Wow, it’s been quite a while since I checked in. To be honest, I haven’t really been in the mood. The end of winter is a moody, crabby time for most people, and for me it’s been no exception. 
I can’t wait until Spring, for several reasons. For one thing, it turns out that I won’t have to take any classes with Zhi next quarter. I seriously need a break from that man. 
For another thing…SPRING!!! Trees and flowers and chirping birds and basket weavers who sit and smile and twiddle their thumbs and toes and…wait. That’s something else entirely…
Anyway. Let’s see what we’ve got going here.
COOKING: It’s hard to stay excited about cooking at the end of winter! But I’ve been making lots of soups. I made some vegetable soup a few weeks ago and poached some turkey meatballs in it, which was inspired by Mondello’s amazing veal soup…where the meatballs just melted in your mouth. The turkey came fairly close to that. I’m going to attempt to recreate the soup tonight for our friends. Hopefully it will be good. I also made potato and leek soup recently, another really yummy comfort food. Dan bought a 30 minute recipe book from Best Recipe, which always makes really really tasty recipes. I’m telling you, that book is a godsend. 
I’ve made versions of both lasagne and enchiladas with thirty minute recipes and they both turned out very well. 
And regarding the restaurants we vowed to eat more often at…we haven’t yet. Well, we did go back to Tilth for brunch once, and it was still delicious. And we’re planning on trying Olivar for Valentine’s Day.
DRAWING: Rant time. OK, I’m in the 400-level drawing class, being taught by Zhi of course. At the beginning of the quarter he tells us that at a 400 level class we have more say in what we draw and what mediums to use and everything. That we can draw whatever we want, as long as it revolves around the figure. He had us pick out artists to research and told us to try to emulate them throughout the quarter. Sounds great and exciting, right? In reality, most of the artists we picked he dismissed and gave us someone else instead. He wants everyone to work in only charcoal all the time, and disapproves of most people’s choices for master copies and makes us do what he wants us to do instead. Also, when drawing from the figure, he tells people what exactly they should be drawing and makes them erase and start over if it’s not good enough. I mean, artistically, the guy is a genius, and I really should be humbly sitting at his feet taking whatever gems he has to offer. But I’m really really sick of it, especially when he said one thing and is doing something completely different.
On the postitive side, now that I have a decent notebook fan, I am buying art programs on my computer and drawing more often in the evenings. Not often enough…
FASHION: I have mostly been wearing comfort-clothes…lots of big gray sweaters.
Actually, I got this awesome dress from Katwise at Etsy. She makes hoodies, dresses, and arm warmers from used sweaters and blankets. I love them so much. This is the one that I bought:
I love wearing it with my baggy jeans and flats. 
GARDENING: My basil finally died. I didn’t transfer it to a new pot with new soil soon enough. 
My friend Ali brought me a beautiful white ponsettia for Christmas, but I keep forgetting to water it! I guess since it doesn’t produce food I forget that it’s alive? Anyway, I have begun watering it again with renewed vigor! XD
MAINTENANCE: Is a little more difficult this time of year. I missed laundry for two weeks, but finally got it done yesterday. I think it really helps to have the cleaners coming every two weeks…it forces us to straighten things up before they get here. Plus, having guests over helps too.
MISCELLANEOUS CRAFTS: I regret not taking ceramics/handbuilding this quarter, as two of my friends are in that class and doing awesome things. I am considering taking it next quarter, but I don’t know the teacher. I kind of want to take it with Jamie. He was awesome, and he loved David Bowie as much as I do.
I haven’t been knitting at all, or doing anything else, really.
PAINTING: I really love the portrait I did in class the other day. I love painting portraits. Love, love, love. Except when Zhi comes up and starts saying, “NO DON’T DO THAT!!” every time my brush gets near the canvas. -_- Being around him makes me feel like I’ve just had ten cups of French Roast.
Next quarter I am taking a class with Denzil Hurley for the first time. I’m excited. From what I’ve heard, his approach is much more intuitive…and I am so freaking excited.
PHOTOGRAPHY: What photography?
PHYSICAL HEALTH: I’ve been OK. I have been trying to cut back on sweets a bit (compared to Christmas), and bought frozen yogurt instead of ice cream. I still need to cut back more when it gets warmer. It will be easier when there are more interesting fruits around. I have been eating mostly apples, pears, and oranges. I’ve been flossing on the average of once a week which is better than never. I’ve been getting lazier at school and taking the elevator more often. I really should get back to the stairs, and take them more often in the apartment too.
READING: Most of what I’ve been reading has been in the realm of self-help or nothing. XD I have that Chuck Palahniuk sitting there. I really should crack it open. I’ll bet it’s great!
Well, I’d better start getting the soup on. Hope you have a great day!
