Convocation

Oh yes, I sure did graduate with the cap and gown and hood and the whole bit. It was a really great experience...except for the sore legs from standing for an hours before things started, and then sitting for three hours through 500+ students graduating. But to be there as three out of four "Mistresses of History" graduating from our year (see the photograph) and to have finally, finally finished. Wow. But most of all, I was blessed by the love and support and encouragement of so many friends and family. There was no way I would have made it through the program on my own, and I loved that I could share what really was a momentous day with so many of my favourite people. We had some friends and family over in the evening of convocation--mostly people in close vicinity or who I knew wouldn't be able to make an afternoon convocation but who would come to an evening party. Two of my brothers and the third brother's wife drove up; both my parents and my in-laws came; an aunt and an uncle from BC planned their visit so they could be there; an old family friend came; Brent's siblings and in-laws all came; and some of our very good friends from the Calgary area dropped by. They came with hugs and congratulations and hand-made cards and food and FLOWERS and gifts. And most of all, with love. I felt so, so loved and surrounded by caring people. It took me forever to fall asleep that night, I was so busy thinking about what awesome people we know. Thanks, everyone, for your love. And thank you God, for making us relational beings, able to love one another. (My only regret is that we didn't take any pictures of the evening. Bah.)

Farewell to the books

Today I returned the remainder of my secondary literature from my research. At one point I had close to 100 books out of the University Library, in addition to several from the Public Library and several more from Interlibrary loan. Now, I have approximately five books out, and none of them are thesis related.

Significance of the Sweater

Perhaps the significance of this sweatshirt will be lost on you. Then let me present some enlightenment. I promised myself that before I was all said and done with my education at the University of Calgary, I would purchase a UofC hoodie or sweatshirt of some sort. To commemorate my time there. Consequently, presence and attire of said article of clothing means only one thing: I am officialy K, holder of a Master's Degree in History. And what a run it has been. Copies of the much-berated, oft-forlorned, and now small-revisions-from-being-completed thesis may or may not be obtained from the author.

Let the Adventure Commence

Sew, I have a new soing machine. Er. So, I have a new sewing machine. Dear Grandma Marci, and any others (ie Mom B) interested in my new challenge, Here is the machine I have purchased. I'm hoping it's going to last the rest of my life. To everyone else reading, I am embarking on an adventure of sewing. I wish to quilt. Step #1, buy a machine. I've been wanting to do this for a while, but didn't have time whilst finishing my thesis. I started looking into machines a year ago and was talking to an expert quilter in Montana who just happens to be M's Grandma. On Saturday last, after much hemming (pun not intented) and hawing, I purchased a Pfaff machine, last year's model. Sunday night, with some help (thanks you two!) I set it up and figured out how to thread it and sew some stitches. It's an Expression 2028. Quality brand, 68 stitches and an upper presser foot system patented under the name "IDT" (Integrated Dual Feed). Oh, and the bobbin fits in under the arm, apparently like an industrial machine. Automatic button-hole stitch. And I'm sure there are other unique features, but I have yet to discover them. Step #2, other supplies. I have quality sewing scissors...and a seam ripper (very important for taking out messed up work). Other than that, there's a lot I still need... Step #3, fabric. So far I've been sewing on old rags. A friend of B's parents gave me some tips on buying fabric (apparently there are huge import taxes on fabric coming up from the States?). Step #4, a pattern. I want to make a vibrantly bright quilt with lots of small squares. It''s ok if it takes a long time and is very repetitive. That's what I need in order to learn: repetition. I've got some quilting pattern books to look through, so I'll start there. Once I've got pattern, I was thinking of going down to the quilting shop down the street and saying: "I want to make this. Can you help me get all the stuff I need?" I think it'll be quite expensive, but I need to start somewhere.

Danish Weather

It's been a quiet week in Lake Wobegone--er, I mean in NW Calgary. It's been raining for a couple of days now, and it rained a bunch last week too. The weather is chilly for August, we've been wearing pants and socks, and contemplating the possibility of mittens when we go out for walks. It can't possible be fall yet, can it? The weather reminds us of Denmark, our trip from last fall. The weather and the fact that I am but a few steps away from finishing my thesis on Danish-Albertan history. So we thought we should post a few pictures from our trip last October. We're definitely missing the people and places there and wish we could go back. What do you think, a post-thesis celebratory trip? Anyone interested in financing this venture? Denmark is a beautiful, beautiful country, full of rich colours and interesting architecture.

Food:

Family:

Landscape:

Architecture and Design:

Beautiful.

