Surprise! I took a bit of a blog vacation there. It was needed, it felt good. I'm back now :).

To catch up, I thought a "currently" post was in order. Here's what is what I'm currently up to:

Reading
I just started All the Light We Cannot See. I've really been powering through my summer reading list! It feels so good to be taking the time to dive into books like this - it's usually a rarity for me. This one doesn't have me hooked yet but I've heard it's wonderful so I'm going to keep going. I also recently finished Maine which was actually much better than I expected. The description of it seemed like the same kind of story you've read a million times, you know? But it turned out to be captivating - I loved seeing how wildly different the perspectives can be from various generations of a family.

Eating
Ooh this section is a big one right now, because I've been trying something a little bit crazy.... The Whole30 Challenge.  I actually started it back in June, but then took a bit of a break for a few delicious food-focused weekends, and then I started it back up on June 30 - so as of today I'm on Day 24! For those who haven't heard of the Whole30, it's a Paleo-based, 30 day "reset". From the website: "Think of it as a short-term nutritional reset, designed to help you put an end to unhealthy cravings and habits, restore a healthy metabolism, heal your digestive tract, and balance your immune system." 

Some of my favorite Whole30 meals have been this cauliflower fried rice, sausage egg breakfast bites, garlic sweet potato noodles, and a thai coconut pumpkin soup I found on the Whole30 recipes instagram account. My best go-to snacks have been La Croix sparkling water, carrots dunked in almond butter, and RxBars (delicious!). Anyway, I've been feeling wonderful and am surprisingly not missing sugar at all (thought I have had a few dreams about pizza...), so hopefully I'm able to finish it out with success.

Watching
UnREAL, a wonderfully addicting, guilty-pleasure type show that I recently tried out. We don't normally have cable, but since we're house sitting right now I decided to let myself indulge on some good old-fashioned TV ;). We've also been into watching Anthony Bourdain shows on Netflix, which is giving me some major wanderlust.

Enjoying
Living on campus at work! We are in the middle of a housing transition (more on that later....) and in the meantime we are house and pet-sitting for some friends who live on my school's campus.  It's been delightful to hop home for lunch and to enjoy hiking the beautiful grounds in the evenings.

Adventuring
Around Tahoe for the Wanderlust Festival this past weekend. Enjoyed camping, boating, eating and playing with friends.  And I can't wait for my next adventure back to New England next week - it's been a while since I enjoyed New England in the summertime! Looking forward to time with friends and family, lobster rolls and the Atlantic.

--------------

Currently

{found a perfect shell in Pescadero last weekend}

It's been awhile since I did one of these posts, but my brain feels very full and jumbled right now so I know this is going to feel good. "Currently" posts are kind of therapeutic. Are you a journaler? Give it a try sometime! It's kind of like a brain dump. 

Currently I'm........

Listening to... This adorable cover by Lennon and Maisy - how cute are they?? Also, The Lone Bellow has an awesome new album.  And I have a new favorite podcast!! If you're a podcast listener, you must check out NPR's newest podcast Invisibilia. It "explores the intangible forces that shape human behavior - things like ideas, beliefs, assumptions and emotions". And the two hosts are pretty adorbs. Check it out. 

Thinking about...cooking soup this week. I made a good veggie soup a couple of weeks ago and froze half of it - it lasted forever and was so great to turn to for a quick meal over the last 2 weeks! I want to start doing that more regularly. I'm thinking of trying this ginger + lime carrot soup next. I'm also thinking a lot about how to make Jimbo's upcoming 30th birthday a special one. I have some ideas! 

Loving...being back in my normal workout routine. Feels f*ing GREAT. I re-joined my gym and am loving the new classes being offered there - lots of high energy music and muscle work. I needed it bad. I'm also loving the rain we're having right now in the Bay Area. 

Watching...Fury was pretty good! And Girls. Gotta love it. Also, I've been watching Friends on Netflix as a late night snack before bed - it's a lovely indulgence. 

Reading...Nothing at the moment but my momma was awesome enough to mail me a book in the mail a couple of weeks ago (surprise packages are so delightful!!) that I want to try. I also got a free copy of The Innovators at a recent conference I was at, where the author, Walter Isaacson gave an amazing talk (which sold me on the book). I'll let you know how it is.

Excited about... Spring travel weekends! San Diego, Palm Springs, Tahoe skiing, San Luis Obisbo and last but not least SWEDEN are all on my horizon between now and Memorial Day weekend. And maybe a work trip to Seattle. Yay for new places and adventures! I'm particularly excited for this upcoming weekend with friends in Tahoe - it finally snowed up there, and I have Monday off, and it's going to be great. 

Considering...trying out acupuncture. Have any of you? I'm curious...


Thanks for peeking in, friends - Happy Monday! 

Currently

{a very fuzzy and moody photo of the golden gate}

It's about time for my occasional spew of thoughts about anything and everything I'm up to. My mind has been on overdrive lately, so please take that as a warning! What have you been up to lately? Currently I'm...

-------------

Listening to... Lucius. They're my jam. Poppy, upbeat, with amazing percussion. I saw the band play at Outside Lands and it was by far my favorite performance of the day. They have such a cool style and stage presence, and I love how the girls sing in unison - it has such a cool sound to it. Give 'em a try. I've also been rocking out to Anders because Jimbo and I are going to see him this weekend. 

Debating....whether or not to get a MacBook. I think I want one. I know I need a new laptop. But do I need one yet? Is it worth the splurge? I'm thinking about the Macbook Pro Retina (so shmancy). I'll be transitioning to Mac for the first time, which I think is the right choice but it feels like a huge decision - I might as well be moving across the country or something. Woe is me (#problemsthatarentproblems).

Doing... many travels and excursions with my visitors! First my lovely young cousin, and then my bestie and her boyfriend made the long cross-country haul over here to explore SF and pay me a visit. We've been using our visitors as an excuse to explore the city, Sonoma, Mt. Tam, Muir Beach, Bodega Bay, and Oakland over these past few weeks. It was a much needed taste of home. 

Reading... the news. Lately it seems to be a bit more sad than usual, and more deserving of attention. I tend to stay away from details on current events over here on the 'log but I think it's worth noting how it's been affecting me lately. If you're a news avoider like I used to be, here are some recommended ways to get the news in an easily digestible format: theSkimm and The Everygirl's News Now.

Watching... well I'm almost embarrassed to say it...but I'll just say Jimbo started it (and that makes it okay). We've been watching Archer on Netflix. There's something so wonderful and easy about an easy 1/2 hour comedy in which each episode rarely relates to the next. Feel like watching something but don't have time for a full movie? Archer. Feel like zoning out and having the occasional chuckle? Throw on an Archer. Pam makes me laugh. 

Stressing over... My photo organization. It. Is. A. Mess. Oh my goodness just thinking about it gives me heart palpitations. I haven't had my own personal computer in a long time - I've been able to avoid it for awhile now for various reasons. But due to this, my photos are here there and everywhere. Phone, iPad, this computer, that computer, this external hard drive, that external hard drive, Flickr, Facebook etc. It's a scary thing. I heart photos and I want all of mine from my whole life to exist for ever and ever. If I get my new computer soon, I'm hoping that will spur a re-org. Any tips on how your keep your photos stored and organized??

Excited about...heading back East in September to see all my homies :). It's going to be a whirlwind trip - in just 10 days we'll be covering Boston, Cape Cod, Jersey Shore, and PA, trying to see any and all friends and family we can get our hands on. I absolutely can't wait.

Craving...SLEEP. I just can't get enough of it lately! I think my body is trying to hibernate before the big busy boom of the fall that my job requires. Ain't nobody got time for that. It's time for energy. I'm trying to be consistent with my bed and wake-up times, getting back into mindfulness, and eating healthy - crossed fingers that I get back on an energy spree soon :). 


Happy hump day, friends! 

Currently

Happy Throwback Thursday - here's a shot from our adventure in the White Sands of New Mexico.

Currently I'm...

Listening to... Podcasts. I have been loving the TED Radio Hour for a boost of inspiration and thought provocation (subjects such as "Disruptive Leadership" and "Identities"), then Stuff You Should Know which gives me crucial details on necessities such as "How Cave Dwellers Work" and "What's the deal with the debt ceiling?". And finally, for some cutesy and mildly informative cheer, there's the Disney Story Origins Podcast, which gives me a nice dose of childhood nostalgia as well as some tidbits to share

Eating... Smoothies and stuff from the Trader Joe's frozen aisle, because....cooking? Ain't nobody got time for that (lately). And these amazing WOW cookies. YUM.

Reading...The Art Forger, which is mediocre so far but based in Boston, so it's giving me that dose of much needed Boston Love. And I just finished Walden on Wheels by Ken Ilgunas which I absolutely loved. Favorite quote: “On this voyage, I couldn't help but think we need need. We need to be forced to go outside. We need to be forced to depend on one another. we need to be forced to sacrifice, to grow a garden, to fix a rood, to interact with neighbors. Nature has been all around me as a boy. It unleashed terrifying storms, spun circular cycles, inflicted bone-chilling, cold and renewed itself with springy revivifications. Yet I was completely oblivious to it all. I was playing video games.” 

