some thoughts this week. Look for something either interesting or deep, or neither, in a couple days. The word 'yes' is playing an important role here.

xo

Five for Friday

2011-05-28T13:09:00.003+12:00

I know it's actually Saturday, but I just didn't have time yesterday. Sorry!

This week has been a little crazy. It's been very up and down. Monday started off my week awfully, then the week improved some, then threatened to go back down the toilet Friday, but was rescued by a silly birthday party Friday night. I have so much going on at work the next couple of weeks, so I really hope that nothing else bugs me. I can deal with bad work days, but bad personal days on top of that really bring me down.

I'm so excited about my summer vacation this year because my bro John is coming for 10 days to visit! EEP! Yay! I don't know exactly what we're going to do, but I can tell you it's going to be a very busy trip. DMZ, Lotte World, camping, going out, bbq, shopping, experiencing Korea fully for the last time for myself. Sounds like a fabulous time to me!

Good quote to live by.

I would like to dream about this cheesecake.

This is a bed I could stay in all day long. It's simple and inviting. Sigh.

Got lemonade this week and I feel like it's finally summer. That and iced tea.

I have been in love with this dress from BHLDN for several months now. It's sooo lovely. It's a shame I can't afford it! lol.

97 days and counting

2011-05-26T00:09:00.002+12:00

I just want to point out a few happy things today:

--I have only 97 days left in South Korea. There's so much to get done and see before I go, but I know I can get it all in. So much for a quiet summer then.

--My brother John is going to come see me for 10 days at the end of July. I get to introduce him to soju and crazy Korean nights out in Hongdae (oh Lord, I'm not ready for that!), finally get to visit the DMZ, and half a million other things I've not done here (including Lotte World).

--Tai is officially booked for his quarantine space in NZ. There's just a few more steps to take before he's all set to go. I'm going to miss my vet here though. He worked so hard to translate Tai's entire medical record for me and wrote a nice note. I need to drop off some cookies for them since he worked so hard for me. Aww.

--I have a new yoga mat now and it makes a huge difference. My old mat was slowly being destroyed by Tai and wasn't nearly as cushion-like as I needed. This one is much better.

--Speaking of yoga- I noticed tonight that my Asana's are improving a lot now. Yay for that! I'm more bendy now.

--Tomorrow I get to watch The Fox and the Hound for 3 classes. Cue "awww" again. Love that movie (although I forgot that Todd's mom is shot by hunters in the first 3 minutes). Gotta love classic Disney where every main character loses their parents somehow.

--I hardcore cleaned my bathroom and kitchen today. As in I used bleach. It's starting to warm up and I REALLY don't want to encourage buglife to proliferate in my apartment this summer. I really don't want that. ps- I might be a little high from the fumes.

--J called me last night and we caught up. I needed it. After my awful Monday and shaky weekend, I needed a good evening with a phone call and catch up.

--I got a couple new t-shirts today for only 5 dollars each. They may only last this summer, but they're thin, cute and comfy...perfect for teaching in 90 degree weather.

--I tried on my birthday dress I've been working on...and it's too big now! YAY! I was making this made-to-measure for a few weeks now, but then I started a stricter diet and exercise regime. I won't make any adjustments now, but I will in a month so it will fit properly for my birthday. It is really cute though. Except I still have to sew on 40 buttons. Lord help me.

--I just needed to post some happy thoughts while they were all in my head so I remember that my life really is pretty awesome right now and I shouldn't let the small things get me down.

xo

5 for Friday

2011-05-20T17:19:00.003+12:00

Can I just start with how glad I am that this week is over with? After two weeks of partial work, free days and way too much deskwarming, I was not looking forward to a full week of classes, new afterschool classes and no chance to breathe. Although, upon looking back, I am actually glad to be back to normal because now it's Friday!

I have a new trial in my life for the next couple of months. His name is Taejung. He's a 2nd grader and he's back in my afterschool class. Every Tuesday and Thursday from 1:50 to 2:30, I have to attempt to teach phonics to 14 kids and keep Taejung under control. See, he's a special kid. His mom works at my school and he's spoiled rotten. I don't know how he is in his homeroom class, but I can tell you for sure that he HATES having to be in my class. He yells, he drums incessantly, he scribbles over his book instead of working, he runs around like a madman and generally repeats everything I say with the lung capacity comparable to myself (which is impressive since he's 3 foot nothing and probably 45 pounds). I may be exaggerating a little on his size, but he's still small! He's the reason I have a sore throat.

Moving on. It's been a couple of weeks, but last week Blogger was down and I didn't feel like posting on Saturday. Here you go!

The past two days I have had an intense craving for red beans and rice. Let me tell you that I don't know why since I've only had the dish once. I'm determined to make it at some point this weekend or early next week. I will eat it and I will enjoy it.

The phone calls I get remind me that yes, I am being thought of. It's a warm, fuzzy feeling that I love.

Right...so I think I may have found another one of these people. I met the first one my freshman year of college in a one-act play...the second? a few months ago. I don't even think it's weird that we can easily talk for 5 hours at a time and still have more to talk about but we're just so tired. I love that even when I'm really exhausted and can't think of anything else to do (because bed at 8pm is just silly), I call him instead and we have a brief talk with lots of laughter, catching up and a few hopeful mentions of the future when it's not just talking over skype that we have, even though they're vague because we are shy with each other.

I found a funny website this week that had some really crude romantic cards on it, but this wasn't crude. It was just sweet. I like sweetness in my life right now.

Ok, why can't everyone just label paint this way? Seriously! This was by far the funniest thing I found this week.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend filled with love and joy. If the world ends on Saturday like it's being prophesied then I guess this is the last 5 for Friday for ya. Filled with love and hope and not a smidge of regret. ;) See you next week.

love it

2011-05-18T17:21:00.001+12:00

"Even if we were missing the fireworks, music, and choreographed dance number...I must say our reunion was incredible. Somewhere, somehow, every single 80s movie is nodding their head in approval."

--quote from Letters to Crushes (a random stumbleupon page at work today)

Five for Friday

2011-05-06T17:24:00.004+12:00

This week FLEW by. Thank goodness! I think it's mostly because Tuesday I had no classes because it was Sports Day, Wednesday I only had 2 classes because of fire drilling and Thursday was no school because of Children's Day. And guess what? I don't have school until next Wednesday now. I can't complain about this week at all. Well, except for my sore throat I have today. Which I think is because I randomly threw up last night. Painful throwing up for no apparent reason. I think my stomach acid burned my throat. Was that too much information? Anyway, apart from that randomness, this week has been pretty awesome. I'm now at 3 months and 26 days...in 16 days I can start counting down by days only as it'll be at 100 days then. Moving on. This week's top 5.

I have started dreaming about going back to New Zealand. I usually have this happen a couple months before a trip or a big move. It's normal for me. Vivid dreams about being back home, seeing everyone there, starting a new life. Wait, why WOULDN'T I be dreaming about this?

I dream about a lot of things. I dream about what I want in my life, I dream about where I'll be in 5, 10 years, I dream about what I'll cook for dinner (told you I dream a lot). Just a reminder to never stop dreaming.

I like how this living room is totally kid friendly without compromising style. A lot of the spaces I see online don't look like family friendly spaces, which then makes them appear unlivable in my eyes.

I caught this movie on TV last night, only watched it for 20 minutes before bed, but I remembered why I loved that film, The Last of the Mohicans. Romance, adventure, Daniel Day Lewis refusing to abandon the woman he loves. Cora having more balls than most of the men in that film. I might need to sit down and watch the whole film this weekend. Oh, and the soundtrack is pretty amazing too!

Umm, I labeled this picture "aww" when I saved it. I can't really think of anything else to put besides that. I can't help that I'm a super-sappy romantic. I've been denying it for years, but I can't deny it anymore.

20 in 20 day 19

2011-05-01T22:11:00.003+12:00

This will be the final post in this series because day 20's project is for Mother's Day and my mom reads my blog. So project 20 is a secret for a couple more weeks, then I might post it if I remember.

This last one is a pair of fingerless gloves for biking in the early morning. My hands are always pretty cold riding to work and I thought some gloves in jersey wouldn't be as hot as wearing my woolen ones. I made them from an old pair of leggings.

I want to say I am very proud of my work this last month. It was certainly challenging to make something new every day, but I have expanded my repertoire of crafts and explored new mediums of creativity. Overall? Success...though maybe not going to keep making a new thing every day for awhile!

Little reflections

2011-05-01T00:13:00.003+12:00

It's April 30th right now (though this post will say it's May 1st when I put it up because my settings are for New Zealand, not South Korea) and I want to explore a few things that have changed about me recently. I don't know how important these are, but acknowledging them hardens the certainty that they are here to stay.

I practice yoga a few days a week. At home, alone mostly. I am not a very disciplined woman and find it easier to waste time watching crap on TV instead of doing yoga. Now it's different. With yoga, I can do a shoulder stand. My feet are straight up in the air and I'm very nearly close to a perfectly straight back on this. I never thought I could do this.

I also am at 75 sit ups a night (well, tonight in any case). I feel this is the first time in my life I have actually stuck with exercise on a near daily basis. Again, this is huge for me.

Among my favorite foods now are mushrooms, eggplant, red peppers, and carrots. Four foods most of my family refuses to eat and I continuously surprise myself with my desire to eat them. When at school I don't gag on the weird plant life ridden soups we are served. In fact I try to get more veg in my soup than broth so I fill up more.

I do not miss regular pasta anymore. I barely miss bread now. Rice pasta is now my go-to for spaghetti nights. I also discovered that bacon and milk are critical to making a mean bolognase sauce.

I am more creative than I thought. My hands do still remember how to hand stitch and making something new is unbelievably rewarding. One of the girls last night had me sign the craft she got from me. Most of them told me I should be selling my stuff. That made me feel good about my hobbies I spend more money on than I should and create shopping carts full of supplies on etsy and amazon only to delete it when I see the shipping costs for it.

I've been thinking a lot lately about traditions I want to continue doing in my life. Seder, 12 days of Easter, Advent, family holidays, crafts with kids, recipes from my childhood. I feel that I've been disconnected from my past for a long time because I wasn't sure how I wanted it to fit in with my life I created after moving abroad. I know now that when I do start a family, there are traditions from my parents I want to continue doing. There's a heritage I want to pass on. There are new traditions I want to start with my own kids someday with living in New Zealand and having opposite seasons. I look back at my favorite traditions as a child and they all center around the church and my faith. It's hard to keep it going here in SK since I don't have a true church family, but I still find that my faith is still there. My decisions still are influenced by my past and my hopes for the future.

I don't know when I'll be back in the USA. Truly I have no idea. I had planned on going home for a few months next year before moving to New Zealand, but things changed and I don't have that chance now. In looking ahead, I don't know when I could go home. I have to get a job asap in Nelson so I can apply for my residency. I will have to be a real adult again with all the financial responsibility that entails (rent, car, insurance).

Today I realized I don't know when I'll get to visit Stephen's grave next. I was gone before the headstone was installed and I know when I do finally go home to visit, that will be a very emotional time for me. I will never forget my little brother. Every day I see his picture at home and at work, I see the tattoo on my arm in his memory, I try to recall stories from growing up with him. I don't ever want to forget my brother's memory. It's an integral part of who I am and has profoundly changed my life since he passed away. I've stopped wasting my time and eagerly take the steps I've wanted to for my life. I'm tired of living in transit I'm ready for some roots instead of wings.

So I'm taking a flying leap with my life, taking control of things I've ignored for years. Avoiding things I shouldn't be doing or eating (mostly things I shouldn't be eating), and instilling new habits into my life that are beneficial. I have only one life and one body given to me...I want to make the best of it. And with that, I'm going to go do 75 sit ups and then read before going to bed.

ps- Upon re-reading this I feel it sounds a bit disjointed. But like the knot at the top of this post, everything is interconnected and eventually I get right back to where I started. That's my heart, btw. It all begins and ends there.

Five for Friday (a day late)

2011-04-30T19:31:00.003+12:00

I'm still trying to play catch-up this week. That's why this post is a day late! Ha. For some reason my week got really busy and I apparently lost track of time. I am not entirely sure where the week went, but you know what? That means I'm so much closer to leaving!

I've been doing a lot of reading lately. I only have a few books here with me, and I can't wait for the time when I am settled down and able to have a library again. A library with a secret door? Now that would be awesome!

This was my favorite hat from the Royal Wedding yesterday. Umm, Princess Beatrice? What were you thinking? Hello, antlers.

Starting last night, thunderstorms have been pretty much nonstop. They don't happen often in Korea and I love listening to the storm rage outside while staying dry in my apartment with no power outages...yet. I like being reminded of God's awesomeness in a thunderstorm.

Just a reminder this week to pay attention to the small things around me. It's easy to get caught up with big issues and problems and think those are the most important parts.

I'm now in love with felt. I've been working with it on some projects this week and I'm intrigued by all that can be constructed with this. Loving it.

Hope you had a great week and that you also take the time to breathe and relax a little bit.

20 in 20 project- 2 more projects

2011-04-30T19:22:00.004+12:00

Ok, here are a couple more projects from my challenge. There are 2 more projects to finish this out and then I will be done with this!

I LOVE working with felt. I feel like it gives a vintage look to stuff, soft and still nice though. What I like about this challenge is that I have tried my best to make things I've not done before, trying new techniques, working with different mediums, etc. It's been a learning journey for sure!

20 in 20 project

2011-04-30T15:33:00.005+12:00

So I posted day 15 at work without being able to check that I was on the right day. Haha. I've got a backlog of pictures I need to process, so I think today there will be several posts as I get work done. It's rainy today in SK and I'm recovering from my Royal Wedding party last night. It was so much fun hanging out with new and old friends. Eating too much curry, playing drinking games with the wedding coverage, and laughing at the funny hats we saw on TV. It was a good time for sure.

I started working with felt finally. It's really easy to do and I've been able to try out some new sewing techniques. Namely blanket stitching. I think I could have figured it out on my own, but luckily I didn't have to test that since the visual directions for that were on the back of the felt packets I bought.

