Simple Pleasures

Turning thirty...My younger sister bringing her serious boyfriend home for Christmas...The relationship I want to be in is not happening...A career somewhat stalled out...
I feel like I'm being handed some big stumbling blocks, and in my infinite maturity and wisdom, I know the solution lies in the simple pleasures in life. I trust that these challenges will only serve to strengthen me in the long run - but right now I'm struggling!
Here is my list of the things that will sustain me, and that I plan to add LOTS more of to my days.

1. Surprises... I love being surprised... like finding money in your pocket, like getting a call for drinks when you thought you would spend the whole night in, like finding a solution to a problem, when you thought you were sunk...
and although I can't make other people surprise me more, I can stop analyzing things so much so that I've already thought of all the possibilities and created an expectation. I need to let life happen, and be excited with the results.

2. Baking... Arranging all the ingredients on the counter, creaming butter and sugar, finishing with a beautiful, creative, sweet product.

3. Storytelling... hearing laughter as a result of your mishap and retelling.

4. Fountain drinks... crushed ice, effervescent energy in your mouth

5. Seeing a smaller number on the scale than was there yesterday

6. A good run, with a good friend and good conversation that leaves you breathing hard and dripping with sweat and happier than you've been all day

to be continued...

7. A good hair day ... when you've got body, bounce, curls, confidence

8. Blue groomers ... I like to ski - fast.

9. Basketball ... I love the smell of the gym, the thrill of the well executed play, the tight-knit family of the team, the blue of the best jerseys in the game

10. My camera ... I love playing with the settings, like I know what they all do, and surprise! find a great photo

11. Creation ... a painting, the perfect playlist, new furniture arrangement ... there is nothing like making something out of nothing

Back on the trail

I'm back in Hanoi, and passing it off as work. My friend and fellow teacher, Sarah and I have been asked to speak at a workshop in Cambodia and for a free plane ticket we'll do about anything.
We decided to take off a few weeks earlier and travel around Northern Vietnam before going to Cambodia. Thus far we've seen Ho Chi Minh's body, a sad sight inside his giant marble mausoleum surrounded by small booths and shops selling his likeness in many a fashion. Amazining how the communist leaders keep spawning such great capitalistic endeavors!
Until later I am, Melting in Vietnam