Context

TL;DR: I got my money back!

I didn't end up filing a complaint with Ontario because I was studying for two math exams that week. Also like, I already filed with relevant authorities in Washington State and the Federal Government. On the morning of Friday Aug 22, I heard back from Washington's AG that they've contacted the company and I could enter the voluntary "informal complaint resolution" thing. Before the day has even ended, the company refunded me in full :D

"Is this the part where you threaten to call your cousin the lawyer?" said the customer service chatbot. I called emailed my cousin the AG (/j afaik) and got my money back, which makes me think that shady VPN companies should be careful what they wish for. It feels SO nice to make scammers spit back out what they scammed me!

On the last day of summer quarter I slept for 3 hrs, took two math exams, and got dragged to a family trip right after. Asked for an extension for the final portfolio for intro to folklore, due to the two math exams; worked on the portfolio in a hotel room in Oregon and turned it in the day before my extended due date.

Now I'm done with all the prereqs for applying to stats major with pretty good GPA (if I can say so myself). Hopefully they'll want me when the 2026 application window rolls around...if I don't get into stats, I can probably apply to math major? I'm not THAT into stats or math, but it'll look good on my resume. I hope the work will be worth it!

Finished: Humle Top. My first time knitting a non-accessory turned out quite well! The pattern is already well-written, and I made a bunch of modifications to finesse the fit (changed the length of the torso, widened the sleeves, added bust darts). The lace yoke and edging made what's otherwise a pretty plain construction so fun to knit.

Started: Regina Marie shawl by Sara Burch & Bocallave by Åsa Tricosa. I've been looking for projects with interesting constructions. Regina Marie has a lace edging that's knitted sideways, then you "pick up" from the side to fill out the shawl. Except, instead of picking up, you use increases and short rows to create the picked up stitches while knitting the edging. That's nice, since I hate picking up stitches! I want to design something myself with this construction. Bocallave is a sweater and the construction is...weird. Basically it's like, trying to knit a tailored sweater top-down without any sewing. I've frogged and restarted the start of the pattern many times (currently on 4th or 5th attempt). Now I think avoiding sewing is so much harder than just sewing pieces together! (To be fair, I learned basic hand-sewing as a kid way before I learned to knit). But I paid for the pattern and bought the yarn, so it's no time to give up yet. We'll find out how that goes LOL.

Went to Oregon with my family and my sister's friend's family; went to Bellingham right after that.

Oregon (not necessarily in chronological order)

• Went to the Polycule Commune Cult city and bought yarn from a lady who only sells cone yarn. By weight & considering the materials, the yarn was really good value, but I'm not sure what I'll make with 2-ply cashmere LOL It looked nice on the cone, okay?
• Went to Portland's rose garden. Took a lot of pictures of roses that I want to paint; haven't painted any so far.
• Saw Multnomah fall and Crater Lake. Did some light hiking at Crater Lake. Nature is beautiful! But, while at the visitor center, I saw a sign from "U.S. Department of the Interior" requesting feedback for, among others, "any signs or info that are negative about either past or living Americans or fail to emphasize the beauty, grandeur, and abundance of landscapes and other natural features." Yikes!

Bellingham

• Spent the day at North Cascades before going to Bellingham to do some paperwork stuff. After doing the Paperwork Stuff the next day, went to two yarn shops in the city (Spincycle and Northwest Yarns). Didn't buy anything at Spincycle, but did buy yarn at Northwest Yarns. Also went in a used book store and bought a copy of Montse Stanley's acclaimed Knitter's Handbook. Pretty nice visit overall.

While at North Cascades, I saw someone drawing plein air. I was like "that seems nice, I should do that," and brought my sketchbook to Mukilteo Beach yesterday. Painted some stones, then got tired and gave up. Pictures. I don't think I've ever painted landscape except for that one time in high school and IT SHOWS LOL. That was fun, though! I should do plein air sketching more.