I've made throw pillows before, but I have not done much with applique and certainly not with felt before. This pillow is just asking me to put my head down and take a little nap at my desk (I did this at work this week).

The second project you get to see here is a facinator I made in honor of the royal wedding Friday. As I mentioned above, I had a party at my place last night to watch the wedding coverage on CNN International. Part of the party was a hat competition. Well, only one lady came with a hat and as I was the host, I certainly couldn't win it! But I found an image earlier this week for a felt facinator for sale and I immediately thought, "Well, I can make that for sure!" Here's the inspiration--Lovely and here is my own version of it.

20 in 20 day 15 (considerably late)

2011-04-27T17:29:00.003+12:00

I know I'm behind on my postings, so I'll just keep putting them up as I get the time. Schedule be damned! haha. This one was a very simple necklace. I took the sleeve of a tunic I cut up a month ago and cut it up more. Resewed it to make a long skinny tube and stuffed and knotted it to make this necklace. The post I stumbled on for this suggested stuffing it with foam balls. Well, I can't find those in Korea and wadded up paper worked just fine.

20 in 20 day 12 and 13

2011-04-24T02:32:00.005+12:00

I think we all need to accept that you'll be getting two crafts in one day. hehe. Ok up first is a headband upcycled from the band of an old t-shirt I cut up earlier for a scarf. Simple sewing and some ironing and I can proudly show you a chic, comfy headband that cost nothing.

Today's project was supposed to be an earring holder. When I tried to punch holes through the metal with a nail and a wrench (I don't own a hammer in SK), I discovered that it took too long and hurt my hand. Plus with it being after 10pm when I started this, I got worried that my neighbors would actually bang on my door. So I switched gears and decided another ring holder was in order. I read a tutorial a couple weeks back about making a ring holder in a high heeled shoe (very clever I might add) but I had no intention of buying shoes in order to do this, nor would I sacrifice any of my own shoes.

5 for Friday

2011-04-22T17:15:00.003+12:00

Another week is done. Yay! It's been another strange week, but I'm getting through them slowly but surely. I rode my bike to and from work 2 days this week. I may have damaged my bum in the process. It's a difficult ride to work, not so bad from work, that mostly consists of hills. Great exercise though. I also started doing sit-ups regularly. I'm doing 50 sit-ups tonight. It's invigorating to know I can do full sit-ups without dying. Slowly but surely my exercising is paying off. Today I've been monstrously hungry- I'm going to blame all the exercise I've been getting. So this week's top 5.

How delicious does this salad look? So good. I can't wait for strawberry season to really kick in here!

I thought this was cute. I can't help it that I'm a sap.

This is how I feel every time I put my earbuds in...I get to escape, if even for just a little bit, the noise and dirtiness of Korea.

I L-O-V-E this kitchen. Maybe not the stainless steel countertops or the backsplash of steel, but the cupboards and drawers? Oh yes.

"I need a space where I can go"~this is from the operetta The Secret Garden, my favorite musical production I was part of in high school. I love the songs and when I found this picture, this line of a song popped into my head. I'm doing my best to have a lovely little garden patch in my apartment, but I really want some space! Although- I do have cabbage growing now!

20 in 20 day 11

2011-04-22T01:37:00.002+12:00

This one still needs a tiny bit of work on it. I did some iron-on on this bag, but unfortunately it didn't transfer properly. I'm going to make a few little flowers to cover it up, but I'm going to bed right now instead.

The owl was certainly more work than I had imagined!

20 in 20 day 10

2011-04-21T00:59:00.003+12:00

I know I'm a day behind in posting. Such is life. Today's project was a cowl twisted scarf I saw on another blog Here. I think hers is way cuter than mine. I won't even consider keeping this because I can't stand cowl neck anythings. But it is helping me get rid of clothes from the massive plastic bag sitting under my sewing table, so there's that!

20 in 20 Day 9

2011-04-19T00:25:00.003+12:00

So I came home tonight to discover Tai was stuck on my garbage can. He has this tendency lately to knock over my trash and shred it. He did it twice last week and I've been really good about remembering to put it up on my counter before I head off to work. Today I tied up the bag so I could take it downstairs with me when I left. I forgot. I didn't realize it until I was on the bus. So I figured I'd come home tonight with trash shredded all over my floor.

Surprise, surprise when I come home to see Tai laying on the floor wagging his tail with the trash can laying next to him. He had managed to catch a claw in the wire mesh and may have been stuck like that all day when I was at work. Don't worry though, I got him unstuck with no problems and he's been especially cuddly since his release. haha.

Today's project came from a website that I'm kind of obsessed with right now- Green Wedding Shoes. This boutonniere was my inspiration and I thought it looked so simple that surely I could do it. Well, I have to admit that doing this with a pair of jewelry pliers would have certainly been quicker and definitely saved me from jabbing myself with the pin a couple times and drawing blood. Now if only I wore pins.

Looking at these photos, I would like to apologize for their poor quality. It's been one of those days and I'm off to sleep early and hopefully have a better Tuesday.

20 in 20 Day 8

2011-04-17T23:11:00.003+12:00

I did it, I made it one week into my project. It's definitely challenging me to make time every day to make something. Today I took an old headband and made a rosette for it like I see online and in shops. It's so expensive to buy them and I made mine with scrap fabric and my glue gun.

20 in 20 Day 6 and 7

2011-04-17T01:17:00.003+12:00

I tried, I really tried to find the time last night to blog. But I was up until 12:30 on the phone and then tried for over an hour to fall asleep. Whatever, it didn't work. But here you go!

Day 6: Ring holder from half-dozen egg carton. I made this one up on my own. It didn't turn out as smoothly as I would have liked, but it works! Again, I bow down before the awesomeness that is my glue gun.

Day 7: embellished picture frame turned into a candle tray. I should have taken a picture of the tray I've been using for my candles. It's hideous. It's a monstrosity of a metal tray painted with bunnies and emblazoned with the logo of Peter Rabbit & Friends (a popular brand of kitchy things in Korea). Vomit. I like this much more though. John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara are much classier than rabbits.

Five for Friday

2011-04-15T17:54:00.003+12:00

Woah, you're going to get two posts in one day! Woah. It's just because of this challenge I'm doing though, so don't get your hopes up on more multi-post days! The week is done, I got paid, it's pizza night and I'm going to buy a bike so I can stop losing money on the bus to and from school. I won't even get into how much money I lose because my body is hardwired to mess with electronics to my detriment and causes my bus card to be overcharged nearly every time I step on a bus. Really. Here are this week's 5 things that make me happy or have been in my thoughts a lot. It's been a long, strange week but I've managed to get through another one safely. 4.5 months and I'll be out of here though!

Ok, one of my favorite sites to browse in the afternoon at school is a wedding inspirations website. The photos on this site are incredible. This is from one of the wedding series that I love. Check out the website Here. And no, this does not mean I am wedding obsessed...yet. It took me years to get to this point and I still have to find someone who even wants to marry me now that I'm at this point. LOL.

This picture reminds me of summer as a kid. The quote? Too real to ignore. ;)

This week I had the biggest urge to take a trip to a tropical paradise. I can't afford one and I don't see myself taking one anytime soon, but how can you resist the Maldives? So lovely.

Another photo from Green Wedding Shoes...can't help it. The title of this photo is 'let's go.' I feel it is a very appropriate title.

I've been remembering my trip to Ireland a couple years back and knowing my best friend is going back there this summer makes me really jealous! Although I'll be traveling soon myself, I still kind of wish i was able to take loads of trips. I'd definitely go back to Ireland.

20 in 20 Day 5

2011-04-15T00:11:00.003+12:00

I'm taking a break from hair accessories. I've still got some of them that I want to make, but it was time for a different craft today. I made my first pencil case today. I was just messing around with the canvas I was given a few months ago and wanted to try something out with the iron-ons I got when I was home last summer. All the kids at school have the craziest, brightest pencil cases that occasionally hurt my eyes because of their neon-ness. Ouch.

Mushrooms and porcupines make this plain fabric a bit more interesting.

The bottom of this is part of a belt from a dress Amillia gave me. I like taking bits and pieces and putting them together in a new way. Adorable.

20 in 20 Day 3 and 4

2011-04-14T00:23:00.004+12:00

Ok, I'm sorry...blogging every single day after finishing a craft is a bit lofty. So you get two crafts in one blog today. I also blame the fact that I decided to call J in New Zealand last night for the reason why I didn't blog last night. Oh the choices we make! Haha.

Ok, Tuesday's craft was a neck warmer inspired by THIS crochet project. It's quite cute and not very much me...too much red for my style! Anyway, I feel it turned out pretty well.

Wednesday's craft was my last crochet project for awhile. I was browsing google all afternoon looking at crocheted necklaces. There are all sorts of amazing and overwhelming creations out there, but I decided to tone it down a little bit. Still pretty cute, I think.

In order to make this necklace more delicate, I had to unravel my skein of yellow yarn for a bit.

Pretty basic really...single chain and a small flower.

My handy-dandy glue gun comes in handy again!

Craft 3 and 4 finished. I do like the necklace. I hope I can find some more delicate yarn to work with as I've found some lovely patterns to make things with, but can't possibly make them with the thick yarn I have.

20 in 20 Day 2

2011-04-12T01:08:00.003+12:00

Today's project is really cute. Very bright and colorful, and really easy to make. It's another headband, but this time it's crocheted!

Supplies are yarn, crochet hook, buttons and hot glue.

I crocheted a double wide band long enough to go around my big, fat head (seriously, I had to measure it from a blog I found this idea on...the gal there measured large because of her hair and my head measurement was still bigger than hers). 23 inches, btw. I then proceeded to crochet the easiest flowers I've done yet. I think if I get white yarn I can make daisies!

Time to hot-glue it all together and embellish. I really enjoy gluing things with my hot glue gun.

Voila! Done and done.

20 in 20 Day 1

2011-04-10T20:21:00.004+12:00

Today is the first day of my 20 day craft challenge. Basically, I am making a new craft each day for 20 days...ideally not spending much money on them- using things from around my apartment. At the end of this challenge, I intend to give all the crafts away. Today I started with something I had stumbled upon a couple weeks ago- a braided headband. Supplies for this project were needle and thread, scrap fabric, elastic and scissors. Very straight-forward and simple enough that I could definitely make more easily.

Supplies:

In progress:

Done:

Cute and comfortable!

Day 1 done. 19 more to go!

Five for Friday

2011-04-08T12:49:00.004+12:00

It's the end of another week. I really look forward to these posts because it means I'm one week closer to being home again (btw- 4 months, 3 weeks and 2 days). It's been a weird week though. I've had too many vivid dreams to be well rested (I blame the brownies I made on Sunday), my students have been riotous a lot this week (due to Spring finally getting here and the radioactive rain yesterday). With Spring finally peeking out of it's bed, my allergies have gone a little crazy, but I'm dealing with it and just keep reminding myself that it's worth it to sneeze and sniffle all day long if I don't have to turn on my heater and I can walk around without a heavy coat. I hope you're also having a wonderful week and keep reminding yourself of the little things that make your life special, because they're there, you just gotta look for them!

These are so adorable. I'm going to try to make them during my 20 in 20 project that starts on Sunday!

My favorite color. How much do I want to be here walking through these? SO much.

I want this to be true of myself.

I'm loving this couch. I'm not usually drawn to black, but the pattern on the couch feels like it would be workable with bright accessories and would be easy to hide stains from kids. Just an idea I want to keep in mind.

My love affair with turquoise, peacock and sapphire blue are still going strong. Purple will always be my personal favorite color, but these shades of blue are a really close second now. Seeing this kitchen makes me want to cook. Sigh, someday I'll have my own kitchen in my own colors.

Upcycle #1

2011-04-06T23:25:00.005+12:00

I decided to get creative with an old pair of sandals from last summer. There's not really wrong with them, but I just thought they were boring. I found some sandals online that I liked---

but they were WAY too expensive to purchase and I thought I could make something similar myself. So that's what I did in 40 minutes tonight. Now if only the weather would warm up enough so I can wear them instead of sneakers every single day.

So I started with my plain jane sandals, some extra fabric I've had since college and 1 inch wide elastic.

I then measured out how much elastic I would need and cut my fabric to make the ruffles. I just eyeballed the elastic and fabric. I wing a lot of the projects I do.

After cutting it all, I had to gather the fabric a bit before attaching it to the elastic with a zigzag stitch. Using a basic gathering stitch, I was able to bring the fabric to the point where I could attach the elastic. Easy peasy.

The final step was attaching the ruffles to the sandals. I sewed on a little extra fabric so I could run the ankle strap through and tie my sandals. After sewing and setting the strap in, I hot glued the other end to the toe strap. So unbelievably easy.

Why did I wait until I was 27 to own a glue gun?

Finished!!!!

Ignore my unpolished toes...it's difficult to care very much about the condition of my feet when I can't go barefoot.

Five for Friday

2011-04-01T19:02:00.003+13:00

I want to dedicate this week's Friday post to all the wonderful women I know who are away from their loved one right now. It seems like most of us are apart from someone we cherish and dare I say it, love. It sucks because it makes each day apart a drag and each moment spent in contact a divine blessing. For all you ladies out there, and you know who you are, this is for you! Much love from a fellow lonely heart.

I never say "I miss you" when we talk. You want to know why? Because he knows I miss him and I know he misses me. That's why he calls me at midnight to talk, and that's what I rush home on Thursdays to call him.

Remember this always, ladies!

100 posts

2011-03-31T01:23:00.003+13:00

This is my 100th post on my blog. I know for a fact that most of the posts have been complaining and whining-filled ones. For that I apologize. I feel that even after 4 years on here I'm still trying to find my voice. With someone who has no trouble talking to people about mundane things, I sure can't seem to figure out what to write about on here that is worth reading.

March is just about over with and I have no tricks up my sleeve for Friday. I promise. I remember a few years ago my sister B decided it would be a great April Fool's Joke to call my dad and tell him she was pregnant. The very next year, she was. Haha. I will never pull that joke on my parents for fear of divine retribution.

