(Project Life Tuesday photos are at the very bottom of this post.)
Welcome to my blog! And welcome to the start of the ONE LITTLE WORD Blog Hop!
For those of you that don't know, ONE LITTLE WORD is an online class over at BigPictureClasses.com and taught by Ali Edwards. It is a year long class with monthly projects and registration is open all year long. That means it isn't too late to register if you want to join us!
THE STORY OF MY ONE LITTLE WORD:
I've been a reader of Ali's blog for several years now. I think I discovered it during the time I took my first class at Big Picture Classes (back then it was Big Picture Scrapbooking) in March 2007. Anyway, it was through reading her blog that I first heard of the annual One Little Word concept. It always intrigued me but I never wanted to choose a word. I never trusted that I would actually do anything with my word. Not to mention no word ever came to me as 'my word' for the year. So, I just let it pass.
This year was different because Ali was offering a class at Big Picture. Yet, another thing I wanted to consider doing. This time I knew if I signed up, I would definitely:
*make an effort to choose a word
*have OLW projects to do all year
*make the most of having a word
BUT WOULD I FINISH MY OLW PROJECTS?
I love most of the classes I take at Big Picture Classes (and I have taken [or signed up to take] a lot! 47 since March 2007!) but sometimes I bite off more than I can chew, shall we say, and I don't always finish my classes no matter how amazing they are. I hate that! Thus the OLW Blog Hop idea was born! I knew if I had a bunch of people expecting to see my project here, I would complete it!
It worked.
CHOOSING MY WORD
I had a really hard time choosing a word.
I wanted something that I felt really good about.
A word that I liked.
An exciting word.
A word that represented something I wanted to bring more of into my life.
I made a list of potential words. But none really had that pull or attraction I was hoping to feel. I was considering gratitude, but it just seemed too ordinary, too cliche.
Gratitude is something I wanted more of in my life, though, because in 2010 I had a hard time focusing on my blessings and did far too much complaining.
Time was running short. It was the middle of January and I needed to chose a word.
Then I had a very simple, yet profound experience that helped me choose my word.
It was a Friday and I was making a cupcake cake for my middle son's tenth birthday party on Saturday. The post with the cupcakes is here. I needed a bunch of pink jelly beans to make the mad scientist cupcakes we had planned. In the 2 and a half years I have lived in Beijing, I only saw jelly beans once at an import store far from my house, inconveniently located and extremely expensive. I was under a time crunch and if I made the effort to go to this store, it was unlikely they would still have them on the shelf considering Easter was months ago. And if they did, they would not be fresh nor include enough pink ones.
I picked up my youngest son from Kindergarten. He had earned a reward. Before we hopped on our bike to head home, we stopped in the convenience store next door so he could pick out his treat.
What do you think he saw right at his eye level?
Packets of Chinese jelly beans! I couldn't believe my eyes. We had been to this store many other times, and they never had jelly beans. These were packaged for the local population (not imported), so they were CHEAP. 50 cents per packet holding about two Skittle packets worth. Needless to say, I cleaned out their supply. I wanted to make sure I had enough pink ones.
I don't know what you know about China, but it is not an easy country to live in especially when coming from a modern Western country. Any day can present you with a barrage of expected and unexpected frustrations. To add insult to injury, nobody seems to care. They do, of course, but it comes out in a much different way than what I am customary to. So, to have something like this happen, it is like a miracle! An unbelieveable stroke of luck. A very HAPPY accident!
By the time I arrived at home. I knew what my word would be. SERENDIPITY.
I love the feel of this word. It is exciting and fun.
It is magic.
Here's to a lot more accounts of simple SERENDIPITY in 2011!
My title page:
The photo of myself:
My January assignment:
I had such a good time with this simple yet meaningful project. And I'm even happier I got it done. Thanks for coming to this blog hop - YOU are the reason my project is complete. You've kept me accountable.
MARCH 1 BLOG HOP?
That was fun! I think I might want to do this again next month. I know it is a great way to motivate me to get my monthly project done. How about you? Go see the other 33 blogs and then come back here. Leave me a comment and tell me if you'd like a another blog hop on March 1 to see OLW students' February projects and/or show off your own? (PLEASE NOTE: Leaving a comment here does not sign you up for a blog hop on March 1. I will do that on the message boards if we get enough interest.)
