I'm A Teacher

After years of denying my desire to those who assumed I would be a teacher when I grew up it finally happened. I'm going to be teaching in an official capacity! The less cynical part of my brain is delighting at the opportunity to impart my knowledge on to the next generation... This is the moment where I smack myself across the head and insert a few choice swear words. What the Hell? How in the ever loving Universe did I get in to this glorious mess? Notice I said glorious.
My only assumption is that someone in the Universe still loves me because instead of teaching spit ball throwing, booger picking toddlers who would most likely help me to contract some virulent infection I'm teaching adults who want to further there education when it comes to the needle arts. I am now the teacher of a beginner crochet class for blind and visually impaired adults through the Krafters Korner of the National Federation of the Blind.
While on one hand this thrills me to the point of doing my happy dance; on the other side of it I'm terrified. I remember when I first learned to crochet from my college roomie Manda. While she showed me first by letting me follow her through the motions and then by letting me see the stitches on actual projects I won't get that option. These classes are taught entirely over the phone. Again I say Goddess help me to be a good teacher. Help my students so that when the simple single crochet potholder is finished it won't look like Swiss cheese with a few extra holes for decoration. I hate single crochet with a passion its the most tedious crochet stitch in terms of making me feel like I didn't get anywhere on a project. I'm putting off crocheting the sample for the class until the night before. Even then dark chocolate, Xena and a good bottle of wine may be in order. I wonder if friends let friends crochet drunk?

V Day

I spent this last weekend performing in the Vagina Monologues. The word incredible can't even begin to explain the experience. To be surrounded by women who are proud of being feminine and committed to seeing the violence stop is amazing. The proceeds went to V Day which was started by the author of the monologues; Eve Ensler and they also went to the first ever sexual assault awareness and prevention program for my campus. It truly was a fulfilling weekend.
I'm just about done crocheting another pair of mittens this time in a pretty navy blue. I think I finally have the pattern figured out now. Hallelujah! When i go home I plan to ask my local yarn shop if they will sell my mitten pattern and maybe even let me teach some crochet classes.
I'm off to finish homework and to work on my Peace Corps application. The recruiter is paying my campus a visit before the month is out and I want to get my interview out of the way.

Mittens at last

I finally finished crocheting myself a pair of mittens. I deviated from my original pattern to come up with something that is much better. One mitten is just a tad wider than the other but it works out well as it will end up being worn on the hand that carries my cane so I needed a little extra wiggle room anyways. Besides its not like most casual observers are going to notice that one mitten is literally two stitches wider!
Tomorrow is knit night at the local yarn shop and I can hardly wait to go! I need help fixing a mistake I made on my blanket and its a nifty opportunity to ask the owner if she will sell my pattern for mittens. I am so incredibly proud of that pattern despite its simplicity. My doubt in myself tends to screw me over at times and I took initiative to create something out of two skeins of yarn and my own imagination. Feels pretty damn good if I do say so myself.
In other news I poked around the Blogs of those who are currently serving in the Peace Corps and found some amazing experiences to read about. The blogs from Palau, Romania, and Costa Rica were my favorites so far. With the time for graduation coming ever closer I'm feeling the crunch not only to perform admirably in my academics but to have a plan for after graduation day. I may never serve overseas but i plan to finish my application for the Peace Corps, apply to graduate school and check out a possible job opportunity working for the government. The important thing is that I have options and as much as i know it is true and a positive thing I feel like these options are not enough. I keep having to remind myself that I can't possibly fail at all three options because failure is only how much success that I choose not to find from a situation. I swear I need to tape a mantra to my bedroom door that way I can read it everytime I go in to my room. "Failure is not a lack of success." I'll just keep telling myself that and maybe I'll believe it.

Published author!!

I am officially going to be a published poet! My poem called Sensing Autumn is going to be published in a book that a dear friend of Mine Ted is writing. He signed the contract this morning. I nearly cried when he asked if I would grant him permission to publish my poem. Ever since I can remember I have desired to be a published author and now I will not only be published but his book is slated for international markets! My mind is just spinning I can hardly believe the good news.
Before the sunshine of yesterday I spent my spring break stuck inside because of the mini snowstorm on Saturday. Sunday found me at church and getting caught up on this season of Lost. On Monday I crocheted my first mitten out of two. I'm over all satisfied with the mittens considering that I created the pattern myself. I will post pictures soon after I finish the other mitten.

10 Things To Do Before 2010

I became inspired to make this list a few months ago after a friend of mine asked me what I wanted to accomplish before 2010. I have tweeked the list a bit to reflect more realistic goals and or wishes.

1. Visit the ocean again.
2. Apply to graduate school.
3. Apply to join the Peace Corps.
4. Knit a sweater and or socks!
5. Crochet an afghan.
6. Attend a Pagan/Wiccan circle or gathering.
7. Find a job.
8. Join a pilates or Yoga class.
9. Send at least one poem or short story to a publisher.
10. Finish reading Walden.