set for contemplation in 2009

for all the craziness that was 2008, I am hoping for (and needing) 2009 to be a quiet and contemplative year for me. As I have relaxed from all the constant activities that were the months leading up to October 4th, I have had the time to at least dream a bit about the knitting and sewing projects i would like to try and tackle, how i would like to be involved in the church, and the few items i would like to try and grow again this coming spring and summer. I've found some wonderful inspiration for reviving my quilting attempt from years ago now at doggedknits. I've found her use of negative space in the form of solid monochomatic color to really make the work very attractive to me.

Another read that I have been fascinated by for her craft as well as her study of craft, textile, and handwork in general is needled. I do have to say, the latter blog has greatly contributed to my resent unrest and attempts to clarify for myself what I need and want out of my life/career, and what steps I need to take to get there.
The woman is a senior lecturer at a UK university and still finds the time to fully engage in her life through her crafts, and other aspects of reflection and involvement in life that are outside the realm of her career. (I have researched this a bit, and a senior lecture position is basically that of an associate prof. in the states, so she doesn't just have time for a life b/c she's a teaching peon or something.)

This is in stark contrast to the many examples of academes I see around me. They seem to be singularly driven by their profession and find a distinct and focused passion for their field only. I do believe that NewAdvisor is quite singularly driven by career and is excessively happy to spend 70-80 hrs a week in the office and the lab. I myself cringe at the mere thought. In the same vein, I don't see a career out there that I could pursue that would satisfy all my passions in life. I have far too broad a spectrum of interests and am too frenetic (perhaps ADD) a person to focus solely on any single one for too long a span of time. I am still fleshing out what this means for me in terms of a feasible career path, so i'm sure there will be more on this at a later date. I am also not sure if part of my present unrest is a combination of burnout from the previous year of crazy and still trying to finish up work for Andrew (and thereby feeling continually guilty and caught between two advisors vying for my time).

There are also many other things on the books this year for contemplation, not the least of which are where I stand in my theology, how my views of God and the world have changed over the past few years, where that puts me in my relationship with God, and what do I still just plain old don't get or have a hard time believing these days.

I hope to make time for these thoughts, and hikes in the spring and fall with my husband, and growing herbs and flowers behind the parking lot of our apartment, and starting worm composting in our kitchen (more on that later too), and knitting for myself and others, and sewing curtains and dresses and quilts, and co-chairing the outreach committee at church with Randi, and (of course) lots of science in the coming year.