July

12 Books

This month I read three books! First was Woman on the Edge of Time by Marge Piercy. I decided to read it because it was the book of the month designated by a book club I thought I might join. As it turns out, I can’t attend the discussion of this book. I’m rather glad, because I didn’t enjoy it. It centers on a woman who can connect with the future but is in a mental institution in current times. It vacillates between the settings without much forward direction in plot. I just didn’t get it.

I also read the last two books in Dean Koontz’s Odd Thomas series, Deeply Odd and Saint Odd. I absolutely loved the first few books in this series, and enjoyed the ones in the middle. These last two left me a bit unsettled, but I was satisfied with the end of the series as a whole. 

12 Recipes

For July, I made taco pie. Tacos are one of my favorite meals, but they’re kind of a pain as leftovers because they take so much assembly and separate heating each time. This allowed me to skip the shells (biscuit mix instead) and heat the meat, beans, biscuit, and cheese all at once before adding the toppings. Much easier than typical tacos, and better reheated too.

12 Blog Posts

Click here to read a bit about my high school experience and the good and not-so-good aspects that endure for kids in high school today.

12 Ways to Meet People

In an effort to follow up on some of the other ways I’ve already tried to meet some people, I went to another Speakeasy talk at the Geek Bar. This time it was about how scientists at IIT are emulating animal characteristics to make climbing and perching robots. I arrived earlier than last time and talked to more people. I also am already signed up for the next one, hoping that if I keep returning I’ll see some of the same people.

12 Small Steps Forward in my Career

Earlier this month I attended a small, local ed tech conference, and I was really proud of myself for making a few connections that I think will lead to productive partnerships for my projects.

12 Fun Events in Chicagoland

My sister and I did something we haven’t done in far too long: went to Broadway show! This time, it was Kinky Boots. We were in agreement that it was cute and worth seeing, but won’t be on our lists of favorites. Regardless, I enjoyed being back in a theater.

12 Crafts and Creations

I used some scrap yarn to create this starscarf! Pretty, right?

12 Pretty Things for My Apartment

I hung memorabilia of my travels above my scrapbooks to create the beginnings of a travel wall. I love this and can’t wait to add to it.

12 Things that Help Me Feel Good about My Appearance

While home for a week in Michigan, I took advantage of the lower sales tax and bought some new clothes. I was really surprised at how good it felt to get rid of some of my old stuff and wear the new things. The right clothes can really make me stand up taller.

12 Grown-Up Things

This month, I reported to jury duty for the very first time. I was placed on a jury for a case that, thankfully, was settled before proceedings officially began, and I was released to my real life after only two days. Granted, I had no choice in any of this, but I’m still counting it as my grown-up experience – if for no other reason, because talking to some of the younger jurors made me feel very grown up indeed.