21 Favourite Things I’ve Made
In order of thought, not preference
- My bed, daily
A 30-second morning investment makes me feel I’m a superstar rocking the day!
2. My sister’s wedding cake
Baked by my brother and I for her special day, September 4th 2009 (?!), one giant Victoria sponge, one 8-hour baked pistachio cake, and one gluten-free Victoria sponge with icing.
3. Love
Or play — “caring and safe sensory exploration with a trusted other for mutual pleasure.” BOO-YAH!
4. Thank You Letters — poem in 感謝 kanji form
Positive associations of being a kid writing thank you letters after Christmas, the technical crunching I went through to get the words orchestrated to my satisfaction was laborious. Hand-writing the lines in correct kanji stroke order doubled the work-load. While I generally feel ineffective at expressing my oceans of gratitude, this poem design — and my joy performing it — help.
5. A* friends
Inspire me to be the best I can be. I bathe in their sunlight and hope they benefit from the love and gratitude I share.
6. Money
Useful stuff — moved me from debt to debt-free and now I have a financial safety net in place. Life is less stressful knowing I’m in control of my finances.
7. The decision to give away 10% of my income
More strongly enforced since becoming debt-free, I enjoy investing in people who are are working to make the world a better place, including Habele (broadening meaningful learning opportunities for Outer Islander communities in Micronesia), Wayfinding Academy (revolutionising higher education over in Oregon), and most recently, PodRide (a potential solution for Caroline Lite Island Transport).
8. My Master’s thesis
Specifically, visual presentations of findings. The concept of sustainability flowers represents my seeds to revolutionise reporting. The visuals of the four learning environments can lead to conversations about transmissive vs. transformative learning — notice how a straight line can be drawn between the (red) teacher and (blue) learners in the top right and bottom left images.
9. KnowNews Vol. II.iii Island Special
The 7th of 12 issues lovingly written, crafted, printed, folded, and posted to about 130 KnowMates around the world. Always indebted to inspiring collaboration with professional designer Jack Hagley, this issue presents my first steps in Yap, Micronesia in February 2016.
10. Trip to England to surprise my mum, March 2018
The idea popped into my head on a Tuesday morning train from Usami to Tokyo after my first no-wetsuit Pacific ocean swim of 2018 — I flew to the UK that Friday and rang the doorbell with a bouquet of flowers for mum on Saturday morning. Together we watched murmurations at Minsmere — another dream come true!
11. Smoothies
Ingredients vary depending on location, season and the global food supply chain. These days, bananas, berries, ground coconut, cocoa and turmeric feature prominently in the repertoire.
12. My awesome waterfront accommodations available to strangers
Thank you Couchsurfing — I’ve formed deep friendships with some, shared minutes with others, others still I never even met. I have vicariously traveled to 185+ countries of the world thanks to their professional traveling experiences. Others travel so I don’t have to!
13. Music
Highlights include
- Flute soloist (wearing my first fancy black dress) accompanied by Ipswich High School orchestra at Snape Malting’s concert hall, Mozart’s flute concerto in G
- performing with Colchester Youth Chamber Orchestra at London’s Royal Festival Hall
- Fol’ka Danse ensemble performance in Chambéry prison where an inmate thanked me — his daughter was learning the flute but he’d never seen or heard one
- shaking my hair furiously, second violin, Prokofiev’s Romeo et Juliet, Ipswich Orchestral Society, (especially Montagues and Capulets — YEAH!)
14. Tea
Bring Brits disproportionate pleasure — offer to make everyone a cup of tea.
15. Bird box
I believe I made this in a workshop at primary school. Enjoyed by bird families in mum’s back garden for over 20 years!
16. Lights dance
Armed with flashing colourful LEDs, I solo-rave in public for hours on end, sparking curiosity and wonder from passers by.
17. A new autograph
I was first required to sign my signature aged nine or so — I thought the objective was to scribble my name as quickly and illegibly as possible. Changing my surname by deed poll aged 20 allowed me to rectify that and design a new autograph.
18. Rules for self
Verbs which I associate with such rules: forget, remind, bend, break, revise, scrap, integrate. Current rules include “1-drink rule” (while drinking alcohol, was the last drink I drank water?), “no baked goods til Faturday” and “esteemed guests only”.
19. Space
Clear out. Make time and space available, only allow fucking amazingness into the space. Enjoy the space — experiment, explore and learn what I do and don’t like in it!
20. Eye-contact with strangers + smile (aka The Smile Game)
Walk with head held high naturally seeking eye-contact with strangers. When you make eye-contact, smile. If they return your smile, you win a point. If they do not return your smile, enjoy knowing that the world saw one more smile today thanks to YOU! My record was five consecutive points on an otherwise average morning commute at Otemachi station.
21. Dreams reality
Was it Tony Robbins who said that the only difference between dreams and reality is the price tag? Save yourself time by remembering the laws of physics too, but otherwise, “your only limitation is your imagination”. Currently I’m playing with CLIT-vans, working to be given my dream house in Usami for free, and creating the conditions for true love to flourish!
