It’s social season as the weather improves with warmer temperatures and sunshine βοΈ. It’s not yet deadly hot, so it is ideal for eating, drinking, and being merry.
Usually, I prefer a smaller quainter lunch so when I initially started organizing this one, that was the plan. Then, before I knew it ten people turned into 24 (including us)! We provided the setting and meat dish while others brought their table contributions. We definitely ate well! π¬
We also took advantage of our open terrace space this time so that people could spread out. It was a seeming success and no one left hungry or very sober. π
It was a great way to spend an afternoon before I head off to the States again for a couple of weeks.
Well, it was just barely a week – perhaps not quite since I braided on Wednesday and it was out on Tuesday…. Yup, it is what it is.
Sadly, my sensitive skin and physical nature just doesn’t like natural fibers or foreign products. When I say natural fibers, I mean things like wool which makes me super itchy. Foreign products that are not natural or organic however are my enemy.
While it is possible that the braiding was just too tight, whatever it was, my head broke out in hives slowly but surely. I gave it a few days with attempts at treatments, but alas, it was not to be.
So, this last Tuesday evening, I made M help me as watched TV together and five hours later, the braids were gone. On the plus side, my perm stayed and my hair seems to be a bit happier to be free so it is looking nice on its own. I also have a renewed appreciation that it is, at least, not straight.
Anyway…no more braids for the foreseeable future. If I ever do the style again, it will have to be with my own hair at a long length without any extras unless it is added at the end of the hair rather than near my roots. I cannot say that there will never be braids again, but I can say that my new aim is to grow the hair long and then see where my whim takes me!
I’m sitting here with a stack of printed pages that mark various expressions of my written work. One is a draft of the poetry book I want to publish, but need to read them to find themes and possibly re-order or reword. The other is a mere 82 pages of my novel that is finally back in the actionable part of my brain to get on the forward moving track of progress again.
While I generally try to save paper and keep most of my writing in electronic form, there does come a time when the physical print out cannot be beat. Now is that time.
With the poetry, it’s because I need to see how the poems are laid out and how they might read with spacing. As I want to consider how the page might look with possible images or combining some of the shorter ones on one page, etc. There’s more to a poetry book than meets the eye. Plus, poetry as a published form is new to me even though I have been writing poems for almost as long as I can remember writing in general.
For the novel, well, I think that my spontaneous method of writing has finally become a blockage where I forget where I left off in the various threads of the story. If I have it on paper, then it is easier to revert back to where I was. I also have bits of the stories written out in other documents, but I cannot keep track of whether or not I already included that in the main thread. So… with the printing out of it on paper, I am also returning to my software program where I can keep the flow outlined even if I am not necessarily writing it out in that order. If I can maintain a balance in being organized and letting the story come, then I think I can maintain my forward motion in getting this story on the page. I really need to get it out as I have many more stories in my head waiting in line to be allowed their moments.
So, it’s a wonderful way to start the week. In fact, starting my day with the writing made a difference since I usually start with “work”, otherwise known as the paid stuff. However, as I’m starting to consider a new creation of my creative activities, I am prioritizing my own work first knowing that the paid side-jobs will always get done anyway.
I know…I just can’t help myself. Back in October, I did what I really thought was the last time of braids since they lasted about two weeks before I got annoyed by the look, etc.
The problem, or problems are, is that I get bored easily with my hair and look. My philosophy that hair grows back or can always be made simple again makes it easy for me to make decisions about doing crazy/different things.
So, after I did the last set of braids, I got my hair permed in Japan because I trust my stylist there. I thought it would be enough for a while as my hair grew out as that’s my aim – long hair again.
Then, I got distracted and obsessed – again.
Whenever I see long beautiful braids on my social media feeds, I start to imagine the possibilities. I just love the look of them on others and on me, to be honest. Somehow, I feel it suits even if my sensitive head might disagree as it screams from the tension of the pulled hair to braid or the irritation of the foreign hair on the scalp.
This time, I started chatting with a lady who was advertising her braiding and hair extension services. She is located a bit far away, but her work looked amazing on the videos and pics she showed of her clients. I mentioned about my sensitive head and she suggested I use Brazilian wool instead of “hair”. After a few more exchanges, I think she might have gotten annoyed with me and my lack of knowledge about where to purchase the wool or hair if I just wanted extensions – because I love long hair these days.
In the end, I got back in touch with the original place I have gone to in Rome. She is always affirmative in her answers and I know that when I get there she will explain things. So, I booked myself in.
May 1st seemed a nice day as the first of the month as a new hairstyle start. Off I went on the early commuter train, which was actually very quiet since May Day is a bank holiday in most of Europe. Eight hours later by the amazing hands of Thomas from Nigeria, my hair was complete.
Thomas on the right – rare sight of two men working on hair!
So far, I’ve had two sleeps on it, given my scalp a light wash and rinse, done yoga, and it’s been good. The itchiness is still there, but the look still makes me happy. We’ll see how long I last with it, but as long as my head doesn’t go red, I feel good about it. If it doesn’t last, well, I’ll reassess if it’s worth it for a two-week look in the future… Or, maybe my own hair will get long enough that it can be braided on its own….
Anyway, you know my philosophy – it grows back and can always be adjusted!
It was a quick 17 days spent with my mom in Italy and southern France. We got to do a mother-daughter road trip from our place in Orvieto to Cinque Terre to a spa stay in Bordighera before using our place in Lorgues for a few nights to see the Mediterranean coast that makes the Cotes de Provence.
