The high of the last week was: Watching the Superbowl! I had to get up today (Monday) and go to a bar at 7:00 am to do it, but it was so fun. I am not a huge American football fan, and I prefer the Niners over either of the teams that were playing, but it was so nice to have a taste of home. I love traveling, and seeing other cultures and trying to learn languages, but dang, sometimes it is nice to have people around you who you can talk about San Francisco burritos with!
The low of the last week was: I am still struggling to get into a routine this year. I have been working out a bit here and there and have been getting some admin things done that need to be done, but I don't feel motivated to really dig in deep. I made a list of daily tasks a few days ago and I am checking them off each day in order to try to get my habits on track again, but it has been difficult lately.
Something I marked off my to-do list was: I started looking into whether or not I am going to keep my professional licenses. If I do want to, I need to pay and do a bunch of continuing education by March 15, which kind of has me dragging my feet. I have been putting off the decision and I got a little bit closer (but still have not made the jump yet). I also got a bunch of travel planning done for April and have made forward progress on some plans for August as well.
The book I am reading is: I just finished Nicole's book Inhale, Exhale, which I enjoyed (I will not spoil it by saying any more than that!), and I started What Kind of Paradise, which I am liking so far as well. I am on a reading roll at the moment!
The best thing I spent money on was: I paid the final payment for the Alaska cruise, after rerunning the price and getting it for about $700 cheaper than the original price (pro tip: always double check the price of your cruise before paying in full, as they will honor lower pricing). So it was still a big chunk of change, but hey, I am happy that I can now buy $700 worth of drinks instead. Just kidding!
Plans for this week include: This week I will complete my comprehensive health exam (I did about 75% of it last week but still have a few tests left to do), I have two meetups scheduled and I plan to do a couple of hikes!
My favorite photos from the last week is are:
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| Street art in Taipei |
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| Artistic manhole cover |
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| Liberty Square Archway |
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| Lunch at health exam clinic |
What good book have you read lately?
I really enjoyed The Five, a look at the canonical victims of Jack the Ripper. My copy of Nicole's book is in, I just haven't been able to get the bookstore to pick it up yet. IT WILL HAPPEN THIS WEEK.
ReplyDeleteRoutine is hard to find when you're on the go so often. I think it's perfectly normal you're feeling unsettled, but I hope the rhythm you're looking for comes soon <3
The Five sounds interesting and I'll definitely put it on my list. Did you read I'll Be Gone in the Dark, the book about The Golden State Killer? It was a good one too!
DeleteRoutine is hard to find. You can sometimes have a few normal things but often it's hard to both keep a certain schedule and find your normal daily things that you enjoy! It's a lot more planning than execution sometimes!
Eh, routines are overrated. The motivation will come when it comes. I ended up splitting the difference on my certifications - a CPA license is stupid easy and cheap to maintain, so I'm keeping that, but my payroll certification would be very expensive and difficult to renew. Going into retirement I thought that I would want to renew it for the challenge and for bragging rights, but now that I'm here, I have no interest in doing a hard project just to prove that I can, and I'm not that interested in bragging.
ReplyDeleteThe best money I spent last week was in taking a last minute road trip/escape from winter to GA/AL. Best book was Writers and Lovers, and I started Nicole's book last night! My intention is to take it slow and not gobble it down, but I have a feeling that I will end up binging it like everyone else has. Enjoy What Kind of Paradise (great book/lame title).
I thrive on routine and find myself much less productive if I don't have one. However, I am adjusting that mindset to a degree!
DeleteRe licences, my CFA would require full three exams all over again if I don't pay the annual fee, so although it's more expensive to maintain, it is a huge barrier to entry if I let it lapse. The other licences are cheaper but also the exams are much easier. However, there is a five year max, so I may just do it for five years since I can.
Can't wait to hear about your GA/AL trip!
It sounds like you are being so productive. I know the motivation to workout will build back up for you. I'm cringing for you on the licenses - good luck on that decision. I love that you were able to watch the Superbowl and that you connected with other folks who appreciate the same things from home.
ReplyDeleteI'm enjoying Age of Innocence right now. I read the Dark Wild Shore or something (listened to it). It was good, with a really interesting twist, but not my favorite book. Sort of a downer IMO.
I felt the same about Dark Wild Shore. I haven't started the Age of Innocence, as I sometimes struggle with the classics, and some of the comments on the bookclub have made me think that book will be similar. Maybe I should give it a chance, but my reading journey lately has been tenuous, so I am hesitant to dive into another probable DNF.
DeleteWe are reading the same book right now! I'm about 70% through so should finish it on my flight today, I think. I am really liking it! That lunch looks really good - is that provided by the clinic? I'll be curious to hear what all is involved in this comprehensive exam! One of my to do items for 2026 is finding a new PCP. My doctor moved to a far-away clinic. I had found someone and made an appt and then she resigned! I guess I am relieved she resigned before I had my appt. So now I am back to the drawing board. I see my rheum quite often so I am definitely be monitored but it would be nice to see someone who could kind of connect the dots from the various providers I see. My OB office just added a PCP so I think I will try to see her and see if she's a good fit.
