Month 18 – Julia

Hello. It’s midnight, I’m using a borrowed iPad in a borrowed room, and wondering how much vitamin c is too much and how little sleep is too little. I am so, so grateful. And so, so exhausted. There are 24 people sleeping in this house, or not sleeping, as it happens. One of us has pink-eye, all of us are coming down with sore throats, and there are approximately 200 people coming for a walk and or drinks tomorrow. I have a ridiculously long to-do list and am honored to be hopelessly behind because I have been having important conversations with people I love. I have been entrusted with way more secrets than I could have imagined : some of them life-changing, heartbreaking, some of them and some of them awesome. glad that i seem to be perceived as indispensable, but even more glad I have a few years’ proof that Thanksgiving does happen perfectly well without me. I am also mostly glad that I haven’t learned to say no to people, since it means my dance card is really very full. And I am flattered

Days 147 through today, which is about day 190?–Jen

It’s a funny thing, when a person feels the itch to stop posting. I’m not sure what it is. Something about the habit of it became feeling like I had to–rather than I ought, for me–and so I stopped. But with Thanksgiving yesterday, today feels like a good time to return.

For friends who don’t judge in the meantime; for getting through the first tenure hoop; for snuggly kitties; for two really awesome sections of the plain old US history survey this term; for families; for wisdom.

Year 2, Day 182 — Cynthia

For knowing that I make an impact in the lives of others. Maybe not every day, maybe not every person, but some.

Year 2, Day 179-181 — Cynthia

For friends. For holidays which are coming up. For sunshiny days, even if they come with brr cold!

Year 2, Day 178 — Cynthia

For friends with whom I can be quiet.

Year 2, Day 177 — Cynthia

For officially not knowing what name to give the baristas. Real name usually involves spelling it. “Teach,” if not given to one of the baristas in the know, usually results in some odd looks. But they’re pleasant there and don’t mind if I stay most if the day. It’s nice to have an alternate place to work.

Year 2, Day 176 — Cynthia

For books. I am so glad that I like to read. It is a lovely way to learn things.

Year 2, Day 175 — Cynthia

For sticking with this yoga habit for nearly 8 months now. I’m getting much stronger and it’s easy to see when we revisit things like handstands in class. I can hold it for much longer!

Year 2, Day 174 — Cynthia

For mild winter weather.

Year 2, Day 172-173 — Cynthia

For good friends who will hear my contradictory emotions and accept that they are all a part of the human condition. For singing.