Although this is not one bit how I imagined spending the last months of my senior year, here we are. Covid-19 is impacting us all whether it be directly or indirectly, and I do not want to come off as insensitive to anyone whatsoever through this post. There are so many food banks, organizations, and people that you can donate to in order to help the greater good. All of us are struggling through this in one way or another, and there is no better time than now to simply love thy neighbor. A smile and a wave to a passerby on your daily walk or a card via snail mail or a FaceTime to your grandparents or elderly friends is making an impact all of its own. This time and space is awkward and uncomfortable for us all, but is is nothing we cannot get through with a little love.

I was home for a bit in Omaha with my family and am now back in Lawrence living in my senior house and Zoom-ing my kindergarteners everyday. They truly do make days a little brighter even though I’d give anything to go back and spend the rest of the month with them in the classroom like originally planned. In the meantime, I figured I could share a few things with you that I have been enjoying throughout the past few weeks.

WATCHING :

Little Fires Everywhere. Oh. My. Goodness. I read the book by Celeste Ng earlier this summer and fell in love with the details and characters of the story so I was beyond thrilled when I saw none other than Reese Witherspoon was helping bring the story to film. If you haven’t binge watched already, go watch the first 4 episodes that are live on Hulu now.

Also Love Is Blind. I hopped on the train. I did It. I hate how quickly I zoomed through It and STILL am not over how obsessed Jessica is with being 34…#iykyk 😉 What are your thoughts on the absolutely wild show?

READING :

(or…re-reading for that matter!) I am yet again reading The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. It is the coolest idea for all the Type A’s out there on how the author creates a “system” to allow herself be happier in her life. Although as a 21 year old I don’t find it logistical to apply ALL of Rubin’s “rules” (an entire section dedicated to marriage life isn’t exactly part of my agenda right now ;)) I find the book overall as a great refresher and reminder on how happiness really is a mental choice!

DRINKING:

I’ll be real honest, there have been a solid at least 3 days where I have cracked open a Truly Lemonade before 4pm. I don’t know what year it is during this strange time, let alone what hour. However, whatever hour it may be, I am a large fan. I have never been the biggest carbonation drinker and the great lack of bubbles in the lemonade version opposed to the classic Trulys really sold me. The classic lemon lemonade one reminds me of the “Simply Lemonade” flavor, which I have grown up loving. Welcome to the 21+ version!

SNACKING:

Chile & Garlic Cashews from Trader Joe’s. I don’t even have the words to describe how much I love these. I didn’t know I needed this flavor in my life until I bought these on a whim. They are SO good and have just the right amount of spice. 11/10 recommend.

LISTENING:

Lots of everything for various moods of the day, but I’ve been a big fan of Fran’s “At The Beach With You” playlist she put out a few weeks ago. A perfect mix of longing for summer sounds and late night drive windows down songs. It’s been the current soundtrack of my more than once daily kill some time drives and I’m still not sick of it.

I wanna hear what you’re loving during this strange time. What is keeping you busy? What is comforting you or allowing you to find little joys? Leave me a comment below or let me know what other kinds of posts you’d like to see! Until next time. xoxo, Ally