My brand new sewing machine is here... and before I've left even! How exciting! I damn near fell off my stoop when I saw that huge amazon.com signature smile beaming gleefully at me from it's craft-colored box! If I didn't have so many loose ends to tie up before I go (only three days left!), I'd start learning the thing now! It's a Brother. Beautiful machine... and I made it under my budget!
Goodness! My head is spinning with all the beautiful fabrics and prints and patterns I'm anticipating! ... and the color! Oh the COLOR! I can barely contain myself! Oh rapture!
In other news, I stumbled across a forty-year-old SLR camera in one of my mother's treasure chests. I'm so lucky to have such a shameless pack rat for a mother. She doesn't throw anything away and keeps her things in such pristine condition, even though she has no intention of ever using them. It's a blessing. So, this camera, a 1965 Canon Canonet G-III QL17, is a sight to behold. Haven't tried it yet and I don't expect anything spectacular to happen once I do, but I was so happy to find it!
Alright enough about me and the joy I find in material things. Off to finish tying those ends (checklist, packing, scheduling quality time with my peoples, etc.).
Good night all :)
04 January 2008
Treasures Galore!
03 January 2008
I think I failed to mention...
in my post from this weekend, that I received my gohonzon on Sunday! This is apparently a momentous occasion in the SGI organization. I'm not sure I've completely grasped the magnitude of it. But then again, I'm not really sure what I've gotten myself into either. I came across this website the other day; sort of an idiot's guide to the general gist.
The gohonzon is an object of devotion used in many forms of Japanese Buddhism. The object varies among different Buddhist forms, but the gohonzon given to newcomers to Soka Gakkai (which practices Nichiren's teachings and his particular focus on the Lotus Sutra) is a scroll on which the Lotus Sutra is inscribed in Chinese and Sanskrit characters. It's a beautiful piece of art work. I feel special for having one.
Me, Chizuru, and Tomoko at the SGI Culture Center in Union Square, NYC.
December 30th, 2007
02 January 2008
So far, so good...
I had this really great two and a half hour conversation with my cousin last night. I consider him a male version of my sister and I really value his perspective. We talked about religion and his future plans and my trip. He inspires and supports and he's such a genuinely good hearted young man. I love that cat.
The shop is not doing as well as I'd anticipated at this point. I've sold 5 items. I expected to sell half my shop during the holidays. I guess this is a great lesson on the power of marketing and getting an early start. I plan on keeping the shop open while I'm away, but I'm going to make it very clear that I cannot ship while I'm out of the country. My brand new sewing machine arrives just after I leave but when I return, I'm planning to work on those old church dresses mom's kept all these years. They're all so pretty and in perfect condition; crinoline, lace, and sashes all as pristine as when my sister and I last wore them. They'll make beautiful summer dresses--both sexy and fun. I've already sketched out some ideas. I can't wait to get started on them!
As momentous as this trip could be, I feel like I'm being really casual about the whole thing. I haven't followed up with my non-familiar contacts and I'm not 100% sure what I'll be doing down there. I had it in my head that I would spend the time exploring, taking photos and footage of everything I see. I've become really interested in my mother's voodoo heritage and I hoped that I might be able to see the ceremonies with my own eyes. But after speaking with my cousin, Beverly, who I'll be staying with in Port-au-Prince, I'm doubting the possibility. She and my aunt Michaelle, her mother and the owner of the home/school/mission where I'll be staying when I get to Chambalain, are not supportive of voodoo. My not knowing the language well and being a stranger to the country doesn't really put me a position to go wandering off into the sticks looking for rawkus, gyrating practitioners. My less controversial plan was to go search for Haiti's art. Go to concerts, and galleries, and dance schools, and performances. I don't know where and if this is happening and if I will be privy to experiencing it, but I want to if I am able.
I bought myself a video camera with my sweet end of year bonus! It's pretty rad. Tiny little thing and light as a feather. On sale too. Here's my first test run:
I'm going to create a travel log with all my pictures, footage and journal. Stay tuned. For those of you who are interested, I was lucky enough to come across this blog at www.haitiphotos.com by a South Florida-based photographer. His images are very beautiful and inspiring. I hope that I can capture the spirit of Haiti similarly with my little digicam. It's going to be a wonderful trip.
Happy New Year y'all! Here's to exploration and growth in 2008! Suckaz :P
