Well, hello! This week was pretty good. Very busy at work but learning some new things which can be fun. I am working on a micro-certification for Artificial Intelligence. It’s really interesting. It’s geared towards faculty but since I support it in IT, I am adapting the content for my own use. Very interesting stuff to consider in regards to data privacy and sustainability. Every time you ask an AI chatbot a question, like… Siri, the data stored in the cloud needs at least 16 ounces of water to cool the data center? Isn’t that fascinating and horrifying at the same time?

Right Now:

About to hang with the students at church.

An update on my MRI. The neuro team gave me the findings and it looks good. Everything is stable. No growth on the two smaller tumors. I was so relieved but then the surgeon called me the other day and told me he wants to follow-up with me on 3/22. Hmmm. This worries me. I asked if there were new findings and he said it’s a one year follow-up type of thing so maybe it’s nothing?

This Week:

In addition to my normal church service on Thursday there is a special worship night on Tuesday. I do enjoy these nights but we’ll see if I am up to going. Last week was busy. I may choose to watch from home.

Later this week I have a coffee-date with one of my graduated students just to catch-up. I love seeing past students out in the wild! Many of them have their own families now. So sweet.

Working on a  new project at work. Gotta get those creative juices flowing. It’s a marketing thing for the students.

Speaking of marketing. I am on social media a lot for work but man, it is impossible to avoid the train wreck of a country we have become. I used filters to weed out stuff I don’t want to see but it still comes up because of course, a certain someone controls what you see on X. I’d like to move work stuff to a different platform but X is still the most viewed.

Reading:

I finished Butter and my review posts on Monday.

So what am I reading now?

• Night Watch by Jayne Anne Phillips (March club pick)
• Evenings & Weekends by Oisín McKenna (very good)

My friend recommended Who Will Run the Frog Hospital? to me. It came out long ago but it sounds pretty interesting. Maybe that will be my third book. Hard to find a copy at the moment.

Watching:

Trying out Harlan Coben’s new Netflix show, Just One Look.

Grateful for:

• Our new Trader Joe’s. It’s big and has great parking. In and out. Makes it easy to pick up some stuff for work lunches.
• The pup. She is still here!
• Multiple platforms to read on. I was never a “read on my phone” kind of person but it has come in very handy, and with adjustable fonts, quite usable.

That’s all I have. I hope everyone has a good week.

How y’all doing? The news cycle is crazy. Stuff happening every minute. I highly recommend hitting a bookstore, preferably an indie store, and buying some books to improve the mood. Hey, the library works too. I avoid the news, never watch it, but a lot of my work is on social media so it’s impossible to ignore. But books? Books bring me back every time. We just have to take it day by day.

Right Now:

Church stuff and then later my MRI. Praying that the two remaining tumors are either totally gone or remained the same size. Also praying that the big sucker they took out last year is not coming back. It was attached to my skull and that portion of my skull was completely removed so hopefully it’s good.

This Week:

I don’t have any special commitments this week so the week is looking really good.

I do plan to either download one of those indoor walk fit apps. If you have a good one, let me know. Or, I will just throw the shoes on and head out with an audiobook. I’ve gained at least ten pounds since my surgery last year. Originally, I lost 27 lbs but I gained 10 lbs over this past month so I feel kind of puffy. Ick-ish. Need to get out and move. I was using the lack of my pup being able to go with me as an excuse but it’s time to do something.

Reading:

My book club discussion for Trust went pretty well. Plenty to discuss. My review is here, in case you missed it.

My review for Butter should be up soon. I really enjoyed it but it’s NOT a good book to read when you are gaining weight. Haha. A lot of food talk, I made the butter / soy sauce rice three times while reading it.

My review of Animal Farm is on its way as well. It was a re-read and there isn’t much new to say but heck, I will review it anyway.

So what am I reading now?

• Three Days in June by Anne Tyler
• Night Watch by Jayne Anne Phillips (March club pick)

Watching:

Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Reading is okay but I can’t seem to focus on TV at all.

Grateful for:

• Even though I basically got tossed out of my in-law’s house for trying to help last weekend, I am grateful for the break. If they really need us, we will of course help but they are going to have to ask.
• Fun gatherings. I alway roll my eyes a bit when I either host a gathering or get invited to one, but nearly every time I enjoy the heck out of it. I am quite the extrovert but at the end of the week I am just tired. Whew.
• Spring-like weather. I can tell it is going to be an unbearable summer already. I mean, it’s February and it’s been hovering around 80 degrees. It is nice though right now.

That’s all I have. I will post an update on my MRI results when I have them. Have a fantastic week!