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What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?
This year I am thankful for my wonderful husband who has supported me and my artistic endeavors. He has made me feel appreciated, loved, respected, and most of all helped me believe in myself in whatever I do. I am thankful for my friends who were there for me in times of need. Need it be for someone to talk to, help with projects, or just a time to get together and chat I love that they are there at a moments notice. I am thankful for my cats. They're cute, and always there to comfort me when I think I don't need anyone to comfort me. I am thankful for my parents. They are my rock. They will always be there during the hardest times in my life. Always forgiving and a constant reminder that nothing can compare to family. Lastly, I am thankful for all the people who has shaped my life. Teachers, neighbors, and random people I have lost touch with who from time to time I think about and wonder if they too are having a lovely Thanksgiving day.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
*gobble gobble!*
Winter is coming upon us in San Francisco. That and the holidays. My winters in comparison to my husband sound terribly boring! I do get the saying that California doesn't have seasons. Well, that maybe true but it depends on what part of California you go to. I've also never had a snow day, I've never had weather so bad that I couldn't go anywhere, and I've never had a time where I had to put chains on my tires or throw litter on the ground to get traction. Then again, I've never owned a car.
Winter for me starts when we have to adjust for daylight savings time. I feel it is safe to say, at least for San Franciscans, that's when it starts. Though, some will say winter for them starts when they have to put their coats on. Whichever you prefer the COLD is coming! I do have to add, we do get spurts of warmth on certain times of the year. Also, we do get heavy rains from time to time. Eventually highways and certain areas of the city get flooded, but not to the point where we couldn't get around.
The first time I saw snow was on a trip to Tahoe. I think I was 18. It was the first time I was on skis and the first time I was outside for a long period of time. If anyone knows me, I don't do well outside unless I am forced to. To be honest, all I wanted to do was make a snow man and do all the kid-like things you do on TV for a snow day. That didn't really happen, but I enjoyed myself anyways. The second time I was around snow was with my friend Heather. We went snowboarding with her Mom. Well, her mom mostly drove us up to wherever we went and we practiced, fell, and practiced more. I think I enjoyed snowboarding more than skiing. Most definitely.
This winter we're traveling to Ohio to see Kyle's parents for Christmas. I'm told it will be cold, but not snowing. A little disappointing, but it will be nice to catch up with Kyle's family. We'll do the usual holiday exchange, dinner and family get together. Really simple, and nothing extravagant. If you've been reading my blog, you'll understand how refreshing this is for me. After the holidays we'll be in SF again enjoying the countdown to the New Year and staying warm in our little apartment. or that's the plan. hehe.
The holidays to everyone is different. My holidays I can honestly say has always been some what special. When I think of it, I cringe. I have never experienced a good Christmas till I met my husband. What made the difference? We simply did nothing.
Growing up my sister and I were required to take our yearly photo with a man dressed up as Santa Claus. Which I immediately cried the whole time. I knew it wasn't Jolly Old St. Nick. I don't even think I understood the idea of Santa. If you look back to all our photos, my sister is usually the one smiling and I'm the one that is red, puffy faced, and choking back tears. Why would my mother do this to me? Because well, she loves photos. Or is obsessed with photos to the point that my feelings didn't matter. This was the start of a pattern where I actually fear cameras.
After the photos, we would do our holiday shopping in the mall. Then on Christmas Eve/Day we would go to a hotel to celebrate my parents anniversary. My sister and I would dress up, wear things we usually wouldn't like wearing, and eat adult food. These hotel restaurants never had children sized portions, or food that children would like. My sister and I were always bored and I personally hated being there. I remember just sitting in the restaurant and just stared vacantly out the window or sat in the lobby just staring at water fixtures that bubbled across the room.
On Christmas Day we would open our presents. Now, you may say "Oh presents! There can't be anything wrong with that!" You say that till I explain further. My mom would always ask what we wanted, and she would get it and immediately wrap the presents in front of us. I always knew what I was going to get. There were never surprises. I do admit I don't regret knowing what we got, but it would've been nice to get a surprise gift. This included birthdays and other gift giving events. There weren't many surprises in my life growing up.
Holidays to me will always be "special."
www.craigmccracken.net/
I am so gleefully/nerdily/squeeingly happy to have met him. We talked shop, animation and he drew me MADAME FOSTER!! I was in heaven! What a great guy. Please support his new work!
Just got in today and went to the Expo.
Here is a photo of some of our free stuff/swag. Met some really great people, and saw really awesome stuff! They had a display of Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland Maquettes. I couldn't photograph them, but they were amazing!!!!
Got to meetup with the girls @ GirlsDrawin'Girls, chatted a little with Damon Bard (whom I think is stalking me, or am I stalking him? We keep running into each other!). Damon Bard is the gentleman who did the maquettes for Coraline. REALLY GREAT STUFF! Go support his work!!!!
There are more photos and people to list, but I'll do that later.
