Here’s to Seeing more Magic in 2019.
Moments of Gratitude is a year-long project for 2019. You can read more about my projects for 2019 here.
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 These are small pieces I do at work or at home at night to help remind me why I love doing art. Joy of Art is a year-long project for 2019. You can read more about my projects for 2019 here.       
This was a so-so reading week, for me. Here are my goodreads reviews. If you’re on goodreads, add me as a friend so I can see your books too! I’ve also started an instagram account where I join my love of reading with my love of art. Fumbled (3 stars): I liked Alexa Martin’s previous book Intercepted and I was looking forward to this one. I will say that part of the reason this doesn’t end up in my “loved” bucket is because of what I read before. Sometimes I am in the mood for a book that’s light and sweet and other times I like deep, thoughtful books. I had just finished a few wonderful literary books, so next to those, this seems light and fluffy. Which isn’t bad in of itself, I am all for light and fluffy, I love all books, but I just wanted more here. I wanted a tiny bit more depth. I enjoyed the characters and I enjoyed the plot that flowed smoothly and easily. Once I started the book it kept me occupied and happy for a long while. But it won’t stick with me for long. Which is also just fine sometimes. If you like a light, sweet read, this will make you happy. Walking on the Ceiling (3.5 stars): “Stories have their own logic. For one thing, a story can only be told once it has an ending. For another, it builds, and then unravels. Each element of a story is essential; its time will come and it will ultimately mean something. In this way, stories are accountable, because they can look you in the eye.” This strange, little novel was a quick read and yet had some thoughtful moments and gems. If you like plot-driven stories, you will be disappointed as this is more of a moment in time and it goes back and forth in time and in between Paris and Istanbul but nothing much happens. It’s not a character study either. You don’t get to know the characters (even the main character) as much and deeply as I like to (it is such a short novel after all.) It’s just a slice, a moment. But there are still many moments of beauty in the book and solid writing that makes you stop and think. Since I grew up in Istanbul, there were a lot of moments of reminiscence for me as well. I look forward to more of her novels, hopefully longer and meatier ones next time. Good Talk (4 stars): What a gem. I had not heard of this book. I have no idea how I ended up deciding to read it. When I originally started the audiobook, I had no idea it was a graphic novel and thought I should not listen but read since it’s so visual. But then the audio book is so incredibly fantastic that I could not stop listening. Now I am going to go buy the book so I can also read it visually. This book is not just Mira’s story but it’s about immigration, about our fractured society, about what it means to raise a kid in a mixed family and when there are conflicting values and choices and the gray areas. It’s sad and funny and heartfelt and really beautiful. It is a thought-provoking story that will stay with me for a long time. Highly recommended both in audio and print! Meet Cute (3 stars): I really enjoyed this quick and sweet book. I knew from the cover that this would be a light and breezy book and it turned out to be that way for the most part. A fast-moving, simple plot, a few tidbit mysteries here and there that were pretty predictable and not a huge amount of deep character development. But it was sweet and light and enjoyable. If you like light romance stories, you will enjoy this one. The F*ck it Diet (3 stars): It’s hard to tell if this book came at the right time or if I picked it up because I am finally at a place where I want to listen to its message. Possibly the latter because while I really appreciated its message, there wasn’t much new here for me. The first part of the book can really be summarized in one word: eat. Eat what you want, when you want, as much as you want. If you’ve been dieting on and off forever, you’ve been starving yourself and your body needs food. you need to train it to get out of the starvation mode. And then the other parts are just to help you get there. Despite being more repetitive than necessary at places, there are some very useful exercises here and I will do them as many times as it takes for me to get the message and internalize it. Because until I am ready to define my worth by something outside of my body, none of these messages will matter. If you’re at the beginning of your journey, this book might help more. If you’re not ready for it yet, it will annoy you. If you’re like me, and somewhere in the middle, it will reinforce your thoughts but not really do the hard work for you. Because only you can. The Secret Life (3 stars): This book was very short and yet powerful. I didn’t know anything about Maimonides or his philosophies. But