No pictures today, however I do have a bit more to say.
I'm in Edinburgh!!! I came up today via train (Overall I was on trains for about 6 hours today. Which is odd, come to think of it, because that is just 2.5 hours shy of my flight from Texas to London last week. Except that the train was going one speed and the plane something like 58 mph. I have no idea how fast the train was going. Fast enough, I suppose.
As we came into Scotland today, you the terrain was just magnificent. I could not believe how beautiful this country is. (Of course, I am half British, so I'm not really allowed to like it. ;) Or at least, half of me is not allowed to like it.) The rolling hills and the view of the sea put me in a permanent state of saying "Oh, wow" every fifteen seconds or so. I spent most of the train ride up listening to my iPod and knitting a the remainder of a sock, and then the last hour or so just staring outside the window with the look of awe on my face. It was fantastic.
I kept on seeing sheep, cows, and horses on farms. When I saw the sheep, I smiled and thought "Baby yarn" :) It's wool that just hasn't found its place in the world. (Why yes, I am a nerd. Thank you for noticing!)
So I am here in Edinburgh with my mother's cousin, Cathy, and her adorable little terrier dog named Casper. (He seems to like me. He's sleeping at my feet right now.) I was just in my bedroom and Casper hopped up onto my bed and curled up into a little ball and fell asleep. He is the cutest little dog. (Not as cute as Topher, of course.) And even better, my allergies/asthma isn't bothering me with him. (I won't get too hopeful though. I don't want to jinx it!!)
Alright, well I'm going to go knit a bit more of my sock and watch the news or something with Cathy. More on Edinburgh when I see more of it!
Monday, June 30, 2008
Sunday, June 29, 2008
A blog with pictures!
Edited to Add: If you want to enlarge the photos, because they won't link properly (Grr) go to the properties and enter the link into your address bar. Or visit my photobucket account: http://s300.photobucket.com/albums/nn16/pentothepaper18/
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Welcome to June 29, when Stefanie acutally puts two and two together and realizes that she has a portable storage device that she can plug in anywhere to upload photos.
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Welcome to June 29, when Stefanie acutally puts two and two together and realizes that she has a portable storage device that she can plug in anywhere to upload photos.
Here I will give you a photo tour of my time here... or what I have photographed of it. Not much, to be honest... because I know what my Aunt and Uncle's house looks like, and I don't need 20 photos taking up space on my hard drive of their house on different years.
Look at the sign at the airport: No piggybacking. What?! I love piggyback rides!! (Yes, I know what it really means... I just think it's funny.)
Here's a picture of the sunset from the plane
Look at the picture of the fawn that keeps appearing in their yard. It was making this adorable little squeaking noise while I took this photo.
And this is Guildford, the closest largeish town/villagey thing.
And this is my first Yarn Shops of Europe excursion.
And this is the Duke of Kent school that we passed on our way up to Leith Hill Tower. Isn't that the most amazingly beautiful building? It's a school for children something like age 9-13.
And this is Leith Hill Tower. We had to hike up the hill (not very far, but very steep) to get to it. It was so amazing to stand on top of the tower though. You have this panoramic view of England around it.
This is the Panorama view to the North (The North Pole, a sign said, is 2894 miles away. and kind of to the 45 degre angle from the center of this photo).
This is a panoamic view to the South from the tower.
This is my Aunt and Uncle through the bushes.
And this is the worlds most comfortable tree. When you climb up, you can lie along that branch to the right and your whole body just fits in. There's even a little nook that your head can rest in... quite lovely. I took a little nap in the tree for about 15 minutes before my Aunt came by to say that we were leaving.
And this is the cutest labrador I've ever seen. :)
And there you have it. A scenic tour of England thus far. I'll be going up to Scotland tomorrow, so you can expect a significantly larger number of photos to come by there.
I have just opened a new photobucket account for this trip! But if I don't send you pictures via that, I'll be uploading them here regularly.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Assorted things
Today I didn't do much of anything. Ali and Jacqueline barged into my room at 10:20 because, their ride was here to pick them up for cricket practice, and they came home around 12:30 from that (during which I woke up, fixed myself breakfast, and did laundry) and then they watched tv and got a call from their friends, who came and picked them up at 2:30 and brought them back around 6:30. And then I cooked a lasagna, played cricket with Ali (I relatively [but not really] know how to play now. And Ali is getting better at bowling the ball, so I am alright at hitting it.) and then had an impromptu volleyball tournament, which consisted of me playing by the rules of volleyball and them just smacking the ball around with everything but their feet. I let them win, of course.
And here I am. It's nearly 11, and I've just had a shower. The shower that they have here is magnificent. The water pressure is good (A "hallelujah" in itself) and the design is great too. The kids are in bed, and Neil and Anne are due back from their day trip to France in about an hour, at the soonest. So for just a little while longer, I have the house to myself.
When Jacqueline went off to bed about an hour ago, she informed me that in the morning she would be making pancakes, and asked if I wanted any. I said I would love some, and she could wake me up in the morning if she wanted to so that I could have some of them fresh, and not at the normal time a teenager would wake up for breakfast: Lunch. Her face just lit up and looked so excited that she had permission to wake me up. It was one of the most adorable things. I told her, "Just not obscenely early, please."
That's all for tonight!
And here I am. It's nearly 11, and I've just had a shower. The shower that they have here is magnificent. The water pressure is good (A "hallelujah" in itself) and the design is great too. The kids are in bed, and Neil and Anne are due back from their day trip to France in about an hour, at the soonest. So for just a little while longer, I have the house to myself.
When Jacqueline went off to bed about an hour ago, she informed me that in the morning she would be making pancakes, and asked if I wanted any. I said I would love some, and she could wake me up in the morning if she wanted to so that I could have some of them fresh, and not at the normal time a teenager would wake up for breakfast: Lunch. Her face just lit up and looked so excited that she had permission to wake me up. It was one of the most adorable things. I told her, "Just not obscenely early, please."
That's all for tonight!
Friday, June 27, 2008
Thoughts of Trees, Thinking and Accents
It rained today.
(Surprise!!)
I didn't rain much, but rain it did. I went out for a bit of a walk in the rain. There's this piece of woodland right behind my uncle's house that is just so beautiful, I can't help but stay out of it. The trees are so tall back there... you can hear them whisper to one another. Being back there makes you really believe in eternity. I've been going back there for a few minutes every few hours just to hear the trees tell me to be quiet and slow down.
Getting used to the cold weather. It's rather like Texas in November. A solid 65 degrees or so. And windy. I complain, but it's a really nice culture shock. Perhaps I will knit some mittens.
Aside from picking up Jaqueline and Ali from school and watching Ali play a lot of Football (I am half british. I'm allowed to take up British words, right?) the day has gone by rather uneventfully. I think that Uncle Neil is about to start dinner.
Being out here, I really have to fight speaking in a british accent. As it is, I've started thinking with a British accent. I feel tht I may end up relaxing into one while I'm here. That is, if I don't decide to freak people out by creating a Texan accent for myself. (Hey yall! Whats a happenin' out here?)
(Surprise!!)
I didn't rain much, but rain it did. I went out for a bit of a walk in the rain. There's this piece of woodland right behind my uncle's house that is just so beautiful, I can't help but stay out of it. The trees are so tall back there... you can hear them whisper to one another. Being back there makes you really believe in eternity. I've been going back there for a few minutes every few hours just to hear the trees tell me to be quiet and slow down.
Getting used to the cold weather. It's rather like Texas in November. A solid 65 degrees or so. And windy. I complain, but it's a really nice culture shock. Perhaps I will knit some mittens.
Aside from picking up Jaqueline and Ali from school and watching Ali play a lot of Football (I am half british. I'm allowed to take up British words, right?) the day has gone by rather uneventfully. I think that Uncle Neil is about to start dinner.
Being out here, I really have to fight speaking in a british accent. As it is, I've started thinking with a British accent. I feel tht I may end up relaxing into one while I'm here. That is, if I don't decide to freak people out by creating a Texan accent for myself. (Hey yall! Whats a happenin' out here?)
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Play the game
Guess what I'm wearing today?
No. Guess again.
No. Eew.
