Reflection Upon The First Half of 2010

Being that I have not blogged in ages, I feel a need to post something about the first half of 2010. It has been an intense ride.

Snapple, our beloved rottweiler had to be put to sleep due to his large growth on a hind leg. Taking the day off with my brother to spend the last moments with Snapple was hard. It was a moment of deep introspection for my brother and I. By caring for Snapple in the last year of his life, Nathaniel and I were indeed cultivating a deep bond. Snapple was in a way there to help us become better siblings before the time where we would soon part ways in our respective lives. For that, I am grateful.

I had a chance to attend a friends' wedding and see old friends. Admittedly, I was disappointed in my interaction (lack 0f) with a couple relationships. Yes - yes --- it's life but I was indeed sad. It's true sometimes --- time keeps us distant.

Soon I will be moving to a new location resulting in a longer commute to work. Time to finally sprout wings and fly! Hopefully I will be better about posting my exciting independence to come - no promises.

Inaugural Flower Share Commenced!

Through the support of 6 other lovely gals, the first flower share commenced yesterday! I was a slight bunch of nerves the night before as I was running around town trying to figure out the most pragmatic vessel to arrange with (solution: ikea beer glass, pack of 6 for $8) and of course I couldn't help but wonder what the next day was to bring.

I went to the Oakland Flower Market at 10, came out with 2 bunches of peachy yellow dahlias, 2 bunches of fiery red cocks comb, 2 bunches of pepperberry, and 1 bunch of peachy spray roses... summing to $47 --- I was so on target! I had initially thought that I was going to make a mostly green and white arrangement but the faded rosy color of the pepperberry led me in another direction.

It could be the season but I feel like next time I would love to give the SF SOMA Flower Market a shot. I have been there once with May in the early afternoon on a Saturday, it was a literal ghost town. The SF SOMA Flower Mart is a crowd of at least half a dozen of flower wholesalers. It is only open to the public past 10AM on Saturdays... The Oakland Market really just seemed to be lacking selection and quality? I guess I am just curious about what's on the other side of the bay.

I did the arranging at May's and came out with 7 of the following arrangements in an 1 hour and 5 minutes. May also made some wonderfully formed and tasty lemon bars. The gals came over and we watched the afternoon slip away...

May's bars!

I was initially disappointed about how empty each vase as the bunches were only took 1/5 space of the vase. While at home, I did use a rubber band to better consolidate the flowers in a huddle. Great results for now!

This Past Weekend...

I was totally sick and remain to be so until the end of the week.

Left Hands Are For Wild Things

I can't clip my right hand finger nails with my left hand, not even with 20 years of experience! You figure I probably began clipping my own nails earliest at age 6...

I really want to watch 'Where the Wild Things Are' on Friday at the Grand Lake Theatre where I hear a someone plays the piano on a stage before the premier movie. Perhaps I can get a drink at the Alley after? I'm shooting for the 7.15 showing. What a great prospective weekend!

Where the Wild Things Are from Yanet Medina on Vimeo.

Weekend Acquisitions: sartorialist, gothic vase, flowers publication, neo-vintage glasses

This weekend I found out the person behind the blog Sartorialist (Scott Schuman) will be in San Francisco on October 21st, 19.30 at the Paul Smith store doing a book signing of his compilation picture book "The Sartorialist". I rushed over to Border's to pick up the softbound 500 page book with which I fortunately used the 40% Border's 75th anniversary coupon to bring down the cost to $16! Score! I am currently undecided about whether or not to have the book signed in person or simply have phil do my bidding. I am totally foreseeing a huge fashionista crowd - got to dress in black - maybe I'll get a picture with the man?

We also combed 4 "estate" sales (2 in Alameda and 2 in Berkeley), I came out of it with a lethal brass goblet perfect for floral arranging - $2. This is lethal because, you can totally knock someone out with it. The only thing about those "estate" sales posted on Craigslist is chances are high that they may be standard yard, garage sales. 3 of 4 destinations which had claimed estate sales turned out to be yard sales. People were simply purging. I find estate sales to be much more interesting as typically the entire house is open to your exploration and snatching of goods with which you end up bargaining with someone at the front door. This is truly an "end of the world" experience and somber moment as you come to grips with your own mortality. One day my life acquired goods will be sold too...

