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Kyrene the Fridge Mastigos
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| Draft goals... still thinking about it... |
[Dec. 26th, 2009|01:08 pm] |
Over the next year I would like to do the following:
- Declutter my home
- Run 500 miles
- Return to my pre-pregnancy weight
- Get into the habit of picking up after myself
- do at least 4 cross stitch designs
- finish the sal and a sampler
- embroider the chanda belle logo on jeans fabric
- Make some good memories with dh and little_monkey
- Maintain or even increase the contact with family and friends
- At work, give my full attention while there... then forget it when I sign out.
- ?
- ?
I'll refine these a bit more later. I intend to keep the list to a maximum of 12 specific items. |
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| act of will |
[Dec. 26th, 2009|03:08 pm] |
Alright, it's not a Sunday and I still did something I typically do on Sundays--hop on a bus to Ilsan for a bagel and a (don't hit me for hypocrisy) venti mocha. I got out the door and while it was chillier than the 40-50F than it's been, it didn't seem too bad. A little wet and potentially icy so I stepped carefully off the front step. No slip-and-slide, this is good.
So I return the movies and notice along the way little piles of white in the cracks and corners. I also noticed other specks of white sitting around on the street. Apparently it snowed last night, and some dear municipal soul spread salt around to keep the roads from becoming slippery. I was still careful where I walked, but at least I could walk without feeling it a constant battle.
So on the way to Ilsan I pass some construction areas, the stream, some rice fields and stuff that while not pastoral was particularly pretty. Snow is like that, especially the light dusting we got last night. It highlights things, turns a patch of turned dirt into a patchwork of 3D art. Well, at least to me who has trouble seeing the three dimensions unless they're color coded! (I wonder if that isn't helping my fear of slip-and-falls?: I swear, I feel ninety years old that way!) I didn't get much in the way of pictures, never do lately, just too much fun staring at it to snap it. I'm also reminded of why the sidewalks here are better the way they are. Sure, you can't haul down the sidewalk in teetering heels without looking where you're going, but at the same time when it gets icy here, as it never does in Cali, the sidewalks don't turn into skating rinks. The snow and ice fall obligingly in the cracks between the bricks, and outside of some spots of sludge which you do have to watch out for the sidewalks are quite navigable, even for the occasional insane Korean woman in teetering heels with her cell phone plastered to her ear. Which happens more often than you'd think.
So it's pretty, and not just treacherous. Now I'm going to get off my butt (well, if SJG isn't still down, after a turn at it) and clean the laundry/patio/Yong Yong's room. The cat litter has gotten kind of icky in there, and it's got this nice drain and the hoses from the washer, just have to get the too-much stuff out of there and hose it all down, then run the space heater on roast until it dries. Hopefully before the samulnori show tonight. I'm taking a cab to it, even though it's only about a twenty-minute walk. I'm not quite that clear of my fears yet. |
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| Old and New Christmas traditions! |
[Dec. 25th, 2009|05:55 pm] |
This year we didn't make a big effort to get ready for Christmas or get presents. Somehow that olde festive feeling just wasn't there. And really, to be honest, DH and I have everything we want and need, making it very difficult to buy presents that wont quickly turn to land fill. Living a simple life can throw some interesting problems our way. LOL. Instead we collected several orders/purchases from the past few months (we saved them from all the way back in October!) and labeled them Christmas presents. On Monday I decided that I should make an effort, this was to be little_monkey's first Christmas after all, and even if she wont remember it, we will. So I gave myself a EUR50 budget. I went out and finally got a Christmas tree and set it up with little_monkey (I remember the fun times I had setting up the Christmas tree with my mum and brothers). Then I got a train set I had seen at the supermarket for little_monkey and while looking for stocking fillers I spotted a lion that we just had to add to her african animals collection. These, together with our purchases from October and some gifts for little_monkey from family and friends all went under the Christmas tree. At the last minute I remembered to add the cross-stitch ornament I designed earlier in the year to the tree, hopefully in coming years more will be added.
Somehow despite everything, its turned out to be the best Christmas yet in terms of enjoying the event! Its entirely possible that waiting to get the things since October added to the enjoyment... good old anticipation. A total lack of expectations helped... And of course it was little_monkey's first Christmas!
In memory of that, here is a list of the Christmas presents and dinner. Together with some pics. Not being religious Christmas is about being with those we love, sharing some good food and exchanging presents.
We had 1 stocking shared by all of us which we opened last night. Fillers were a set of headphones (for me, I go through 1 set a month), a small english to scottish dictionary (for DH), some spoons (for little_monkey, they match the plate set she got in the morning) and some dog treats for Bob.
We also had a lovely baked dinner (mostly prepared by DH... his baking skills are getting to the point where I would rather eat at home than go to a 5 star restaurant!), the pictures really don't do it justice.
