Back at it again?
So I was told somewhat explicitly from a friend that I hadn't posted here in a while. Which I knew. But it was kinda funny to have it pointed out to me. SO. Here is my first post in a while.
Life and grad school and a new job have really been keeping me busy recently. So I apologize to my friend who pointed out I haven't posted that I haven't posted recently. Quack (He'll know what this means).
Regardless, hello! Coming at you barely alive and sleep-deprived. Sleep has been hard to come by recently. I've had to stay awake to study for some big exams I've had recently. They're done now, but I still am not really getting good sleep. Part of that is just I stay up later than I should, and the other part is my dog is affronted that I don't let him sleep on our bed in the night. He'll start pacing and huffing at me and random points in the middle of the night like the angsty teenager that he is. He doesn't understand that he's allowed on the bed only when I say it's okay.
(My dog, probably)
This sleep deprived state has left me consuming way more coffee than I normally do and making quick swings between slap-happy, caffeinated highs, and bone-tired, caffeine-has-worn-out lows. I don't think it's helped that I haven't been eating well either. Slowly starting to get back on the healthy eating and exercise train, because that really does seem to help me.
However, I don't know how well I'll keep with these goals of mine. I sometimes will describe myself as an unfavorable chemical reaction. My activation energy is just too damn high. How do you all motivate yourselves to keep doing things? I tend to do really well for 1-2 month spurts of general healthiness before slipping back for 3-4 months. What seems to work for you all to keep going and make things routine? (Don't feel like you have to answer, but I would appreciate the input if you're willing)
Other than the general tiredness, I am genuinely happy with what I'm learning in and out of school. I've made an effort to be more involved with my friends recently and make new connections. I just finished up a 6-week book club for "The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet" by Becky Chambers.
Love, love, LOVE this book. It's a wonderfully constructed universe that shifts entirely away from the general toxic masculinity, colonialism, and endless fight scenes that is unfortunately so common in sci-fi. I loved the development of the characters and their relationships. Very character-driven, and it included so many analogies towards real life. I honestly think that this book has become my favorite sci-fi novel, if not my favorite work of fiction.
I enjoyed reading this book, but I loved discussing it in community with both people I know and new people I met through the club. The members of the group were all lovely people from a wide variety of experiences and backgrounds. I think some of the most powerful moments of reading this book for me were hearing and sharing that so often, we saw ourselves in the characters and their experiences. A big concept in the book was that of a "Found Family." I'm so thankful that I have been able to find family in the friends that I have here.
Also, I made a ton of chili this last weekend! A bunch of other food as well, but the chili definitely stood out for a few reasons.
1. I love chili, and I don't really ever have chili often enough
2. This was my first time making chili
3. The chili was vegan chili
4. This is the most important reason. I made this chili with a very close friend of mine.
I'm so thankful for the friends I've made after moving back to my hometown after college. This friend I made chili with is one of the most caring, kind, and empathetic people I know. I feel completely at ease being super goofy and ridiculous with them one minute, and being able to have a deep, meaningful conversation with them the next. They make me feel incredibly accepted, and heard, and loved. I am of the firm belief now that chili should not be made by yourself. The best way to make chili is with those close to you right there with you.
Life and grad school and a new job have really been keeping me busy recently. So I apologize to my friend who pointed out I haven't posted that I haven't posted recently. Quack (He'll know what this means).
Regardless, hello! Coming at you barely alive and sleep-deprived. Sleep has been hard to come by recently. I've had to stay awake to study for some big exams I've had recently. They're done now, but I still am not really getting good sleep. Part of that is just I stay up later than I should, and the other part is my dog is affronted that I don't let him sleep on our bed in the night. He'll start pacing and huffing at me and random points in the middle of the night like the angsty teenager that he is. He doesn't understand that he's allowed on the bed only when I say it's okay.
(My dog, probably)
This sleep deprived state has left me consuming way more coffee than I normally do and making quick swings between slap-happy, caffeinated highs, and bone-tired, caffeine-has-worn-out lows. I don't think it's helped that I haven't been eating well either. Slowly starting to get back on the healthy eating and exercise train, because that really does seem to help me.
However, I don't know how well I'll keep with these goals of mine. I sometimes will describe myself as an unfavorable chemical reaction. My activation energy is just too damn high. How do you all motivate yourselves to keep doing things? I tend to do really well for 1-2 month spurts of general healthiness before slipping back for 3-4 months. What seems to work for you all to keep going and make things routine? (Don't feel like you have to answer, but I would appreciate the input if you're willing)
Other than the general tiredness, I am genuinely happy with what I'm learning in and out of school. I've made an effort to be more involved with my friends recently and make new connections. I just finished up a 6-week book club for "The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet" by Becky Chambers.
Love, love, LOVE this book. It's a wonderfully constructed universe that shifts entirely away from the general toxic masculinity, colonialism, and endless fight scenes that is unfortunately so common in sci-fi. I loved the development of the characters and their relationships. Very character-driven, and it included so many analogies towards real life. I honestly think that this book has become my favorite sci-fi novel, if not my favorite work of fiction.
I enjoyed reading this book, but I loved discussing it in community with both people I know and new people I met through the club. The members of the group were all lovely people from a wide variety of experiences and backgrounds. I think some of the most powerful moments of reading this book for me were hearing and sharing that so often, we saw ourselves in the characters and their experiences. A big concept in the book was that of a "Found Family." I'm so thankful that I have been able to find family in the friends that I have here.
Also, I made a ton of chili this last weekend! A bunch of other food as well, but the chili definitely stood out for a few reasons.
1. I love chili, and I don't really ever have chili often enough
2. This was my first time making chili
3. The chili was vegan chili
4. This is the most important reason. I made this chili with a very close friend of mine.
I'm so thankful for the friends I've made after moving back to my hometown after college. This friend I made chili with is one of the most caring, kind, and empathetic people I know. I feel completely at ease being super goofy and ridiculous with them one minute, and being able to have a deep, meaningful conversation with them the next. They make me feel incredibly accepted, and heard, and loved. I am of the firm belief now that chili should not be made by yourself. The best way to make chili is with those close to you right there with you.
I'm making chili tonight with the wife!
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