Is there anything more satisfying than beginning the month on a Sunday? Nope, just me? Ok then...
Well, regardless of that, I can't believe this is the last day of March! It's finally starting to feel like spring (though I really don't want to jinx that), Michigan is in the Final Four, and Easter is tomorrow...what a weekend!
Reading: Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie. A powerful, engaging, timely, heart-wrenching read. The author draws you in with the stories of individuals while commenting on the tragedies of the world in which we live from a range of perspectives. HIGHLY recommend.
Listening: Spotify's "Have a Great Day!" playlists has been going strong in my apartment-and on my walks. It is just so fun!
Watching: Dad and I went to see A Wrinkle in Time last week. I loved the book as a child, and still do as an adult. I'm often disappointed with movie adaptations, and of course this was far from perfect. However, it really held true to the most important parts of the book and the messages that are so meaningful for everyone, but especially the girls who can identify with Meg.
Happy Easter weekend, y'all!
xoxoxo
Emma
Saturday, March 31, 2018
Saturday, March 24, 2018
Entertainment Weekly 3.24.18
Reading: Tempests and Slaughter by Tamora Pierce. I have loved her books since I was in middle school and they continue to be amazing. I love young adult novels, especially those with good representation, important messages, and excellent story telling!
Listening: all the interviews and speeches from the youth leading the March for Our Lives and the related movement.
Watching: Nothing new...just one episode left of the latest season of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. I'm so sad it's about to be over again!
xoxoxo
Emma
Saturday, March 10, 2018
Entertainment Weekly 3.10.18
Lots of early mornings for me this week...the friends and family sale is happening at Athleta right now, so lots to do before we open each day!
Recent...
Reading: my friend Molly lent me Robin Sloan's Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore and I happened to check out another book by the same author, Sourdough, without realizing it! I'm still in the first, but finished the second, and am loving them. His writing style is very clever, and both books seem to acknowledge the importance of technology while still holding reverence for the "old ways" of doing things (reading/research and baking, respectively).
Listening: Burnt Toast (Food52's podcast) is back! Their first episode of the season is about food fights-a nice lighthearted contrast with so many heavier topics I deal with daily.
Watching: Aaaand Crazy Ex-Girlfriend season 3 is on Netflix! I'm trying to ration them out, but it's hard...I had originally so opposed watching this show and now love it. Check it out, especially if you love musicals/sarcasm/feminist takes.
Have a great week, everyone!
xoxoxo
Emma
Recent...
Reading: my friend Molly lent me Robin Sloan's Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore and I happened to check out another book by the same author, Sourdough, without realizing it! I'm still in the first, but finished the second, and am loving them. His writing style is very clever, and both books seem to acknowledge the importance of technology while still holding reverence for the "old ways" of doing things (reading/research and baking, respectively).
Listening: Burnt Toast (Food52's podcast) is back! Their first episode of the season is about food fights-a nice lighthearted contrast with so many heavier topics I deal with daily.
Watching: Aaaand Crazy Ex-Girlfriend season 3 is on Netflix! I'm trying to ration them out, but it's hard...I had originally so opposed watching this show and now love it. Check it out, especially if you love musicals/sarcasm/feminist takes.
Have a great week, everyone!
xoxoxo
Emma
Saturday, March 3, 2018
Entertainment Weekly 3.3.18
One of my best friends, Jessica, is visiting this weekend! Along with Michelle, we have been having a blast eating everything in sight...and thankfully walking quite a bit to balance it out, ha.
Lately, I've been
Reading: Seven Days of Us by Francesca Hornak. A very enjoyable yet emotional read. I definitely recommend picking it up for your next beach or cabin trip!
Listening: Nothing new, really...it's been a lot of taking advantage of the last days of my SiriusXM subscription in my car! I do love the Broadway station.
Watching: Desperate Housewives is on Hulu. All of it. So yes, I've been watching it obsessively. Oops!
Saturday, February 24, 2018
Entertainment Weekly 2.24.18
Short but sweet today...
Reading: The City Baker's Guide to Country Living by Louise Miller (as recommended by Carly!). Such a fun read-I zipped through it. I also love novels that include recipes, and this has some goodies!
