December 7 – Community. Where have you discovered community, online or otherwise, in 2010? What community would you like to join, create or more deeply connect with in 2011?
As my roommate said in her post, we found the St. Louis burning community this year. I really like them. I want to get to know them better and maybe even expand my contacts to the Missouri burning community and so on. I really like the artsy, loving, open culture. :) Additionally, my lab is very close knit. I'm fairly good friends with everyone in lab and it's a very positive community I'd like to maintain.
I think I want to learn breaking better and art better. I might try to get involved in the STL art community (if I find time) or go breaking with the undergraduates on campus more. Other than those, I'm happy with where I am right now community-wise.
December 8 – Beautifully Different. Think about what makes you different and what you do that lights people up. Reflect on all the things that make you different – you’ll find they’re what make you beautiful.
I think this little parody song sums it up fairly well:
The wonderful thing about Haoppo, is Haoppo's a wonderful thing
Her head is made of crazy
Her feet wish they had wings
She's silly, willy, nilly, but not frilly
Fun Fun Fun FUN FUN!
The wonderful thing about Haoppo, is I'm the ONLY one!
<3
Hao
Dec 15, 2010
Dec 14, 2010
Reverb10 (5 and 6)
December 5 – Let Go. What (or whom) did you let go of this year? Why?
My ex boyfriend, because he broke up with me and then ignored me. I also let go of the stuffed animals I let him borrow. They can stay with him. I hope he'll love them.
December 6 – Make. What was the last thing you made? What materials did you use? Is there something you want to make, but you need to clear some time for it?
I'm not sure. A book out of notebook paper, cereal box cardboard, thread, glue, and pretty paper? A modular origami shape out of lots of square sheets of paper? A painting of water color paints, crayons, and paper? A latte from milk, ground coffee, and water? My ipod case from felt, thread, and a really cute button. Cookies from flour, eggs, sugar, butter, craisins, cinnamon, and white chocolate.
I need to finish making a random blanket for one of my best friends. I can't seem to figure out how to embroider. Once that's worked out, he'll get his blanket.
<3
Hao
My ex boyfriend, because he broke up with me and then ignored me. I also let go of the stuffed animals I let him borrow. They can stay with him. I hope he'll love them.
December 6 – Make. What was the last thing you made? What materials did you use? Is there something you want to make, but you need to clear some time for it?
I'm not sure. A book out of notebook paper, cereal box cardboard, thread, glue, and pretty paper? A modular origami shape out of lots of square sheets of paper? A painting of water color paints, crayons, and paper? A latte from milk, ground coffee, and water? My ipod case from felt, thread, and a really cute button. Cookies from flour, eggs, sugar, butter, craisins, cinnamon, and white chocolate.
I need to finish making a random blanket for one of my best friends. I can't seem to figure out how to embroider. Once that's worked out, he'll get his blanket.
<3
Hao
Dec 13, 2010
Reverb10 (3 and 4)
December 3 – Moment. Pick one moment during which you felt most alive this year. Describe it in vivid detail (texture, smells, voices, noises, colors).
This is a difficult question for me. Ha. One moment. If this were 2008, the answer would be easy. There was one rainy afternoon over the summer that made me look outside and gather two friends to go dancing in the rain. We changed into clothing we didn't care about and ran around bare footed: dancing, spinning, laughing, hugging. The roof poured water down in the form of a waterfall. We ran through it over and over and over. I didn't care the water was dirty. I don't think my friends did either. The feel of the water, the way my eyes could barely focus, the freedom my toes felt, and the sound of our laughter really made me feel alive. We let go of inhibitions and let ourselves just BE. I was shivering but our laughter made me forget about the cold.
I don't think I've done anything that awesome this year. There are moments when the sound of leaves crunching as I trample over them or the way sunlight glows on a fall morning will make me hyper aware of existence, but I haven't achieved that carefree feeling of aliveness. I miss it, actually. Moments that have come close include waking up at 6:25 am to go watch the sun rise with a friend on his rooftop, lighting my hair on fire when I was fire spinning, and allowing myself to get drenched by chilling rain while waiting for the metrolink train. Unfortunately, all these cases were not filled with the purity of appreciating the moment or sort of laughter that accompanies being completely alive. The 6 am sunrise was filled with my worrying about labwork. Lighting my hair on fire happened too fast and was too scary to be really savored. Lastly, dancing alone in chilling rain with a friend staring and watching me leaves a loneliness inside -- a loneliness that asks, "Why won't you join me? What are you thinking? Why can't you forget about judgmental eyes?"
