Ok, I know I've been away from here for a couple of weeks now, so sorry about that. Let's see what I can do for a catch up on here:
Jan 15: Flew to Lex, crashed asleep soon afterwards
Jan 16: Ran over to former workplace and saw people, dinner with family that night, hung out to Renee later that evening.
Jan 17: Spent day with Erica
Jan 18: Church, hung out with Erica, then hung out with Renee, Kim, Jane, and SB
Jan19: Great-grandmother went into hospital. Ran up there to see her
Jan 20: Went to SnB, saw all kinds of people I like
Jan 21: Uncle had colon cancer surgery. Spent all day at hospital, except to have lunch with Erica.
Jan 22: Hospital visits (noticing a trend here?)
Jan 23: Hung out with Renee almost all day and finally did something I had wanted to do for a while (if you are supposed to know, you already know :oP )
Jan 24: Hung out with Erica in the morning, went to future in-laws and hung out with them in the evening.
Jan 25: Went to church, SnB, then to see Zabet and Spooky. Bunny was pissed at me at first, but warmed up soon afterwards
Jan 26: Took lunch to my great-grandparents, saw my great-uncle, had dinner with my grandparents, prepared for today.
Jan 27: I'm watching it ice outside. Roads are terrible and it just figures that I'm supposed to have lunch with Kim. Twice now we have tried to have lunch and both times it has blasted iced the roads!
That's the catch up for the visit to Lex. I'm heading back to the sunshine state on Thursday, so hopefully I'll warm up there! There have been yarn purchases, some spinning, and some work on a baby blanket, so I have also squeezed some knitting, crocheting, and spinning into the hospital visits and friend visiting. I'll try to be better with the updates for the next week until I head back to the land of kimchi!
Knit on...
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
The Bleat Goes On
The fleece is still drying. Mostly the problem has been the extreme humidity and the rain that we had the past few days down here, but today was a nice, sunny day with a slight breeze. It appears that most of the fleece is dry now, so maybe by tomorrow it'll be ready to bag back up and pack for the trip back to Korea. In the meantime, I swear that the sheep is growing. I keep fluffing the stuff up to help it dry and in the process, it has taken over my parents' back porch. See?:
This is only about a 1.5 pound in the grease fleece too, but man I think it is growing! I'm about to go check it again, so we'll see how the sun and wind helped speed along the process.
Knit on...
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
A Little Late
Blatantly stolen from Dana's blog:
Where did you begin 2008?
Sitting on my bed, being woken up by a phone call from DF
What was your status by Valentine's Day?
Engaged to DF
Were you in school (anytime this year)?
Online stuff
Did you have to go to the hospital?
I always seem to end up in the hospital at least once a year because of the stupid stomach. I hate chicken...
Did you have any encounters with the police?
Not that I can think of
Where did you go on vacation?
This is the fun part. Let's see, Korea, Japan, and Thailand! Come on 2009, bring some more!
What did you purchase that was over $500?
Oh geez, let's see...airfare, airfare, airfare, and airfare
Did you know anybody who got married?
Yep, the secretary at the school. It was a fun wedding
Did you know anybody who passed away?
Yes, DF's dear aunt. She was the kindest person I think I've ever met.
Did you move anywhere?
Yep, when I move, I really move. Went to South Korea
What sporting events did you attend?
School sports day count?
Describe your birthday:
Talked on webcams to both my family and DF, some other English teachers came by and threw me an American food birthday party, with the exception of the cake which was definitely Korean. We had fun.
What's the one thing you thought you would never do but did in 2008?
Finally got to go to Japan
What has been your favorite moment(s)?
Traveling some of the side streets of Bangkok (DF knows which ones!), Geisha watch 2008, Christmas with DF and playing with the dinosaur tops, surprising my grandmother for her 80th birthday.
What's something you learned about yourself?
That I am not always as dependable as I thought I was. It was hard to realize, but I think and hope it makes me more mindful of others now.
Any new additions to your family?
There were a few in extended family
What was your best month?
The summer months were good while getting to travel.
