Just another side of me

I took piano lessons for a number of years when I was young. I suppose I was quite good then because my piano teacher was sort of grooming me to get into the Conservatory of Music when I started college. Unfortunately (for her), I had no such plans. I quit taking lessons about a year before I finished high school. One of my life's poor decisions, I guess.

I completely lost access to a piano when I got married and moved out of our home. Expectedly, my skills turned very rusty. Today, we both have a piano and a keyboard and so now, I get to make music occasionally. I am not that good anymore though. It takes a while before I figure out how the notes are played especially when there are so many sharps or flats involved! I hardly perfect any piece I play. The good thing is though, piano playing is much like riding a bike...you never forget it even though you've gone years without practice.

Yesterday, out of the blue, I thought of taking a video of myself playing a piano piece (well, it's actually just my fingers seen on the camera). This is a side of me that's really unknown to many. I am not out to impress or anything like that. I even made a couple of slight mistakes in the video but I kept playing anyway (shame on me!). I hope you'll consider the fact that I haven't played in front of an audience in like 25 years or so!  Having said all that, don't expect to be blown away, ok?

Without further ado, here I am, attempting to play David Benoit's classic Kei's Song from 1987. It's a rather short version for two reasons: 1) because I do not know how to adlib; and 2) I did not want to play the difficult part twice.

Anyway, enjoy!



And here's the real version. I am nowhere close!

In the past week...

...I got my first cake order! Was reluctant at first to accept because I was afraid I would stuff it up.  It was for my sister in-law's niece, who, for her 17th birthday, only asked for one thing...a soft and light chocolate cake. As most cakes in the shops here are heavy and super rich mud cakes, my sister in-law thought of asking me to bake for her.

So glad I did...I was super pleased with how the cake turned out and I got great positive feedback from those who feasted on it!

I love the flowers (but honestly, I don't even know what those are supposed to be!).

Yesterday, it was my eldest son's 16th birthday.  Naturally, I had to make a birthday cake for him as well.  It's much harder to do one for a boy, isn't it?  I couldn't put flowers in even if I wanted to...

I opted to design the cake with his favourite NBA team in mind, the Orlando Magic! (I had to promise my other son I would make him a Lakers cake come his birthday.)

Got the team logo off the internet and printed contact print sizes to make those little flags!

I do think I am getting better with cake decorating.  Still amateurish, but considering the fact that all my skills are self-taught, I should be pretty happy with myself...

In the sewing front this time...I managed to sew another digital camera cozy.

 

The Hello Kitty fabric is way cute!

A nice finishing touch is this little red bow button.

The new eBook and pattern for this digital camera cozy is now available here and here.  You might wonder how I was able to complete that one so fast.  After already writing up many tutorials in the past, the process really does get easier.   There are no complicated steps in this particular project so I encourage all those with boring camera cases to give the pattern a try!

Before I end, let me just leave with you with this music video of my current favourite song.  Puts me in a good mood everytime, just like the people in the video!

I made myself cry again...

You probably are getting tired of reading about this over and over...you don't really have to read on if you don't feel like it...

Yesterday, I gathered some of my photos with and of my mom. I don't really have much with me as most of my childhood photos are somewhere hidden in my dad's home. But with what I had on hand, I made this short video in memory of my mom and the life she shared with me.

I cried again, as expected. Don't worry, it's a good cry.

Something to make you smile

My husband is currently in the process of capturing our home videos.  I've been having a great time watching the ones from years ago, when my kids were still small. I kinda miss those days... 

I thought it would be nice to share this particular video with you.  It's my daughter Missy telling about the story of the very first Christmas. If I remember right, the teacher had asked her to narrate this same story to her fellow Prep students then.

Video was taken in 2003 when she was only 6 years old. Just really melts my heart.  Take time to enjoy (it's only 6 minutes short)!

Vincent (Starry Starry Night)

Was humming this while driving earlier. To me, the greatest song ever written, so beautifully sung by Don McLean....



Starry, starry night.
Paint your palette blue and grey,
Look out on a summer's day,
With eyes that know the darkness in my soul.
Shadows on the hills,
Sketch the trees and the daffodils,
Catch the breeze and the winter chills,
In colors on the snowy linen land.

