September – Creative Meanderings

Summarized Reflections and Goals of 2023 into 2024

Sep 292023

Well, I managed to complete this task early in the week and so am posting it here now for record-keeping and accountability purposes. Cheers to a fairly decent 2023 so far and here’s to the amazingness that will come in 2024! 🎉

Reflections on my writing so far in 2023

Positives

Umbria on a Whim – Vol 1: The Basics was published and sent out in the world.
I started OSH’s Letters on Substack and maintained a paid membership.
My blog CreativeMeanderings got regular posts most months.
Started the year with paid publication under my pseudonym.

Oopsies

Writing on and for other platforms like Medium and collaborations fell to the wayside.
Work on my fiction novel took a back seat delaying yet another year in its progress.

Goals for my writing for end of 2023 into 2024

Prioritize my writing every day – this is my purpose in life!
Finish Umbria on a Whim – Vol 2: Health and send to publisher by end of October 2023
Work on drafts of Umbria on a Whim – Vol 3: Finding your Home & Vol 4: Making Home Yours – possibly one send to publisher May 2024 and October 2024, respectively…
Finish draft of my fiction novel by June
Beta readers for fiction novel and feedback by August/early September
Revise and send to publisher/agent/etc by November
Move all writing to own sites for membership and any paid aspects: OSHwriter.com (aim is to reduce footprint and focus attention on my own spaces)

Reflections on my “professional” life in 2023

My work editing increased and is starting to naturally form into something clearer and more manageable. Although it was not something I was actively pursuing, I am happy with it as “work” as it allows me to basically read for ‘free’ and use my analytical/intellectual brain periodically. Plus, it is fairly flexible, so it works very nicely for me.

My freelance work with Fruitful continues to flow nicely. Also, I am happy with this work as something to keep me busy when the work is there. Again, it allows me flexibility and gives me a small income to use for gifts or splurges without dipping into other financial spaces.

So, I feel content with these professional activities and how they have developed this year.

Goals for my “professional” life in 2024

Although I am mostly enjoying the new English Yoga class that I am teaching once a week online for the next three months, I do not want to continue to do any more online teaching. Since I have already committed to this course and potentially future ones related to it, I will stick to that, but then probably avoid anything else. If I do any kind of teaching in 2024, I think it will only be yoga related and perhaps in person at the studio where I join classes; however, that is to be determined organically.

With the editing work, I will maintain it as is until I feel that it is not serving me positively. Otherwise, I have no desired changes to make “professionally” in the next year.

Reflections on my health and wellbeing in 2023

With the ankle break, this year was a bit of a mix in my health and well-being. I am first and foremost so thankful that I was able to go to a private clinic. Thanks to my yoga contact and financial situation, I was attended to by amazing doctors and got wonderful treatment. Therefore, my recovery period has been fairly smooth and quick overall.

There is the obvious downside from being laid up with some weight gain and muscle loss, but I am starting to get that back. A positive was that I spoiled myself a bit with massages and spa days when I could. I found a couple of options locally to our house, so that has been lovely to know I can do a little self-care when wanted/needed.

So, I would say, I feel pretty OK with how my health and wellbeing have been this year all things considered.

Goals for my health and wellbeing in 2024

I am on a bit of a mission to ensure that I do not gain any more weight or accept the dreaded “menopausal belly”. I don’t really compare myself to others as I know that most would look at me and say that I don’t have anything to worry about. However, my health and wellbeing are exactly that – mine. It’s about how I want to look and how I feel, not how others perceive me. So, I plan to keep up with my yoga practice regularly. I have already started using the Peloton app to see if I can include some fitness training through there. I’m not sure if I will continue with it or not, but the aim is to stay toned through light weight training and active through walking or other cardio. This is in addition to my yoga.

Also, in terms of wellbeing, I want to maintain my writing retreats. These retreats aren’t just for writing, but for finding my own headspace and resetting periodically. So, when I have the chance to sit with the man and tentatively plan out our joint travels, then I will also sketch out my writing retreats and outings so that I can satisfy my need for a schedule, which also gives me motivation and direction.

Reflections on the rest of life activities so far in 2023

It’s been a good year when looking back. The last quarter is also looking to be spectacular. Aside from the three months of focused recovery, I have been able to enjoy travel and dining experiences as well as developing friendships near and far. What being more limited did give me was perspective on what I consider important.

So, a few months ago, I began to do a kind of countdown or count up of how many times in the next five years I can see my family, friends, travel, and do some of the things I consider important to me. When put into this view, it is easier to make decisions about my activities. This leads me into my goals for next year.

Goals on the rest of life activities in 2024

I plan to see my parents at least twice in one year. So, we will see them at Christmas 2023 in the Bahamas this year. Then, the plan is to see them in the summer of 2024 and possibly around Thanksgiving time again. I’ll also plan the next trip with my mom in 2025, if not before.

Three years have passed since I last saw my BFF and family, which is too long. So, we are going this November to Tokyo and they will come to Italy next June. All of that is in the books. One goal already checked off! 😀

As we like to have big parties here and there, I have tentatively scheduled large events for Easter and then one in the fall. I think this year it will be held in October, which sounds great. The rest of our get togethers are going to be quiet ones with those I/we want to really spend time with. For me, I want to make the most of my relationships rather than superficially skid through them.

Then, there is travel. This is still being worked out as I imagine that during our time in the sun this December, we will sit to make our plans for the following year, so will update later – if I can remember – on that.

So, there they are — my reflections and goals.

I think I covered just about everything except money, which is also an area that will be done together with my partner. We have tentative goals already, but I want to make them more specific.

