New Bed, New Year

My point & shoot is not always doing its best at focusing, but here's Jasper enjoying his new 50% off-closing sale-what a deal! cat bed. I figure he needs something new for Chinese New Year, being that he's the only animal not on the zodiac. Rumour has it, the cat got tricked by the mouse ;) 

He really only fills half of the bed, but give him a few more years when his metabolism slows down and gets fat...he should fill the bed nicely then ;P 

Abstra-cat

Squish

This is what happens when you leave persimmons in the hands of 2 silly (and bored) artists. 

Dude, where's my car?

How you doin'?

I bet all the other icicles are feeling just a bit intimidated. Heh.

Happy Year of the Ox!

Blargh, I super suck at this posting 'a picture a day' thing.  Life just gets in the way! I think I'll have to re-evaluate this resolution. Perhaps a photo every other day? 

But I had a great weekend otherwise:

1. Did a photoshoot with my awesome x 1 million brother, who was gracious enough to lend me his face for some studio practice.
2. Had homemade hot pot for my Chinese New Year Eve dinner. Nothing beats eating at home, seriously :) 
3. Watched Tropic Thunder. "You never go full retard." hahahhahah....you have to watch the movie.

Maki Sushi Goodness

Well I took this picture from this past weekend, but I just wanted to show how tiny the mango pudding was at Maki Sushi. I highly recommend this restaurant! Thanks A, for telling us to try this place :) I was sooo full.

At Last

Okay, I couldn't help but post one more video. This was Obama's first dance with his wife, Michelle, at one of the inaugural balls. They danced to 'At Last' (I love this song by Etta James), and who better to sing it than Beyonce. Really, at last....:)

Sit back and enjoy.

**photo tomorrow, I promise!

A Day For Change

For those who missed Obama's inauguration speech today (like I did since I was at work), I caught it on Youtube and thought that I might post it here for those who may have missed it as well. It was probably one of the most powerful speeches I've heard in a long time; Obama sure has a skill for inspiring hope & change.

So let us set goals for ourselves by making one small step towards the better good of humanity - whether it be to help others in need or to save this Earth from our selfish destruction; to start giving instead of taking, and pray for a better future where generations after our time can experience a world without war, hunger and pollution. 

I personally will do my best to be more green, to cherish and appreciate my family & friends more, and to offer my services to those in need. 

Note to self: I should make myself a check-list of things I want to accomplish in 2009 with these goals in mind. 

tbc...  

**I will post a photo tomorrow instead

A Winter Mosaic

Let it Snow

Welcome the first real snowstorm of 2009!! I have to admit, there is something magical about seeing the entire street blanketed in fluffy white snow. But 6 inches later...it can sure be a pain...of the frostbitten kind, to my foot :(

Hotpot Birthday

It's my Dad's birthday today! I'm not going to disclose how old he is this year, but he's another year older ;) We celebrated prematurely last night with hotpot at iCookBuffet. It was probably one of the coldest nights we've had so far, so it was a fitting dinner. 

It was my first time going to iCook, and it's a bit different from the traditional hotpot or shabu shabu restaurants. You basically have one large plate that you use to pick your own raw food & vegetables at a buffet, which you bring back to your table and cook in your own soup base. The food was okay, but I probably sat in the worst spot ever (I got to face the door where the cold drafts would waft in - in my direction I might add). So I had a cold air and steam facial pretty much the entire time I ate.

I got an interesting fortune cookie out of the whole experience though. We'll see whether it'll happen :)

Nervousness is a good thing?

My apologies for not posting an image again! This image was taken in my first studio lighting course. The model is Natasha from Elite Models. Doesn't she look a little bit like Audrey Hepburn? 

***Goodness! This posting a picture resolution isn't going very well, is it? I promise to be on top of this more...***

Yesterday night was my first class of Portrait Lighting and I'm feeling nervous. I don't think I've ever been in a room of people more intimidated by a class than any other course I've taken. Wow. There's a lot of stuff to absorb (yay! I'm always excited to learn new things), but every week we're expected to produce a final portrait of our own models. That's where I got a little panicky. Where am I going to find 8+ models to shoot during this class? And willingly? Oh my. I've  got to flex those networking skills a little bit and be aggressive with finding people. No more shy lil 'ol me. People who know me, know how painfully shy I can get when it comes to new surroundings.

But I had someone tell me today that if you're not feeling nervous, it means that you're not being challenged enough by going outside your comfort zone. Huh. Wise words. So I'm going to go into this course full speed ahead!

Any aspiring models out there willing to work for prints? ;)

1, 2, 3, 4...

2 nights of endless counting is finally over!  This is what happens when it's all over - you take pictures. Of what? Domo, the awesome brown figure up there (I got him for $2 from one of those toy machines). I sure felt like him after all was said and done last night. *arrghh*  

If you're wondering what Domo is chomping on, it's actually dried, yup, dried acrylic paint that was cut out of its packaging. Eww...weird huh? It feels even weirder! Like soft tofu...but one that doesn't break apart; it's soft and squishy and play-doh like, all at the same time. Notice how it's still retaining the shape of the acrylic tube? One of my staff members thought it would be cute to draw faces on it. Hahaha....