Listening: Brandi Carlile's new album, By the Way, I Forgive You. Gorgeous and powerful as always. I even bought it rather than just using Spotify!
Watching: I went with Dad and Michelle to see Black Panther-it was amazing. I have way more to say about it, so I really need to get a whole post about just it going, but suffice to say that you need to see it immediately. I want to go again!
Have a great rest of your weekend!
xoxoxo
Emma
Reading: The City Baker's Guide to Country Living by Louise Miller (as recommended by Carly!). Such a fun read-I zipped through it. I also love novels that include recipes, and this has some goodies!
Listening: Brandi Carlile's new album, By the Way, I Forgive You. Gorgeous and powerful as always. I even bought it rather than just using Spotify!
Watching: I went with Dad and Michelle to see Black Panther-it was amazing. I have way more to say about it, so I really need to get a whole post about just it going, but suffice to say that you need to see it immediately. I want to go again!
Have a great rest of your weekend!
xoxoxo
Emma
Saturday, February 10, 2018
Entertainment Weekly 2.10.18
As always, lots of work work work over here...I managed to do some socializing, too, the last couple of weekends which I'm totally using as an excuse for my lack of posting. Lately I've been
Reading: Alice Waters' Coming to My Senses: the Making of a Counterculture Cook. Obsessed. It's as engaging as a novel, inspiring as a cookbook (even without recipes). Even if you're not as into food culture as I am (or even at all), read it!
Listening: the Fearless Rebelle Radio podcast. I know I mentioned it before, but I just can't get over how amazing it is! This week Summer interviewed Tiana Dodson and she had some powerful words: "when I can see myself as someone of value, I can see everyone else as valuable". This was in the context of fat acceptance/activism, but 100% applies in all facets of life. LOVED IT.
Watching: Is it too embarrassing to admit I've been watching Pretty Little Liars? I needed another mindless-ish, pretty show to play in the background when I'm cooking, cleaning, etc. and it fit the bill...Highly problematic but oh so entertaining.
xoxoxo
Emma
Reading: Alice Waters' Coming to My Senses: the Making of a Counterculture Cook. Obsessed. It's as engaging as a novel, inspiring as a cookbook (even without recipes). Even if you're not as into food culture as I am (or even at all), read it!
Listening: the Fearless Rebelle Radio podcast. I know I mentioned it before, but I just can't get over how amazing it is! This week Summer interviewed Tiana Dodson and she had some powerful words: "when I can see myself as someone of value, I can see everyone else as valuable". This was in the context of fat acceptance/activism, but 100% applies in all facets of life. LOVED IT.
Watching: Is it too embarrassing to admit I've been watching Pretty Little Liars? I needed another mindless-ish, pretty show to play in the background when I'm cooking, cleaning, etc. and it fit the bill...Highly problematic but oh so entertaining.
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| Finally tried Harpoon's pretzels last weekend-I've been missing out! |
xoxoxo
Emma
Friday, February 9, 2018
2018 Goals
Wow, I did not mean to post an intense piece and then disappear for weeks...time really got away from me! I've been working nonstop, it seems-and the little bit of time I'm not working I've been trying to see more of my friends. I need to find a balance, but dang that's hard...
I originally wrote this post at the start of January, was going to post it, then had to write about that sermon. Then I apparently just didn't post for almost 3 week. So obviously I've already been working on these goals...
It seems that I'm in the same mindset as many people out there-resolutions just don't work for me. The minute I'm not following it, I feel like I've failed and I give up on it entirely. As a social worker, of course I'm big on reframing-so I decided to do that with resolutions and make them into goals instead! As goals, I can consider them as points to work toward, as opposed to immediate stagnant changes, and think of each time I act in line with them as progress, instead of each time I slip up as failure. I can also add new ones at any time! However, some things never change-and accountability is huge, so here were go.
I originally wrote this post at the start of January, was going to post it, then had to write about that sermon. Then I apparently just didn't post for almost 3 week. So obviously I've already been working on these goals...
