We are fast approaching the end of our school year. We have exactly seven days of school left and the flight to visit home is becoming more real. (I’ll be back, Lord willing, Malaysian friends, just gotta go home this summer and get some well-needed hugs from the fam!).
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I love to crochet.
When I was 11 or 12, one of my babysitters taught me how to do a simple single-stitch – easy enough to duplicate and use to make blankets and scarves. I was hooked (crochet pun for the win!) and over the next few years, I made enough blankets and scarves to drown in.
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I am super tired today. I think the last time I looked at the clock last night, it was 4:15. Since my alarm went off at 6:30 today, you can imagine my consternation.
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So…if my grumping in my first delight (what a contradiction that is!) didn’t give it away, Malaysia’s in it’s 3rd lockdown and has just announced tighter restrictions, which, given that we’re only allowed to go to the grocery store and school (with all our students online), I’m not really sure how it could get much tighter (that is not a challenge, Malaysia!).
As a couple of my friends and I debated what this lockdown would be like, we started talking about hobbies we’ve picked up over the course of the lockdowns. I.E. – spots of happiness in some rather tough times.
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(Pre-Lockdown 3.0 in Malaysia, obviously, but this was the first “delight” I wrote before I knew I was going to make this into a thing).
I’ve run away from my job for the day. I was given permission – a day of rest provided by our school, so I’m not straight up playing hooky.
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This delight came right on the heels of posting my first delight.
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It’s been a rough couple of months and I haven’t been wanting to write, but a couple of years ago I read The Book of Delights: Essays by Ross Gay (thanks to my friend, Sarah, for her amazing book recommendations!). I have always wanted to try something similar.
If you’re not familiar with the book, it follow Ross Gay as he tries to write about a “delight” that he finds every day. Not in a toxic positivity, “everything is amazing” way, but rather, what’s something, even if it’s the smallest little thing on the worst day, that delighted him? He covers some amazing topics, including how he finds delight even when he’s experiencing racism or prejudice. He’s deep and you should give him a read.
So, I thought I’d try something similar. Something to lift my spirits and help me not focus so much on the things that are depressing me right now. Something to help me appreciate the little joys and delights a bit more.
It’s not going to be as deep as Ross Gay’s musings. There’s probably not going to be a post every day because I’m struggling to just get work done and finish the school year out as best as I can in a pandemic-ridden world and I know I won’t be able to write every day.
But, if you’re interested, stay tuned. Here’s my first “delight” from a few days ago.
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ali oleary 