No. Mother, not crocs!
Alright I'll tell you:
Long sleeves. And a sweatshirt.
I understand that am much farther north than I am used to, but damn. I love me some tank tops! And shorts! I've practically lived all summer in shorts, in weather that, when you breathe, makes your tongue sizzle. Bring me back my hot weather!
Today has been lovely so far. I was woken up with a cup of tea at 8:30 (For those keeping score at home, that's 2:30 in the morning, Texas time.) and went into town with my Aunt. We picked up some glasses for her and I found the Local Yarn Store around here, which is more like a Local Craft Store. It was full of all sorts of crafting, from sewing to needlepoint to knitting, and I picked up some lovely Bamboo yarn that was just so soft I had to get some. I think I'll make myself some gloves because it's SO DAMNED COLD here.
(Alright, alright. It's like 70 degrees in the shade. But the wind is blowing and I'm cold.)
So, speaking of yarn, it turns out that all I have to do is waft a hand-knit sock under people's noses just to make them pick up the needles. (Barb, take notes. ;) ) I brought my knitting down with me while my cousins were having tea (which is supper for the littl'uns, generally.) and and Anne walked right into her back room where she kept a pair of needles and some big chunky pink yarn she was knitting Jaqueline's scarf with, and later that night, she was knitting on it! At the store, she picked up enough wool for a cute little jacket.
Well, I think that that's enough time on the computer. I feel like I should be social while I'm here, seeing as how I'm only ever here once every few years. Ali and Jaqueline are playing soccer (Ahem. Football.) outside, so maybe I'll go and watch them.
(In my Jacket and long sleeves.)
No. Guess again.
No. Eew.
No. Mother, not crocs!
Alright I'll tell you:
Long sleeves. And a sweatshirt.
I understand that am much farther north than I am used to, but damn. I love me some tank tops! And shorts! I've practically lived all summer in shorts, in weather that, when you breathe, makes your tongue sizzle. Bring me back my hot weather!
Today has been lovely so far. I was woken up with a cup of tea at 8:30 (For those keeping score at home, that's 2:30 in the morning, Texas time.) and went into town with my Aunt. We picked up some glasses for her and I found the Local Yarn Store around here, which is more like a Local Craft Store. It was full of all sorts of crafting, from sewing to needlepoint to knitting, and I picked up some lovely Bamboo yarn that was just so soft I had to get some. I think I'll make myself some gloves because it's SO DAMNED COLD here.
(Alright, alright. It's like 70 degrees in the shade. But the wind is blowing and I'm cold.)
So, speaking of yarn, it turns out that all I have to do is waft a hand-knit sock under people's noses just to make them pick up the needles. (Barb, take notes. ;) ) I brought my knitting down with me while my cousins were having tea (which is supper for the littl'uns, generally.) and and Anne walked right into her back room where she kept a pair of needles and some big chunky pink yarn she was knitting Jaqueline's scarf with, and later that night, she was knitting on it! At the store, she picked up enough wool for a cute little jacket.
Well, I think that that's enough time on the computer. I feel like I should be social while I'm here, seeing as how I'm only ever here once every few years. Ali and Jaqueline are playing soccer (Ahem. Football.) outside, so maybe I'll go and watch them.
(In my Jacket and long sleeves.)
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Finland, finland, finland. That's the country for me!
(I said England.)
(For those of you who are looking at this blog and thinking "What the hell is she on?!" I'm referring to Monty Python. Which should explain it all.)
So I am here in ENGLAND. And it's like...cold. I was wearing my jacket earlier. I won't say that I want the 100+ degree weather back, but a little sunshine isn't tough, is it? It's like 70 degrees outside!
As far as flights, everything went swimmingly. My flight from dallas landed on time at 4:30ish, and then I sat in a comfy lounge next to a starbucks for an hour and a half or so and watched a movie on my iPod. And then I got on my plane to England, sat next to a lovely woman, and prepared myself for the long haul. I only slept about an hour and a half on the plane before giving up... but that seemed to be enough for me. (I did take a nap for an hour when I got to my uncle's house.)
And miracle of miracles, everything went ridiculously well when we landed. I got off the plane, waltzed through passport control (there was no line. Seriously.) and onto baggage claim, where my bags were like 3rd and 5th off, because they were just there. It was perfect. And then I went to meet Uncle Neil, he drove me to his house, and I've just taught Jaqueline and Alistair (my cousins) how to play baseball correctly... ish. They seem to combine cricket and baseball well enough that it makes it a lot more fun. They're going to teach me how to play cricket tomorrow, I think. Should be interesting.
I don't want to spend too much time on the computer, because I have to be a good guest and all that. ;) I had 20 emails to sort through when I got here, and that took a while.
So far, things are good here, and though I'm a little catatonic from lack of sleep, I think that I'll be able to function well enough for another few hours until bedtime.
More soon!! And hopefully pictures, if I can get my computer to connect to the wireless internet here. I have the cutest picture of a baby deer that you would love to see. (Right? Good.)
(For those of you who are looking at this blog and thinking "What the hell is she on?!" I'm referring to Monty Python. Which should explain it all.)
So I am here in ENGLAND. And it's like...cold. I was wearing my jacket earlier. I won't say that I want the 100+ degree weather back, but a little sunshine isn't tough, is it? It's like 70 degrees outside!
As far as flights, everything went swimmingly. My flight from dallas landed on time at 4:30ish, and then I sat in a comfy lounge next to a starbucks for an hour and a half or so and watched a movie on my iPod. And then I got on my plane to England, sat next to a lovely woman, and prepared myself for the long haul. I only slept about an hour and a half on the plane before giving up... but that seemed to be enough for me. (I did take a nap for an hour when I got to my uncle's house.)
And miracle of miracles, everything went ridiculously well when we landed. I got off the plane, waltzed through passport control (there was no line. Seriously.) and onto baggage claim, where my bags were like 3rd and 5th off, because they were just there. It was perfect. And then I went to meet Uncle Neil, he drove me to his house, and I've just taught Jaqueline and Alistair (my cousins) how to play baseball correctly... ish. They seem to combine cricket and baseball well enough that it makes it a lot more fun. They're going to teach me how to play cricket tomorrow, I think. Should be interesting.
I don't want to spend too much time on the computer, because I have to be a good guest and all that. ;) I had 20 emails to sort through when I got here, and that took a while.
So far, things are good here, and though I'm a little catatonic from lack of sleep, I think that I'll be able to function well enough for another few hours until bedtime.
More soon!! And hopefully pictures, if I can get my computer to connect to the wireless internet here. I have the cutest picture of a baby deer that you would love to see. (Right? Good.)
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
5 hours 35 minutes
Right now I'm in mom's office drinking this iced coffee that is so strong that it's kind of yucky. Blech.
Mom misplaced my American passport (whoops!) and we tore the house apart yesterday trying to find it... but couldn't. So, this morning I woke up early (7:30...) and we went to the courthouse to apply for a new one. Everything went smoothly. It took about 20 minutes max. We drove over to mom's office, and mom is in her meeting for a bit, so I've commandeered her computer to send emails and blog.
(This coffee is disgusting. I don't know why I keep drinking it.)
I've just finished writing up the last of my thank you notes for graduation. Please don't send me any more gifts. I'm done with thank-you's until Christmas. ;)
(I just took another sip of coffee... why?!)
I keep waiting for someone to walk into the office and ask for mom. My answer will be something along the lines of "I'm pretending to be Cara today. Is it working?"
To update you all on knitting, here are the finished socks with the lovely yarn that Barb gave me, as well as a shrug that I made last week.
(I ran out of the turquoise yarn. Whoops. In any case, the yarn that I used was Malabrigo... and I can't remember the flavor.)
So I've wasted 10 minutes. 5hours 25 minutes to go.
Monday, June 23, 2008
17 hours and 25 minutes
I can't go to sleep because I keep thinking of something that I haven't done.
-I've showered.
-I've packed my books
-I've petted my yarn
-I've put all of my pounds and euros into my travel wallet. (I have about a million english pennies and 20 pounds in notes. :) And like 10 euros. In change.)
-I've charged and updated my iPod
-I've packed my chargers
-I've packed shampoos and readied my toiletries.
