School & Writing
So I'm at a transitional point in my life. It's an awkward in-between kind of moment. Previously I had quit my part-time job to focus full-time on school. But after being a full-time student for a while, suddenly... I was approaching the end. I had only a handful of classes left, and I was feeling the pressure. I started to wonder what I was going to do after graduating, where I was going, and what I was going to take with me after graduating. I started to think about what it was I really, truly wanted to do. What did I want to do? Where did I want to go? All of this combined with other personal conflicts in my life, and I came to a conclusion...
I needed to take a break. I had only a few quarters left of school, and I decided to take a break. It's crazy and seems like a lack of follow-through... but honestly, it feels right to me right now. I'm taking a break to really focus on where I want to be, where I want to go, what I want to do. I'm taking a break to focus on my writing most of all, because this has and always will be a passion of mine. To me, being a published writer (especially a self-published one) means self-sustainability without needing to rely on a boss or having to work for a company. In our day and age, especially with the innovations that Amazon and Amazon Kindle provide, being a self-published author is not only doable, but lucrative. I want to write, I want to publish. I want to build my brand (whatever that might entail). I don't just want to graduate with my degree and work for a television or film company, scraping by, maybe being able to work on my own projects every now and then. I'm definitely still invested in the world of film and television, but it's being a self-published writer that I really want to do. It fits with what's going on in my personal life right now, and is something I've had my sights on for years.
Part of me is super anxious because this seems like a set-back, but another part of me realizes that this is something I need to do. I can't wait to share my stories with as many people as I can, and hope that people will enjoy my stories as much as I love writing them. So... I'm taking a few months to get some things sorted, and will be returning to school later on this year to produce a commercial, complete my senior film project, and finish my degree.
I'm not a surfer, but this feels like a wave... and you can't be too early or too late to catch one, right? :P
Weight-loss & Paleo
I still eat gluten-free, mostly grain-free, and a combination of low-carb & paleo. BUT I honestly have not worked out in a loooong while! And for a few months I really let my low-sugar/sugar-free slip. When you're not eating totally clean, and not working out at all, well... you gain weight. I still feel better and healthier than before I started eating more clean, but I gained some weight (noooooo!) So working out, here I come!
I have some awesome, yummy paleo and low-carb recipes that I want to share, and can't wait to share them. Like some delicious Brussels sprouts with tomato sauce that I made the other day (mix Brussels sprouts with Mrs. Dash seasonings, or other seasonings of choice, along with generous amounts of onion powder, garlic powder, and ground black pepper, pour canned tomato sauce on top, and add a few tablespoons of butter on top. Bake at 350 degrees F until Brussels sprouts are tender and cooked all the way, then take out of oven. Mix in some raw olive oil, and let sit until slightly cooled. It's really yummy!)
Can't wait to share more recipes, and food pictures. :)
Book Reviews
I'm so behind in my book reading & reviewing! I looooove reading, and I absolutely love to share how I feel about what I read. I also love reading others' reviews and commenting on their reviews. I love the mix of it all, the debates that spring up, and how all of the discourse furthers more conversations about the books, etc. I especially love Goodreads and book blogs. I've even won a few free books and, while it's not required to leave a review for these won books, I always feel like it's my way of paying it forward, or giving thanks (reviews are free advertising!) So while I'll be writing more, I also want to be reading and reviewing more. :)
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So THOSE are some things that I'll be working on.