January 1--a new year

[zyzyly]

It has been a while since I posted here. In the interval I celebrated a birthday (60), had a somewhat traumatic end to my doctoral semester, finished up my work semester on a high note, celebrated a couple of holidays, had a really good taco, and ended up on the fresh side of a new year.



Just like we did last year, Malida and I took a drive up into the Sierras soon the first day of the year. It was cold, although not as cold as last year. Even though we have had a lot of rain this season, there was much less snow this year compared to last year. Hopefully we will get some cold storms in to replenish the snowpack, which is our main water source in Northern California. In any case it was a lovely day.

We took our friend with us. She was visiting from Thailand, but ended up marrying her on and off again boyfriend a few days ago, so now she is planning to stay. He is a pilot, and was flying today, so didn't join us. She is the person who introduced me to Malida, 10 years ago.



What the day looked like today.

We spent Christmas with my former in-law family. I guess that's what you call them. It was great to see everyone. I hadn't seen many of them for a while--maybe 2 years. It felt good to be enveloped in the warm embrace of this family. Malida seemed very relaxed among them, and enjoyed herself It has taken her a while to not feel like she is standing under Arlina's shadow there, but I think she has crossed that bridge.

Those of you who have been around for a while will remember my nieces--the little girls who used to populate my journal way back when. They are all grown up now and living adult lives. One of them just had a baby. It was the one I predicted would be first to have a baby as we sat around the breakfast table one summer morning 13 years ago. I told their futures, and so far they are on track.



Joyce and Henry. Henry was the star of Christmas. I'm a grand-uncle, or something.

We spent New Years Eve day cleaning the house, paying the bills, washing all the clothes, and putting away all the junk so we could ring in the new year with our house in order. I cleaned off my desk and put my books away. I will take them out again in 10 days when my classes start again, but it feels good to start fresh. I have a lot of project revisions to do between now and then, but I am not thinking about that until tomorrow.



The really good taco.

Comments

[sunshine-two.livejournal.com]

Great picture of you, and your wife. Nice to see you posting again.

[shutterbug.livejournal.com]

I think every end-of-semester is traumatic. Glad your recuperation is going well. Happy New Year, Mike!

[thoughtsbykat.livejournal.com]

Happy New Year! Great photo of the two of you. I think it's great that your friend married her boyfriend of many years. Congratulations on being a grand-uncle. It was nice that you stay in contact with your former in-laws.

[crookedfingers.livejournal.com]

Happy New Year!

[amaebi.livejournal.com]

That all sounds great* with the exception of the end-of-semester trauma. I am so very sorry about that.

* Well,the marriage is scary Because marriages are scary.

[kishenehn.livejournal.com]

That first photo is great. :)

Happy New Year, and best wishes for a fine 2017!

[luscious-purple.livejournal.com]

Wonderful photos and family news! Happy New Year!

[gurdonark.livejournal.com]

Though everything in your post was more important than the really good taco, my eyes nonetheless lingered over that taco the most.
What a cute little boy, too!

[brendamom.livejournal.com]

Kansas has its own water problems, but really we are used to it.

I love your updates just to see how time moves on and you both look very happy.

[pinkroo.livejournal.com]

I want that taco.

And maybe Henry, as long as I can give him back.

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Good to be posting again, even if sporadically.

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

Haha--probably. It really wasn't until today that I could look at the stuff again. I spent the morning organizing and now feel somewhat optimistic.

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

I am glad I have been able to stay in contact with them--they are such wonderful people.

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

Same to you!

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

I think trauma is just part of the deal. I feel better about the whole thing now, but spent a good part of my break wondering if I wanted to continue.

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

It is snowing like mad up there now--expect about 5-7 feet this week. We are going to go back up and do some skiing this friday.

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

Happy new year to you too!

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

lol yes that taco was so good. Fortunately, the place is about an hour's drive in a direction I rarely head, so it becomes a special destination.

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

We are pretty much used to it as well, having been through multiple drought cycles. We (meaning Californians) tend to forget, though.

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

Come down and visit and I will take you up there for a taco!

[pinkroo.livejournal.com]

I was waiting to see if you still made that offer when you weren't drinking ;)

[brendamom.livejournal.com]

There is probably no perfect climate I long for. It is a seasonal thing. Maybe you and i and others should write more about perfect days, when they come, if they come.. wherever they come.

[amaebi.livejournal.com]

I have no idea why we make these things so painful. :(