My head has been down these past few weeks. Working mostly, but also meditating, cuddling under blankets, eating moderately (a challenge), and yoga. I'm into the first of two weeks off and as usual when I'm on vacation, I'm anxious. It seems that work is my anchor in life (no time to face my demons) and whenever I have a chance to stop, I start my existential squirming. I'm faced with a small block of time and my mind freaks out because it doesn't know what to do. Install the new dishwasher, re-install it because it has to be perfect, put new tires on my motorcycle, shovel snow, finish reading this book so I can start that one, catch up on my movie wish list, sleep, do the taxes, meditate, exercise, take my vitamins, visit friends, finish and submit that story, arrgh! Time off is stressful! Why? Why can't I just relax and enjoy the time? Not sure about that one, but I think I'm getting closer. It has something to do with wanting to make the right choice and do the right things with the time I have. When I'm working, I don't have to make those choices. I just show up, do my best, and forget.
How's it going? It's been a while since I've said hi to my virtual friends. Here are some photos from this past Monday. We took the boys to the big city to spend their Christmas gift cards, hiked in Edmonton's gorgeous river valley, enjoyed some yummy Vietnamese food, and grabbed a bubble tea for the drive home. It was fun to be moving, laughing, seeing, consuming. No demons in sight.
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| Tires? Yes. Roads? Not even close, February 2012 |
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| Big dreams, February 2012 |
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| North Saskatchewan River: it flows underneath, February 2012 |
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| Leaking pipes = winter fun, February 2012 |
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| Rosehip tea, February 2012 |
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| University of Alberta, February 2012 |
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| Patient, February 2012 |
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| Take my hand, February 2012 |
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| Listen to them rustle in the wind, February 2012 |
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| Lost, unwanted, February 2012 |
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| Red wedge, February 2012 |
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| May peace prevail on earth, February 2012 |
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| Fleeing peace, February 2012 |
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| Mask of light, February 2012 |
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| The glowing mansion on the hill, February 2012 |
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| I don't need a knife, February 2012 |
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| Bubble tea holds us together, February 2012 |
You've put up pictures of bubble tea before. And I wanted one then. I so need some bubble tea . . .
ReplyDeletegreat photos - and as thought provoking images as ever
ReplyDeleteI also find it hard to 'do nothing', I always feel guilty that I'm not spending my time effectively. Sometimes, though, you just have to rest and learn to see that as an effective use of time. Really enjoyed the pictures as always. Not sure what bubble tea is, but sounds like fun.
ReplyDeleteI've installed a dishwasher twice too bro. Love your photos.
ReplyDeleteLovely set of images.
ReplyDeleteWhat is bubble tea? I don't think we have that here. I see some what looks like crayons...
Wow, thanks for visiting Nathalie. It honestly feels like a movie star has stopped by!
DeleteBubble tea is originally from Taiwan. It is tea, coffee, milk, or juice (or a combination) with 1/2 inch balls of tapioca starch in the bottom. The crayons are fat straws that you need to drink and suck up the "pearls" as they are called in Chinese. It's a drink and a snack! The pearls are delicious, but some people don't like the texture.