It seems that I'm in the same mindset as many people out there-resolutions just don't work for me. The minute I'm not following it, I feel like I've failed and I give up on it entirely. As a social worker, of course I'm big on reframing-so I decided to do that with resolutions and make them into goals instead! As goals, I can consider them as points to work toward, as opposed to immediate stagnant changes, and think of each time I act in line with them as progress, instead of each time I slip up as failure. I can also add new ones at any time! However, some things never change-and accountability is huge, so here were go.
1. Do the 30 days of Yoga with Adriene's True program. Note: I did it! It felt amazing to make that a priority. While I haven't continued to do yoga every day since that ended, I've definitely been doing it more and I can feel it.
2. Try my best to take breaks at work. At Athleta, I'm forced to do so, and have noticed how great it feels to reset partway through the day. Doing the daily yoga practice from my first goal during the workday is a great way to actually take it!
3. Continue to go to Bar Method as much as possible. I love the workouts and the people-while it took me some time, I really feel a part of the community. I hit 250 classes just before the New Year and am excited to continue toward 500!
4. Stay away from gossip/negative talk about others. It's way too easy to get pulled into it. Whether it's someone in my professional life, an ex, or just a person I interact with in my life out and about, it's never actually helpful.
5. Cook vegan. I'll still use up what I already had at home (honey, etc.) because I'm not trying to be wasteful, and when I go out to eat I will enjoy my beloved cheese, but at home it's plant-based all the way. Going vegan is something I've debated for a long time and struggled with (honestly, mainly because of how much I love all cheese-based dishes). However, it's in line with all the reasons I became vegetarian over 15 years ago. Opposing animal cruelty, eating more nutritiously-and yes, I know Oreos are vegan, but most of the junk I enjoy is not-reducing my impact on the environment are all incentives to be at least more vegan than not.
6. Take breaks...not just at work. If you know me, you may have noticed my slight obsessive tendencies (see Bar Method goal above?) and do not like to feel like I can't do something-miss a day of barre when I have time to go, not hit my 10,000 steps, have an actual day off from both jobs, cancel social plans when I'm just too wiped out...recently I had a day where I actually let myself be lazy. It was a little weird, almost anxiety-provoking, but so. good. I did yoga at home, then drove to Providence and only left the couch to go out to eat (twice, ha).
7. Get the damn boxes out of my apartment. I moved in April and have boxes just sitting that I clearly don't need anything from-so I need to sort, store, donate, and toss. It will feel so much better!
8. Prioritize the relationships in my life as much as I do everything else. I am terrible at staying in touch with people I don't see regularly (also, I need to reframe this) and often make my extroverted-introvert excuse to stay in. But I love my people and need them to know this!
What goals do you have? Are they new, ongoing, shifting? Let me know, and good luck!
xoxoxo
Emma
Sunday, January 21, 2018
Deep Rest
(and yes, I totally swiped that title from both the sermon and the article from which it drew)
Today at the Arlington Street Church, Rev. Kim K. Crawford Harvie opened her sermon with reading Dane Thomas' "From Depressed to Deep Rest". Given that I had already teared up during joys and sorrows, clearly my emotions were front and center and this felt profound. He speaks to "this despondent sense of over-it-ness that I sometimes get" and the subsequent need to be "rested in oneself". He states "FEELING IS ACCESSING POWER" and that "everything I've ever tried to run from was because I didn't want to feel a feeling".
Rev. Kim then reminded us of three important questions when we are feeling this "over-it-ness": what do I love? What am I good at? What does the world need from me?
Obviously this appealed to my social worker self, but what about my real, whole, true self? Good lord did it ever. Between working too many hours overall (1 full time job + 1 part time job + getting new brakes for my car = as many hours as possible), some major stresses (both good and bad) at my main job, trying to maintain my social life and-gasp!-even start dating again, and the general insanity of the world in which we are currently living, I am wiped out. Thomas' description of "over-it-ness" couldn't be more accurate. I have been avoiding feeling because so much of it won't be good. I am afraid to be overwhelmed with anxiety, stress, and sadness for individuals and our country and our world.
