List? What List? Obessessed? Me?

Yeah... I like to make lists and I wish I have lists for EVERYTHING, but it doesn't always happen. But I saw this contest on CostumeChick's blog from here so I decided to join the fun.

Here's how this works-

1. Head to your blog and post your summer knitting goals list (you must have at least 1 goal!)
2. Be sure to link to this contest in your post
3. Stop back and leave the link to your goals list with Mr. Linky (by midnight, June 20th!) to be 'officially entered'
4. Spend the summer, attempting to stay at least a little bit on track, tackling one goal at a time
5. Have fun with it

So here it goes...

1. Finish 2 more shawls to keep up with 2klace.
2. Knit at least 1 pair of socks for Summer of Socks 2008.
3. Knit and felt my card basket for the wedding.
4. Finish the 2 cardigans for Schaefer.

I think that's what I want to accomplish for this summer, assuming summer ends around 09/20/08, which is my wedding day. Yeah... I better get going to do that list now.

You Want to Know What?

I should really blog about my trip, but instead I'm going to do the meme. Why? Because of this:

The rules: Each player answers the questions about themselves. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5-6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answer.

1) What was I doing ten years ago?
Let's see... 10 years ago I was 18 so I was still in high school. I was a Senior at Mater Dei High School located in Southern California. I was part of the Chamber Singers and was in a lot of singing competition. I also performed in Carnegie Hall around that time as well.

2) Five (non-work) things on my to-do list for today:
- Play Guitar Hero III
- Blog the meme
- Buy rice
- Knit
- Take pictures of my new stuff from the trip
3) Snacks I enjoy:
- Does ice cream count as snacks?
- fudge
- pretzel
- popcorn
- cotton candy
- nuts :)

4) Things I would do if I were a billionaire:
Well this could be interesting. If I was a billionaire, these would be the things I would do in the order:
- Pay off all my debt, including all my mortgages
- Buy an island with house on it in the 1000 Islands region
- Buy a penthouse in Chicago or Boston
- Pay off my parents' debt
- Travel to places
- Open a yarn store for fun

5) Places I have lived:
I guess I live quite a few places... I will list it in the order since I was born I guess:
- Taipei, Taiwan
- Tau Yuan, Taiwan
- Garden Grove, California
- Troy, New York
- Orono, Maine
- Allentown, Pennsylvania
- New Haven, Connecticut
- East Haven, Connecticut

6) Jobs I have had:
Well, I didn't have a lot of jobs. Growing up, my responsibility was to study hard and get good grades, so I didn't have any part time job until I was in college. I was teaching assistant for 2 different classes, a work study who did invoices and credit cards for the engineering department, an undergrad research student, a engineering co-op doing design work, quality engineer for RDE and quality engineer for manufacturing.

7) Peeps I want to know more about:
Archiknist
Sunflowerfairy
The Real Baby Beth
Sneaksleep
Firemanshunny

Ok. I'm off playing!!!! Maybe tomorrow I will blog about my new additions to the house - yes, yarn!

Some Memes

Six Words Memoir

I was tagged by MomWifeKnitter for this meme:

Write your own six word memoir. Post it on your blog and include a visual illustration if you’d like. Link to the person that tagged you in your post and to this original post if possible so we can track it as it travels across the blogosphere. Tag five more blogs with links.

When in doubt, go for it.
or
Look forward, not backwards, no regrets.

I think I would say I go by those in general. Although I'm not much of a risk taker, but I would definitely say I try to be more adventurous. And ever since I met David, I become more fluid, not so rigid. I can adapt more on the "go with the flow" philosophy and try not to plan too in advance - to a degree.

In The Kitchen

Acambras had this on her blog and I thought I gave it a try. I do have to say I like baking a lot more than cooking though.

What three kitchen items do you use the most often?
Hmmm... My KitchenAid Stand Mixer, Henkel Santoku Knife and my food processor.

What kitchen gadget do you wish you had?
A bread machine or a slow cooker.

What kitchen gadget do you never use/wish you hadn't spent the money for?
Actually I don't think I have one that I don't use!

What is your favorite cookbook? (Link if you can!)
My Moosewood cookbooks! I'm not a vegetarian, but my friend from college turn me onto them. When I went to Ithica, I went to the restaurant and the food is fantastic!

