Move, Eat, Learn

Aug 072011
 

I found this film project inspiring. It somehow reminded me of how much life has to offer if only you reach out and embrace it.

Move, Eat, Learn

3 guys, 44 days, 11 countries, 18 flights, 38 thousand miles, an exploding volcano, 2 cameras and almost a terabyte of footage… all to turn 3 ambitious linear concepts based on movement, learning and food ….into 3 beautiful and hopefully compelling short films…..

= a trip of a lifetime.

MOVE from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.

EAT from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.

LEARN from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.

Knitting Class Week 2

Aug 072011
 

Whew. Week 2 of my knitting class was hard! We learned the purl stitch as well as a ton of patterns made by combining knit and purl stitches. Our homework this week was to work on a pattern for a scarf that used all sorts of stitches and patterns. I got tripped up on the seed stitch and had to restart the scarf 5 times (I think, if I counted right). I kept losing track of where I was and haven’t learned to read my stitches yet. So, it was a mess. Oy! I tried different yarns and different needles. Nothing seemed to help. My project just kept blowing up. :-/

This weekend, I tried something new. I tried the project with a multicolored yarn. Beginners are supposed to to stick with solid colors this early in the game. It’s harder to read the stitches if there are more colors. But I think in a way the more colors helped me more by forcing me to focus better. At least I think that’s what happened. Regardless, it finally clicked and here’s my project so far:

The stitches & patterns from left to right are knit, seed, knit, basketweave, knit, ridge, knit, textured, and finally knit again. The pattern calls for repeating everything there 3 more times. Eh, in time perhaps. My hands are so dead right now. Very ow! I love how it’s coming out though. :)

Next up, learning how to increase and decrease stitches. :)

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Aug 032011
 

Before I Fall is a story that had been haunting me and somehow, after listening to the audiobook, I think it will continue to do so.

From BEA, I got a digital ARC of this book. However, it didn’t work. The file was corrupt. I worked with Harper Teen to get a new file but by the time I got it loaded, the time stamp on the file had expired. I was out of luck. But by then, I’d read the cover copy and loved the concept. The idea of it lurked in my head and wouldn’t go away, but I couldn’t read it yet. Ugh!

Then a few months later a physical ARC turned up in a mailing at work. I called dibs and snagged it, of course. I brought it home all excited to dive into it…but then…uh…well? I set it down and somehow buried it with other books and couldn’t find it. Can you believe it? Oy. I searched everywhere for that book. I could swear it was hiding from me!

I’m embarrassed to admit that when the book went on sale, I had no clue. I’d been so wrapped up in ARCs, I never even thought to check its on sale date. Whoops! I mean really, when did this book come out? Last year? Yes, so very embarrassing. But Audible saved me from that by offering a big sale. Woot! They sent an email out announcing the sale and when I opened it, the cover for this book was right up front! So, sale + plus new find to feed my audiobook addiction for listening while walking to work = a very happy me. I bought it and downloaded it right away.

Whew. But yes, finally, I could listen to the story and see if I liked the execution of the concept that had been haunting me so much.

As I started listening, I cringed. Yep, how can I not? The main character, Sam, was part of a group of girls who reminded me of Mean Girls. I hated this group of girls so much, I didn’t think I’d be able to keep going. But I stuck with it and somewhere along the way, magic happened. Sam started to grow. It all began with her death. And that’s the point of it really. She dies and is forced to repeat the same day over again seven times. It’s like some twisted version of Groundhog Day only one that felt less repetitive.

Sam’s growth was fascinating to watch. Her reactions brought out such an emotional roller coaster in me as she shifts from various states of panic, to determined, to hopeful, and everything in between. I loved all the interconnections between the characters that were revealed in unexpected ways. They were also so damn heartbreaking too. Like I said, emotional roller coaster. Box o’ tissues will be needed. I won’t ramble more on it for fear I’ll give something away. But the story is beautifully executed and I loved the way the concept rolled out through surprising layers.

