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Weekends. They Fly By Every Time.

I had one of those weekends that was good and lovely, but at the same time, there were moments of sadness and fear. Over the past few months, I've been paying more attention to my feelings, fighting them less and giving myself permission to feel the things I do, even when they don't make sense to me or I don't particularly want them. 

I think I'm not the only person like this.

I've also been more intentional in thinking about the happy moments, the things I'm grateful for and the people I love. I find it increasingly difficult to accurately articulate and capture the way I experience life, but sometimes a poor attempt is better than none at all.

So, after that preamble, here are some recent moments that deserve recording:

1. Amelia slept over. Just being around her is relaxing to me. Also, we introduced her to So You Think You Can Dance and devoured more kettle corn with our upstairs neighbour, whom I quite adore.

Karen and I recently came up with an idea for a SYTYCD spin-off show that would partner alumni with normal people like us who want to dance. Kind of like Dancing with the Stars, except not celebrities and not just ballroom. I think a lot of people would watch it.

2. Dinner with Nadine & Matt. Always good conversations, laughter, encouragement and wine. Then we walked down to the Gladstone Hotel for the 2012 Sketchbook Tour. I was afraid it would intimidate me, but I'm feeling more encouraged and excited to take part in the 2013 collection.

3. Train ride to Guelph with Karen. I was clearly in the midst of one of those aforementioned melancholy moments when she snapped this: 
I think I was remembering train rides in Spain with Kirsten, and Scotland with Meredith. I have such good friends.

4. A day at the beach, a picnic lunch, and eating far too many Peek Freans.

5. Ice cream sundaes at McDonald's with Grampie. He didn't know anyone behind the counter... "None of my ladies are in. I don't know the weekend workers." I may decide to tell more of this story; every time I visit Grampie, I grin and simultaneously want to cry. 


6. The Angel's Game. I love an engrossing novel. Can't wait to read Prisoner of Heaven, the 3rd book from Zafon that apparently brings Angel's Game and Shadow of the Wind together. Go read them, all y'all.


7. Brunch with Chara and Devin. Delicious baked french toast, cuddles with the world's softest rabbit, honest conversation and karaoke. The best. 


8. Kettle corn again for Aisling's birthday party. Aisling is bright and fun and talented and delightful. But she is incapable of pronouncing "kulfi," a frozen Indian dessert.
Last weekend, Aisling let me take some photos with her film camera (film!) and I may be hooked. I can't wait to see if they turned out remotely decently.


9. Air-conditioning. I would like to say a hearty Thank you, Jesus! that Nadine insisted we find an apartment with AC two summers ago. 


10. Speaking of Jesus, this blog entry is one of those things I wish I'd written, although my own experiences are slightly different and I don't feel as eloquent or honest. But he captures the essence of exactly how I've felt. 
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