Gazing Fiercely Forward

 Makes! A couple of sewing projects! First is this Hinterland Dress (pattern by Sew Liberated). I did a sleeveless, placket-free, shortened version. I was trying a size smaller than the last Hinterland I made to see how I'd like the fit, and even though it is a better fit, I think I just prefer a looser fit. The fabric was actually two rayon batik sarongs that my parents bought on clearance at Ross while in vacation in Hawaii!  Next is this pair of Nocturne Pants (Sew Liberated) that I made using a brushed cotton herringbone fabric from Joann's. Nocturne is actually a pajama pants pattern, but depending on your fabric choice, they can actually work fine as out-of-the-house pants! I especially like pairing them with my Easy V sweater-- these are brown, and the sweater is a rich pumpkin orange. (I don't care if it's spring, I will continue to wear fall colors whenever I want!) Faves: Stronger By The Day is a strength training app by @megsquats on IG and YouTube. I've

In Six of Crows  by Leigh Bardugo, gang leader Kaz Brekker plots revenge on the main boss in town. There are several times when Kaz has the man in his grasp, and it could be so easy for Kaz to kill him right then and there, but he grits his teeth and mutters "Brick by brick" to remind himself that if he can be patient and stay the course, his revenge will be far greater and more satisfying than just rashly taking the man's life right then. I am NOT here to talk about revenge and murder, but about powerlifting. Ever since having my baby nearly four months ago, my mind has been on lifting. It's been a long time since I have lifted seriously and consistently, but it is a goal of mine to return to competing. I want to go to Nationals someday. Maybe I could even get to Worlds! I know it's going to take a lot of work to get back in competition shape. This postpartum period has been a struggle for me mentally because on the one hand, I have been chomping at the bit to st

Basically, do whatever you want to do. There is the contingent of people who exercise who think that you should go all out. They're the NO EXCUSES, NO PAIN NO GAIN crowd who believe in going hard every time you work out in order to see any results. Just watch any commercial for Nike or Gatorade, and you'll see.  This is not a small contingent. Maybe it's tied in to how our capitalistic society places value on how much and how well we can perform our jobs--it's as if to do anything less than your all is pure laziness. It's not just the super fit, either-- for a while, they even got ME believing that "being in last place is still better than being on the couch." It's all bogus, of course. You are not inherently a better person (in terms of your humanity) for working out. And you are definitely not inherently a better person for always working out HARD.  I'm going to let you in on a secret, and maybe you know this already: The best workout...        

I am sitting here, thinking about Blake Lively. I, 40 years old,  Vietnamese-American daughter of immigrants,  a public school teacher who works with English Language Learners,  a small fat at size 14/16/1x,  who has struggled so hard throughout her life to love herself (and often doesn't succeed),  with teenager, an infant, and a toddler (who has autism, by the way),  with a husband who is dealing with his own mental illness issues and lifelong trauma,  with possible ADHD, heart palpitations, possible IBS, osteoarthritis in her knee, and pre-diabetes,  with scars both physical and emotional,  am thinking about Blake Lively,  35 years old,  blonde,  beautiful,  successful (seemingly well-liked),  rich,  with four children,  with probably childcare staff and a personal trainer,  with clothes and things that are probably gifted to her,  with an equally beautiful, successful, and rich husband,  and I'm wondering how in the world we might possibly relate to one another.  I'm wo

 Here's what occupied my time and headspace this past month: Makes: (Note--I finished these in March, but it doesn't necessarily mean that that's when I started them) Pattern: Double Plump by Maral Mokri Yarn: Plump from Spincycle Yarns in the colorway Under the Wave Pattern: The Shift Cowl by Andrea Mowry Yarn: Dyed in the Wool from Spincycle Yarns in Valley Girl, Ranunculus, and Verba Volant Pattern: Arenite Pants by Sew Liberated Fabric: lightweight denim (4oz) from Joann Fabrics Faves: (Not necessarily making-related... just things I've especially enjoyed!) Starbucks Paradise Drink with Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream Plum Deluxe Coco-Lavender Herbal Chai The cast of Netflix's Shadow & Bone  (even though I had major complaints about how certain events were adapted, I can agree that the cast is utter perfection!) Hozier's "Eat Your Young" WIPs: What am I working on now? The Weekender (by Andrea Mowry) using Spin