tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76064832575041011712024-03-08T01:53:04.314-08:00Adventures in (Novice) Knittingpzi236http://www.blogger.com/profile/09247355396956151129noreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606483257504101171.post-76233213473625691042013-08-10T10:39:00.000-07:002013-08-10T10:39:47.725-07:00Miscellaneous happenstancesThe past few weeks have been filled with horrible, awesome, wonderful, and fun events and activities.<br />
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<u>The horrible</u>: my beautiful cat, Ginger, went missing on July 15, 2013.<br />
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This cat is one of the sweetest, smartest, friendliest creatures you are ever likely to meet.<br />
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While I haven't completely given up hope, I've come to accept that she's probably not coming home.<br />
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<u>The awesome</u>: I had an opportunity to spend a week of my life as a camp counselor for a fantastic organization that reunites siblings separated in the foster system for a week of activities. <br />
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<a href="http://camptobelong.org/camp-locations/camp-to-belong-orange-county/">Camp to Belong</a> was both one of the best and loneliest weeks of my life. The camp organized typical summer camp activities such as archery, bb guns, swimming, and zipline. But it also organized special events that separated siblings don't often get to do with each other such as birthday shopping, a joint birthday party, a trip to the beach, and a carnival. The kids also got to make pillows for each other and scrapbooks for themselves to remember the week.<br />
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I can barely wait for camp to begin next year.<br />
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You can watch a segment produced by NBC news about it <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/video/nightly-news/52680494/">here</a>.<br />
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<u>The wonderful:</u> I adopted two kitty cats from the animal shelter on Thursday!<br />
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I've tentatively named the black one "Sheytoon" for now, which means "mischevious" in Farsi.<br />
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I've tentatively named the brown one "Hassood," which means "jealous," since he likes to do whatever his brother does.<br />
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They are both incredibly sweet and loving. I have a feeling that Sheytoon is going to be a handful, though.<br />
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They both let me sleep throughout the night, which a welcome surprise. But started running around and exploring the moment I opened my eyes. </div>
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Sadly, I'm not keeping both of them. I'm most likely going to keep Hassood and give Sheytoon to my boss. While the cats will live at our respective houses, we'll both bring them into work each day so they can see each other and play.<br />
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<u>The fun</u>: I bought a <a href="http://www.schachtspindle.com/our_products/ladybug.php">spinning wheel</a>! While it was a little challenging at first to remember how to spin (I took a class close to two years ago), it came back to me relatively quickly and easily.<br />
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I've got about three hanks(?) of yarn ready to be washed to set the twist. I just haven't had the time/energy to do it yet with this crazy work week.<br />
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I can't wait to spin some more!<br />
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<br />pzi236http://www.blogger.com/profile/09247355396956151129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606483257504101171.post-33463280629190987142013-04-12T08:39:00.001-07:002013-04-12T08:43:17.754-07:00Goodreads I recently signed up for Goodreads, a social networking sites for bookworms. Although I've seen it pop up occasionally over the years, I was never terribly interested since I've rarely obsessed about books for more than a few weeks at a time.<br />
<br />
I finally joined up when I realized that I've gone about five months with voraciously reading everything in site, partly due to bookclub (which I'm terrible at attending even though I read 90% of the books) and the discovery of a few favorite bookstores in the LA and La Jolla areas.<br />
<br />
Goodreads isn't for everyone but I'm enjoying it right now. And since one of my goals for 2013 is to read 26 books this year (which I am way ahead of schedule for), it seems like a fun way to do so and get other book recommendations.<br />
<br />
Happy Reading!pzi236http://www.blogger.com/profile/09247355396956151129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606483257504101171.post-51304041902328918682013-01-30T08:51:00.001-08:002013-01-30T08:51:16.007-08:00Books Books and More BooksOne of my goals for 2013 is to read at least 26 books this year. Although I would love to read 52, some weeks, I would rather veg out to Babylon 5 and knitting or spending way too much time learning Spanish through Rosetta Stone.<br /><br />I've made pretty good progress on this goal so far: <b>Books read in January</b>:<br />
<u>City of Dark Magic</u> by Magnus Flyte (thumbs down)<br />
<u>Gone Girl</u> by Gillian Flynn (thumbs up)<br />
<u>Bring Up the Bodies</u> by Hillary Mantel * (thumbs down)<br />
<u>The Postmistress</u> by Sarah Blake (thumbs way up)<br />
<br />
<b>Also on my bookshelf</b>:<br />
<u><u>Rules of Civility</u> by Amor Towles</u><br />
<u><u>Going Clear</u> by Lawrence Wright</u> *<u><br /></u><br />
<u>Regeneration</u> by Pat Barker<br />
<u>Shadow of the Wind</u> by Carlos Ruiz Zafon<br />
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I'll write reviews of these books later.<br />
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* denotes bookclub selection <br />
<br />
<br />
<b>The rest of the books I read in 2012:</b><br />
<u>Jude the Obscure</u> by Thomas Hardy<br />
<u>This Side of Paradise</u> by F. Scott Fitzgerald<br />
<u>The Red House</u> by Mark Haddon *<br />
<u>The Portrait of the Young Man as an Artist</u> by James Joyce<br />
<u>A Visit From the Goon Squad</u> by Jennifer Egan<br />
<u>Fated</u> by S.G. Browne<br />
<u>The Road</u> by Cormac McCarthy<br />
<u>Faranheit 451</u> by Ray Brandbury<br />
<u>The Thirteenth Tale</u> by Diane Setterfield<br />
<u>The Night Circus</u> by Erin Morgenstern<br />
<u>The Hangman's Daughter</u> by Oliver Potzsch<br />
<br />pzi236http://www.blogger.com/profile/09247355396956151129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606483257504101171.post-8637062039391481872012-08-27T08:38:00.001-07:002012-08-27T08:38:03.953-07:00BeginningsMy best friend, <a href="http://littlegirlbigsky.blogspot.com/">Bailey</a>, is moving to Alaska today. She spent last summer working up there and fell in love with it. She found a house, bought furniture and a car, and shipped most of her possessions there a few weeks ago. After a two week trip visiting friends and loved ones across America, she's boarding a plane later today to begin the next chapter of her life.<br />
<br />
I feel so incredibly happy and excited for her.<br />
<br />
I don't know many people who can pick up and move to such a different part of the world. It's always been one of the things I admire most about those who can/do. So while I know you don't need it, good luck up there and I can't wait to hear about all of your adventures!pzi236http://www.blogger.com/profile/09247355396956151129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606483257504101171.post-81536355810697911862012-08-16T08:00:00.000-07:002012-08-16T08:00:16.451-07:00Endings and BeginningsI've been terrible about writing lately. I've been even worse about knitting.<br />
<br />
The past two years have been incredibly challenging for me.. graduating from law school, falling in love, studying for the bar exam, moving across the country and back with my family, getting my heart smashed, looking for jobs, accepting a job for my family, working my butt off in that job, getting over the past and falling in love again.<br />
<br />
I've spent the past two and a half months working full time for my family and part time for an attorney up in Big Bear. Now that my one-year commitment is just about over, I'm beginning to transition into full time work up there and just a few days per month down here.<br />
<br />
I've found a beautiful house that I love and can't wait to move into. I've already started moving some of my legal books up to the office. I'm setting up all the different services I need to fully move in after I get back from the east coast.<br />
<br />
These changes are exciting. And scary.<br />
<br />
Within the first month of working at my current job, I was unhappy and knew I was going to be throughout the rest of it. I was correct. And yet, despite knowing that, despite knowing that I needed to find something else, getting back into my own profession, I was paralyzed by fear and uncertainty. It felt easier to stay in an unhappy, and at times seemingly abusive, job than to go out and face the rejection that felt like was waiting for me.<br />
<br />
I'm so incredibly lucky that my new position worked out the way it did because I never would have looked for this type of position in the location where it's at. I would have looked back in LA, or at least in the LA county area and would have missed out on the great opportunity I've been giving.<br />
<br />
