Spring Forward...

[peacetraveler22]

In America, we have an expression - "spring forward, fall back." The phrase is used in connection with Daylight Savings Time, when Americans move their clocks one hour forward at the start of the spring season and one hour back in autumn. However, the saying also is a metaphor for life. At times, problems, frustrations and stresses pile to the point that we stumble and fall backward. The challenge is to not get beaten down to the point that you give up and refuse to lift yourself from the ground. People who fail to do so account for a large portion of the miserable, bitter adults roaming the planet. For me, the main frustration recently has been my job, which has become overbearing and life consuming. This leads to almost no time for the blog or anything else in life, and it's the reason for my long absence from writing here the past few weeks. Yet, we are always in control of our own lives and destiny to some extent, so I formulated a plan for change.

A few weeks ago, I started writing a proposal to reduce my work schedule as a lawyer. The goal was to convince my law firm that I am valuable, even if I'm in the office less. As lawyers, we are trained to be persuasive, to argue and advocate for the interests of our clients and, ultimately, for ourselves. I wrote here that being single with no children provides me with a lot freedom in life - ultimately, I'm financially responsible for and answer only to myself. And, for me, the most important thing in life is to keep moving forward and exploring, not having a huge bank account.

My proposal was approved on Friday and will be implemented at the beginning of April. What does this mean? Less time in the office and more time to travel! Also, a large reduction in salary so I'll probably have fewer trips overseas, although I'll somehow find a way to return to Russia in the near future. :) Two international trips already are planned, and I'll announce the details soon.

Many of you contacted me in comments and personal messages during my absence to make sure I was okay. I'm grateful to have so many dedicated and kind readers. Together, we spring forward - both on the blog and with the change of season. The cherry blossoms, pictured in the cover photo from 2013, will soon be in full bloom in Washington, DC. It's the most beautiful time in the city, and I'll show you more in future reports.

A reminder that you can also follow me on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Comments

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Today we have snow in DC again. :))

[anna-sollanna.livejournal.com]

Snow in the beginning of the spring! Wow!
Do you remember I told you about a very early spring that was here in Saint-Petersburg in the beginning of March? After that there were several snowfalls and temperatures decreases and now though all snow is already melted we are having an ordinary spring. :))) Previous weekend I've been at my parents' place, it is 500 km to the south from Saint-Petersburg and there they had a real spring!
I forgot have I told you about one Russian spring superstition? It is about a butterfly and a frog, if in spring you see a butterfly before you see a frog you will fly all the year like a butterfly (a good sign), but if you see a frog before a butterfly you will crawl during the whole year (a bad sign). And on the previous weekend when me and my parents were visiting their dacha I saw several butterflies and a frog (fortunately 5 minutes later :)) I usually manage to see butterflies at first, but there was a year when I saw a frog before them! It was such a strange encounter! It is very easy to see butterflies in our cities because there are a little flower beds on our pavements, but frog are rare guests! And this frog was sitting on asphalt with no any grass or ground near it. I thought it had been placed there by some person who believed in this superstition and had decided to "spoil" a year for all other citizens. :)))

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I didn't know about this superstition! :)) At my family's dacha (the one I wrote about in a prior post), there are a lot of frogs AND butterflies. So 50/50 chance of seeing one or the other. Maybe it's a good topic for a post - the value of superstitions and dreams. I wonder if you have some of the same superstitions as in America? For instance, if a black cat runs in front of you it's a sign of bad luck to come. I think I'll write about it and readers can share other strange Russian superstitions with me. :))

[anna-sollanna.livejournal.com]

Yes, I remember your post about your dacha :)))
> For instance, if a black cat runs in front of you it's a sign of bad luck to come.
Yes, there is such a superstition in Russia too!
And there is even a song about this superstition. Here it is:

Жил да был чёрный кот за углом.
И кота ненавидел весь дом.
Только песня совсем не о том,
Как не ладили люди с котом.

Chorus:
Говорят, не повезёт,
Если чёрный кот дорогу перейдёт.
А пока наоборот
Только чёрному коту и не везёт.

Целый день во дворе суета,
Прогоняют с дороги кота.
Только песня совсем не о том,
Как охотился двор за котом.

Chorus.

Даже с кошкой своей за версту
Приходилось встречаться коту.
Только песня совсем не о том,
Как мурлыкала кошка с котом.

Chorus

Бедный кот от усов до хвоста
Был черней, чем сама чернота.
Да и песенка, в общем, о том,
Как обидно быть чёрным котом.

Chorus

The meaning of this song is that everybody hates the black cat, it is banned everywhere but, in fact, because of all this this black cat is the most miserable creature!

> I think I'll write about it
Yes, it would be very interesting to read about your American superstitions! :)))