It's been rainy and cold, especially over the last week; very reminiscent of winter, rather than the early days of spring with a warm breeze, the smell of fresh cut grass and days at the park.
I was supposed to volunteer at the LA Times Festival of Books (taking place at USC) on Saturday, but haven’t been feeling the best, so I decided to stay back. This is the second year in a row that I've signed up and not been able to make it. NEXT YEAR WILL BE THE YEAR.
Most of my days have been a constant scroll of social media, scheduling, posting…I'm ready to throw my phone in the ocean and go off the grid. (I wish I were kidding, but alas, I am not).
So I continue to escape reality by reading. I watch my happy little comfort shows and dream of summertime when things are lighter and the world pauses.
In all seriousness, I remind myself to look for the good in the simple things, to be grateful for what I have - friends, a good conversation, a night at home, getting out of town, an answered prayer…Whatever it may be, however small, or noteworthy is. And that's what gets me through.
eating umi sushi, one of my favorites in town
house/pup sitting for friends
learning how to make a fancy coffee drink with the nespresso machine and frother (thank you for getting me hooked, ana 😉☕)
so many new books out
trying a new coffee shop
one of my close friends getting married / celebrating at her wedding
binge-watching more home improvement
the season for sun tea
finding out there's nothing wrong with my sinuses and having a helpful doctor who specializes in that area
dinner with family friends, while running into more friends
easter lunch with family
surviving work events + being proud of the work produced
bethany joy lenz's “modern vintage news” newspaper - so much good stuff in there, and i love getting something pretty in the mail
disney trip
creating and feeling more inspired
📓LESSONS LEARNED📓
Chat GPT can be an incredible tool when used correctly! Within our university system, they’ve deemed it a great tool and added it as an educational piece that students can take classes in, and use to assist in their learning. I’ve been using it for help on planning social media content and it really is a game-changer. As a team of one, it’s nice to be able to bounce ideas off of “someone” and get feedback or get outlines that can help me fill in the dots from there.
Sometimes I feel like I knew more in college, or had a better understanding of the world in my 20’s. Maybe it’s just that I’ve seen more and feel jaded. Or that your 30's are a sort of break down and rebuild of everything you've learned thus far.
As much as I had fun at California Adventures, nothing beats Disneyland. (but they do have different treats that are very much appreciated).
The people who really matter will see you and GET you. You don’t have to put on a facade or need to scream from the mountaintops to make your point or hope others see you.
i've recently learned i no longer have the patience for sitting through baseball - at least at a college game. it used to be my favorite to watch, whether it was major league or not. Now, I think i've gone back to a love of basketball.
i am getting much better about writing things down in my (old-fashioned) planner and on my Outlook calendar, and actually paying attention to both of them. my scattered brain needs more structure these days.
i've officially been working in the communications field for a decade (this june). i've found myself reflecting on that a lot - what i've learned, and how i'm not who i was when i first graduated college (for better and worse, at times).
there's still nothing like a good drive and a playlist to get your mind off of things when life feels a bit chaotic.
always leave room in life for that childlike sense of awe and wonder, no matter how old you are.
many times, instead of waiting for things to happen, we have to start taking those leaps of faith again - sending that email, posting that pictures - and know that God will meet us where we are. we just have to take that first step!
May should be the last true busy month for a couple of months, at least. Several commencement ceremonies and other recognition events, another Disneyland trip, Mother's Day, appointments, finalizing content…You get the idea. BUT SUMMER IS NEAR! And I am holding onto that little fact. ✨
What do you want to see more of in the upcoming issues?
