What I Loved in June
Five Years Reunion with College Besties
One of my college besties flew in from Pakistan, so those of us who could make it got together. We ate lunch, shared dessert, browsed books and stationary at Half Price Books, and played games. My heart is full from our outing. They are a light and joy. I had a blast hearing about what they’ve all been up to (it’s different chatting on social media and actually interacting in person!) and spending quality time together.
Skylar
My puppy makes frequent appearances in my monthly reviews. She’s a furball of joy and keeps surprising me. This month, I’ve seen her rock at hide and seek (and sulk when we cover her eyes and ears as my mom hides π).
She’s also learned the command “watch the house” simply because she’s heard it so often. She loves watching people go by, but even more, she loves watching the bunny that made our front lawn its territory.
Professional Development
Attending summer professional development is a dream for someone who loves to learn. Pretty much everyone who attends summer training loves the job, which means they’re enthusiastic about giving advice to new teachers like me (who’s only taught for three years).
The ESL Department in particular provides amazing training, and they’re very generous with the materials and resources they provide. (Something much appreciated in my profession.) The saying that teachers are the only occupation that steals from home has truth to it. With going on 200 students on my roster, I use up a good amount of materials on a weekly basis. My school doesn’t have the funding to provide everything I need, so I rely a lot on donations.
Novel Writing
While I didn’t get as much writing done this month as I’d hoped, I did make progress planning the characters and world. I’m looking forward to seeing where they take me next.
What I Learned in June
Making the Hard Calls to Prioritize
I loved my time in Seminary, but after one year I made the decision to start teaching full time. The year off has made it hard to take a summer class, especially with the level of rigor my professor set for the particular class I’m taking. I know it’s only get harder the longer I’m in my program. More went into the decision making process, but in the end, I don’t need a Seminary degree for my profession. I plan to finish with a Certificate in Graduate Studies instead of a Master in Theology.
How Easy Time Flies
This was a month for poor time management. I had some bad moments this month, especially with my first quizzes for my summer class. I didn’t read all the books I wanted or write as much as I would have liked. Next month, I’m going to try to use my planner more, so I can keep track of how I’m using my time and make adjustments accordingly.
Using My Bullet Journal
While I didn’t use my planner to stay as organized as I would have liked, I did begin using it more to make lists of what I’ve read and watched and to take notes as I read. These reading notes have helped me immensely with typing up my reviews quickly and efficiently and to keep track of what I’ve reviewed and what I still need to review.
Books I Read
Links go to my review of the book or, if I have yet to review it, the Goodreads page.
- Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim // 4 stars
- Stronger than a Bronze Dragon by Mary Fan // DNF
- The Things She’s Seen by Amberlin and Ezekiel Kwaymullina // 4 stars
- Sunchaser’s Quest (Unicorns of Balinor #2) by Mary Stanton // 3 stars
- Valley of Fear (Unicorns of Balinor #3) by Mary Stanton // 3 stars
- By Fire, By Moonlight (Unicorns of Balinor #4) by Mary Stanton // 3 stars
- Search for the Star (Unicorns of Balinor #5) by Mary Stanton // 3 stars
- Secrets of the Sceptor (Unicorns of Balinor #6) by Mary Stanton // 3 stars
- Night of the Shifter’s Moon (Unicorns of Balinor #7) by Mary Stanton // 3 stars
- Shadows Over Balinor (Unicorns of Balinor #8) by Mary Stanton // 3 stars
- Runaways, Vol. 1: Pride and Joy by Brian K. Vaughan, illustrated by Adrian Alphona // 4 stars
- The Invasion (Animorphs #1) by K.A. Applegate // 4 stars
- Girl Against the Universe by Paula Stokes // 4 stars
- The Rest of the Story by Sarah Dessen // 3 stars
- Fool’s Erand (Tawny Man #1) by Robin Hobb // 5 stars
- Golden Fool (Tawny Man #2) by Robin Hobb // 5 stars
- Fool’s Fate (Tawny Man #3) by Robin Hobb // 5 stars
- Walking to Aldebaran by Adrian Tchaikovsky // DNF
- The Cobalt Prince (5 Worlds #2) by Mark Siegel and Alexis Siegel, illustrated by Xanthe Bouma and Matt Rockefeller // 4 stars
- The Owls Have Come to Take Us Away by Ronald L. Smith // DNF
- Sea Sirens by Amy Chu and Janet K. Lee // 3 stars
- The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang // 3 stars (audiobook reread)
What I Watched
With the start of summer break and some of our favorite television shows, I watched quite a bit more than the last month.
