Tuesday, April 27, 2010

When the sun did shine such a glorious light; How the harmless birds did sing

Holy wow. Two blog updates with less than a week separating them? This might just be better than your favorite icecream showing up in your freezer (which totally happened to me yesterday). I'm not sure what's prompted the sudden desire to update, but I'll go with it. Maybe my subconscious is attempting to persuade me to make my April quota. Who knows, lads.

Anywho, I figured that this beautiful April 27th would be the prime opportunity to tell you a little story. Listen carefully:

Earlier this month, I would gander a guess that says with in the first week of April, I found myself rushing off to pick up the most perfect bike ever. Before picking it up, I needed to get some cash (who carries cash?) to pay for it.

I was running a bit late, so I dashed into the local Walgreens, beelined for the Chase ATM nestled in the corner and shoved my card into the machine. With cash in hand, I came to realize that I didn't have exact change for the bike. Thinking quickly, I opted to purchase a bottle of water: the perfect solution to a parched throat and need for smaller bills. Unfortunately, I was held up in line by the guy in front of me who needed 4 quarters for his one dollar bill so he could hop on public transportation. A simple plea, really. Right? Too bad the cashier was a mega b-word and declined the favor. He sauntered outside, likely displeased at the situation.

Anyway, I paid up and then ran out the door. To my surprise, the man was sitting outside, looking a bit disgruntled. Without even thinking, I shoved a $1 bill in his hand and insisted it was fine. I didn't really wait for a thank you, but I smiled and ran off to make sure I wasn't more late than I already was.

Simple story, right? One dollar bill. Who needs it? Well, obviously that guy, but who else?

So get this. About 1 month before that moment (March 10, 2010 to be exact), I actually found a dollar bill in the street myself. Since I'm obsessed with take pictures, I documented my happiness:

Photo 144

Anyway, let's fast forward to now.

Since that moment, I've been finding myself with all this extra cash. I mean, I'm not inundated with dinero or anything, and the money is finding itself spent on all sorts of necessary things (ew to renewing license plates). But it's kind of weird. According to my calculations, I've received about $400 that was completely unexpected.

Why am I sharing this tale with you? Because it's the UNIVERSE, people. My theory is that when I found that dollar bill, it was not mine to take. So when I threw that $1 back to the universe in the form of a man needing to hitch a ride home, I would dare to say that the Universe decided to thank me. Either that or it just liked that I was being unselfish. Call me as crazy as you want. At least I still have an extra $400 this month.

With that said, I'm going to try an experiment. I have a really crisp $1 that I need to get rid of. Hopefully I find myself in the position to give it away again. :P And, of course, I encourage you to release your paper money to the universe the next time you're in the position to do so. It's all about timing, baby.

Anyway...

While I'm updating, I figured I should post some pictures. It wouldn't be a true update if I didn't.

A few weeks ago I wondered over to the Flying Cupcake on Mass Ave. They have one on Illinois street about 30 minutes from my place, but this one is downtown and only 10 minutes away. A dangerously sweet place, indeed. But quite easy on the eyes. :D

The Flying Cupcake - Mass Ave location
Love that paper mache deer!

The Flying Cupcake - Mass Ave location
Talk about pink! And that wee mushroom sitting there was also spotted at Meijer. :D

The Flying Cupcake - Mass Ave location
Red Velvet Elvis = heaven on Earth.

The Flying Cupcake - Mass Ave location
Details make a difference!

The Flying Cupcake - Mass Ave location
I'll take some flower roses in that jar, miss.

The Flying Cupcake - Mass Ave location
Mysterious #4

The Flying Cupcake - Mass Ave location
Too blue for school!

The Flying Cupcake - Mass Ave location
Ahhh. Super cute face.

The Flying Cupcake - Mass Ave location
Somehow, some way -- that Harley sign fits right in.

The Flying Cupcake - Mass Ave location
Spot Wendy's feet.

The Flying Cupcake - Mass Ave location
I covet this chair.

The Flying Cupcake - Mass Ave location
Thats'a ginger cupcake. :)

The Flying Cupcake - Mass Ave location
Exterior view.

The Flying Cupcake - Mass Ave location
Sweet shirts!

The Flying Cupcake - Mass Ave location
The ultimate reason anyone ventures inside of The Flying Cupcake is to buy something from that case.

It's taking all I've got to not run downtown to buy one. :x If there's one thing The Flying Cupcake teaches us, it's that even in economically pressing times, most people can still budget for a $3 cupcake.

Cheers, lassie.
Wendy City

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Hey, baby, I just might take the chance

This weekend was a cathartic one. I re-discovered things, learned to let go of things and celebrated life. I cried over happy things, I cried over sad things. I woke up and thought it was all a dream. I can honestly tell you that this weekend has changed my life, my perspective on life. I know it sounds ridiculously phony, cliche, whatever you want to call it.

There are exciting details I want to relay to all you loyal readers (all 12 of my lovely subscribers...haha ^.^), but those will come in due time.

First of all, I want to talk about my grandfather, who this weekend was awarded a lifetime achievement award by the Indiana Society of Anesthesiologists. I always knew my grandfather was a wonderful male figure in my life, a great doctor and a wise human being all around. Kind, caring, considerate - the perfect father, grandfather, co-worker, doctor. I think I can honestly say he was probably the strongest father figures in my life and for that I am quite grateful. I love my own father dearly, of course, but I'm being honest here.

Anyway, Grandpa graduated from Northwestern University and then moved to Indianapolis to practice at Wishard Hospital. There, he made advancements in the field of anesthesiology (some patented), worked with residents, was a gifted anesthesiologist and then later taught at IU school of Medicine.

Grandpa
I took this picture of him before I moved to Korea, Summer 2008.

