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Friday, December 27, 2013

The Year is Dead, Long Live the New Year


Maybe my blogging less is a good thing, if I'm no longer contributing to blog feed clutter. ;)

I have started my new job and it's a fairly overwhelming undertaking on many fronts. So much to learn. So many classes to take. So much to eat. So much to try not to eat.

And, yes, I have gained some weight. I am working on figuring out how to deal with that. The quality and quantity of free food is mind blowing.

It's a delicious and seductive mine field.

You know what they say about how one never forgets to ride a bike?

I might dispute that.

On my second or third day of work, I realized that it would take me over 30 minutes to walk to one of my orientation classes (I am tagged with the "engineering" label, so I have many additional orientation classes to take and the campus is larger than DD1's university campus), so I decided to brave one of the bikes. The first bike I selected gave me something akin to a wedgie, so I realized I had to stick to a bike with a really low seat.

After selecting my bike from the stable, I had to immediately ride down a slope to the main road. Though "careen" is more of an apt description. I almost took out two pedestrians. Thank goodness no cars came up the road in that moment.

I was careening all over the place. It has been maybe 30 years since I was on a bike and while the skill "came back", somewhat, it took awhile. I am determined to try and ride one of the bikes at every opportunity to build up some muscles and maybe some balance.

I apologize, in advance, that I have no sewing to show today.

I did sew a skirt, right before starting my new job. But it's a rather spring-like skirt, so I have no pictures of it. Though, if this warm weather continues, I may be wearing it sooner rather than later.

When I am not working (I have no vacation yet, so I am working through the holidays), I am preparing for a (private) 3-day workshop I am leading in early January. Some months ago, I was asked to teach a workshop on jackets and, in particular, the creative aspects of jacket making. I have never done anything like this before, so I am spending my free time creating hand outs, samples, and trying to anticipate what these students might want to hear.

So that is sewing, of a sort, though I have nothing to share.

Christmas itself was a bit of a challenge. I celebrate with my daughters on Christmas Eve. (They spend Christmas day with their father's family.) This year, DD2 spent Christmas in Thailand as part of her Gap Year studies. In fact, right now she is in a remote tribal village that has absolutely no internet access - she will be there for almost a month studying sustainable farming. But right before she left, she was in the town of Mae Hong Son and we were able to Skype on Christmas Eve. I hadn't heard her voice in some months, so this was especially nice.

Given that DD2 was out of the picture, I decided that DD1 and I needed a change of pace, so I booked a night in a treehouse for Christmas Eve.

The treehouse was great. It is, basically, one room, in a tree, in the hills. You first ascend a staircase to reach the base of the treehouse. Then you ascend two ladders to the treehouse itself. But what I didn't realize is that the bathroom and the kitchen are not *in* the treehouse. That means, in the middle of the night, if you have to use the facilities, you descend two ladders and cross a small courtyard.

In the dark.

Thank goodness that we are having some nice weather. ;)

In the treehouse itself, there is a loft, which requires ascending another ladder. DD1 was thrilled to sleep in the loft, and I was quite comfy on the daybed below.

The TV is can be seen from both locations. We had brought some movies to watch and the treehouse is also equipped with an impressive assortment of movies. For example, we watched The Internship. (I have been asked repeatedly if I had seen this movie. I had not, so I decided to address this oversight.)

Christmas Eve dinner in the treehouse

The best part of spending the night in a tree house (and I do recommend it) is waking up on Christmas morning to the glorious sunrise peeking through the trees. Just beautiful.

We also ate our meals in the treehouse, which requires some dexterity to move the plates of food up and the dishes out. Thank goodness we didn't drink all of the wine we had brought. (DD1 is now 21-years old...)

Christmas breakfast, provided by our hosts
Sporting our Ugly Christmas Sweaters and other Christmas swag. My sweater features Santa on a Harley. ;)

And just so I offer you something in the way of sewing content... Kay, the Sewing Lawyer, has made a very cool Trapper's Hat pattern available. She made the hat for her son, but I think it's a style that some females would also enjoy, especially those who live in a cold climate.

2014 promises to be an interesting year. Yes, indeedy.

You can see that I patronized the company store. ;)
Happy New Year!

30 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing pics of your beautiful daughters. Happy New Year and I look forward to your posts whenever you can.

    Karen

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  2. Sounds like a super fun Christmas experience in the tree! Always look forward to hearing from you. Happy new year!

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  3. Such an excellent way to spend Christmas...certainly memorable! The food thing...eh, same struggle here under slightly diff circumstance. Your journey has inspired me...I have faith that I'll sort this out. I'll send good thoughts your way, that you'll be able to do the same. (awesome sweaters!!!!)

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  4. Happy New Year to you, Shams! I enjoy your blog so much!

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  5. A treehouse -- what a fun way to spend Christmas Eve/morning with your daughter! What an amazing experience your other daughter must be having during her year abroad -- I'm sure you miss her. The tree gives good advice. Happy new year!

