It's been awhile since I've touched base, and written here.
I've been writing. Putting together drafts of several short stories that are at present a mess.
Since I've written here, I've been busy putting in hours of English teaching, and acting on the stage. The latter is very important, after having finished M. Gladwell's book Outliers, his words about putting in your 10,000 hours of practicing something till you are master of something (be it computer programming, playing the violin, or acting) have stayed with me. So ever since then, I've put in as many hours as I could into acting, and have been busy with the Bear Educational Theatre (http://www.thebeartheatre.com/) and StageStars (www.stagestars.cz).
Now Christmas is approaching and I wanted to write briefly about my visions and sights and experiences of my second Christmas here in the Czech Republic.
That was two years ago that I visited Czech Republic for Christmas, and I knew that once Christmas season rolled around the corner that I could once again stroll about the charming Christmas markets that dot the capital, and take a whiff of the scent of cinnamon and svařak (mulled wine) in the air, maybe enjoy some trdenlník (a delightful cinnamony pastry) together with horka medovina.
The winter so far has been fairly mild and kind, but of course I'm probably speaking too soon. It isn't January yet, after all!
But today was sunny over at Kladno, where I played two shows for the Bear. I swear it must have been up to 10 degrees Celsius today.
And oh, the visions of Christmas markets everywhere, I can't get enough of it, and it makes me pine for someone I can hold hands with, but at the same time I enjoy being alone at any one of them, just strolling along, looking at the Christmas wares, the handmade angels, the gloves, the klobasa, the home-made lavender lotions and other delightful things.
It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside, with the twinkling lights, and the giant fresh Christmas trees in the middle of everything, staring happily down at us, proudly standing there all bedecked in Christmas finery.