-I've shoved my sunglasses into a bag somewhere
-I just remembered to pack my teddy. Her name is Fanya. Perhaps she'll come on the plane with me...
I have to go to bed...
I will go to bed...
Crap. I can't sleep.
(Sigh.)
-I've showered.
-I've packed my books
-I've petted my yarn
-I've put all of my pounds and euros into my travel wallet. (I have about a million english pennies and 20 pounds in notes. :) And like 10 euros. In change.)
-I've charged and updated my iPod
-I've packed my chargers
-I've packed shampoos and readied my toiletries.
-I've shoved my sunglasses into a bag somewhere
-I just remembered to pack my teddy. Her name is Fanya. Perhaps she'll come on the plane with me...
I have to go to bed...
I will go to bed...
Crap. I can't sleep.
(Sigh.)
Countdown
There are 24 hours and 25 minutes until I board my plane to Chicago... and then onto Europe.
(AHHHH!!!!)
Things I still have to do:
1) Pack things in a suitcase (everything is laid out on the guest room bed)
2) Choose DVDs to bring
3) Choose books to bring
4) Pet yarn that I cannot bring
5) Buy/forage snacks to eat on flight over (something sweet, something salty, etc.)
6) Check for any electrical cords that I may be forgetting (cell phone charger, camera charger, ipod connector...)
7) Hug my mom. A lot.
That's all I can think of right now...
(AHHHH!!!!)
Things I still have to do:
1) Pack things in a suitcase (everything is laid out on the guest room bed)
2) Choose DVDs to bring
3) Choose books to bring
4) Pet yarn that I cannot bring
5) Buy/forage snacks to eat on flight over (something sweet, something salty, etc.)
6) Check for any electrical cords that I may be forgetting (cell phone charger, camera charger, ipod connector...)
7) Hug my mom. A lot.
That's all I can think of right now...
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Saturday, what a day
Today was a long, day.
But I got to spend it with my both my mother and my friends :)
This morning, (well, it was morning to me. The clock might have read 'PM', but that's a trivial matter.) I went shopping for some last minute stuff like socks and antibacterial hand soap for my trip. We went to WalMart, at which mom told me to not call her by her name, but Giji Faluzie (did I spell it right?) I told her that if she had a fake name for WalMart excursions, I should have one too (I'm Fifi LeFluff.)
On the way home, mom mentioned that it looked like rain.
It didn't rain, it was literally like the floodgates had opened. The rain and the thunder were incredible. There was one lightning bolt that couldn't have been a mile away. It was instant light and sound, and the amplitude of the sound made me jump about a foot into the air. It scared the crap out of me.
But after that, the rain died down and the afternoon wore on.
Brandlyn and Alek came over and we played N64 games (Heck yes!), we ordered a pizza, we laughed really loud, we watched really corny Anime... it was awesome.
And I got a new toy today! (Mom helped me buy it. :) )
(It's an iTouch. And I lurve it.)
Thursday, June 19, 2008
College Orientation Day 3
I didn't journal today... so you're back to your pre-programmed blogging.
Today started off at a reasonably earlyish time. My roommates and I left our rooms at 8:30 and went to go look at available classes online at one of the computer areas near the cafe. I outlined my ideal schedule and trotted on over to the starbucks to grab a coffee and just hang out. Well, around 11, I was desperately bored, so I trotted on over to my car, got in it, found that a coke that I had left in it EXPLODED. As in, the top was basically clear off... so I'll be cleaning that sometime tonight. Ick. Luckily, it probably just foamed a lot and settled into the little area and just got sticky, because I didn't see little sticky coke marks all over the interior of my car, just in the half-foot radius around the offending cherry coke zero. Apparently my black car gets pretty hot in the 106 degree weather.
You heard me. 106. Degrees. Fahrenheit. (Not Kelvin...)
I progammed my local yarn store into my GPS system (which I now officially love a lot more than I would have had I been staying in Austin) and I drove the 10 minutes over to the store. I chatted with the lady working there (the owner? Probably.) and she pointed me to patterns and yarn that were simply delicious. So I picked up a few things (I have to support my LYS, don't I?) and I went back to my apartment, watched a movie, knitted a bit of a sock, and went to talk to my advisor. After that, I registered for classes, and left.
I am thrilled about the classes I'll be taking: Algebra, Freshman Comp, Elementary French, Intro to American Politics, and Astronomy. (Hooray!)
Wanna know the best part about my schedule? It was my ideal one. I go to about 2pm every day, and I have no 8am classes, and I am so excited! I was advised to CLEP Spanish, so that I can perhaps get extra language credits, and I can still take French, which I've wanted to learn for many years.
Well I am going to watch tv, knit a bit, and enjoy the empty house.
Today started off at a reasonably earlyish time. My roommates and I left our rooms at 8:30 and went to go look at available classes online at one of the computer areas near the cafe. I outlined my ideal schedule and trotted on over to the starbucks to grab a coffee and just hang out. Well, around 11, I was desperately bored, so I trotted on over to my car, got in it, found that a coke that I had left in it EXPLODED. As in, the top was basically clear off... so I'll be cleaning that sometime tonight. Ick. Luckily, it probably just foamed a lot and settled into the little area and just got sticky, because I didn't see little sticky coke marks all over the interior of my car, just in the half-foot radius around the offending cherry coke zero. Apparently my black car gets pretty hot in the 106 degree weather.
You heard me. 106. Degrees. Fahrenheit. (Not Kelvin...)
I progammed my local yarn store into my GPS system (which I now officially love a lot more than I would have had I been staying in Austin) and I drove the 10 minutes over to the store. I chatted with the lady working there (the owner? Probably.) and she pointed me to patterns and yarn that were simply delicious. So I picked up a few things (I have to support my LYS, don't I?) and I went back to my apartment, watched a movie, knitted a bit of a sock, and went to talk to my advisor. After that, I registered for classes, and left.
I am thrilled about the classes I'll be taking: Algebra, Freshman Comp, Elementary French, Intro to American Politics, and Astronomy. (Hooray!)
Wanna know the best part about my schedule? It was my ideal one. I go to about 2pm every day, and I have no 8am classes, and I am so excited! I was advised to CLEP Spanish, so that I can perhaps get extra language credits, and I can still take French, which I've wanted to learn for many years.
Well I am going to watch tv, knit a bit, and enjoy the empty house.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
College Orientation Day 2
So I know that I posted day 1 this morning, but in any case here is the second day.
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7:53 AM
Woke up at 6 and hit snooze for an entire hour. Tee hee hee. I only have a few moments to write, and as nothing has really happened yet today, that’s not a problem. I finally managed an internet connection (civilization! Yes!) and I uploaded to blogger my journal entries from yesterday. This morning started off smoothly. I ate breakfast (though I never do. I can’t eat right after I wake up. Just not hungry. Anyway, so I forced down some hashbrowns, bacon, and fruit and came out here to find my internet connection. (yay!) They keep warning us that today is going to be a very long, long day. Yesterday was long too… I suppose I better brace myself.
9:49 AM
Just finished a meeting about signing up for classes and a requirement for what classes the CAP program requires. It was good and informative… but man. All I can think about is how much my arms hurt! It turns out that playing volleyball for the first time without stretching or warming up or whatever is a bad idea. My shoulders are so tense you would think the muscles were replaced with rocks and I can’t stretch out my arms without cringing. Ow.
4:43 PM
The day isn’t yet done, and I am already ready to go to bed! I’m not suffering from Too Many People syndrome today, I even sat down and chatted with some of the girls I played volleyball with last night. I bought a frappaccino and they asked me if I wanted to sit and hang out for a bit. We attended a class (well, a neurobiologist lectured about the brain retains memories for an hour) and then we had a dance off (which was hilarious) and then watched a slide show and they talked… more.
6:25 PM
I got distracted by my roommates, who sucked me into a(nother) conversation about meal plans and housing. We ended up doing calculations to figure out what the best meal plan is, and eventually decided on one. And then we gossiped about leaders and other people here… because that’s what teenage girls do, of course. Found a really nice girl who I’ve been chatting with. She’s also into music and theater, and she’s a big-time soprano girl who has had voice lessons and everything. She’s got me beat, but we share a lot of the same interests. Perhaps I will actually have a friend here in the fall.
