21 - On The Move Again

(c) Everyday Minimalist

It's the end of the school year. A time for my students to pack, clean, and move out. Turns out, I'm moving again, as well. I started this project last year when I moved apartments within the same building. The rooms had the same floor plan, so it was easy for me to map out and negotiate space considerations for all my stuff. My challenge this time around (besides follow up on all my unfinished craft and decor projects): fit my possessions into a smaller space.

The Pros of Moving:

• A bathroom accessible without venturing through the bedroom
• A small washer/dryer unit
• Less space for stuff; less room to clean
• South facing windows that have lush green woods behind (and minimal if not zero traffic)
• Easier access to training/fitness rooms, tennis courts, and gymnasium
• Dining area adjacent to proper kitchen area
• Better parking; closer dumpster
• Further from Cafeteria; pushes me to shop & cook more
• No lounge against my living room wall

The Cons of Moving:

• Smaller apartment (with front door opposite the student bathroom)
• Half the closet space
• Narrower bedroom and smaller living area
• Outdated appliances (including rust on the drum inside the dryer)
• Tile flooring (no carpeting)
• Too much stuff to move, so it's gotta go (I'm such a pack rat)

You can ask my mom (or just about anyone who has ever seen my room)-- I have a lot of stuff. Try as I may, I just can't seem to part with anything. Even after I lost 35 pounds, I held onto my "Fat Karen" clothes because I was too cheap to invest in new clothes late in the winter season. Even now, I am pulling out my summer clothes, and though they look ridiculous on me, letting go of them was like pulling teeth. Two weeks ago, I dropped "Fat Karen" off at the local Good Will. Hopefully her wardrobe will find happy new homes and make people somewhat fashionable.

Surveying my furniture, I definitely need to take the following with me:

• Norden Bertil Table & Chair Set (bought from a friend who returned to Japan)
• Expedit Shelving Unit (2x2; in beech)
• Antonius Baskets with Desktops (x3)
• Malm Dressing Table & Mirror
• Futon Sofa
• 1 Twin Dorm (hey, it's free!)

Items I am currently waffling over:

• Second Twin Bed: Sleeping alon in a King-sized bed is just depressing
• Current TV Table: A bit wide for the new digs
• 2 Lack Side Tables: Considering repurposing them into my coffee table
• Student Desk: pretty sure there are extra already there.
• Bookcases: Do I really need 3?
• Plastic storage drawers: I need to figure out the best underbed storage solution possible

Decisions! Decisions! What's a Girl to do?

Items I am heavily considering investing a good desk and office chair. Taking available space into consideration, I am leaning heavily on a trip to Ikea to pick up the matching Expedit desk attachment for my bookcase. This would provide a sizable workspace and would provide additional purpose to the bookcase. Option B, would be to invest in the two-piece work station and recycle my on-their-last-limbs book shelves by putting them in the lounge.

I have a terrible habit of keeping my laptop easily accessible in my bedroom, making it more difficult to power down at the end of the day. I intend on taking online writing classes this coming fall, so having a work space which easily blends into my living space is essential (especially when dealing with students). Another key piece is a solid, but not so-comfortable-that-I-spend-every-waking-moment-in-it desk chair. I am picky, so I am certain finding the right item will be a challenge. Also, trading up, I'd like a more stylish chair for my vanity area. Sadly, my plain, ole black office hair clashes with the light wood decor.
 

Oh, Howl, whisk me away...

 Can't I be swept away by Howl and his Moving Castle? That would take all the pain out of having to move so much. Plus, if I ever get a new job offer, I don't have to go house hunting, I just need to plop my marvel of machinery somewhere scenic (gotta love those magical doors)!

On top of moving, I am flying to the UK & Ireland in the same week. Double trouble! I have to figure out how to pack two week's worth of stuff, including running gear for two races in one suitcase. Better get crackin'!

20 - Arigatou Take Us With You

Living in a rural part of Japan like Tottori, I was completely submerged in (my humble opinion) the best part of the country. Far away from rush hours, skyscrapers, and any form of concrete jungle, I spent five years working among rice fields nestled between the Sea of Japan and Mount Daisen. With a locale such as Tottori, local pleasures like artisan crafts and brewed saké make for rather unique gifts.

