Overlooked joys

2015, a New Year that also allows us ( if we wish ) to reassess what we had just one month ago, ending with fireworks and hugs on New Year's Eve, and also what we still have now.

I would say that pure joy comes from the smaller things in life? For me these include: having slept well or eating healthily. Having time to yourself. Reading a fascinating book. Dancing or going to the spa. A good conversation. Being dangerously honest with yourself and others. Sharing a strong and positive connection with somebody. 
But recent moments of pure bliss and comfort come from other places: a solo trip to a coffee shop, where I quickly scan the place for the daily newspaper, order my coffee, pick a table and then indulge in reaquainting myself with the World's goings on. Or dozing into a contented sleep whilst my partner remains at my side, wide awake.He then kisses my forehead endlessly, and strokes my hair, showing me that this is his most condensed, and perhaps honest, moment of shared sentiment and affection. 

The other culture II

4-1-14

A day of work. A lunch hour devoted to visiting a garden centre, and having lunch in a steamy, humid cafe...

5-1-14

More chores in the local town. More time together.

6-1-14

A week of joy at teaching well educated, small, innocent creatures. A reminder of the positive aspects of my own culture. Happiness, dancing, artwork, visual observations of the environment and frenzied creative activity of the children.

7-1-14

A sense of calm. A still, sunny day. Familiarity. Recognition. Local life and how things change: my High School classmates now collecting their children from school. Greetings. Rushed conversations over the School wall.

8-1-14

Another success. Talent exuding from Year 6. Gratitude and a responsive attitude. 

9-1-14

Time to leave, to come back to Spain. A last, delicious lunch and a somewhat cold goodbye.

The other culture

23-12-13

The day of the party. The first glimpses of our town.

24-12-13

The house. A sense of expectancy.

25-12-13

A day of no photos, of quiet celebrations. A late evening Christmas dinner. No make up. A dog walk in the dark. A still night. No wind. No rain. By the sea.

26-12-13

An invitation to somebody else´s home. A veritable melting pot of hilarity from the man of the house. Fire on too high. A wine glass filled to the top with his best whiskey. All for me.

27-12-13

Non descript.


28-12-13

An anxious walk with an over excited dog. The bench. He died this day 7 years ago. My mother´s exquisite words etched onto a plaque. The view over to our house.

29-12-13

More indulgent drinking. No structure to the days. Simply endless time to enjoy and partake in social interactions without a sense of guilt or blame.

30-12-13

A day of outings.

31-12-13

The day just a pretext to the evening and it´s celebrations. 20 friends. An odd meal. The company outshining the food. A sense of being surrounded by people who truly know you; the child you, the old you, the current you. No words needed.  Elation.

 1-1-14

The New Year.

 2-1-14

The afternoon spent shopping. Then she left.

3-1-14

Domesticity...