One thing that I had found that I just could not do was quiet my mind and focus on reading - until this past 6 weeks or so. Since then I have read 4 books and started on another. When I found I could actually just low down and read I logged back into my NetGalley account and requested to become an active reviewer once more.
One the first books on my shelf is The Ex's Revenge by Jo Jakeman. What started off as me reading for about an hour before I went to bed ended up becoming a read until 3 am session. This book was an amazing read that had me saying just gonna finish this chapter, to I cant go to sleep yet - not after that
The Ex's Revenge is a wonderful read with suspense, very few predictable moments and a lot of wait did that just happen?? I enjoyed the journey Jo took me on while I followed Imogen, Naomi and Ruth through the past individual hopes and dreams and acceptance of what was instead of what should have been.
The Ex's Revenge is a tale of domestic abuse with several plot twists and a dramatic ending well deserved for all parties involved. It is not exactly poolside reading but it is turn off the phone Friday night well into early Saturday morning read.
**I did receive this is the novel from NetGalley for my review - however, the opinions are all mine**
What is normal really? I have always said its simply a setting on a dryer. Truth is normal for one is abnormal for another which is where my off the cuff response comes with. When you get down to it though everyone has there normal "mode" of how they exist. What do you do, however, when nothing currently resembles your particular mode of normal?
That is exactly where I am now. My life looks nothing like it EVER has and I am trying to find a healthy normal. I am in a new to me city, working a new job and have none of my "comfort zone" to fall back on. For the first time in my life I am living by myself and learning to lean into that.
For the first few weeks, I have isolated myself for the most part only venturing out when necessary. Now I am finding that I am ready to get out of my comfortable shell and explore. The question is how? I spent almost 17 years in the same place, with the same people doing the same things. I feel completely lost on how to make my own circle here. I think the older you get the harder it is to meet new people do new things. I also have always been a little bit introverted until I get to know someone.
The alternative is to be a hermit, and while I have rather enjoyed just holing up reading books and watching YouTube it is not sustainable. For the most part, people are social creatures and need some interaction outside of a workplace. It is crucial to one's well-being and happiness. I don't have small children, so there are no mommy groups, I have no desire to hang out at the bar or go clubbing.
I have looked into several meetups in the area for things I am interested in looks like its time to take a deep breath and do more than just look at them huh??
I could totally start this out with I swear I'll get better and blog more yadda - I'm not gonna. Thing is trying to make and adhere to a schedule is probably what helped my downfall of blogging. Instead of being a thing I liked that I did for me it was a chore. Then I got a bad case of bloggers writer's block.
Frankly, the past few years have been tough, the past few months brutal. So I figured I'd attempt to blog through this journey - the journey of figuring out me. Meeting me, learning what I like, what I don't. I truly never intended to go on an "Eat, Pray Love-esk" type journey but here I am. May as well write it down as I go through it. "They"; yeah I don't know who "they" are either, say its healing, it's beneficial.. Meh we will see. For now, I'll just attempt to make heads or tails out of all this.
I don't know how much I'll share as far as how I got here - I'll figure that out, as well as everything else as I go along. This entire journey is all new. I'm honestly not sure I've ever "met" me, just the me I was told I was.
I am totally into Leah Remini's Scientology and the Aftermath, I was thrilled that the show won an Emmy for DocuSeries and started the second season. I will admit to being intrigued by Scientology when Tom Cruise jumped on Oprah's couch and then started a slow but dynamic meltdown over Brooke Shields book on postpartum depression, therapy and depression medication.
I Googled the same stuff I think most of us did and came to the conclusion what the actual fuck and how do people really get wrapped up into a religion based on science fiction books. I honestly didn't dig very deep. When Leah - who I loved watching on the King of Queens - very publically broke with Scientology I started watching her reality show and became very interested in her upcoming documentary on the aftermath of breaking with this religion - which frankly is a cult.
The more she and Mike Render dig into and expose the practices of this "church" the more I am just floored at how - one they are getting away with what they are doing and two how they are still able to recruit more "followers" and retain the ones they have.