Gifts of Appreciation
The gift giving culture in Japan is a rather unique one. In addition to selecting the proper gift for the occasion, there is a process of refusal and acceptance which takes some growing accustomed to. Spending five years anywhere leads to connections both personal and professional, provided you are not maintaining the habits of a hermit. Three years into my stint in Tottori, I moved from the capital of Tottori City in the east, to the tiny town of Nanbu, just south of the largest city, on the opposite end of the prefecture.

Leaving my job, involved a series of going away parties, formal and casual alike, and the receiving of presents, photographs, and other rather Japanese keepsakes.  Though I have a tendency to love social gatherings, I prefer the butterfly who finally gravitates to her favorite patch of flowers after all the required interaction is complete. I prefer not being the center of attention. I want fêtes to be cozy and thoughtful, not a three-ring circus full of pomp and circumstance (and unnecessary drama). Speeches, in particular, heighten the overall emotion of a party, and I hate crying in front of people, more so when I am trying to eloquently communicate a point in a foreign language.

Four Weddings and (Thankfully) No Funerals
At the time, I was in my mid-20s, along with my colleagues, and in that Japanese demographic, lots of weddings happen. First was my gal pal, Yuriko, and my colleague, Yuichi at the beginning of my second year there. Shortly thereafter, gal pal/team teacher, Aya, married her long time boyfriend, Junya. Third, was my best pal at Saihaku Elementary School, Kiyo, to Koji in Kyoto. The last was between two more of my English teacher pals, Shiho and Tomohiro, to one another! As a result, I have lots of neat stuff.

Handblown Glasses from Gallery Zou in Nawa City, Okinawa. The two cup set (photos eight and nine) came in light and royal blue. Eventually, I would like to visit Okinawa myself and collect the remaining colors: purple, red, yellow, white, and green. Images are visible in the gallery (the link to the right of 'About'). If I play my cards right, I would love to add numbers 12, 16, 17, and 18. First things first, I will be needing air fare to Japan.

The tall blue bottle (a bottle of saké) was given to me by the P.E. Department (and the school party patrol) before I left. He was the head of the grade I was assigned to, and we worked together the four years I was assigned to the high school. Mr. T. was thoughtful enough to have it personalized with my name written in Chinese characters. The perfect gift, but I still haven't opened it. I am waiting for the right occasion to celebrate.

A gift from one of the senior teachers in the Phys. Ed. Department, Mr. Nitta, this beautiful green tea bowl was made in Yazu Town by the local artist at Inkyuzan. The beautiful green is to represent the fantastic nature surrounding the little high school where we worked together. I enjoyed learning tea ceremony here and there with my friends while I lived in Japan, so he felt it was an appropriate gift. I should invest in a bamboo tea whisk and some matcha. There are some fantastic Japanese bakeries and confectionaries in NY.

I received this gorgeous hand thrown bowl at the wedding of my close friends, Tomohiro and Shiho, last  year at their wedding. It made with skillful hands at Shutoen Chinshogama, and measures 8.5"x2.5". I have no idea what to put in it, but I would love to have it on my dining room table. The clay is white washed in a glaze and given a swirl pattern. I don't know if I can bring myself to serve anything in it.

This adorable cup and saucer were a present from my colleagues at the elementary school. It was made by a local artist in Nanbu Town. Unfortunately, I cannot find the original box it came in, so I cannot chase up the maker. The white glaze is covered in a clear light blue which reminds of the skies in Tottori.  Many a warm cup of tea were taken to fight of the blistering Tottori winters without central heat.

I would like to find a way to showcase these items. They have laid in wait in boxes for far too long. Should I keep them somewhere visible like a shelf or a cabinet? What to do... what to do...

19 - Butterflies Flown the Coop

I received a beautiful set of four wine glasses, and I had completely forgotten about them until I pulled them out of the back of the closet last night. I never opened the box as items like these deserve a proper display cabinet, and someone far less clumsier than yours truly. The more I look at design magazines and watch swanky design programs, the more I crave a place of my own.

These are hand painted stemware by Lenox's Butterfly Meadow collection. Unfortunately, all the glasses in this collection are now etched glass, so if I break one of these, I need to be prepared to pay an escalated price from a collector to replace them. There are some eBay sellers that have these glasses listed, so I may try and pick up a B-string just in case.