I've been taking a new dance class on Fridays- Slow and Groovy. I feel like dancing West Coast Swing at a slower pace gives me more opportunity to have fun with it. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy dancing fast, but I can control my movement better when it's slow and groovy. Bwahaha. And I'm the only sexy one in the class. Not really, but I don't struggle as much as some do to relax into the movements we're doing. So I feel sexier, but my feet still trip me up a lot. I need to get new shoes for sure. In a few weeks we're having a party for the closure of the first class at the new club and I have to learn a routine to perform. Look for a video up here when it's done! I can't wait to have a new video of me dancing on here.

I have a project lined up for April. Starting April 10th I'm going to make one craft a day for 20 days. When that finishes I am going to have a little party so my friends can take whatever they want. I'm going to send a few away, but the idea with this project is to give it all away. I will take pictures for this and blog about it daily. I think I'm just going to take a supplies photo and a couple finished photos and post it up with a short description. In preparation for this I've been adding craft blogs on here to follow and get ideas from and even bought a glue gun yesterday. My first glue gun. Woohoo!

I also reached a milestone for yoga this week. I finally got through all the standing postures for Ashtanga primary series. That means next week I get to start learning the seated postures. I'm so glad to be done adding standing postures. My knees don't like it and tonight I had a really hard time inhaling. It was a little weird, but I pushed through. I must have made some awful faces though, I was in a lot of pain. Actually I almost cried at the end before my finishing sequence. My muscles all still ache and I'm a bit shakey right now. Tomorrow morning should be interesting.

Good news of the day? In two days it will be exactly 5 months before I leave Korea. I have a lot to do in that time though- let's get cracking!

Five for Friday

2011-03-25T19:00:00.005+13:00

I'm still struggling to find inspiration this week. I think it's mostly because I've been sick and the weather has been bleh at best. It sucks when it's still cold every day. It sucks when I'm excited about 48 degrees F for the high. When I see back home that it's been 70 degrees F more than once so far, then I wish I wasn't in Korea. When I read that spring isn't really going to happen this year in Korea, then I REALLY wish I wasn't here. Seriously. I know last year spring was only around for about 2 weeks (really ruining the Cherry Blossom festivals around the country) and then jumped right into summer but it doesn't mean that I liked it. It's still below freezing every night here and I really am starting wonder if my seeds are ever going to take when they sit on the windowsill. I am having really bad luck so far with the seeds I've planted. But here are the few things helping me through the week.

This is just funny. And totally something my family would doodle. Because we are literally that literal about stuff. Then we'd laugh. 'Cuz we're dumb.

I want a pretty kitchen where I can hang my tea towels and have better glasses than the hand-me-downs I currently own.

I feel that this is a challenge to myself. I'm working on letting the right one in and the wrong ones go. But it's hard, eh? So easy to stick with what is known. I want to jump into the unknown and be caught. Or fall, skin my knee, get a cool story out of it and try again. J- you're my unknown.

I made banana bread earlier this week and it's been the comforting thing for me while I've been sick. I made such a big batch that I made one loaf and 4 muffins. I think I'll do all muffins next time. They cooked better and aren't as dense as the loaf is. Still good with a pat of butter on it reheated for breakfast (can you guess what I had for breakfast today?)

Let's not comment on the fact that I had to google search the name of these flowers which I adore as a part of Spring. Daffodils...come on Debs, how could you forget that? I need spring so badly. I want to buy some lovely flowers this weekend to brighten up my home and remind me that winter does not last forever, contrary to the weather last night (snow on March 24th).

It's been a rough week, but I'm sure next week will be better. My cold is gone and I've not been on medication at all today. No headache, no feelings of distraction beyond what I normally have, and I'm looking forward to getting out and about a little bit more this weekend after a rather hermit-like week. Things to look for in the future- a 20 in 20 project for April (20 crafts in 20 days that I give away), more phone calls to NZ, Mexican food this weekend for a birthday party. That ought to do it!

Random Thoughts...

2011-03-24T19:50:00.003+13:00

It's Thursday, but man it feels like the longest week of my life so far. My computer crashed that I use for teaching on Monday, so I was unable to have classes in my own classroom this week. The maintenance guy came and took my hard drive away Monday afternoon and brought it back Wednesday afternoon. We didn't get the problems resolved until Thursday around 10am. Boo.

I also got a really bad cold from my students this week. Today has nearly killed me in that I had 6 classes and no break from 9am until 2:45. I'm beat. I'm sneezing all over the place (and I don't sneeze quietly) and my head feels detached from my body.

I have come to the conclusion that I really need to do more prep-work for my classes. It's frustrating to me that I can't figure out the new CD-ROMs. The kids don't care, but I don't like making myself mad during the day.

I haven't done yoga at all this week because I got sick (and J called on Monday- so I did nothing that night). I miss it and really want to not be dizzy so I can do my yoga.

My dog may be the laziest creature alive. He really does sleep all day when I'm at work, and sleeps all night with me. I stayed home ill on Tuesday (kind of a precursor as I should have saved calling in sick until Wednesday) and he was undeniably the laziest creatures alive.

Good things-

I got a couple orders in the mail this week. Thank you Victoria's Secret for shipping internationally and reasonably!

I thought Wednesday was going to be a worse day than it turned out to be. Wednesday would have been my brother's 20th birthday. Felt the love from friends and family that day and they know I'm sending it back always.

I found some dance instructional avi files from my two favorite WCS dancers this week. I now have 4 hours of instruction to watch and learn from. In ENGLISH. It's so much easier to learn when I can understand everything I hear. Although, I have gotten really good at learning through visual cues and guesswork.

I made banana bread on Sunday and it's incredible. And gluten-free. It's a bit chewy since it's made from rice flour, but it's so nice to eat bread that doesn't make me sick.

Tomorrow is Friday. This is always good.

psssst-- I have no idea what my Five for Friday will be this week. It's been an off week.

5 for Friday

2011-03-18T18:10:00.004+13:00

Another week down and I'm at just under 5 and a half months until I fly the coop to Nelson, NZ permanently. I'm so excited about it, I think about it all the time and pent in my conversations about until I can talk to people safely at home about it since I'm not telling my school until absolutely necessary (August 1st). I did buy my plane ticket this past weekend, so it's quite real now. Crazy! Anyway, it's been a mundane week. I finished my class on special education and have started my next course in educational research. I think it's going to be harder than my last class since I'll be doing more research and work, but it'll be a good challenge. Hopefully it will make the next six weeks fly by. That's what I need right now.

I've been consumed by turquoise recently. I really hope that's not a problem. I think it reflects the brightness that has come into my life. And look at all those patterns and textures!

Gotta love Snoopy and his honesty. There really are no words to describe my love for those whom I do love. I can't even begin to tell you how much I love you all.

Every day I have a student who plays Rock, Paper, Scissors with me. Every single day.

I'm not really sure how I feel about plates being up on a wall when they could better serve as actual plates. I feel like if I'm given free reign to be eclectic, I want mismatched plates like this for regular use.

I think every space you live in should have something unexpected and I think I want my unexpected to be color. This living room is so airy and open that I just fell in love immediately. While white chairs are usually not something I like, I feel that they work here. L-O-V-E the couch colors though. I think this could work if I had to compromise with someone on a living room. The following one is what I would do if I had no one to compromise with.

Weekend sewing project

2011-03-16T00:33:00.005+13:00

Since I gave up television for Lent I have found myself with more free time than I usually have. It's been nice finding things to do instead of lounging around on the couch with reruns of CSI on for several hours. This past Saturday I finally did something with the clothing I set aside to upcycle after I got back from New Zealand in February. Yes, I've had a pile of perfectly good clothes sitting in a chair downstairs with no idea of what I was going to do with them. This is what I did to a grey tank dress I bought last summer and only wore a handful of times. It was really boring, eh?

It's not so boring anymore!

I have this thing for really bright colors and patterns. It might be a problem. Nah, you can't go wrong with flowers and ruffles. :)

I also have a thing for crochet and tatting...I bought this old table runner in New Zealand and I'm still using it. Can't wait to make something else with more of it!

I wore it to school today with a cardigan as it's still cold here. Spring was here for like a minute this weekend, and now it's gone. Sunny said she really like the flowers I made. More coming on those as I used the method I found on Happy Together.

Can you tell I'm ready for spring and summer? Man it's killing me. In other news, I bought my plane ticket back to New Zealand this past weekend. I found a ticket price I couldn't pass up. So I have it booked and it's all way too real now. Woah, I'm really doing it. I'm really moving back to New Zealand September 2nd and going to settle down there. It still feels unreal, but I'm so excited to see where my life goes once I'm back there.

Also, someone has jumped the ranks in who I talk to the most in a week. It used to be my parents and my best friend were eons ahead of everyone else...now? Not so much. J has jumped ahead of them all and is leading at an astounding rate actually. I actually can't believe we have that much to talk about when we chat on the phone. Seriously. Who would have thought it of two fairly quiet people (J is way more quiet than I am though). Off to paint something and do my sit-ups for the night before going to bed really early. I'm exhausted!

Five for Friday

2011-03-11T18:38:00.003+13:00

It's Friday again. I have to say it's been a rough week personally. I've struggled with some things this week and feel that in the coming weeks they're still going to bother me. But this week is dedicated to the people who keep me up, or at least listen to me when I'm feeling like this. You guys are the ones who are my foundation- both old and new parts of it. I love the strength you give me and the unwavering support. This is to you---

This is where I feel like I am right now. So grateful to not be alone in it.

Irene- thank you so much for taking me here this week. I'm seriously going to be in Hwajeong all summer long at this place. Join me, will you?

I had intentions of showing the amazing interior design photos I've found this week on here today, but my week took a different turn. But I still LOVE this kitchen. Can I have it?

I can't even begin to say how much he means to me right now. Yesterday was a terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad day and Jeff listened to me and talked to me last night until my bad day was no more. You're a new rock for my foundation, but I like you. ;)

This is for my favorite person in the whole world- Laura Jean. You are my favorite, ever.

Here's to a better day today and the hopes for a better tomorrow as well.

Lent 2011

2011-03-08T18:50:00.003+13:00

I know I'm not Catholic. I never have been and don't really think I ever will be, but there's something about the season of Lent that I like. I like the concept of giving up a vice for the 40 days before Easter. What I don't like is having to look it up every year to find out when it starts! Lent starts March 9th this year (coincidentally that is also my Dad's birthday!) and I have been thinking on what vice I can give up for this year. I usually give up chocolate or sweets or Cola (I usually give up Cola) for it as those are my really bad habits. But since going gluten-free in January, I've actually been eating and drinking a lot better anyway. I don't feel like any of my traditional things are vices anymore. Yay for growing up! It doesn't mean I don't have vices, it just means I have to look harder for them. Found it.

I'm giving up useless television for Lent. I oftentimes will channel surf at home in the evenings or on the weekends watching rubbish reruns and shows I don't actually care about. So starting tomorrow my TV stays turned off. In addition to this, I am starting a six week program to work up to 200 sit ups in one sitting. (Woah, debs...are you kidding?) There's an iphone app for it, but since I can't use that, I'm going to use the website. It's only 30 minutes a week and is something I can work on in the AM when I get up. So theoretically after Easter this year (it's like the 3rd week of April) I will be able to do 200 sit ups and will have gone without rubbish television. What will I do with all my extra time? Probably make a dent in the sewing pile in my living room!

Mini gluten-free Lasagna

2011-03-06T23:45:00.006+13:00

I spend a lot of time browsing the internet for recipes. I will admit it. I'm jealous of really well-designed food blogs and adore step-by-step photos of recipes. In turn, I get really irritated by recipes that only show me the finished product. I feel that an important part of food blogging should be the pictures along the process. Maybe that's just me though.

Since going gluten-free January 1st, I have struggled with my craving for pasta. I usually do pretty well during the week but on the weekends when I have time to properly cook I find myself wishing for a big plate of spaghetti bolognese and garlic bread that is the perfect union of crusty french bread and buttery garlic flavoring. I would even be willing to cook up some green beans to make myself feel better about inhaling a disproportionate amount of carbohydrates in one sitting. Or pizza, or eggplant parma, or chicken parma...or well, you get the idea. I found a recipe recently that was about making mini lasagnas in a muffin pan. I thought that sounded promising since making a whole pan of lasagna for one person is silly, and stupid when considering the consequences of eating even one piece of lasagna and my delicate digestive system. The recipe initially called for wonton wrappers (which are not GF) so I substituted with Vietnamese rice papers. I should preface this recipe by saying that I did not have ricotta cheese to properly cheesify this recipe into lasagna (can't find it in South Korea) and neither did I properly measure anything. So on those counts I failed, but the end result was yummy, so take what you will!

Mini Lasagnas (GF)

Meaty bolognese sauce (use your favorite home recipe or buy a jar of it)
Mozzerella cheese
Vietnamese rice paper
Eggplant (if you want)
Ricotta cheese (mix it with a bunch of parmesan cheese and frozen spinach to make it like my mom does)
Oregano
Basil *
Garlic salt *

*these are if you make your own sauce like I did.

1. grease your muffin tins really well before you start anything. Including the flat part of the pan since the rice paper goes over the top of the muffin tin.

2. Brown your ground beef with onion and garlic (I used leftovers from a recipe earlier this week). Add sauce and season to taste with garlic salt and basil. Make sure it's decently thick. Runny sauce won't really be helpful here.

3. Time to turn your rice paper into something usable. Boil water and fill a shallow dish with it. One paper at a time is the best way to go. Put it in the hot water until it's turned soft and pliable. Not very long if your water is boiling. Just don't burn yourself like I did!

3.2 Line your muffin tins with the rice paper. It turns out that I needed 2 to fill each since I couldn't get them to be flat...which turns out to be better for my lasagna after all.

4. Put one tablespoon of sauce in the bottom of your lasagna.

5. Now you can work on your layer. This is only a one layer lasagna after all. I put slices of eggplant on the sauce and the sprinkled some cheese on top of it. But feel free to miniaturize your own recipe. Mmmmm, ricotta cheese with spinach. I wish I had that here...ok, back to the recipe.

