The adventures of Asterix

Before the new year began, I revisited a childhood favorite, dear old Asterix. Yesterday we watched the 2011 film adaptation "Asterix and Obelix: In the Service of the Majesty" and this morning I read "The Mansions of the Gods." The invincible Gauls are as funny and witty as I remembered. I proudly observed to Cholo that even as a young girl my sensibilities were already beautifully cultivated because even then it was the humor of the French that I found most delightful. I was madly in love with Tintin, too, after all, and the Belgian speak French, don't they? But then he brought up my piles of Archie comics and even more numerous piles of Sweet Valley pocketbooks, and I had to abruptly end the conversation.

This week

I spent the week painting my little sister's room with my brother Nico, making watercolor table numbers for my dear friend May's wedding, reading about Peter Mayle's tips on how to live the rosy life of the well-heeled, and eating and gallivanting with my Cholo. I have three days left before school, work, and my alopecia resume. I intend to finish reading "The Custom of the Country" and David Sedaris' essays on owls and such, catch up on my movies, and eat some more-- but perhaps not too much for my pants are becoming a tad too tight for my comfort.

A gift from the wizard

When my little sister cleaned her room last night, she found a beautiful something from many years ago-- a "Wizard of Oz" music box, which my mother gave me for my birthday. When she found it, it was dusty and its edges have frayed but when I turned its silver key it played "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" ever so clearly, like it was new.

Christmas morning craft project

Yesterday I began to fill my wall with beautiful things a la Sofia Coppola's famed inspiration board. So far it has images of lovely flowers and interiors, pouffy dresses and charming table settings, and breathtaking paintings and sparkly jewelry. When I woke up this morning it was the first thing I saw and it was invigorating.

Christmas Eve

Spending Christmas Eve in bed isn't so troublesome because among other things I have hot cocoa, "The Age of Innocence," Christmas cards from my kids' surprise, the promise of new books from my siblings, calligraphy, and the candle of my dreams.

The Holiday

As soon as the holidays started and I was done with my paper for graduate school, we drove to Punta Fuego to nap and walk and sip wine by the beach and to read, most of all. When we got home I sprained my ankle for the first time in my life and felt like one of Hemingway's tragic war heroes. He took me to dinner regardless, to Champetre where I had the most wonderful meal of my life last year. It feels splendid to be so loved.

Christmas project: gift in a jar

The gift in a jar I am putting together for a friend is coming along, albeit slowly. It has the following so far:

1. Moisturizing and healing face mask

2. Organic lip balm

3. A bottle of lavender tea leaves

4. A bottle of rose tea flowers

5. Camomile, limeflower, and lavender teabags

6. Starbucks instant Italian Roast mix

7. Rejuvenating face water

8. Rose scented candles

Alas, I am stumped as to what to put next. I am thinking of throwing in a flash drive filled with jazz music and a copy of Woody Allen's "Manhattan," but a USB can only take up so much space.

That French lady

A welcome inspiration before I hit the books: Catherine Deneuve and the classic French ponytail

Thursday

Thursday is all about learning calligraphy, getting the candle of my dreams, and finally finishing an art project.

Holiday

Graduate school has been especially difficult and demanding lately that I find myself spending more and more time with Marx, Barthes, and Williams than I would like. The work weeks are strenuous, leaving me gasping for air. I spent Friday and Saturday night wrestling with cultural theories, and Sunday morning, too. While I love learning intensely, I find myself increasingly stressed as I am pressured to somehow do the impossible-- be, all at the same time, an excellent teacher and student. I try to extend the day, staying up extra late and waking up extra early, to get everything done. The day is still never enough, somehow.

But Cholo, amidst all the work, gives me welcome interludes. He whisks me away from schoolwork and to mini holidays, only for a couple of hours at a time, but they always, always do the trick. Always, I emerge feeling like I can do everything again. I am given strength to read one more article and create  one more presentation. When I'm done and I feel drained and helpless again, he whisks me away once more. He never tires, somehow.

This is how I am certain that everything will be okay.

Lavender tea, inspiriting face mask, and sparkly gold nail polish to rejuvenate

Ever reliable cupcakes by Sonja

That dainty teacup and saucer set at the Sunday market

This weekend

Not so spectacular scenes from in between preparing for my presentation on Guy Debord's "Society of the Spectacle"