Mid Week Madness

Because this is one of the greatest (and longest) songs ever. Because the video is like a movie. Because Kate Bush is Loopy and looks so cute with a crop. And because Donald Sutherland is probably my number one sexiest most attractive man ever. Especially when he was the age he is in this video. And a great actor.
We're Cloudbustin Daddy.

Kyoung Won's Wedding in Seoul

Heath Leadger Died

How very sad.

Yay and Nay

Yay!

I had an audition for he British Embassy Choir tonight and I am now a second soprano.

Nay.

I am sick and poorly. And I ache all over. Yesterday at school I could barely get warm all day - I was cold to the bone. The flat we live in has one of those very popular air con units that heats the top half of a room toasty, and the bottom half, where life happens, is chill.

Sick chic - wee willy winky hat - the bottom of an old pair of room pants - keeps my poorly head warm. Sad expression - do you feel sorry for me? Yellow blanket - gift from sister-in-law.

Update: I took the day off work, an unusual thing for me, and I am very glad I did because I am rotten. What's up with my poor little immune system. My yoga practice is on hold now and all I can do is trawl Blogs and You Tube because I am finding it difficult to be useful.

My fave Christmas cards of 2007

My fave Christmas cards
Originally uploaded by sigsy.

Mostly handmade or hand designed.
Love them.

I have to share this

You may know it from the Ipod ads, but watch this and fill your heart with joy.
Hubby and I just gently wept happy as we watched it.

Goals for 2008 Include ECO BAGGING!

Oh yeah, just check out our sexy ecobag set!

Hand made, pressies and shop donated - these babies mean we don't have hundreds of plastic bags floating around the crib.

Clockwise from top:

Crocodile print super cool zipaway bag, from Kei's sisters for Christmas this year.

Turquoise zipaway bag, a wedding present from my lovely friend Ikuko.

Ladybird print cloth Morsbag, fashioned by the fair hands of the Fair Tracy and wrapped my Secret Santa Christmas present. Here is a little post about Morsbags and one of Tracy's little helpers.

Cloth People Tree Bag, was what my organic Fair Trade coffee and chocolate was wrapped in one sunny shopping trip to People Tree in Harajuku. Now that's what I call Fair Trade.

Hubby is very much into the whole 'no waste' thing, as his upbringing and infact (outside of the cities) Japan's values include not wasting and having just enough. So now on every shopping trip we fold and take out our bags and have only had one plastic bag since the new year.

Ms T and her friend make loads of these bags every week from recycled material that people donate. Bedspreads, curtains, sheets, wall hangings and such all get converted into these fabulous bags, which are then given away at events in Japan for free. It is total recycling if you like. Double the eco friendliness, because not only is the material not wasted (no motainai) but it also means that plastic bags aren't used. Perfect! The circle is complete.

If you have any fabric that you don't want but don't want to throw away, let me know and I can arrange a pick up. If you live in Tokyo.

And the next problem to solve is...

What should we put our rubbish in now we don't have a supply of plastic bags? mmm.

Happy New Year!

Now there's an original title for the first post of 2008!

And here are silouhettes of me and my brother done in France perhaps 23 years ago. I had them sent by my parents. The one of my brother is absolutely spot on. I had odd hair.

And what a year is behind me. So many discoveries and great things, so many highlights and tough times, but I leave this year feeling refreshed and recharged and just brimming with contentedness.

Here is my 2008 start reading material. The 'Canine Kalevala' is a mythical book of Finnish culture, given to me by my sweet Finnish friend and former exchange student. It is wonderfully illustrated and I can't wait to sit down and get right into it.

The Magic Bus was a Sugimoto choice and has a great cover. I am hooked. A Piece of Cupcake looks like a real meaty read and was sent by the honorable Ms Maxine from Brum. Looking foward to that too. In addition, a lot of reading about career coaching and career change as we embark on a new Career Coaching term. Loving that too. Have two Roppngi Hills singing workshops lined up for February and March so that will be keeping me nice and busy workwise. School starts next week too. A short term. We like that!

This year was about women. Discovering amazing women, connecting with talented, sweet and inspiring women and making friends with new people. Everywhere in my life there are females just boosting and improving my life. In addition to the newies, those who already have a presence continue to make my life better, treat me with patience, respect and friendship and it is fantastic.

Women. I salute you.

Handbag

With my fabulous new bag. Thank you April. It can be a clutch, or a roomy handbag. Love it.

Clutch

You all know who you are because you are the people who I know and who share and improve my life. You introduce me to knew ideas, new people and have turned me into the contented, oft happy, recovering pessimist I am at the start of 2008. You make me feel like anything is possible. Some of you I know only through these strange lines of code and binary messages. Yet you have no less impact on me and my daily doings. I have never felt better. I have the life I wanted.

I love you.