Sunday catch-up

The cold weather has been replaced by slightly less cold but wet weather. January! But I am going to Malaysia for the last week of the month and just checked the temperatures there, around 30 degrees. I am rather excited about that. Not so much the travelling, which is tedious. I pre-booked a seat this time because the stress of being put on a standby list by British Airways not once but twice last time I flew and despite having purchased the tickets well in advance was too much. I’ll be visiting our microscopy training hub, which is super exciting. This grew out of a collaboration with a former student, so much fun! I am also giving two talks at a workshop, also exciting but less fun because the pre-talk anxiety will kill me, for sure. I also just googled fabric shopping in Kuala Lumpur and it sounds exciting. I am saving my January pocket money for the occasion. 

The week has been busy and I am already wishing for early retirement, after just two weeks back at my desk. I might sit down with my microscopy slide collection to give them a clean and to update my database. Not essential but quite calming because it is not intellectually challenging. I can let my mind wander while wiping off the oil of the slides with alcohol wipes. In case you are wondering why my slides are covered in oil, this has to do with physics and light. I don’t actually understand it but the oil helps to increase resolution. Something with refractive indexes and light scattering. It works, so that’s all I need to know. In principle, the slides should be cleaned after each use but in practice, they are sticky after two weeks of being handled by 60 students.

We still have an extra teenager living with us but he is low maintenance. He is already doing chores, so must feel at home. I hope for a swift resolution of his housing situation but I guess will need help with this and chances are that help will be coming from us.

Iris is having a difficult time though and we had a safeguarding call from college this week. Their tutor was concerned about their safety and triggered safeguarding procedures. It was a bit scary to be honest but Richard and I were really impressed with the care Iris receives at College. They have a wellbeing check-up on Monday. To be honest, I am having a bit of a hard time, too. As does Richard. 

I am working on a pair of red wide leg jeans. I am using denim I bought in Toronto. I hope to finish the jeans next week, one seam at the time. The zip is in and the pockets are on so should be fairly straightforward from here. I am using a pattern I used before but I don’t think I shared those denims here yet. It is the Sew House Seven Oxbow Pant. I don’t like to use the word pants for trousers but that is their name. Pants in my world are knickers, to be worn under garments. 

Frankie is still bonkers. I am one pair of slippers down. The cat is not bothered by his antics but Jack finds him intolerable. To give Jack a break, he went on a respite weekend away with Sammy and is loving the rats of Govanhill. 

Thanks for visiting 😊