Post-holiday thoughts

Our travel back was smooth. Once we got home 3pm, girls and I did the unpacking, pilling up dirty clothes for our helper the next day. I did a “deep cleaning” to Lizzy and cut her hair. Husband went to groceries shopping. I prepared dinner and baked apple cake for Monday’s breakfast. We all dived back into our routine. Routine feels comfort.

I woke up 4:15am with the morning prayers (of nearby mosque), just like every other day while I was marathon training. I am not back into serious training soon but I appreciate this quiet morning time all by myself.

Thoughts in my mind:

• I worked exactly 6 days this October so far, between Chicago and Lombok trip. I feel so indulgent to take so many days off from work when it’s not holiday season. I know I’ll be busy for two weeks to catch up, and I am fully energized to get back to it.
• Girls had a great trip because of the family we traveled with. I like the mom, the elder girl (Sofia’s classmates) but almost wanted to hit the two little ones who constantly nagged for whatever they want. I had to hold myself back to not put all my emotions on my face in those moments, which were often. My friends tell me that I am too blunt and expressive to be a diplomat.
• The year is ending and we have few more trips planned, especially Raja Ampat during December break. We still have to find a paradise like El Nido in Indonesia.
• What I loved the most of this trip is hiking Rinjani with friends, and long “boring” hours spent with husband chatting about life, news, kids, deeply grateful. I wondered in those moments if in few years/decades, we would look back and said: those were golden years.
• I admire Sarah’s honestly and attitude toward her accident. She’s such a brave woman to handle it so wisely. I often get anxious when I don’t feel 100% well, afraid of getting sick or injured. Although I know they are all temporary, at the moment, it’s so hard to accept them.
• I love that the girls still want to do bedtime routine during holidays, even when they have friends to play with. Even thought they sleep in separate rooms, they’d come for a hug and some chatting before bedtime. That must be comfort to them.
• We ate so much crap during the trip, chips, fries, pizza, white carb in general. I am getting better and better to let go, especially during this trip. Yet, I am really to pause eggs consumptions for a while… as I’v been eating egg omelette with toast and butter everyday. hahaha…. husband also stocked up our fridge with veggies and fruit. Our body craves some real food.

I’m doing the NaBloPoMo organized by Sam. It would be fun to share daily musing for a month. 🙂