1.27.08 :: Ghetto craftster
I've wanted to get a pair of arm warmers for the longest time now. So, when Toronto Star did a feature on arm warmers this past Thursday in the Living Section, and provided instructions on how to make your own pair, I dragged Nausheen with me after 27 Dresses and headed to Zellers to pick up some knee high socks ("in the intimates section", as Nausheen would add) to begin my project. So I present to you a few photo proofs (scroll over for comments):
Yes, it is rather ghetto to wear socks on your arms. But if I didn't tell you, I wonder if you'd know...?
Next up: knitting a longer pair of arm warmers, something long enough for tees with shorter sleeves.
Also: I've updated the photo gallery with links to my Facebook albums. Enjoy!
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1.26.08 :: Scribbles
Hold your hand
Figure nothing out while you lie in bed
And we'll walk down this valley so dark, so deep, so unending
Listen hard though you've got nothing to say
The silence finds us embracing without touch
Presence is the most sacred gift
Find in your dead eyes the light inside
Say the exact words that will uplift
See with you to the end of this
Oh, the friend I've never been
-"The Friend I've Never Been"
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So I read this kick-butt piece by hionlife over on fanfiction.net (actually, all her work is pretty darned awesome), and decided to brave it a little in the writing world. It's weird how one little fanfic story gets me all excited about writing in general. Alas, I have a long way to go.
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1.23.08 :: On self-discovery and leadership
Circumstances are great at driving me to think about life. In Prof. Siew's class, he emphasizes the need to reflect on all the actions you do in teaching to become a better teacher and person. "You teach who you are," Parker Palmer claims. In Dr. Magnus' "Leadership Development", we are reading an entire book on self-disciplines that leaders need to practice to become good at their art. Reflection and introspection is essential to becoming well-adjusted in life.
My thoughts drift to the deaths of two young actors I admired when I was younger (Brad Renfro and Heath Ledger). I wonder if they were overwhelmed by the darkness of their inner being when they took the time to look? I wonder if that's why they turned to drugs, which ultimately took their lives? What astonishing, tragic waste. Hardly at their peaks, and now they're gone.
The inner self, I read or heard somewhere, is the final dark frontier. It's easy to spiral into its depths, which is possibly why most people stay occupied with superficial things, things that keep them from seeing who they truly are. I can see now why it's so important to have Christ as an anchor as we do self-exploration. He's the strange hope that keeps us afloat.
Only from a secure core can we venture into taking responsibility for the different things we commit to. I had a conversation with a friend where I admonished that we have to take responsibility if we want to see change. It's a huge risk to take responsibility, and I was disheartened to see so much responsibility evasion in my faith community. People just don't want to be burned, but people also want things to improve. You can't have both. Maybe we all need to become more self-aware so that we can boldly take responsibility and lead without the fear of the opinions of others.
So that's my latest distillation on what leadership requires. I'll have to mull it over a little more, and maybe swallow my own pill that I prescribed for my friend.
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1.12.08 :: Radio One
I do rather enjoy waking up to CBC Radio One now. I don't think I've ever heard a program repeated just yet, and it turns out that I don't miss waking up to music all that much. Like this morning, I heard someone announce "when I grew up, I want to be a penis" before I hit the snooze button (wanting to be a pianist can be tough on a child). I found out when I decided not to snooze again that GO! (a live radio show � la late night talk shows) was doing a show featuring grown-ups reading things they wrote as kids (mom had just the other night handed me a bunch of things I wrote or typed up as a child... weird kid I was). I heard one guy read his Rambo sequel, and another dude read a series of letters he wrote from summer camp. And Hayden was on hand to play some live music. It was great, definitely a nice treat to wake to on Saturdays. Makes me want to dive down to the basement to pull up my ESL workbook from grade three. That thing made me laugh and laugh and...
My other favourites from Radio One:
- The Current - explores current news events at half-hour to hour long lengths
- Hidden City - the host was great at coming up with things you never notice while living in the city - like how the trees are poorly treated but are vital to city life, and how people deal with unpleasant noise from neighbours - absolutely fascinating
- Sounds Like Canada - focuses on all things Canadian - the last topic was on hospital food... more interesting than it sounds
Definitely check out Radio One (99.1 FM in Toronto) if you get the chance. It's mainly talk (they do sneak in songs during traffic reports and other down times), but it's enriching.
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1.11.08 :: 100 things modified
I decided to modify a few items on my 100 Things I Want To Accomplish, because, what the heck, it's my list. I took out some items that I no longer want to even half attempt, and made room for some new additions.
Anyway, the lead up to this is that I was looking through my one Chinese cookbook (courtesy of Flora - here's the link for the updated version of Yan-Kit's Classic Chinese Cookbook - really, an excellent primer to Chinese cooking) and I finally took the time to thoroughly read the recipe for Peking duck. It doesn't look too difficult (though it does require a windy place and 2 days), and I've scoped out places in my house where I can hang the duck and blow a fan on it. It'll be REALLY COOL if it turned out! I'll give you updates as they come. :o)
Anyway, the new items are as follows:
17. Make a felted bag out of an old sweater
I was �ber-impressed by Jasmine's Tree of Gondor bag that she made for Todd, and Becca mentioned sometime ago that you can just felt an old sweater. So that's what I'm gonna do.
