Fun and Excitement!

Tomorrow morning I'm going home to Puerto Rico for 3 weeks. I'll try to get internet service there so I can keep posting and visiting all my favorite forums. If you don't see me around... I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!! Take care everybody!

Best Wishes!

To whom it may concern,

I PASSED MY EXAM!!!
OHH, HAPPY DAY!!!

If I had a life...

I can't wait to be done with all these stuff. I need to have a life again.

If your life were a soundtrack, what would the music be?

Here's how it works:
1. Open your library (iTunes, winamp, media player, iPod)
2. Put it on shuffle
3. Press play
4. For every question, type the song that's playing
5. New question-- press the next button
6. Don't lie and try to pretend you're cool


Opening Credits:
"Opium" Marcy Playground

Waking Up:
"I Get Around" The Beach Boys

First Day at School:
"Magics in the Makeup" No Doubt

Falling in Love:
"Eyesight to the Blind" Aerosmith

Breaking Up:
"Lejos" ("Far") Icaro Azul

Prom:
"Sammy Davis City" Brian Setzer Orchestra

Life's Okay:
"Superman" Ra

Mental Breakdown:
"Devour" Disturbed

Driving:
"What Am I to You" Norah Jones

Flashback:
"Boot Camp" Soundgarden

Getting Back Together:
"Mil Canciones" ("A Thousand Songs") Fiel a la Vega

Wedding:
"Can't Buy Me Love" The Beatles

Birth of Child:
"Hole in my Soul" Aerosmith

Final Battle:
"Politik" Coldplay

Death Scene:
"Olvidarte" ("To Forget You") Ricardo Arjona

Funeral Song:
"Get A Grip" Aerosmith

End Credits:
"Are We the Waiting" Green Day

Reviewing...

I had some things that I wanted to write about but couldn't find a moment to do it. So here it is... a couple weeks reviewed in a couple sentences.

1. Nov. 18, '06 - Went to the theater to watch Rent (the musical). It was fabulous. Totally loved it. It is one of those stories that captivate you in a way that I can't describe. I saw the movie first and fell in love with the story and the music. When you go to the theater it felt so real it was scary (but scary good). I've learned so much from it. Thank you Mr. Jonathan Larson for giving us such an inspirational musical. The hubster has the complete soundtrack stuck in his head... go see it!

2. Nov. 22-26, '06 - Went to NYC. We always have a blast there. We had a lovely Thanksgiving Day and weekend. We were able to have some down time with family and that's always good.
2A. Nov. 24, '06 - Arjona's concert was AMAZING! And getting together with friends completed a great weekend. Love ya, guys!

3. Nov. 27, '06 - Handed in my thesis! Started working on my presentation.

4. Nov. 30, '06 - Practice my talk for my thesis defense in front of my lab mates. That went OK.

Those were the highlights of the past 2 weeks. Coming soon...
1. Dec. 12, '06 - Thesis Defense Day. (Send good vibes my way, pretty please!)

2. Dec. 18, '06 - I'm going home to spend the Holidays with my family!!! The hubster will join me a week later. I can't wait.

Goin' to the city...

Gonna eat me a lot of turkey! Hehe... that was lame.

Anyway, I'm spending Thanksgiving in NYC with the hubster's mom (and her boyfriend) and brother. Then on Friday, we're meeting with our friends for a concert. Good times!!! I can't wait to see them.

Have a great Thanksgiving Day!!!

ETA.
I'm almost done with my thesis. Almost.

Where was I?

I've been writing... trying to write a thesis. Ohh Goodnes Gracious! To me it is so difficult... I don't think I'm good at technical writing at all. I'm not done yet... and that makes me sad. I want to be done with it. This is only for a Masters Degree... I don't want to even think about what would it be a Ph.D. one like. Something inside me says that I will pass, but who really knows. I also have to put together a presentation, but I'm much more comfortable with that. Not the speaking part... but the putting the presentation together part. We'll see what comes out of this.

