For My Sister

Tuesday's Tune: Wings

My blog is a work in progress and I'm making things up as I go.  So, on my drive home today, I thought that on Tuesdays I might blog about a song (or several) that I'm enjoying at the moment.  For some unknown reason, I feel like sharing songs and providing my own commentary of the songs.  Of course, I don't always have to blog about a song on Tuesdays, although I have been consistent with posting only pictures on Wordless Wednesday and blogging about quotes on Friday's Quotes.  I'll figure it out.

Anyhow, today, I'd like to share the song "Wings" by Birdy.  I love the music at the beginning (it sounds so grand) and the lyrics are so sweet.  It made me think of people.  I find the song very romantic and I love dancing to this song, even by myself.

I came across this song because it's being used in a commercial for a movie and I was immediately in love with the song upon hearing it in the commercial.  Let me know what you think of this song.

The Never Ending Polar Vortex

The polar vortex has been gracing Minnesota's frozen tundra for the last two weeks and made it even more frozen.  This wretched cold is expected to continue this week and into next week.  The highest temperature we'll have this week will be on Wednesday, when it's expected to be 20 degrees F.  That's so much better than tomorrow's high of -16 degrees F.  The one thing I am appreciative of when it gets this cold is the brilliant blue skies.  In the picture above, not only is the sky a myriad of beautiful blues, but the white clouds have a navy blue mixed into it.  How breathtaking.

Are you being affected by the never ending polar vortex?

My Plans for Making Traditional Hmong Clothes

My youngest sister and I are embarking on an endeavor of great proportions: we are going to make our own set of Hmong clothes.  With no help from our mom.

This set of Hmong clothes is representative of the province my mother is from.

Growing up, my mom made all of her children's Hmong clothes.  When I say "Hmong clothes," I mean the pants, shirts, and aprons (sev).  Many of the "embellishments" (e.g. the dab tsho, the sashes, the money bags), she may purchase from another.  Each year I'd have a new outfit to wear to the Hmong New Year and I took that for granted.  For the last two or three years, my mom stopped making Hmong clothes for her children.  My sister says that her hands are becoming arthritic, while my mom says she just doesn't have time.  Regardless, I'm sad that I'm lacking in Hmong clothes (also, my mom told us that several years ago she threw away some of our Hmong clothes because she thought it was ugly).

This is one of my most favorite set of Hmong clothes because I love the black and purple brocade.

So, this year marks the beginning of me making my own set of traditional Hmong clothes.  I will specifically sew for myself the shirt, a pair of pants and two aprons.  One piece at a time, I'm telling myself.  I started making my own dab tsho/laug for this specific set of Hmong clothes.  Once I'm done, I'll focus on making the aprons, the pants, and the shirt (which I believe will be the most complicated).  Long term, I hope to make my own set of embroidered money bags and embroidered sash.  Yet, I won't think of that at this time. 

My youngest sister is also hoping to make her own set of traditional Hmong clothes to be worn with a skirt and not pants.  I have a feeling I might end up making her shirt for her.  Oh well. I'm wondering if I'm going to get any of this done in my lifetime.  I hope I do, and when I do, I'll let you all know.

My Necklace

I love going onto Etsy.com.  If you've never heard of Etsy, it's an online website that one can buy/sell handmade and vintage things.  It's so inspiring to go on and see all of these artists and their wares.

While on Etsy, I came across a citrine necklace last week, made by Doodlepunk Art, and decided to order it because I thought it was really pretty.  Today I received my necklace and also discovered that the seller included several other "specimens" with it.  She included two rocks/crystals, a homemade bookmark, and a personal note on the billing.  I'm quite happy with the necklace and I really love the entire package.  So much care and thought was put into the package and the shipping of it.  It was so sweet and really made my day.

Please check outDoodlepunk Art at this website:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/DoodlepunkArt

St. Vincent De Paul Church

 [Davenport, CA.  Taken December 30, 2013.]

