Snail sweaters

She knitted sweaters for snails!


Link.

Curfews

I'll admit it. I have become a fan of trashy TV lately. First Taken Out, then 90210. (I'm going to claim the fact that I still haven't become a fan of Home and Away or Neighbours as my saving grace.)

They're just such good shows to knit with! Completely brainless fodder that you don't really have to pay attention to in order to know what's going on. It's perfect for when you need to concentrate more on the knitting and less on the TV.

But that's not the point of this post.

The point of this post is to wonder about the bane of all teenagers' lives - the curfew. (And it's related to trashy TV because I started thinking of it while watching 90210.)

I remember when I was a teenager (it was not that long ago). I hated my curfew, even though it was a very generous one.

I wanted to stay out all night, hang out with friends, be cool, or something or other. And even if I weren't out, I simply wanted to stay up all night. I'm not sure doing what anymore, but going to bed meant the end of the world or something.

It's funny how now that I'm living some 6000kms away from home, without my mum to actually find out what time I get home or go to bed, I find myself usually home by 8pm, and tucked into bed before 11pm.

Maybe it's because nothing stays open past 6pm in Australia except restaurants or supermarkets. But I think it's mostly because I just don't see the point of being out or up all night.

I have a comfortable home to relax in, with almost everything I could possibly want. I'm usually sleep deprived (mainly because although I'm tucked into bed by 11pm, I'm actually reading and not asleep) and so getting an early night's sleep is always a luxury.

If I were a teenager now, my parents would be so pleased with me for adhering to my curfew, and then some.

But why is it that when I was a teenager, it just did not make sense to me to be at home?

Why did I hate my curfew so much?

Maybe I'm just a big nerd.

Or maybe I'm simply getting old...but that still does not answer the question of just what is so alluring about being "out there" past your curfew.

Unintentional terrorist?

The Sydney Morning Herald has reported that:

Benbrika, 48, of Dallas, was found guilty of intentionally directing the activities of a terrorist organisation and of being a member of a terrorist organisation.

What I'm wondering is, can you actually

• unintentionally direct the activities of a terrorist organisation; or
• unintentionally be a member of a terrorist organisation?

Can you actually unintentionally direct someone to kill hundreds of innocent people? What about unintentionally joining an organisation that gives members weapons and military training, with the sole aim of terrorising people?

Can you actually be part of something that devastating and not know that you actually are?

Or maybe I'm just thinking too much and reading too much into things...

Full article here.

Rainbow promises

Photo from zmescience.

There was an extremely heavy downpour that lasted a brief few minutes when I was at the gym yesterday. I didn't see it, but I certainly heard it.

And then, driving the 4km or so back from the gym, I was assaulted by no less than four rainbows.

I'm not sure what it is with rainbows, but my heart sings every time I see it. It brings a smile to my face and I immediately feel happy.

I also have a dream of one day being able to reach the end of the rainbow (not so much to find the pot of gold or the leprechaun that might be there, but just because it would be a cool thing to do. And before you tell me, I know it's not possible).

But anyway, driving that 4km back was possibly the most joyful thing I did yesterday. Just being able to see those rainbows and being surprised by another when I turned the corner was simply amazing.

It's funny how something that essentially serves no purpose can make one so happy. And I cannot help but wonder if it's somehow related to God's promise to Noah.

Homemade sugar body scrub

Amazing what "pamperific" things you can make with things you can find in the kitchen!

Tried making this homemade sugar body scrub a few weeks ago and it was really simple. But the best part of it was how smooth and soft it made my skin feel after my shower/bath.

The main ingredient is of course, sugar, followed by either baby oil or almond oil. Then there's the vanilla extract and the lavender essential oil.

I loved it so much I had to make another batch just for a friend and I think there'll be many more batches to come!

Full recipe here.

Daddy, I'm in love ... and he looks just like you

The Sydney Morning Herald recently reported that "Men tend to wind up with life partners who look like their mothers, while women are lured to partners who look like their fathers, scientists report."

Those who know me will know that I have a vested interest in asking, what about multicultural relationships? How do you explain that?

Article here.

Phonicible

I'm not exactly sure what the word Phonicible means, but to me, it is a very pretty slouchy beanie thing.

My very first hat knitted in the round and one that actually fits me! All because I finally bothered to knit a tension square first to ensure that the sizing is correct.

Love the colours on this hat. I especially loved knitting with the bright yellow yarn, which is 100% pure merino and incredibly soft and smooth. I couldn't stop rubbing it against my face initially, which could worry some.

It looks complicated, but all that is involved is plain old knitting (you don't even have to purl) and the ability to juggle two balls of yarn, which is not difficult at all.

Managed to finish this in super fast time for me, because I had a lot of free time last week at Jumbunna Lodge while trying to be a TV star.


Have a look at the better looking photos from the designer (who is one of my favourites).

Hearing from God

Been going through the book of Acts in my Bible study group these last few months and yesterday, we came across something that really struck a chord with me.

Since converting to Christianity, I have had constant struggles with trying to figure out God's will for my life.

You stand at the crossroads of life and it's about choosing do I go here, or do I go there?

And the answer is usually: actually, you can go here or there.

But why can't God just tell me exactly where he wants me?! In fact, it would be rather nice if God can just talk to me and tell me what kind of direction I should head and what path I should take.

Alas, no.

But it made me feel so much better to know that even Paul, one of God's strongest advocates in Bible times, the one who spent more than 20 years of his life wandering around the ancient Roman empire, did not have that much more access to God.

True, he had extremely close encounters with God. But when you read the Bible, you realise that out of his 20 odd years of being on the very front line of God's work, God really only directly spoke with him, well, five or so times?

It's not a very good average, when you think about it. That's like having God talk to you only once every four years.

But it helps to encourage me. It tells me that I can keep living life, doing the best that I can to glorify God and walk with him, and when the time is necessary, he will talk to me. Not everyday, not when I want it to happen, but when the need arises, I will hear from God.

Recycling refunds

The South Australian refund on drink containers will double from 5c to 10c today, its first increase since the recycling scheme was introduced in 1977.

A few things popped into my mind when I read this news article.

• Good on South Australia for encouraging and "incentive-ising" recycling.
• How forward thinking is the South Australian government to introduce the scheme more than 30 years ago?
  
• Why can't the rest of Australia do the same?
• Maybe I should move to South Australia.

It's not like the rest of the Australian states do not recycle, or encourage recycling.

Almost every lunch time when I go home for lunch (yes, I'm one of those lucky ones), I'd almost religiously make the trek to the recycle bin with my stash of plastics, tin cans and what nots. I just don't get paid for it.

Or maybe recycling doesn't come naturally to South Australians, and so the government actually needs to pay them to do it? dodges blows from South Australians

News article here.