No one likes a tissue that leaves pieces behind

I saw this commercial for Charmin Ultra Strong bathroom tissue today and I couldn't believe what I was seeing! Seriously, folks. Really? Seriously? Seriously. Bits of tissue? Must that really be addressed?

Winter in SoCal

I used to complain that Los Angeles had no more than two seasons and that December was not December without snow. But after this past week and getting reports from friends in other parts of the country and Canada with weather temps from 2 F to -15 F, I am perfectly happy where I am on break here in SoCal. Sure, 55 F is chilly, but nothing to complain about at all!

I went for a short run yesterday down by the beach in Santa Monica and it was a beautiful day! Especially since it has been raining, the skies were mostly perfectly clear and the sun was warm despite the slight wind. It was a most excellent Southern California winter day.

Crafty

For this year's friend gift exchange the theme was: Homemade.

Barf.

I mean, I'm a big fan of gifts from the heart, but knowing what I was up against (girls who sew, paint art, draw pictures and sculpt), I knew that I couldn't just whip up one of my fun magazine cut-out cards and call it good. I liked the idea, but I knew it would be tough. Plus, homemade gifts take time and above all, talent! Who has either these days?!

On top of that, school was such a beast that fitting in "craft time" was the last thing on my mind. I know everyone is busy, but add the fact that the extent of my crafty talent went about as far as hand-print turkeys and 3-dimensional cubes, I knew this would be quite a challenge. I would have to put in some real time and effort, but having neither, I had two choices: pay Dana to make something for me or employ the power of the one true ingredient of all great things made by hand: love.

At first, I wanted to make an apron. Like a really pretty one, with layers and ruffles and cool patterns and colors like pink and brown. But after too much thought, the whole process became overly complicated to me and sewing it all by hand just seemed really annoying.

So then I thought I would make a blanket. In my mind, I envisioned a very easy blanket to make. Totally doable. So I went to the fabric store thinking I could just stick two pieces of fuzzy fabric together then sew satin ribbing around the edges, but as I walked the wall of felt, fleece and fur, I became so overwhelmed with all of the patterns, textures and colors that I started to hate all blankets in general. Fabric stores are very intimidating if not totally confusing. Plus, exact measurements are dumb.

So then I reverted back to an idea my sister gave me. In her mind, she thought as simply as possible, "What could Miriam possibly make?" She gave me the initial idea that lead to what you see below. Originally, it was supposed to be white dishtowels made cute with ribbon sewn on them, but after 20-minutes in the ribbon section, I was once again overwhelmed with the array of choices. Before I knew it, all of the hundreds of spools of ribbon were morphing into my worst personal project nightmare that I soon found myself in the iron-on section of the store. Then from the iron-on section I discovered my choice tool of trade: puff paint.

I must say, my little crafty skills really came to life! I think the dish towels turned out pretty nicely and I was actually proud to show them off. Best of all, Natalie liked them and that's all that mattered!






I made something pretty! Who knew love could be so powerful?

A history lesson

Chelsea Combs teaches the history of "church and state."

Click here: Time Yet for Visions

Playing For Change: Stand by Me

I saw this from a post from a friend on Facebook. Though it's a special cover of the song, "Stand by Me", it is actually just as interesting to watch as it is to hear.

It is from an award-winning independent film I have never heard of, "Playing For Change: Peace Through Music" and it seems really interesting. Now that it's on my radar I will be looking for it.

For those of us familiar with the 3rd Street Promenade, we'll recognize some parts of this clip. Check it out:



There are several other songs in the movie as well in which the filmmakers combine the additions of music makers from around the world and edit them into one amazing version. Pretty awesome!

One Love

Banzai Dad

School is out for winter break! Finally, I have some time to relax.

Over Thanksgiving I went home to Seattle for the weekend. As always, it was nice to be home and away from Eugene for a bit. Going home is always a treat, especially when I can come away with some real gems.

One morning I walked into the kitchen to see my dad working very intently on a small plant. Turns out my dad has a little bit of Mr. Miyagi in him! It was so cute, I had to capture the moment. I never knew him to be much of a banzai kind of guy, but he really looked like he knew what he was doing.


Just when I thought that I had run out of blog material, daddy Oh comes to the rescue! Thanks dad, I knew I could count on you.

Too cute

My nephew and my niece are too cute. That's all. Cute overload.

The "LiveStrong" Lady

Today I met the woman credited for the Lance Armstrong "LiveStrong" campaign. Aside from ever meeting the man who developed "Just Do It" this opportunity was actually pretty dang cool.

One of the best things about my program is the opportunity the Sports Marketing Center creates for us to network and to learn about the business from real professionals in the industry.

Since starting the program, I have met people from:
- UnderArmour
- Nike
- Adidas
- Seattle Seahawks
- Seattle SoundersFC
- San Francisco 49ers
- Sports agencies
- Marketing agencies
- and others

It is always interesting to hear about the work these people have done and it is especially fascinating to hear from the individuals that have created some of the most prominent marketing campaigns in the industry.