But that doesn't work. We have to feel all our feelings, myself included. I need to practice what I preach. And while I'm at it, thinking of those questions. I can easily answer what I love. It's not too hard for me to see what the world needs from me, but I'll be darned if those critical/imposter syndrome thoughts don't show up when I start thinking "what am I good at?" This is not a hint for compliments, or asking you to build me up-I need to be able to do that myself. I know there are things I am good at, but then think "oh, I'm not good enough at them yet to say so". If one of my friends did this, I'd tell her she is crazy for letting that stop her.
I just got real here, so sorry-wait, no. Nobody is obligated to respond to, or even read this, so if you chose to, that's on you :) I hesitated to publish this after writing it, since it is one of the most vulnerable and personal things you will likely ever hear from me. I struggle to say these things out loud (I'm supposed to be confident and successful!) but I, and so many other amazing people, feel them on a regular basis.
I'm tired of being tired. I'm tired of avoiding feeling. I'm tired of the "over-it-ness". Let's feel and act and love and make a damn change in this world, one person at a time.
xoxoxo
Emma
P.S. I hadn't been to church in forever and clearly desperately needed it! I am beyond grateful to Rev. Kim for saying exactly what I needed to hear this morning-isn't it amazing when that happens??
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| from here |
Rev. Kim then reminded us of three important questions when we are feeling this "over-it-ness": what do I love? What am I good at? What does the world need from me?
Obviously this appealed to my social worker self, but what about my real, whole, true self? Good lord did it ever. Between working too many hours overall (1 full time job + 1 part time job + getting new brakes for my car = as many hours as possible), some major stresses (both good and bad) at my main job, trying to maintain my social life and-gasp!-even start dating again, and the general insanity of the world in which we are currently living, I am wiped out. Thomas' description of "over-it-ness" couldn't be more accurate. I have been avoiding feeling because so much of it won't be good. I am afraid to be overwhelmed with anxiety, stress, and sadness for individuals and our country and our world.
But that doesn't work. We have to feel all our feelings, myself included. I need to practice what I preach. And while I'm at it, thinking of those questions. I can easily answer what I love. It's not too hard for me to see what the world needs from me, but I'll be darned if those critical/imposter syndrome thoughts don't show up when I start thinking "what am I good at?" This is not a hint for compliments, or asking you to build me up-I need to be able to do that myself. I know there are things I am good at, but then think "oh, I'm not good enough at them yet to say so". If one of my friends did this, I'd tell her she is crazy for letting that stop her.
I just got real here, so sorry-wait, no. Nobody is obligated to respond to, or even read this, so if you chose to, that's on you :) I hesitated to publish this after writing it, since it is one of the most vulnerable and personal things you will likely ever hear from me. I struggle to say these things out loud (I'm supposed to be confident and successful!) but I, and so many other amazing people, feel them on a regular basis.
I'm tired of being tired. I'm tired of avoiding feeling. I'm tired of the "over-it-ness". Let's feel and act and love and make a damn change in this world, one person at a time.
xoxoxo
Emma
P.S. I hadn't been to church in forever and clearly desperately needed it! I am beyond grateful to Rev. Kim for saying exactly what I needed to hear this morning-isn't it amazing when that happens??
Saturday, January 20, 2018
Entertainment Weekly 1.20.18
I was really sad not to be at a Women's March today-it was such a powerful experience last year, and desperately needed after the political and my personal upheaval at the time. Alas, I had to work-and I haven't been feeling very well the last couple of days, so it may have been for the best that I didn't push myself any more than I had to.
This week, I've been
Reading: Everything We Ever Wanted by Sara Shepard. It's a heart-wrenching family story and at the same time super readable.
Listening: the (original cast recording of the) soundtrack to Les Misérables, of course! I'm super pumped that my choir is singing a medley of songs from it-it will be so hard not to sing as dramatically as possible!
Watching: I love that Black-ish now has the spinoff for the oldest daughter, Zoe, called Grown-ish. You all know my love for the prior, so it comes as no surprise I'm into the latter as well!
xoxoxo
Emma
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| last year's march on the common |
Reading: Everything We Ever Wanted by Sara Shepard. It's a heart-wrenching family story and at the same time super readable.