Instead, I get to live in an adorable house in an adorable town. I get to work with a partner who respects and values me, with secretaries who free up my time to work on substantive matters. I get to work directly with real people and I get to help them solve their problems. I get to go to court. I get to work on a variety of different matters. And at the end of the week, I get to spend the weekend with the most incredible man I have ever met. <br />
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I'm incredibly grateful for the lessons I've learned during this past year. I'm also excited and hopeful for the new challenges I am going to face in this new phase of my life.pzi236http://www.blogger.com/profile/09247355396956151129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606483257504101171.post-39584772583524487192012-05-07T08:22:00.004-07:002012-05-22T07:41:42.795-07:00Books Read and to Read in 2012I love reading. I've been a bookworm since I moved to NJ at age 11. I spent countless hours at my elementary school's library, avoiding the jeers of other students who teased me relentlessly about being Luke Locursio's crush.<br />
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I thought about majoring in English Lit at college but knew there was no way my family would allow that. Sadly, I only took one lit course at NYU-- Eastern and Central European literature (during my Cold War kick sophomore year).<br />
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I took a rather long reading hiatus during law school-- too much legal reading to do on a daily basis. By the time my day was through, I would feel so exhausted that I would watch a little tv and then pass out each night.<br />
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I started reading literature again last year, though sporadically. I tried to document what I read but I've always been awful at consistently sticking to.. anything, really. <br />
<br />
I love the idea of reading a book per week. But even then, I can't commit to a single book at a time.<br />
<u><br /></u><br />
<u>A smattering of the books I've read in 2012:</u><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Story-Marriage-A-Novel/dp/B003R4ZIUI/ref=tmm_pap_title_0">Story of a Marriage</a> (1/2012)<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/1Q84-Haruki-Murakami/dp/0307593312">1Q84</a> (1/2012)<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Imperfectionists-Novel-Tom-Rachman/dp/0385343663">The Imperfectionists</a> (1/2012)<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Psychopath-Test-Journey-Industry/dp/1594485755/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1336403987&sr=1-1">The Psychopath Test</a> by Jon Ronson (3/2012) <-- April Bookclub <br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Vaclav-Lena-VACLAV-LENA-Hardcover/dp/B0070DQ06S/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1336404080&sr=1-5">Yaclav and Lena</a> by Haley Tanner (3/2012)<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Hunger-Games-Trilogy-Boxed/dp/0545265355/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1336403915&sr=1-1">The Hunger Games</a> Trilogy by Suzanne Collins (3/2012) <br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Marriage-Plot-A-Novel/dp/0374203059/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1336404048&sr=1-1">The Marriage Plot</a> by Jeffery Eugenides (4/2012)<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Live-Safely-Science-Fictional-Universe/dp/0307739457/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1336404005&sr=1-1">How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe</a> by Charles Wu (4/2012)<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Room-A-Novel-Emma-Donoghue/dp/0316098329/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1336404064&sr=1-1">Room</a> by Emma Donaghue (5/2012) <-- May Bookclub<br />
<a href="http://librivox.org/great-expectations-by-charles-dickens/">Great Expectations</a> by Charles Dickens (5/2012) <-- Listened via mp3<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Windup-Girl-Paolo-Bacigalupi/dp/1597801577">The Windup Girl</a> by Paolo Bacigalupi (5/2012) <br />
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<u>Currently Reading: </u><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Candide-Or-Optimism-Penguin-Classics/dp/0140440046">Candide</a> by Voltaire <-- listening via mp3<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Obscure-Penguin-Classics-Thomas-Hardy/dp/0140435387">Jude the Obscure</a> by Thomas Hardy <-- reading on nook and listening via mp3<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Infinite-Jest-David-Foster-Wallace/dp/0316921173">Infinite Jest</a> by David Foster Wallace <br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Southern-California-An-Island-Land/dp/0879050071">Southern California: An Island on the Land</a> by Carrie McWilliams<br />
<u><br /></u><br />
<u>Still Left to Read:</u><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/On-Road-Jack-Kerouac/dp/0140042598">On the Road</a> by Jack Kerouacpzi236http://www.blogger.com/profile/09247355396956151129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606483257504101171.post-82288143349856720322012-04-25T08:01:00.000-07:002012-04-25T08:01:40.980-07:00Cloudy Wednesday morningI really need to start getting out of bed earlier.<br />
My favorite part of the day is quiet morning.<br />
No one to talk to.<br />
No one to listen to.<br />
Just me.<br />
And breakfast.<br />
And cup after cup of tea.<br />
<br />
I've been absent from this space for a while now. Busy with work. With love. With family.<br />
<br />
I need to make some big changes soon-- move away from this sheltered (albeit demanding and stressed) circumstances and move back down to the big western city. To challenges. To stronger friendships. To more fun.pzi236http://www.blogger.com/profile/09247355396956151129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606483257504101171.post-17099641745965266652012-03-02T08:37:00.002-08:002012-03-06T08:33:05.584-08:00A letter to the ghost of love pastDear Nick, <br />
<br />
A year ago, I was heartbroken. Barely able to force myself to take a few sips of water, let alone eat any actual food. I couldn't sleep. I would fluctuate between feeling angry and breaking down into tears every few minutes. I could not imagine what my life was going to look like since I had finally committed myself to one future with one person. With you.<br />
<br />
In another 2 days (from one year ago), I would talk to you again and clarify the reasons you wanted to break up with me. Because you found yourself talking to any girl who would smile at you and it was 'only a matter of time before something happened with one of them.' Great, classy guy. <br />
<br />
In another 4 days (from one year ago), I would go out with Gwen and a bunch of her friends to celebrate us completing the CA bar exam. Once at the karaoke bar, a certain 32 year old screen writer from Long Island would spend the entire time talking to me, get my number, and then spend the next month and a half trying to get to me commit to a relationship with him. <br />
<br />
And so began my (almost) year of single-hood. I went on many dates during that period and kissed many frogs. I was not searching for love-- just trying to put back together my smashed heart. I spent most of the time feeling angry and resentful. I tried to cultivate my female relationships as much as I could (though I've always been awful at it). I tried to reconnect with my family more.<br />
<br />
As cliched as it probably sounds, I was pretty happy being single. Doing the things that I wanted. Going where I wanted. Spending time with whomever I wanted. Not having to worry about the repercussions of my actions on a significant other. It was a very selfish time period and I ended up hurting the feelings of three good men, despite repeated warnings that (1) I was still recovering from heartbreak, (2) I did not want a relationship at the time, and (3) I was not going to want a relationship in the future, either. <br />
<br />
And then I started writing to a man on a dating site. Who kept sounding better and better in each of his messages. Who I eventually met for coffee in my favorite place in LA and who turned out to be exactly the way I hoped he would be from his messages. <br />
<br />
I very much was not looking for love when I started writing to him. I certainly wasn't looking for love when I first met him for coffee. Had I known what would result from those simple actions, I'm not 100% sure I would have reached out and taken those first steps. I wasn't ready for love then. I'm not completely sure I'm ready for love now.<br />
<br />
I do feel that he is supposed to be my person. And I want to be his.<br />
<br />
One year ago, I thought that you had ended my future when we broke up. I could not imagine what I would do or who I would be without loving you.<br />
<br />
Today, I am so grateful to have lost myself so completely when dating you because it forced me to reevaluate my life, my interests, and my expectations over this past year. It forced me to be a complete person, one with both positive and negative traits. It forced me to start listening and acting upon my own desire. While this past year was... challenging, I'm grateful for it because it honed who I am today. And it prepared me for a real, balanced, and mutually supportive romantic relationship.<br />
<br />
So thank you, Nick, for breaking my heart so completely back in February of 2011. I'm happy to say that I'm doing pretty alright. <br />
<br />
I hope you find your happiness, too.<br />
<br />
I hope you find your true love, too.<br />
<br />
Whatever you decide to do, please, please, please, break up with Angela if you're not in love with her. It's not fair to keep stringing her along when she so clearly loves you. As much as it would hurt to have her heart broken, it's better to struggle through that and heal than to continue to love a man who doesn't love you back. Trust me on this one.<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
