At 6:00am when the downpour peaked, a car alarm went off, the people above us started walking around, a couple cats got in a fight outside our window, and some guy was sneezing in the stairwell with a crying baby.
I guess you could say it was a long day.
But I can always close my eyes, take a deep breath, and come back to what is important.
I think being in an unfamiliar situation and being able to remain rooted in this kind of attitude has given me a greater appreciation for the little things. This week, two minor details of every day life gave me incredible joy.
First, I found shampoo and conditioner.
For the last three weeks I've been stretching and rationing the little travel bottles I brought in my carry-on luggage. As impressive as this might sound, keep in mind we had (Yes, had, as in past tense!) freezing cold showers for those three weeks and I couldn't muster up the courage to wash my hair every day. But I finally braved the fast-talking Italian shop owners, took my time browsing a little store on the corner, and found some familiar hair-care faces. Even if they have Italian accents.
Second, and I'm very proud of this one:
My pen ran out of ink.
For the first time in my life, I purchased a pen and used it until all of the ink was pressed onto paper. Think of all the words! The thoughts! The ideas! Two years of note taking and journal writing and I have empty tube to prove it!
Life is beautiful!
Il dolce vita! What will you be doing this weekend?
ReplyDeleteWe're going to try and get to Siena!
ReplyDeleteI know the feeling about the pen - although the first time I had a pen run out of ink on me was on an IB Exam!
ReplyDelete