This weekend was a long one due to the MLK holiday, and I'd be lying if I said this morning's wake up call was anything but easy. My alarm went off at 6:07 AM (I have a thing about setting alarms at even times like 6:00, 6:05, 6:10, etc.), and I was not feeling it. But I've made it a goal to not hit the snooze button this year. What does the snooze button buy you anyway? A few more minutes and a lot of crankiness. I'm finding I feel better when I force myself directly out of bed when my alarm goes off. No trolling social media apps or email. It's up and at 'em! It's not always easy, but it's those first 5 minutes after wakeup that are the hardest. So, I'm choosing to get it over with quickly and get my day started. Besides, I spent ample time lounging in bed with my cats while reading on Saturday (see pic above).
I loved playing the board game Clue when I was a teenager. Forget the game, I was literally obsessed with the board itself. The rooms intrigued me. What I loved about the game was that it forced you to think, to come to some sort of decision about who killed who, with what weapon, and in what room. When I saw the trailer for Knives Out, it reminded me so much of Clue. It's is also very reminiscent of Agatha Christie movies circa 1980s. Knives Out is a star-filled (Christopher Plummer, Jamie Lee Curtis, Don Johnson) murder-mystery movie that will keep you guessing and laughing. Although it was released in theaters around Thanksgiving, it's still playing in select theaters, but I don't know for how long.
Late last week I started reading The Tattooist of Auschwitz, which had come very highly recommended by everyone who had read it, even my cardiologist! This is one of those books that stays with you. I finished it early, early Saturday morning... I stayed up way past my bedtime to read it until the end, and I'm still thinking about it even though I've already started reading another book. Obviously, it's the story of a man who gives concentration camp prisoners their identifying number tattoos. Although it is a love story at its core, it's a story of how goodness prevails among such evil. It restores your faith in humanity. While there are parts that are disturbing to read, I loved this fictional story that's based on a true story for it's real-life portrayal of the camps, the hardships, and the enduring spirits of the prisoners, despite, for many, their impending doom.
If you listen to Spotify, you know that when you shuffle a play list and it plays through the entire list of songs, Spotify continues to play music that's similar to those songs on your playlist. This week, while listening to one of my playlists, a song came on, and I thought I recognized the voice as that of Miley Cyrus, but when I looked at the song, I was wrong. It was Gabrielle Aplin. I loved her voice so much that I immediately searched on her and listened to her. While I know she won't appeal to everyone, she's definitely worth a listen. I've had her on repeat for days. Listen here.
I'm trying something new this year in terms of goal setting. Instead of making a long list of goals for the year, I've been giving myself 3 goals each week. They've been anything from finishing the book I've been reading to trying a new class at the gym to making a new recipe. I often get stuck in ruts, so this type of goal setting is helpful in keeping me out of ruts and for changing things up. Last week one of my goals was to try a new vegetarian recipe. I tend to make the same meals over and over again (veggie chili, spinach and chick pea rice bowls, vegetarian stuffed peppers). Earlier last week I took to my Pinterest board to find a recipe that I thought looked interesting and tasty while not requiring a million ingredients or a whole lot of time. I found this recipe for vegan sweet potato and black bean quinoa bowls and decided to go for it! It was so good, and the recipe makes plenty for leftovers during the week. It's definitely a keeper!
P.S., if you are local to the Jersey shore, the Asbury Park Beerfest is happening on Saturday and Sunday, January 25th and 26th at Convention Hall in Asbury Park. Three are several sessions, but I think the only session that is not sold out is the Sunday session from 12-4. Tickets are $44 and features craft beers, ciders, retro beers, classic boardwalk food, and tasting glasses. Must be 21 years of age to attend. Please drink responsibly.
So, tell me. What do you have planned this weekend?
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