Condolences

Image credit:  http://www.curiositiesbydickens.com/tag/winnie-the-pooh/

My former beau's father passed away last night and I send out my condolences to him and his family.  Even though he and I are no longer on a talking basis, it's still the right thing to do.  I still remember how he was there for my family and me when my brother passed away, even when we both had moved on with our respective lives (even to this day, despite all the BS that he put me through, I still appreciate him for coming to my brother's funeral).  To my former beau and his family, I wish them well and send them blessings of love.  As sad as his father's passing was, it's also fair to say that his father's lived a very long life.  I know that his father will forever stay in my former beau's heart.

It's definitely moments like these that really make me love and appreciate my parents even more.  I'm so lucky to still have both of my parents.  I actually know several people whose parent or both parents have passed and my heart always goes out to them.  At the same time, I also need to remind myself that even if a person has passed, that person will always be in the heart and always looking after us from afar.

Well, I hope you have a wonderful Martin Luther King, Jr. day.  Remember to tell those that you love, how much you love them and remember to love those who are already in your heart.  Stay warm and safe.

Awesome Initials

Baby names and initials are a constant topic between a co-worker and me.  Due to our work, we come across a lot of awful and interesting name (e.g. Cocainena, Crystal Chadelier, Neveah-heaven spelled backwards).  So, I was telling her how awesome I think Robert Griffin, III's initial's are.

Robert Griffin, III, is best known as RG3.  He's a professional football player and everyone in the sports world and those that know football call him RG3.  I find that there's just a certain flow to the initials when spoken out loud, like R2D2 and 3CPO (the droids/robots in Star Wars).  

It's funny that I'm so enamored by RG3's initials. When I was with my former beau, I told him that if we married and had children, I object to naming one of our children after him.  Now, I'm thinking, CV2 sounds pretty cool and I could even go the George Foreman route and name my next kid CV3 (rather than wait for the next generation to name one of their children CV3).  I think it has a good flow to it, like RG3.  Oh well . . . life is what it is.  At least I've opened up my mind a bit.

Do you think RG3's initials are pretty awesome?

Heart Shaped Rock

I get a lot of joy and excitement from the simple things in life.  I don't care much about fancy cars, designer handbags and shoes.  Yet, it's buttons, thread, and rocks that I love.

I was ecstatic when I found my holey heart shaped rock on a beach in California.  Before finding it, I'd been seeing images of heart shaped rocks and been wanting a heart shaped rock.  So, I was quite happy to have found my rock and I even dislodged a bug that was residing in one of the holes just so that I could take the rock home with me.  

When I returned from my trip, I showed it to several family members, including my dad.  Well, my dad wanted my holey heart shaped rock.  As much as I wanted to keep my rock (and I really wanted to keep my holey heart shaped rock), I also saw in his eyes, happiness and yearning for my rock.  So, I told my dad he could keep it.  My hope is that one day, I'll reclaim my rock from him.

Image credit:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/stoooones

This year, I intend to keep my eyes open and find more naturally heart shaped rocks.  I'm also hoping my family and friends living near the ocean will keep an eye out for me too.  I'm noticing online that there are sellers of naturally heart shaped rocks, but I don't want to buy or have somebody buy one for me (not to imply that I don't support these businesses).  I'd rather find my own or have someone gift to me a rock that they themselves found.

What simple things do you love?

Maybe 13 is a Lucky Number

I did something last night that I haven't done in a loooong time.  I watched "American Idol."  I did.  I love the new format and I love the panel of judges, especially Harry Connick, Jr.  He's so witty, cool, smart (he schooled J-Lo about the pentatonic scale), and I love his bromance with Keith Urban.  Love it.  

Maybe this 13th season will be its luckiest so far.  Maybe this season, I'll watch the show in its entirety. The last time I did that was the year Carrie Underwood won, and prior to that season, it was the first season when Kelly Clarkson won.  Who knows, I might even vote this season.  I am liking how they've changed up the show.  It seems a lot fresher.  I'm glad that its main focus is on actual artists, not just people that could kinda sing or those using the show to get fame.  Maybe I'm just so old now, but I can't believe how young these contestants are.  Yes, it's just that, I'm getting too old.

Anyhow, I hope you check out this season of American Idol.  If you have, what do you think of the show so far?  Who's your favorite judge?

It's the Simple and Little Things

A bird's eye view of the Sierra Nevada foothills.  Taken December 25, 2013.

Dill in snow.  Taken December 20, 2013.

