A preview of coming attractions.
Well, folks, we’re a week into Round 3 of ROW80! Given that the week was punctuated by an oddly placed holiday, hopefully you all got to enjoy a little extra relaxation and fun in addition to the day-to-day demands of life. And yes, you read that title right: there are random photos of ostriches in this post, though you’ll have to wade through my check-in to get to them. Enticing, eh?
My week started with a bit of a family health scare: my grandma was rushed to the hospital on Monday and ended up having to get a pacemaker. She is recovering well, thank goodness, but everyone was really worried for a few days. Beyond that, I am happy to report that almost all of my boxes are unpacked. Even better, almost all of my cherished belongings have a home. I’ll have to turn my room upside down again in a few days when I start my painting project, but once all is said and done I will post pictures of my new writing space. The walls will be transformed from the pale lavender that 11-year-old-me thought was the absolute height of sophistication, to a warm golden yellow that will hopefully brighten and warm my teeny tiny space.
Also awesome: the family cat, Napoleon, has decided to acknowledge my existence, unlike the time I came home 2 summers ago when he pretended that he didn’t know who I was. Once again, he curls up next to me in bed while I drink tea, write, and listen to classical music. My life is now complete. *squee*
Between unpacking and decorating I haven’t had a chance to really find my rhythm, but I’m working on it. Here’s a shakedown of Week 1:
Day Job: Today (Saturday) was the first chance to tackle what I have code-named PROJECT DISSERTATE OR DIE (yes, the caps are necessary, and yes, “dissertate” is totally a word). My focus for the next week or so is on the seminar paper that I owe my dissertation advisor by mid-month, so I’m doing lots of reading, note-taking, and brainstorming. This week’s goal: Finish (or almost finish) seminar paper by next Sunday’s check-in.
Writing: My other big endeavor for this round, PROJECT RECHARGE, is also coming along. I’ve taken time out for journaling sessions every day this week, and decided that a bit of soul work is in order. I have many thoughts and feelings on this matter, and perhaps once I distill them into something easily digestible and understandable, I’ll be able to write a blog post or two on the matter. This week’s goal: Add bits of free-writing (poetry, story snippets) into the journaling/brainstorming mix.
Social Media: 10 blogs visited, check! Twitter, Facebook, and queuing up blog posts is still on the to-do list. This week’s goal: Wade back into Triberr, get back into the ROW80 #teamsprinty madness, keep visiting blogs, maybe brainstorm potential blog posts?
Exercise: So… moving counts as exercise, right? ‘Cause I can’t count the number of boxes, odds and ends, and pieces of furniture that I helped my dad move. Aside from that, I got 1 “real” workout on the glider in. Now that I can’t roll out of bed and go for a walk (we live at the top of a really steep hill), I have to shift my workout plan a bit. This week’s goal: Aim for 4 days of exercise; get used to the idea of having to *drive* to a walking spot.
So, yay, progress! Be sure to stop by and wave to the other ROWers taking part in Round 3. And hey, just for fun, why don’t you have a few random pictures from my excursion to Ostrich Land? The world can always use more fuzzy animal pictures, even if ostriches are more odd-looking that squee-worthy and likely to snap off a hand if you’re not careful. Click on the photos to enlarge them.
Ahoy, Ostrich Land!
The obligatory Instagram’d ostrich photo.
The sign does not lie.
Ostrich feeding is dangerous work.
Baby ostriches: not as cute as baby sloths, but precious nonetheless.
July 8, 2012 at 4:12 am
This post has a bit of everything and I do anything fury! 🙂 Even funny looking birds. Good going on getting so much done even while being so busy with your move!! Kudos. Hopefully you’ll get into your rhythm once you’re settled too – sounds lovely sitting with your cat listening to classical music. 🙂
Shah Wharton recently posted..Shovelling shit from a sitting position – #ROW80 Update:R3-08/07 #amediting
July 8, 2012 at 10:24 am
Thanks, Shah. There’s always room for improvement, which is a good thing, but I think this has been a good start to the round. And yes, my quality time with the cat is so wonderful. Now if I could only find ways to entice him away from my sister, it would be great. 😛
July 8, 2012 at 4:14 am
Sorry – I feel I must correct something on my first comment which could be construed as down right terrifying – I do not DO anything fury, I meant to say I do love anything fury. Phew – hope that has put pay to any awful nightmare inducing images. 🙂
Shah Wharton recently posted..Shovelling shit from a sitting position – #ROW80 Update:R3-08/07 #amediting
July 8, 2012 at 10:25 am
Hah! I didn’t even notice that the first time around — funny how the brain will fill in gaps, isn’t it? 😀
July 8, 2012 at 5:20 am
Gotta love an ostrich farm! 🙂 Glad to hear your Grandma’s ok. I hope this week goes well for you.
Jody xo
Jody Moller recently posted..ROW80 – Week One: The brief version
July 8, 2012 at 10:26 am
Thanks, Jody, I think we’re all really relieved. And eee, the ostrich farm! It is seriously the most random thing to see in the middle-of-nowhere, California (even better: it is just down the road from Solvang, a teeny tiny replica of a Danish town).