To Do: Ride A Fire Truck

Riding in a fire truck has always been one entry on my bucket list. Fortunate for me, my brother is a member of the local volunteer fire department and could therefore help me attain this goal. While we didn't get to ride in the truck itself, per se, we did get to experience the capabilities of the tower truck. We had to wear helmets (in case the sky fell) and harnesses. I put the face guard down, just to get the full experience. The helmet was both heavy and hot but I'm guessing those aren't major concerns to a fire fighter when he's in a burning building.

My sister-in-law took B's camera and got some shots for us (thanks M!) while we went up.

Luckily, I'm not at all afraid of heights. I like them, actually. I especially like the urge I get to test out my flying abilities when I get up high. I'm pretty sure I'd be good at flying. I am in my dreams, anyway. But, I was harnessed in here.

Our hometown looks so peaceful from way up there. Little houses, lots of trees and flowers, the sound of traffic on the highway muted.

After we came back down, my brother took his wife M and my other brother T up for a spin.

J&M: we're pretty big fans of them.

My fearless firefighter brother.

My easy-going lifeguard/plumber brother.

It was a great field trip, fulfilling one of my life-time goals and inspiring B. Now he wants to join the fire department too.

End of June

Today marks the last day of school for many of our small friends. A momentous day indeed! It is a gloriously sunny day today and sunny is on the forecast for many days to come by the looks of it. Looks wonderful, but also a little scary...some rain interspersed in there would be nice too. Today is also cause for celebration because I finished chapter four of four total chapters of my thesis. There's still lots to do yet, including introduction, conclusion, bibliography and many many revisions, but it is definitely a milestone to be this far. And finally, the painted daisies, the peonies, the lilacs, the bachelor buttons and the scarlet runner beans are all in bloom.

I'm so glad God has a creative mind and made the world beautiful, not just functional and practical.

Lately

I feel like I haven't blogged much lately (other than the Australia post), so I thought I would give some updates on things of late.

The mittens, which to me look like Crave cupcakes, were actually a January project, and a gift for a friend. I made a couple of mistakes, but all in all, I was satisfied with the way they turned out. But now I want a Crave cupcake. Mmm...

The sock, was my first COMPLETED attempt of a sock...it's rather small, but it's finished. I have its mate finished too, except for weaving the toe together. I'm trying to work my way up to more complicated adult-foot-sized socks.

And last, I gave a talk Monday night for the Olds Sons of Norway organization. Though we were 3/4 of an hour late due to an accident on Deerfoot, they fed us good Scandinavian food, including Danish apple cake and Norwegian whipping cream-filled cookies, and the lecture went well too. ;)

Community

Today we got a call from my mum. She talked about the bitter cold they are experiencing, and the trials that result from lambing when it's 35 below or colder yet. Then she told us about a fire that took place last night in one of their neighbours' barns. My brother is a fire fighter, and he and a number of the Lacombe Fire Department spent all night out there getting the fire under control. He went home to bed at seven this morning. This morning my mum got a call from someone connected to the local community hall. Who suggested that food be purchased from the caterer in Ponoka, paid for by the community hall association, and delivered to the family who owns the now-destroyed barn. Community. It makes me choke up to think about it. That's what communities are for. That's what the money of a hall board should be used for. During the Depression, people in the rural communities tightened their belts, gritted their teeth, and spent very little money on frivolous things like new clothes or purchased entertainment. They survived by consuming only what was necessary, and living in community. Sharing, when they could give their extra to someone who was lacking. Sending truckloads of shoes to the homeless in the city, since they had extra. Developing a local economy to exchange goods since sending their pigs to the market in the city cost more in shipping than they earned in the selling. They worked in community and they lived in community. They put on plays together and attended church together. They taught each other ways to be thrifty; They listened to radio broadcasts of William Aberhart; They passionately argued in political debates about the viability of Social Credit. I desire community like that. People in the city are so afraid to show need; to be vulnerable to their neighbours. To step out of their front doors and their yards And get to know each other, flaws and talents and all. But we need each other. I pray that in some small way I can create community while we live in the city. And I look forward to the day When I can deliver a meal to the neighbour whose barn just burnt down, Attend a play put on at the community hall, and just stop by for coffee.

Home again

It's snowing outside, and do you know how I know that? Because I can look out the window from my desk and watch the snow fall. We're moved, thanks largely to the help of my parents and brother T who, in exchange for only a couple of meals and some beer, helped us haul everything up on Saturday. T put away our kitchen, which was really neat seeing as he was very sensible in where things should go, and we giggle every time we go looking for something--"now, where would T put this?" We have some SERIOUS cleaning to do yet in the basement, but we're fairly settled now here, and that makes for a happy Kirstin. When things are cluttered, I'm grumpy. But things aren't cluttered (holy smokes we have cupboard and closet space!) and I am content. And now, back to translation...

