Homesick

 

Last week, I was at the grocery store and lo and behold, there were paczkis! No, I am not Polish. And, no, I don't celebrate Lent (although, it probably wouldn't hurt to give up a few things and establish some new habits). 

No, I was just really excited because it reminded me of home. Well, my home before where I live now. Which, I have almost been away from as long as I lived there, but honestly, once a home, always a home. And that particular home is very treasured in my heart. 

Ridiculously, I did not buy the paczkis, because I had another treat in my cart and was trying to at least pretend that I am a semi-responsible adult who knows how to make healthy food choices. And when I was at the store today, were there any paczkis? No. Of course not. But, it is a bit early in the season, and it was a Saturday evening, so I"m going to be optimistic that maybe I can find them on another trip. And even if I don't, I'm not too fussed, because really, it was just seeing a piece of home that I needed. Having a bite would just be the icing on the cake. 

Inner children

When my 4-year old nephew is unhappy about something, he clenches his fists and shrugs his shoulders and huffs "Humph" and has this adorable frowny face (which really just makes you want to hug him and make him smile, but he doesn't actually want that. Even 4-year olds deserve to have their feelings acknowledged). And sometimes, he will punch the seat of the couch. 

And, can I be honest? Sometimes I have an inner-self that feels just like that (or worse! I feel like punching the couch multiple times!). And I'm just so glad that now when I am feeling that frustrated, I can picture my nephew and visualize maybe a little of that frustration right on out of myself. 

Although, I'm not nearly as adorable as my nephew. 

Very much a first world problem

Why does civilization involve so much paperwork and upkeep and maintenance?

I was thinking about this because so much of my life seems to go to organizing piles of paper, weeding through stuff, and cleaning. 

I think the cleaning part probably transcends civilization. Maybe just a difference in scale. But there are so many piles of paper in my life. And so much stuff! Endless things. And as soon as you clear some out, more come creeping into your life. 

It seems to me that we "civilized" people might be doing something wrong. We invent stuff, which makes us civilized (or so it seems), and then we spend all of our time dealing with the stuff. And the paperwork generated by civilization--endless receipts and legal documents and insurance papers, and on and on.

I'm not saying that the lack of civilization is preferable. I love indoor plumbing, modern medicine, and not living in a cave or what have you. There are definitely some perks to human progress. But, I think maybe we mistook progress for the end? Instead of a means? I mean, it's easy to do. Things and stuff are so attractive. 

Or maybe I'm the only one with this problem and I personally need to be wiser with my resources. Not going to lie, that is highly likely. But some days, it feels like my first-world country is really not interested in helping me out with that. 

Yep, definitely a first world problem. I'll go be grateful now. 

Something new

You know, the Christmas holidays are kind of a season for traditions. But, this Christmas season and this past week, I have done a lot of new things. Like: 

• turned a pencil. Out of lilac wood. Basically, I made a mechanical pencil. How to make a pencil: 1) have a lathe. 2) have an awesome brother-in-law who will walk you through the process. 
• visited Santa Fe. Finally! And, definitely need to go back. 
• tried halva, kunafa, foul (not the adjective, but a lovely middle eastern dish), and other new foods. I prefer the halva to the kunafa. Neither is bad, they were both good, I just like the halva more. 
• learned to pick a lock. As long as it is a clear lock where I can see the tumblers. I actually picked two of them but one felt more like luck. Look, I'm a novice. Basically, your locks are currently safe from me picking them. 
• played new games, including Fluxx, 6 Nimmt (with moosen), Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza, LLAMA (both the 3-year old round, which is ever-changing, and the actual game), and Ticket to Ride Nordic Countries, India, and Switzerland. And sort of Throw Throw Burrito, but it was a 2-person game and I think that is a different experience from a 3+ player game.
• played around with intentionally blurring nighttime photos. Way more entertaining than it sounds.
• played Paper Rock Scissors Freeze Tag. 
• opened Christmas crackers. 
• colored with crayons from a 152 count box. My dream come true!

Trying new things: give it a shot!