Welp, this quarantine has lasted 5.5 weeks now and unfortunately, there's no specific end in sight. Here are some of the things I've doing to try to maintain my sanity:
1. Maintain a routine
Each week day, I get up and dressed for work. No working in my pjs, I wear work-appropriate clothes and not just because on any given day, I may be on several Zoom calls. Dressing up helps keep my mind in work mode.
I work in a dedicated spot each day and try to keep my space clean and organized.
I work from 9-12, take a half hour lunch, and work again until 5ish.
2. Get some fresh air
The weather hasn't allowed it everyday, but whenever it's nice I try to go for at least one walk and sometimes three.
3. Stay active
Generally, I try to work out each work day. If it's nice, I'll go on a walk or run.
After not touching a basketball for at least a decade, I've started shooting baskets some evenings. It's been a good addition.
I've also been doing a ton of yoga. My gym has been offering it live a few days a week and I found Adriene's at home yoga. She's great and her dog, Benji is the cutest.
I did a barre class that my gym also offered and really liked that.
I've done some Zumba, as well, which I also enjoy.
I'm super burned out of working out at home, so I'm looking for new ideas.
4. Find a creative outlet or several
I've been doing a bit more acrylic painting lately, which has been fun.
For my birthday, a friend bought me some diamond painting projects. I first saw it on Cheryl Burke's Instagram and thought it looked super interesting. It's really easy and addictive.
My current project
I decided that it would be fun if I painted my nails each week of the quarantine. It's been fun to come up with different combinations and use more of my nail polish supplies.
Also, writing this blog has been a bit cathartic too. :)
What things are keeping you sane during this time?
I've wanted to see the movie for ages, I've been familiar with Jeremy Camp's story since college, when I heard him in concert. So, for my birthday, we rented, I Still Believe. Jeremy married super young and his wife, Melissa died of cancer. He's now a famous Christian musician and remarried with kids. I've always enjoyed his music, but was interested in watching the movie to see more of his story. That and the actor that plays him, KJ Apa has played in some shows and movies that I enjoy, Riverdale, A Dog's Purpose, and The Hate You Give.
Here's the movie trailer to pique your interest a bit more. :)
The story opens with Jeremy moving from Indiana to college in California. His first night, he sneaks into the back stage before a concert. He introduces himself to the lead singer, Jean-Luc La Joie of Kry. Next thing you know, Jeremy is tuning Jean-Luc's guitar and swapping out guitars for the band during the concert. While doing that, he spots Melissa for the first time. He can't take his eyes off of her as she sings and praises Jesus.
After the concert, he awkwardly introduces himself to her. Later, she spots him on campus playing his guitar and singing. She says hi and it's still awkward. As she leaves, she asks if he has plans for the night. Some friends and her are going to the beach. He says he'll be there and it's a date. She tells him to bring his guitar. He shows up and it looks like she's having a flirty conversation with Jean-Luc. Apparently, she's friends with him too. She makes Jeremy sing in front of everyone. She joins in too, as they sing a song I've never heard of, Find Me In the River. I did't know it was also sang by JJ Heller; love her. I love that song, it's so sweet and soft.
Here's the music video:
Somewhere after that, they started hanging out more. Jeremy asked her what was up with her and Jean-Luc. Apparently, they'd been longtime friends, but his feelings had changed, but she didn't like him like that. Melissa finally agrees to go on a date with Jeremy. They go to somewhere that simulates the stars. Melissa loves looking at the stars. At the end of the night, they agree to keep their relationship quiet. Jeremy thinks they should tell Jean-Luc about their relationship after an awkward lunch with the three of them when Jean-Luc asks to talk to Melissa alone. Melissa doesn't want to hurt him, so she doesn't want to tell him about her and Jeremy. The conversation doesn't end well.
