In and effort to a: get out of the house more and b: socialize, I have signed up for knitting classes at the local Michael’s craft store. This Thursday evening, and next, I will learn to knit a scarf.

I have to be honest, I don’t really care about knitting. Many people have tried to get me to knit. But I can’t hold a book or type while knitting, so it seems impractical, at best. A few months ago I agreed to start knitting with my cousin. It was going to be our new hobby, she in Washington, me here in Canada. She even sent me some yarn and needles and a book. Which is the sweetest thing. But I could not even understand the instructions for casting off. I’m sure I will benefit from a teacher who can stand over me and show me.

However, it’s not about knitting. It’s just something to take. Something to get me out of the house. And, maybe, allow me to meet people. I miss my friends. I miss spending time with them. I need to make some local friends. Preferably ones with wicked senses of humor and an interest in shoe shopping.

I do really like scarves, however.

In my dreams I make a friend in the first five minutes. Maybe she’ll be an American as well. Post immigration process, she’ll be able to travel to the states. Someday, when I am post immigration process, I’ll be able to call her up and say “Target?” and she will know exactly what I am talking about, and we’ll go down to Bellingham. Where we will also need to visit Nordstrom’s shoe department. (She’ll understand that as well.) In the meantime, she’ll kindly bring me things like Red Vines and Benefit’s Honey Snap Out of it Facial Scrub.*

American is certainly not a requirement. Evidence found in parking lots in Bellingham have shown that many Canadians understand both Target and Nordstroms.

*I have found Benefit at a Shopper’s Drug Mart in Burnaby, but not the entire product line, and not the Honey Scrub, which is THE BOMB.