- Some Boschendal Cabernet-Sauvignon-Shiraz (South African wine we drank when visiting my parents and re-discovered by DH somewhere in our little town!!!)
- A platter of black and green olives marinated in garlic and chilli, green chillis, gruyere and parmesan. little_monkey joined us for this first course, she had some shredded pieces of cheese...
- Double baked blue cheese Soufle
- Rosemary and garlic roast lamb, with a potatoe gratin and coriander carrots (the carrots reminded me of some we had when visiting D. in September, the big difference being that ours were baked, maybe a little too much baking time... but they were caramelised and tasty!)
- Chocolate soufle for dessert
  
In the morning we opened the main presents: Wooden puzzle train set, Stuffed lion, Stuffed elephant, Backpack, A set of plates, sippy cup and place mat, Some lovely clothes for the coming spring, Fleecy jumpers, 2 Origami books, The complete Sherlock Holmes, 2 video games, 2 DVDs (Swedish movies, if you haven't watched "Kitchen Stories" do so, its worth it!), chocolates, A baking stone for our oven, baking tins for baguettes and for tarts, A painting by an african artist (thank you to my parents!).
  
I am sure little_monkey really didn't understand what was going on... but she sure had fun!
The usual calls to family were made. It was good talking with everyone and hearing what each little family island scattered throughout the world was doing to celebrate. From the conversation with my grandfather I learned that my grandmother used to make the beds fresh each Christmas. Our beds are now freshly made.
Christmas dinner and the sharing of the stocking contents last night, then the opening of the presents this morning were watched over by the golden angel that I got for the first Christmas I spent with DH. Now that I think about it, its the angel's 12th Christmas with us. She is looking a little battered but still shines pretty and golden when I pull her out of her container each year. Look at my previous post and you will see the angel being put on top of the tree by little_monkey.
Our first Christmas with little_monkey was fairly simple, mundane and straight forward. Each thing we did in itself was nothing special. Everything put together did make it a special Christmas. Traditions and memories of Christmas past mixing in with today's reality to make it something special.
I had been worried about this first Christmas with little_monkey as it would set a precedent in terms of traditions to be kept up in the future. I didn't have to worry... if this Christmas is anything to go by, we'll do just fine. Some old traditions will be kept and some new ones will be started over the years... important is we'll enjoy the time together.
Now the pile of wrapping paper is put away, our tummies are filled with leftovers, the dishes are done and I am looking forward to a quiet couple of weeks with little_monkey, DH and Bob. Time to re-charge and prepare for the challenges of the year ahead.
I hope you've all had a lovely holiday celebration! |
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| hermitty |
[Dec. 25th, 2009|09:56 pm] |
But folks under the friends-lock know that.
I picked up two movies last night, just on a whim. One is a horror movie--I wanted Korean or Japanese horror, but got "Solstice" instead--and the other something light and goofy. Much as I like scary movies, I actually fast-forwarded through that one. Ugh.
The light one--I recommend it. "Balls of Fury" didn't do well back in the day, and it's not Animal House. It's still quite funny though, doesn't take itself seriously at all, nice light goofiness. George Lopez shines and Chris Walken is obviously having lots of fun.
And I have Oreos. I could do worse.
Merry Christmas all. |
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| My letter to Santa |
[Dec. 23rd, 2009|11:45 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  amused | ] |
 Dear Santa...
Dear Santa,
This year I've been busy!
Last Thursday I gave ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) sirah_fires a Dutch Oven (-10 points). In April I ruled Asscrackistan as a kind and benevolent dictator (700 points). Last month I donated bone marrow to desdemmonna in a life-saving procedure (300 points). In March I helped jasonmperry70 see the light (8 points). In June I signed my organ donor card (28 points).
Overall, I've been nice (1026 points). For Christmas I deserve a pony!
Sincerely,
CldShadow |
But shouldn't it have been showing Jason the Darkside? |
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| Deeply moved |
[Dec. 23rd, 2009|06:54 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  thankful | ] |
[Disclaimer: I'm placing a link here to a photo that spurred this post, but the photo might be disturbing to some--finish reading the post before deciding whether you wish to click on it]
After seeing this photo, I find myself needing to write something. This photo, as is mentioned in the description by the mother who posted it, is of the woman's infant daughter in her last moments of life. It was taken at the urgent request of the mother who wanted to remember her lovely daughter who was here for all to short a time (just over two weeks). [For those wondering whether to click on it or not, there is no gore or such awfulness in it, but it is inherently filled with raw emotion.]