An sublime sunrise.  Taken December 9, 2013.

What simple and little things are you appreciative of?

Making Peace with Winter

So far, this winter has been the coldest and most wretched.  Winter sucks, but I'm coming to terms with it.  Yes, I am making my peace with it.   This is the life I've chosen to live because I believe Minnesota has lots of opportunities for me, and I'm not ready to give up on those opportunities.  

I might change my tune next year, but for now, I'm appreciative of winter.  It really builds character,  have tested my gumption to move forward in all of my endeavors (there are days where I want to give up and hide in my house), and it's definitely tested my driving skills.

So how is the winter in your neck of the woods?

Mi Noog

When I first hear a song and it resonates with me, I generally know right away that it'll be on my playlist.  Sometimes, it takes a longer time for me to get into the song's vibe and appreciate the song for what it is.  For example, when Alica Keys' "Girl on Fire" came out, I couldn't stand it.  I changed the radio station whenever it came on and ignored the song as best as I could.  Then one morning, the song just popped into my head and since that time, it's become a favorite.  Maybe I finally appreciated the song at a time in my life when it most resonated with me.

So, while I was home last month, my siblings kept talking about this song, "Mi Noog," by Sudden Rush (I'm also sure this wasn't the first time they talked about this song).  The song came out years ago, but it's still a popular song and my siblings were comparing different covers of the song.  I, of course, heard them but didn't pay any attention to them, my silly siblings.  Then for some reason, tonight, I just had to listen to this song and to understand the lyrics.  The above cover by Mike Vang is my most favorite because I like his melody and he does the best job pronouncing the Hmong lyrics.

I hope you listen to it and let me know what you think of the song.  I hope that my sister will comment and share what she thinks is the best cover of this song.

If you want to hear the original song by Sudden Rush, along with the lyrics, go to this webpage:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ly7JRs3u7Sg

Trust Your Power

Inspiration can be found in everyday things. Sometimes, it takes an ad to remind me to not give up, to trust in my judgment, and to keep moving forward. 

Today, I wanted to highlight Derrick Coleman's story (I'm talking about the football player, not the basketball player), that's featured in Duracell's "Trust Your Power" campaign. He's considered the first deaf professional offensive football player to ever have played in the NFL. Apparently, he's been deaf since the age of three.  He's faced adversity and I'm sure he's learned to develop a very thick skin and to trust himself. I don't know what the future holds for him and I hope he has in illustrious career, but it still doesn't diminish how inspiring his story is and how it reminds us all to own our own power and to believe in ourselves, especially when others have given up or have never believed in the first place.

What do you think of the commercial?  It's been suggested that the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos will be the two teams battling for the Super Bowl.  Screw the Patriots, the 49ers, and the other teams still left in the race, I hope it will be the Seahawks (go Derrick Coleman) and the Broncos (I heart Peyton Manning!!!) going to the Super Bowl.

If you want to read more about Derrick Coleman AND watch another video, please go to this website: http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000311703/article/derrick-coleman-not-slowed-by-hearing-impairment

An Update of Paj Ntaub Endeavor

In speaking with my sister and just reading through some of the comments on other blogs, I realize that one who doesn't live in a city widely populated by Hmong Americans may have a hard time coming up with the necessary "tools" to start making paj ntaub.  So, I wanted to offer some tips, especially as it pertains to cross stitch, as to how one could find the proper tools, regardless of where one lives.

Hmong cross stitched lauj.

My first advice is that cross stitch is cross stitch.  What makes it "Hmong," is the design and how it's used.  There's an abundant amount of tools and advice about cross stitch available online and at your general crafting/fabric stores to get you started.

Since my first project is going to be a cross stitched project, I found all of the things I needed at my local JoAnn's and Wal-Mart.  I purchased the cross stitch fabric at JoAnn's and chose an 18 count Aida cloth (there are various counts and range from 10 to 22 count-the higher the count, the smaller the stitches).  I'd recommend that if you wanted to cross stitch, then use the 16 or 18 count Aida cloth, which I think is pretty standard for most Hmong cross stitch projects.

Trilobal polyester thread madeby Coats.

