November has arrived amidst a whirlwind of various chores and tasks.
Every fall, it has been customary to purchase a plethora of books, indulging in reading during the long autumn nights and the tranquil moments of year's end. However, this year has been different due to several urgent matters requiring attention. The home for my mother-in-law has yet to be settled, and our relocation was barely finalized. We’ve moved into an older property, so considering its renovation is essential. Also, deliberation on refurbishing parts of my childhood home for its sale is underway.
Such pressing issues have preoccupied us, making it seem like we might usher in the early winter without truly savoring the fall.
As for movies, I managed to watch merely two in theaters: "Tar" and "The Fukuda Village Incident". Unfortunately, a visit to the museum never materialized. However, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to enjoy classical concerts by the N Symphony regularly. (Though, I wasn't lucky enough to get tickets for the Ninth Symphony.)
I'm also quite thankful for the seeming revival of overseas travel. Busy as our year has been, we have managed to schedule a mid-term break in November, allowing for some leisure time abroad. Investing a considerable amount of time and money at the beginning of the year does bring some apprehension. By November, a general idea of the year’s financial ebb and flow becomes clearer, easing some uncertainties.
Next fall, I can imagine myself relaxing and reading in my room of that old house, comfortably nestled in my favorite sofa.