everything

This is the one about everything. Thematic unity down the tubes, unless 'everything' can be a theme? And then I'm safe.

The first piece of everything: my dear friend Shana wrote to me, soon after I called her in hysterics over the first hospital bill we received, to suggest a way to cover a little of the medical bills: an auction of handmade things. Shana, a poet, a maker of sweet knitted things for babies. So thoughtful. And practical. And I said yes, and asked for more help from Lisa, and talked (wow! so strange to call a bloggy friend) with her about how and what to do. And we're going to do it. The information is here. It will begin August 19. If you'd like to donate something or spread the word, please email me at ohbara {at} gmail {dot} com. I can't express the enormity of my gratitude and humility in the face of the luck we've had and the love we've been shown. But thank you.

The second piece of everything: with Martha, a trip to S. R. Harris. Those blue-striped boatnecks? Done, eight of them (one for me?). And three tan scoop-neck, rumpled, striped shirts. And what I'm calling Coney Island tanks, because they're striped in cream, red, and turquoise, two for grown-ups and two for children. And more children's clothes. I'm planning to update the shop around August first with this collection, and will remove garden party then (it's Design Collective-bound, at that point). And the beautiful Foundling shop will have custom birds for this collection, all blue and tan and gold and old-paper-y. It feels so good to work.

The third piece of everything: next year, I'm heading back across the ocean. When I visited a friend in Nottingham, England, in March, I took advantage of the time and met with professors at the university there about my research interests. One of them was very interested in my ideas, invited me to apply to study with him, and offered to support me in my bid for funding. Unlike the university where I did my Master's, funding here is not guaranteed and is very competitive.

But with the help of my friend and my professor, I polished up my research statement and sent in my applications. I was accepted by the University of Nottingham to study for a Ph.D. in Cultural Studies in March, and in May I found out that I had received full funding and a stipend.

I'm so! excited to return to school. I willstudy popular music movements. And, although I have trepidations about the sheer size of my project, I know I can do it. And it's bittersweet to think that just as my mom's rehabilitation turns a corner, I'll be leaving. But the first question she asked me when she came into sensibility was "you're still going to England, right?" so I'm eastbound once more.

I will write more about this soon--about my thoughts and ideas and fears, because they're there. But I wanted to tell you.

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Thanks for being out there.