Now, to reward you for your amazing support, I'm having a little give-a-way.
GIVE-A-WAY
In honor of the OLW Blog Hop, I've decided to have my first ever blog give-a-way!
In keeping with the Lunar New Year & Spring Festival excitement here in China, I've decided to give away a Chinese Zodiac Animal care package. It will more than likely favor the rabbit since on February 3rd, we are welcoming in the Year of the Rabbit!
I imagine the value of this package to be about $20 USD and will include fun things I can find at the Temple Fair I will be attending this week (come back to my blog for photos of the fair & the care package). It may include something like a chain of the 12 animals in embroidered silk, a small Chinese New Year rabbit, red Chinese knots for good luck, and any of the other fun things I can find to bring good luck and fortune to you in the Year of the Rabbit. I will see if I can't include something paper related since most of us are paper craft enthusiasts.
Keep in mind, shipping may not be incredibly reliable and will possibly be slow. I think sending things out of China is much more reliable than sending things into China. So, although, I'm a little nervous, I am optimistic. If you are my winner, please be patient! And keep in mind, I cannot absolutely guarantee that you will receive it. But if you are willing to take a gamble, I hope you'll play along!
To enter, just leave me a comment. I'd like to know if you're interested in doing this again next month, but it isn't required to be eligible to win the prize.
I'll choose a random winner on Friday, February 4 around 8 PM PST.
COMING SOON
Before I send you on your way, I wanted to let you know what I have planned for the next few days at this blog. I will be posting:
*Chinese New Year photos as well as a video of the crazy insane fireworks that take over the city. There is NOTHING like it! NOTHING! I'll also do my best to capture all the other goings on of this major Chinese holiday - the food, the festivals, the people. The fireworks! And the aftermath.
*A layout a day for the February LOAD challenge at Layoutaday.com.
*My best shot every Wednesday.
*A photo of the prize package for the Give-a-way Winner
*A Simple Thing on most Sundays for Rebecca Cooper's (rebeccacopper.blogspot.com) simple things challenge.
WHERE TO NEXT?
I'm so glad that you joined me for the OLW Blog Hop! The fun has just begun! If you're ready to move on to see more projects, your next stop is Jill Conyers over at her blog: Life as I See It. You won't want to miss it. She has a lot going on over there including a regular OLW Photo Challenge! If the Blog Hop links don't work here or on any of the Blog Hop blogs (typepad is always giving me link trouble), please see the end of this Blog Hop entry for a complete list of blog addresses that you can copy and paste into your browser, including Jill's.
Now on your way...
If you'd like to stick around here a little longer, please scroll down past the BLOG HOP list to see my WEEK IN PHOTOS. But don't forget to visit all 35 blogs even if it takes you a few days. The journey will be worth it.
Here is a complete list of our OLW Blog Hop Participants in case you lose your way. You'll notice that our participants have climbed to 35. There was a little mix up, but we managed to get Amanda added on just in time!
UPDATE (edited at 7:15 PM, Beijing Time/ 3:15 AM PST, Wed, Feb 2)
There has been such a great response to this Blog Hop that we will be having another one on March 1 to showcase our February projects as well as report on what happened with our ONE LITTLE WORD. Information on how to sign up is in the Message Boards under the Chit Chat thread. All OLW Students at BPC are welcome to join.
OLW BLOG HOP LIST
If any of these links don't work along the way, please try copying and pasting the web address into your browser.
