Last November, I applied for a part-time position as an ESOL teacher at TAFE. Just before Christmas, I got a letter to say that the decision process would be postponed until Term 1 due to the [summer] holidays.
Three weeks ago, I received a phone call telling me that I had an interview on 25th March. Why didn't I mention it, you ask? I guess I just don't want people to know that I'm trying for something then have to say what the result was!
Anyway...I attended the interview as prepared as I could be; I had all the documents I was supposed to have, I had samples of work one of my classes had just produced [the week before]; I even had a new pair of shoes [did I say I don't like shopping for clothes or shoes? Sorry RoseRed!] and the blisters to go with them!
Let me side-track for a moment, WM had an interview for a promotional position with a NSW government department in January, and we still haven't heard the result. We have been [im]patiently waiting to hear because it could mean major changes to our situation.
And now, back to my story....On Wednesday afternoon, yes, that's right, the very next day, I had a phone call from one of the head teachers at TAFE asking if I could [and would like] to work Friday. Now, I had a knit-n-natter planned for the morning and lunch with a very dear friend afterwards, so what did I do? I said 'yes', of course.
And so it came to pass, that I am now a part-time English teacher at TAFE! I even taught again today! It's no big deal, right? Yes it is!! [to me anyway].
Monday 31 March 2008
Blog comments and responses
I have a dilemma and I'd seriously like to know what you think.
A number of people comment on my blog and I love reading every comment. Blogger is set up to forward these comments to my email address so I know who has left comments without having to open my blog. So far, so good.
Some of those who comment have email addresses and I answer them from my Hotmail account [most of the time; lately I've been a bit slack - sorry].
Others have emailed me personally and since Hotmail stores all incoming email addresses, I can forward replies where necessary.
The rest arrive at my inbox with the following: noreply-comment@blogger.com - I want to answer these so it seems I have two options:
As readers who comment on my blog, what do you think? What works best for you? Do you mind if I don't answer your comment? What about when you ask me a question?
Please, help me solve this - since you are the people reading and commenting, I really value your input.
PS I'm making this a 'sticky' post - it will be here until the end of the month so I can get as many suggestions as possible.
A number of people comment on my blog and I love reading every comment. Blogger is set up to forward these comments to my email address so I know who has left comments without having to open my blog. So far, so good.
Some of those who comment have email addresses and I answer them from my Hotmail account [most of the time; lately I've been a bit slack - sorry].
Others have emailed me personally and since Hotmail stores all incoming email addresses, I can forward replies where necessary.
The rest arrive at my inbox with the following: noreply-comment@blogger.com - I want to answer these so it seems I have two options:
- write a comment on my own post under their comments - since I rarely go back to posts on other's blogs which I've already read, if there is comment to my comment I'll probably never know about it! After all, I subscribe to 50 blogs; today I had 37 to read - I certainly don't have time to revisit posts I've previously read. I'm assuming that others also don't revisit posts about which they've commented!
- write a comment on their blog which is totally unrelated to their latest post - I imagine this is a bit frustrating for them
As readers who comment on my blog, what do you think? What works best for you? Do you mind if I don't answer your comment? What about when you ask me a question?
Please, help me solve this - since you are the people reading and commenting, I really value your input.
PS I'm making this a 'sticky' post - it will be here until the end of the month so I can get as many suggestions as possible.
Sunday 23 March 2008
Happy Easter
Matthew 28:5 [The Message]The angel spoke to the women: "There is nothing to fear here. I know you're looking for Jesus, the One they nailed to the cross. He is not here. He was raised, just as he said. Come and look at the place where he was placed.
Saturday 22 March 2008
Yarn* Magazine #9
*an Australian knitting magazine at a reasonable price
I bought my copy at Borders today - this the first issue under the new ownership and I like it. Issue #9 is about silk - a fibre I've never knit with and possibly never will, but the articles are interesting.
I particularly enjoyed the article about buying yarn locally [silk, of course, isn't produced locally - the 'buy local' article was strategically placed before the articles about silk]. Did you know that it's possible to buy Australian wool from Canada which had first been processed in Italy!! Where's the logic in that?
I always read craft magazines from front to back [including all the advertising] so I haven't thumbed through the magazine to look for the patterns, I don't even know if there are any - just for you I'll take a sneak peak: yep, there they are - looking good, but I can't tell you what they are, you'll have to look for the magazine and decide for yourself! As for me, I buy for the articles not the patterns, and I'm finding it a top read!
I bought my copy at Borders today - this the first issue under the new ownership and I like it. Issue #9 is about silk - a fibre I've never knit with and possibly never will, but the articles are interesting.
I particularly enjoyed the article about buying yarn locally [silk, of course, isn't produced locally - the 'buy local' article was strategically placed before the articles about silk]. Did you know that it's possible to buy Australian wool from Canada which had first been processed in Italy!! Where's the logic in that?
