And, with half a year already gone I can only ponder “what have I’ve been doing with my myself?”
The answer: nothing much. I’ve been hooked up on work and just getting stuff done. Even on my one week vacations, I did nothing for myself, been nowhere and done nothing that I could think back on with fondness.
Did I mention it is already summer?
I feel robbed…
Life always has a habit of derailing people from their course. Things happen; free time is precious and sometimes non-existent; lack of motivation to keep up with everything…
There can be a million reasons why we don’t get things done.
I always felt that if there is something you love and wish for with all your might, no matter how many times you get derailed from achieving your goal, you will find your way back to it.
This is how I fell, after years of ignoring anything related to Japanese.
Instead of feeling bummed out, for losing so many years of precious time, not working on achieving this dream of mine, I feel like now is a good time to get back and immerse myself in the eternal struggle of hiragana, katakana and kanji.
After all, I got a Goku tattoo after 14 years of setting my mind on it…
I only have one concern: time.
I’ve been racking my brains out to figure the best way to get this done. I don’t need a planner, or things like that, I just need to be realistic about my free time during the week and in the weekend.
Would studying only during the weekend be the best option? Should I set aside a few hours during the week?
The best course of action for me would be this:
I am going to give it a try for the entire month of January, to see how things evolve. I want to see if I can keep up with this, or if I need to make changes.
I will keep track of it, just to be sure. I will give it my best try and hope for the best.
02.01.2018 Random thoughts
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That moment when you worry that not all your books will fit on your kindle. And then you realize that you read on average about 50 books per year.
I guess, my only worry should be if I have enough genres to keep me happy. It will take me 10 years at least to read all the books that I currently have on my kindle.
Choices will be made, some for the better some for the worse.
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How to accomplish the maximum of things, with the least amount of effort? Also, time needs to be taken in consideration. I want to do things, but I really don’t want to.
I guess it’s still early morning, and the coffee hasn’t kicked in.
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New Year work resolutions
No overtime.
Stop giving a fuck of what is happening at work.
Don’t quit in a moment of rage, you still need money.
It’s a job, not your life.
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I wish this vacation would last longer. I also wish it would snow. It’s one thing to wake up to a gloomy view, and another to wake up and see everything covered in snow.
It might be wishful thinking, but it would make things better. We would actually get to enjoy winter. I know, going to work will be a hassle, but who cares. I am thinking of the moments when we take Pluto out to play.
Also, we would get a lot more cuddles from Marlanu’. That would mean more cute moments to enjoy as a complete family.
Oh well, I cannot control the weather but I can control what I do with my time.
I have planned to do nothing all day, but I guess a bit of reading or watching TV will help with filling up my time. After all, it is our last free day and we should enjoy it to the max.
Happy New Year 2018!
Just a few more hours till the end of 2017, and the beginning of 2018.
The holidays were mild.. There was no snow, no Christmas tree, no decorations. We just went for the sleeping and eating part, which was a nice change compared to other years.
No running around for gifts, no plans made with weeks in advance, no stress.
Tonight, we are going to have a nice dinner, with very loud music, and then go to the park to watch the year end concert and the fireworks. Just us and a few friends hanging together.
I cannot say how 2018 will be or what it will bring forward, but we’ll make the best of it.
All the best wishes for the new year!
After finishing the The Last Apprentice series (Wardstone Chronicles), I’ve read a few stand alone books – like Ready Player One by Ernest Cline and The Red Room by Nicci French. But, I was in a mood for another adventure series with lovable characters.
So, as usual, I turned to Goodreads to see what it would recommend.
That’s when I noticed that on my to-read list, I had one book added back in 2013: Fablehaven. I do trust myself enough to know that the books I decided on long time ago, and which have not been removed in the meantime from the to-read list, are important (for various unknown reasons).
I was not dissapointed.
I’ve read the entire Fablehaven series (a total of five books) in less than three weeks.
For centuries mystical creatures of all description were gathered into a hidden refuge called Fablehaven to prevent their extinction. The sanctuary survives today as one of the last strongholds of true magic. Enchanting? Absolutely. Exciting? You bet. Safe? Well, actually, quite the opposite.
Kendra and her brother, Seth, have no idea that their grandfather is the current caretaker of Fablehaven. Inside the gated woods, ancient laws keep relative order among greedy trolls, mischievous satyrs, plotting witches, spiteful imps, and jealous fairies.
Sure, the books are not as good as many other more popular series, but they are lovable. The only thing I truly hated, was the fast pace. It felt like the characters had to go through many adventures, one after another one, or the books would end and the story would not be told.
I thought that maybe that was the point, but I started another series by Brandon Mull, Beyonders, and it is the same with this one. The plot just hurries on, and the characters barely have time to keep up. I would’ve loved a little bit more character development. I would’ve like to see how Seth and Kendra would’ve grown (matured may be a better word).
I will acknowledge that the series was fun to read. It was a good way to relax myself after long and busy days at work.
As we grow older and we take on more and more responsibilities, we give up on some of our hobbies, dreams and even hopes. But, there is one thing I cannot give up: reading. The Last Apprentice series by Joseph Delaney is a good example on why reading is one of the best hobbies to have, no matter if your young or old (or somewhere in between).
For years, Old Gregory has been the Spook for the county, ridding the local villages of evil. Now his time is coming to an end. But who will take over for him? Twenty-nine apprentices have tried—some floundered, some fled, some failed to stay alive.
