2007.09.29

I’m grateful for:

1. A hazy, drizzly day in Seattle
2. Good attendance to the Festa Italiana in spite of the not-optimal weather
3. Enthusiastic fellow photographers with whom I’m exhibiting collectively
4. Getting a brief glimpse of Nick Stellino at the Festa and knowing that tomorrow I’ll be able to attend his entire presentation —and maybe even get a signed book and a photo; I’m a huge fan!
5. A lovely dinner with friends at Vios

See more progress on: Daily: Reflect on 5 things for which I'm grateful.

News about Seattle Center Pavilion

The FotoItaliana event started today with a collective exhibition of photography of Italy and tasting of Italian wines. Great atmosphere!

See more progress on: Seattle Center Pavilion

Space Needle

There’s a silver lining to most things in life, and today wasn’t the exception. I had an event at Seattle Center. Parking was a nightmare, and I ended up on the other side of the venue :S

Heading to the pavilion, I walked under the Space Needle and I looked up; the view almost knocked me over. The sky was almost pitch black, but it’s distinctively indigo. I love this structure from all its angles! It is so appealing. I wouldn’t have seen this view if I had found a parking spot around the corner ;)

See more progress on: explore the city i live in

2007.09.28

I’m grateful for:

1. The Festa Italiana at Seattle Center
2. Lively music, dancing, and singing; people were on and so much enjoying themselves
3. Great wine tasting and good company
4. Exhibiting my photographs
5. A real good time altogether :)

See more progress on: Daily: Reflect on 5 things for which I'm grateful.

2007.09.27

I’m grateful for:

1. Yesterday’s spectacular sunset with a cloud shaped as a Peace Dove —so appropriate for celebrating Peace Day… or my extended Peace Week ;)
2. Returning a book to the library a day after finishing it, speeding up the queue of 600+ people behind me, so they can enjoy it as much as I did
3. Getting supplies and reprints of my photos
4. The joy to my heart and the smile to my face that Uma brings when she begins s-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g, sees me coming, and wags her tail frenetically while still stretching :)
5. Taking a nap with Uma and falling asleep to her unashamed snoring!

See more progress on: Daily: Reflect on 5 things for which I'm grateful.

Nice to see

...but not something I’d recommend to go out of your way to view. It is quite a big tree —about 8-10 stories high— and good to visit if you’re around in the neighborhood.

See more progress on: Giant Sequoia

2007.09.26

I’m grateful for:

1. The first rain drops on fallen Autumn leaves
2. The full moon
3. Delicious orzo salad at Vios Cafe
4. Listening to ‘60s British music while organizing my photos
5. Setting up my photos for this weekend’s exhibition

See more progress on: Daily: Reflect on 5 things for which I'm grateful.

Unspoiled

Finished it this morning at 5am. With all the hype around it, I’m so happy and relieved that I amazingly dodged all spoilers. I enjoyed it till the end :)

See more progress on: read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Unspoiled

Finished it this morning at 5am, and I’m so happy that I amazingly dodged all spoilers with all the hype around it. I enjoyed it till the end :)

See more progress on: read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

2007.09.25

I’m grateful for:

1. A’s fabulous lattes… and, oh, the foam…
2. Finishing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows without having it spoiled
3. French cinema, oooh oui!
4. Getting my photographs ready to hang up tomorrow
5. Naps

See more progress on: Daily: Reflect on 5 things for which I'm grateful.

2007.09.24

I’m grateful for:

1. Autumn light
2. Waking up to the sound of my neighbor’s garden fountain
3. A nice Autumn walk in Genessee Park
4. The experience of selling my photography in a market
5. A’s support

See more progress on: Daily: Reflect on 5 things for which I'm grateful.

2007.09.23 at 9:54 UT

Just three hours away of this year’s Autumn Equinox and I can already sense the season in the air…

See more progress on: welcome Autumn by celebrating and acknowledging Autumn Equinox

Sep. 22, 2007

I’m grateful for:

1. A call confirming my participation in a photographic exhibition
2. The survival of my photographs that have gone through years of heat, cold, dust, fingerprints, acidity, packing, unpacking…
3. Making time to sort out my Italy photos
4. Writing a mini-bio of a turning point in my life and the meditative thoughts that emerged
5. The Autumn Equinox just three hours away

See more progress on: Daily: Reflect on 5 things for which I'm grateful.

...

Peace

See more progress on: Celebrate Peace Day

Sep. 21, 2007

I’m grateful for:

1. Celebrating Peace Day
2. An overcast day at Lake Washington reflecting on its soft waves
3. A little sun and a little rain
4. A long, briskly walk around my neighborhood
5. Giving our ficus a long-overdue “spa treatment”: remove the old soil, rinse, set it back in its pot with new soil and a touch of manure, and shower it and water it thoroughly — hopefully she’ll respond positively and not react to too much of a good thing — she’s ready to hibernate :)

See more progress on: Daily: Reflect on 5 things for which I'm grateful.