Ppzi236http://www.blogger.com/profile/09247355396956151129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606483257504101171.post-90739805583496027852012-01-16T00:07:00.000-08:002012-01-16T00:07:29.136-08:00I can haz sock!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My first (sober) sock! Going cuff down was so much easier than going toe up. Kitchener stitch wasn't that bad either. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TcxJyCJOA2E/TxPaEdpJDAI/AAAAAAAADHo/MBkO29KpKFk/s320/photo%25283%2529.JPG" width="320" /></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Can't wait to start the second sock tomorrow!</div>pzi236http://www.blogger.com/profile/09247355396956151129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606483257504101171.post-59387517415870700882012-01-13T09:24:00.000-08:002012-01-13T09:24:54.981-08:00Sock ProgressI still can't believe that I'm actually knitting a pair of socks! Properly. From the cuff down.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2dGM6CclYwo/TxBodJWadcI/AAAAAAAADHY/Y5kfS8Ns4r8/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2dGM6CclYwo/TxBodJWadcI/AAAAAAAADHY/Y5kfS8Ns4r8/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Although I complained about the slow progress at first, I must say that I'm enjoying the experience quite a bit. Maybe sock knitting will become a regular part of my knitting regimen.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hq6wPMc15mM/TxBok0QwfbI/AAAAAAAADHg/EWEZ852xTOI/s1600/photo%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hq6wPMc15mM/TxBok0QwfbI/AAAAAAAADHg/EWEZ852xTOI/s320/photo%25282%2529.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br />
Not much to report beyond that. Work is busy as usual. I see my friends. I date. That's pretty much it...<br />
<span id="goog_1564837610"></span><span id="goog_1564837611"></span>pzi236http://www.blogger.com/profile/09247355396956151129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606483257504101171.post-32894404884087039532012-01-07T22:57:00.000-08:002012-01-07T22:57:02.144-08:00Snapshots from my life...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Christmas 2011</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mUHE9eVdii4/Twk82S2eCqI/AAAAAAAADGg/iZo5fzsRixc/s320/photo%252811%2529.JPG" width="320" /></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">My nephew's 7th birthday party</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jf0blEBvYLY/Twk855uFNhI/AAAAAAAADGo/QUpcw5IkE6c/s1600/photo%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jf0blEBvYLY/Twk855uFNhI/AAAAAAAADGo/QUpcw5IkE6c/s320/photo%252810%2529.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">View from my desk </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ExGsofWt0fg/Twk8-LEpo1I/AAAAAAAADGw/MnmvM3Nh0uE/s1600/photo%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ExGsofWt0fg/Twk8-LEpo1I/AAAAAAAADGw/MnmvM3Nh0uE/s320/photo%25288%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Two of my four adorable nieces and nephews </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fGcOaMJLGjs/Twk9Cul1vsI/AAAAAAAADG4/O9vBrRIJEmA/s1600/photo%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fGcOaMJLGjs/Twk9Cul1vsI/AAAAAAAADG4/O9vBrRIJEmA/s320/photo%25287%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Sock knitting </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xe5y_v8fXx0/Twk9IXa9GnI/AAAAAAAADHA/jEYjaNq7uMo/s1600/photo%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xe5y_v8fXx0/Twk9IXa9GnI/AAAAAAAADHA/jEYjaNq7uMo/s320/photo%25285%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/goddesspantea/sea-socks">Sock</a> knitting progress </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rVmNi-xEyfM/Twk9NK89foI/AAAAAAAADHI/l4BPKTL1kJc/s1600/photo%252812%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rVmNi-xEyfM/Twk9NK89foI/AAAAAAAADHI/l4BPKTL1kJc/s320/photo%252812%2529.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/goddesspantea/green-goddess-fingerless-gloves">Matching</a> fingerless gloves </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BCtyfosi8RU/Twk9SywffXI/AAAAAAAADHQ/Csvpb3V9l1c/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BCtyfosi8RU/Twk9SywffXI/AAAAAAAADHQ/Csvpb3V9l1c/s320/photo.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>pzi236http://www.blogger.com/profile/09247355396956151129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606483257504101171.post-48155109807425956552011-12-09T08:29:00.000-08:002011-12-09T08:29:39.425-08:00Day 228: "Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead."I spoke with Nick on the phone yesterday. For the first time in... 6+ months.<br />
<br />
He wants to see me in March, when he flies out to Vegas for a few days with some of his friends. We've been talking back and forth about it via email and I thought it best to call him and get everything out of the way, so that we would be finished.<br />
<br />
I wish I could say that hearing the sound of his voice had no effect on me. But I would be lying if I said that. I wholeheartedly wanted to marry him and spend the rest of my life making us happy and successful. I have no doubt in my mind that we would have been, too.<br />
<br />
But he did not want to undergo the temporary discomfort of a long-distance relationship that would allow me to move back to NJ in a way that didn't burn the relationship with my family. And he didn't want to think about moving out here. Not seriously, anyway.<br />
<br />
It took a long, long time for me to accept that. To live with that. To be ok with that.<br />
<br />
But I am now.<br />
<br />
He is a beautiful road not taken and that's all he'll ever be to me. And that's ok.pzi236http://www.blogger.com/profile/09247355396956151129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606483257504101171.post-62041061780374874342011-12-04T09:44:00.000-08:002011-12-04T09:44:16.537-08:00Mostly FO: Granny Square Blanket<div style="text-align: justify;"> I joined the last square to my granny square blanket last night and finished weaving in all the ends. I'm rather pleased with the finished project: </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wZbd4_rQIoM/TtuwejpyFdI/AAAAAAAADFc/IIetelEFghs/s1600/photo%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wZbd4_rQIoM/TtuwejpyFdI/AAAAAAAADFc/IIetelEFghs/s320/photo%252811%2529.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">And as you can see in the following pictures, so is my mother... =)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-STvv6_y-hqM/TtuwjYLI6VI/AAAAAAAADFk/xHtjqxcXBp0/s1600/photo%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-STvv6_y-hqM/TtuwjYLI6VI/AAAAAAAADFk/xHtjqxcXBp0/s320/photo%25284%2529.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vaJaGlPYVIw/TtuwouJZ4aI/AAAAAAAADFs/TcTgJs1ahuk/s1600/photo%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vaJaGlPYVIw/TtuwouJZ4aI/AAAAAAAADFs/TcTgJs1ahuk/s320/photo%25285%2529.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-232xwjGfLwE/TtuwpXXdibI/AAAAAAAADF0/KEVe5TEo2ng/s1600/photo%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-232xwjGfLwE/TtuwpXXdibI/AAAAAAAADF0/KEVe5TEo2ng/s320/photo%25286%2529.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZxdGgVAXAzE/TtuwqKIipNI/AAAAAAAADF8/pvcvn6ME5lY/s1600/photo%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZxdGgVAXAzE/TtuwqKIipNI/AAAAAAAADF8/pvcvn6ME5lY/s320/photo%25287%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zTxRtvSYFNI/TtuwqoiOm6I/AAAAAAAADGE/tFNfzfOR5ng/s1600/photo%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zTxRtvSYFNI/TtuwqoiOm6I/AAAAAAAADGE/tFNfzfOR5ng/s320/photo%25288%2529.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cADlWwZMWGM/TtuwrRe-WYI/AAAAAAAADGM/faKHJoDxNEc/s1600/photo%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cADlWwZMWGM/TtuwrRe-WYI/AAAAAAAADGM/faKHJoDxNEc/s320/photo%25289%2529.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4hc-DbHuNYI/TtuwsaMhmOI/AAAAAAAADGU/oj3zm4j66ys/s1600/photo%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4hc-DbHuNYI/TtuwsaMhmOI/AAAAAAAADGU/oj3zm4j66ys/s320/photo%252810%2529.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>She really should have been a model-- she's so lovely!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">I'm in the process of deciding which project to start working on next... I have two lovely skeins of road to china yarn (in purple and in cream) as well as 3 skeins of Lorna's Laces Honor in "cedar." I also have about 5 balls of mulberry silk yarn, plus new sock yarn and a bunch of others.</div><br />
