Week four was bookended with lovely conversations I will cherish. The week started with two of my favorite people — people I don’t often get to see — and has ended with a new friendship (though I have no picture representing that). My photos don’t fully capture these moments because I was too busy living them to bother trying to play photographer (though, truthfully, I probably need to step up my picture taking game a bit), but I’m okay with that this week.
Sunday
My mom and I traveled to Buffalo to see Taranne’s new home and new baby… And to spend some time with her two other kiddos because babies are gross, but I want to know her children. We’ve been good friends since freshman year of college, making her my oldest closest friend now — of course I want to know the little crazies who popped out of her. Playing legos and dress up with them is okay. But snuggling with them is kind of awesome. And Sunday night, I was kept warm by her seven year old dog sleeping on my legs and her five year old boy cuddling against my arm.
Monday
Where to start… this is my Dumbledore, my Atticus Finch, my Rupert Giles. College professor, philosopher extraordinaire, and all-time favorite human. We can have conversations that last whole days, so I’m not sure it’s possible to sum up our relationship in a short paragraph, but I shall try… It’s not romantic, but it is intimate. At least for me. I’m sure the feeling isn’t fully reciprocated, but so it goes. I could share anything with him; his is the opinion I value above all others, and in the sixteen years I have known him, we’ve never run out of things to say. Often I think people like me in small doses — I geek out a lot about things like authors and podcasts and can be a little extra at times. He makes me feel like someone worth spending five hours with at a coffee shop (a coffee shop which, I must say, had a pretty kickass playlist and patrons with respectable Harry Potter inclinations).
Tuesday
So much of my time seems centered around my students and the work I do, that I’ve felt compelled to get at least a few images of our classroom activities. However, usually I’m too busy actually teaching to snap pics — and even when I can sneak one, I can’t really turn around and post it without permission. So I think this will be the last of the students for awhile. The camera will just have to help me focus on other things that bring me joy. And honestly, it’ll probably be healthier for me to look for gratitude and peace in other areas of my life. Because even though a huge part of my identity is being a teacher, I’m a whole person who isn’t any one thing.
Wednesday
Mommazzito helped me re-attempt the vegan recipe I failed at previously. Turned out much better this time.
Thursday
This is outside the building with the yoga studio I frequent. I just think the building has character. And I love the lanterns by the entrance and the way the city lights make the night look like the sunset.
Friday
There was a time in my life when ninety percent of my social calendar consisted of checking out local shows. Brian, seen in the obfuscating red light, is an incredibly talented musician. And our relationship has exposed me to the many artists and bands this area will never appreciate enough.
Saturday
Kitty cam. Sam was contemplating life whilst lying on my lap. I thought I’d try to see things from his perspective.