#7707

I just gave Julie my last cheer of the day, but it turned out to be her 7707th cheer! Wow, you guys!! Cheerbombing accomplished!!

See more progress on: Cheerbomb Julie Jordan Scott So That She Can Get Her 7,500th Cheer!

Sep. 20, 2007

I’m grateful for:

1. Sunflowers — happy, energetic flowers opening up
2. Wonderful things happening to A
3. A’s extraordinary and supportive boss
4. T’s friendship, good nature, and support — and for financing our enterprise with start-up resources
5. The excellent, helpful, and friendly staff of the Seattle Public Library, particularly of the Columbia Branch

See more progress on: Daily: Reflect on 5 things for which I'm grateful.

Once again

Given the early Autumn start, this goal shall be reincorporated in my 43 Things right away. And given my lousy accomplishment last season for doing things impetuously, I shall be more methodical in knitting a decent sweater for my sweetheart Uma :)

See more progress on: knit a sweater for my dog

Sep. 19, 2007

I’m grateful for:

1. The amazing talent of spiders to form their webs
2. The express lanes and the HOV lane on I-5
3. Advancing on our restaurant project
4. Making arrangements with a friend for a fair
5. Getting an art easel

See more progress on: Daily: Reflect on 5 things for which I'm grateful.

Curd

I started doing the curd—to be done in advance—, but didn’t calculate the chemical reaction of the acidity of the lime and the heavy pan—which the recipe called for. So the curd turned out with a not-so-attractive greenish hue, but it still tastes good! We’ll see how it tastes like with the rest of the recipe…

See more progress on: bake blueberry tartlets

Sep. 18, 2007

I’m grateful for:

1. The first vegetable I eat from my garden: Baby Carrots—heavenly!
2. A glimpse of an early Fall
3. An overall sense of joy :)
4. A response about a possibility of exhibiting my photography
5. The 1,510 Seattle Library members who read Harry Potter and the Deadly Hallows at top speed, allowing me to pick a copy and start reading it!

See more progress on: Daily: Reflect on 5 things for which I'm grateful.

Sep. 17, 2007

I’m grateful for:

1. My ever-patient and loving Uma
2. A wonderful weekend
3. My ongoing exploration of Seattle
4. Things beginning to happen… :)
5. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows already achieving “in transit” status at the library—too excited! It really makes up for the fact of not being able to go watch Order of the Phoenix at the IMAX yesterday because the last day was Sunday! :S

See more progress on: Daily: Reflect on 5 things for which I'm grateful.

Birthday Haiku

May you much enjoy
the fab and naughty forties
Let the fun commence!!

See more progress on: wish Todd Schoonover a happy healthy and full of love birthday on September 15th

Sep. 15, 2007

I’m grateful for:

1. The sunflowers starting to bloom in my garden
2. My camera
3. Checking out a business opportunity in our restaurant quest
4. Compliments received for my art
5. An opportunity of exhibiting my work

See more progress on: Daily: Reflect on 5 things for which I'm grateful.

Blueberries from a friend

Before the blueberries go bad, I’ll bake them into tartlets from this recipe that looks delicious. I can almost smell them…

See more progress on: bake blueberry tartlets

Sep. 14, 2007

I’m grateful for:

1. Getting good quality prints from many of my digital photos
2. Knowing that I can advance in my transition from film to digital
3. Catching up on comments
4. Joyous laughter with A when remembering an anecdote from when we stayed in Paris —good memories…
5. A good laugh when mother was convincing me to drive her to Sears by treating me to the little coffee shop besides it —that is, the little coffee shop under the Starbucks headquarters! lol

See more progress on: Daily: Reflect on 5 things for which I'm grateful.

Early start

I had an early start last week and I shall be done before the equinox is here.

1. fully clean the house of dust and spider webs
2. mow the lawn and clean the garden
3. sweep front street
4. sweep outdoor areas
5. deep-clean kitchen
6. deep-clean bathroom
7. declutter and give away clothes and miscellaneous things
8. store summer clothes and retrieve winter ones
9. reorganize shed
10. change the soil of the two big plant pots —still pending from spring clean

See more progress on: fall clean

Giving up

I’m giving up on this goal, since I’m up to 60 items —including items of A and mother, but still… I’m really on a roll now of reading and watching movies and listening to old and new music, so why control myself now? ;)

See more progress on: control my library sprees

Pas français

Last week, I immersed myself into cooking pozole. A Mexican dish I grew up with, I wanted to learn how to cook it. I did the white version first, and then the green version.

