May 12, 2007

While you were away

I have been living with my aunt and uncle since last December and they have been very generous in offering me a room free of rent. In an effort to repay them somehow, I have offered to help with any projects around the house that might need to be done. My aunt expressed a desire to paint the interior walls, but there was always something keeping us from going forward with it.

She and my uncle went out of town about a week ago and since then, my cousin and I have conspired to do our own little "While you were out" design spectacular. Now you should know that I watch a lot of those design shows where a team comes in and totally redesigns a room in under two days for under $500. This has been a little like that. My cousin owns an event design company and so has major resources such as tons of fabric, wood, and the best part: salaried employees. So when we started our little project (we initially were going to repaint two bedrooms), there was someone to help. Then it moved outside and she had two guys over building a new patio cover. Then it moved into the livingroom, and soon we were building whole new headboards and gazebo canopies.

The best moment for me was when I looked around and realized just how much we were starting to resemble one of those design shows. There was Crystal, my cousin, the designer. There was Jody the painter, Sean and Benny the construction guys, and me the seamstress and otherwise handy do-anything-er. It was fantastic.

So all this to say, it will be a big surprise for my aunt and uncle (who haven't painted the interior for over twenty years)! Their humble little home is looking brighter and warmer every minute and I am reveling in the joy I feel at preparing something special for some very dear and generous family.

Update: here are some before, during and after pictures. There aren't so many "just room" pictures, but you can at least see a little of how it looks. Enjoy!

Posted by libbystokes at 10:45 PM | Comments (0)

February 12, 2007

PDX pics

Back from Portland. It was good. You know what I realized though? I have a horrible memory. Or maybe I don't, but when people ask me how the trip was I can never think of what I did. Maybe I just get nervous under the scrutiny of a questioning aquaintance, I just blank. Anyway, thank goodness I have my camera with me every now and then to keep track of my life. Here are some things I saw in Portland:

This was on a wall outside a really cool clothing store. Hip.

I saw this little guy in an alcove next to Peet's Coffee. I went back later to take a picture; the next day he was gone. Maybe he's a fugitive.

This is Lucy, one of John and Kate's cats. She is little and cute and sweet and curious.

Kate and I drove up to Seattle to visit family. We were walking along the water, bought some candy, then took a picture and went home.

We visited the Starbucks headquarters. It was a really neat building-- inside and out. These little sirens peeking out from the tower made me laugh. Starbucks is going "big-brother."

This actually wasn't in Portland, but it's cool. It's a trashcan. Yay.

Posted by libbystokes at 02:57 PM | Comments (0)

February 01, 2007

Checklist

Things I did while in Portland:

Explored a patisserie
Visited the Moon (and Sixpence)
Rejected Idiocracy
Learned the rules of Whots
Went to the Whole Nine Yards
Made a Let's Brew purchase
Played pinball at the Arcade
Drove by Joan of Arc
Walked to Grand Central
Baked vegan cake
Tasted formaggio pecorino toscano
Videotaped the rain
Threw darts

Posted by libbystokes at 09:33 PM | Comments (0)

September 30, 2006

PDX and The Weepies

I flew into Portland on Wednesday. I wan't picked up in the usual way, instead Katie and I took the Max line into town. I am taken with public transportation in this city. I had always seen public transportation as the poor-man's ride, but here in Portland the buses aren't always being ridden out of financial necessity (in fact, it isn't exactly cheap), but by choice. Either to eliminate the responsibilities associated with owning and running a car or in order to benefit the environment by "bus-pooling." Plus, with the right planning (bus-stops on every corner and frequent pick-ups) taking the bus is so easy. And fun-- it's a great opportunity for people-watching or just sitting and reading. Sometimes you wish you weren't getting off so soon.

