Sunday Post and Sunday Salon are blog news memes hosted at Caffeinated Reviewer and Reader Buzz, respectively. It’s a chance to share news, recap the past week on your blog, and showcase books and other things.
Feeling

Well … after two and a half years of extreme carefulness, two vaccines, and a booster, I finally got COVID this week. As you can imagine, I’m not feeling all that good right now. Although, I am feeling marginally better than I was.

Corey and I went to his parents’ last Sunday for his mom’s birthday. Everyone was in good health, or at least we all thought we were. About 30 minutes before left for home, his dad started complaining about his throat feeling weird. That might tip people off that he was coming down with something, but Corey’s dad has throat issues. He actually had his uvula removed a while ago because his throat kept closing. (They know it’s partially due to allergies, but they’re not sure exactly what the cause is.) Because of this, we were just worried about his airway. But, I digress…

On Tuesday late morning, Corey got a text letting him know his dad tested positive for COVID. I took an at-home test right away and my first test was negative. I was falsely excited because I didn’t think I was going to get sick. … Fast forward a few hours and my throat, just like my father-in-law’s, started feeling scratchy and I knew my test lied to me.

By Wednesday evening, I was feeling achy, I was coughing, my throat was sore because of the coughing and the scratchiness from earlier, and I was over-heating. In the wee hours of the morning on Thursday, I woke up with a fever, which peaked at 103° F (39.4° C). During my high fever hours, I also had the chills with body shakes. I couldn’t get warm, not even with a heating blanket. At that point, I took another at-home test just to make sure. The positive line showed up so quickly and so darkly; there was no question.

Thursday has been the worst so far. At first, I felt like I had a really bad flu. As the day went on, more and more symptoms showed up:

  • Over-heating with sweating (replaced the chills with body shakes)
  • Headache
  • Hoarse voice from coughing
  • Runny nose
  • Sinus congestion
  • Weird taste issues (a couple of things didn’t taste like they should)
  • Ears ringing
  • Snoughing (sneezing and coughing)
  • Various gastrointestinal symptoms
  • Extreme fatigue

Each day since Thursday has been slightly easier. (Although on Friday night, I did start feeling nauseated and my gastrointestinal symptoms worsened for about 12 hours.) As of writing this post on Saturday evening, I’m still feeling pretty lousy. I do see a glimmer of hope, though, which is more than I can say I felt a couple of days ago.

Corey also has COVID, which he got from me. We isolated from each other as much as possible; he’s just been such an awesome caregiver that he finally succumbed. Fortunately, his symptoms are milder than mine have been. He’s sneezy and congested. He also has a cough and gastrointestinal symptoms that are more severe than mine are. Hopefully, his symptoms don’t get any worse.

Blogging

This week on the blog:

Reading

I didn’t read much this week considering. As I’ve stated in past posts, I have a hard time reading when I’m sick, especially when I feel as awful as I have this week. I just can’t concentrate on what I’m reading. Hopefully once I’m over COVID, my reading will jump back up to pre-May stats.

Listening

I didn’t really listen to any music this week, except for the music in the TV shows and and movies I’ve been watching while I’ve been sick. I’ve also been playing a lot of Animal Crossing (ACNH) this week. A. Lot. I mean like 20 hours. (Ever since the pandemic started it’s been my go-to when I’ve been sick or anxious because I don’t really have to think.) In honor of all the ACNH I’ve been playing, here’s my favorite song from the game, “Stale Cupcakes.”

Watching

Corey and I watched the first episode of MS. MARVEL and we both loved it. We love the style. It reminds us of SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE because of all the comic and drawing asides. I’m really excited to see where this story goes since I know nothing about Ms. Marvel.

I also started the new season of MASTERCHEF. This season’s going to be exciting because they’re bringing back all the all-stars from past seasons. I was really excited to see that some of the contestants actually had a chance to go to culinary school before this season.

We also watched one of our favorite movies that we have seen for years. DICK, the 1999 comedy with Kirsten Dunst and Michelle Williams about the mysterious identity of Deep Throat. This was before his true identity was revealed, anyway. It’s such a fun movie. It’s on Hulu if you’re interested in watching it.

Loving

I love Vicks Sinex Nasal Spray. Without it, I wouldn’t have survived the past few nights. It clears my sinuses long enough that I can lay down and sleep for five or so hours. (I’m not as clogged up when I’m sitting upright, but I can’t sleep very well without laying down in my bed.)

Wanting

I want to feel better now, LOL. Yes, of course it’s because I feel lousy and I want to know what it’s like to feel well again. It’s also because I don’t want to get too far behind in my class. As some of you know, I got really sick last semester and got behind in this class and now I’m taking it again. I want to avoid taking it a third time if I can.