What music will you remember from 2008?
Disturbed's Indestructible album because it pretty much wrote my book for me.
Made new friends?
Yep, I met people from all walks of life over in Korea
New best friend?
I think my best friend has stayed the same!
Favorite night out?
The Geisha Watch 2008 night with DF and the most expensive meal we ever ate :oP there may be another involving Bangkok too.
Any regrets?
I regret not buying good sunscreen before going to Thailand...
What do you want to change in 2009?
I want to be a kinder person and not be as pessimistic as I always seem to be.
Overall, how would you rate this year?
It was a year of changes. I'm glad I made the changes and good and bad, would do it all over again (just avoiding the bad :oP )
What would you change about 2008?
More vacation
Other than home, where did you spend most of your time?
Work
Have any life changes in 2008?
See all of the above!
Change your hairstyle?
Yeah, I got it chopped and have vowed not to do that again. I desperately need to get it shaped though since it looks like a big red triangle at the moment. Don't worry, DF, I'm not killing the length again!
Have any car accidents?
DF hit a bicycle that rolled in front of him while I was on the back of his motorcycle, does that count? No one was hurt, but the bike had a dented wheel. We saw the kid again, still riding the dented wheel. I think she now knows to be more careful. At least it was us who dented it and not a Korean who would have probably killed her by ripping through that street.
Buy a new car?
No
Get a new job?
Yep, now teaching
Got a New Year's resolution?
I will run a 5k by the end of the year again. I want to travel more.
Do anything embarrassing?
I fell flat on my face in front of DF, but that's fairly common...
Buy anything new from eBay?
Not that I can think of off the top of my head.
What was your favorite purchase of 2008?
airfare
Get married or divorced?
Nope, not in a hurry to get married and speed up the prospect of divorce :oP
Get arrested?
No
Be honest - did you watch American Idol?
Nope, not a fan
Did you get sick this year?
yeah, I hate chicken and the sun :oP
Start a new hobby?
Don't think so
Drank Starbucks in 2008?
Yeah, in Thailand even
Are you happy to see 2008 go?
Not much I could do to make it stop, now is there?
Where did you begin 2008?
Sitting on my bed, being woken up by a phone call from DF
What was your status by Valentine's Day?
Engaged to DF
Were you in school (anytime this year)?
Online stuff
Did you have to go to the hospital?
I always seem to end up in the hospital at least once a year because of the stupid stomach. I hate chicken...
Did you have any encounters with the police?
Not that I can think of
Where did you go on vacation?
This is the fun part. Let's see, Korea, Japan, and Thailand! Come on 2009, bring some more!
What did you purchase that was over $500?
Oh geez, let's see...airfare, airfare, airfare, and airfare
Did you know anybody who got married?
Yep, the secretary at the school. It was a fun wedding
Did you know anybody who passed away?
Yes, DF's dear aunt. She was the kindest person I think I've ever met.
Did you move anywhere?
Yep, when I move, I really move. Went to South Korea
What sporting events did you attend?
School sports day count?
Describe your birthday:
Talked on webcams to both my family and DF, some other English teachers came by and threw me an American food birthday party, with the exception of the cake which was definitely Korean. We had fun.
What's the one thing you thought you would never do but did in 2008?
Finally got to go to Japan
What has been your favorite moment(s)?
Traveling some of the side streets of Bangkok (DF knows which ones!), Geisha watch 2008, Christmas with DF and playing with the dinosaur tops, surprising my grandmother for her 80th birthday.
What's something you learned about yourself?
That I am not always as dependable as I thought I was. It was hard to realize, but I think and hope it makes me more mindful of others now.
Any new additions to your family?
There were a few in extended family
What was your best month?
The summer months were good while getting to travel.
What music will you remember from 2008?
Disturbed's Indestructible album because it pretty much wrote my book for me.
Made new friends?
Yep, I met people from all walks of life over in Korea
New best friend?
I think my best friend has stayed the same!
Favorite night out?
The Geisha Watch 2008 night with DF and the most expensive meal we ever ate :oP there may be another involving Bangkok too.