I always read craft magazines from front to back [including all the advertising] so I haven't thumbed through the magazine to look for the patterns, I don't even know if there are any - just for you I'll take a sneak peak: yep, there they are - looking good, but I can't tell you what they are, you'll have to look for the magazine and decide for yourself! As for me, I buy for the articles not the patterns, and I'm finding it a top read!
Monday 17 March 2008
Insightful Linguist - that's me!!
The Classic IQ Test
My Result: Insightful Linguist
Insightful linguists can take complex concepts and articulate them to just about anyone. You have a gift with words and insight into processes and the way people think. These talents enable you to explain things clearly to people.
Helen Keller is a great example of an Insightful Linguist. Blind, deaf and mute, she was still able to put things together in her mind and to understand complex ideas. She could do that because she was able to conceptualize ideas internally. Though she could not literally see, she had the visual and spatial skills necessary to understand patterns on an abstract level. She learned to read, write and ultimately became a writer on issues of social justice.
You have an uncanny ability to work your way out of sticky situations using your talent with words. Crossword puzzles, debates — you're particularly well equipped to come out on top since you can read people well.
Like Charles Dickens, your verbal skills go far beyond having a good vocabulary. Dickens' genius was in the artful and descriptive way he crafted sentences. Also Dickensian, is your keen eye for detail and your adeptness for identifying the best way to express an idea based on your given surroundings and circumstances.
Your ability to communicate your vision clearly will take you far. So enjoy being perceptive, and make the most of your abilities as an insightful linguist.
Sunday 16 March 2008
Entrelac workshop
Yesterday, at our Knitters' Guild meeting, we had an entrelac workshop. Entrelac is French for 'interlaced'. We used a method devised by Brenda Horne [also a member of the Knitters' Guild of NSW] which doesn't require starter triangles and isn't knitted on the bias; it is, therefore, easier to do.
I probably wouldn't have made so many silly mistakes and I wouldn't have had to do so much tinking if I hadn't been having a very enjoyable chat with David. However, I got the gist of it and later in the evening completed my 15cm square sample. I don't know that I would knit much in coloured entrelac; perhaps an afghan/blanket/knee rug. But our tutor, Raelene showed us an example of entrelac done in stocking stitch and lace knitting, and that got me thinking. A very dear friend of mine will be a first-time grandmother mid-year. Perhaps if I get knitting soon.... how much 4ply [baby, fingering] yarn will it take to knit a wrap 120cm [48 inches] square?
I'm off to design an Afghan and order some wool from Bendigo Woollen Mill. In the meantime, I''m going to put what I learnt to good use by knitting a blanket for Wrap with Love.
PS Thanks, David, for showing me how to do a thumb cast-on. Congratulations, Raelene, on being made a life member of the Guild for services rendered - it's a well-deserved accolade!
I probably wouldn't have made so many silly mistakes and I wouldn't have had to do so much tinking if I hadn't been having a very enjoyable chat with David. However, I got the gist of it and later in the evening completed my 15cm square sample. I don't know that I would knit much in coloured entrelac; perhaps an afghan/blanket/knee rug. But our tutor, Raelene showed us an example of entrelac done in stocking stitch and lace knitting, and that got me thinking. A very dear friend of mine will be a first-time grandmother mid-year. Perhaps if I get knitting soon.... how much 4ply [baby, fingering] yarn will it take to knit a wrap 120cm [48 inches] square?
I'm off to design an Afghan and order some wool from Bendigo Woollen Mill. In the meantime, I''m going to put what I learnt to good use by knitting a blanket for Wrap with Love.
PS Thanks, David, for showing me how to do a thumb cast-on. Congratulations, Raelene, on being made a life member of the Guild for services rendered - it's a well-deserved accolade!
The Beanie Factory
A couple of weeks ago I aquired some Moda Vera Envy [see my review here] for $1 per 50g skein at Spotlight. I eventually cast on for a beanie. It knitted up very quickly on 6mm needles [US 10]. So much so, that I have been knitting a beanie a day for several days. Every one of them is different. DD now calls me the "Beanie Factory'. Ten beanies down, six to go [then all the yarn is gone]!
Saturday 8 March 2008
Sock yarn at bargain prices!
Don't know if I should share this or keep the secret to myself: Spotlight has stock of Moda Vera sock yarn [75% wool, 25% nylon] at only $4.99 per 100g ball [regular price].
Yes, you read that right - a pair of handknitted socks for under $5!
The yarn seems okay; in my opinion, it's softer than Lincraft's [which is $12.99 per 100g]. It looks comparable to Heirloom but it's hard to tell while it's in the ball!!
I bought one ball this morning and will let you know how I go; I'm back on a knitting time diet and tiny needles don't help either so don't hold your breath!!