Off to a craft fair for now!pzi236http://www.blogger.com/profile/09247355396956151129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606483257504101171.post-3240176189706801182011-12-02T22:54:00.000-08:002011-12-05T00:01:40.267-08:00Photo recap of 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I know it's a bit early for the annual self-reflections to start, but here's my 2011 recapped via photos:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K2mGmgwDP2c/Ttm8AXcsYsI/AAAAAAAADA0/ll-_E3diRwE/s320/IMG_0003.JPG" width="320" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Studying for the bar exam. This consumed my life from December 2010-February 22, 2011.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5CEUXAroHyA/Ttm8CPDqwMI/AAAAAAAADA8/JvVHkZ9w8jk/s1600/IMG_0010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5CEUXAroHyA/Ttm8CPDqwMI/AAAAAAAADA8/JvVHkZ9w8jk/s320/IMG_0010.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">My boyfriend and I broke up the last night of the February bar exam. My heart was smashed. I'm still recovering from the emotional repercussions (yay for emotional unavailability!). </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0aI7s0xw3cU/Ttm8ETfAzxI/AAAAAAAADBE/XfTBCajU7wM/s1600/IMG_0011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0aI7s0xw3cU/Ttm8ETfAzxI/AAAAAAAADBE/XfTBCajU7wM/s320/IMG_0011.jpg" width="239" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1dly8iK_aLQ/Ttm8re5BZOI/AAAAAAAADCk/mBF0c5Wn-zI/s1600/IMG_0134.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1dly8iK_aLQ/Ttm8re5BZOI/AAAAAAAADCk/mBF0c5Wn-zI/s320/IMG_0134.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jR7kD45aMGY/Ttm8Ezob0WI/AAAAAAAADBM/UmC52Ulh9jo/s1600/IMG_0040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jR7kD45aMGY/Ttm8Ezob0WI/AAAAAAAADBM/UmC52Ulh9jo/s320/IMG_0040.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1dly8iK_aLQ/Ttm8re5BZOI/AAAAAAAADCk/mBF0c5Wn-zI/s1600/IMG_0134.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-man3M4RfOtI/Ttm-y9zrp4I/AAAAAAAADEk/Gzp3nQAQrA0/s1600/IMG_0691.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-man3M4RfOtI/Ttm-y9zrp4I/AAAAAAAADEk/Gzp3nQAQrA0/s320/IMG_0691.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">The biggest benefit to moving to CA after law school? Getting to spend lots of time with my adorable nieces and nephews. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EEPLaH5OkLQ/Ttm8Hgk0JSI/AAAAAAAADBU/oZRfsB2qfTs/s1600/IMG_0058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EEPLaH5OkLQ/Ttm8Hgk0JSI/AAAAAAAADBU/oZRfsB2qfTs/s320/IMG_0058.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Monday afternoon champagne to celebrate my 26th birthday, with my LA best friend, Sarah. She made my birthday really special. There's an embarrassing video of me riding a mechanical bull on facebook to prove it. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ViakU89EVzE/Ttm8KW91AwI/AAAAAAAADBc/QB1V0XR8msA/s1600/IMG_0061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ViakU89EVzE/Ttm8KW91AwI/AAAAAAAADBc/QB1V0XR8msA/s320/IMG_0061.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> My best friend Noah came to visit me in LA this year. We spent a fun week eating delicious food, seeing several movies, and reading Team of Rivals out loud to each other. I miss him. =(</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CLezMoBkVtA/Ttm8MyU5orI/AAAAAAAADBk/keyE1WPkVa8/s1600/IMG_0065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CLezMoBkVtA/Ttm8MyU5orI/AAAAAAAADBk/keyE1WPkVa8/s320/IMG_0065.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">One of the benefits of living in Los Angeles? Getting to see some of your favorite actors spending a Sunday afternoon just hanging out at the bar (that's Jason Segel). </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tqqao40sx8g/Ttm8RvayGzI/AAAAAAAADBs/e1AMLjwLzpE/s1600/IMG_0081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tqqao40sx8g/Ttm8RvayGzI/AAAAAAAADBs/e1AMLjwLzpE/s320/IMG_0081.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> In April, I traveled to Denver, CO for the first time, to attend the 13th annual ABA Section of Dispute Resolution's spring conference. SHU Law made it to the national competition for the second year in a row! This is a photo from an amazing used book store I found and desperately did not want to leave.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w9ZFGYmB8ko/Ttm8WOUjQ4I/AAAAAAAADB0/-O_24G0etSM/s1600/IMG_0090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w9ZFGYmB8ko/Ttm8WOUjQ4I/AAAAAAAADB0/-O_24G0etSM/s320/IMG_0090.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ub1IyWX4His/Ttm8bJ23n0I/AAAAAAAADCE/txWl64ZP64I/s1600/IMG_0105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ub1IyWX4His/Ttm8bJ23n0I/AAAAAAAADCE/txWl64ZP64I/s320/IMG_0105.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Other favorite things about LA? Jasmine and Jacaranda season! Nothing helps heal a broken heart more than the intoxicating scent of jasmine on fresh air...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AmuLH1xRS6M/Ttm8esGUVoI/AAAAAAAADCM/skzYs-rOvyI/s1600/IMG_0107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AmuLH1xRS6M/Ttm8esGUVoI/AAAAAAAADCM/skzYs-rOvyI/s320/IMG_0107.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">... passing the CA bar exam also helped with the broken heart tremendously.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ap5jxuMudlE/Ttm8m9_Zi4I/AAAAAAAADCU/TXqivyDssLA/s1600/IMG_0126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ap5jxuMudlE/Ttm8m9_Zi4I/AAAAAAAADCU/TXqivyDssLA/s320/IMG_0126.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>In 2011, I also started running again-- an activity I had not regularly done since high school cross country and spring track. My mom went out on my first run with me. We did not make it very far. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ITJFVQ4FHng/Ttm8osZEgeI/AAAAAAAADCc/-7BzzwgLFrY/s1600/IMG_0129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ITJFVQ4FHng/Ttm8osZEgeI/AAAAAAAADCc/-7BzzwgLFrY/s320/IMG_0129.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ugb9CZCn1MA/Ttm-cxaeEAI/AAAAAAAADC8/VI9I_ee0t0w/s1600/IMG_0240.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ugb9CZCn1MA/Ttm-cxaeEAI/AAAAAAAADC8/VI9I_ee0t0w/s320/IMG_0240.JPG" width="320" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hFgk7siar3Y/Ttm-ejywjUI/AAAAAAAADDE/tVrZIpH3FTQ/s1600/IMG_0246.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hFgk7siar3Y/Ttm-ejywjUI/AAAAAAAADDE/tVrZIpH3FTQ/s320/IMG_0246.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I kept up the running though for a good 3-4 months, enjoying beautiful scenes like these ones above.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cPj2pXmGh8w/Ttm8w12h5ZI/AAAAAAAADCs/J-5DkrWQuG0/s1600/IMG_0156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cPj2pXmGh8w/Ttm8w12h5ZI/AAAAAAAADCs/J-5DkrWQuG0/s320/IMG_0156.jpg" width="239" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qi15pHoIy6g/Ttm-oE4pmFI/AAAAAAAADDs/2BCXOFSrgUI/s1600/IMG_0447.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qi15pHoIy6g/Ttm-oE4pmFI/AAAAAAAADDs/2BCXOFSrgUI/s320/IMG_0447.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4ChPJKMfRN0/Ttm-tu8PdVI/AAAAAAAADEA/PM5yLNPjrXg/s1600/IMG_0566.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4ChPJKMfRN0/Ttm-tu8PdVI/AAAAAAAADEA/PM5yLNPjrXg/s320/IMG_0566.jpg" width="239" /> </a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-04mmGVI1Csc/Ttm-u8v1HiI/AAAAAAAADEM/6D1b1xJo9Po/s1600/IMG_0588.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-04mmGVI1Csc/Ttm-u8v1HiI/AAAAAAAADEM/6D1b1xJo9Po/s320/IMG_0588.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zKGVBVeUFD8/TtnIf8ehAmI/AAAAAAAADFU/u5zVDjA3F2o/s1600/IMG_0717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zKGVBVeUFD8/TtnIf8ehAmI/AAAAAAAADFU/u5zVDjA3F2o/s320/IMG_0717.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TuVtQB5tDWk/Ttm-wul9PpI/AAAAAAAADEU/zTdFA9mZlVA/s1600/IMG_0590.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TuVtQB5tDWk/Ttm-wul9PpI/AAAAAAAADEU/zTdFA9mZlVA/s320/IMG_0590.jpg" width="320" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5DCnYN1piLY/Ttm-0eu9I8I/AAAAAAAADEs/9FWJIg1EL3E/s1600/IMG_0718.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">In 2011, I attended a few musical and culturally-southern CA activities, including a show at the El Rey Theater with Sarah, watching Butch Cassidy and the Sun Dance kid with Kareem, attending Doheny Days Summer Music Festival to see Cake, attending my first Kings hockey game (go Devils!), lots of karaoke nights and seeing Gavin Degraw, David Cook, and Carolina Liars down in Pamona!</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KkQx4IwXK-I/Ttm-gGCKwoI/AAAAAAAADDI/MShNbVom914/s1600/IMG_0270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KkQx4IwXK-I/Ttm-gGCKwoI/AAAAAAAADDI/MShNbVom914/s320/IMG_0270.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8JqtmmH8NOo/Ttm-ifOPz6I/AAAAAAAADDU/470Xkf9UxJQ/s1600/IMG_0275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8JqtmmH8NOo/Ttm-ifOPz6I/AAAAAAAADDU/470Xkf9UxJQ/s320/IMG_0275.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I took my first trip to Vegas with friends-- it was fantastic!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9hUFhXT7qwQ/Ttm-khi2KjI/AAAAAAAADDc/YP7idVEuQGs/s1600/IMG_0326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9hUFhXT7qwQ/Ttm-khi2KjI/AAAAAAAADDc/YP7idVEuQGs/s320/IMG_0326.jpg" width="239" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_nlteMEKB7c/Ttm-mbM7cII/AAAAAAAADDk/d31pSQkoW6g/s1600/IMG_0334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_nlteMEKB7c/Ttm-mbM7cII/AAAAAAAADDk/d31pSQkoW6g/s320/IMG_0334.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> I attended several mediation and healthcare law events with the LA County Bar Association and took a few courses at the Urban Craft Center in Santa Monica.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9KNxEFRkY7Y/Ttm-prBvukI/AAAAAAAADD0/_if29a-cZ_U/s1600/IMG_0475.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9KNxEFRkY7Y/Ttm-prBvukI/AAAAAAAADD0/_if29a-cZ_U/s320/IMG_0475.jpg" width="239" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0_15dWJaGFA/Ttm-5QRKF0I/AAAAAAAADFI/b5x8JAKQo4M/s1600/IMG_0761.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0_15dWJaGFA/Ttm-5QRKF0I/AAAAAAAADFI/b5x8JAKQo4M/s320/IMG_0761.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I went to several parties and events sponsored by St. Mary's, including their annual gala and holiday party.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pjs5uCOT_wo/Ttm-1-BniPI/AAAAAAAADE0/rHp4E4MDbBw/s1600/IMG_0755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pjs5uCOT_wo/Ttm-1-BniPI/AAAAAAAADE0/rHp4E4MDbBw/s320/IMG_0755.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> And finally, officially getting sworn in as an attorney in CA!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ksDkfI8Lawg/Ttm-3lRUD-I/AAAAAAAADE8/rlBvihKOUtc/s1600/IMG_0756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This year has been very challenging but a lot of great stuff has come out of it. I can't wait for 2012-- I know it's going to be my greatest year!</div>pzi236http://www.blogger.com/profile/09247355396956151129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606483257504101171.post-36173773840223987532011-11-30T07:25:00.000-08:002011-11-30T07:25:12.344-08:00Granny Square Progress...I've been working rather steadily on my Granny Square blanket throughout October and November. I'm about 85% finished with it-- currently working on joining the last half of it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yQmEsMzuk2w/TtZJ33mYtVI/AAAAAAAADAs/n4Buf_JAHGw/s1600/photo%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yQmEsMzuk2w/TtZJ33mYtVI/AAAAAAAADAs/n4Buf_JAHGw/s320/photo%25283%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Since I'm not sure how much purple yarn I have to connect the squares, I've been joining them in a way that is odd, but that will allow me to keep some semblance of symmetry. The inner squares are joined with this beautiful, deep wine colored yarn I ordered a year and a half ago, after reading about on another blog. The corners (and probably all the outside squares) are being joined with this lighter colored purple yarn I purchased at the <a href="http://www.gcv.org/">Genesee Country Village</a> outside Rochester, NY.<br />
