Every month, I’m taking a look back at the things I learned, loved, and lived through. I’m also looking forward to the next month. Here’s my look back at June and the start of summer 2017.
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LEARNED
Bugs will find a way to the light. With the lights off, I streamed a movie on my laptop and flying bugs found their way to the screen through the window screen. Pesky, sneaky buggers. I ordered this insect fly window net screen and it helped. I only caught (and yes, killed) one flying bug since putting it up. Upon inspection, one corner had lifted up, and I suspect that’s how the bug got through. Installation was easy. It came with a sticker velcro strip. I cut it to size, which produced ragged edges, but they hadn’t frayed.
You can procrastinate with legitimate work. There’s a difference between having a to-do list and a prioritized to-do list. The first is filled with things to-do. The second lists those things to-do in order of priority. How can you procrastinate with legitimate work? Work on your to-do list without an order of priority. You may know you need to schedule a wisdom tooth removal, but opt to do your laundry instead. In my defense, I don’t have dental insurance and that wisdom tooth hasn’t been hurting. And there you go, another way to procrastinate: make excuses. See, ain’t I helpful?
LOVED
The Wonder Woman movie. My sisters, cousin, and I went to a late night showing and it was awesome. I loved the way they shot the action sequences up-close with slow-mo/pauses. It’s much more dramatic and really pulled you in. The story-telling wasn’t lost in the explosions, and the drama and humor were the right balance. I was so happy they did right by this movie. If you watch a movie this summer, watch this one.
This computer privacy filter. You know you should cover up your computer/laptop webcam, right? I’ve been covering mine up with stickers for years now. It’s currently a frog. After a couple of incidents where I caught men sitting near me at Starbucks looking at my screen, I bought a privacy filter. Since then, I only caught a couple of men do double-takes, probably because, with the privacy filer on, it looks like I’m typing away at a black screen. What is it with men, though??? I haven’t caught women spying on me.
Loved, loved, loved summer staycation with the girls
This Word Cloud Classics edition of Pride and Prejudice, a total vanity purchase but isn’t it adorable?!?
LIVED THROUGH
Hundred-degree summer days. This much more grateful to Starbucks, which has air conditioner, tables, plugs, and free wi-fi.
Summer Bucketlist Recap: If you missed it, here’s a FREE Summer Nights Bucketlist! My own bucketlist includes:
- Read a book by the beach or pool (check!)
- Visit a Carnegie library
- Visit the aquarium (I must use the membership!)
- Use up my art and DIY supplies
- Read through my ever-growing book stack. I should probably add “stop adding to the book stack” because it just keeps growing, but no self-respecting book lover would ever do that
Books I read/listened to:
- Perelandra by C.S. Lewis
- Kalipunan Ng Mga Tula by Rheno A. Velasco (Collection of Poems, in Tagalog/Filipino)
- A Family Shaped by Grace by Gary Morland (book review)
- The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding by Alexandra Bracken (book review)
- The Adventure of the Mazarin Stone (a Sherlock Holmes story) by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle narrated by Graeme Malcolm
- The Story of the Bagman’s Uncle by Charles Dickens narrated by Walter Zimmerman
And if you’re wondering, I listen to audiobooks on Audible Channels for Prime (which is free for Prime members) because I’m already a Prime member and I don’t want to subscribe to Audible (it’s not right for me at this time).
Books I abandoned: The Problem of Pain by C.S. Lewis (I returned it to the library and plan to borrow it again when the season is right. I felt like I was reading it off season).
Books I’m currently reading:
- That Hideous Strength (Space Trilogy book 3) by C.S. Lewis
- Far Far Away by Tom McNeal
- Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan
LOOKING FORWARD
In July (and I know this post went up in July), I’m looking forward to Family VBS. Ours is next week! We’re finalizing set-up and everything else this Sunday. It’s all I could really think of right now. Juggling much of anything else would send me spinning. That’s something else I’m learning about me. The older I get, the less I can multi-task…like truly multi-task where everything I juggle is super important and time-sensitive.
Last year, I had jury-duty during VBS week and I plain forgot about it. They sent a letter. It felt threatening, but they actually gave me one last chance. I had to show up OR ELSE. I was ultimately dismissed and thanked, even though I wanted to serve.
And that’s how my summer started.