Any regrets?
I regret not buying good sunscreen before going to Thailand...
What do you want to change in 2009?
I want to be a kinder person and not be as pessimistic as I always seem to be.
Overall, how would you rate this year?
It was a year of changes. I'm glad I made the changes and good and bad, would do it all over again (just avoiding the bad :oP )
What would you change about 2008?
More vacation
Other than home, where did you spend most of your time?
Work
Have any life changes in 2008?
See all of the above!
Change your hairstyle?
Yeah, I got it chopped and have vowed not to do that again. I desperately need to get it shaped though since it looks like a big red triangle at the moment. Don't worry, DF, I'm not killing the length again!
Have any car accidents?
DF hit a bicycle that rolled in front of him while I was on the back of his motorcycle, does that count? No one was hurt, but the bike had a dented wheel. We saw the kid again, still riding the dented wheel. I think she now knows to be more careful. At least it was us who dented it and not a Korean who would have probably killed her by ripping through that street.
Buy a new car?
No
Get a new job?
Yep, now teaching
Got a New Year's resolution?
I will run a 5k by the end of the year again. I want to travel more.
Do anything embarrassing?
I fell flat on my face in front of DF, but that's fairly common...
Buy anything new from eBay?
Not that I can think of off the top of my head.
What was your favorite purchase of 2008?
airfare
Get married or divorced?
Nope, not in a hurry to get married and speed up the prospect of divorce :oP
Get arrested?
No
Be honest - did you watch American Idol?
Nope, not a fan
Did you get sick this year?
yeah, I hate chicken and the sun :oP
Start a new hobby?
Don't think so
Drank Starbucks in 2008?
Yeah, in Thailand even
Are you happy to see 2008 go?
Not much I could do to make it stop, now is there?
New Computer
So all day today, I've been working on downloading everything to my new shiny laptop. I've now got word processing on here, itunes, and all the myriad of other programs that populated the last computer. I was going to post a rather dorky webcam picture from the new built in webcam, but I currently can't seem to figure out how. So no terrible pictures of me on here for now.
The new computer is an Acer Aspire One 8.9 inch laptop. It's tiny. It's tiny and light. It's the opposite of the monstrosity of an Acer that I currently have. The only complaint I have with the computer is that it's so damn shiny that it shows every little fingerprint, scratch, or anything else within five feet of it. If that's my biggest complaint, I think I'm doing pretty good.
I'll get some knitting done tonight while my mom is in the studio recording. She's working on her third stand-alone album now and it's rather fun to see how the bits and pieces of recording all go together. Considering I have zero musical talent, the whole process fascinates me.
Knit on...
The new computer is an Acer Aspire One 8.9 inch laptop. It's tiny. It's tiny and light. It's the opposite of the monstrosity of an Acer that I currently have. The only complaint I have with the computer is that it's so damn shiny that it shows every little fingerprint, scratch, or anything else within five feet of it. If that's my biggest complaint, I think I'm doing pretty good.
I'll get some knitting done tonight while my mom is in the studio recording. She's working on her third stand-alone album now and it's rather fun to see how the bits and pieces of recording all go together. Considering I have zero musical talent, the whole process fascinates me.
Knit on...
Monday, January 12, 2009
Fleeced
For Christmas, my grandmother bought me a fleece, but I didn't get it until Saturday. She has been interested in how someone cleans, cards, and spins a fleece. So imagine my surprise when a nice, Jacob sheep fleece from a sheep named Dee Dee was handed to me. Since she wanted to learn how I prepare my fiber, I decided to show her. Here's the fleece in the bag:
Very nice crimp which you can sort of make out in the picture. Well, the sheep was a very greasy one, so it took a lot of washing. Here is a soaked fleece:
Very nice crimp which you can sort of make out in the picture. Well, the sheep was a very greasy one, so it took a lot of washing. Here is a soaked fleece:It's a soapy fleece too since that was its first wash. It turned out pretty clean after four separate baths, so I decided to stick it outside to dry on the screened in back porch. This of course meant that the humidity would skyrocket and it would rain off and on today. Needless to say, the fleece is still damp and will hopefully dry completely by tomorrow.