On Thursday we went to the Alberta street fair, also known as Last Thursdays. Last Thursdays is the Indie artist's and crafter's response to First Thursdays which centers more around "Fine Art" of high-end galleries and museums. I'd like to sit somewhere in between. I saw some really good stuff on Alberta st. I bought two small works of drawing/painting/wax encaustic. But I also saw some crappy stuff. But I would hate to think that First Thursdays is somehow snuffing out those who are trying to get noticed on a different level of the Arts. We walked a lot and saw so many cute houses. A part of me really wishes I were in the place to be buying a home. These neighborhoods are so quaint.

Friday morning we took the Max all the way to Washington Park, where we took a walk and enjoyed the view. From the top of the hill we could see Mount St. Helens.

I was so excited to see the leaves turning colors. L.A. just doesn't cut it for me fall-wise. After the walk we went back into the downtown area, where Katie totally read my mind and suggested we get Chipotle. I love that mexican food. I love Portland.

Copyright © 1999, Don Baccus (dhogaza@pacifier.com)

Today I got to see my good friend Lyndsy and her son Tobyn. So good. It's hard making friends in college because everyone moves. I have missed her and it was good to talk to her again. Her son is almost two and I can't understand how the time has passed-- I remember when he "wasn't." We took a long walk and I bought some fun artsy things at a neat shop in the Alphabet district. My shins ache.

Outside of Portland news, I want so badly to recommend (although I am not one for promoting music on a blog) the album "Say I Am You" by The Weepies. I know they have the cheesiest name, but this music is perfect (well, perfect if you are in a quiet, happy, half-smiling, warm-sun-on-your-back kind of mood). I love it.

Posted by libbystokes at 10:14 PM | Comments (0)

September 09, 2006

Ready to go, not ready to leave

For more than a year my sister has been trying to persuade me to move to Portland, Oregon. I smiled and laughed for some months of this nagging, convinced that I must find a gentle way to let her down. But then I gradually started imagining myself there. And Christmas came and I visited her, we drove around downtown and I snuggled up under a down comforter on her livingroom couch. I cooked with her and watched the rain. Portland felt a little like home. With the right people and the right activities and the right landscape.

But I was still invested in school. And I promised myself not to worry about what would happen next until later. And anyway, I already had plans to travel to Africa to visit my mom, and I couldn't really see around such a huge event on my horizon. Why worry about moving?

So I went to Africa and I saw my mom. And I missed my sister. I returned home with a newfound conviction that Portland was somewhere to which I would have to belong one day. And now with my mom making plans to sell her house in Grass Valley and buy one in Portland, my conviction seems even surer.

But there is something I now have to consider that I wouldn't have thought about before...I have become really attatched to Los Angeles. I know, I never would have thought those words would ever cross my lips. It's really more what's here that I love: the people I have met, my friends, my school, and my church. These are my life! And I'm seeing how hard it would be to leave them and start all over. So although I am absolutely ready to go to Portland and have new adventures and learn and explore and be near family, I am just not ready to leave my home.

Who knows, it might only take a few months for me to mentally move out of L.A. It might take longer. We'll see.

In the meantime, I am going to be working and enjoying living here. I will spend time with friends and stay involved at church. I will visit my family in the area and make the most of the L.A.-type opportunities that are here: Art galleries, Museums, Biola professors, and more. Yeah, I'm just not ready to leave.

Posted by libbystokes at 10:21 AM | Comments (1)

December 16, 2005

Home again home again

Jiggity jig!

I am just about finished packing for tomorrow. My mom finally got into the airport this afternoon after having some problems with her flight on monday. We took this picture just before dinner tonight. I just can't get over that it's been over a year since I have seen her. Weird. Anyway.

Oh, in other news, I have new "gadgets" as my sister calls them. I finally got a powerbook and an ipod. Yay! They are fun toys (of course they are totally useful and necessary too, you know, art and school stuff). I bought Adobe creative suite and am so totally stoked. I have gotten so used to having to use the computers at school for art stuff so it's really nice to have it right in front of me.