9:16 PM
Okay, so I have to take back what I said about the gay guy. He still bitches and moans about things a lot, but he’s actually a really cool guy to talk to. The evening was spent in one last, final (ahhh…) advisory lecture and right now there is a pool party going on outside. It looks kind of fun (ish) but I’m not sure that I’m going to go and spend a lot of time there. Tomorrow we have to meet with an academic advisor. I know that I’ll go, but I am scheduled at 3 pm.
10:16 PM
Okay, so I keep getting off track. I just moved outside into the courtyard of Chaparral, which is where the housing for the orientation is being held… which is also the only spot I get internet access at. No complaints. It’s the perfect night tonight. It’s about 85 degrees outside, not humid, the sun’s long set, and I am not holed up in my room. I’ve been trying to figure out how to occupy my day tomorrow until 3. I think that I’ll probably start at 9 or so (this depends on whether they will be serving breakfast until then. I have no idea… Actually, I just remembered. I don’t have to restrict myself to staying on campus. Doi.) So yeah. 9 sounds good. Then I think I will make my way leisurely around the campus, perhaps purchase a few things from the bookstore on campus, grab some starbucks on the wonderfully fully-functioning location on campus (I can hear the Hallelujah chorus. Can you?) And then depending on what I feel like, I’ll head on over to Yarnivore, my new LYS in San Antonio. I’ve been reading reviews and stuff online, and everyone’s given the store 5 stars and has had lovely things to say about it. Also, it’s about 10 minutes away from the campus. So perhaps I’ll yarn for a while, eat lunch at the stores across the street (Or back on campus. I’m not picky.) and then I’ll head on over to my meeting, register for classes, and then be on my merry way. I won’t have to get out of the dorm room until 6:30 at the latest (and then they start to fine us) so I’ll have plenty of time to put things back into my car in a leisurely fashion that won’t KILL my arms. Have I mentioned yet how much my arms hurt from volleyball yet today? I’m going to mention it again. I can’t stretch or fully extend my arms without PAIN. I complain, but… well, I’m thrilled, really. I used to love playing volleyball. It was so much fun. I was good, too. Not Club kind of good, but I really enjoyed it. And I had a killer overhand serve. I kind of feel like I’m doing my mom proud when I play. I know she used to play… and I’ve never been what she expected. She was a jock in high school… I was the theater geek. Total opposites. I don’t want to ramble on and on about the differences between my mom and I, but I guess what I’m saying is that I feel like I’m connecting with her on an entirely different level when I play a sport. I’m totally going to do intramural volleyball in the fall. It will rock, and I know it. And while I work on that overhand, I have a pretty badass underhand. Well, I think I’m going to check my email a last time, maybe watch a little youtube, make an appearance at the pool party, and then go into my room.
-----
7:53 AM
Woke up at 6 and hit snooze for an entire hour. Tee hee hee. I only have a few moments to write, and as nothing has really happened yet today, that’s not a problem. I finally managed an internet connection (civilization! Yes!) and I uploaded to blogger my journal entries from yesterday. This morning started off smoothly. I ate breakfast (though I never do. I can’t eat right after I wake up. Just not hungry. Anyway, so I forced down some hashbrowns, bacon, and fruit and came out here to find my internet connection. (yay!) They keep warning us that today is going to be a very long, long day. Yesterday was long too… I suppose I better brace myself.
9:49 AM
Just finished a meeting about signing up for classes and a requirement for what classes the CAP program requires. It was good and informative… but man. All I can think about is how much my arms hurt! It turns out that playing volleyball for the first time without stretching or warming up or whatever is a bad idea. My shoulders are so tense you would think the muscles were replaced with rocks and I can’t stretch out my arms without cringing. Ow.
4:43 PM
The day isn’t yet done, and I am already ready to go to bed! I’m not suffering from Too Many People syndrome today, I even sat down and chatted with some of the girls I played volleyball with last night. I bought a frappaccino and they asked me if I wanted to sit and hang out for a bit. We attended a class (well, a neurobiologist lectured about the brain retains memories for an hour) and then we had a dance off (which was hilarious) and then watched a slide show and they talked… more.
6:25 PM
I got distracted by my roommates, who sucked me into a(nother) conversation about meal plans and housing. We ended up doing calculations to figure out what the best meal plan is, and eventually decided on one. And then we gossiped about leaders and other people here… because that’s what teenage girls do, of course. Found a really nice girl who I’ve been chatting with. She’s also into music and theater, and she’s a big-time soprano girl who has had voice lessons and everything. She’s got me beat, but we share a lot of the same interests. Perhaps I will actually have a friend here in the fall.
9:16 PM
Okay, so I have to take back what I said about the gay guy. He still bitches and moans about things a lot, but he’s actually a really cool guy to talk to. The evening was spent in one last, final (ahhh…) advisory lecture and right now there is a pool party going on outside. It looks kind of fun (ish) but I’m not sure that I’m going to go and spend a lot of time there. Tomorrow we have to meet with an academic advisor. I know that I’ll go, but I am scheduled at 3 pm.
10:16 PM
Okay, so I keep getting off track. I just moved outside into the courtyard of Chaparral, which is where the housing for the orientation is being held… which is also the only spot I get internet access at. No complaints. It’s the perfect night tonight. It’s about 85 degrees outside, not humid, the sun’s long set, and I am not holed up in my room. I’ve been trying to figure out how to occupy my day tomorrow until 3. I think that I’ll probably start at 9 or so (this depends on whether they will be serving breakfast until then. I have no idea… Actually, I just remembered. I don’t have to restrict myself to staying on campus. Doi.) So yeah. 9 sounds good. Then I think I will make my way leisurely around the campus, perhaps purchase a few things from the bookstore on campus, grab some starbucks on the wonderfully fully-functioning location on campus (I can hear the Hallelujah chorus. Can you?) And then depending on what I feel like, I’ll head on over to Yarnivore, my new LYS in San Antonio. I’ve been reading reviews and stuff online, and everyone’s given the store 5 stars and has had lovely things to say about it. Also, it’s about 10 minutes away from the campus. So perhaps I’ll yarn for a while, eat lunch at the stores across the street (Or back on campus. I’m not picky.) and then I’ll head on over to my meeting, register for classes, and then be on my merry way. I won’t have to get out of the dorm room until 6:30 at the latest (and then they start to fine us) so I’ll have plenty of time to put things back into my car in a leisurely fashion that won’t KILL my arms. Have I mentioned yet how much my arms hurt from volleyball yet today? I’m going to mention it again. I can’t stretch or fully extend my arms without PAIN. I complain, but… well, I’m thrilled, really. I used to love playing volleyball. It was so much fun. I was good, too. Not Club kind of good, but I really enjoyed it. And I had a killer overhand serve. I kind of feel like I’m doing my mom proud when I play. I know she used to play… and I’ve never been what she expected. She was a jock in high school… I was the theater geek. Total opposites. I don’t want to ramble on and on about the differences between my mom and I, but I guess what I’m saying is that I feel like I’m connecting with her on an entirely different level when I play a sport. I’m totally going to do intramural volleyball in the fall. It will rock, and I know it. And while I work on that overhand, I have a pretty badass underhand. Well, I think I’m going to check my email a last time, maybe watch a little youtube, make an appearance at the pool party, and then go into my room.
College Orientation Day 1
I'm going to introduce yall to a sort of diary of mine. Two years ago, when I went to Washington DC for 10 days with a youth leadership program, what I did to keep sane amongst the constant movement of the program was keep a sort of journal. I would whip it out and write down what I'd done, what my thoughts were, and whatever else came to mind at the time. I recorded the date and time at the top of each page and, looking back, I think that was the best thing I've ever really done. I recorded both my thoughts and my actions, and I cherish that diary that I kept all summer.
Well, it turns out that Freshman Orientation at UTSA is quite the same. A lot of movement, and a lot of thought going on in my head. So, while I have found an internet connection that totally doesn't suck, I'm going to type up my entries from yesterday.
