Funtastic Voyage!!

It's finally happening after months of researching, debating, comparing and brainstorming, my boyfriend and I bought our tickets and we're doing some travels around the world! We have only 2 legs of the trip planned, after that we're one-way flying to anywhere we want. No kids, no mortgage, no time limit and away we go!

We depart October 1st to Okinawa, Japan for 2 weeks where my dad, stepmom and brother live. The 39th Annual Naha Great Tug of War Festival takes place and we can't miss the 656 foot, 44-ton rope being pulled by the East and West sides (22,000 people.)

Next we're off to Denpasar, Bali for at least a month's stay, looking forward to even more relaxation and soaking up new culture. After that we have lightly planned to head south to Australlia or venture north to the rest of Southeast Asia (Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam.) Then it's possibly India, Egypt, Africa and definitely Europe. 

As destiny would have it, Tim's cousin is on her own search of adventure, opportunity and enlightenment. Spontaniously, she is now joining us on our journey to Bali! It's so exciting to find another person with the same freedom and eagerness to explore the world.  We are so fortunate to have another companion on our trip and I wonder how many other friends and family would be open and available for such a trip?

We set our budget and plan to travel frugally to allow us to get to more destinations. We don't have a time limit and if a place suits us, we may stay awhile.

I've had 7 immunization shots, been on the phone for days, tying up loose ends, stored my belongings in the Taj-ma-Shed we recently built, researched this and that... lots of work to do before we go and it has been an awakening experience.

Tim and I hope to be able to update our blog as often as internet cafes are available. Please check back periodically to see updates to our trip.

My First Event, The Doggie Dash

The glorified shed we've been building is almost finished and I am impressed with the workmanship and quality that was put into it. Definitely something we all are very proud of and it's starting to shine on the side of our hill.
Living in the country is awesome! I don't think I'll ever tire of our view of the lake in the distant, rolling hills as far as the eyes can see and the storybook sunsets every evening. Also, the country zoo has been exciting on the property too; deer, baby rabbits, 1" frogs, horn toads, coyotes, spiders, lizards, hawks, vultures, quayls and all sorts of other birds. They also tell me scorpions sometimes make into the house and we have to shake out anything on the floor if we pick it up. Yes, I'm worried and will probably freak out the day I see one.
I've been squeezing sewing projects into the schedule as much as possible. My line of product will be on sell for the first time at an SPCA event in Stockton, the Doggie Dash, on June 6th... tomorrow! I've since created 4 quilted blankets with fabric origami appliques, 2 jewelry boxes made from vegetable steamers lined with fabric, 6 dog kimonos in all different color and print combinations, 4 sets of Koi fish earrings, 2 dog pads or floor pillows and today, hopefully I'll finish making dog collars and leashes that are trimmed in printed fabrics. I better get started, but here's some pictures I took.

A New Routine

It's been a week since being laid off and so far it feels like a long weekend. The last day of my job was also the last day of my lease in SF, so I was preoccupied with moving logistics rather than soaking up my last moments in cube-land and saying goodbyes to colleagues.
I now live on a couple of acres atop a beautiful big hill with breathtaking views about 2-3 hours east of SF. True to living the country life, I've been waking up around 7:00am every morning to start my days. I'm helping to build our storage shed and got my first experience grading land, framing and pouring concrete. Doing this kind of work made me so sore, I realized what sitting behind a desk has done to me physically. I feel stronger and I can't wait to see the end result of the shed.
And of course there's sewing going on... I've started working on sewing 4 blankets simultaneously. The fabric is cut and I've been sewing my oribello origami applique flowers on the corner of the blankets. A nice detail to look and feel when wrapped up under the blankets, while watching TV or reading a book.