This week has been a bit all over the place in many aspects. Some, I cannot share here. Others, I can - at least - mention.
First things first, Happy advent, All! I want to (hope to) write a post on how I'm (what I'm) doing this advent season. But advent deserves its own post. Christmas is my darling, so I'll be back with more.:)
So, this week, I started with new teaching, in many different forms, and starting fresh is always something...different - emotionally. In the last few years, I think, I've learned to fear feelings, or at least, all that can come and I might not be able to take. I'm not sure what this new state of mine means, but it is something I also want to write about. I will, in January, probably.
My new teaching went well (I think), it brought me joy, and I hope I also brought others joy, and that is, eventually, why I want to teach. I also submitted a book review that I had worked on pretty hard and late into the night (even though I'm an early bird).
I created two sets of advent calendars, one for my family, and one for my brother, who's gluten-free. It was a LOT of work and I fell behind with other stuff, but I saw my mother open the first little pouch so very happily that it warmed my heart, and then, it's all worth it, isn't it?
This year, some very close friendships of mine ended - this time, officially - and it's breaking my heart, but it also marks a new era. And then, there's nothing I love more, than new beginnings. (And be happy about all those who've stayed with me.) I don't even know, why I wrote all this down, it's completely unrelated to my current post, but then, I love this space for all the freedom I hold.:)
I've read about a book - it came up in relation to the one I had to review for a magazine this week - that I really wanted to read. David Diop (a French-Senegalese writer) won the International Booker Prize for At Night All Blood is Black back in 2021. According to sites I visited, it's the story of a Senegalese man having been taken to fight for France in the World War I and who - after losing his friend - descends into madness (somewhat feeding the idea that the Western society holds of black people). I've read interviews with Diop about how he researched the topic and how he wanted to capture the untold stories of the African fighters having been taken, sacrificed for - and forgotten after - the war. It broke my heart. I added the book to my TBR (to-be-read list). It always helps (me, at least), when we lift personalities out of the masses and look at them and feel them. Here. Here is a man having been taken and having been sacrificed. Here is a man with a heart. Here is a man suffering. Here is a man, and you are no more or less than him.
Today, I worked on the Christmas cards I intend to send this season, the process always takes longer than I anticipate it. So, I worked a lot on them but had to take a break at one point to walk the doggo. Hungary had a huge snowfall two days ago, but then it turned into rain and it started melting. And today, all was one apocalyptic whirl of downpouring moisture. I fell, in the middle of a puddle. And then got changed at home and ran to the post. By the time I got there a power cut had hit not just my village but the whole area. I couldn't, of course, ship my letters. And the internet wasn't working (hence, I couldn't work on this post either), and there was no light (hence no tea and no reading!). Due to the winter, there wasn't much to do, the night was fast approaching. I went to the doggo. The doggo put his paws on me. I laughed. We lay on couches, potatoes, potatoes. And we didn't do anything. I hated it. I must have things to do to feel OK.
Anyway. The power came back - obviously. I've had tea and I will read soon. (Hemingway!)
Also, here is the postcard of the month (to Mr. Ishiguro). If you are new here, check out my previous posts to see what the heck I'm talking about. :D
(The postcard is from Impact Shop in Budapest: https://www.impactbox.net/en/pages/impact-shop-budapest )
And snow is in the air again, snow is coming!!!!:) Let's love December together.:)
Hugs From the Fearless Frock.
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