ReplyDeleteI finished the book and enjoyed it so will be interested to hear what you thought!
DeleteI should do a post about the exam. It is very interesting! It is fairly efficient too and I have been impressed by some of the equipment. I am very fortunate to not have any major health issues yet but I'm not sure what I will do if I find something that requires regular care. I think continuity is definitely important!
I'm reading The Age of Innocence (again!) for CBBC. I have stalled on my other book, Dark Renaissance. I'm just not in the mood/able to concentrate much right now.
ReplyDeleteI have a couple of things on my To Do/Try List. I want to see if I should get back into journaling a bit. I used to write a page or two at the same time every day. I don't remember why or when I stopped. The second thing I want to do is see if I can write at my blog more often but with shorter posts. This awful weather makes me mush-brained, and since my physical activity is so limited, I'd like to keep my brain more active and sharper.
Good for you, getting the rebate on the cruise. That's a good chunk of cash. I really loved taking our Alaska cruise. It was awe-inspiring.
I feel you regarding mush brain. I think I put too much pressure on myself for things to be perfect then get discouraged and want to just do nothing. However, this post is a perfect example. I had a longer one semi prepped that wasn't finished and I was kind of dreading finishing it and posting it. I decided to do a quick TGIM instead as it takes way less effort, and in the end it worked out just fine, still gives me a way to engage with people, and to maintain connections! Why I don't just do that more often, I don't know! I think shorter posts are fine and regularity is also helpful! Perhaps have a few go-to posts (like TGIF etc) so you don't have to think too much about it! Good luck!
DeleteHot tip about cruise pricing! $700 savings is pretty fabulous.
ReplyDeleteI am listening to It's Not Her by Mary Kubica and reading The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton. Both good, in very different ways.
I enjoy Mary Kubica, but haven't read that one yet. I'm putting it on my list! I am not reading The Age of Innocence because I'm.havingbtriuble getting into books, even fast paced ones and I am not sure I can struggle through another classic at the moment!
DeleteOh thank you so much, Kyria - I'm so glad you enjoyed it!!!
ReplyDeleteI kept thinking as I was reading it how amazed I am that it was someone I knew who put it all together! It's so inspiring!
DeleteI loved how quiet it was on my dog walk when the Super Bowl was on. It was just me and Hannah on the streets. That's the best! (Not an NFL fan over here, obviously.) But I do love how big sporting events can bring community together.
ReplyDeleteI bet it was nice! I once drove home to San Francisco on a Sunday afternoon during a Warriors game. Usually that is packed and bumper to bumper, but it was smooth sailing!
DeleteI watched the Super Bowl while doing other stuff around the house. I was happy that the Seahawks won! I'm listening to Age of Innocence. I listened to the first part and didn't get it at all. Then I listened to it again, and it clicked, and now I'm enjoying it. (Engie's recap really helped! As usual!)
ReplyDeleteI am also happy that the Seahawks won! It was not the most exciting game, but I had a good time all the same. I have not started Age of Innocence...sigh. The book world is getting away from me these days!
DeleteI love that you went to a bar at 7am to watch the Super Bowl! My brother is a Niners fan, too. :)
ReplyDeleteI want to know more about what's involved with this comprehensive health exam. And why are you getting one?
Saving $700 on cruise fees is INSAAAANE. Way to go!
I am going to do a post on the health exam so you will know everything soon! Saving $700 is insane; of course this is for four people, but still, I will take it!
DeleteRegarding the cruise, you paid part, and then looked for a cheaper deal on the same cruise line, and found it, and they gave you the cheaper rate? EXCELLENT. I know you are going to have a great time. When are you going? What cruise line? My cousins are going in June. They invited us but I’m saving my $$ for France this autumn.
ReplyDeleteI read my book during Super Bowl, very relaxing. We watched Half Time, then turned the TV off again. It was perfect, I hate football. I might feel differently if I were long term in a different country and looking for a taste of home…but I might not. (I mean, Go 9ers! But otherwise BORING. And head injuries.)
For the cruise, when you book, you put down a deposit (usually) but do not have to fully pay until 90 days before the sailing day (usually). So you can pay the deposit, then check the price up until the 91st day before and if it is less, they will adjust the total! I am going on Princess! The Superbowl halftime show was good but I was talking to my bar buddy about how it seems like that show was made for TV, aka I am guessing most people in the stands were watching a big screen, not the field. I don't hate football, but that is the only football game I watched last season if that tells you anything.
DeleteI am usually a very disciplined person and like my routine but yeah, it's hard to keep it up when traveling... and you've been traveling so much, so don't be too hard on yourself about not being super-routine right now. I love that you got to watch the SuperBowl (even if early in the morning!).
ReplyDeleteI also want to know more about the comprehensive health exam... and how are you completing it in a foreign country?
It is hard to keep it up! Some places make it easier, and I think that I may need to adjust my planning process a little to prioritize those places, but I'll get there! For the exam, I will do an entire post about it soon, so stay tuned! :)
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