AfricanKelli

I know I’ve been on vacation for the last week because I’ve managed to read, see movies, knit, spend gobs of time with family, work on my book, write letters and get in the occasional workout. As I type this, I’m waiting for a large pot of potatoes to cool. The garlic is roasting in the oven. The dinner table is set. The filet is ready to be cooked. We are feasting this evening. Out with 2005, and hello 2006!

Frankly , I thought you’d never get here.

In some ways, 2005 has been a wonderful year. I paid off nearly all my debts, minus school and my mortgage. I made significant progress on my novel, although it is not quite finished. I started working for two new magazines I couldn’t be prouder of. I had a wonderful trip to Mozambique and several nice trips to Nicaragua. I saw London for the first time. I learned to knit and I regained my love of sewing. I made many crafty friends. I dated new boys. I dated old boys. I learned a thing or two from both.

But in most ways, 2005 has been difficult. My parents moved 1,000 miles away, starting over in a new state with a new business. My brother had emergency surgery, but survived and even managed to graduate. Yay!  I had my camera stolen out of my luggage on one flight. Then I had my jewlery stolen out of my luggage on another. (You’d think I’d have learned my lesson the first time.) I made mistakes this year that made me question who I am. I wish I could go back and do several things differently. Like spend more time in Africa. And take more time to write. And have more friends over for dinner, whether my never ending house repairs are complete. And not rush into new relationships because being in one just feels so much more comfortable than being alone. I am beginning to see you learn much more when uncomfortable.

The things I love about 2005:

• The births of Madalyn Paap and Carson Smith.
• The marriages of Mike and Sam, Jen and Tony, Mike and Melissa, Maria and Eddie, Katie and Henry, Eric and Laurie, and others.
• The engagement of Scott and Meg.
• The graduation of Mr. Matt Wall.

The things I’ll love about 2006:

• Becoming a novelist, by finishing this beast of a book. (As of this week I’m at 90,000 words!)
• Spending more time in Africa and seeing a new country on the continent — hopefully Uganda.
• Speaking Spanish more often.
• Being a better friend
• Plotting the next step in my international health career
• Learning a new craft

Here’s to reaching our resolutions this year and to enjoying the journey.

Cheers,

Kelli

~~~

A few recently finished knitted items.

I can’t decide whether I’d want someone to keep me company if I were stuck in a zoo, or if I’d be happier knowing that someone didn’t have to suffer along side me. The San Antonio zoo has potential, but their lack of mates for animals makes me sad. Even Noah knew better.

Count them with me:

• 1 giraffe
• 1 zebra
• 1 lion
• 1 tiger
• 1 ostrich
• 1 leopard
• 1 jaguar
• 1 okapi

That is all I can think off of the top of my head. Let’s wish for new mates in the new year, shall we? How can you conserve a specie when there is only one? (And don’t get all, “laboratory innovative” on me.)They are reconstructing the African exhibit in 2006 and have big plans for new animals. The elephants were sweet. So were the gaggle of flamingos. I didn’t know there were so many types of flamingos. The giraffe is still the most beautiful animal in the kingdom if you ask me.

She was busy licking this palm tree and this was as close to a head shot as I could get.

All 170 photos from today can be found here.

~K

• Chitterlings are “chitlins.” When found in the frozen food section of your local grocery store, they look like a giant bag of frozen guts. You look like a giant bag of tourist when you ask the woman next to you, “Um, what are these?” Only to hear, “‘Darlin,’ ’round these parts we roll those pork intestines in flour and deep fry um for some good eatin.’” Oy. They really were a giant bag of guts.
• You can find incredible culture at the swap mart. I went with my mother last weekend and found two men who’d immigrated from the Gambia — that tiny sliver of a country surrounded by Senegal in west Africa. They imported all kinds of interesting art from west Africa to sell in Texas. I was enthralled with their beads.

These are made from recycled glass.

These are made of glass, bone and shell. The colors were amazing.

But these were my favorite. They are wedding beads from Mali and are “very old.” They are colorful glass gourd-shaped beads strung on a piece of heavy twine. I simply love them. Women in Mali apparently wear them when they are getting married. I suggested I’d do the same one day and my normally quiet father interrupted to say I’d wear, “diamonds like the other girls.” Who knew he was such a stickler for tradition? Who are these “other girls?” And while I thought about telling my dad most diamonds come from Africa anyway, I detoured around the overly political conversation about bling.

My conversation with Mohammed and Abraham made me laugh, especially when my mom insisted on wishing them a “Merry Christmas.” Abraham told me he was happy to be done with the Ramadan fasting. I told him I couldn’t blame him, although it would be easier if chitlins were on the daytime menu.

My only other significant observations about Texas are these: no bagel shops, no green enchilada sauce, no treadmills. Granted, these may be generalizations about the San Antonio area, but sweet Lord what I wouldn’t do for a YMCA with a great weight room and a Holy Cow from Einstein’s.

Oh, and they sell barbeques in the shape of barnyard animals:

Woa.

~AK

I hope your day is full of loved ones, great food and peace. Merry Christmas!

The Christmas Craft Bonanza is officially posted.

One of my favorite things in the world to do is give a good gift. That thing that was mentioned six months ago in everyday conversation, that song that you’ve said is your favorite a dozen times but I know you don’t have on CD, that dessert that you only let yourself eat once in a blue moon. Yeah. I love this stuff. I show up with bundles of wrapped goodies in homemade paper and sealed with a kelli-made stamped card. It’s my thing — gift giving.

That is probably why this morning I feel like I’ve just given birth to quadruplets and they’ve taken them away to the nursery, out of sight, away from their mama. Here I sit, with an empty womb for the first time in nine months, unsure of what to do with myself. I’ve given nearly all of my gifts. They’ve been wrapped, mailed, opened and happily received. I’ve heard from nearly all of my gift recipients. They love them. They are so happy I remembered.

Of course I remembered.

I live for this stuff.

And now, with the gifts nearly all gone, the glory of the holiday is fading. What do I plan now? I doesn’t cheer me up one bit that tomorrow is Christmas and I’ll get to open 1/4 of the brightly wrapped gifts under the tree. Giving is so much better than getting.

Someone give me back my babies. Quick.

~K

Yesterday was my mom’s birthday. We celebrated by giving her an iPod and taking her to the River Walk in San Antonio for touring and dinner. She wanted to ride the trolley. For half of us living here, we stuck out like the best of tourists.

The River Walk is quite pretty, although there is little to do other than eat. The area reminds me of Nancy Drew novels. Carolyn Keene spent so much time describing the trees, the ivy, the moss — all things essentially foreign to Arizona. (Or at least natively so.)

More photos here.

It’s Christmas eve eve, and the only thing on my schedule is exercise, lots of movies, eating the peanut butter balls my grandmother sent with us, and knitting. Joy!
~K

We’ve arrived ya’ll. I promise amusing photos and a cynical report of the journey manana.

Well, we are leaving today for the motherland/ the land of obnoxious republicans and my two little sweethearted parents. (Who may say they are republican, but I know otherwise.) Before I go, a few more revelations:

Jess got her apron yesterday. She took the photo of the dahlia and I swiped it for this project.

Kristi’s 1.25 skein wonder. She loved it.

Min’s requested leg warmers. I would do these differently now that I know how to rib, but I am happy with how even the stitches are, if nothing else.

On the agenda for my Texan adventure: three knitting projects, two quilting projects, preparing at least one home cooked meal, including a fancy dessert, for my family, ample time for exercise, time with my brother, time for the riverwalk, and time to shop. I love Dec. 26th shopping, especially at one of my favorite home stores. I may need to bring an extra piece of luggage…

~K

P.S. Here are some photos from this weekend’s holiday festivities. And this is what happens when you give a man a camera and said holiday party.

I’ve been planning to reveal my Christmas craftiness on the 25th, but as you may well know, I am impatient. Here are a few of the gifts I’ve recently given:

Pencil cases for the boys. Inspired by RedCurrent.

Golf club head cover — I created my own knitting pattern for this one.

Owl pin cushion, inspired by Molly Chicken.

Each grandparent got a set of slippers. They loved these. The pattern is from Knitting Pretty.

Sue loved her sewing organizer. Pattern by Butterick.

I’ll post more when I know that I won’t ruin the surprise. I’ve also received many sweet and thoughtful gifts. I think the word is out that I love knitting. I’ve been given yarn, patterns, books and supplies. YAY!

Eggnog lattes and peppermint patties for everyone,

K

~ What is up with typepad? All of my favorite sites (Craftapalooza, Yarnstorm, Angry Chicken) have been set back a day or more. I know I’ve read more than they have posted. How’s that for lurking? I love these sites. Even the Fug has been turned back. I feel like I’m Bill Murray about to head in for another piano lesson in Groundhog Day. Either the provider is acting funny, or my computer has gone haywire. I’ve rebooted and deleted Internet files. I wonder what is going on?

~ I rarely get to see the knitted gifts I’ve given away in action. Last night a girlfriend invited a few of us over for dinner. While playing with her five year old son Bennett, I noticed a little red knitted head poking out underneath his bed. It was the giant worm scarf I’d made him from Knitting Pretty. Apparently, he digs it. Although he also likes his “real snake.” Ew. I hate snakes.

~ Thank God John McCain was able to talk some sense into President Bush concerning torture. Agreeing to this ban can only help our nation.

~ Go Iraqi voters! I am so impressed by your peaceful ways and your desire to vote. May you inspire our nation to be as active in the next election.

~ Yay for weekend holiday parties! And a huge yay for my little brother who graduates from college today. I am so proud of you Cody!

~ Yippee for new t-shirts from the Gap. Man I love that store. Anytime I can pull on a $12 t and feel like I’m on top of the world, life is good. New clothes + time to workout + time to read at the bagel shop before work + time to respond to Christmas correspondence + time to sit down and pick out what I am going to start knitting FOR ME on my way to Texas next week = one very happy Africankelli.

I hope your pre-Christmas weekend and festivities are merry!