overwhelmed...again.

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...

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...

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

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...

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...

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.

laura made me do it

ok, so not entirely true there--it's not like she's standing over me with a gun pointed to my head forcing me to do this. I digress, however. Alright- 7 random things about me.

1. I am dressing up as a kiwibird in about 1.5 hours to walk around for an hour dressed as such bird. Why? I'm not sure, but I get paid 50 dollars to do it!

2. I use more Korean than English when I talk to Elijah...this may be a problem as he begins to talk.

3. Computers frustrate me when they go kaput, and then when I waste over an hour trying to fix it unsuccessfully I get really angry.

4. I am much more anal-retentive than I care to admit. Working with two productions currently has only re-enforced that since the majority of the people involved in both productions are not organized or professional at all. It makes me crazy!

5. I still hold very fond memories of my two years spent in Korea...even though I know I had enough of the korean school politics, lack of foreign support system and ridiculous cultural things while I was there.

6. I am filled with useless knowledge. Most recently- UK royalty don't have surnames...they take part of their title as their last name So Prince William of Wales registered for university as William Wales. How interesting is that?

7. I love making clothes...but have a problem when I am trying to live in my workspace. Hence, my room is a complete disaster and there's nothing I can do about it!

Umm, I tag Carolyn, Lindsey, and anyone else who cares to do this. I don't actually know who reads my blog!