Hello everyone! Care to grab a coffee and come chat with me for a bit?

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This month I’m making my own chai latte again! I just really like making it at home now. One reason is that it’s just some nice “me time” in the morning. Another is that I don’t have a Starbucks in my own town and so if I’m not on my way to work or something then it doesn’t make sense to me to drive 20+ minutes to one and then back. Lastly, I’m loving saving that money! The mix I use is about $3 and the milk is usually around the same. I think one chai is normally around $6 on it’s own so for the price of one I can make 4-5 at home.

Anyway, this isn’t a “how am I saving money” post, although now that I mention it, that could be interesting. Does that sound like something that would interest you? For now, back to the coffee chat!

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If we were having coffee I’d tell you, that the biggest first world problem I’m encountering at the moment is if I want to buy more masks. On one hand, I have two already so I just switch them out since I don’t go out too often anyway, on top of the fact that I don’t need more. But on the other, this is still going for the foreseeable future so I’d love to get more variety in my masks. I’d want to buy them from small business shops if I did buy more, so I can support them but I also don’t want to be stuck with a bunch of masks after the pandemic finally settles down. (Although I’m starting to lose hope that it will!)

If we were having coffee I’d tell you, I got another plant! No, it’s not deja vu, I actually did! I found another Calathea while out shopping for a different plant but I figured, why not just pick it up. I have since named the plant Elphaba, to go along with Glinda. I was going to post about her separately but I think I might not do that this time since I feel like the plants posts on my blog is getting a tad out of hand LOL.

If we were having coffee I’d tell you, that my Zoom ballet class has sadly ended now. While I much prefer an in studio class, I’m so happy we got a virtual class at least. At this point it’s unclear if the class will be in person in the fall or if it’ll be virtual again but either way I’ll sign up, even if I have to dance in a mask to do it. I did like many parts of it, such as being in the comfort of my own home and not having to leave my house. My instructor would also teach about ten or so minutes longer at the end of class, which I’m guessing might be because she felt bad that we weren’t able to do as much as we normally do. However, I do miss using an actual barre, dancing on a proper surface instead of carpet, and even getting my dance bag together. Plus, it was hard to get corrections. My instructor would move closer to her computer to try to see everyone but it was hard for her to fully see everything. And then it was hard to tell if her corrections were meant for me or another dancer or if they were just general reminders. Either way, I would pay attention and focus on the correction she gave but I do miss getting specific corrections based on my own personal performance too. It’s just a different way to experience the class and a new way to learn though.

If we were having coffee I’d tell you, how strange reminiscing on work and life before the quarantine is! It all honestly feels like a lifetime ago and seems a little odd. My mom and I were talking about some of my work trips I’d had because we realized she wasn’t actually sure what I used to do on my work trips (mostly sit at random desks in hotels and convention centers and point to the bathrooms when asked). If everything had gone to plan this year, I wouldn’t have only gone to Houston in January for work, but again to Houston in April for a week, potentially Detroit for another week at the end of April, and then 4-5 days in Anaheim back in June. (Assuming I hadn’t rage quit at the job because while most of it was great, the toxicity was really starting to get to me towards the end.) Then we also remembered how we’d been lucky to get back when we did, mid February right before the Q. I also thought about how my sister had planned our big NYC trip last year in August and how awesome it would be to still have the ability to randomly plan a trip like that. Of course, I don’t mind staying home for the safety of everyone, but wow does that feel like a whole other person did that at times.

If we were having coffee I’d tell you, I’m currently obsessed with the plan of getting a dog. Unfortunately I don’t think I’ll actually get one because, well, I’m unemployed. I can’t imagine a shelter or rescue would actually let me adopt without an income. I have at least narrowed down the breed to a couple options of what I think could fit my lifestyle and general temperament of the dog I’d want though. I did find one that I was considering applying for but the rescue isn’t accepting new adopters right now. Their reasoning is that they can’t safely conduct home visits yet, which are a requirement for adopters. It’s sad, but it’s for the safety of everyone, especially the dog, so I will just keep an eye out for their announcement when they’ll allow it again.

If we were having coffee I’d tell you, since I couldn’t adopt a doggo I asked my sister if she needed a dog sitter again. She replied back asking if I was “that bored already” and honestly YES I AM. I’ve finally reached that point where I’m kinda bored of not having anything to really do. I mean, there’s always something to do yes, but I don’t have work so I have endless time to do everything and it’s not the same. When my job was a “stay at home dog aunt” when I was sitting, I loved it! I do hope I find a job soon or I may lose my mind officially!

If we were having coffee I’d tell you, I was talking with a friend and we chatted about opening our own businesses someday. I had floated the idea of a clothing boutique, which she loved, and I’m seriously considering it! I would want to start online I think and I’ve looked up videos about doing so, which are really encouraging.

If we were having coffee I’d tell you, about my “live with intention” goal! I think that this is going well still. I’ve noticed a great practice of this goal when it comes to going to stores now. Before the pandemic I would just go to a store, Target for example, just to walk around. Now, I specifically go when I need something and have a list. I’ll still walk around and look at stuff but I’ll mostly only do that to see what’s new and then get the items I need. Recently I needed to replenish some baking supplies and look at the floor lamps. I didn’t find a lamp I liked but I did buy the ingredients I needed on my list! It’s really helped me save money which, again, isn’t the goal of this post but it is important to me.

If we were having coffee I’d tell you, another goal update, this time for my “don’t be lazy” goal. As I mentioned, I’m starting to get bored but I have a feeling it’s because I’m getting lazy at home. To combat this I’ve started making a “to do” list of stuff I want to accomplish that day. It’s weird being unemployed but I don’t want to be lazy just because I can.

If we were having coffee I’d tell you, about my last goal update, on my “positivity” goal! I’d say that one is going pretty well too. Yes, I am getting bored but I’m also trying to stay positive about it and find ways to combat it. Plus, I’m sure I’ll get back to a busy life eventually!

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So that’s what I’d share with you if we were having coffee! Let me know what you’d want to share with me, I’d love to know!

Thanks for reading!

Pamela

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