Hope your week is lovely as well!
July 8, 2012 at 7:02 am
I’m glad your grandma is okay now!
It seems you’re doing great! Hope you can keep it up 😉
“get used to the idea of having to *drive* to a walking spot.” HAHAHA, I hear you. It does sound ridiculous, doesn’t it? Good luck with that 😉
Juliana Haygert recently posted..#ROW and NTS update 7/8
July 8, 2012 at 11:25 am
Seriously, driving in order to walk just doesn’t make SENSE. But there’s a spot that’s just down the hill, only a couple of minutes away, so I suppose that makes it easier. 😛
Hope you have a great week, Juliana! Thanks for stopping by.
July 8, 2012 at 9:35 am
Glad your grandma is doing better.
You had a fabulous first week. You got a lot done and have a plan for the rest, kudos. I hear you on finding your rhythm and wish you luck.
Raelyn Barclay recently posted..Sunday Summary: Operation ‘Step Back’
July 8, 2012 at 11:26 am
It really is all about rhythm, isn’t it? I am a creature of habit, and I thrive when I have a good routine, but I think I am eking one out slowly but surely.
Hope you’re having a good weekend, Raelyn!
July 8, 2012 at 11:23 am
Moving is totally exercise! So is car washing. 🙂 Sounds like you’ve had a good start, despite all that’s going on. Good luck DISSERTATING (love it!) and best wishes for your grandma’s continued recovery.
Jennette Marie Powell recently posted..ROW80: Start Small for Success
July 8, 2012 at 11:40 am
Glad your grandmother is doing okay! That sounds like quite a scare. I love the pictures of the ostriches and I can’t wait to see the pics of your new writing space!
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July 8, 2012 at 1:40 pm
Dude…I am in need of soul work!!! I love that phrase and may adopt it as my own if that is ok? It is going on a post it and going on my wall. That makes me happy!!!
Glad you are settling in well and although I am actually scared of cats I am glad yours is acknowledging you!! I look forward to seeing your writing space and it has made think that I need to work out where I will write when I am at my parents in the summer and when I am at my sisters. Hmmm…food for thought! Hope you have a great week and find your rhythm 🙂
July 8, 2012 at 2:42 pm
Moving is always stressful and the new place will also demand new routines. Good luck with the adjustment and welcome to your new home.
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July 8, 2012 at 9:17 pm
I have never seen ostrich before and actually, my kids would love to come to zoos or any places where they can find a lot of animals..
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July 9, 2012 at 8:20 am
Nothing is as awesome as a sloth (they are one of my favorite animals & according to my husband they are also my power animal). Though, the ostriches are okay, I guess. (But certainly, no sloths, baby or not.) Also, getting pet/kitty love is awesome. If I don’t get my morning old lady dog snuggles my mornings get rougher. You seem to have a lot going on. Good luck with your goals. You’ve got a good start already.
Gloria Weber recently posted..1,006 Words – The Harpies
July 9, 2012 at 9:56 am
Good luck with Project Dissertate. And fast recovery for your grandmother. Yay for random ostrich pictures and getting all your stuff unpacked.
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July 9, 2012 at 1:47 pm
Lena –
You seem to be settling into your challenges and your new space very nicely.
Somewhere around here, I know I have an ostrich picture you will love!
I love the enthusiasm and energy of this post! =D
Have a joyful ROW!
July 10, 2012 at 7:33 am
Look, I came here for the ostriches, and the quotient of long necks to oval bodies of feathers has well satisfied. I didn’t know the Big Birds were biters. I do know they have the delightful habit of spinning in circles to upset any foolish enough to ride them on a racing rink. Do they make noises a cross between Godzilla and a bird?
I’m happy to hear your grandmother is stabilized with a pacemaker. Also, your truce with Napoleon will bring many strategic purrs, maybe even the spoils of a mouse. The cat has a battle-veteran look to him.
Also, congratulations on reaching 60k on the Path to the Peacock Throne. Certainly, the peacock may be a more beautiful and charismatic bird than the ostrich, but I ask you, who’d you rather have in a fight? A preener or a two-hundred pound feathered juggernaut with a snapping beak?
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July 10, 2012 at 1:53 pm
Wow! You really do have a lot going on and, it seems, a most thoughtful way of sliding into your goals. Hope you are making great progress in terms of the dissertation; no doubt, the cat and classical music will provide the muse, if required. Love the photos as well.
Hope this is a really great round for you.
Karen
July 11, 2012 at 11:46 pm
Aside from me wanting to say good thing your grandmother has been doing well, I’d like to say I’m happy for you about your cutie cat. 🙂 All smiles now. I admire you for being so focused with all your endeavors. Keep it up! 🙂
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July 14, 2012 at 6:02 am
Glad Grandma’s on the road to recovery and that your cat is speaking you. 😉 I’m sure getting settled will help in accomplishing your goals. Wishing you many words in R3!
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July 16, 2012 at 6:16 pm
Lots of things going on on your first week and I see that as a good sign. Like what others say, I’m glad your grandma’s doing fine now. God bless and more ostrich loving! and cat too! 🙂
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