What’s Rockin’ My World: Agosto

It’s the 8th month of the year! Wow… That means we are that much closer to the fall, then Thanksgiving…then we’ll be bidding farewell to 2017. This has been an unusual summer for me. It’s been actual uninterrupted time off, but no travel (sad face- #adultingforreal.) Instead, we put all our extra money towards the move. We’ve been in our condo for one month now, and we are pretty settled in. I love our space, and especially that it’s not my apartment or his, but it’s OURS.

My summer has been pretty low-key, and I am taking the time to get some depth projects up and going. The down side to having all this time is discipline. I try to put some intentions out for the week, so that I can have a list to check off at the end of each day. I am also a big fan of sleeping in, but waking up late (after 11am) makes me feel like I’m wasting the day. Pretty soon, I’ll have to start setting my alarm to get back into the groove of early mornings.

Here’s what else has been rockin’ my world:

• Binge-a-thon: After over a year of not watching, I’ve returned to Breaking Bad (up to Season 4 now.) I’ve also indulged in other shows like: Transparent (Amazon), The Keepers (Netflix crime-mystery drama,) and ratchet TV (Love and Hip-Hop Hollywood is back on.) I also finished Married at First Sight (and the Second Chances show) but I’m done watching that show for good, don’t know why it keeps getting renewed.
• I am moving forward with the private practice on a part-time basis. Step by step and hoping to start seeing clients as early as September/October. #careergoals
• On apps like “Let Go” daily, trying to finish decorating our apartment with things people don’t want anymore.
• Cooking whenever I feel like and no apology when I don’t.
• Looking for another part time job. If I go back to the schools, it will be on a part time basis only. It’s so freeing to have no ties, and scary at the same time.
• Reading whenever I feel enthused. Finished one book so far this summer. Book review here.
• I’m really thankful for having this time I know there may not be another summer like this, and for that reason alone I’m allowing myself to just be. #withoutjudgment
• I still want to pierce my nose. Haven’t done it yet.

What’s Rockin’ Your August?

SHORTEST BOOK REVIEW EVER: THE MOTHERS

This review contains no spoilers.

Author: Brit Bennett (@britrbennett)

Pages: 278

Gist: There are all types of mothers around us: church mothers, surrogate mothers, adopted mothers and biological mothers. This story set in a contemporary African American community in Southern California, and revolves around a young girl named Nadia Turner. The story doesn’t stay stuck on her, but it includes her community and how she evolves to a young woman in spite of betrayal, pain and suffering.

Best Lines: “In a way, subtle racism was worse because it made you feel crazy. You were always left wondering, was that actually racist? Had you just imagined it?”

“A tragic woman hooks into an ain’t-shit man, or worse, lets him hook into her.”

Recommend: Absolutely! It is a beautifully-written, sad story of a town not unlike one we may know or have heard of. The book felt real, the characters were interesting and I was invested. I probably should have read this faster than I did, but alas, I’m just glad to have added this book to my “DONE” pile.

What’s Rockin’ My World: Is it Over Yet?

SO! It’s that time again. Close to the end of the school year, a busy time indeed. The school year ends ON TIME this year and we do not have to make-up snow days so I am ECSTATIC. Sort of. School year close out activities are not my favorite. I currently have running to-do lists in my head and I want a moment to breathe. But…gotta do therapy, enter daily notes, IEP meetings, testing, still filing documents. The fun moving never stops.

What am I lookin’ forward to?

• I put in my resignation. I’m excited for what’s to come next.
• We have a trip in a week! We get to go to Cali!
• I love prepping for trips, and my hair has been dying for some attention. I’m thinking a trim is in order.
• I am looking forward to moving out of my apartment and downsizing. To be free of all the “stuff” I’ve been holding on to for the past 5 years.
• Wedding season.
• June 12th aka LAST official day of school.
• Having a weekend in which I don’t think about work.
• The weather warming up. It hasn’t been feeling like spring at all!

What’s currently rockin’ your world?

OBX, North Carolina

It’s Wednesday. But an atypical Wednesday. I am halfway through my vacation in the Outerbanks (OBX), North Carolina. It’s about 6:26 pm. Today, I woke up a little after 8am to make breakfast for about 12 people and then spent most of the day at the beach. I once thought that I couldn’t do the beach for more than 2-3 days in a row but turns out, that isn’t the case. We (B and I and his group of friends) have been here since Saturday and each day the beach offers something different. Different views, different water temperature, different crowds, different vibes. I also have never experienced “beach house” living– wide verandas, outdoor lounge areas, outside showers and a backyard pool complete with a hot tub. It’s been new experiences all around for me. If I were at home, I would be finishing up work and heading home to figure out what’s for dinner and watch TV. I prefer this kind of week much better.

I feel like this was a much needed get-away, as I’ll be going back to work in less than a month. I’m not sure what next school year holds for me, and I’m trying not to think too much about it. My mother comes to visit next week and I’m looking forward to it. Ready to soak up what left of the summer. Here are some pictures of the week so far:

I’m excited to be putting my coloring book to some use again. Since purchasing it in January it’s been sitting in my apartment with half-completed wishes collecting dust. I’ve also started reading Issa Rae’s new(ish) bio, The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl. Now I’m reading two books simultaneously which is always hit or miss for me. Well, hope you’re enjoying your last week of July (the best month of all.) Gotta go enjoy the sunlight while it’s still here.

Summer baby,

-She