Watching... Downton Abbey - it's just so gosh darn adorbs. Can someone throw me a 1920's English-royal-countryside-bazaar themed party someday?

Feeling...balanced and well slept, thanks to a beautiful and calming remote reiki treatment I received the other night from the lovely Shannon Eileen. It was amazing and so unique - feel free to reach out if you are curious about my experience with it!

Excited about...summer travels. It's about that time to start planning some new adventures, and my wheels are turning...

I hope everyone is enjoying a lovely week!

Currently

photo from our getaway weekend in the Sierra Nevadas

Listening to... Anders Osborne. I hadn't heard of him until a few weeks ago, but apparently he's been around for awhile. He uses a great variety of styles I love; Louisiana rock, soulful blues, reggae, etc. Check out Three Free Amigos, Marmalade, and Got Your Heart. I also am loving The Lone Bellow -- Jimmy and I are so excited to check them out on Dec 10th! They only have one album and I like every song...favorites are You Never Need Nobody, Teach Me to Know, You Don't Love Me Like You Used To, and Green Eyes and a Heart of Gold. Care to join us for the show??

Thinking about...all of the things I want to be learning all at once! I'm in the middle of a information overload. I want all of the articles and blog posts and lists out there to soak themselves perfectly into my brain. I want a bajillion hours a day so that I have time to learn and practice and apply everything that I have interest in. I've been a chronic link saver lately, my Pocket and my "favorites" folders and lists are filled to the brim with "things to read" or "courses to take".  Sometimes it's exciting; I've always loved to learn! But sometimes it's just overwhelming.  Does anyone have tips for how to deal with the constant overload of info we have at our fingertips nowadays?

Eating... delicious, massive salads. The school I work at provides an amazing lunch every day, and in an effort to get my veggie fill I've been skipping the "hot food line" (doesn't that phrase bring you straight back to high school?) and going straight for the salad bar. But the provided plates weren't quite doing the trick, so I brought in a large red bowl for my salads and now I'm layering and mixing to my heart's content.  Yum.

Reading...The Sun Also Rises (Ernest Hemingway).  I kind of can't believe I haven't read it before, it's been on my "to read" list for-ev-er! But I'm only on page 2, so I'll also share with you my most recently read book- Dark Places by Gillian Flynn. It was really, really good. In a stressful, page-turner, no-sleep-til-you've-read-it kind of way, but not necessarily in a life-changing way. I was just dying to get to the end to figure out the mystery! I love Flynn's writing style, she creates amazing descriptions and gets you to feel empathy for even her most hateful creatures. If you haven't read Gone Girl yet, read that first - it's what inspired me to give her other books a shot.

Watching... nothing lately, but all those shows are starting back up again.... I think I'll go back to New Girl, and Modern Family...and that's it. Let's keep it simple, in the interest of supporting my "learning overload" dilemma mentioned above!



I hope everyone's having a beautiful week. The sun has been shining and there has been a crispness to the air; I'm so thankful to be feeling some fall weather out here in Cali :). More pics up soon!

Currently

I love how Danielle does this Currently series; it's such a fun way to get/give a quick life snapshot.

I'm currently:

Reading...Dan Brown's newest book, and I. am. loving it. I thought I was over his stuff, but my dad suggested it to me knowing I'd love all of the references to Florence and Venice locations, Italian art history, and Dante's Inferno (I took a whole class on the Inferno when I was in college). It's a page turner.

Listening to... the new album What's the Skinny from Today Junior, an indie rock band out of Boston - check them out!

Inspired by...Molly's gorgeous new video. One of my big projects of this summer is going to be practicing my videography a bit!

Thinking about...potentially doing a 1/2 marathon this fall. I've never ran more than a 10k, and I don't really like running... but I would love to get back into a bit, and I'm pretty sure that I'd feel amazing after doing one! Plus Jimbo said he'd do it with me, and a lifelong dream of mine has been to have him as a workout partner! What do you guys think? Has anyone done a 1/2 marathon??

Loving...having Jimmy's mom, Patti in town!! I'm making a BBQ feast tonight and I can't wait to show off wine country to them this weekend. I'm also loving my new blog design, not gonna lie :). Thanks, Bobbi!


Have a great weekend, loves!