Browse Author: beakatude

What’s a bobbin again?

Last Friday I took out my sewing machine and spent about an hour just trying to figure out how to get it all set up again. I found myself scratching my head and talking to myself. It’s been about 4 years since I last used it so it took a while. Well, I finally got it set-up and along with PVC pipes and my neighbor’s pipe cutter, I was ready to go this afternoon. Wanna see what I made??
Back in September, I recruited Jesse and Jason to help me cut PVC pipes at Home Depot. Then I took them to work and figured out how to make room dividers. Once the frame was ready, it needed tweaking and cutting because the original frame was way too big…taller than me. The last step was the fabric…that took a little work. But I managed to figure out how to make a simple stitch and the project took off!! Here’s the room divider. Then I made a shelf curtain to hide cleaning products and storage items from the kids. I also used the left over pink fabric to make a little sink skirt to hide the ugly pipes and water heater that sits underneath it.
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When I thought I was all done, I figured out how to use the remaining short pipes and connectors to make a ball rack. How cool is that?! Now I won’t have these stupid therapy balls wandering around the room. Ah…it’s fun creating stuff with your hands. I can’t wait to get back to work on some new projects! Don’t be surprised if you all get some handmade Christmas presents!!

Sunday with The Jangs

We had visitors this afternoon! Auntie Jeanie, cousins Hannah and Abby, and PoPo (Grandma) came over to hang out with us and celebrate both of our 30th birthdays. Jes and I also managed to wash both of our cars and PoPo even helped! Hannah had a fun time playing with Koa and I think Abby is feeling a little more at ease with having him around in the house. Jesse made some handmade gnocchi for dinner (it was yummy!) and the girls gave us handmade birthday cards (very cute!).

Has it been a year already?

Jonah, Linda’s little boy, turned 1 today and she threw a little shindig for him. Linda and Shaun came all the way out here from Illinois to celebrate with the family and friends. I can’t believe that it has been a whole year since we were in Chicago and drove to Rockford to visit little Jonah at the hospital the day after he was born. Now he’s a big boy with four teeth and crawling. It was also nice to see the old UCLA gang again.

It’s mah birfday!

The day that I turn 30 is here! It’s not bad being the big three-O. I received a bunch of e-mails, text messages, IM’s, and phone calls from pals all around. Aw…I feel so loved. Unfortunately, my birthday fell on a Wednesday and I had to go to work. I didn’t even get off early today!! What’s up with that?! Anyway, to top off the birthday celebration, I’m going out to dinner with Jes’ parents and dessert with the brother. Oh yeah…Happy Birthday, Brother!!
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Let’s reflect on the past 30 years, shall we?
-Born during the time of bell-bottoms and orange carpet.
-Lived in what is now Korea Town back when white people still lived there
-I moved to Norwalk when I was 3 and got my first puppy!
-The brother was born on my 4th birthday.
-I learned to play the piano in 1st grade and the flute in 4th grade.
-Moved to Cerritos when I was 8.
-Attended a ghetto-fabulous Junior High where I learned how to hairspray my bangs.
-Started good ol’ WHS in 9th grade where I met some of my closest friends.
-Moved to UCLA and became best friends with my future hubby.
-Moved to Oak-Town for graduate school in 1999.
-Got married and ran my first marathon at age 27.
-Bought my first home at age 28.
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Hm…not bad. Bring on the next 30!! Woohoo!!

More birthday meals!

I went out to Lawry’s with the family last night to celebrate our birthdays. It’s become a tradition to go out to Lawry’s with the family at least once a year for the annual prime rib/creamed corn dinner. The food was great, as usual, and since it was Monday, we got double Lawry’s points. Unfortunately it was also Kid’s Night and there were a lot of kids there trying to score a free meal.
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Today I had lunch with Sandy. She’s been so busy lately that we haven’t been able to hang out much. So, it was nice to sit down for a 2-hour meal catching up and enjoying some Thai Chicken Pizza at CPK.
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It seems like I eat sooooo much more around birthdays and holidays. It’s time to go for a run!

Septemberfest Birthday Bash

We had a birthday celebration for six people on Saturday. Holly and I had dinner with some close friends while my brother had his own dinner with his friends. Dinner was at Opus Bar and Grill, which was next door to the Wiltern Theatre. The place was classy, the food was yummy, and the company made it even better.
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Afterwards, we met up with the other birthday boys and girl (Shirlin, Howard, Johnny, and Ray) at The Broadway Bar. It was a cool place in the middle of Downtown LA where the regulars were probably surprised by the large number of Asians in the house. On the evite that got sent out, someone’s comment was “Does The Broadway know the Asians are coming?” – totally appropriate. There were some Goth people there who were cornered upstairs on the balcony as we invaded their space all night. I managed to control my alcohol intake and I think everyone else did too. No falling down, no falling asleep (yay!), and no puking (phew!). I even stayed up for the Korean food at Hodori afterwards. Overall, it was a fun night with friends.
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The only setback was that I ran out of batteries in my camera. So, if anyone has photos to share, please add them to the photo collection.
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Thanks to everyone who came out to play!