Life lately

Today I wanted to write a slightly longer post to catch you up on a few things I haven't shared here yet. Mainly, I started a new job in April and have told you almost nothing about it! And it's a bit of a dream gig. So, inspired by Heidi and Pip, here's a little update about my new job and while we're at it, everything in between:

Drinking: 
Right now, a cup of filter coffee that Tony made and some mineral water.  Lately, I've been trying to get as much sleep as possible, so I've been having coffee first thing, a milky tea mid-morning (my parents brought these fancy tea bags back from London for me - I'm obsessed!), and switching to peppermint after lunch.

I'm also thinking of drinking even less alcohol than I already do. My allergic reactions have been so unpredictable and uncomfortable, and I'm starting to understand that my body probably wasn't made to drink it at all. Still, I am okay with half a glass of plum or red wine sipped with food, over several hours!

Eating & Cooking: 
Most weekends (and some weeknights), I'm testing recipes for my new job. I'm excited to share some of them with you, there are more to come. The new lifestyle website I've been working on, ABC Life, launched on Monday. At the moment, I'm in a deputy editor role, and part of it includes commissioning recipes. It's pretty dreamy.

For winter, there's baked fish with spiced potato wedges (the wedges are the best!), and a brown rice congee with kale that's super warming and nourishing (and great to eat after a big weekend of cake). I've been eating a lot of ABC Life leftovers on my lunch break and also getting back into bircher muesli for breakfasts, and making lots of quick pasta dinners on weeknights.

Listening:
To a lot more music lately, especially during the week. The Carters and this Kanye album have been on high rotation, and I listen to a playlist my yoga teacher made when I need to focus at work or zone out at the end of the day. It sounds counterintuitive but it works!

I'm listening to a handful of podcasts regularly, mainly The High Low (which has just gone on break), ZigZag and Ladies, We Need To Talk. I've also been sampling Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness (almost cried in the Tan episode!), and Forever 35. And I'm keen to try Caliphate when I have a little extra brain space.

Reading:
I finished An American Marriage on the weekend. All I can say is oof, what a rollercoaster of a read. I loved it, for touching on relationships, time, and race. It's one of the best books I've read this year.

The bulk of my books have been coming from the library but I did cave at Kinokuniya when I was in Sydney last. I picked up Convenience Store Woman from the 'If you like Murakami' stand, partly for its sunny yellow cover and also because I'm a sucker. It's a quick read that's super quirky and a little dark - so it totally fits the Murakami bill!

Watching: 
The latest season of Terrace House, which came out on Netflix a few days ago. It's my happy place, and I've cried out of happiness and sadness during the first few episodes. So. much. is. happening.

I've also been watching some moving Australian documentaries. I bought Tender on DVD, having first seen it four or so years ago. It's about a community group in Port Kembla that wants to set up a not-for-profit funeral service, who find themselves caring for one of their own after he receives a cancer diagnosis. It's a story of community, family, opportunities and regrets and I highly recommend it (you can watch it on iTunes too). Namatjira Project was on iView recently and I'm so glad I caught it. BIGhART do some amazing work.

Planning:
A trip to the coast for our fourth wedding anniversary. I've been busting to book another holiday in ever since we came back from our cabin stay in the Kangaroo Valley. But we've been waiting to see what hours Tony is teaching this semester, and whether we could make it a long weekend. He's just started back and scored all morning classes on the Friday, yippee!

And for this weekend... a little dinner to celebrate my birthday. It'll be a pasta party, and we might make the pasta ourselves. I'm going to make my own birthday cake again - I think this is the one (although I always associate birthday cakes with plenty of icing!).

Loving:
The To-doist app on my phone and desktop, especially for staying on top of work. It's taken me a few weeks to get the most out of it - I used to set too many tasks for each day and then get bummed if I couldn't tick them all off. Now it helps me set my priorities for the day and stick to them, leaving enough wiggle room for the unexpected.

I've also been using the Momentum dashboard, mainly to set an intention or positive reminder for the day. Some days it's a reminder to take breaks, which sounds silly but has been really helpful. Other days I write out how I'd like to feel during the day. The dashboard pops up every time I open a new tab, so it's a nice reminder that keeps me in check.

Buying: 
Some new make up to replenish my stash, and my favourite - presents. We've had a first birthday and a 30th recently, and I've already found my Father's Day gift for next month. I also have my eye on this oversized denim jacket but am waiting to try it on, and I'm actively avoiding the new MUJI store in Canberra, at least for now :)

Savouring:
Breakfasts at home, because they only happen a couple days each week. During the week I go straight to work after yoga and have breakfast at the office. So a slow breakfast at home feels extra luxurious. I'm going to share the recipe for my favourite breakfast soon! And mornings above zero -  because it means I can ride my bike to work.

Feeling:
This year has feel like an adventure in parts but right now, I'm feeling good. I've been doing heaps of yoga, and it's helped keep me grounded and on top of my thoughts. It's shown me that I can be physically stronger than I realise too.

That said, I've had my fair share of tired and emotional days too. The other day I came home from work overtired, because I'd forgotten to take a break. Tony was making fresh pasta (inspired the Leo episode of Queer Eye) but it was taking awhile - AND I ALMOST CRIED. Luckily, Tony has a lot of experience with my hanger (he's developed a 1-10 scale to help me communicate how urgent/dangerous things get). And the homemade spaghetti was worth the wait.

I'm also feeling... a little bit grateful. I've been wanting to work in the lifestyle space for ages, and am so excited to be able to do it from Canberra and be part of a team that built something from the ground up. Plus the website is now out there for everyone to see.

This week I've learnt about actively celebrating other people's successes. A handful of colleagues have walked round to my part of the building to say congrats on the launch of the site and see how we're going. It's meant a lot, and I'm making a mental note to return the favour whenever I get the chance.

Thank you for reading! I hope you're doing well this August.

P.S Top photo snapped by my friend Sarah, as we packed up a winter picnic.