So, congratulations to my grandfather -- a true inspiration in my life and, I'm sure, in many other lives.

Because of grandpa's award, a lot of family was in town. Saturday night we had dinner at my Aunt Grace's house (so delicious!) and then played games like old times (Outburst!). I loved seeing my Aunt Clara there, who I haven't seen since 2007. Then I sauntered over to my sisters apartment and talked into the wee hours of the morning. Cathartic indeed.

Speaking of my sister, a few weeks ago her cat, Zoey, had kittens. Believe me, she's getting spayed very soon. Jessie asked me to come over and take some pictures so that she could find them homes via Craigslist and other sources. I guess all of them are spoken for now, so that's great! ^^ I had a lot of fun taking pictures:

kittens!

wittle kittle kitty!

can i haz outta herez?

sweet kitty

rerro human!
(favorite picture/kitty)

i'm fewocious!

My goal was to capture their personalities. I hope I did. :) It makes it easier for the right pet owner to choose their pet if personalities are exposed, right?

I do have a few more pictures to share with you in this update. A few days after I visited my sister and her kittens, David and I went to Goshen/Middlebury to visit our friends and family. I was able to meet up with some longtime childhood friends, including miss Synda Marie and Alissa Tepe. Great people. :P

David and I also made a point to do more touristy things. We also crossed two more things off of our "2010 to do" list. Those include the following:
  • try a restaurant from diners, drive-ins and dives
  • go to a place that makes cheese
Picture Proof:

South Side Soda Shop - Goshen, Ind.
This is the South Side Soda Shop in Goshen. Who woulda thunk we only needed to travel to our hometown to see a restaurant featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives! You can see the video here.

South Side Soda Shop - Goshen, Ind.
We went with David's parents!

South Side Soda Shop - Goshen, Ind.
We went at an odd hour, hence the emptiness. :P

South Side Soda Shop - Goshen, Ind.

South Side Soda Shop - Goshen, Ind.
Famous Philly-Chili in that sundae cup.

South Side Soda Shop - Goshen, Ind.
I ordered a tuna hoagie. Yum!

In Middlebury (where I grew up) we found a cheese-making factory. Guggisberg / Deutsch Kase Haus is well-known for its delicious cheese made in-shop and has even won a bunch of awards. It felt great to be in Amish country again inhaling manure and enjoying the scenery while waiting to pass a buggy. ^^

Deutsch Kase Haus - Middlebury, Ind.

Deutsch Kase Haus - Middlebury, Ind.
Jams and what-not.

Deutsch Kase Haus - Middlebury, Ind.

More Middlebury-shots:

Middlebury, Ind. (hometown!)
Blue skies.

Middlebury, Ind. (hometown!)

My old backyard.
Where I grew up. That backyard = lots of roaming in the woods, eating berries, secret forts, mushroom hunting. I miss the space.

My old backyard.


Adios, kiddos.
Wendy City



Monday, April 12, 2010

I tried to call your satellite, but baby you would not receive

Well, I figured tonight would be the perfect time to update THE LIST that David and I created at the beginning of the year. I have to admit - we haven't crossed off nearly enough things considering we're 1/4 of the way through the year (still having a difficult time fathoming that time lapse!).

Here we go:
  • build an igloo (pictures here)
  • try a new restaurant
  • grow a garden (we're currently in the process - pics soon!)
  • buy a bike and ride it (okay, we can't technically cross this off yet...David doesn't have a bike yet. However, I did buy one for myself and I have ridden it -wee! Pics below).
  • walk in a park (we've done this a few times - no pics though. ^.~ )
  • make homemade ravioli from scratch (pictures here)
  • repurpose a piece of furniture from flea market/garage sale/craigslist (pictures here)
Whew! We still have 42 things to do! I promise you, they will get done! :P

Anywho, as I mentioned above and in another post, I finally found a cute retro bike that suits my fancy! I paid a healthy $50 for this pretty lady: a 1960s pink and white Hollywood edition Schwinn. I went out on Saturday to explore part of Irvington. It was picture perfect, I swear! Winding roads, budding gardens, sweet critters frolicking in the greenest grass you've ever laid your eyes on. I can't wait for David to find a bike he likes so we can have bike dates together!


DSC_0167

DSC_0161
I think Goguma makes an appearance in every blog post...

DSC_0166

DSC_0157

Ooh, also, David and I have begun working very diligently on our flower garden. We're also going to start growing some veggies and stuff in the back yard. I'm hoping to have that project finished by the end of the week. Then it's just tending to it and harvesting! I'm not sure which part I like better. Once there's something more aesthetically stimulating, I promise I'll have pictures up, dear.

Speaking of photographs, I have a few more I want to share with you today. I think it was last Thursday I got the sudden urge to just go out and buy things. (Sidebar: This happens periodically. More often than I think is healthy. By the way, I recently read that purchasing things releases endorphins. So maybe it is healthy? So long as you have a healthy bank account...which, let's face it, could always be healthier. Dilemma.) Fortunately, the things I purchased were cheap Goodwill finds. I went searching for a cute, retro dress but instead came back with two pairs of heels, a mug and a few other odds and ends. I have pictures of two things:

DSC_0215
I'm thinking circa late 80s, early 90s?

Cute retro mug!
Seriously...how adorable!

Ooh, and I can't forget to post my new earrings that Mr. Mailman delivered at the tail end of last week after I ordered them from I'm Your Present on Etsy (visit her shop and try not to drool). I ordered one pair, the pink ones, but she sent me a freebie pair. Aw. ^o^

New Earrings!

New Earrings!
(wearing this now!)

New Earrings!
Goguma and Lamia are so jealous right about now.



Mmk. I'm out. Enjoy this gorgeous weather, lassie.
Wendy City