The lady who created "LiveStrong"! So cool.

Adidas Heaven and Back

Ever since high school I have had a mad infatuation with the adidas brand. I don't know where it came from, I don't know why it is (was) so strong, but for the longest time, I have always loved everything adidas. A lot of the obsession has worn off in recent years, but adidas still holds a prominent place in my heart. So much that in the past:

1. My first email address was: ohadidasgirl@hotmail.com
2. My password I used to use most often was a version of the word "adidas".
3. All of my workout gear, with the exception of shoes, were adidas and I violently shunned everything Nike.
4. Anytime I saw an adidas logo I had to take a picture in front of it.
5. Since I couldn't find any adidas stickers I made my own (they were pretty dope).
6. At the Olympics and at the World Cup I stalked the adidas reps to learn about their jobs and to score swag.

My friend Holly (Sellers) Chamberlain from college tells a story about me that I only mostly remember, and every time I hear it, I just laugh at myself.

We lived together sophomore and junior year at BYU in Provo, UT. In Draper, UT, just 24 miles north is a pathetic outlet mall with one awesome redeeming quality, an adidas store. For me, it was a sanctuary and regularly "to get away" from college life, I would drive there just to bask in adidasness. Yes, it was quite ridiculous.

Holly was used to me working out all the time and seeing me in my workout clothes. I guess one day I came home from school and went to my bedroom. I came out into the living room head to toe in adidas gear and grabbed my keys. She asked me what I needed my keys for since I usually just go running, to which I replied, "I'm going to the adidas outlet."

"Are you working out?" she asked.

"No."

"What are you buying?"

"Nothing."

"So you put on all of your adidas stuff just to go there?"

"Yes."

It was laughable at the time.

I have always had this dreamy little cloud in my head of working for the company that I have obsessed over for so long. Part of my coming to Oregon was decided with that pipe dream in mind.

As I was applying for school in March, I made contact with a key individual at adidas whom I have hoped would make those dreams a reality. In reading an article about sports business, I came across the name of an individual at adidas whose job title encompassed the kind of work I wanted to do. I Yahoo'd her name and was able to track down her email address. After a couple of email exchanges, we ended up chatting on the phone for a short informational interview. Turned out she was an alum of my program and graduated with my current academic director.

This past Friday I had the opportunity to meet with her and I can only say that it couldn't have gone better. We had a good chat and she seemed confident in my dedication and abilities and offered to help in obtaining an internship and even a job.

Going to the adidas campus was almost overwhelming. When I first pulled into the parking lot, I really couldn't believe I was there. There was a small little soccer field in between two of the four main buildings of the office campus. Murals of prominant athletes looked down on me as I walked into the visitor's lobby. Adidas logos surrounded me. It was quite awesome to be there.
As I waited in the lobby for my new friend to find me, I absorbed as much of the atmosphere as I could. Everything was bright, open and light. The newest shoe and apparel products lined the corridors and the spiral center stairs. It was like a candy shop and fluffy pet store all in one. Heaven!

After my meeting, I was given the privilege of shopping at the adidas employee store. I could have passed out. As a guest for the day, I would receive anything I bought for half price. Had I the money, I totally would have gone to town! Everything was so cool! Instead, I was able to limit myself to a couple of shirts and some cute little pink adidas booties for my new little niece.

It was a pretty great day. I wasn't wearing anything adidas for my visit, but basking in the wonder adidas was kind of like a dream come true. I am looking forward to see where I will land this summer, hopefully adidas will be it.

How Can I Be

A couple of friends of mine turned me on to this song not too long ago. It was written by Nela Otuafi for his mission farewell 11 years ago. Several versions of it have circulated around the internet since then.

I think it's a nice song.

Oh Clocks

Going home is like walking into a time vortex. Literally. I don't know why it is, but my father always had a thing for clocks. In every room, on at least one wall, including the bathrooms, kitchen and garage, somewhere there is a ticking clock.

I grew up with the tick-tock of clocks all around me. Memories of my childhood seem to include a faint ticking sound in the background of all of my thoughts. When I hear the ticking of a clock, I picture myself at home in a room with a clock. The funny thing is, I don't know where he gets these clocks. I have never seen him buy a clock. They are all totally random in style. They are of no particular color or shape. Some clocks I know he has received as complimentary gifts and as schwag, but I just don't really know where they have come from. The clocks just seem to materialize from some unknown origin and are ineviteably hung crooked.

I just get a kick out of all of the random clocks around and the fact that whereever you are in my parent's house, you know exactly what time it is. I suppose that is something to be grateful for.
In addition to the clock fettish, my parents also manage to collect other random objects to add to their household decor. Their style of interior design could be categorized as "unique".