I knit on some squares and forgot to take pictures of them. I also am doing yet another pair of mittens. I'm rather sick of knitting this pattern now.
Knit on...
Sunday, January 11, 2009
At least it's something...
Yeah, sorry I fell off the blogging wagon again this week. Here, look at yarn:
That's Clessidra in progress. I haven't been knitting as much as I had hoped on that because instead, I have been crocheting:
That's Clessidra in progress. I haven't been knitting as much as I had hoped on that because instead, I have been crocheting:Dishcloths. Buttloads of dishcloths. I think I made 20 something. Some are for mom, some are for my grandmother. But it was a lot of dishcloths regardless. Now I'm working on Noro squares, and after that, I'll be making a pair of Broad Street Mittens for my grandmother who has now requested a pair before I leave. Then I'll start working on a batch of 3 baby blankets.
I had already made two children their baby blankets 4 and 1 years ago, but due to a house fire in which everything being used by the kids was destroyed (as well as most of the house, save one closet which thankfully had family pictures and other non-replaceable items). Well, I go over and visit their mom and the 4 year old comes up and says, "I really liked my blue blanket. I miss it."
Damn...now I guess I have to make him another one :oP His sister will be getting a replacement pink one (hers was originally blue and pink, but given how princessy she seems to be at 1, she's getting pink). And they just found out they have an indeterminable fetus at 8 weeks old, so there's a green blanket on the way for the unknown kid to be.
I better get to work!
Knit on...
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
I'm Here!
I do still exist! Sorry I haven't posted in a week now. I'm over the jet lag now it seems for the most part and I've been getting lots of knitting and crocheting done. I'll try to have some pictures tomorrow if I can get them on here. Hope everyone had a wonderful New Year's celebration and that your new year has been filled with all kinds of yarny goodness.
As for the Lexington crew, I'll see you guys in about a week!
Knit on...
As for the Lexington crew, I'll see you guys in about a week!
Knit on...
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Ladies and Gentlmen,
Please fasten your seatbelts and observe the no smoking sign.
I'll be back in the states pretty soon. Hopping on a plane on New Years and heading back for some Western culture and logic. See you guys soon!
That is after I get over the jet lag!
I'll be back in the states pretty soon. Hopping on a plane on New Years and heading back for some Western culture and logic. See you guys soon!
That is after I get over the jet lag!
Friday, December 26, 2008
The Christmas Haul
I decided not to post the other presents (most of which are video games, but also an awesome Spam shirt) since this is a knitting blog and I know that you're all more interested in the fiber content. So without adieu, here is the haul:
8, yes, count them, 8 skeins of Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock Multi.
2 skeins Noro Silk Garden
1 skein Noro Kureyon
12 skeins Knit Picks Essential Sock (the fall sampler packet)
Digital Knitting Counter
Stitch Markers
Yeah, I cleaned up!
Thank you to my family for all the yarn! I was completely surprised to see this much show up here in Korea! Woot!
Knit on...
8, yes, count them, 8 skeins of Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock Multi.
2 skeins Noro Silk Garden
1 skein Noro Kureyon
12 skeins Knit Picks Essential Sock (the fall sampler packet)
Digital Knitting Counter
Stitch Markers
Yeah, I cleaned up!
Thank you to my family for all the yarn! I was completely surprised to see this much show up here in Korea! Woot!
Knit on...
Better Pictures
DF took some better pictures this weekend of Sahara, so here is my favorite one of the bunch for your viewing enjoyment. Up next: The Christmas Haul.
Knit on...
Knit on...
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you all! Happy Holidays!
May they be filled with yarny goodness....
Needles that never break....
Family you love....
Friends who will be with you, whether near or far away....
Merry Christmas, everyone!
May they be filled with yarny goodness....
Needles that never break....
Family you love....
Friends who will be with you, whether near or far away....
Merry Christmas, everyone!
