What I’ve Been Up To

A year ago today…

WIBUT? it stands for “What I’ve Been Up To.” I’ve never done a post like this, but I always appreciate it when other bloggers so, so I thought I’d give it a try. Maybe it will become a semi regular post, but I wanted to share what I’ve been up to lately. I mean….I am a librarian, and I research a lot of my day. Sometimes I come across some very interesting stuff–so to speak. I’d thought I’d share what I’ve been up to with you today:

BOOKS

Currently by my bedside and on my desk at work are two books. I like to read at least two at a time–one adult, one young adult. I’m seriously enjoying A Gentleman in Moscow. I’m actually not quite sure of the plot line even though I’m over 150 pages in, but that ok: the writing is so beautiful! I recently read a scene during my lunch break that made me laugh out loud; one of the waiters had all the labels on the wines removed making them all the same, but, they, all of those delictable–and some gone sour, bottles of wine will never be the same. Simply taking off the label doesn’t create equality. The wine will each be unique no matter what is done to the outside.

The other book I’m reading is Simon VS. the Homo Sapiens Agenda. I’m having a more difficult time engaging in this young adult novel…. I ordered ten copies of the title to give away to my students. All they have to do is write a book review to enter the drawing. Since Love Simon, the hot LGBT movie of the summer, was so popular, I went the book version. I’ve been so engrossed in The Gentleman of Moscow; it’s time to give the YA a chance.

MOVIES

We went to see Mama Mia 2 this past weekend. While it started kind of dorky–Kevin and I shared an eye roll in the opening scene–it redeemed itself by the end. I was doing my regular dancing in my seat to Abba songs singing along to the embarrassment of my kiddos. One of the final scenes caused the obligatory tears. In the end, I really enjoyed it. And the styling! Oh!! The styling with all the BLUES is phenomenal. So, yes, I love the section version of Mama Mia.

TV

Gigi and I are back to binging on Lucifer. It’s a dorky little show, but we have been hooked. It’s ironic to watch such a kind and humane devil.

On my own I’ve been addicted to Sense 8. I started watching it with Kevin, but he dropped off after about the 4th episode. I’m dedicated and will watch both seasons. I read somewhere that the cult fans were so disappointed that the series was dropped, so in November Netflix is putting out a finale movie. I should be ready for that show by then… When I took the Buzzfeed quiz “Which Sense8 character are you?” I got Kala! I don’t know about the intelligence part, but I’ll take the rest!

Like Kala, you are kind and selfless, often putting the interests of those you care about over your own. Your intelligence and compassion are your strongest attributes, and you fiercely love your family.

*Forwarning: Sense 8 is pretty graphic in both violence and sex.

If you take anything from what I’ve been up to, you must head directly to Netflix and watch Nanette. Oh my! It is such a powerful comedic/documentary show. Hannah Gadsby, an Australian lesbian comedian, bares her soul in this powerful one hour show. You’ll be left laughing yet accompanied with some tears. I haven’t seen something so moving in a while. I plan to watch it again with Kevin and then maybe even once more with the kids. It’s that provoking.

VIDEOS

I realize this could go under movies, but I’m giving videos/YouTube it’s own category. Viewing on YouTube is different; it’s usually more personal, organic, and shorter than either movies or TV. This week, I’ve been dwindling down this list of 8 Ted Talks on the Law of Attraction. The Law of Attraction in its basic essence is the belief that positive thoughts lead to positivity in their life–unfortunately the same can go for negative thoughts. To this end, I’ve been trying to focus positive energy into my life and learning about how to do this has been very helpful. This is one silly thing I’ve noticed myself doing this week: I’m holding my core more often. It’s as if I’m thinking my way to abs. We’ll see…. I hope you’re laughing just like me! But yet, it boils down to advice that a friend gave me long ago: if you think you are, you are!

To learn more about the Law of Attraction, this article sums it up in five great points.

PODCASTS

I spend enough time in taxis commuting about Hong Kong which offers me a chance to listen to something worthwhile. Currently, I’ve been enjoying Modern Love. The first story, The Secret to Marriage, was read by the magmatic voice of Sandra Oh, and the essay by Gabrielle Zevin provoked another’s opinion on marriage or rather not being married but being devoted to a partnership.

I’m already looking forward my next listen: The Test of Time….

CONNECTIONS

I could call this section Instagram, but I won’t limit connections to just this social app. However, most connections for me these days happen on Instagram, and the algorithm for Instagram seems to have shifted yet again, but this time in a really good way! I’m starting to see some of the people I followed in the first place. One of these individuals is @MissMaryPowers. Oh my! She’s just a breath of fresh air! I love her bio: “My feed is #goals & My stories are #reallife.” Isn’t that just perfect!? And it’s true. Her feed is so very lovely, but then to listen and watch her stories, you can just relate. Also, I keep learning about so many new other fabulous women from her–which is the whole point, right? Connections!

Follow Mary on Instagram here and her blog here.

Because of following Mary on Instagram, I’ve been introduced to so many other goodies. She does a great job of finding hilarious content and then sharing it. Not all of it is funny though: recently Mary gave me a new book to buy for me (and purchase another for the library I run!). Have you read or heard of Girl, Wash Your Face? I cannot wait to get my hands on this book by Rachel Hollis–who I immediately started following on Instagram. I caught her at such an opportune time. Rachel, just wrote the said book. My first time of watching her Insta story was witnessing her realization that it had been translated to Farsi in Iran. Of course she was ecstatic about that. When she then came to understand that it had been pirated, well, she became even more happy to hear this news. Rachel has a message to spread, and she doesn’t care how it goes viral. I definitely cannot wait to read her message. Here’s the blurb on her website:

“Have you ever believed that you aren’t good enough? That you’re not thin enough? That you’re unlovable? That you’re a bad mom? Have you ever believed that you deserve to be treated badly? That you’ll never amount to anything? All lies.”
#GIRLWASHYOURFACE

LAST YEAR AT THIS TIME

My goodness! I’ve been up to so much. I best stop writing while I’m ahead in order for posts like this to continue! But before I sign off, I thought it’d be interesting to see what I was up to during this exact week last year. Take a look:

My wide leg pants with gingham and mustard yellow–already making its appearance last fall.

I can’t believe a year ago we were in the midst of Typhoon Hato. Oh boy! We could use some weather right now. Like the rest of the world we’re in the midst of some serious pollution (and I rarely comment on that here in Hong Kong–as opposed to Beijing where I found it horrific). Please send some weather soon Mother Nature!

That’s it!

Well, this ended up as a very long post. Perhaps it’s because it’s the first time I’m doing this. I might try again next week or at least every two weeks. What do you think of that? Shall I continue?

What I’ve Been Up To!

(A LOT!!)

*This post has been linked up to Catherine of Not Dressed As Lamb’s #SaturdayShareLinkUp.