I joined a book club this past Friday night, something I’ve been wanting to do for a while. Chris and Isa, both teachers and good friends of mine, picked Beach Read by Emily Henry. It’s been so long since I’ve spoken in a room full of strangers! We had such a good and fun discussion. Even if it was only virtual, we were still able to vibe with each other and feed off each other’s energy. I missed being a student too, and engaging in deep discourse over a specific text.
In some ways, the sub-groupchat I have with my ARMY friends about fanfiction also functions like a book club. I got into the fic game late; I’ve been playing catch up with the fics that they’ve already read. We don’t always read the same ones, but it’s more fun when we do. I used to never read works in progress because I’d get bitin but now I’m motivated, because we talk about the new chapters when they get released. We message each other our reactions; we hold each other’s hands through the painful paragraphs. We send fan-art, or talk about songs that would fit the mood. We have inside jokes. We’re still so isolated from each other — we have never met in person — but somehow, I feel connected to these women.
I’m really so grateful I didn’t lose my love of reading during the pandemic and that it’s helped me make new friends. I’ve been enjoying this new experience so much.
Currently...
Swimming again with the babies. They love it.
Listening to Coldplay x BTS - My Universe. An anthem about radical love. They just dropped the documentary about how and why they made it - I cried a lot while watching it. So much joy and trust and respect all around. Coldplay performed it during Global Citizen Live over the weekend. Can’t wait to watch BTS perform this.
Switching over to Apple Music. I recently purchased HYBE in-ears and the quality is soooo good. And then my friends and I got a tip to try listening to My Universe on Apple Music using the HYBE in-ears and holy cow, it’s freaking wild. We spent most of the weekend trying out different BTS tracks, commenting about how we heard richer instrumentations and many more layers of backing vocals. Sp0t!fy, you suck.
Sleeping more peacefully now that BTS is back in South Korea. I slept with lights and sounds on every night during their whole UN diplomatic mission hahahaha. There was so much news; I was so overwhelmed. It took me a few days to process my emotions about the whole thing on Instagram stories.
Decluttering my closet for the second time this pandemic. How much weight am I going to gain? I’m not beating myself up over it; it’s good to let my work clothes go since (1) I’m not working in an office; and (2) even if I were, the clothes don’t fit now anyway. I’ll rebuild my wardrobe when there’s a purpose for new clothes. For now, I’m appreciating the shift in energy. Making space for new things to come.
Feeling grateful to have been part of a great team at work more than once. I know we don’t go to work to make friends, but I’ve been really lucky in that aspect.
Longreads…
(Repeating this because the discount code is good until Thursday!)
I have not had the brain space lately to read articles (but I have been reading fanfic!) Here’s a self-plug:
I’m featured in my friend KB’s zine “OK to Be” this month. The issue’s theme this month is Health, and I wrote an essay entitled “5 lessons from the worst mental health crisis of my life” :) The other content and the layout look incredible. I can’t wait to sit down and read it this coming week.
To get a digital copy, visit https://heykebe.gumroad.com/l/oktobezine3 (USD 5.99 / PHP 300) - you can use the code healthypinky for $1 off your digital purchase (USD 4.99 / PHP 250). This code is valid until September 30.
Print copies are also available at: https://heykebe.gumroad.com/l/kbzine3print (USD 8.99 / PHP 450)
cw //
-mentions of death, different kinds of illnesses, surgeries, and animal abuse
-illustrations of body parts, blood, skulls, and ghouls
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Yours from afar,
Pinky