Though I enjoyed them all right, I probably won’t have them but once in a blue moon. The reason: it’s probably one of the least sensuous food in the whole world —so coarse and heavy, pas français :S

See more progress on: adopt the French way of life

Truck

As summer fades off, caterings are not much required anymore. To continue on our quest for our restaurant, we’re taking a look at Taco Trucks. This was actually the original idea as a step before the restaurant. We have taken a look at two trucks already, and we very much liked the second one. We’ll see how this unfolds…

See more progress on: open a restaurant

Late start

Starting on my garden in late spring is beginning to show. When I pass by my neighbors’ houses and see all their crops, I know I’m way behind.

But at least I believe Seattle has some benign weather, and I’ll hopefully harvest some vegetables and fruits by October :)

See more progress on: grow a garden

Moving

By consistently walking every day, plus gardening three times a week, plus housework, I can mark this goal as done, and will keep doing it. Now, I’ll work on integrating yoga and biking.

See more progress on: exercise regularly

Good, long book

It took me forever, and I had to rush it at the end —so I could catch the movie while it was still in theaters. It’s the longest of the series, and it didn’t quite grasp me at the beginning. But, as with the previous 4, at the end I couldn’t put the book down!!

See more progress on: read Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Spoiled

As much as I was happy to accomplish this goal, I was upset as well, so I didn’t write an entry then. Just five days before finishing the book and before watching the movie, I bumped into the major spoiler. I stared in awe and couldn’t believe it. Yet I wasn’t sure if it was the spoiler of book 5 or the succeeding two, so I continued reading… only to find out that it was the spoiler for book 5 :S

So, frankly, I could’ve just watched the movie first and enjoyed the reading without so much pressure. The funny thing was that we set a final time to watch the movie on a Monday at 7:30pm, and I finished the last page at about 6:30pm!!

See more progress on: read harry potter 5 before it's released as a movie

Sep. 13, 2007

I’m grateful for:

1. Peppers starting to sprout
2. My mac
3. Orange juice
4. Doing a major cleanup of the garden, front street, and outdoor areas
5. Walking Uma twice today and seeing her so happy

See more progress on: Daily: Reflect on 5 things for which I'm grateful.

Sep. 12, 2007

I’m grateful for:

1. The surprise that the previous tenants planted red roses in a corner and they bloomed today
2. Keeping active and moving my body
3. Inspiration
4. Cooking an invention of lasagna/pastitzio that actually came out quite well, despite forgetting the garlic! But with homegrown basil and oregano, you really can’t go wrong ;)
5. A good talk with A about future plans

See more progress on: Daily: Reflect on 5 things for which I'm grateful.

Plus one

Since my last post, not only have I not managed to lose any weight, but actually have gained one pound :( It’s really not that bad considering I have sometimes not eaten adequate portions —like ordering a bucket of popcorn at the theater—shared, but we still got a refill :P— or helping myself to the snacks mother has around. I guess what’s kept me from not gaining even more is the moderate exercise I do everyday.

Though I have fully stopped being tempted by mother’s nuts and ice cream and more, this has given me the opportunity to observe and be aware of the eatings habits I unfortunately inherited. As I’m currently reading French Women Don’t Get Fat, I am working hard on changing my habits. I had started doing so, but it’s just too easy to fall and get back into old habits, especially with temptations around.

This “plus one pound” is just an alarm to get back on track by eating right and keep exercising.

See more progress on: lose 43 pounds

Sep. 11, 2007

I’m grateful for:

1. Growing tomatoes
2. Remembrance
3. Returning some overdue materials to the library
4. Finishing reading Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
5. The 100th teammate on this goal

See more progress on: Daily: Reflect on 5 things for which I'm grateful.

Finished...

...with a knot in my stomach. Can’t wait to start the Deadly Hollows — and keep away from spoilers!!

See more progress on: Read Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince

Sep. 10, 2007

I’m grateful for:

1. The curls of pumpkins — I can’t get enough of observing them
2. A friend’s birthday celebration
3. Finding the perfect recipe for the blueberries a friend gave us
4. A’s love and support
5. Uma’s love and loyalty

See more progress on: Daily: Reflect on 5 things for which I'm grateful.

27.11.1993 — 25th row — Paul McCartney's New World Tour 1993

Un-be-liev-a-ble! One of the best concerts I’ve ever been to. And watching live and up close a former Beatle was surreal. And no less than Sir Paul McCartney! This entry is a golden brooch to finish this amazing Beatles Avatar Week :)

See more progress on: declare 01 - 07 September The Beatles Avatar Week

Sep. 8, 2007

I’m grateful for:

1. Roses and more roses blooming in my garden and the aroma they emanate
2. Nice weather
3. Delicious Greek food at Vios Restaurant
4. Cooking green pozole for my family and receiving high compliments
5. Books

See more progress on: Daily: Reflect on 5 things for which I'm grateful.

