Look at what I made!

We've recently started taking some leather making classes on the weekends at Fungus Workshop! Its pretty fun although my thumb is kinda hurting from stiching but the 4 of us clearly enjoy arts and crafts. hehe Once we learned these basics, I expect that not long after we get our own tools, that we'll start making our own designs and small leathered goods. K & J have already located some tools and bought a few DIY books. I think we might also be interested in ordering some leather craft tools online since J enjoys tinkering and collecting tools as well. :) Before class we've been going to La Marmite for brunch and it's a quiet place on staunton street with a nice clean white interior. The first time we went we had la boulangerie with croissant, pain au chocolat and pain aux raisins with butter, jam and honey. *oink

Although I enjoy desserts ALOT, I have to admit breakfast brings me an equal amount of joy. When you guys travel do you look forward to seeing what the hotel has for breakfast? I do :P How often do I get an excuse to have pancakes/waffles/continental breakfast on regular day? Which reminds me I haven't even been eating my favorite quaker oats cereal in a long while. Anyways, things have changed and I've made a pact with J whereby I won't have any sugary/junk food for a while. In order to stick to the plan this time I ordered the ranchero eggs with panchetta, grilled tomatoes, fries and a small side salad.


..while J ordered the royal benedict. Am interested in knowing how much butter is used to make that yummy hollandaise sauce.


After some foodies off we go to class. When we first sat down together, it felt like our wood work/DT class with Mr. Brendon all over again. I miss that guy, I wonder if he still teaches at SC?



Explaining the background info on leather.



We're like the naughty kids at the back of the class. heh
:D



Our tools, pretty cool huh?


Stitching..





J's final product was pretty awesome!!


Very happy with my little bao bao. I would love to make a bigger one and they remind of of the mulberry bags which I love :)

Dare to live

Long time no write, it's been over a month since my last entry and alot has happened since then. There's been 2 major earthquakes in Asia, an equally devastating tsunami, a nuclear crisis, radiation concerns, risk from contaminated food and ongoing upheaval all combined into one. Within a matter of minutes, what may seem stable and fundamentally rooted can disappear right before your eyes. My heart goes out to all the people living in Japan or elsewhere in the world who have been affected by these kinds of natural tragedies. It's so surreal the way mother nature can bring us to our knees and shocking reminder of how fragile mankind is in comparison to the world. Pray for those who have lost loved ones, who still haven't found their family members or are just struggling to make sense of it all. I know this isn't the first time thousands of lives have been lost and it definitely won't be the last.. Could this really be the beginning of the end? I was really bummed out last night after talking and thinking about the possibility of 2012.. Theres still so many things that have yet to be done. =(

Hypothetically something truly crazy was to happen near the end of 2012 what things would you do differently? This life is yours to live and you, your heart is the greatest weapon. At first I was thinking that I would splurge on everything, eat whatever I want and buy whatever I might be holding back on but thinking twice I don't think it'll help at all. Yeah I might feel happier temporarily but isn't that too easy to accomplish? Just walk into a store and buy happiness? I'd rather go see the world, cities-towns-rural areas. I mean travelling isn't cheap but I really love 'experiencing' and trying new things. Seeing things that will take your breath away. (out pops a cheesey musical tune) hehe All I'll need is a simple place to stay, a comfortable pair of shoes for walking, warm clothing when it gets cold and a sturdy backpack to store all my necessities and would be nice of course if I could have a companion by my side to share these moments with. haha do I sound like i'm really going to take off soon? :P But man, if everyone quits their jobs can you imagine the chaos this world would become?

No joke but after I came back from my nice run today, the below song was blasting from my dad's stereo. Time to get back into my running grove and get a nice tan for summer. yay =)

Dare to live searching for the ones you love
(Perché, perché, perché, perché non vivi questa sera?)
Dare to live no one but we all
(Perché, perché, perché, perché non vivi ora?)
Dare to live until the very last
(Perché, perché, perché la vita non è vita)
Your life is all you have to give (Perché)
non l'hai vissuta
Vivere!

Dare to live until the very last
(Perché, perché, perché Ia vita non è vita)
Your life is all you have to give (Perché)
non l'hai vissuta mai

- Andrea Bocelli & Laura Pausini