-----
6/17/08
5:29 pm
Have to leave for the next round of activities in five minutes. Have been kept going since 8:30 this morning, with no free time (except for about half an hour before lunch… at 2:30.) Skipping dinner at the moment because I just can’t eat anything real right now… munching on popcorn, though. J I mean, it’s 5:30, I can’t eat 3 hours later. In any case, I’m suffering from Too Many People syndrome again. I’ve been in close proximity to many strangers for the entire day, and I’m ready to lose myself in an internet connection (which I can’t seem to make. So that opportunity is out the window) or a book (I haven’t got time to really read right now). All day they’ve been talking to us about placement tests, courses that you’ll take, things you’ll deal with, the police and counseling system… All of which I know that I’ll find useful in a few months, but that’s just it. It’s a few months away. Now I have to leave for a Team Huddle for Group A at 5:35.
10:01 pm
Turns out the plans they had for us wasn't so bad. A tour around the campus and rec center time! I played oodles of volleyball and had a wonderful time. And at the very end of the game (well, we weren't keeping score) I got my overhand serve!! I’d been doing really well with my underhand serve and when it stopped being competitive, I tried my overhand a few times. Failed up until the end. I haven’t got much to complain about, but some people are real bitches here. There’s one gay guy who is in my small(ish) group (of 30 people) who can’t seem to find the joy in anything. He just talks about how much he wants to get away from here and go shopping or clubbing. My roommates are great girls. Different enough from me to make me feel like I’m not quite part of things, but we share enough of the same opinions (as well as situation) that I can’t see myself disliking them. Right now I’m waiting for one of them (Leah…?) to get out of the shower so I can hop in an de-grunge myself.
6/18/08
12:20 AM
In bed at the moment. I just chatted with Leah and Lauren for about an hour and a half. Well, they mostly talked and I mostly listened. It turns out that I might be a good listener about other people’s stories better than I am at adding my own input. Weird, how you learn these things. Internet not working… Very frustrating. Am going to bring laptop to breakfast tomorrow morning (I’ll hit breakfast early, I think, and come back here and finish getting ready. That strategy worked at NYLC.) I heard that the internet connection right outside of the Roadrunner Café has a great internet connection. Perhaps I’ll bring my computer along with me tomorrow anyway. I have got my mom’s backpack with me. Oh, and that other bag in my car! I might get that one instead. Have to get to bed now. It’s 12:30 and as it is, I’ll only get 5 hours of sleep.
Well, it turns out that Freshman Orientation at UTSA is quite the same. A lot of movement, and a lot of thought going on in my head. So, while I have found an internet connection that totally doesn't suck, I'm going to type up my entries from yesterday.
-----
6/17/08
5:29 pm
Have to leave for the next round of activities in five minutes. Have been kept going since 8:30 this morning, with no free time (except for about half an hour before lunch… at 2:30.) Skipping dinner at the moment because I just can’t eat anything real right now… munching on popcorn, though. J I mean, it’s 5:30, I can’t eat 3 hours later. In any case, I’m suffering from Too Many People syndrome again. I’ve been in close proximity to many strangers for the entire day, and I’m ready to lose myself in an internet connection (which I can’t seem to make. So that opportunity is out the window) or a book (I haven’t got time to really read right now). All day they’ve been talking to us about placement tests, courses that you’ll take, things you’ll deal with, the police and counseling system… All of which I know that I’ll find useful in a few months, but that’s just it. It’s a few months away. Now I have to leave for a Team Huddle for Group A at 5:35.
10:01 pm
Turns out the plans they had for us wasn't so bad. A tour around the campus and rec center time! I played oodles of volleyball and had a wonderful time. And at the very end of the game (well, we weren't keeping score) I got my overhand serve!! I’d been doing really well with my underhand serve and when it stopped being competitive, I tried my overhand a few times. Failed up until the end. I haven’t got much to complain about, but some people are real bitches here. There’s one gay guy who is in my small(ish) group (of 30 people) who can’t seem to find the joy in anything. He just talks about how much he wants to get away from here and go shopping or clubbing. My roommates are great girls. Different enough from me to make me feel like I’m not quite part of things, but we share enough of the same opinions (as well as situation) that I can’t see myself disliking them. Right now I’m waiting for one of them (Leah…?) to get out of the shower so I can hop in an de-grunge myself.
6/18/08
12:20 AM
In bed at the moment. I just chatted with Leah and Lauren for about an hour and a half. Well, they mostly talked and I mostly listened. It turns out that I might be a good listener about other people’s stories better than I am at adding my own input. Weird, how you learn these things. Internet not working… Very frustrating. Am going to bring laptop to breakfast tomorrow morning (I’ll hit breakfast early, I think, and come back here and finish getting ready. That strategy worked at NYLC.) I heard that the internet connection right outside of the Roadrunner Café has a great internet connection. Perhaps I’ll bring my computer along with me tomorrow anyway. I have got my mom’s backpack with me. Oh, and that other bag in my car! I might get that one instead. Have to get to bed now. It’s 12:30 and as it is, I’ll only get 5 hours of sleep.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
You'll just have to deal with it
Sunset from airplane
Fabulous Moon Picture
(Have I told you how much I love the moon? I'm going to take a million pictures of the moon with this camera. So deal with it.)
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Sur La Plage
(Just that title makes me want to break out in song. 'Sur la plage' is a song that is in the musical The Boyfriend.)
This morning, we all woke up early and headed to the beach. Have I told you all my opinion of the beach? To be honest, I love the beach. I'm just not that fond of salt water. Or sand, when it gets in through the edges of your swim suit. Otherwise, I love the beach. It rocks.
The beaches at Long Island are some of the most beautiful. They aren't commercialized and there aren't hotels and a board walk bordering the side that isn't the ocean. There aren't planes toting advertisements (that often) and the grass sways in the cool breeze. We stayed at the beach for about two hours, until they got really crowded, and then we left. I took a nap in the sun, and I represented by Knitting in Public. (Today is World Wide Knit in Public Day). I only got a little sun burnt (Excellente!) and I totally got my toes wet, but not my entire body. The Atlantic ocean is cold. (Look at Barb knitting in public!)
After we came home from the beach, the day slowed down. Barb and I talked yarn and blogging, and the girls went swimming in a neighbor's pool. We ordered takeout Italian, watched the recording of Honk! and just chilled for the evening.
I fly home tomorrow. I'm not sure that I want to, but I know that I'll always have a family up here in New York. :)
Just a little blog
Okay, so this blog has nothing to do with me being in NY, or staying with the most amazing people in the world, or even knitting.
Remember that post about going to see Narnia? Saturday, May 17th and all that.
I've gotten four comments on that blog. All from the same anonymous person. It's kind of freaking me out.
Anonymous said...
it's actually 'deja vu' with an acute accent over the first e and a grave accent on the a. good try though lol. May 28, 2008 11:53 PM
Anonymous said...
Can't choose who I think is better looking . . . *sigh* May 29, 2008 8:03 PM
Anonymous said...
i went to school with will moseley lol - all the year 7s used to go up to him and ask for his autograph when the first narnia film came out... May 30, 2008 3:29 PM
Anonymous said...
omg they are both so adorable!!! I honestly love william and ben and i wish i could actually meet them personally...yeah like that'll ever happen. they are just both so dreamy.... June 14, 2008 12:27 AM
Is all of that strange, or am I just overreacting? I mean, I see no reason to comment on somebody's same blog multiple times.
Anonymous person, if you're reading this... I don't mind if you comment. Just find something intelligent to say, please.
(Oh, and get your stories straight. First you say you went to school with Moseley and then you say you wish you could meet him.)
Remember that post about going to see Narnia? Saturday, May 17th and all that.
I've gotten four comments on that blog. All from the same anonymous person. It's kind of freaking me out.
Anonymous said...
it's actually 'deja vu' with an acute accent over the first e and a grave accent on the a. good try though lol. May 28, 2008 11:53 PM
Anonymous said...
Can't choose who I think is better looking . . . *sigh* May 29, 2008 8:03 PM
Anonymous said...
i went to school with will moseley lol - all the year 7s used to go up to him and ask for his autograph when the first narnia film came out... May 30, 2008 3:29 PM
Anonymous said...
omg they are both so adorable!!! I honestly love william and ben and i wish i could actually meet them personally...yeah like that'll ever happen. they are just both so dreamy.... June 14, 2008 12:27 AM
Is all of that strange, or am I just overreacting? I mean, I see no reason to comment on somebody's same blog multiple times.