Having a great time in L.A.!!!
XOXO
All Images are Copyright CJM 2009
All Rights Reserved
www.agreencat.com/copyrights
So this morning I was doing my usual eat breakfast, read the news and then research stuff for work. Then I stumble upon some interesting information. I find out that someone I used to know very well worked on a game that my husband is currently playing. Not that this is very interesting to other people, but this particular person I was very close to for a very long time. I do admit that I am very happy one of their dreams of working on game music finally came true.
I then started to think about all the other people I used to know, and I began wondering what they were doing. Not just random people but close friends I lost touch with, people I used to go to school with and etc. I guess that is what Myspace and Facebook is for. All my classmates are now scattered all over the world and the internet is slowly bringing us back together. Many people look the same, but are obviously a little more worldly. I can't also help feel a little jealous because well, for example one of my best friends Heather lives across the country and I don't talk to her at all now. Before we use to talk at least every month and see each other once a year. I get a random text a couple weeks ago with a message saying she is now engaged. In shock I text back, "WHAT????" I think back and wonder if she got my text or if she didn't like my response since i haven't heard back from her since. I worry, but I know she can take care of herself.
People do change and move on, but it is nice to know that some of them are still pursuing their dreams and are happy.
Time for another Holiday Blythe meet!
We're planning on having it on DEC 19th 2009, 11:30-4pm (I think) With Henry's awesome friend hosting @ her event space.
TIB: www.thisisblythe.com/newforum/viewtopic.php?t=102584
FB: www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=167181069218
Please confirm at one of these sites.
Thank you and hope to see you there!
XOXO
-Cat
Today is my dad's birthday. At 79, he has been through so much and he still has something important to say. If you've met my father, you know that he is a big people person. He isn't biased and has always been the most easy-going, fair, man that anyone would know. He will also talk to anyone. Even if you aren't paying attention, he'll still talk to you!
To continue, my dad is the most fascinating person. Not that I know very many people, but he has so much to say and so much wisdom behind it. People can sense that my dad has experienced so much. To note, when he was young, he went through WWII. He would tell me stories of his family coping and what he did see and hear to survive. As a young boy you can only imagine how this type of experience would affect him. Thankfully it only made him a stronger person for his future family.
He was always there for his family and friends. He would work hard, be home for the holidays and special events, and be readily available to give his advice/support to help people in time of need. I truly began to know who my father was when our house caught on fire in an accident. This fire caused 3rd degree burns on some of his body while he was trying to save us. Immediately, our friends and family came together to support him. I never knew how much people respected my dad till that day. They all had stories to share and how they wouldn't be there right now if it weren't for him.
I am so terribly grateful that such a person raised me. My humor, my sensibilities, and even my artistic ability I would credit to my dad. He taught me math with chewing gum, he showed me how to build giant lantern stars for the holidays, the proper way to write and to draw, to understand others without bias and so much more. If I listed every single thing my father has instilled in me, I would have to write my own autobiography.
Finally! Stuffipets in Giant Sizes! They'll be ready for Wondercon 2010
All Images are Copyright CJM 2009All Rights Reserved
www.agreencat.com/copyrights
I love Tartine!. It reminds me of Paris every time I go there. Yesterday, I had "tea time" with my good friend Ceci and her friend Alicia. I ordered the bread pudding with banana, Ceci order a quiche and a lemon bar with brown butter base, and Alicia order a slice of pecan pie. If you ever are in San Francisco, you MUST go to Tartine. It is worth the hassle of no parking and then taking a short stroll around Dolores Park. Or even having another snack at the nearby Bi-Rite ice creamery.
To continue, usually I have these outings with Ceci just so we can catch up and review what is going on in our lives. We also love to chat about other things. *INDEED!* haha I won't post about them here, but this post is more about how happy I am to have friends like her and meeting Alicia was just as great!
The first time I met Ceci was at a Halloween party. She was under the influence of certain things and I was just tired. So we just happened to be sitting next to each other when we started talking about life and other relative things. From there we just met off and on through mutual friends till recently we just began having tea time together. I love Ceci to bits! She is one of my most reliable friends I know. Whenever I talk about her to the Kyle, he always agrees if you ask something of Ceci, she does it and she will go above and beyond to make sure you are happy and safe. I truly appreciate her and all the time she's spent making me feel like, well a good friend. That and she loves Hello Kitty as much as I do. MWHAHHAHA!!!
Oh! I must add, I was introduced yesterday to her friend Alicia. I guess we all live in a very small world. I discovered she used to also live in Pacifica and went to the same grammer school as I did. I have to tell you about Pacifica people. I rarely run into one because they either stay in Pacifica, or they move out of state entirely. Pacifica is known for being a very laid back town full of surfers and retirees. So when I found out Alicia was from there we both freaked out! We talked about the people we knew, where we lived, how the city is now, and etc. It was great to meet her and I hope she will come to tea time more often.
