As promised....
Happy Sunday!
love,
p. ahn
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Advance Artwork!
So, this isn't what the artwork will be when the album is released. We're still working on that! But Julia's design was just too special to not share with all of you!
I'm currently in beautiful Park City, UT for Sundance. I just played a show with St. Vincent. Ya ya ya! She is amazing!
Love,
p. ahn
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Journal #2: Last night I took my first pottery class...
Last night I took my first pottery class. I'd never done pottery ever before, except for this last trip to Japan. Mike and I made cups on a potter's wheel at a pottery shop for fun. So it inspired me to jump into taking these classes for a month at a nearby studio.
The studio deal is awesome. I have access to it whenever I want, 24/7... which I think I'll prefer to the classes in the end, because the teacher, by the end of our class, reduced me to feeling like a helpless little kid. I don't think she intentionally meant to. But somehow she did. She got mad that I didn't get all the water out of the bottom of my cup. Really? Does that invoke anger and frustration? I wasn't being ignorant. I really did try to get the water out, but the sponge I was given was a piece of crap. It was like trying to clean up a spill with a soggy diaper. I realized that basically, she was excited to get this class over and done with, so that she could go on to making her own pottery. She wasn't even really a 'teacher' per say. She taught classes in exchange for free studio space. So at 9pm, when the class was supposed to end, she was done. Leaving me and the other first timer to fend for ourselves. It's not really the way I believe in doing things... but, I guess that's the way things are done there.
For instance, our 'teacher' introduced us to the owner of the studio. An older woman who was about to apply paint colors to her piece. When she was introduced there was no warm, friendly, "Hi! Welcome!" We were barely acknowledged... including our teacher. It felt so awkward, so I blurted out, "I love your piece!", and the other beginner followed suit, "Yea, that's really amazing,".... and we got absolutely nothing in return. She kept staring at her 'piece', which was some kind of cookie jar that looked like a bird's house... like if a bird lived in a human home. Her chin was rested in deep contemplation between her thumb and forefinger, as if all she could think about was, "What color am I going to paint my cookie jar??" and we were nothing but white noise. So I guess I can see where our 'teacher' could learn this, "Fend for yourself -- tough, non-existent, love" mentality.
Anyway... I'll let you all know how my classes continue. There are other non-teacher teachers, so I will check them out and let you know how things progress. And if I actually make anything cool, I'll show you!
Now I'm off to the social security office to finally change my last name to my married name... and then I have to get ready for a premier of "Pudding Toast" tonight! Mike is the voice of an animated character who's name is Pudding Toast. He's a magical piece of Wonder Bread. I can't wait!!! It hasn't been made into a show yet, but hopefully it will be!! *Keep your fingers crossed!*
Love,
p. ahn
The studio deal is awesome. I have access to it whenever I want, 24/7... which I think I'll prefer to the classes in the end, because the teacher, by the end of our class, reduced me to feeling like a helpless little kid. I don't think she intentionally meant to. But somehow she did. She got mad that I didn't get all the water out of the bottom of my cup. Really? Does that invoke anger and frustration? I wasn't being ignorant. I really did try to get the water out, but the sponge I was given was a piece of crap. It was like trying to clean up a spill with a soggy diaper. I realized that basically, she was excited to get this class over and done with, so that she could go on to making her own pottery. She wasn't even really a 'teacher' per say. She taught classes in exchange for free studio space. So at 9pm, when the class was supposed to end, she was done. Leaving me and the other first timer to fend for ourselves. It's not really the way I believe in doing things... but, I guess that's the way things are done there.
For instance, our 'teacher' introduced us to the owner of the studio. An older woman who was about to apply paint colors to her piece. When she was introduced there was no warm, friendly, "Hi! Welcome!" We were barely acknowledged... including our teacher. It felt so awkward, so I blurted out, "I love your piece!", and the other beginner followed suit, "Yea, that's really amazing,".... and we got absolutely nothing in return. She kept staring at her 'piece', which was some kind of cookie jar that looked like a bird's house... like if a bird lived in a human home. Her chin was rested in deep contemplation between her thumb and forefinger, as if all she could think about was, "What color am I going to paint my cookie jar??" and we were nothing but white noise. So I guess I can see where our 'teacher' could learn this, "Fend for yourself -- tough, non-existent, love" mentality.