I also bought a UK bi-monthly flower publication entitled "Wedding Flowers" which I will use as a source for my upcoming premier flower share moment. I already have big plans for October 24th which include rising early and making it over to the SF flower market, picking my flowers, having a quick bite to eat at the little hole in the wall, "Little Skillet", rushing back to Alameda to arrange away (2 hours should do it!) and meeting the girls possibly at the back patio at Julies' coffee and teas.

Alright, I also bought 3 vintage blue glasses for $1 each from the goodwill - not such old glasses as upon inspection each had $2.99 World Market stickers taped to the bottom.

I Love Snapple.

Nothing quite brings one to the acknowledgement of one's love for a pet until it gets sick. I can't believe how fortunate we are that Snapple bounced back. His strange puppy and adoring ways are back - I definitely hold each moment dear.

Is it bad that I want to go to the Trappist for a Belgian beer today even though I just went last Sunday?

Interesting, Very Interesting

I've been impatiently waiting on the house at Mad Ave. Speaking of Mad, I'm so smitten by Mad Men. Too bad -- I've wasted the last two weeks watching.

We weren't able to go to Seattle this past weekend. I had spent the money I was suppose to have spent in Seattle earlier last week on Snapple dog bills. $442 just for a check up, blood work and a cytology test. Well, he's back to good health - considering the fact that he didn't ear for the bigger part of last week. I love to see him trot and my mom seems to have grown attached.

We did however go on a mini vaca yesterday. This entailed some Peet's coffee, Indian lunch at Shalimar, a self made tour of the Mission San Jose, used book drive by (Fast Food Nation!), chilling at Alameda's most safe and lush park, grabbing a drink at the Trappist, and a buzzed dinner at Kai's.

At last, I have my first floral gig with some gals! Flower share, Flower Power, Floral Pull...these are all proper names I am brainstorming right now. October 24th, I hope to impress and deliver. Notes to self: more flowers, and go by color.

The arrangement above is made with Dahlias, Gomphrena, and Solidago (total cost $20 for 3 bouquets). I thought I was achieving a sense of monochromatic arrangement -then I though the yellow would act nicely as contrast. Um, I'm not proud of this. I know now that I should have a higher ratio of flowers hence the benefit of the up and coming flower share!

sad sad wednesday

today consisted of tears, shouts, 1/2 a cup cake of the Fleur de Sel (from Kara's), flailing arms, prosciutto, denim skirt (thankfully!) and a major rejection (who knew putting a higher down payment would make such a difference?)

yes, today was mostly a bad day

oh, well - I should make lemonade.

I smell it!

I smell my neighbors barbequing a storm all up in their yard right now. Korean barbeque! This is truly the most irritating thing neighbors can do - unrequited barbeque - I want you! I feel even worse for Snapple - I even gave him a tad more dog food to help him out -- poor guy is smacking his lips.

I just booked a flight to Costa Rica from LAX to San Jose, CR for $355. Sadly, I will have to fly out to LAX via Southwest -- I'm a little nervous as I will be traveling with a first time traveler my brother and am used to following someone around rather than stepping it up. Haha, we shall have to see how things fare.

Korean BBQ! I know where you are...

Hydrangea and Italian Parsley

I just made a demo of May's wedding banquet floral arrangement centerpiece. It's so awesome how I happened to have both the Hydrangea (pink) and Italian Parsley in my very own front yard. Now, let's hope the blue Hydrangea and dill works equally as well. Pictures to come!

Also, I'm finally one step away from the Flower Arrangement Class at Mission Valley College. What a good ending to the day.

By the way, I watched "500 Days of Summer" and am over romantic comedies...they kind of make me sick.

Nervous

A little antsy about what will become of Saturday - but I will have to keep a positive attitude, hope for the best and consider other options. I hope I'm moving in the right direction - I just need a change and need to channel my enthusiasm and hard work into something.

I need a backup plan. I don't need to make extra money - I don't know what I'm really trying to achieve - just want to prove myself and see how I can improve along the way. We can only try but then again trying things out requires patience. As a friend had mentioned to me today - its fun figuring out life -- even if it isn't so clean and direct.

I think I will go to bed.

Great Find

Friday evening, I went to Half Books in Fremont and found a gem of a book I have been fantasizing about for some time. Just to give a background, I've been wanting a beautiful floral directory book - a floral dictionary. Going through Borders, and many used books stores, I've never been fortunate enough to find exactly that book.I found "The Most Beautiful Flowers" a large 15 x 10 inch book filled with 144 pages of flowers rendered by the French artist Pierre Joseph Redoute originally compiled in 1833. The book was printed in 1980, but let's not get into silly semantics. I found the lovely book in the art section rather than the flower section. Each flower is accompanied with its French name and Latin name. I expect to be "quoting" from this book from time to time.