Anonymous person, if you're reading this... I don't mind if you comment. Just find something intelligent to say, please.
(Oh, and get your stories straight. First you say you went to school with Moseley and then you say you wish you could meet him.)
Friday, June 13, 2008
Greatness in the form of an island
Today was lovely, too. (I just keep having all these wonderful days up in New York, I can't believe it!) I slept a little bit later than I did yesterday and I said goodbye to Barb's parents. I took a shower (Ahhh...) and I went with Barb to Jane's school to see their Flag Day presentation. It was a series of patriotic songs that when sung with a 1st grader's voice sounds so much cuter than any other choir.
(Isn't Jane beautiful? She and Ana amaze me every day.)
After that, Barb and I went and had lunch and then found Barb's local yarn store!! I'm so happy to have found this store with her, because I was worried that there would be less yarning for her than in Texas. And I know how fond she is of yarning. She said that she's been driving all over the island looking for a good yarn store and hasn't been able to find one yet... And today she (well, I) did. (Thank you, googlemaps.) Ana came with us because we picked her up from school early. That girl has severe senioritis, except that she's in fourth grade (and I'm not sure it's right to have senioritis in fourth grade.)
I bought yarn. Barb bought yarn. It was a good day. (Barb bought me the lovely blue/yellow Claudia yarn. Thank you Barb!!)
After we yarned, we came back to the house, had a rest for about an hour, and then Barb went to pick Jane up from school. At about 5, I took Jane and Ana to the festival at Jane's school, where there were games, a magic show, a karate exhibition, and lots of junk food. It was fun for the girls and for me to just watch.
(Isn't Jane beautiful? She and Ana amaze me every day.)
We came home, had dinner, watched Bee Movie, knitted a bit, and then retreated to our respective rooms. It was a great day. I know I keep saying that, but I just feel so welcome here and everyone is just so nice. (That's the sock I'm working on. Claudia Hand Painted, Fingering weight, the flavor Marigold.)
Tomorrow, we are going to the beach. Tomorrow is also World Wide Knit in Public day. (Get ready, world.)
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Into the City... And out again
Today was another fabulous day.
My day started off waking up at 8:30, which is odd, because I've been sleeping in until about 10:30 at least lately. Won't question it, though. I was Up and About to see Jane off to school (Not Ana, though. Her school begins at 7:55. Hahaha. ;)) I ate a muffin for breakfast and got ready to go into the city.
I went with Barb's s dad on the train into NYC itself. The train ride took about an hour, and it was fine. I chatted with Jerry the entire way there. We talked about traveling, and Europe, and music, and a lot of other things. He is one of those classic Old Men who, when they get going, don't stop. I didn't interrupt, and let him speak. He's one of the most interesting men I've met, and yet so simple a person. The more he spoke, the more I realized how similar I was to him. We talked about art (We share the same taste in art and music. Except he likes classic rock and I don't really. And I like modern rap/pop and he doesn't) and he even stuck around while I spent about 40 minutes looking at yarn. He says it's comparable to him in a CD shop.
After we got into the city, we went to the Museum of Modern Art. It was a fabulous building, beautiful, and a great use of space and design. However, what was in it wasn't exactly my cup of tea. I find myself drawn more towards the Renaissance and Romantic periods when it comes to art than the modern stuff. I can appreciate it, but I don't understand it. Rather how I feel about books like the Red Badge of Courage and 1984. I can appreciate them for the books that they are, the great messages that they portray and the impact that they had on the masses... But they're not the books for me.
After we walked through one of the painting galleries, we had a light lunch in the cafe in the museum. I have to say that the turkey on rye sandwich that I ate was one of the best sandwiches I've ever eaten. It had the right spices, tomatoes, turkey, and bread combination to make it perfect. I had a latte as well, and then I went on my way out into the Wide World while Jerry stayed in MoMA because he wanted to see more of the exhibits. (I was all museumed out at this point).
I got lost (Of course) and finally made my way up to Columbus Circle. I thought about shopping 5th Avenue, but I haven't been there much and didn't really feel comfortable walking the area. I knew Columbus Circle from last year visiting NYC with Mom, so I headed that way. I had a smoothie in Whole Foods (I had to go to the WF, or I think my mother would disown me. ;) ) and then I went up into the shops above and spent money. I bought a movie or two in Borders and some makeup in Sephora, and by that time had pretty much exhausted most of my cash as well as energy. I picked up a copy of Interweave Knits in Borders as well, and headed outside to sit by the Columbus statue and wait for Jerry to arrive. (We'd agreed to meet at 4 at the statue, because it was pretty central to where he and I were.) We then made our way into SoHo to a yarn store, Purl, that I had been tipped off about by Staci at the Knitting Nest last Monday at Knit Night. It was the world's most tiny little shop, but it was lovely. As I said earlier, Jerry stuck around and waited for me to make my selections. After a time, I did and I paid for the yarn and left.
We made our way back to the house and had a lovely night relaxing and laughing and eating the remainder of the cakes left over from last night. :)
And I was a good house guest and offered to help at every opportunity. (See, Mother?)
I keep spelling things wrong at this point, and I'm exhausted. So I'm going to bed now!!
My day started off waking up at 8:30, which is odd, because I've been sleeping in until about 10:30 at least lately. Won't question it, though. I was Up and About to see Jane off to school (Not Ana, though. Her school begins at 7:55. Hahaha. ;)) I ate a muffin for breakfast and got ready to go into the city.
I went with Barb's s dad on the train into NYC itself. The train ride took about an hour, and it was fine. I chatted with Jerry the entire way there. We talked about traveling, and Europe, and music, and a lot of other things. He is one of those classic Old Men who, when they get going, don't stop. I didn't interrupt, and let him speak. He's one of the most interesting men I've met, and yet so simple a person. The more he spoke, the more I realized how similar I was to him. We talked about art (We share the same taste in art and music. Except he likes classic rock and I don't really. And I like modern rap/pop and he doesn't) and he even stuck around while I spent about 40 minutes looking at yarn. He says it's comparable to him in a CD shop.
After we got into the city, we went to the Museum of Modern Art. It was a fabulous building, beautiful, and a great use of space and design. However, what was in it wasn't exactly my cup of tea. I find myself drawn more towards the Renaissance and Romantic periods when it comes to art than the modern stuff. I can appreciate it, but I don't understand it. Rather how I feel about books like the Red Badge of Courage and 1984. I can appreciate them for the books that they are, the great messages that they portray and the impact that they had on the masses... But they're not the books for me.
After we walked through one of the painting galleries, we had a light lunch in the cafe in the museum. I have to say that the turkey on rye sandwich that I ate was one of the best sandwiches I've ever eaten. It had the right spices, tomatoes, turkey, and bread combination to make it perfect. I had a latte as well, and then I went on my way out into the Wide World while Jerry stayed in MoMA because he wanted to see more of the exhibits. (I was all museumed out at this point).
I got lost (Of course) and finally made my way up to Columbus Circle. I thought about shopping 5th Avenue, but I haven't been there much and didn't really feel comfortable walking the area. I knew Columbus Circle from last year visiting NYC with Mom, so I headed that way. I had a smoothie in Whole Foods (I had to go to the WF, or I think my mother would disown me. ;) ) and then I went up into the shops above and spent money. I bought a movie or two in Borders and some makeup in Sephora, and by that time had pretty much exhausted most of my cash as well as energy. I picked up a copy of Interweave Knits in Borders as well, and headed outside to sit by the Columbus statue and wait for Jerry to arrive. (We'd agreed to meet at 4 at the statue, because it was pretty central to where he and I were.) We then made our way into SoHo to a yarn store, Purl, that I had been tipped off about by Staci at the Knitting Nest last Monday at Knit Night. It was the world's most tiny little shop, but it was lovely. As I said earlier, Jerry stuck around and waited for me to make my selections. After a time, I did and I paid for the yarn and left.
