It’s been a little bit since I updated. Busy busy. I made something new but I can’t post any photos until it has been given to its intended owner. As soon as it is, I will certainly post!
On a related note, I ordered some fabric from FabricLovers.com and it came yesterday. I had also bought some really soft, lightweight fabric to use as lining. It just so happened the blue lining fabric matches this new fabric beautifully and I’m SUPER excited to make a bag for MYSELF from it. The question is, what bag. I believe I have a yard of the new stuff. If anyone actually reads this and has a pattern suggestion for a bag that would show off the detail of my fabric, please post. Here’s a photo that I took with my cell phone:
Gorgeous right?
School wise, things are going well. I can’t believe I’ve only got about 6 weeks left at this point. I attended a supply teacher information session today and I’m going to take my resume down to the school district as soon as I can print it out. I’ve also been accepted into the masters program at my university. I’ll be starting that in September, hopefully. Money is an issue but I’ll be living at home to help ease those costs. All the same, if it’s not there, it’s not there. This is something I’ve always wanted to do, though I always thought it would be in English Literature and not Critical Studies in Education! Who knew I would fall in love with critical theory? Not me, that’s for sure! I’m hoping I can find a way to teach and go to school, even if it’s simply supply teaching. But, I also need to do well at both so I don’t want to stretch myself too thin and I’ll certainly continue with other things as long as I am able and there is need. Probably forever.
One thing I have learned from my friend Rachel is work ethic. I used to be a slacker and I suppose being young had a lot to do with that. My friend is one of the most driven and hardest working people I know as well as one of the most resilient, even in the face of slander and malicious lies, not to mention the many obstacles, she continues to thrive and work hard to ensure that the best product is delivered. In many ways, it’s a case of, if you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen. Not many people can take that kind of heat. Most people do not have a solid work ethic or the drive to produce only the best no matter how much of a personal sacrifice it becomes. I suppose this is simply to say how much I admire my friend (and I have many friends whom I admire for many reasons) and how much of an influence she has been on me, personally and professionally. I don’t think I would have been able to handle the last few years without that influence and certainly I wouldn’t consider taking on full time work, part time work and full time school (whether folly or not) if it weren’t for that influence and the drive to succeed that it has instilled into me.
I have often said this poem reminds me of her. I do believe it could have been written for her and since I am about to start teaching my grade 9 students poetry, it seems fitting to share it here:
My candle burns at both ends
It will not last the night;
But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends -
It gives a lovely light.
~ Edna St. Vincent Millay