<br />
I can't wait to complete and start using this lovely blanket.pzi236http://www.blogger.com/profile/09247355396956151129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606483257504101171.post-26180456691722776102011-11-27T08:35:00.000-08:002011-11-27T08:39:27.438-08:002011 Goals - RevisitedTowards the end of December, I came up with a list of goals I wanted to accomplish by the end of 2011. I reflected upon said list back in June. I'm looking at it again now. To recap, I wanted to:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Finish writing in my first fluke book. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Meet people, generally. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Develop a group of friends in LA.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Live in the same city as the person I am dating (engaged to?).</div><div style="text-align: center;">Incorporate exercise into my lifestyle, in whatever form(s).</div><div style="text-align: center;">Read two books a month (for fun!).</div><div style="text-align: center;">Get a grown-up job.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Read my "12 Books in 12 Months."</div><div style="text-align: center;">Pass the CA Bar Exam.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Volunteer in the legal field.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Volunteer in a non-legal field.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Design something of my own.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Take one craft course each 2-3 months.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Get pedicures every 2-3 months.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Learn to cook more vegetarian meals.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Finish Level 1 of Rosetta Stone French.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Learn Spanish!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Strengthen my Farsi reading and writing skills.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Learn to can and preserve food.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Do at least 1 "cultural" activity per month (i.e. museums).</div><div style="text-align: center;">Take a roadtrip to Portland.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Go to Yosemite National Park.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Visit San Diego.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Check out different movie theaters in LA - preferably historic/cook ones.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Continue to blog.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Go to 3 craft fairs/shows, i.e. Renegade.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Open an Etsy shop?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Finish/make a quilt.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Crotchet a granny square blanket.</div><div style="text-align: center;">See a great band, live.</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><br />
<i><b>My progress this year...</b></i><br />
<br />
1. <strike>Finish writing in my first fluke book</strike>.<br />
<ul><li>Done! I finished it on February 16, 2011. I started my second one on February 26th. <i>I finished that and started on my third in September!</i></li>
</ul>2. <strike>Meet people, generally</strike>.<br />
<ul><li>I've been working on this once since Nick and I broke up in late February. I've gone to karaoke, house parties, bars, bbqs, movie nights, breakfast clubs, and book club meetups. I'm doing new things all the time! <i>Spending so much time with Gwen has certainly helped... I've met a bunch of new people through her since the summer time. I'm actually pretty happy where things are at in that regard.</i></li>
</ul><strike>3. Develop a group of friends in LA.</strike><br />
<ul><li>I definitely have a bunch of really good individual friends. Still trying to find a 'group' to join, though.<i> I definitely feel as if I belong to Gwendolyn's group of friends, plus the group of friends with Travis and Sherwin. What can I say? I've always been a bit of a loner with the ability to walk in and out of groups.</i></li>
</ul>4. <strike>Live in the same city as the person I am dating (engaged to?)</strike>.<br />
<ul><li>This goal became significantly easier to reach at the end of February. Hmm, wonder why...<i> I must say that I'm enjoying being single very much right now. While I'm not opposed to meeting "Mr. Right," I am still very much not emotionally vulnerable for that to happen right now. And that's ok. Dating and meeting new people is fun.</i></li>
</ul>5. <b>Incorporate exercise into my lifestyle, in whatever form(s).</b><br />
<ul><li><i>I had been pretty good about this for about 2 months but then I started working and had difficulty finding time to exercise and take care of myself. I seriously need to change this because I miss running very much.</i></li>
</ul>6. <b>Read two books a month (for fun!).</b><br />
--> I'm a tiny bit behind but thus far I've read: <br />
<ul><li>Freedom </li>
<li>High Fidelity </li>
<li>Hunger Game Trilogy</li>
<li>Something Borrowed</li>
<li>World War Z</li>
<li>The Paris Wife</li>
<li>Breakfast at Tiffany's </li>
<li>The Girl in Hyacinth Blue</li>
<li><i>Ender's Game</i></li>
<li><i>One Day</i></li>
<li><i>The Bell Jar</i></li>
<li><i>The Beauty of the Husband </i> </li>
</ul>--> I'm just about done reading:<br />
<ul><li>Interpreter of Maladies (short stories)</li>
<li>Secret Lives of People in Love (short stories)</li>
</ul>--> I'm currently reading:<br />
<ul><li>The Engines of God </li>
<li>Team of Rivals</li>
</ul><strike>7. Get a grown-up job.</strike><br />
<ul><li><i>I started working for my brother's Surgical Center back in mid-September. It's challenging, but I'm learning a lot about healthcare, healthcare law, employment law, administration, and my ability to handle a shitload of stress.</i></li>
</ul><b>8. Read my "12 Books in 12 Months."</b><br />
<ul><li><i>I... don't think I've read a single one. I'm awful, I know.</i></li>
</ul>9. <strike>Pass the CA Bar Exam.</strike><br />
<br />
<ul><li>Took the exam again in February 2011.</li>
<li>Find out that I passed the exam on May 13, 2011!<strike><br />
</strike></li>
</ul><b>10. Volunteer in the legal field.</b><br />
<b>11. Volunteer in a non-legal field.</b><br />
<b>12. Design something of my own.</b><br />
<b>13. Take one craft course each 2-3 months.</b><br />
<ul><li><i>I've certainly failed at this goal, but I did take spinning back in August. I absolutely loved it! I can't wait to buy my own spinning wheel!</i></li>
</ul>14. <strike>Get pedicures every 2-3 months.</strike><br />
<br />
<ul><li>I went with my mom last weekend to get one. My feet were awfully blistered and calloused from my flats and wedges! </li>
</ul>15. <strike>Learn to cook more vegetarian meals.</strike><br />
<ul><li>Since I'm no longer dating a vegetarian, this goal isn't as important as it used to be. That said, I have been baking up a storm lately with delicacies such as <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/2011/04/apple-tarte-tatin-anew/#more-7318">apple tarte tatin</a>, <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/2007/11/simplest-apple-tart/">apple tart</a>, <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/2011/05/strawberry-summer-cake/#comment-679080">strawberry cake</a>, <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/2007/09/red-velvet-cake/">red velvet cupcakes</a>, and <a href="http://www.cakepops.org/how-to-make-cake-pops/">cake pops</a>!<strike><br />
</strike></li>
</ul><b>16. Finish Level 1 of Rosetta Stone French.</b><br />
<b>17. Learn Spanish!!!</b><br />
<b>18. Strengthen my Farsi reading and writing skills.</b><br />
<b>19. Learn to can and preserve food.</b><br />
<b>20. Do at least 1 "cultural" activity per month (i.e. museums).</b><br />
<ul><li>I'm super behind on this one, though I did go to the Hammer Museum a few weeks ago.</li>
<li>I plan to go to the Huntington Museum and Gardens next week!</li>
</ul><b>21. Take a road trip to Portland.</b><br />
<b>22. Go to Yosemite National Park.</b><br />
23. <strike>Visit San Diego.</strike><br />
<ul><li>Went to PB for Memorial Day weekend with Sarah! </li>
</ul>24. <strike>Check out different movie theaters in LA - preferably historic/cook ones.</strike><br />
25. <strike>Continue to blog.</strike><br />
<ul><li>Not as frequently as I like, but I'm still at it!<strike> </strike></li>
</ul><b>26. Go to 3 craft fairs/shows, i.e. Renegade.</b><br />
27. <strike>Open an Etsy shop?</strike><br />
<ul><li>Not going to happen. I have little time and little interest. </li>
</ul><b>28. Finish/make a quilt.</b><br />
29. Crotchet a granny square blanket.<br />
<ul><li>I'm working on this goal right now! While I haven't finished yet, I'm about 85% of the way done and will definitely be complete by the end of 2011!</li>
</ul><strike>30. See a great band, live.</strike><br />