We made our way back to the house and had a lovely night relaxing and laughing and eating the remainder of the cakes left over from last night. :)
And I was a good house guest and offered to help at every opportunity. (See, Mother?)
I keep spelling things wrong at this point, and I'm exhausted. So I'm going to bed now!!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
I (Heart) New York
For those of you who don't know (or who haven't caught on) I'm in New York! Long Island, to be exact. I'm visiting those fabulous people who I babysat all last summer, and having spent only half a day up here, I already feel like it's home. (Fear not, Mother. I'm a Texan at heart.)
My day started off at 5:30 am. Do realize that I haven't voluntarily seen those numbers in quite a while. (5:30 pm doesn't count. Nor does Project Graduation.) I woke up, checked my email, and then was off to the airport by 6. Mom and I stopped to take care of Mike's dogs, and I snapped a picture of the "Sunrise".
My day started off at 5:30 am. Do realize that I haven't voluntarily seen those numbers in quite a while. (5:30 pm doesn't count. Nor does Project Graduation.) I woke up, checked my email, and then was off to the airport by 6. Mom and I stopped to take care of Mike's dogs, and I snapped a picture of the "Sunrise".
(Damn it, if I'm awake this early I darn well want to see an effing sunrise!)
And then I got through security uneventfully and eventually onto the airplane. And then we took off on time and we got into the air. And I didn't see the sunrise, but I did see pretty clouds!!
35 minutes later, I arrived in Dallas and was searching through the pocket in front of me for any of my belongings, and I found this.
It was an iPod that somebody had left on the plane! As much as I wanted to keep it (It's adorable! And the music didn't suck.) I gave it to the people at the desk at the gate and they did their best to find the person who it belonged to.
And then I was on my way to NYC. I didn't take any more pictures on flights, because when I got onto the plane to NY I turned on my laptop and proceded to watch Harry Potter 5... which consumed 2:20 hours of my 3 hour flight (Excellent!)
I got off the plane, met my driver and we proceded into the NY traffic on the way to the Coopers' house. It took forever and we got a smidgeon lost (but not really. The driver thought that he should have passed a street a long time ago, but really it was just a few blocks ahead of us) and finally, finally, I got to my destination. Look at my room! Isn't it warm and lovely?
I hung around and looked pretty (because that's all Barb would let me do. She refused to let me help out with anything) and then we had dinner. And around 7, neighbors came over for a dessert party that was delightful. There was good wine, good chocolate cake, and good coffee. I had a glass of wine with the worlds best chocolate cake (which was mostly a whipped chocolately thing. I really, really want that for breakfast tomorrow. However, I will resist.) and then when everybody left, I helped clean up and put the girls to bed.
I've been here 6 hours and I've already been showered with Claudia Handpainted yarn. (Barb and I are big fans :) )
I finished the Huggins socks today right as Harry Potter was ending. I thought that this was impeccable timing, and I should receive an award. (I accept checks and gift cards. ;) )
My time in New York has only just started, and I can't wait for tomorrow. However, today has to end, and I know that I will sleep very well tonight.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Monday, June 9, 2008
Oh, um... This is hard.
I <3 Huggins.
I do. I love those little cable-y twists. The color and the detail just makes me want to hug them and love them and wear them forever (though I'll likely find someone to give them away to).
I was tipped off tonight by Stacy at the Knitting Nest that there is a contest for ametuer designers of sock patterns, called "Think Outside the Sox". It has 26 categories, and one of them is about dying and knitting up socks of your own design. She also said that I just just write the pattern down and publish it on the web.
So that got me thinking.
Huh.
I could totally publish that design.
I don't want to make money off of it... but I could totally make that pattern for other people to use.
Well, it's harder than it looks. I have to remember every step that I did.
I guess that's why there are two socks. So you make it up as you go along for the first one, and then you're forced to remember it for the second.
Ah, well. I'll keep you all updated as far as that pattern goes.
I have to go pack for my trip to NY now, since I won't have time tomorrow to do it. And I need to clean my room. More on my Great Cleaning on another post.
(!!!!!)
I do. I love those little cable-y twists. The color and the detail just makes me want to hug them and love them and wear them forever (though I'll likely find someone to give them away to).
I was tipped off tonight by Stacy at the Knitting Nest that there is a contest for ametuer designers of sock patterns, called "Think Outside the Sox". It has 26 categories, and one of them is about dying and knitting up socks of your own design. She also said that I just just write the pattern down and publish it on the web.
So that got me thinking.
Huh.
I could totally publish that design.
I don't want to make money off of it... but I could totally make that pattern for other people to use.
Well, it's harder than it looks. I have to remember every step that I did.
I guess that's why there are two socks. So you make it up as you go along for the first one, and then you're forced to remember it for the second.
Ah, well. I'll keep you all updated as far as that pattern goes.
I have to go pack for my trip to NY now, since I won't have time tomorrow to do it. And I need to clean my room. More on my Great Cleaning on another post.
(!!!!!)
Saturday, June 7, 2008
A Very (Finished) Harlot Poncho
So I told yall when I finished tassel-ing the poncho, I'd grace you guys with a photograph of the finished product. I thoroughly enjoyed knitting this. And it turned out to be more than I could have expected.
This is called "Alternates"
And this is "Lemon-Lime Life" 
And this is (likely going to be) "Purple Party"
In other news, I would like to share with you more of the yarn that I've dyed in the last few weeks. :)
This is called "Alternates"
And this is "Lemon-Lime Life" And this is (likely going to be) "Purple Party"And in the last news, I would like to share with you the sock that I have been plugging away at all day. I cannot describe how much joy this yarn is to work with. The stripes of the dark green on the lighter greens just make me smile, and the colors all go together so well. I am so proud to have dyed this yarn. It has blown me away all day! The pattern is one that I kind of made up (but not really). I knit one round plain, and then on the next I *Knit through second loop on left needle, knit through first loop of left needle, slide both off onto right needle*. It's like creating a miniature cable ribbing, but only with two stitches.
I am in love with this yarn (I call it "Hug A Tree") and this sock. I only have a few more rows until I start the toe... and I love, love, love it!!
Bear with me here
Warning: Advertisement ahead. Do not read if you hate advertising, are squeamish, have back or neck injuries, or have a very loose credit card. The last one does not apply if the aforementioned looseness is in my favor.
I am a victim of advertisement.
There, I said it. The first step is to acknowledge your problem... from there, you can fix it (and yadda, yadda).
I frequently shop at this online store called "eatsleepknit.com" . Frequent enough to spend quite a lot of my hard-earned money there. Two such examples are the yarn for Brandy's socks and for my clapotis.
This year they've started this thing called the Yarn Marathon. (You can see my badge for it when you scroll down a bit :D ) For every yard of yarn that you buy online, you get closer to the 5K. I've only got about 5 miles in... because I'm a poor (COLLEGE) student (I can say that now, you know...) but they've started a new thing for the Yarn Marathon where if you mention the website on your blog, every person that clicks the link from your blog will earn you an extra 5 yards on the marathon.
So go on. CLICK ON THE LINK. (Pleeeeeease!)
www.eatsleepknit.com
Here's the paragraph they have written about it:
"Now, you can earn rewards for referring friends, too! Link to us from your blog or website using the button to the right or text of your choice, and you'll earn $5 in store credit any time someone places an order after following a link from your site. You'll also earn 5 yards of Yarnathon yardage for every person who simply visits our site from your blog! To be eligible, all you have to do is register your blog with us in the Yarn Marathon - we'll keep track of the rest. Store credit and extra yards will be distributed on a weekly basis."
I am a victim of advertisement.
There, I said it. The first step is to acknowledge your problem... from there, you can fix it (and yadda, yadda).
I frequently shop at this online store called "eatsleepknit.com" . Frequent enough to spend quite a lot of my hard-earned money there. Two such examples are the yarn for Brandy's socks and for my clapotis.
This year they've started this thing called the Yarn Marathon. (You can see my badge for it when you scroll down a bit :D ) For every yard of yarn that you buy online, you get closer to the 5K. I've only got about 5 miles in... because I'm a poor (COLLEGE) student (I can say that now, you know...) but they've started a new thing for the Yarn Marathon where if you mention the website on your blog, every person that clicks the link from your blog will earn you an extra 5 yards on the marathon.
