All Hot And Bothered

Today is a new day in a new month.  February is always a short but somehow painful twenty eight days (made even worse every fourth year when the month is extended by a day).  It doesn't matter where we are living; the days are always scarce on daylight but long on gloom.  Here in Albania, February will mean more rain filled days, damp conditions on the "dry" ones, and endless expanses of gray.  I've found that the key to surviving this month is staying busy. On that front we already have two out of country trips planned with lots of local activities sandwiched in between.  And on a daily basis, I'm once again committing to NaBloPoMo, BlogHer's daily blogging challenge.  I don't always succeed in posting daily but looking at the NaBloPoMo icon gives me the motivation to at least try.

The NaBloPoMo theme for February 2013 is Love and Sex.  The teasers leading up to this month talked about being all hot and bothered.  Perhaps it is my age or my stage in life but rather than hearts and butterflies in my stomach, my first thought turned to hot flashes.   Yes hot flashes.  You know, those hot and sweaty suffocating from the inside out sensations that affect women of a certain age.  They aren't pleasant but unfortunately they are a part of life and are unfortunately becoming more and more a part of my own life.  It looks and feels as though there are some fun times ahead!

But for most people and the true romantics out there, February is the month of love.  You see it everywhere you turn.  Store shelves and windows are filled with red and pink hearts, racks are overflowing with greeting cards, super sized boxes of stale chocolates fill store aisles, and teddy bears boasting phrases that are just too cute taunt those who try to avoid them.**  For a young and budding romance February 14th may be about flowers, chocolates, and dinner.  A more established romance might involve jewelry. Or as is the case in the Brown household, it revolves around a pot of cheese fondue shared amongst three people (and I wouldn't have it any other way).  As with everything, life is what you make of it and having this warm and fuzzy day in the middle of the month is something to look forward to in an otherwise gray month.  It is also closely followed by President's Day Weekend in the United States (and in US Embassies overseas) which while recognizing our founding father provides us worker bees with a long three day weekend.

So however you choose to look at this month, make the best of it and know that spring is right around the corner.  May the month pass quickly and be filled with love and warmth.......even if that warmth comes from hot flashes.

**Here's a fun Valentine's Day fact:  the first American Valentine's Day card was made fellow Mount Holyoke College alumnae Esther Howland (Class of 1847) in Worcester, Massachusetts in the 1850s.  I bet Howland could never have imagined the consumer driven commercialism craze she was starting.

Energy.........

For the third straight month I'm attempting to participate in NaBloPoMo, the BlogHer challenge to blog every day during the month of January.  My November and December attempts were moderately successful; in November between my two blogs I managed to submit an entry each and every day.  December was a bit more challenging.  Due to the holidays, travel, and the general craziness I call life, there were a few days when I didn't blog at all.  Somehow, however, by the time December drew to a close I had made up for it as I managed to submit more than 31 entries to both of my blogs (actually 34). So let's see if I can keep up the momentum this month (and year).

January's NaBloPoMo theme is energy.  My initial thought upon hearing this theme was to wonder "what energy; I don't have any."  But then I realized that I do.  We all do.  In fact, although there are days when I am seriously dragging and it doesn't feel that way, I have a lot of energy.  After all, I must if I am to accomplish everything that is required of me. 

So what energizes me?  Ironically, being busy keeps me going.  If I have a single task to accomplish in any given day (when was the last time that was really the case?), then it will take me all day to complete it.  If I have ten tasks to complete, somehow my momentum carries me through and all ten items will get crossed off of my list before my head hits the pillow that night.  I doubt I'm so unusual in this case; after all isn't it always the same over worked, over committed people who keep volunteering to take on even more responsibilities? 

I can readily identify two actual activities (beyond the general keeping busy) that gives me energy.  First, I realize that being around other people energizes me the most.  Friends and family have the biggest positive effect but in their absence any talking human being will do.  This is why, in my pre-child days when Glenn was at sea and some long weekends felt very, very long, I would make a concerted effort to get out of the house.  Even if it was only to go to Target or Starbucks, just getting out and talking to other people --even if they were strangers--had the rejuvenating effect I craved.  Picking up the phone or logging onto the computer works as well, but there really isn't any substitute for good old fashioned face-to-face interactions.  As much as I love my solitude at times, I would never do well on a deserted island!

Secondly, and I think this is more a factor of my current circumstances, traveling outside of Albania gives me the larger sense of energy I need to keep plugging along.  While there are many wonderful things about the country and the experiences we have had, that living here affords us, day to day life is hard.  Very hard.  Whether it is driving, grocery shopping, or just getting out and exploring, everything is more difficult here than it is elsewhere and over time, this daily struggle pulls me down.  As a family we've discovered that getting away from it all gives recharges our batteries in a way that nothing else can.  A few days stay in a nice hotel room, driving on well maintained roads (or taking advantage of safe public transportation), dining in smoke free restaurants, and playing tourist in countries where law and order is both expected and respected, revitalizes us in a way that prior to moving to Albania would have been impossible to imagine.  Regardless of where we go, we returned feeling renewed and ready to face the new challenges that are thrown our way.

So, as we launch into a new year I am feeling very energized.  We've just returned from a trip to Germany and have a trip to Austria looming on the horizon.   My schedule is busy with lots of activities and I've had some great conversations with friends this week.  I am as energized as the Energizer Bunny at the moment so bring it on-- I'm ready for it!

Whew, I Made It!

Yes I did.  In my first attempt at NaBloPoMo, a challenge to blog every day during the month of November, I made it. Between this blog and my related food blog, I managed to post an entry on each and every one of November's 30 days. 