6. Top each mini with one more rice paper (yes, go back to the hot water). Push the rice paper down so that it fills in the gaps and give you a bit of a well to work with one last time. Then do a bit more sauce and cheese before bringing the rice papers together to sort of seal it all together. Sprinkle some oregano on the top.

7. Bake in your oven for 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees. Or until the cheese on top is golden.

8. When I pulled them out of the pan they sort of fell apart a bit. I'm guessing that rice paper isn't the most sturdy thing to use here. I might cook it longer next time to see if that improves it (I pulled my out at 15 minutes) or line the muffin pan with tin foil to help them hold shape after I get them out. In any case...they were yummmy.

9. Having a cute puppy watching you work in the kitchen is completely optional, but absolutely adorable.

Five for Friday

2011-03-04T18:08:00.004+13:00

The week just ended for me about 20 minutes ago. I finally started teaching again after what has felt like an eternity not doing so. Let me tell you what, deskwarming at a public school in South Korea makes me miss working at a kindergarten. Almost.I guess it would be different if I had lots of planning to do, but considering I didn't get my new textbooks in until just last Friday and didn't finish getting resources for them until today, there really isn't much to do without textbooks. Honestly.

But I got it all in and can really start sorting out classes now. I'm excited for the new books and so far all my kids are great. Of course, I did only have the 3rd and 4th graders so far. But here you go...my five for Friday.

I found this image today and was reminded of the power of a smile. My students were all very happy the last two days, and were all smiles. So was I. Last night I was teaching a new class of 3 kids and one of the girls remarked (through giggles) that she was smiling and laughing so much her face hurt. I want to laugh like that everyday. So much that my smile hurts.

How amazing is this set up? I love the teal color of the bench and the playfulness of the whole set-up. Please give me some old furniture and amazing vintage fabrics to do this with someday, somewhere in New Zealand!

And how awesome are these light shades? I'm especially taken with the upper left pattern. It reminds me of a pattern I've seen on Celtic knot work. I'd love to have that light shade on my bedroom ceiling. Seriously awesome.

Oh man, so I thought I really wanted to do a kitchen in bold bright colors, but this sink and backsplash has me rethinking that decision.

I wish I had an option on my photo editing software to isolate the color in an image. But since I don't, I'll just enjoy this daisy. Love it and love you all- happy Friday!

If I manage my time better...

2011-03-03T17:42:00.004+13:00

Ok, I must admit that I am a fairly lazy person. I will sit in front of the TV reading a book or fiddling around with my sewing stuff without actually accomplishing anything over a long period of time. It's true. It's easier for me to wait until I really want to do something. Then I'll do it. Take last night for instance- I didn't do a whole lot since I was feeling a bit blue, but knew there were things I should have been doing. I then proceeded to watch the rest of the Oscars and an episode of Sherlock before getting the motivation to straighten up my apartment. At 10 o'clock at night. I had to forcibly stop myself from dusting at 10:30 because if I started, I wouldn't stop until it was all done. And then I would have to sweep the floor and possibly mop it as well because, well, what's the point of dusting without finishing cleaning? I'm sick, I know it. Jeff said he would just invite me over to watch a movie and let me dust instead...I'll be honest, I probably would if it were really dusty. ;)

If I can discipline myself to accomplish things outside of motivational times, I would get a lot more done. It's a shame I work better under the pressure of a deadline or due date. My masters program is a testimony to that- I'm lucky I can make my homework look like it took loads longer than it did.

So here are my short-term motivational goals.

1. Do yoga as many days of the week that I can...so far this week- not so good. But it's a work in progress for sure.

2. Make these one day this weekend- how freaking cute are they? And I could make them gluten-free as well. (btw- they are mini lasagnas made in a cupcake tin)

3. Work on my crazy lesson plan where I'm teaching different parts of each lesson with each grade...it's going to be nuts.

4. Eat meatless as much as I can...it's cheaper anyway. So far this week- pretty darn good. Lentil soup, vegetarian chili and Parmesan zucchini sticks with pizza sauce. I also got a recipe for falafels that I'm going to try out. Does anyone else find it weird that I have all the ingredients for vegetarian meals stocked in my pantry?

last day off

2011-03-01T13:31:00.003+13:00

Today is my last day off work until May. The new school year starts tomorrow and I'm ready to get it going. I need my time to go quickly. I want to be done with this semester and on my way to New Zealand. I have so much do to between now and then, but I'm anxiously awaiting the day when I get on a plane and head back to my home in Nelson. I left my heart there in January and can't wait to get back to where it is. Not that I really want my heart back, but I'd like to be closer to it.

flower child

2011-02-28T00:05:00.003+13:00

Not counting the drugs and free love, I've always been drawn to the 1970s. So here I am, in the 2010s and always find myself torn between my inner flower child and the reality that I cannot actually be that girl. So I find little things that help me release her. I used to love putting flowers in my hair and have very recently decided that I want to wear them again. I went shopping for some last night and didn't find any that I liked and was willing to pay for. So what do you think I did? I went home and made some. I've got more ideas to work out on some new ones, but I like the messy quality of these. What do you think?

Five for Friday

2011-02-25T17:25:00.003+13:00

It's been a bit of a strange week. No students all week long and not really much to do at school. Which I guess is nice, but it's just making time drag really. But it's time for my 5 for Friday. Here you go!

I started watching the miniseries on the BBC of a modern Sherlock. It's hilarious.

Skype makes life very easy living abroad. It's so cheap and can oftentimes just be free. I love it. I appreciate it so much this week in that a 3 hour phone call only cost me 4,000 won. :)

This week I have been really enjoying Katy Perry's Teenage Dream album. Can't help it and can't deny it.

Seriously twisted comedy. That's "The League of Gentlemen." So very funny and a good laugh. "Good morning Job Seekers!"

Daisies, daisies and more daisies. Spring has been tempting me all week and I can't wait for daisies to start popping up. They are definitely my favorite flower.

Happy Friday everyone!

Monday blues

2011-02-22T01:41:00.004+13:00

I had an off day today.

First I found out that I do not get to teach with Mrs. Jang this year. She was awesome and I am going to miss her, even though she's just down the hallway with her 3rd grade homeroom class now. Instead I have to teach with Mrs. Eun, who does not speak any English and has told me through Juliet that she's not going to speak any English in class with me...which means I have to teach 3rd and 4th grade all alone basically. Thankfully the other two ladies, Juliet and Sunny, are really helpful and are translating all my class rules so I can do it alone. Yikes.

Then came food today...I woke up late, didn't get breakfast and forgot to pack a lunch. Went ahead and ordered lunch with the other teachers today and had to wait over an hour for it to arrive. It was WAY too spicy and made me feel sick in the afternoon. Then I had to go to a teacher's dinner tonight at Venice Buffet. Let's just start with the fact that I cannot eat my money's worth at a buffet at all. Especially a seafood/sushi buffet. Maybe if I actually liked sushi... No one talks to me at school dinners also. Juliet is always busy since she's the event planner for the teacher's club. Luckily I had my Kindle with me and I read for most of it. I think I feel blech because of the food I've had today. Eating out in Korea really doesn't agree with me much.

I really miss my friends today, no particular reason, I just do. A lot. Tomorrow I have to go to a training conference for the new text books...I wonder if it's going to be in English at all. I'll bring my iPod and Kindle just in case.

Today wasn't a total drag though. I did sew 3 things tonight. I went through my closet and pulled out things either I don't wear or things I don't really like. I have a pile of colorful clothes just waiting to be reborn into something else. Tonight I turned my only winter tunic into a really cute miniskirt and a lovely summer top with embroidery and crocheting into a cute little girl's dress. I'm thinking about holding onto it until I go back to New Zealand and give it to Alice...she'd look really cute in it. So here's the dress I made.

Front view

Back view...kinda boring

Close-up of the collar...I cut off most of the original collar and reconfigured it.

Cute button clasp. Amazingly enough, the button-hole setting on my machine worked for me tonight!

Now I just need to be around some little girl to have her model it instead of it lying on the floor. :)

5 things this week

2011-02-20T19:37:00.005+13:00

I think this may be a good idea I have- to post each week 5 things that are making me happy. It's good to remind myself of the good things I have in life so I don't get down in the dumps.

So here you go- this week's top 5.

Two of my favorite West Coast dancers- Jordan Frisbee and Tatiana Mollman. I never tire of watching videos of them dancing and really hope to one day see them dance in person. Simply Ceroc is having them again this year in Wellington in September or October...maybe I can see them this year!

Applesauce is cooking on my stovetop as I write this. Have you ever smelled applesauce cooking? It's intoxicating. I love it, and I can't wait to take it to school for a snack this week.

How can you be sad or gloomy when you're wearing these shoes? You can't, I'm telling you. I got them yesterday and I'm looking forward to wearing them when I leave my apartment today...yes, I'm still at home at nearly 4pm...

Basil is probably my favorite herb (can you have a favorite?) and I planted some more last week. It's sprouting now! It's nice to know I don't kill every plant I come in contact with.

This is another thing I bought yesterday...it's so bright and cheerful. I'm ready for spring to come to Korea and to be able to wear bright colors again. I tried on so many cheerful little dresses and tops yesterday (but didn't buy too much). It makes me feel good to even try on something super cheerful. And the bright colors continue for me. I'm tired of black and brown and orange...I'm through with them. Give me red, or green, or bright purple.

confession...

2011-02-17T20:10:00.004+13:00

I may have a problem...

Sometimes I just can't help myself.

Ok, so it's more often than sometimes...

It's an everyday occurrence.

I dance...a lot.

It's hard to explain why, but I just can't help it.

I spend a lot of time listening to my ipod here in Korea and I just can't resist tapping my toes, tossing my head, shimmying my shoulders or running through a few West Coast Swing steps...

On the bus, walking to my home, sitting at my desk, cleaning my classroom...I do it everywhere!

I must look like a complete idiot sometimes doing this, but guess what?

I

DON'T

CARE!

My students think I'm crazy, my co-teachers probably do as well, but ya know what?

Dancing makes me soooo happy.

Along with dancing thing, I also have a thing for pop music. It's good to dance to, currently I'm listening to Katy Perry's Teenage Dream album and dancing in my desk chair. I can't wait to get home and turn it up really loud and dance around my apartment with no inhibition.

I always wonder how people can listen to their ipods here (and sooo many people have them) without enjoying the music. They usually all look pretty bored. What do they listen to then? Geez.

Valentine's Day

2011-02-14T14:27:00.003+13:00

So I got to school today and discovered that I don't have to teach at all today. I am an avid detester of Valentine's Day, but I stumbled onto this image earlier and needed to share it.

I like the analogy of life as a puzzle- there are lot's of pieces and many people who fit into the puzzle that is my life. You know who you are- I love each and every one of you. So happy V-day from a piece of your puzzle.

Organized and ready to create

2011-02-14T00:13:00.005+13:00

This has been a strange weekend. I feel a little lost and without much to do. My new class in my MAED program is really easy, so I get most of my weekend back to myself. Friday night I had curry with Mari and caught up. Friday night I woke up twice in the night because of my cold and couldn't sleep for ages. Saturday morning I was bored, so I redesigned this blog, chatted with Doug and spent the afternoon on the couch before boredom drove me to Gangnam for dancing. That was fun, I always enjoy dancing.

Today I was bored a lot again. Caught up with Mom and Dad, then caught up with folks back in New Zealand, made lunch, reorganized my spice cabinet, organized my sewing and craft supplies, did my homework, planted seeds, considered a walk (but it's really cold today), watched League of Gentlemen and now it's 8:17pm and I have nothing to do for the next couple of hours before I go to sleep. What is wrong with me? Seriously, there's gotta be something wrong here. I used to spend my weekends in my pajamas and lazing about without any qualms. This weekend? I'm antsy and easily distracted to the point where I'm driving myself crazy. Anyway- here are my pictures of my organized sewing desk and craft storage spaces...I'm all ready to do some creative stuff...just as soon as I can decide what to do.

I have to be careful with myself in this state of boredom. If you're wondering why I don't just go out- if I go out like this, I'll end up shopping and buying things I don't need at all. Since I'm trying to save as much as possible the next few months, this would be highly detrimental. Let's hope I can keep myself occupied without going crazy. :)

My Six favorite things this week.

2011-02-12T15:02:00.003+13:00

Having just gotten back to South Korea from 3 weeks in New Zealand, I'm finding it dreary here with all the grey and gloom that is a Korean winter. So here are the things that are cheering me up this week. Many of them are NZ inspired.

redesign

2011-02-11T23:03:00.002+13:00

I'm going to redesign this blog...

I use this as an outlet to whine about things, but I think it's time to change it or delete it. So we're going to try to change it first.

I will spend the weekend hashing this out and expect something new next week. I have so many interests and I spend so much time online looking and learning things, but I don't do anything about it. I need a place where I can share what I'm passionate about and the things that bring me joy in life. Because I do have a joyful life, there are so many wonderful things happening around me that I should be sharing. The raindrops will be gone very soon.

:)

vacation downfall

2011-02-09T02:03:00.004+13:00

The worst thing about a vacation is the fact that it ends. I suppose it wouldn't be a bad thing to have end if it was terrible. But when you have a wonderful, fabulous, amazingly awesome vacation in a beautiful place, it REALLY sucks to come back to reality. That is what I have right now. Coming down off the high I've been on for the last 3 weeks (and bigger the last week I was in New Zealand-more to follow later) has been pretty terrible the last 24 hours.

Going back to NZ was one of the best decisions I've made in awhile. It was an amazing trip for many reasons. I feel like if I had gone earlier in the year, I might have had a bad time because of where I was personally. Not properly dealing with my brother's death for nearly 6 months brought me to a new low I didn't know was possible over the holiday season. I was worried about myself and finally started taking care of myself after Christmas. I needed to do this in order to find myself again. Thanks Laila for helping me confront it and start finding Debs again. (I think I found her hiding in New Zealand). Being able to go on this trip without this huge cloud covering me made a difference. I'll never forget my brother, but I realized that I need to start living again.

Seeing old friends in Nelson was a blessing I cannot describe...there weren't too many people who kept in touch with me when I left NZ last February, but those who did are true friends. I loved catching up with them and talking about my plans to move back there.

