No women no children

Snow

There isn't any snow here yet, but it's COMPLETELY wrecking my travel plans. I was going to leave early this morning to drive down to Pittsboro, NC for a week of winter camp. Now because of the snow, my boss might delay the start of camp until Tuesday (I hope she does because I don't think I'll be able to make it to NC by tomorrow morning).

November Camping photos

Here are some highlights from our November camping trip to Lake Anna, VA. All stolen property (Eric took the pictures).

Oh, and

three posts to this neglected blog in under one hour? I MUST be procrastinating writing that paper or something...

I am an adult...

...and this means that I will be taking myself out tonight to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1.

After I write this paper, that is.

If you are reading this

Nichole and, or, Jean...I need the five greatest songs in the world to bring to Monday night trivia. My team (name: "I don't appreciate your boner") got third place again and the prize is to pick the music for next week's game. Any ideas? I'm going to make this post as pitiful as possible ('cause it already is). Here's a picture of a sad, baby animal (panda):

Good and Bad Karma

Note: Please enjoy looking at pictures of my fish from Thanksgiving while you read the post below that is unrelated to them!

Many terrible and good things just happened all at once. I never know how to feel when I am all emotionally-mixed. Anyway, the project I've been slaving away at (and the eventual presentation-giving that I was nervous about) doesn't even matter because my teacher just wrote me an email saying he was sick and canceling class. Also, I may not have to go into work tomorrow morning because the boy that I work with is also sick. That would make tomorrow the best day EVER because my only obligation would be Monday night trivia with the trivia team (family) I adore (and it really isn't even an obligation...more of a choice and dear love of mine).

These cancelations would free up my day completely and give me more opportunity to fix one of the bad things that just happened: I was walking to my car to bring a couple of my ceramic sculptures back to my apartment and dropped one. It was one of my favorites and one of the biggest ones I made for my thesis. It broke in like 6 or 7 pieces. I am very, very upset and brought it back with me anyway because I realized it isn't going to get glued back together sitting in the basement at home. It will get glued back together tomorrow at my apartment. Another bad thing that keeps happening to me are these darned allergic reactions. My eye is still really puffy and I keep breaking out in hives. I am starting to think I am allergic to life. It's either that or I'm allergic to being allergic. Wow.

Love,

Monica

Domestic Violence and Divorce

That's not what this post is about (but that IS what the homework I'm supposed to be working on is about). You may be asking yourself, "Monica, aren't you getting a degree in Art?" The answer is, yes, but none of that matters in my "Sociology of the Family" class.

And none of the aforementioned matters, either, because it's three in the morning (AGAIN, I know!) and I am procrastinating. I found these photos from May and they made me laugh. What am I even wearing (a dress and jeans at the same time)?

"Could we schedule a play date, Monica?"

Today I worked my first day at my new job. For those of you who don't know I was recently hired as a "Special Needs Facilitator" at Adas Israel's preschool called the Gan HaYeled. It is in Washington D.C. and merely a six minute metro ride from my new apartment. The kids that I am working with are mostly three year olds while some are four. They are so tiny and cute and funny and they all speak hebrew (aka very, very cute).

Some reasons why today was a great day:

1) I was playing with one boy for a while at second recess today and when we were walking back to meet the parents, he said, "Monica, I think you are beautiful. You are beautiful.". Sure, it's nice to hear that from your boyfriend, but when a three year old says it, you know he means it!

2) I have multi-colored finger nail polish on and the kids were looking at it. One of them, a teeny-tiny boy, was touching my fingers with his fingers and that's when I noticed that his fingernails were awfully shiny. I said, "Hold on a sec. Do you have nail polish on too?" And he was like, in a matter-of-fact tone, "Of course I do!"

3) I made really good friends with another teeny-tiny boy today. He gets my sense of humor and he is really serious and polite (he's like a business man in a toddler's body). At the end of the day, as I was leaving, I ran into him and his German nanny (a student, my age, studying in America for 2 years). I got to walk back with the two of them and the girl was so refreshingly nice and fun to talk to. We both went into the metro station and as we were about to take trains in the opposite directions, the little boy said, "Monica, I would like to schedule a play date with you. Could we schedule a play date, Monica?" He asked me in a very business-y tone.

4) The same boy from number 3 asked me if I had any children.

5) FREE FOOD! And not only that, good free food. Today for lunch they had falafel, pickled turnips, tabouleh, pita, roasted eggplant and lots of veggies.

6) Everyone is so nice!

7) I am getting paid money to have fun!

Facebook

Just wanted to let people know that Facebook has de-activated/disabled the account that I've been using since Spring 2006 (in other words, that is a lot of information that I have very suddenly lost access to). I tried to log in last night to check some important messages and it said that it was disabled. I followed a link that led me to a page that explained that I had been using an illegal name and that I would need to prove my identity in order to have my account revived. While I am in the process of doing this right now, I am not hopeful that I will ever get my account back and I am not too upset about it. It is a really big inconvenience, but not unmanageable and I kind of like the idea of being forced off of Facebook for whatever reason because it will prompt me to not use it as much (or at all) and move along in life.

