1. Song of the week: Grow As We Go by Ben Platt. I have wanted to watch him onstage since Dear Evan Hansen, but for now, last year’s The Politician binge will have to do. Recently dug into his albums, and found that song. Maybe it’s a little codependent, but I like seeing my loved ones succeed. See how they begin and talk through challenges. Celebrating wins. There’s a lot there to grow with them on.

2. Speaking of challenges that you want to see through, was in an 8 hour meeting just hashing out things with a room of men with so much more power in the system than me. I am thankful for a seat at the table (virtual will have to do for now) and see how they think and talk through things. I am dying for in person brainstorms where it’s intense but flows so much faster and easier. Are we vaccinated yet?

3. Finally buying the rug I’ve had my eye on since September. It was on sale, and the buns love flopping on it. Crossing fingers they don’t want to mark it as theirs (at least not yet).

4. Actual nonwork conversation with a colleague. It really helped end the week on a good note, with a deep dive on Keanu Reeves and rom coms.

5. The blueberry cheesecake pint I had for calm this week. Which reminds me I need to restock…

What are you grateful for?

P.S. Chester had lab work done last week for his sneezing. It’s going to take a week for results. Please pray with me that it’s not the C word. My whole life are these buns and Chester in particular has kept me sane and calm these past almost 7 years. I want more years with them.

Honestly, it’s been a weird week. I have an ominous feeling and I can’t make it go away. Here’s hoping food band aids can help make that sinking feeling fade.

I do realize that:

But give me these next six minutes to enjoy the bright spots in my unsettling week:

1. I bought a super adorable corgi butt mug that I can just yell “you butthole!” When I’m frustrated, and also say “you cute butt” when I need something cute to look at.

2. Cooking a full Korean inspired lunch of army stew, bean sprout salad, and steamed egg. I need to do the steam egg better but it was a decent start.

3. Office trivia night. Smaller group but was super fun. Honestly, little sleep, plus the equivalent of four Negronis after almost 2 months of no alcohol had me a little numb giddy. I will not be that careless un the future, to be sure, but it was fun to do once.

4. Company day off with a free lunch. Gestures really count, and this was sweet. Of course I had tacos. Of course I overordered. And my day off was just perfectly a no alarm one.

5. The last Bourdain book. It’s technically one written from old footage (I have been able to hear his voice and remember the episodes they mention), but these are two things I miss like a motherfker, Anthony Bourdain and travelling. I will vaccinate myself and hit the spots in this book. Soon as I can.

What are you grateful for?

1. Being able to make my first banoffee pie. It wasn’t super great, could be more balanced, but enough to make me want to make it again. One of my favorite desserts (of which there are many to be honest), made better when put in the freezer and eaten like ice cream.

2. Connecting with a colleague over musicals. Made me miss the theater, and watching talented people act and sing and dance. Reiterated the need to watch The Book of Mormon, and now adding Hedwig and the Angry Inch to the list. Who knows when theater will be back, but I will be filling the seats.

3. Butter Bakery’s fat macs. Ordered a box of these yummy macarons, and it made me feel a bit more civilized than usual. What is it about macarons that needs a nice cup of tea and a quiet corner?

4. Minari. It felt quietly depressing, but also real. Steven Yeun was beautiful in it. Then again, Steven Yeun is beautiful, period.

What are you grateful for this week?

1. I ordered handmade resin and acacia wood coasters for my new work desk and they arrived exactly like they were advertised. Beautifully done, they remind me of the salty air, the sound of the waves, and fresh seafood. Well not really, but since they’re the closest I’m getting to the actual ocean for a while, they’ll do.

2. Posole I made and ate over the course of a week. Hominy nixtamalization worked and I have enought for about three batches of posole and that makes me happy.

3. Working through something I was stuck for a bit, and finally have something that I don’t feel sounds idiotic (so far. Version 1.0 is fine, but could get better)

4. Almost cry laughing at work at something I made a mistake on. It was an innocent misunderstanding but I am still chortling about it.

What are you grateful for?

Honestly, it’s been a horrid week. But I have really tried to see the bright spots. Here are the four I found:

1. Catching up facetime wise with the wife who had a birthday last week. She is a ray of sunshine full of the good stuff. I miss her. Facetime will have to do for now, but soon.

2. And speaking of being able to catch up, an almost 2 hour phone call this week because I was having a “venting crisis”. Thank the stars for a person who will listen to you when you can’t almost explain because you’re shaking in rage and grief.

3. Mom’s birthday spread. Tons of food we barely had to cook, a surprise delivery that took us an hour to figure out, and fifteen minutes to devour.

4. Smart, real, honest, teammates. Goes a long way. People I value every.single.time I log in. I am a long way from where I was, and there’s still a long way to go, but the keep me wanting to go on.

What are you grateful for?

1. Even if it was tiring two days in a row, getting the car registered and renewing my passport are two things that will keep me mobile. Even if I really can’t use one and only use the other for very essential errands, I know how lucky I still am for access.

2. The best lassi I’ve ever had for 30 pesos from Assad mart.

3. First client interactions being pleasant and being able to close the loop. There’s still a lot to learn, but getting hands on experience is a thrill.

4. Mango rum punches from mangoes straight from the tree and Captain Morgan stock.

What are you grateful for?

1. The above spread. Market bought, cooked and served in the same few hours. Cooked with love. Soup made specifically because I was coming in with no sleep. 14/10.

2. Getting salesforce set up at work. I am all for getting this beast set up and making it work for us.

3. Getting herb mix from a friend for the buns. I can’t grow a thing, and have killed a dill plant and almost killing the replacement dill. Being able to properly nourish the buns and not spending thousands just on greens a month is a win.

4. Tamales. From my favorite Mexican place. A dozen. If I could eat my favorite Mexican food all the time, I would be happy all the time.