Aaaaah, it’s autumn! My favorite. I’ve enjoyed my summer break from blogging and social media-ing, but I’ve missed aspects of them too. How are you?
This weekend, my little family will fly out to Chicago to drop off K — now 18-years-old — and we are all full of big, big feelings.
I am excited for her. I think back to my own first days at UCLA, how I started my journaling habit almost 35 years ago in a little coffee shop tucked into the corner of a weathered campus building. 18-year-old Sanae had no idea what she was in for. Neither of my parents had attended college, though even if they’d gone, it would have been in Japan. Possibly not very relatable. At any rate, I was the first in my immigrant family to enter higher education, and I had zero expectations and knowledge.
It’s so different with K. M and I have regaled her with tales of our American college shenanigans, she’s watched dorm move-in YouTube videos, and the amount of information provided by the university itself is mind-blowing (webinars, regular emails with detailed preparation reminders, local meet-ups with alumni, apps for finding roommates, etc., etc.). As a freshman, I showed up to my cramped dorm room with a Monet-inspired bedding set and a duffel bag filled with the bare minimum of clothes. Not so with K. Let’s just say that we’re going to be paying a pretty penny for check-in luggage.
Despite the most meticulous of planning, I suppose there’s no way to be fully prepared for any kind of future. We’re all just doing our best here.
Anyway. I’m rather overwhelmed about this whole dropping-kid-off-at-college thing, so I’m keeping this September check- in brief. Despite the adage of the best laid plans yada, yada, yada, I’ve done my own preparations for empty nesting: I’ve got projects galore to keep me occupied for the autumn season and beyond, I’m ramping up on sewing clothes for myself again, I intend to experiment more with healthy cooking, and I’m full of ideas to fill my days with creativity and staying connected to loved ones. I imagine I’ll be updating here more often too.
Here’s a little sketch I made of my plans for Fall sewing:
I have yet to sew the hoodie of my dreams and I want to add more jeans, oversized turtlenecks, long-sleeve tees (preferably in striped fabric). I typically shy away from cooler-weather sewing (so bulky!), but I’m going for it this year, my friends. I didn’t sketch it, but I have some quilted fabric that’s begging to be turned into winter appropriate coats and jackets. Since I’ll be visiting Chicago regularly and the first family weekend event is in November, I best get stitching!
Some knitting aspirations are in the works too!
And if you’re interested in some classes…
For Seattle folks, I’ll be teaching a Boro/Sashiko coasters class at The Works on October 2nd at 6:30pm. Register here!
If online classes are more your speed, I’ll be part of Tatter’s World Embroidery Series with some wonderful instructors on October 3rd. I’m teaching a particular Sashiko embroidery style called Hitomezashi. Details and registration info here.
And recently, my newest Creativebug class launched — check it out here.
Fun, fun, fun!
Happy September, everyone. I’m so ready to dive into all the coziness of the season!
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