Monday, December 22, 2008
The Voodoo Parade
Sorry there was no post yesterday. Somewhere between the massive amount of snow, the freezing temperatures, and the class schedule, I forgot to take a picture of the massive amount of voodoo wrist warmers. I finished the seventh, yes, seventh pair last night and here they are:
I have one more pair to make today and I know they'll get done. I have to make one masculine pair for the one guy I'm giving something to, so I'll knock those out today and get working on DF's presents.
It snuck up on me this year for sure!
Knit on...
I have one more pair to make today and I know they'll get done. I have to make one masculine pair for the one guy I'm giving something to, so I'll knock those out today and get working on DF's presents. It snuck up on me this year for sure!
Knit on...
Thursday, December 18, 2008
That Voodoo That You Do
That's the Christmas present that everyone is getting around Naju this year from me: Voodoo wrist warmers. They're fast, easy, and I can meet my goal of one pair a day until Christmas Eve to get them all finished I think. Anyways, here's pair number one:
Yarn is some German superwash that I've never heard of from the LYS in Naju. They got comments at work yesterday which is good since that's who all I'm making these for. I'm hoping to get two pair done today between work and after school, so we'll see if I can meet that goal.
Other than that, I gave up on knitting presents this year for people. I just let time slip away from me here. I had wanted to make house socks, but I wasn't feeling the worsted weight sock love this year, so that one stalled and never made it past the first finished sock (I should probably finish the second just to get it over with). So, voodoo is such an easy pattern and the ribbing keeps me slightly entertained, which is why it's the present of choice now.
And thank goodness it's Friday!
Knit on...
Yarn is some German superwash that I've never heard of from the LYS in Naju. They got comments at work yesterday which is good since that's who all I'm making these for. I'm hoping to get two pair done today between work and after school, so we'll see if I can meet that goal.Other than that, I gave up on knitting presents this year for people. I just let time slip away from me here. I had wanted to make house socks, but I wasn't feeling the worsted weight sock love this year, so that one stalled and never made it past the first finished sock (I should probably finish the second just to get it over with). So, voodoo is such an easy pattern and the ribbing keeps me slightly entertained, which is why it's the present of choice now.
And thank goodness it's Friday!
Knit on...
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Finished!
Without further adieu, I bring you the finished Sahara:
Another nickname for this sweater is Boobs. When I showed it to my neighbor, she was like, You have boobs! Guess everyone is used to seeing me in the baggy sweatshirts and what not which hides my belly fat, and in turn the boobage. Here's the side shot:
It shows off the boobage and also the belly. This is a sweater that's only going to look better and better as I lose some weight, so I'm excited about that.
Today is our school festival and to celebrate, I'm wearing the newly finished Sahara sweater. I'm looking forward to how everyone likes it. Hopefully they'll think it looks nice and not think that a fitted sweater is too tight, even though I tried to explain to them the concept of fitted yesterday and that didn't seem to work out well. Oh well!
Knit on...
Another nickname for this sweater is Boobs. When I showed it to my neighbor, she was like, You have boobs! Guess everyone is used to seeing me in the baggy sweatshirts and what not which hides my belly fat, and in turn the boobage. Here's the side shot:
It shows off the boobage and also the belly. This is a sweater that's only going to look better and better as I lose some weight, so I'm excited about that.Today is our school festival and to celebrate, I'm wearing the newly finished Sahara sweater. I'm looking forward to how everyone likes it. Hopefully they'll think it looks nice and not think that a fitted sweater is too tight, even though I tried to explain to them the concept of fitted yesterday and that didn't seem to work out well. Oh well!
Knit on...
Monday, December 15, 2008
I Give
Yeah, so I keep forgetting to post anything at work, so I give up and I'm posting from home today before I even get into school. Anyways, here's Sahara so far:
Only thing left now is the neck edging which I'm really hoping I can finish up today so that I can wear this thing to the school festival tomorrow. I also had a bit of an earring fiasco this weekend.
Here are my new 16 gauge captured ball earrings. It only took about an hour to get the stupid things in. It wasn't because I was going up gauge, it was actually because of those stupid little balls. DF had to get them in for me and after an hour, we both agreed that I'm not taking these dumb things out! :oP
Knit on...