More Mittens

I like knitting mittens. They're very satisfying. These ones were for friend K. They remind me of Crave Cupcakes.

Scarfing

I set the lofty goal of making Theo a scarf for Christmas, but in reality I didn't finish it until mid-January. By the time I was finished, it was longer than I am tall.

Poor little kitten, who lost her mittens

One of my major knitting projects, these were a Christmas present for M. (And she, along with J, being thoughtful like she is, bought me a book called "Knitting in the Woods"!) Earlier this week I bought a book on different sock projects. I'm really excited to try it because since the awful giant grey sock that I quit when I got to the toe, I've not had any luck with sock-knitting. Also, I really need to learn how to cable-knit.

On the occasion of the inauguration

Actually, my post has nothing to do with the inauguration, but we're watching/listening to the live broadcast of the inauguration right now. It truly is a momentous occasion. Now is the time to pray for the new leadership of the United States. Tonight is my lecture at Fort Calgary. Our pastor phoned last night to talk to Brent and I compared reading speed and sermon/lecture length with him. It made me realize that my paper was too short to fill an hour, so I spent last night adding bits and pieces. I'm hoping I'm going to hit an hour now. If you're not busy tonight, I'll be speaking at Fort Calgary at 7:30 on Danish Folk Schools in the city of Calgary in the 1920s. On Saturday we went for a skate and a visit with some friends from our lifegroup. We enjoy discussing things with them as they are in a similar headspace/life situation to us. They have a beautiful little girl who at two years old is learning to skate. I got the honour of skating with her. It was wonderful looking into her trusting brown eyes and encouraging her to keep balancing. Finally, CBC this morning released its top 49 song playlist on the occasion of Obama's inauguration: music about Canada. Check it out. I agree with a lot of the choices, with Joni and Leonard and Gordon...and the Arrogant Worms. Oh, and one more thing. Last night we had muffins for supper...(yes I know, that sounds very strange, but to our defence, they had almonds and apple sauce and whole wheat flour in them). I thought I would share the recipe because they were so darn good.

Being married and dealing with this January crap

Today's song is a little dark, and rough around the edges. But, then, so am I these days. Talking to my mum between Christmas and New Year's, I told her that I didn't think I would deal with post-Christmas depression. But you know what, I think I am. Because I really did anticipate Christmas (partly because of Brent's crazy-Christmas-music-extravaganza that began in November). ;) And I also told myself that once the 2nd of January hit, I would begin on thesis writing FULL-OUT. Which, in turn, has stressed me out so bad that I can't sleep at night. Seriously. I don't need world crises to worry about, I create my OWN life-threatening earth-shattering issues. Who does that?? Brent and I have talked and talked and talked about this...rationally during the day when I can think rationally, and irrationally at night when I am freaking out about not being able to sleep. (More on this later). It comes down to 1) me needing to be disciplined to get work done so that I can be at peace with my accomplishments, 2) needing to rely on God for my strength NO MATTER WHAT and 3) needing to focus not on myself but on outside things. Caring about others and working for the betterment of the world. But most of all, this frustrating situation has made me love, appreciate and admire Brent's steadfastness. Because through all of my issues, he's stood by me like a rock. Thank God for Brent. So, without any further ado, Tom Waits' Please Call Me, Baby: The evening fell just like a star Left a trail behind You spit as you slammed out the door If this is love we're crazy As we fight like cats and dogs But I just know there's got to be more So please call me, baby Wherever you are It's too cold to be out walking in the streets We do crazy things when we're wounded Everyone's a bit insane I don't want you catching your death of cold Out walking in the rain I admit that I ain't no angel I admit that I ain't no saint I'm selfish and I'm cruel, but you're blind If I exorcise my devils Well my angels may leave too When they leave they're so hard to find We're always at each other's throats It drives me up the wall Most of the time I'm just blowing off steam And I wish to God you'd leave me And I wish to God you'd stay Life's so different than it is in your dreams.

Routine

A quote from Jane Brocket's Gentle Art of Domesticity:

"Although I love the rush of enthusiasm at the beginning of something new, there is a lot to be said for gentle routine. It's a little like getting back to normal after the highs of the holidays. You know the routine has to be followed or nothing will be accomplished, and so, gradually, you begin to enjoy the regularity of cables, the movement up and down the needles with simple stockingette stitch, the simplicity of line after line of running stitch when quilting, the measuring and cutting of fabric pieces for patchwork" (110).

