Lantern festival 2011

Every year, the botanical garden organizes a grand lantern festival that attracts many. This year's theme was the Emperor's Chinese Garden and it was the first ever one I got to see. I went on my own and I won't lie, I felt a bit lonely. The majority of the people who were there (and there were plenty!) were either couples or families with children. It made me wish I was in a relationship or married, or with my child/children! Sadly, I was with none of the above, only myself. I have no regrets however, the installations were magical and I have a lovely memory of walking up and down hills while snapping at illuminated dragons and horse carriages.

mili

A day in october

 

Welcome to my home town. This is the place where I grew up, where I live and as I learnt during my teens, where I was concieved. However I am originally from a different country and was born in a different one from that of my origin. Confused yet? What it comes down to is that this place has always been the constant, home. At this point in my life I was starting to feel like something was about to change, turns out I was right. I will definitely have to move away soon. Either with the cluster of family, or elsewhere on my own. The latter I am considerably more in favour of, although the first choice would certainly be the easiest one.

October has given me a real sense of change, it always does really.

Absolutely delectable!

So I don't usually post one day after another but I couldn't help sharing these! My very talented friend Lisa, who is a pastry chef (and runs her own blog) posted this recipe for Cinnamon Apples Muffins a while back. They looked so yummy that I told myself I should try them one day. And that day finally came, I was browsing for an apple pastry recipe when I remembered hers and decided to make them. They were incredibly easy to make and the only thing I modified was the number of apples I used. I sincerely urge you to give her recipe a go, you won't regret it!

mili

D-I-S-C-O

Time keeps going forward, whether you like it or not, with or without you. These days I feel like time is moving on without me. I'm not keeping up good pace and am delayed. On the other hand, time also feels like it has stopped. Perhaps time and I don't share the same clock. Despite going through a rough patch right now, things seem to be resolved as soon as I really begin to worry. Now's not really time to take a break, silence doesn't mean nothing's going on, but there is so much silence it is a bit worrying.

As I crossed the last day of September off my calendar,  I was a bit overwhelmed and exhaled heavily. Looking over the whole month I saw it was full of of notes and doodles and stars. It was an intense month and now looking at a new calendar page, empty with no markings it makes me wonder what lies ahead.

This past week I was kept busy with two new commissions. The first being a journal and the second being earrings (which are near completion). For the journal I tested out a new way of sewing a cover design. I used a quilting technique to create a dye-cut effect on the fabric. I was surprised how do-able it was and am really happy with the look.

Last Wednesday I had hoped to catch the Jean Paul Gauthier exhibition at the Fine Arts museum but the line was insane so I took some window-shopping photographs of a mannequin with some stellar disco ball earrings instead. Other than that, I also did my nails and enjoyed a lovely movie night with some gal-pals while we munched on lactose-free crepes and movie night tea from DAVIDsTEA (verdict: didn't hate it, but didn't love it either).

mili

High School reunion

Last Saturday, I had the immense pleasure of meeting up with a few of my High School friends, 2 of whom I haven't actually seen since High School! As for the rest, we have been meeting up for the last 2-3 years at least once a year (or more if we mange to schedule properly!). This year we had a birthday girl in our midst and so we decided on the first place she mentioned seeing as it should be to her liking, which was a self-serve smokehouse called Bofinger . It smelled of bbq as soon as you walked in, and while some of us were waiting for the rest to arrive, we were getting a bit hungry from the fumes! For myself, I ordered the sandwich combo where you pick your meat and your toppings and you get to choose a side dish. So I choose pulled pork with a honey sauce, some caramelized onions, pickled red peppers and a pickle slice. As for my side dish, if you can't tell from the photograph, I choose awholelottafries. The decor was really comfortable and more or less private as the back of the seats went up quite high so you weren't necessarily hearing other people's conversations.

Everyone pretty much enjoyed their meals but we were more concerned with catching up. It was a bit slow at first but while looking through some old pictures I brought we were soon laughing our heads off at some stories from way back when and the silly teachers we had. Time flew and before we knew it, it was almost 11 pm. I feel very lucky to have been able to keep in touch with these girls who were a huge part of  my life when I was still a kid (in retrospect). I believe that although High School leaves a lot of scars, it also gives you precious memories and precious people.

mili

Breaking out and breaking in while bookmaking

It is getting cold and dark in these parts! The fall equinox is in our midst and I sort of mind it but mostly welcome it. While typing away and browsing through the inter-webs today I suddenly felt my toes and my nose getting cold and the annoyance of. It won't be winter for another 3 months, but more than the snow I look forward to getting toasty and cozy in wool-y sweaters and mittens. Last winter I didn't really embrace the cold by counter-attacking it with some warmth I just gritted my teeth and stayed under covers for as long as I was allowed. This winter will be different, I will enjoy it and make it my wonderland.

In the meantime, I've come back to book making which I'd been avoiding as my working space (the living room coffee table) has been cluttered for so long and I would often just look away when I saw the mess. Thankfully I cleaned it all up and got everything organized a few days ago and have been able to make a few books for myself and for others.

On a last note, I dedicate this post to nutella and adorably dorky ASL sign-along videos.

mili

First day of classes

As of yesterday, I am officially back at school! A few months ago I made the decision to return so that I could benefit from 39 credits worth of studio art classes. It seemed like a bargain deal for a second shot at enjoying school life, access to lovely resources and working space. I'm only part-time this year, but I can already tell it is having an effect on my current job hunting status. Not two weeks ago, I almost got a full-time position that would have worked perfectly with the one class I'm taking (and it was in my field), but in the end I wasn't the chosen candidate. Since then I've been a bit down thinking how in the hell am I going to find something as great as that? The prospect of having to go back to part-time work despite so many years of continuing education has really put me in a sad state. Seeing others flourish around me made me think I've wasted so much time, but it's the path I've chosen and regretting my decisions would be the real waste.

For my first day of class, I decided to show my style a bit as opposed to my previous years of fitness pants, corduroy and bright coloured sweaters. I do enjoy fashion, but I never really allowed myself to delve into it thinking I couldn't possibly because of this or that or twenty other reasons I made up. If I learned anything this summer, it was to stop listening to that little voice inside of me that keeps saying "you can't, you're not good enough." I won't dwell on the past, and I won't scare myself to death for the future, I will enjoy the moment that is happening now and eat 4 inch wide cookies while wearing glitter mascara if I have the luxury and the pleasure to do so.

Also, I will especially not forget to listen to music and create, which to me are as important as water and air. Here is what I've been enjoying lately. Her name is Katy B , and thus far I have about 4 of her songs on repeat!

mili