Happy leap day! Good riddance to my least favorite month of the year. February sucked all the life out of me. I am looking forward to waking up tomorrow and playing "Light of a Clear Blue Morning" (specifically this Wailin' Jennys cover) and breathing in the fresh March air.
Lately, I've been operating with a consistent, dull rage for a reason I can’t quite place. I google my horoscope daily craving something to blame. Until I can prove the stars are against me, I turn to my age-old friend, gratitude, to chill out. Here are a few things I am grateful for:
listening to my intuition 👂🏻 Earlier this month I realized the double helix piercings I had gotten in October were suddenly slanted and extremely painful. After a deep Reddit dive on piercing migration, I conceded and made an appointment to have them removed. I won’t go into the gory details, just know there was a lot of blood and an unfortunate amount of hair loss. I wanted more than anything to be a cool, edgy girl with cartilage piercings, so much so that this was my second time trying. But these ears just can’t hack it. They had to go — the piercings, not my ears. I am so glad I only suffered about 48 hours of pain and likely avoided an infection by acting fast. I am grateful to my gut for knowing something was wrong, my brain for listening and my ears for healing.
boxed macaroni and cheese 🧀 My greatest love. An affinity that has spanned my lifetime. A reliable source of comfort and joy. I consumed a LOT of this in February and I am very grateful it exists.
my body 🏃🏻♀️ As you’ll see in my running vlog, running is still not easy despite feeling like it should be. I am also breaking out, thus being betrayed by my own face. But yet, my body persists. My body does what needs to be done. She continues to serve me well as I scream at her internally for giving me shin splints and while I pick at my face in the mirror. I am grateful for her.
seasonal starbucks drinks ☕️ I cannot emphasize enough how much the pistachio cream cold brew can do for me. I can be having a rotten day. I mean a 1/10 day. I have one of these bad boys? I am up to a 5/10 at least. I am genuinely concerned about what is in these that has such a strong chemical reaction in my brain. Devastatingly they’re almost out of season, so I would encourage you to try one while you can.
being literate 📖 I am in a terrible reading slump. The only book I finished this month was for a book club of which I am an active member. But, I am grateful to be literate in a country where almost 20% of adults possess low literacy skills (as of 2019, yeah I AM citing my sources PUNK). I can always come back to reading no matter how long I avoid it. I am so grateful to have had an education and upbringing that not only valued literacy as a tool but also as a passion.
friends and family ❣️ GROSS and LAME. But also true. I am very grateful for my new friends, old friends, and everyone in between. I am also very grateful for my family because they can never get rid of me.
Recently, in photos:
Recently, in reviews:
📖 Dark Matter by Blake Crouch 1/5
I don’t like reading books about men written by men.
📼 Holdovers 3/5
As a Dead Poets Society superfan, I couldn’t help but wish I was watching that instead. This was still a great snowy Saturday morning film.
📼 American Fiction 3/5
Despite having one or two too many storylines I still enjoyed it.
📼 Zone of Interest 1/5
HATE! I am sure this is a “technically” good, even great, film. Nonetheless, I did not like it. It made me anxious and nauseous and I saw it on a Friday night alone and it simply was not what I needed or wanted at that time.
📼 Anatomy of a Fall 3/5
This had a slow start but an engaging second half. I was equally mystified by the French judicial system as I was over the protagonist’s innocence or guilt. Honorary mention to Snoop, one of the greatest dog actors I’ve ever seen.
Recently, on video:
Ask (no one did) and you shall receive (you’re so welcome), I present vlog two of my running journey. TL;DR running is still very hard for me, but alas I power ahead. The half marathon is less than two months away!
Recently, in songs:
💿 “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM” by Beyoncé
💿 “Don’t Forget Me” by Maggie Rogers
💿 “16 CARRIAGES” by Beyoncé
💿 “Upside Down” by Jack Johnson
💿 “Powerful Women” by Pitbull & Dolly Parton
You can find the V2 playlist here.
On the subject of gratitude (though all of you are my previously mentioned family and friends), I am so grateful you took the time out of your busy day to read this silly email. I hope March brings you a fresh start if you need it. And if you don’t? Well, good for you I guess. 🌷