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  6. what a memory you have made this year. Looks like a great time. Happy New Year, Beth

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  7. Shams, so glad to see that you 1) got the beanie 2) found the bikes and 3) watched the film. Now you're truly prepared for your new job!! Looks like you're enjoying your stay in Googledom!
    Glad you had a good Christmas with DD1 -- I'm sure this one has been one that she won't forget!
    Happy New Year!!
    Margaret

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  8. Sounds like a fun time.
    Happy New Year!

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  9. You sound so optimistic and happy! Your christmas looked so fun too :) Have a very happy new year! You have a lot to look forward to!

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  10. I live near you in the Sunnyside, and I remember you from days gone by at the old Sewing Workshop. I love what you are doing here with the blog. I too am uber--sigh.
    Your new job sounds -well- awesome!
    Where is the treehouse? I think I'd like to stay there sometime. Do you have a link?

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    1. How very cool, Susan! I hope to run into you at a local event - maybe at the next Artistry in Fashion! (And do say hello.)

      You can see the treehouse listing here: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/86456

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  11. What a fun thing to do. You and your daughter will remember that forever and your other daughter will be so jealous :)

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  12. What a great idea about the tree house! There is nothing like it in Spain!
    Congratulations on your new job. 2014 is going to be a fabulous year!!

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  13. I love the treehouse idea and I especially love the advice from a tree. Happy new year - I hope you can share some of your new job - sounds so exciting!

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  14. Well, shams, I just loved this whole post. Congrats on the Google gig--that is so cool. And riding the bike. And the free food? I would have trouble resisting that. The treehouse looks fabulous and I loved all the photos of it and the two lovely people inhabiting it. And glad you got to Skype your other daughter. You go girl!

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  15. It all sounds like a fabulous season! However if I were going to build a treehouse I'd go all the way and install plumbing to save myself from breaking my neck in the middle of the night! I'm just saying. . . you're an inspiration in a tree house! Happy 2014!!

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  16. What a great Christmas you had and forever memories!!!

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  17. Love this! So many new adventures!

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  18. My favorite part of this whole post is the tree advice! And the ugly Christmas sweaters. And the googly hats. Well, and of course, the tree house. OK, and the bikes.

    Happy New Year!

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  19. You could write about any old thing and I'd be entertained. This post was a treat from start to finish. No sewing required! Wishing you great luck with the new job and all your adventures in 2014. You win the best coolest mother award. It sure is fun to tag along.

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  20. Sounds like a fun Christmas, Shams, and a year of adventure ahead. Happy 2014!

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  21. Forgot to select a profile so I'm on my second go on this.

    Miss your pretty regular Monday morning blogs but the new gig with Google sounds fantastic. Wishing you a most wonderful 2014!

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  22. The treehouse sounds really fun. You did better that I did with the bike reunion after 30 years. I crashed into a bush and went over the handlebars. Fortunately,I was going slow and had a soft landing. Best wishes for you and Google in 2014.

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  23. The treehouse sounds wondferfully fun! I'm glad that you and your family had a great Christmas. Regarding bike riding--be sure that you select a bike that is the correct size (and that the seat is at the right level).. I'm sure that you will get into the swing of it again!

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  24. What a fun post, sounds like Christmas eve was very special for you and your girls, and glad you also got to speak with DD1 via skype. Big year ahead, New Years Eve here already, hope its a bonza one as you begin life as a Noogle ... love the cap :)

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  25. Happy New Year! Love your posts, they're like opening a birthday present each time. The new work gig will make it difficult for you to wear that awesome wiggle dress, if you're taking advantage of the bicycles, won't it? Sounds like an amazing place to spend your work day, though! Have a large day, Meg

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  26. Best wishes for continued success and happiness in 2014! The new job sounds like a great opportunity/challenge...esp. the bike riding and sorting out the free food!! What fun!! Thank you so much for sharing your sewing projects and talents.

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  27. Christa (sewingfor9) just sent me a link to your blog, and I'm so glad she did. :o) First of all, CONGRATULATIONS on your new job! Whoever hired you doesn't YET know how fortunate they are. I'm also excited about your jacket class, and I wish I was close enough that I could take it. I was cracking up at your BIKE story, as I know EXACTLY what you mean! After I did chemo, I decided to get a bike, which I LOVE, and I CAREENED out of my driveway like a bat out of hell, without even trying. I thought I might need TRAINING WHEELS for a while. I was so self-conscious, I only rode in the MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. If I ride now (have breathing problems now, so it's come to a near halt), I STILL ride in the middle of the night, because I LOVE it: the stars, the brisk air, the silence, everything about it. Your daughters are SO COOL, just like their mom! I hope you all have a WONDERFUL NEW YEAR. I'm PEA GREEN over that TREE HOUSE. :o) Mucho love-issimo, Annette.

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  28. I knew the b*stards would ask me for my password! Then I had to LOOK IT UP. Oh, the AGONY. ("B*stards" is my favorite cuss word.)

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