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| January 7, 2010

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Some Christmas books that I need to spend time with. I got BJ Painting Today, and he also recieved American Illustration 28 in the mail, so we’ll be set for awhile. At least that’s what we always say, but you know how it goes. :)

One of my favorite gifts was a jewelry torch kit from BJ. I loved the intro to jewelry course at RISD, and the size is perfect ’cause that’s all I used for my projects. I’m super excited to get started but also a little nervous—I hope I don’t blow something up!

skull_cropped_web

I’m brainstorming ways to use all the beads and charms I’ve been collecting, like these skull pieces from International Beads & Novelty, a little place near Michigan Avenue in Chicago. They had an awesome vintage stock, but after 90 years, they closed their shop. Lucky for me and you, some of their goods can be found online here.

I don’t want to say I’m busy and tired because that’s all I ever feel like/complain about, but man, I am busy and tired. My grades are due tomorrow, final exams begin, and contests are approaching. I feel fortunate at my job, but arriving at 6:40am and not leaving until 6pm—plus taking additional work home—is hard. Today, one of my colleagues discussed the possibility of me taking over painting courses next year (something I would love to do), but that would mean 4 preps and that class is a combination of different levels. And don’t even get me started on how my class sizes increased from 25 to 35 this year. But I am lucky…

BJ Danced

| January 4, 2010

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RehearsalDinner

BJ_gettingreadyweb

Yesterday afternoon, we arrived home from our D.C. trip and started work the next day. Whew. I am exhausted. The weather was especially cold and windy, but we managed to do a good amount of walking and visiting during our time there. I wish we had a few more days to see friends, visit the National Gallery, and climb the steps to the Lincoln Memorial. Sounds like we’ll have to make another trip soon! (Oh if only our pockets were a little/lot deeper)

We rang in the New Year at a dive bar with fellow Domers, ate a delicious breakfast with Melissa, and enjoyed the breathtaking wedding with close friends. AND BJ danced. It was awesome.

1. Ben, me, and Ben relaxing after the rehearsal dinner, 2. Arriving at Dupont Circle 3. BJ getting fancy. more pictures here

1, 2, 3, go

| December 29, 2009

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thuytam_menil

oporto_bakedbrie

oporto_mushroom_web

Monday, BJ, my sisters, and I went downtown to work. At the end of the day, we stopped by the Menil, but they were closed until Wednesday. (Why does this always happen to me?!) All was not lost: it was a beautiful day, so we walked around and Thuy and I couldn’t resist jumping in the huge pile of leaves in front of the Twombly gallery. As a special treat, we ate at Oporto Cafe and ordered the usual: baked brie and portobello mushroom. Mmmm MMM.

I’m going to miss having everyone under one roof. I think it’s starting to sink in . . . tomorrow, BJ and I head to D.C. for the wedding. We can’t wait to see our friends before going back to work again.

Bon voyage!

make stuff besides lesson plans

| December 22, 2009

mom_xmascutout

Yes! Winter break! I finally have some time to make stuff besides lesson plans. This papercut will be part of  my parents’ Christmas gift. Although I really enjoyed making it, my back and neck are hating me so much right now. BJ and I decided we’re going to make it a tradition to give each other homemade cards. I finished his yesterday, but I’ll have to post it later. I’m not so great with surprises, but I’m working on it …

fabric_flowers_Web

I’m slowly making flowers from recycled and remnant fabric. I’m not sure how they’ll be used this summer…

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… but maybe I’ll pair them with some of these guys from the Rhode Island Recycling center? (Another thing I miss about Providence. You can buy scraps of silk and quality fabric for 15 cents a pound!)

boys_bout_test

Playing around with some ideas for the groomsmen.

Baked brie

| December 15, 2009

xmas_cards

My first homemade Christmas card in a while! I printed out a few and, once I work on my folding technique, I can send them out. Can you guess who is who?

We’ve been having a few busy but fun weekends. This last one, we celebrated two engagements. Sunday, Kevin drove down from Austin to spend the day with us. We had an AMAZING meal at Oporto and we usually order the same dishes, but, since he doesn’t eat meat, we tried the baked brie (whole brie cheese wrapped in pastry with walnuts and herbs, served with fig preserves, honey, crackers, and fresh fruit) for the first time. It is so delicious.

And I saw Up in the Air and loved it. The End.

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| December 7, 2009

Weekend_12_6_09_web

I had a nice weekend. I only wish there were more hours in the day! On Saturday, I bought several rolls of film and fell in love with a Mamiya 645, picked out fabric and ribbon, went to the bookstore, ate a delicious dinner at Empire café, and got beignets for dessert. Oh and I added a shirt to my collection of all things striped. Thanks BJ and Thuy for spending the day with me!

snow in texas

| December 5, 2009

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snowday

Even though it barely stuck to the ground, it was nice to see some snow. But that also meant a crazy school day with lots of requests to conduct class outside!

making it official

| November 28, 2009

So I thought I could sneak the engagement party into my sister’s graduation party this summer, but it never was meant to be. However, I am very happy we did have one this week because it gave me a chance to meet BJ’s dad, to see his mom and brother again, and to thank all our family members for their support. If only I had another week off, because this has not been a break at all! There has been a ton of cleaning, renovations, errand running, and late nights. Whew. Here are a few images I was able to capture.

wall_frames

I removed all the hideous vinyl wallpaper, painted, and hung some of my and my sister’s artwork.

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Carrot mini cupcakes with cream cheese frosting

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Serving tea with lots of whispered directions from the elders :) (pic by Quynh)

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Still a little teary-eyed from my speech. Why am I so emotional!?

for under the tree

| November 24, 2009

Every year, I look forward to getting my brother and sisters’ Christmas list in my mailbox. They’re super fancy-like with images and direct links to buy the item online kind of  fancy. But the best part is getting to read the explanations and descriptions for each item as well as the banter that comes afterwards. This year, the lists arrived a few weeks before Thanksgiving- a little early don’t ya think?

I’m not sure what I want this year, but I put together a few items that I think would be nice to give. Up first, paper goods:

hOLIDAY_Papergoods
(clockwise )
1. Painting Today
2. The Small Object Labels & Stickers
3. Live Forever: Elizabeth Peyton
4. Mike Perry Holiday Zine Gift Set ( I have a few pieces in this set and it is so worth it)

Lost Jewelry

| November 19, 2009

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livingroom

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  1. Perks of cleaning: finding lost jewelry
  2. Slowly putting up our posters
  3. Sushi in the Rice Village

We have one week until the engagement party and I have done nothing! Eeek. However, this year, I get one week off, so I’m hoping that’ll be enough time to get things in order. If not, no biggie. I just can’t wait to see my sisters, cousins, and BJ’s family. (We finally got another couch, after over a year without one, partly because of their visit! And it’s grey. Perfect.)