So go on. CLICK ON THE LINK. (Pleeeeeease!)
www.eatsleepknit.com
Here's the paragraph they have written about it:
"Now, you can earn rewards for referring friends, too! Link to us from your blog or website using the button to the right or text of your choice, and you'll earn $5 in store credit any time someone places an order after following a link from your site. You'll also earn 5 yards of Yarnathon yardage for every person who simply visits our site from your blog! To be eligible, all you have to do is register your blog with us in the Yarn Marathon - we'll keep track of the rest. Store credit and extra yards will be distributed on a weekly basis."
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Flat Tire #4
I've kind of always wondered how I would handle a situation where I lost control of my car... whether I would freak out and let go of the wheel and scream, or whether I would try to do the right thing, and not remember the Driver's Ed stuff that I learned in the classes I took, or whether I would remain calm do the right thing.
Turns out I know what I'm doing.
This morning as Brandlyn (who is now 18!! Happy Birthday, hon!) and I were going to Sonic for a magnificent Birthday Breakfast (of her request) my back right tire got a flat and I lost control of the back end of my car. It fishtailed for a bit, but I got control of it, and pulled over to the side of the road. Luckily, this was a road that there is rarely any traffic on, so there were no other cars in danger of being hit at the time. Both Brandy and I are perfectly fine. Just a little bit dirty from being on the ground. (Gramma. Stop worrying.)
Turns out that a nail had become lodged into my tires somewhere along the drive and it decided that it didn't like the air in my tire any longer.
Brandy and I changed the tire all by ourselves. She corrected me on a few things, but I managed to get the tire off and get the spare tire on, and we continued on our merry way to Sonic. (Look at that beautiful spare tire.)
Talk about a Kodak moment. ;)
I'm really proud of myself and Brandy. We changed the tire all by ourselves and while a few men stopped to ask us if we needed help (and others honked at us as they drove by) we didn't need the help. I thought it was pretty funny that every man that stopped had a big Ford Pickup. One guy who stopped had a Hummer. Apparently Real Men drive cars that get less than 18 mpg.
Turns out I know what I'm doing.
This morning as Brandlyn (who is now 18!! Happy Birthday, hon!) and I were going to Sonic for a magnificent Birthday Breakfast (of her request) my back right tire got a flat and I lost control of the back end of my car. It fishtailed for a bit, but I got control of it, and pulled over to the side of the road. Luckily, this was a road that there is rarely any traffic on, so there were no other cars in danger of being hit at the time. Both Brandy and I are perfectly fine. Just a little bit dirty from being on the ground. (Gramma. Stop worrying.)
Turns out that a nail had become lodged into my tires somewhere along the drive and it decided that it didn't like the air in my tire any longer.
Brandy and I changed the tire all by ourselves. She corrected me on a few things, but I managed to get the tire off and get the spare tire on, and we continued on our merry way to Sonic. (Look at that beautiful spare tire.)
Talk about a Kodak moment. ;)
I'm really proud of myself and Brandy. We changed the tire all by ourselves and while a few men stopped to ask us if we needed help (and others honked at us as they drove by) we didn't need the help. I thought it was pretty funny that every man that stopped had a big Ford Pickup. One guy who stopped had a Hummer. Apparently Real Men drive cars that get less than 18 mpg.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Graduation and a smidgen of Knitters Angst
So I have no graduation photos on my camera, and mom's out of town... so you'll have to wait on the graduation photos. I had a great time! A whole day devoted to me and my accomplishments. A girl named Claire was valedictorian, and while I can't be mad at her for it (I was not in the running, with my meager 3.65 GPA and hers being 4.15) I might still hold a grudge for her swiping every single academic award from our middle school graduation. Except Latin. Because she took Spanish. And she's gorgeous, with the most beautiful curly blonde hair. And she's not a total nerd, or anything. She's popular.
I'm sorry to expose yall to my angst. But I can't hold it back. That girl makes me mildly miffed.
Anyway.
I walked across the stage (didn't trip!!) to get my diploma (Well, diploma holder. It's empty) and gave my rock to the principle when I shook her hand. (Tee hee hee), switched my tassel to the left side, and threw my hat. Great time. Then afterwards I went over to dad's house, where he and Pippa wouldn't let me help get anything ready, so I just sat there and looked pretty and intelligent... as if 13 years of schooling has really made a change. ;) And then people arrived, I got presents ( :) !!!) and I went onto the Project Graduation. I'll tell you more about Project Graduation when I have photos of me in my Cap 'n Gown.
Some gifts I got were a few gift cards, an adorable lime green laundry bag, a book, and two cameras.
Let me tell you all something. I have been desiring a new camera for over a year now. Earlier on in the school year, mom asked me what I wanted for a graduation gift, and I didn't even have to think: A nice camera. That. Is. What. I. Want.
Well, Mom found the best camera. (Love you!!)
All I really asked for was a good zoom.
18x Zoom.
10.1 Mega Pixels.
Oh, it is love... It's a beautiful Nikon Coolpix P80, and it's my new love affair.
I've taken nearly 200 photos already, and I need to charge the battery now.
Mike gave me another camera. A really nice red Kodak. I'm going to carry that one around in my purse. It's perfect purse size and the battery is charging at the moment.
That's enough graduation stuff for now. :)
-----
On to something totally different.
I don't know what to knit.
I've got a second sock on the needles, but I don't know what I want to knit. I really want to knit another Clapotis (darn clapotis bug... Once you knit one, you have to knit more.) and I really want to knit something that challenges me, but I don't have the yarn for it. I ordered some lace yesterday from Knitpicks, but it'll come sometime later in the week or next week... and I have to wait for then... But I want to knit something now.
I know I'll bring the sock with me to work on at Knitting Night tonight, but I'm implacable right now. I'm almost done with the poncho. Well, I'm done knitting it, but I am tying the tassels on right now... and that's taking a while.
Well, perhaps I will sort myself out when I bask in the yarn fumes at Knit Night.
I'm sorry to expose yall to my angst. But I can't hold it back. That girl makes me mildly miffed.
Anyway.
I walked across the stage (didn't trip!!) to get my diploma (Well, diploma holder. It's empty) and gave my rock to the principle when I shook her hand. (Tee hee hee), switched my tassel to the left side, and threw my hat. Great time. Then afterwards I went over to dad's house, where he and Pippa wouldn't let me help get anything ready, so I just sat there and looked pretty and intelligent... as if 13 years of schooling has really made a change. ;) And then people arrived, I got presents ( :) !!!) and I went onto the Project Graduation. I'll tell you more about Project Graduation when I have photos of me in my Cap 'n Gown.
Some gifts I got were a few gift cards, an adorable lime green laundry bag, a book, and two cameras.
Let me tell you all something. I have been desiring a new camera for over a year now. Earlier on in the school year, mom asked me what I wanted for a graduation gift, and I didn't even have to think: A nice camera. That. Is. What. I. Want.
Well, Mom found the best camera. (Love you!!)
All I really asked for was a good zoom.
18x Zoom.
10.1 Mega Pixels.
Oh, it is love... It's a beautiful Nikon Coolpix P80, and it's my new love affair.
I've taken nearly 200 photos already, and I need to charge the battery now.
Mike gave me another camera. A really nice red Kodak. I'm going to carry that one around in my purse. It's perfect purse size and the battery is charging at the moment.
That's enough graduation stuff for now. :)
-----
On to something totally different.
I don't know what to knit.
I've got a second sock on the needles, but I don't know what I want to knit. I really want to knit another Clapotis (darn clapotis bug... Once you knit one, you have to knit more.) and I really want to knit something that challenges me, but I don't have the yarn for it. I ordered some lace yesterday from Knitpicks, but it'll come sometime later in the week or next week... and I have to wait for then... But I want to knit something now.
I know I'll bring the sock with me to work on at Knitting Night tonight, but I'm implacable right now. I'm almost done with the poncho. Well, I'm done knitting it, but I am tying the tassels on right now... and that's taking a while.
Well, perhaps I will sort myself out when I bask in the yarn fumes at Knit Night.
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