trash pandas

last year i traveled to helsinki several times, but otherwise maybe less than usual. we returned from the dominican republic early january and then interrailed in france and spain in the summer. plus a remote work week in greece in september. and then to mexico for xmas holidays. but that’s not a lot in my books. oh and wales but does that count? traveling for the sake of traveling is hardly an deal but i would like to see some new places in 2026. like belfast. or croatia. mongolia. while in mexico i read New Yorker’s essay Case Against Travel, but i was left unconvinvced. 

i like Claudia Winklemann’s vibe, she has her own thing going. yes we have been watching traitors. 

dr made me this breakfast yesterday.

im reading a finnish book about the ”culture of selfishness” (Itsekkyyden aika by Keltikangas-Järvinen). it resonates with a lot of what i think i have observed. i think we have (western societies, that is) gone a little extreme in the collectivism-individualism spectrum. emotions and needs important, as is expressing oneself and taking into account individual needs, but it seems that we live in an atmoshphere where those are the primary drivers of anything. feelings always trump facts, individual needs always trump rules or the common good. however people are happy to contribute to the common good if they get praise and recognition for it.  the main purpose of life seems to be self-fulfillment, reaching ones full potential and never ending self-improvement. and there is not a lot of space to compromise or to consider others - unless they sing the same song and we can all support each other (as long as it bring us value and benfits our needs, of course). and this is coming for a pretty individualistic person who indeed is very much focused on herself… but i see this direction as harmful after a certain point. aside from judging my environment i will look in the mirror too. thats all i wanted to say. 

we were in mexico (east coast, near playa del carmen) with Can & Burcu. so nice to travel with friends who enjoy approximately the same things. the holiday was relaxing and educational. i also hurt my back when we played pickle ball but oh well, recovering well. 

food was good, weather warm and there were animals on the resort, like raccoons and coatis - super cute. but ive learned my lesson and didnt touch any of them. i liked how green and lush it was, jungle vibes.

anyway its a new year…