My Pocket

follow the dots

One week left until the first year point location exam, hence lots of black dots. I study acupuncture part-time doing a three and a half year long degree course. Every other weekend I go to college for two full days of classes and now I have just finished my first year. The theory behind acupuncture is that in these specific points on the body the energy, or qi, stagnates or creates little whirlpools in all the dips, creases, corners and gaps that are created under the skin by bones, muscles and tendons. This qi is then closer to the surface and can be affected by inserting needles which harmonises the flow in the particular channel that runs there, such as the Lung channel running from the side of my thumb. I love the Chinese Medicine view of things, somehow very practical as the same time as being rather poetic.

berries

Today in town I did what I always do when I go on my own -

1. Visit the charity shop enjoying myself trying out clothes (mostly practical garments but if I have the time I love trying out stuff I couldn't imagine wearing outside the changing room) and looking for things for my kitchen.

2. Then Waitrose (british supermarket with high quality produce and products) for some treats: pak choi, shiitake mushrooms, baby corn and pad thai rice noodles - tomorrow's supper.

3. Last stop health food shop (lovely place that has most things you could want) where my favourite shelf is the herbal tea section in the back, taking my time to choose a type I haven't tried yet. This time : Blueberry. Yumm.

In between these three places I wander around, usually feeling pretty pleased after having had an acupuncture treatment in the clinic above the health food shop. I don't need to go to town very often as this place we live in supplies most things like basic food and everyday household items, so when I do go it's mostly just for getting things I really like. Like berry tea.

splish splosh!

Rain! :)

purple and yellow

I put my purple skirt and stripy socks on today to cheer things up. It turned out the day was lovely anyway. I had lunch outside in the herb garden because the sun was out and it was so warm and spring like. On days like this I feel like when I was a kid and would walk home from school kicking dusty pebbles off the road where the sun had dried it up. Smelling spring in the mild breeze and listening to the birds chirping to each other.

Here and now the daffodils are nearly out, but I've been enjoying them in my window for quite a while already. I love sticking my nose in!

I like pockets.

I like pockets. They're like little homes you can carry with you anywhere. Places only I know and places I feel safe in wherever I am. For keeping things you need. To keep your hands warm. For resting sometimes. For little finds, like smooth stones that can be felt without anyone seeing. Small simple objects put in a pocket become slightly magical to me. They're close to me and they keep me company. In that moment of time they are my whole home, if everything else disappeared we would be all that remained of me and my belongings. I like that feeling and I love the feeling of travelling lightly, carrying everything you need on your back. Having one big pocket. Having a blog feels a bit like having a pocket. A home that can be visited from anywhere, a place of my own to fill with things I like. Hope you like it too.