58. Knit a personal set of arm warmers
I've been thinking about arm warmers ever since I saw a pair that Jasmine knitted for herself (yes, Jasmine, you're my knitting inspiration). They will definitely come in handy for a person who owns a lot of t-shirts, such as myself! I already have yarn I want to use, so all I need now is the time and the patience.
68. Prepare Peking duck from scratch
Oh yeah, baby. I do hope to get this off my list by the end of 2008. I'll even try to make the wrappers to go with it, and the spring onions with the pretty frayed out edges. Bring it!
And one more thing: I've done it again. Can't get away from fanfic writing, I suppose. Anyway, what I don't understand is why people put your completed work on an alert list. It's completed, dear readers. Just review it and we're good to go. And speaking about reviews, I think this piece is the first time I've ever received a beautifully detailed review (a "concrit" - nice), complete with point form suggestions for change. Within a few hours of posting too, at that. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
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1.9.08 :: Life-long learning freak
So I flipped through a few catelogues offering various community courses, and every time, I end up wanting to take some cooking classes Upstairs at Loblaws (learn to make fresh pasta for $40, anyone?), learn how to knit or speak German at the Dufferin-Peel Board, or take up writing or photography at the Living Arts Centre. And right after, I decide that I can't since I'm still in school. Apparently my mom does the same thing too, although she's actually taken a few classes. She wants to do woodwork. She's a funny woman. I think she likes power tools. Go her.
Well, I think I could do the Loblaws community classes since it a) is right by my house and b) only takes one night. The free naturopathic health seminars sound pretty interesting too (I think Flora is rubbing off on me - I should ask her for advice on combatting allergies and boosting the immune system). If anyone's interested in tagging along, let me know. If there's company, I might actually get out and learn something like I've always wanted to.
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1.8.08 :: Bits and pieces
A few things have started:
- The More Than Good Intentions blog, dreamed up by Cecilia and I
- The justice group - some concrete plans of action are being formed already!
- The Sabbath class, led by Brenda and Victor
A few other things on my mind lately:
- The post-election conflict in an unusually volatile Kenya (especially now that Ben is in nearby Sudan)
- With that, the forgotten Burmese situation
- Should I submit a story of mine to the Star?
- My maturity, or lack thereof (thus the quote from "Trust Me" by The Fray, found in the sidebar)
- How'd I do last term in school?!?
- University students and grads at church
- My leadership, or lack thereof
And a few great quotes from various sources (though I hate the American spellings):
Juno: Wow your shorts are light especially gold today.
Bleeker: My mom uses color safe bleach.
Juno: Go Carol!
[Haha... and Juno has other great dialogue like that. Sweet. Anyway, the relationship between Juno and Bleek remind me of a conversation me and Niette had a while back. We'll leave it at that.]"Desires very often inflame you and drive you madly on, but consider whether you act for My honor, or for your own advantage. If I am the cause, you will be well content with whatever I ordain. If, on the other hand, any self-seeking lurk in you, it troubles you and weign you down." - Thomas � Kempis in The Imitation of Christ
From "Churches pray for end to bloodshed in Kenya" by Mitch Potter in the Star about the upheaval in Kenya:
"The churches were silent when we really needed them. So for a day of prayer to come now, they are behaving like coroners. They are trying to save face but it is already too late," said Musambayi Katumanga, a senior political scientist at the University of Nairobi."We are a bit more harsh with our church leaders because they are precisely the ones who are supposed to stick their necks out on questions of justice and honesty. That is their mission. And they have failed us."
So these are the things that have been swirling in my head. Anyway, go check out the blog listed above!
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1.1.08 :: Statistics to start off the year
As the birdies on the Charlie Brown New Year Special announced on their little signs:
NEW HAPPY YEAR, EVERYONE!!!
Finally had my smoked gouda at yesterday's low-key (just the way we like it) new year's eve party. We (family + Ceci and Naomi) had 4 different cheeses, 3 different mushrooms in our soup, 2 difference deli meats, and, um, 1 of everything else. We watched the Air Farce countdown special, seeing them do their annual Chicken Cannon (which is kinda lame, but whatever), among other things. It was quiet, but enjoyed. I think Ceci especially enjoyed our late night ramen snack. Heh. SHOULD'VE HAD A HK MILK TEA! Hmm...
So some of you know that I sent out this e-mail about giving away a few CDs of mine just a few days ago. No less than 7 people have written to ask for the CDs in less than a week, clearing out all but 4 CDs out of 26, which is simply quite amazing! If only people responded with this much enthusiasm over other things!
Also, I finally had time to tabulate the stats from last year's grocery runs (3 months worth, since we only started in October). The grand total from last year's grocery runs added up to over $200 spent for the food bank, with 111 items purchased. Thanks to everyone who contributed!
The next grocery run will be this Saturday at 11am. Please e-mail me for more details if you want to come along!