communication

The other night I was watching House, where House was the first person who could communicate with an autisitic boy. He said, "You have to talk his language." I totally agree with him. I've noticed that when I could know how people react to things or learn, it's easier for me to talk to them... I guess that's when I "speak their language."

When I taught ESL at the Horizonte High School I didn't have a teaching certificate, and being a public school, the school usually coulnd't employ me, but I told them I was getting my M.Ed and I could understand the need of second-language-learners and their strength, and therefore I could teach them better. I spoke their language, I suppose. And yes I was hired and taught for two years.

Anyhow, it just got me thinking after the show, and boy, House rocks.

bags

I made a couple of bags the other day, and with the help of my sister's computer drawing pad and Corel Painter, I designed a label that will go on every item I make.



The bunny on the black/grey bag was satin-stiched, and the polka-dot stripes on the green-ish one was sewn onto the fabric with feather stiches.

ikea cup

I found these Ikea cups and saucers yesterday and I was excited. I've been looking for 6oz cups for capps in the caffe, and it's hard to find a good deal for these. These are made in Portugal by SPAL for Ikea. There were 7 cups and 8 saucers at the second-hand shop... I bought 7 sets.

And of course there's something I'd always do with new cups I find... I've been drinking everything in these!

tulip-y heart

I think it's amazing that Sammy can create and pour the most incredible latte art, and when he staretd pouring the heart on top of a tulip in the cup last year... every one went crazy.

I thought I'd give it a try... the first attemp was a bit funky. I think I "stretched" the milk a bit too much. The second one was still not that cool, but I think it's kind of cute.

I'll keep practicing.

and the obsession goes on

I can't help it! At least I'm not carrying these in my purse.


Green-1970; Red-1971.

the old and cool thermos

Once I found an 1974 Thermos and it was so lovely that I started looking for the old and cool Theormos. The other day I found this retro looking 1963 one. (I paid $1.00 for it!) The stopper inside has a little crack and as determined as I am, I had John ask the Thermos company if they still make the part (#722).

The company wrote back and said they no longer make part #722. I was sad, but later found a not-so-retro-and-coo thermos with a perfect stopper #722. I was delighted. Of course I switched the two stoppers and now I have a perfect 43-year-old retro thermos that looks like new!

It's an 8oz tiny little Thermos so I've been carrying it in my purse, with nothing in it.

flower puppy

Ahhh... as seen on Cute Overload!

'Mind you, this is some flowers we're talking about. OMG.

scary library

A regular came in yesterday and told us that there was an explosion at the Main Libary across street and everyone in the building was evacuated. Apparently someone set off a homemade bomb by the fireplace on the 3rd floor (supposedly near the self-help section!) Fortunately no one was hurt.

The FBI came to the caffe and the businesses around the area and ask questions. The authorities are still looking for the suspect at this time.

It's colder today because of a rain storm (and it snowed on the mountains already!) and that also means more homeless people are occupying the warm and comfy libary, and on top of that the explosion took place. The libary is a bit scary this weekend.

competition

John sent out the application forms for the latte art competition for me today. The panels will choose 20 people among the applicants to go to the competition, so I'm not sure if I'd be selected yet. I'm sort of nervous, because I've never had formal training on latte art... I'm self-taught by studying clips of some cool people, and in this little city of Salt Lake it's hard to find someone who's as passionate about this art as I am to "jam" with me, or to guide me in perfecting my steaming or pouring techniques.

I usually only go into competitions knowing that I'm definitely going to win. I'm not quite confident about this one yet. I'm practicing anyhow, so I can continue to improve myself, and if I get to go to the competition, I will be more prepared by then.

The more I see the wonderful art some baristas pour, the more humble I become. There are many things I still need to learn, and there are many more art I need to pour...

At least it's a ton of fun!

games

There's a cool fun site called i-am-bored.com where you can find tons of interesting things to read and laugh at, or to play. I've found several interesting games on the site, and right now I'm playing Jail Break and Image Labeler. Very addictive.

stamp book

I finally received one of the stamp carving books I ordered from Japan, and I just found out it's already my favorite! I think there'll be a lot of stamp carving this weekend.

pretty green

I was getting stuff from a drive-thru and saw these green plants of some sorts. These plants looked like flowers in shape, but I was pretty sure they were leaves. I still don't know what they were, but they were surely green and pretty!

labor day weekend

We had a good weekend... hung out with the dogs and cats, and checked out some cars that we may trade in our 4Runner for. We're looking for a '04-'05 Toyota Rav-4, and preferably a stick. I know it sounds crazy, but I can't drive an Auto-shift car because I don't know what to do with the "extra foot." We're still looking.

One thing that was really sad this past weekend was Steve Irwin's death. He was a great man, trying to help the animals and bring awareness to the warefare of the animals to people. I'm saddened by his sudden death, but like many have said, as least he died doing what he loved doing.

where do they go?

Every once in a while there's the long holiday weekend and almost everyone is talking about their plans and that they are "going out of town." That usually means business will slow down a little, the traffic will be smooth, and that many places will be closed.

And then I start to think, when everyone is "out of town," where exactly do they go? Shouldn't there be people coming into town as well since they just went out of their own town?