The cabinetry I have for food and item storage is all stainless steel with no padding. The doors are heavy and they slam easily, so having something so delicate as discontinued stemware is too large of a risk. With my job being as it is, displaying adult beverage glassware would be in appropriate, even if they are this pretty and elegant. This is one set that may need to stay in the box a while longer for safe keeping.

When I look at these glasses, I wonder which color combination and style of plates and bowls would best suit these. I do not own as casual dish services nor do I own formal setting either, so that's a positive thing. I do not have to worry about matching it to anything.  Would softer colors like pink, yellow and light green be better, or something bolder like jewel tones of sapphire, ruby, and emerald bring out their beauty?

18 - Light It Up

Lamp makeover time! My mom is cleaning out the house and getting rid of things. Another thing to load up in the car when I go back to NY, but one can never have enough lighting. These lights stand close to 19" from base to bulb and each come with a click wheel switch. Currently, they are a military blue with flecks of green. The lamps have sufficient wear, especially rust as they were used outside by the pool to help light up the tables at night. So this will be one of my DIY projects once I am back at school.

Once they are finished, I think these will be nice in my bedroom. I would like to have one by my bedside as a reading light, and use the other on my dressing table. I am thinking about painting them a brighter color and giving them a colorful shade. The question is do I mix the color of the bases or just play with color on the shades? I have never done anything this crafty before, but I am rather excited. After talking with Mom, we're going to sand and prime these babies before I head back to NY. Also, the padding on the bottom needs to be replaced, but that should be a piece of cake.

I found this informative DIY Lamp Shade at Teeny Blessings. Their step-by-step walk through seems simple enough, but I'll have to take it for a test drive to make a final verdict. It is recommended that a Type C (60 Watt Max) light bulb be used, but I am curious if they are available in compact fluorescent format. Along with up-cycling items for my apartment, I want to make them greener and friendlier for our environment. The final say-so on color scheme shall wait a little longer, but I am excited about this.

17 - Easy-Breezy Doorway

One of my favorite pieces of Japanese decor is the noren, a door curtain. When I initially moved across Tottori Prefecture, my awesome colleagues in the English department gave me one as part of my farewell party. Smarty pants they are as it doubled as a house warming present for my new apartment. Since then, I have used it in four different locations, including my parents house when I returned to the US last January.

Various textiles are used for making noren, with cotton being the most popular. Often noren are used at the entrances of businesses, especially restaurants, bars, traditional Japanese-style inns (ryokan), or public bath houses. They are also used in interiors for privacy and as room dividers. The one I received was made of hemp and its dimensions are 17"x60", so I previously hung it outside my bathroom. When I lived in Japan my toilet was separate from the shower room, and there was no dressing area. The length provided my guests with privacy, and the loose weave allowed the light through so the hallway was still well lit.

The blue gradation reminds me of the Sea of Japan and the times of day in Tottori. Though it was not made in Tottori, the texture of the hemp reminds me of the rural life I once lead. The open floor plan I have in my apartment doesn't provide many convenient places to hang this piece, but I think it would be best to hang it outside my bathroom. If one were to look into my bedroom window, one would have a direct line of sight into my bathroom if the door is left open. Trying to get the steam out of the bathroom can be tricky without bathroom window to assist in the ventilation process. Also, I hang my delicates to drip dry in there as well, so I don't want passersby to find out my little secrets. 

I believe my friend, Wakako, was responsible for the selection of this item, so naturally I want to pay homage to our long running friendship. When I look at the gifts I have received from my friends, it closes the distance and helps ease the sting of homesickness. Like Gainesville, Tottori was my home for five years, so I have roots and a special place in my heart for it. I have more items I want to showcase here and in my future decor scheme. I do not want to strip away their unique character, but I also want help in making them blend seamlessly into my design plans.  

16 - The Return of Pirogoeth

When I lived in Gainesville, I was heavily into anime, manga, video games, and the fantasy genre as a whole. One of my favorite web comics at the time was MegaTokyo by Fred Gallagher and Rodney Caston. Though I haven't flicked through MT lately, I still have my framed Pirogoeth Poster. It is my full intention of having her in my living room battling it out (or defending) Conan.

