Hi all,
It feels like we haven't posted in a bit. I can't believe it's already almost March of 2021! It's been a year of the pandemic and shelter in place. We are currently in Eugene, OR on our way back to Sequim, Washington. We were hoping to still make it to India but that ended up not happening. We sent out a few feelers to friends in Sequim for places to stay and found a woman that has bought farm land and will be out of town for 5-6 weeks. She has some animals that need watching over and then once she returns, we will all be living together. More on that in a bit once we actually get there and get re-settled.
For now, I wanted to do a quick review of what we've been up to since we left Sequim. We left mid December to make it in time for Amaani's birthday. We stayed in Fremont for about a week and ate a lot of mom's food, hung out with Ish/Saavi/Ami/Amir and unpacked/re-packed for Chicago. We hadn't gone to Chicago for Thanksgiving so were spending Christmas there instead.
We quarantined for 4/5 day's at my brother's place, got tested and then headed out to Naperville for the rest of the time. Amaani loves snow and we actually got a decent amount of it while we were there. We got to go sledding, hiking and made a snow person! I think I've mentioned this in the past but going back to Chicago and not seeing everyone is weird. It's home for me and is always filled with making lots of plans to see people. I was still determined to see folks though and called friends up to go for outside walks. To all my girls that I was able to see, I'm grateful. To the people I missed, next time.
Us being home is so good for my dad. He stays busy and the house is full. Arpit, Sam and Bodhi spent the entire time there as well and Amaani was OBSESSED with her little brother. We took him out on our outdoor adventures as well :) During all of this, there was always a little background anxiety in what's next for us. Spending time with family is great but there's a certain idleness that makes me crazy after a bit. I found purpose in focusing on my bread baking skills. We brought the wheat from Sequim to Chicago with the starter and there was a point that I was baking daily. We went out to a mill about an hour away to get more local wheat! I learned a bit about the transition from one wheat to another and really focusing on getting the starter nice and healthy. My bread was getting this dense spot but by the end of our time in Chicago, that went away and overall taste had improved! I think each friend I met up with got some bread along with some neighbors :) Lots of outside time for us as a family. We went to Starved Rock twice! Frozen waterfalls = COOL! My dad has upped his cooking game and makes some mean chole bhature. Amaani made a friend with the neighbor next door and that was nice for her to have another kid around. Bodhi turned 1 while we were there :) Various art and knitting happened while there as well. Rest of pictures
here. Was grateful for the time to spend time there.
Then we headed back to Fremont. We had applied for Amaani's Overseas Citizen of India and were hoping to see if we get a response soonish. Our ideal would have been going to India. We realized that once we get back to life in Oakland, we won't get the opportunity for a while. Unfortunately, it didn't end up being in the cards. Due to coronavirus, everything took longer and we ended up deciding on returning to Sequim. Similar feelings of going a bit crazy came up and a general uninspired state. Old habits return while living with parents. In hindsight though, we still did a lot. Raj planned out building a raised bed for the Fremont back yard! He did all the planning and we got to build it together. Replaced circular chain saws, cut wood, and used a drill. These are all things we never did as a kid and becoming the tiniest bit fix it saavy is an improvement. He also learned and built a full irrigation system! I got to take a wood working class at
the Crucible! Lots of outside adventures, birthday celebrations and outdoor meet ups with friends. Amaani spent a ton of time with her cousins. Lots of art and slime making. Lots of reading. This "time off" is filled with mental ups and downs. There are periods that are filled with joy and gratitude to take a step back and slow down. To sit down and think...what do I want from life? What drives me, us as a family, etc. Observing and learning with Amaani on this unschooling process is a constant journey. Then there are moments in what are we doing? We need to get back to Oakland and dive back in. Each day is filled with the ups and downs but in hindsight it's a wealth of memories and opportunities that push us forward. I always wondering what seeds are being planted in Amaani during this time for her future. What will they sprout? How will they show up for her? What will she remember? Forever thankful to Raj. Our tagline for this blog has held true :) Excited for the next set of adventures. Rest of pictures with links below:
WE STARTED OUR JOURNEY WITH A UNIFYING THREAD THAT DRAWS US TOGETHER: THE DESIRE TO LIVE MORE MEANINGFUL AND CONSCIOUS LIVES AS INDIVIDUALS AND AS A COUPLE AND NOW AS A FAMILY. THIS BLOG SERVES AS A REMINDER OF THAT GOAL.
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