As for the thread, I purchased spools of thread made by Coats that are 100% Trilobal Polyester.  It has a sheen to it and is very vibrant.  I like the cotton threads, and there are more colors available, but it doesn't have the sheen like the trilobal polyester threads.  I also recommend 100% rayon thread, which also has a sheen like the trilobal polyester thread, but the rayon thread may have a different texture.

I also recommend purchasing and using an embroidery needle.  The main difference between a regular sewing needle and an embroidery needle is that an embroidery needle's eye is MUCH bigger than a regular needle, so it's easier to rethread if the thread falls out of the eye.  An embroidery needle's tip is also more blunt, so it would be harder for you to prick yourself.

Regular sewing needles on the left and tapestry needles on the right.

Once you have these basic tools, it's all a matter of coming up with a design and time to actually cross stitich.  If you have any questions, let me know.

Brave 2014

Throughout the years, to make my life better, I've gone from making New Year's resolutions to just  identifying what aspects of my life I need to work on through the year.  Both methods haven't been easy to keep track of because by the middle of the year, it's exhausting to remember what it was that I said I would do.  So this year, I'm following the suggestion of another blogger and am choosing a word to compare my actions and words to so that I know I'm on track to making my life better.  This word just came to me before January 1st (I didn't journal about it).  This year, I will be brave.

This year, I will measure my words and actions, and ask myself, "Am I being brave?"  Am I speaking my truth?  Am I choosing a course of action because I'm afraid, cowardly, or want to avoid something?  Am I being brave?  Of course, it will all be subjective, but it is my intent that as I proceed forward with each passing day, I will hold myself to a high standard with the goal of improving my life.

I also find that this method best accommodates life.  I agree to a certain extent with some people that January 1st marks a new beginning, a new start, and a new person.  Yet, that kind of thinking is very limiting.  January 1st is a great way to mark the ending of something and the beginning of something.  But, life happens and it doesn't always happen on January 1st.  The ending of something, a new beginning, a new start, a new person - these are things that can happen at any time that can make one throw away/forget her resolutions.  So, I find this new method accommodating and I'll see how it pans out in 2014.

This year, I will be brave.  If you could choose one word for yourself for this year, to measure your words and actions by, what would it be?

If you're interested in reading more about choosing a word for a new year, check out this website or this website.

Wish I Was Flying That Red Kite

[Davenport, CA.  Taken on December 30, 2013.]

Who Am I To Say

Love of my life, my soulmate
You're my best friend
Part of me like breathing
Now half of me is left

I don't know anything at all

It's Friggin COLD!

 WARNING---This post contains "juvenile humor." 

If you find this kind of humor offensive, go read something else.

This morning at approximately 8:00 a.m., the air temperature was -21 degrees F, and with the wind chill factored in it felt like -40 degrees F.  It was so cold that the public schools in Minnesota were closed today and most likely will continue to stay closed tomorrow.  So, on days that are this frickin cold, my mind turns to the weather and how it affects the human body.  Seriously, I don't often think like this, but my brain wanders and gets curious on very very cold days (probably so it doesn't have to think how cold it is outside).

So, when the air temperature gets to -20 degrees F (with no wind chill factored in), hot water that gets poured outside vaporizes immediately.  In the above video, you can kinda see the water vaporizing, although the guy noted that it was only -14 degrees F when he videotaped his experiment.  Now, I wonder if someone urinated off from a balcony in weather that's -20 degrees F, would the urine vaporize, or would it freeze right away because the urine's not hot enough?  Hmmm...I'm just waiting for someone to experiment and YouTube it.

Also, when it gets this cold, one can easily see his own breath.  So, I've wondered if a fart in the cold could be seen like the breath.  It's still warm air that's coming out of the body into a frosty environment, albeit from a different area.  So, somebody sent me the above video from YouTube to illustrate that yes, a fart can be seen in cold air.  Even though the video seems fake, it probably isn't.

Sorry, but I just felt like sharing.  I won't share any more.  I'm just trying to keep my mind off the cold and on other things.  Does your mind wander off and get curious about things?  Is it something you would like to share with me?

