Two-Thousand and Twenty
3/3/2020
March Third already, huh?
At the end of December I asked my parents to send me one of the books that I left behind on the far left bookshelf in the makeshift living room I constructed in their basement. The book was in the section I determined is the "self-help & religion" section, under Harry Potter on the top shelf, and above shelves of various biographies, recipe books, and fitness guides. The particular book that I asked them for is titled "Winter Blues: Everything You Need to Know to Beat Seasonal Affective Disorder" by Norman E. Rosenthal, MD. I had left the book behind as I was having a good time with life - having just went through the US K-1 Visa process, and planning a move to the US, I cut corners and left a few things behind that I hesitated over when packing.
My parents then sent me the book in a care package that contained many Canadian goodies, from Mars bars to Lays Ketchup Chips. My wife and I get very excited whenever we see my mum's writing on the side of a box - even if it has the bright green "INSPECTED BY BORDER SECURITY" tape on it. As for Winter Blues, I'll be the first to admit I haven't read it cover to cover yet, as part of my problem recently has been an inability to simply sit and read, or pick up and start something new. But I have begun reading, which is the first of many small steps. Spring is coming.
About a month after I moved in to Pittsburgh, my nephew was born - he's absolutely adorable. We haven't babysat him too much but when he is over, it's a delight. My wife says I'm good at being an uncle, so I'll take it. He likes the funny faces I make at him, and I think he also likes that I tend to run warm and I get the nervous bounces, so he gets to bob around and pace with me. It's amazing how easily changing diapers and taking general care of a baby came back to me from my short stint babysitting over 10 years ago. Regardless, I think the little dude is coming to visit us today, so that'll be a fun time.
On October 19 Becca and I got married - it was wonderful. Of course, looking back we both have things that we would change about the day, but overall it was beautiful - I married the love of my life. Since then we've been to many family functions, and I find myself becoming easily overwhelmed by the sheer amount of people. I had no siblings growing up, and only 4 close cousins, so just having several new sibling-in-laws is a giant change as-is! A positive change, but still overwhelming.
A few months ago everyone was all up in arms about resolutions and yearly goals, and it's beginning to get to the point where people are forgetting about them, giving up on them, or even considering them failed, but we are still only in the first third of the year - the time when we are all kind of in a state of hibernation. I believe it's important to have constantly changing goals, so that you can guide your life and interests in a positive direction. For example, I didn't create any specific "New Years Resolutions" this year, but instead decided that this new year would be a year of personal growth for me. I plan to improve my spiritual health by researching more on Christianity, and meditating; my physical health by improving my eating habits and gym habits (the key here is to take things in slow, steady increments); and my mental health, by reading more, journalling, and by creating more, whether that be in writing or other creative means. There is no right or wrong to these yearly focus points, and I don't feel overly pressured by numbers or specific goals. That being said, I also pick a few habits or goals to focus on every month to keep me moving forward towards my overall yearly focus.
I am being more prose in this post as one of my daily goals/habits that I am attempting for March is to be more creative, or to simply write more. I love that writing permits me to a freedom to create worlds of my own invention, and if I practice more perhaps I can even paint a clear image in others' minds with just my written word. I also need to write more in this blog anyway, as I just paid $24 Canadian to renew my MattMason.ca url. I think it's worth it, as it represents my Canadian heritage, and also it's my name, so that's rad.
Anyway, I believe the small bean is being dropped off soon, and I need to vacuum and get the house ready. Thank you for reading, and I hope you're having an ok day.
Matt.
March Third already, huh?
At the end of December I asked my parents to send me one of the books that I left behind on the far left bookshelf in the makeshift living room I constructed in their basement. The book was in the section I determined is the "self-help & religion" section, under Harry Potter on the top shelf, and above shelves of various biographies, recipe books, and fitness guides. The particular book that I asked them for is titled "Winter Blues: Everything You Need to Know to Beat Seasonal Affective Disorder" by Norman E. Rosenthal, MD. I had left the book behind as I was having a good time with life - having just went through the US K-1 Visa process, and planning a move to the US, I cut corners and left a few things behind that I hesitated over when packing.
My parents then sent me the book in a care package that contained many Canadian goodies, from Mars bars to Lays Ketchup Chips. My wife and I get very excited whenever we see my mum's writing on the side of a box - even if it has the bright green "INSPECTED BY BORDER SECURITY" tape on it. As for Winter Blues, I'll be the first to admit I haven't read it cover to cover yet, as part of my problem recently has been an inability to simply sit and read, or pick up and start something new. But I have begun reading, which is the first of many small steps. Spring is coming.
About a month after I moved in to Pittsburgh, my nephew was born - he's absolutely adorable. We haven't babysat him too much but when he is over, it's a delight. My wife says I'm good at being an uncle, so I'll take it. He likes the funny faces I make at him, and I think he also likes that I tend to run warm and I get the nervous bounces, so he gets to bob around and pace with me. It's amazing how easily changing diapers and taking general care of a baby came back to me from my short stint babysitting over 10 years ago. Regardless, I think the little dude is coming to visit us today, so that'll be a fun time.
On October 19 Becca and I got married - it was wonderful. Of course, looking back we both have things that we would change about the day, but overall it was beautiful - I married the love of my life. Since then we've been to many family functions, and I find myself becoming easily overwhelmed by the sheer amount of people. I had no siblings growing up, and only 4 close cousins, so just having several new sibling-in-laws is a giant change as-is! A positive change, but still overwhelming.
A few months ago everyone was all up in arms about resolutions and yearly goals, and it's beginning to get to the point where people are forgetting about them, giving up on them, or even considering them failed, but we are still only in the first third of the year - the time when we are all kind of in a state of hibernation. I believe it's important to have constantly changing goals, so that you can guide your life and interests in a positive direction. For example, I didn't create any specific "New Years Resolutions" this year, but instead decided that this new year would be a year of personal growth for me. I plan to improve my spiritual health by researching more on Christianity, and meditating; my physical health by improving my eating habits and gym habits (the key here is to take things in slow, steady increments); and my mental health, by reading more, journalling, and by creating more, whether that be in writing or other creative means. There is no right or wrong to these yearly focus points, and I don't feel overly pressured by numbers or specific goals. That being said, I also pick a few habits or goals to focus on every month to keep me moving forward towards my overall yearly focus.
I am being more prose in this post as one of my daily goals/habits that I am attempting for March is to be more creative, or to simply write more. I love that writing permits me to a freedom to create worlds of my own invention, and if I practice more perhaps I can even paint a clear image in others' minds with just my written word. I also need to write more in this blog anyway, as I just paid $24 Canadian to renew my MattMason.ca url. I think it's worth it, as it represents my Canadian heritage, and also it's my name, so that's rad.
Anyway, I believe the small bean is being dropped off soon, and I need to vacuum and get the house ready. Thank you for reading, and I hope you're having an ok day.
Matt.
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