knowledgeofwater

I am an EFL teacher living in Russia. I am addicted to chocolate, postcards, books, knitting, and traveling. I have lived abroad for almost three years, I'm originally from the U.S. Besides teaching, I do some writing/editing on the side.

I love crafts, especially knitting. I want to learn to sew someday. I've tried in the past, but I wasn't very good :( lol I also crochet, mainly afghans, and I do paper crafts when the mood strikes me.

My first pen pal was in high school, and I've never looked back. I've always loved sending/receiving mail. I enjoy putting swaps together as much as I love sending them!

When I'm wearing my 'snobby English major' hat: Fielding, Tolstoy, Austen, Wharton, the three Brontës, Eliot, Jonson and Milton

When I'm feeling Frenchy: Dumas, Camus, Verne, Molière, et Maupassant

When I'm feeling Sci-fi and saucy: Adams, Heinlein, Bradbury, Clarke, Card, Asimov, Orwell, and Vonnegut

When I'm lying by a pool, not using my brainicle: Kinsella, Crichton, and Brown

When the non-fic bug bites: Gladwell, Ariely, Kaku, Zukav, and Hawking

When I'm feeling like a kid again: Dahl, Cleary, L'Engle, Milne, Fitzhugh, Alcott, Montgomery, and Wilder

When I don't feel like reading the classics, yet don't feel any of the above categories: Irving, Updike, Oates, Murakami, Palahniuk, Coupland, and McMurtry.

I have a hard time functioning with music! When I'm studying, I like Dead Can Dance or Enigma. When I'm working (writing) I prefer classic rock, such as Pink Floyd, Led Zep, Bob Seger, CCR, etc. When I'm just sort of hanging out, I prefer EDM, especially Tiesto. Sometimes I like oldies, like the Yardbirds, the Turtles, the Association. Sometimes I get on a classical or jazz kick, too.

"You've got to be before you can do and do before you can have." Zig Ziglar

"Knowledge of what is possible is the beginning of happiness." George Santayana

"Success is going from from failure to failure without the loss of enthusiasm." Winston Churchill

"I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go in the other room and read a book." Groucho Marx

My favorite colors are grey and yellow. I also love pink, whether it's violent hot pink or soft pastel pink.

I like Sanrio, especially Bad Badtz Maru.

I collect postcards that include city names.

I also collect tote bags that have place names/tourist attractions.

Animals I like: owls, flamingos, and pelicans. Also, as a knitter, I have a lot of sheep things :)

Things I always love to receive:

*stickers *notecards *notebooks *recipe cards *writing utensils *postcards *bookmarks *yarn scraps *sock yarn *knitting patterns *tea *hot chocolate sachets

CHOCOLATE - I am an absolute candy/chocolate addict, especially when it is something unique that I can't get here! I love dark, white, and milk chocolate - you name it. I like crispy and I like crunchy. I like coconut and caramel. You get the picture! The only thing excluded from this list is raisins (gag).

I am ALWAYS looking for french books/magazines. If you're interested in a private swap for these items, certainly pm me! I can offer candy/craft supplies/books/handmade items/etc.

I'm also looking for easy Russian-language books for kids -- low level -- I'm studying Russian and it's really tough!

As mentioned, I am an avid knitter, and I enjoy crocheting as well. My grandma taught me to knit when I was five, then when I was about 22 I really got into it (this was back when fun fur first started taking off). Right now I am making several blankets.

1 - Sock Yarn Blankie pattern here -- I've been working on mine since 3/25/10. It's slow going, but it's a lot of fun. I always enjoy getting sock yarn scraps, even if they are in very small quantities. Here's a picture of my blanket

2 - Crochet Granny Squares -- I'm completing a blanket with all of the granny squares I have received in swaps. It's going very well (thanks to my partners!). My only problem is deciding what color to join all of the squares with! Here's a picture of my blanket (updated 6/4)