Early Morning

 

Waking up early to go to work is never an easy task, especially when the bed seems to embrace us with a caress that only it knows how to give. The alarm clock rings repeatedly, like a clueless friend, insisting on breaking the embrace of sleep. I look at the clock and see that it is 5:00 in the morning. Daylight has not yet appeared, and the world outside is silent, as if everyone is still trapped in the same dream as me.

I get up with that automatic movement, where the body knows what to do, but the mind is not yet convinced that the day has begun. Coffee seems to be my only faithful friend at this moment, anxiously awaiting my arrival. The aroma of hot, steaming coffee is like an invitation to wake up to reality. I take a sip and feel an energy begin to arise within me, even if it is a timid and reluctant one.

The window is still dark, but outside there are already signs of movement. The city is slowly waking up, with the first cars on the streets and the first lights on. However, the feeling of loneliness on the way to work is immense. Few people face the early morning, and each one seems to have their own private universe in mind. The traffic is still light, and the city, for a moment, seems to be mine.

I arrive at work with the feeling that, despite my tiredness, there was something beautiful in the silence of the first hours of the day. The world was still asleep when I started my journey, and for some reason this gives a special meaning to those first actions of the day. But soon the routine sets in, the hours pass and the feeling of tiredness mixes with the fast pace of work. In the end, what remains is the certainty that, despite everything, dawn always brings with it a new chance. And, even if bed continues to call, we carry on.

 Written: March 26, 2025

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A Week Off

 From February 28 to March 10, I had this time off from work due to the Carnaval break or Mardi Gras is French for “Fat Tuesday.” It is best known as the New Orleans celebration of carnival that leads up to Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, the season of fasting and penitence during the forty weekdays before Easter in the Catholic calendar. I believe this is the first time it has happened in my whole career as a teacher, mind you, well over 40 years.

Because of this, I decided to treat my mom and younger nephew and niece to eight days at a fine hotel at the beach. Fun filled days with nothing to worry about (except trying to avoid skin cancer due to the scorching sun), going to the beach, staying at the hotel pool, eating all meals at the hotel (some weight gain was a downside) and having fun at Carnaval parties (at least we went to one).

I don´t enjoy going to the beach that much. It is relaxing and beautiful; however, it is a lot of work, especially because I have such fair skin. Turning into a lobster is not a pleasant undertaking.

There were ups and downs during the week due to wants and preferences of activities everyone could take part in. Nonetheless, overall, it was a way to relax and not do everyday chores. I know that mom enjoyed it.

Written: March 12, 2025

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