I was having a casual therapeutic conversation with my Queen of Memes co-worker today about how short life is, reminding each other that we can't wait until our deathbeds before we fill our days with more joy. And yes, our days. Not years, but focusing on the day-to-day little things that we can do TODAY to fill it with more happiness.
What little things from today will you miss? What could you do without? Can you fill tomorrow with more of the former and less of the latter? Sometimes if I notice the latter comes up every single day, it’s a sign to me to put up with some growing pains for a lifestyle change.
As I’m writing and reflecting upon the final ten of thirty Little Things, I’m becoming inspired to figure out how to fill more of my days with them…
{BTW: Here’s Part I and Part II in case you missed them!}
My Favourite Little Things of the Past Year Part III
1. Reading with friends. Coming from a humanities background, I'm no stranger to literary criticism. However, after being out of school, I've realized that I actually really miss talking about books with other people! Thank goodness for Fernanda! She started the Fern Read(s) Book Club in 2022 (her last name is Read- how perfect!) and picks a wide range of books for us to indulge in.
I've also been lucky enough to join for book club meets from four different countries this year since the book club meets on Zoom! My favourite book club meeting would have to be when we could actually meet up in person at her beautiful apartment in Brooklyn, though. I hope one day we'll be permanent NYC neighbours and read books together until we’re old and grey.
2. Eating real food. I could go on an entire tangent about the food industry, but long story short I have an auto-immune disease that limits the food and drinks I can consume. However, due to Europe's mostly old-fashioned food industry practices, I can almost eat anything there. You really forget how good a slice of bread can be! When I returned to North America, my body rejected the food I thought I might be able to eat again because I had no issue in Europe. I hope this year can involve eating a lot more pasta back in Europe!
3. Learning the history of the ground I walk on. For example, I was studying the French Revolution while I was in France, and became obsessed with Google Mapping all the landmarks mentioned in my textbook. One day I was walking by the Place de la Révolution, seeing people taking selfies, probably unaware that Louis XVI was killed right there by guillotine. I've always loved history in school, and I think I'd love to research the history of the places I travel to in more detail as a way to build excitement!
4. Karaoke nights. My super talented drummer friend Eric Breitenbach has a music studio set up with an EPIC sound system. We play our fave songs while the musicians of the group jam along, so the singers (we usually just pass the microphones around so whoever knows the song sings along) feel like they're living their Lizzie McGuire in Rome fantasy! As someone who doesn’t really enjoy karaoke bars, I feel safe enough here to fully rock out. Imagine listening to your favourite early 2000 pop bops with an in-person drum track you’ve never heard of and you’re also suddenly the lead singer with an audience of friends around.
5. Seeing my dad laugh with his buddy. My dad and his good friend Brian had been road-tripping up the Pacific coast from Mexico, and coincidentally met up with me at my apartment in L.A. on his 70th birthday! My dad and I hadn't seen each other since New Years in Vancouver, so it was an extra special reunion and day of celebrations. Bromance always gets me, and I loved having a full day witnessing the two of them banter about art, music, and crack each other up until my dad had to take his glasses off to wipe away tears.
6. Sunrises and sunsets. Okay blah blah blah I know this one is a cliché, but it’s for a reason. One in particular was seeing the sun rise in one country and then set in another on the same day. My partner was driving me to the airport at 4am (bless) and we got to see the sun rise as we pulled up to the curb of the departures terminal. When I arrived in New York later that afternoon, I saw the sun setting over the Manhattan skyline from the plane, and witnessed its final dip as Fernanda drove me to my airbnb (again, bless).
7. Eating something your loved one’s made for you. I've had many reunion and goodbye dinners this year, and have been blessed with having a family, friends (thank you Mabel/Apeksha, Taylor, Sadie, Schiva, Steph, Susan, and Louise!), and partner all gift me with memorable meals. Food is definitely the way to my heart, and I believe that you can feel the good energy someone puts into a dish. I definitely felt the love, and am excited to continue improving my cooking so that I can keep passing it on as well!
8. Hair products that actually work. My Mabel taught me how to finally tame my curls during the pandemic, and one of the products she introduced to me is Garnier Fructis’ Hair Food mask that I use as a leave-in conditioner. I don’t use a lot of beauty products, so I had grown attached to this after finding something that ACTUALLY WORKS after a lifetime of unruly hair. My teenage hair anxiety was afraid that the places I was travelling to wouldn't carry it, but much to my surprise it was sold in an even larger size in both France and Mexico! It's kind of hilarious how much this meant to me and made me want to scream with joy when I saw it, but I think any curly girl can relate!
9. Feeling the first touch of sun on your skin after a long time of rain. I deal with seasonal depression, so sun and heat are extremely important to me. If rain lasts longer than three days I really start to feel it, even with daily Vitamin D supplements. I traveled from rainy Vancouver to warmth three times this year, and each time I couldn’t wipe the grin off of my face when I stepped out of the airport and felt my blood defrosting.
10. Being "immortalized" in NYC. You wouldn't see me unless you knew where to look, so I'm considering this a Little Thing. I'm used to being in the background of projects, but this time it was actually really meaningful. New York’s Penn Station has been renovated and it's full of public art. Stan Douglas, a Vancouver photographer who represented Canada this year at the Venice Biennale, staged a WWII era goodbye taking place in Penn Station during that time. I was one of the female soldiers in this piece!
It was unveiled during the pandemic, and Fernanda made the trek to go find it and take a photo for me in 2021. However, I really wanted to see it in person of course! After many wrong turns, this fall I finally reached the Amtrak Lounge in the Moynihan Train Hall where the photograph is displayed. There’s an annoying sign that says the lounge isn’t open to people without a ticket, but I didn’t come all that way to turn around! I convinced the security guard to let me in and take a closer look. There I was, a little unknown soldier in a large photograph. I BEAMED! Anyone who knows me knows that New York will always and forever be my favourite city, and to know a little Kaja is chillin’ in Manhattan right now is kind of awesome.
There ya have it, folks! Thanks for reading my top thirty Little Things of the past year. I can't wait to see what other little things we uncover!
our very experimental meal 🤣🤍✨love you!!
I loved the part about your dad cry laughing. I also find SO much joy in seeing that happen with my dad 🥹
Tearing up just a bit 🥹. Your friendship means a lot and you cooked for us after I broke my toe and even though it was for our Halloween party, I felt the love FOR sure. I was by the Moynihan Train Hall yesterday and should’ve gone inside to see Little Kaja again 🫡