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| Wow, that must be my longest hiatus from Xanga ever. But no worries, I'm still here, reading your posts! So here's an update, since I feel like processing my thoughts ...
I'm currently re-adjusting my priorities. In other words, I'm gradually changing what I choose to be involved in. However, I've picked up about 2 or 3 projects/activities for each project/activity I declined or quit ... not really working, is it?
What I recently quit or considered (but declined):
- Mochi Magazine--I'm stepping down as Photography Director. It's been a great run with the website, and it's given me a lot of opportunities for meeting new people, creating graphics, and exercising those camera muscles. However, I need to start honing in on other non-paid activities that mean more to me (BCNC, church) and paid gigs that are, well ... paid.
- Co-chairing for a committee--It was more like a casual suggestion, but I didn't think it would be right of me to even consider it, so I gave a reserved "maybe." I'm not even part of the organization (for which you pay membership fees)! I know they wouldn't make me pay, and I can tell they really like my planning style, but I'd rather focus my committee-meetings energy on BCNC.
What I've been picking up:
- Small groups--Okay okay, not really a side activity since I should be doing small groups anyway, but I haven't been part of a Friday night small group in 2 years! I LOVE this group, by the way!
- Worship team soundboard--It's been fun re-training my ears and playing with the new board! I can't believe I haven't touched this stuff in 2 years ... it's all stuff I used to be very into.
- Drama/creative worship team--I'm starting off small and light, mostly helping with photos for the worship slides and giving input for other things. I can't wait to work on the next 48 Film Project with these people!
- Weekday Bible studies--I haven't started this one yet, but I'm really looking forward to doing in-depth Bible studies with the pastor and like-minded people. I think it would be a great substitute for seminary school and a great opportunity to exercise my annotating muscles!
- Paid photo gigs--I didn't actively seek out these gigs, but thanks to a couple friends, they're slowing coming my way at a rate that I can handle. I do wish I had a better schedule for photo-editing, though.
- Other paid gigs (e.g. SEO)--I'm helping out a friend with a website right now, and I really enjoy having more of a say than I would at work (I don't normally do a lot of client-facing). I just hope I'm actually effective in improving the site.
- BCNC--I'm still on the marketing committee, and I sometimes get recruited onto other event-planning committees (like the current one for the Oak Street Fair). There are so many reasons why I love being a part of this ... (1) I love what they do for the community, (2) I get to flex my limited marketing knowledge and think of new ideas, (3) I learn so much from other marketing professionals, (4) I meet so many interesting and motivated individuals, (5) I get huge ego-adjustments from knowing that they appreciate my help and/or enjoy talking to me, etc. So many reasons!
I've also learned a bit of self-promotion through some of these things ... getting recognition at work, securing gigs and finding my way into groups or positions I want. I worry about being too brash, but so far, it has yielded good results.
However, there's one thing I've been hoping for over the past few years, and I've continually tried to be proactive, but so far I haven't really gotten anywhere no matter who I talk to, what I've tried, or how good natured about it I've been. I have to remind myself to be patient, that the push-back and lack of response may simply be God's way of telling me "not yet" or "this is not for you."
But then, I'm sure one of the reasons is that I'm too busy, and I can definitely understand that. :)
Anyway, if someone could give some suggestions on what/how to cut down, please tell!
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| "I have learned that a man has the right and obligation to look down at
another man, only when that man needs help to get up from the ground." | | |
| - Attended another great small group session (love my group!).
- Finally met this cute little dog that I've "stalked" over the past 6 months (heehee).
- Swam at the beach in the coldest waters ever, and reached a buoy.
- Got whistled at by a lifeguard for clinging onto said buoy.
- Lost circulation in three fingers (which eventually came back after a small scare).
- Found a HUGE clam in the sand with The Boy (at least 5" long and 4" wide).
- Met a Mochi-look-a-like, but with white brows like an old man.
- Got a blistered/cut heel from a pair of otherwise really comfy heels.
- Had a 2am meal at Peach Farm.
- Slept in late, missed church, and missed most of the Dragonboat Festival.
- Unknowing "stole" the wrong order at Blue Shirt Cafe (woops!).
- Caught the very last race for The Boat for Kids Who Don't Paddle Good.
- "Practiced" my very-loud-sneezing-skills (I dislike spring).
- Failed to find parking for May's Fusion.
- Ate Korean at Yasu instead.
- Took out lots and lots of trash+recycling (yay spring cleaning!).
Fun fun fun.
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| I've finally gotten around to editing photos from my kitchen "adventures"! I could always format it more, but I think it's a better trade-off ... less formatting, more photo postings.
 Dutch baby (a.k.a. German Oven Pancake), recipe from Joy's blog. Mine has a funny shape. :) Herb garden! The plants are now about 50% bigger than they appear in this photo. Left planter: purple sage, cilantro, ginger mint (not very minty, unfortunately) :(Right planter: Mexican chili, sweet basil, rosemary Unseen: plum tomatoes, growing in a Topsy-Turvy planter!  Red pepper jelly! I wanted to buy some, but didn't know where to find it, so I looked up Chowhound. Lo and behold, someone suggested making some yourself, which I obviously did ...  Citrus-mint cooler (non-alcoholic!), which I made for Ely's birthday since I know he doesn't drink. Unfortunately, the mint wasn't minty enough. Sadness!  Jalapeno poppers--these were AMAZING when fresh out of the oven! I'm definitely making this again.  Salad with chicken hearts and orange segments, in a balsamic-honey dressing. Shrimp in honey and rice vinegar (didn't have any lime, which I think would've been a great add). Boiled potatoes tossed with garlic and rosemary cooked in butter. (I usually roast my potatoes, but I think we were trying to save time?)
I hope you enjoyed the photos! I'll be taking photos more often, since I'm going to be the food blogger for MochiMag.com (yay!).
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| I just got another kitchen appliance (free with my Discover card rewards). Here's what we have in our kitchen so far (from oldest to newest):
- microwave (duh)
- rice cooker
- coffee maker
- hot water boiler
- blender
- stand mixer
- soy milk maker
- immersion blender
- 6 qt slow cooker
- ice cream maker!
- mini food processor!
I believe we acquired the latter 7 items over the past 6 months alone ... at this rate, I won't need a wedding registry.
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