*images taken with my point & shoot

It's that time of year

Gah, I've already broken my own resolution! I ended up sleeping most of yesterday off and didn't post a picture yesterday :( At least I got my rest though, and I'll need it. The next 2 days will be 'inventory days' at my store - so I probably won't be able to post pictures on those days either. I'll make up for the lack of images on Wednesday then. 

Oh, and I've gotten back on a detox program. I used to do the Master Cleanse, but it's a real no-no during the winter. I end up losing heat and feelings to my fingers & toes (blame my low blood pressure), so I'm giving Dr. Ho's a try. We'll see if I feel better - the holidays sure taxed my body good. And I'll be going back on a vegetarian/pescetarian diet again.  

For Cindy

I dedicate this post to my good friend Cindy, who just recently lost her bestest furry feline this Sunday due to grave illness. Cindy was one of many that helped me get through the first few months with Jasper. It was her stories of Salsa that I gained insight on how to discipline my cat when he destroyed things (heh), while learning to accept him and love him as he is. 

I never got a chance to meet Salsa, but I know that she was very well loved and cared for. There's no doubt that she lived a beautiful life with someone who always gave her the best and treated her like a Queen.  Salsa, may you rest in peace. You will be missed dearly.

Tea & Timbits

Not much to write tonight; I've been very exhausted. Nothing like a good night's sleep I guess. I've been living off this red date tea all night. And Timbits. Hah.

Business Meeting

This was taken with my good 'ol point and shoot. Not too bad. By the way (as if everyone is dying to know), I'll be eating Timbits for the next 3 days now. The guy behind the counter really rammed the box full! I think I must have gotten 40 at least. It sure pays to go to Timmies in the evening ~ hohoho...but it's not so good for my figure :( My body will definitely be making up for it the rest of the week.

The Toy

I can't begin to tell you how many mice have gone missing, and then turned up in the strangest of places...in my closet, in and under the couch, under the bed, in my pillows, in my shoes, in my laundry basket, under dressers, in boxes...it's his favourite toy. Thank goodness for the Boxing Day Sales at Petsmart.

On another note, OH MY GOODNESS, if you watched "What Would You Do?" on television today...you'll understand why my mouth was kept open and aghast for most of the program. Wow. 

The Cat

Well I couldn't go a few days without snapping a picture of the cat. Look how innocent Jasper looks. It just goes to show you how looks can deceive. Hahaha...

The Wheels are in Motion

I've been a busy bee today - ran errands & bought some more cheap earbuds to last me this year.  Let's hope Mr. Jaws of Death don't claim these ones.

And if the image above can give you any indication where I also went today (the dentist) I'm one happy camper! I've never felt my teeth so smooth. Haha...like Andre 3000 said, "So Fresh & So Clean!" Although I'm embarrassed to admit that I have 3 small cavities. Ouch. 

I'm still working hard on my upcoming project, so I'll be excited to share it with everyone when it's done :) Meanwhile, I've been watching (well, more like listening) to the Kylie Kwong: My China marathon on television. Just the food descriptions mentioned from the different provinces in China makes me want to pack my bags and experience everything first hand!!! One day...yes, one day.

A Day To Myself

I can't express how wonderful it feels to just unwind for one full day, especially after the holidays.  Don't get me wrong, being busy is good, but a day to myself...ahhh :) Granted though, I got a lot of house chores done and I still have some major prep work to do for an upcoming project. But still. I have my cup of tea, my cat's sleeping and I have Titanic on the television in the background (although, the sounds of crying & screaming are not really helping...oh Jack, don't let go!).

Day 2 of the New Year!

Okay, let's start off the New Year with my 'Picture of the Day'. Only 364 images to go! Woot! Let's just hope that they won't all be of my cat....otherwise I will formally accept the title of the 'Crazy Cat Lady who will eventually Adopt 99 cats'. And perhaps the title of 'Girl with No Life'. Oh dear. Note to self: Must find a new subject to shoot. 

So how did my second day of 2009 go? Like the usual. Cranky customers, tons of errands, me wanting to slowly poke myself in the eye with a rusty spoon (haha! Lisa!)...oh the life I lead. This weekend looks promising though :) Must get motivated *punching fists in the air*....Rawr!

Happy New Year!

Wow, I totally over-processed this image, but from me & Jasper (he says "MAAAOOOW!"), we wish you a fantabulous New Year! May 2009 bring you new beginnings...new journeys...new memories and new revelations. 

I think 2009 is the year I'm going to make some changes and think forward like the Little Train that Could; I will divulge the details in due time. Let's hope I can make things happen ;) Wish me luck! 

*sidenote: As an exercise, I'm going to try and post a picture a day! A New Years Resolution? Maybe. It's better than 'lose that stubborn 10 lbs off my butt'. That never seems to work - hahaha! So I've got to keep that camera clicking instead *click click click*...