Who is your cooking inspiration?
My dad. He makes something out of NOTHING all the time growing up. I have quite a few favorites that he made up but I don't know how to make. I wait till he comes and visit and ask him to make it for me.

What are three recipes that you use all the time?
1. My future Step MIL's Minnesota Wild Rice Soup - ever since she made it on Thanksgiving dinner of 2006, I couldn't stop making it. It is so good and so fast.
2. Grown Up Mac and Cheese. I actually get that one out of foodnetwork.com. I think I actually post a picture before.
3. My grandma's Vegetarian dumplings... mmmm soooo good! Maybe I'll do a feature of recipes on my blog sometimes.

Can you share a cooking secret?
Go with your heart! You know what flavors your like, so play with the flavors. Don't be afraid to experiment! You will only get better! And use spices! Even if it's dry. When in doubt, add a pinch of nutmeg or paprika - it always worked for me!

What is your greatest cleaning secret?
See, I don't like cleaning. So the deal in the house is if I cook, someone else cleans. Although I know usually I end up doing the cleaning. I would say to try to put the dishes in water immediately and throw them in the dishwasher!

What is your favorite thing to clean?
I have agree with Acambras here... "Favorite" should not be in this sentence. See above.

What is your least favorite thing to clean?
A pan with crusted bottom.

What is your most embarrassing housekeeping moment?
Archiknist came over on Saturday so I took some time to clean the living room. I would say my living room is roughly about 150 sf, and it took me 2.5 hours to get it cleaned to a presentable stage. Yes, I'm a piler.

So for those of you who want to play - go for it.

Knitting

Rusted Root is officially off the needles. It took me exactly 7 days to make it. Picture to come later! On to the next project!!!!

The New Stuff

Well, pictures are much better than words:

I got At Knits End from paperbackswap.com and I traded two skeins of gloss for Casts Off from kknitter (Ravelry link). And I made the bracelet by taking a class on Monday night at Manifest Beads (class link here). I really enjoyed it! I can even start making my own charms to make stitch markers! Do you think anyone out there will buy them?

So I went to TLC Eye Center this afternoon for a consultation for LASIK - well, my corneas are too thin so I'm not a candidate. I'm actually really bomb out about that because I really don't want to wear glasses for my wedding pictures! And I know some of you out there are probably thinking - why don't you wear contacts? They are inexpensive and completely accessible. Well, you see, I've wore glasses since I can remember and my prescriptions are so high that there is no soft lenses out there for me. Each of my gas permanent lenses cost me about at least $150 and there is only one month warranty. If it broke after the warranty period, even just one day, I have to cough up another $150 to have it replaced, and they take at least two weeks to make them since they are custom made to fit my eyes. And by the end of the day, my eyes are bloodshot!! My other option is implants! Eye lens implants! Sounds WAY TOO SCARY to me. I guess I'll stick with my glasses for now. ::sigh::

Anyways... I've been knitting away the MoonDance - 9 repeats down on the man body and 7 more to go. Gotta keep going!

Oh, and mariknits is having a contest! Go check it out and make sure you let her know that I sent you there!!!

Cocoa Swap Topic of the Week #4

What is your most memorable vacation? Where did you go? What made it memorable?

Well, I think every trip we went up to 1000 Islands for vacation is memorable, but the one in 2006 was the one David and I got engaged, so I guess that's the most memorable. And of course when I went to Germany to meet up with David, that was a very memorable 2 day weekend I've ever taken for sure.

I also finished the swatch for the scarf, but no pictures yet. The pattern isn't too bad, but I think I'll have to pay attention to it for a little while before I get a hang of it.

Completely random thought - I LOVE MYTHBUSTERS! Yes, I know, I am dorky.

Cocoa Swap Topic of the Week #3 & Piggy

What is the most 'random' memory you have from your childhood?

Hmmm... It's actually a dream. My first dream I ever remembered. I think I was still in grade school. The dream was that I was a ninja along with few other ones, we were stuck in this maze and trying to find something or save something, but it was dark and I can barely see. The whole dream basically was me running around looking for this "thing" with the other ninjas.

