I found a spot in the library in Leeuwarden, Friesland. They speak a language here I don’t understand. There are books I can’t read. The library is located near the house of my boyfriend and it is a former prison. From the outside it looks impressive, somewhat like a castle, but I must say I think they should have got rid of the bars. The bars are eerie. It gives me the chills. Also the rooms in the library are somehow named after a prison, which is kind of funny but at the same time a bit grim. I was walking up the stairs and just wondering how many people must have lived here because they did something wrong in their life. Wrong and right is a weird concept in itself.

It’s sunny outside. Most of my preparation for tomorrow is done. I’ll be meeting new students and I’ll be teaching English. I’ve asked my boyfriend to print a few things at his work. I let his bird fly this morning when I still had the drapes closed. Otherwise, the bird flies up against the windows. We already have a beautiful mark of Ella, the parakeet, on one window, we don’t need any more.

I am really happy that I am not afraid of calling. My manager just called and I will happily answer. I actually prefer calling to texting. A lot of Gen-Z-ers are apparently afraid of calling. I mean if it is a stranger I somewhat get it. But luckily I like to call and I also prefer human contact over a robot. Nowadays, service is by a self checkout or you can print your own ticket or reserve a spot in the cinema online. It has no spirit or fun to it. I love going to the market and talking to a lady at the cheese stand who is interested, has a smile on her face and is enjoying the human contact like myself. It makes my day!

Maybe I wouldn’t be suitable for Japan after all. I heard everyone is quite reserved there, shy or introverted. I mean it does sound peaceful and quiet but I like a bit of theatrics, something going on and to be a bit playful. But I don’t mind doing things on my own or as the Japanese call it: solo katsudou. But honestly a day spent completely on my own sometimes feels restless. Especially in the evenings. Maybe I don’t have enough hobbies or I am addicted to my phone in the evening. Specifically to YouTube. Hmm, food for thought.

Sometimes I wonder if I should knit or draw. I guess all hobbies are not as passive as watching T.V. I could listen to a podcast or to music. I must say I really do enjoy music. I just put it a little bit louder but I hope I am not a nuance to anyone else in the library. It is dreamy music. That is what the spotify list is called: ‘Dreamy’. It is actually making me more nervous than calm just worrying about someone else’s discomfort with it. I’m going to turn it back off.

But at home I could enjoy music a bit more. A podcast here and there. I just feel like, what else should I do? Especially when it turns dark. There is a lot of doing to do and not a lot of being apparently. Restlessness. Fear of thoughts. Maybe I need more mindfulness training. Just sitting and following my breath.

In everything there needs to be a bit of a balance. Activities and rest. Sometimes I just fly around I suppose haha. Literally. But I like it. I love being adventurous, trying out new dishes, seeing new places, enjoying nature, dancing, meeting new people, learning new words, laughing at new jokes, listening to a new riddle, hearing a new fact, and I can go on.

Maybe I am not cut out for the simple life. Being surrounded by nature and eating the same meals every week, seeing the same people every week, never discovering any new music, being in a bubble of rest. Nope. Nope and double nope. I like the city life and I like living near a station and I like to see other countries and I love new discoveries.

But sometimes I long for a slow simple life. Maybe when I am 60. But then I would still like to go to a concert or buy a new CD or LP. I would still want to watch something new and travel. But maybe I’d like to live somewhere more quiet. Surrounded by a green garden. I have a lovely garden right now. It is a bit noisy at the front of my house but that’s it. Do I want a more peaceful work life? Maybe. Sometimes I wonder what life would be like if I worked with plants. I have so many years left. I might make the switch from teaching to gardening one day. For now, I enjoy it when I can.

I hope you are doing well wherever you are and until next time! X