Yes ma'am, while my quilting experiences are still in the future, [note to self: must talk to Brent to see when we can budget in buying me a sewing machine] this statement is certainly true for me. I love the routine of getting up at the same time every morning, doing yoga, eating breakfast while doing devotions, a few household chores and then sitting down to my computer for the day's work. The rhythm of knitting. Making lists and crossing things off. (I've even been known to write things down on my list that I've already done simply so that I can cross them off). The fact that being married means always having a date. Even if the date is only a trip to the grocery store to pick up lettuce for supper. That I can count on CBC Radio to be there for a little happy morning music. The downside of my love of routine, regularity and rhythm is that I get REALLY grumpy at anyone/anything that upsets my pre-planned system, as poor Brent can attest to...

2009

A fellow-blogger whose writings I peruse wrote about her 2009 by coming up with a single word that would describe her goals. Hers was focus. Mine is discipline. I/we have all kinds of hopes and plans for 2009. But, they require discipline to accomplish. Some of the big themes include the following: I need to remain disciplined in order to finish my thesis by fall. We want to run another half marathon in July, which is going to require disciplined training and an all-around more healthy lifestyle. Yesterday's church service reminded me that I need to have discipline in my walk with God, if I think I'm going to grow to be a better follower of Him, and a better person to those around me. I want to be a better friend, practice more on my flute, be able to do more of the intense yoga positions, read more books, be a more generous wife, knit [maybe also crochet?] more creative things, love people more loudly, and finish my thesis. All of which I think would benefit from my becoming more disciplined. In my spiritual life, in my relationships with others, in my work, in my personal activities. Discipline.

2008 In Review

A list of thoughts regarding the year that was: - New Year's trip to Ontario; hanging out with cousins. - Josh Ritter concert that rocked our socks off. - Discovery of the heart murmur: three months of worry and lost sleep. - Finished year one of grad school. - E&B's house purchase and move. - England. Sigh. James Herriot country; Wordsworth's muse; a land of history, of wellington boots and border collies, of stone fences and sheep pastures, of majestic old castles. A most beautiful place in the world. - A wonderful summer of running, gardening, geocaching, walking, farmers' marketing and discovering free things to do in Calgary...it went so fast! - Our 24th birthdays. - My parents' 25th wedding anniversary. - R&T's sweet William's birth. - Calgary Folk Music Festival with J&M. Highlight: Martyn Joseph. - Danish family visit and go hiking with us. - My dad's new combine and its inauguration (get it?? that's punny). - Road trip to Montana with J&M. - Our second international trip of the year, Denmark. The architecture, interior design, household design. And most of all, the family relationships we gained there. (Oh yes, and my research too.) - The federal election in Canada and the fall-out afterwards. - Taking up knitting seriously. Involving mittens, scarves. And sock. - A whole jumble of books read; songs listened to and listened to again; poems considered; movies watched. - K&K's engagement. - Friendships built; relationships grown; loving and being loved.

Perry at Coffee and S'Cream instructed us that no matter how good 2008 was, 2009 should be better. So we shall endeavour to fulfill this advice. Who knows what the year will bring? A post on hopes and dreams and goals to come in the new year. Happy New Year's Eve everyone!

Grumpy Thursday

It's hard to be excited about the day when you wake up with a head-ache that won't go away even after drinking lots of water, doing an hour of yoga and drinking a cup of coffee. But I have to try to feel better. Because - Brent made the coffee this morning and he put cinnamon, ginger and cloves in it. - Radio 2 played Louis Armstrong singing Christmas songs. mmm. - We bought this Yo-yo Ma cd last night and it is lovely. Cello music ranks right up there with banjo music in my books. - I went to an information session on a 2-year BEd last night and the program looks super promising and exciting. - J&M are coming this weekend and we're going to have a BLAST with them. - R&T of Korea fame are in the SAME COUNTRY as us, and we might get to see them tomorrow!

These are a few of my favourite things

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens Brown paper packages tied up with strings, these are a few of my favourite things.

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eye lashes Silver white winters that melt into springs, These are a few of my favourite things.

Cream coloured ponies and crisp apple strudels Doorbells and sleighbells and schnitzel with noodles Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings, These are a few of my favourite things.

Lots of reasons to be happy today: - I conquered the skill of knitting mittens as the warm woolen mittens above can attest to. - We mailed our overseas Christmas packages yesterday. While they were not quite brown paper packages tied up with string, they conjure up that image. - On Sunday, with the falling of snowflakes on my nose and eyelashes, silver-white winter arrived in full force. And it has created beauty out of brown-ness all around us. Check out the pictures on Brent's photoblog for further proof. Or his facebook pictures, for that matter. God knew what he was doing when he invented the decorative loveliness of snow! (More on this later.)