Anyway... I'll let you all know how my classes continue. There are other non-teacher teachers, so I will check them out and let you know how things progress. And if I actually make anything cool, I'll show you!
Now I'm off to the social security office to finally change my last name to my married name... and then I have to get ready for a premier of "Pudding Toast" tonight! Mike is the voice of an animated character who's name is Pudding Toast. He's a magical piece of Wonder Bread. I can't wait!!! It hasn't been made into a show yet, but hopefully it will be!! *Keep your fingers crossed!*
Love,
p. ahn
Friday, January 14, 2011
paper!
I was recently bestowed with some very cute calendars and a "dogs wearing hats"-themed paper pennant garland, from my new friend, Julia Kuo, who is a co-founder of a great new company, The Nimbus Factory. Their designs are so adorable and creative, and they're earth-friendly!
Check out my new 12 month mini-calendar pack!
You can also find other cute "nimbus" items on their website, such as recipe cards and holiday wrapping paper. They have a beautiful blog as well.
Julia has also just designed my Advance CD artwork! It's the CD that goes out to people who get to hear it before it's released. I'm not exactly sure who those people are, but alas, only they will get this very unique pre-release album cover. When it's finished, I will post so you all can see! I'm very excited about it!
love,
p. ahn
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Happy New Year!
Hi all!
I hope you all have had and are continuing to have a wonderful holiday!
I have been a little M.I.A., since I've been on my honeymoon, sharing my first Christmas with my hubby! :) We went to Thailand, and had an unreal time there. It was the honeymoon I'd always dreamed of having, and then some! And now we're in Kyoto, getting ready to ring in the New Year!
I'm so glad you liked the Crafty present ideas. I thought I'd share a few that I made. They're not very well sewn, but I still think they're very "special" in their own way.
a bewildered tissue holder
a cozy fleeze bunny scarf for a friend's baby (baby not pictured)
another tissue holder that says "friend" in Kanji
and "friend" in Korean
I hope you all have had and are continuing to have a wonderful holiday!
I have been a little M.I.A., since I've been on my honeymoon, sharing my first Christmas with my hubby! :) We went to Thailand, and had an unreal time there. It was the honeymoon I'd always dreamed of having, and then some! And now we're in Kyoto, getting ready to ring in the New Year!
I'm so glad you liked the Crafty present ideas. I thought I'd share a few that I made. They're not very well sewn, but I still think they're very "special" in their own way.
a bewildered tissue holder
a cozy fleeze bunny scarf for a friend's baby (baby not pictured)
another tissue holder that says "friend" in Kanji
and "friend" in KoreanA few new year's resolutions:
1. Meditate more regularly
2. Drink less alcohol!
3. Of course, the yearly same ol' "be more on time" (pff!)
4. Appreciate what I have more
A few goals for 2011:
1. New monthly video blogs. It's gonna happen... starting this January! I have no idea what they're going to be about... hopefully it'll be atleast 15% interesting.
2. Keep writing, and recording, and hopefully play a lot of shows to promote my new album (which I believe is due to come out in May!)
I know I have more goals than that... but those are the two that popped into my brain first that were relatively interesting.
I wish you all a Happy New Year filled with love and laughs, and some kind of new experience that involves a Wooly Willy.
love, love, love,
p. ahn
1. Meditate more regularly
2. Drink less alcohol!
3. Of course, the yearly same ol' "be more on time" (pff!)
4. Appreciate what I have more
A few goals for 2011:
1. New monthly video blogs. It's gonna happen... starting this January! I have no idea what they're going to be about... hopefully it'll be atleast 15% interesting.
2. Keep writing, and recording, and hopefully play a lot of shows to promote my new album (which I believe is due to come out in May!)
I know I have more goals than that... but those are the two that popped into my brain first that were relatively interesting.
I wish you all a Happy New Year filled with love and laughs, and some kind of new experience that involves a Wooly Willy.
love, love, love,p. ahn
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Gift Ideas
Hi!
I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! I was home for the holidays, and ate waaaaaay too much delicious Korean and Thanksgiving food. And I even got to see a little snow falling on Thanksgiving day.
Now I'm in Detroit with my hubby where he's working. I checked out this really cool website that has city guides in it to look for fun things to do while I'm here, and stumbled across their super cute and very unique gift guide. And luckily for me, it's an affordable one! All the gift ideas are $25 and under. I highly recommend checking it out for ideas: http://www.designspongeonline.com/
I think I'll be making a lot of presents this year. I bought some "Aranzi Aronzo" books while I was in England. They're books on how to make cute crafts. And you know how much I love cute things! In fact, the title of one of the books is "Cute Stuff".
