Drinking : wait for it… a mug of tea.
Reading: a new crime series. It’s the dark and cynical portrayal of romantic relationships that reeled me in. The mysteries themselves explore dark at times sordid motives. None of this has been able to stop myself from getting deeper into Tyrone Swift’s corner of present day London.
Trawling: my sock drawer for the ski socks I thought I bought from last year’s Aldi ski event. I’ve come up trumps and found them in pristine condition.
Wanting: my freedom to travel back. It’s a trivial and very first world problem to miss something that was a privilege in the first place I miss how easy it was to plan a trip, book my tickets, pack, get to the airport, fly a lot, land, unpack, rediscover myself and then do it all again in reverse.
I miss the anticipation at checking in for my departing flight. I miss the flights themselves. I miss the excitement of my destination either a city waiting to be explored or the warmth and love of my family and friends.
Deciding: that cauliflower rice and I will never get along. Ever. It might look like rice straight out of the freezer but that smell as it cooks. I just can’t.
Wishing: it was easier to get out of bed in the morning now that it’s winter.
Waiting: for summer all the same.
Liking: the efficiency of my scanner and printer at home. They both work seamlessly with my ageing laptop. A blessing that I am truly grateful for.
Wondering: what I might get up to during my week of leave coming up next week.
Loving: the thoughtfulness of my Australia Post delivery guy.
My rainy day parcel deliveries get wrapped in plastic bags before being pitched over the front gate.
Pondering: why I always seem to be in such a rush all the time.
Listening: or rather trying to listen. Properly. Stopping and engaging kind of properly.
Considering: how the current restrictions on my life imposed because of the virus have actually liberated me in areas of my life that I definitely needed to work on pre-Covid. World. Myseterious. Ways.
Buying: yarn.
Watching: beginner crochet videos.
Hoping: crocket blankets as home decor aren’t a major fire hazard….
Marvelling: at the mysterious way the world works. I never got to return the kindness someone in my life showed me a few years back but the chance to do so just came out of the blue this year. There’s a sense of a circle being closed in my heart now and it’s a very special feeling indeed.
Cringing: at the stories emerging in the news about life in the quarantine hotels in Melbourne….
Needing: to know that that surely so many lives (security personnel and quarantined citizens) couldn’t have been put at such high risk in Australia but, sadly, also knowing that I probably won’t ever get that reassurance.
Smelling: my favourite hand cream on my hands. Update – this winter’s dry cracks / fissures have finally healed and I don’t need to bind my fingers in surgical tape anymore!!!!! Happy days!!!!
Wearing: scrubs and I don’t think I’ll ever go back to normal work clothes ever again. Happy news for my credit card, I think.
Noticing: that it’s July so we’re entitled to embrace Christmas in July at work. The decorations are already up, in fact!
Thinking: that for once I’m completely fine with the second half of a year flying by. 2020, you have not been great.
Admiring: my handiwork with two hair elastics, some hair clips and a brush.
Work hair done while my ancient desktop starts up for the day.
Getting: ready for some annual leave. Forget my handover email, I’ve drafted my ‘out of office’ email first.
Bookmarking: beginner crochet videos on YouTube.
Opening: my bag of snow gear from years gone by. These tiny snow boots aren’t going to cut it this year!
Closing: browser windows for Kathmandu, Macpac and Anaconda. I DO NOT need to ‘have a look’ at anything until after I’ve inspected the snow gear we already have. Reader, you are correct. Of course those browser windows promptly got reopened…
Feeling: better about my purchases for the snow knowing that I placed orders (after reopening the above browser windows) only after it was clear what we needed for our trip.
Hearing: the chatter and sounds of work beyond my office door. It’s a testament to the people I work with that they can sound so happy and calm despite the busyness.
Celebrating: the return of our face to face weekly team meeting with … hygienically sealed mini packs of snacks for morning tea. They will do until our usual home baking, cheese platters and cut fruit trays can return.
Pretending: that I’m not that excited to have found a plentiful supply of antibacterial surface wipes at the shops this morning. These days, seeing full shelves of toilet paper and cleaning supplies is my barometer of how kind we are being to each other.
Embracing: life as it is now. It’s not so greatness but also it’s very human, almost miraculous moments.