a catch up

It certainly has been a while since I sat down to write a blog post, I have almost forgotten how it's done! I wish I had an abundance of photographic beauty to share but alas, the camera has also been neglected in the whirlwind that is life. I am trying to remember where I left off... A couple of weeks ago was my very first clinical placement for uni. I did a week of morning shifts (7am - 3:30pm) which was a complete killer. Full time nurses, I take my hat off to you, not only are the days long but the work is hard. I was placed in a rehabilitation ward attached to a district hospital. As with most hospitals the average age of client is about 75, so it was predominantly aged care with a rehab component mainly helping to mobilise patients after surgery, rehab for strokes and we had a young double lower limb amputee in as well which was heart-breaking. I quickly became close to one patient, who although cranky with other nurses, took a shine to me and requested that I be the only one to shower her each morning as no one could do it quite as good as me. She touched my heart, recovering from a mastectomy after being in remission from breast cancer for 12 years, I shared the story of my loss and felt privileged to be part of her journey. My other BIG news is that I am off to Japan with Siena next Thursday! Andrew and I ummed and ahhed over the perfect gift for her 16th birthday and it was Andrew's suggestion that Siena and I take time out to be together, travel, bond, share, journey and enjoy an international holiday. I was luck enough to travel with my mum at 15 for 6 weeks (to Italy) and I think this maybe something to share with all my girls (Lucia has already requested Paris and I am VERY happy to indulge that idea!). I am crazy nervous about the language component, and the fact that we are traveling on the fly, with our 2 week JR passes. I wish I could show you a picture of the Tokyo rail network - mind blowing, completely massive and in Japanese, of course! I am sure just navigating that will be an adventure in itself! I finally finished my beautiful linen blazer from Salme Patterns. I highly recommend this pattern (the only one I have used). It's very easy for an excellent result. (It is unlined so you may want to consider how you finish your seams, I used a flat felled technique mainly for neatness but also for reinforcement). I made this for Japan (as it is way too cold to wear a 3/4 sleeve anything right now) but I think it will be crushed beyond description by the time I take it out to wear so I am thinking of trying to make a ponte knit one for its user friendly non iron requiring qualities. I do have a heap to do before Japan but the wardrobe component is important don't you think? Do you love this pin? I participated in the now infamous Sew it Together sample swap hosted by Cass and this was one of the fabulous gifts I received, made by Claire. Claire has an excellent photo of all the goodies as mine are now dispersed through the house (loving dispersed). Sew it Together was awesome as usual. Sheridan does an amazing job of organising and making sure everyone is happy and catered to, if you can make it next year, I highly recommend it. Who wouldn't want to go on a crafty weekend with 40 other people! I think that is all I can muster for now. I am impressed with my catch up come back! I would love to blog from Japan, let's see if I can manage it. P>S I cannot manage to edit this post for neatness and spacing, not sure why it won't do that, so sorry if it feels a bit convoluted...