Brr Brr

Sheesh.. it's getting cold. It does give me crisp mornings for running, which I love, but it keeps cold for most of the day. Of an evening it's immediately into the ugg boots and time to fire up the bukari.

A bukari is a wood stove, and ours has river stones on it to radiate the heat. It is going to be so valuable in winter. I plan to be a real grandma and cook on it at some stage. I think Carolyn has other plans, like us having a few nights around it sipping whisky or baileys and wondering what life will bring us next. Both of us will be leaving Bhutan in the next six months, so life will be changing a plenty for both of us.

It is getting so cold here that it even snowed the other day. Not in Thimphu, but on the mountains surrounding it. I could see snow on the peaks of the mountains. It is spectacular, however it also means that the wind is icy cold and blows the right into your bones.

On my morning runs, I wear tracky daks, tshirt, polartec, beanie, scarf and gloves. It's pretty serious stuff, but the days are so clear and there are so few people about that it makes it all worth it. It's a magical time of the day here and even moreso when you see the scenery change around you.

Last year they did not get any snow in Thimphu which is not very 'auspicious', so with the onset of an early winter, they are tipping snow for sure in Thimphu this season. I seriously hope it happens before I leave. How cool will that be?

Could that mean that my year ahead will be 'auspicious' for me? Nothing like a bit of auspiciousness in the air to keep you positive, motivated and optimistic ;-).

So with my time coming close to an end, I am really starting to relax. Perhaps the gross national happiness that is starting to settle into my bones, or perhaps it's the thought of seeing family, friends, and finishing this project. All I know is I like it.

My goal is to take the happiness home, spread it around and keep it up. What a wonderful gift to take away with me.

Tashi delek.