Reading
As I drive from home to my places of work, I wonder what the day has in store
for me, what shape the next 24 hours will assume. The unpredictability of life,
in whatever increments you measure it with, is simply a fact. You can start off
with a benign, relaxed morning, then you face an exhausting afternoon. The
reverse is true.
It’s pointless to meticulously plan a regular day—that much I have learned. But I find it a helpful exercise to imagine what my day is going to be like before I get up from bed. I list my tasks, obligations, responsibilities, and I plan for how I will book a full-body massage or finish a book chapter.
Few earthly things give me more joy than books.
I'm currently reading Muriel Barbery's The Secret Lives of Elves, a book I bought pre-pandemic with my meager fellowship allowance. This was in the Robinsons Forum alwong EDSA. The last time I checked the mall is no longer standing. I have fond memories of that mall. Barbery's prose captivates. It's a story of Maria and Clara, two girls with magical powers. Sheer, excellent storytelling.
I also read the book while I was in Capri, waiting for the ferry to take Manong and me to Naples.
It’s pointless to meticulously plan a regular day—that much I have learned. But I find it a helpful exercise to imagine what my day is going to be like before I get up from bed. I list my tasks, obligations, responsibilities, and I plan for how I will book a full-body massage or finish a book chapter.
Few earthly things give me more joy than books.
After I got home from an exhausting day at the clinic, I saw a pile of
unopened back issues of the New Yorker, London Review of Books, and The Paris
Review. I was so happy.
I'm currently reading Muriel Barbery's The Secret Lives of Elves, a book I bought pre-pandemic with my meager fellowship allowance. This was in the Robinsons Forum alwong EDSA. The last time I checked the mall is no longer standing. I have fond memories of that mall. Barbery's prose captivates. It's a story of Maria and Clara, two girls with magical powers. Sheer, excellent storytelling.
I read Elena Ferrante's Frantumaglia and The Lying Life of Adults while I was in Naples. A surreal experience I highly recommend: reading a book set in a city while you are in the city.
I also read the book while I was in Capri, waiting for the ferry to take Manong and me to Naples.
The city was fascinating. The people were happy. The dogs were noisy and perpetually smiling.
From the Castel Sant'Elmo, the islands of Ischia and Capri could be seen.
I dank as much coffee as I could.
I don't know what shape the days will take on, but at least I'm awake and palpitating.
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