My mom and I hand delivered a strawberry cake my dad and brother made today. My Uncle's front yard are full of garden roses in a variety of colors - I had a chance to bring a rose home with consent from my aunt. Score!

Ah, I want to be a flower shop girl!

Billy Buttons and Dahlias

Over the weekend, I went to the Oakland Market and made two arrangements with white-pink-yellow Dahlias and Billy Buttons. I really enjoy the deep purple stems of the Dahlias. The Billy Buttons can make almost any arrangement lighthearted - yellow dots randomly placed. I still get overwhelmed whenever going to the Oakland Market as I get surrounded by many species in the freezing warehouse.

Note to self - trim the flowers to the opening of vessel.

O, Vacation

O, you've taught me to appreciate my life in the States, and taught me to think of others. It was good getting away after all...

"No man is an Island"

okay...I'm realizing that...

Waiting for Marti Rae

Can't help but feel impatient about a little space on Marti Rae. I really hope it works out. I keep envisioning myself reading the book "Charlie Chan is Dead" spread out on the hardwood floor. Thankfully, Peru is next week. Finally!

I'm Back

Went to Monterey with my family (minus Ben), it's been a good 7 years since I've done a day trip with the family. I love how my parents were so pleased the whole day even though the weather was just plain foggy, and dinner plans were different than expected.

I'm going to try to be a better blogger being that I don't even have a Facebook or a Twitter account. Apparently, I am okay being a web 2.0 hermit who does the occasional diary entry. Meanwhile, I am with Mister socialite web 2.o.

4.3.09

Personally, I hate loud mouthed female dogs who think they know everything - then again - maybe I should stop letting myself get stomped on.

Phil and I are really digging a small little duplex in Berkeley which only is about 1100 squarefeet and as duplexes go - -- each unit would clearly by less than 600 square feet. Live in one, rent one out? There's a thought...

A Small Entry Comeback

This sounds like a nice snack/breakfast that I read on a blog:

"plain yogurt with grapefruit in it (membrane removed)
honey stir all that up and sprinkle granola on top"

Will do. I've got an presumptive taste in my mouth - hope it lives up to the dream.

I bought exam materials again - now I have financial burden of completing the exam - in a year, I hope... Thank God the materials have not arrived...

I bought a long stemmed green spider mum all for $2 over the past weekend at Mint in Alameda. First of all, who's ever heard of a green flower? Second, there are way better than roses, way cheaper and last way longer!

Small comment I still think peonies rule especially now that I know that they can cost from $15 to $20 a stem...

The past weekend I rode my bike in Alameda three times and even felt like my 'core' was sore on Monday. Awesome! I'm getting bolder riding along side cars. Had some brunch with some peers from the past. They are the same yet we are so different. I think I am at peace.

Oakland

So --- my weekend was full of Oakland. Friday night, we tried to go to the Parkway Speakeasy in Oakland to catch one of their last showings before the full shut down on Sunday. Unfortunately, many others had the same plan in mind - we were unable to watch "Let The Right One In". Instead, we meandered the streets of Oakland specifically the Grand Lake Area looking for random bars. We stopped by 'the Alley' a dive piano bar filled with business cards, dark lighting and a mixed crowd. You could say 'the Alley' is fun for its piano in the back with a couple of mics sprouting out on the side. People would go up and sing classics like "Wouldn't It Be Lovely" and countless other jams I sure didn't know.

Anyways, on Friday night, our dear friend L told us about a development of new David Baker designed lofts (Pacific Canary Lofts) that were built in West Oakland -- starting prices around the $250K. On Saturday, exciting the highway and taking the back way into the development wasn't so bad. What awaited us were handsome lofts - some of which sold for $300-350K with grand views of the Oakland Port, light flooding in, and a floor plan that was so beautifully opened up and exposed. What had been promised to us on the tour was the continuing development of other new residential buildings which potentially had retail spaces to follow...Haha, Phil and I had knowing glances...little did we know what awaited us outside of the proper entrance was West Oakland. Enough said, I don't think we will be considering.

Later that night, while watching the local news - we discovered the gun down of the 4 police officers occurance on the other side of town in East Oakland.