i'm on a roll!

1. today, i filed my tax returns. Early, i know, but for financial aid purposes, I had to file them. i sat down and started them, anticipating a nice return, just like last year. my flat screen TV was the result of that return last year. THIS year, i planned on buying a nice new flash for my camera. i happily filed my taxes, only to find that i OWE $600+ dollars to the stupid IRS. I then filed my state taxes, and was appalled to see a return of only $6. blast!!

2. recently, i was asked to do a freelance photography project for the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation. Although I have a suspicion that they won't pay me... it works out because i like going on photo outings anyway. Today, on a gloomy, rainy day, i went out with my crutches on a .... slow photo shoot.

i ended the photoshoot sitting in a bakery, with a hot strawberry pastry and a cup of steaming hot Horlicks. i love living in chinatown.

i like fried eggs.

i love eating eggs , fried sunny side up. they're yummy, especially with a few pieces of toast and some soy sauce.

my fingers hurt from sewing.

so much to do, so little time.

these days, i'm coming closer and closer to being able to walk again. it's so weird to think that it's already been over 3 months since i last walked... but yet i've managed to live a pretty normal life, even without walking. i still manage to vacuum, to cook, to swiffer, to do laundry, etc. even when i do walk again, it's not going to be me tearing through philadelphia on my usual explorations, mind you, it's going to be a few steps at a time; a hallway, a block, 2 blocks, then maybe even the stairs.... but i shouldn't get too ahead of myself.

the prospect of me walking has me.... burning with a desire to do all these crazy things...seeing people jogging in the city has me both envious, and stupidly angry at random strangers, just because they can run and i can't. and it's frustrating to know that it will be months or maybe even years before i can do them again. this morning, i gingerly took 3 steps (without my crutches) from my bed to my desk. i was SO HAPPY that i wanted to cry. but again, i shouldn't get ahead of myself. it was only 3 small, halting steps, and it was quite painful.

felt companions!

So, I have recently decided that instead of watching TV after work, I would put my hands to use and create some new friends :) As much as I want to keep these new friends, They will be going to some of my dearest friends, as goodbye presents before I leave Philadelphia.

First, let us meet Mr. Cookie. My inspiration was the Japanese cartoon Domokun, and these felt stuffed animals/creatures that were selling on South Street for like THIRTY dollars?!! heck no!! So I thought, Shoot, this is easy. I'll just start creating my own brand of stuffed felt/sock creatures. In about an hour, this is what resulted. I should charge $30 for these too.

Mr. Cookie is coming! Rarrrrrgh.

YUM!

he also has other friends, including a white radish (luo-buo) a.k.a. daikon, and a sock monkey. Anyone else have any suggestions of food items or anything cool that i could make? I am unfortunately not taking any orders. haha. if you want one, make your own. i should sell these for a hefty price in Taiwan this summer.