Now I understand what you tried to say to me,
How you suffered for your sanity,
How you tried to set them free.
They would not listen, they did not know how.
Perhaps they'll listen now.

Starry, starry night.
Flaming flowers that brightly blaze,
Swirling clouds in violet haze,
Reflect in Vincent's eyes of china blue.
Colors changing hue, morning fields of amber grain,
Weathered faces lined in pain,
Are soothed beneath the artist's loving hand.

Now I understand what you tried to say to me,
How you suffered for your sanity,
How you tried to set them free.
They would not listen, they did not know how.
Perhaps they'll listen now.

For they could not love you,
But still your love was true.
And when no hope was left in sight
On that starry, starry night,
You took your life, as lovers often do.
But I could have told you, Vincent,
This world was never meant for one
As beautiful as you.

Starry, starry night.
Portraits hung in empty halls,
Frameless heads on nameless walls,
With eyes that watch the world and can't forget.
Like the strangers that you've met,
The ragged men in ragged clothes,
The silver thorn of bloody rose,
Lie crushed and broken on the virgin snow.

Now I think I know what you tried to say to me,
How you suffered for your sanity,
How you tried to set them free.
They would not listen, they're not listening still.
Perhaps they never will...

My most favourite thing in the world

At the moment, that is. I am truly, madly, deeply in love with this. Totally smitten, head over heels! I can't stop thinking about it, admiring it, holding it and taking it wherever I go...

My favourite thing in the world, as of yesterday...





A smaller version of my original messenger bag! Made from only 3 fat quarters, cut so wisely and pieced together to make this wonderful little bag of my dreams. The perfect everyday size.

Oh, please pardon me... It's just that I am so pleased with myself!

Anyway, just before you go, you might want to listen to more Savage Garden music...

Meet my Lilly Lamb

I want you all to meet Lilly Lamb...

Polar fleece body, cotton fabric scraps for legs and limbs

Felt face, embroidered nose and mouth, button eyes
Isn't she sweet? Not perfect but, nevertheless, still sweet. Purchased the pattern for this softie from Bit of Whimsy Dolls, an Etsy shop run by stay at home mum, Sarah. Great project for a beginner like me. The instructions are very clear and well-written, with lots of supporting photos. What's even greater is that an online video tutorial for this doll is available for viewing over at You Tube! You can watch it here if you'd like to...

Part 1


Part 2


Part 3


Two things I would like to modify with the method next time. Firstly, I would do the face embroidery before assembling the doll. That seems a whole lot easier, doesn't it? That would eliminate having to sew through the stuffing and pulling those knots in. Secondly, I would try to find an alternative way of closing up the doll after stuffing. Sarah's method is a little bit tricky. I really do not like exposed stitching, especially because I can't stitch perfectly straight!

I certainly have still a lot to learn...I am starting to get a hang of it so you will most likely see more of this softie stuff in here in the coming days...bag-making will take a back seat for a little while...

Missing Home

We immigrated to Australia in January of 2001. I can still remember very vividly the eve of our departure from the Philippines, when my family came to say goodbye. That was the very first time I saw my father cry. As I embraced him, he pushed me away (as though he did not wish me to see him so emotional) and he said to me, "You are doing the right thing for your children." Seven years on, I still find myself sobbing when I remember that night. Did we really make the right decision?

I ask that because till now, I still feel much guilt in my heart. I left my parents when I knew they were nearing their twilight years. While it is true that my children's future looks truly bright here in Australia, my conscience still tells me we made a selfish move. My parents are getting older and weaker by the day. Around May last year, my mom got seriously ill. She miraculously survived and is doing much better these days, but for how long she will still be around, God only knows. I could only wish I could physically be with her. But as it is, I could only offer her my prayers, thoughts and constant phone calls. Can those ever be enough? I feel so helpless.

I miss my family in the Philippines. Parting with them had created a hole in my soul. And that hole just gets bigger and deeper everytime I visit them, then depart again. I last saw them in October. I was there for my mom's 83rd birthday. I just couldn't let the opportunity pass to share that time with her. She is my miracle.

Tomorrow is Valentine's day...I don't really celebrate that but I will phone home.

Watch the video below before you leave this blog - it's been my favourite song for sometime now.

Home by Michael Buble