Distractions make me a bad, bad girl!

Well, I've been quite distracted lately by 2 things:

1 - Mom's 60th! I took her out to a Peruvian restaurant on the day of her birthday and gave her 75% of her gift. Why only 75%? Well, I got the other 25% but a part is missing so I have to return it... Of course, I've been slow in getting it to the post office. Surprise surprise!

2- I just started a new job last Monday! I love my new job! We are currently setting things up, I will be working out of 2 offices (in one of which I get to have my very own office/photo studio!) Wow!!!!!! The people are super nice, the benefits are amazing, etc etc etc!

Oh... And Salem's mother was down for 10 days or so! I got to spend a lot of time with her. She's very nice and I think we got along very well.

Overall, I am quite happy with things. I just finished up some slippers for my dad (I just need one last thing to be done).

Ok, bedtime! I need to wake up at 6 am! Ugh!

Gah! I'm super late!

This is just a quick update on what's going on. I know, I've been a bad, bad girl! So bad that I only realized now that one picture from my package post is only half displayed! I'll get around to fixing that ASAP! Sorry!

Also, I'm so behind on answering the SP13 weekly question (or... well... this was in December)
Part A: Are you doing any holiday knitting?
Hehehehehe... no! :-D

Part B: Have you finished?
If I have none, then I guess I am finished! Amazing! For once I'm ahead and not way behind!

So.... what new? I am starting a new job in just over a week and a half! Weeeeeeee!!!! Note to self: get a book on digital photography techniques. I'll be working on putting items on a website, taking pictures of said items, writing up item descriptions, working with other departments to make one HUGE website... and I get to be creative! Oh, and benefits after 3 months, pension plan after 6 months and... AND... get this! Vacation time after a year! WHAT'S THAT?! **all wide-eyed** I can't wait! What's this company? It's a company that has an office in Montreal and 14 co-ops in the North of Quebec (and by North, I mean WAYYYYYYYY up north, as in permafrost my friend!). We supply all items for these 14 co-ops (food, clothing, gasoline, storage, building materials, programs, etc etc). It's a really neat company and big on helping out everyone in the community.

On my plate for the next week or so:
1- Finish up everything at the office here
2- Impress Salem's mother! I mean REALLY impress! She's in town until the 25th and I plan on cooking a crazy meal (yet I'm not too sure what to make yet).
3- Finish organizing Mom's 60th birthday dinner (shhh.... don't tell her I let her age slip out).

Projects I am currently working on:
1- Picture frame earring organizer (pictures to come soon). Of course, it'll be decorated with henna!
2- Dad's thrummed slippers (almost done!)
3- SP13 knitted item #1
4- Lama's scarf (may be frogged, I noticed a mistake - damn!!!!)
5- Mom's ab... abbyl...abhlynn.... errr.. cowl. I just need to add beads and hope she's a bit more enthused about it when I present it to her for the 2nd time (oh, the grimace on her face the first time I showed it to her. I must admit it really hurt).
6- Whatever I just forgot.

Upcoming projects:
1- My giant above-couch painting/mirror project! I swear, I'll do it!
2- Salem's Henry scarf
3- Do the 2nd herring-bone mitten
4- A shawl for Nanan
5- Henna jewelry and ... housewares (it's a secret!)
6- My personal website
7- Get back to my Bettie Page poster (done in Illustrator)
8- Make a hat for myself (if it's the Fishy hat, then I might even use various scraps!)
9- Various projects with dad (including a fold-down table/counter for my tiny kitchen and a deep shadow box to display my growing seashell collection)
10- I'm sure I'm forgetting something, I just can't recall what it is... :-S Sorry!

And now, for something completely different...

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I currently have no yarn preferences. I am still exploring many options with every new project. I'd rather stay away from acrylics (I have plenty in my stash from my earlier days) and lets just say that the thought of making yarn out of a pet freaks me out just a tad!

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
A school bag - I really need to get organized with my needles.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I've been knitting for about 4 years now, seriously for 1-2 years. I taught myself thanks to some sites and then a book or two. I'd consider myself an intermediate knitter (always looking for a new challenge)

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Nope.