Yes, you read that right - a pair of handknitted socks for under $5!
The yarn seems okay; in my opinion, it's softer than Lincraft's [which is $12.99 per 100g]. It looks comparable to Heirloom but it's hard to tell while it's in the ball!!
I bought one ball this morning and will let you know how I go; I'm back on a knitting time diet and tiny needles don't help either so don't hold your breath!!
review: Moda Vera Envy
composition: 50% new wool, 50% acrylic
weight: 50g
metreage: approx. 90m
needle size: 6mm
gauge: 16 stitches x 20 rows
I bought mine at Spotlight for $1 per ball in their clearance sale.
This thick yarn splits fairly easily, especially when using the sharp points of Knitpicks needles. It sticks to the needles [i.e. doesn't slide easily], even on the smooth-as-glass nickel plating of previously mentioned needles. [BTW: can you tell I'm captivated by my KP needles?] I don't spin but it seems to me that the yarn is very underspun - I imagine it's a bit like knitting with roving.
On the plus side, the yarn knits up very quickly and the resulting beanie was soft and warm. Great for homeless people which is the destination of this and subsequent beanies from this yarn [I bought eight balls] although I wonder what it will look like after washing! [The label recommends hand-washing.]
For me, on a knitting-time diet [see previous post], a quick knit is a good knit! And an adult's beanie for less than a dollar - bargain!!
weight: 50g
metreage: approx. 90m
needle size: 6mm
gauge: 16 stitches x 20 rows
I bought mine at Spotlight for $1 per ball in their clearance sale.
This thick yarn splits fairly easily, especially when using the sharp points of Knitpicks needles. It sticks to the needles [i.e. doesn't slide easily], even on the smooth-as-glass nickel plating of previously mentioned needles. [BTW: can you tell I'm captivated by my KP needles?] I don't spin but it seems to me that the yarn is very underspun - I imagine it's a bit like knitting with roving.
On the plus side, the yarn knits up very quickly and the resulting beanie was soft and warm. Great for homeless people which is the destination of this and subsequent beanies from this yarn [I bought eight balls] although I wonder what it will look like after washing! [The label recommends hand-washing.]
For me, on a knitting-time diet [see previous post], a quick knit is a good knit! And an adult's beanie for less than a dollar - bargain!!
Friday 7 March 2008
Different shoulder, same diagnosis
About a month ago, I began to have restricted movement in my right shoulder. A week or so later, I had very little movement in my right shoulder. I spoke to my physiotherapist [who I was still seeing in relation to my frozen left shoulder] and he referred me back to the specialist.
Last Thursday I had x-rays and an ultrasound. This Monday I saw the specialist - you guessed it: frozen right shoulder!
Yesterday I saw the physiotherapist then had a deep tissue massage. Today I can barely move my arms: there probably won't be much knitting done here in the next twenty-four hours!
The good news is: the three medical personnel involved don't think knitting is the cause but knitting for long periods doesn't help! I'm back on a restricted knitting time diet! *sigh*
Last Thursday I had x-rays and an ultrasound. This Monday I saw the specialist - you guessed it: frozen right shoulder!
Yesterday I saw the physiotherapist then had a deep tissue massage. Today I can barely move my arms: there probably won't be much knitting done here in the next twenty-four hours!
The good news is: the three medical personnel involved don't think knitting is the cause but knitting for long periods doesn't help! I'm back on a restricted knitting time diet! *sigh*
Sunday 2 March 2008
Rising from the frog pond
After a week of deliberation, the beret did indeed go swimming in the frog-pond. And up out of it rose... a beret!
The new beret has been knitted on 2.75mm and 3.50mm needles [a smaller size than the smaller size used previously!!] - now, naturally enough, the beret fabric is tighter but the beret is too small for an adult's head - even for an adult's small head. But that's okay - it will fit an older child who will love the pink, mauve and yellow combination of my hand-dyed yarn.
As for the second 50g skein that was in the original; it is resting - waiting for me to realise what it was always meant to become!
So, a win all round - I successfully completed my beret [though I'm not entirely happy with the way the fabric bunches]; and a young lady somewhere will get a beautiful, one-of-a-kind beret.
The new beret has been knitted on 2.75mm and 3.50mm needles [a smaller size than the smaller size used previously!!] - now, naturally enough, the beret fabric is tighter but the beret is too small for an adult's head - even for an adult's small head. But that's okay - it will fit an older child who will love the pink, mauve and yellow combination of my hand-dyed yarn.
As for the second 50g skein that was in the original; it is resting - waiting for me to realise what it was always meant to become!
So, a win all round - I successfully completed my beret [though I'm not entirely happy with the way the fabric bunches]; and a young lady somewhere will get a beautiful, one-of-a-kind beret.
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