And… I’m back! Photos from my Istanbul trip can be found here.
I’m energized from my long break (yes, I know it has been a long while, more than long enough to “outstay” my welcome).
Now playing: Adele’s album 21. Songs that are on replay: Rollin’ in the Deep and Someone like You.
Now reading: Daniel Kahneman’s The Marvels and Flaws of Intuitive Thinking – part of Edge Master Class 2011 (which reads like the who’s who’s list of cognitive psychology). A worthwhile read for anyone interested in how the mind thinks. The transcript is surprisingly accessible with little to no jargon.
Ben’s question of “so what did you learn about yourself from your time away?” struck me. Indeed what did I gain? Aside from the fact that I’m enamored by Rumeli Fortess and ancient architecture and the colors and textures of the Grand Bazaar and Eminönü, have I gotten any new realizations?
I have a distaste for arrogance and superiority complexes. Marriage doesn’t change anything about the person you are with; only that you have to put up with it all the time. I will appreciate someone who will offer to do the housework (it is the offering that matters). I like to take it easy – I have a very chill mentality. I like to savor the moment.
Some people have to rush to places. When they travel, they will want to see all the sights. They have an itinerary that they want to fulfill and places to visit on their checklist. I like to wander, I like to walk and look around. I like to stop and smell the breeze, sit and feel. After a climb, I want to stay there and enjoy the scenery before.
I have to stop proving myself to others. I don’t need to prove that I can do something, I need to do things because it is something that I want to do, it is something that gratifies me.
On another note, an important news: I’m moving. Well, actually it is my entire family. Goodbye old house and hello new apartment. I will miss this old house for the pure fact that there is so much space and opportunity to mess around and get my hands dirty. I can paint, drill, hammer my heart away and no one will complain (well, not much). I guess most of my transitioning-to-adulthood years are spent here. There will always be a pleasant nostalgia associated to here. However, I can’t wait to move as well. There is so much opportunity to start afresh, new grounds for creativity to take root. I’m so excited.
NOTE: I’m offloading my interior design obsession along with ideas I have about our new digs at a new blog: The KooHouse
