Sweet memory
I went out to lunch with my colleague this week. It was beautiful weather and as we were enjoying a lovely Japanese Bento Box lunch on the patio of the restaurant, there was classical music playing in the background. First, it was just that – lovely background music – but then I heard a tune that was so familiar and I realized it was a piece I used to be able to play on the piano (Mozart’s Sonata No 16).
I took lessons between 11 and 25 years old. My piano teacher – already in her 80s at the time – loved all the classical composers. Hearing the piece took me right back to my hometown to the piano bench in front of her baby grand piano where I spent an hour every week for many, many years. (Remind me to dig up an old photo, which I think I might have shared here on the blog before.) What a random, lovely memory to sneak into my day. I wonder if I could still remember how to play. I haven’t really played in years and would really love to have access to a piano again. My piano sits at my parents’ house – unused.
Naps FTW
I’ve been taking naps like it‘s my job this week and I am usually not a nap person. I worked a 5-day work week and was home by 5:30 pm at the lastest in the last few days. Since it was too early to start dinner, I plopped on the couch with my book and then each time continued to doze off for a little while. I read somewhere that quick, up-to- 30 minute naps are good for you, so I am pretending that this was intentional self care.
It’s not even October
… but the first Halloween decorations have gone up in our neighborhood. I feel it’s too early, but I also get it. I mean, the season is relatively short and who wants go out of their way decorating the whole exterior of their house if it’s only up for a week or two? I tend to opt for minimal decorating and it’s usually just “fall-themed”.
But, Halloween is coming early… just as everything else is coming earlier and earlier (at least at the stores, right? I am looking at you, Costco! Christmas decorations in September! Really??)
Feeling validated
We’re having a potluck – you guessed it, a FALL MINGLE – at work next week and someone circulated the inviation flyer via email and also posted it in the elevator. I mentioned before that AI-generated layouts are everywhere right now and that I am somehow really bothered by them. The all look the same: generic and way too busy with colors and information (to the point of overwhelm).
Well, I had a good chuckle this morning when I entered the elevator and saw this. Looks like I am not the only one who is bothered by AI-generated content.
What’s your schedule?
This will be of interest to nobody but me, but I’ve been switching to treadmill runs in our community gym on work days as of late and I am trying to figure out everybody’s schedule. I get up pretty early as it is (5:30 a.m. right now) and while I wish I had a more leisure morning, I usually don’t have extra time to spare if I want to get to the office by 8 a.m. Our gym has a steady crowd but time and attendance varies. Sometimes, there are already five people there working out when I get there (by 6 a.m.) and sometimes, the gym is empty when I get there. We have two treadmills at the gym and rarely are both occupied but one time this week they were and I had to pivot and seriously contemplate if I was going to skip my run or cut it short.
I am going 3-4 times during the week right now and – granted, I just started going regularly again in the last three weeks – but I am just wondering: do these people have a workout schedule? I see some of the same people, sure, but I’ve also seen a bunch of random show-ups over the last few weeks. For someone like me, who’s always on some kind of regular schedule, it’s strange to see this willy-nilly gym behavior, but I am also not judging because I am celebrating that they’re there! I just wanted to ask you: do you have a set workout schedule that you stick to, or do you randomly work out when and where you can?
TGIF! I hope you have a nice weekend ahead!
Melissa
September 26, 2026 at 1:29 amBefore last year I hadn’t played piano (or electronic organ which was my main instrument) for years but I’m playing keyboard in the band at church and am really enjoying playing music again. It’s a completely different type of playing but it comes back fairly quickly, although I am nowhere near where I was when I was in year 12 and practicing an hour a day. I am just using a keyboard though so that takes up less room and is easier to move.
I love taking naps, although while we’ve been here I keep dropping off in the morning which is probably due to the jet lag.
I love those thumbs down to AI stickers on the poster. **chuckle**
San
September 26, 2026 at 4:18 pmA keyboard would be a great idea, Melissa. I’ve contemplated that. It’s not quite the same, but might scratch the itch :)
I am glad you also got a chuckle out of the “thumbs down to AI” stickers. I only realized now that one of them was hand-drawn! That’s a double-whammy!
Catrina
September 26, 2026 at 5:46 amHaha, I love that you’re trying to figure out the gym schedule of complete strangers!
I’ve been doing the same. I have a 3-month summer special in a gym in Zurich and I need it for Bodypump classes. In the beginning, the people joining felt so random… but now I’m starting to figure out the regulars (and their favourite spots!).
It would annoy me no end to arrive at 6am and find both treadmills occupied. Can you run outside alone as a plan B? Or could you join a regular running group that runs outdoors? It would be a shame to miss out on a run, especially if you got up early for it!