Needing

I also need both Corey and me to be COVID free by this coming Thursday because we’re under contract (), our closing date is set for June 30, and there’s a lot to do between now and then. I don’t want COVID to cause the deal to fall through.

How was your week? Anything exciting happen?

Sunday Post and Sunday Salon are blog news memes hosted at Caffeinated Reviewer and Reader Buzz, respectively. It’s a chance to share news, recap the past week on your blog, and showcase books and other things.
Feeling

I came out as queer to my friends and family on Wednesday. Before then only a small group of people knew. Even though I’ve been planning to come out during Pride Month for a while now, I’ve been scared about it because most of my family and friends are conservative and I wasn’t sure how they’d react. So far, the response has been amazing and I’ve felt loved and accepted.

Blogging

This week on the blog:

Reading

I did make a little bit of headway with WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING by Delia Owens this week, but I didn’t finish it like I wanted to because I’ve been really busy with school. Hopefully, I can spend more time reading this week.

Listening

In honor of my coming out, I’m sharing Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way.” She’s one of my favorite musicians and I love this song.

Watching

Corey and I are still watching and loving OBI-WAN KENOBI and STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS. We also watched the first episode of the new season of THE ORVILLE. It was really powerful and we’re both so glad to have it back on the air.

I also saw both DOWNTON ABBEY: THE NEW ERA and TOP GUN: MAVERICK in the theater with some friends. I enjoyed both movie, but Top Gun was basically A New Hope with F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and SU-57s instead of X-Wings and TIE Fighters. At one point, one of the characters even says, “Stay on target.”

Loving

I love Instagram ads. I’m definitely their target audience. Thanks to an ad, I found the solution to a problem I’ve been thinking about for the last year.

As some of my readers know, I deal with mental illness and I’ve tried to hurt myself because of it. I’ve been wanting to get a semicolon tattoo on my right hand, specifically between the first and second knuckle of my middle finger, as a reminder that “my story isn’t other yet.” (This has to do with the semicolon project.) I know nothing about tattoos, and according to my research, there’s a lot of debate about getting them on your hands. In fact, some tattoo artists won’t even do them there because they disappear after awhile.

Anyway, last week, I saw this ad for Zox. They make affirmation bracelets. They have a bunch of designs and one of them is purplish-pink () with semicolons and the word “continue” written on it. For $12, I bought one, it was delivered yesterday, and I love it.

Wanting

I wanted to share my latest computer programming project. We’re learning Python and we learned how to use turtle graphics this past week. Turtle graphics is a pre-installed module that allows programmers to create pictures and shapes by using different commands. My assignment was to create a landscape or picture with at least three “atomic” shapes, meaning something that can be broken down into simple shapes, like a square, rectangle, etc. Here’s what I programmed:

It took me about seven hours to do. I love it, though, and I feel really accomplished.

Needing

I need more sleep. I haven’t been sleeping very well. I’ve been going to bed around my usual time, which is midnight. I’m just not falling asleep until 3 or 4am and I’m getting up four or five hours later.

How was your week? Anything exciting happen?

Sunday Post and Sunday Salon are blog news memes hosted at Caffeinated Reviewer and Reader Buzz, respectively. It’s a chance to share news, recap the past week on your blog, and showcase books and other things.
Feeling

I’m feeling sad and angry that we’re dealing with yet another mass shooting in an elementary school and not even a fortnight after what happened in Buffalo. I grew up around guns. My dad had a cabinet full of rifles, shotguns, revolvers, and other handguns. They were always under lock and key and I never knew where that key was. I have so many fond memories of going out shooting targets with my dad. Even though every memory of my parents is precious to me now that they’re both gone, I’d give up the memories I have of shooting with my dad if it stopped these pointless, hate-filled, violent crimes. We are a country who values our guns more than our people. It’s utterly despicable. Guns aren’t worth it.

Yes, I know regular guns aren’t the problem. It’s assault rifles and semi-automatic weapons like AR-15s. I’m just saying that I’d gladly give up every single one of my fond memories with my dad to stop these shootings. Only military should have access to semi-automatic weapons and I think that should even be limited access.

Blogging

This week on the blog:

Reading

I finally read something this week. I decided to throw out my best-laid plans for May and read something I knew would grab my attention right away–THE LOVE HYPOTHESIS by Ali Hazelwood–and I wasn’t wrong (the link to my review is above).

I started reading WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING by Delia Owens yesterday. I’d like to start reading THE MAGICIAN’S NEPHEW by CS Lewis today. Hopefully, I can finish both of those before Wednesday so they count towards May.

