Straws, water bottles, and diapers
Our recent small choices are:
- Not to use disposable straws
- Not to use plastic water bottles
- To use at least ONE cloth diaper a day instead of a disposable one (and increase cloth diaper use from there)
Our recent small choices are:
Anyone who has ever lived with me knows that it’s a tad comical that I’d be writing about something like this... but here I am. Trying to go from being a pack rat, save-everything-just-in-case, clutter-keeping, mess maker to being a minimalist, environment-friendly, ethically purchasing, penny-saving expat mom.
Read MoreShouldn't life being created within our bodies, in theory, be the most empowering, confident time in our lives?... And yet, instead of making me feel empowered, life-creating seems to bring me so much insecurity.
Read More“… so many articles about cleaning out your wardrobe did not seem to factor in motherhood!
The classic question all the articles seemed to ask was: ‘Have you worn it in the last 12 months?’
Well… my body was very different 12 months ago… pregnancy tends to do that…”
Read MoreThe other day Ben had an appointment with his pediatrician across town. On my way there, I was pretty focused on my own little pinpoint-sized life moment - rushing from the metro to the doctor's office, weaving the stroller between people and vespas parked on the sidewalk. As I was hurrying to get to the crosswalk while the walk light was still green, I saw three older women moseying down the street, arm-in-arm, with their canes and hands so tangled up I almost couldn't tell whose was whose. Every time one of them said something they all laughed so hard that their already-leisurely pace halted as their aging bodies doubled over in unabashed laughter.
As I looked on, I couldn’t help but smile and I noticed that everyone else on the sidewalk was either smiling along with the joyful ladies, or was trying hurriedly to get around them, oblivious to the pure happiness they were sidestepping.
It was a beautiful snapshot of a pinpoint-sized moment in the lives of other people that I was able to witness in the midst of my own rush. It felt poignant - in that moment I could either be someone who was oblivious or even annoyed by the joy that was blocking my path, or I could just smile at it. I’m glad I chose the latter, because too often I allow my life to be consumed by stress and busyness and anxiety and to-do lists instead of just stopping to enjoy the wonderful blessings God has given me (and there are many).
After Ben’s appointment, in an effort to embrace the joys of life rather than be consumed by stress, Ben and I stopped to get gelato and macaroons. Some other wonderful blessings God has given us in life ;)
Seeing those women also made me reflect, thinking about friends and sisters with whom I was a giggling teenage girl. Even though we don't currently live in the same place I hope that one day we'll be able to be old together, stumble-laughing down the street supporting each other with canes and memories.
"Today I spoke to a Senegalese man who was standing outside a bakery selling books. After helping me get Ben and the stroller up and down the stairs, I started to ask him about his life..."
Read MoreI've learned a few things recently:
1. I'm pregnant! Yay! ...
First off, let me say that there is no such thing as Italian Thanksgiving. The fourth Thursday in November is just like every other Thursday: work, school, appointments, and our Italian lessons carried on as usual...
Read MoreItalians seem to conduct business (and conversation) differently than Americans. They don't just try to sell you a product, they become your friend first. It's actually rather brilliant (not that I can have an intellectual conversation about business...)
Read MoreI've been wanting to start writing a blog for over a year...
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