• 002. I’ve been sick, and it’s not cute: reflections while in the sickbed and others in between

    002. I’ve been sick, and it’s not cute: reflections while in the sickbed and others in between

     

    Well, hello there. Been pretty ill, and it was not exactly a great sensation.

    Returning to work felt like having a pair of jelly legs: just feeling wobbly overall. There are times that it felt like my body was in one place and my mind in another. But despite that, I am grateful for the end of each work day, as I get to tick one box for every task accomplished.

    I have been feeling on edge about something I couldn’t explain, but I am slowly working out through the kinks. Since I have been ill for the most part of the first week of the new year, I have not been able to restart myself where health  (mental and physical) is concerned. Hopefully, I can establish some sort of rhythm: one that’s not so rigid, one that’s a little more forgiving.

    During my four-day convalescence (I speak as though I am some Victorian maiden wasting away on some mysterious disease), I was able to reflect though. About who I am as a person, what I want, what I can offer, what I can withhold, the boundaries I need to exercise and the things I need to correct–because let’s face it: indeed, no one is perfect. (more…)

  • 001. Starting over is always difficult, but…

    It just needs to be done.

    For the most part of 2022, I was on a prolonged radio silence–partly because of my poor mental health (which is slowly on the mend), and for the most part, I was dealing with work and academic struggles. They never end. The excuses never end, too!

    But after some thought, I thought that I’d write here on this blog, and give it another go. But I decided that with all the fancy bells and whistles that have been part of my blog layout, I have decided to pare things down, simplify things. Also, I did a spring cleaning of entries–because I needed to face it–reading some of my older entries, I realised that something was off. I felt like I sounded like I was such a dick. Like a huge know it all. I know I need to work on that.

     

    I’m going to try not to do that dick energy in my blog this year. And I hope that I write more often, too!

     

    See you soon.

  • Why I’m keeping my to-be-read list short, and my Goodreads book challenge update.

    Why I’m keeping my to-be-read list short, and my Goodreads book challenge update.

    Note: This post is a tongue-in-cheek explanation why I don’t have a long to-be-read list. I see a lot of people on my Goodreads feed  have a to-be-read list as long as their arm. While I can only look in envy, I know that I cannot read over 20 books in one year. I don’t even know if I can complete my Goodreads reading challenge of 15 books. But we shall try. So, let’s get into it!

    Recently, I have visited Goodreads, and a lot of my friends have joined the 2022 reading challenge. They have listed as much as 75 books for their to be read challenge. Holy guacamole. It made me yearn for the days when I was still able to read as many books in a year. Fast forward to this year–it is already a treat when I don’t read a journal article!

    Also, I want to “curate” the books I read, which I split into two categories: books that I enjoy reading, and books that I can learn from. So far this year, I have read seven books out of fifteen that I truly enjoyed. And speaking of books, I have pruned my Goodreads 2022 bookstack.  I have taken out four books–the first two I have to take out because I have stupidly deleted them from my Kindle library (and they’re pretty pricey books I have used as references for my term paper–sob!). Hopefully I can buy them again one day!

    The next two, I’ve had difficulty connecting with the story. Don’t want to waste time on books I can’t connect with.

    So, what have I read lately, and what am I reading lately? I am happy to share the three of them.

    Recently read:

    Rebecca, by Daphne du Maurier-

    “Last night, I dreamed I went to Manderley.” For people who have already read the book, this first line in the book would be very familiar. The line draws people in, invites them to get immersed in that haunting story. I wanted to read it ever since I saw it mentioned in one of my well-loved books. Reading the book introduced me to the sinister Mrs. Danvers, the dastardly Jack Favell, the second Mrs. de Winter whose first name is never mentioned,  the distant and enigmatic Maxim, and the titular Rebecca, who in her death still has the ability to unnerve people.

    Stories from Suffragette City, edited by M.J. Rose and Fiona Davis

     

    While I loved the storylines, some parts of the short stories jarred me a bit. I felt that the writing style wasn’t true to the era or time period they were writing about. Maybe I am being unreasonable on this score. All the same, the stories are very delightful and insightful.

    It also gives a nice thrill while reading about real people mentioned in the book, like Alva Belmont, aka. Consuelo Vanderbilt’s mother.

     

    Currently reading:

    The Spy Who Loved: The Secrets and Lives of Christine Granville, by Claire Mulley

    So far, so good.  I’ve only got as far as Christine’s childhood, and a colourful one it is! I’ve yet to read more of the book.

    Will keep everyone posted.

     

     

    Since it is late at night right now, I am off to sleep. Stay safe and healthy, everyone! 🙂