The next day, Jean-Luc let's Jeremy use some of his studio time to lay down some tracks. Jean-luc also invited Melissa. She shows up and they all take a break. Jean-Luc heads out to take care of something and Melissa goes into the studio with Jeremy. They patch things up and he sings her a new song, with the lyrics, "I love, I love you, I love you." She's not sure what to say. She asks if the song is about God and he says no, it's about her. They share their first kiss, only to look up and see Jean-Luc witnessed the whole thing. He's mad and hurt. Now, Melissa is mad that they hurt Jean-Luc. So, she breaks up with Jeremy. He goes through the rest of the semester heartbroken. He heads back home for Christmas.
While on Christmas break, Jean-Luc calls in the middle of the night to tell Jeremy that Melissa is really sick and in the hospital. With his parent's okay, he drives from Indiana to California. He finally arrives and falls alone on a hospital couch. Melissa's family wakes him up, they've heard all about him. He goes to her room and everyone leaves so they can visit. She had a tumor the size of an orange removed from her stomach. He's not sure what he should do, but Jean-Luc asks him if can live without her.
The next day, Melissa tells Jeremy that she loves him. He's shocked and leaves saying he needs a minute. He next takes her to the chapel in the hospital that he decorates with lights to resemble their first date. He asks her to marry him and without hesitating, she says yes.
Jeremy heads home and his parents are shocked to hear the news. He packs back up to head to California, but not before his mom gives him her engagement ring to give to Melissa. Melissa gets released to go home and Jeremy is there to give her the ring. <3
He takes her to appointment and they learn hard news; she needs a hysterectomy due to cancerous ovaries. She's devastated, she wants kids. Jeremy and Jean-Luc rally people together to pray for Melissa's upcoming surgery. She goes in for surgery and they learn, the cancer is GONE!
Six months later, they marry on the beach. It's perfect and they're so happy. Next, they're on their honeymoon in Hawaii. They're having the best time. One night, Melissa starts to have stomach issues and not feel well. She wakes in the middle of the night and wakes Jeremy, telling him something is wrong. They fly home and head straight to the hospital. The tests reveal cancer has spread everywhere and there's nothing the doctor's can do for her. They go to their new apartment for the first time and are greet by wedding photos and gifts. They're beyond sad. Melissa locks herself in the bathroom and breaks down crying.
One night, Jeremy wakes up to hear Melissa vomiting in the bathroom. He runs in there to see her vomiting blood. He takes her to the hospital. She's near the end. She asks him to play the song he just finished. It's "I Still Believe." She raises her hand is praise to God while Jeremy sings.
She wakes screaming to Jeremy and her family that she's healed. She tells Jeremy that he has to believe her. He runs to get a doctor and before they can get back, her sister, Heather is screaming Melissa's name. She passed away. He's devastated that he didn't get to say goodbye. He's broken. His dad drives from Indiana to California. He arrives to find Jeremy collapsed and lying on the floor of Melissa's hospital room. Together the get ready to leave and Jeremy nearly collapses while signing her death certificate.
They have her funeral and Jeremy heads home to Indiana with his family. One particularly hard day, he sees his guitar and smashes it. While leaving the room, he sees something. Amidst the shards of his guitar, He sees some paper. It's a letter from Melissa. Essentially, she tells him to pick up his guitar and start playing again. His dad is relieved to one day hear Jeremy playing again.
From there, it pans to Jeremy being introduced as a successful singer/songwriter. He sings, "I Still Believe." He leaves and a girl who introduces herself as Adrienne. She says Melissa impacted her life.
In the end they marry and have three kids.
Such a good movie; I laughed and I teared up. See this movie!
I have fallen in love with the music of Terrian. It's so spirited and deep. Her voice and lyrics hit me right in the heart.
Thankfully, over spring break, I was able to hear her sing on the Toby Mac Hits Deep Tour. She's also in Toby Mac's DiverseCity band. So, let me share some my favorites with you.
I can not wait to hear more music from Terrian and follow her career.