Listening

I’ve actually been listening to a lot of K-pop this week. It’s upbeat poppy nature is a great way to help pull me out of depression. Thanks to my friend Suey (It’s All About Books), I’ve discovered a new favorite band Onewe. My favorite of their songs I’ve listened to so far is “Montage.”

Watching

Corey and I watched the first two episodes of OBI-WAN KENOBI on Disney+ and they were amazing. The recap they did of the prequels before the first episode started gave me chills. I’m so excited to have Ewan McGregor () back as Obi-Wan and Hayden Christensen back as Darth Vader. I love them both so much!

Right after we watched the OBI-WAN KENOBI episodes, we watched the first two movies in the prequel trilogy. It was a lot of fun. We’re going to make our way through the main nine movies. Woo hoo! It’s like when I was a kid/teenager and I had Star Wars marathons every time I was sick and stayed home from school.

Loving

I love Oreo shakes with double the Oreo in them. I’m kind of obsessed with them right now. I get one at least two to three times a week. I think they’re my unhealthy way of dealing with all the stress I’m feeling.

Wanting

I wanted to drop my class this week because of anhedonia (diminished interest/pleasure in previous activities). I used the skills I learned in DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) to fight the urge to drop out. For those wondering what skills I used, I used STOP, mindful of emotions and thoughts, check the facts, turning the mind, willingness, and opposite action. Needless to say, I’m still taking the class and I finished my homework for the week.

Needing

I need to channel my stress into more healthy ways of coping so I don’t end up with diabetes or gain a ton of weight.

How was your week? Anything exciting happen?

Sunday Post and Sunday Salon are blog news memes hosted at Caffeinated Reviewer and Reader Buzz, respectively. It’s a chance to share news, recap the past week on your blog, and showcase books and other things.
Feeling

I’ve felt a little overwhelmed from trying to transition to the next step in my DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) progression. As I stated last week, I graduated on May 12, which means I no longer go to group sessions and I only see Doug, my therapist, when I need him versus seeing him at an appointed time every week. It has triggered my fear of abandonment, which is one of the key symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). I have to keep checking the facts and reminding myself that Doug’s still available through booster sessions. It’s just different than it was before.

I also feel excited, nervous, and proud because I was interviewed by a Huffington Post reporter about how the Johnny Depp v. Amber Heard trial is affecting those with BPD. Some of you may know that Depp’s legal team has alleged that Heard has BPD, which is fine. The problem is that many of the people who believe Heard is the problem in the relationship are saying things online like, “No wonder she’s abusive. She has BPD,” implying that violence is synonymous with BPD. It’s been really hard to see those reactions, actually. BPD is already very stigmatized and this very public trial is further stigmatizing it. Anyway, the reporter sent me the link to the article on Thursday and it’s very well-researched and -written. If you take the time to read it and not just base your opinion on the title or tagline (like some have), it may help further the conversation about BPD.

Blogging

This week on the blog:

Reading

I didn’t read anything AGAIN this week. I’m just so stressed with everything going on–selling our place, new semester starting, graduating from therapy, etc.–that I can’t seem to sit down and read. I’m feeling too anxious. Maybe, I should’ve put that up in the “Feeling” section. I’m hoping as I get more and more used to my new schedule, I’ll be able to relax a little bit and read again.

Listening

To help calm my nerves, I’ve been listening to a lot of Enya, specifically her A DAY WITHOUT RAIN album. My favorite song on that album is “Only Time.” A lot of people know this song from the Charlize Theron and Keanu Reeves movie SWEET NOVEMBER.

Watching

Corey and I are still really enjoying the new STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS TV show on Paramount+. I really love Anson Mount as Pike and Ethan Peck as Spock. I especially love Mount’s hair. Ha! I’ve told my husband he needs to grow his hair out and style it like Pike. It reminds me, though not quite the same, of Ewan McGregor’s hair in JACK AND THE GIANT SLAYER. (Maybe, I should’ve put this in the “Loving” section. )

I also watched TOP GUN for the first time ever. I know, right? Anyway, am I the only one who thinks Kelly McGillis and Tom Cruise don’t go together, like at all? I thought she was fine in WITNESS with Harrison Ford, but opposite Tom Cruise? Really? She would’ve worked way better opposite Val Kilmer, IMHO.

Loving

I love my Nintendo Switch. I also love Animal Crossing: New Horizons (ACNH). When the pandemic first started, I wasn’t in DBT yet and I had a hard time regulating my anxiety. The way I got through 2020 was by playing ACNH for anywhere from six to 12 straight hours each day for almost a year. I’ve clocked 1600+ hours on the game according to Nintendo. Anyway, to help calm my nerves this week, I’ve broken out ACNH for a couple of hours for a couple of days. It’s been nice to ignore everything.