<ul><li><i>I saw Cake perform at Doheny Days Summer Festival and Carolina Liars play at the Fox Theater in Pomona!</i></li>
</ul>Although I haven't had this list in front of me, I'm glad to say that 6 months into this new year (when the hell did that happen?!) I've actually done a number of these. I'm going to spend the rest of the year trying to do more. I doubt I'll do all of it, but I think I could do quite a number more.<br />
<br />
<i>I'm pretty happy with my progress thus far! I'll see how many more of these goals I can bang out in this last month and change of 2011.</i>pzi236http://www.blogger.com/profile/09247355396956151129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606483257504101171.post-35355319336455350402011-11-09T07:52:00.000-08:002011-11-09T08:24:03.724-08:00Granny Square Progress...<div style="text-align: left;">Knitting and crocheting is truly remarkable to me. I love possessing the ability to turn these long pieces of string (essentially):</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pvEDzuAZVfM/TrqgB49Zn6I/AAAAAAAAC-8/4XSDUrOKSBg/s1600/photo%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pvEDzuAZVfM/TrqgB49Zn6I/AAAAAAAAC-8/4XSDUrOKSBg/s320/photo%252811%2529.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">into these little <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/goddesspantea/silky-wool-granny-square">squares of joy</a>:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BMmyy4mEEVI/TrqjWj41hZI/AAAAAAAAC_U/Ngrh_Ifiiw8/s1600/photo%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BMmyy4mEEVI/TrqjWj41hZI/AAAAAAAAC_U/Ngrh_Ifiiw8/s320/photo%25289%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I think the granny square blanket is progressing nicely... I'm aiming to make 4 squares each of 8 designs before I start attaching them to each other.<br />
<br />
I can't wait to curl up under this thing to sip tea and read a book or knit any one of a dozen patterns I've been eyeing on ravelry. <br />
<br />
While I do generally enjoy the process of knitting and crocheting, I'm definitely a product knitter and crocheter!pzi236http://www.blogger.com/profile/09247355396956151129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606483257504101171.post-63888665643327671622011-11-07T08:54:00.000-08:002011-11-07T09:01:10.362-08:00A Short & Incomplete List of Things I Love In (My) Life1. Holding (and drinking from) a large mug of hot tea.<br />
2. Yarn, knitting needles, crochet hooks and the ability/(im)patience to create <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/goddesspantea">beautiful things</a> using them.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3jz_6SO8ohg/TrgOMVUTEmI/AAAAAAAAC-c/zXGIWM1J610/s1600/photo%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3jz_6SO8ohg/TrgOMVUTEmI/AAAAAAAAC-c/zXGIWM1J610/s320/photo%25285%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
3. The sound of the grandfather clock in the hallway sounding away the hours and half hours.<br />
4. Sweet potatoes with a bit of brown sugar sprinkled on top.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jVR6msf77JY/Trf-3OkUnbI/AAAAAAAAC98/H2sQ300Rn9U/s1600/photo%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jVR6msf77JY/Trf-3OkUnbI/AAAAAAAAC98/H2sQ300Rn9U/s320/photo%25283%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> (Seen here fried up with some egg for a hearty breakfast!)</i></div>5. Adventures- even failed ones.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zaQsmEHqxEs/TrgOxSidpvI/AAAAAAAAC-0/c2cJWsR9YAo/s1600/photo%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zaQsmEHqxEs/TrgOxSidpvI/AAAAAAAAC-0/c2cJWsR9YAo/s320/photo%25288%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rWwphD6z7fM/Trf-bCjlxbI/AAAAAAAAC90/lzkGGydDPSg/s1600/photo%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rWwphD6z7fM/Trf-bCjlxbI/AAAAAAAAC90/lzkGGydDPSg/s320/photo%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> (Spent yesterday afternoon in a mostly closed downtown Pamona, CA...)</i></div>6. Used bookstores.<br />
7. Trees during autumn- vibrant reds, golds, and oranges.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NIgMI7BUwaA/TrgOYiRKzJI/AAAAAAAAC-s/EwKKdKo_Yl8/s1600/photo%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NIgMI7BUwaA/TrgOYiRKzJI/AAAAAAAAC-s/EwKKdKo_Yl8/s320/photo%25287%2529.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br />
8. Soft, warm autumn jackets that help keep away the cold. <br />
9. Baking pies and other goodies for people I love.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w3ERcNb68BA/TrgOSsKvubI/AAAAAAAAC-k/R8bP_Oe6KAk/s1600/photo%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w3ERcNb68BA/TrgOSsKvubI/AAAAAAAAC-k/R8bP_Oe6KAk/s320/photo%25286%2529.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br />
10. Curly and wavy hair.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dpz33z0iT-E/TrgNYp22rsI/AAAAAAAAC-U/-5OZiIMa5oM/s1600/photo%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dpz33z0iT-E/TrgNYp22rsI/AAAAAAAAC-U/-5OZiIMa5oM/s320/photo%25284%2529.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm certainly not where I expected to be a year ago but I must admit that while my life is not perfect, and is more often than not stressful and exhausting, I'm a pretty lucky woman. </div>pzi236http://www.blogger.com/profile/09247355396956151129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606483257504101171.post-42079010222031586082011-11-06T12:30:00.000-08:002011-11-06T12:30:48.521-08:00Lazy Sunday<div style="text-align: center;">I stayed up until 2 am crocheting and knitting last night. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I then spent this gloomy Sunday morning drinking tea, crocheting Granny Squares and finishing some guilty pleasure television.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WI4_kqq-Cr0/TrbtssOzN_I/AAAAAAAAC9s/E3iSGt0yjck/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WI4_kqq-Cr0/TrbtssOzN_I/AAAAAAAAC9s/E3iSGt0yjck/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">I'm now headed off to a cute little town for used book and antique shopping. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Apple pie baking is in the cards for later on this evening. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I can't remember the last time I had such a relaxing weekend! </div>pzi236http://www.blogger.com/profile/09247355396956151129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606483257504101171.post-2780450253346133092011-10-05T08:31:00.000-07:002011-10-05T08:31:21.053-07:00Autumn Gloom, FOs, and ExplanationsThe past few months have been full of constant change around these parts.<br />
<br />
First, I got a job up by my parents' house. Second, I had to move away from LA and up to their neck of the woods. Third, I've ended up living back at home so I can save up some money (and start paying back some <strike>stupid</strike> student loans) so that I can get a place of my own once I decide whether I'm sticking around here after my one-year contract is up.<br />
<br />
I must admit that I'm still trying to get used to this new schedule-- I wake up before dawn and typically get home around 7 or 8 each night. I'm awful at going to bed before 11pm, which is bad for me since I need 8 hours of sleep to function like a normal human being.<br />
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I haven't gone running in about 2 weeks. =(<br />
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I have been enjoying quite a bit of gardening, however:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NI6vZ4duyOM/ToxsT5V07AI/AAAAAAAAC4M/qg8A1Rywo-c/s1600/photo%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NI6vZ4duyOM/ToxsT5V07AI/AAAAAAAAC4M/qg8A1Rywo-c/s320/photo%25285%2529.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D0MLK6GYQqs/ToxrrLbPcFI/AAAAAAAAC38/U6x9jmWMTC8/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D0MLK6GYQqs/ToxrrLbPcFI/AAAAAAAAC38/U6x9jmWMTC8/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FiHM6RoOMBk/ToxsI1gYlgI/AAAAAAAAC4E/AeFqFXHOYCk/s1600/photo%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FiHM6RoOMBk/ToxsI1gYlgI/AAAAAAAAC4E/AeFqFXHOYCk/s320/photo%25283%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sisxx_54DLU/ToxsNkzFrEI/AAAAAAAAC4I/K7CvFHVxht0/s1600/photo%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sisxx_54DLU/ToxsNkzFrEI/AAAAAAAAC4I/K7CvFHVxht0/s320/photo%25284%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">And I can't wait until these babies are ready for plucking and pie-making:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wUlnxsRo1MM/ToxsZlrjkxI/AAAAAAAAC4Q/92mapcrdfyU/s1600/photo%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wUlnxsRo1MM/ToxsZlrjkxI/AAAAAAAAC4Q/92mapcrdfyU/s320/photo%25286%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">I've also been busy, knitting away on some projects:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qmFkq44eadc/Toxz8__qsrI/AAAAAAAAC4o/9Ktiosz_Tks/s1600/photo%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qmFkq44eadc/Toxz8__qsrI/AAAAAAAAC4o/9Ktiosz_Tks/s320/photo%25289%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M7VzeIfNsfk/Tox1zkwh0RI/AAAAAAAAC5A/b1RpTM-8Xhk/s1600/Photo+on+2011-10-05+at+07.43+%25232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M7VzeIfNsfk/Tox1zkwh0RI/AAAAAAAAC5A/b1RpTM-8Xhk/s320/Photo+on+2011-10-05+at+07.43+%25232.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I absolutely love this yarn that I bought back in Montclair, NJ, intending to learn entrelac with it-- I tried figuring it out on my own, but I got frustrated and turned it into this simple <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/instant-gratification-scarf">twisted drop stitch scarf</a> and super loose hat (perfect for when I've got a bunch of clips in my hair... which is 90% of the time).<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">I also finished up a couple of shawls: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/summer-flies">Summer Flies</a> in a beautiful Malabrigo sock yarn (colorway Agua) <-- this is probably my favorite Malabrigo colorway to date! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vK0-vkf5etU/Tox1CMlFZhI/AAAAAAAAC44/u8wuM8HKcYs/s1600/photo%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vK0-vkf5etU/Tox1CMlFZhI/AAAAAAAAC44/u8wuM8HKcYs/s320/photo%25288%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">And a modified <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/multnomah%20">Multnomah</a> -- I hate garter stitch, so I alternated between sections of garter stitch and sections of stockinette. I still have to block this shawl out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LII441MoOvQ/Tox1GkndW6I/AAAAAAAAC48/OG83yjY8cEE/s1600/photo%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LII441MoOvQ/Tox1GkndW6I/AAAAAAAAC48/OG83yjY8cEE/s320/photo%25287%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">With the cooler weather starting already, I have a feeling I'm going to need all of these knitted beauties. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My mom has already nabbed my favorite pair of <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/goddesspantea/susies-reading-mitts">fingerless gloves</a>. My sister asked me to knit hats for my niece and nephew-- so weird to knit things for <i>my</i> family this year.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I miss summer already...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S_vkvpsLBNk/ToxrvhGsfUI/AAAAAAAAC4A/hBu6rJJRQYQ/s1600/photo%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S_vkvpsLBNk/ToxrvhGsfUI/AAAAAAAAC4A/hBu6rJJRQYQ/s320/photo%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>pzi236http://www.blogger.com/profile/09247355396956151129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606483257504101171.post-30924086681690872542011-08-31T10:56:00.000-07:002011-08-31T10:56:37.335-07:00Hiking! ...and a bit of crotchet, too!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My friend Michael invited me to go hiking with him yesterday afternoon. I was thrilled!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
Although I've wanted to go hiking all summer long, I never managed to make it to any of the weekly hiking meetup groups--the idea of battling midweek afternoon rush hour to drive 14 miles just to get to the beginning of a hike always seemed pretty silly. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then there was Death March, a 14-mile hike from the San Fernando Valley to the Pacific Ocean, for which I impatiently waited-- just to be unable to do since I had an all day mediation class downtown.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eAUCnhbHSFI/Tl5xQu2qXHI/AAAAAAAAC3E/B-oXdQxl60E/s1600/photo%252813%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eAUCnhbHSFI/Tl5xQu2qXHI/AAAAAAAAC3E/B-oXdQxl60E/s320/photo%252813%2529.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G5FEV96Wud4/Tl5xNKssObI/AAAAAAAAC3A/fzpqm0nLuEs/s1600/photo%252812%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G5FEV96Wud4/Tl5xNKssObI/AAAAAAAAC3A/fzpqm0nLuEs/s320/photo%252812%2529.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Michael, my hiking buddy! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xyOc0PDqtH8/Tl5xVWpREXI/AAAAAAAAC3I/zj-rVeQuzMw/s1600/photo%252814%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xyOc0PDqtH8/Tl5xVWpREXI/AAAAAAAAC3I/zj-rVeQuzMw/s320/photo%252814%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IxsigeIrF4M/Tl5xaMUmUaI/AAAAAAAAC3M/8u-JJyivUUs/s1600/photo%252815%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IxsigeIrF4M/Tl5xaMUmUaI/AAAAAAAAC3M/8u-JJyivUUs/s320/photo%252815%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D-HLqR8nLrs/Tl5xgaTHEmI/AAAAAAAAC3Q/t03jJLPDy8c/s1600/photo%252816%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D-HLqR8nLrs/Tl5xgaTHEmI/AAAAAAAAC3Q/t03jJLPDy8c/s320/photo%252816%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_0iamWV4XzA/Tl5xmijC2aI/AAAAAAAAC3U/t-Uf8MDPFaY/s1600/photo%252817%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_0iamWV4XzA/Tl5xmijC2aI/AAAAAAAAC3U/t-Uf8MDPFaY/s320/photo%252817%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d3rimJ_32FM/Tl5xHuyILMI/AAAAAAAAC28/08h-KIvsgaI/s1600/photo%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d3rimJ_32FM/Tl5xHuyILMI/AAAAAAAAC28/08h-KIvsgaI/s320/photo%252811%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">You can see downtown LA in the background...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iKs-j4p89o4/Tl5xqfhUYkI/AAAAAAAAC3Y/5NduEIJQsZ4/s1600/photo%252818%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iKs-j4p89o4/Tl5xqfhUYkI/AAAAAAAAC3Y/5NduEIJQsZ4/s320/photo%252818%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jt99WEpdQ9g/Tl5xtZFD1ZI/AAAAAAAAC3c/iRIRK45FhL4/s1600/photo%252819%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jt99WEpdQ9g/Tl5xtZFD1ZI/AAAAAAAAC3c/iRIRK45FhL4/s320/photo%252819%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lBFPWhoDrZg/Tl5xyUpX5nI/AAAAAAAAC3g/Vj03pNb38zA/s1600/photo%252820%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lBFPWhoDrZg/Tl5xyUpX5nI/AAAAAAAAC3g/Vj03pNb38zA/s320/photo%252820%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">The best shot of 'purple hour' I could get with my i-phone's camera. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HdoNCm2MAAI/Tl5x114StvI/AAAAAAAAC3k/vrxdJQDL8E0/s1600/photo%252821%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HdoNCm2MAAI/Tl5x114StvI/AAAAAAAAC3k/vrxdJQDL8E0/s320/photo%252821%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The last bits of rush-hour traffic on the 405.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yXKuy074Wkk/Tl5x5QFYYtI/AAAAAAAAC3o/GcLbAom0qt0/s1600/photo%252822%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yXKuy074Wkk/Tl5x5QFYYtI/AAAAAAAAC3o/GcLbAom0qt0/s320/photo%252822%2529.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Thanks Michael for getting me out hiking again!</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">In yarn related news, I picked up about 9 skeins of wool/silk blend yarn at the UCC's rummage sale: all for 3 dollars/skein (more than half off retail prices). </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Since I'm not knitting Christmas gifts for anyone this year, I decided to start myself a true Granny Square blanket, one that will be warmer and more useful on cool winter nights here in LA. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HL6lF1TASto/Tl5ywYb9BfI/AAAAAAAAC3s/jPz6t8HwJts/s1600/photo%252824%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HL6lF1TASto/Tl5ywYb9BfI/AAAAAAAAC3s/jPz6t8HwJts/s320/photo%252824%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Since I've still got 2 active knitting projects (the Sunset Shawl and some fingerless gloves to go along with my Potato Chips Scarf), I'm going to take my time with this blanket, crotcheting only a couple of squares per day. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t1PU9WXopN0/Tl5y1h5ICzI/AAAAAAAAC3w/ChI_PnwhPmo/s1600/photo%252823%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t1PU9WXopN0/Tl5y1h5ICzI/AAAAAAAAC3w/ChI_PnwhPmo/s320/photo%252823%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
pzi236http://www.blogger.com/profile/09247355396956151129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606483257504101171.post-27449507034247213782011-08-23T16:39:00.000-07:002011-08-23T16:41:07.822-07:00Snapshots from my life...<div style="text-align: center;">Not much to blog but lots going on:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6CvDulna6Zk/TlQ3x0ErRtI/AAAAAAAAC1M/kS47oi5qJ1A/s1600/photo%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6CvDulna6Zk/TlQ3x0ErRtI/AAAAAAAAC1M/kS47oi5qJ1A/s320/photo%25288%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> (I've been taking a mediation course downtown these past two weeks) </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nh7Bbr1cIW4/TlQ4ClHNqCI/AAAAAAAAC1U/iyB4J0qxtHA/s1600/photo%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nh7Bbr1cIW4/TlQ4ClHNqCI/AAAAAAAAC1U/iyB4J0qxtHA/s320/photo%252810%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>(The little park I sometimes read at before my class starts up for the evening)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rLujLoBBSzk/TlQ36P3XZLI/AAAAAAAAC1Q/7XZiJ3qJ600/s1600/photo%25289%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rLujLoBBSzk/TlQ36P3XZLI/AAAAAAAAC1Q/7XZiJ3qJ600/s320/photo%25289%2529.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>(I've also been doing a bit of knitting, too.)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hR-JKb7fePg/TlQ2jeGLjxI/AAAAAAAAC0w/cmA3E2-P2PQ/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hR-JKb7fePg/TlQ2jeGLjxI/AAAAAAAAC0w/cmA3E2-P2PQ/s320/photo.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lNa9-5Aq7F4/TlQ2pV4DJrI/AAAAAAAAC00/SG7_rUQqMQw/s1600/photo%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lNa9-5Aq7F4/TlQ2pV4DJrI/AAAAAAAAC00/SG7_rUQqMQw/s320/photo%25282%2529.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>(And a whole lot of eating...)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UyePISev4o0/TlQ3c-WAUOI/AAAAAAAAC08/BmGov_E_CsM/s1600/photo%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UyePISev4o0/TlQ3c-WAUOI/AAAAAAAAC08/BmGov_E_CsM/s320/photo%25284%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> (A feast I prepared myself a few days ago - salmon, shrimp, sauted mushrooms, <br />
