needles & vectors

This was my first time visiting Spain although, from what I’m told, Barcelona is almost nothing like the rest of Spain, mostly due to the cultural differences that arise with its location in Catalonia. Although Spanish is spoken and all signs are in Spanish, you’re much more likely to hear (and read) Catalan. Just confusing enough for someone like me who took three years of high school Spanish though, really, all you had to know was that it’s “gracia” not “gracias” and “por fa” not “por favor.”

Anyway, we really only went to Barcelona, if I’m honest, because it was one of the cheaper places to fly into. We arrived at 10 am on Friday and left early Sunday morning. Although we weren’t there for very long, we tried to squeeze in as much of the culture as possible. We ate pinxtos which are Basque-style tapas where you pay by the toothpick (used to hold the topping onto little pieces of bread) and traditional tapas, drank cava, visited the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (showing off frescos taken from small village churches in the Pyraneas), and tried churros con chocolate (yes, you really can stand the churro up in it, its’ so thick) – none of which I took photos of so you’ll just have to trust me.

Our first touristy visit was to the cathedral, a gothic style masterpiece with buttresses on the inside because it allowed more room for side chapels – decorated by the wealthy trying to earn God’s favor and, you know, show off a little.

This chanedeliers amused me, probably first lit by canles but now electrified.

The choir was beautiful and I almost missed seeing it because I wasn’t paying attention to the signs. They’re working to restore the outside but, from what I could see through the scaffolding, it was equally ornate.

I really like the combination of the cold stone and the bright stained glass.

After the church, Matt took a random turn down a dark alley and I thought, for the first time ever, he was lost. But, no, there was a purpose. A tiny little sign gave me a clue to our destination.

See, inside of a normal, modern apartment building are these Roman columns. Three of them, standing where they always were (though one was reconstructed).

Made me wonder if the ammenities list on the apartment says, “Column View!” Probably tack on an extra 200 Euros for the privelege of having strangers walk through your courtyard.

Then, there was my absolute favorite part of our Barcelona visit: the Sagara Familia. Designed by Gaudi (after taking over for another designer), the place is a site to behold. Started in the mid-1800s and not expected to be complete until 2030, it’s a forever construction site. They’ve actually only been holding mass for less than a year. I completely forgot to take photos of the outside but, trust me, it’s amazing. Each entrance very different from the others – only the one completed side entrance has what our book described as Guadi’s “cake in the rain” appearance.

When finished, there will be stained glass EVERYWHERE. Beautiful, modern stained glass.

Then there was the building itself, based on some sort of a node and honeycomb idea that was explained in an exhibit which only an architectural student could understand. I just know I liked it.

A better view of the columns.

All in all, I’m glad we visited Barcelona. It was a bit touristy (though everything was targeted to Spanish day-trippers, not people like us) and had a sort of gritty feeling to it. I can see why others love it but I think I’m fine holding off another visit until the Sagara Familia is complete.

This Saturday is my big graduation party. And it’s an actual party, in a venue that’s not our living/dining room. Out, in public, at a park.

And, thanks to Pinterest, I had this desire to look up cool ideas for food and decorations, despite the fact 1) Matt’s making the food and already has the menu together and 2) the decorations are my mother-in-law’s domain. I have no time and no need to even think about the whole party-planning craziness.

But, still, I keep thinking about all the great ideas I found.

Like Chesapeake Bay Snack Mix from Martha Stewart which, thank heavens, involves actual Old Bay seasoning. (Recipe)

(Photo from Martha Stewart’s party site)

Or maybe banana cupcakes with honey-cinnamon frosting. How could those possibly be bad? (Yeah, I know, we’re having over 40 people. That would be a ton of cupcakes). (recipe)

(Photo from Martha Stewart’s party site)

Then there’s the whole idea of a “smart cookie” setup with milk in shot glasses. Again, that’s a crap ton of cookies (and even more shot glasses). And I’m pretty sure only a friend or two would be amused by my clever pun.

