Classes, Taking and Teaching-Falling into a routine

School is in. The kids are getting settled into the first and second grade. Both have terrific teachers and as always we are very impressed with the Singapore American School. Class has also started for me. I am taking two fun online scrapbooking classes, one with Big Picture-taught by Cathy Zielske (me the abridged version) and the second from Shimelle (learn something new every day)

Both are very different classes, one is more about me. Creating my history in an A-Z format. This has started by carrying around a little notebook and alphabeting random bits of information about myself. So far, I am seeing alot of notes about songs that stick in my head and the memories associated with each of those songs. I love the idea of getting down all of the nitty gritty details about my life, the things I desire, the things I have done, the things I still want to do. A very cool class in deed.

So on to the teaching. I have been creating three very cool classes for the next two months in Malaysia. All of them are scrapbooking classes and you can find out more about the first two over here on this blog. I have one more thing to do before I can tell you about the third class, but it will be fun!

Finally, I am in the throughs of reorganization. Who needs spring cleaning when it is all about fall for me. Get rid of tons of stuff, recycling a bunch of papers (still on an dream of a paperless office!) Organizing all of my craft supplies. The key is to get them all organized and put them all away when I am done! Baby steps. Baby Steps.

So, this is what the office looked like then.

This is what it looks like now. I know it doesn't seem LOTS better, but look at this other side!

The other side of the office. Rather than a "loft/bed desk" we now have two desks.

this is what still has to be sorted and purged...

A box of stuff.

these are the stacks left on the bed in the guest room.

Reading update

Been on lots of flights recently. Catching up on some reading

The Turning: Stories by Tim Winton



My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A great collection of stories about Western Australia At first, it took a while to get into the first one or two stories, but the interconnected nature of the book took over and the stories became almost like chapters. While each story was independent, they do read as a whole, each connected by a small town in WA. One of the major reoccuring themes is the pain and heartbreak of growing up in a small town, connected to people simply because of connection to that place. Growing up past the dissapointment in your parents (deserved or not), growing past that first painful crush, watching young love fade as adulthood and responsibilities take over.

A great read.

Chasing Darkness by Robert Crais


My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Home

(Kids playing at a friends house)











After two long weeks of travel (with one 24 hour period back at home) I am heading home for a
whole 9 days YIPPEE she says tongue firmly planted in my cheek. But while it is only 9 days until my next trip I can't wait to lay back in my own bed -eat food from my own kitchen-sit on my patio or by the pool and catch up with friends and family. The more crazy my life gets with work and stress the more I want to be home in my little space hanging out with my kids and simply being.













at build-a-bear in Singapore












Fruit at Far Eastern Hotel Taipei























On Dihwa Street Taipei













Hello Kitty Departure Gate at Chang Kai Shek International Airport Taipei
















Still doing my 365. Missed one day this week though. It was 11pm and I was too tired to get up out of bed, so I said forget it. I will put a bunch up this weekend when I am home, but here are a few from the last few weeks. I have started puting them into an album and it is facinating to see how some pictures re-appear time and time again. How certain shots either seem to take hold and catch my attention, or if really my life is that routine. In any event I love the daily shots of the kids, just doing what kids do and growing much faster that I think they should.




Travellers Palm, back streets of KL













Just a cup of joe, office in TI Malaysia

Girls who use power tools

I have been thinking a lot about girls, being the mother to a daughter who is a girly girl, but wants to have boy toys too. I loved being a tom-boy, growing up racing bikes down the street with my neighbors (all boys). Building forts, climbing trees and going to bed at night in a pink room. Later growing up on a small farm, seeing animals being born, and crying when they died. Being active in 4-H and FFA. Learning to weld, both Arc and oxy-acetylene in shop class, how to do tool and today not being able to change my own oil (but then I don't have a car anymore so I am ok with that!). Being able to ride a horse, buck a bale of hay and get dirt under my fingernails. Building a dog house (even if it did list a bit to the left) and being able to tell what a phillips screwdriver is.

I wish I could have and did have a better understanding of math and science. I wish I was able to fix things with better results, rather than a bit hap-hazard. But I love the fact that my Dad never limited us because of our gender. Girls can do everything boys can do, no doubt about it.

Anyway, I saw this post at Vintage Chica about her dad. Thought it was worth remembering.

May-June recap

I am busy uploading my 365 pictures, which made me think of what a wild ride May and June were. So, here is what I did

May: Went to KL, three or four kids parties, traveled to BKK, held multiple high level negotations.

In June, traveled to KL twice, went to Thailand, had company from the US by way of a sister and family, sightseed in Singapore, held multiple meetings and phone calls, attended the last day of school with the kids, saw off multiple friends as they returned to their repective homes for the summer.

July looks to be equally packed with a trip to Brunei and KL planned, and August will see school start, trips to KL and Taipei and multiple little life lessons along the way.

So while I upload the rest of the 365 pictures today, here is one from May and one from our Thailand trip with the family (click on the link to Kathy's facebook pictures)http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/photo.php?pid=573813&id=1234352813&ref=mf