Marriage & Moving

Doubtless the most significant change in my life has been my marriage to a good man and my best friend. We are 7 months married now and it’s an adventure, to say the least. Even after only 7 months, marriage isn’t all sunshine. I never knew that you could spend 30 minutes arguing with someone on something you agree on, but that is apparently a big part of marriage. It’s also so comforting to have that one person you can always turn to, that you don’t have to hide anything from. I am a naturally withdrawn and reserved person, so I still struggle to go to him with my feelings and pains, but whenever I do it is beyond relieving and feels so much better than carrying my burdens alone.

The other big thing was moving across the country. I won’t give too many details for privacy’s sake, but we only moved a few weeks ago and it’s a huge change. I have been under a lot of both physical and psychological stress and my health has suffered for it, but not too greatly. Things are slowly taking on a rhythm and I am making new friends.

Education & Career

I am taking a year out of school because last semester was 18 hours and it left me beyond drained. It was cumulative exhaustion stemming all the way from high school. I’ve been playing academic for a little too long and I just need to breathe for a bit. Besides, I don’t want to pay out-of-state tuition since I’ve moved, so for now I’ll continue to do independent studies related to my field. I also am looking for work that will be good experience and a resume booster. I am aiming to do some freelance babysitting and tutoring, and I might apply to a daycare later on.

College is just so expensive and I am so staunchly adverse to taking out more than perhaps a few thousand in loans. Not to mention, my husband can’t work right now because of his school, so income is going to be slim. God help! I have begun contacting local schools to inquire about financial aid and their education programs, so we shall see.

Interests, Intentions, & Hobbies

I’ve been thinking about wellness a lot lately. I want to work out more, eat more whole foods, get more sleep, spend more time outdoors, and do more things that “feed my soul”, as my literature teacher put it. I don’t want any potential I have to be well-rounded, kind, and healthy to be wasted. I want to spend less time on the internet, less time worrying about what I can’t control, less time daydreaming (oh yeah, so apparently I’m a maladaptive daydreamer??), less time procrastinating and holding on to my comfort zone. Benjamin Franklin said (he probably didn’t) some men die at 25 and aren’t buried til 75; well, let that not be me. I want to seize the day just a little more, by saying the kind words I often think about people, even strangers, but am too shy to speak out. I want to focus more on prayer and awareness of God, and the remembrance of death, because tomorrow isn’t promised. Life is so short, and I don’t want to waste another day.

In terms of projects and hobbies that are occupying my time recently, well, there’s a lot. I am writing my own DnD campaign based in the Forgotten Realms setting with some added personal flavor. Anyone who has ever attempted running a tabletop rpg knows exactly what I’m going through. I also have been thinking about my lil space trilogy that I began writing for my husband. It’s a self-serving and indulgent little project, and a lot of fun to write. It’s high time I picked it up again.

My husband and I are moved into quite a fixer upper. As in, we don’t have a kitchen at the moment, and it seems like no one’s painted since the 70’s when a two-toned purple bathroom with light mauve trim was cool. Fortunately, scrubbing soot from walls and painting trim pleases me, and so a lot of my time in the coming months will be devoted to making this house a home. I just bought a sewing machine so curtains and new throw pillows will be forthcoming (Would y’all be interested in seeing those?).

I also want to get serious about liturgical music. I want to learn the 8 tones by heart and improve my general music theory. Oh yeah, and pick up my guitar more often. I also want to improve my Spanish.

ALSO, I’ve been thinking about ethical shopping and avoiding sweatshop produced goods. Biodegradable materials and all-natural ingredients are becoming priorities for me. Got recs? I discovered boodywear.com for ethically produced underwear and other clothing and of course thrift stores are ever-present and fantastic. I’m planning on buying produce, milk, eggs, and meat from local farmers/Amish as much as I can and I have as of a month or two ago, ditching paper towels for good.

I am busy, and I am content. If you have suggestions for future blog posts let me know below.

Until next time,

A wannabe renaissance woman