News!

Only four hours of sleep last night. After morning routine I'm off to work for the day shift (8-19 o'clock). One of the things I will hopefully learn after today is never lean over the toilet with your pen is in the upper pocket. The gravity works in the toilet too!

A day at work with few gems. I've learnt that the new resident on the ground floor is a 'retired' Methodist minister, so ask him to say the prayer before the meal and here's what he says:

Thank you for this food we eat.
Thank you for the birds that sing.
Thank you God for everything.

This reminds me of the picture I noticed in other resident's room today. An old man sitting at the table. A book, glasses, a loaf of bread and a bowl of soup are at hand. His hands joined together, he seems to be in the state of prayer. Simple, genuine, touching. I wish I knew more about this picture, who painted it? is the person on the painting a real person? The story of acquiring the picture that the owner gives doesn't actually reveal anything about it. After looking at it later, notice that on the left side of the painting there's a faint light, square shaped, as if shaped by the window. Seems like a subtle, yet significant detail.

And after the lunch a group of about 20 little ones from the nearby school pay the visit to sing the carols. They have so much to give to us, simply by being what they are, without pretense or pretending. Beautiful moments when the voices of these singing sweeties are filling the room.

And my sister calls me with the News: I'm finally qualified to teach maths in England, the documents just arrived to her address. Ania is so happy. My dear sister, more engaged in this long story that myself, more upset then me when things were ridiculously delayed and now more happy then my now, when finally it's sorted. We're both happy and relieved it's out of the way, a big step professionally for me - couldn't think of better Christmas gift!

And I book more day shifts, tomorrow next one, then on Friday. On Saturday I'll be flying home.

Back home, shower, eat. I call my mum to share the news, and she updates on dad, who'll be coming back home.

Then go out to meet Marek and his friends, although I don't feel like it that much. After emptying a glass of delicious tomato juice (a favourite!) two Pringles boys head to asda to stock up on their crisps.

Home. Guitar, JOTD, emails, this journal.

If things go well I'll get ca. 5 hours sleep.