From Sooz to Meme

From Suzy to Sooz to meme (get it?) -

Outside my window… it is pouring fresh rain and night.

I am thinking… About my January trip to Japan and visiting Takayama and Shirakawago with two metres of snow (anyone got some snow boots for me to borrow?)

I am thankful for… a weekend with Dad and NO reports to do or worry about for the time being.

From the kitchen… tonight was my version of Mum's spaghetti bolognaise.  It was delicious (now Dad has three more meals to reheat)

I am wearing… The denim skirt I made all by myself from Soozs pattern (thanks Sooz), white top, necklace my sister gave me (she chooses the coolest necklaces!) and socks.

I am creating… A wider knowledge of photography thanks to a course at the CAE.  I am learning a few little things I didn't already know.

I am going… to have lunch with Dad tomorrow at a local winery.  I am excited about this one!

I am reading… Emily Rodda's The Wizard of Rondo.  This is excellent and number two in a series.  I think they are aimed at 9 to 13 year olds but I like them.  Loose references to fairy tale characters throughout.  Great adventure stories if you liked Deltora Quest.

I am hoping… Mum enjoys her Christmas tour that begins tomorrow in Vienna.

I am hearing… Heavy rain on Mum and Dad's flat, tin roof.  One of my very favourite sounds.  Makes me want to go to bed.  I love it!

Around the house… Is the comfy feeling of HOME!

One of my favourite things… Is waking up and knowing I have slept like a log.  Also, looking over and over again at the ultrasound of my new niece/nephew!

A few plans for the rest of the week… Tupperware Party (I know, I know), finishing off lots of projects at work and tidying in anticipation of the holidays (3 weeks to go)

Sometimes I want coffee so bad!

Sometimes I want coffee so bad!
Originally uploaded by Really Turning Japanese

I really, really needed this when I was in Japan recently!

Photos for sale

3 little smiles

Here a a few things that have made me smile in the last two days...

1.  A prep child (5 years old) at school saying that when they are in grade two, they want to be in my grade and finishing by say that they love me.  So sweet and genuine!

2.  Buying petrol yesterday for 110.3 cents.  That is quite huge here as petrol has reached about 170 cents per liter recently.  110.3 is positively cheap!  My little obsession with checking the petrol price comes from my father.  He always looks around for a deal (makes me think of the Annabelle Principal - do you know what I mean?)

3.  The coolest thing that happened and made me laugh as well as smile; a wild wallaby visiting school.  In the middle of our staff meeting last night, one of the staff members from Aftercare came running into the room to ask for help.  They had shut all the kids safely in a room and there was a KANGAROO loose in the yard.  Now this is weird as we are basically inner city Melbourne.  The wildest of life we might see is a possum or a fox (and foxes are introduced).  As it turned our, it was a large black wallaby.  He was pretty spooked and eventually jumped our fence and headed for a VERY busy main road.  He made it safely across and set up residence in a jungle-like front yard.  The assistant principal from school, several staff members and some locals ensured that the wallaby stayed put until help arrived.  Hilarious.  Great interruption to our evening staff meeting.

Look at me, I have a WIP

I bought three 'sweat rags' when I was in Tokyo with Del two years ago.  I thought that I would cut them up and create something but hadn't until this weekend!  

"Sweat rag," I hear you ask?  The Japanese have all manner of cottons in varying sizes.  They are used to keep the sun off, as a kind of handkerchief, folded around goods or even folded up to create a bag.  I love them!

I decided to start and love the effect so far.  I cut each piece up into various sized strips.  These were randomly arranged and sewn together.  I am not sure what I am making but it is for me!  I guess it is a multi-purpose throw for my couch.  I am not sure what to do next.  Any hints?  How should I quilt it?  

So far, I have made up this design and followed no rules I know of.  What do you think?