I took out my Singer, dusted it off, and reacquainted myself with it. At first I thought it was broken but then realized it was simply that I forgot how to use it. Oops.
Resolution #264: sew a project a week.
Conclusion: I got the machine to work and sewed a rectangle with sloppy corners (picture to be posted later). It holds no purpose whatsoever. I was really practicing sewing straight lines but secretly hoped it would turn into something...because sewing involves a bit of magic, right? I may need to refine the bold assumption that I would be able to step-pedal my way through project after project. But this is a good start, because I genuinely can only do better after this first project attempt.
Go me!
Monday, January 11, 2010
What would have been Sunday's post
Lee, Laura, and I visited the Tenement Museum, on Sunday. It was my first time and their second. Lee swore that I would enjoy it and she was right on the mark! In fact, I instantly signed up to become a member at the end of the tour.
The ticket booth/gift shop/screening room are located at 97 Orchard St. - what appears to be a standard sized glass storefront found in the city. The tenement where the tours take place is located across the street at 108 Orchard St. There are 7 different tours to choose from, at $15 each. For an extra $30-40 (depending on if you are a student), you can become a member and go on all of the tours for free, as many times as you like. Going on the same tour more than once isn't as strange as it sounds because the museum has several guides who give the same tour but may provide different facts.
Visiting the tenement is much more than seeing what the inside of the building looked like or getting a closer look at the furniture of old times. Stepping into the apartment where families dwelled over a century ago was like a time warp. Being there gave me insight to how people lived in the late 1800's-early 1900's and it was humbling to be reminded of the tribulations immigrant families had to face when they left their respective homelands - a new language, having to acquire different skills to make a living, harsh living conditions, low pay, poor working environment, etc. Whether German, Russian, Jewish, Chinese (the order of immigrants who eventually called the lower east side their new home), it was the same deal for everyone. This was because everyone shared the same dream and believed in it.
I have forgotten what it is like to believe in myself, which makes me realize I can't expect positive change in my life until I change how I think. Didn't I tell myself to fear less? Just this moment, it has dawned on me that I am not much different from the Velveteen rabbit.
...
The ticket booth/gift shop/screening room are located at 97 Orchard St. - what appears to be a standard sized glass storefront found in the city. The tenement where the tours take place is located across the street at 108 Orchard St. There are 7 different tours to choose from, at $15 each. For an extra $30-40 (depending on if you are a student), you can become a member and go on all of the tours for free, as many times as you like. Going on the same tour more than once isn't as strange as it sounds because the museum has several guides who give the same tour but may provide different facts.
Visiting the tenement is much more than seeing what the inside of the building looked like or getting a closer look at the furniture of old times. Stepping into the apartment where families dwelled over a century ago was like a time warp. Being there gave me insight to how people lived in the late 1800's-early 1900's and it was humbling to be reminded of the tribulations immigrant families had to face when they left their respective homelands - a new language, having to acquire different skills to make a living, harsh living conditions, low pay, poor working environment, etc. Whether German, Russian, Jewish, Chinese (the order of immigrants who eventually called the lower east side their new home), it was the same deal for everyone. This was because everyone shared the same dream and believed in it.
I have forgotten what it is like to believe in myself, which makes me realize I can't expect positive change in my life until I change how I think. Didn't I tell myself to fear less? Just this moment, it has dawned on me that I am not much different from the Velveteen rabbit.
...
What would have been Friday's post
I watched most of Food, Inc. Friday night. Unfortunately, I was so tired that I fell asleep 80% into it. You would expect that I would have made some lifestyle changes thereon after. Nope. Rather instead, I mosied over to 'Five Guys' the very next day and ordered myself a cheeseburger topped with onions, mushrooms, ketchup, and mayo + fries (which by the way, despite the dozens of Zagat postings that were displayed, proved to be extremely greasy and unappetizing).
Moral of the story: Lesson not learned. Perhaps had I stayed awake during the remainder of the movie, I would have opted for a healthier meal.
I'm gonna work harder on this, because conscientious eating is number 49 on my list of the 5 billion things I need to change about myself for the New Year.
Moral of the story: Lesson not learned. Perhaps had I stayed awake during the remainder of the movie, I would have opted for a healthier meal.
I'm gonna work harder on this, because conscientious eating is number 49 on my list of the 5 billion things I need to change about myself for the New Year.
Monday, January 4, 2010
"100 Skills Everyone Should Master"
As an addition to yesterday's post, I thought this guideline of '100 skills everyone should master' found at mightygirl would prove to be helpful in case you weren't a resolution making but more of a goal achieving/list checker-off-er type of individual: click here for skills
I can confidently say I stand at 62% fairly confidently. I'm actually quite proud of this.
I can confidently say I stand at 62% fairly confidently. I'm actually quite proud of this.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Happy 2010!
I was inspired to make a list of New Years Resolutions for twenty-ten. I saw this elsewhere, where they broke down the resolutions into categories of family/friends and wellness. I would like to do that and throw in an extra section for creativity/education, which overlaps a little with wellness but it’s just so important lets give it its own pedestal to stand on.
Family and friends:
Call my mom more often; we don’t have much to say but I think she’s happy when I simply call and let her know I’m still alive.
Pick up the phone when friends call; I need to stop avoiding people and acting as if I owe them money.
Send birthday sentiments to dear friends, rather than lazily resorting to texts and fb wall posts.
Wellness:
Moisturize my reptile skin daily and stay well-hydrated
Practice more yoga (1-2x’s per week)
Blog frequently (so far so good)
Keep a tidy home and thereby, keep a tidy appearance
Creativity/education:
Cook and bake 2x’s a week. Making ramen will not count. Adding an egg to the ramen also will not count. I am saying this with gritted teeth.
Read 3 books a month, currently cracked open ‘The Velveteen Principles”
Sew 1 project a week
Finish my painting (eventually)
My motto for the year: Fear less - Do more
Family and friends:
Call my mom more often; we don’t have much to say but I think she’s happy when I simply call and let her know I’m still alive.
Pick up the phone when friends call; I need to stop avoiding people and acting as if I owe them money.
Send birthday sentiments to dear friends, rather than lazily resorting to texts and fb wall posts.
Wellness:
Moisturize my reptile skin daily and stay well-hydrated
Practice more yoga (1-2x’s per week)
Blog frequently (so far so good)
Keep a tidy home and thereby, keep a tidy appearance
Creativity/education:
Cook and bake 2x’s a week. Making ramen will not count. Adding an egg to the ramen also will not count. I am saying this with gritted teeth.
Read 3 books a month, currently cracked open ‘The Velveteen Principles”
Sew 1 project a week
Finish my painting (eventually)
My motto for the year: Fear less - Do more
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)