This morning started out in a fog.

I had a bit of the late January blues. It makes sense that Blue Monday, the most depressing day of the year, was just this past Monday.

I went on a little walk in the fog to the train station where the drugstore is open.

I needed tissues and cough syrup.

After living here nearly two years, it dawned on me that I can’t buy cough syrup at the drugstore. I have to go to the apotheke, which I feel like has the most limited hours. And they once told me I needed a prescription for melatonin.

It made sense why the bronchial syrup I was buying at the drugstore and chugging wasn’t working, or making me feel drowsy, but tasted so good. It’s basically honey and thyme.

Yesterday, when I had to buy trash bags, I “decided” on the 20 liter size.

I still don’t know how big my trashcan is. Buying trash bags is another thing I hate. I usually guess, wrong, and am stuck with the wrong size for two months.

I tried to visualize a liter. And then 20 of them.

It should be simple, really. But for me it’s not.

I went to get a massage today. When the masseuse asked me the same question as last time, this time I fessed up that I only spoke a little German.

I thought he had asked if I had washed my feet, to which I replied “yes” last time. Turns out, he was asking if any areas needed special focus.

I have weeks where things are so easy.

And then there will be a day or a weekend where I feel so dumb.

I should know this stuff by now!

It shouldn’t be so hard!

After a foggy start to the day, a walk, a nice massage, and trying to tackle some work, a friend came over and we baked and chatted.

It was just like the original spirit Sundays I used to have in Cali.

Except it was sunny and warm there.

But still.

I realized things aren’t so bad here.

And that the days that feel like treading water are fewer and farther between.

A throwback pic to the previous record-breaking 2003 snowstorm for all my Baltimore friends battling through Jonas: