Happy Thinking Out Loud Thursday! I’ve had a pretty chill week, but a lot of thoughts. More than are here, but you know they’ll make their way out eventually. So, let’s talk about what’s happening in my life and mind this week.
1.) In the past few weeks, I’ve had a number of encounters with Uber drivers that left me with strong emotions.
Situation 1: I was stuck in traffic for over a half an hour with a woman who sang along to the music very loudly, criticized me for not having a TV in my dorm, and almost hit a police officer directing traffic.
Feelings: Annoyed, anxious, scared.
Situation 2: A driver was shocked I had come downtown from Hyde Park. I explained that I ran downtown with the plan to Uber back. He was amazed that I had run there (I walked some, too).
Feelings: Pretty proud of myself. Watching people on social media run 293 miles per week skews my perspective. Normal people don’t just get up on Saturday and run 8 miles.
Situation 3: Talking to a very sweet old Serbian driver and teaching him English words and basic American geography.
Feelings: Happy. I like talking to people and finding out their life stories.
2.) I finished Grace and Frankie Monday. I love it a lot. It’s funny and I want more. Now.
3.) Because I do have a lighter quarter, I needed something else to watch. (I mean, not actually… I could have done something else, but Netflix felt like a good idea. That’s a rarity for me, so I went with it.)
I’ve always been interested in 13 Reasons Why (the book), but never read it because the thing that terrified me more than anything else except real-life terrorism as a kid was the idea of suicide. Give me all the other violence and scary shit in media, but when people killed themselves, I’d be so affected by it that I couldn’t keep watching. The case that comes to mind is The Shawshank Redemption, which I now love. Anyway, that’s why I avoided the book.
But I decided that I’ve grown up enough to handle it, so I watched the first season of the show on Netflix in 3 days. I feel like a real college student now. Yes, I went to class on Tuesday, but I still managed over half the season that day. It was all-consuming and uncomfortable, but I want more. So many thoughts that I could write an entire post on (but I’ll probably spare you). Also, the music was excellent – and that’s from a person who doesn’t usually notice music in TV.
4.) Did I mention that the Uber driver criticized me for not having a TV? I think I can do enough damage with Netflix on my computer…
5.) My cognitive psych teacher gives a 5-minute break halfway through our 80-minute class and I love it. I have the hardest time sitting still for a long time, and 80 minutes has me stiff and absolutely itching to move by the end, but usually the only classes with breaks are 3-hour ones. The quick reprieve is incredible, though.
6.) After I finished 13 Reasons Why yesterday, I realized I could use my extra time to start learning French for the fall. I’m not going to become proficient before then, but I’d rather start off with some knowledge than none – and it feels more productive than Netflix, but still fun. Win.
7.) Since I stopped training for the half, I haven’t been as hungry, but yesterday I was so damn snacky. It was kinda annoying, since nothing really sounded good, but at least I had plenty of food around to try to fill myself up.
8.) Playoff hockey started last night! I love hockey a lot. But the Blue Jackets lost.
9.) My cilantro plant looks kinda wilty. Send it happy thoughts. I think it’s meant for more sun than it gets here. But I want it to live.
10.) And now I want to leave you with some of my favorite recipes & reads from the week.
- Perfect easy meal. –> 3-Ingredient Southwest Chicken Lettuce Wraps
- So much good stuff. So springy. –> Whole Grain Greek Yogurt Pineapple Carrot Cake
- I have intense love for deviled eggs. –> Toasted Sesame Sriracha Deviled Eggs
- It’s more than okay to ask for help. –> 4 Important Reminders to Ask for Help (Earlier Than You Think)
- All the respect for chronically ill people. –> Dear Bryan Bickell, from a Chronically Ill Hockey Fan
Your turn:
Any interesting encounters lately?
Do you speak another language?
Anything else I should know?
I thought for a hot second about doing Uber as a second pick up job (and had it suggested to me) and then I realized that i would have a few crazy riders. LIKE YOU ;D
I need to see you. I miss yo face.
Interesting encounters…. none that stick out to me, but I’ll be sure to get into a few before I see you. I don’t want to let you down!
Grace and Frankie is an incredible show. I need to watch the new season!
I wanna see you! Will text.
I’ve taken spanish and I’m semi-fluent- but I would love to learn French too! Uber drivers are a real pain sometimes… and I want to start 13 reasons why. I keep hearing mixed reviews on it!
I took Spanish, too. I’d love keep it up. Languages are so cool!
I’m glad you have a lighter quarter, and it’s funny how you had so many different Uber encounters. Where we live is pretty rural, so I’ve never done an Uber.
I would LOVE to be fluent in Spanish, but alas, I have been lazy about it.
Language takes practice, but it’s so fun!
Have you checked into Duolingo? I used it to boost my Spanish knowledge before my study abroad program in Spain and it totally helped! It takes no more than 10 minutes a day, and it’s a great daily check in, easily accomplished on your phone!
I actually just started the French Duolingo! I’ve always used it to keep my Spanish skills, and live that it’s quick and fun!
Nothing crazy exciting for me this week. I did secure an apartment (my first time to have one on my own!) that’s within walking distance of my new grad school, so I’m super excited to have that done. I speak some basic Spanish and I actually pick up languages pretty easily (according to my Spanish tests and teachers, anyway!). I thought about minoring in Spanish in college, passed into the second intermediate class and it turned out way too stressful, so I minored in Women’s Studies instead. 10/10 the right decision.
Yay for getting the apartment!!!
The time commitment is why I didn’t stick with Spanish, too. Language classes here meet every day of the week, and I didn’t have time for that!
Great blog! Glad I came by! Keep up the awesome work!
Thank you! So sorry I’ve been slow with the comments lately. I love having new faces around 🙂 Hope you come back!
Sooo I watched one or two episodes of Grace and Frankie ageeeeeees ago but I wasn’t a fan. Does it get better?! I am having serious Netflix FOMO haha!
Hmm. It might not be for everyone, but it’s a nice and lighthearted show that I enjoy!