Sunny Mornings

There’s music from Selvadorada playing all day long in the house now, from the minute I wake up. Sometimes Lola allows me to rumbasim with her in my arms. Gardening Day is growing close, the neighborhood is bright and alive with colors, and the checks from the Archaeology Association and my publisher are still rolling in. 

Unpacking

It feels more like home with my favorite artifacts feeling the voids on tables and shelves. And Gardening Day is coming up again, so maybe it’s time I decorate the house? It feels odd to do it by myself for the first time, but I’ve been taught well.

Distracted

It doesn’t matter if it’s in Newcrest or Oasis Springs, my first love remains my work, and I have more space than ever to practice.

More occasions to be distracted by Lola, too. I realize all of this is also a big adjustment for her.

Jogging in the Fog

You know what’s a good way to shoo the bad thoughts away? Exercise. More specifically, jogging. The late spring fog doesn’t scare me, I’ve seen worse in Selvadorada.

I do one lap around the neighborhood, then get a refreshing iced tea from the stand in the middle of our little plaza. And that’s when I get accosted by a pirate. I’d completely forgotten what day today was and I have no costume, but I’m still gonna play along, I guess.

Errrr… “ahoy, matey?”

First Morning

It’s my first morning waking up alone in this big house I own, and I cannot lie — I feel a bit gloomy.

Now I love not having to cross the patio to get to the kitchen, or even to change from my underwear, but that first cup of coffee does feel a little lonely.

I’m thankful for Lola.

A Tour

This is my house. It’s perfect for someone who lives alone, with the whole first floor dedicated to a bedroom, a spacious bathroom only separated from the living room by a beads curtain, and the smallest of dining areas.

My favorite parts, though, are the terrace that overlooks the lake, and the little office nook under the stairs.

A New Home

Months passed, months upon months of saving every penny I earned, from authenticating omiscan relics, selling some, and from the royalties of the archaeology book I had resolved to write at the beginning of the year.

Saving every penny until they added up in the lump sum I needed to purchase — with no parental help — a home I had had my eye on for a while. It was important to me that I do it by myself, even if Mom offered, again and again, forgetting she had chosen to take the path of independence herself, thirty or so years ago.

So, at the beginning of summer, I move out of my parents’ home and into this Oasis Springs home. Alone… except of course for Loladorada.

The Treasure Room

Finally, I found it. The treasure room. It’s solemn and looks way too grandiose for its single chest sitting lonely square in the middle. But I’m sure it means its contents won’t disappoint…

They do not! Another diamond frog, two separate golden calendar plates, and oh, so many golden coins Loladorada could have stood at the bottom of the chest and I still wouldn’t have seen the top of her tail.

This opens up possibilities for me, so many possibilities. As I inspect the precious artifacts in my hand, I can’t help but go back, again and again, to those plans I had, those plans I made, but never quite dared to follow. This, this feels like the last push I needed. The reassurance that all can and will be right.

But in the meantime, I have to get home. It’s enough time spent in Selvadorada, and my little brother and sister have a birthday to celebrate.