I also got the book called "Baby Stuff" since so many friends have had, or are having babies. Also, at Design Sponge there are tons of DIY projects that could make really unique and special gifts.
Anyway, I have a bit of a cold now, so I'm gonna stay in bed and get back to my sewing.
I hope you all are healthy and warm...
love,
p. ahn
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Playing House
So the album is officially finished! I'm sorry for not posting anything sooner. I flew home to L.A. and 2 days later, flew to Baltimore where my Mike was working, and once we came back home together I focused on 'playing house' for the short amount of time we had together.
But yes, the record is finished, and I am so proud of it!!! There are some songs that really groove on it, and have a lot of vibe. And of course some mellow tunes as well. We recorded live to tape for the most part. And tape always captures a little 'sumthin sumthin' extra special. Sort of like film for photographs or movies. There is definitely something special to me about this album. I can't wait for you all to hear it! We're looking at a Spring release... I'll give you all a heads up though when it's getting close!
Playing house this past week has been about trying to make our L.A. Fall, feel like an east coast Fall. We did have some cooler days in there which helped make it sort of cozy. I've been making tons of soups, and a dessert where I had to make my own caramel! I literally said out loud to myself as I was whisking the caramel, "I'm making this right now. I'm making caramel!"
Baking is obviously a new thing for me. ;)
I want to share one recipe with you that is super duper easy, and perfect for the holidays, and will really impress your family and friends (especially if you're someone like me who doesn't cook a lot).
Hot Mulled Apple Cider
(based off the Barefoot Contessa)
Ingredients:
16 cups pure apple juice or fresh apple cider (basically one of those big, heavy jugs of it. I used 'Mrs. Gooch's Natural Apple Juice')
4 (2 inch) cinnamon sticks
2 oranges, peels and juice
8 whole cloves
6 star anise
Directions:
Combine it all in a big pot. Once it starts boiling, lower the heat and bring to a simmer for 5 - 10 minutes. Pour into mugs and serve!
*And if you want to add an extra touch, you can mix together cinnamon, nutmeg, and sugar in a shallow dish. Wet the rim of your mug with water and then put the rim in the dish with sugar and spices, twisting til the rim has a nice coating of the spices. Then pour in the mulled cider and serve.
** If you want to get super duper extra fancy, you can make your own whip cream and put on top! I never got that far!
Lots o' love,
p. ahn
But yes, the record is finished, and I am so proud of it!!! There are some songs that really groove on it, and have a lot of vibe. And of course some mellow tunes as well. We recorded live to tape for the most part. And tape always captures a little 'sumthin sumthin' extra special. Sort of like film for photographs or movies. There is definitely something special to me about this album. I can't wait for you all to hear it! We're looking at a Spring release... I'll give you all a heads up though when it's getting close!
Playing house this past week has been about trying to make our L.A. Fall, feel like an east coast Fall. We did have some cooler days in there which helped make it sort of cozy. I've been making tons of soups, and a dessert where I had to make my own caramel! I literally said out loud to myself as I was whisking the caramel, "I'm making this right now. I'm making caramel!"
Baking is obviously a new thing for me. ;)
I want to share one recipe with you that is super duper easy, and perfect for the holidays, and will really impress your family and friends (especially if you're someone like me who doesn't cook a lot).
Hot Mulled Apple Cider
(based off the Barefoot Contessa)
Ingredients:
16 cups pure apple juice or fresh apple cider (basically one of those big, heavy jugs of it. I used 'Mrs. Gooch's Natural Apple Juice')
4 (2 inch) cinnamon sticks
2 oranges, peels and juice
8 whole cloves
6 star anise
Directions:
Combine it all in a big pot. Once it starts boiling, lower the heat and bring to a simmer for 5 - 10 minutes. Pour into mugs and serve!
*And if you want to add an extra touch, you can mix together cinnamon, nutmeg, and sugar in a shallow dish. Wet the rim of your mug with water and then put the rim in the dish with sugar and spices, twisting til the rim has a nice coating of the spices. Then pour in the mulled cider and serve.
** If you want to get super duper extra fancy, you can make your own whip cream and put on top! I never got that far!
Lots o' love,
p. ahn
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