I don't know why I still remember it, but I just do.

I finished the piggy today. So excited!

Pattern - Curly the Pig by Rebecca Hatcher
Yarn Used - 1.5 skeins of Beaumont Yarn (special yarn made for me from my friend)
Needles - Option size 2
Gauge - N/A
Knit - January 19, 08 to January 27, 2008
Modifications - None.

It was a super quick knit. I think it would have been faster if I realized earlier that I can convert the pattern to knit it in the round. I really like this pattern and I'm sure I'll be making it again, for myself.

After finishing the piggy, I started stringing the beads onto Susan so I can start the Undulating Waves Scarf.

Instead of using the thread and needle method, I used one of the dental floss threader and string the beads that way. It was super easy. Soon I had this:

Isn't the yarn just pretty? I thought so. I better go swatching.

Cocoa Swap Week #2 Topic

Now that we're in the thick of 'Winter'... has your knitting changed to match the season? Are you moving on from dishcloths, and tank tops to afghans, hats and mittens? Has your yarn changed from silk or cotton to wool, superwash or heavier cottons?

Actually, my knitting has nothing to do with the weather. I knit whatever I want whenever I want. Although I tend to plan my projects so that during the winter time, I'm making something for the spring, and spring for summer, summer for fall, fall for winter - I'm not a fast knitter, so I need the whole season to prepare for the next :).

On other news, I have been busy working on the wedding stuff, including Moondance, but not much progress had been made so I won't be posting any pictures today.

I do, however, have to get busy making my swap pal a "buddy". Off me go to look for a pattern.

I Was Tagged

By InsanKnitty For another meme. Actually, I've done this one before, so I'll try to come up with something I've haven't already had:

These are the rules:
List seven habits/quirks/facts about yourself.
Tag seven people to do the same.
Do not tag the person who tagged you or say that you tag “whoever wants to do it”.

1. I was invited and performed in Carnegie Hall in summer of 1998. It is probably my biggest accomplishment to date.

2. I fantasize being a famous ballroom dancer/figure skater/Broadway performer constantly. I wish I had continued with my voice lessons after high school.

3. I also wish I had study textile engineering/electrical engineering/architecture instead of mechanical engineering. But if I study the other subjects, I probably would have never met David, which wouldn't be good.

5. I absolutely hate corporate america. I think of it as a giant pyramid scam. I dream of some day owning my own business doing what I love to do.

6. I love to knit. (who doesn't? ;) ) I taught myself how to knit fall of 2004. But once I picked it up, it was natural to me. I also taught myself to crochet while making Pink Frosting. And I was one of those knitters that reads charts without being taught by anyone. Did I mention it was natural to me?

7. Combine #5 and #6, I've been looking at retail spaces for a yarn shop. It probably won't be a cafe yarn shop (too many licenses to obtain on the food side), but I would own it, and it will be mine :)

I tag Anphoe, Knelley, JennM, Costumchick, Archiknist, missburrows, and michou.

Oh, I joined another KAL - Mystic Light by Anna, the designer for Mystic Waters. Join up, all!

"Merry, Happy Birthday, Year."

"I think I covered it all!" Said David as he slowly walk down the hallway at midnight to go to bed - as he put it - "Way passed my bed time!"

The dinner was fantastic last night and we didn't wait too long, which was good. I had the Victoria Crown Fillet with the horseradish crust and baked sweet potato was my side. I also tired their Sangria and it was delicious! :) We went home and watched some HGTV until 11:30 and then watched the Dick Clark's Rocking 2008 show. I was glad to see him back, not to say that I'm a personal fan or anything, but just to see him healthy enough to host another year of the ball drop show in NYC is a very nice start of the new year.

On the way home from dinner last night, we stopped by to see the Fantasy of Lights. It was their last night of showing. Here are some of the displays:

The welcome tunnel


The lighthouse


The carousel


The deer crossing us overhead


Little village


Giant wreath

This morning I woke up and made pancakes, and worked some more on the Honeycomb. Here is the progress:

And since I was taking pictures, I took one with the new organization in the cubby hole:

So inspired by my fellow knitter friends, here is a summary of what I've done in the knitting world in 2007:

Falling Leaves - my Summer of Socks 2007 KAL, first sock KAL, first pair of socks using magic cast on toe up technique, first pair of toe up socks and first 2 socks in 2 circulars needles. For those folks who don't know what that means, it just means I made two socks at the same times using two needles.