Oh, and the narrator was fun too! She did an excellent job especially with that exasperated teen voice. :)

And guess what? I found the missing ARC…yesterday. Typical. :P

A lighthouse and some school thinkings

Jul 312011
 

I built the last LEGO set I have today. This one is of a lighthouse:

My hands are officially wrecked. My fingers hurt and my nails are butchered. But all the building I’ve done through this recent LEGO obsession has been SO worth it. Not only has it been a blast building all this awesome stuff (See the Millennium Falcon and behold the awesomeness there to see what I mean!), it’s also helping me work through my thoughts on going back to school.

I know, it’s kind of strange to say that it helped me thinking on things, especially since when I was building LEGOs, I was either listening to audiobooks or watching marathons. Yet somehow, I still did sort things out more. Not completely yet. Almost there I think though.

The gist is I’m going back to school. I’ve been thinking about going back for math for the past year and I’ve finally decided that yes, I am indeed going back to school for math.There’s such a beauty in math and the fact that I keep ignoring that seems like I’m trying to deny myself the ability to breathe. Though, who knows? I could take some classes and realize it’s not for me. But at least I will have tried! :)

The part I haven’t resolved yet is what else I’m going back for. Part of me is thinking of a combined natural science/math degree, perhaps focusing that science on environmental science. Another part of me keeps thinking, how in the world can I neglect computer programming? So, while I haven’t figured it out completely yet, I do know that math will be part of whatever I do.

I’ve already started working on refreshing my memory of it since EGAD, it’s been a century since I took the basics. To help with refreshing the cobwebbed noggin’, I got a few classes through The Great Courses. Right now I’m working my way through Algebra II. Then I’ll move on through Trig & Pre-Calc, then Calc, and I’ll finish up with a class on differential equations. At that point, I’ll take a placement test and see what kinds of classes I should start with.

I’m not sure yet when I’ll start. I have programming classes to take for ye ol’ day job this Fall too. I may not start the math until Winter, but I may take a science class sooner. Who knows? There is also writing to fit in somewhere too. I have short stories nagging at me and my trilogy lurking at me from my desk. My schedule is about to get very interesting to say the least. But it’ll be worth it!

It seems fitting to me that this last LEGO set I worked on is of a lighthouse. It’s that literal moment of clicking on the light and thinking, yes, I will do this. I have to try. It’s so time to shake my life up a bit!

Oh! I also found it interesting that this particular LEGO set came with instructions for a boathouse:

and a seafood restaurant:

Working through it, I paid particular attention to what pieces were turned into completely different things from one set to another. It reminded me how ideas can change shape and transform into something that doesn’t even hint at the initial inkling. Yes, my head was very rambly today while I built these. It happens. :P But it reminded me that going to school to take a few classes is just step one. Who knows where it will take me? I may end up taking completely different classes next year. And I’m excited by the where this will lead. Woot!

And that’s that for this ramble. Have a happy night all! :)

LEGO Millennium Falcon

Jul 302011
 

A few days ago, I went to Toys R Us in search of the LEGO AT-AT but they were out of stock. Then I turned around and discovered that what they did have in stock was the Millennium Falcon. How could I resist, eh? It’s too awesome to pass up. I just finished putting it together and have to say that I was giddy with ever step along the way. This was so much fun to build!

I love all the intricate ways it’s constructed and all the wonderful details! Here are some more views of it:

It came with an adorable Darth Vader and I had to put him somewhere. So, on top of the Millennium Falcon he went. :P

And that’s that. It’s been one excellent day. Indeed. Hope you’ve had a happy Saturday too! :)

Knitting Class Week 1

Jul 302011
 

Ever since I saw these TARDIS socks, I’ve been itching to make my own. Problem is, I have no clue how to knit. I decided to fix that and signed up for a knitting class through a Lion Brand Yarn store.