Only Thomas Ward is left. He’s the last hope, the last apprentice.
This is one of those stories, that gets better and better with each book that you read. It has been a long time since I finished reading a series without getting bored of it.
It is one of those few stories in which all characters are lovable. There is no clear distinction between good or evil, and each of them has the power to do good or bad. It is also one of those stories where I cannot find a character that makes the books taste sour.
I’ve also read the The Last Apprentice series in 4 countries: Belgium, Netherlands, Romania and Greece.
It is good to be alive in an age where books are not considered a luxury! That and the fact I own a Kindle. My three bookcases are already full with books, which I have not yet read (time being one of the main reasons). I thinking I buy books faster than I can read them. This might be a problem in the future, but there are few more walls empty in the house that would look good with a bookcase.
The best part of this, is having someone who loves the series recommend it to you, only for you share that you already read it. There’s an instant connection, and a guarantee that you found yourself another bookworm friend.
We’ve been having a lot of rainy weather lately. It is just pouring. It is also very cold. Normally, I would be very upset, but I have a few days off from work.
I get to stay home, and cuddle with Pluto and Marlanu’.
I had a lot of plans, and ideas on how I would spend this week. But, I got a cold and I don’t feel like doing anything. The gloomy, rainy weather adds more fuel to my laziness. I can’t say I did nothing, but I didn’t do everything I wanted also.
I also don’t care. It has been a while since I got bored.
I can also afford to laze around. My plan on doing at least one thing each day, paid off. The house doesn’t require so much attention, the pets sleep all day, and I get to ponder on what hobby I should indulge. Reading has been my main focus these past few days. I finished one series (fives books per tota, in less than two weeks), and started a new series (by the same author).
I found documentaries on YouTube; mostly about trains. I started knitting a scarf. I even started work on a bullet journal, for 2018.
Every weather has its purpose. Rainy weather is perfect for relaxing, cuddling and just sorting through your thoughts and plans. The fact that I also get some me time, makes it even better. I am content with the current situation. It could only get better, by my not having a cold. 🙂
We’re having lovely weather for this time of the year. The beginning of November was cold and rainy, everything was gloomy, but now things are better.
Even the stray cats are taking advantage of the sunshine.
I must admit that on some mornings, I can feel the cold air and it makes me feel giddy with anticipation for the Winter holidays. I feel the need to watch old movies, re-read books, and just stay in bed all day long.
Then there are moments, when I feel the need to go out just to feel the cold November air. This happens especially in the evenings. I love the fact the days are shorter. I love the city lights and how everybody is just to busy with their own thoughts, not noticing things around them.
This time of the year, a lot of feelings are stirred up inside me. I long for the old times, and I also long for new things, new adventures. I am taking these feelings as a sign of me getting back to my old self. The self that wouldn’t worry about what the future will bring, and would only think about experiencing life at its best.
Until then, I will enjoy the day to day activities, may they be good or bad. I will make the best of what is thrown at me. That and I will keep taking photos of all the stray cats I can find.
I like the feelings that I am having lately. It might be from the November weather or from nostalgia, but it is good to have dreams and goals again.
The perfect weather for a good old sit at home and read a book is here. And yet, on these rainy October days, we are installing the new kitchen cabinets.
The house, a total mess, is uninviting and cold.
My only thoughts are Oh well.. There will be many other rainy October days. In fact, the weather will get colder and colder. And with this excuse, I placed an online order for two pair of boots. Estimated delivery time: two days. Where: at work. So, even if I will have a bad day at work, I will have one thing that will make my day.
Hopefully, we will finish installing the new kitchen cabinets till the end of the day. That would allow me an hour or two to sort through things, throw away what is not needed, clean up and maybe get some rest in the evening. That’s what I am counting on, but my energy levels are getting lower and lower with every passing hour.
It will all be worth it in the end. A lil bit of effort from our side now, will mean that we will be able to enjoy other rainy October days. That, and the kitchen will look better and will be more practical.
Till then, I shall have to drink more coffee and just keep doing stuff to clean up the place. We will have time to rest next weekend. No plans for then, so that means we can sleep away all day long.
I was expecting Autumn to come, but I guess I was not prepared for it. It is bloody cold, and October is just around the corner.
Officially, there are no more road trips, work related trips, team buildings or any other activity that might involve travelling, planned for the next few months. The hiatus of trips of any nature has started, and it will be for an undetermined period.
It was fun. It was the the most busiest summer I ever had. Going to Belgium & Netherlands (twice), Greece (vacation), Bulgaria (team building), even hiking in Romania (to places I never heard of till now), was an amazing experience which I doubt I will have the chance to repeat any time soon.
I don’t mind not having any more trips planned for the following months. I could use some me time at home. In fact, even if I won’t go anywhere, October will still be a full month for me. I’m fully booked at work, already planned out the entire month with different battle plans, in order to cope with the workload *fingers crossed nothing goes terribly wrong*. There is also the house that needs a good scrub. That, and the fact that I also want to indulge in some of my hobbies. My hands are itching for some stitching or knitting. I was thinking, I could knit a scarf like the ones from Harry Potter.
Heck, I think this is the first morning in weeks where I can actually enjoy my coffee and not gulp it down and run out the door. I was even thinking, that at the end of October the daylight saving time will take effect. That means that at least one night in October I will get the chance to sleep longer.
Plus, now that the weather is colder, Pluto and Marlanu’ tend to sleep with us. It has been a while since all four of us snuggled together in bed. It is cute beyond words.