Swan Lake (MS3) - my first lace project, ever! my first stole, first beaded knitwear, first mystery knit along.

Cabled Pullover - my first sweater that required seaming. All pieces have cables all the way through and I learned how to cable without the cable needles. Best trick ever!

Petrol and Petrol Modfied - Vests for my dad. These didn't really take that long, but they sure did feel like they took forever because of the forever stockinette stitches. They did however earned me Harmony :).

Hemlock Ring Blanket - It is a gorgeous blanket, despite the fact I had a lot of problem with the yarn, but I got my money back, so no complaints. My mom absolutely loved it. She took it home the day after it was completed.

Petal Dishcloth - my first dishcloth ever. It is a cute and super fast pattern. Made it with wool and my Christmas Swap partner is using it as a doily for her candle that I got her.

Diamond Spires Shawl - Second shawl, but using a DK weight yarn. This was a model knit for Schaefer Yarn. Loooove the yarn. First model knit for Schaefer Yarn.

Baby Cable Rib Neckwarmer/Headband - I knitted this in under TWO hours! Fastest knit ever! I made this for my new German friend who I got to know through the Christmas Swap. She had sent me a beautiful package for Christmas and I in term returned the favor.

Christmas Ornaments - I made a grand total of 18 of them!!! And I got Anphoe, JennM and Knelley all hooked on making them!

Vine - It was a super fast knit and my second pair of mitts. They were a very fast knit and was for my future SIL.

Knitted Tees - I knitted three of those for Farmhouse Yarns. It was the first model knitting I've done and first top down knitted shirt I've made. Unfortunately I forgot to take pictures of them, nor blog about them for some reason. Oh well. Carol said she'll get them back before June so maybe I'll get some pictures then and I can put it on my Ravelry.

Phew~ there you have it. My knitted items for 2007. My other knitting accomplishments in 2007 includes:

1. I joined Ravelry.
2. I started going to Thursday SnB, which I wish I've done earlier. The ladies I sit and knit with are amazing. I'm grateful for having them as my friends. My Wednesday buddies, don't worry, you are still my friends - without you guys, I would have just rot in my own apartment! ;) (According to the Yale's Daily, I started going to SnB because I had no friends...)
3. I got a Yarn Wall!
4. I joined my first ever swap, got burned, but my second swap was wonderful. Through the swap, I have now three new friends - Irene, Andrea and Robin.
5. I had multiple projects on WIP at the same time!!!!
   
6. I started a KAL (Knit Along). Although I haven't yet started the project yet...
7. I organized my knitting pattern into sleeves and put them all in a binder.
8. I received a swift as birthday present so I never had to ask David to help again... hmmm... I think I just figure out why he got me a swift...
   

I'm sure I forgot some but that's all I can think of now. Besides the above, I also started following some food blogs, mainly on gluten free recipes and am very inspired by it. I also made a wedding webpage and planned most of the wedding, pick out the bridesmaid dress, sent out the save the date, and started a registry.

For 2008, here are some of the things I would like to accomplish:

1. Finish all the wedding knitting on time.
2. Reduce 20% of my stash by making more projects.
3. Finish Irish Hiking Scarf.
4. Finish Secret of the Stole I.
5. Finish Aspen Top Down Sweater.
   
6. Continue to model knit with Schaefer - although I really need to manage it so I don't overwhelm myself.
7. Start Autumn Rose Pullover - Fair Isle here I come!
   
8. Felt something. May it be clogs or bags.
9. Learn to spin if we move and have more room.
10. Learn to dye if we move and have more room.

Well I think that's a lot to do already! I better get cracking!!! Besides the knitting goals, here are some of my other goals for 2008:

1. Be nice. Not to say I'm not nice, but sometimes I'm not, especially when I am losing my patience, which leads to no. 2
2. Be patient.
3. Complete all wedding details by mid-August. We'll see how this one goes...
   
