Cinnamon French Presses and Ideas

They say it's supposed to snow here. And the southern-like panic of snatching up eggs, milk and bread makes me smile. When I was growing up in Indiana this kind of snow threat just meant you put on an extra sweat shirt to wait for the school bus.

I will utilize my new french press today. And I will put cinnamon in it. And I will listen to the Avett Brothers and write. I have liked getting up early lately just to write and listen to music and read.

What a beautiful start to my last semester.

I have been thinking about what I want to accomplish this semester, and have been asked by a few close friends the question, "What will this semester look like for you?" So here is part of it, folks:

I had dinner with new friends the other night. We ate and played a game and laughed. This is a large part of what I want to do. To never eat alone if I can help it, to make new friends and to laugh.

To take naps with my cat. She's still a kitten and has beautiful amber eyes and a mane like a lion. Eleanor Roosevelt, or Ellie for short, is quite the cuddler and I plan to utilize this for as long as possible.

Write. No pressures, just writing because it calms me down and helps to make sense of things. I am discovering that this is basically going to be a crucial part of the rest of my life and I want to use it to be honest with myself and to possibly create a sort of change in the world. No idea what this will look like, but it will be done.

Spend next to nothing. Live simply. Right now I don't have much choice in the matter, as I am flat broke. But I think this could be a lifestyle I could embrace. I think it will be hard, but I know it will involve good things like home cooked meals and making coffee for friends instead of buying it at Starbucks. I have a theory about how simplicity with money can lead to a lot more creativity and, in turn, community.

Which brings me to the next part of what my semester will look like. Community. Clearly you recognize the importance this has to me. And this last semester I lost that importance. Whatever extenuating circumstances might have influenced this, it does not matter. There is a group of people here that wont be able to escape the lovin I have to give. Sorry- it will be irresistible. And it will be communal.

Doing new things. Learning new things. Like how to do taxes and make furniture. The kind of things that adults learn. And since I'm turning 25 and will finally accept that I am an adult, I figure I should embrace some of these things. And maybe some of the things I want to learn are not necessities, but come on- they will be fun. Among these learning things will be how to cook better, how to do graffiti art, learn Spanish and how to make things like air fresheners and cleaning supplies naturally (the liberal environmentalist in me is screaming to be let loose). The list is still forming, but don't you worry- I will let you know when it is complete.

Effect change. I have absolutely no clue on how to do this dramatically so I will start slowly by just being kind to everyone. Even the people that don't like me. Even the ones that I don't agree with. I also want to get involved with some more social justice oriented groups and the ministry that feeds East Clevelanders every Saturday morning. I want to use my art more- so be looking for posts about trying to get you to buy some of my work to benefit some cause. Here is one that you can utilize in the meantime. I didn't create this art, but my pals the Steffenhagens are doing a very brave and beautiful thing by adopting a child from Ethiopia. Please consider supporting them.

Okay- my cinnamon french press coffee has been finished and I have goals to meet.

I love you all.

Jaime

Currently listening to: The Mountain Goats

Currently reading: Across the Spectrum by Boyd and Eddy