I want to find someone to dance in the rain with me.
December 4 – Wonder. How did you cultivate a sense of wonder in your life this year?
This question is easier. Wonder is something I try to live by. I like savoring moments (unless I'm really hungry and just devouring my food or in a super hurry and must meet stupid deadlines).
In terms of food I come off as being a bit (sometimes extremely) obsessive. I like eating smoked salmon and pulling apart the fibers of flesh. I like sipping tea and drinking coffee slowly and then quickly to see how the sensations changes. I also like trying things at different temperatures. My apples are usually sliced super thin because it changes my perception of their texture. I also slice my cheese (usually swiss cave aged gruyere) super thin and then eat it with the apple. I put peanut butter on my oreos and make sure it's smeared perfectly. When I try new foods, I try the components individually and then see if I can taste every permutation as well as the entity as a whole. I like experiencing how flavors change with each chew and the different orders and places flavors hit my palate. I like trying new foods and being surprised or horrified by them. :)
In other aspects, I am a child a heart. It's something I don't want to ever go away. I like colors and staring at colors. I still own a large box of crayons and enjoy coloring with them. I like picking ginko leaves off ginko trees in the fall. There's something really nice about the way the leaves look -- that unique fan shape other leaves aren't. I like taking walks and smelling the air or bouncing on leaves and listening to them crunch. I like trying to climb a tree -- I don't mind getting stuck or getting scraped. The way the sun sets and the colors that end up dancing around my eyes make me happy. I like looking at people's eyes when they're staring at the setting sun. Eyes glow really pretty and the way people's irises move can be interesting. I giggle at stupid things, funny things, little things. Sometimes I giggle and fall over while my friends just look at me confused. I try to appreciate little things. Not losing my sense of childish wonderment keeps me engaged in the world.
This is a difficult question for me. Ha. One moment. If this were 2008, the answer would be easy. There was one rainy afternoon over the summer that made me look outside and gather two friends to go dancing in the rain. We changed into clothing we didn't care about and ran around bare footed: dancing, spinning, laughing, hugging. The roof poured water down in the form of a waterfall. We ran through it over and over and over. I didn't care the water was dirty. I don't think my friends did either. The feel of the water, the way my eyes could barely focus, the freedom my toes felt, and the sound of our laughter really made me feel alive. We let go of inhibitions and let ourselves just BE. I was shivering but our laughter made me forget about the cold.
I don't think I've done anything that awesome this year. There are moments when the sound of leaves crunching as I trample over them or the way sunlight glows on a fall morning will make me hyper aware of existence, but I haven't achieved that carefree feeling of aliveness. I miss it, actually. Moments that have come close include waking up at 6:25 am to go watch the sun rise with a friend on his rooftop, lighting my hair on fire when I was fire spinning, and allowing myself to get drenched by chilling rain while waiting for the metrolink train. Unfortunately, all these cases were not filled with the purity of appreciating the moment or sort of laughter that accompanies being completely alive. The 6 am sunrise was filled with my worrying about labwork. Lighting my hair on fire happened too fast and was too scary to be really savored. Lastly, dancing alone in chilling rain with a friend staring and watching me leaves a loneliness inside -- a loneliness that asks, "Why won't you join me? What are you thinking? Why can't you forget about judgmental eyes?"
I want to find someone to dance in the rain with me.
December 4 – Wonder. How did you cultivate a sense of wonder in your life this year?
This question is easier. Wonder is something I try to live by. I like savoring moments (unless I'm really hungry and just devouring my food or in a super hurry and must meet stupid deadlines).