For the first few days it wasn't easy.  The beginning of the month was very busy with work and personal commitments taking up a big chunk of my time.  Instead of spontaneously writing whenever the mood struck me, I had to make a conscious effort to sit down in front of the computer and write.  But after day five something amazing happened. I found my rythm and suddenly sitting down to write each day was not only easy but it was something I looked forward to.  Granted most of my actual writing took place during the dark early morning or late night hours of the day while the rest of the house was still sleeping.  That was OK, however.  What was really important was that I was accomplishing what I had wanted the most:  carving out dedicated time for myself doing one of the things I love the most.

When I entered into this challenge I wondered whether or not I would have enough to say.  I think I was initially too worried about this which, ironically enough, created a writer's block during the first week.  Once I got over this hurdle the words and thoughts just flowed.  And appparently I did have plenty to say.  This shouldn't surprise people who know me since after all I am a talker, I am opinionated, and I love to share my opinions with others.  After all, isn't that what blogging is all about?

Writing over this past month has been liberating.  My posts have ranged from commentary on current affairs, pet peeves that get my blood boiling, travel to new places, causes that are deeply personal, and of course, favorite recipes.  With increased posts comes increased exposure.  I've gained new readers who have engaged me in though provoking conversations.  In turn I've discovered new bloggers who have expanded my own world.  (As a participant in NaBloPoMo we are asked to also read a handful of new blogs each day).  My comments have offended some people but I take the good with the bad and while I try to be considerate of other's feelings, I make no apologies for my thoughts.  From the serious to the humorous and everything in between, my blogs covered it all.

Thirty days ago when I entered into this challenge I questioned my ability to stick to it.  Ironically as I sit here on the final day I realize that I have more thoughts than there were days in the month.  So what does this mean?  I guess I need to continue with NaBloPoMo for the month of December.  Yes, given the numerous holiday celebrations, daily life and planned travel, it will be even more of a challenge but I'm up for it.  They say it takes two weeks for something to become a habit.  Daily blogging has become such an important part of each day that I can't give it up.  So here's to another thirty-one days of entries. 

Blogging for Blogging's Sake

Blogging.  Who would have thought it would become such a popular trend?  It seems like everyone is doing it.  Not too long ago I discovered BlogHer; a website dedicated to posting and supporting blogs written by women.  According to their press information they provide a platform "for over 50 million women who blog and their readers to gain exposure, education, community, and empowerment."  Scrolling through their website one can find links to women's commentaries on just about any topic. Food, parenting, travels, sex, religion, current events.  The list goes on but if you want to read --or write--about it, there is a blog out there talking about it.  I could- and many times do- spend countless hours reading the interesting and thought provoking posts being shared by other women from all over the world.  BlogHer's network has grown so expansive that they hold annual conferences that bring bloggers together.  (Hint, hint Glenn- I want to go).  This vast, and mostly virtual, networking tool is something that other institutions should be envious of.  And I am proud to say that this blog is now a part of such a fantastic network.

Why do I blog?  Unlike so many women who have spun their blogs into full time jobs (After my failed money making attempt where I earned a whopping 32 cents over the course of two months, I often wonder how they actually make money off of this enterprise).  For me the purpose is much more personal.  These days sitting down to write is a rare opportunity for me to have my own identity and do something that is just for me.  When I sit down in front of my laptop (which more often than not is during the pre-dawn or late night hours), for a brief time I am Zosia the blogger. Not a wife; not a mother; not the Embassy CLO; not the DATT spouse; but myself with my own thoughts, ideas, and completely free reign over what my fingertips tap out.  Unlike some blogs that focus on a single topic, my blog tends to be more free flowing.  One post might recap a recent family trip while the next discusses local Albanian customs, personal interests or even a really great meal I ate. I really am all over the place and that is what I love about this whole experience.  What ends up on the page is the result of whatever thoughts happen to be flowing through my mind at the moment.  (In full disclosure, for the sake of world peace I do filter on occasion).  Without a face to face audience I feel free to write what I think without the fear of being judged.  Much to my surprise I've found that blogging is one of the most liberating things I have ever experienced.

Because I'm enjoying this experience so much and because I'm not one to turn down a challenge, I've signed up to participate in BlogHer's NaBoPoMo challenge for November.  NaBoPoMo is a monthly contest that challenges bloggers to blog every day over the course of any given month. Some months have themes- often single words that can send one's thoughts in a thousand different directions (I love seeing how a simple word can trigger such varied responses).  This month's theme is a non-theme.  We are being challenged to write about anything that inspires us and to simply blog for blogging's sake.  Perhaps this challenge will be more difficult than past ones.  I like to think that it gives me more flexibility but since there isn't any right or wrong do I really need that flexibility?

So now that I've signed up, I'm committed to write something for each and everyone of the 30 days this month.  Am I crazy for taking on a new commitment?  Probably but since I enjoy writing so much I can look at is as carving out some daily "me time".  Ironically, November, a month filled with holidays, social engagements, and the tedious tasks of daily life might be the easiest one for me to attempt this feat.  Our plans call for us to stay close to home this month meaning I will have a consistent,  relatively reliable Internet connection (or at least as reliable of a connection as one can find in this part of the world).  Our varied holidays and social commitments ensure that I will have a steady stream of topics to think and write about this month. Will each entry be lengthy and through provoking?  Probably not.  Some posts will be down right brief.  I'm sure I'll cross post with my other blog on occasion but that is OK since the intent is to write and post every day.  I'm up for it so let the challenge begin.

One day down; twenty-nine more to go!