Seven Random Facts....

this is for the tag from Susanna (& actually from Leah Fung too)! Sorry this is so late!

1. I am a New Yorker! Don't know if that is GOOD or BAD. But of all the places we moved to, I feel the midwest (particularly the Chicagoland area) is HOME. BUT I am a Yankees fan....sorry, CUBS & WHITE SOX!

2. I moved about nine times during my childhood (NY, GA, TN, IL & Japan). Attended two elementary schools (GA & IL), one junior high school (IL) and three high schools (IL, TN & Japan). WHEW! LOL! Now that I am married, we have moved about five times! You would think I would be used to it....just hate it. Hopefully this pace will slow down :0)

3. I am a product of an international school and very proud of that fact! How many opportunities do you get to study with classmates from so many cultures (Netherlands, UK, NZ, Australia, Mideast and European countries)?! It was like a mini-UN and very intense discussions on differing points of views = VERY COOL! My school is called the American School In Japan....yeah I know, very original! LOL! Some of our well-known alumni are Joan Fontaine (actress), Linda Purl (actress) and Edwin Reischauer (diplomat/scholar).

4. I am especially proud of my father! In the late 1950s, he was given an assignment from the founder of his company to expand the business in the U.S. During this era, anything "Made In Japan" was considered DIRT...I could write another word but I won't! LOL! Today, it is a major electronic brand that most people know! OH...he also named that brand too!

5. I am married to a Buddhist Monk (in the U.S., he's called a Rev.)! LOL!! Luckily for him, he doesn't have to shave his head...yet! If we moved to Japan and he continues this job by taking over a temple.....guess what honey! In the meantime, his day job is an executive in the financial industry.

6. I am a shy person....anyone who knows me, I know is laughing! But it's true! I have a hard time approaching a person without have major butterflies in my stomach! I forced myself to go through college sorority "rush"/recruitment so that I can become more confident! So if you see me, please I don't bite! Come up and say hello...esp. at CHA-Summer in Chicago! I will be doing a Make 'n Take at LaserLine's booth (#6703)....sneeks to be coming soon!

7. I am a mother of two "little" guys and I am not a great mom but yet they love me despite my faults! Gotta love that! One is moving on to junior high and is definitely showing the pre-teen signs! We just got him an electric scooter which he is seriously taking on the responsiblity....he is now making sure that the garage door is closed at all times! LOL! The youngest is moving his way to 5th grade! OY! Where did the time go? They are good boys....most of the time! LOL!

OK! So there are the two tags I need to get done! Exciting, huh! NOT! Thanks for reading all the way down :0)

Next post will be the sneak peeks....PROMISE!
In the meantime, have a great rest of the day!

Busted and Tagged...

all at the same time by my dear friend, Jan! LOL!

I've been too quiet 'cuz I'm burning the midnight oil getting all these designs and samples finalized for CHA. I owe you all a couple of posts....Susanne tagged me as well and sneak peeks of my second line of designs with LaserLine!

So here goes....

Yourself: slow....like to take my time
Your Partner: fast...do the next thing
Your Hair: thick...need a hair cut!
Your Mother: patient with all three kids plus "oldest" = my father!
Your Father: advisor
Your Favorite Item: my designs....in light of the situation! LOL!!
Your Dream Last Night: can't remember...is that a good thing?
Your Favorite Drink: cranberry juice with crushed ice
Your Dream Car: a convertible....not going to happen in Chicago weather!
Your Dream Home: a maintance-free one! LOL!
The Room You Are In: office/living room
Your Fear: Spiders and anything that goes bump in the night!
You Want To Be In 10 Years: mother of independent college-free kids!
Who You Hung Out With Last Night: my family
Your Not: a camping type of gal...I'm with Jan on this one!
One Of Your Wishlist Items: travel Europe!
The Last Thing You Did: jumped into the shower
You Are Wearing: Pj's
Your Favorite Weather: spring and fall (sunny, yet cool)
Your Favorite Book: The Giving Tree
Last Thing You Ate: a handful of cherries = YUM!
Your life: busy but happy!
Your Mood: calm....kids are in bed! LOL!
What Are You Thinking About Right Now: how much longer is this tag - LOL!!
Your Car: Toyota Sienna....LOVE that van :0)
What Are You Doing At The Moment: typing away
Relationship Status: Very Happily Married
What Is On Your TV: Nothing but at this hour, it's OPRAH
What Is The Weather Like: hot feels like a sauna = YUK!
When Is The Last Time You Laughed: a few minutes ago when I read Jan's blog and she tagged me a couple of days ago and I just realized it! LOL!!

Thanks for the tag, Jan! LOL!!
Anyone else reading this consider yourself tagged! Don't have a blog? Well, please feel free to post in the comments section!
Have a great night!

Happy June!!

JUNE - my birthday month (June 14th = Flag Day!) and it seems like a lot of fellow SBers' birthdays as well! So if you are a JUNE BABY => a big happy birthday wish from me! Like I say to my boys everyday "Make it a good day!"

Well, my oldest DS went off to Chicago the next day after his little brother went to Springfield. His trip wasn't as much fun as the little guy's. Apparently on his "free time" at Navy Pier, someone behind him (not from the school) pushed him and he fell. By the time he picked himself up, his group left him behind so most of the time he was wandering around looking for his group. A classmate found him but towards the end of the trip - poor Taka! He was so depressed because he wanted to buy a gift for his little brother and ended up giving him a Propel (sports drink) that HE wanted to drink later! Not to worry! A few days later, I treated him to a huge milk shake from Oberweis (sorry, FM!). Of course, he brought a camera but the only thing he took was scenery (most of the Oscar Meyer weiner car! OY!)....we will need to work on his photography skills this summer!!! LOL!

A few things that I did over May.

I sent something for Martha Stewart's contest but they were asking for layout but I didn't care....wasn't too impressed with her scrapbook/paper craft papers. BUT I did like her airmail photo mailer so I made it into a mini album of my trip to Japan (ATAMI & ITO). I need to take a picture of the back but it's stamped with Heidi Swapp's foam stamp "JAPAN" <== real simple with Ranger Ink's dabber. Loved how it turned out!











Then on National Scrapbook Day, I worked at Frozen Memories, attended a Stampin'Up event (a Japanese rep...so I was able to make some new friends = always a good thing!) and went a Creative Memories crop (met a fellow ILScrapper! Hi, Jenn!!). Thanks to CJ for letting me attend at the very last minute! PHEW!!!

Also did a layout for my youngest and his new school...











I am an independent consultant for Top Line Creations and the designers just released a new line called Runway. I love it because they are some "boy" friendly designs & colors. So I did a layout for my oldest DS on his graduation from Saturday Japanese school (6th grade). Great fun to play with this!















Currently I am working on my second release samples for LaserLine...maybe they'll let me do a sneak peek! So if you're going to CHA (Craft & Hobby Association trade show) in Chicago (Rosemont IL/Convention Center) during the weekend of July 20-22, 2007, please join me!! I'll be doing a MnT at their booth (#6703) on Friday & Saturday (10am to NOON & 2pm to 4pm both days)! Hope to see you there!