When Niels and I began packing for our first year in China I had to decide which of my small selection of knitting books I'd bring with me. I was working on a pair of socks for my Dad's birthday at the time (still not finished) and the pattern was from Knitting Vintage Socks, so bringing that was a no-brainer. I'm completely in love with my copy of Mason-Dixon Knitting so that also came along and I've a scarf thing so I also brought along Scarf Style. All three books have gotten quite a bit of use during our stay here.

Unfortunately, I no longer have Knitting Vintage Socks with me. I took it home this past summer because the plan was to finish a pair of socks while in the States (what was I thinking) and am now down to two books. I now have three pairs of socks on needles waiting to be finished, and godknows when that's going to happen.

I'm currently making the Midwest Moonlight scarf out of Scarf Style for one of the other foreign teachers, and since it's so close to being finished I'm starting to look for something to make that will match my new coat and I feel lost with out being able to look at knitting books.

I know I could find patterns on the Internet, but there's something about flipping through an actual book, oohing and ahhing over patterns that I just don't get from looking on the Internet. Knitting books are impossible to find here. In a way it's not surprising, most of the sweaters I've seen at the yarn market are all variations of each other, nothing with much creativity. Knitting here seems to been seen as a way to make functional things, not an outlet to be creative and functional. Which also explains why the yarn selection is mostly comprised of yarn that's 70% wool/30% acrylic. The upside is that I can buy lots and lots for a little amount of money and it's all still pretty decent.

I just want a decent knitting book. Is that so much to ask??

Niels & I have done some shopping the past couple weekends. We bought a new desk and chair for the office so I have my own work space. A photo of that will be forthcoming, right now it's too messy to photograph.

We also bought these to help brighten up the apartment:

It's been a rough week. Our best friend Chinese friend,Yiqiao, left for Singapore on Monday for the next 11 years. She was accepted into a very prestigious program that allows for her to go to school for free, receive a stipend, and be guaranteed job placement in Singapore once she graduates. So we are quite sad she's gone.

I've been feeling a little burnt out this week. We've not had any time off since the beginning of October and won't for another month. With all the teaching I'm doing, I'm in need of a holiday.

Yesterday I woke up to "drip, drip, drip" sounding from the office. The ceiling in the office in leaking. We told the school about it when we first moved in, but they didn't seem too concerned about it. But now someone is actually living above us, it is a problem. And this being China godknowswhen it'll get fixed. So we've taken somethings out of the office & have covered up what we can't move.



I was to be meeting with a former student, Dream, today, but we've not had a weekend to ourselves for over a month, so yesterday I sent her a message asking if we could reschedule. She called me back immediately saying that "she had to do something" so it's ok that we postponed. That other something? Preparing for her father's funeral. He was killed Thursday in a car accident. Dream's only 14, her Dad was in his early 40s, I am so sad for her and her Mom. This news put me over the edge for the day. If you can please send a good thought her & her Mom's way.

There was some good things that happened this week, although. I finished the take two on my mittens. The first pair were just too big and not warm enough, so I doubled the yarn, cast on 50 stitches, and knit them on size 4 DPNs, and they fit perfectly.