Sweaters for Dragons

Well, so much for regular updates. Seems that college life has me busier than work life ever did, but, I guess that’s why I’m here.

Heikinpäivä was great fun! The weather was perfect for the parade, lots of people stopped by the fiber demonstration, I got to try all kinds of Finnish food, and I got to dance! Waltz, two-step, schottische, polka…I think I worked of all the food I ate that night. Here are a few pics:

Me, as St. Urho

The fiber demonstration

This last weekend was Winter Carnival at Michigan Tech. I went to see the fireworks down by the canal on Saturday night, and Saturday day walked around and looked at the snow sculptures. Here are a few:

These were absolutely incredible!  I believe the theme this year was “Games We Know Made in Snow.” The rest of the pictures I took can be found here.

Still not much happening on the knitting scene. I’m making slow progress on both the log cabin blanket and Mom’s socks. I’m also working on my latest design, which I’d really like to get done so I can start selling the pattern. I am working on a (sewn) kilt for class, and will also be making a vest, a jacket/vest, and possibly knitting some kilt hose, all for the fashion show on April 1.

We’ve received a few quarter-term grades, and I’m getting As in three of my classes, and I assume in the other two as well, although I haven’t actually seen any grades in them yet.

We are going on a field trip to Jacquart Fabric Products on Feb. 22nd, which should be a lot of fun. And I’m still looking for a part-time job.

Well, that’s about it for now. I’ll try to update a little more regularly and hopefully have a few finished things to show you next time.

Nähdään!

Hyvää päivää (good day)!  It’s been awhile since I’ve updated so, in no particular order:

• Classes are going well.  All As based on the grades I’ve received so far.
• I got to use a bit of the Finnish I’ve learned, much to the surprise of the Finn I was introduced to.
• I am going to be St. Urho in the Heikinpäivä parade on Jan. 20th.
• This Wednesday, I walked into the fiber studio, took off most of my clothes, and got duct taped…OK, perverts, we were making body doubles
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• Audrey and I have started the Finlandia Fiber Society, an informal collection of fiber enthusiasts of all types.  We meet on Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the fiber studio, and will be in the fiber demonstration room at Heikinpäivä.
• It has been in the 20s and 30s lately, but it’s supposed to drop down into the teens for the parade…of course.
• I haven’t made much knitting progress on anything, although I am working on my next design.
• It’s really, really dry up here.
• I haven’t made it to any of the LYSs yet.
• Phyllis, my advisor and the fiber instructor, has apparently been spreading the word. People I haven’t met say, “Oh, you’re the knitting guru,” when I introduce myself.
• I need to go eat lunch so I can get to the fiber studio and put up some more Finlandia Fiber Society flyers.

Nähdään (see you)!

As promised, here are pictures from the fiber studio at Finlandia University:

The looms in the hall outside the studio:

The view from the doorway:

The Jukis:

The sergers:

Loom, looms, and more looms:

One of the walls o’ yarn:

The drafting, crafting, and surface design tables:

The reference library:

And finally, the Louets:

This is going to be a fun couple of years!

Here are some pictures of my dorm room.  I still don’t have it setup quite right, but it’s getting there.

No, nothing to do with classes, at least not academically.  Just a few social issues I need to deal with.  And yes, I remember being in college the first time and no, I don’t recall having to deal with these specifically:

• Slamming Doors.  I hate slamming doors.  The doors in the dorm slam shut if you just let them go and it seems that most people do.  It sets my nerves a-jangle every time.
• Kids With Attitude.  The Geometry instructor is obviously used to teaching grade-school and high-school students, but so far she is very good.  Yet there are a couple of students, one in particular, who make a snarky comments after everything she says.  I wanted to walk over and smack him on the back of the head.
• “Quiet” Is a Relative Term.  I am supposedly on the 24-hour quiet floor.  So far, this isn’t the case.  Granted, it may be quietER than the other floors, but it is by no means quiet.

I have discovered as well that I was matriculated in as a Senior, but I’ll be a Senior for about 2 years.  All of my credits transferred, but most did so as electives so don’t count toward my core graduation requirements.

And by the way, I am making some (slow) progress on Rustic Log Cabin.

…about the stairs and my trek to student parking, I offer proof:

Out the dorm and down the sidewalk to the next building

Up set of stairs #1

Up set of stairs #2

Up set of stairs #3

Across parking lot #1

Up set of stairs #4

And finally to my car…that would be the one on the other side of the white bus

Who needs a workout program?

Instead of answering questions individually, here are some random observations about my current living situation before classes start:

• OMG, the stairs!  The University sits on a hill and there are stairs EVERYWHERE.  I’ll photograph my trek to student parking later this week.
• “Spacious” must mean something different in Finnish.  To be fair, now what I’m settled the room isn’t all that small.
• I have a room to myself for the time being.  I still may get a roommate at some point this semester.
• I brought far to much stuff.
• The supposed 15 minute walk to the other campus took me a little over 7 and a half minutes.  Good thing I walk fast.
• I’m going to have to eat dinner much, much earlier than I’m used to.
• Here is the view out my dorm room window:
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• This town appears to shut down completely on Sunday.  Something to keep in mind.
• Although there is no Target nearby, there is a Wal-Mart (shudder).  It really wasn’t that bad, but I still hate the place.
• Two days without Internet access is enough to drive me batty(er).

I am a constant user of Google Maps, and for the most part, I’ve very happy with them.  So, I used GM to plot my route to the UP.  I didn’t use the route it suggested (around the west side of Lake Michigan) but switched it to up through the center of Michigan.  Everything went well until I got about an hour or so from my destination.  I should have known something was wrong when I missed one of the turn offs because the road wasn’t marked.  This was the “fastest” route…a shortcut.  And I’m sure it is a faster route during the Spring, Summer, and Fall.  I ended up on a one-lane road through the woods.  It was beautiful and I would have taken pictures if I could have pried my hands off the steering wheel.  This road may have been plowed 3 days ago.  I drive a Saturn Ion.  You do the math.

But, all’s well that ends well.  I got stuck only once on a hill and was able to back up, get a running start, and make if over.  I discovered, too late, that I could have taken state roads and probably would have made the same time since I had to drive about 20 along the road I was on. 

Moral of this story:  Check your maps, especially if you try to customize a route.

In past few weeks I have had to give up my 3 furkids.  All have gone to loving families, but it still hurts to give them up.  I know that 2 of them are sulking and I can’t help but feel bad.  Granted, it’s better than having them languish at a shelter, but it’s still tough.  I find myself doing those habitual things you do when you’ve had a furry companion for 2/4/11 years.  And it does hurt.  I hope and pray (?) that they all adjust and adopt their new families. To d’Artagnon, Allie, and my most beloved B’ehn:  May you all be well loved and happy.  Your “daddy” will love you always.

I received my course schedule for the Spring semester.  All 100 level courses and I seem to have long gaps during the day with no classes, as opposed to 8:00 – 4:00 that I had the last time I was in school.  My classes are:

Digital Imagery – This one should be fun.  I get to learn the basics of graphic design and play with Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.

College English I – Nothing fancy about this once.  I’m not sure why I have to take it, other than I haven’t taken an actual English course since 1989.

Elementary Finnish I – That’s right…Finnish.  This is not considered a language course but part of Finnish Studies and applies toward the humanities requirement.

Geometry for Art & Design – No, not math for poets.  This is geometry geared toward art & design.  Which is apropos.

I’m still missing some vital information and I have a few questions, but the offices are effectively closed until 1/4.  The admission rep I’ve been working with said she would be in at least part of next week, so I’m hoping I can catch her.