What I Loved in April
Bookish Presents
I celebrated my birthday on April 12th. Friends gave me bookstore gift cards and books off my wishlist, both for me and for my classroom library. I also visited Half Price Books, where I bought the “first time in paperback” editions of the Heritage of Shannara series and the Liveship Traders trilogy in the original MMP covers.
Two-Day Retreat
With the health scare and all the stress that’s piled up before and since, I needed a break from it all. Some of my friends graciously opened their home to me, and I was able to enjoy a nice reprieve that included a scenic drive and a 15-minute commute to work. I am more motivated than ever to find work closer to my new home. My commute is crazy long!
We Closed on the House!
I chatted earlier on the blog about the struggles we had closing on the new house. (Companies these days want to know everything before signing documents!) Fortunately, our agents worked super hard to get the house closed, and we sealed the deal before the month was out!
Skylar
My puppy reminds me to enjoy the moment. She’s always looking to play, and I love to indulge her. Look at that adorable puppy face.
A post shared by Crystal (@crystalmusing) on Apr 28, 2019 at 9:34am PDT
What I Learned in April
Rest Rest Rest
I have been severely overworked and overstressed this spring, and it’s taken a toll on my health. I had another bad dizzy spell this week, and the tension in my head is constant. It’s a sign that I need to rest. And not commute 30 miles to work; or accept a teaching position in which I have to plan for three classes when I only have one planning period every other day.
Work Close to Home
I’m a total home girl and enjoy quality leisure time with family and friends. Again, this long commute is not conducive to who I am.
Talk Books More
I’ve been talking more about books with family and friends, and it’s been such a joy. Branching out from my comfort reads has helped me with this – while varying up my reading routine!
Books I Read
Links go to my review of the book or, if I have yet to review it, the Goodreads page.
- Record of a Fallen Vampire #8 by Kyo Shirodaira, illustrated by Yuri Kimura // 4 stars
- Record of a Fallen Vampire #9 by Kyo Shirodaira, illustrated by Yuri Kimura // 4 stars
- The Dragonbone Chair (Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn #1) by Tad Williams // 4 stars
- Assassin’s Apprentice (Farseer Trilogy #1) by Robin Hobb // 5 stars
- The Bands of Mourning (Mistborn #6) by Brandon Sanderson, narrated by Michael Kramer // 4 stars
- Royal Assassin (Farseer Trilogy #2) by Robin Hobb // 5 stars
- The Willful Princess and the Piebald Prince by Robin Hobb // 4 stars
- Ogre Enchanted (Ella Enchanted #0.5) by Gail Carson Levine, narrated by January LaVoy // 4 stars
- Hearts Made for Breaking by Jen Klein // 2 stars
- Somewhere Only We Know by Maurene Goo // 4 stars
- Aurora Rising (The Aurora Cycle #1) by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff // 3 stars
- We Hunt the Flame (Sands of Arawiya #1) by Hafsah Faizal // DNFed
- Nocturna (A Forgery of Magic #1) by Maya Motayne // DNFed
- Spark by Sarah Beth Durst // 4 stars
- Through the White Wood by Jessica Leake // DNFed
- Briar and Rose and Jack by Katherine Coville // 4 stars
What I Watched
- The Expanse season 2 // this show is still going strong; I need to watch season 3.
- Karate Kid #1 (rewatch) // Johnny and Daniel are a pair. Under different circumstances, they totally would’ve been best friends.
- Avengers: Endgame // it has lots of nostalgia-worthy moments and is another decent turnout from Marvel, but it’s not my favorite, mostly because it puts so much into three hours.
- Cobra Kai season 1 (rewatch) // still love this
- Cobra Kai season 2 // the first part was enjoyable, but then there was so much miscommunication and drama that it took away from the aspects that made it great. I’ll still watch season 3 because I want to see what happens next. Johnny and Robby are my favorite characters.
Things I’m Looking Forward to in May
- May 30th is my last day of work for the 2018-2019 school year. Which makes May 31st my official first day of summer break. I don’t plan to find part-time work this summer. I need the break after all the driving and stress from this year.
- Before my summer break starts, my two online summer classes for seminary will begin. (Since grad school gets out earlier then high school!) I’m taking Trinitarianism and The Gospels.
- More summer weather. I love warm weather and look forward to more t-shirt days.
Blog Posts
April was a sparse month for posts. I’ve been exhausted this spring and fell behind on blogging. However, it has been a good month for reading and catching up on book reviews!
- Mini Reviews: Dragon Pearl // Circle of Shadows // The Girl King
- Mini Reviews: The Contemporary Edition Spring 2019
- Science Fiction Reviews: Skyward // Aurora Rising
Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction says
Sorry you’ve been stressed! I’m glad you at least have your cute pup to help cheer you up!!
I’m excited to see you’re reading Robin Hobb. LOVE her!!
Crystal says
Thanks, Nicole! π
Robin Hobb is fantastic. I’ve already started collecting future books in the Elderling Realm, so I have them at the ready.
Jen says
Happy Belated Birthday! My birthday is just two days before yours, yay for April birthdays! β₯ And your puppy is absolutely adorable, having a dog in your life is the best, I have two little ones. π
Crystal says
Thanks so much, Jen! That’s a fun connection with the April birthdays! Dogs are wonderful; they brighten life so much π
Angie Elle says
It seems like things are taking a toll on you. I hope you get to rest up, and I really hope you find a job close to home.
Thank you for sharing!
Crystal says
Thanks so much, Angie! Still no luck, but I did get an interview today. I’m hopeful!
Aleen @ Lampshade Reader says
Sounds like you had a busy month! Glad everything worked out for you.
I had a pretty sparse month on my blog, in terms of book reviews.
Hope May is just as good for you. π
Crystal says
Thanks, Aleen! It’s been a busy month with moving and getting in senior grades, but I’ve gotten some good reading in π
Aj @ Read All The Things! says
Aww, cute puppy. Happy birthday, and congrats on the new house. Enjoy your summer break. Have a great May!
Crystal says
Thanks so much, AJ!