Studying!

I walked into the North Reading Room of the Doe library today at 9:30 am and saw only one other person studying here. As I strolled past the long, empty wooden tables and gazed at the large window at the other side of the room, I felt my lips turning upward in a slow, happy smile. I can almost imagine that the library belongs to me -- all these books and bronze reading lamps and ornate wall carvings!

Now there are more people here, and I hear the shuffle-shuffle of feet and the feathery-soft turning of pages.

Two Comments:

1) As I waited for the bus today, it occurred to me again how wonderful and delightful everyday sounds are -- the familiar chirping of birds, the clickity-clack of shoes against pavement, the swoosh of bicycle wheels racing down a street. I closed my eyes and listened intently to the world around me, trying to imagine what it would be like to navigate a world of darkness, to have only sound and touch as guiding ropes.

2) Yesterday as I was singing at church, I glanced around at the people surrounding me and felt a great rush of emotion seeing how moved they were by the music. That's what I find really powerful -- other people's reactions to God. It makes me wonder: what are their stories? what hidden tragedies / joys lie beneath their surface lives? How is God working in their lives? As for my personal spiritual update, I still feel His presence stirring in my hearts sometimes, especially in moments of painful, heart-wrenching beauty, like standing beneath the pink blossoms by VLSB yesterday and being mesmerized by their delicate colors.

Laundry on Rainy Days

I like warm, freshly laundered pajamas folded up neatly and giving off a nice linen-y scent. Laundry on rainy days is especially comforting: I enjoy folding and arranging warm clothes while listening to music from my laptop and the rain pitter-pattering on the windowpane. =)

I long to see tiny white snowflakes falling from the sky, so that I could run out wearing warm mittens and a comfy scarf to stand beneath the gentle outpouring.

Fairytales

After a storm comes a gentle calm. The clouds are still gray outside but the world seems at peace. And despite growing up, I still firmly believe in fairy tales and happily-ever-afters. =)

Thunderstorms!

via Black Eiffel

It's been storming all day long.. and I even heard loud claps of thunder this morning while I was walking down to Dwinelle. It amazes me that the sky can make such noises! And when I hear the rumbles of the heaven above, I feel like a very, very small child in the rain. =)

samski art

I had the most delightful Valentine's Day yesterday and I am all smiles right now! There is something sweet and sentimental about Valentine's Day despite all the commercialization. I loved partaking in our delicious tradition of nutella crepe and gelato. I loved traipsing through downtown San Francisco, huddled close beneath an umbrella and feeling all warm and toasty inside despite the cold wind whistling down the streets. I loved the simple acts of affection -- holding hands, sharing inside jokes, watching TV while wrapped up in a warm blanket. I really feel, though, that every day is Valentine's Day, and that every day is the perfect opportunity to express love and gratitude and admiration to that special someone! =D

Mist

Image via Bliss

Somehow I've always liked misty landscapes. Bright sunlight and pebbled beaches and brlliantly blue oceans are nice too, but they don't give me quite the haunted sensation I get when I gaze at mountains cloaked in garments of mist or dream of tiny stars blanketed with clouds. I like mist because it is mist-erious. HEHE!

Pink Yummies!

Image via Cannelle et Vanille

These pink yummies look too adorable to eat. =) Fresh strawberries, pink Oreo-like cookies, red gumdrops... it is like a little girl's feast! Oh, if only we could get rid of all the main courses -- the heavy steaks and broccoli and dishes of rice -- and have dainty dishes of pink yummies instead!

Cupcake

Via Blissful Images

I've always loved cupcakes. Something about this vanilla cupcake with the pastel sprinkles is making me think happy thoughts this cloudy morning. =) There's something special about eating a little cake that fits in your palm and holds tiny bites of yummyness.

Cherry Blossoms

I passed by a house with cherry blossom trees planted near the front lawn, and my heart gave a happy skip! I want to be surrounded with cherry blossoms so that I can gaze at the tiny pink petals for hours and hours. Or sit with a book beneath the lovely pink canopy and read the afternoon away.

I love trees. =)

I feel so refreshed after sleeping from 10 pm to 8 am! I haven't gotten ten hours of sleep for so long: it feels so delightful to stretch into blissful consciousness while noting that the sun is shining so cheerily outside. It is a Sunday of blue skies! And though I have lots of work ahead of me this afternoon, I can't help but feel happy on such a beautiful day. It is a day of lollipops and fragrant breezes and cranberry almond cereal!