The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page. - St. Augustine
In November 2019, we sailed the British Virgin Islands on the Cuan Law. The diving was wonderful, although there was particulate in the water that made photography more challenging. But with my new camera (an Olympus TG-5), I still ended up with quite a few photos, enough that I’ll be dividing the photos into a few posts. Here are some of my photos from British Islands diving!
When I travel, I always find time to get a bit of reading time in. Car trips, flights, and relaxing by a pool or on a beach afford ample time to read fantastic books. Here is my Pearl Lake Reading List. And because I’m participating in the 2018 PopSugar Reading Challenge, this reading list includes which books fulfill particular categories of the reading challenge.
The Call of the Wild
For some reason, I didn’t read this as a child, even though I remember other classmates reading it. I finally got around to reading it after a Kindle/Audible sale that allowed me to get both versions for something like $0.59. A total bargain. I listened to this while in the van travelling back from Pearl Lake, Illinois. The novel is told from the perspective of Buck, a dog who is taken to the north to work as a sled dog. Parts of it (maltreatment, malnutrition, and outright abuse of pets) are cringeworthy and hard to read. So just a heads up on that. But overall the book is fantastic. I now understand why Jack London is so heralded as a writer.
An American Princess: The Many Lives of Allene Tew
2018 PopSugar Challenge: a book that’s published in 2018
Allene Tew was a woman who led a fascinating life, despite rather humble beginnings. She lived from the Victorian era through World War II, and was married five separate times. The writing and translation are solid, and the subject matter is interesting. So if you’re looking for a biography, this is a good one.
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
2018 PopSugar Challenge: a book mentioned in another book
I read this on the way to Pearl Lake, as it too had somehow escaped my childhood reading experience. I was obviously familiar with the story, but just hadn’t read the book before. The story was weirder than I expected, and evokes a really bad drug trip. I don’t understand the love of Alice in Wonderland. It wasn’t for me.
None.
In 2017 posting on the blog with my progress toward meeting my goals helped to keep me on track and accountable, so I’m doing the same thing this year. Here is my April 2018 Goal Update.
Faith Goals:
Attend church at least one time per month. Met.
Read at least two chapters of the Bible per month. Met. I read Numbers Chapters 11-26.
Read at least one devotional per month. Met–I’m working my way through one.
Attend Bible Study weekly. Met as our group was available.
Reading Goals:
Read at least one fiction, one nonfiction, and one devotional per month. Met. Check out my April 2018 Reading List post for a list of the books that I read.
Track my reading on the blog. Met.
Utilize Overdrive, Kindle Owners Lending Library, Prime Reading, and books previously purchased to keep costs down. Met. Although I did also purchase 3 books–the sequel to the May book club pick (because it was so good that I couldn’t wait to start on the next one), and two books using a Target gift card I received for Easter.
Complete PopSugar 2018 Reading Challenge. In progress. My Reading List posts show which categories I’ve met in each month.
Apply to What Should I Read Next? podcast again. Not met yet.
Finances:
Pay off at least half of my Acadia. In progress. We did not pay extra in April, due to paying our federal and state income taxes.
Pay off law office line of credit. In progress. I paid extra toward this in April.
Double personal, law office, and LLC reserve funds. In progress. I didn’t work much toward this in April, due to paying our federal and state income taxes.
Continue charitable giving at present levels. In progress.
Keep meal costs in check by eating at home and packing lunches. Met mostly.
Fitness/Health:
Drink 8 servings of water per day. Met.
Drink no more than two pops per day. Met.
Eat at least one fruit or vegetable per day. Met, and usually one of each per day.
Track food consumption with either MyFitnessPal or Weight Watchers. Not met.
Pack lunch or eat at home each weekday, unless eating out with friends/colleagues. Met most of the month. I did eat out for lunch about 3 times, due to being short on time.
Plan lunches for the week on the weekends. Met.
Cook and eat dinner at home five times per week. Met for most of the month, except when I had evening appointments.
Use FitBit for sleep and step monitoring. Met.
Walk at least 8,000 steps per day, five days per week. Met probably 75% of the month.
Peloton three times per week for 30 minutes. Met. I rode 3-4 times per week for 30-45 minutes, with the exception of when I was out-of-town but this is still in accordance with my agreement to get the Peloton in the first place.
Law Practice:
Pay off law office line of credit. In progress. I paid extra toward this in April.
Double reserve funds. In progress.
Research law office marketing. Met.
Revamp website. Not started yet. But I did update my Avvo, Justia, and JD Supra profiles in March. I anticipate giving this project to staff to work on in the coming months.
Develop and implement marketing and social media plan. Not started yet. I anticipate giving this project to staff to work on in the coming months.
Write blog post once per month. Not met in April.
Hire associate or advertise office share availability. In progress. I participated in the Nebraska Rural Practice Initiative interviews and hired a law clerk for the summer. I interviewed for associate candidates as well. But I ultimately want the right fit, and am willing to wait to find someone who is best for my office.
Blogging:
Post at least once per week. Not met. I posted 3 times in April.
Post travel post at least once per month. Not met.
Post goal update monthly. Met.
Post reading list monthly. Met.
Develop and implement marketing and social media plan. Not met yet.
Take additional Travel Blog Success (or replacement) course. Not met yet.
Find/watch Lightroom tutorial series. Not met yet.
Utilize travel journal while travelling. Met so far. In progress.
Update old posts with pinnable images. Not met yet.
Increase photo size in old posts. Completed.
Travel:
Take at least one trip or local adventure per month.
Go to Iceland ?
