I’m all about new challenges, am a dedicated foodie, a lover of traveler, and a gatherer of random wisdom.
Not sure what kind of people will stumble onto my site, but I’ll do my best to either teach you something new or entertain you.
Everyday is another day in paradise.
What’s the thing you’re most scared to do? What would it take to get you to do it?
So I plan to quit my job in the morning which is something I’ve wanted to do for about 10 years. I know I won’t regret it, and I have been wanting to change careers for some time, but didn’t know which way to go. When you are anxious about the unknown future struggles but excited about the new experiences, the feeling is unsettling. Plus I’m tired of so much feeling.
What do you complain about the most?
I often complain about work stress, but I plan to quit my job of 12 years on Monday and put an end to that chapter of my life.
What would you do if you won the lottery?
It wouldn’t be something to take lightly, as with great wealth comes great responsibility. Helping my parents pay off their debts would be important, and I would tread with caution about helping family and friends in a way that doesn’t feed addict behaviors which could leave them in much worse situations. I would want to quit my job and do some job of passion that helps others first and foremost. Most of those jobs don’t pay enough for one to live comfortably, but volunteering my efforts would be greatly rewarding. Philanthropy would be a big focus, though I may also hire a financial advisor as there are many things I would not be prepared for. My hands would not be lazy, but I could take time to reduce stress by taking care of my health and worrying less about financial problems.
What books do you want to read?
That is always the first thing to tackle when deciding what to read – what are you in the mood for? The best books are likely ones I haven’t heard of, so it takes random searches and wandering around bookstores and audiobook apps to find the next one. One year I did a challenge to read one book I already owned but hadn’t read yet every month. Researching top 100 lists of classic novels is fine, but the random finds can be just as great or asking others for their suggestions. I just finished an audiobook on Mister Rogers today and I am enjoying reading “The Poppy War” as a night book. I actually need a new audiobook for my commute, so maybe I’ll hunt on hoopla tomorrow. I tend to mix adventure and fantasy with educational and biographies, basically hopping back and forth or doing one style in a paper book and the other style in audio.
What do you enjoy doing most in your leisure time?
I like to get so absorbed in an activity that I lose track of time. Long bike rides, gardening, and reading in a park can be great. Perhaps it reminds me of summer vacation as a kid when the days felt so long and I could do whatever I wanted, mixed with chores I enjoyed like listening to music while mowing the lawn in an evening glow, or raking leaves while thinking of a story I was writing or excitedly waiting for an installment in a show I followed. Time was irrelevant back then, food magically appeared, and finances were never even thought about. I would like to live more like that now, but responsibilities are greater as an adult. It is something we’ve had to give up in our time-crunch working life, so doing things that can take as much time as they’d like feels great.
List five things you do for fun.
Learn the Sinhalese language (curly alphabet!), play violin by ear while listening to a playlist of songs I wanted to try, spend time caring for and propagating my plants, read a book before bed, gather a notebook of recipes I’ve never made but that could inspire me on a day I don’t know what to cook.
In what ways do you communicate online?
In that this is a blog, I open up about the things that interest or matter to me in my daily life. For others who have interest in similar topics, it brings us a little closer together, and also when I’m on the hunt for information.
For example, I just discovered a few moments ago that springtails have mysteriously appeared in one of my open terrariums! I was worried about the mysterious insects, but once I saw the telltale springing and I read the advice of fellow plant lovers, I learned they are one of the best beneficial helpers to keeping down mold and maintaining a healthy environment in terrariums.
Interests and education bring us together, and that is a good use of online connections.
Things are off to a great start, and I can even say that about coming back to work after two weeks off! I have been intentional to keep quiet moments and drive with a bit of extra space in front of me to reduce stress. I’m keenly aware of overstimulation in constant TV, podcasts, news, and music and I don’t want noise just to drown out the silence, so I’m being intentional about what I expose myself to. I settled some organizing in my living space and am starting a year of gratitude reflections and thank you letters. Let us see if I can get back into my creative outlets and do more reading this year!
What is one thing you would change about yourself?
Can’t say I’d change anything in the magical sense, that’s what personal growth is for! For example, my arms are weaker than my legs, so it gives me something to work on in the gym! 💪
I’ve been working on personal growth with my career as I study for my real estate licence exam, and in mental and physical health I’m making strides that at times felt slow and emotionally challenging but I am seeing great progress.
As we say in metro Detroit about one of our major highways, treat yourself like I-75: never stop working on yourself no matter how inconvenient it is for everyone else 😁 I’m sure people wouldn’t mind a magical wand for that trek of road though.
What’s your #1 priority tomorrow?
The number one is still recovering from my sprained ankle 3 weeks ago, specifically walking slowly and stretching my calf which is sore after such long neglect. My pace is slower than usual but it feels great to not be in the boot! More pertinent to tomorrow as a time constraint is making moussaka from scratch, since I won’t have time Wednesday. I’ve got my groceries and will take that on then!
Mauron Kur 