Month: February 2025

This week I am grateful for…

36. Heartfelt Catch-Ups with Family and Friends

37. The Magic of Walking on Snow

38. A Whisper of Spring

39. The Sweet Sound of Birds Returning

40. Unwinding with My Favorite Shows

 

#36: Heartfelt Catch-Ups with Family and Friends

This week was filled with warmth, laughter, and the joy of reconnecting with loved ones. Is there anything better than reminiscing over old stories, sharing a delicious meal, and feeling the energy of good company? These moments remind me how precious quality time is, and I’m deeply grateful for the people who make life richer.

#37: The Magic of Walking on Snow

There’s something oddly satisfying about the crisp crunch of fresh snow underfoot. I’ve been savoring brisk walks in my snow boots, soaking in the winter stillness. One evening, I was lucky enough to catch a breathtaking sunset—the sky shinning in shades of orange, geese and crows gliding against the horizon. That fleeting moment just before the sun dips below the trees? It gets me every time. The photo below does not do it justice

#38: A Whisper of Spring

The temperatures are rising—just slightly—but in New England, that can be deceiving. While I know better than to trust the weather just yet, I can’t help but feel a sense of anticipation. The official start of spring is less than a month away, and I’m ready to welcome the shift with open arms.

#39: The Sweet Sound of Birds Returning

With the first hints of warmth come the early songs of songbirds. This week, I heard the gentle cooing of doves, a sure sign that spring is on its way. Their soft, rhythmic calls bring an instant smile to my face, a reminder that soon the world will be buzzing with new life and outdoor adventures.

#40: Unwinding with My Favorite Shows

Few things beat the simple joy of curling up with a great TV show, a bowl of popcorn, and my partner by my side. Right now, I’m fully invested in Severance and Ted Lasso—two wildly different but equally captivating series. Taking time to unwind and enjoy a good story feels like a little luxury, and I’m grateful for these cozy, cinematic escapes.

Weekly Spotlight 

This week’s spotlight is a story a read in a book a couple of years ago:

There was once a businessman who was sitting by the beach in a small Brazilian village.
As he sat, he saw a Brazilian fisherman rowing a small boat towards the shore having caught quite few big fish.
The businessman was impressed and asked the fisherman, “How long does it take you to catch so many fish?”
The fisherman replied, “Oh, just a short while.”
“Then why don’t you stay longer at sea and catch even more?” The businessman was astonished.
“This is enough to feed my whole family,” the fisherman said.
The businessman then asked, “So, what do you do for the rest of the day?”
The fisherman replied, “Well, I usually wake up early in the morning, go out to sea and catch a few fish, then go back and play with my kids. In the afternoon, I take a nap with my wife, and evening comes, I join my buddies in the village for a drink — we play guitar, sing and dance throughout the night.”

The businessman offered a suggestion to the fisherman.
“I am a PhD in business management. I could help you to become a more successful person. From now on, you should spend more time at sea and try to catch as many fish as possible. When you have saved enough money, you could buy a bigger boat and catch even more fish. Soon you will be able to afford to buy more boats, set up your own company, your own production plant for canned food and distribution network. By then, you will have moved out of this village and to Sao Paulo, where you can set up HQ to manage your other branches.”

The fisherman continues, “And after that?”
The businessman laughs heartily, “After that, you can live like a king in your own house, and when the time is right, you can go public and float your shares in the Stock Exchange, and you will be rich.”
The fisherman asks, “And after that?”
The businessman says, “After that, you can finally retire, you can move to a house by the fishing village, wake up early in the morning, catch a few fish, then return home to play with kids, have a nice afternoon nap with your wife, and when evening comes, you can join your buddies for a drink, play the guitar, sing and dance throughout the night!”
The fisherman was puzzled, “Isn’t that what I am doing now?”

What brought you joy this week?

This week I am grateful for…

31. A Healthy Baby Nephew

32. A Good Laugh While Valentine’s Day Shopping

33. The Magic After a Snowstorm

34. The Glory of a One-Trip Grocery transport

35. The Wonder of Avocados

#31: A Healthy Baby Nephew

My heart overflows with gratitude as we welcome the newest addition to our ever-growing family. With 10 nephews and nieces now, my heart is fuller than ever. I’m especially grateful for a smooth and healthy delivery. And to top it off, this little guy made his grand entrance on Valentine’s Day—what a perfect day to be born! Welcome to the world, sweet nephew.

#32: A Good Laugh While Valentine’s Day Shopping

This week, I stopped by Trader Joe’s to pick up some groceries—just the usual produce, milk, and whipped cream. I also grabbed some classic Valentine’s Day essentials: flowers, chocolate, and a heartfelt card.

As I checked out, the cashier thoughtfully separated my everyday groceries from my Valentine’s purchases. But when I looked down at my bags, I couldn’t help but burst into laughter. Somehow, the flowers, chocolate, card, and whipped cream ended up together in the “Valentine’s Day” bag. I don’t know what kind of night the cashier thought I had planned, but their unintentional assumption gave me the best laugh of the week!

