Wednesday, February 11, 2009

A Taste of the Freedom of Springtime

I took off my sweatshirt today!

And wore just my t-shirt!

And took a walk in the woods and got lost and talked myself back to the path I had taken and danced all the way home because it's such a beautiful day and I could almost cry and William and Ben and Jack are all playing baseball and so why I am not playing with them?

(Is it my imagination, or do I sound a little like Junie B. Jones? Possibly too much reading time with Will, but I say, so what.)

~Emily

Monday, February 9, 2009

A Natural High

I spoke Chinese with a couple of small children tonight - a two-year-old and his jiejie, older sister (who is four). The children can actually speak English but are partial to their mother's native tongue. Rarely does anything bring me to feel so joyful - I think I am glowing.



I have discovered in the past year that there are two ways for me to acheive a natural high: one, exercise; and two, having a conversation with someone in another language.



~Emily

Sunday, February 8, 2009

The First Really Marvelous Animated Film I've Seen in Such a Long Time and Truly Amazing Weather and a Wonderful Free Sunday

Will and Jack are watching Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa. I am not.

It's not that I don't like movies, because I actually love movies; but I have been totally uninterested in anything animated within the past few years.

Oh, except there was that one movie.

Coraline. You know, the one that doesn't have to be italicized.

I don't think I really remember the last time I left an animated presentation with an enormous grin on my face, but this one did it, and I guess I had forgotten that animation can be truly lovely in a unique and creative way. This movie made me feel so good. As Lorraine said on http://lorraineamalena.blogspot.com, you will leave this movie believing in magic; and although I did not totally believe her, I left the cinema feeling refreshed and recharged and, yes, believing in magic.

On another note, today was fifty-five degrees F. Benjamin and I took Will down to a local playground and I found myself having more fun I've had on a playground in years. Spring is coming.

It was nice to have a day of improvisation - a day where I woke up and didn't really have any plans for the day. I like being busy, but I also want one free day every now and then. Tomorrow is a busy day, but it's all good work - morning storytime, babysitting, Chinese lesson (always a wonderful treat).

Happy happy Monday.

~Emily