Hmong Paj Ntaub: Another Crafting Endeavor

If it's not apparent from previous postings, I am of Hmong heritage.  If you want to learn more about Hmong Americans, go here.  Growing up Hmong American, my mother forced my sisters and me to learn to hand sew, embroider, and cross stitch.  In Hmong, it's all known as paj ntaub.  I didn't totally understand nor really appreciate Hmong paj ntaub until I got older.  By now, I realize how valuable it is, especially as more and more Hmong paj ntaub are made by machine and not by hand.

My mom's style of traditional Hmong clothes. 
The dab tsho a.k.a. laug, sits at the nape of the shirt and is underneath the silver necklace.

Before the beginning of this year, I told myself I would try my hand at making a dab tsho a.k.a. laug, which is a decorative square piece of cloth that sits at the nape of a woman's shirt.  The dab tsho/laug can be appliqued, embroidered, cross stitched, or a combination of all.  I intend to cross stitch my first dab tsho/laug because it's the easiest method.  Once I'm feeling more confident, I may try a different technique or a combination of techniques. For now, my biggest concern, as others who know me well, is whether I will actually finish it by the end of this year (or if it will ever be finished).  My ultimate goal is to make a complete Hmong outfit for myself, in which the dab tsho/laug is only a piece of the whole.

Left, Top and Bottom: Both use applique and embroidery techniques.
Right, Top: Uses reverse applique and embroidery techniques.
Right, Bottom:  Uses cross stitch technique.

I'm actually quite excited about starting this new project, despite my many many other ongoing projects (seriously, who cares about a clean house, LOL).  I need to come up with a design and the colors I'd like to work with.  My mom gave me a couple of dab tsho/laug right before I came home so I could use them as a reference.  I also took lots of pictures when I was in California for inspiration.  I also came across this Hmong blogger whose blog has offered lots of great insight into Hmong clothing and Hmong paj ntaub.  

If I ever finish my dab tsho/laug, I'll blog about it.  :)  Do you find the handmade dab tsho/laugs impressive and beautiful?

Please check out the Hmong  blogger at:  http://theartofhmongembroidery.wordpress.com/

To read more about Hmong clothing and the different styles:  http://www.hmongembroidery.org/hmongattire.html

Coast Diaries State Park

Can you imagine yourself spilling all of your secrets at the Coast Diaries State Park?

While in California visiting my family I made plans to spend with a friend.  When my plans fell through, I came up with a back up plan and settled upon visiting Coast Diaries State Park, which is several miles north of Santa Cruz, California.  I picked it as my destination because it had a pretty name (really logical, right?).

There's joy all around my water carafe.

On the morning of my trip, I left by myself and headed out to the park.  My siblings thought I was emo and crazy to go by myself, but why not?  I actually had an ex beau who would take trips by himself because he really wanted to partake in an excursion, even when others refused to go or he had nobody else to go with him.  Well, I really really wanted to go see the ocean, I wasn't going to be stopped, and nobody wanted to go with me.  So, I went by myself.

A cup of coffee with almond milk and a vegetarian noodle salad.

I had forgotten how mountainous and treacherous certain parts of Highway 152 can be (California, you may want to invest in guardrails).  Once I got into Santa Cruz, I headed into the downtown and ate lunch at the Gratitude Cafe.  My lunch was super yummy and the cafe has such a New Age vibe. There were signs all around me, literal signs, telling me to be grateful and that I'll be fine. (My favorite sign said, "All wanderers are not lost.")  So cool. Then off to the Coast Diaries State Park.

 I continued on Highway 1 and when I finally came upon Coast Diaries State Park, I parked my car by the side of the road and headed out.  Funny, but I didn't even know that I found the state park.  I stopped because it was the only spot along Highway 1 that allowed people to have instant access to the ocean.  All other spots required a longish trek to get to the ocean or only allowed one to look at the ocean from a distance.

I (heart) this rock!

Once there, I bathed in the sun, played with the water, and looked for rocks.  I even found a holey heart shaped rock and knew it was meant for me.  I stayed to my heart's content and then I headed back home.  It was such a wonderful trip and good for the soul.  I don't care how much grief my siblings gave me, I enjoyed myself and would do it again.

The bluffs are beautiful and a wonderful place to find "rocky" treasures.

I encourage you to go on a trip by yourself and have an adventure.  Hopefully, you can share some of the details of your trip with me.