What a pleasant week. After making the decision to take a leave of absence from everything I had been doing (as a member as well as a leader) at All Saints Amsterdam, calm began to return. The days don’t begin and end with a spiked heart rate, and I can devote time to the things that require my attention before everything else: my private life, my home life, and my work life.

Attended the PhD defense of our dear friend Dr. E on Monday, which was a reminder that the intersection of academic research on “the Internet” and product research is a sweet place for me to be. Anja spotted our family physician on the opponents’ council and yelped in enthusiasm.

Completed my introductory course in zazen meditation at the beautiful Zen Center Amsterdam. Eager to continue a weekly practice, which proves great for mind, body, spirit.

This week’s win

I know I’m jinxing it by even saying so, but the fact that our brand-new puppy Zev Bialy Costanza has not had a single accident in the house feels gratifying and exciting. We brought her home on Wednesday from the two darling corgis who gave birth to Lemonade almost three years ago.

Three wins

1. Walked on the beach barefoot
2. Leg-pressed 111.1kg at physio
3. Survived 35-degree weather with little complaint

Three wins

1. Gave a successful presentation during a company-wide meeting, and it prompted the responses and follow-ups I had aimed for
2. Took my first walk to the nearby park with friends who returned from a month-long holiday
3. Went to Sunday’s church service without crutches for the first time since the accident

Three wins

1. Walked on tip toes as soon as I formed the conviction that hiking boots reign supreme.
2. Spent the entire Tuesday with Anja at Studio Pansa, where I made my first two wheel-thrown pots. Looking back, the whole thing was too wet, which is confirmed by the ridiculous amount of clay I brought home on my clothes. Between drying, trimming, firing, glazing, and more firing, it could be months before I find out whether I did it right. I find that quite exhilirating.
3. This feels like a bit of a sad win, but I’ve cancelled my YouTube Premium account, putting an end to three months of near non-stop background videos, and bad reality TV on repeat. I’ve replaced it with discovering new music through NTS Radio, which continues to delight me.

Three wins

1. Finished the first stage of our bathroom remodel. While Anja, did the vast majority of the work, we managed to collaborate well on putting together the medicine cabinet. I quickly lost the ability to understand anyone who does not have storage space behind their mirrors.
2. I walked from the office to a favorite coffee spot with coworker C., mostly without crutches! It was a win, endurance-wise, but a failure in self control. I spent the rest of the week feeling the ramifications of this adventure.
3. Anja and I took an amazing pottery workshop at Pansa. She has been a member there for years, but hadn’t been since her head injury in April. I was hoping this beginner’s workshop would give her back her confidence, and I seem to have succeeded. Of course, I, too, will be signing up for their full workshop.