Sunday, January 19, 2014
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Happiness
What compels a person to pack their bags and move away, far from family, friends, and the familiar? For Evan and I, like many others, it was to pursue new opportunities and for a breath of fresh air, a chance to experience something new.
There is something very palpably exciting about change. The move seems to have reignited some long buried exuberance for life and optimism in both Evan and me. For the first time in a while, I feel content.
There is something uniquely enchanting about Washington. This morning, when I was leaving for work, the world felt so still and the air was so misty, I just stood there dumbstruck for twenty minutes, wondering how it was that I felt I was seeing the world for the first time.
I don't know why it is the simplest things in life that bring immense pleasure - a laugh with a friend, an interesting insight from a stranger, a cup of good coffee (what Seattlite wouldn't put that in the list? :-)), and a hug from a husband. I feel fortunate to have these things and a chance to feel such contentment.
There is something very palpably exciting about change. The move seems to have reignited some long buried exuberance for life and optimism in both Evan and me. For the first time in a while, I feel content.
There is something uniquely enchanting about Washington. This morning, when I was leaving for work, the world felt so still and the air was so misty, I just stood there dumbstruck for twenty minutes, wondering how it was that I felt I was seeing the world for the first time.
I don't know why it is the simplest things in life that bring immense pleasure - a laugh with a friend, an interesting insight from a stranger, a cup of good coffee (what Seattlite wouldn't put that in the list? :-)), and a hug from a husband. I feel fortunate to have these things and a chance to feel such contentment.
Friday, December 13, 2013
A word about the title...
In case you are wondering about the title of this web log, "Los Bonitos Ojos Negros de Felipe" means "The Beautiful Black Eyes of Felipe" in Spanish.
In case you are wondering who Felipe is, here he is. He is the adorable stuffed llama my husband got me for my birthday. Like all the gifts in my life, my family and friends, he fills me with joy.
In case you are wondering who Felipe is, here he is. He is the adorable stuffed llama my husband got me for my birthday. Like all the gifts in my life, my family and friends, he fills me with joy.
I am Daoist and agnostic, and I like Lakota religion.
I perpetually long company, yet also feel sometimes anti-social, wanting to abandon social etiquette and just sit and think.
A few material comforts in life make it wonderful - a warm shower, a good cup of coffee, the comforting grey skies and Douglas firs of Washington, and the loving embrace of one's spouse.
I perpetually long company, yet also feel sometimes anti-social, wanting to abandon social etiquette and just sit and think.
A few material comforts in life make it wonderful - a warm shower, a good cup of coffee, the comforting grey skies and Douglas firs of Washington, and the loving embrace of one's spouse.
Sunday, December 8, 2013
Mount Tacoma looks as if it came from another planet. When Evan and I were returning to Seattle, we flew by it. It was jutting out of the clouds, aloof and formidable. I wonder how many other people have stared at it, overwhelmed.
Tried out zumba and yoga today. Zumba made me sweat and feel happy. Yoga was relaxing, and made me feel happier. Spending a nice evening with my husband filled me with feelings of love and left me feeling happiest.
Mental exhaustion hits my language comprehension skills first. After returning from work a few days ago, I found myself getting frustrated trying to read a recipe, because it used compound sentences, and my tired brain couldn't piece it together. However, my brain worked fine otherwise - math, word meanings, all else. It scares me a little that my skills in listening are so poor. I'll make an effort to read, write, speak, and listen more, to hone these indispensable skills.
Tried out zumba and yoga today. Zumba made me sweat and feel happy. Yoga was relaxing, and made me feel happier. Spending a nice evening with my husband filled me with feelings of love and left me feeling happiest.
Mental exhaustion hits my language comprehension skills first. After returning from work a few days ago, I found myself getting frustrated trying to read a recipe, because it used compound sentences, and my tired brain couldn't piece it together. However, my brain worked fine otherwise - math, word meanings, all else. It scares me a little that my skills in listening are so poor. I'll make an effort to read, write, speak, and listen more, to hone these indispensable skills.