- How to Train Your Dragon // a family favorite we rewatched in preparation for #3.
- How to Train Your Dragon 2 // a family favorite we rewatched in preparation for #3. I’m impressed by how well written this sequel is.
- How to Train Your Dragon 3: Hidden World // I didn’t love this one like I loved the first two movies, but it was a solid conclusion to the trilogy.
- Master Chef, season 10 (ongoing) // this is a show the whole family can enjoy watching together – which isn’t many given our eclectic tastes in television / film. My brother has made some dishes inspired by what we watch.
- Master Chef, season 8 // my brother has told me in the past that this season is especially heavy on the drama. He was not making an understatement. There are many large personalities in the kitchen.
- America’s Got Talent, season 14 (ongoing) // another family favorite. I’m not as fond of the audition rounds, and I skipped on a few episodes to write or to do graduate work. I’m mostly looking forward to the live rounds where there are fewer talents to track.
June Posts
After a couple months that were sparse in posts, June ran crazy with TWELVE posts. I might regret this once the school year begins and I have less time to blog, but I’ve enjoyed the additional opportunities to interact with the blogging community, especially with the discussion posts π
Blog Posts
- All I Wanted and More: The Wicked King by Holly Black
- 10 of My Favorite Fantasy Books
- Does Book Format Influence Your Rating?
- An Origin Story for the Superhero Fan: Runaways, Vol. 1: Pride and Joy by Brian K. Vaughan
- Family, Grief, and Healing with a Supernatural Twist: The Things Sheβs Seen by Ambelin Kwaymullina and Ezekiel Kwaymullina
- 5 Reasons I Love Asian-Inspired Fantasies: Giveaway
- The Rest of the Story by Sarah Dessen
- 10 Books Iβm Anticipating in the Second Half of 2019
- A Cute, Heart-Warming Read with Fantastic Dialogue: Girl Against the Universe by Paula Stokes
- Interview with Debut Author Jennifer Blecher + Giveaway
- A Strong Opening to My New Favorite Series: Assassinβs Apprentice by Robin Hobb
- Alien Threats and Animal Transformations: The Invasion by K.A. Applegate
Things I’m Looking Forward to in July
- Continuing to plan my novel and write
- Wrapping up my graduate class (for the most part; there’s another week in August).
- Discovering new places to love. My family moved last month, but we haven’t had much time to explore the city. In particular, I’m looking forward to finding new trails to love and walk the puppy.
- Reading good books. I’ve added quite a few books on my TBR list this month. I’m planning to knock out at least a few.
Allisa White says
I’m amazed that you were able to do so much! 12 posts??? I hope your July is good for you too π
Crystal says
Thanks, Allisa. It’s mostly because I’m off work for the summer. I hope you have a wonderful July as well π
Danielle Hammelef says
I love dogs and your pup is adorable! The photo says so much. I used to play hide and seek with my golden “find mom” “find dad” and he loved it when he found us. I’m so happy you read Girl Against the Universe–Paula is awesome and her work deserves more love.
Crystal says
Thanks so much, Danielle. It’s fun that you’d play hide and seek with your golden! I agree that Paula Stokes is a great author π
Cee Arr says
Wow, you had a productive month!!! What’s your secret, and can you bottle it and ship it to Wales? π I loooove that your dog plays hide and seek. My cats like to play ‘boo!’ which is essentially hide-and-seek, only when you find them you say ‘boo!’ and they go tearing off to find somewhere else! (A running cat makes the same amount of noise as a small herd of elephants! Lol.)
Crystal says
Thanks so much, Cee Arr. My bullet journal helps, but I think it’s also in large part due to being off work for summer break. Your cats sound so cute! It’s cool they like to play ‘boo!’ π
Tina @ As Told By Tina says
I think this is the first time I visited your blog and I love how you set up your wrap up. I especially loved seeing what you learned this month. I totally took notes (but lets see if I remember) to include in my wrap up. I’m also so impressed with everything you accomplished in June. YOU ARE AWESOME! I hope you have a wonderful July.
Tina @ As Told By Tina
Crystal says
Thanks so much, Tina! I’m glad that you found some things to include in your wrap up. I hope it works out for you and that you have a wonderful July as well π
Aj @ Read All The Things! says
Aww, a puppy! I love that photo. Iβm impressed that you got so much reading done with everything else going on. I hope youβre having a great July!