Listening: the (original cast recording of the) soundtrack to Les Misérables, of course! I'm super pumped that my choir is singing a medley of songs from it-it will be so hard not to sing as dramatically as possible!
xoxoxo
Emma
Wednesday, January 17, 2018
Eat Local: Rooftop at the Providence G
It's been a while since one of these posts! I had to get this one up pretty promptly, though, so y'all can take advantage of the excellent deal and deliciousness of Providence Restaurant Week. There's a number of participating restaurants doing 3-course $16.95 for lunch or $29.95/$34.95 for dinner-some of them even two-for-one deals!
I went down to Providence for the day on Monday with the express goals of doing almost nothing and eating delicious food-mission accomplished, ha! Rici, Dad, and I decided to try out a new place for dinner, Rooftop at the Providence G. None of us had eaten there before, but the menu looked great and we could make a reservation online (a not infrequent deciding factor for me).
We all opted for cocktails-the Fig Fusion, St. Goose, and East Ghost RI, then made our selections from the Restaurant Week menu. They also had their full menu available.
Dad and I both started with the black truffle cauliflower soup, while Rici ordered the fried artichokes. The soup was probably my favorite thing all night-but was super rich. The artichokes were a pretty sizable serving, so we all tried-and enjoyed-them and Rici still had some to take home with her, ha.
We got three different main dishes. Naturally I got the vegetarian one, beet root gnocchi, while Rici got a wood oven roasted chicken and Dad went for the grilled rare tuna. They were all beautifully presented and delicious!
We finished with dessert-something I rarely order out, so it is a special treat during restaurant week. Again, we all made different selections and got to taste each others-I had the lavender creme brûlée, Rici had the flourless chocolate cake, and Dad enjoyed the berry mousse. While they were all tasty, we agreed that the chocolate cake could have been improved by heating it before serving and the creme brûlée was a little too sweet for my taste, though the flavors were great.
The space is quite lovely, though a little chilly-as it literally is a rooftop with a glass roof over it for the winter! They have some cafe tables, a bar, and lounge seating. There was also live music, which we definitely enjoyed! It seems this is a regular thing there, so it would also be a great location just for drinks.
I would highly recommend checking the Rooftop-and I know I can't wait to go back in the summer when you truly are outside!
xoxoxo
Emma
I went down to Providence for the day on Monday with the express goals of doing almost nothing and eating delicious food-mission accomplished, ha! Rici, Dad, and I decided to try out a new place for dinner, Rooftop at the Providence G. None of us had eaten there before, but the menu looked great and we could make a reservation online (a not infrequent deciding factor for me).
We got three different main dishes. Naturally I got the vegetarian one, beet root gnocchi, while Rici got a wood oven roasted chicken and Dad went for the grilled rare tuna. They were all beautifully presented and delicious!
The space is quite lovely, though a little chilly-as it literally is a rooftop with a glass roof over it for the winter! They have some cafe tables, a bar, and lounge seating. There was also live music, which we definitely enjoyed! It seems this is a regular thing there, so it would also be a great location just for drinks.
I would highly recommend checking the Rooftop-and I know I can't wait to go back in the summer when you truly are outside!
xoxoxo
Emma
Saturday, January 13, 2018
Entertainment Weekly 1.13.18
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| vegan pad thai, based on recipes from Thug Kitchen and the Lunch Room |
Reading: Enchantress of Numbers by Jennifer Chiaverini. It's a story of Ada Lovelace, an amazing mathematician and the daughter of Lord Byron-and totally inspiring me to seek out an actual biography of her!
Listening: I haven't made it through the whole podcast yet, but I have a feeling I will be subscribing-Summer Innanen has an interview with Caroline Dooner, the creator of the The Fuck It Diet, on her podcast Fearless Rebelle Radio.
Watching: I would highly recommend Phantom Thread...I saw it last night and it was fantastic. While 9:30pm really was too late for me to start a movie (ha!), it was definitely worth it.
xoxoxo
Emma
Tuesday, January 9, 2018
A celebration of life
I've been really struggling with this post, but feel that I need to write it.