In the crafty front - Not much, as expected... see above for reason! I'm only working on a special doily for my mom and that's it. I work on it a couple stitches at a time... so hopefully I'll be able to finish it before going home.

Ta ta for now...

Brea Bag

Wendy - You asked and here it is! I still need to get a handle.



I think I mentioned it before... I used Araucania wool that I got from my LYS on sale. I'm very happy with the outcome. You can barely see the cables on the picture... but they are lovely in person. I had a lot of fun making this bag! I made it as part of a KAL on Fiber Freaks.

The Sampler

In approx. half hour the second opportunity to get the sampler will come (it's 6:30PM). The sampler is just a package of samples from indie companies. Go to their website to get more info. From what I've seen it looks like fun and I love surprises. Go check it out (if not this time maybe soon you can get one)! I will post about it when I receive mine.

Rolling with the Homies

This was a relaxing weekend. On Saturday, we took our time and caught up with laundry and cleaned the apartment. Yesterday, I didn't do much either. It was nice to be able to just roam around the house and not have to think.

But today is Monday and, here I am, back to thinking.

Last night, I started the Rising Sun Doily. That's going to be part of my mom's Christmas present. I wanted to make the Ripe Wheat Doily but didn't have enough thread in my stash for it. Which brings me to my next point... I need a bigger stash. Last post I said I was going to finish Brea bag and start a pair of socks. Well... I lied... but it wasn't on purpose. I want to finish Brea bag (just wasn't in the mood for seaming it) and I, also, want to begin a sock (just don't have the Socks that Rock yarn that I want or any at all, for that matter (I'm dying to try that yarn! I've heard so much about it.)). I need a bigger stash. My "collection" of yarn is not that big. So when I have a project idea, most probable, I don't have the yarn necessary for it. Anyway, I'll have to live with it... always looking into eBay (check this site out... I read about it on Needle Exchange) for great deals!

Have a great day!

1. Stuff :: Unknown
   
2. Block :: Ice
   
3. Ingredient :: Cooking
   
4. Flagrant :: What?
   
5. Dandruff :: Icky
   
6. Betty :: Too many
   
7. Tide :: Home
   
8. Judges :: What did you do?
   
9. Take it easy :: Chill!
   
10. Chef :: Another reality TV show
    

I don't want to brag...

...but the hubster came home the other day with 2 skeins of yarn for me. And no, I didn't ask him to, it was a surprise. I don't know what I did to deserve him... but I'm sure I'm keeping him! He's the best!

Today I understood why it's so important to know how to drive. I take the bus to go to work (when my friend Y can't take me)... this is not a problem. The thing is it was raining cats and dogs and kittens and puppies. And to top it off, it was cold. If I knew how to drive, most probable I had a car and didn't have to wait for the bus. At least I'm on the right track... I've been practicing a lot with the hubster. Soon, I'll be ready to take the test. I'm scared!

The Brea bag is coming along. I'm working on the gusset now and it's taking forever. I knit and knit and nothing happens... I still have a few more inches to go. Pics coming soon!

When I'm done with the bag I'll retake the Sleeveless Leaf Top from KnitSimple. I'm almost done with the back, by the way.

I got the IK Holiday Gifts... and there are a few things I want to make from it. Specially, these...

Some of them it's just me and my wishful thinking... evidence A: the afghan... 19 skeins of Karabella Aurora Bulky. I just can't afford it at $8.50 the skein (approx. $162... yikes!), but it's gorgeous. Evidence B: Twilight Lace Wrap... the white number. I don't think I'm ready for lace, yet. The rest, I think I can make in this lifetime... we'll see. I love those pears...

And the winner is...

JEFFREY! Congrats man! You had me on the edge of my seat for a week.

Going over last weekend stuff

I know it's Thursday... but I want to tell you about the nice weekend I had.