Part of the whole "living-my-life" bit has been a decision-making process and a trip to be honest with myself and figure out what I want out of life. I know what I want now. I want to live in NZ, have a garden, maybe some chickens, live a quiet life with people I love around me in a place that I can't imagine leaving. And yes, that place is definitely Nelson.

Not only was it great seeing old friends from Nelson, but it was a time for new friendships and relationships as well. Marianne Brooks is a new friend whom I can't wait to hang out with more when I go back. Doug Brooks is a much better friend now, as close as a brother really (which may be why I punch him a lot). Alice, their daughter, is just an adorable little girl who is in the ranks of the cutest kids I love.

Now for the reason why my last week in NZ put me over the moon. For months now I've been hearing about schemes from Laura and Doug concerning me and some guy named Jeff. For months Doug has been telling me tidbits about his brother and Laura has been telling me how similar we are. Well, we are very similar. We also get along really well, and the last week I was there something special happened. (No, not THAT something...lol.) I made an amazing connection with someone I had only just met and after spending my last night there talking with him until 6 am, I realized I did not want to leave, but I wanted to stay and see where this went. He waited with me at the airport that night and getting on that plane was one of the hardest things I've done in awhile. I don't want to lost what has happened during this time and I think things will sort out somehow for us to keep growing in our relationship. We're not dating technically, but we're getting to know each other. Something I can't wait to continue doing. That's the high I'm coming off of. That's why I feel a bit sad and happy at the same time. That's why I didn't want to come back to Korea.

I'm home though, got Tai back home and about to sleep before work tomorrow. I will post some pictures either tomorrow or Thursday, but all this traveling makes me tired and I just want to cuddle with my puppy and have lovely dreams about New Zealand. Gnite all!

4.5 days

2011-01-12T01:23:00.003+13:00

Well, it's been 10 days since I gave up bread and pasta. I have faltered a couple of times, BUT more importantly, I've noticed that I'm healthier without it in my diet. It sucks. I definitely dreamed about bread for the first two nights and constantly felt hungry even after eating a meal. But I'm making progress. Sunday night I gave in and made my mom's goulash recipe...BIG mistake. I couldn't even finish the pasta as it immediately made me sick. So Mari is coming over tomorrow to take the rest of my pasta so I don't fall into that trap again. haha. I'm weak, what can I say?

I leave South Korea in 4.5 days. I'm going back to Nelson, New Zealand for a 3 week vacation and I'm soooo ready for it. School is a drag and I'm tired of being cold all the time. Apparently though, Korea isn't going to be kind to me before I go. Saturday's high is 18 degrees F. Really. With a low of 1 degree F. Which means Sunday morning when I go to the bus stop to catch the shuttle to the airport at 6:45 AM (in the black of morning) wearing considerably fewer warm layers as I don't feel like carrying a huge winter coat all over creation, I will be F-R-E-E-Z-I-N-G my beezer off. On the bright side though, I packed my suitcase tonight and I've got room for a couple more t-shirts and any last minute things I think of...I think it helps that most of my summer clothes are in New Zealand already and I don't have to bring as much. My carry-on suitcase is the one I'm bringing and I'm pleased with everything I've got packed in there. See Mom? I CAN minimize my packing when necessary! I think I'll look funny in transit though as my carry-on is being checked and my actual carry-on will by my purse and a big kiddy race-track box set (for Elijah) that will not be wrapped or disguised in any way, shape or form. Should be entertaining.

I'm ready for the beaches of Nelson and hanging out with some of my favorite people in the world and meeting new people back there as well, of course.

entering 2011

2011-01-01T15:23:00.002+13:00

A new year is starting and I'm reflecting, as usual. 2010 has been an eventful year, one which I wish wasn't actually eventful, but still. I can't change it. I started my masters degree this fall, and look forward to the next step once that is finished- moving back to New Zealand and settling down to teach cute little kids and add sunblock to my daily regime. Until then, I have goals to keep me busy.

1- maintain good grades for the masters program

2- take control of my health through my diet: this is a really important one since I've been sick for the last 3 weeks due to the amount of gluten and wheat I eat. For the last year or so I've noticed a trend with my body and have successfully ignored it until after Thanksgiving. The amount of gluten I eat is quite large considering my love of pasta and bread, so that's what I'm giving up. It's kind of the same situation I was in when I admitted being lactose-intolerant. I had to give it up completely and then slowly test my limits on how much I could have before getting very ill. So for the next 2 weeks I will have no gluten in order to clean my system out, then once I'm in New Zealand, I will begin the testing process. Let's be honest I certainly can't go 3 weeks in New Zealand with no gluten whatsoever and at least there I can find gluten-free options. In South Korea, gluten-free is pretty hard to find, and gluten itself is quite hard to avoid since it's in soy sauce and gochujang (are you kidding me Korea? Those are the two most used flavorings in this country, thus negating most Korean food from my diet for now). I have to be honest with myself though- I know I can't live without spaghetti for the rest of my life, so I have to figure this out and find a way to live without being sick all the time.

3- Along with this new approach to my diet is a more holistic approach to my health. Amillia has been really helpful with yoga and teaching me more about paying attention to my body and health. I've found some exercises I can do at home or at work to improve different aspects of my health. I need to take care of myself so I can make sure I don't get seriously ill because of my health. I'm past the point where I should be eating like I'm in college and I'm making it a priority to work on my health.

So there it is, I have some goals for the new year and will likely be venting on here on the struggles and successes I have over the next few weeks as I sort this all out. Today I woke up craving a bacon sandwich with HP sauce. Well, I have bacon and HP sauce, but can't do the sandwich bit- so I made oatmeal instead. I also just realized I'll have to figure out what to do with all the fresh basil in my apartment since I can't make pasta. Hmm, ideas? Anyway, back to breakfast and cleaning my apartment before dancing tonight.

Christmas!!!!

2010-11-20T23:50:00.003+13:00

It's almost that time...with less than a week to Thanksgiving, I'm super-stoked about Christmas. I bought decorations today at Namdaemun for my house/tree/school and am about to set it all up at home. Christmas tunes are getting ready to play, let the Christmas season begin!

--pictures soon to follow--

halloween

2010-11-03T01:15:00.004+13:00

I think I feel this way every year, but the gap in time manages to erase it from my mind. I really don't like Halloween. It may partially be because I didn't grow up celebrating it and have never been trick-or-treating in my life. I have been to fall festivals too numerous to count. I have also only been to 2 haunted houses- one in high school and one in college. The one I went to in high school was a fluke when I was friends with a girl for about 6 months. I never figured out why we were friends, and we're not today, so I guess it doesn't really matter why we were. Anyway, I celebrated this year and spent most of Sunday recovering and regretting it. Mostly because people who were out were stupid. I thought my own costume was pretty clever for being a last minute thing (ragdoll) that I sewed on Saturday afternoon before going out Saturday night, but can't understand the tradition of women dressing like slut variations of every costume known to mankind. I just don't get it. Anyway, here's me and my dear Mina out on the town, before the craziness and before the taxi ride home without my coat (it was in a locker and I didn't have the key). Please remind me next year that I don't want to celebrate this holiday. Instead I should just sit at home with a snickers bar and watch It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. Yes, I should do that. Oh, but my favorite costumes I saw I wasn't able to get pictures of, but it was a group of friends dressed up as Care Bears...how freaking cute was that? So cute. Sweatsuits in the color with some sort of light-up belly decoration that was the emblem of each bear. I regret not getting those pictures. Oh well!

new beginnings

2010-10-28T01:31:00.003+13:00

I'm starting a new chapter in my life. Yesterday was the first day of my masters degree program. I'm not entirely sure I can balance work and school well right now, but I'm determined to make it work. I'm getting an MA in Early Childhood Education. I'm excited about the end result and being able to move back to NZ and work in a school there (plus I miss NZ terribly). I'm doing an online program so I can continue working and living in South Korea to save money for moving again (I feel that is mostly what I do...work so I can save to move to the next place...). So I have to buy a daily planner because I can't budget my time well right now to do without it. This weekend is going to be a push to get on top of my schooling. Day two and I'm already behind in my reading. Curse my crazy schedule this week with drama competition and extra rehearsals.

I've also started yoga again. With all the added stress of the next two months (until Christmas) I realized that I can't discipline myself to do yoga alone but neither can I make time to get to a studio for classes...so I've hired my yogi friend Amillia to teach me at home! It works well since she's gone independent recently and has a much more flexible schedule and I get a personal yoga routine that works with what I can and cannot do. She's wonderful and even after just 4 classes, I can already tell a difference. My feet are nearly flat again in downward dog pose as opposed to bent knees and balls of my feet that I've been doing for over a year now. So twice a week I get to spend an hour with her stretching and making faces as my dog attempts to join us in class. He doesn't really understand that he can't do yoga with us. It's funny though.

I'm also starting a weekly menu planner so I eat better to balance my yoga and avoid stress eating. Tonight I had a tuna melt, tangerines, and walnuts for dinner. Yummy. Tomorrow is a salad since I can finally get to the grocery store after work. I really don't have time to cook real meals during the week now (and especially since I'm taking on an extra class twice a week starting in November) so I've decided that I can do a big meal on Sunday and then get a couple days of leftovers out of it to help me get through the week. This Sunday I'm doing Fish Pie. I'm salivating just thinking about it. It's cold here now and I am dying for a good casserole. Next Sunday is Pumpkin soup. Already looking forward to making my apartment smell of roasted pumpkin.

On a lovely note- I heard the music class at school today playing Jingle Bells on their recorders. Yes, it's almost that time again. :-)

Pray for me as I take on all these endeavors simultaneously. I hope I can make it to Christmas where I'll be given Christmas Eve off and then I'll also be finished with all my extra work. Then three weeks after that I'll be headed to Nelson, New Zealand for three GLORIOUS weeks. I love it and am already dreaming about it. No really, I had a dream about it two nights ago.

ps- I'm getting a tattoo on Saturday. I thought I was done with them, but apparently am not. :-)

relaxation

2010-09-24T18:55:00.002+12:00

Just sitting around my apartment today relaxing. I need that sometimes. Today I needed it. I also needed that skype call with Laura and Elijah today too. That put me in a better state of mind.

I had a couple really awful nightmares last night. The kind that you wake up screaming from. I'm doing better now, but I guess my mind just needed to get some stuff out. Dreams were the vehicle of choice apparently. The sun is shining here, the weather is cool and I'm looking forward to spaghetti tonight.

I'm also looking forward to going back to school on Monday. I miss teaching and I miss my students. I am grateful that I have found something that makes me happy and doesn't allow me to get lost like professional theatre did. I need to stay found in life, and not lose myself. If that makes any sense.

Going to enjoy the rest of my quiet day at home and hopefully have a great weekend as well before returning to work on Monday.

unknown

2010-09-13T00:12:00.003+12:00

To wake up each day is to face the unknown.
What will happen today? Will I find something new?
To leave my house each day is to face the unknown.
Will stepping on my bus be the last thing I do?
To enter my work is to face the unknown.
Will I make a difference in someone's life today?

I struggle each day since Stephen's death to find meaning in my life. To find meaning in this chaos. I don't know if I ever will get any answers and I am nearly certain I never will. I sit in my apartment on a Sunday night and contemplate what my life is (this is a fairly regular Sunday night ritual). This much I know:

I have a family who loves me (even if we're not speaking to one another, the love IS there).
I have people who love me just as much as my family does.
I have a puppy who loves me even when I lock him in the bathroom for being naughty (it's only for two minutes).
I have a stable job with security.
I know what I want to do in three years and have a plan to get there.
I have some faith that I'm here for a reason, but no knowledge of why.

These are the things I have. Yet all too suddenly they can be taken away. What would be left?

A memory of a woman with possibilities not taken...chances unknown...choices rejected. How long would I linger in the thoughts and hearts of those I know? Would it really make a difference to know that answer?

Seeing all the people who came together after my brother's death has made me realize that we touch more lives in ways we never will know. So what touch have I made? What difference did I make, by action or inaction?

I want my life to have meaning. I feel that most days I don't have any real purpose. That I'm hiding out in South Korea and getting by on the skin of my teeth. I have no one beholden to me and I am beholden to no one. It's lonely most days. I think about the fact that my dog has a serious heart condition that may mean he may not live one or two years (then again, he may surprise us all). What will happen once he's gone and I'm alone again? I have promised myself I won't rescue another dog in Korea (I mean, come on, look at my track record here...) but then I'll have to face it again, that I am well and truly alone in this life here.

Tonight Sarah asked me, while eating the remains of my peach cobbler, why I wasn't married already with my awesome cooking skills. I have to face that fact every day that I come home to an empty apartment with no one who wants to know how my day went. My brother Jo is engaged now. I'm really happy for him and Holly both. I pray they have a happy and long marriage and life together. But hearing the news made me feel much older than my 27 years. With death and marriage happening so soon together in my family, I sense some urgency to live. I have a sudden longing I didn't know was there. I want a witness to my life and I want to be witness to someone's life as well.

Life ends all to often before it really begins. The ache will never go away, the awful feeling in the pit of my stomach that makes me want to puke happens every time I see my brother's picture or hear a song that reminds me of him. I hate what has happened to me and my family. I hate the rift that has occurred and fear the damage that has been inflicted that may never heal if fate strikes again. "It's not fair" my students tell me. Yes, you're right, it's just not fair.

West Coast Swing

2010-08-23T12:53:00.001+12:00

I am hoping that those who aren't on Facebook can see this video. I can't apparently upload to youtube here in Korea now because of some weird rule. Kinda sucks.