My friend Daniel Polovich passed away on November 15, 2017 after battling cancer for almost 2 years.
I knew Danny for almost my entire life. We became friends in kindergarten (and quickly escalated that into our kindergarten marriage), and while we didn't always stay close when I moved after that year, we quickly remedied that in our high school German classes. In between all the goofing off, we still managed to actually learn some of the language. I also remember many walks through the University of Michigan Diag, trying to figure out our lives.
We went to very different colleges pretty darn far apart, but still caught up at holidays. Yes, lots of parties at our friend Brian's fraternity house, but also more walks on the Diag, visits at the camp where I worked, and always yummy food.
Danny was diagnosed before I moved out to the East Coast (and we were finally living close together again) so our time together changed a bit. We spent a lot of time just chilling in various locations, coloring, watching Netflix, talking, etc. Of course we still made time for ice cream though! We also did Relay for Life the summer of 2016 and it was very powerful experience. I've been doing it for a long time and was so glad it meant so much to Danny.
After I moved, of course I didn't get to see him as often. And I am notoriously bad at keeping in touch with people until I'm planning a visit. We talked sporadically and I did get to see him one more time in August.
I am so grateful for all who supported him and those who cared for him throughout this time. As his sister said, these last two years are not all he was. He lived for 28 years and had so much more to him than this diagnosis. He loved his people, was passionate about his work and hobbies, and was (rightly) so proud to get a patent this fall.
This weekend I returned to Michigan for his celebration of life, organized by some of his closest friends-who were essentially family. While it was challenging at times, I am so glad I was able to be there.
Sadly, Danny is not the first loved one I have lost to cancer, and I'm sure he won't be the last. I began doing Relay for Life when my friend Meagan was diagnosed when we were just young teens and have done it nearly every year since, often adding another person to the list for whom I am doing it in their honor or memory. I have donated to the American Cancer Society in Danny's name-they are an amazing organization, helping to fund research, supporting those with cancer and their loved ones, and raising awareness of what individuals can do to make a difference in their own and others' lives. Will you join me?
xoxoxo
Emma
I knew Danny for almost my entire life. We became friends in kindergarten (and quickly escalated that into our kindergarten marriage), and while we didn't always stay close when I moved after that year, we quickly remedied that in our high school German classes. In between all the goofing off, we still managed to actually learn some of the language. I also remember many walks through the University of Michigan Diag, trying to figure out our lives.
We went to very different colleges pretty darn far apart, but still caught up at holidays. Yes, lots of parties at our friend Brian's fraternity house, but also more walks on the Diag, visits at the camp where I worked, and always yummy food.
Danny was diagnosed before I moved out to the East Coast (and we were finally living close together again) so our time together changed a bit. We spent a lot of time just chilling in various locations, coloring, watching Netflix, talking, etc. Of course we still made time for ice cream though! We also did Relay for Life the summer of 2016 and it was very powerful experience. I've been doing it for a long time and was so glad it meant so much to Danny.
After I moved, of course I didn't get to see him as often. And I am notoriously bad at keeping in touch with people until I'm planning a visit. We talked sporadically and I did get to see him one more time in August.
I am so grateful for all who supported him and those who cared for him throughout this time. As his sister said, these last two years are not all he was. He lived for 28 years and had so much more to him than this diagnosis. He loved his people, was passionate about his work and hobbies, and was (rightly) so proud to get a patent this fall.
This weekend I returned to Michigan for his celebration of life, organized by some of his closest friends-who were essentially family. While it was challenging at times, I am so glad I was able to be there.
Sadly, Danny is not the first loved one I have lost to cancer, and I'm sure he won't be the last. I began doing Relay for Life when my friend Meagan was diagnosed when we were just young teens and have done it nearly every year since, often adding another person to the list for whom I am doing it in their honor or memory. I have donated to the American Cancer Society in Danny's name-they are an amazing organization, helping to fund research, supporting those with cancer and their loved ones, and raising awareness of what individuals can do to make a difference in their own and others' lives. Will you join me?
xoxoxo
Emma
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