January Roundup: the First of (Hopefully) Many More

Hey all! I like lists, did you know that? I also like to occasionally talk about myself.

As of today I’ll be doing a roundup at the end of every month, in which I’ll reflect back on some of the things I did or things that happened to me. I figure it’ll be a good way to take a look at some of the goals I periodically set for myself, as well as show you dear readers out there what my life is like outside of, well, being frugal and a bit of a mysterious person behind a keyboard. I also often forget that I do, in fact, have more of a life than I think, so it’ll serve as a way to remind myself, “Hey, you’re not that boring! You did some cool things this last month!”

Or maybe it’s just a way to show you pictures from my phone that never get sent to anyone. Who knows!

So, let us begin. Highlights, lowlights, and all the funny moments in between. This was my January.

-To start off with, I turned 23. Hooray! I celebrated by taking myself out for sushi, drinking champagne, and making a party hat for Archie.

Exhibit A

I don’t usually go out to restaurants by myself, so it was a good independence builder. I wore a trench coat and felt like a sexy badass. I ate seven plates of sushi (rapidly), had cake at my apartment, and then did yoga.

-I also set some new rules for myself, one of which includes no TV, computer, or phone when I’m eating meals. I will unplug for a bit and read a book or write instead. This also forces me to actually eat at the table, which is a good thing because I spill a lot.

A LOT.

-I started writing down my goals for the day every morning while I drank my coffee. As some of you already know, I am addicted to my planner. I can’t live without it. But it also helps me if I break down my (always) overwhelming day into smaller, more manageable tasks in order of importance. On sticky notes, of course. Because who doesn’t love sticky notes?

-I tried making monkey bread and failed at it.

Yes, it really did require two whole sticks of butter. I'm disgusted too.

I ate it anyway. Even if it looked like a pile of turds.

I just realized I should have turned that into a "nailed it" meme.
Someone do that and send it to me, because I'm too tired and lazy. It will be funny.

-I did some adult things, like getting a flu shot and driving to the store buy Excedrin when I had a horrible migraine.

-I did some not very adult things, like start making cookies, then realize I was too tired to finish and didn’t want to wash a bunch more dishes anyway. Soooo I sat on the sofa with the bowl of dough, a glass of milk, and Netflix. …And that was my dinner. Only one bowl to wash. Problem solved.

-I got sucked into an incredible book and don’t know how I even found the time to finish it. It was that good.

READ THIS. READ THIS NOW.

-I made more time to write and ended up with some really great things that I’m super happy with! A short story, two poems, and a prose piece.

-I started keeping an address book and wrote more letters. Yes. Like old-fashioned, envelopes and paper in the mail. Who doesn’t love getting mail? Let’s be pen pals!

-Got addicted to Snapchat. To the point where I started thinking I was really clever and would take screenshots of my "best" ones.

Okay, I'm still doing it. So what?

I like to think I'm a keeper.

Here’s a sneak peek at what Februrary has in store for me:

-Colin Meloy Wildwood Imperium release
-Drag Race Battle of the Seasons
-Volunteering at Ooligan’s Write to Publish
-Rockaway Beach
-College roommate visiting!

What fun and exciting things did you do in January?

Until next time,

Margo