Things that made me happy today

1. Riding my bike in slow-falling snow

2. Wearing clothes that make me feel good even though I have a toddler who keeps sneezing stuff all over me

3. Giving strangers the benefit of the doubt

4. Listening to a choir sing Finnish traditional christmas songs

5. Buying christmas tree decorations from all over the world and starting our own little family christmas tradition

6. Finally buying fresh fruit at a farmers’ market after planning to go to a different market all week, ending up not going, and stumbling on this different one totally by chance

7. Plain good relax and cuddle time on the sofa with my husband and son

It’s hard…

…to keep writing when the words don’t seem right.

…to keep working when you think it’s useless.

…to stay put when all you want is a change of scenery.

…to trust that the things you do have meaning even though you cannot see it.

There’s a reward at the end of each journey.

à propos…

the first snow…

Winter

The hiatus season has now officially begun. Yesyes, I know, the meteorological beginning of winter is December 21, but for me, the amounts of hot tea, candles, dimmed lights, storm and rain I’ve seen in the last couple of days are the markers of my very own hiatus season. Everything is slowing down with shorter days, less light and warmth … like a plant that draws all her strength back to its roots for winter, guarding them well until the next spring, I am trying to take good care of myself until next year, when my thesis will be finished, several tons of weight will be lifted off my shoulders, and the new greens and blossoms will make us want to travel, explore and enjoy. There is much to look forward to: A trip to Israel, where our good friends Mara and Josh will be getting married in June; one to the US, where we will be travelling along the west coast by camper, and some short-distance trips, to Munich, to Berlin, maybe to France. Until then, I will keep my head down, concentrate on the here and now, and try to stay focused.

Check into www.thisordinaryday.com on Thanksgiving (November 27) for a little movie of the whole TOD cast!!