Crystal says
Thanks so much, Aj. My July is off to a good start. I hope you’re having a wonderful July as well!
Marie @ Drizzle & Hurricane Books says
Ah you’ve had such a productive reading month, this is amazing! So happy you liked Spin The Dawn, I can’t wait to read that one π
I hope you’re having a wonderful July <3
Crystal says
Thanks so much, Marie! I hope you enjoy Spin the Dawn π
I hope you’re having a wonderful July as well <3
Kristen @ Metaphors and Moonlight says
That’s awesome you to visit with a college bestie! Aww your dog sounds so cute playing hide and seek lol. And I love that she loves watching the bunny. Seems like you had a fairly productive writing month and definitely a productive reading month! Also so many blog posts! Your angel fish is cool π
Crystal says
Thanks, Kristen! π It was a pleasant surprise how quickly my books read and blog posts accumulated.
Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction says
So glad that you got to spend time with old friends. And your pup is adorable—I’m glad you include him often. π
Crystal says
Thanks, Nicole. I’m glad to hear that; I love sharing about my puppy! π
Dani @ Perspective of a Writer says
I kind of wished I DNFed a Bronze Dragon too… I was disappointed. I enjoyed Spin the Dawn too. You’re dog is super cute!! I love that he stares out the window and watches people and the rabbit. And plays hide and seek! That’s so neat (you can tell I’m pet starved!) Sounds like you made progress on your writing! Any progress is good progress to me. <3
Crystal says
I tried to persevere through Bronze Dragon since I was so excited about it, but I just couldn’t. I’m looking forward to sharing my thoughts on Spin the Dawn π
Thanks so much! Skylar’s so much fun; she’s like a little kid. β€οΈ I can relate to feeling pet-starved. For seven years, from college through my first years of work and grad school, I had to live without any animals. I would visit home whenever I could!
Yes, I have to keep reminding myself that it’s progress, not perfection, that counts! β¨
Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer says
Time spent with friends sounds amazing. I’ve taken on more clients, so prioritizing has become more important and is something I will focus on. Have a great week Crystal!
Crystal says
It was a blast to hang out with my friends. I hadn’t seen some in five years. Best of wishes with your work with your new clients, Kimberly! I hope you have a wonderful week as well π
Flora says
Wow, Crystal you’ve had a lot going on this month. You do seem more organised than me, my planners are still sitting, unused, on my bedside table! Lol!
Hope you have a great week and enjoy your reads.
Flora
Here’s my Sunday Post
Crystal says
I’m a planner by necessity haha. I’m really disorganized without them!
Thanks so much, Flora! I hope you have a wonderful week and enjoy your reads too!
Shelleyrae @ Bookβd Out says
It looks to me as if you accomplished a lot this month between school, reading, writing, etc!
Good luck with your goals for July
Crystal says
Thanks so much, Shelleyrae!
Wendy @ Falconer's Library says
Oof, you do a LOT. I’m a first time visitor, and I can’t believe you read all that, are working on a novel, are a new-ish teacher, and in graduate school as well! Oh, AND puppy raising! Very impressive.
I just spent the weekend with a group of old friends, and yes, there’s nothing as wonderful as reconnecting in person.
Crystal says
Thanks, Wendy. It’s wonderful that you got to spend the weekend with a group of old friends. Time spent reconnecting in person is so precious π
Genesis @ Whispering Chapters says
You read sooooo many books! That’s great! And awww the reunion sounds like it was lovely π Your dog is just adorable! I definitely need to learn how to prioritize better. Have a lovely week and month! I’ll be checking more of your blog! Thanks for visiting me!
Genesis @ Whispering Chapters
Crystal says
Thanks, Genesis! I hope you have a lovely week and month as well! π
Annemieke says
Working on the characters and world are super important too though! So good on you!
Crystal says
Thanks, Annemieke π
Aleen @ Lampshade Reader says
My dog Tazzie loves to play hide and seek too. But she’s figured out all of my hiding spots already. π
12 posts is an accomplishment. Seriously, I’m totally behind on posts. In my early days of blogging I needed to get as much up as possible. I’m not going to stress myself over that anymore.
Hope you have a great July!
Crystal says
Skylar has figured out all the good hiding spots. We’re hard pressed to think of new ones, but sometimes my mom gets her!
Thanks, Aleen π I remember the good old days when I would post almost every day and sometimes more than once in a day. I just don’t have the time or energy anymore. Twelve is impressive to the present me too. I don’t know how I did it!
I hope you have a wonderful July as well π