End of April pictures

This morning, Aiyana and I had a little walk in the orchard. The peaches and pears are in bloom and the orchard looks magical. There are dandelions and violas and other little flowers of all colors all over the ground, with bees and bumblebees buzzing all around. Truly, it feels magical, and very restorative, an escape from the troubles of the world.

In other news, I'm about halfway through Tolstoy's War and peace. I don't want it to end. But I still have about 500 pages to go, so it won't end any time soon. 

I also have been looking through my aerospace class curriculum for next year. I'm already getting very excited about it. Apparently a lot of kids signed up for it already.

This past week has probably been my best week at school yet. I've been reflecting on what made it so, and I think a big factor has been me setting strict boundaries around work and outside of work. I haven't been bringing any work home, and I've been really deliberate as to how I use my time at school, at home, and what constitutes good enough.

My mind of course always wants to spin into what else needs to get done, but I'm paying attention and refocusing as much as I can.

Here are a few pictures that I hope will bring some beauty into your day. Enjoy the weekend and this beautiful time of year!

Oh, and I cut my hair. I'm happy about it.

peace

Today, in the orchard

Peach blossoms and bumblebees to bring you peace and relaxation.

Enjoy 🙂

https://youtu.be/OElhOcKF6Jk

Sena's TEDx talk

Link coming soon...

For now, just a screenshot.

Bumblebees in the orchard and Sena's TED talk

A little video I made in the orchard, this morning. I hope it brings you peace and relaxation:

https://youtu.be/KGqVHvHAkdk

Also, today Sena is giving a TED talk. Can't wait to go to that! I'll post the video when I have it.

Have a great weekend!

Hopelessness is just another strategy

Hopelessness, in regards to climate change, is just another strategy to keep us despondent, apathetic, and inactive!

The truth is that there IS hope. As the latest IPCC report points out, right now we have everything we need to make the changes needed to avert the worst climate change effects. In that sense, we are powerful. And our voices matter. But we must act immediately and at a large scale.

We must tell our elected representatives that the era of fossil fuels is over, and we must keep them accountable for their words and promises.

So do not let yourself be kept down by despondency and hopelessness. YOU, and we all, together, can influence and bring about the positive changes we need. Just show up and keep showing up and don't let anyone tell you it's too late. What we love and what we hold dear is at stake. 

Tomorrow, Earth Day, is a good opportunity to come out and let CT legislators, or your legislators wherever you live, know that building new fossil fuel infrastructure is not acceptable.

I will be at the climate strike at the CT State Capitol, at 2pm, and I hope to see you there as well.

Thank you Sena and @sunrise_connecticut

for organizing tomorrow's climate strike. Can't wait to be there.

Peace

Happy Day

April break started out great.

Today, Sena and Aiyana and I went for a little outing in West Hartford. We had lunch at Hartford Baking Co. (which is amazing and if you haven't tried it, you should). We did a little shopping: Aiyana got a bumblebee ring and I got a dress. We looked at some pots and pans that Sena could get when she goes to DC and needs to cook for herself.

Then we went to an eastern European store also in West Hartford and got some cardamom tea and plum jam.

Then we went to another Eastern European grocery store in Rocky Hill and got some things for Romanian Easter, which is coming up next weekend. I'm going to make dolmas, and Sena and Aiyana are making Pashka. We're also going to paint eggs.

It was a beautiful day. I am so happy. 

And here is a little video I made this morning, in this little special spot that I love.

https://youtu.be/CPICZ--1yF4

Peace

April vacation!

April vacation is here and I am so ready. School was busy and stressful over the past few weeks.

But I'm learning to set boundaries, and I intend to spend most of this upcoming week resting and recovering.

I have War and Peace to read, and most of all, I look forward to spending time with the girls, doing fun little things around here. Sena will be going to Washington DC soon, and every moment spent with her now is precious.

This is a beautiful time for a vacation too, with all the flowers starting to bloom and the trees leafing out.

I hope that you are able to enjoy this beautiful time of year too...

Peace