Alright, well, I am off tomorrow for destination #1: San Luis Obispo to see my friend Lyndsy. Then on to Grass Valley, then Portland! I don't have homework-- just thought you should know, that makes me happy.

-Libby

Posted by libbystokes at 12:08 AM | Comments (0)

August 21, 2005

Roommates

These are my roommates. I have had such a fun time this summer getting to know them and just living down here in LA. I couldn't have asked for better friends at this point in life. They are loving and kind and funny and generous. Anyway, we are looking for a new apartment because our apartment is getting turned into a condo. It's tough finding a new place. Pray pray pray.

Later,
Lib

Posted by libbystokes at 08:56 PM | Comments (0)

June 09, 2005

It's On Tap

My sister just started a new blog called "It's On Tap."

The name came out of jumbling their last name, Pattison. I like it. And it's food related, which is good since she is writing about her passion-- Food. She is pretty much all vegan these days. It's cool.

You should go check it out (You, as in, the only other person who checks this blog besides my sister...)

-Libby

Posted by libbystokes at 08:24 PM | Comments (0)

April 13, 2005

She's doing well

A lot of people have been asking me lately about my mom. "Have you talked to her?" "How is she doing?" "Does she like it?" "Now what country is she in again and what exactly is she doing over there?"

I don't know why, but it's sort of bugging me. At the core of things, I appreciate their concern and interest. Am I just tired of repeating the same answer over and over? "She's doing well, I talked to her a week ago. She loves it. Nigeria. Jos, Nigeria. She's teaching teenage girls how to sew, and other basic skills like computer, nutrition, english, and secretarial skills. It's got its challenges, but she is really learning a lot and enjoying it." I have my little speech memorized.

Sometimes I think that they ask me how she is because they secretly want to hear about some impossibly trying situation that she is in.

Maybe I am tired of answering people's questions because I don't really know for myself. I know that she is ok and safe because I have asked her over the phone. But everything else is sort of this big mysterious chronicle of events and adventures. I don't feel honest passing on so much second hand information. I wish I could be there and see it and feel it and smell and taste and hear it. Then maybe I would have something to say.

Maybe I just miss her. Sometimes I find myself telling people that my mom is in Africa just for the shock value-- for their vote of sympathy. "Six years! Geez, that's a long time." It is a long time. And my mom is halfway around the world. When did that happnen?

-Libby

ps. Clarification: I'm not bitter about her leaving. I'm not even really bitter about people wanting to know how she is. I'm just not sure I am a confident source when I am still figuring out how life works when there is no mom to go home to.

Also, if you have any questions, go hear what she has to say about it all.

Posted by libbystokes at 10:33 AM | Comments (0)

February 06, 2005

Rafiki Updates

I just updated my mom's rafiki journal with a couple new entries. She has also sent more pictures recently so check those out.

I can hardly believe that she is really there. To see that picture of her with the kids makes me praise God. My mom is amazing! Her life changed so much so quickly while mine has stayed the same-- I miss her.

-Lib

Posted by libbystokes at 10:03 PM | Comments (0)

December 01, 2004

Jos Jude

So my mom is finally in Africa. She left November 14th and arrived about 24 hours later. Woh. She stopped over in Frankfurt, Germany and then went on to Lagos, Nigeria. She was then driven to Jos and out to the Rafiki village. She has written a lot so far and sent emails. I am posting the emails on a blog if you want to check it out. I know some of the entries are really long, but her stories are amazing and her witness and testimony of God's work is even more amazing.

I can't believe my mom is half way around the world. She is amazing. I love her.

-Lib

Posted by libbystokes at 08:03 PM | Comments (2)

November 10, 2004

Matchbook history

So this weekend I was at my aunt's house, and while there I found this cool old matchbook. My aunt said I could have it. She told me that it's probably 35 years old. I love little things like this that have a history. I'll bet there is some bartender out there who could write a novel with all the memories he would remember if he could see this little, simple matchbook.

