Two places at once

What a one-of-a-kind experience. Mother Nature at its finest. It’s incredible. And being on a water border is another level of awesomeness. The drenched socks and shoes from the falls…not that amusing. lol

olfaction, reprise

 

Amalfi Coast, image from https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ravello_September_2007.jpg#mw-jump-to-license

Scents and fragrances tend to be memory and mood triggers, right?…therapeutic…aromatherapy. I realized that aside from the smell of bread (see 6-year old post here), I actually like the smell of grass…the wholesome kind, as in freshly cut grass or the scent of vegetation in its natural habitat. The smell of nature in general. That’s probably why I’ve been taking walks in the park—part of the enjoyment is attributable to the smells. 

On the man-made concoctions…I blind-purchased a small volume of Acqua di Parma’s Fico di Amalfi (hence the image above) from its Blue Mediterraneo line based on reviews. I don’t think I’ve seen or smelled a real fig or Fico tree, and whether this fragrance strongly matches the plant or not—I like it! It’s supposed to be a summery fragrance that’s suitable for anyone. I cannot stop smelling my arm, because it smells fresh and reminds me of being in a resort. No, it doesn’t smell like sunblock, if that’s what I led you to imagine. It’s unlike any scent I’ve smelled before, again due to the fact that I have never encountered a fig tree in the mediterranean coastline area. But the mental pictures really lifts my mood. Maybe, I should search other fragrances…perhaps the more affordable ones, eh? We don’t always have to opt for ‘premium’ for nice-to-haves. Oh, I also recently purchased a fragrance mist called A Thousand Wishes from Bath & Body Works and I’ve been overspraying like nobody’s business, because it’s floral and feminine and not alcohol-y at all. 

All this effort just for pure personal enhanced quality of daily life. I sound like an advertisement. Oh, I learned something new because of this fragrance fascination: “gourmand fragrance”. It’s supposed to mean a scent that smells like food. Like a sweet smelling perfume, if you will. Interesting, isn’t it?

perspectives and potato chips

 

Apparently, what I see matters. It matters in terms of how it affects my mental and emotional state. I'm sure it's the same with majority of folks. I always understood the pragmatism of a minimalist and clutter-free work environment, but there should always be that little piece of something whether a window, a framed picture, a work of art, a knick-knack, real/fake plant, etc. that I feel I should be able to glance at even for a few seconds so that I can have a brief respite. That probably applies to people whose occupations and vocations require constant mobility--a professional driver, hospital worker, door-to-door salesperson (not sure if I'm behind and whether salespeople are now working through online platforms), educator, field worker...maybe a small photo or token that reminds them of why they are doing what they do.

Apparently, what I feel matters. It matters in terms of how I am able to go through a day. And that I am entitled (I know the word "entitled" has become a negative term, but let's use its traditional positive version here) to little, invaluable joys. The photo above is of a tree that I see when I wake up in the morning and that I am staring at right this moment while I use my digital muscle memory to locate the letters on my keyboard (thanks to my high school typing class). I deliberately took a photo in that awkward angle.

My adrenaline levels have been on heightened alert for the past few months. I should be grateful for the ability to contribute to society and for being an independent and relatively healthy person. But I still acknowledge the small and large day-to-day challenges. I'm exhausted, to be frank. And again, I realize this powerful and accessible thing we all have which is "perspective". I had a conversation yesterday about the benefits of "reframing". The issues that I think are causing me anxiety; some are really "happy problems"--a term I learned from my late father and a term that I seem to overuse these days to spread motivation to others. Happy problems. 

Let's think about the things that are causing us various degrees of stress. What if something drastically unexpected happens (knock on wood)? For the sake of this exercise, let's say we broke a leg or became afflicted with something? What would be our knee-jerk reaction? Those things we are losing sleep about--would those still matter? No, right? Obviously, this is me talking to myself. 

Here's a photo of a lightly salted rippled potato chip with hazelnut spread and a can of generic sparkling water. Judge me all you want---these things make me happy! I just discovered sparkling water and I enjoy the glorious burps I unleash as a result. Unattractive yet liberating. Believe me when I say that this little snack made a positive impact in my mood. And since it's Friday, here's a little #flashbackfriday post for light reading which I called "Post-Truth Politics and Coping Mechanisms"...

 

Looking forward to the summer

The slow transition to normalcy is exciting yet still tinged with hesitation. Like dipping one’s toes in the pool waters before committing to actually swimming. I wasn’t always a fan of going outdoors when I don’t need to. Any type of nature-related activity I’ve engaged in, whether a hike or camping, weren’t motivated by personal leisure. It was more likely because I needed to do it as part of an obligation or work. Four decades of existence plus the pandemic made me realize how much nature was taken for granted in my reality. I now appreciate walking along a grassy park on a breezy late afternoon amid lots of trees and bird sounds. And how walking on the grass feels cushion-y on the feet as opposed to walking on a gravel path for as long as the grass isn’t super damp from rain (not fun on the shoes). I also find this practice very relaxing and calming especially on mega busy days. Therapy in between formal therapy. I’ve mentioned a personal mental bucket list and it’s now lengthening with the inclusion of actual camping in the mountains and that bubble hotel resort in Iceland where the accommodations are see-through so that you can sleep and have a full view of the northern lights on a clear evening…