For the first time in months, maybe a couple of years, I took a walk during lunch break sans any electronic device attached to me. No music plugged into my ears – thanks to the iPhone battery which went kaput on me right before I finished shoving my tootsies into my tennis shoes. No Kindle on my hands either because I had forgotten to charge it yesterday.

I don’t quite remember how it feels like to be actually exposed to the real sounds and scenes of my fresh surroundings anymore, considering that my workplace is right by the water, where trees, birds, squirrels and jackrabbits abound! I would always be either shuffling and listening through nice YouTube videos, or letting Pandora surprise me with songs to my liking, or walking with my head down while hoping not to stumble as I caught up on my latest Kindle read (yes, you don’t get glare with a Kindle…because “it is a Kindle” – have you seen that ad? LOL).

But thanks to powers going out, it reacquainted my senses to the wonderful things right under my nose: …The clear blue sky…oh I walked a few steps just staring up for a change… …The cool gentle breeze kissing my face, it’s such a nice day today! …The soothing rustle of leaves which are starting to fall …The clear view of the city across the bay…beautiful bay bridge! …The sound of very tiny waves slapping against the rocks …The ducks paddling far down on the water…or are those pelicans? …The unique smell of the bushes around the corner that reminds me of my grandmother’s antique closet (weird, I know) …The sweet smell of magnolias by the adjacent building’s patio …The loud but non-imposing roar of airplanes passing overhead …The steady drone of a machinery somewhere close by …The sound of tires against the asphalt of occasional cars passing by…that little cracking sound they make against the gravel …The rhythmic thud of tennis shoes on concrete and some panting from the runner across the street …Sounds of distant laughter, and I thought I even heard a dog bark

I drank them all, I drank them all. And I have no electronic picture snapped for show-and-tell so you’re going to have to trust me on this. But they are all in my heart!

It feels so good to be alive!

I’m going to do this again next week.