Hundred Days of Happiness - Week Twenty
Finding beauty in cherry blossoms, concerts, and friendships while trying to mitigate stress.
Doing the best I can, but I have been making too many mistakes - miscommunications, getting dates wrong, going to the wrong place, missing appointments, etc. It’s happening way too much for my comfort. I am used to being on top of things and I don’t like it at all. Nothing life altering, but I just don’t like it at all. I think stress is getting to me despite my best efforts, so just I am just going to keep on doing my best, putting one foot in front of the other, and moving ever forward and apologizing when necessary.
Mar 24 – Day 135
I discovered a new-to-me “orchard” in a new development area near where our son has his weekly Spanish lessons. I spent the afternoon working remotely in the late afternoon sunshine under the cherry blossoms. A beautiful view while getting some work done.
Mar 25 – Day 136
Tuesday afternoon, I went to Den Haag (The Hague) to meet up with people in the “Open” world so that I could have a chance to meet and network with people who run in the same work circles. It was a very good evening and I made some positive and useful connections.
I took this photo on the way to the “borrel” as it reminded me of a similar scene in Buenos Aires with shoes thrown over the cord over a street although I hope for a very different reason.
Mar 26 – Day 137
Wednesday was our friend Micke’s 40th birthday party and I went there by myself as unfortunately DH (dear husband) and DS (dear son) were both sick for almost a whole week. It was lovely to see everyone, eat delicious sushi and spend time with friends. I almost forgot to take a photo that day and remembered towards the end and snapped this up.
Mar 27 – Day 138
Months ago I bought tickets for us all to go to see the incredible guitarist Marcin. Closer to the event, we decided it would be better for our son to stay home, so we got a babysitter. Then DH & DS both fell ill, so we cancelled the babysitter and sold the tickets on TicketSwap, except for one, so I ended up going by myself.
Only one problem, I went to the wrong concert! I had no idea there were two venues in the same concert hall. Last time we all went to a concert at the Melkweg (The Boxmasters), there was a first act, so I was waiting for this “first act” (Chinese Man) to end so Marcin could start. After an hour of listening to this band, I checked and there was another room! OOOOPS!
Luckily, I made it before his concert was over and was able to hear the three last songs. He was very very good.
I have included my little video from the concert, but there is a much better version with much better sound at the bottom of this email from a concert in Japan. I took this to share with my hubby since he stayed home sick and missed the concert.
Ended up going to the Marcin concert at the Melkweg on my own. So amazing to be able to see this incredibly talented young man live on stage. If you have the chance, don’t miss it! Sound up!
— Beatrice Murch (@murchstudio.com) 2025-03-28T10:12:48.706Z
Mar 28 – Day 139
Friday morning I went swimming with friends as is our weekly standing appointment and I swam 1 km in 35 mins. Felt good even it made me tired - tired but happy. Soon after that, I had a manicure and instead of getting a “French Manicure” I got this gradient going from soft white to pink and I love it. It makes me super happy when I look at my hands. I have always had such weak nails, I love feeling pretty with these gel manicures.
Mar 29 – Day 140
I found out about the lunar eclipse the same morning that it was happening and went outside with my tripod, big camera with the 200mm lens, and my natural density filter to be able to shoot this. It could have been better exposed and more in focus, but I am glad to have shown my family this celestial event, given my “failure” of seeing the comet back in October.
Mar 30 – Day 141
I really haven’t done much gardening this past year and am happy to see this bush starting to bloom. It really brings me joy when I look out the front door and go out into our front garden.
Here is a much more professional video from a live concert by Marcin in Japan. It’s the same song “Carmen” but with much better video and better sound. He is incredible. Enjoy. Be well. Be safe and keep each other close.
Stress is difficult. You need to vent as much as possible. A concert is always a great release to the stress and replace it with human artistry. Marcin in Japan was my first exposure to this fabulous musician and his talent. Sharing the music video with DH and DS probably brought comfort to them as they get better and get over the illness. Seeing the shoes hanging from a cable in the sky reminded me of the intention by drug dealers to let others know they're in the domain of those drug dealing in the U.S. I'm attending a rally in Maui this afternoon to protest the actions of the Administration. I'm bolstered by seeing so many other rallies happening across the mainland with the same intent.<br /> I appreciate Corey Booker and his valiant filibuster in the Senate against actions by the Prez and his tariffs. We will overcome.<br /> Aloha.
Love yoru week - the flowers and the nails:) Sometimes the whoopies come when there is a change in tehs tress level - as in now - and then one adjusts again. Thanks for writing - I start again tomorrow mxm