mashed sweet potato, and salad)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lc9UbHV5VFM/TlQ3doEdOJI/AAAAAAAAC1A/nKauG5fsw4s/s1600/photo%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lc9UbHV5VFM/TlQ3doEdOJI/AAAAAAAAC1A/nKauG5fsw4s/s320/photo%25285%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> (A mac 'n cheese pancake from <a href="http://blueplatesantamonica.com/bpsm/home/">Blue Plate</a> in Santa Monica)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Joj2ENL0yCo/TlQ3jgPcNLI/AAAAAAAAC1E/TEAUWnHIZi8/s1600/photo%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Joj2ENL0yCo/TlQ3jgPcNLI/AAAAAAAAC1E/TEAUWnHIZi8/s320/photo%25286%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> (An epic grilled vegetable panini and salad from <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/vanilla-bean-bakery-santa-monica">Vanilla Bean Bakery</a> in Santa Monica)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rNJd619bjRY/TlQ3oV5fQrI/AAAAAAAAC1I/Luo_XaHxhWc/s1600/photo%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rNJd619bjRY/TlQ3oV5fQrI/AAAAAAAAC1I/Luo_XaHxhWc/s320/photo%25287%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a><i><br />
(And an <a href="http://umamiburger.com/">Umami</a> burger with sweet potato fries)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DM0370CWmyA/TlQ2v7jgF5I/AAAAAAAAC04/kQ9z9H1Tcag/s1600/photo%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DM0370CWmyA/TlQ2v7jgF5I/AAAAAAAAC04/kQ9z9H1Tcag/s320/photo%25283%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>(Enjoying tea while catching up on some busy work and blogging while at <a href="http://www.espressoprofetala.com/">Profeta</a>)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
I've also been doing a whole bunch of running, but that is much harder/more boring to document.<br />
<br />
I must say that after a year of living out here, I'm finally starting to get the hang of it. And that's a pretty wonderful feeling. =)</div>pzi236http://www.blogger.com/profile/09247355396956151129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606483257504101171.post-77246611969658529112011-08-21T22:41:00.000-07:002011-08-21T22:41:52.623-07:00Spinning!<div style="text-align: center;">Although I have been knitting pretty consistently since my friend, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/kathynancygirl">Nance</a>, re-taught me how during my senior year of college, I never had a particularly strong desire to learn how to spin yarn. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--c37fbT2xb8/TlHpDXNB_qI/AAAAAAAAC0U/yJT0o4WKm04/s1600/photo%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--c37fbT2xb8/TlHpDXNB_qI/AAAAAAAAC0U/yJT0o4WKm04/s320/photo%25282%2529.JPG" width="239" /></a></div> <br />
<div style="text-align: center;">That changed when I visited the <a href="http://www.gcv.org/">Genessee Country Village</a> last summer. Since then, I've tried to teach myself how to spin at the <a href="http://www.theurbancraftcenter.com/">UCC</a> using both drop spindles and spinning wheels but I never had much luck on my own.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bFER7jE0jEE/TlHpWaaiHtI/AAAAAAAAC0k/tMsBXOusqNM/s1600/photo%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bFER7jE0jEE/TlHpWaaiHtI/AAAAAAAAC0k/tMsBXOusqNM/s320/photo%25288%2529.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">The UCC came to my rescue this month by offering a 2 day/week spinning class with a wonderfully patient and kind teacher!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Though this yarn is terribly uneven and unprofessional, I'm absolutely thrilled that I produced it today! </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NVrAwkGuzeY/TlHo-XP9q2I/AAAAAAAAC0Q/3RlWh_k79Cg/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NVrAwkGuzeY/TlHo-XP9q2I/AAAAAAAAC0Q/3RlWh_k79Cg/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <i>I spun 3 bobbins full of the stuff this afternoon!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ycj__enuKEg/TlHpNpwPhvI/AAAAAAAAC0c/CGMVhHi-Dvs/s1600/photo%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ycj__enuKEg/TlHpNpwPhvI/AAAAAAAAC0c/CGMVhHi-Dvs/s320/photo%25284%2529.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>While I managed to use the spinning wheel to ply the first two bobbins, I used the <a href="http://www.mielkesfarm.com/andean.htm">Andian plying</a></i> <i>technique to help ply the third, smallest bobbin.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PIcw_FDaEdU/TlHpIKSyZQI/AAAAAAAAC0Y/6bjD827ADP8/s1600/photo%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PIcw_FDaEdU/TlHpIKSyZQI/AAAAAAAAC0Y/6bjD827ADP8/s320/photo%25283%2529.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> I then had to wind the yarn.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-83Jrx-ox6Q8/TlHpRX5fJdI/AAAAAAAAC0g/mNxYlpqbcmc/s1600/photo%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-83Jrx-ox6Q8/TlHpRX5fJdI/AAAAAAAAC0g/mNxYlpqbcmc/s320/photo%25285%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Which resulted in 3 incredibly tiny skeins of real yarn!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ikP74EiyB9s/TlHphMHFvsI/AAAAAAAAC0s/FUliwNJBnPg/s1600/IMG_8456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ikP74EiyB9s/TlHphMHFvsI/AAAAAAAAC0s/FUliwNJBnPg/s320/IMG_8456.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I have now soaked/rinsed the yarn and set it out to dry, in order to set the twist.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I highly doubt I have enough yarn here to make anything substantial, but I am so happy I learned the process of spinning these past 2 weeks. Man, it is definitely tricky!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I can't wait to go back to the UCC to spin up the extra roving I bought -- maybe in a few weeks I'll have a finished hat or cowl to show you made from this stuff!</div>pzi236http://www.blogger.com/profile/09247355396956151129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606483257504101171.post-89151434371591469612011-08-09T15:23:00.000-07:002011-08-09T15:23:09.805-07:00Garden UpdatesOne of the few things I lament about living in an apartment in Los Angeles is the inability to garden. That's why I absolutely love playing in the soil whenever I visit my parents.<br />
<br />
First, I found this big, beautiful eggplant waiting to be plucked!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ADromL4iH3g/TkGr5BhZTrI/AAAAAAAACz4/lfDVTlhHntY/s1600/photo%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ADromL4iH3g/TkGr5BhZTrI/AAAAAAAACz4/lfDVTlhHntY/s320/photo%25286%2529.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br />
Then, as I looked around a bit more, I saw all these baby squashes hiding underneath their leaves...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y5-QI4zA5es/TkGr8hrp52I/AAAAAAAACz8/awjauclwnR8/s1600/photo%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y5-QI4zA5es/TkGr8hrp52I/AAAAAAAACz8/awjauclwnR8/s320/photo%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
...and slowly starting to escape their bed.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i3vA7qQYJ4c/TkGsBgqukpI/AAAAAAAAC0A/KXqkJtTpTGQ/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i3vA7qQYJ4c/TkGsBgqukpI/AAAAAAAAC0A/KXqkJtTpTGQ/s320/photo.JPG" width="239" /></a></div> Our fruit trees are also heavy with ripening fruit: peaches<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZLcdtENIKG8/TkGsF5vAVcI/AAAAAAAAC0E/Hb_nddOWtio/s1600/photo%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZLcdtENIKG8/TkGsF5vAVcI/AAAAAAAAC0E/Hb_nddOWtio/s320/photo%25285%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
...and apples! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DqrKcYErpR4/TkGsLTI9RoI/AAAAAAAAC0I/DBWoqkuxO_I/s1600/photo%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DqrKcYErpR4/TkGsLTI9RoI/AAAAAAAAC0I/DBWoqkuxO_I/s320/photo%25283%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And finally, my lovely mother holding our crop yield of the day. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lE_j5WGuBgU/TkGsRkwNyLI/AAAAAAAAC0M/6SQa_VWtt5A/s1600/photo%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lE_j5WGuBgU/TkGsRkwNyLI/AAAAAAAAC0M/6SQa_VWtt5A/s320/photo%25284%2529.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br />
No running for me today since I ran 5 miles yesterday. I'll be back on the road tomorrow for more training!<br />
<span id="goog_1389706758"></span><span id="goog_1389706759"></span>pzi236http://www.blogger.com/profile/09247355396956151129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606483257504101171.post-20987754345226681222011-08-08T23:27:00.000-07:002011-08-08T23:28:53.871-07:00222 days and counting...I like the idea of having a countdown on this thing rather than a marker of how long it's been since my heart was last broken.<br />
<br />
Noah and I have been really great about sharing our enthusiasm with each other over this upcoming marathon. We tell each other about our runs, what we've had to eat that day, various tips we've picked up from different running sources. I'm so happy to have him training with me, even if he's doing so 3000 miles away.<br />
<br />
I ran 5 times last week for a total of 13.73 miles. I have run 2 times this week so far for a total of 7.65 miles. One of them was a 5 mile run. I have not run 5 miles since highschool!<br />
<br />
In knitting news, I've been slowly working on two scarf projects. I typically hate scarf projects but I wanted something relatively mindless to work on while I was cat-sitting and now baby-sitting.<br />
<br />
The first is my Raspberry Chocolate Braided Scarf:<br />
<span id="goog_247380848"></span><span id="goog_247380849"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-voiIkjslePg/TkDS7ZPjVQI/AAAAAAAACzw/ya_a5OQUVzY/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-voiIkjslePg/TkDS7ZPjVQI/AAAAAAAACzw/ya_a5OQUVzY/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The second is my Peach Potatoes Scarf:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gUe-yv732t0/TkDTD-M1mMI/AAAAAAAACz0/d8dOdPopfdc/s1600/photo%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gUe-yv732t0/TkDTD-M1mMI/AAAAAAAACz0/d8dOdPopfdc/s320/photo%25282%2529.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: right;">Who knows when I'll have time to finish these...</div>pzi236http://www.blogger.com/profile/09247355396956151129noreply@blogger.com0