Birthday

2010-07-13T00:55:00.004+12:00

And once again, Tai has walked off with my slipper the moment I took it off to sit down and write this post. Ridiculous.Yesterday was my birthday. It was a lovely day. I feel blessed by all the messages I got and by the people who came out for dinner (and even those who couldn't make it and called to apologize). So I'm another year older and another year closer to 30. Where in the world did my 20s go? It's strange to think I'm 27 now. I know that a lot of my posts lately have been negative, but I've needed to use this to get this part out. I feel refreshed and ready to tackle this year now and determined to make it a fabulous one. I know that this isn't where I thought I'd be at this point (heck, I thought I'd be married by this point in my life) but I know that it's the right place for me right now. I have a great job, I have a plan for the next year, I have a wonderful puppy who makes my day much better (btw- good update at the doctor tonight! He's growing and his shunt is better with the medicine), and I have a wonderful support system of family and friends who remind me that I am worth it and I am loved. Why in the world would I be unhappy?
It's a rhetorical question because I don't have an answer for it. I want to be honest with myself and doing so I have had to face parts of myself that I've been unhappy about and have ignored for too long. So I'm dealing with those parts of me and moving on to a better place.

As an afterthought, I think I'm getting crows feet...or laugh lines...

reflective

2010-07-06T00:25:00.002+12:00

I just finished watching Remember Me and I have to say I was not prepared for it at all. It just kind of hit me at the end, completely unexpected. I won't say more, but I will say you need to watch this film.

Watching the relationship develop between the two main characters stood as a stark reminder of my alone-ness. Now honestly, I'm usually ok with being on my own. It doesn't bother me most days, but after watching this film and with the mood I've been in the last couple of days, I wonder if I will ever affect someone the way these two did each other in the film. I know it's a movie and thus not real, but give me a break for a minute. I know people love me, my friends and family mean the world to me. But I wonder if there's someone who really gets me and who if, God forbid, the worst happened to me and I was gone, would that loss make a huge dent in their life. Like life-changing dent. Just a thought at the moment.

We did Tai's checkup tonight. He still has a lot of crystals in his urine (weird, I know) so they upped the amount of oral medication he gets. He has put on weight and is now 2 Kilos (2.2 pounds to a kilogram). The doc asked me if I had thought about the surgery. I told her honestly. I had thought about it, but I honestly can't afford it. Medicine is the only option right now. We go back in next Monday. I told her that I understood that medicine isn't going to save him, but for the time being he is fine with it. If things do get worse, I'll put him down. I've accepted it as best I can. Until that time comes, we're going to have a good time and he's going to be the happiest puppy possible.

I've been struggling with how I'm supposed to act. Of what's expected of me. I feel like a lot of the time, I let people down and I disappoint them in expectations of me. Part of this is my physical appearance. I don't dress or look my age at all. I look like I'm just out of college still. Not helped by my employment record for the last few years where I haven't had to dress professionally and have grown accustomed to jeans and a T-shirt. I suppose another part is the investment in professional clothing. I don't own a pair of dress slacks, pantyhose, or a button down shirt. In my defense, I did own these items at one point, but have gotten rid of them over time. Now living in South Korea where I don't fit the clothes, I find it much harder to even try to alter what I wear. More than the physical appearance though is my opinion that I've wasted time that I shouldn't have and now, at nearly 27, I have nothing to show for it. A few extra stamps in my passport, some ridiculous stories, and friends scattered across the globe. That's what I have to show for myself. That's it. I do feel like I'm on the right path finally. I've started the process of applying to graduate school (with the hopes that I can continue working full-time in Korea to pay for it) and have a plan now. Which is better than the vague notions I've had for the last four years. It also hits hard when I see so many others my age or younger (ok, mostly younger) who are married, have children, settled in, and seemingly content with their lives. I see this and I wonder what turn I took to take me away from all that. I am still fairly certain I don't want to have children myself, and upon further conversations with my co-teachers at my school, I KNOW I could not possibly marry a Korean man. Because I could never be the Korean housewife and daughter-in-law that is expected. There's just no way. Thanks Mom and Dad! ;-) But I do wonder what in the world it is that I'm supposed to be doing with myself and why so many of my decisions came back to bite me in the ass. Alright, enough self-absorbed ramblings. I'm going to play with Tai as he's decided that's what time it is and then I'll go back to school tomorrow and enjoy my time with my kiddos. Because they are adorable and the energy of my day (most days).

update time

2010-07-03T00:59:00.002+12:00

Well, we got the test results back for Tai. He has the kind of PSS that requires surgery. However, we can't go that route because I can't afford a 2 million won surgery and hospital stay. He is on medication though and he's totally back to normal. He's a total spazz right now. We're going outside all the time and he's running all over the place, playing with his rope and finally putting on weight. We go in Monday for a checkup with the local vet. I'm currently watching him pull out all the blankets I have lying around and chewing on the ends. He's hilarious.

I do believe I solved the mystery of my air con that runs all day and there's nothing to show for it. I got the vent open finally (a 15 minute ordeal considering the height it sits at) and my apartment is finally cooling off. Which is good considering the high humidity and heat going on right now.

We're doing the 4th of July bbq tomorrow at my apartment (since it's pouring down rain) and since I can't go home this year, I'm actually really excited about this. I did clean my apartment (destroyed by Tai as he decided to attack the vacuum and then pull everything out again). I made deviled eggs tonight and am going to make a peach pie. I can't WAIT!

Happy Independence Day America!

cooking at home

2010-06-28T23:42:00.002+12:00

I've always enjoyed cooking at home, but with the heat of summer in full force, I am being forced to find alternatives to the usual meals I cook. Apparently I like cooking winter foods. Who knew?

I've successfully made cold pasta salad (a definite new favorite). Adding kidney beans and raisins are a fav now. I still won't add olives or capers (well, capers I won't add because I can't find them and I honestly can't see the investment being worthwhile), but I'm loving my cold pasta none the less.

Tonight I made hummus. Yes, that's right. Hummus. I still have to finish making the other half of it. I cooked too many chickpeas. I also learned that chickpeas are called garbanzo beans. Anyway, I have all these dried beans and lentils sitting in my cupboard because Chris left them (along with a myriad of indian spices to tempt me) but I can honestly say I've never cooked beans (apart from Ham and Beans) before in my life. To top it off I managed to make hummus without tahini. I'm going to play around with the ingredients on this next batch and see what happens when I add sesame oil (which is recommended for the tahini flavor). Here's the recipe:

Hummus

1 cup of dried beans (or one tin of chickpeas in liquid)
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 tspn of cumin
salt to flavor
lemon juice to flavor
2 cloves of crushed garlic (or more if you really like it)
1/4 tspn of sesame oil

In the recipe I did for dinner I didn't add the sesame oil. I added more lemon juice and salt. Needless to say, Mari and I tackled half of that batch of hummus. And I ate half of a raw carrot. That's right...I'm eating raw carrots now. I have to admit I still don't like them cooked, but raw is totally ok. In fact, I'm cutting up the other half and taking it to work tomorrow with more hummus. Because I can.

Ok, back to the recipe. If you use the canned chickpeas then just blend it all to hell in your mixer, adding until you get the desired flavor. If you're using dried beans then let them soak overnight, change the water in the morning (washing the beans several times) then let them sit again while you're at work. I did this and although I was concerned with them sitting in water for over 15 hours, it worked out. When you're ready to cook then you should put them in a fresh batch of water and add 1/2 tspn of baking soda. Bring it to a boil and then reduce the heat, letting it simmer until you can bust a bean between your fingers easily. Then drain, keeping the water off to the side for moisture to the hummus as you mix, and proceed with the blending and flavoring.

Next quest- making sun-dried tomatoes at home in order to make sun-dried tomato hummus (my absolute favorite). Now, off to make my second batch of hummus. Yummus.

boo

2010-06-16T00:24:00.002+12:00

So I just needed to post this somewhere, but my little pup is in the hospital for steroid treatment and monitoring to lower his intercranial pressure. Yes, my dog hurt his head and has been acting strange all day (well, since I got home). Last week I thought the drooling was just him teething, but it's gotten worse and finally I just folded and took him to the doctor. He does not have distemper, but has to be monitored and treated for the next couple of days. The guy felt a hole in his skull! Creepy. I'm a little concerned for the little guy, but I'm sure he'll pull through.

alone

2010-05-30T23:58:00.003+12:00

There are times when I just want to be alone all day long. Today was one of those days. I actually would like to do it all week, but I can't.

I think I'm turning into a plant lady. Whenever I go to Lotte Mart I inevitably buy a plant or seed set from the 1,000 won shop. Today's purchases- rosemary plant and thyme seed set. I also purchased a rolling pin, the first I've owned. BTW- I now own 8 plants. If I had a little ledge I would probably try tomatoes and strawberry plants...good thing I don't have a ledge or little porch.

I really miss Laura Jean's lemon-poppy seed muffins right now. Though I miss Laura more than the muffins.

This weekend kind of stunk, I hope it isn't a preview of this week.

That's it for now- I'm going to clean up and head to bed and hopefully wake up to a better day.

a shout out to Mothers

2010-05-09T14:07:00.002+12:00

As it is Mother's Day (well, it is for me in Korea), I wanted to give a shout-out to my favorite mothers. I know I am not at a place in my life where I could be the amazing mother that you all are!

Mom- my real mom, she is incredible. She raised 10 kids, runs a business successfully and still manages to have her own life. You're the bravest, most devoted, funny and loving woman I know. You're my hero.

Laura- my best friend and amazing mother to Elijah (one of my favorite people in the whole world). Becoming a mom was so unexpected for you, but you have grown into it beautifully. You are loving, devoted, health-conscious (seriously, who knew that you would become THAT kind of mom?), fun-loving, and a blast to be around. Elijah is the luckiest kid in the whole world. You have that natural nurturing nature about you (say that five times fast) and have welcomed more than just Elijah in as one of your kids, the high school kids in Nelson are really lucky to have you in their lives as well. You ROCK!

Lindsey- my oldest friend and supermom to two adorable boys. I don't know how you do it either. Those two must be a handful and for me to be witness to the journey your family has taken since meeting Jon our first day of college, well, I count that as special. You two are amazing but Linds, you are the backbone of the family. You hold it all together. You're stronger than I will ever be and down-to-earth in a way Mom's are supposed to be! I'm in awe of your mothering abilities with two boys and nannying another little girl at the same time. Love you!

Becki- my little sister. Girl, seriously. You have the most gorgeous girl and I am really sad that I am not a bigger part of her life right now. You are amazing for doing this journey alone. Lord knows I couldn't do it half as well as you do. You are devoted to your little girl, even though she prefers pink and purple, and are doing an amazing job as a single mom. You are so strong and with everything that has happened, you are still standing strong and being your amazing self! I can't wait to see what is in store for you, because I know there is an amazing father for Naiyah just waiting to be found. I love you, sis!

Now I'm a little teary after writing this, but it's ok. You ladies are the rocks in my world, not rocks that get into my shoes and irritate me, but rocks that houses are built on. Solid granite that never fails. You are so inspirational to me and I can only hope to be half the woman that you all are. I love you all so much and wish you the happiest mother's day possible. Because you are impossibly wonderful women.

Blog award

2010-04-29T16:38:00.002+12:00

I got this from Laura. She gave me an award. Now, I'm not entirely convinced that my blog is award-worthy, so I'm determined now to being worthy of this award.

Here are the rules:

1. Copy and paste the award on your blog.
2. List who gave the award to you and use a link to her blog (or hyperlink).
3. List 10 things that make you happy.
4. Pass the award on to other bloggers and visit their blog to let them know about the award.

So here is Laura's blog- (which I love reading as it has my favorite people in it and great film reviews to boot). http://therecoveringdrifter.blogspot.com/

My 10 things that make me happy- in no particular order.

1. daisies- they're just so friendly
2. cooking at home- I guess I am a housewife at heart
3. a happy puppy in the morning- Tai definitely makes getting up at 630 better
4. friends- those whom I count as close friends are so cherished
5. chocolate chip cookies- I cannot lie, just thinking about them makes me happy (where, oh where is my oven?)
6. being able to finish a sewing project- I love the feeling of finishing something fabulous
7. Stumble (which I got from Diane)- as an Input person, I love having this installed on my work computer where i can learn all sorts of neat things just at a click of the mouse
8. photography- I've been on hiatus for awhile now, but I think I need to pick it back up, because it really does make me happy
9. travel- I love moving to new places and seeing new things. Looking forward to a trip to Busan in May and home in August!
10. recipes- finding new recipes is a hobby now, if only I would start trying them! I am happy when I find an interesting take on one of my favs (case in point- eggplant parmesan...so freaking delish and so much healthier than chicken parmesan fried up)

I give a blog award to-

Fed Up With Lunch: The School Lunch Project - fascinating read and shows a real concern for what kids are eating in school. http://fedupwithschoollunch.blogspot.com/

The Great PBJ Battle- one mom's account of healthier cooking vs. her kids - their option if they don't like dinner, a PBJ sandwich (blech). http://thegreatpbjbattle.blogspot.com/

Tai

2010-04-25T21:40:00.003+12:00

Here he is, my new family member. Tai is a yorkshire terrier/shitzhu mix. He was abandoned in Seoul a couple weeks ago and I found his listing online. Met him yesterday and brought him home! He's so adorable, two months old, no health problems, quiet, cuddly, friendly, and pretty much the best dog I could have found. Enjoy!

Glad to be back

2010-04-23T19:10:00.002+12:00

I spent three days this week at an orientation for GEPIK teachers. It was good, I learned some things, got some new ideas to implement in the classroom and made some new friends. But more importantly, I am SOOOOOO glad to be back at school. I missed my kids. Got a couple hugs today and really enjoyed my classes the last two days. I know that not every day will be like these, but I just have to say that I am happy to be back at school and teaching. I really am.

Black Day

2010-04-14T23:25:00.002+12:00

Today is April 14th. Single Ladies Day in Korea. But it's not really a happy holiday. Today I'm supposed to go eat jjajjangmyeon out in public to let single men know that I am available. After which, said man is welcome to come share the food with me.

Yes, because I want a complete stranger coming and eating my black bean noodles...

So there's not much about this day that I do like. Really not. It's not like Valentine's Day isn't bad enough. So yes, let's throw in another day! Haha.

