What a month!! I feel like I’ve been feeling like that since February and you probably have too in some way or another. Plans changing, more surprises, more regulations, more ups and downs. I started the month just doing the “new normal” post-lockdown rhythms of life and learning language & ended the month back in America having no idea when exactly I’ll return to our South Asian home again.
Our date night at the beginning of July was pretty eery as we walked through what would normally be a bustling part of our city and is now completely closed due to the lack of tourism and therefore visitors and income.
Verse of the MonthÂ
Adventure of the Month
Well, first there was the day a torch was lit on first and a hornets nest was burned off the roof of our house. Cosmetics are often the last of people’s housing concerns here. haha
But the main adventure of the month was honesty our trip back to the States. It took three days and included…
- a 5 hour taxi ride on curvy mountain roads (to a friend’s house where we stayed until the next day)
- a 2 hour flight
- a 12 hour layover (praises for hotels in airports. Best decision ever)
- a 9 hour flight
- a 2 hour layover (hello Starbucks and holding hands with my husband)
- another 9 hour flight
- 1.5 hour layover (American airports are seamless compared to what we are used to)
- 2 hour flight
- a 45 min drive
Favorite Foods or Recipes
I haven’t really been cooking since I got to the States. I actually miss it– the simplicity of ingredients, whole foods (not the store), and fresh produce. We as Americans are used to convince and pre-made everything which definitely makes life easier but for the most part, we don’t know what we are eating. I’m still amazed that pretty much everything is in season all the time here but it’s totally not how most of the world lives.
Favorite foods that we don’t usually get a lot of (if any): avocado, spinach, blueberries, raspberries, frozen custard, salmon, sushi, & lunch meat–which I totally forgot even existed.
Creative Outlet
hosting a 4th of July party
free-hand cross stitch on the plane (clippers not scissors)
Revisiting my July Tending List
monthly
30 hours of language per week(yes–when we were in South Asia. It’s a lot more difficult in the USA right now)Face Time sisters(surprise…even got to see one sista in person!!)heart conversations(thankful for a supportive community)celebrate 4th of July with friends(so fun!)listen, read book about Black History(started one)continue teaching friend about wellness(yes.)
weekly
prioritize hormonal health(I was at the beginning of the month)blog(a little, not every week though)
daily
go outside(most days)
August Tending List
monthly
- schedule doctors appointments
- read a book
- make the most of time with friends & fam in USA
- celebrate the hubs bday
- write thank you notes
weekly
- memorize the word
- spend time outdoors
- date with hubs
- stay in touch with national friends
daily
- workout
- language study