Frozen

Today I woke up at 6:30. I got out of bed at 6:40 and no one in the U.S. gets to judge today because this is how cold it was:

I had work this morning. What that looks like is research. Coffee research. We needed some numbers in the neighborhood where we are opening a cafe. How many people in this area are taking to-go cups with them on their commute? I got to do this. Outside. For an hour and a half. I knew the job would fall on me anyway so I volunteered. I think my bosses are PREEEEETTY impressed.

This is a pair of exercise pants under jeans, socks, boots, a shirt, a pullover, an exercise jacket, a ski jacket, my warmest scarf (thanks Meg-pie), a hat, gloves, and two mugs of tea (jasmine green and peppermint). Yes, for now I have to take pictures of myself because I have very few friends (and NONE that would have been up that early, let alone go OUT!) I stood on a corner and counted. Numbers weren't great--17 to go cups. But I see that as a good sign. Looks like this are is REALLY desperate for a cool coffee shop (optimist). I stood listening to music and people watched the whole time. I got my first surge of real love for Berlin during this watch. It was while I was still relatively warm and my tea was still hot (it got way worse later). I saw a man walking down the street. He was old and had trouble walking. And I just wanted healing for a broken city. I usually see people and have pity, compassion, and a plethora of cheap feelings desiring comfort, friendship, belonging, etc. But when I saw this man today, I just wanted this broken and fallen world to be righted. I didn't want him to be loved and accepted as much as I wanted him to be Loved and Accepted by the God of the universe that offers that in abundance and perfection. So, I cried a few tears for a broken world and city, and grew a bit closer to having Berlin and it's people permanently etched on my heart. I've been wondering where that was.

Later, when it warmed up to a beautiful 45, I put a proper face on and a different scarf that my friend Jenny made me for this trip. Yes I took this of myself. I was just going to send it to her but then I thought I'd give a shout out publicly so everyone can know how great she is.