4. Experiment with gluten free cakes - maybe I can make the wedding cupcakes?? Or at least have the recipes to do it? We tired Baby Cakes at NYC, they were good, but we weren't completely thrilled with them.
5. Spend more time on my business. I know I can do it, but it's the motivation part of it... Knitting? Work? hmmm which one to pick?

I'm sure I have more, but this is what I got so far. If i remember more, I'll sure to add them into the list.

Have a Happy, Healthy, Safe and Superb New Year.

Rockin' Girl Blogger

I have the honor receiving an award from Anphoe:

Yup! You see that right! :) Rockin'! And now I'm suppose to select five of you that rocks... Oh... this is hard... How about this, if you are reading my blog, then you are DEFINITELY Rockin'!!! YEAH! So consider yourself had received this award and proudly display a Rockin's Girl Blogger badge and display it on your own blog! And if you are a guy? WHO CARES? You rock anyways!

When I have some time, I'll have to tell you all about my Atlanta trip for the Primerica Convention!

Rock On!

ps. I finally finished Clue 3 of MS3.
pps. I joined Hanami KAL... yeah...

Note: Just make sure you kindly save the image to your own server first then upload to your blog. Thanks!

MS3 Clue 1, Meme and More...

I am FINALLY done with Clue 1 of MS3:

It finally looks like everyone else's Clue 1

And here are some of the flowers from my yard!

You see, we moved in during April so we haven't figure out what we got in the yard yet :)

Now Anphoe tagged me for some more meme, this time more knitting related...

Bold for stuff you’ve done, italics for stuff you plan to do one day, and normal for stuff you’re not planning on doing.

Afghan/Blanket (WIP)
I-cord
Garter stitch
Knitting with metal wire
Shawl
Stockinette stitch
Socks: top-down
Socks: toe-up
Knitting with camel yarn
Mittens: Cuff-up
Mittens: Tip-down
Hat 

Knitting with silk
Moebius band knitting
Participating in a KAL Sweater
Drop stitch pattern
Knitting with recycled/secondhand yarn
Slip stitch patterns
Knitting with banana fiber yarn
Domino knitting (modular knitting)
Twisted stitch patterns
Knitting with bamboo yarn
Two end knitting
Charity knitting
Knitting with soy yarn
CardiganToy/doll clothing
Knitting with circular needles (Love them! I don't own any straights)
Knitting with your own handspun yarn
Slippers
Graffiti knitting
Continental Knitting
Designing knitted garments
Cable stitch patterns (incl. Aran)
Lace patterns
Publishing a knitting book
Scarf (way too many!!)
American/English knitting (as opposed to continental)
Knitting to make money (Does getting yarn instead of real money counts?)
Button holes Knitting with alpaca (one of my favorite fibers)
Fair Isle knitting
Norwegian knitting
Dyeing with plant colors (Oh yes! Very much so!!!)
Knitting items for a wedding (WIP... for my own!)
Household items (dishcloths, washcloths, tea cozies…)
Knitting socks (or other small tubular items) on two circulars (WIP)
Olympic knitting
Knitting with someone else's handspun yarn
Knitting with DPNs
Holiday related knitting
Teaching a male how to knit
Bobbles
Knitting for a living
Knitting with cotton
Knitting smocking
Dyeing yarn
Steeks (oh the adventure!!!)
Knitting art
Fulling/felting
Knitting with wool
Textured knitting (What does that include? It sounds like fun though)
Kitchener BO
Purses/bags
Knitting with beads
Swatching
Long Tail CO
Entrelac
Knitting and purling backwards
Machine knitting
Knitting with self-patterning/self-striping/variegating yarn (WIP)
Stuffed toys
Baby items
Knitting with cashmere
Darning
Jewelry
Knitting with synthetic yarn
Writing a pattern (isn't this the same as designing knitting garments?)
Gloves
Intarsia
Knitting with linen
Knitting for preemies

Tubular CO 

Freeform knitting
Short rows
Cuffs/fingerless mitts/arm warmers
Pillows
Knitting a pattern from an online knitting magazine
Rug 

Knitting on a loom T
hrummed knitting
Knitting a gift
Knitting for pets
Shrug/bolero/poncho
Knitting with dog/cat hair (been saving my puppies' fur!!!)
Hair accessories
Knitting in public

I really enjoyed this meme, because it lets me set my own goal for my knitting! I shall keep this updated periodically. As for tagging, I suppose I'll tag Sunflowerfairy, Archiknist, Sneaksleep and Beth. Now, I leave you with this:

Vanilla sleeping but guarding the house!