(Photo and idea from Dawn Smith’s awesome blog)

On the decorations front, these are the most awesome DIY streamers ever. I think they’d only work if a cute kid like the one in the pic was available. Matt does have a few coworkers bringing their kids…hmmm.

(Idea and photo from Jordan Ferney on her blog here)

Then there’s a sewn version of streamers. Thankfully I can be kept from making these by my lack of sewing skills. Ok, I could do them by hand but, uh, yeah. No.

(Picture and idea from Mini-Eco – here)

How cute is this book centerpiece? But, of course, engineering students don’t exactly have beautiful-looking textbooks like this. And I doubt anyone will want to be reminded of past classes.

(Photo and idea from here)

I have a thing for bunting, particularly if it’s in teal. Of course, I doubt that Martha would approve of me not making it in my school colors (which are dark green and gold).

(Photo and idea from Martha Stewart here – though there are no extra details there)

I have this great, mostly writte-up post all ready to go about how I’ve been so good and bought almost no yarn and have been knitting a ton and trading away yarn I don’t like. Then, well, MD Sheep and Wool happened. Yes, it’s this weekend and I’m not even attending but it resulted in my decided to buy some yarn from LYS from a vendor that’s going to MDSW, as the cool kids refer to it. So, yeah, not so good on the stash reduction on that front and now my post would just seem pathetic.

But, alas, I have all sorts of things filling my head I haven’t told you all about yet. Yes, this will be a list blog post.

1. I have been horrible about keeping up with Macro May. Not a single “real” macro photo since Sunday. I have a relatively free weekend so I should have time for more shots then.

2. I’ve knit four shawls in the last two months. Two have no recipient in mind (Haruni and Daybreak from my last post). No clue as to recipients, either.

3. I’ve had each of the following songs stuck in my head over the last week: I Feel Pretty (Dan and Cody’s fault), On the Street Where You Live, the “Children who refuse to learn, will not return” song from the Mary Poppins broadway soundtrack, and Country Girls.

4. I bought three albums last week: 99 Essential Spring Songs (Amazon only, all classical music), Best of Neil Diamond, Melissa Lambert’s latest.

5. I only have one project report and two finals standing between me and graduation. Starting to freak out about this fact.

6. I somehow managed to win a writing award at school. (Don’t laugh. I’m a much better writer in a technical forum than I am here. Here I mostly write like I talk – though without the figeting, odd faces, and hand movements.)

7. We’re having a Cinco de Mayo party with a few friends tonight. Matt’s been making things for it since Saturday. I’d have been happy just eating my weight in chips and tomatillo salsa.

8. I have yet to “set up” my chia elephant here at work. I tried to once but the chia seeds were duds. Purchased new ones this weekend but, alas, have nothing to soak said chia pet in (they gotta soak for 24 hours before you “plant” the seeds). Also, considering just trying to grow something like oregano instead of chia – would make cubical smell rather nice.

9. Cannot wait to do the ceremonial tossing of the school files once I receive all of my grades.

10. Thinking of wearing a knitted icord or crocheted chain at graduation, just because. And because the only other thing around my neck will be green/gold honor cords (magna cum laude!). Mom, I know you’ll disagree but it’s better than the “water wand” things Dad made his AP Chem students that one year.. (or did he just talk about that?)

11. I’ve been trying to make dinner one day a week, though it’s turned more into a day a month. Using mostly recipes from America’s Test Kitchen or Cook’s Country. I like that they assume you have no clue what you’re doing. I know in theory, then freak out when I’m actually left to do things by myself. Thankfully, I’ve got Matt to help me out when I freak out so much I can’t even figure out how to use our manual can opener.

12. I am rather desperate for new clothes. Went through my closet and got rid of everything that was too faded or falling apart to wear. Left me with 15 days of outfits. After removing things I will simply never wear again, I’m down to 8 days worth (including dresses which I rarely wear). This is after what felt like a giant shopping spree Saturday when I bought a dress, two tops, and three pairs of jeans. Yeah, really do need to do some more clothes shopping before I start the new job. And shoes to wear with the new dress (it’s dark blue, all nice shoes are black). Sometimes I rather dislike being female; Matt buys most of his clothes at Costco.

13. Matt’s dad is coming down Saturday to help clean the basement in preparation for my parents’ visit at the end of the month. It’s a total disaster between the fact we’re never down there and it’s where the cat box is located. Plus, stained, original to the house linolium tiles. Feel pathetic that I need help to clean it but even spending hours doesn’t seem to get anywhere. The man’s a cleaning genius so it should be dramatically improved. Also, I plan to hang out down there more often this summer. Just need to hook up the Wii to the TV so I can stream Netflix and keep a fuzzy blanket on the futon to curl up in. I could use the alone time to write more. What’s the female version of a Man Cave?

14. We only have the most basic cable plan. And, even that we were going to get rid of but it’s actually cheaper to have it than not due to the bundling with our internet. I don’t often miss it, but for one thing: Dr. Who. I was able to catch the first episode at Matt’s parents’ house but the last one, well, not so much. I’m going to have to turn to iTunes which means $3 per episode (yeah, $60 per season, approx). Expensive, yes, but I must remind myself that that’s less than a single month of the cable package required to see it. And I’m highly to re-watch the episodes multiple times (versus Top Chef which we also downloaded last eason and have zero desire to watch again).

This post on the WP Fresh Pressed page caught my attention. It’s about what friendship bracelets symbolize to young girls. The supposedly unending friendship between two classmates, two summer campers, two neighbors, two girls who meet during a family vacation on a beach. You vow to be friends forever because, see, the bracelet you made says so. But, in the end, the bracelet falls apart and you eventually forget those friends. [Go read her  post, all I'm doing here is poorly summarizing her well-written explanation.]

At the end of her post, she asks a few questions which I feel strangely compelled to answer here: [I get rather off-track in my answers but I know you expected that, anyway.]

What is your experience with Friendship Bracelets?

Every day of elementary school, I went to Extended Day. After classes were over and the [to me] cool kids who got to ride the bus or walk home left, I was shuffled with a few other teachers’ kids to ED. Being the ever diligent child, I’d do my homework first then head outside. I made my first friendship bracelet during those afternoon hours held captive by a nice woman named Nancy who you didn’t dare mess with. One day, a girl named Kendall who I hated [as much as a second grader can hate] got stuck in ED with me. I showed her how to sneak a second snack and the best place to relax in the shade, she showed me how to make bracelets. Of course, we kept the bracelets we made for ourselves and never told a soul who they were made in the presence of. I was the dork, she was the cool girl. I probably made 100s of those little bracelets over the years, always having a rather large supply of embroidery floss on hand, but I’ll never forget the weird bond made with that first bracelet. I swear Kendall was ever so slightly less severe in her tauting afterwards.

Do you still remember a specific bracelet?

Another notable bracelet was made for me by a girl named Nina. She was one of my closest friends in fifth grade. When elementary school ended, she didn’t go on to the same middle school as me for years. We met up again in high school at Homecoming or some other social event and the only thing I could think to say to her was, “Remember making  friendship bracelets in Extended Day?” I’d like to say she gushed about this remembrance but she just smiled awkwardly and walked away. At least I still remember..

Seriously, why do we forget the meaning of the bracelets? The friendship behind them?

For me, I think it’s because I have so few friendships that have lasted over the years. I’m horrible at keeping in touch with people, especially those I grew up with. Maybe it’s because I like to think I’m smarter and prettier and more “normal” than I was growing up – that I’ve gone on to do things more amazing that I thought possible then and, therefore, don’t need to keep my connections to my childhood. Maybe because I’m afraid remembering being a little kid will not only remind me of the good friendships, but also of those that weren’t so great. The people who only befriended me because their mom told them to or because I always had the best craft supplies. Worse yet, those who refused to be my friend because I wasn’t cool enough. Because there are many, many excellent parts about being a little kid that I’d like to remember, I just fear the loneliness and teasing I also know was there will steal the focus on my memories.

