May was very busy as I wrapped up 32 meetings in 25 days. The meetings themselves are no big deal, but the paperwork before and after have been tedious to say the least.
As I reflect on the month, it went by quickly and less painful than the other two months of quarantine. I felt more at ease knowing our restrictions rather than the confusion of March and some of April.
Where I’m going
Nowhere, not really. I have no “dated” travel plans for the future.
Some trails are opening up, but I haven’t had time to look it up and don’t want to get there to find no parking. So, instead, I’ve found some local, urban trails. I can get there within 15-30 minutes in the morning and get home to start work.
The cities have just opened up their parks in L.A., Orange County, and San Diego, but I’m avoiding the weekends as they are insanely crowded.
The L.A. Arboretum has been open so I got Jordan and myself tickets a couple weeks ago. First thing we heard/saw were PEACOCKS! I’m definitely watching documentaries about peacocks now. We also walked around downtown Pasadena.
I headed down to San Diego as we entered phase 2. We encountered signs that told us to stay active while at the beach. I was able to check something off my bucket list: kayaking the La Jolla caves… and I didn’t fall overboard and drown.
What I’m drinking
Also local, of course. I drove past Noble Ale Works and decided to pop in. I got a spicy sweet sour beer, which I polished off in the heat. I went back the next day for a Mother’s Day gift for a friend and got myself a pineapple & yuzu seltzer.
There have also been attempts by myself to make cocktails, mostly simple ones, for our virtual happy hours.
What I’m eating
My aunt requested I make Chrissy Teigen’s banana bread again.
I also made Snoop Dogg’s billionaire bacon a couple times. I burned it a little the first time.
I’m looking for more protein options rather than sweets and carbs – Ikea Swedish meatballs happened and it was delicious.
But since everyone is making focaccia, I did too. It wasn’t as fluffy as I wished probably because I left it outside to rise and it got too hot and a bit crusty.
Eating out, or well, take-out: local hot chicken, pizza in the park before going to the arboretum, lots of sandwiches and sushi, and character buns (strawberry and cream-filled koala) that were actually delicious!
What I’m watching
I binged “Upload” on Amazon Prime. 100% recommend.
I watched “Outer Banks” and “Sweet Magnolias.” I recommend “Outer Banks” because it has a “Dawson’s Creek” scenery with a “Goonies” storyline if you’re into that kind of thing. I also just love being transported to North Carolina. 🙂 On the other hand, “Sweet Magnolias” is fine, just very cheesy and wholesome.
What I’m reading
I finished Behind the Beautiful Forevers, an e-book through my library. Then I read A Walk in the Woods, and all I wanted to do was go hiking. I’m starting The Silent Patient for our little book club, but it’s going a bit slower since I started grad school.
Ah yes, I started grad school. Why not? I’m stuck at home for the most part anyways. So far so good. True to me being an enneagram 3, I am making this a productive time and reminding myself it’s also okay to not be productive.
Julie in the World 