Elias Villarreal, Jr., PA-C (Crochet)

Meet Elias Villarreal, Jr., MPAS, PA-C, DFAAPA

Department Chair & Program Director

NAU Physician Assistant Program

Describe your morning – what time do you get up, what do you do first, next and what is for breakfast?

Normally, I wake up around 7 am and begin my day by first taking my medications then starting my coffee. I get hygiene in order then tend to my animals. I remove my canary’s cage drape and give him a fresh slice of apple and refill his water bowl. If he needs seed, I do tha,t too. I let my dogs out then bring them back in and feed them breakfast. I go to collect fresh eggs from my backyard chicken coop. For breakfast, I usually make something with my fresh eggs. It might be chorizo con huevo or machacado or huevos rancheros or divorciados. It just depends how I feel. I’m ready to start my work day after that.

What happens next? What do you do for lunch?

I normally eat lunch around 1 pm or so. My lunch is typically leftovers from dinner the night before or something like s Subway sandwich. I usually have a working lunch.

What do you do for dinner?

For dinner, I do like to cook. I normally make Mexican food as it’s the cuisine that I cook the most.

How do you end the day and what time do you go to bed?

I work pretty late. My work as department chair never ends so I usually work late into the evening and usually retire around 2-3 am.

What art are you doing and when do you do it?

I am very engaged with the fiber art of crochet. I specialize in granny square crochet but have 3 blanket/afghan projects going currently. I prefer granny squares because they are simple projects that have a quick beginning and end. Larger blanket and afghan projects take more patience and perseverance as they require more yarn and attention. I crochet during breaks. I carry a small bag with my hooks and a couple skeins of yarn plus whatever project I’m working on so I can take breaks. I’ve never been able to take breaks to do nothing. My mind and my hands have to be constantly engaged. I can’t even take naps during the day so crochet really helps this.

What are you reading?

I’m currently reading The Chestnut Man and Slack for Dummies. For fiction, I prefer thrillers and mysteries.

What are you streaming?

Harry Potter, Downton Abbey, Victoria, and The Mandalorian are my favorites to stream.

How are you feeling?

I’m feeling stressed and anxious most days through the pandemic. Crochet helps me relax and focus on the task at hand.

What’s the first thing you’re going to do when the quarantine ends?

Headed to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico...immediately. I visit 3x a year. So far this year, both trips are cancelled and I only had the opportunity to visit in January. It’s definitely my happy place. I’m booked for February 2021.

Step wise process to creating a granny square: