Because I’ve seen this particular format floating around the blogosphere for a couple of months now, because I’ve wanted to try it, and because I’ve got nothing more pertinent to post this month. Enjoy!
LovingÂ
Up until recently, I would’ve mentioned the warmer weather we’ve been having. But then it got rainy and cold and, you know, generally more like the Midwest in late April, which I’m not loving as much. But when it was sunny and warm and I could sit outside for lunch and soak up Vitamin D? That was pretty great.
I’m also really loving thredUP, which is a secondhand online clothing retailer that I signed up for based on recommendations from a couple different friends of mine. Their selection is huge and well-priced, they’ll do free return shipping in exchange for store credit within the first fourteen days, and they’re Eco-conscious when it comes to the clothes they can’t sell. What could be better?
Reading
I just started Girls on Fire by Robin Wasserman because a friend of mine raved about it. (She was also kind enough to loan me her copy.) I haven’t read far enough to form solid opinions just yet, but the writing is gorgeous, and I love how this thrilling sense of danger pervades every page. It’s definitely one of those books where you know that the characters are going to blow up their lives in a monumental way, but you’re looking forward to the fireworks.
I’m also re-reading Katie McGarry’s Pushing the Limits, because I love that book and I finally own my own copy. Still enjoying it just as much as I did the first time, too.
Listening To
On the rare occasions when I get to choose the music at work, I’ve been really grooving on (pun intended) some of Spotify’s seasonal playlists. There’s a morning acoustic one that is a perfect blend of upbeat and quiet songs for starting my day, and a springtime acoustic one that goes hand-in-hand with this weather I’m loving.
Working On
I recently began the first round of revisions on my mystery WIP, which I’m super excited about. I finished this manuscript back in September, and the many months I’ve had to forget how much I struggled with it have done wonders for my motivation and my level of enjoyment for the story itself.
That said, this is the first time I’ve even attempted to revise one of my manuscripts with some sort of plan in mind, because I know how fast I’ll fail without one. Right now, I’m in the process of reverse outlining the whole story, using a combination of Susan Dennard’s revision workbook and Katherine Locke’s reverse outlining strategies. I don’t tend to think of myself as a tactile learner, but I have to admit that the note cards make my whole messy manuscript seem a lot more manageable.
My fiancee and I have also cleaned a bunch of crap out of our closets and desks in the past couple weeks, which feels good and productive. The next step will be to take a closer look at my bookshelves and see if there’s anything else I’d like to weed out and donate.
Thinking About
I’ve spent the last couple months mulling over my job situation. and turning over future job possibilities. There are lots of things I like about my current administrative position, including but not limited to the variety of work that I’m doing, the majority of my coworkers, and my boss. (Seriously, you guys, having a good boss is such a wonderful feeling.)
At the same time, I know this isn’t what I want to do forever, and I know the work isn’t intellectually stimulating enough to keep me entertained and invested for the rest of my career. The problem right now is that a bunch of real life circumstances make it easier and smarter to stay put than start searching. Not to mention that I’m still not 100% sure what it is I’d like to do next.
Anticipating
Have I mentioned summer enough for you all yet? 😉 All kidding aside, I’m also incredibly excited for summer vacation . . . in four months. And on a much shorter timeline, I’m really looking forward to taking the gift card I received to a local bookstore and blowing a whole bunch of money on new books.
Wishing
One of the things I don’t love so much about my current job is the hours, which fit my natural sleep schedule quite nicely but don’t leave me any time to volunteer. I miss the animal shelter where I spent 6 or 7 months walking dogs one day a week. I miss the endorphin boost I got from spending time with all those puppies, and the self-confidence that came from knowing I’d played some part in getting them adopted.
More than that, I wish certain real life stuff–two international trips in two years, a wedding to plan, the whole money thing–wasn’t interfering with my ability to adopt a new pet. Sigh . . .