5. What's your favorite scent?
I love musks, sandalwood, lavender and "ocean" type smells. I ave about 20 essential oils I like to burn all over my apartment!

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
You have no idea!!! Chocolate is my favorite thing (milk or dark but I can't take white!). I will take M&Ms over Smarties any day!

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
Ok, so I: knit, crochet, paint (acrylic and starting with oil and some water colour), I make the occasional bath bomb, I make my own chocolate truffles, enjoy baking (cakes, cookies), I love to cook in general (Indian food is always fun), I sometimes make jewelry, I love doing henna on people or wood, etc... I tried spinning once, I may try it again but lets just say I thought I pretty much sucked.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I listen to just about anything except for country, opera and rap. I'll listen to the normal top 40 stuff, some R&B, rock, metal, alternative and classical (Tchaikovski is one of my favorites). MP3s are not a problem, I also have an iPod.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
I'm still into my huge turquoise and magenta/fuschia kick! I can't do yellow and most shades of green.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I live on my own but spend most of my free time with my boyfriend of 2+ years. I have one cat, Pumpkin - she's great! I love her!

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
Yes, I wear all of the above except for ponchos (I'm trying to lose a few more pounds, the poncho would only add them back on at this point).

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I'd have to say scarves - they please everyone and can vary greatly from pattern to pattern. I also made a toy once for a friend's daughter - that was very fun too (quick, easy and cute as hell!). But I have fun knitting just about anything!

13. What are you knitting right now?
I am knitting up a birthday scarf for my boyfriend's sister, then starting up on some thrummed slippers for my father and the Henry scarf for my boyfriend's birthday (December).

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Of course! Who doesn't???

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Straight/circ: it depends on the project. I am currently useing more circs because it's much harder to lose the stitches on those when travelling in the metro. Any material will do!

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Yes, I use the back of my dining room chair (unfortunately, I had to fire the boyfriend as he kept putting his hands down on the yarn all the time!).

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
My first pair of socks is going on 1 year now! I really need to get back to them...

18. What is your favorite holiday? What winter holiday do you observe?
I like both Eids... I don't celebrate any winter holidays since my conversion, but I still gather with my family at Christmas and most other holidays - there's no reason why I can't wish them hapy holidays. Otherwise, I love Halloween (even though it's not a holiday) - it's the only day of the year where I actually have a valid excuse to play dress up!

19. Is there anything that you collect?
I love seashells!

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I love the Farmer Fox pattern! He's beyond cute!!! I also want to start trying out some really neat lavian mittens.
I have no knitting magazine subscriptions, I don't feel a need for them.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
I'd eventually like to wrap my head around shawl patterns - for some reason I easily mess them up!

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
I'll knit socks, I'm actually thinking of making 2009 my year for making socks. I wear a size 8-9 : 23 cm (9") x 9 cm (3.5"). Warning! I have wide feet!!!

23. When is your birthday?
February 29th.

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?
MaiCarInMtl

October - that means Halloween is coming!!!!

First, I would like to appologize to all my readers *cough* for not posting for a very long time. I spent the whole month of September day fasting, praying and coming home only to sleep.

Work has been ok but 2 fairly recent slaps in the face have made me decide that it is finally time to look for something else. I am currently looking for jobs in translation (in Quebec or Ontario). I am also thinking of moving overseas next year (to the Gulf) to teach English and French. To tell you the truth, it all depends on what happens with Salem.

Today, I will be signing up for my first official Secret Pal swap - Secret Pal 13. I had a lot of fun organizing my own small Montreal Knits one (although there are some issues that are still unresolved 6 weeks after the final deadline). But I think ti was a nice experience and plan to host another Montreal Knits swap in the new year.