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Four more thoughts
A continuation of thoughts ...
Mbira is the most beautiful, haunting instrument. Check out 01:18 of this youtube video. Like it? Here's more. One of our friends is pursuing his dreams, traveling the world and bettering his mbira skills. What good inspiration for us to follow through on our dreams.
Music is always more enjoyable when listening with a friend. One of my friends got me into this relaxing style of music from Brazil: here is a youtube sample of Bossa Nova.
Friends and family are awesome! What a lucky girl I am. On my birthday, I was treated to cheerful messages, thoughtful gifts, tasty dinners and lunches, and...
Flying is awesome! Who knew how amazingly beautiful the world seems from the sky.
Mbira is the most beautiful, haunting instrument. Check out 01:18 of this youtube video. Like it? Here's more. One of our friends is pursuing his dreams, traveling the world and bettering his mbira skills. What good inspiration for us to follow through on our dreams.
Music is always more enjoyable when listening with a friend. One of my friends got me into this relaxing style of music from Brazil: here is a youtube sample of Bossa Nova.
Flying is awesome! Who knew how amazingly beautiful the world seems from the sky.
Monday, November 18, 2013
Twenty-nine thoughts
Twenty-nine years of age. On Friday, I will be 29. I feel happier than I was when I turned 28. I'm hoping this trend continues for the rest of my life, and that every year I will feel happier. I hope to keep no expectations, only hopes.
Visits are sweet. Our family visited us in Seattle, and each visit was a pleasure that ended much too soon.
Each couple seems to have distinct interests. We got a chance to try out many new things we wouldn't have done otherwise: go to a trendy coffee shop downtown; see the Sea-to-Sky highway and Olympic National Park; get a view of Seattle from a ferris wheel; and play indoor tennis.
Snoqualmie Falls is even more beautiful in the rainy weather than it is in the summer.
Self-confidence is an undervalued virtue. If you don't believe in yourself, no one else will.
Politeness is an overvalued virtue. If someone else didn't grow up in the same sub-culture I did, they won't know they same arbitrary conventions, won't know all the right things to say at all the right times, and perhaps we'll both end up making each other a little uncomfortable if we care about these things too much. Are such things any reason to end a good friendship?
And on the same vein, aren't so many other things more worthy of attention?
Today, my father-in-law explained the difference between amino acids with uncharged polar R-groups and acidic polar R-groups. The acidic ones contain hydrogen atoms with weak bonds, that may separate from the molecule as positive hydrogen ions.
I prefer a world with GMOs. I'd rather have a 1% chance to get cancer (as awful as that is) than a 90% chance to get ringworm or some other strange intestinal disease. I am making up these numbers.
Eight thoughts down, twenty-one are pending.
Visits are sweet. Our family visited us in Seattle, and each visit was a pleasure that ended much too soon.
Each couple seems to have distinct interests. We got a chance to try out many new things we wouldn't have done otherwise: go to a trendy coffee shop downtown; see the Sea-to-Sky highway and Olympic National Park; get a view of Seattle from a ferris wheel; and play indoor tennis.
Snoqualmie Falls is even more beautiful in the rainy weather than it is in the summer.
Self-confidence is an undervalued virtue. If you don't believe in yourself, no one else will.
Politeness is an overvalued virtue. If someone else didn't grow up in the same sub-culture I did, they won't know they same arbitrary conventions, won't know all the right things to say at all the right times, and perhaps we'll both end up making each other a little uncomfortable if we care about these things too much. Are such things any reason to end a good friendship?
And on the same vein, aren't so many other things more worthy of attention?
Today, my father-in-law explained the difference between amino acids with uncharged polar R-groups and acidic polar R-groups. The acidic ones contain hydrogen atoms with weak bonds, that may separate from the molecule as positive hydrogen ions.
I prefer a world with GMOs. I'd rather have a 1% chance to get cancer (as awful as that is) than a 90% chance to get ringworm or some other strange intestinal disease. I am making up these numbers.
Eight thoughts down, twenty-one are pending.
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