San
September 26, 2026 at 4:20 pmI have to admit, I don’t run outdoors when it’s still dark on principle… so while I could switch to an outdoor run, I’d have to wait for sunrise (which is around 6:30 right now) and accept that I get to work later (and subsequently that I have to stay longer in the evening). I do have the flexibility, so it’s an option in a pinch!
Nicole MacPherson
September 26, 2026 at 6:37 amI wish I had a fall mingle. Wait, I do! I’m going to a big birthday party today. I am going to consider THAT a fall mingle. I just like mingling. I also like the word “mingle” so mingle mingle mingle.
I bet you could still play those piano pieces. I am always happily surprised how quickly my fingers remember pieces I knew from long ago. You might be rusty, but it comes back so fast. I recently found some sheet music from my exams when I was about 16, and sure enough, I could still play it!
Every once in a while I will think of my piano teacher, Mrs Rechel, who was not a huge fan of modern music. As I got older I could choose my optional/ non-exam music to play, and sometimes I would play a song for her and her response would be “Well, it’s certainly DIFFERENT.” I think of that all the time when there is something I don’t care for. It’s certainly different!
I am not the person to talk to about schedules because my own is so rigid, you’d think I had an actual job or something! I like to workout exactly when I like to workout. My schedule doesn’t deviate at all, and I could probably stand to be slightly more flexible.
San
September 26, 2026 at 4:21 pmHaha, I agree with you, Nicole… the word “mingle” is such a fun word LOL
I also think you’re right that my fingers would remember when I get back in front of a piano! I’d love to try at least :) I love that you have these memories (and a great quote) from your piano teacher.
Kim
September 26, 2026 at 8:43 amLOL, love the thumbs down on the AI poster! You described it perfectly with them being overwhelming and too busy.
Those naps are totally self care 🥹
San
September 26, 2026 at 4:22 pmHaha, I love that you also got a chuckle out of the anti-AI stickers… and did you notice one of them was even hand-drawn!? Awesome!
Michelle G.
September 26, 2026 at 4:11 pmMy exercise schedule is very flexible and usually happens when my blood sugar starts to rise after a meal. It really helps me manage it. I have a piano, and I almost thought about selling it or giving it to a child, but then my soul literally started to ache, and I couldn’t do it. I should play it more. I’m so rusty! Reading your post brought back memories of my piano teacher, a lovely, kind woman. She often baked bread during my lessons, and I got a piece afterward. It was so good!
San
September 26, 2026 at 4:24 pmOh, exercise right after a meal is so, so good for balancing your blood sugar! Makes total sense (and I am trying to teach my husband that. Just 10 minutes of movement helps a lot!).
Aww, I love that you have a piano… you should definitely get back to playing it (it’s soothing, or that’s how I remember it!) and what a lovely memory of your piano teacher! A piece of fresh bread after your lessons must have been the greatest “reward” :)
Tobia | craftaliciousme
September 27, 2026 at 4:09 amAI generated images and layout do really suck. You can tell a mile aways and they are so overloaded.
What a sweet memory to hit you. Those a re the best. I just talked to my husband during the vacation if he would like to play piano again – he used too.
coco
September 28, 2026 at 1:18 amI follow a schedule for my runs and slimfit, still need to figure out swim and running specific exercises to make it complete. oh I also love doing yoga 1-2 a week but can’t find time.
hope you find a time that you can get the treadmill, although I avoid it at all cost.
Stephany
September 28, 2026 at 6:25 pmI don’t have a schedule for my workouts, but I was a little more schedule-oriented when I went to the gym (usually because I was attending a class). These days, I’m trying to be diligent about my morning walks but I was definitely that girl who would show up at my apartment gym on random mornings, ha!
J
October 1, 2026 at 5:54 amI was pretty strict with my workout schedule until gluteal tendinopothy reared its head. I still take my walk at the same time every day, but the yoga and weights are very frustrating, because I will do what I think is an easy workout and then pay for it for days, with sharp pain not letting me sleep. INJURIES SUCK.
Anne
October 5, 2026 at 3:22 pmSan! I played that piece, too! I loved it so much. Mozart sonatas were my favorites, along with Broadway from the 1980s (Les Mis, Phantom…). I don’t play anymore, either, and sometimes I wish I were still able to. No piano, plus, sigh, early joint stiffness (although playing would probably help that…).
I was interested in the “who’s going to be there today?” gym discussion, too. I use our tiny apartment gym and sometimes I’m relegated to my stationary bike only because someone is encroaching on my (ridiculously early) time. (I like to be completely alone. I’m so self-conscious that I’d be far too distracted by anyone else around…)