In any event, seeing this reminds me how blessed danaewinters and I, and so many others, really are. In the middle of an economy like this, it's so easy to suffer some financial setback, or other disappointment and think life is so hard. We get so wrapped up in our own difficulties, that we lose perspective on what real suffering is and forget to really count our blessings for the great joys our lives are filled with and which we all take for granted.
And in this season, of all seasons, I wanted to take a moment to remember how blessed I am. For such a wonderful wife, two incredible and amazing (and thankfully, healthy) children, a small but deeply loved group of friends, an overexcitable but still lovely dog, a mellow cat that keeps my legs warm every chance it gets, a beautiful home in a town I truly love, a job that pays enough with trustworthy and generous coworkers, not just enough to eat, but great food, enough money to take care of our needs and a good deal of our (reasonable) wants and just about everything else we have, I am truly blessed. |
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| Pre X-mas to-dos |
[Dec. 23rd, 2009|11:03 am] |
I am sure I'll forget something... so here are my pre-X-mas to-dos:
Get diapers/wet wipes/tea/food for little_monkey
Make a grocery list (2 meals and 1 dessert, DH is making some other stuff)
Get groceries
Get stocking filers
Call A. and find out if they can join us for a meal sometime in the next couple of days.
Find or take Christmas pic
Send email
Fold laundry
- STARTED Tidy lounge
- STARTED Wrap presents
- Tidy study
- Swipe bathroom
Make gratin
Calls
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| I CAN HAS SCANNER AND GRAPHICS PROGRAM!!! |
[Dec. 22nd, 2009|03:28 pm] |
| [ | Tags | | | art | ] |
| [ | mood |
| |  irritated | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Hark how the bells sweet silver bells all seem to say throw cares away | ] |
-for the next week and a half anyway. Wonder how much art I can get done. Hmm...
-Previously Posted (but finally scanned and cleaned properly!)-
Shin'ichi gets a clue
For Wren-chan, who wanted Heiji/Shin'ichi/Ran, which we still need to write. Warning for file size if you click full view, I left it big in case of wallpaper.
Heiji Halloween 09
Still not sure if he's a werewolf or a vamp, but the blood splatter was dang fun to draw.
Conan Halloween 09
Still the cutest scary little bloodsucker.
Thanksgiving 09
aka 'Pilgrim's Panties'. Thank you, Conan and Ran.
-Previously Unposted-
Kaitou Kid Halloween 09
Aoko & Akako Halloween 09
Brought to you by the question "What is the difference between a Witch and a Sorceress?" one night in chat.
Saguru Halloween 09
He had me in stitches. XD
Icka's Halloween 09
Passed out with a kitty making sure I stay on the ground. Vertigo sucks. But the art style was fun.
Invader Zim - Irony
View from Right to Left. Thinking doodles from our Invader Zim fic 'Irony'. Dib's growing up and turning all alien and stuff.
And just think, this is just the completed stuff from the sketchbook we started in late Sept. There's more in that book I've been dragging my heels on finishing. And there's another sketchbook and a half-dozen other loose sketches not with me that are ready and waiting to be scanned and posted. ^______________________^ My backlog is HUGE! \o/ |
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| Continuing Year End Adventure |
[Dec. 22nd, 2009|01:36 pm] |
Lj ate this post twice. I'm going to wait for a little bit, before I post again.
Okay, let's make a third try at this post.
As requested by mooglosaurus , I'm doing a further design discussion on my white fox and the White Rabbit costumes. For the coat that I'm thinking of. I'm commissioning a mash up of these two Taobao coats.
( Zoop, Zoop )Now, with the White Rabbit, being that part of the design is being taken from the white fox will have some similarity such as sharing the above coat. My idea for the color scheme of the White Rabbit is white/silver/grey/heather. But, I recently saw some inspiring drawings of White Rabbit in the color scheme of white and blue.
( Abeyoyo, Abeyoyo )
So, all in all, I'm amazed by what beautiful result I'm getting from an idea coming to life. Now, I'm getting ideas on what I would like to wear as pants options, short pants, cropped pants, or dress trousers. |
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| It's been a week. |
[Dec. 22nd, 2009|10:26 am] |
| [ | mood |
| |  sleepy | ] |
-So before legal action can be taken against my former employer, I must file under the Whistleblower act with the State. Only no one knows who to file with. Heard it was OSHA, OSHA says 'no', check Attorney General's Office and still trying to figure out if it's the Industrial Commission, but they seem to be focused on 'Hazardous Work Environments'.
So basically, nada. I am protected by the law, only no one knows how.
And to make things ultra special, one of the other employees was fired for not pulling Y off of the client, and my supervisor has been suspended/fired as well.
Also attempted a date, which I already ranted about on FB. Pretty sure the volcano in the Philippines is my fault, because I don't usually date. 2 boyfriends my entire life.