First, on Saturday we went to the theater. I love going to the theater and we decided for the second time to buy season tickets for the Rochester Broadway Theater League (RBTL). They bring 5 Broadway shows to Rochester every season. We went last season and it was fantastic! We got to see My Fair Lady, Peter Pan, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Coat, Dame Edna, and Lion King. Fabulous shows! Sooo, the first show of this season was Beauty and the Beast. I've seen the movie many times... but when I saw the musical, I realized that story and songs are so beautiful and touching. We had a great time.

Then, on Sunday we went apple picking for the first time! It was so much fun... once you start you can't stop (although it was cold), you pick more that you'll ever need or want to eat. And then, there were raspberries... red and yellow. Yum!!! After picking so many apples... of course, I had to bake an apple-yellow raspberry pie for the first time, too! Let me tell you, it was good! I kind of made it up as I went... didn't follow a recipe for it. The hubster was a happy camper.

And that was it... we had FUN!

Fast forward to next weekend - Maybe... maybe... I'll go to Rhinebeck. I have to talk to the hubster. It's a 4 hour trip (each way)from here. We wanted to get a hotel room there but it was quite difficult, everything was booked. We'll see if we can make it.

48 things you could care less about

1. first name? Eliany
2. were you named after anyone? Yes, my mom (Ana, nickname Annie) and one of her sisters (Elizabeth, nickname Ely). My mom just combine them together.
3. when did you last cry? I'm not sure. I've felt like crying but I haven't done it lately.
4. do you like your handwriting? Yes, I do.
5. what is your favorite lunchmeat? Pastrami.
6. if you were another person would you be friends with you? Yeah! I like me!
7. do you have a journal? I have this blog.
8. do you still have your tonsils? Yes, I do... although I almost got them out because of 2 infections.
9. would you bungee jump? If I do it with the hubster, I would.
10. what is your favorite cereal? Frosted Mini Wheats
11. do you untie your shoes when you take them off? Sometimes.
12. do you think you are strong? Yes
13. what is your favorite ice cream flavor? Ben & Jerry's Half Baked
14. shoe size? 8 1/2 - 9 (depends)
5. red or pink? Both.
16. what is the least favorite thing about yourself? I'm overweight.
17. who do you miss the most? All my family.
18. do you want everyone to send this back to you? Not really, I'll see it anyway on their blogs.
19. what color pants, shirt and shoes are you wearing? no pants (come on, I'm home by myself!), aqua shirt, no shoes
20. last thing you ate? Onion rice & steak.
21. what are you listening to right now? TV.
22. if you were a crayon, what color would you be? Yellow.
23. favorite smell? Bake goods.
24. who was the last person you talked to on the phone? The hubster.
25. the first thing you notice about people you are attracted to? The eyes.
26. do you like the person you stole this from? Yes... if I read her blog, it's because I like her.
27. favorite drink? Coke Zero.
28. favorite sport? I like volleyball.
29. eye color? Brown.
30. hat size? I have a big head.
31. do you wear contacts? No... I have sensitive eyes.
32. favorite food? All kinds of food.
33. scary movies or happy endings? Happy endings.
35. summer or winter? Summer... I live in Rochester, NY. Do you know what goes on here during winter?
36. hugs or kisses? Hugs & kisses.
37. favorite dessert? Fruit tarts from my favorite dessert place.
38. who is most likely to respond? Maybe somebody that reads my blog.
39. least likely to respond? Maybe somebody that reads my blog.
40. what books are you reading? The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
41. what's on your mouse pad? Don't have one anymore.
42. what did you watch last night on tv? Project Runway Finale.
43. favorite sounds? The hubster voice, babies babbling and giggling.
44. the rolling stones or beatles? Hmmm... don't know.
45. the furthest you've been from home? Venice, Italy.
46. what's your special talent? I can taught myself how to do stuff from books.
47. where were you born? Puerto Rico
48. who sent this to you? Got it from somebody's blog... sorry I don't recall who.