And now, for the best part of this month: HALLOWEEN! Yes, I know, I am a Muslim, not a Pagan, but Halloween is still one of my top 5 days in the year! I get to dress up, have an excuse to spend all day in costume and no one can call me a freak! Wooohoo!!! I really want to dress up like Medusa (even though Salem and his sister really don't want me to - they rather I dress like a disco queen or something else.... Yeah, riiiiiight!). I'll see, I might be going to a theme party where I have no choice but to dress up as somethign specific - ugh - in this case, a superhero - double ugh!

That's all for my current, quick update!

Ramadan Kareem / Mubarak!

Well everyone, I would like to wish all my fellow brothers and sisters Ramadan Kareem! Yes, I know, I am posting a day late, but distraction was the key to getting through day 1 of fasting! I kept myself busy with 4 loads of laundry, praying and then a 2 hour grocery shopping trip with Salem.

Dinner was oh so very yummy!!! We had kibbeh, fatteh, hummus, lentil and bean soup, stuffed zucchini in a yogourt sauce, amareddine and tamarind juice. Later on, we had some apple tea with cinnamon and some nuts.

The weekend was quite crazy. I had supper with Mom on Friday, bought some more scarves and some shoes. I discovered that Commensal is just too expensive for my taste. I've only been twice and sure you get to try new things but it's just too expensive!

Saturday, I mailed out my package to my spoilee and I hope it gets there on time but with the holiday... er... not looking too good. Sorry!

Then off I was to Oka beach with Salem, Lama and Lama's friend Noura. She's a very sweet girl. We enjoyed the water, sand, sun and food. We even stopped off at a roadside stand where I got corn, Lama got berries, caramel and sucre à la crème, Salem got some apples and Noura got drinks for everyone. As if all this wasn't enough, we even went out clubbing at Moomba later on. I only got home at 3:30 am - boy was I pooped!

Sunday was horseback riding with Lama and Noura. Everything was going great until Noura fell off her horse while galloping. She had a pretty bad fall but she's fine (thank God!). Once back in the city, I had a Labour Day barbecue to attend at Aunt Lise's. The food was good as per usual, but with every family reunion, it is more and more apparent that I have next to nothing in common with my family, namely my cousins. It does make me sad in a way, but not sad enough to make me change myself to be closer to them. I'm sorry, but I do not agree with their lifestyles and their decisions. Then again, they probably don't agree with some of my decisions.

I was most dissapointed when my cousin Katie and my godfather (my father's brother) left without saying goodbye to my father, his wife, Salem or me. I feel really bad for my dad. He always calls his brother for his birthday but his brother never calls him for his. Another uncle left without saying hello but chances are he was busy with one of hsi 3 grandkids. At least his wife said bye to everyone. This breaks my heart a bit... a bit for me, but mainly for my dad. :-(

This week will be a longer one... adjusting and all. But so far, so good! :-D Subhanallah!

What the hell is going on???

I must ask this question because so many weird things are going on all over this great country of ours this week.

1- 17 year old girl gets kidnapped and killed by her boyfriend's repeat-offense father.
2- Man is found dead in manhole in Montreal (whaaaa?!).
3- Crazy 40 year old stabs to death then decapitates 22 year-old, complete stranger on a Greyhound bus.

I woke up to the news of #3 yesterday. At first I was thinking this was some kind of sick joke, that it must be a mistake, but as time went on, I figured out it wasn't some kind of joke. Hearing the stories made me feel ill (and as someone who watches all those forensic/medical shows, it's hard to make me feel ill).

I feel I am really saddened by what happened as well as enraged. This young man did nothing wrong, nothing, yet this crazy psychopath decided he had the right not only to kill some random person but also cut off his head!

Now this may shock some people, but it's times like this that make me think we should bring back capital punishment. There are some individuals whom I think really do not deserve the right to live, to take away the right for one person to live, you take away your right to live. Now, would I advocate this in all cases? No, of course not, only in extreme cases.

My condolences to the family of the young man who's life was brutally ended. I also hope that the people present at this horrible event will be able to heal and deal with the circumstances of this event. I can;t even begin to imagine how these people feel.

