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1. I’m super energized by the new year: I know it’s just an arbitrary date and I can renew my goals and dreams and aspirations any day of the year but I’ve said it before…it just energizes me. This month was one of the best in terms of me and my goals. I was an absolute beast when it came to my fitness goals and I feel great. Plus some of my other goals are going well too. I just feel ready to tackle ALL THE THINGS. Hoping this momentum will continue.
2. We had a blizzard — Philly was one of the cities that was in the path of Jonas. We got about 24 inches of snow and boy was it windy. I WOULD KNOW AS I HAD TO WALK MY DOG IN A BLIZZARD A FEW TIMES. Finn loved the snow but refused to go #2 in it for like a day and a half. I was happy the blizzard happened on the weekend so I didn’t have to be worrying about work or anything. We had a fun weekend of hanging out, playing in the snow and be cozy as hell.
3. My baby sister finally turned 21 & Genevieve turned 4: I have 4 sisters (1 older, 1 a couple years younger and 1 is the baby) and we’ve been waiting forever for her to turn 21. Her weekend down here got foiled by the snowstorm so she came the next weekend. It was a quick trip but was happy to see her and celebrate. And then 2 days before she turned 21, my niece Genevieve turned 4 which WHAT EVEN. How is she 4?? So lots of birthday fun in January!
4. I had a blog emergency– So my blog got deactivated by my host I guess because of spam or something and it was hurting their server so I call to fix it (they have always been SO helpful) and the guy was like “so you have to delete all these things on the back end” and he gives me a list and zero instructions on how to do it or where to find it. So I call tech support and the guy almost has me delete like my whole blog because he doesn’t know what he’s talking about and I’m like UMMM hey I think I don’t want to delete all this, he realizes I’m right, puts me on hold and basically is like “welp you are going to have to hire a developer because it’s too much….thousands upon thousands of lines in various files you have to go through to see if anything is wrong and I can’t help you” so basically I get off the phone and start sobbing and hyperventilating because 5 1/2 years down the drain!! I couldn’t afford to hire a developer so I was pretty sure my blog was going to be gone for sure. So I decide to call again for a second opinion and meanwhile Will and I do some googling and start deleting spam on the backend even though the guy gave me more files than just the spam folder. So when I get a hold of someone I told him what happened and what he did and he’s like “Okay you are good now” and reactivated it…..sooooo I had a panic attack and sobbed my eyes out thinking this was never going to get fixed because 2 guys didn’t know what they are talking about??? Whatever. My blog came back. But it was the worst 2 hours in a while.
5. Had some fun times with new friends: I’ve mentioned it a couple times but I’m really thankful for some ladies I met this fall and am grateful for how quickly I clicked with them. We did a couples night and went bowling, went to a yummy Indian restaurant and tried a new crepe place!
Bonus: I FOUND OUT MY SISTER IS HAVING A BOY. Genevieve and Adela are going to have a little brother!!!!
I put all my Monthly Rewinds in a Spotify playlist so you can listen to them here !
1. Absolutely — Ra Ra Riot
2. Conquerer — AURORA
3. Worry — Jack Garrett
4. Trouble Ahead — WOLFFE
5. Different Colors — Walk the Moon
6. River — Bishop
Honorable Mentions: The Sound by The 1975
Check out the rest of my January playlist
I read a total of 9 books this month. Pretty much it was a GREAT reading month in terms of genuinely enjoying what I read!!
1. The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner: THIS BOOK. It needs to be on your TBR. I’m telling you why here. I just adored this one so much!
2. Salt To The Sea by Ruta Sepetys: I was anticipating this one so much!! I loved Ruta’s Between Shades of Grey and Out of the Easy. And LEMME TELL YOU…it did NOT disappoint. She writes the best historical fiction. Hands down. Post to come soon about it!
3. The Imposter Queen by Sarah Fine: This was such a page-turning YA fantasy! I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Hands down my review of Alexandra Bracken’s Passenger!
1. 10 Things I Wish Someone Would Invent — This was just a fun, silly list of book related things I wish someone would invent — like a device that would shrink books for better storage and packing.
2. Ten Books I’ve Added To My TBR List Lately: I loved that you guys were enthusiastic about some of these books I’ve added. I had quite the diverse
3. Books I Meant To Get To In 2015 But Will Get To in 2016: There’s always these releases each year that I’m like AH I can’t believe I didn’t get to this one!!
4. If We Were Having Coffee: I hadn’t done one of these since the Fall! Loved catching up with you all!
5. A Readerly Woe: No but seriously this bookworm problem is so hard!!
My book talk of Underwater, I guess.
NOTHING. But it’s so happening in February because I figured out how to use my new camera so YAY.
1. Does Social Media Cloud Our Memories? – “I wonder now how much we stop a real life experience to document it, before really looking at it with our eyes first.” I have been thinking about this topic SO MUCH lately and her post is SO thought-provoking. I’ve found that I’m not feeling the need to document every experience these days. Do I wish I had photographs of some things? Sure. But, just like she talks about those vivid childhood memories that weren’t snapped, I can remember these memories of just being in the moment and not trying to open my phone up to take a picture of certain things. I’m glad I’ve found a better balance of documenting and experiencing lately.
