I need better coping mechanisms

You know how sudden changes in elevation messes our systems. So we are advised to keep taking breaks during any mountain trips. As we recently discovered, unfortunately through a first hand experience, the same thing is true with hot springs too. Take it slow while getting in the water, AND while getting out of it. Like, get out one foot (12 inches) of your body at a time and give it like 5 minutes per iteration. Anyways, I digress.. 

So what i was planning to talk about is that a sudden exodus of people does something weird to the atmosphere. Suddenly 50% of the family members are travelling and I have already lost my mind. There is soooooo much to do. So much packing and planning. But have I started yet - No. Am I about to start it - also No. 

But what I have started is a new giant project that I absolutely cannot afford to complete before we leave. A project that I started at 11 yesterday.  

So, our drawing room is without a lamp and the living room is my temporary studio. And I have 3 very different ideas that I equally love. Hence, a standstill. Sorry.

Early bird gets the worm

They say our music choices are set by our 20's and thereafter doesn't really change much...certainly true in my case. 

And not just the music, I even miss the band names. Compared to the tame (and PC) sounding names of today, I miss the colorful whimsical names that were.. Toad the wet sprocket, Death Cab for the cutie, Panic! at the Disco.. whew

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I realized I do not have any lasting solid habits. I am not an early riser, not a person who does chores as soon as they come up (I wait for them to ripen lol..), not a person who is really principled about what or how often she eats, I am totally cool with staying up late to finish a book or series... you get the idea. Am I still redeemable.. Is this something that needs to be addressed?

Books are the secret of my crazy

I love the vibe of libraries. Also, libraries invite the best kind of people. 

Also, I am happy to report that today I finished an entire book in one sitting.

=)

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We are trying to (supposed to) be training for the upcoming trek. But, so many things are happening all at once. I hope it goes well. 

I am super excited nonetheless. 

Fingers crossed.

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The kids are getting better at tricking us. Dont know whether I should be relieved or worried.

My cabbages !!

Warmest welcome to the newcomer in the family. mmuuaahh...

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I love how versatile cabbages are. And yummy. I am currently in love with dumplings in cabbage leaves.

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I dont really have any words for everything that is going around in the world right now. Not only is it despicable, but also inexplainable. I am flabbergasted by the lack of reliable information that is coming out. Horrible and confusing times to be in.

Filters through foliage

Komorebi 

- a Japanese term describing the dappled, sunlight-filtering effect of light passing through the leaves of trees, often creating a shifting pattern of light and shadow

In these times of incredible chaos everywhere... and pretty much all the time, I yearn for simple pleasures.. like these. To be honest, any sort of light filtering through foliage has a soothing effect on me. I didnt know it was a universal thing. And that is why the existence of "komorebi" made me smile. The fine people of Japan, the land of people so appreciative of arboreal beauty that they have a whole art form dedicated to it (and also a festival). Those people who enjoy the same simple pleasures as I do, are they also perturbed by the same troubles as I am? Do they also dread the destinations that are inevitable on the dangerous path the world is travelling on. Do they also lament the loss of simpler times? 

I am deeply interested in knowing what lifts their spirits, because I might be in need of some lifting up too.

Yes, also, Happy Holi.

Lessons in patience

That is what I got during the last fortnight. Involuntary lessons of course, as real life lessons often are. Anyways, as long as I learnt something.

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Spring is in the air, and also in our garden, which is blooming :)  The seaweed extract is working well. Definitely recommended. 

BTW apparently this year the summers are going to be Scorching!! Lets see.

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My social calendar is totally packed till May. How did this happen. I thought the year had just started. 

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Jukebox of favorite junk

Random songs keep popping up in my head at random times. Like a jukebox in a diner, it keep running in the background, through silence, through conversations, through work, sometimes sleep too. I think it happens with most people. Not with K though, but his brains work in very different ways. 

Anyhow, so these random playlists of mine keep shuffling up. But some songs are ever favorites. In fact, there are songs/jingles that are played at least once everyday. And sadly, for me at least, they are total trash. I didnt pay much heed to when, how or why they crept into my permanent song collection, but they are there. Often with made up lyrics too. It doesnt make any sense. This is my attempt to list them (just for records, I am incredibly ashamed of and embarrassed by this list. But for the sake of honesty....)

- come on come on o Kamachi (something like this. I guess this is a dubbed song from the mid 90's)

- ao sikha dun, tumhe ande ka funda.. (usually while prepping for kids' school)

- 90 thousand red balloons (i dont even remember what is the original number in the actual song)

- lassi pissi o coo coo cola ( lol.. this is a dubbed song from chip and dale show. Again from the 90s. I am sensing a pattern here :)

- break my stride

I guess this list will come in handy when I finally go and see a therapist for complete and total insanity.