Only thing left now is the neck edging which I'm really hoping I can finish up today so that I can wear this thing to the school festival tomorrow. I also had a bit of an earring fiasco this weekend.
Here are my new 16 gauge captured ball earrings. It only took about an hour to get the stupid things in. It wasn't because I was going up gauge, it was actually because of those stupid little balls. DF had to get them in for me and after an hour, we both agreed that I'm not taking these dumb things out! :oPKnit on...
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Almost There...
Sahara is almost completely done now. I finished the first sleeve last night and started the second one. Now I've just got to get that one knit and the neckband knit and the sweater is all done. I've even been good and have woven in the ends as I go so that I don't have to worry about the finishing at the very end, aside from two or three neckband ends.
Come on, Sahara! I'm ready to wear you!
Knit on...
PS: I'm starting to feel more human now. Still coughing and snotty, but no more fever and I went back to work.
Come on, Sahara! I'm ready to wear you!
Knit on...
PS: I'm starting to feel more human now. Still coughing and snotty, but no more fever and I went back to work.
Monday, December 08, 2008
We Interrupt This Knitting Blog...
To bring you Korean Flu 2008.
Yes, I have the flu. Yes, it sucks. Yes, I called in to work today because I felt like crap.
No, I have not knit much. I think I am about to remedy that now!
Knit on...
Yes, I have the flu. Yes, it sucks. Yes, I called in to work today because I felt like crap.
No, I have not knit much. I think I am about to remedy that now!
Knit on...
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Now I Really Want It Finished...
I made the mistake of trying on Sahara this morning and man, does it fit like a glove! The measurements are perfect right now. I really want it to be finished now that I've tried it on. I still have two long sleeves and a neck edging and stitching to finish before it's wearable, but I think this very well may become one of my favorite sweaters. I like the fit so well that I am contemplating buying Labyrith from the same designer so that I can get another nice hourglass-shaped sweater under my belt. I'll probably pick up Wendy's book Custom Knits too so that I can make all my sweaters fit my odd measurements!
Today I didn't bring the sweater to work. It's just so big that it's hard to travel with it, so instead I brought dishcloth cotton to crochet a couple of cloths and a skein of the Shepherd Worsted to wind into a ball so that I can start the neck edging as soon as I hit the apartment, assuming I'm not so tired that I just crash and fall asleep. Today is one of my long days at work, so we'll see.
Knit on...
Today I didn't bring the sweater to work. It's just so big that it's hard to travel with it, so instead I brought dishcloth cotton to crochet a couple of cloths and a skein of the Shepherd Worsted to wind into a ball so that I can start the neck edging as soon as I hit the apartment, assuming I'm not so tired that I just crash and fall asleep. Today is one of my long days at work, so we'll see.
Knit on...
Sahara Progress Report
Here is the sweater after knitting all the hip increases last night. I should be done with the body of the sweater tonight and then can move on to the sleeves. I am hoping to get some spinning done tonight, so if I don't get the neck edging done on the sweater, I won't be too worried. I will be trying the thing on tonight though once I get the bottom diamond edge ribbing done. I'm rather excited.
Yeah, it doesn't take much, does it? :oP
Knit on...
Yeah, it doesn't take much, does it? :oP
Knit on...
Noro Socks
Well, I finished the Noro Socks yesterday and after wearing them today, I have to admit that they are one of the cushiest and nicest feeling pair of socks I own. No, they will not be replacing my Lorna's Laces by any means since that sock yarn is by far my favorite so far, but I think that if I am ever gifted more Noro, I will probably make another pair. It is thick and smooshy and I didn't have much of an issue with knots (only one) or sticks and twigs like other people have had. I made this a 56 stitch sock instead of a 64 stitch because the yarn is very thick compared to my normal go-to sock yarns. Still, it made for a very enjoyable pair of socks, even if the yarn was a little tough to work with. Up next: Sahara.
Knit on...
Knit on...
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