Is it wrong to place such value on a piece of string tied around your wrist? Should we use something else to “symbolize” friendships?

I think it makes sense. The bracelets are temporary yet can be made to be more permanent if cared for (i.e. not worn). Maybe it makes sense for an adult to have a bracelet in silver or gold, something a bit more permanent but befitting a grown up [like I'm some great expert in how to act like a grown up].

When was the last time you made a friendship bracelet? Received a friendship bracelet?

Middle school, and most likely given to me by my long-time friend, Katie. She always made the most beautiful bracelets.

Am I in my own life boat, or do other people only know how to make one pattern? The three-colored one — you cross one color over the other two and pull…you keep going and it starts twisting that color and then you switch…Did that make sense?!

Haha. I knew all sorts of patterns, but I either owned or repeated got from the library the Klutz book on friendship bracelets. Plus, Katie was amazing at making them.

After a hard 11 mile run, I felt I deserved a break. Lots of sitting on the couch and watching Matt play video games. The cats got into the spirit, too, taking naps in their favorite places.

And believe me I am still alive.
I’m doing Science and I’m still alive.
I feel FANTASTIC and I’m still alive.

Yeah, I’m still here, still working, crafting, running, and complaining about the heat. But, simply, I haven’t felt like blogging. Maybe it was too much too fast, those two or so months were I blogged almost daily. Too much sharing. Too much pretending my life was exciting enough to blog about. Too much pressure to not miss a day, despite my readership consisting of my mom and a handful of friends.

Or maybe, a case of too little. Too little craft progress to show. Too little new experiences. Too little (thankfully) breaking in our apartment. Too little change in outdoor temperatures. Too little time when I’m awake and not busy to write.

Whatever it is, I hope I get back to normal soon and can, once again, blog. I even made a list of things to blog about, whenever the desire returns.

Could be a day.

Or a week.

Maybe not until I go back to school in a little over a month.

We’ll see.

Just know – I’m still alive.

(And, to all the Portal fans out there, my job does not involve conducting often-deadly experiments on unwilling participants in exchange for cake. I was just trying to be clever. Though I have a feeling my mom is now severely worried about me.)

Originally uploaded by angelanoel

One of the joys of being very pale skinned is the fact that I burn rather easily. This time, the burn was mostly on my shoulders and my face. I was wearing sunglasses at the time, so now I’ve got that great “raccoon” look.

Inspired by Guido Stein who was inspired by this Ravelry thread, here is my Personal FAQ. Answers to the questions I get asked most often.

1. Noel is my middle name. It’s pronounced Noh-el not Nole as in Seminole. Blame my father, he chose the German spelling over the French one. No, I don’t know if there’s technically an umlaut over the o.

2. I’m 25, not a high school kid. My mom’s genes provided the great skin and my dad always made me wear sunscreen.

3. Yes, my eyes are blue. No, it’s not because I’m wearing color contacts.

4. I’m okay. I’m just clumsy. (After I run into yet another wall/door frame/chair/desk)

5. I’m an engineer. No, there are actually many female engineers.

6. Systems Engineers make things work together by describing how each component should work and relate to the others.

7. He’s my husband, not my brother. (This really grosses me out, as it’s often asked when we’re holding hands or similar. That would be one super creepy sibling relationship.)

8. No, I do not want to go back to Florida. It was a nice place to grow up but I don’t miss the snowbirds, super warm/humid summers, and beach.

9. My dad always said my family is American. My maiden name is English. I feel a kinship with the German people so I often pretend I’m one of them. (Maybe it’s just fondness of beer and snitchzel.)