my summer '23
Another summer is ending (finally!!! because it was the hottest summer we've ever had) and fall is around the corner. Here it is in review:
I felt a bit gloomy... Was experiencing post-vacation blues (more on that in another post)
Beach.
I saw my brother perform on stage for the first time. He's a natural
I went to Sesame Street Land
I made teru teru bōzu dolls during Obon weekend (they work)
I decorated my room. I've never decorated my room and have always kept the "minimalist aesthetic" (inspired by what used to be Kim and Kanye's idiosyncratic, unsettling house). My room didn't feel like home with all the white blank walls and gray/black/white furniture. It felt empty and especially during the pandemic, I felt like I was stuck in a box. I guess I (or we as a society) have grown out of the minimalism thing.
I went to an art museum and made this badly drawn landscape of my hometown bc I was missing it very, very much
I baked muffins + granola
I got my first job out of college and a new volunteering job
I got a new guitar!! Mom said I should name it bc apparently guitars have souls… ??? I named the guitar anyway. It’s Jotaro ☠️
I painted something
I learned that thinking too much is counterproductive and leads to nothing. We should take action (or just do something, anything) instead. It is better to do than to think.
media
music
- Younger Than You - Whirr or their entire album Feels Like You. I've listened to this song so many times during the summer that it's on the top of my Apple Music Replay for 2023 lol. The saddest song ever but it's perfect. I love this song and the entire album. Please listen to it.
- American Teenager - Ethel Cain. Discovered Ethel Cain this summer and I'm so glad. Love this one by her too.
- This groovy ahh song by Slater and this one. I did not JUST listen to sad songs this summer. He is Underrated as hell!!! Every song is a vibe 🕺🏽🕺🏽🕺🏽🕺🏽
- Lady Hear Me Tonight - Modjo. My dad played this song in the car one day when we were on our way to run errands. I'm sure I've heard it before but I don't remember. Another groovy summer tune. Thanks, Dad <3 you never fail to have an immaculate music taste.
movies
- Like everyone else I watched Barbie (2023)
- I randomly decided to watch all of Tarantino's movies and in conclusion, Jackie Brown (1997) is his best. Honorable mentions: Pulp Fiction (1994) and The Hateful Eight (2015)
shows
- The Bear Season 2 - Wow I love this show. Like loveeeeeee this show. Best show I've seen in a long time. I thought the first season was good but it got better 🔥🔥🔥🤯🤯 Watch it
- Succession - This show is so funny and brilliantly written. The acting is phenomenal. Also one of the best shows I've ever watched
- Dr. Cha (Netflix) - One of my favorite K-dramas ever. I cried a lot❤️🩹
- Scenes From a Marriage (2021) - This one was painful
- Ugly Betty (2006) - I randomly watched the first episode and got the rest of my family (even Mom) hooked. So funny but sinful bc the jokes did not age well LOL
books (or book I should say)
- Being Mortal by Atul Gawande. Idk why it took me forever to finish this but it's a good read. An essential read for all humans.
- (Still reading) All About Love by Bell Hooks and The Dud Avocado by Elaine Dundy. So far enjoying these two but we'll see!
misc or helpful stuff:
- This video on why we should keep a Commonplace Book
- Why Finding Purpose Is SO HARD Today and Psychiatrist Explains Why You Feel Tired All The Time (No Matter What You Do...)
- Super helpful podcast episode from the Huberman Lab on how to set goals or shape our identity.
- On feeling lost and finding your purpose to which I wrote in my notes app after watching: "Be delulu, take it week by week, express gratitude to rmr who u are"
- And this lovely read from one of my favorite publications on Substack (they're always dropping heat)
Dump:
and some words of encouragement:
Thank you for reading. Hope you find some gems from this post (✿◠‿◠)