Fabulous Tutorial

I saw this and had to share it here. This is a tutorial from Annie Modesitt showing how she makes her sketches. I think it's brilliant. I read her designer profile published on IK (Fall 2006) and was wondering how she did it... now it's available from the source. Enjoy!

Growing Up

I got my learner's permit... it might sound like no big deal. But this is coming from a girl that already had a learner's permit and let it expire. I was a little terrified of driving and other cars. I'm proud to say that I still get nervous but I'm learning to drive (and I think I'm really good). Hopefully, I'll be able to get my driver's license before the crazy winter from Upstate NY arrives, although I'm not pushing it.

I haven't mentioned this but I've been buying books (how-to books, that is) like crazy. As you already know, the hubster (a.k.a. my own personal spoiler) got me a sewing machine and I want to put it to good use (because I'm a Project Runway wannabe and I'm proud of it). So, I went to B&N and got these with my b-day money (I feel like I'm a teenager!!!):

1. - I love this book. It's easy to understand and have everything you need, and then some, to get you started.
2. - This one is fun... with lots of tips and tricks. It comes with patterns for a shirt, skirt, and pants. Also, gives you ideas on how to modify those pieces and make them your own.
   
3. - I couldn't resist this one. It's full of great projects for all around the house and people. Also showcases beautiful vintage fabrics. Amy Butler is good.

I know I'll have more to say about them as I try the projects...

The other night, I watched The Birdcage (for the first time... mind you. Where was I all this time? Maybe living under a rock.) with the hubster. It was hillarious! Totally, loved it. It's not just about a gay couple... it's like RENT. Yes, they want to expose gay couples... but they also want us to understand that they love the same way straight people do and and have the same household problems, if not even more. It's just about people loving people and, ironically, the conflicts that may bring.

I'll end this post now... it was kind of random.

Birthday Surprise

Last Saturday was my 24th Birthday. I knew the hubster was taking me somewhere but I didn't know where, for what, or any other details. The day came and what a surprise! He took me to Winderwood Farm (**the link is for their eBay store) and... and... and... bought me a wheel!

THIS WHEEL!!!


She's a Kromski Mazurca. I saw her and instantaneously fell in love. She came with 3 bobbins, a beautiful arched lazy kate, and a pound of white wool. Needless to say, I'm ecstatic. He knows how to spoil me.

After getting the wheel, we stopped by Widmer Winery and did some wine tasting and wine buying. It was my first time going to a winery and had a blast.

Also, I had dinner with the hubster, and my friends, Y and S. It was a great day!!!

In the knitting front...
I'll be participating on the Fiber Freaks KAL and will make the gorgeous Brea Bag. I'll use Araucania Nature Wool - Color 46. It's a beautiful blue color. Hopefully, I'll start it tomorrow... after I try my new wheel that is.

Blogging Anyway

I want to push myself and try to blog as frequently as possible. These days haven't been as eventfull as last week but I think I can manage to find something to blog about.

I don't have much to show, actually, nothing to show in the FO front. Although I'm working on the Garterlac Dishcloth. It's so much fun! Just follow the pattern. It will look twisted and wrong on the needles, but keep at it. You'll see the magic at the end.

I also started spinning!! I think I did good for my first time. (**Will show pictures soon.) I'm following the park and draft (**go to this webpage, they have great videos) method because it gives me time to think about what I'm doing. I really enjoy the process... it's true what they say, it's very therapeutic. I'm already seeing a wheel in my future.

Have a great day.
I'll leave you with this...



1. A penny saved is- not going to help my yarn habit.

2. Man is the only animal that- is self-conscious.

3. Happiness is nothing more than- pure feeling.

4. It ain’t over till- everybody dies.

5. To err is human; to forgive- is part of being alive.

1. Bell :: Heavenly
   
2. Abuse :: Suffering
   
3. Relief :: Peeing
   
4. List :: OCD
   
5. Concern :: Future
   
6. Absolute :: Nothing
   
7. Cling :: Stuck
   
8. Dump :: Not useful anymore
   
9. Terminate :: Pest
   
10. Wine :: Give me some now!
    

A little bit of everything...

Since today's post is totally random, here's a countdown of interesting events...
(Warning: This post is picture obese. As always click click for biggie.)

1. Last Tuesday (9/12), the hubster took me to a concert. Yep, the teacher went out on a school day, poor guy was so tired on Wednesday. OK, so it wasn't any common, boring concert. It was AEROSMITH!!! I love AEROSMITH!!! I love Steven Tyler... and Joe Perry... and Tom Hamilton... and Joey Kramer... and Brad Whitford! The hubster knows this very well and he took me to my first AEROSMITH concert ever. Tom Hamilton wasn't able to perform because he was diagnosed with throat cancer and is under treatment now (we hope you get well soon). Still, the concert was amazing. I loved it. Motley Crue was the opening show and it was really good too... but I went to see AEROSMITH, though. Here are some pics...


2. On Saturday (9/16), the hubster, Y, E, and me went to the 2006 Finger Lakes Fiber Festival. Another first for me! It's a small, local festival. I had a great time with the girls and the hubster (my personal photographer). Look! More pics...


It was interesting to see the animals up close and personal. Something that surprised me was the big amount of alpaca yarns! Almost every vendor had an alpaca yarn and blends. Also, there were beautiful wheels, spindles and roving everywhere.

3. He made me do it! The hubster set me up... (here's the evidence! By the way, look at all the gorgeous fiber in the back!)


He calls me and tells me... "Here's a girl spinning, come and see her." She asked him (because he was standing there first) if he wanted to try. He reacted fast and innocently said: "No, it's OK... but I think she wants to try it." He had it planned. SO... since he put me on the spot, I had to do it. Honestly, I was so scared. It was the first time I had a spindle on my hands. After the 2 minutes demo, she told me that the spindle was the last one they had for sale. The hubster again jumped in and said he thought I should buy it, so I did. This is what I got...


I'm pretty sure the burgundy roving (and the yarn already spun) is wool (Yep, it is... I checked). The spindle and burgundy roving I bought from Spinning Bunny. I don't remember the contents of the blue roving, although I know it's a blend. (It is a 70% Merino/30% Tencel.) And this, I got from Cloverleaf Farms; it is so soft!!! So, I've been educating myself on the field of spinning fiber. We'll see what comes out of this! If you're a spinner, any insight, tips, and/or advice will be greatly appreciated.

4. And last but certainly not least, some FOs! Both projects are from Debbie Stoller's book The Happy Hooker.

First is the One Skein Scarf (there is a CAL going on right now at Fiber Freaks with this and other scarf patterns) in Caron Simply Soft - Victorian Rose (yarn I had on my stash). That was a very easy, instant gratification project. The second is the Fit to be Tied clutch in Lion Brand Wool-Ease - Seaspray (the color looks a little washed out in the picture). I haven't lined it yet, but I'm pretty happy with it. I love the color combo of the greenish yarn and chocolate brown/pink ribbon. Now, I need a fabric to match.

5. Just a comment... I'm not a commenter in Blogland, I'm more of a lurker. So, when I decide to actually come out of my shy shell and comment, I can't. Why? you ask... well, I'm using the Blogger beta and for some reason the two versions (regular and beta) aren't compatible. The same way I can't comment on a regular Blogger blog, a person with a regular Blogger blog can't comment on mine. I hope this changes soon...

Trying new things

I'm always up to try new stuff and shake up my life. I've seen in Melissa's blog some weekly memes and I want to implement them here. I think that would help me write more often and let people get to know me. So this is what's coming, starting this week:

The intelligent man finds almost everything ridiculous, the sensible man hardly anything.

