Summer semester

Its been a while since I've posted anything here. I don't have a computer at home (being a poor starving student and all), and have to come up to the University or go to the Public Library or something in order to have computer time. Since I haven't had any classes since finishing exams in early April, I haven't spent much time at places with computer access . . . which has been gloriously relaxing!

I'm happy to report that I maintained my usual high GPA and added a few more "A+'s/A's" to my transcript. I guess I still struggle with self-confidence issues, as I never expect to do as well as I do. By the end of every semester, I start thinking somebody is finally going to figure out I'm not the brightest bulb on campus and fail me. I wonder if that fear ever goes away?

Right after exams, I really needed something "mindless" in order to wind down, so cross-stitched an 18th-century-looking sampler that says "may sunshine follow all your showers & flowers fill your other hours". I've always liked the rhythm of cross-stitching for relaxation, although I find searching for those miniscule holes very visually challenging! Cross-stitching reminds me of painting. My sampler has a white garden trellis and different flowers worked among the alphabet, and since it only used half of the piece of pale blue aida cloth I had, I "invented" a second sampler to complement it. Now I shall have to go searching for a local framer to frame them so I can enjoy them on a wall.

Since fnishing my cross-stitch samplers, I've been crocheting "granny squares" for a new afghan. This is not a project I tackle very often, 'cuz I much prefer projects that provide visible RESULTS fast. Crocheting gazillions (perhaps slightly exaggerated . . . closer to 200) of little squares for weeks on end before you put anything together is annoying. However, my favorite afghan is beginning to show its age, and will eventually need retirement. Actually, they are not squares . . . they are hexagons that start out like the picture on the left in dark colours (oxblood, pine), then continue in lighter/brighter colours (fuschia, mint), and will eventually come together with something boring but basic (black? beige? brown?). I need to choose two more colours for centers -- one dark, one light/bright -- before I choose the "put it all together" colour, but still haven't decided WHICH two colours even after three shopping trips to do so! I'm thinking rust/orange & peach or gold & yellow. Suggestions?

I received a wonderful new book as a thank you gift for some tutoring I did early this year: KNITTING OVER THE EDGE by Nicky Epstein. What a nice addition to my personal craft library (I have Epstein's first book, Knitting on the Edge, as well.) I think that once I've finished this afghan, I shall use my stash of ruby red baby alpaca/silk to make the capelet shown on the cover.

Beyond these crafty endeavours, I will be doing summer courses. However, they are all condensed courses, maximum duration of 2 weeks, and spread over the summer instead of all at the same time, so I should feel like I've had a summer vacation when September rolls around . . . not like last year! One of the courses will be in Prince Rupert . . . at least I'm hoping it will be . . . registration numbers are so low at this point that it could be cancelled. That would be very disappointing. I've never been to Prince Rupert, so would love the excuse to spend a couple of weeks there. I'm also doing some ESL tutoring, just in case you think I've got too much free time on my hands!

The weather here in PG is sunny and warm, and I'm really enjoying getting out and walking. Of course, the best part of warm weather is probably BARE TOES! I noticed in this mornings newspaper that the downtown Farmers' Market opens tomorrow, so I know what direction my walk shall be in the morning. (If you happen to recognize my toes . . . say hi!)