We didn't write our annual Christmas letter this year. Our card (this photo--spoiler alert) just lists our blogs, as we're not very coherant (this post will attest to that in every regard) right now. Thoughts are scattered. What's interesting to us is universally mundane. We chuckled a little bit about what we'd even say: "Um, we are humbled at every turn?" "We moved, foolishly thinking it would be easy and are still trying to catch our breaths?" "We gained ten pounds?" "We spend our free time re-catching Gus's surprisingly speedy snail collection?"
The skinny is that things are good. Just plain good. And there's a lot of learning--tiny learnings--but good learnings, nonetheless. They may say it all (though not as cleverly as P's holiday letters):
- Gus snacks regularly on Char Siew Pau, rice noodles, mango lassis, and dried seaweed. He avoids vegetables of any cuisine, french fries, chicken nuggets, or potato chips.
- Two years in Prague were long enough to make some life-long, much-missed friends and permanent cultural connections. It's been a happy return to our former lives here, but we're sorely missing our recent lives there.
- We can survive a snake in the house. Barely.
- Gus is allergic to all brands and all forms of sunscreen (Thanks to reoccurring rashes, he now has a phobia to boot).
- An extra million people in a country the size of Whatcom County is noticeable.
- Bike paths DO exist and are getting better every day (good job, Singapore!).
- Gus digs the water. He swims. He dives. He repeats.
- If you want to sleep well at night, don't think about how much the cheese you just bought would cost in another country.
- One doesn't seem to get as many spontaneous airline upgrades with a toddler in tow.
- Carve your Halloween pumpkins on the 31st to ensure that they survive the humid evening.
- If you want your son to be outgoing and friendly, you cannot be the wallflower at every party (sighhhhh).
- The wild pig population appears to have doubled on the island. Beware on dark morning runs and rides.
- For now, trips to the beach rather than adventurous backpacking expeditions are refreshingly all right.
- Good libraries do a lot for this family's happiness factor. We heart you, SAS libraries.
- Driving on the left side of the road just comes right back to you. And after a few months of practicing, reciprocated patience, and several close calls, we CAN reverse the car into parking spots with ease.
- The world is small and grand folks abound on all continents.
Some of those grand folks on an adventure race in Krabi, Thailand. And one of the many reasons I was humbled this year (hoooooo boy...not quite up to pace with the old running crew)
A happy puddle-jumper.
My two best friends mid-MOvember. See P's FB page for a too-cute-for-my-blog shaving video.
Our legacy of tragically awkward couple shots continues. We just don't have "act casual" in us. Soon after, the photograper gave up.
MERRY CHRISTMAS and happy, happy holidays. Wishing you and yours a wonderful new year with good people, good learnings, and good times. Please buy a big ol' block of cheddar cheese for us and savor that it's not a billion dollars. May joy abound.
