FIG Wrap

It's time to wrap up the figs! In case you forgot, this is where we find something to be grateful for each day. You will see from the below that I am extremely food motivated and food makes me happy! I want to thank Elisabeth for dreaming this project up and keeping track of everyone's goings on. I am grateful for you, Elisabeth. And now, onto the other FIGs. 

These figs are from my tree in Oakland! 

10. I arrived in Krakow! Yay. Also, it was very late (midnight) and I not only figured out the bus system, but it only cost about $1.50 to get into town from the airport. Just to put it in context, from SFO to the city center is about $12 on the train, and if I were to take an Uber home, it would be about $60, and even getting to/from the airport in Lyon was $17. Hey, that's $10+ extra dollars that I can use to buy more food! Priorities.  

11. I went on two separate walking tours and the guide was very jolly. His name was Tomasz and he was very tall and very passionate about history. It was a somber day at times, and a cold one, but I learned a lot and so am thankful for that. 

12. I had a nice (very cold) run around the old part of town and then came home and snuggled up and finished a good book and ate pierogis! 

Wawel Castle

13. I tried my first Obwarzanki, which is basically like a bagel, but a bit less puffy. I ate it as I walked through the old part of town as the sun was rising. Also, today it was warmer, only 32 degrees instead of 17, feels like 9! Yay. This sounds like a joke, but I spent the entire day outside, so was very happy that it was not colder. VERY happy. 

Obwarzanki man

14. I went to the Schindler Factory Museum, which is not in itself positive, but it definitely makes me grateful for a lot of things like food, hot water and life itself. It was very cold too and imagining the Jewish people walking from the ghetto to the factory for work, which was a blessing, makes me really think hard about my own life in general. 

15. A warm bowl of Zurek. It's mustardy, it's meaty, it's hot. What more can you ask for. 

Zurek

16. Zapiekanki. Basically bread with cheese. But melted. Yummy. 

Zapiekanki

17. I met up with my cousin and had a great time chatting and catching up with her and her partner. 

18. My cousin and I went for a morning walk to a farm, went to Haarlem for a beer, met up with a friend of hers in Amsterdam for happy hour, had a nice lunch (bitterballen for the win!) and met up with her partner for a great dinner. Wins all around: good food, good beer, good company! 

Bitterballen

19. Wednesday market and my first homemade Stroopwafel! The old man was so cute and he let me take a photo of him. Have I mentioned that I have a thing for old men with hats? 

Stroopwafel man

20. Another walk to the farm, and this pig kindly let me take his photo! Have you ever seen such a cute little pig? 

21. I rode a bike to the beach and put my feet in the North Sea for the first time. 

22. Hard to choose one, but I would have to say Belgian beer! 

So many good ones!

23. I worked out! For the first time in a looooong time. It was fun (until the next day!) I forgot that the weights were in kilos at first and I was wondering why I was so much weaker than I used to be. Then I remembered and felt pretty good about myself! 

24. My flight was on time, I got my backpack on with no issues (budget carry on rules in Europe, woof), and I arrived in a new place that is WARM! Yippy kai, ai, yay. 

25. I spent literal hours just walking around Seville, enjoying the warmth and the new vibe and colors. It even rained and I didn't care. Also I spent probably an hour in the grocery store, ogling the ham hocks, various yogurt drinks, and potted meats. 

Plaza de España

26. As I ride the bus towards the coast, I can't help but smiling at the excitement of being in a new place. Even though this also means figuring out new language, customs, routes, and daily routines, it is exciting, and even more so when I crest the hill and see the ocean. My next month will be near the sea and I am really happy about that. Sunshine really is an amazing balm for the soul. 

27. Where to start? I went for a run along the ocean. I went grocery shopping in a new place, which is one of my favorite things to do. And I sat here, and watched the sea as I read my book. 

28. Today's morning run. 

Happy Friday! 

What was your sweetest FIG this week? 

F.I.G. FOMO

I took a few days off of reading blogs and I came back and had instant FIG FOMO! Elisabeth encouraged everyone to talk about their FIGs (Finding Joy in Gratitude; I am not sure what happened to the J 😊) in February and the response was enormous! I have been collecting FIGs but did not realize that people were going to post them weekly and now I want to do that too! So you get an extra post this week from me. 

I actually started a little early, because, why not!? It is always good to look at the bright side! So here we go! 

January:

 

29. Went skiing. What a beautiful day. First time skiing in the Alps! Also, to top it off, it had been raining a lot, but this meant that there was fresh snow, AND it cleared up just for me! I had a great time skiing, then eating pizza and drinking wine to celebrate my day. 

Valmorel

30. Took a trip to Annecy, and got to take an actual hike! It's nice to be in a place with mountains. I miss the dirt. Plus the views were very nice too. Celebrated my spurt of activity with fondue, and wine! 

Lake Annecy hike

31. Rode a bike around Lake Annecy. It's nice to be on a bike again! Although it rained on me a bit, the views were nice and it was good to feel the fresh air on my face. Once done, I had a great time wandering around the old part of town. 

Château de Duingt

February: 

1. Went for a run in Annecy along the lake, walked along the river, ate a baguette. I love having legs and eating bread! 

Lake Annecy

2. Had a lovely walk, went to the Sunday market. I could look at fresh fruit and veggies all day long. Also the area I am in has tons of murals and art and it is so fun to find new little nooks and crannies each day. 

The FIG mantra?

3. I made some new friends and started a project that has me very excited. 

4. Had a nice day of resting and catching up on admin things. I even started my taxes! Joy! 

5. Found a fun hike in the woods! Great catch up with a friend. 

Hiking in the city

6. Great catch up with a friend. Coffee out with French friends! Gave someone directions, in French! Knew where the place was and told him where to go! Video call with the family. 

7. A two baguette day, no regrets! Had someone reach out to me with a question and it felt good to be an authority on something! 

Yes, that is TWO baguettes!

8. Early morning run and a rainbow! Lovely coffee and conversation x 2. Bit of rain during the day, but that just meant that I finally got some travel planned that I have been putting off! 

9. Great run along the Rhone, nice weather, finished a good book. 

The Confluence (Saone and Rhone)

What have you found joy in lately? Are you part of the FIG collective?