The other binge watch I have at the moment comes from the few weeks I had such bad insomnia I fell down the Youtube hole and discovered the Lordan Arts channel. He has a few series that he does on his Youtube channel that just capture my interest and before I know it I have watched hours of his episodes.
John Lordan has a few series that he regularly updates - they are all centred around missing people and unsolved mysteries - generally unsolved murders. He occasionally throws in a vlog and what he calls an itchy mystery that are usually paranormal in nature. All of his episodes are researched very well, with facts and theories explained. He does a wonderful job at being unbiased and presenting all the information he finds. He will tell you what he thinks, or what parts he doesn't agree with but never sells you on his point of view. He encourages you to look into the case presented, do research and share your theories.
I started my new job last Monday - it's been overwhelming with trying to learn everything, but I love it! I love being back in the medical field in patient care. The people I work with are all so nice and welcoming. I know it will get easier as I get more comfortable with the instruments and my own growth in learning the pace and routines. The patients have all been super sweet with my shadowing other techs and slowing down their appointments a bit. I had a training manager in with me on Friday and she was beyond wonderful and put me at ease. I'm honestly looking forward to going to work this week, which is a HUGE departure in how I felt about my last position working in the automotive industry. *shudder*
Saturday we checked out the Ren Fest - we have one of the biggest in the US and I believe one of the first to be a permanent structure. Its been around since 1977. I had a great time, logged a tad over 5 miles walked but lost a pair of Nikes in the process. We'd had a rain off and on for a few days last week and Ren Fest was still a muddy mess. I did wear my oldest pair so I guess I officially have trashy shoes now for when you need that pair of "eh they are screwed up anyway tennis shoes" for doing crap jobs!
The other casualty of the week was the microwave. Friday it decided it had warmed up all the leftovers and popped all the popcorn it was ever going to and just said nope - fuck this I quit. Apparently, the thing has a megatron thingy bobber in it that is pretty much the heart of the whole thing and mine decided to retire. We went to today to pick a new out and a gorgeous new red model is now sitting on my counter. I felt 48 hours was a proper mourning period for it, I thanked it for 2 years of service and then pulled it off the counter.
I have Monday off this week so I will run a couple of errands, wash up my scrubs for next week and just chill to get ready for the upcoming week. I may also hit the gym, depending on how sore I still am from carrying my niece quite a bit Saturday. She was all about her Auntie Saturday and I was more than okay with that. Whats your upcoming week looking like??
I'm not a huge fan of September, so while I am generally sad to see Summer fade away I wave goodbye enthusiastically to September every single year. Most of the major traumatic events of my life happened in September. So good riddance!! I know I am far from alone - September also begins shorter days, less sunlight and brings with it, for those affected, Seasonal Affective Disorder.
Hell, even Greenday dislikes September! Speaking of Greenday someone go wake up Billie Joe Armstrong. The horrid month is over. By the way, the history behind that song speaks volumes to me I'm not totally poking fun at Billie. I completely understand why he wrote the song and how he felt. Generally, when I say I hate September wake me up when it's over, people think I am trying to be funny. In reality, I am serious - and am in no way being cheeky about it.
I am looking forward to fresh starts for October - I am starting a new job, one I am very excited about. I was actually relieved that I start October 2nd. I look forward to getting back to blogging, to the gym. Over the Summer we bought an Instapot - I really need to learn to use it. That desire has lead me back to Pinterest for recipes, I have an entire board to try out including yogart and cheesecakes. Let's hope I hit the gym more than the cheesecake! I have actually lost weight while quitting smoking, I have NO desire to find it again.
Next weekend I am hoping to get to the Ren Fest. We didn't go last year but I'd like to get there this year. Everything I have gone it has been for an event or to take my Grandbaby. This year will be the first year we just go to go. One of these weekends we also need to go couch shopping, ours has had it and is increasingly more uncomfortable to sit on, so much so I default to sitting on my bed and watching TV or Youtube in my bedroom. I am hoping to have the new couch before winter. Getting the old one out and the new one in sucks when it is 20 degrees out and snowing!
