STS-134 NASA Tweetup

I was chosen... I think it is finally starting to sink in, that if the launch goes on its predicted date, I will see the space shuttle Endeavor blast off for the very last time.

When I first found out that I was picked, I was not sure what to do. While you are chosen, all the expenses to get to Kennedy are on you. The honor is getting to be with the press at a super close location to see the launch. Now, if you don't know me you would not know that this is something I have dreamed of since STS-1, when Columbia launch on 12 April 1981. I have a scrapbook of news articles about it... ok well it is hiding in my box of stuff in my dad's attic, but that is the whole living out of the country thing. When I called my brother to ask him what I should do, he said to me... "Is this really a question? Duh... you need to go." So I went on to checking on my air miles for a plane ticket and asking a friend with a place in Orlando  if I could stay and setting up a rental car. I filled out my forms to be allowed in and was approved.

Now I know the whole thing could be moved and I may not be able to go at a later date (since this one is during spring break before my visitor arrives), but I am hopefully that the stars will shine on me and all will work out as planned. I am hopeful that though I have been told it could take hours to drive from Orlando, that me being willing to pay for the toll road will help.  The people I have "met" via Twitter and Facebook seem to be very cool. They are planning lots of shared houses and such so it should be a good time.

Think good thoughts that this will be a go.

How I started with the hook...

Ok the quick version of how I started crocheting (and knitting for that matter because I am indeed a critter). My mom and grandma both knit and crocheted. I always remember watching them. Both my parents also did needlepoint and my dad was hooking a rug which sat in our living room for years. I really can’t remember which craft I began first… it might have even been looming pot holders, but I know that I wanted to learn to knit really badly. My grandma decided that I should learn crochet first and taught me by leading me through a granny square. :) I remember the 1st project was in a variegated purple yarn (my favorite color) and I was making a pillow. It took me forever to crochet all 18 squares - 9 for each side and years longer before I finally put them together. I wish I had a photo of it but with all the overseas moving I only have more recent digital ones… maybe there is one hiding in my dad’s attic. I liked when the whole family was crafty together. We had lots of types of projects going on at any given time and every time I pick up my hook (or needles) I have good memories of my grandma and mom.

Since then I have gone through stages with different crafts. I have crocheted many a kippah for my brothers, bags, hats, etc. I am really enjoying the sophistication in today’s crochet patterns. There are all kinds of new challenges to pick up.

Week 3 Challenge - The Wild Hunt for International Crochet Month with @Shibaguyz

As part of the Shibaguyz FAB CAL for International Crochet Month, I have been participating in a challenge each week. You saw last week's post about making March International Crochet Month, well week 3 is a hunt. Each day they will post a clue for that day's task.  As I complete each task, I will update this post each day so you can see what is going on. [Check out their link. They have amazing patterns.]


Enjoy!


For today's task, I needed to crochet a small bit. Of course my biggest challenge is the lack of stash (what we crafty people call all the yarn laying around waiting to be used). I have moved so often of late, that I do not have much. I was lucky enough to have this one skein of Charcoal Lion's Brand Cotton Ease around which should work. I guess I need to buy some yarn. :)

Task #1

Task #2 (The circle grows)

For Task #3 we were taken to the Shibaguyz website and got to "meet" Stephen “Suede” Baum, designer/contestant from Season 5 of Project Runway as well as get our clue. Here is the progress:

Task #3

Looking back at the comments, I realized that I misread the 1st step in Task #3 so I went back and fixed that and then added Task #4. The circle grows:

Since we all want spring to come... it is definitely here in Mexico City as different flowering trees and such start to bloom. I have now finished the WILD HUNT and came up with a very pretty flower. 

Which I decided the hang by the window to enhance the view. I think I will make a bunch more to hang around the apartment.

I have really enjoyed this event not knowing till the end what we would have. Thanks Shibaguyz!!

I declare March International Crochet Month

I have been busy this week (well yes at work) but also... crocheting in Mexico City. I am working hard on my Shibaguyz CAL and making some progress on the back.

A few rows done

I have done a few more rows since the photo, but no new pictures yet. Hope to finish it and start the front this weekend. Work has been busy, but I take a bit of time when I get home to relax and crochet. Of course, I also need to get back to my running as well. I am enjoying the project and the yarn.

In case you wondered what inspired my sudden writing of crochet, March is National Crochet Month in the US and from some of my crafty pals like Knit Purl Gurl I found out about the CAL. I of course did not let the boarder stop me from crocheting with my new friends. Then my hosts the wonderful Shibaguyz had an even better idea... let's make March International Crochet Month and of course since I have lived outside the US for over 5 years now, I am all for it.

So let's hear it: March will now be International Crochet Month!!

Do you know the way home from Santa Fe?

Tonight I ventured out to the Centro Commercial Santa Fe (a big mall) with Adam and Sarah. I was on a mission to buy yarn so I could participate in Shibaguyz Designz FAB CAL (A crochet along) being hosted on Ravelry for National Crochet Month (ok I know I don't live in the US anymore, but that's ok). After deciding on making the Wrap Front Shrug and buying the pattern (I love the whole download the pdf instantly thing.), I was so excited that I ordered yarn online only to realize it would take too long to get here so... I decided to look for some local yarn shops here in Mexico City. I found one called Crochet and one of their shops is relatively nearby in Santa Fe which used to be the city dump and is now built up. So we ventured out this evening and had success all around. I got some really pretty yarn

and Adam got shoes to wear to his brother's wedding in April. Can't wait to get this project started... well now!

Couch-to-5K: Week 2 complete!

So let's be real. I am not a runner! Never have been unless it was part of a soccer game or kickball game or _____ game... well you get the picture.

Yoga has been my game for the last years and I even completed my YogaWorks 200 hour level teacher training this summer in NYC with the best teacher, Jody Rufty and assistants and fellow students. I began my serious yoga training in Zurich with Olive and continued it Curacao with Kirti  who encouraged me to look into the training. It furthered my yoga practice greatly, but I have not found a yoga school nearby in Cuajimalpa, Mexico City yet and we have a gym in the basement of the building.

So.... this led me to the crazy idea of trying to run... again. My asthma (& the bum knee) has always been a sticking point for this and the high altitude does not make it better, but I thought let's give it a try. I had heard about Couch-to-5K from Cool Running from my friend Kami and found out there were all kinds of podcasts to help. Over 9 weeks, it shapes you up from a couch potato to running a 5k.

I had tried for  week months and months ago, but it did not stick. So I again went in search of a podcast to help me in this endeavor and I found Podcasts for Running by Robert Ullrey's which can be found at his website or in iTunes. These combine Robert explaining each week's set with good music and his cues of when to change from walking to running.

Well I have now finished Week 2. It has taken 3 weeks in total for this to happen, but I am doing it. You do each week's workout 3 times (it should only take a week). Week 1 happened with its 60 sec running and 90 sec walking with soreness, but all else well. Week 2 started and then grades were due and I did not get in workouts 2 or 3 so I started Week 2 again and have just finished it. :)  Today's workout was tough and 90 secs of running still feels quite long, but I am ready to move on to Week 3 on Thursday!

Any advice from others? I would love to hear it.