#33: The Magic After a Snowstorm

There’s something enchanting about the world right after a heavy snowfall. The fresh, untouched snow creates a peaceful silence, as if the world is taking a deep breath. Then, as the day unfolds, people start digging out their cars, and kids rush outside to build snowmen and dive into snowdrifts with pure joy.

This week, after a snowstorm, the sun peeked through just before sunset, casting a golden glow on the pristine white snow. It was breathtaking. Winter may soon start to  wind down, but I’m hoping for a few more of these quiet, beautiful moments before the season ends. And as I write this, it’s snowing again—we’re expecting up to a foot by the time it’s over!

#34: The Glory of a One-Trip Grocery transport

Is there anything more satisfying than bringing in all your groceries in one trip? This week, I had that victorious moment—balancing bags on my arms like a pro, determined to avoid a second trip in the freezing cold. The sheer joy of shutting the door behind me, knowing I wouldn’t have to go back outside, was pure bliss.

#35: The Wonder of Avocados

Can we take a moment to appreciate avocados? These vegetable-looking fruits continue to amaze me with their versatility. Whether I have it mashed into guacamole, layered on sandwiches, molded into traditional Kenyan dishes, or simply spread on toast, avocados never fail to deliver delicious, healthy goodness.

I sometimes miss the variety of avocados I grew up eating, but most of the time, I’m just grateful to have this creamy, nutrient-packed fruit in my life. Long live avocados!

Weekly Spotlight 

This week’s spotlight is a quote from John Lennon.

“When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life.  When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up.  I wrote down ‘happy’.  They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life”  –John Lennon

This week I am grateful for…

26. Adventure with Mr. Cheese

27. Reconnecting with an Old Colleague

28. The Magic of a Snow Day

29. The Joy of a Properly Working Vacuum

30. The Comforting Scent of Loose Leaf Tea

 

#26: Adventure with Mr. Cheese

A few days ago, we spotted a bright yellow cat lingering outside our apartment. It was dark and freezing, and our concern grew as we watched him hover near the entrance, as if hoping to slip inside. My first thought was that he belonged to our next-door neighbor—after all, she has a sign on her door that reads, “Please don’t let the cat outside.”

We tried coaxing him in, but he was skittish, walking away and hiding in the shadows. We tried knocking on our neighbor’s door but there was no response. Unsure of what to do, we consulted google and friends. That’s when my partner’s best friend suggested something brilliant—setting up a makeshift shelter. We placed a bin outside, lined it with warm towels, and hoped he would find refuge there overnight.

The next morning, we saw him again, this time nibbling on something near another neighbor’s door. Moments later, a window opened, and more food dropped onto the ground. Curious, I approached the neighbor to ask if she knew anything about the cat.

That’s when I learned so much.

Turns out, he’s a stray that she—a veterinarian—has been feeding for weeks! She even gave him a name: Mr. Cheese. Her goal is to slowly earn his trust in hopes of eventually adopting him. To our delight, she had even set up a time-lapse video, which captured Mr. Cheese curling up in our box for shelter. Seeing that brought my partner and me so much joy. Here is a blurry picture of him…

Stay tuned—we’re hoping for a happy ending in the adventures of Mr. Cheese!

#27: Reconnecting with an Old Colleague

 

While waiting in line at the grocery store, I noticed someone familiar behind me—an old colleague from seven years ago! We hadn’t seen each other since, and it was such a pleasant surprise to catch up, swapping stories and reminiscing about old times.

At one point, I reminded him about a favor he did for me—he had found an amazing deal on an acoustic guitar and bought it for me at just $90. Laughing, I admitted that despite all these years, I still haven’t learned to play. We both cracked up, promising to stay in touch.

#28: The Magic of a Snow Day

There’s something about the sheer anticipation of a snow day that never gets old. The excitement of checking the forecast, waiting for that official announcement, and then—boom!—an unexpected day off.

I always find myself breaking into a spontaneous happy dance, just like a high school student all over again. Here’s to more snow days this season and embracing the joy they bring!

#29: The Joy of a Properly Working Vacuum

This week, we finally got my hands on a vacuum cleaner that actually works. Our previous vacuum—one of those sleek yet cheap cordless ones from Amazon—was more for show than function. It barely cleaned the carpet, leaving me perpetually disappointed.

Now, with my new vacuum (cord and all), I feel like I’ve unlocked a new level of adulthood. Who knew a properly working vacuum could spark this much joy?

#30: The Comforting Scent of Loose Leaf Tea

Lately, I’ve been savoring Kenyan loose leaf tea that my mother brought me from Kenya a few months ago. Each time I open the container, its rich aroma transports me back home—early mornings with my family, sipping tea and laughing over how “cold” 60-degree weather felt to us.

It’s amazing how certain scents hold memories within them, instantly taking us back to cherished moments.

Weekly Spotlight

This week, we shine a light on an incredible story featured on the podcast My Unsung Hero. In this moving episode, four courageous women stepped up to protect and assist a stranger in need, showcasing the true power of kindness and bravery. Tune in to hear their inspiring journey and the impact of their selfless actions.

Check out the Episode HERE