The best addition to the decor is this awesome clock. Not only does it fit the random clock category, but it also meets every standard of their interior design scheme. It is also in the main room of the house in the most prominent position in the house. It is kind of like the featured item.

Every hour, on the hour, the clock chimes. It's not a bird that pops out, it's not a simple church bell ding-dong, it's not just a little beep or ring, but oh so much more. I had to capture it and share it. It is quite awesome. "Killing Me Softly"? Really? (Note: I recorded it sideways by accident. Just imagine it upright.)

Depending on the hour, the clocks also plays "Like A Bridge Over Troubled Waters" as well as a variety of Christmas songs.

Priceless.

Baby Mia

This last week I became an aunt for the second time and it is just as exciting as the first time!

Denise had the baby last Sunday morning and everything went perfectly.

Mia Hae-Soon Oh

6 lbs. 13 oz. 20-inches

TONS of hair

I got a text while at church and I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with joy and emotion. I haven't even seen my new little friend, but I love her with all my heart!

Denise just posted pictures on Facebook and man, when she told me the kid had a lot of hair, I really had no idea until I saw for myself! Holy cow!

She's not even a week old and she already needs a haircut!

Mia with her big brother Kimball and mommy.

Kimball introduces Mia to two of her cousins.

October Sky

I'm still waiting for it to rain here. I am pretty sure that in the next few days all of that will change, but I am surprised that my weather expectations here have totally not come true.

Apparently, Eugene weather isn't completely like Seattle weather. Eugene doesn't get near as much rain, it's warmer in the summers, and it's less humid. I have been waiting for rain and I think it is coming pretty soon, but up until now, the weather has been exquisite.


October, in particular has been the nicest month here. The skies are clear and blue, temps are in the upper 60s and 70s, and the fall colors have been amazing.


My friend and I took a drive west of town to find a hike and do some exploring nearer the coast. We probably should have planned our excursion a little better, but the drive through the country was pretty great.

We ended up driving up to a the King Estate Winery. The vineyards seemed to go on forever and the colors were peaceful.






The rains are coming though. It's in the air.

Free I C

If you don't remember to vote, at least remember to go stand in line to get your free ice cream at Ben & Jerry's. Hopefully you'll remember to do both on Nov. 4.

Neighbors

My neighbors kind of drive me crazy.

I am pretty sure Goliath lives above me and his wife does aerobics usually around midnight and his son likes to construct furniture around the same time. For ALL of my years of apartment living I have always lived on the third floor which has always put me above my neighbors. This time around, I am on the second floor of a three-floor building and while I like not having to drag my groceries up three flights of stairs, I am feeling the pain apartment living.

This is what I look at every time I leave my apartment.


Apartment management will leave fliers at everyone's door with announcements and Valley River Court news and updates. They do this at least twice a month. I don't mind the paper because it keeps me informed but it does bother me that my neighbors across the hall, never pick up their fliers. This is a picture of their door and their stash of fliers of the past month. It's not like they never leave because they go in an out all day long. Yet, they never pick up their fliers. Instead, they step over them.

I have met a few people in the building but for the most part, everyone sticks to themselves. I have tried to meet the folks across the hall, but like they do with the fliers, they ignore me.

In contrast, here's what my door looks like.


It's inviting and pleasant and festive. No fliers around because I pick them up. It's just nice.

Come on neighbors! Don't be lazy. Pick up your crap.

Halloween Treat

There are few things I love more than a nice surprise and today, right in the middle of my toughest week of school yet, I came home to a fun and so welcomed package.

Kim Bigelow Atchley, proving once again how great a mom she is, sent me an awesome holiday care package...for Halloween! It was so fun to get the nice goodies and I love the care and thought she put into the simple little gift.



The kitchen towels will make all the difference in my less-than-spectacular kitchen and how fun will it be to gnaw on a gummy purple rat and suck on finger lollipops?! So fun, so fun!

Thanks Kim! You are the best!

And to top it off, she included my Girl's Camp Certificate (Yay! I certified!) and a montage of camp pictures on DVD. Man! A surprise AND a validating sense of accomplishment all in one. Could I ask for anything more?! It was just so nice to take a mental break from school and remember a great part my summer.

Thanks Kim and thanks to everyone else who has sent me thoughtful housewarming gifts and gems in the mail. Feels like the mission all over again! I should do a post about the butt-hole cat towel hanger and the french polar bear tea set. Next time.

"Bi-Weekly" what?

Will someone explain how this is? The definition just makes no sense.

From the American Heritage Dictionary:

bi.week.ly (bī-wēk'lē) adj.

1. Happening every two weeks.
2. Happening twice a week; semiweekly.

Race!

Check out this awesome race. It is encouraged that all plan for it next year. For a first-hand view, see Jennie's blog for a nice rundown of her hardcore effort that will take you there, and make you feel the heat!

Click: Jennie's Blog

Then after Volkslauf as a training run, prepare for the ultimate of all races:

Click: Death Race

Keep on racing!