On this note, I had a date Saturday night. It was nice. Nice to actually have a date as it's been almost two years since I last had one. It was with a Korean guy I met a few weeks ago. Let's call him Nervous Guy. Because he definitely was. He took me out for dinner for his favorite dish- spicy chicken. Laura calls it 'crazy chicken' because, well, it is. Ddokdoritang is a very spicy dish and I think he was really surprised that I was able to eat it. Then we went out dancing at the West Coast Swing club that I really like. The biggest problem I had with the date was that he was REALLY nervous. I get it a little bit, I'm a foreign women, he doesn't really know any foreigners well (told me that) and had a strong case of "English sickness." It's a Korean thing where they get really ill (not sure if it's really physical or just psychological) when they are around foreigners and have to use English. But I still would have liked to go on a date with a Man...not a boy.

I do have to give Nervous Guy props for conducting the entire date in English. I know I couldn't conduct a date in Korean or French. But still. A guy should have some nerves of some kind when on a date. I felt like I was pushing for anything. Pulling teeth would have been easier. But it was still nice. Until we got out to Hongdae and met up with some of my friends to hear a band. I liked the music and didn't need to have a drink to relax, but Nervous Guy did. And did again, and again, and again. I'm not OK with that on a first date. A person shouldn't need a lot of alcohol to relax around someone. So I finished the date and then we parted ways. My friends and I got a taxi home and that was the end.

So it looks like I will be eating the jjajjangmyeon a bit longer at a table alone as I don't see this going further and it's been four days since the date and I've still not heard from him. Ce la vie.

new interests

2010-04-06T00:18:00.004+12:00

I have a new interest...bloggers. I find it fascinating that people have the discipline and the motivation to blog regularly about a topic. For instance, there's a blog I now follow about school lunches in the US. I remember the school lunches from growing up, I even ate them occasionally when I substitute taught at my old Junior High in Herrick. But I take for granted how much healthier my school lunches are in Korea than they were back home. It's an interesting blog about a teacher who has determined to eat school lunches for an entire year, documenting it for the whole world (well, for those who follow her blog.)

http://fedupwithschoollunch.blogspot.com/

And let me tell you, the meals do NOT look appetizing. Ugh. Which brings me to my second new interest- Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution. It just started back home and it's absolutely fascinating. Mind you, I'm basically in love with this man anyway. (Seriously Jamie, if you come to Korea, I would LOVE to have you come cook for me...just an FYI) I really enjoy his cooking shows and I've seen a couple specials before on his passion regarding wholesome eating. Bear in mind that he does love his food...it's not like he's trying to get people to eat celery and lettuce all the time. It's just all about using natural, fresh ingredients. Anyway, tangent there...his new show. It's about his effort in a town in Virginia which had been labeled as the unhealthiest town in the US (according to some research). The first two episodes have aired and it was all about him trying to make a difference in an elementary school. It was an eye-opener for me. I mean, I get that the schools do what they can with all the rules that the USDA throws down on them (we are notorious for our red-tape obsession back home, I have to admit), but to honestly feel that serving pizza for breakfast is a good idea...my God. And I know that my own childhood school district does the same thing. Anyway...So just to compare lunches.

My favorite school lunch when I was a kid was chili day. Big bowl of chili, fruit cocktail, peanut butter sandwich (for dipping) and carrot sticks (which I, of course, never ate). School lunch today: mixed veg and octopus soup (spicy) containing onion, potato, zucchini, sprouts and some green leafy thing, rice with beans (always a small portion because I'm trying to eat better), kimchi, greens in some sort of sesame oil...just enough to flavor it, and a side of pork (not fried) to dip into the best dipping sauce in korea (don't ask me the name, because I still have no idea, but it's what you get when you go for barbeque here...seriously, making my mouth water right now). I realize that chili is actually one of the healthier options on the public school menu at home, but compared to what I had today in Korea, there's no comparison for health benefits. Half of what I ate today was vegetables, a third was rice and the smallest portion was meat. That's pretty stinking awesome if you ask me. Maybe I should do something with this...maybe blog about my school lunches. After all, I do eat them five days a week. And my school lunches are pretty yummy. It's just too bad that they're really not pretty to look at most days! Haha. So that is what is consuming my free time at work these days. When I'm not prepping for classes, I'm reading and thinking about this.

My apartment...

2010-04-03T00:38:00.004+13:00

I know I said I'd do this earlier...but did you honestly think I'd do it when I said I would? Yeah, probably not!

But here they are, pictures of my apartment. Facebook is being annoying with the photo option, so this is the best way.

Yes, those are rocket stickers on my windows...I'll never get them off.

My not-so-comfy couch, but give me a comforter and a pillow and it's passable.

My really tiny kitchen, but at least my washer has a built-in dryer!

The view from the back wall of my bedroom loft area...I hit my head every single day. Without fail.

Why is there a nook behind my bed...how is a bed supposed to work here anyway? It's weird and it does bother me.

it's all calming down

2010-03-23T01:20:00.002+13:00

So I'm pretty sure I'm settled now. Life is calming down somewhat and all the new start stuff that is always stressful is all basically done. I've got my banking sorted out, got paid from my school, my apartment is decorated and even though no one showed up to my housewarming (how depressing could that get?), I'm feeling good about things in Korea right now. Well, good except for my allergies going haywire Friday and then again today. Today, mind you, was freezing cold and ended with it snowing. Who has allergies when it's snowing outside? Especially someone who's mainly just allergic to spring? Thanks Korea, thanks a lot.

But really, I think I'm done with the transition time. I thought that this time it wouldn't be as shocking considering I've done it before, but it managed to throw me off for a few weeks now. I can't believe that it's only been about 3.5 weeks since I've left NZ. So much has happened since then. It's snowed twice, I've been to Japan, I've missed my bus and gotten lost in a taxi trying to make it to work on time, made some new friends, turned my apartment into home (although I'm missing my sewing stuff something fierce...I can't wait to get my sewing box here so I can do something again!), and found some good places around my house. Next on my list- curtains. With living right at Daewha Station at a major intersection, it means that I've got neon lights blaring into my apartment all night long and traffic sounds that aren't exactly white noise. I do not have loud neighbors though, which is nice. I actually think I don't have any neighbors, per say. No one lives directly next door to me, and the other two apartments near mine are businesses, so it's pretty quiet after 7.

I bought a plant yesterday, rosemary to be exact. Not like rosemary back in the states or even like it in NZ. I didn't know rosemary could be different. But it definitely is. Here it's a softer variety. I don't know why, but it just is. Smells great though. I'm going to try to find basil and oregano soon- hoping that the big plant superstore near here has it. Fingers crossed. Because if Mina thinks that my pasta made from canned sauce is good, she's not going to know what hit her when I really cook it for her.

I'll try to get some pictures up tomorrow of the new place, but right now I have to go in search of massive amounts of tissue as my nose won't stop running and my head may explode from the pressure. Nice image there for ya. G'nite all.

and here it is...

2010-03-08T21:39:00.003+13:00

Oh, I knew it was coming... and here it is, ladies and gents, the email from Juliet regarding my school situation...hard to determine if it's actually a threat or heavy-handed in any way. What do you think?

And....Debbie, I'm fully aware of the situation.
But our school managers don't want to miss the class.
Especially, this week is the begining of the semester.
I have no idea how can I explain to them.
I was put in an awkward position.
If you will make such this problem again, they would be never admit your mistake.
I don't want to that. ^^:;

Debbie, please don't make a problem anymore.
please....

So, apparently all of this is MY fault. I'm not the one who insisted on going to Japan the first week of classes. That would be the school. And if I had been given more adequate time to prepare for it, I would have been able to call the consulate in Japan and find out about the 330 issue...but NOOOO. I had to rush it because the school insisted. Why, I don't know. I can't help that the consulate is closed over the weekend, so I couldn't double-check the hours, which I really wanted to do. But of course, it's all my fault.

Japan=trouble

2010-03-08T21:04:00.002+13:00

Seriously, I can't believe my luck. It just sucks, really. I got to Japan today to finish my E2 visa for my school. Let's just start with my school. They're not happy I have to miss work to finish my visa. But they knew that. But they're still not happy about it. Not thrilled that I'm missing two days of teaching. Which I'm taking unpaid leave for anyway.

Next step- the Korean Consulate. Yeah, I'm not a fan. Ok, so when I found out I had to come on Monday (I found out Friday afternoon) I scrambled to get all the information I would possibly need for my trip here. Subway line, costs of travel, booked my flight, found a hotel to stay at. Scrounged around and borrowed money in order to make this happen on such short notice. So I thought I was ready for it all. The website I had looked up said the consulate was open until 5pm, which was good since I couldn't get a flight before 1pm. Thought I'd be ok and get my visa application in and get my visa in time to fly out Tuesday afternoon. I get to the consulate and well, what do you know, they stop taking visa applications at 330. Guess what time I got there? Just guess...yep, 345. Bastards. So I stood outside the consulate, considering crying, but sucked it up and attempted to call them, from outside. Miraculously my Korean cellphone works to call in Japan (side note- it won't call Korea from here though). So I talk to a lady in the consulate and nope, nope, nope...I can't get my visa done in one day in order to get back to Korea to work on Wednesday. Nope.

Knowing now that my school is going to hate me even more, I dreaded making the phone call I had to make. Literally dreaded it so much I made myself sick. I got to my hotel, checked in for two nights. At least I get broadband internet for free in my room. Thank God for that. Made a call to Korean Air and was able to get my flight changed without a changing fee (thank God again). But then I had to call my handler, Juliet. She's pretty much my go-between for the school. I knew it was going to be a bad phone call. She informed me that the Vice-Principal was really unhappy about me going to Japan to begin with, and I know tomorrow is going to be the shittiest day, news wise. Which means Thursday, when I do go back for work, is going to be Hellish. Pardon my french here, but seriously. I am really concerned about the relationship with the brass at school now. If they take a grudge to me about this, then this year will be horrendous. I don't like conflict and I HATE stress related to working situations. I don't do well with it. So I guess I'll just make myself physically ill until this all resolves.

I know this doesn't all seem like a big deal, but for me it is. I really don't like that I have to stay an extra day in this insanely expensive country. I don't really have money to do much of anything and I will probably just sit in my hotel for the evening now and watch movies on my computer. Though, the trouble really isn't with Japan particularly, it's with Korea...of course. Tomorrow I'll go to the consulate and turn in my visa application and keep praying to God that things aren't as bad as I think they are at Jungsan Elementary School. Can I just hide in a hole?

Last complaint...I came prepared for one night here...so I only brought one extra shirt. Guess I'm wearing the same clothes twice. Ugh. I hate doing that.

That's it, I'm done whining. I just needed to get it out of my system. Tomorrow will be a better day. Hopefully.

in transit

2010-02-24T19:11:00.002+13:00

So I've finished the first of three legs of my journey. Even though it was a short one, it was one of the more important ones because it entailed customs, baggage check and security checks...all three of my favorite things. And of course, I had problems at all three! Lucky me! Check-in was fine in Nelson, I had to pay extra for my overweight luggage, but it'll work out ok. I can't really help it- really, who can move to another country on 20 kg? (that's 44 lbs for you Americans). NO ONE! It's just not possible, especially when transporting a sewing machine in the checked luggage. Anyway, the flight from Nelson to Auckland was ridiculously short. Then came customs...the lady who weighs your carry-on luggage was a pain in my ass. She got tetchy about my carry-on being 13 kilos and made me go downstairs to the check-in counter to deal with it. The lady there was much nicer, she said I had to get it down and said it would be ok if I put more into my "purse" (I like to use that word loosely, considering my purse for traveling is really big and could hold a small child in it, or two, depending on the size ;-) So I loaded up my purse and headed back upstairs...where the mean lady decided to weigh both of my carry-on bags...instead of just my suitcase. ARRRGGGHHHH! Well, duh, it was more than 13 kg that time! The first time she didn't weigh my purse, which the lady downstairs had asked me. So the upstairs lady sent me back...of course. I got down there again to the same check-in lady, who was nearly as frustrated as I was...by the upstairs lady. She said that if I got her again, to remind her that my purse was carrying my computer. I then went to a scale and trash bin and went through my stuff for a third time...rearranging and getting rid of things (sniff, sniff) and determined to make it past the upstairs lady if it was the last thing I did. I went back up with my hoodie hid in my jacket (which wasn't weighed either previous time), little things hidden in my camera bag (which was now NOT in my suitcase) and two books and a notebook lighter. Prepared to fight my way past her, I went through...but got a different lady who only weighed my suitcase, didn't ask about my purse and waved me on through. SERIOUSLY?!?!? So I got through, and then went to the security check...where I set off the alarm (of course). But it was just my belt...in Auckland they're not so concerned about hidden things in shoes and belts left on. It was nice to not have to take off my shoes. I have to say, the USA is the most neurotic of any country I've traveled to/from in regards to security checks...I mean, it's just absurd back home. Thank God for the laid-back Kiwi attitude. Now I have to wait 3.5 hours more to board for my flight to Hong Kong...gonna watch a movie now and try to relax before the next leg.

frustration in a messy room

2010-02-19T13:20:00.002+13:00

I'm surrounded by suitcases and the belongings I brought with me to NZ and those I've accumulated since arriving last April. It's absurd. I keep going through it all and getting rid of stuff, but there never seems to be an end in sight. I can't pack my life up in two large suitcases and a carry-on. I just can't. I'm looking at seven or more boxes of stuff to be shipped at some point. What the hell?! Time to go back through it all...again...and again...and again...and well, you get the idea. It's so frustrating to know that I can't get it all done. I'm leaving in what..five days now? and I still am nowhere near ready to leave.

two months later...

2010-01-27T11:05:00.002+13:00

So I realize that my last post was back in November...Thanksgiving time...but there's a good reason my last post was so far back. We moved to a new house the 28th of November and have not gotten internet until today...the 27th of January. Ridiculous, I know. I was actually thinking we'd never get it, but I'm glad I was wrong!

