Hello friends! I was expecting to get back to normal this month, but I feel like I've still been settling into things (and what really is normal anyway?). I feel like we've still been in flux as we adjust to our new place and schedule. I also have been waiting for my vaccine before I go too crazy, and I'm happy to announce I've received both doses and immunity will set in soon!
But I also recognize I've been putting a lot of things off and maybe making excuses because things aren't exactly where I want them to be. I've been doing a lot of research and planning for things, but I don't actually do any of them. I need to focus more on small steps to get started now and less on grand plans for the future. I hope to do better this next month. It's important to be kind to myself, but I also can't just let myself languish.
Okay!
Completed:
Nothing this month! But we're okay with that and we'll do better.
Updates:
30. see 30 new international films (13/30)
- I watched four films this month: Once (Ireland), I Am Not A Witch (UK/Zambia), Russian Ark (you guessed it! Russia), and 1945 (Hungary). Once was one that G has been wanting to see because of the soundtrack - it was good because of the music, but kind of just seemed like one long music video. Russian Ark was fascinating because it's a feature-length film that was filmed in one take. And it was filmed in The Hermitage and takes you on a kind of time-traveling trip through Russian History. Super interesting. I Am Not A Witch was interesting, but I'm not sure I like, got it? But patriarchy is the worst and I got that. 1945 was kind of a Hungarian western, so that was unique. A bit depressing. But I think it was probably the first Hungarian film I've ever seen! I love seeing films from different places. I want to stretch myself and see more from countries I haven't.
- I've made it up to my transfer to Spotify and I have made playlists for every year to collect my favorites. I've really found some good old songs! And it's kind of fun to keep a yearly playlist anyway, so I started a 2021 one, as well. Anyway, I'm up to 2015, but I don't think the next few years will take as long to work through. I feel like I started getting more into TV shows for company around that time. But I'm starting to regret that, a little. I forget how much I love music until I listen more. It's been really good.
- I have caught up on the GBBO backlog! I lost interest when Mel and Sue and Mary left, but it's still enjoyable in the end. And it was one I felt guilty about being behind on. I shouldn't put off consuming things that bring me joy.
- I have revamped the cleaning schedule and we've stuck to it for the month so far! One bonus of having a smaller apartment is that it's easier to clean, at least, haha. And moving into a new place is good motivation to keep it clean.
- I've started a notebook - that makes it official, hahaha. I'm keeping track of artists, etc. that inspire me, and then I'll see who inspires them, and who inspires them, and so on. I'm excited to see where it takes me, and what it inspires me to make!
- G got me a screen printing kit for my birthday! And then I haven't done anything with it, hahaha. But I will! This is definitely a situation where I just need to decide something and do it. Hopefully I'll have something for you next month!
- This month's dumplings were greatly influenced by our new locale - we have an Indian grocery just up the road, and an Asian grocery just a bit further. It is SO NICE to have access to more ingredients. We did Idli for I - Indian steamed dumplings, and Jiaozi for J - potstickers.
