Welcome to the April 2026 version of RPL at Dwelling, the place I share what I’m as much as once I’m not within the kitchen or in entrance of the digital camera.
Each few months, I offer you a glimpse into what I’m engaged on, habits I’m cultivating, issues bringing me pleasure, books/TV exhibits/podcasts I’m having fun with, and extra. Consider it as stream-of-consciousness blabbering meets a semi-curated record of suggestions meets life replace.
🙏🏽 What I’m engaged on in life
Over time, I’ve dabbled in numerous types of working towards gratitude. For some time, I stored a gratitude journal the place I wrote three issues I used to be grateful for each morning. Then I did the 5 Minute Journal. Then I attempted journaling each morning and each night.
One yr, each Sunday, Max and I’d write down on a notecard the very best factor that occurred throughout the week, put the notecard in a jar, after which learn all of them on the finish of the yr.
All of those have been enjoyable experiments, however just lately, I’ve been looking for one thing that might (1) enable each of us to specific gratitude collectively and (2) to do it every day.
So, these days, we’ve been verbally expressing gratitude collectively, both:
- Very first thing within the morning whereas we’re nonetheless in mattress, however generally Max is simply too sleepy to kind coherent sentences. Admittedly, I’m that annoying morning one who can have deep philosophical conversations or begin dance celebration instantly upon waking; or
- On our day by day stroll collectively. Residing in San Diego, the place the climate is often excellent and the environment aren’t too shabby, it’s fairly simple to really feel grateful; or
- At night time, on the sofa, as we wind down and replicate on the day.
It’s a brand new apply, however to date I’m loving it and sit up for it every day. The behavior would most likely be extra prone to stick if we dedicated to doing it at a selected time each single day, however I need this to really feel like a spontaneous and significant a part of our day, not a rote obligation (I’ve usually stopped a journaling apply as a result of it felt too pressured).
As for what we speak about, it’s a mixture of small issues—one other stunning day within the neighborhood—medium issues—being grateful to not have a commute—and massive issues—feeling protected and never wanting for something, notably when there may be a lot struggle, violence, and poverty on the earth.
Another factor to be thankful for: Max and I are celebrating 16 comfortable years collectively this week!
What I’m watching, listening to, and studying
📺 Watching
Final month, Max advised me he needed to look at the brand new prequel to Recreation of Thrones, and my preliminary response was “onerous cross.” Whereas I did watch GOT a few years in the past, I at all times had points with it, primarily the gratuitous sexual violence (in addition to the ultimate season, what a disappointing character arc for █████!).
However I’m comfortable to report that season 1 of this prequel, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, was pleasant. There may be violence, in fact (knights be dueling) however not sexual violence, and there’s a lot of humor. The interplay between the 2 principal characters is humorous and endearing, and the episodes are quick and candy.
As for motion pictures, we just lately watched A Good Indian Boy. I’m not usually a romantic comedy buff (Max says my film style skews in the direction of the miserable lol), however I actually loved this one. It was very candy, humorous, and had a wonderful message about household, love, and acceptance.
📚 Studying
I’ve learn numerous books since I final up to date you, so I’ll do my finest to choose my favorites!
James by Percival Everett. It’s fairly apparent why this ebook gained the Pulitzer Prize for fiction. I used to be so captivated by this retelling of Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn that I learn it in a single sitting on my flight again from Australia, taking a break simply as soon as to make use of the toilet (as somebody who drinks numerous cups of tea on flights, it is a large deal!).
The Director by Daniel Kehlmann. A historic fiction novel impressed by the lifetime of the well-known twentieth century movie director, G.W. Pabst, who was recruited / pressured by the Nazi authorities’s minister of propaganda to make movies for the German Reich. There are such a lot of scenes within the ebook that both had me on the sting of my seat or close to tears, and the best way it explores the sophisticated relationship between creative ambition and political complicity is one thing I feel lots about in our present world.
Kin by Tayari Jones. I cherished Jones’ final novel, American Marriage, however I feel I like Kin much more. It explores the friendship between two younger motherless Black ladies as they develop up within the Deep South within the Forties and Fifties and navigate early maturity in two very totally different worlds. I introduced it to a docs’ workplace to occupy me within the ready room and really discovered myself aggravated when the receptionist known as my identify after a 1-hour wait as a result of I used to be having fun with the ebook a lot!
Every little thing is Tuberculosis by John Inexperienced. One other ebook that was successful for good purpose. It’s uncommon for a ebook to clarify a medical phenomenon so clearly in laymen’s phrases — rarer nonetheless for it to learn like a compelling, page-turning narrative with characters you’re genuinely rooting for. Equal elements unhappy, inspiring, and eye-opening.
I’ve additionally been actually into quick tales these days! Listed below are some I cherished.
🎧 Listening
The podcast I’ve been most having fun with these days is “Our Ancestors Have been Messy,” created and hosted by Nichole Hill. Every week, she covers “the gossip, scandals, and popular culture that made headlines after which historical past in pre-Civil Rights Period America.”
It’s one of the artistic podcasts I’ve listened to, fusing historical past classes with humor in the easiest way potential. I’ve discovered far more about historic figures like Paul Robeson and Zora Neale Hurston than I ever did in highschool (or faculty) and I’ve been laughing alongside the best way. Win-win!
🦘 Enjoyable Issues
Again in February, we visited Australia for an excellent two-and-a-half weeks. Should you’re new right here, we attempt to go to Australia as soon as yearly or two, as Max has probably the most beautiful grandparents and household there (and likewise Australia is fantastic to go to).
After some household time within the Adelaide Hills, we visited Kangaroo Island, a small island off the coast of South Australia that’s identified for, effectively, kangaroos! It’s a small, distant island with only a few folks, so we acquired to discover lots of nature and exquisite seashores with just about nobody else round.
Along with recognizing kangaroos all over the place, we acquired to look at seals and sea lions sunbathing (their specialty), noticed koalas in bushes, and loved seeing a household of wallabies camp exterior our Airbnb every night time.
About half of the island was burned within the devastating 2020 bushfires, however the island has had fairly miraculous restoration, so if you would like an off-the-beaten path, nature-heavy journey, add Kangaroo Island to your record!
After Kangaroo island, we spent a couple of days in my favourite meals metropolis, Melbourne, the place the meals as soon as once more didn’t disappoint. Click on right here for my vegan meals information to Melbourne!
On the morning of our flight residence, as we had been packing for the airport, we had the zany concept of extending our journey only a tad longer. So, three hours earlier than our flight, as an alternative of departing for the U.S., we flew to Sydney! The previous-type-A-control-freak inside me is having a mini panic assault pondering of that, however it was so good having the flexibleness to have the ability to try this.
Whereas the (vegan) meals will not be almost pretty much as good in Sydney, the town is beautiful and the stroll to Bondi Seashore was magical. Additionally, the beautiful Sadia of Decide Up Limes occurred to be in Sydney on the identical time, so we acquired to catch up 🫶🏽
Upcoming Travels – Request!
We’re going to Spain in June for a marriage, so we’ll have a couple of days in Barcelona and some days in Paris!
If in case you have suggestions for locations to eat, issues to see, or websites to go to, please drop them within the feedback 🙏🏽
Earlier Editions of RPL at Dwelling
That’s it for this month! Drop me a line beneath and let me know what you’re studying, watching, or engaged on in your individual life!