Onto brighter news now: I took a day off and went over to Alison's place with Janet. Unfortunately the weather was horrible, but we still had fun stuffing our faces with pizza and some black bean brownies Janet brought along (mmmmm yummy!!!). Also, I couldn't believe all the plants Alison has outside! Whoah! I know who I'll go bug for advice if I ever get a garden of my own! Thanks girls for a wonderful day out!

So far it seems the swap is going well. Hopefully people are in the process of starting projects and plan on sending a little something soon to their spoilees.

I guess I best get going as this is the 5th time Pumpkin jumps on my desk since the beginning of this post. She just doesn't seem to get that I am busy.... GRRRR!!!!!!!! More posting later or in the next few days.

Of fleece and swaps

Yes, I know, I know, it’s been over a week since I’ve posted. May I offer my sincerest condolences to you in these hard times. How are you dealing? It’s ok, everything will be alllllright.

Alright, lets move on to business!

I’ve had a bit of a busy week, but I’m not complaining about it (well, not at the moment).

Last Wednesday, we had (what I would cosnider) one of the largest knitting meetings I’ve ever been to. Quite strange really. Usually attendance at knitting meets drop off in the summer but for some reason, we ended up being about 15 people in all (they just kept coming!). Basically we took over the whole terrasse at Java U on Monkland (thank you guys for putting up with us – I hope you made out with a lot of cash and tips!). Did I ever mention how much I love the staff over at Java U (on Monkland – I can’t speak for the Westmount staff - YUCKO!). We had a very rowdy time and I only got home at 10:45! Woopsy poopsy!

The weekend was fairly quiet: I made my first ever attempt at strawberry rhubarb pie (2nd attempt at a pie) and strawberry rhubarb compote. SUCCESS! But, next time I will prebake the pie crust for just 5 minutes. Salem liked all my experiments so I sent him home with some things (half the pie and some compote). A big thank you to Tante Lise for helping me out with the strwberry:rhubarb:sugar:water proportions for the compote. MMmmmmm....

Oh, a mini lesson I learned on the weekend and would like to share with everyone: NEVER DRIVE TO OLD MONTREAL ON A FIREWORKS SATURDAY!!! NEVER!!!!! It’s impossible to find parking! I highly suggest you walk, bike or metro it in. I also suggest people try to Core Sundae from Ben & Jerry’s – very sinful and full of calories. Thankfully Salem got it while I got the light fudge brownie making my ass not expand quite as much. Score!

And now, for something completely different: Fleece!
Upon Janet and I’s arrival at Ariadne on Sunday, I found a table covered in, yes, sheered sheeps wool! Oh wow! Also on the table: carding brushes and combs. Well, I spent the next few hours brushing out bit of dirt, grass and countless other things out of the wool, and prepped it to be spun. Yes, I do think I am catching the spinning bug. God help me! I e-mailled Molly-Ann yesterday, asking her when I could set up an appointment (and asking aslew of other questions) to learn how to use the spinning wheel. And the addiction begins!

Of swaps: I have decided to organisea secret pal swap (much like Secret Pal 12) for those of us who missed out on/didn’t know about the swap. It’s for Montreal knitters only and it’s fairly short (only 6 weeks). Just a little something to give us all a little taste of what these swaps are and to enjoy the coming of packages in the mail (yes, finally, something other than bills!). The swap officially starts on Thursday as soon as I send outthe assigned partners and ends in early September. I hope everythign will go swimmingly and that no one will flake out. I must admit, I am getting quite excited! :-D

Henna and Preggo news: I went to my friend Lea’s place last night (my preggo) to do henna on her stomach (my first time). I did have quite a bit of fun and finally got to see what happens when a baby moves around. No, he’s no longer kicking, he is shifting all over the place! So weird but so cool! She’s due in a week and a half but I really hope he comes early for her sake (poor girl feels like the top of her stomach is bruised and he keeps pushing his feet up against her ribs). I must admit, seing all that movement last night (I even taped some on my camera), makes me really look forward to my turn – someday Caroline, someday. God, I’m turning into such a sappy woman!