Does this mean we have only three more weeks of winter? My newsletter numbering system may be hitting a snag.
This week was very…indoors. It continues to remain below freezing out there, and the snow drifts and patches are solid ice, making navigating sidewalks rather treacherous. This is the part of winter that I want to be through with (great attitude notwithstanding)…so good thing seasons always change!
This week, I gave my first “official” Journal to the Self class, and I loved doing this. The group members blended well with each other bH, and shared supportive feedback. I may have one or two more members joining next week, which will be so nice too. Meanwhile, a friend wants to get a group of junior high girls together for a journaling course with me, and I don’t know if it will happen, but what a fun idea. It’s so gratifying to be doing this!
Hard to believe that I’m almost halfway through teaching this semester. Next week is class 5 of 11. Meanwhile, I’ve just started my PhD semester (last week was the first class) and I am feeling some growing anxiety about the size of the project ahead of me, and hoping to stay on top of things. I know that somehow it will all get done, but the next steps are a little murky, as I need to iron out some things before I can really know where I’m going with the project.
Other things: My parents are in Vienna! It’s my great-grandfather’s yahrtzeit this week and my parents decided to make a trip around it. They went to Prague first and then Vienna. It was nice to see pictures and feel like these places are familiar! My sister and I are home for Shabbos with our cousin.
On a different note, my great-aunt unfortunately passed away and my grandmother is sitting shiva. When I called this week, my grandmother asked me to send the next question from Storyworth for her to think about. (I had held off for this week given the circumstances.) It was so meaningful to realize how much my grandmother loves this project.
On a very mundane note, I used one of my holiday gift cards to replenish my stock of Aloha bars. Still a favorite.
My sister baked a fancy French tart for my father’s birthday last Shabbos, and she’s interested in trying out different crusts and fillings. I let her know I am available for taste testing. I am making dessert for this Shabbos, it will be Duncan Hines brownies.
My friend sent me pictures of herself skating on a frozen river (in New Jersey). Apparently it is monitored, so she was not risking herself to do it. It was so pretty and gave Netherlands vibes.
All in all, realizing that so much life can happen in a week even when you’re mostly indoors!
Wishing you all a warm and comfortable Shabbos.
(Photo credit: Tony Wu/Pexels. Image is Zaanse Schans!)
Yes 3 weeks left to winter! Thanks for that wonderful news.
🙏