While in Salina, Kansas visiting a friend, we explored downtown. We got hungry and decided on Johnny Rotten's Burger Bar & Wienery. They had a nice, cool interior.
They had build-your-own burgers and build-your-own wieners. I like being able to customize my food to get just what I want.
I loved my burger which had a pretzel bun, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions, and guac.
I really enjoyed their sweet potato fries!
I can't wait to go back once this quarantine is over!
Every time I go somewhere, even for one night, my bag becomes a mess. I can't find anything and it's so frustrating. For awhile, I've thought that maybe packing cubes would be the answer to my messy bags with lost items. So, when Christmas came, I added them to my wish list. My cousin got me a Veken 6 pack with various sizes in a vibrant purple.
It also came with a guide of how to best fold different types of clothing. The cubes are all different sizes which is so very convenient. The shoe bag is perfect for two pair of shoes. There's even a dirty laundry bag.
I won't go anywhere now without my packing cubes. They keep everything so much more organized. I know where to find each type of clothing. I would most certainly recommend them for all travelers.
Recently, my parents and I have been spending a lot of time in Tulsa. Since we're there pretty much every week, we've been exploring restaurants.
Back home in Manhattan, Kansas we barely ever agree on a restaurant we all like, but in Tulsa that's another story. Our go-to breakfast/lunch place is First Watch. We've probably eaten there at least five times in the last two months. Everything I've ordered I've loved. They have the best orange juice; so fresh.
Their morning meditation juice is so good. We also get great service. They're very helpful with my mom's gluten and dairy allergy which is really rare. Getting on the wait-list through Yelp is smart.
Chicken salad melt and salad with lemon dressing
A.M. Superfoods Bowl
Tri-fecta (eggs, sausage, and banana granola pancake)
And...writing this just made me crave their food and I'm not in Tulsa now. :(
I really enjoy avocados, so I was excited to try avocado toast at Ladybird Diner in Lawrence, KS. I'd always wanted to eat at the diner, but it was always closed when I was in Lawrence.
So, here's the consensus, avocado toast wasn't my thing. It was super savory, which also isn't my thing. But isn't it pretty?!
The diner was uber cute though and I'd like to go back and try something different. They're known for their pies and I'd love to try them.
I also loved this sign. Who doesn't love Steel Magnolias?!
When on that trip with my best friend, she found Pinot's Palette. They were hosting an open studio for a ridiculously good price. We brought some of her friends. We each got to pick what painting we wanted to do and what size canvas for $15!
The guide
Mine and I LOVED it!
Yay!
Next, we headed to Topgolf! I'd never been, but had always wanted to. Even though it was freezing outside, the heaters they had kept us really comfortable. The balls each have a chip in them, that tracks them, so you can aim for targets, distance, etc. While none of us was amazing, it was fun and I'm excited to go again.
I had the BEST shrimp tacos at El Potro Mexican Cafe in Bonner Springs just off I-70. They were so flavorful. I went back there two months ago and they were just as good. I wish I lived closer to that place.
Later, we met up with more friends of my friend at Blue Koi. I found that place with my mom a few years ago when I tried my first bubble tea. Awww, memories! The dumplings are what they're known for and they are the best! We all got bubble teas, I got the green tea bubble tea, so good!
My best friend and I took some time to spend a few days in the Leavenworth area.
The first stop was lunch at Tampico downtown. It was a Mexican food place. I got one of my go-to favorites; a beef burrito with rice and beans. Such a nice, enjoyable lunch.
From there, we checked out Artistic Works by Lu's. It's such a cool shop with super cute clothes and jewelry. Good luck walking out of there without finding a perfect piece of jewelry. You can also create custom pieces. I purchased the cutest necklace there. I love how unique their jewelry is.
We also visited the Kansas Country Store. It was part farm store and part gift shop. They had a nice variety of items including fudge. Nice shop, but the worst bathroom I've experienced in a long time.