2. The Truth About “If Only” Thinking: I am guilty of the “if only” thinking. So guilty.
3. What To Do When Someone Else Has Your Awesome Idea: This is an older post that I came across recently when somebody linked to it but I wanted to share it because it’s pretty much exactly how I feel about this and it comes up sooo much in the blogging world and I think people would benefit from a different perspective on it.
4. Internet, Stop Offering Me Life Hacks: Now I’ve found some good hacks for thing that are great but I so agree with this post because 1) some of the “hacks” I’ve seen that are things that you cannot hack your way to and 2) some hacks are so stupid I can’t even or are just common sense.
5. It All Matters: I shared this on Twitter (I’m @brokeandbookish on there) the other day and wanted to share it again. GOOD REMINDER. Easy to not take the time to be kind or take notice of others but it matters.
1. Some of our shows coming back: Winter break hiatuses, man. So glad How To Get Away With Murder, Scandal, Grey’s, Baby Daddy, Walking Dead, Better Call Saul and Survivor will be back. And OMG FULLER HOUSE WILL BE ON NETFLIX THIS MONTH. ALERT ALERT.
how are you doing on your goals for the new year??
Pick a category (or 5… or all of them) and tell me what went on in YOUR life this month!! What sort of things were noteworthy for you this month? New obsessions? Any new song recs?? Best books you read this month? Great posts I missed on your blog? Answer to my question of the month?
Kristin @ Simply Bookish Things says
Congrats for your sisters baby boy! I must say January was a bit of a flunk for me so I’m still getting back into the swing of things with goals and what not but same as you I’m super energized for them XD
I still need to get my hands on Passenger, EEP so many 2016 releases already and I still haven’t caught up on the 2015 ones, haha. #bookwormprobz
Jamie says
Thank you! And yay GO YOU. I really do try to re-calibrate every week and month to focus on my goals and stuff because I think it helps keep that NEW YEARS GOALS excitement and motivation alive for me. Hope you dominate that goal list of yours!!
Omg SAME. HOW CAN WE BEHIND ALREADY WITH 2016 books?? hahah
Emmah says
January was a pretty crappy month for me (my dad got laid off). But I did go to the doctors this past Friday to talk about my anxiety (blah) and they’re putting me a new medication. Not super stoked to try it, but alas, gotta do what I have to.
Oh jeez, that’s tons of snow! I’m so glad it didn’t hit us here in Maine!
How is Genevieve 4?!
I’m so excited for Fuller House!!
I’m doing alright on my goals for the new year. One step at a time!
New obsessions? Chocolate chip/Derby pie!! I made it for the first time yesterday and it’s SO yummy!!
Not new to me, but “Experience” by: Ludovico Einaudi!! I LOVE that music piece.
Best books I read this month? “Ms. Marvel: Vol 1: No Normal”, “Winter” by: Marissa Meyer (THORNE), and “The Start of Me and You” by: Emery Lord (MAX WATSON. I WANT ONE).
Are you excited about the Gilmore Girls reboot?! I AM! Minus the fact Sukie isn’t going to me on it 🙁
Jamie says
Aw man so sorry to hear about your dad’s work situation! Getting laid off sucks. I feel ya there. I’m so proud of you for going to the doctor’s!!!! I hope this new med is a good fit for you. But seriously..go you for being an advocate for your own health!!
IDK HOW GENEVIEVE IS 4. I’m like MY BABYYYYY. When I was unemployed I spent like 6 months when she was a baby basically being her nanny for cheap to give me some extra money and help my sis when she went back to work so I spent sooo much time bonding with her so she’ll always be my little baby even though Adela is younger haha.
I realized that I have work the day Fuller House releases and the next day we are going skiiing so omg I can’t watch it right away. SOB.
Oooh derby pie?!? I want.
YAS SO HAPPY YOU LOVED TSOMAY!!!
Sooooo excited about Gilmore Girls omg. But yeah bummed about Sukie. I mean, I kind of figured Melissa McCarthy is in high demand this days but I so hoped for it. Maybe she will make a little cameo once. I HOPE SO.
Emmah says
It does suck! He’s still trying to find a job and I’m hoping he can find one soon!
I’m hoping it’s a good fit for me too!
Aww, I can definitely see why she’s your little baby even though Adela is younger haha. I saw your sis is having a baby boy!! Congrats 🙂
Aww, that sucks! I don’t think I’ll be able to watch it right away either. I watch A LOT of shows. And I’ve got a lot to catch up on once we get cable back tomorrow! We had to get rid of Directv and switch to TWC.
If you give me your email, I’ll send you the recipe for Derby pie!!
It was SO good! I just want a Max Watson of my own haha.
