While this post is titled my November 2019 rewind, it also serves as my Fall 2019 rewind.
Fall was a crazy few months. I tried several times to write about everything that was going on only to shut my laptop because I didn’t know how to put my feelings to words. Even now, it’s still hard to talk about. To summarize the outcome, I resigned from my teaching job because of health issues.
Words can’t express how hard the decision to resign was. I felt like I was failing the students, myself, and everyone who believed in what I was doing in the classroom. I loved the students, and I think they know that. I loved sharing new books for them to read. Best of all was when a student would continue to be distracted by a book after independent reading time ended. I loved forming a space where students felt safe to be and to communicate their needs to me.
However, there was so much going on outside of the actual teaching portion of the job that my body couldn’t keep up. I won’t share the details because, in the end, I want to remember my time at the school with gratitude instead of dwelling over the negatives.
Life Changes
- I resigned from my teaching job.
- I’m returning to graduate studies with an emphasis on writing courses. This spring, I’ll be taking a Writing for Publication course, which is super exciting. The professor is working with me to tailor assignments to have an SFF focus!
- I started a part-time job. It has flexible hours, which is great for a graduate student. My boss is super nice. It’s wonderful working in a climate of respect where I feel appreciated and affirmed.
- I started running again, and it’s been giving me more energy to do the things I love.
- I registered for a Chinese class, which will start this spring. My grandparents have been telling me for twenty-some years to learn Chinese, and sadly I never did pick it up. I realized that I’ll never learn if I don’t take a class to keep myself accountable, so I finally took the plunge and found non-credit classes available at a local university.
Taiwan
My grandparents celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. (So much respect for them!) My family flew back to celebrate with them, and we took some vacation time while we were at it. I’ll share more photos once I get a chance to go through all of them.
In My Writing Life
I’ve been outlining a novel based on an idea that I had several years back and which I’ve been building over the past year or two while working on other projects. It’s interesting how the world and characters reveal new things about them as the outline progresses. They challenge me to think more deeply about my WIP and how they interact with each other and the world.
I participated in NaNoWriMo this past November. While I didn’t complete 50k, I did write more than I thought I would, and I got a lot of plotting done. You can read what I learned from it in this post.
Books I Read
According to Goodreads, I’ve read 196 books this year—which, at this point in December means I’m going to read 200 books in 2019. This is amazing news because I wasn’t even sure if I would be able to read 100 books at the start of the year. For me, this number isn’t merely about number of books but also the habits I’ve built to make time to read. It’s about making what I love a priority even when I don’t feel like picking up a book. Because it’s been a rough year, and while I may have read more in some months than others, I can see that reading has been a consistent part of my life throughout this journey.
November was a good month for fantasy!
- The Eye of the World (The Wheel of Time #1) by Robert Jordan
- Promise of Blood (Powder Mage #1) by Brian McClellan
- Ship of Magic (Liveship Traders #1) by Robin Hobb
- Mad Ship (Liveship Traders #2) by Robin Hobb
Puppy Shenanigans
This post is linked to the Sunday Post hosted by by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer and the Monthly Wrap-Up hosted by Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction.
Danielle Hammelef says
Best of luck to you with your future classes and life focus! I’m so impressed by the Chinese class–I’ve been asking my local college to carry Japanese because I need direction for studying, but every year no. Congrats to your parents!!!! Wow! They are an inspiration. Happy 2020!
Crystal says
Thanks, Danielle! I hope you get the chance to learn Japanese soon. It’s a beautiful language. I hope to learn it after Chinese. Have you tried looking into a non-university associated class? Sometimes local associations offer classes. I hope you have a wonderful 2020 as well!
Dani @ Perspective of a Writer says
Wow! What a hard decision to make. I hope it all works out for the better Crystal. And you’re focusing on your writing too which I know you’ve wanted to do for a long time. Can’t wait to hear how the classes go too. You’re brave to learn Chinese! The tones were too hard for me so I went for Korean instead.
Crystal says
Thanks so much, Dani!
ShootingStarsMag says
I’m sorry about your teaching job, but it sounds like it was the best decision. Congrats on going back to school, and I’m glad your part time job is one that you really enjoy!
Yay for doing so well on reading this year. 🙂
-Lauren
Crystal says
Thanks, Lauren! 🙂
Donna says
It is never easy closing a chapter in one’s life, but opening a new chapter can be exciting – new adventures are yet to be written for you. Wow, 200 books! I’m excited that I’m going to read 120 books again this year. see what I read in November at Girl Who Reads
Crystal says
Thanks, Donna! It’s great that you’re going to meet your reading goal this year 🙂
Sam@wlabb says
Wow! 60 years is an amazing milestone. Congratulations to your grandparents, and what a wonderful thing you and your family got to celebrate together. I quit teaching several years ago, because it was not mentally healthy for me. I think you made a tough, but good decision for yourself, and it sounds like things are working out fairly well so far. Good luck with everything! My daughter’s grandparents always asked me about sending my daughter to Chinese school (she wouldn’t go), but I think it’s wonderful you are learning the language.
Crystal says
Thanks, Sam!
Sophia Rose says
Looks like after the sadness of leaving your teaching post that you have several wonderful things follow. Neat that you got a job you enjoyed and can get back in school with the grad program and learning Chinese. Sweet about your grandparents and the trip to Taiwan.
Cute puppy pic!
Wishing you well Crystal!
Crystal says
Thanks, Sophia!
Aj @ Read All The Things! says
Sorry that teaching didn’t work out, but it sounds like you have exciting plans. Congrats on reading so many books! I wish I could do that. I hope you’re having a great December.
Crystal says
Thank you, Aj! I’m having a great December. I hope you are too!
Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction says
I’m really glad that your job shift has been positive overall. Best of luck with your grad studies!!
Crystal says
Thank you, Nicole!