So, contact me here or email me at either of these:

mhuang@elon.edu

Monica_Huang@corcoran.edu

It's kind of ironic, though, because the only way people found out about my blog was from it being listed under my "website" section on my Facebook profile. So...

Love,

Monica

P.S. I'm very excited about dinner tonight with a bunch of girls from my grad program (I heard rumors of sushi?) and then swing dancing afterward (I've convinced Eric to come and dance with me).

P.P.S. The other good news about not being on Facebook anymore is that I will probably have more time to make quality posts on this blog. Get excited, readers (Nichole and Mommy)!

Avadakadavra

Bzzzzz

Spring 2010, straight from the wacky minds of Ashley and Aubrey.

Honey Crisp

I went to the grocery store to pick up items that I forgot to bring to my new place (soap, shampoo, stuff like that). But, instead, because the produce section is always at the entrance, I zombied my way through the glorious colors of fruits and vegetables, picking my way between the free samples, and discovered the tastiest variety of apple that I was so inspired to blog about here.

I present to you the Honey Crisp apple. Here's, like, the official website.

Karaoke

Last Wednesday, Rachael, Christian, Eric, Eric (yes, two Erics) and I went to Solly's to partake in their karaoke extravaganza. I lost my voice singing "Single Ladies" with Eric, "Friday Night" with Rachael and "Gay Bar" with Joe and Christian dancing in the background. The only person who didn't sing was the remaining Eric. Here are some pictures, courtesy Rachael's blackberry, from the night:

Pumpkin Pictures

Here are some pictures from the weekend (I stole them from Eric...hope he doesn't mind, but they are too cute not to share).

Can you guess which pumpkin I carved?

Autism wins again!

Anyone who would like something to smile at or brighten their day with should read the article by clicking on the link below. It is an inspiring story about a young man named Jordan. This story is really important to me because I know Jordan and have seen how nice of a person he is while spending some time around him at Camp Royall this past summer and the summer before that. Jordan is such a fantastic, happy guy and I think it's awesome that he is now a homecoming king!

Homecoming night special win for special needs young man | special, high, swansboro - Neighbors - Jacksonville Daily News

Sinead O'Connor - Nothing Compares 2 U

Pumpkin Carving

Eric came over today and we spent a lovely afternoon/evening carving two, giant pumpkins (by one get one free at Safeway). It was really fun and messy (we saved all of the pumpkin seeds and got all slimy in the process). He described my pumpkin as something out of a Tim Burton film (which I think is a compliment) and his pumpkin was really cool (he did the surface carving where one carves away the bright orange rind and leaves the pumpkin meat really thin so that candlelight can be seen through it). I don't think I did a really good job explaining it, so you can just look at pictures that I will post in the next few days.

Tomorrow is Monday night trivia. I can't wait because my team won for the first time EVER last week (and I wasn't there to share the glory because I was sick as a dog at home). So one might deduce that my team won BECAUSE I wasn't there to screw things up. Anyway, that means that I have to prove my worth to my teammates tomorrow but helping them win instead of causing their downfall.

In other news, school is great. My grades are good. Teaching is great. Because of scheduling issues I had to stop working as a therapist and am currently looking for a new job (but I have an interview for a cool position this week). So, work is potentially great too. And I am also moving in exactly one week to a new place that will be much more close to school and work (wherever that may be). Woohoo!

The only way that life could get any better would be if I could get inspired in the medium of metal. Raya introduced our next project and objectives and I am officially uninspired. Copper? Aluminum? Any ideas? What should I do for this project? I have to make two sculptures and all I can do is punch holes into things, bend and roll metal and cut into it. I just don't know what to do. The gauge of the metal has to remain relatively thin too, due to the machinery and equipment we are using. Gah! Any ideas? Someone inspire me, please!

Latest recording

Below is my cover of Pomplamoose's cover of Makin' Out by Mark Owen. Let me know what you think?

And I think it would be really fun for me to start taking requests. So, if there is any song that you would like to hear a band of Monicas sing acapella with a distant metronome (what else am i supposed to do with no beat-boxer at my disposal, huh?), then let me know!

Enjoy!

P.S. I am finally all better. Fever is gone. And, yes, that means there will probably be less blog entries as I can now start homework again and life and not just laze in bed all day watching trash on my computer.

Via Lisbeth

Ack

I am still really, really sick. No one knows what's wrong with me! I went to see the doctor today and he ran all of these tests (the one for influenza hurts soooo bad...they stick a really long q-tip up both of your nostrils and viciously move it around) and everything came back negative. The doc was stumped. This is never comforting news, especially since he had a couple of theories that didn't sound great but those were just theories. He gave me a bunch of meds and painkillers and basically told me to wait it out and that, if it got worse, I should not mess around with it and go immediately to the ER. But I don't think I can wait it out much longer. I've been sick for almost three days and the majority of that time my fever has been over 103 degrees (and if it sounds like I'm bragging, you're probably correct, because when your brain is on fire, you become delusional).

GAHHHH! So much homework, presentations this week. This is not the time to be getting sick!!!