The timing was perfect as well to see the happenings of St. Tropez and Sainte Maxime. Plus, we soaked up the red carpet vibes of the Cannes Festival and grand prix weekend in Monaco with a stopover in Nice on our way back to Italy.
Once we returned, we didn’t let Mom rest too long before getting back on the road south to the Amalfi Coast with a stop in Pompeii before getting to our stay near Sorrento and a day on the boat.
We had a fabulous time hosting and think she had a great time visiting and seeing a glimpse of our lives. Hopefully, next time, we can get her and Dad over, but we shall see!
It has been unusually rainy and cold for this time of year. M and I lament that it is somewhat like our memories of our home countries when we used to live there. I took this photo yesterday when we had a brief morning respite from the rain. You can see the orange umbrella waiting to be put up by the pool – a little spot of color that represents our hope for sunny βοΈ days to come. ππ½
On the bright side, I needed to focus on getting some work done that I have been procrastinating on for weeks, so the gloomy weather allowed me to do so without distraction. Plus, the deadline of ensuring my work got done before my mother arrives tomorrow was another motivating factor. π€ͺπ¬
Still, our ten day forecast looks rather grim… I am hoping π€π½ that there will be some decent weather for my mom as we do our road trip to France and see some of the Mediterranean coast. I know we will have a good time either way, but sunshine does help!
No doubt, though, that once the warmer temperatures do arrive I shall be posting about sweating too much or something like that. First world problems as they say! ππ
In any case, for the moment, I am waiting for more typical weather to return to us, but focusing on the positives! π
So, this shall my last ankle recovery post unless there are some major milestones to share. This is because I am personally getting bored with thinking about it all the time, so I imagine it must be equally boring to read each week about the progress. Now that I am basically on the road to normal use with a bit of tightness and such, I can reduce updates to monthly or something like that. π
In any case, I did drive 7 hours one-way to France and back on my own last week (Saturday to Wednesday this week) and had no major problems. It wasn’t overly sore, though there was some swelling when I got to France. However, walking around the French market and the town was good for the healing. Plus, I’ve got my regular more yoga stretching for it.
Then, yesterday, I went back to salsa on my physiotherapist’s recommendation and approval. That made me super happy! ππ½ It was a little sore last night when I got home after a full day out and an hour of dancing, but it was worth it. My muscles need a bit of attention and push anyway.
In any case, all is progressing well. Life is returning to normal. So, once this rainy weather decides to let spring/summer finally win out there will be nothing but sunny βοΈ skies ahead. π
When we first arrived in Italy some people recommended this thermal spa hotel in Viterbo, which is only an hour drive away. Since M and I had not really had much of a break together, I decided to book us in here for a night.
It was such a great idea – good job me!
We arrived in the late afternoon, got to our suite and then headed out to these pools (pic is a view from our room). They were indeed warm and felt therapeutic to body and soul. We had a nice dinner and caught up with each other without distractions of the pups, phones, TV, etc. The next day, we had a hammam and massage, which was very relaxing and calming.
It was a much needed moment to reconnect since my fall. So much of our focus has been on my ankle or scheduling life around physiotherapy, and so on. Therefore, it felt good to be just together without worry about all those other things.
We felt we would go back again for a day spa since it is so close, but we might not need to pay to spend the night as it is close enough to drive there and back. Anyway, it was a lovely little getaway.
Then, since I had been given the green light to drive and to go away, I decided it was my turn for a solo trip. I hit the road on Saturday morning and made the drive to France.
It wasn’t too bad with the ankle. I didn’t really need to stop more than twice, which is my normal amount anyway. I listened to my audiobook, podcasts, and enjoyed the beautiful weather for a long drive. I felt as if I was returning to myself again.
So, I’ll be here for another day and then heading back on Wednesday. It has been a great time spent for myself with friends and putting small personal touches to the apartment.
And, with that, I close with a smile and now it’s off to bed!
It’s been a great week of almost normal walking. I’m still a bit of a hobbler when it comes to stairs or when I’m tired toward the end of the day. However, I’ve been green-lighted to go without the crutch in familiar terrain and home. So, all is well.
I will do a full reflection on this whole process next week as it has been a rather amazing ten weeks or so. Overall, I think that it has been quick and fairly painless, but it hasn’t all been lovely either.
Anyway, just wanted to close out the week with this – we stopped to take pics in a gorgeous poppy field!
Well, another month is beginning. With almost ten weeks of life on hold, I am looking forward to returning to a more regular and familiar routine. Although I have managed to mostly maintain my positive attitude and patience with myself, M and the slower pattern of the days, I am eager to pick up the pace little by little.
Last Friday, I went to a new mindfulness group session that was conducted in mostly Italian. I had asked about joining a group almost a year ago, but when one started I couldn’t attend due to scheduling, etc. So, I was pretty excited to go and also to test out my Italian skills. It turned out to be an amazing time on many levels. One satisfying part was to realize my Italian listening is pretty good given I’ve only studied on DuoLingo. Another was to join a group where I could meditate in a peaceful energetic space – unlike at home most of the time. The best part was getting a reminder that baby steps are good. With small steps, I can assure my stability and assess the ground. If I move too fast, my feet and ankle are weaker plus I cannot fully sense what is underneath me to keep me safely on my feet.
So, while I am making really good progress with the ankle and will be hopefully returning to basic yoga soon, I still need to remember to take a pause, smell the new spring flowers, enjoy the rainstorms, and take those baby steps.