1) Margie http://xnomads.typepad.com
2) Jill Conyers http://jillconyers.typepad.com/life_as_i_see_it/
3) Monica http://scraplifters.blogspot.com
4) Lynn W http://crafty-creativity.blogspot.com
5) Miranda http://mirandasscrapsite.blogspot.com
6) Mandy http://captureandcreate.wordpress.com
7) Kathy http://katswonderings.blogspot.com
8) Lisa http://makeyourownescape.blogspot.com
9) Donna http://donnabryantdurand.blogspot.com
10) Abbey http://athomewiththerichardsfamily.blogspot.com/
11) Sam http://learncreatedo.wordpress.com/
12) April http://capturethememories.blogspot.com
13) Nicky http://seejanebake.blogspot.com
14) Rebekah http://istampscrapcraft.blogspot.com/
15) Relly http://rel.ly
16) Nancy http://goshery.blogspot.com
17) Cynthia http://paperpapereverywhere.blogspot.com/
18) Kathryn http://katlodesigns.com
19) Nikki http://www.inkyart.com.au
20) Heather http://scrappyhare.blogspot.com
21) Gayle www.lifeonlilypadlane.blogspot.com
22) Kristina http://ciqis.blogspot.com
23) Debra http://blakleyhomeplace.blogspot.com
24) Becky http://beckyandjames.com
25) Amy http://reflectivesnapshots.com
26) Marlene http://moore-fun-in-the-sun.blogspot.com/
27) Maureen http://cookingmylife.blogspot.com
28) Cheri http://cheriandrews.blogspot.com
29) Monica Scrapmom http://questtoperfectimperfection.blogspot.com
30) Jan http://mysimplelittlelife.typepad.com
31) Junelle http://yesandamenblog.blogspot.com/p/contact-me.html
32) Margaret http://www.gutsymom.blogspot.com
33) Sharyn http://www.analteredlife.com
34) Tere http://terecontodomicorazon.blogspot.com/
35) Amanda www.scrappnbee.blogspot.com
OUR WEEK IN PHOTOS
Sunday, January 23
Braden turns 6! I made chocolate chocolate chip marshmallow waffles per his request. He ate it in his specially deocrated birthday chair. As he was finishing up, he brought out his collection of pandas and wanted a photo with them all. The mom with baby is his latest addition - a birthday gift.
Monday, January 24
I picked up these toothbrushes at Big Lots when we were home for Christmas. I always stock up and bought three of these four bpacks. I had no idea how much Braden would LOVE them. I should have known since he has an affinity for super heros. He linkes them up like this everyday and rotates which toothbrush he uses each time. Luckily he keeps track.
Tuesday, January 25
We were invited to Braden's school to help him celebrate his birthday with his classmates. Here we are eating lunch together. They eat like this everyday - linen tablecloths, linen napkins, porcelain plates, place cards, napkin rings, etc, etc. Each child knows to put his napkin on his lap and cleans up after himself. This includes rinsing off his dishes and folding up his napkin and the tablecloth! It's awesome to see.
Wednesday, Janaury 26
Dave Eggers, author of A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius and more recently, Zeitoun, came to Beijing. Our book club went to see him speak. He is amazing. He has done so much with his writing, his publishing a quartley journal, McSweeneys and his community outreach in free tutoring centers in neighborhoods. Yet, he is incredibly humble and approachable. He was so nice and chatty when we had him sign our books. Turns out his brother ran for political office in my area, but lost. Eggers is from San Francisco and made me homesick for the area. He looks so SF to me! Our friend that lives in The City has the exact same hair cut!
Thursday, January 27
I pick Braden up from school at 3 PM every Thursday so that he can take swim lessons at our apartment pool. Luckily it is an indoor pool so it isn't too bad in winter. Reece and Nicholas had their big performance at school this evening. Unfortunately I couldn't go due to a mistake in scheduling on their school's part. Luckily, Dad took lots of video but not many photos to put in our PL album.
Friday, January 28
Braden gets out of school at 12:15 PM on the last Friday of the month after his school goes on a field trip. Today he went to the Blue Zoo aquarium. We spent the afternoon playing games like Banana Grams. It was still a little difficult for him so we made words together. Reece & Nicholas had parties at school. Nicholas went home with one of his friends to spend the night. He ended up staying there all day on Saturday. Unfortunately, this friend will be moving back to California on Friday. His dad was here on a one-year sabbatical.
Saturday, January 28
This is a rare glimpse of the two of them snuggling. Braden was having fun tickling his face on Reece's hair. They all love that computer whether it is Poptropica, learning about War Hammer (is that right? a game where you build your own army and paint miniatures - not a video game but in real life), playing the new physics website that uses virtual powder to play the game.
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