Sssssssssssssssss

I am sick, but finding this old photo from high school made me feel a little better. Good times. Oh, and the Seinfeld marathon that I am having right now is making me feel better too.

Wood is good

Here are my finished pieces (better photographs to come):

I am SUCH a big fan of wood now. I have all these ideas for wood and clay projects it's not even funny!

Knock on wood

I've got my first studio critique tomorrow and I am super excited. My professor, Raya, has ordered a cake for the class and is bringing in lots of coffee and all us girls (and the one guy) are going to sit around and enjoy ourselves, talking about how awesome our first projects in wood have turned out. I'm going to take lots of pictures (in the really bright lighting of the studio) tomorrow, but here are some pictures from today (works in progress):

Bros before hoes

I know that saying doesn't apply...but my little brother is coming home in an hour and I get to seeeee hiiimmmmm!!!!

So...

...this blog is NOT dead. I've just been very, very busy. Even though grad school, work, friends and the new boyfriend are keeping me plenty busy, the thing that is keeping me the busiest by far is commuting to the four aforementioned items. I can't wait until November 1st, which is the day that I get to move into my new studio apartment (much, much, much, much closer to school and work). It is soooo efficient that the kitchen is kept inside of a tiny closet. You know you are jealous. In other news, I am having extreme clay withdrawal. In the MAT program, we need to have taken specific types of studio courses to earn our licensure for D.C. public schools. Because I studied ceramics in undergraduate school so studiously, it is, unfortunately, NOT one of those studio courses that I need. Instead I need things like printmaking, painting, digital art, sculpture, metal-smithing and textiles, among other things. So, I am officially saving up for a kiln, wheel and clay (it'll probably take me ten years). My life is simply fantastic, but amidst all the joy, excitement and new obstacles, I have begun to realize that something is missing in my life: THE CLAY, MAN! I am the poorest I've been in years and, yet, I am 100% positive that I would take a block of clay over United States currency any day these days.

Ghost World

I love that movie. Just wanted to say that...and that I miss my brother a lot.

Boo.

Ultimate failure. I suck. The first week of school has just finished and I am already procrastinating. Why?

And...I can't wait to see my girl, Elisabeth Rubin this weekend! More procrastination! Woooo!

Back to school...FINALLY!

I absolutely LOVE going to school which is why I am awake at this hour on a "school night". It is, in fact, my very first school night this academic year. I begin grad school tomorrow (today) and I am so glad to be back in the classroom (unless it's one of those really cold, refrigerator/freezer-like classrooms). Anyway, life is good...life is great, actually. But, as always, I am feeling nostalgic for camp. So, here are videos from clean-up week below. Both videos involve incidences of "pants-ing" and I have so many more minutes of footage that I will upload eventually for camp and non-camp people to see all over and around the interwebs! Sorry for the bad video quality...

Birthday

It's 9:00 am. I stayed up late last night watching hilarious videos on youtube like a big kid. Just over an hour ago at 7:41 am, I officially turned 22 years old. I should be sleeping in or eating loads of cookies and cake or shopping or something. But, what am I going to do first thing on my birthday? I am going on a lengthy bike ride with my dad...and I am STOKED! As many of you may or may not know, I enjoy giving in to my endorphin addiction on occasion.

Then dinner with my family and I hear that Rachael is planning a game night party for me? Everyone is invited (though I know no details).

Black Swan

Sorry that the video is cut off a bit and, um...I'm scared:

via The Debonaire

On a lighter note, I have a job interview set up and, cross your fingers, another one on the way. One is for an after-school art teaching job and the other is to be a Special needs instructor through an applied behavior analysis organization for children with autism. Oh, and there is that grad school thing that is happening soon too.

Peace!

The Scientist

The lyrics to this song were just too appropriate for us not to sing it at the Camp Royall 2010 staff talent show. Nobody said it was easy...it's such a shame for us to par-ar-art.

I will upload the other songs that we did soon. Thanks, Jean!

Now for another day of cleaning up camp. :) :(

Goodbyes

I am in arts and crafts right now...attempting to prolong a Thursday night that has already technically turned into a Friday (the last day of camp and beautiful campers at Camp Royall). Before I graduated Elon a few months ago, I did something similar by staying up all night in the ceramics studio painting an intricate, silver eyeball on my cap, just for kicks and giggles. I literally stayed in the art building until four thirty in the morning that night and since it's already two o'clock here now, I will continue to take on random arts and crafts projects because I am too happy and too stuck in the motion of camp frenzy and excitement to go to sleep and accept the fact that it will all be over way too soon. Yep, it's called denial, kiddos.

Nichole, mainly, sorry for the lack of updates. My twelve hour work days don't leave me much time for what many consider frivolous blogging. However, my neglect of this blog does keep me awake at night sometimes and if I had internet access in the cabins, maybe it would get updated more often. I promise to share more about life happenings as soon as I, what, start school full-time again? Haha...YES! Actually, even though I will be really busy soon (as will you, Nitch) I will have lots of exciting things to share here. But, before I promise to update my blog more, I promise to see you in D.C., baby!