And besides it's cool historical value, look at how cool it is! They used to make matchbooks with REAL WOODEN MATCHES. That just blows me away. I love old stuff.

Cheerio!
-Lib

Posted by libbystokes at 09:50 PM | Comments (0)

November 07, 2004

Six-year Sojourn

I said goodbye to my mom, not to see her for over a year. That just seems so strange to me. I have had more emotional departings when knowing I would see her in a month. I think it was just sort of surreal. Like, how am I supposed to act? What am I supposed to feel? I won't see my mom until next christmas, what now?

We spent the weekend at my aunts house with close family near LAX. Saturday my mom and I just sort of took it easy, checked out a gallery, drove past an old apartment where she lived once, saw the grammar school where she grew up and were amazed at the large office building that now stands where her dad's gas station once did. We went to Ikea one last time together, bought her some curtains to take with her, and just talked about stuff. Not life-changing stuff, not even really important stuff. Then today the family came over and brought lots of food. Everyone ate and talked and then my mom thanked them all for their love and support and encouragement.

I love my family. Have you ever hung out with a friend's family and wished they were your own? I felt like that today, only they are my family-- how great is that? The last few hours there, most people sat down to watch the football game in front of the big screen, my aunt made latte's out in the garage, and my cousin's daughter zipped around the house looking for toys and ran around outside with her new umbrella as it sprinkled. I wasn't sure quite what to do. My mom was reminising with a friend she invited over who she has known since grade school. I retreated to the back bedroom with my reading for Global Art Paradigms. But I just couldn't focus. In fact, I can't remember a word I read. I just remember my aunt Mary raving about her low-carb diet to my uncle's unbelieving mother-- Yes, you can eat as much bacon and butter and cheese as you want! I just love my family and I coulnd't bear that I was sitting in the back room, reading a book I wasn't even paying attention to when my life was in the livingroom catching up, vegging out, slimming down, and sipping mimosas. I love my family.

I'm not sure when the tears will kick in. I mean, shouldn't I have at least had watery eyes as I gave my mom one last hug for the year? Am I so insensitive?! I have never been too emotional, but what is wrong with me? I suppose I'll be found one week from now, sobbing as I imagine her flying toward Frankfurt and then on to Nigeria. God I pray nothing bad happens.

Here's the link to the article that was in our local newspaper about my mom leaving. The article nor her picture do her justice.

Posted by libbystokes at 10:00 PM | Comments (0)

November 01, 2004

Last Hugs and Politics

My mom is coming down this weekend. It will be the last time I get to see her for at least a year. That is so weird. I will really miss her. I have been getting these freak-out worries that she is going to go over there and there will be some invasion or war or something and that she won't come back. I know I'm just letting demons tear me apart when I worry, but who wouldn't have at least a little hesitation when their mom moves half-way across the world?!

Tomorrow is vote-day! Let's pray it works out for the best. Something to think about: Don't forget character as well as policy. Vote for the person who is going to be a good leader. I think it was Steve Farrar who said, "A leader is someone who leads." Think about how and on what the person makes and bases their decisions and how consistent they are in their decision-making. Happy Voting!

-Lib

Posted by libbystokes at 02:42 PM | Comments (0)

October 17, 2004

Africa

My mom moved out of our house this last tuesday. It's so weird to not be home when you move. What's weirder is that one day we will come back to the house. She suggested that by the time she returns from her mission trip six years from now, she will move back into the house, turn the garage into livable space and live there, while me and my theorhetical husband live in the main house. That's too strange to contemplate. Not now please.

Her flight is on November 14th. Ahhh! Nigeria, Africa! I can't wait to visit her. I can't believe she's leaving for Africa-- it's finally happening. I will really miss her. I wonder what the time difference is. Sadness and Joy all at the same time.

Posted by libbystokes at 10:12 PM | Comments (0)