I wanted to use this post to introduce myself a little. My name is Emily and I am 20 years old. I currently live in Germany, the place of my birth, but I have lived many years in America as well. This is my first attempt at a blog and am really excited about it. I really wanted this blog to focus on something I am passionate about, and since I was not able to choose between my two passions, crocheting and poker, I decided to combine them.
I first learned to crochet when I was 16 years old. At this time of my life I was going through a really hard time and unable to cope, admitted myself into a treatment facility, where I was diagnosed with EDNOS (Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified), MDD (Major Depressive Disorder) and BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder). I was a complete wreck, with little to no self-esteem, suicidal thoughts, and feelings of being a complete failure. What should have been a 1 month stay at the facility, turned out to be 2 years. It where there that I first picked up a crochet hook. I never had any interest in crocheting before, but after seeing the other girls on my unit create hats, scarves, blankets, and so many other neat things, I decided to give it a try. And I am so happy that I did. After being taught the basic stitches and how to read the patterns, I would sit for hours turning yarn into hats, blankets, handbags, mittens, anything you could imagine.
What started out as a way to pass the time at the hospital, turned into a healing experience. I started being proud of the things I created, I felt joy and happiness again when I would give one of my projects as a gift, I started enjoying life again. These feelings had been absent in my life for so long, that getting those feelings back was definitely a turning point in my recovery. My self-esteem improved a little with each project, which in turn helped me eat better and take better care of myself. I wasn't counting the pounds anymore, rather I was counting the stitches. I didn't feel worthless anymore. I felt like there was something, finally, I could do that meant something, even if it was a lopsided hat with holes and dropped stitched. Nonetheless, I was proud of that lopsided hat. And at that time I couldn't remember the last time I was truly proud of something I had done.
I can honestly say that crocheting saved my life. I truly believe that if I had never learned to crochet I would not be here writing this today. Either the eating disorder or the depression would have claimed my life. And I am so grateful I picked up that crochet hook.
I spent the first 19 years of my life not having a clue how to play poker, nor having the desire to learn. It was just a gambling card game to me. Nothing I would ever think that I would later put so much energy and pride into.
I still remember the first day I learned how to play poker. I had just recently moved back to Germany and I started dating the man I am still with to do this day. It was Christmas Eve and he invited me to go play poker (which was tradition for him and his friends). I accepted the invitation thinking I would just watch the guys play. And I did, I just watched them play a few hands, and then they asked if I wanted to learn how, and I said yes. If they would have known how fast I would take to the game, I'm sure they would never have taught me! My boyfriend and I played as a team at first and we managed to win back his money plus some. From then, I was on my own. I didn't win a whole lot of money that night, but enough for a beginner player playing against advanced players to feel proud.
Since that night I have been invited to play poker with the guys a few times. And I devoured every article, book, video, tutorial I could find about playing poker. Then after I felt my skills were where I wanted them to be, I created an account on PokerStars and started playing internet poker. Now, I don't win money every time I play a tournament, but I do win 70% of the tournaments I play. I still have to keep my day job, but regardless, nothing beats the feeling of getting 7th place out of more than 600 players.
So that was how I got introduced to both crocheting and poker. Throughout this blog I will talk share with you guys about what projects I'm doing, what tournaments, and other miscellaneous things that happen throughout my life. You can also follow this blog on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Crochet-Hooks-and-Poker-Chips/166346176853496. And if you have a crochet request for me I will be more than happy to do that, just email me at crochethookspokerchips@yahoo.com with details.
Thanks for reading!
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