-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

In this quote, the adjective intelligent has another meaning to me... more like blind, stubborn, arrogant, than very smart. This intelligent person isn't going to care and will take everything for granted, whereas the sensible one will try to understand the world around him. This reminds me of me being younger and my mom telling me... "Ask away, there are not stupid questions. If you don't know something, ask... probably somebody will know." She taught me that it's OK not to know everything, being always grateful of a new day and everything I have, big and small... she raised me as a sensible woman.

1. I have always been fascinated with- learning everything I can from nature, people, myself...

2. My secret crush is- are (what's a girl to do? I have 2 crushes!) Steven Tyler & Johnny Depp.

3. I have a secret desire to- be very succesful in life.

4. My family irritates me when- (without bad intentions) they tell me that I need to lose weight.

5. I can keep a secret only if- you seriously tell me so.

1. True love :: The hubster
2. Age :: Wisdom
3. Stern :: Mysterious
4. Elastic :: Bubble gum
5. Rustic :: Wood
6. Enhance :: Upgrade
7. Jackson :: Drama
8. Inherit :: Sadness
9. Devious :: Sneaky
10. Scapegoat :: Not guilty

iPod Meme

OK OK... I wanted to do this for a long time now... so here it is! Actually, I thought my Ipod was more random that it actually is... oh, well.

How am I feeling today?
Wearing and Tearing by Led Zeppelin

Will I get far in life?
The Princess of ‘Xibalba’: Los Dias sin Dias by Estradasphere (Yep, they’re weird, but good!)

How do my friends see me?
Broadway by Goo Goo Dolls

When will I get married?
Pawn Shop by Sublime (The question was when not where!?! DUH!!!)

What is my best friend's theme song?
Amantes by Rituales

What is the story of my life?
Color by 311 (I like that… maybe it means color as in yarn color… hmmm)

What was high school like?
La Vie Boheme B by Rent [Original Broadway Cast]

How am I going to get ahead in life?
10,000 Years (Peace is Now) by Live (I don’t want to last that long!!!)

What is the best thing about me?
Nottingham Lace by Buckethead (Me likey some lace.)

How is today going to be?
Flutter Girl by Chris Cornell (It’s going to be crazy fast.)

What is in store for this weekend?
Noticiero by Ricardo Arjona

What song describes my parents?
Tired of “Me” by Live (What did I do now?)

What song describes your grandparents?
Green Eyes by Coldplay

How is my life going?
Rise n’ Shine by Estradasphere

What song will they play at my funeral?
Carried by Superdrag

How does the world see me?
Semilla by Puya

Will I have a happy life?
Suspension without Suspense by No Doubt (I guess I’ll never know.)

What do my friends really think of me?
Me Saben a Miel by Circo

Do people secretly lust after me?
Ambush by Sepultura

How can I make myself happy?
Te Veo Venir Soledad by Franco de Vita (I do appreciate my alone time.)

What should I do with my life?
Los Superheroes by Fiel a la Vega (I don’t think the world needs a new super heroine.)

Will I ever have children?
Girl by The Beatles (Awww… a baby girl for me and the hubster.)

What is some good advice for me?
Muzzle by Smashing Pumpkin (OK… I’ll do that… I’ll shut up now.)

What is my signature dancing song?
The Difference by The Wallflowers

What do I think my current theme song is?
Inevitable by Shakira (Love the song!!!)

What does everyone else think my current theme song is?
Lost in Hollywood by System of a Down

What type of men/women do you like?
So Cool by Filter (The hubster is So Cool!)

What kind of kisser are you?
Everything Zen by Bush

What's your style?
Beheaded by The Offspring (Oops! The secret is out.)

What kind of lover are you?
Hearts Breaking Even by Bon Jovi

What would be playing on a first date?
The Shadow of Seattle by Marcy Playground

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Creep by Stone Temple Pilots (Scary!)