More meme...

Sunflowerfairy tagged me for a meme so here it goes:

Each person tagged gives 7 random facts about themselves. Those tagged need to write in their blogs the 7 facts, as well as the rules of the game. You need to tag seven others and list their names on your blog. You have to leave those you plan on tagging a note in their comments so they know that they have been tagged and to read your blog.

My facts:

1. Most of the people likes the sound of a grandfather clock ticking, then the bells ringing at every hour, or the bells from the churches at every hour - I hate it! I get such an anxiety attack when I hear it. I'm not sure if it's because the frequency of the ring or what, but it just bugs me crazy.

2. I like to keep everything that's sentimental - even if it is a movie ticket from date night with David. I know I'll never get around to scrapbook it, but I just like to keep it, until my brother or David finds it without me knowing and throw it away. And no, I don't miss it once it's thrown away either - I must have some kind of mental disorder.

3. I love to travel - even if it means to go somewhere far for a weekend. I once went to Germany for a weekend, and I will do it again in a heartbeat!

4. I spoil my dog Bruno - he is allergic to everything, and he is such a good and old puppy that I want him to enjoy himself, give him treats once awhile, so I buy these super expensive treats that's 50 bucks for a tub for him. I also cook ground beef for him for dinner when I can. Yes I know, I spoil my dog. But only him though, I don't do it for the other two, not because I don't love them, but because they can eat anything, so I give them big cookies everyday instead of super allergen free dog treats/food/ground beef.

5. I hate driving. If I have all the money in the world, the first thing I would do is to hire a personal chauffeur. David thinks I'm crazy because he LOVES driving - hence he drive me around and to SnB every week :)

6. I hate tomatoes - with a passion. I will go so far as to ask the waiter to bring the stuff back and exchange the dish if I have to, even though I know all they are going to do is to pick out the tomatoes, but it's the principle of things. I specifically asked for no tomatoes, then I don't want tomatoes in my food. And yes, I love pizza and pasta, in one condition - there must be NO chunky tomatoes in my sauce! I'm weird, I know.

7. 5'2" and 1/4. Yes, I am 5'2" and 1/4 tall, not 5'2", not 5'3".

So who should I tag.... hmm...

Anphoe
Zarzuela
Almost Felted
Sneaksleep
CinderOla
The Real Baby Beth
Sami

Tag. You're it.

Quick Update

I've been moving since we got back from Utah so I haven't been able update. Now that I finally have internet... I can't find my cord for the camera!!! grrr... Hopefully I can unpack fast enough and find the cord.

Oh, I still go to SnB on Wednesdays though... And I have some girl scouts cookies left to deliver.

Meme

I think this is my first meme... From Lilith.

What is your all-time favorite yarn to knit with?
Right now is the elsebeth lavold Classic AL. I think I just like anything merino or alpaca or cashmere.

Your favorite needles?
I love my Denise, but I also like my addi. Clover when I am working with rayon type material.

The worst thing you've ever knit?
Clapotis - I used the wrong yarn. I am going to try it with thicker yarn when I get to it.

Your most favorite knit pattern?
I don't think I have one particular pattern that I am completely in love with. yet. Right now - anything cable!!! But once awhile I like the soothing stockinette.

Most valuable knitting technique(s)?
Knitting cable without the third needle!!! It's going so fast now!

Best knit book(s) or magazine(s)?
I like the Jo Sharp Summer Vacation. As far as for books, I don't really own any.

Your favorite knit-along?
I am on two, but I haven't really made anything yet. Too busy with my cabled pullover!

Your favorite knitblogs?
There are a lot!!! Check out my sidebar.

Your favorite knitwear designer(s)?
Right now, Kathy Zimmerman.

The knit item you wear the most?
Any of my scarfs! I AM A SCARF FREAK!

Who's next?
Anyone who cares to...