I love much of what’s in here idea-wise. It’s just that they presented in a dry way that doesn’t help you really internalize it in a more visceral way. I’m still glad I read it and will be thinking about the book for some time. The Bride Test (5 stars): Helen Hoang can write. There’s something magical in the way she weaves her characters. They resonate with me deeply and I can connect to them. I had liked The Kiss Quotient enough to worry about the second book and whether it would be as good. And I think in some ways this was even better. These characters have more depth, more emotion, more conflict and are represent what it means to be human more honestly. I loved even the secondary characters. I don’t know why but the audio version does not include the author’s note, I wish they would rectify that since it adds so much depth and perspective to both the author and this story. I can’t wait for more of Hoang’s books. And there we go, an good week of reading. Here’s to a great week next week. Books I Read this Week 2019 is a year-long project for 2019. You can read more about my projects for 2019 here. I am also tracking my books in real time on Good Reads here. If you’re on Good Reads add me so I can follow you, too! I’ve also started an instagram account where I join my love of reading with my love of art.  Here are two more stories from my 2018 album. The content for these comes from the “rest” kit.  Stories from 2019 is a year-long project for 2019. You can read more about my projects for 2019 here. Everything on the pages is from Ali’s Story Kits unless mentioned otherwise.  Weekly Intention: soooo…i still didn’t do this: My intention this week is to make a prioritized list for the next two weeks. Five things I want to move forward in a major way at work and five things for me or home. Let’s make a list, let’s get it done. That’s the plan. Get out of the slump. i will attempt it this week. but i will also just be heads down, working super hard this week, getting ready for the big event next week. This month’s intention is: Quiet Magic: Time to rest a little bit before things get crazy again. By the end of this month, you have graduations, parties, transitions, culminations etc. Use the time to add some quiet to the days and really connect with the magic in your life again. i’ve done nothing on this. i need to ponder. One way I will show up this week: working hard. One magic I will make this week: i have a hair appointment which is always magical. and i will go to school twice so it’s a lot of little moments for me. This week, I will pay attention to: sleep and exercise since i plan to work hard. This week, I will be kinder to: can we go with everyone this week? This week, I will focus on pleasing: my work goals and the kids’ school end of year meetings. One new thing I will learn this week: more about organizational development I am looking forward to: getting everything squared away for the summit hopefully. This week’s challenges: wednesday and friday mornings i drive to school and then work. friday night i drive back to school. it’s going to be a long week. Top Goals:
I will focus on my values:
This week, I want to remember: that i want to have faith and assume good. Everyday Magic is a year-long project for 2019. You can read more about my projects for 2019 here.  Magic I Saw this Week: This was a tough week. I was too busy spinning to see magic. The week started with a visit from my nephew which was definitely the highlight. Most of the rest of the week I was too tired or grumpy to pay attention to anything sadly. Magic I Made this Week: I went climbing with Jake on Thursday before work again. I finally booked our vacation to Hawaii and Nathaniel’s summer camp so that felt fantastic. Magic of Me that I explored Week:I did not do much work here this week but I did have a tough conversation and I am proud of myself. Top Goals Review:
I celebrate: getting to spend the weekend with my nephew. I am grateful for: a three day weekend. This week, I exercised:it was the worst week this year. i only went rock climbing on Thursday this week and that’s it. Self-care this week: not a ton this week. I showed up for: hmmm not sure this week… I said yes to: working hard and long and a very emotional week. I said no to: sitting with how i felt. Core Desired Feelings Check-in:
What I tolerated this week: very tough week. a lot of emotions. My mood this week was: down. I am proud of: saying what i feel. I forgive myself for: how much i made stories in my head. Here’s what I learned this week: that i make up a lot of stories in my head. What I love right now: the sunshine is a game changer. Weekly Reflection is a year-long project for 2019. You can read more about my projects for 2019 here.      Here’s to Seeing more Magic in 2019. Moments of Gratitude is a year-long project for 2019. You can read more about my projects for 2019 here.  These are small pieces I do at work or at home at night to help remind me why I love doing art. Joy of Art is a year-long project for 2019. You can read more about my projects for 2019 here.     