I should own up to it, as I am certain it will come out eventually. I play Dungeons and Dragons. Try as a may, I am a geek girl at heart. Though I may not have an arsenal of gadgets, weapons, or other neat stuff any longer, I do have things I treasure from it. My poster was framed by a fellow gaming chica, Alison, so it carries an extra value to it. I do not have much in the wall decor department, but this is still one of my favorite pieces.

I would like to place her somewhere in the room where I can draw on her creative power. Believe it or not, I also dabble in fiction writing. I have a large expanse of wall between the intended dining and living room, so I think she may be best put there.  She comes with a brushed metal frame which matches her armor, but it is not too dark. I think my students may enjoy it as many of them love Japanese comics, but they will find it interesting that the artist is actually American. The folks at MT are celebrating their tenth anniversary, so ole Pirogoeth here has been re-released along with Broken Miho.

My copy of this poster got damaged when it was shipped to Japan. I don't know if I should get it because I don't want to overload my living room. She may look nice in my bedroom, but I am still on the fence about it, as there is this newer poster, Polesitting Miho. I don't want to hang too many dark pieces, so I may need to revisit the addition of Miho at a later date (but not too late as the former print is a limited time release).

I want to keep my apartment chic, yet I cannot help from making it a little geek, too.

15 - Partially Latina

In recent years whenever I come home, the Spanish channels on my car stereo get a workout. Though I don't understand 90% of what they are singing about, the beats just make me want to dance. I don't recommend dancing and driving, but jamming out at traffic lights is perfectly acceptable. Out of curiosity, I picked up an issue of Latina Magazine while at the drug store. Being in South Florida, I figured it would be a nice way to diversify my magazine collection, and embrace the 1/4 of my heritage that is Puerto Rican. Though Xtina looks fantastic in her article, the two reasons the magazine made it into my shopping basket were 1) "How to Throw a Fabulous Outdoor Fiesta" and 2) "Best Latin Music You Don't Know".

The New Barbecue?
When I think of summer, I always gravitate toward barbecues, dining alfresco, and starry nights. Where I currently live, I cannot throw parties or have many guests, but I think it may be a place I can test drive entertaining as I do have colleagues who I am close with. In "Seaside Fiesta", Chef Marcela Valladolid presents a beautiful spread for ten (or more) of her friends. The Food Network Star brings the love of a Mexican kitchen to the outdoors with a set of recipes (and tips) for entertaining. Unfortunately for me, half of the recipes provided have shellfish, and I have a shellfish allergy. I wrote to the magazine and ask if they have any recommended substitutes. (7/13/10) 

The table settings used in the article are a mixture of white, sea green, and magenta. The tablecloth has a beautiful floral print with accents in brights yellows, lime, and blue. I have been cleaning out my stored items in my parents house, and realized I have lots of glassware and CorningWare. Tiny kitchenette oven aside, they are begging to be put to work. If I could find a similar patterned fabric, I would love to have that table cloth. It's summery and perfect for an evening of dining and drinks with the girls.

Pump Up the Volume!
One of the things I have been interested in is dining with music. With my computer in my living area, it would be simple to put together a musical selection for the evening. Currently, I am working on chasing up the tracks listed in "The Best Latin Music You Don't Know". Some of it would be perfect for a casual dining, while the others would be better suited for a party. Not that I am opposed having a party, but not many of my friends dance. I would love to build my Latin music selection, but I would need to find a bilingual radio station or guide to follow. I think the resurgence of 'Latin Night' could be a fun way to liven up my home life. Free on iTunes Latino would be a good place to start, no?

Ana Tijoux's debut single, "1977", is currently iTunes Freebie of the Week! It has an "old-school rap" feel to it, but the Latina heat is definitely there. The artists listed are starting to make their stateside breaks, but locating them online can be difficult. It would have been helpful to have links to the artist's official sites (or SNS websites) available, especially on the Latina website. Pulling up iTunes yielded some results, but others I am still tracking down. Regardless, I loved that they represented artists from around the globe. I do have a soft spot for Latin music after seven years of middle and high school dances, but my catalog is rather meager.  

Maybe my unexplored roots are trying to tell me something. It could have been a subconscious decision to pick  up the magazine. I never really got the chance (or made the effort) to ask my Grandma Nina about her branch of the family tree. It has been ten years since we lost her to Cancer, but I hope that I can find ways to understand and embrace the other part of my culture.