i dressed in black, as all directors do. seventy students, kindergarten through middle school
performed songs and scenes from a poorly written (read:cheesy) christmas play. i instructed these rambunctious children, some of who were more disinterested or nervous than eager, to lock their eyes on me for cues and choreography. the result was hysterical - zombie eyes, concerned eyes, energetic eyes met mine on every step and riser. i could not help my laughter. managing to compose myself was difficult but the play turned out well. the occasional forgotten line or solo sung out of time was expected. they did lovely. i do wish it was more than one evening. it seemed so anticlimactic to move chairs, erect a set and lights, run microphone cords for one performance. next year, next year.
in true hispanic fashion, i spent an evening with masa underneath my fingernails. the feller, my mom, and i spread the mixture on clean corn husks, filled and rolled them. we were experts after the first few attempts were corrected mercilessly by mom. i know it is my last year living here but i always want to be around for and trusted with christmas eve preparations - vacuuming, cleaning, hanging, lighting, etc. christmas eve celebration was so much. just good times eating and playing games and opening presents with deep appreciation for the ones around us. lucky people we are!
the feller and i traveled to san diego twice. both times our eyelids hung heavy with sleep. i do love those moments of rest and unproductive lounging. we go on the occasional walk to offset the hours spent on a couch which could be equated to happily sinking in quicksand. we ate until we were full. we went to dinner with friends and before we had a chance to dig into our bougie plates, i realized, again, what good friends they are. we are lucky to have these two in our lives. they stick. and for people who have often felt displaced and abandoned, this is so so so important.
the christmas tree is still up, as it should be.
i have time off. the kind of time that allows for hours of reading, reacquainting oneself with music, and general cleaning of this-and-that. the kind of time that encourages watching movies in between hours of reading and actually playing with ones dog!
i am happy. that is not the most important thing in the world - i believe unhappiness does people good - but it is nice.
and, lastly, it is almost the new year!
cheers to
writing more than i did in 2013
painting my nails and lips
finding a more stable work schedule
being a friend
being quiet
minding my business
taking a watercolor class
cooking
adjusting my perception of myself, again and again
giving (anything) to others even if it is unlikely to be reciprocated
oh yea, and, like, getting married or something