This was a low-reading week, for me, but most of the reads were fantastic, so that’s a great week in my book. Here are my goodreads reviews. If you’re on goodreads, add me as a friend so I can see your books too! I’ve also started an instagram account where I join my love of reading with my love of art. The Honey Bus (4.5 stars): What an absolute gift of a book. I am so glad I didn’t know much about this book because I might have not read it thinking it was yet another memoir, or a book about bees, or whatever excuse I might have had for thinking it wasn’t for me. But it was. It so was. This wonderful book is about a girl whose family falls apart after the separation of her parents when her mom goes back to her family home with the two kids. The mom is (for her own reasons) uninterested in paying attention to the kids and there’s so much neglect, yearning, need for belonging in this book and yet also so much salvation, hope and kindness. The story is so beautifully told, pulls you in so much and makes you root for her and feel for her and cheer for her, and live all these moments with her. Beautiful observations from Meredith about family dynamics, school dynamics, and life dynamics. To top that off, there are great stories about the bees, that makes you realize the amazing creatures that they are. An absolutely beautiful story about bees, a family, and how much of a difference one single person’s love can make in a person’s life. Absolutely recommended. Ask Again, Yes (4.5 stars): I loved every bit of this book. “The thing is, Peter, grown-ups don’t know what they’re doing any better than kids. That’s the truth.” I’ve noticed that sometimes the quietest stories are my favorites. Stories where I slowly get to know each character and before I know it they have grown on me so much that I can’t imagine waking up another day and not finding out about how they’re doing. The best novels are like that for me. Characters that I miss deeply. Characters who are flawed and so deeply lovable and so deeply real. “She’s learned that the beginning of one’s life mattered the most, that life was top heavy in that way.” And this book is full of them. Almost every character is imperfect. They are messed up, broken, struggling, and just working hard to move forward in life. Terrible things happen in the book, and sad realities of life surface. There are heavy issues like parental abandonment, substance abuse, mental illness, and sexual abuse. The scars of life’s experiences and the intermingling of all this deeply affects these characters, all of whom I had come to cherish in some way or another. “It wasn’t that she didn’t love him, he knew. It was that she loved him so much that it frightened herm loved him so much hat she worried she might have ti protect herself from it. He tried to let her know that he’d figured that out, finally, that there was no need to explain, but then he realized that she might not know it herself.” It’s hard to get the ending of such a book right. But this author does it just perfectly. It’s true. It’s real. It’s not a pretty bow tied perfectly and yet it still manages to leave glimmers of hope. I have enjoyed all my moments with this book and I am glad I stuck with the slow simmer. These characters will stick with me for some time. With gratitude to netgalley and scribner for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. Miracle Creek (4 stars): I had heard so so much hype about this book that it was almost impossible for it to live to all the gushing reviews. But, alas, for the most part, it totally did. I love character driven stories, and if the author manages to put together a character-driven story and then add an interesting plot on top of it, and then weave some fascinating courtroom drama on top of that, how do you not love what the result is? This book handles a lot of serious issues like autism, immigration, motherhood, disability and more. Each of the characters is flawed and struggling with their own lives/truths and trying to find their way through their lives. And then there is so much lying, so many layers of hiding the truth that all peel back layer by layer as the story unfolds that the reader’s grief just incrementally gets deeper. I loved how much this book made me think about immigration, about family dynamics, about what it means to do the right thing, about secrets we keep from each other. About moral decisions. About being true to who you are. And so much more. If you’re like me and are afraid to pick this one up due to all the hype, you won’t be disappointed. It’s really deserved. How to be Yourself (3.5 stars): I’ve started this book a few times before I made my way through it. I didn’t read the full title so I didn’t realize at first that it was about social anxiety. I am definitely introverted (though likely not shy) and it’s rare that I’d choose a social setting over a book on any day. But I know that it is important to socialize and this book has some simple, tangible tips on how to make it easier for people like me. Some of these I have tried and already found to be true. For example, I find it easier to socialize at my kids’ school if I have a role to play and a purpose to be there. I also find it easier to socialize in settings that have a common interest like book club or crafts or a class etc. The biggest little piece of nugget this book left me with that I will remember, however, is that when I am anxious about looking a particular way around someone new I meet or in an environment that’s anxiety inducing for me, I just have to remember people want you to be kind to them. That kindness is valued and remembered over anything else. Like the saying goes: people might not remember what you said but they will remember how you made them feel. This makes it easier for me. All I have to