Today I went for a little walk to clear my head, a therapeutic stroll if you will. I’m still on this detox til you die kick and a daily 100% fruit Boost Juice from the local Bondi Boost Juice is on the menu. A delightfully refreshing break from hours upon seemingly endless hours of essay writing. It’s the end of the semester (as I’ve mentioned) and that means loads more work.
I float over the .6 miles or 1 km to the juice stand. I’ve walked this route so many times that my body is on cruise control, my mind is free to roam. I take my iPod and listen to a relaxing mix of Joshua Radin, Ingrid Michealson, Ray LaMontagne, and others which now includes my new favorite, “Little Waltz” by Basia Bulat.
“You and I, we make a grand salute. Stare at each other, like lost little birds across the room. And I remember the way you looked. I learned how to dance, but I’d never shown it to you …” – Basia Bulat – Little Waltz
The song floods me with nonspecific nostalgia, I listen to it on repeat.
“A watermelon crush with lemon please. Yes with lemon please.” I always ask for lemon. It’s not supposed to have lemon but I ask for it anyway. I like it tart. The watermelon is for my kidneys. Well – it’s supposed to be good for my kidneys. I like to keep my kidneys happy. It was they who helped me to discover 5 months ago that I’m gluten intolerant.
I detour on the way back and walk along the beach. It’s a lovely 82F and there is a subtle ocean breeze that takes that tiny little edge off the heat.
I wonder if the women who were inspirations for the famous grafitti strip along Bondi Beach know their images are enshrined there. “Chloe who wears a flower in her hair,” it says. One of my dogs is named Chloe. I tried to put a flower in her fur one time but she barked in protest.
My thoughts wander to my girls. I smile. I can’t help it. I keep my feelings and thoughts hidden most of the time, but when I succomb to daydreams and memories I can’t help but to wear my thoughts and emotions for the world to see. I have to be careful, I have found myself chuckling out loud.
Like the time I caught little Duchess pulling fat and bumbly Chloe (who was upside down and on her back) around by a tug rope. Chloe was growling but was too lazy to do anything about it. So she just let her sister drag her around – upside down – fat speckled belly exposed to the world. I always laugh out loud when I remember that.
I like this alone time – this time for myself – this time to myself.
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Yeah, the girls are funny. I remember that day and it always makes me laugh too. This morning Chloe is waiting for Duchess to get tired of her rawhide and leave it behind. Chloe has her own but she wants the already chewed one :) Both are pretty silly dogs. Love, Mom
I ate far too much watermelon before bed last night; woke up at least four times during the night. That is all I’m saying about that.
I haven’t read much of your blog yet; in fact, I found it while trying to find American food vendors in Sydney. Go figure. I’m from Cincinnati, Ohio, and have one month remaining in Sydney (I’ve been here only three). Anyway, it’s nice to know there’s another girly girl, unapologetically American, with an unhealthy weight obsession and an unhealthy inability to get over an ex, who reads self-help books and studies in Australia. It can be a challenging combination of traits, but I feel a bit more “normal” already. Thanks for that.
I laughed when I read your comment Kristen – you have me pegged. :) thanks for stopping by! Please do again!