Wanting

I want to get LASIK. Distance seeing and reading have become a huge problem for me. I have progressive lenses and I still take my glasses off more than I use them when I read or take notes. It’s a problem with school because I need my glasses to see the board. I can’t keep taking off and putting on my glasses while I’m in class or doing homework. Not only is it annoying and impossible to actually do anything productive, it also gives me very painful headaches.

Needing

I need our place to sell quickly. Every time we have a showing or open house, it’s very stressful and scary for our cats. I feel bad that they’re so scared.

How was your week? Anything exciting happen?

So I’m not accused of defending Heard’s behavior, I think Depp’s in the right in this instance. I don’t condone Heard’s behavior at all. AND, just because someone has BPD doesn’t mean they’re violent. I don’t have a violent bone in my body.

Sunday Post and Sunday Salon are blog news memes hosted at Caffeinated Reviewer and Reader Buzz, respectively. It’s a chance to share news, recap the past week on your blog, and showcase books and other things.
Feeling

I’ve felt a bit overwhelmed this week. Corey and I’ve been packing up a storm to get our place ready for pictures so we can put it on the market. We barely made it yesterday. We’re both so worn out and tired from all the packing and cleaning.

I’m also feeling proud. I got my grades for last semester and I got A’s in both my Japanese and trigonometry classes. I knew I was going to fail my computer programming class because I got behind when I got sick. Instead of giving me an F, my teacher gave me a UW (unofficial withdrawal) and I’m okay with that.

I started a new iteration of the computer programming class this week and I feel so much better about it already. Since it’s the only class I’m taking during the summer, I’ll be able to devote plenty of time to learning the concepts.

I’m also feeling proud because I graduated from DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) on Thursday. I actually shared my experience on Twitter in a thread about having Borderline Personality Disorder and graduating from therapy. Here’s the first tweet if you want to read the thread. (There’s a trigger warning for suicide.)

Blogging

This week on the blog:

Reading

I didn’t read anything this week either. It’s just been so crazy around here. Hopefully, today I can get some reading in. I want to focus on starting the read-alongs I’m supposed to be participating in for Wyrd & Wonder and my IRL book club’s May book, which are:

  • THE SUMMER TREE by Guy Gavriel Kay
  • THE DARKEST PART OF THE FOREST by Holly Black
  • CARVE THE MARK by Veronica Roth (book club book)

I need to make CARVE THE MARK my priority, though, because our book club meeting is this coming Wednesday. Wish me luck.

Listening

This week, I’ve been listening to “Something in the Way” by Nirvana thanks to watching The Batman. I actually forgot about this song. I love Nirvana, but I normally listen to “Smells Like Team Spirit” and “Come as You Are” in my Faves playlist.

Watching

Corey and I finally watched The Batman. It’s on HBO Max and I’ve been wanting to see it ever since the reviews said it was the best Batman movie yet. Corey’s not a DC fan. At. All. I don’t mind some of DC’s stuff. I like Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy and I Shazam! Superman’s one of my favorite superheroes and I liked the first movie with Henry Cavill, but once Ben Affleck shows up as Batman I start to lose interest. I liked both Wonder Woman movies all right, except I always say this: the first Wonder Woman movie is just Captain America: the First Avenger set in WWI with Wonder Woman as the superhero instead of Steve Rogers.

Anyway, back to The Batman. I thought it was fantastic. Robert Pattinson did a phenomenal job as Bruce Wayne/Batman. I had my doubts and he crushed it. The rest of the cast was amazing too. The movie and story are very dark, but what else is new; it’s DC. I loved that the story focuses on Batman’s detective nature. Nirvana’s “Something in the Way” was perfect for the movie. It gave me chills. If you haven’t seen it and you like superhero movies, you should give it a go. If you’re a ginormous Batman fan, I’m not sure what you’ll think.

Loving

I love how clean and empty my house feels right now. We decluttered it for the pictures and while we show it to potential buyers. I think Corey and I are going to throw out a lot stuff. Everything feels so open and roomy. I miss my library, though. That will be the first thing I unpack after we move.

Wanting

I want to get my nails done. They’re way too long right now. I might have time at some point in the near future to get a manicure. #firstworldproblems

Needing

I need to find my mom and dad’s death certificates. My siblings and I were each given one after both of my parents passed away. I put them in a safe place. However, as I was packing this week, I realized they’re not there anymore. I’m sure they’ve just been misplaced from the last time I used them. I just want to make sure I know where they are.

How was your week? Anything exciting happen?