No glass ceiling for my glassware...

I'm writing this as I sit here and contemplate over glassware (and updating my podcasts for the flight tomorrow while enjoying a Margarita...)

Why is it that certain material things, such as glassware, can make me so blissful?! I feel blissful and smile to myself every now and then when I think about all my loot from today's shopping tour, but earlier today, I felt almost like in a frenzy fighting over the best pieces with other glassware-hungry swedes in a "Kosta Boda / Orrefors" outlet here in New Jersey.  The price markdowns were insane in that store. Many of the pieces were 50-80% marked down already, and then everyone in SWEA, got an additional 30% off!!! 

I ended up with 6 small plates (see pic above), two white, two black, and two brown, a beautiful vase to be seen later, the green bowl above, and two sets of wine glasses that will probably be given away as gifts in the future. I guarantee that if I had more space in my suitcase, some of the bigger bowls and vases would be mine too!

Anyway, the interesting thing, is that now after the shopping is over and I packed all my loot, I feel so happy. Before packing the boxes, I actually took the plates out and enjoyed running my fingers over the uneven bottom and smooth tops and feeling their weight in my hands... yes I think I might be little crazy! 

But I think deeper down these glass pieces represent something I long for, which is a home (not a campus apartment) filled with things that I have selected and that  look and feel nice to use. dream dream dream.... :)

Wild life in New Jersey

I didn't know there would be such strange wild life in New Jersey, but in the few days I've been here, I have encountered a snake, an insect with 30 legs, and a strange leaf-look-alike butterfly.

The first encounter was the most horrible one. Mom and I were walking on a train in a little forrest, the trail took us over a bridge over a little creek, as we step up on the bridge a brown snake moves on our right and dashes down in the water and swims away! Eeewwwwww, I hate snakes, and am terrified of them, and this one was even worse than regular snakes as it apparently also knows how to swim! I was very proud of myself for not fainting or crying, but my heart was beating so hard I could hear it, and I walked very close to mom the rest of the walk and made her stomp on the path before me.

Then the next kind of creepy encounter came yesterday. We found a big insect with lots of legs in a corner in the kitchen. Here I have to say that mom freaked out more than I did. She didn't know what to do, so I suggested that she put a bowl over it. Then I grabbed a piece of paper and took it away. I've never seen an insect like it though, I'm sure it's a new discovery!

Today's encounter with the wild life was significantly better than the previous two, we saw a green butterfly on a tree trunk, and it looked almost like a leaf. It was very pretty, and didn't move or try to attack, which my mom was convinced it would do when I got close to take its picture. Morale of the story, we like pretty and tranquil creatures!

Another really beautiful thing here, is that all these trees are losing their flowers and the streets are covered in petals. It's amazing, we were literally walking through mounds of flower petals.