My eventful week in pictures

Arts and scraps

This past Saturday, D and I went to do some volunteer work at a craft store in Detroit. The store has some sort of sentimental memories to me because my dad used to take me and Tim to this kind of craft store when we were little. Basically, they get tons of donations of overflow materials from all kinds of companies (like sponge pieces, bottle caps, buttons, unassembled paper milk cartons). Then, you can get a small paper bag and fill it up as much as you can for a few dollars, and voila! A bag of artsy materials for a kid to create to his or her heart's content.

Tim and I used to "invent" all kinds of things. I remember one time, I filled my bag up with green nail polish remover sponges (the kind you stick your finger in and swish around), and I glued plastic eyeballs on them and yarn mouths on them and stuffed the little whole with cloth for the nose to make little characters out of.

Anyway, despite how cold and early it was, it was actually a lot of fun! We organized, cleaned, fixed, and decorated their "utility" room (I think that's what it was called). It was a room purely for all their die cut machines and book binding machines. I guess during the summers, they have day craft camps for kids and these are some of the stations provided to them.

Here is a picture of a box I made into a holder for all their scissors, markers, pens, and miscellaneous stuff, and the other picture is of a die cut machine with a handle that Dusan fixed.

My first fish auction

My first fish auction was also the first auction I'd ever been to.

It was quite serious for the buyers and sellers that showed up. Everyone had very concerned, serious looks on their faces when they inspected the bags of fish and scribbled down the reference number for each fish. You know only the serious aquatic fanatics show up at these things, so you also know that the sellers and buyers really know what they're doing.

I bought a whole bunch of plants. Over a dozen small bundles of Saggitaria and a good few handfuls of Baby's Breath. The Saggitaria was dangled in a web of thick roots, so when I got home, I replanted the roots just to see what might happen.

Oh I also bought a python syphon for $11 (usually, this is nearly $60 at a store). It is 20' long and has attachments for a sink, so now I can avoid carrying buckets back and forth.

D's made a spur of the moment purchase - a real nice 45 long, gallon aquarium and stand for less than half the price of buying it brand new. The condition is great and looks like it has never really been used, although the stand is a little bit beaten up.

This means I get D's old 40 tall! I can't wait to set it up and start my aqua gardening!

But alas, we promised each other that neither of us would mess with the take down or re-build of our aquariums until school is out.

More than complicated

I don't really want to deal with the pressures of a relationship anymore, but
I enjoy his companionship and he is my best friend.

I am afraid that if the next big decision I make isn't one that gives me a chance to move, get away from away, and flee from my problems, I'll get pushed over the edge.

I am scared of making a decision to improve how unhappy I am because I'm afraid I will realize there's no one who will be strong enough to carry me if I fall.

My brother told me some really discerning things on the phone that made me cry in a heartbeat. It only proves my theory true - that the three of us are so disconnected, everyone would probably be more relieved if we weren't obligated to stick together.

Which way do I go?

I dunno if it's the beat or lyrics or what but these songs put me in kind of a foxy mood :P

Fall Out Boy - "This Ain't A Scene"
Clipse - "Ain't Cha"
Usher - "Take Your Hand"
Usher - "Bad Girl"
Gwen Stefani feat. Akon - "Sweet Escape"
Jamie Scott - "Made"