This is the foggy, gray, and contemplation-inducing side of the James' personality. Damien sits in this very spot almost every day on his way home from work. I think his peaceful outlook is enhanced through his relationships with nature.
We had a fantastic weekend in West Virginia with the Lisowski brothers. We had Jimmy's cabin which is perched on top of a mountain and overlooks a breathtaking valley full of trees. We spent our days hiking, exploring, biking, eating, reading, and making various paper mache birds for Chris' art show, which we hear was a great success in Pittsburgh!
We also went snowboarding on a 50 degree sunny day in the Blue Ridge mountains last weekend. And this weekend we went mountain biking at Pochahontas State Park. Being outside in the winter here is less frigid, and the temperatures certainly make it easier to enjoy the outdoors.
Teaching is going well for us. It is utterly exhausting, both physically and mentally, and it's rewarding beyond explanation. We typically work either at school or at home on school stuff, on average, for 12-14 hours a day. I constantly feel overwhelmed, but I also feel nourished in a way I have never experienced before. The high schools here are a bit insane and totally stressful, but they are also a source of joy for us. Sometimes I forget who I am during the week, and on Saturdays I breathe in the world and notice things like clouds and can actually here my inner voice saying, "hey!" I'm still searching for the right balance.
Well enough of that. The Superbowl is this evening and I'm rooting for the Patriots! Go New England! Bwa ha ha...
2 comments:
Dear Sally,
So nice to see your blog again!! I am thinking why I did not get your mail for some weeks. Much miss you and Damien. Now I read every word of your blog. It is so nice to think positively and appreciate the beauty of life, although sometimes it is tough and struggling. Yes, I know it is hard while working for long hours. A good and fruitful rewards are always waiting. Take care and have nice sleep always.
Do you still remember Paul Gill? Two weeks ago, he visited my home and I share your poem for me with him. He like it very very much. A good poem!!..... He smiled and nodded. :)
Lately I felt tired and read some poems from China, they are good. Share some parts with you:
Move my sight to the end of the sky
let the monsoon send the tide message of spring to you
tell you the feelings of my sight
miles and miles
although mountians and water are in front
go through difficulities till ...........
I am beside you
the time will become tickets
be patient for waiting sailing
unable is beauty in some days
may all expections congeals.........
waiting.
Love and miss
YangYou
Hey Sweetie, So good to hear what you guys are up to. It's so hard to adjust the fact that your give your best hours to a job 5 days a week, fortunately you have the perspective (and motivation) to fit enough in over the weekend to balance out the whole week! I talked to Kristie over the weekend and She Tully were headed out to play in the snow. It was 6 degrees in Buffalo! Ouch!!! I'm glad to hear you are getting a milder winter. Cheers to that!
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