In terms of food I come off as being a bit (sometimes extremely) obsessive. I like eating smoked salmon and pulling apart the fibers of flesh. I like sipping tea and drinking coffee slowly and then quickly to see how the sensations changes. I also like trying things at different temperatures. My apples are usually sliced super thin because it changes my perception of their texture. I also slice my cheese (usually swiss cave aged gruyere) super thin and then eat it with the apple. I put peanut butter on my oreos and make sure it's smeared perfectly. When I try new foods, I try the components individually and then see if I can taste every permutation as well as the entity as a whole. I like experiencing how flavors change with each chew and the different orders and places flavors hit my palate. I like trying new foods and being surprised or horrified by them. :)
In other aspects, I am a child a heart. It's something I don't want to ever go away. I like colors and staring at colors. I still own a large box of crayons and enjoy coloring with them. I like picking ginko leaves off ginko trees in the fall. There's something really nice about the way the leaves look -- that unique fan shape other leaves aren't. I like taking walks and smelling the air or bouncing on leaves and listening to them crunch. I like trying to climb a tree -- I don't mind getting stuck or getting scraped. The way the sun sets and the colors that end up dancing around my eyes make me happy. I like looking at people's eyes when they're staring at the setting sun. Eyes glow really pretty and the way people's irises move can be interesting. I giggle at stupid things, funny things, little things. Sometimes I giggle and fall over while my friends just look at me confused. I try to appreciate little things. Not losing my sense of childish wonderment keeps me engaged in the world.
Dec 12, 2010
Reverb10 (1 and 2)
My roommate is doing Reverb10 on her blog. I think it's a great idea, so I'm copying her. That is that. Since I'm behind, I will answer two Reverb prompts a day until I catch up. So... here goes nothing on reflecting about my life. (I don't really do this much anymore, but I feel it'll be good for me.)
December 1 – One Word. Encapsulate the year 2010 in one word. Explain why you’re choosing that word. Now, imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2011 for you?
Movement. I think 2010 has been a year where I have been getting over things and moving on. I finally got over an ex. I passed my qualifying exam. I got off my lazy butt and started this blog. My roommate and I finally found fire people. I see myself doing things I wanted to do. I visited a friend in Seattle. I also drove to Chicago on my own. China was another place I went. While my cousin was there to help me navigate, but I think I was rather independent. I'm brave enough to drive 5 hours by myself now -- something I wouldn't have done a year ago. I've gone places and I feel like my life is going places. I also see myself changing. All in all, there is lots of movement in my life.
Hopefully, at this time next year, I'll say I was adventurous. I want to do things and experience things next year. I want to go on adventures... or at least feel accomplished. Maybe I want my word to be accomplished. I don't feel as accomplished this year.... hopefully next year I'll start projects and complete them in timely manners and have lots to show for my time. I also hope my research will take off and I will be happily busy. Stasis isn't a good state to be in for me. I require motion (metaphorically as well as literally).
December 2 – Writing. What do you do each day that doesn’t contribute to your writing — and can you eliminate it?
I think my lack of writing everyday does not contribute to my writing. Maybe I will blog more. Maybe I can keep a journal again.I'm not sure if I think it's necessary to contribute to my writing everyday -- mostly because I'm not always thinking about writing. I do think, however, I should try writing Chinese more. I have a nagging fear that I will forget the language and the writing. I guess even reading Chinese more regularly will help that. LOL.
That's all for now.
<3
Hao
Movement. I think 2010 has been a year where I have been getting over things and moving on. I finally got over an ex. I passed my qualifying exam. I got off my lazy butt and started this blog. My roommate and I finally found fire people. I see myself doing things I wanted to do. I visited a friend in Seattle. I also drove to Chicago on my own. China was another place I went. While my cousin was there to help me navigate, but I think I was rather independent. I'm brave enough to drive 5 hours by myself now -- something I wouldn't have done a year ago. I've gone places and I feel like my life is going places. I also see myself changing. All in all, there is lots of movement in my life.
Hopefully, at this time next year, I'll say I was adventurous. I want to do things and experience things next year. I want to go on adventures... or at least feel accomplished. Maybe I want my word to be accomplished. I don't feel as accomplished this year.... hopefully next year I'll start projects and complete them in timely manners and have lots to show for my time. I also hope my research will take off and I will be happily busy. Stasis isn't a good state to be in for me. I require motion (metaphorically as well as literally).
