Archive for October, 2005

Weekend

Culturefest was a huge success! We did an awesome job, quite possibly the best Culturefest I’ve been involved in, and we got lots of gushing compliments afterwards. The light reel was energetic and kept very informal (lots of ‘whooping’) and the treble reel was loud and impressive, especially because of the a cappella effects of feet + bodhrán.

Saturday was a wholesome homemade dinner with Martin, followed by a visit to the Twisted Branch, where we shared a pot of organic roiboos.

Sunday I baked my annual pumpkin pie, made from real pumpkin, and the crust was made from scratch as well!

October is almost over. First week of November includes: (1) Uncle Di’s gallery opening, November 1, (2) Martin’s dissertation defense, November 2 (plus many days of celebration), (3) short course field trip to the ceili in Greenwood, November 6.

My life as a photographer now begins

This weekend my parents came to visit me to celebrate my birthday. They told me they were bringing me a surprise gift, and while I was really hoping it would be Anthony, it was almost as good: a brand new Canon Powershot A610! Now I’ll be able to do all things web design-related myself–the HTML, the CSS, the Javascript, the graphics, the photogrpahy, the MySQL, it’s awesome. Now I have to learn how to use it–there are so many settings, and I know next to nothing about taking good photos.

We went downtown to Monsoon for dinner, Thai/Southeastern cuisine. It was very nice, I would highly recommend it.

Tea Forté

I’m Twenty Three

Yesterday I turned 23 and decided that this year is going to be a good one. That decision itself made it a great day, starting off on the right foot.

My parents sent roses to the office for me. Many notes and emails from friends and family. A voice mail (I missed his call!) from my wonderful brother. Irish dancing practice. Whole Foods pastries with candles stuck in them from Martin. And he gave me Tea Forté, those little pyramidal tea bags, complete will little ‘tea stands’.

My last birthday was spent in Salamanca, a realization that made me a bit nostalgic. The previous birthday might as well have been in another world, as my life was so different then.

And the seasons, they go round and round…

Honky tonk vrouwen

Rolling Stones concert at Scott Stadium, UVA

We danced and screamed and cheered and clapped and sang. There were fireworks and flames and lights, a huge inflatable tongue, and a moving stage!

Despite the bomb threat, it was a rockin’ good time. Mick Jagger is just insanely cool.

But I have to admit, the best part came during the ride home, as I was nodding off, and Martin suddenly started belting out “I can’t get no satisfaction” and “Honky tonk women”…in Dutch.

Hilarious, hilarious.

Rock ‘n’ roll

Looking forward to the Rolling Stones concert tonight, rain or no rain.

My mom sent me a little surprise that arrived today during my lunch–a silvery sparkly sequiny skinny scarf. Just in time! Can be worn to a rock concert or to an elegant dinner, so so versatile.

I’m very pleased with last night’s So you think you can dance? outcome.

Laugh all you want

Who else is insanely excited about the finale of So You Think You Can Dance? tonight? And there’s a surprise in store for us! Ooh ooh ooh.

The show will be immediately followed by a long, in-depth phone conversation with Mom. We’re both rooting for Ashley, though we are both charmed by Melody.

We think there are more people watching this show than it might seem. Secret dance fanatics, embarrassed to admit it. Take her middle-aged Chinese man graduate student, for example. Who would have thought?

Culturefest

Culturefest this year will be on 22 October (Family Weekend at UVA) 10:30 AM - 3:30 PM in the Amphitheatre and the Virginia Irish Society will be performing.

Anyone interested in joining us, the first practice will be this Sunday, 9 October at 6 PM in the Chemistry Building. We’ll be doing a soft shoe reel and a treble reel.

Literature

Currently reading: Naked by David Sedaris

It’s October

This weekend I finished Gail Griffith’s website along with the pseudo-mini-wiki (that’s what I’m going to call it) so she can edit the site content herself.

I was asked by Alan this morning to do some CSS work for another page, so that will be my next little project. I might also make a web site for UVA’s social psychology department, if the logistics make sense.

I was browsing web design and graphic design books this weekend at Barnes & Noble. What I really need are more artistic skills–knowing more Photoshop might help me realize any creative ideas I might have, but still, a lot of those ideas are often really bad.

Really looking forward to the Rolling Stones concert on Thursday!

P.S. I’m re-entering the coffee world (while still remaining strongly in the tea world) and experimenting a bit. For fall, I’m really enjoying cheap-o instant coffee with a splash of milk, ginger, and cinnamon!