Saturday Night's Alright

It's Saturday night and I am happy as a clam. It is snowing outside and I am bundled up on the couch devouring a bowl of steamed dumplings and a hot cup of tea. Personally, I think that Chinese dumplings are just about one of the most amazing creations in the world. I admittedly prefer the fried ones but I have been sticking to steamed lately to be a bit healthier. I have never had them better than when I was in Rome, but I am enjoying these ones from the restaurant down the block (and, if you live further north, there is a great little place in Boston's Chinatown called Shanghai... the food is quite good and it's always entertaining when the karaoke bar is open upstairs).

I just returned from braving the storm to pick up my fare and I must say that it is absolutely beautiful out. Though quite brisk, the feeling of walking through the first proper snow falling is an unforgettable high. I believe that my mum is in the snow. When she died she brought this intense, wonderful blizzard. People had a rotten time trying to get to her funeral, but it gave me the slightest bit of peace during one of the most painful, incapacitating experiences of my life. I love the soft caress of snow-kisses on my cheeks and I imagine it as her kisses, tickling my nose and reminding me to smile. I can't help but feel lighthearted walking through a snowfall, even as the cold, melted ice slowly soaks through the toes of my worn-in boots. Tonight was no exception. Nature reminds me how small I am and of all the happy, little things that exist everywhere around me. On my walk I encountered a playful English Springer Spaniel pup romping in the fresh coat of white down. I couldn't help but burst out giggling, imagining a mischievous little friend I have back in New England. It is great to be alive. And I think to myself, what a wonderful world...

I am quite sure you've noticed that I have nothing to say of any consequence. To be candid: I am procrastinating. I have got a whacking amount of graduate work to do but am in no mood to do it, or to even start it for that matter... I am wicked antsy today, I cannot seem to sit still. I think I have given up on being productive, I am much too distractible, which is why I have come to talk to you, darling... December is an oddish sort of month for me, a cross between tragedy and holiday cheer. I have yet to decide how I feel, as I seem to be all over the place. For now I am just going to wrap myself in blankets, enjoy several cups of tea and indulge myself with sappy, feel-good movies. I will leave room on the couch for you, hope to see you soon.