Friday, December 23, 2005

I cannot believe it is nearly Christmas. I can't say I've been overly busy and yet I have had no time! Funny how that is!

I did have a bit of computer woes this month with a laptop (which is my primary computer) deciding that it was not happy with me. After weeks of it just "shutting off" (as in power down without warning) we have finally got it back up and running. Not quite sure if it is 100% fixed but so far so good!

Today Jeramis and I went out to the movies and watched Memoirs of a Geisha. I have been longing for a bit of Japan and it was so wonderful to watch this movie (despite its length) I loved the views of Kyoto which are still very much like how it appears today in many of the areas. There were many portions of the movie where I smiled and could vividly picture the place they were filming as I myself have walked many a same path.

While I loved the glimpse back into something I have grown to love it was also hard to sit there... missing it! I wanted to be there.

It was a little over a year ago when I walked the streets of Kyoto and Nara and experienced first hand the old and new versions of the city. I am anxious for another trip to that amazing place.

I am looking forward to the holidays. The children are excited and our tree is being held up by a bounty of gifts. Unfortunately we went with a live tree this year (the first live tree since we've been married and had children!) I was extremely excited and must say that I just LOVE the fresh smell of a fir... and yet, unfortunately, it is not going to make it past Christmas day as the branches are nearly brittle and crisp. I am sad to have to take it down before my birthday as it has always been a tradition to keep it up. We have put up two trees though, since we kept the small artificial tree that we had... It is in the family room and we will leave it up until January, as per the tradition.

I am grateful for this holiday season. I sit here this month and reflect on this year and while it has not been the best of times for me, it has been good. I am lucky to have such a wonderful family. I am grateful for the love and respect in our home. I am grateful to be able to give our children so many wonderful opportunities. I was so blest to spend time in Japan and to have the opportunity to learn and grow to love a culture that is so different and yet so similar to our own. If it were not for my sweet husband none of that would be possible.

Despite the sorrow I have felt due to our move I have truly come to realize that I have grown from what I have learned, not only about myself but about others.

For those who come to read this blog and who send me emails, etc... Know that you are in my heart and our friendship is also a blessing to me. Thank you and please take time this season to reflect on who you are and why you are here... Know that this season is more than lights and gifts... it is about a deeper value in humanity and in our exisitance.

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas- As always, there will be more to come!

Saturday, December 03, 2005

Just about anytime I sit down at the computer I get distracted. While I love some of those distractions most of them are unwelcomed when I'm trying to escape into my den of creative thoughts.

I've spent the last few weeks busier than I expected. While my children definitely are my top priority I sure wish, at times, that I could simply 'pause' them.

I recently pulled out some longer sleeved clothes as the weather has cooled. I enjoy layers. You can always add more but you can only take so much off and still be hot! Cool is good.

We went to see Paul McCartney perform out here. That was awesome. I didn't realize just how many songs of his that I liked. I will say that his 'opener' was a bit lame. It was this DJ alone on the stage remixing some of his songs in a club style. I think I would have liked it in the right type of setting but at a sit down show when you are stuck in a seat. After 25 minutes of it I was definitely relieved to see Paul and his crew come out on stage. He made up for it too with over 3 hours of amazing music and stories. (and if I recall about 5 encores!) I must say that I really enjoyed it... and would have loved a chance to just play on the gorgeous grand he had on stage! <-- just a bit jealous here! hah Seeing him in concert was a well payed for ticket. Very awesome.

Anyhow, I've been busy working on a CD which I plan to release soon. I'm pretty excited about it but there are always those hesitations in the back of my head... things like, "will people like it? will it sell? will my time making it be worth it?" I think the biggest question is the "like" factor. I want to create stuff that people will like, not just easily forgotten items. Once I have this CD finished though I have 2 more nearly completed and I think I'm going to push to finish them and have some quick releases.

My side jobs are fun. I love the digital scrapbooking with both my clients and my students. There is so much to teach and so many people who are ready to make the move to digital. I love the excitement in the eyes of my students as they learn new techniques and see their skills develope. I didn't realize how much I'd enjoy teaching! I definately love it. I also like having some clients. They give me a reason to scrap outside my own zone and rather look into scrapping to their styles and tastes.

I'm also working on an art set designed mostly by hand and then scanned and altered a little with the computer. I hope to see if a local gallery might display it and give me feedback... we'll see on that, one can never be sure but I enjoy letting my creativity flow out into different forms.

With the Christmas holiday fast approaching I can hardly believe that we've been back in the U.S. nearly 10 months. It is crazy. Time flies. I still haven't acclimated to life here. I keep being told that I have to make it through the first year and then it isn't so bad. So... stay tuned for an update at the end of March 06 Haha!

More to come!