WO: Weekly Obsessions
Our first seven days in Ireland have had their fair share of ups and downs, but as I’ve learned from the Irish to say, “It’ll be grand” and “We’re not here for a long time so might as well make it a good time.” These also remind me of a family favorite saying, “If you’re not having fun it’s your own damn fault.”
Quotations aside, we’ve done a TON of learning and laughing along the way from Dublin to Killarney, the Ring of Kerry and more. We have just a few precious days left here and I know we’re both trying to soak up every second of it (even if it means the 6:45am alarm comes way too soon).
From remembering my Grammy’s passing to my eldest niece starting kindergarten on Monday and tomorrow’s 24th anniversary of my dad’s stroke, it’s been quite the emotional adventure as well. I couldn’t be more grateful, though, to spend the time with my mom in her parents’ homeland and with unforgettable memories in the making.
So, that’s about all I’m obsessed with this week. No breakdown of the four top things, because I could hardly choose from the live music to my bag being returned to the stories to my bag being returned… well, you get the idea.
Photo by Lukas Kloeppel on Pexels.com
Witty Rewind: July 2019
I thought it’d be fun to capture each month’s activities and milestones in a series called Witty Rewind. It may not be for posterity’s sake, but I hope you’ll enjoy looking back at the previous month with me.
I got back on the fitness train finally and committed to a 21-day plan through an app I tested for work, called Fitplan. I loved Brittne Babe’s plan because I have the few pieces of equipment needed and could take advantage of facilities at work, too. It also helped immensely to text a few people every day with my progress. [Workouts completed: 24]
Things were heating up in the library world as I continued my quest to read mostly books published this year. I finally got off of the waitlist for a few titles and can see why they’re so popular and well-liked. I’m really looking forward to sharing my faves in an end-of-2019 list! [Books read: 7]
The 31 days of July may be long gone, but here’s what I remember:
- Celebrated my birthday in wine country with dear friends
- Enjoyed an extra-long weekend in one of SF’s most beautiful parks
- Continued volunteering with the Junior League of SF through a busy summer of training events and transitions
- Celebrated my roommate’s birthday at a fancy schmancy, delicious dinner
- Was surprised with a birthday trip to Great America, California’s iconic theme park
- Launched the first campaign I’ve led at work to celebrate 50 years since the moon landing
- Hosted foreign colleagues in town for an offsite that never happened
- Said “no” to a few things so I could prioritize my mental and emotional well-being
- Saw “The Book of Mormon” when it came to San Jose and loved every minute of it
- Made a triumphant return to Renegade Craft Fair and didn’t buy any candles (but lots of clothes, oops)
- Went on some dates, kissed a few frogs, Prince Charming is still somewhere out there
- Saw “Up” at the SF Symphony and cried less than I expected
- Went wine tasting on Treasure Island but failed to participate in a book swap
- Showed up for a Sephora event at the wrong time … and missed the whole thing
- Had Irish coffees at Buena Vista Cafe — an SF tradition I never tire of
Photo by rawpixel.com on Pexels.com
Because I have zero photos ready for public consumption…
WO: Weekly Obsessions
If you want to hear God laugh, tell Him your plans, right? I’m going into my 12th hour of travel and have only made it to Chicago. Same for my mom and she’s JUST getting off the ground from Orlando.
Our destination? Dublin, Ireland! The luck of the Irish might not be on our side today but I have high hopes the delays will make the destination that much sweeter.
Tomorrow is the 10th anniversary since my maternal grandmother passed. I was studying in Ireland at the time and didn’t make it back for the services and to be by my mom’s side. So while my genius idea to take Magz to Ireland for Grammy’s angelversary has gotten off to a rocky start, I have every hope that the next nine days will be incredible.
May the road rise up to meet you 💚🍀
WO: Weekly Obsessions
If you woke up today and thought it was Tuesday, then you and I have at least one thing in common. If you waited for your bus near a mountain of shattered glass thanks to a failed coffee shop robbery, then we’ve got at least TWO things in common!
At the risk of sounding like Jeff Foxworthy’s classic “You might be a redneck” spiel, here are some other highlights of my (our?) day:
- A phone talker sat behind me for the commute
- I banged my head while moving seats away from said phone talker
- I banged my head while putting my sneakers on at my desk
- I used a shower post-workout that didn’t have soap (the next stall did, thankfully!)
- I had three separate conference room issues with clueless people
- A phone talker sat behind me for the commute
- I answered grammatical questions, then was ignored because the answers weren’t to their liking
- I got home after a 13-hour day and banged my head on the cabinet door
Aside from needing a helmet, here’s what else I’m tryyyying my damndest to focus on:
- I’m gainfully employed in a role I love 90% of the time
- The perks of a shuttle, gym, and shower are priceless
- Meeting room etiquette basically doesn’t exist
- I have a home to go to and retreat from loud people on phone calls
- I’m not the idiot who half-heartedly stole a safe from a coffee shop
There, I feel much better. Don’t you?
WO: Weekly Obsessions
I thought I was having a bad day when I woke up late, got some upsetting news, ran to pick up a custom item that TURNS OUT wasn’t ready for pickup, and a homeless man yelled at me for not taking my headphones off (because he was yelling at me).
Then I saw a woman full on face plant while stepping off the bus and I remembered San Francisco kicks all kinds of asses every single day. Mine is not special.
The shining bright light is having a circle of support I can lean on and turn to when I’m feeling low. They lift me up from the proverbial face plant and remind me what truly matters: family, friends, faith, self-care and wine.
Cheers to that!
WO: Weekly Obsessions
I’m mostly over that silly little existential crisis I mentioned last week, except I’m not getting enough sleep and am still overcommitting myself. Live and learn? Ha!
In true frazzled fashion, I haven’t managed to put together a thoughtfully curated list today. I thought about it, don’t get me wrong. But somewhere between meetings and workouts and social activities and deadlines, all I’ve managed to come up with is this: some links to bangers.
Your ears will thank me, even if your eyes don’t. A double Cyrus shoutout, what could be better?
WO: Weekly Obsessions
Another Wednesday is upon us and I swear it was just July 3rd about 30 seconds ago. Is this a symptom of getting older? Time flying by faster and faster until I wake up one day and I’m 80?
Existential crisis aside, the past week has treated me well. I’ve celebrated my own birthday and my dear roomie’s; I’ve been in the throes of planning a big campaign I thought of; and I’ve felt the love from many, near and far.
So why muck all that up with some silly little obsessions? Here’s a song I can’t stop replaying for some reason. Thanks, Google Play Music: You really know how to find a girl’s weakness.
