A dala drawn by you

I mentioned that I have been busy packing this month.

There are certain things I always keep, photos. Remember those days when photos had to be taken with roll films and developed by specialists? Funny that now at the digital photo age, I end up with far less physical photos than before (I guess that was the idea?). Anyhow, I found photos during my first day of graduate school, me and my classmates during and after classes, first time back to Taiwan after many years in the States with my beloved grand parents who are now long gone (I miss them dearly). I noticed that most of the time I was smiling when I went through the old photos. I guess it's a good thing. They stay.

On the other hand, I also thew away many things rather ruthlessly, transparencies from my Ph.D defense, numerous research articles read and shipped across the ocean, first job offer letter, official work permit issue letter, permanent residency letter and City Hall appointment letter for our wedding ceremony. It's like watching my life at fast speed. I did feel something inside when I threw away those things. But hey, they are not truly gone. They are with me. What I am now is made from those. Of course they are with me, permanently.

In the middle of the paper mountain, I found a hand drawing on a yellow post-it note. It was a red Swedish Dala horse, stuck on a research paper mailed from Sweden by my then boyfriend (now master of this house). The paper was sent because I requested or it was considered important for my work. I am no longer sure. I do remember the time that we were separated by the Atlantics and neither of us was sure how to converge. Look where we are now. Would you have thought of that? This drawing may not be by Van Gogh but was created just for me. And that means the whole world to me. For the time being, I am keeping this red Dala.