Lunch Date

Dear Someone,

            I am partial to the lunch date. I like that a lunch date typically has the implication of being casual. Not to mention most lunch dates I find myself going on are with dear friends. So really the lunch date facilitates the reunion of old friends while providing a neutral location to converse.

The lunch date ended with grace and poise as most lunch dates do. I was satisfied with our conversation. Mr. Lunch date always makes me laugh. As I was leaving the car I meticulously placed my foot to evade the snow that could potentially ruin my silver ballet flats. To my chagrin I stepped in an icy patch, only to find myself not so gracefully fall on the sidewalk. Landing precisely on my bad knee. You may laugh but I do in fact have a bad knee. In all actuality I probably need a brace of some sort. I looked up at the car and Mr. Lunch Date was applauding my elegant fall. Mr. Lunch Date unfortunately witnessed the whole event. We both laughed as I quickly hobbled on to my good leg. Life again proves to be embarrassing.

Good thing it was a lunch date. For if it was an evening date I could have been wearing a sassy cocktail dress. I am of the opinion that if one is to gracefully fall or for that matter not so gracefully fall on a date it would be best received in the company of a lunch date. Perhaps I should now attend to that swollen knee of mine.

Yours truly,

Miss Fin

Wishes

Dear Someone,

            Today as I was checking the mail, a favorite pastime of mine I was happy to see a catalog from Boden. I was particularly found of the cover. “Bloom through the Gloom” I rather enjoyed this lovely little message. In our family we openly joke about February being a cursed month. Things typically don’t go very well. Hence blooming through the gloom was a splendid message.

            Unlike most I love January. My birthday is always a highlight, and gives me something to look forward to. The gloom of winter cannot dampen my spirits. That is not until after my birthday festivities. For you must understand that the anticipation of my birthday nearly tickles me pink. You missed an excellent evening, with exceptional company. Now that winter has finally set in it is time to evaluate and set some goals. Wishes for 2011 if you will. Typically people resolve to, alter, change, and modify their lives in correlation with the beginning of the new year. My birthday seems to be the turning point. To bloom through the gloom this year I have resolved to do a few things.

 My first wish is to fall madly in love. That is madly in love with being me. I have a wise sister. On occasion our conversations tend to be inspiring. We went on a Sunday walk to our favorite park the summer before I entered high school. We walked and she offered advice. Advice about love. I was told that the key to success is to love myself. This year I have resolved not to fix a problem area. I have resolved to not look at my body as a problem.  I can't think of a better way to bloom. 

            My second wish is to jog 500 miles in 2011. In all actuality this goal is very manageable. Ultimately the goal is to prepare for my first 5K in May. Running has always been something I have wanted to do. Yet I built mental blocks as to why I was inadequate to do so. I am grateful to have a body that is able to run, even if it is in small increments. I love the way exercise makes me feel. A friend from work introduced me to the program couch to 5K. I have an ingenious ap on my ipod that indicates when I should run, or walk. I followed this program in London. Some how it was easier running through Kensington Gardens with the sound track of Pride and Prejudice running through my head as we ran through the fog. The treadmill will do for now. It has been lovely. I have enjoyed having a running partner it makes me more accountable. The time goes faster in the presence of good company. I can’t complain.

         My third wish is to learn how to cook. Within the next year I will be able to compile a small collection of recipes. I am open to suggestions, so if you have any recipes you’d like to share I would appreciate it. I would like to spend each month working on a category. I thought I would start with soup. Ideally each week I will try a new recipe. So by the end of February I should know how to make four different variations of soup. I am thrilled about the prospects of this wish.

        Perhaps February won't be too unbearable this year. 

Yours Truly, 

Miss Fin

       

Happy Valentines Day

Dear Someone,
 
        Just a thought! Happy Valentines day!

Yours Truly,

Miss Fin

Cheers to Three Years!

Dear Someone,

            I walked into the house today singing I Have Dreamed from the King and I. Mr. Fin inquired as to why I was singing. The question prompted additional lyrics to come to mind. A song from show choir called The Sparrow to be precise. The song answers the question simply, I sing because I am happy.

I am happy to have dear friends who I can count on at all times. It is marvelous to have friends that I can count on even if it’s not always geographically convenient. Today I was kindly reminded that distance does not have to be a hindrance. I am happy to have someone who takes time to write me letters. Happier to know there is someone who will patiently listen while I sing in the car, on the phone, or in the kitchen. Not to mention listen while I sing extremely high, loud, and off pitch. Someone to insist that my room is never void of a vase of fresh flowers, and most importantly someone to watch me safely get past the blue gate and into my home. I am happy to know that I am genuinely loved and cared for.

Thank You!

 Three cheers to three years! February eleventh will always remain a special day. It marks momentous memories shared with someone quite wonderful. If you were here we would have a celebration! As far as I’m concerned it’s a lovely day. 

Yours Truly, 

Miss Fin

Back

Dear Someone, 

I am in the process of getting back to school, back to work, and most importantly back into a routine. I have decided that it would be detrimental to the state of my happiness to go back to a sorority. Why would I engage in something that makes me completely, and utterly miserable? Perhaps I could change my attitude about the situation. Then again I have already made my decision. All that is left to do is to respect the choice that has already been made. 

I am enjoying being back to school. I am lucky to have some friends in my classes, and the opportunity to make new friends. All I do is math. I haven’t quite figured out how to balance my schedule. Last semester was rich in literature, and writing. I haven’t gone this long without reading in over a year.  Now I find most of my time is consumed by solving an absurd amount tedious equations. At least it’s done in good company. My classes are going well. I am particularly found of my swing class. Stubbornness is not a newly acquired trait of mine. As a child I refused to dance. I can only remember going to a class once. My tears won the battle, and I never went back. At various school dances as the music slowed down I would race for the doors to evade my date. I will admit it was terribly impolite. Dancing simply was not my thing and I was not going to participate. About a year ago I decided that I wanted to learn how to dance. It was in all actuality quite a break through. One excellent blind date, and all of my dancing preconceptions were dissolved. It is now something that I love to do.

 Back to work. I love working, and typically I love my job. I love the people I get to interact with, and the friendships that nannying has cultivated. I get to work with outstanding children. I am trying to avoid going back to my normal tendencies. Working over 40 hours a week is not necessary or advised. Twice a week seems to suit me quite well. 

Being back has meant consciously deciding what I want to be back in my life. It comes down to filling my time doing the things that I love, and sometimes filling it with the things that are necessary… like math. I need to spend more time doing the things that bring joy in to my life, and eliminating the things that don’t. Ultimately it’s good to be back.

Yours truly,

Miss Fin