do is show up and be kind. I can do that much. The Mother-in-Law (4 stars): I really enjoyed this book so much more than I thought I was going to. I thought it would be another twisty thriller with unlikeable characters. I’ve read too many of those. I hadn’t read anything about this book nor had I read this author so I had no idea what to expect. First thing I loved about this book is that it’s actually quiet and not hysterical. None of the characters felt over the top to me (well maybe except for one but that comes in at the very end). They were all interesting, flawed but reasonably real characters. The men were not as developed as I wish they were but the mother in law and the main character were and I really enjoyed reading about the characters. While there was the underlying “whodunit” it was so much more about the people and not the mystery for me. And yet I felt the book moved really fast and I kept wanting to read more. A pleasant surprise for me. And there we go, an good week of reading. Here’s to a great week next week. Books I Read this Week 2019 is a year-long project for 2019. You can read more about my projects for 2019 here. I am also tracking my books in real time on Good Reads here. If you’re on Good Reads add me so I can follow you, too! I’ve also started an instagram account where I join my love of reading with my love of art.  Here are two more stories from my 2018 album. The content for these comes from the “joy” kit.  Stories from 2019 is a year-long project for 2019. You can read more about my projects for 2019 here. Everything on the pages is from Ali’s Story Kits unless mentioned otherwise.  Weekly Intention: soooo… this plan that i had…: My intention this week is to make a prioritized list for the next two weeks. Five things I want to move forward in a major way at work and five things for me or home. Let’s make a list, let’s get it done. That’s the plan. Get out of the slump. I still did not do any of it. I did not make a plan, I didn’t get it done, and I did not get out of the slump. So resetting it didn’t work either. So I am going to try to give it one more week and also to set the intention to slow down and be really present this week. Let’s see if that works. This month’s intention is: Quiet Magic: Time to rest a little bit before things get crazy again. By the end of this month, you have graduations, parties, transitions, culminations etc. Use the time to add some quiet to the days and really connect with the magic in your life again. This week I will try to meditate daily. One way I will show up this week: Just present, open and listening this week and slowing down. One magic I will make this week: i plan to work from home again one day and i will possibly see a work friend (actually two!) so that will be great if it sticks. This week, I will pay attention to: what’s still weighing me down and see if i can actually offload a bit. This week, I will be kinder to: my kids. super kind. This week, I will focus on pleasing: my intention maybe? i feel like it would really help if i could do it One new thing I will learn this week: maybe a little about organizational development I am looking forward to: there’s a bit of magic every day this week but mostly sunday/monday when Jake is back here again! This week’s challenges: No one day looks super challenging this week, hopefully. Top Goals:
I will focus on my values:
This week, I want to remember: it’s all going to be ok. i can rest. Everyday Magic is a year-long project for 2019. You can read more about my projects for 2019 here.  Magic I Saw this Week: Lots of magic this week. Nathaniel with his crazy hair day. Taking a day at home and a day in the city. Having David back in town finally. Getting to see him and his elementary school friends all back together was really magical. Getting to spend a small amount of my morning with my friend who was kind enough to drive me was really really magical. We were supposed to have a lot of rain this week but it magically was only a little bit, which also made my week much better. Magic I Made this Week: I went climbing with Jake on Thursday before work again. We took a walk around the pond nearby which always feels magical and happy for me and saw a teeny tiny cat this time which was bonus. I made sure to do a lot of hugging with my kids and my husband. Nathaniel was at a sleep over one night so we had a date night in the city which was also magical. Magic of Me that I explored Week: I did some more journaling this week and read one book on anxiety.. still slowly moving forward. Top Goals Review:
I celebrate: david being back home! I am grateful for: my husband. This week, I exercised: one day of body pump, one day climbing, and 3 days of yoga this week. Self-care this week: a little bit of journaling, a lot of resting, working from home one day. I showed up for: the san fran office on tuesday even though i was all worried about it. I said yes to: having jake in boston this weekend for his school reunion even though friday was too hectic for me. I said no to: working more. going to book club on monday when i was already going to have to be ‘on’ all day tuesday. Core Desired Feelings Check-in:
What I tolerated this week: i’ve been feeling really really tired lately, not sure if it means anything or if i just really need some offtime but i am trying to tolerate it. My mood this week was: anticipation. I am proud of: my kids and my husband, so much. I forgive myself for: how little i seem to be getting done lately Here’s what I learned this week: quitting gluten had no impact on my life What I love right now: I love having all my family back in the continental US! Weekly Reflection is a year-long project for 2019. You can read more about my projects for 2019 here. |
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