December 2 – Writing. What do you do each day that doesn’t contribute to your writing — and can you eliminate it?
I think my lack of writing everyday does not contribute to my writing. Maybe I will blog more. Maybe I can keep a journal again.I'm not sure if I think it's necessary to contribute to my writing everyday -- mostly because I'm not always thinking about writing. I do think, however, I should try writing Chinese more. I have a nagging fear that I will forget the language and the writing. I guess even reading Chinese more regularly will help that. LOL.
That's all for now.
<3
Hao
Dec 6, 2010
Thanksgiving Baking
I decided to make PIES! :D
So I ended up making a pumpkin and a pecan pie from scratch (well, as close to scratch as I can get when I use canned pumpkin... I didn't use pumpkin spice mix though!)
So I ended up making a pumpkin and a pecan pie from scratch (well, as close to scratch as I can get when I use canned pumpkin... I didn't use pumpkin spice mix though!)
Dec 3, 2010
Chicago (Part II)
My friend was free on Saturday for most of the day, so we wandered the city together. We went shopping, and Pengu made some friends outside a random store:
Nov 30, 2010
Chicago (Part I)
I decided to drive to Chicago to visit my friend who lives there and watch Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows at midnight. :) We stayed up until 4 am hanging out that night. Then, the next morning, I got up and went exploring downtown.
Chicago is a super expensive city, but otherwise it's cute. I have a friend in St. Louis who is from there and hates it.
Anyway, I like sculptures, so I decided to stalked down the Miro sculpture. When I found it, I was all happy inside. It was really tall:
I really liked how it has patches of color.
Chicago is a super expensive city, but otherwise it's cute. I have a friend in St. Louis who is from there and hates it.
Anyway, I like sculptures, so I decided to stalked down the Miro sculpture. When I found it, I was all happy inside. It was really tall:
Nov 26, 2010
Birthday Baking
So my birthday was earlier this month. I decided to make myself a Lithuanian Coffee cake and frosting from scratch. It turned out like this:
I really like the coffee swirls. :)
And I also make a few cupcakes to save for later devouring. On the cupcakes, I made raspberry frosting. It was tasty, but didn't go as well with the cake as I had hoped.Maybe I'll make the frosting and add it to a chocolate cake sometime. hm....
<3
Hao
I really like the coffee swirls. :)
And I also make a few cupcakes to save for later devouring. On the cupcakes, I made raspberry frosting. It was tasty, but didn't go as well with the cake as I had hoped.Maybe I'll make the frosting and add it to a chocolate cake sometime. hm....
<3
Hao
Nov 16, 2010
Chickpeas
I've discovered over the last week that I like chickpeas. I always avoided them unless they were served to me in either indian restaurants or as hummus... but I learned how to cook them this week! I made my own HUMMUS! And it's REALLY TASTY -- well, not amazing, but it has a freshness that store bought hummus seems to miss.
also i made indian-style hummus by taking a chickpea recipe a friend from lab gave me (she's indian), making the chickpeas, and then blending them. I think they turned out tasty.
I will experiment more (ie roasted garlic, sun dried tomatoes?, roasted bell peppers? jalapenos? amusing!) and report.
<3
Hao
also i made indian-style hummus by taking a chickpea recipe a friend from lab gave me (she's indian), making the chickpeas, and then blending them. I think they turned out tasty.
I will experiment more (ie roasted garlic, sun dried tomatoes?, roasted bell peppers? jalapenos? amusing!) and report.
<3
Hao
Nov 1, 2010
iPod Case
So I have a sewing machine. I've had a sewing machine for a number of years now but I never bothered to learn how to sew. Why? because I'm lazy and busy and it didn't start living with me until this year. Anyway, I decided to learn how to use the thing and what better way to learn than to do a project?
So, I cleared out my painting space and turned it into a sewing station. I think my next few projects will involve sewing, so it was important I get some space for it.
This is what the space looks like right now:
So, I cleared out my painting space and turned it into a sewing station. I think my next few projects will involve sewing, so it was important I get some space for it.
This is what the space looks like right now:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
