Year Two, Day 205: My Secret Bar

I didn't make it to the gym this morning. I spent time cleaning the kitchen and put one of crockpot meals in for dinner. Chicken fajitas. That sounds so yummy on such a cold day. The temperature has dropped and it feels like winter!

I can't believe it is December 1st already. I found myself resisting all the early Christmas decorations in the stores, carols on the radio and commercials pressuring us to buy buy buy! But now that is December, I am starting to feel joyful.

I have heard it might even snow a bit in Portland next week! There is an air of excitement everywhere I go. And it is a great opener for my piano students. "Guess what? I heard it might snow next week!" To which I am usually greeted by "YAY" and happy dances.

Even the busy afternoon commute on Trimet was more joyful than usual. A sweet elderly lady with many bags asked if she could come sit with me to make room for a man in a wheelchair. I said, "Please do!" And we had the most pleasant conversation about shopping for her family and how young people need to get their noses out of their smart phones. LOL. She gave my hand a little squeeze as I got up for my stop and she said "God bless you, my dear".

My heart is always warmed by these random kind conversations with strangers.

Speaking of warm hearts, I have been shedding some of my outer layers. I keep seeing messages everywhere to "just be you". And I am finally really ready to embrace this.

So one step towards being my authentic self, was texting I this morning. I told him I would buy drinks next time and told him about my "secret bar". And now I am blogging about it, so it won't be a secret anymore will it?

I may have mentioned it before. The chamber group that I sometimes play with discovered it this summer after a gig.

It is called the "Over and Out". It is hidden behind the "Observatory" off of SE Stark and about 80th.

I felt quite mature and very authentic offering to buy next time. He is very polite and gentlemenly. I enjoy his company. He asked me out the first two times and grabbed the check. But I just feel it is right to be more equal about this.

Plus I've had some students prepay for winter term. So I am good. Even have some leftover for Christmas shopping.

Maybe I'll even get it done before December 24th this year?

Maybe!

Right now, I am off to teach some students. I hope to make it to the gym afterwards.

Happy Thursday!

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