Diving into this week has been most difficult after the staycation last week. But the world as we know continues to evolve, and although I stayed out of touch all last week, I am now fully immersed in all things. So to kick off my official back at the office routine, I decided to start off with interesting topics to share:
As our world turns, in many ways this year, I cannot help but feel helpless, overwhelmed and sad by either direction all matters are heading. And since I struggle with a form of anxiety, I try to focus mostly on the positive in order to get me through. However, that does not mean all these thought are not racing through my head…and perhaps even yours? Topics which have me thinking and pondering this morning are: How emotionally sensitive are you? Is it a good or bad thing – take this quiz to find out. Does Scandinavian self care really work? Why we need older women in the workplace you might want to know is a topic that came to mind after a friend called to discuss her struggle with age-in-a-workplace. The truth about losing a parent – has been on my mind as I watch my mother’s health on the decline faster these days and the idea of it all has me scared I don’t believe in regret, I only believe life happens to you …
In light of the fact we are all learning the basics all over again, I was thinking we can use some useful suggestions to help us along. Have you discovered helpful suggestions you’d like to share? {featured image source and full credit}
…And we are back – to another work week and the continuation of our current lifestyle – which by the way I have gotten so used to now. Have you? Lots happened over the weekend, mostly in my head, where I am now wondering how life will be after the pandemic. Will we be mindful, thoughtful and as tight knit as we have become while struggling through the same challenges, globally? Or will everyone simply bounce back to the norm before the storm…that has swept the entire planet to its current state? Just thinking out loud. But really, in San Francisco we are in the final weeks of the best weather, before the summer dense fog shrouds the city for the next three or four months. So, I did some walking across the city again, while snapping photographs of the springtime blooms throughout. Then worked in my garden – which I’d been avoiding due to severe allergies in my family – but I have to say, it was the most invigorating as plans to revamp …
I went for a long walk across the city, through neighborhoods I assumed would be less crowded. But I think I’ve seen more humans walking about the city during the social distancing then I used to in the past years, doing the walk. It was the most invigorating feeling to see families walking together, talking, and while wearing masks, keeping their distance. I prepared lunch for myself, thinking I might eat while I walked, since the park I normally go to with these walks might be closed. Instead, there were signs at every entrance to the park, simply asking that we keep six-feet apart, but take our time to enjoy the park. So I sat on a bench, ate my sandwich and grapes, and stared out to the views of the ocean. The most interesting gatherings in the park were families, or friends, who met up, and sat six feet apart on blankets, and enjoyed catching up in person. I suppose this was a good idea or one that’s been happening for the duration? I …
Since some of us have been forced to home-school our children, I think we may find ourselves sometimes cringing at some of the assignments tasked to them. For example, me with math. You might feel the same about science, or history, or even language-whatever it may be in your part of the world. So it dawned on me, to start this series, where I share some refresher facts from around the world to seem just maybe smarter than usual to our kids. What do you think? I mean, no insult to anyone, I’m just trying to have fun here. So if you want to play along, then by all means do so, otherwise feel free to swipe left. 🙂 Here’s today’s topics of learning Hey was this fun or it’s a hard pass? {featured image full credit}
Last night a family member called in need of company while cooped up in a hotel room away from his home. For work naturally. Usually he would joke and send interesting text messages, but his tone last night had me worried. So we engaged in conversation, him comparing mostly all the new ordinances being put in place for the state he lives in to the one we’ve mastered here in California – now going on six weeks or more in some places. By the end of the conversation he thanked us for being there for him and I reminded him to avoid panic, that everything will be okay. It’s a hardcore transition we are all going through, but one we need to see the good more than the bad so we can endure and come out the other end stronger than ever. Afterwards, I lay in bed, as usual reflecting on all the events that shaped the day, and I smiled, because I was more fixed on the positive, like these…
Hello Everyone – hope you had a lovely weekend, or made it lovely in your own creative way during these difficult of times. I have to say, I tried my best to focus only on the good over the weekend, even while the weather outside was gloomy, and the lockdown in full force, I felt the goodness of Easter by… Watching the heart-warming concert – by Andrea Bocelli Made Easter Sunday Roast with my mother – which is both funny and sad, because I am forcing her to remember all of her old-world recipes and after the challenge of producing the final meal, she reminds me she’d forgotten an ingredient or two. I took several virtual tours of Italy and allowed the experience to take me away Watched a pretty funny – cheesy rom-com on Netflix which reminded me so much of Four Weddings and A Funeral And for sure the winner of happiest moments was watching an in-home Easter egg hunt over FaceTime with loved ones currently on lock down in England It is …
I watch my neighbors take turns in entertaining their energetic sons while in their backyard, in between home-schooling breaks. The husband would stand at the top of the stairs, scrolling through his phone while the kids play in the garden below, while on the alternating days, the wife rolls up her sleeves and actually makes the kids help her with gardening. It’s an interesting watch from where I have set up my home-office. I find myself looking forward to their playtime, and then get sad on days when they are not outside – feeling all sorts of out of proportion. So no matter what is happening in your neighborhood, or lack thereof, spend today in appreciating the smaller wonders in life – and have faith that soon life will be back to normal. {featured image source here and here}
After seeing this video online, and watching it a million times and tearing up every single time, I realized just how thankful I am for deciding to stay with my mother before the shelter in place became the criterion for survival – for San Francisco since the beginning of March. The beauty of our time together – is that every day she shares with me stories about her childhood, and we discuss recipes for all the wonderful cooking ritual her clan embarked on for each season. I remember them fondly and some she tells me about with her own experiences with her mother – way before I was born. Last night, we made stuffed grape leaves. I wanted to learn the process, since it is one of our traditional dishes or a version of it since so many around the world pride themselves of the dish. It didn’t turn out that well, because after we made it, she told me, we forgot a few key ingredients and steps. 🙂 That’s okay. I was fine with …
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