We had our first class this week and it was a lot of fun! We learned to cast on and a knit stitch. So far, I feel like a clod trying to knit and clumsy with every step. They say we have to practice to develop muscle memory and I’m hoping that means I’ll feel less clumsy with it eventually. Our homework this week was to practice casting on and working on the knit stitch. Here’s how it’s going so far:

I’m having fun working on it. Next week we learn the purl stitch. Onward I go on my quest to learn to knit so I can eventually make TARDIS socks. Woot! :)

LEGO Addiction Continues

Jul 292011
 

Yep, I couldn’t resist. I built another set from the Alien Conquest LEGO theme. And yep, another vehicle.The alien pod-like ships are SO adorable! :)

I’m also working on the Millennium Falcon. Still have a ways to go, but I’m having a great time building it. It’s awesome! I’m hoping to finish tomorrow. I’ll post final pics then. :)

And that’s all I really have to say about that. Have a happy day!

A LEGO weekend

Jul 242011
 

I never realized I had a LEGO addiction but this weekend proved it’s there. :P I got a few sets to have something to do while trapped inside on this brutally hot weekend. I get super antsy when this sort of thing happens. LEGOs proved perfect for keeping my hands busy. And I want to build more but I’ve run out of sets. I guess I could take them apart and rebuilt them. Perhaps.

The Harry Potter sets were fun to make. The Knight Bus is missing a piece so the light in the top level of the bus can’t be hung. That’s frustrating.

For the Alien Conquest set, my favorite piece is the alien that clings to a person’s head. He’s hard to see below though. The figure on the stretcher has one stuck on her head and the figure under the UFO tripod has one on his head too. You can also see one here.

By the time I worked on this one from the Pharaoh’s Quest set, I finally noticed a trend. I seem to favor LEGO sets with vehicles in them. Every single LEGO set I picked up had some mode of transportation theme going on!

I also worked on a few Erector Set things. I like the ship (Yet another vehicle, I know! :P) and love that I have instructions for making it into another style of ship too. The mini bot is a disappointment though. It was way too easy to put together. Must be for really young uns but I didn’t notice when I got it. It makes noise and lights up. Moves back and forth too. *yawn*

I also put together a jigsaw puzzle. Yes, I really do get this antsy to be outside when it’s too hot to be there. If I didn’t do stuff like this, I’d pace like some caged animal. It’s a thing. Anyway, wolves…but since there’s a moon, I’m taking them to be werewolves.

I have one more Erector Set model that I can build today. Er, that too is a vehicle. Of course it is, right? Sheesh.

I’ve had a blast though. I’ve been listening to A Dance With Dragons audiobook while I build them. I also caught up on Eureka and The Closer. So, all in all, pretty relaxing weekend. Can’t wait until I can get back outside though. I miss my weekend 5 mile hikes!

As for my new found LEGO addiction, I must, I mean MUST build an AT-AT as soon as I can get my hands on it. Woot!

Hope you’ve all had a fabulous weekend and have kept cool! :)

I went to the woods…

Jun 052011
 

…because I wished to live deliberately…

Heh. I couldn’t resist. :P

Anyway, last week I went on a long overdue vacation. I detached from the world by going offline. No cell. No internet. The only people who could reach me if they had to were family.

It was FABULOUS!

I got to dissolve into nature. I got to think clearly. I got to savor sounds by listening to things we usually miss out on. I got to breathe. Truly deep breathing (even if it was pollen riddled breathing :P). It was all so freaking awesome. Reminds me that it’s something I need to do more often. I had forgotten what it’s like to feel so damn relaxed.

Here are some of the things I saw while on vacation:

General Tso’s-ish Chicken

Apr 102011
 

This is a dish I’ve been addicted to lately:

I found the recipe on the Weight Watcher’s website. It’s not really General Tso’s Chicken but this recipe does have a great Asian flavor.

I’ve modified it some. I make it with 5 pieces of chicken instead of 4, that way I have meals for the full workweek. I add in a little extra red pepper and ginger than the recipe calls for because I like those flavors to pop more. I also make it with brown rice instead of white. And I add in two bags of Birds Eye steamed broccoli for some color.

It’s become a staple on my lunch menu and travels nicely:

That little cylinder-shaped container inside there has some soy sauce in it. It takes up a lot of space and most of it is empty. I plan on getting some bento box sauce bottles eventually to fix that. Yay! :)

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