Recap: Christmas
- January 6, 2009 -
I feel like I’ve been gone from this blog for so long! I hope all of you guys had a happy Holiday Season and are ready to get up and running in 2009.
To start, anyone who still has images from the December Challenge can still send them in, I’ll get it posted within the week. Also, I was thinking of trying something a bit different for the challenge for 2009, so keep an eye out for that to come soon.
I’m playing a little catch-up here, and so here’s a recap from the Christmas celebrations here. On Christmas Eve, I went over to my fiancee’s place and celebrated with her family. With four kids, it was quite an eventful time, especially with the opening of presents.
Christmas was then held at my parent’s place, where my sisters and their in-laws came as well. We only have two little ones running around, so it was a lot more tame.
And here are a couple group pics by request: The siblings, then everyone (less one set of in-laws who left earlier)
natemathai |
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Merry Christmas!
- December 22, 2008 -
A quick little Christmas message…stay warm everybody!
Like last year, I also made a couple of Christmas cards…and again, I have no wife or kids to put on it. So which one do you like better?
The clean and crisp…
…or the vintage?
Merry Christmas Everyone! Stay safe and warm!
A Message to Parents…
- December 16, 2008 -
My parents worked really hard to provide for my siblings and I so that we wouldn’t have to struggle (they are 1st generation immigrants, moving to the US when my oldest sister was little). They allowed me to live sort of a western lifestyle without losing sight of my Indian Christian lifeline. I was able to do any thing I wanted to - I played little league baseball and basketball, participated in many sports tournaments, was a part of a chess team and volleyball team, and so forth and so on. Educationally they challenged me to strive for the best (…a B+ is nowhere close to being good enough) because they wanted me to excel in everything. Through all of this, though, my dad was never one to really show affection or encouragement (sort of an Indian-culture type thing). It’s something that I greatly got used to growing up, and something I never really longed for. My interests (somewhat obviously) were never really in line with my dad’s, as I was completely into sports (just not the ones he was in) and technology and creative arts…and that just wasn’t his style. And although he ‘allowed’ me to pursue my dreams and desires, he never really participated much.
Tonight I had dinner with my parents, which doesn’t normally happen because of our schedules. Partway through, my dad says “Remember, one Thanksgiving it snowed and we made a turkey?” Personally, I didn’t remember, but my mom was saying I was probably in Jr. High then. My dad started reminiscing (internally), then said “we should make a snowman tonight”. Normally, I laugh these off and carry on my way. But I realized my dad was being more serious than not, so I said “Alright, let’s go”. Now, for those of you not from an area that sees snow, you should only make snowmen after the snow sets for awhile so it gets hard enough to pack…right after or during snowfall its too soft. I still decided to humor my dad and we went.
After about 20 minutes of building a mountain, my dad finally accepted it and we went in. Here is what we finished it with…
What I realized though, is my dad is starting to recognize that I’m getting married in less than a year. It’s sort of as if he’s making up for lost time. He sort of re-living what he wish he did with me, but couldn’t because of how he was trying to provide for us when we were younger. But it’s better late than never. And I’m going to try my best to do my part for him over these next 9 months to help.
To the parents out there, don’t miss out on those little moments of your kid’s youth. Play with them as much as you can…you don’t want to think about what you could have done when it’s too late.
natemathai |
filed under: personalBaking Competition
- December 16, 2008 -
During my senior year of college, I attempted to create a baking competition. The rules were pretty simple- each person would make one dessert, and it would be judged on taste, presentation, and creativity. My roommates and myself would be the impartial judges, and the winner would be know as the “Best Baker”. It didn’t go over too well…not only did people not participate, but they took the time to call me selfish and just trying to get people to bake for me. It was from that point that I turned away from baking.
Well, my roommate had sort of a bake-off for his company, and so I went over to help him out a bit. He was making his secret recipe for oreo balls.
To spice up the presentation, he wanted to add a little strawberry syrup on the plate, but couldn’t get an even flow. In my quick thinking, we cut a hole in the bottom of a paper cup, and BAM! I’m a genius! “Top Chef” here I come!
We finished it all with a few mint leaves for garnish, to help portray a mini faux-Christmas tree.
Hopefully he wins!
natemathai |
filed under: personalWho Would Shoot Me… (Jesh de Rox)
- December 15, 2008 -
If there were no restrictions what-so-ever, I would also have Jesh de Rox shoot my wedding…well, maybe just the portraits. Actually, maybe just to talk to…he’s deep.
This man has done amazing things with his photography, and is most known for his work using textured images (which many try to emulate with very few duplicating). But more so than his style is his spirit. I’ve never personally met him, but through various online interactions and hearing interviews and following his work, it is evident just how much he loves life…and loves love. He doesn’t let himself be directed to fall into norms that society puts around him, and therefore is able to connect with people on a much deeper level, bringing about very powerful imagery in his work. His vision as he looks into the world is simply amazing.
check out his work: site | blog
natemathai |
filed under: personal