So there's some pretty big news in my world right about now. I'm moving back to South Korea in less than a month. I got a job offer from an elementary school in Ilsan (where I know two of the former teachers) and I get to move back to my fav. city in Korea. I have some reservations about it, but know that it's for the best. With summer finally showing up here in New Zealand, I've actually fallen in love with this country and don't really want to leave. But as Laura said, she's not really sad I'm going, because she knows I'll be back...and she's right. I will likely end up here again. It's lovely, the people here are really kind and I'm becoming adjusted to a slower pace of living. However, it's for the best that I go back to South Korea for a time to sort things out financially and get back into education. I have been thinking a lot lately about that. Education, that is. I've been wondering if I'm just supposed to be teaching, and not trying to make it professionally in theatre. This marks my second attempt at professional theatre and honestly, it's not going the way I had planned it. I worked at the Indie and then it closed, there's nothing else really in town that I could do theatre full-time at and thus this year has been a struggle, both financially and morally as I've struggled to keep my morale high while unemployed. It doesn't mean I won't continue to try theatre work and do it wherever I can, but maybe it means I am supposed to be teaching and working with kids and do theatre through that somehow. It is, after all, how I got started in theatre. So over the next few months I'm going to look into graduate education programs and see what I can learn and if I can start working on a masters online in education. I've always known that I've wanted to work with kids and I do love teaching them, maybe it's about time I grow up and just do what I'm supposed to do. I'll keep you posted on this journey.

yeah, it's been awhile...

2009-11-24T10:11:00.004+13:00

I can't believe it's been over a month since I last wrote...well, actually I can believe it. It's been so busy lately that I rarely have time to sit down, let alone take time to write a blog. So here's the breakdown of why I've been so busy. Lend Me A Tenor- Laura and I are producing our first show under our production company, Standing Room Only, and this show has consumed my life. I'm the production manager and have been working tirelessly on this show for over a month. It's going to be a great show, but there's so much to do before it opens in 15 days. I don't sleep well at night because my head is full of things I need to get done for the show.

We're moving house this weekend. Luke and Laura bought a house just outside of town a few weeks ago and we've been in the process of packing up and cleaning the current house in order to be able to move out this weekend. As I sit in my room writing this, there are boxes of books, empty suitcases ready to be filled with my clothes, and a closet packed full of already packed bags/boxes. Moving is nutty when I won't be able to help with it! I've got to work all weekend so I won't be able to help pack up the trailer and move house this weekend. Sorry guys!

In a new development regarding life after New Zealand- I've received an offer for work at an elementary school in Ilsan, South Korea. Looks like I'm moving back in February! Still have to sort out the contract and get the visa, but it looks promising. New Zealand has been an interesting year to say the least, but I need to take care of some things financially before I can go live like this again. I'm 26 years old and shouldn't be this concerned about money, so I need to take care of that problem and then I can go live wherever and however I want. Even if that means living in a yurt in New Caledonia (not that I'm planning on that...but you never know).

Well, the sun is shining and summer is a promise away so I'm off now, to start my day and get some things accomplished while the day is still mine! Below are some pictures from my weekend trip to see my first co-teacher in Korea, Kowoon. We had a great time just hanging out and it was a pleasant surprise to find an old friend living in New Zealand when I moved here. It's just nice.

I had to explain why the store name was so funny to me. In SK, Costco is where you go for foreign food. In New Zealand though, well Kosco is where you go for asian food, mostly korean food. How terribly ironic.

finally able to breathe

2009-10-13T22:30:00.002+13:00

So something big happened this week. Sorry I've not written about it before now, because it's been in the works for about two weeks now. I've ended my internship at the Independent Theatre here in Nelson. I'm not going to go into details, but I will say that I'm glad to be finished there. It's been a long six months and I've done so much there and learned some too, but I'm glad it's done.

The Lorax was my final project at the Indie and it went wonderfully. We had three sold-out shows and had a great review in the paper as well. I couldn't have asked for anything better. So what will I do with all my free time now that I'm not working 25-30 hours a week at the theatre? Well, I'm working 15 hours a week right now at a pizza place in town and the rest of the time I'm able to focus on my clothing designs again and get stuff ready for the market next weekend. I'm hoping to get back there every other saturday from here out in order to sell my stuff as the weather continues to improve.

BTW- I got a sunburn yesterday!!! First one in oh, two years! Yah!!!

I recently learned how to shirr fabric. Did you know that shirred dresses and shirts are my favorite kind out of all other kinds of clothing? I recall my mom telling me why I had the exact same dress on in numerous pictures when I was a child of six or seven. Well, apparently I owned this one shirred dress with tie-up straps that I chose to wear multiple days a week. Seriously if I were to look through this old photo album my parents have, most of the pictures I'm wearing this dress. So it's stuck since childhood, this love of shirred clothing. Why did it take me until I was 26 years old to learn how to do this? It's really easy and doesn't take long at all. So I've got a massive amount of cotton prints/solids to cut and shirr so I can make some money at the market (and improve my own summer wardrobe- no shopping for me! I'll just make it all!).

I think that just about takes care of all the updates. There's just been so much going on the last few weeks that I feel like I've barely been able to breathe, let alone take the time to blog. But things are looking better and I'm able to relax some. Thank the stars for that. Because I needed it!

Until next time...

overwhelmed...again.

2009-09-11T13:36:00.002+12:00

I know...I'm supposed to blog every week about the new project I've done, but guess what, my wallet was such a hit that I've had friends requesting them, so I've been working on more of those recently, instead of a new project.

Ok, so it's not like I haven't been working on projects- I just keep getting new things thrown my way that I didn't plan on doing and have thus being limited, extremely limited, in what I can do with my time. Currently on my plate I have production work for The Lorax opening in 3.5 weeks which includes a lorax costume made of orange furry fabric, two pairs of green hairy gloves, two brown bear suits to track down (and if I can't track them down, then I need to make them), and a green outfit of some sort for the Once-ler. Two pairs of fisherman pants to make, a papason chair cushion to create, two wallet orders to fill, two dresses to be made, a jacket for myself (which I'm really looking forward too, if I get around to it sometime!), two costume pieces for a show that opens the week after the Lorax show- I need to make pleather hot shorts and a pleather bolero jacket...and I'm shaking my head at this as I see what I've written. It's true though.

So as you can see, I am quite swamped at the moment, and that's not all I have to do! That's just the sewing work I have. We won't even go into the large amount of work at the theatre I have to do, the ongoing work of finding a second job to pay bills, and the attempt to have some sort of social life.

I will try to get some pictures up of projects as I get them done...next on my list today are the wallets (because I can press away while Elijah sleeps) and helping Laura prep food for Elijah's second birthday party tomorrow. It's going to be a crazy animal party with a Lion cake and fish cupcakes...hilarious. This morning I made chocolate chip cookies for it and used cookie cutters to cut out animals of them- cute but messy and I nearly burned down the house in the process (dropped cookie dough into the oven and had enough smoke in the kitchen that my eyes were burning). Good times. I'll try to get some pictures up of something soon.

purpose and determination...

2009-08-25T13:53:00.003+12:00

I feel like I am an extraordinary lazy person. I really think that most days. I do what I need to and then after that I just veg out with a book or a film. That's what I do. But being like this is just hugely depressing, so I decided to refocus my free time and give myself a purpose with my blog. It was all Laura's thoughts really that has brought this about. Laura recently canceled her blog in order to figure out what she should focus on with her writing, and well, that got me thinking.

So I want to continue sewing and I spend a lot of time doing that anyway, but I don't really challenge myself with it. I do what I know how to do and just do what's easy. Not anymore. I know I am better than a simple shift dress or a skirt. I know I am, because I've done it before. So each week I'll take on a new project and then my blog will share the results of that project and what I've learned from it or ya know, whatever I feel like writing about it!

This week's challenge was a wallet. I spent several hours online looking for patterns and instructions to attempt a wallet construction. I found a great tutorial from That*Darn*Cat (another blog) and decided that was the one I wanted to do. Below you can see the finished product. I do like my wallet quite a bit even though the pockets are a bit crooked and the snap isn't quite centered...it's my first and it's my own, so it's ok!

I'm sorry...

2009-08-05T17:35:00.002+12:00

For those of you who do read this blog, I should apologize. See, I have this problem. I forget to blog. It's a hassle really. There are weeks that I go without thinking about recording what's been going on, sharing my troubles, venting to the universe (a therapy I highly recommend, otherwise one may sink into despair and burst out in tears for no apparent reason), or just sharing something interesting. So I'm sorry...to my what, three readers? ;-)

It's early August now, winter is fading away and I can't wait until I don't have to wear a jacket at the theatre for work. Speaking of the theatre, that's where most of my news is at. I recently started being paid a stipend (read it: less than 30 USD a week) for the work I do there. I really do keep the theatre running so it's a small step...and who knows maybe sometime they might actually be able to pay me hourly. HA. I started teaching a class at the Indie with Laura, though with Laura's commitment to direct a show in October, I will be doing the brunt of the work for this class. I'm ok with that though. We are writing up an adaptation of Dr. Seuss's The Lorax for a production in early October for our class to perform. The last week has been pretty shaky in regards to the course, but I think we've got our feet sorted and are ready to start walking with it. We, Laura and I, also decided that the show we're directing in December will be Lend Me A Tenor...seeing as it's a 6-door farce (literally needs 6 doors) and the Indie stage is smaller than the Factory Theatre stage at GC, this should be interesting! We may have bitten off more than we can chew with this one, but ce la vie! It's the show we picked, and so we gotta finish what we started.

The last three weeks I have been watching Elijah full-time while Laura is working a winter camp for a visiting group of Japanese students. There are days when I wonder who has the raw end of the stick....nevermind, I'm certain it's not me! While yes, it is more difficult having Elijah all day long and still trying to get my own work done, it's not nearly as bad as the stories Laura has shared with me! I know she'd rather be home with Elijah all day instead, but she's nearly done with it. Elijah and I got off to a rough start when Laura and Luke went back to work. He decided it was completely ok to hit me all the time, and only me. Took us over a week, but it's fixed now. He doesn't hit me nearly as much and as soon as he does and I reprimand him, he's prostrate with embarrasment. Seriously. He goes down on the floor and hides his face for a bit. Then he gets up and says sorry by kissing me. Ohhhh, that one's trouble, I'm telling you now!

My goal of selling my clothing and jewelry has hit a stalemate...I haven't been at the market since my first try, but I think it'll be better to try in the spring and summer instead. Here's hoping. Otherwise, I'll just be sending a bunch of pieces of clothing home that I've made. I'd like to list more on etsy, but I really don't have the funds for it right now.

There's a coffee house opening soon in town, I'm keeping my eye on it, so as soon as I see some movement (well, once the brown paper comes off the windows) I'm going to drop in and talk about some work. It's in downtown and coffee-making is my back-up plan in life apparently. Haha. I'm hoping to make it the rest of this year here (until April) and I would like to make it without the financial support of my family, but I know they are there and have always been willing to help me out when needed. It just happens to be a lot more often recently that my needs have been greater. I love them for it and know that I will repay them someday for this. It's what families do for each other. I guess it's just a good thing I have a lot of family! haha.

I think I'll leave you with that, and don't be sad if it takes me yet another month to post on here!

reflections

2009-07-09T19:51:00.002+12:00

I guess I do this every year around my birthday. I sit and contemplate over the last year and where I'm at, etc. This year is no different.

I need to make some changes in my life, I know this. Last year around this time I had a physical while in Korea and was informed that I need to take better care of myself. I changed my eating habits for a good amount of time, but like always, slipped back into my bad habits. I don't want to be ten years down the road and have even more problems than I already do! If I don't set down good habits in my 20s, then when will I? Never is the more likely answer.

I'm tired of eating what I like and feeling A- guilty and B- sick afterwards. Yesterday is a prime example of this. I had a great tasting lunch...full of fat and starches...and was ill for the next two hours because of it.

I want to be content with where I'm at in life, and I know that taking care of myself will help that actually happen. I feel fat, lethargic and ugly most of the time...I catch sight of myself in the mirror at an unattractive angle and sigh. Well, I'm SICK OF SIGHING! It hasn't helped having two winters in a row, since winter is the worst time for me. Winter is a time to stay warm and lazy indoors as it's cold outdoors. I want to be happy with what I look like in the mirror and in photos. I want to have energy and feel better about what I eat. I will give myself this much though- I do eat a good breakfast everyday. Oatmeal and a cup of juice every day for over a year now. Good for my heart and good energy to start the day.

So I make a commitment to myself today. I have to take better care of my body, it's the only one I have after all! So send your words of encouragement as I start this change, because I know I will need it.

just a little smile time...

2009-06-30T16:13:00.002+12:00

Well, I've been quite depressing lately, so I thought I'd share something that made me laugh out loud, a lot. Elijah and I decided to paint the other day and we made a big mess and had a lot of fun! So check out a couple of the pictures here and laugh a bit.

Good review and show opening...

2009-06-20T13:14:00.004+12:00

So Freeload finally opened. Just when I thought I'd never get everything I had to do finished for it, I did. Of course, that means I didn't sleep much the last week or so! But it all got finished and the show opened Thursday to a rave review (I'm not kidding on that part...we got a GREAT review in the local paper here). The show is awesome, the actors do a spectacular job and the tech just tries to stay on top of their cues! Trust me, there's a lot of light/sound/video cues in this show! It's just nutty. I should know, I'm running lights.

Today I did the one thing I've been dreading...I checked my bank account balance. Yikes. This is what happens when I don't have a paying job. It's sad, the state of my bank account. I'm hoping that someone will call me in regards to the dozen or so CVs I've dropped off. Someone, somewhere has got to hire me! Quickly too, I might add. I desperately need a job. It's a gnawing worry on me now. I just don't see how I can make it without a job that pays me. I have to make some money here! And whoring myself out on the street corner is really NOT an option (this is the one suggestion I get most often from my brothers...I know they're joking though). So send some good karma my way folks and hopefully it'll work out that I get some work soon!

My friend Kowoon was visiting us for a couple days this week. We used to teach together in Korea way back in 2006 and haven't seen each other since she left SK. Who would've thought we'd end up in the same country again? It was lovely to see her and spend some time with an old friend. I'm hopefully going to make a trip down to Christchurch and spend some time there with her and her family there. Hopefully soon, but you never know.

I'll put up some pictures from her visit soon, but just not now. I've got to head into town to work for a bit at the theatre trying to sort something out and then I'll be home until I work the show tonight. Until next time.