Sunday News #20
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?
I loved the Obi Wan Kenobi episodes too! I appreciated the recap as well! The little actress who plays Leia is really great, and I think they have a really compelling storyline going. Can’t wait for the next ones. I hope you have a wonderful week.
Yes, I loved the actress who plays Leia. She’s perfect and acts just like I imagine her as a child. 😀
Good for you to stick with the class despite your feelings about it! I love that you have a toolbox of interventions to help push you through. Happy Reading and have a wonderful week ahead!
Thanks, Jodie! 😀 I’m glad I have that toolbox of skills as well. It’s very helpful. Sometimes, I need help remembering to use them. I know when I do, I’m much happier.
I wish everyone were as rational as you are about gun control. I am not from a gun-famous country and I have never even seen a gun IRL. You know what? I am not missing anything. Anyway, I loved The Love Hypothesis By Ali Hazelwood too.
I hope you have a great week ahead.
Thank you, Gayathri! 🙂 I wish enough people felt the way I do to about guns too so we can change our laws. I’m often envious of those who live in countries with sensible gun laws. Hopefully, someday the US will follow suit.
I agree with you 100% about weapons although I didn’t grow up with them so I feel like I don’t actually know much about their positive side. All I know is that the military grade ones are designed to easily kill as many people as possible. Where do you get Oreo shakes or do I want to find out? 🙂
Exactly. The only reason to have an AR-15 or something like it is for military purposes. There’s no need to have gun designed to kill as many people as possible available to civilians or in every day life.
I get my Oreo shakes at a few local famous burger joints that are famous for their shakes. They’re more like Blizzards from DQ or McFlurries from McDonald’s than shakes. You must eat them with a spoon not a straw just the way I like them. 😀
Have you tried yoga for your stress? I need to get back into it. Yoga with Adrienne is free on youtube, she’s the only instructor I’ve stuck with, she has specific videos for stress, pms etc.
I’m glad I had books to help get through the week.
Oreo shakes sound so good! I haven’t had one in a while.
I haven’t tried yoga for a very long time because it hurt my feet the last time I did it. I do mindfulness exercises, such as paced breathing and paired muscle relaxation, that helps. I think I’m just so stressed right now because I’m dealing with a lot at the moment. Hopefully, in the next month or so, my load will lighten a bit.
Thanks for the suggestion. 💜
Well done on sticking with the class AND using your learning to deal with your feelings effectively. The shooting is so shocking and sad – we introduced very strict gun laws following a similar shooting in a primary school (similar ages to elementary). We haven’t had a mass shooting since, though in part that is also because schools now have high fences, locked gates and controlled entry.
I hope this week brings happier times for you.
Thanks, Louise! 😀 I read about the mass shooting in Britain and the measures taken to prevent it and how it has worked. It saddens me that I doubt the US will ever implement changes like that. As I said, the US seems to care more about its guns than its people. Sigh.
I am also sad and angry about all the mass shootings and the politicians who won’t do their job, only try to grab money and power. I loved The Love Hypothesis. It was made the Top 10 of 2021 lists. Yay for keeping with your classes.
Anne – Books of My Heart This is my Sunday Post
Thanks, Anne! 😀 I’m glad you loved The Love Hypothesis so much too. It will definitely make my top ten this year. I’m sure of it.
I agree about the guns. I have fond memories of going shooting with my dad too, but these assault style weapons… give me a break. And we never used to have these shootings. Something’s changed… and I think the majority of people would go along with some kind of common sense restrictions, but our system seems to give a lot of power to the people holding everything up!
Anyway… I can’t wait to start Obiwan Kenobi. I’m watching Stranger Things right now and am a little bored if I’m honest…
I’m sorry you’re bored. I hate when that happens. That’s how I felt during season 2 of The Walking Dead, lol. They took way too long at Hershel’s farm.
I haven’t watched Stranger Things since season 2. Corey and I actually didn’t finish season 2, lol. We had 4 episodes left and then got sidetracked and never went back to it. I kind of want to binge it and see if I like it still.
I hope you like it if you watch! I think stranger Things S1 was the best- it was new and original. This season feels bloated and self indulgent. I read an article where they want to explore character arc’s, but honestly- it feels (to me anyways) like they’re getting carried away.
Kenobi though I’m super excited for!
That makes sense. That often happens with shows the longer they last, especially sci-fi/thriller/drama shows. Hopefully, you’ll like it more as it goes along. 🤞🏻
Congrats on sticking with the class. We do gardening to pass the time and also to relax as we enjoy the outdoors. Hope summer will be all around better.
Thanks, Harvee! 🙂 I’m glad gardening helps you relax and enjoy the outdoors. My parents loved to work in the garden too. I’m not a big fan of gardening. That’s okay, though.
I like to ride my bicycle. Right now because we’re in the process of selling our place, my bike is in our storage unit so I don’t have easy access to it. I’ll be glad to get set up in our new place so I can go bike riding again.
It’s nice to hear from a RATIONAL gun user. I have zero interest in guns but I am also have zero interest in TAKING guns away from RATIONAL gun owners / users. I just don’t want ridiculous guns like AR-15s iin the hands of maniacs that buy them with the sole purpose of murdering as many people as possible with them. Sigh.
I just got my first package of Java Chip Oreos and they are REALLY good and I was wondering how many would be good to put in the blender to make a homemade Java Chip Oreo Shake. I suppose I can Google it. {Googles} Looks like 4 per shake. I’ll try it!
I don’t feel like there are many rational gun users, lol. I know a few. My friend, Kami and her husband, are rational gun users. My family, on the other hand, are not. Sigh.
I’ve thought about buying Oreos and vanilla ice cream and making my own shakes. Then I can put as many Oreos in as I want, lol.
It’s terribly sad what happened in Texas and Buffalo. I totally agree with you. There are just no words for what those people are going through right now…horrifying.
It’s so hard finding a way to deal with stress. I try to read to get rid of stress but that doesn’t always work as it can be hard to concentrate. I hope you are doing well.
Thanks, Yvonne! I’m dealing with the stress pretty well. Sometimes healthily and sometimes not, which I think we all do. 🙂
Glad you were able to get some reading done and process your feelings so you didn’t end up dropping the class. I think most of us struggle with emotional eating. Admitting it’s a problem is the first step to recovery, right? 😉
Thanks, Cindy! 😀 I’m glad I was able to process my feelings too and not drop the class. It’s good to bet through it. And, I’m glad I’m reading again. Yay!
Wow, what a busy week. So glad you stuck with you class! Well done. I just loved the Love Hypothesis! It was such a sad week with the shooting. I just don’t have words.
Thanks, Wendy! 😀 It has been a busy week, sad, stressful week. And, there have been good things that happens as well. 🙂
i’m glad you finally read something this week!
the shootings going on atm are terrifying – and i’m not even in the usa! i feel for all the victims and everyone who’s stressed because of the situation.
Thanks, Chelsea! 😀 Me too! 😀 I’m very envious of all my followers/readers who live outside the US. I wish mass shootings weren’t part of our reality.
That’s exactly what I do when my books aren’t working for me…I drop everything and pick up something that I’m sure to enjoy.
I can’t think about the shootings in my state. I have no words for this horror.
Yes, it’s a perfect way to make sure you’ll enjoy what you’re reading. I’m glad I finally did it. Sometimes, I wait too long to do it, lol.
I’m so sorry. I know the shooting is closer to you than it is to me. It’s also close to my brother and his family. I had to make sure everyone was okay because I wasn’t sure how close Uvalde was to San Antonio. It’s just unimaginable.