Boring

I haven't written much this month because there's not a lot to write about: I've been boring. My new job has kind of taken up a lot of my energy, in a great way, and I just haven't been doing too much outside of work.

Still, an update: I hurt my back this weekend playing badminton (?) and it's pretty painful. Sunday and this morning were particularly bad, but this evening it feels better. I've got to be careful and take it easy; now I know what it feels like to be old. :-/

This weekend I am moving to the third floor! I forget what a hassle moving is, and this is no exception, even though I've hired movers. It's just a lot of things to remember: change address with all companies, clean, sort through stuff, pack (ugh), unscrew all the stuff I installed. But the third floor should prove quieter and sunnier, so overall it's a good thing. Plus, my landlord emailed me today and told me he was going to install a free pot rack, so hey!

As far as reading goes, Great Expectations has been my bane this month. I am very much enjoying re-reading it, but it's taking forever. I may need to put it down and pick up a library book, because I'm not going to finish GE before the library book is due back.

And that is basically it. What's going on in your life?

Yosemite

I was quiet at the end of last month because on was on vacation to California, southern and northern, with a large chunk spent in Yosemite National Park for a family reunion.

While at my parents' house, my mom and I spent time shopping for new work-appropriate clothes, and had success. We also did a bit of sewing, a lot of eating, and taking of family photos. The weather was almost enough to make me move back: cool in the morning and evening, and hot but breezy during the day; perfection. I spent a fair bit of time out in the garden.

We drove up to Yosemite in two separate cars, and I was with my dad. The drive to the central valley is beautiful, and then there is nothing to look at until you turn east into the mountains. Yosemite was beautiful, and we have a lot of family history there dating back to the turn of the (last) century. We spent three days in the valley, spending time with family and taking in the sights. It was a pretty good vacation, and I am very happy I could make it with the new job. See pictures below!

Golden hills, making our way to the central valley

First view of the valley...you can see Half Dome right in the very middle

From the back door of our hotel: Sentinel Rock

Merced River

View of Half Dome from Glacier Point

Valley meadow, so beautiful

Meadow grass. I took a video and downloaded it to my computer, then deleted it from my camera, not knowing it downloaded the video as ONE picture, and NOT a video. ALWAYS check before deleting things from your camera!!

Photo Credit: Me!

Resolution Update #7

Here's how I did in July:

Resolution #1: Be good to my body
Result: 33% (horrible)

A. Go to the gym once a week: 3/4 (75%)
B. Stretch once a week: 1/4 (25%)
C. Drink a glass of green tea once a week: 0/4 (0%)

Resolution #2: Be more mindful
Result: 42% (ugh)

A. Write in my journal once a week: 4/4 (100%!)
B. Meditate once a week: 1/4 (25%)
C. Only spend one hour on the internet every weekday, at home: 0/22 (0%)

Resolution #3: See one movie a month in theater
Result: Fail

Resolution #4: Buy one piece of clothing per month
Result: Resounding success!

I don't even think I can remember all the clothes I bought this month; new job necessitated new clothes!

Resolution #5: Read two books per month
Result: Success!

In July I read Everything on a Waffle by Polly Horvath, and it was a Newbery Honor Book. I wasn't blown away by this one. Next I read The Lost Continent: Travels in Small Town America by Bill Bryson. As always, it was great. This book was written in the late 80s, however, and I wish I was either old enough to have read it at the time, or that Bryson would do his trip again and write about current small town America.

Resolution #6: Keep track of my finances via Excel
Result: Eh

So I spent a lot of money in July, and did a pretty good job of tracking expenses until I went on vacation. It's vacation: money doesn't matter, right?

Monthly Recap: I didn't do too badly overall, but getting my new job (yay!) and going on vacation (yay!) made it hard to do things like go to the gym and meditate. Also, it costs money to start a new job (gotta look the part!); good thing I'm now making a lot more!