Daily writing promptWhat colleges have you attended?View all responses Not including enrichment classes at various J.C.s, I've attended four universities (Americans often use the term "college" broadly, to mean any institution of higher education). The first was an archetypal college experience at Humboldt State University (now Cal Poly Humboldt), in Arcata, California, which I attended… Continue reading Nostalgia moment: College (Bloganuary)
How tipping differs between South Korea and the U.S. (Bloganuary)
I'm going to veer a little off-course with the prompts I answer in my Bloganuary posts. One reason is the WP suggested prompts tend to elicit responses that read like diary entries, which I think can be boring. I don't always want to write about myself; I'd rather write about observations, so I'm going to say… Continue reading How tipping differs between South Korea and the U.S. (Bloganuary)
My first challenge: Bloganuary
Daily writing promptWhat are your biggest challenges?View all responses Happy New Year, my friends! The first challenge of 2024 is waking up to a writing prompt that's a bit sober for January 1st.  Challenge accepted, though - because it's bad form to back away from a challenge on the cusp of a New Year. A… Continue reading My first challenge: Bloganuary
Balloon dog + a peek at Rembrandt etchings
Balloon animals are purely delightful! They evoke memories of amusement parks and celebrations from childhood. Here's an amigurumi dog version that's hot off my hook, from a wonderful pattern by Knotmonster. I had so much fun making this figure that I'll certainly do a few more in the coming weeks. Sometimes frivolous, simple pleasures are in… Continue reading Balloon dog + a peek at Rembrandt etchings
Merry Christmas! Crafty update and other news
It's so good to be in touch with you again after my hiatus. I'm excited to share my Dad's Christmas ornament for this year - again, he has outdone himself with his creativity and a charming motif. Every year, Dad settles on his idea after some brainstorming with my mom, and sometimes, her idea becomes reality -… Continue reading Merry Christmas! Crafty update and other news
Autumn amigurumi: pumpkins and goldfish purse; a spot of nature
"If I were a bird, I would fly about the Earth seeking the successive autumns." - George Eliot Happy Halloween, my friends! I love this time of year, as not only is the weather cooler and more conducive to hunkering down with crafts - we're also on the cusp of some of my favorite holidays,… Continue reading Autumn amigurumi: pumpkins and goldfish purse; a spot of nature
Nammeji Lake sculpture festival is back
The bright, temperate days of Korean Autumn are upon us, and I take every spare moment to be outside enjoying my favorite month of the year. This past weekend, we took a leisurely walk around Nammeji Lake, just west of campus, where the annual sculpture festival is in progress, through October 29. I'm a huge… Continue reading Nammeji Lake sculpture festival is back
DIY perfume making + Hangeul Day
Today is Hangeul Day, a national holiday in Korea, which has given me a joyous three-day weekend to catch up on work, play, and cooking. Hangeul Day (í•œê¸€ë‚ ) is observed on October 9th each year, and commemorates the invention of the Korean alphabet in 1446. King Sejong the Great, who was the fourth monarch of the Joseon… Continue reading DIY perfume making + Hangeul Day
Red fig preserves recipe + random craft doings
I'm so glad to be back with you to share a few of my late Summer/early Autumn pleasures. It's been more than a month since my last post, and time just slipped by with my duties at work and the quotidian routine. This long weekend, South Korea is celebrating the Chuseok holiday, so I have… Continue reading Red fig preserves recipe + random craft doings
Summers Past Farms visit + New Embroidery
Mom, my oldest niece, and I drove to Flinn Springs yesterday to visit Summers Past Farms, a welcoming, peaceful plant nursery and rambling herb garden off Olde Highway 80. There is also a delightful shop on the property that's housed in a 3,500 square foot barn, built by the owners, Sheryl and Marshall Lozier. Summers… Continue reading Summers Past Farms visit + New Embroidery
The Frill Seeker 