... Aaaaaaand we're gonna keep it that way for a while longer. At least now I know warning signs for a bad date. ~_~
Other than those two annoyances, it's actually been a fairly good week. Went to a Hanukkah party, learned to play dreidel (and win!), did some babysitting, and currently housesitting for a couple of labs and a spaniel until the New Years. Yay. ^_______^ |
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| Look busy! |
[Dec. 22nd, 2009|02:22 pm] |
I actually do have work to do too, just trying to get the inspiration up. That and no special classes this week, so I have some time.
Was poking around the web and found the proper description for Yong Yong. He's not a tuxedo cat, properly speaking, because his paws and belly are entirely white. No, the name of his pattern is even cooler: "mask and mantle". Here he is chasing his second-favorite toy, the pizza ribbon. I think he likes the laser pointer just a tiny bit more.
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| (no subject) |
[Dec. 21st, 2009|09:57 am] |
Here's a photo of my daughter, at the Nutcracker on Saturday. Isn't she a ham?
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| No lake... just a bucket! |
[Dec. 21st, 2009|04:23 pm] |
Recent events have left me feeling drained, raw, angry, hurt, sad and on the verge of falling back into the depression that I battled with back in 2005 after my burnout at work. First I was too numb to even think clearly. Then little_monkey was sick for the first time, high fevers and a very congested nose and throat, leading to an ear infection. For a week I fought back the darkness threatening to overwhelm me, no time for that while I looked after little_monkey, who, threw up, cried in pain and was generally miserable. She is now better. And with her return to health, the darkness that was laying in wait came. I've allowed it to work in my subconscious by reading a book when I was not otherwise busy. I haven't slept 8 hours straight since the 5th of December. The only sleep I get is a few hours here and there when I am so tired that I can no longer stay awake. Bob keeps coming and giving me licks and laying at my feet in a protective manner.
Sometime on Friday I recall telling DH I was allowing myself the weekend to wallow. And that on Monday I would pick up the pieces and start slowing "stitching myself together" again. I told him this both so he would take up the slack of me turning inwards and because by putting it in words I was making a little anchor back out of the darkness. One needs to give oneself time to feel those raw feelings. But one needs to return home from them in order to continue living. And continue living a good life is my intention!
Last Saturday (12.Dec) I tried to turn inwards and focus on my inner lake (last mentioned here), in the hope of gathering a bit of strength and calm. I was shocked to find it gone, in its place a plain bucket in a bare gray room. The bucket was 2/3s full. Every now and then a small drop falling into the bucket. At first I was shocked, but then a drop falling into the bucket caught my attention... I figured thats some kind of healing taking place, a good sign. I focused on the surroundings of the bucket and found the bucket to be in good condition, no rust, no holes... no water leaking from it. Also a good sign. Feeling reassured that the seed of my lake is being safely kept in this bucket inside this gray room I've kept myself going. Today the bucket is still in the room, still 2/3s full... but safe. There is one small change, the bucket now seems to be hanging from a tap, from which the drops are falling into it.
True to my word, today I am picking up the pieces. I took little_monkey to the doctor and she was officially declared healthy and OK to go to the kindergarden. When I dropped her off she was welcomed by the ladies and all her favourite little friends. They missed her over the past 3 weeks. I had intended to go to work, but since I forgot my security card at home I decided it wasnt worth going through the process of getting a temporary card. No one was expecting me. I can go to work tomorrow. I've gone out and got a Christmas tree. The tree was frozen when I brought it home. Its now thawed and I can smell the true fragrance of pine as I type this. We'll decorate it tonight when little_monkey is home.
Its midwinter. The shortest day of the year. The longest night of the year. After tonight, light returns as the days get longer. I marvel at the coincidence that unknowingly I chose today to start picking up the pieces. Another good sign? I hope so.
I wonder why we celebrate New Year on the night of 31.Dec to 01.Jan. I could probably find the answer if I googled it. Its not important. To me it would make more sense to celebrate New Year's eve tonight. If I get a chance I may think of my goals for the coming year tonight.
A return to normality is good. I have some feelings and things I need to deal with. That will be done in due time, with care and patience. For now its time to go make some food, pick up little_monkey and maybe see if I can find some lights for the Christmas tree. |
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| ironic |
[Dec. 21st, 2009|08:04 pm] |
Feeling low because of the credential and the sense of "spinning my wheels" and then I get my tatt (where I dropped stupid amounts of money) gets front page on the tatt site It looks like they took it the day of the fluorescent highlighting--note the relative lack of stray ink and skin irritation. http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/112/l_a0d9ae9ad47248d4af303b547de4e1d3.jpg 
So yeah, a good shot of it, with the artist's signature besides. :)
Have to add the glowy version, as in this is what it looks like under blacklight.
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