It’s been a while since I’ve done one of these posts. So I thought I’d use the unintentional break as an opportunity to change the main image for Things I’m Loving Lately.
Feels like a brand new start. But not really because I’m keeping the sequence going and filing the old ones away under the same category. Because it’s fun for me to go through these old posts to see what I was into a few months ago. (Spoiler alert: wine, coffee, and Bananagrams. So…not much has changed?)
Regardless, I like writing posts like this because it gives me an opportunity to reflect on the things and the people that bring me so much joy.
Feel free to join in and share something that you’re loving this week in the comments below! Or, if you’ve got a blog, join the link-up with your own Things I’m Loving post!
Our Trip to DC
I didn’t realize I was going to have a three-day weekend last weekend because I’ve never gotten Good Friday off before. But our entire university and all the county schools shut down for Good Friday. So, Ankur and I decided to hop in the car and head to DC to visit Sister. Many of you know that Sister is moving to California so we wanted to visit while she was still a local. (She is seriously the best tour guide. Like the Super Docent of DC. She knows ALL the things).
We didn’t actually go with the intention to do touristy things. We just wanted to see Sister and spend some time in the city and in her apartment before she leaves. It’s always a happy time when we are around Sister.
Meeting New Family!
While in DC, we were lucky to meet up with some of our family on Ankur’s side. Since our wedding was a spontaneous event, a lot of our family and friends weren’t able to make it for the event. So it was nice to get some quality 1:1 time with my new family. Ambika Bua is also probably the first one to read my blog since she lives on the east coast and is awake when I hit “Publish,” so even though we met for the first time this past weekend, I feel like we’ve known each other for so long.
I mean, clearly she knows me so well, right? (Thank you for such a thoughtful collection of gifts, Bua!)
S-Town
Since we had an 8-hour drive to and from DC, we completed all seven seasons of S-Town in one go. I have so many thoughts. But I also don’t want to talk about it on here yet until all my friends have finished listening to it. But, here are a few things that came to mind while listening to the story. (Don’t worry – no spoilers!)
S-Town (which stands for Shit-Town) is referring to Woodstock in Bibb County, Alabama. It . reminds me a whole lot of Claiborne County, TN. When they talked about corruption with police and law enforcement, “sweeping things under the rug,” the drugs, the education level, the ambition of people in small towns, all I could hear was “Claiborne County.”
This story began when John B. Mclemore reaches out to Brian Reed to do an investigation of a murder in S-Town. What started out as an investigation turned into a whole lot more. It’s mostly just the ramblings of John B’s mind. But it was so intense and so thought-provoking and also just really emotional.
I highly recommend it.
21-Day Challenge
Remember when I decided to quit Weight Watchers and give myself some time to figure out what I need? Well, I’ve started something new. For the past two weeks, I’ve been part of a 21-Day Challenge group to eat clean(er), drink clean(er), workout, and check in with one another in a private Facebook group. Each morning, I start my day off with a workout and a shake. And that’s it. I’m not tampering with other parts of my day. I’m trying to live it as I normally do. But I AM checking in each night. And I think the reflection each night is the thing that is most contributing to my success. It’s forcing me to think about what foods made me feel good during the day, what foods caused an energy slump, and what triggers my snacking. It’s helping me pause and set intentions for the following day in hopes to make it better than the day before. Who knows how long my motivation will last? I’m just happy that I’ve found some motivation through this group. So I’m gonna run with it. (Quite literally…)
Questions of the Day:
- Have you listened to S-Town?
- What is one thing you’re loving lately?
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This is a great list. I love DC… it’s such a cool city. I haven’t heard of S-Town, but will have to check it out.
Emily recently posted…My 100 Day Project
It sounds like your DC trip was a blast! Isn’t it nice to get a 3 day weekend? I started listening to S-Town on our Easter Weekend trip to Indiana, but we ended up turning it off before we got deep into anything (and I’m glad because I had my conservative grandmother in the car.) So I’ve only finished episode 1 so far, and it’s fascinating! We’ll have to confer when I’ve finished. And yes – all those small towns/counties can be similar! I had that similar thought. 🙂
I stopped by and added a link to your party. Love a good party.
candy recently posted…Gnocchi with Peas
A friend at work just told me about STown, she loved it, said it was very interesting. I’m not usually into audio stories or podcasts but this sounds like it’s worth a try for car rides!
