#positives post

...the three-part documentary Get Back that will be released on Disney+ around Thanksgiving. 

...choosing a new book club read. 

...meeting my friend’s new son, whenever that will happen.

...taking baby steps to reclaim myself and this beautiful life I’ve been granted.

My calligraphy markers came in, and they are so pretty!  I cannot wait to use them to decorate the photo book I am making. 

Returning to the building means my kitchen is clear and not part-dining area and part-office.

My cousin called me to talk about Chapter 7 of The Great Gatsby and I cannot stop laughing at her 16-year-old interpretations and predictions.  Some of them are spot-on and very astute, while others are just plain funny. 

The Mary Tyler Moore Show has been starting my mornings off well as I eat my breakfast and drink my tea. 

Last week, my friend told me she has two appliances whose brand names are “Hamilton” and “Burr.”  This week, her Hamilton coffeemaker died.  And while this is not a positive thing because she needs a new gadget, I am chuckling heartily. 

My newcomer group was laughing so hard playing the letter game I made up today.  It was so uplifting to hear laughter and know true smiles were under those masks.

One of my students asked if they could use the journals I gave them to write down exciting things that happen at home.  UHM, YES!  YOU’RE PRECIOUS.

discussing Sue Monk Kidd’s The Book of Longings and getting into the Biblical weeds with friends who double as a book club

sitting in the unseasonably warm but most welcome November sunshine with one of your best friends

eating wings with your brother and his girlfriend and getting hyped about the NEA being discussed in The West Wing they were watching

video chatting with your cousin about your latest superhero movie experience and her teenage life 

cracking endless jokes with your brother about a comedy show that shares a similar name to an old local band’s song that would not be understood by most, nevermind your devolution into fits of laughter over it

reading through the New York Times’ 100 Books of the Year and jotting down some interesting titles for a later date

chatting seriously and lightheartedly with some fellow Tumblrites

listening to Yellowcard radio on Spotify

sitting outside late into the night with a blazing fire, glasses of wine, and good company

not setting an alarm and allowing yourself to wake up Sunday

slowly drinking tea before the day really starts

coloring while helping someone with essay word choice

Thanksgiving leftovers are packed as my lunch for the next three days.

My brother helped me set up my Spotify because he extended his account and bought me a Bluetooth speaker.  And then joked that he is responsible for bringing me into the 21st century. 

I updated my phone for the first time in almost two years.

The laundry basket that has been filled with clean clothes for days how now been emptied, folded, and restored to closets and drawers.  Just in time for the next load to take its place tomorrow...

My father and brother brought over and set up the table that has been in my parents’ kitchen for the last 14 years.  My parents had ordered a new one over the summer because this one had broken.  Then, two weeks before the scheduled delivery, my father found a video showing a different way to fix the problem.  So he  did it for me.  And now  I FINALLY HAVE A KITCHEN TABLE!  I packed up the plastic one, ready for the garage.

After this table event was completed, my mother rang my bell and visited me!  It was so fun to have her sit down at my NEW(ly refurbished) KITCHEN TABLE.  I love company.

New Girl has strangely been my healing. 

Yesterday I celebrated the wedding of a coworker with another one of our mutual friends.  It was a little strange to go as “dates” with another teacher friend ahaha.  But it was a lovely time with good food and good vibes. 

My nonno turns 87 tomorrow, so we braved the icy rain to go to dinner at our favorite local restaurant, ate delicious dishes, drank wine, laughed about his joke to move to California with my brother while my nonna stays here, and had an overall great time.

Retail therapy is a thing.

Although this Thanksgiving weekend left little alone time for me, I did enjoy it and restore a bit in some ways. 

The front of my house has PUMPKINS!  Because autumn is the very best season ever, thank you very much. 

I decided to attend the wedding of a work-friend Thanksgiving weekend.  My date is the other member of our trio who is leaving her husband home.  

Spirit Weeks are so fun at school!  Today I wore all three shades of purple and violet jewelry because it was Favorite Color Day.  

My brother is one of the most supportive people I know, and I am finally coming to understand how important he is for my growth.  I am getting better and opening up to him. 

Cooking for myself is so therapeutic.  Even as I continue to manage and measure the appropriate portions (Turns out half a pound of pasta is quite a lot for a single lady.).

I signed up for three events at the New York Historical Society, the Museum of Chinese Americans, and my beloved Museum of the City of New York.  Two of them are this week, and I am looking forward to treating my soul and spirit.

My exercise routine has been consistent the last week, and I lost almost four pounds by returning to a schedule and being more mindful of my meals. 

In order to combat the current anxieties floating around in my mind, and because I have not paused in quite a while to count my blessings, here is a post of positives. 

At 3:10 PM today, the SCHOOL YEAR OFFICIALLY ENDED!

Tomorrow, I will set NO alarms.  

I finished our book club pick Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel.  And I enjoyed it very much. 

My house is beautifully clean for the first time in many weeks. 

I have friends who love me. 

I have a boyfriend who loves me.

I have a family who loves me. 

Even though they are losing spectacularly, the Mets are calming me tonight. 

My clean laundry is folded and put away.

This week I remembered how much I enjoy the characters of The Umbrella Academy.

There are a lot of TV shows I like that have released a new season or series, and I am looking forward to exploring them.  

Only one course remains before I have completed my Master’s + 30 qualification for a salary bump!  But which to take this summer...?!

Sometimes when I am starting to spin and thinking negatively, I need to make one of these positive posts to maintain perspective.  

So here I go: 

My teenage cousin had her artwork selected and put on display at a small local museum.  I went to view it this week, and the entire exhibit was amazing.  High school students are incredibly talented.  It was such a refreshing afternoon spent among inspiration. 

Virtual book club meeting was a high note and a success, and we finally chose our next title after too long a lull.  I am looking forward to when everyone is settled with their life things so we can meet in person for the next one.

I decided to keep one pair of gray boots I impulse-bought a few weeks ago. My wardrobe options just opened up ten-fold.  Sometimes I am superficial and enjoy looking cute.

Taking care of some health-related items felt good, and I think I am finally feeling ready for activities I was not a few weeks ago. 

Adding to a shared Spotify playlist is highly engaging. 

The lap desk I bought months ago is such a great tool during weeks like this when I can remain in bed for many hours after waking, just reading, writing, or typing very comfortably. 

Drinking tea and listening to the rain was a fine way to start the week.