Episode 37: Elise Predicts The Winner Of The US Election
Phew!
Phew!
Work is just… it’s not that it’s difficult, no, that’s not right as it is, it’s the volume of a thousand little things we’re expected to juggle.
I’ve said it before, the problem with teaching is fitting in all the paperwork, emails and meeting around the students.
As a, relatively, recent father and a teacher of, relatively, small children, kids always astonish me.
It’s the best.
#mbnov ✏️
I skip breakfast a lot but since I’m trying to exercise more regularly l feel like I need something. Plus, I don’t want to make many thing in the morning.
So, today I had my first bacon, egg and cheese “McMuffin” that I made yesterday and reheated this morning and it was good!
Something I miss about the UK is pork pies.
Something else I miss is fruit concentrate aka cordial aka squash. You mix it with water and then the water tastes nice. Here I’m forced to drink plain water. Where’s some Robinson’s orange and pineapple?!
✏️#mbnov
Cuddles are the best. I’ve rolled my eyes in the past when mum has said it to me, but some things you have to learn for yourself.
One great thing about having kids is that they force you into an active practice of love whether you are ready for it or not.
From a letter to my son.
What hit me was concern that his son would be like him, not open, not willing to be loved. I worry about this stuff too.
I enjoyed The Mandolorian - Justified crossover episode a whole lot.
I’m from the UK and so I’m used to the weather not being the best.
That said, the weather in Chongqing at the moment is dreary. It’s gloomy, dark and it’s constantly raining.
Can we get some sun?
✏️ #mbnov
Also date night.
Date night is serious business.
My heart is moved by all I cannot save:
so much has been destroyed
I have to cast my lot with those. who age after age, perversely,
with no extraordinary power,
reconstitute the world.
—Adrienne Rich
I’ve been trying hard to be more present this morning. And the effort has been worth it. I’ve felt well, happier, less stressed. I’ve done the washing, made sandwiches for breakfast, watched two 15minute videos, one on foreign correspondents opinions on the upcoming election and one on finding pumpkins in the park presented by someone called Blippi, used my phone less/a little more consciously we’ve been to soft play and then had dumplings with friends.
It’s been nice, the kids for the most part have been amazing.
It is hard work though. I have the creeping anxiety that I should be doing MORE and that if I don’t bad things will happen.
Saturday morning train tracks with Elise
Is anyone considering Apple One? I already have a family music subscription and pay extra for 200gb. So a little extra for Arcade and Apple TV+ seems a good choice.
Kottke just linked to this post titled An Easy Way To Practise Gratitude which is about a game where you simply name 5 nice things in your life. The rules are ‘don’t overthink it, and be specific.’
It ties in nicely for me with something I do about noticing nice things in my life, which I got from this Kurt Vonnegut quote
Anyway, here are mine…
The security guard at school said good morning in English to me yesterday. Normally they would greet us in Chinese but he’s obviously been practising. Even though I had my headphones in it made me smile. Going against my normal programming I shared it in a school chat group and it turns out other people had noticed too. It made me feel a little more connected with people at school/work and I’m glad I shared it.
A teacher’s friend is doing takeaway food from his flat. Yesterday he did bbq chicken with chips, peas and coldslaw and it was amazing. We ate it with a few friends and I had a couple of drinks and didn’t even get too annoyed with the kids!
It’s the weekend and Lyra and I are going on a date tonight while the grandparents babysit. Curry and cocktails. I think I might get my hair cut today aswell. “My hair is long because I haven’t had the time to have it cut.”
It’s the morning, Lyra and Yumo are asleep. I’m having coffee and Elise is getting some screentime. No one is crying or angry and it’s a very pleasant start to Saturday morning.
The Apple photo widget has such a noticeable, positive impact on my life. Opening my phone to old photos of my wife, kids and family is just THE BEST.
The kids were allowed to dress up today and it was the first time I’ve seen a Black Panther, which was cool.
Every morning the security guards take our temperature and say good morning in Chinese. Today though they’ve said it ok English. Which has put a smile on my face!
Stayed up late reading, which I haven’t done in a while. Another YA book out of there school library as I find they scratch the reading itch without being too much when I’m busy. This time Legend by Marie Lu.
Feeling tired this morning though.
Today in Chinese crisp flavours: creme brûlée and milk tea!
Exercise today was row 5k. Which I do because I know it’s good for me, even if I’m not a huge fan. Either of cardio or rowing.
Youngest didn’t wake until 5am so Lyra and I got the bed to ourself all night. Then the eldest and I moved to the spare room at 5:30. Was led with her in the dark, listening to the rain and it was lovely.
#ifthisisn’tnice
Made lasagne for tomorrow. Did some exercise. Was productive. Felt good.
Shoutout to the Wayback Machine for saving the lasagne recipe I like to use after it disappeared
Yumo moved out of our room and into his sister’s. The first night we gave it up but they both eventually slept and then slept through most of the night.
It meant I was able to lie in bed and read a book before going to sleep!