A Mundane Monday Post… not so mundane week…

If I had to give this week a theme, it would be: “Plot twist.”

My walks continue to be my sanctuary, that peaceful stretch of time before emails, bells, and lesson plans take over. There’s something grounding about putting one foot in front of the other before the day really begins as you walk through the beautiful fall foliage.

Monday evening hits. All I wanted was a comforting bowl of ramen from a local spot I’d been craving. I picked it up, the smell alone lifting my mood. But the universe clearly had a sense of humor because the moment I stepped outside, the paper bag gave up on life. The container tumbled, spilling glorious, steaming broth right onto the sidewalk. There I was, standing mid block, holding a sad, soggy paper bag, watching part of my dinner spread like a modern art installation.

As I stood there debating whether to laugh or cry, a group of kids on bikes circled around me. My first thought? “Oh no, what now?” But to my surprise, they disappeared for a moment and came back with extra plastic bags, trying to help me salvage what they could. It was oddly sweet, I thanked them and their parents, who had waved from afar. 

Tuesday decided it wanted in on the chaos. I somehow locked myself out of the apartment, and of course, my husband was working late. After a few moments of pure disbelief and panic, I remembered I’d left one of the windows open that morning. Only problem? The only way in was through the neighbor’s balcony, a neighbor I had never actually spoken to. I knocked, explained my predicament, and before I knew it, I was channeling my inner spy, climbing over balconies to get back inside. Not my most classy nor graceful moment, but hey, at least it worked.

By Thursday, things started to turn around. My class had a field trip to a farm, and seeing the students’ excitement made all the earlier mishaps fade a bit. Their curiosity, their questions, their joy at seeing the cute farm animals and then doing a corn maze competition refilled my energy tank completely.

The week ended on a surprisingly positive note… until the weekend, of course, when the universe threw one more curveball my way.

That Saturday morning, the one that started out so peaceful with light calming rain, still good enough to walk in, so l thought, that was the day of the fall. I was on my usual walk in the park, chasing those daily steps, feeling quite proud of my discipline. Then suddenly, one slick patch of stone later, I was airborne and then flat on my back against a boulder, in full cartoon fashion. If it hadn’t hurt so much, it would’ve been hilarious.

Through all that, I did manage to rally for my friend’s birthday celebration at the Grand Salon at the Baccarat Hotel (because I wasn’t def. not going to miss it) followed by elegant after dinner drinks at The Campbell. But after that, my three day weekend was spent mostly horizontal, nursing sore muscles, replaying the fall in my head, and surrendering to rest.

Looking back, the week felt like a sitcom written by the universe, full of mishaps, small miracles, and moments of unexpected grace. From spilled ramen to balcony climbing to that not so graceful tumble, it was messy, funny, and oddly grounding.

Sometimes life doesn’t go as planned, but it sure makes quite a story.