Are you doing Shakeology? Good luck!!
Kristi @ Mi Vida Ocupada recently posted…Thoughts for Thursday: Pizza Topping Combos
What a wonderful three day weekend! I love that coffee mug so much! And I haven’t listened to S Town but I have heard a lot about it so I might have to check it out!
Beth recently posted…Thinking Out Loud – Prince
Surprise long weekends are awesome! I haven’t actually heard of S Town before, now you got me curious! Let’s see, what am I loving lately? Chickpeas! How random is that LOL. But I think I’ve been eating all manner of chickpeas this last few weeks 🙂
Very inspiring. I need to think about that 21-day challenge. The group thing didn’t work for me, but I feel I need to do something on my own. Thanks for the push.
Tonya Wilhelm recently posted…Dog Tricks to Teach Your Dog | Teach Your Dog to High-Five
I love that tumblr/mug! I like glass ones because it doesn’t hold the taste in it like some do. Know what I’m talking about? Like I find that some travel mugs hold in the taste of tea or flavoured creamers. I think I am picky. LOL!
I wish that I had a small wedding and just took off. We had a big one and it wasn’t as intimate as I had planned. I love that you’re getting in this time to meet your family now though! Enjoy all of it!
Kimberly recently posted…Gr.3: Then Versus Now
Surprise long weekends are awesome!
A colleague just told me about S Town! I checked it out and I’m hooked after one episode! I was also a huge fan of Serial when it came out…
Corey | The Nostalgia Diaries recently posted…50 Nostalgic Spring Activities
I did the 21 day challenge for a couple years before switching to Keto. It is a tough programs. Good for you. Mr. J and I want to go to DC really bad.
Kim Airhart recently posted…My 30 Something Birthday!
I love your mug. Your DC trip sounds like it was quite the success. That’s awesome! And meeting new family is always a good thing.
Jobie Medina recently posted…3 scrumptious side dishes
Spontaneous 3 day weekends are the BEST. Your coffee tumbler is adorable, I’ve seen similar ones around and I may have to get myself one!
It sounds like you had a great time in DC. That’s awesome you got to meet some family in person too. What a lovely gift – she definitely knows you well. 🙂
I haven’t listened to S-Town. I try and listen to podcasts when I walk, so I need to get up and moving more. I’m listening to My Favorite Murder though.
I’m glad that the 21 Day Challenge is working for you; it sounds like reflection is definitely a good part of that.
-Lauren
ShootingStarsMag recently posted…Home Fires by Kate Sherwood + Wake Up Call by JL Merrow
How fun to have a weekend in DC with family! I’m glad that the 21 Day Challenge is going so well.
Rose recently posted…10 Quick Tips for Great Reflection Photos
Yessss S-Town! I suspected it would resonate with you 🙂 So glad you had the perfect opportunity to listen to all of it in one go – that’s the way to do it!
Robin recently posted…In Celebration of Spring: Perfectly Curated Songs, Quotes & Photos
I like the sound of your 21 day challenge! Although I thought that shake looked like a Milo, and now I really want a milo… LOL! Glad you enjoyed your long weekend. How sweet is that “coffee is my day time wine” thermos!? Love that pic of the sunset over the city too 🙂
Dominique recently posted…How to Make Your Own Stretch Mark Cream
Love these posts I LINKED up! I need to listen do s town sounds like a podcast I would like
Harmony, Momma To Go recently posted…Day Trip to Verona, Italy
I am ALL OVER S-Town, it’s so good!! Such a big fan!
How cool that you visited DC. It is an amazing city and the food and restaurant scene is amazing. I loved it when I visited too last year. I like smoothies I have one every morning =)
Lately I’ve been loving the act of reading simply to read. Most of my time reading is to meet a review commitment which can get mundane at times.
Tami recently posted…Making Marriage Beautiful: Lifelong Love, Joy, and Intimacy Start with You
sounds like a great trip to meet new family and cheers to your 21-day challenge…i’m currently participating in a 30-day movement challenge and i’m having so much fun with it!
jessica recently posted…sweet spuds
Looks like you’ve been up to a lot of fun things recently. It is so nice you got to see your sister, it will be so much harder when she moves further away. PS love that mug.
It looks like you guys had a great time in DC. It’s so nice to be able to take a mini vacation and get away from it all once in a while.
I am glad you took this short vacation. It is good to take a break once in a while and visiting family is tops!