Life: Idiotropic

Shhhhhopping. What a beautiful, calming, soothing word. Ok, for some like my husband, for whom the idea of shopping can make physically ill, shopping may not be quite so calming, but for Tiara and I living in a land where every price tag whispers "add 35% or more" and being quite shopping mall deprived, this place, this mecca of shopping opportunities where one can find two story Old Navy's and a plethora of bookstores that have books - IN ENGLISH -- Oh, what a joy it all is! Shopping in dollars almost makes me want to skip down a yellow brick sidewalk and click my heels and the brightly colored shopping bags rustle back and forth.

Yes, no sightseeing today unless you count the historic sign in Redwood City that's been there for practically eons stating "Climate Best by Government Test." And my always anticipated visit to my favorite local store, the Redwood Trading Post - a proud part of my family since 1964. It's a must. I love my family store. And I found a great new coat and some cute folding chairs for the little girls.

Tiara had a gift card to Borders Books, so we had to go there and oh, how I've missed that. Coffee, stationary, and books all in one place. All I need is a tent from the Trading Post and I could be quite content for a long stay. Poor Dad and Angie... waiting while Tiara and I slowly perused, reading each title, making mental and written lists of books we want to read, running our fingers across the covers and trying to breathe it all in. And, now that I'm actually reading again above a 3rd grade reading level (a new accomplishment for me since Arianna was born), it's exciting to look at these printed treasures knowing it's now possible to lose myself in them.

The fabric store was just as bad. Yes, they have beautiful fabrics here, but not the same variety of flannels and ribbons and, of course, not the same prices. Tiara even found fabric she liked and bought it hoping to make a blanket... (she's already started, gotten frustrated, ripped out the seams, and asked for help... that's today's project).

I won't bore you any longer with the list of shops, but unlike my preconceptions that it would an informational overload after my time in Germany, it was instead exhilarating, therapeutic, and strangely liberating all at once. Kind of like the feeling of flying down a mountain on skis. Refreshing and fun. A rush.

Tiara enjoyed it too though it was funny to see her uncertainty. My almost 13 didn't know how to get a dressing room at Nordstrom - oh, poor sheltered child! Cute stuff though. This is the outfit she didn't get though she loved it - my level-headed child decided that $68 was too much for a pair of jeans no matter how comfortable they were.

Note: Today we lunched at the Mediterranean Deli and dined on take-out from New York Pizza. Mmmmm. Am working hard on developing a higher cultural awareness through food. :)