Weekend recap (better late than never).

This past weekend I was thinking about my word of the year (delight). I feel like I abandoned it. In other words, I haven’t been actively recognizing delightful moments. Only after the fact, when I look back, I sometimes think… ohh, that was such a delight.

Examples of delights from this weekend:

1 exercised twice last weekend making it to four times per week. On Saturday I did a short cardio and a longer weight session. On Sunday I had a delightful cycling class with weights afterwards.

Many of you know that I joined the YMCA after years, YEARS of not doing any exercise. My primary goal for starting regular exercise was mental health. And I truly see the difference: definitely more energy, a more positive outlook on life, more fresh ideas. I feel more resilient in the face of overwhelm.

All I know for sure is that it was the right decision. My only regret is that I should have done it sooner.

Another delight was being invited to my sister-friend H’s house for Eid celebration! Great food, flowers, and dancing. We have been friends for many years, through bad and good, and it is always such a delight to be in her presence.

Rapid fire delights:

Morning bird sounds

Coffee

Laughing

A wiped down car

An empty Walmart

Short stories by Elizabeth McCracken

This Scottish mom (I know how she feels)

This week has been a real doozy. At work, I am cramming five days into four days since I am taking Friday off to drive to South Carolina. It is also the end of the marking period so grading while also designing lessons. Some students are unraveling; some are keeping it together. Socratic seminars, and starting new units in both levels.

On the family front, also busy. Kids’ activities (BJJ, piano), board meetings for T, and the spring break road trip packing (still not finished). Parent-teacher conferences, back to back on Tuesday evening (thankfully, T attended those and reported back).

Spring break starts tomorrow after 2:45pm!

The plan is…

Tomorrow we all are going to work/school.

I get off at 2:45, go home, pick up kids, and we drive from NJ to Richmond, VA. Five hours. I am hoping that, if we leave at 3:30pm, we will arrive in Richmond at around 8:30-9pm. Overnight in Richmond.

Next day: get up, have breakfast and another five hour drive to South Carolina.

We are in South Carolina from Friday to Friday.

Tomorrow is going to be intense since we will start driving after work. Leaving tomorrow means that I have to have everything READY and IN the car.

Bringing: the obvious stuff, clothes, snacks, some toys and books. But also my electric kettle, instant coffee, and portable insta-pot. Our apartment in Myrtle Beach has many stores nearby: Walmart, Aldi, Trader Joe’s.

My prep for this road trip has been happening for a few days:

Cleaned the car so that we don’t have to spend five hours in a dusty car

Shopped for snacks: crackers, cherry tomatoes and cucumbers, carrots, jerky sticks, fruit, and certainly candy. Will also raid my own pantry to see if there is anything I can use up on this road trip.

Made sure their iPads are charged and found their headphones

The kids packed their bags

Mapped out our rest stops: Delaware welcome center rest stop, one in Maryland and one in Virginia.

Of course, I am anxious and worried. BUT! I have done road trips with them before and all went relatively well. Heck, when we went to Maine we drove for eight hours. L was four and R was two!

Please send good vibes to us on this adventure!