Yes, just even a little guest star spot! I can’t imagine Lorelai being the same without her best friend! It’s going to be weird watching it without Richard Gilmore too 🙁
Katherine says
My goals for the New Year have not gotten off to a great start…but I’m still very hopeful for the rest of the year! This month sent a few big changes my way that were very unexpected, but most of them are over, and I’m hoping for a much clearer February. I’m really excited to read Salt and Sea soon, and I’m also excited for the return of TV! It’s such a great weekly break from everything.
Jamie says
It’s a new month! You got this! Sometimes life derails our careful plans but hey you rolled with it and can focus now! 🙂 GOOD LUCK!!
Rachael Turns Pages says
I always love the new year. It gives me so much excitement to start over and make new goals. It looks like you had a great January. There was one blog server that had a lot of issues in January I wonder if you have the same one as becausereading.com because her blog was down for almost a week. Happy February!
Jamie says
I heard about that issue ! sounded like a mess! I don’t think it was the same issue — mine was from spam or something. WHO KNOWS. I still don’t know what even really was wrong and if I did everything I was supposed to but my blog is back so YAY.
Kate Marie says
Normally I’m right there with you being energized in January, but this year I’ve just been SO not feeling it! I haven’t worked out in a month, unless you count me running for 5 minutes today before saying “screw it” haha. I’m feeling good about February though, given my regular blogging and that tomorrow I start volunteering for the best yoga studio in town in exchange for unlimited free classes!
Oh and as far as music goes, I can’t get enough of Jeremy Messersmith lately.
Jamie says
Hey 5 minutes is better than zero minutes! I always ease myself back into working out after it’s been a while. Like hey all I need to do is show up on my Pilates mat for 15 minutes. That’s it. And then I increase it the next week if I’m still not feeling my whole hour workout.
Good luck with your goals this month!!! And very cool that you can volunteer to get free yoga classes. I wonder if this exists around me!
Daniella Maria says
Sorry to hear about that blog fiasco. Crazy. Glad you worked it out!
9 books this month is an amazing feat! I also had a great reading month. (6 books which is my goal.) Hope I can keep it up!
Jamie says
It was a scary couple of hours!! I mean, 5 1/2 years gone. WOW. Thank goodness I went back for that second opinion.
Great job with your reading goal!!
Lisa @ Reading, Writing, and Random Musings says
Yikes….I can only imagine how panicked you were over the blog incident! Thank goodness it all worked out! I’ve been good about all of my goals – reading, blogging, eating – except for working out. I haven’t quite found my rhythm on that one yet!
Trina (Between Chapters) says
Technical problems are always THE WORST. Isn’t it always some dummy making something harder than it should be?? I’m glad your blog got sorted out because I would have cried too if that were the end of it.
I’m definitely going to check out the blog posts you linked. I struggle with feeling like all my ideas are already taken or are quickly stolen/borrowed so I like to see different perspectives on internet creativity. I’ve also been thinking a lot lately about recording memories vs making them. One year I went to our awesome city fireworks display and I had so many incredible photos from it and yeah they are fun to look back on but they don’t evoke any kind of emotion from me. The only memory I have from looking at them is the memory of staring at the camera screen the whole time! The next year I went I decided to put the phone away and I was able to really take in the moment and that feeling isn’t something that can ever be captured digitally.
Wendy @ Book Scents says
I so agree about the new year feeling so invigorating and making me feel so motivated! I decided to get fit this year and have stuck to that goal pretty well — I just want to be able to stick to my routine and keep at it! The snow looked so crazyyy, I am so glad we don’t get blizzards like that, eek! Finn is so adorable though!! Ahh overnight oats! I have this parfait I used to make all the time that has overnight oats in it and i loved it! Thennn I got lazy and kept forgetting to make it the night before and stick it in the fridge (you know, the whole POINT of overnight oats haha) so then that faded away but I want to start making those again bc I loved them! And cute sneakers!! I always struggle with finding a comfortable sneaker every day shoe that are cute and not work out ish. I actually really love my converses!
Debbie says
Have I ever told you how much I love your monthly rewind playlists? You always manage to find some amazing new stuff! I’m so excited to see you on YouTube too. And so sorry to hear about your blog. Mine went down last year and it was a stressful day, to say the least. I’m obsessing over Ru Paul’s Drag Race at the mo (trashy I know)
Jamie says
Yay thank you! I always wonder if people find my playlists enjoyable or even check them out so that makes me happy! BLOG EMERGENCIES ARE NO FUN. I broke my blog yesterday trying to do something and it was my fault so I was less panicky but it’s still nerve wrecking lol.
Hehe I don’t judge about trashy tv — I used to watch Jersey Shore and The Only Way is Essex (had to stop with that one after so many of the people kept leaving)
Deyse says
Oh, I love skiing, true I’m terrible at it and the like two times that I went didn’t do much room for improvement but there is something so exhilarating about it, and it always makes the hot cocoa taste better after it haha Have a nice trip!
Anna says
YOU WATCH SURVIVOR?! This makes me happy! Excited for the new season!!