An Update as I'm on Break (well, sort of. . .)

I thought I would check in I want to provide more regular updates since I am on break as classes ended a couple of weeks ago at Purdue as well as my class at the community college. Zoe is currently in Korea until July 1 and it is just Yena and me in West Lafayette. Yena's last day of school is today, but then this summer she will be taking summer school, lifeguarding, and summer training for cross country. I am also doing some individual tutoring and working on a digital newsletter for our program at Purdue. So, I have enough things to keep me busy. I am not sure how much editing I will get done on my second novel, Betty & Clark, but would like to self-publish at least the eBook before the end of the summer.

I finished reading Sky Full of Elephants (2024) by Cebo Campbell, which was quite thought provoking and a good read. It makes me want to go and live in Mobile, Alabama in the Kingdom of Alabama, which was created after all the white people marched themselves into bodies of water, drowning themselves. But at the same time, Cebo Campbell does a really good job of capturing the nuances of what it can mean to be black or even biracial. I would highly recommend this novel (that is not too long) as it made me think or reimagine reality and/or society in ways that I hadn't fully grasped or considered before.

I have some free time and have been watching a bit of TV. I started watching Abbott Elementary and I love it. I am already on season 3 and I am not sure when season 4 will be out on Max, but it is nice to have a show with shorter episodes that is on the lighter side and brings laughter to life. Also, I like how all the characters are relatable and I think do an excellent job of showing as much as they can in an accurate and realistic view (in a small way) of what it is like to be a teacher. It reminds me of how I would love to go back to teaching children and would like to just take one year and teach a first or second grade class.

I have also started watching the first season of Hacks. I think it is pretty good, but not really binge-worthy at least to me. I don't really find the characters relatable (at least to my life or for me), but it is interesting. I am waiting for the next season of The Gilded Age to start next month and I am also going to start watching season 2 of Poker Face probably after I finish season 3 of Abbott Elementary. I need to also start working on my spy novel or find another book to read, but haven't decided what direction I will go yet.

I still need to plant my tomato plants and okra plants outside, but I am waiting for it to warm back up again. It has currently been in the lower 40s in the mornings, so not too warm. I did plant three blueberry bushes yesterday in addition to the three I already have in my backyard. However, these bushes should be bigger compared to the other ones. Maybe in a couple of years, we will be harvesting blueberries and asparagus every year from the yard.

I wish to all my readers good mental and physical health and until next time!