Sep. 7, 2007

I’m grateful for:

1. The survival capacity of my artichokes in spite of my gardening rookieness and a severe transplant
2. Melon… sweet, watery, juicy melon
3. Walking my dog and smiling at two neighbors sitting on their porch sipping their wine
4. Writing a long comment
5. Cheers

See more progress on: Daily: Reflect on 5 things for which I'm grateful.

Serenaded

I had decided to randomly give away my 888th cheer, but then TajLV randomly serenaded me, and I was just obliged ;)

See more progress on: give 888 Cheers!

The Long and Winding Road

Many Beatles songs make me dance and many make me long. But the one that tingles me most is from their final album together “Let It Be”.

See more progress on: declare 01 - 07 September The Beatles Avatar Week

Sep. 6, 2007

I’m grateful for:

1. Colors still abounding late in summer
2. Remembering a friend’s birthday
3. Checking an option for our restaurant project
4. Music
5. Reading before going to bed

See more progress on: Daily: Reflect on 5 things for which I'm grateful.

George, oh, George!

Something in the way he moves
Attracts me like no other lover [...]
Somewhere in his smile he knows…

Something, one of my favorite Beatles’ song, composed by one of the most attractive men ever, it’s really about him... ggrroar!! ;)

See more progress on: declare 01 - 07 September The Beatles Avatar Week

Sep. 5, 2007

I’m grateful for:

1. A little pumpkin still growing despite a marring/bite it suffered
2. A walk in Volunteer Park
3. Early starting my fall cleaning
4. Climbing a 138-step stair straight through, without stopping after each flight
5. Caprese salad with homegrown cherry tomatoes received from a friend and my own homegrown basil

See more progress on: Daily: Reflect on 5 things for which I'm grateful.

Sep. 4, 2007

I’m grateful for:

1. Light rain and snails coming out of the hiding
2. A record 20 cheers available and giving them all out without the goblins’ interference
3. A delightful good-bye party for someone I just met
4. A good day ending for a rather lousy day
5. Going to bed

See more progress on: Daily: Reflect on 5 things for which I'm grateful.

Here, There and Everywhere

Here, There and Everywhere —one of my favorite songs by the Beatles— was coincidentally released the year I was born :) Though my parents deny it, I firmly believe I must’ve been conceived while a Beatles song was playing in the background ;)

See more progress on: declare 01 - 07 September The Beatles Avatar Week

My first "cheers" goal

Is just 22 cheers away!

I wanted it to be with my favorite number 8. Not only does the figure 8 represent the infinite (sideways), but it also is a beautiful symbol and has a very sensuous shape ;) I love it!

See more progress on: give 888 Cheers!

Pozolito

For a moment, I almost selected “Not worth it” because the corn that I bought came with “heads” which took me two hours to clean —and that was just half a can :S

However, the learn part of this goal was a no-brainer since it’s really just adding the cooked corn to a broth of chicken or pork. The real cooking actually occurs in the bowl when you add chile, avocado, pork rinds, and, particularly, home-grown onion and oregano ;)

I think that the real challenge would be to cook the corn (instead of buying it by the can or bag). But the “deheading” part would detract me from this goal and make it “not worth it”. Besides, the food habits I’m trying to adopt are rather opposed to this kind of dish. Therefore, I’ll just cook it once in a blue moon…

See more progress on: Learn how to make Pozole

Sep. 3, 2007

I’m grateful for:

1. Gathering the courage to pursue my photography career
2. An intensive working day followed by a leisure one devoted to gardening and reading
3. Farmers Markets
4. The home-grown blueberries received from a friend
5. A genuine and wonderful 6-year-old birthday celebration —almost stripped of the frivolities, excess, and waste of today’s parties—, a joyous occasion indeed :)

See more progress on: Daily: Reflect on 5 things for which I'm grateful.

My first conscious memory of The Beatles

Circa 1973, I recall holding a 45rpm disc with the image of a green apple, and it read “Let It Be. I loved the song. Little was I aware back then that I had unconsciously grown up with their music. I also knew little about what a huge group they were and how they’d influence all our lives with their music :)

See more progress on: declare 01 - 07 September The Beatles Avatar Week

Sep. 1, 2007

I’m grateful for:

1. Uma purring when I pet, hug, and kiss her —so funny her alter cat ego
2. Relieving A from back pain by massaging him
3. Finishing up my photographs and having them ready for tomorrow
4. My ongoing fascination for my garden
5. The Beatles

See more progress on: Daily: Reflect on 5 things for which I'm grateful.

Starting simple and *white*

White Album that is :)

See more progress on: declare 01 - 07 September The Beatles Avatar Week

Aug. 31, 2007

I’m grateful for:

1. Life on 43 Things
2. Catching up with comments
3. Catching up with cheers —and falling behind again…
4. Teaming up to achieve common goals
5. Wonderful camaraderie among wonderful people and enjoying their writing

See more progress on: Daily: Reflect on 5 things for which I'm grateful.