Had my first moment of contentment in the new place yesterday, I have had many happy moments with my husband but this one that dealt specifically with me bonding with my environment. It was for a split second while wandering in a bookstore, it was almost as if the minute I realized I was having it, 'poof', it disappeared. Much like happiness, the realization of it's presence sometimes causes it to run for cover, (don't want to jinx it). I think of a brilliant scene in the film "the hours" when the character says, "I thought this is what happiness feels like, and then I realized, no, this IS happiness." I love that scene. Many more of these content moments have come in, so I take the time to enjoy them.
I went for tea at a cafe I hadn't tried named Ciocolat (I am still unsure of the pronunciation), and the moment I walked in I realized I had found my place. I hadn't yet found a cafe that spoke to me (one I had been going to being where all the 'cool' kids hang out, read: attitude, another full of people on laptops, read: cold). I walked into this one and noticed a french feel, a big window of pastries (truffles, raspberry mousse, cakes), a fireplace, fresh flowers on the tables and an interesting mix of clientel. An older woman commented that she liked my sweater (the fuzzy orange one with strange burgundy fringe on the cuffs).
I settled on a triple chocolate cookie (which was more like a brownie) and cup of herbal spice tea (in an attempt to cut down on coffee). I sit across for a cool looking woman with light tortoise shell frames and a long orange embroidered jacket, she is engrossed in conversation with a dark haired girl, I can't determine what they are talking about. Another interesting looking woman is buying a pastry and I find myself coveting her thigh-length purple velvet coat.
I sit trying to come up with some ideas for an illustration job (some days it is nearly impossible to be motivated by the subject of investing no matter how hard I try). The wind blows fiercely outside and I find myself grateful for the contrast, a nice change from waking up to the same weather every day (I'm not complaining, it's just different from what I'm used to in the east).
A couple of students sit nearby, I hear them speaking of buying textbooks. A girl with a peasant skirt, and a german guy with a thick accent, the girl is flirting noticably. I find myself trying to determine the nature of their relationship, are they dating? Her cleavage makes itself known as she bends forward stabbing a thick slice of cake with her fork. He seems rather disinterested and I conclude that the relationship might be a little one-sided, his affections being a tad lackluster. My glance shifts across the street to an east indian woman walking with a young girl (about ten?) and a middle aged man, she is wearing a bright orange sari with green trim and yellow sequins. I think, how wonderful it is for me to see other cultures on a daily basis, (my small town was a tad homogenous culturally.) I missed hearing other languages spoken.
The first cold air helps me sink into the comfiness of fall, I come home to put on my slippers, cook up a pot of chicken stew and finish the last chapter of my book.
Posted by kerismith at October 05, 2005 12:19 PMHey Keri..,,
I loved your descriptions of the people you encountered. I've been to Clocolat, once by myself and once with my mother, and I can imagine your observations......I hope to cross paths with you soon...it is fun wondering"is that Keri?"....will you be dancing on a street corner in Davis? Then I will know it is you....
I'm so glad that you have found a compatible cafe - when will the engagement be formally announced?
:)
Posted by: m on October 8, 2005 04:06 AMWelcome to Davis! I'm glad you found Ciocolat, it's one of the best cafes in town :)
Posted by: Heather on October 7, 2005 04:47 PMWhy do my fingers always type greta when I mean great???
=)
greta entry..nice site...your spirit reminds me so much of myself when I was younger..
living in San Francisco..
now I havent been to a cafe for years..
kind of sad..
Can I blame Starbucks?
No..I guess not...
After reading your post this morning, I feel like I've been transported through time and space. I am just now coming out of my reverie to reflect on this a bit. A beautifully written post (but then, they all are!) Thanks for sharing your amazing talent.
Posted by: ~Vicki on October 7, 2005 12:12 PMA good friend of mine just moved to Davis. I'll have to direct her to Ciocolat!
Posted by: Jillian on October 7, 2005 10:42 AMWhat a great entry!! You really were detailed of your little experience at the coffee shop. I felt like I was there.
Posted by: Jen on October 7, 2005 10:04 AMThank you. You have no idea how much I needed to read this entry. I was having a moment of restlessness, uncertainty, longing... to read something that was so grounded in the moment, and so vital and colorful- it was uplifting and reaffirming.
Posted by: mads on October 7, 2005 01:34 AMA really beautiful entry. I would love to know what book it was, I am desperate for new reads..
Posted by: euphorically on October 6, 2005 08:36 PMSounds like a lovely day. I'm glad to hear you are finding your own spaces. :)
Posted by: Swirly on October 6, 2005 05:43 PMJust to guess that the name of the cafe is a an Italian-French mix: the 'cio' would be pronounced like 'cho' and 'co-lat' would be 'co-la', no 't' pronounced. So it would 'cho-co-la'. Or maybe ask the owner?
Posted by: Bettina on October 6, 2005 03:19 PMGoodness, that WAS just like being there. Thanks for that brief respite from my otherwise mundane day!
K.
Posted by: Chookooloonks on October 6, 2005 12:46 PMI love these types of momments. Where you can observe, be quiet and just watch the world go by.
Sounds like you had a great day. It's nice when we find comfortable places, like the coffee shop.
Posted by: Milly on October 5, 2005 07:53 PMBeautiful post. We must revel in moments of contentment when our minds are quiet enough to allow our souls to notice. Thank you for sharing your moment - it is a wonderful reminder.
Posted by: liz elayne on October 5, 2005 07:53 PMThank you for that trip to the cafe. It truely was like being there.
Posted by: tricia on October 5, 2005 06:16 PMExquisite. Loved every word of this post.
Posted by: maria on October 5, 2005 03:54 PMBeautiful!
Posted by: joleen on October 5, 2005 03:18 PMYour words always fill me up Keri - so happy when you post.
Posted by: Ali on October 5, 2005 02:51 PMmmm that sounds like just the perfect kind of day... finding a great new spot... taking in all the little details...
Posted by: jane / miss may on October 5, 2005 02:45 PMOh Keri, what a wonderful description. There's a little Japanese restaurant near the hospital where I work which holds much the same feeling of 'belongingness' for me. For some reason I always wind up drawing radicchio --they have bowls and bowls of the most gorgeous heads just sitting there with their green-and-red, waiting to be discovered.
I'm so glad you're finding those contentment moments. Having transplanted back from the States, I'm well aware of just how precious and wonderful those moments can be.
what a rich experience of noticing--thanks for sharing, i feel like i am there. i'm glad you're on my coast now! as a transplant from maine i get your contentment with current place, and yet there will always be a bit of longing for home. be well, mati
Posted by: matirose on October 5, 2005 12:58 PM