Five things bringing me joy right now

It's the little things.

Hey,

Since life feels like a beach more often than not, this week I’m sharing five things that are bringing me joy right now — things I’m grateful for.

Sunset over the Black Sea from a recent visit to Kastamonu, Turkey.

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1. I found a writing coach

My exploration into personal essay writing began sometime in June. I wrote a ghost piece for the CEO at a company I write for regularly. It wasn’t a personal essay, per se. It was an opinion piece (something techy), but different from the type of writing I usually do. It got me thinking about pushing my limits and learning new writing genres and styles. So here we are. I started this Substack and have been experimenting ever since. But I’ve realized that this much creative freedom is almost too much creative freedom for me. I feel like a fish out of water. We’re working together to write two “pitchable” personal essays. Watch out New York Times!

2. I ate a bagel almost as good as a NY bagel

Since moving to Amsterdam in 2019, I’ve been hunting for the perfect bagel. Plump, doughy, and slightly dense, at least that’s how I like my bagels. Still no luck (I figured), but when I stumbled across BagelBoy in de Jordaan area of Amsterdam, I had to give it a try. I’ve been back once for a bagel fix. It’s not perfect, but it’s better than no bagels. I think I’ll be back for more.

Bacon egg and cheese from BagelBoy.

3. I made brownies

Simple, I know. But my mom used to make brownies all the time. The kind you make from the box. All you do is dump the mix in a bowl add some butter and water, mix, and voilá. I licked the wooden spoon just like I did as a kid. Once they baked to perfection, I proudly served one to my boyfriend and we enjoyed a few more throughout the week. Lucky guy.

4. I made earrings for a friend using beads her mom left behind

In my other life, I’m a jewelry maker. This has been a hobby of mine since around the age of five. My entire family — aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents visited Florida (I think Key Biscayne) every winter. Judy was the woman who taught us how to make beaded jewelry. In high school, my friend who worked as a lifeguard, sold my beaded jewelry to poolgoers. Today, I make earrings for myself, friends, and family, and sometimes people even pay me to make birthday gifts. Here are the pearl-wrapped gold-plated hoops my friend and I worked on together using her mom’s beads.

5. I’m painting a chair

In my other, other life, I’m an aspiring oil painter. So many lives, I know. I found two IKEA chairs on the street a few months ago and now I’m painting monstera leaves onto one. I love plants, it’s too bad I don’t have a garden room — the eating table will do.

What’s bringing you joy right now?

✌️Until next time,

Alexis

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