In any case, it is satisfying to have this done and dusted now. It is exactly what I needed to feel refreshed and to reset my mojo. For the future, I need to install a process for doing this sooner, or immediately, when our schedules and placements get off-rhythm. Since we will likely be a bit more nomadic in the coming years/months/days, this will be important to have in my toolkit to ensure that I do not get unanchored and waste precious time that is limited as we lead this amazing life.

Thank you for being on this journey with me as a record-keeper and unwitting accountability partner just by reading my reflections and goals.

~T 🔥🐉♋️

Reflections & Goals 2023~2024

Going Mental No Responses »

Sep 252023

Since this is likely to be the last chance I’ll get for some proper time to sit on my own to reflect on the past year and goal set for the next, I am using this week to get a little ahead. Besides, I never was/am one to stick to the “normal” patterns of life nor a procrastinator to try to get it in at the last minute so that I appear “normal”.

Yesterday, I drove up for a week in France. It’ll probably be our last visit for the year since we have quite a bit of travel in November and December with plans to focus on the house and winterizing the place in October. It is fortuitous that I had already scheduled to meet a friend at the end of the week and M is planning to be away on a work trip anyway. So, with all the stars aligned, friends to see in France, and the weather becoming autumnal, this feels like the perfect time to sit, reflect and set some new goals.

Also, I think that it will anchor me a bit. It’s not that I feel lost nor that I am without direction, but it is that I feel a bit like I’m just floating toward a destination rather than on a chartered course. Sometimes, this is OK, but for the most part I am not a fan of this type of progression. I like to have a clear destination and a clear path. Even if the path is winding or has turns with unknown tangents, at least I can see the path and the goal. So, as I am really the only one who can do the clearing it is important for me to take the time.

With that, I shall sit back and ponder with my notebook nearby. Stay tuned for later in the week, when all being well -🤞🏽- I shall return with my reflections and goals.

~T 🔥🐉♋️

On the Road to Healthy…

Going Mental No Responses »

Sep 222023

So, remember when I said I was building up to 108 Sun Salutation As? Well, I did it. I actually finished a few days early because my ankle, back, and legs were starting to get a bit whacked out of shape from the repetitive practice. Still, the goal was achieved and I actually felt really good overall from it.

Although not necessarily noticeable to others, my arms started to look more tone and my belly started to go back to its normal size.

Then, M had some blood tests and physicals done which revealed that he needs to change his lifestyle a bit or he’ll need to go on medication to balance things out. This is not desirable to either of us, so we are on a healthy(ier) diet these days–vegetarian and less or no alcohol.

Funnily enough, it is much easier for me to take on this new diet and lifestyle than him. I suppose it’s not that strange as I’m not the one who needs to change these things, but I digress. 🤪

With more yoga–I’ve been continuing to get back on the mat regularly and today started back at the studio I was going to before after a six month hiatus–and starting the Peloton app to build myself up to some other types of workouts at home, my exercise regime is on the upside.

My only real issue lately is not getting enough food. Since M is basically in charge of cooking, we are eating less. This is a good thing overall, but my body needs more fuel than his which means that I need to eat more. Everyone’s body is different and while being vegetarian isn’t really a problem, I do have to supplement with other sources of protein as my body functions better with a higher protein diet. No, this doesn’t mean more meat, but it does mean more Greek yogurt or protein shakes, etc. It also means that I tend to require more snacks throughout the day of fruit or nuts or something substantial.

Unfortunately, I forgot this about myself. The other day, I had not eaten anything and it was a humid afternoon 🥵. We went to a salsa dance lesson and I got very hot, weak, and a bit sick from not enough water, not enough food, and not enough cooling options. It had been a while since I had gotten that shaky lack of sustenance feeling. 😩

So, now that I am reminded, I shall be more aware of my fuel intake. It might mean that I have to “cook” more, though! 😅 (Probably not!)

Anyway, it’s nice to focus on being healthy and enjoying the fruits of efforts to get in shape. 😇

~T 🔥🐉♋️

Rugby World Cup 2023

Going Mental No Responses »

Sep 192023

I don’t know when I became a rugby fan. Perhaps, it was when most of my friends were from Australia and New Zealand. Perhaps, it was the first time I saw the haka performed. Perhaps, it was just a natural progression from growing up with sports on TV quite a lot to enjoying internationally celebrated ones once outside of the U.S.

In any case, I’m now a major rugby fan! 🏉

The last world cup was held in Japan in 2019 while we were there. They managed to get it in before the pandemic shut things down. We were there to enjoy; and the bonus for M was seeing England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 reach the finals (they sadly lost that one).

So, it was with some excitement when we realized that we would be in (or near) France when the 2023 Rugby World Cup came around.

As with most things these days in trying to get tickets, we attempted and passed on high-priced tickets. But, eventually, we were able to find some reasonably priced ones and in a location 🏟️ that was easy enough for us to get to. On top of that, it was to be a fun match between England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 and Japan 🇯🇵.

The day came this past weekend in Nice. We took the chance to go a few days early to see some friends, get some things we had left from the summer, and then have a night in Nice before driving home the next day.

It was a blast and the experience was well worth everything! Plus, it helped that England won! 😀

~T 🔥🐉♋️

Struggling with the Italian Way…

Going Mental No Responses »

Sep 112023

The thing about being an expat is that there are cycles of culture shock that are forgotten about when living abroad for so long. We start to take think that just because we are experienced at the way of life we are exempt from the ups and downs of culture shock. Well, a rude awakening has come with a rather unexpected dip lately.

Not having a grasp of the language, and therefore, the culture, makes it hard to reconcile the frustrations felt around time, commitments, and expectations. Recently, this has become more an “issue” than before, though I know it is not that anything in our surroundings that have changed – it really us not them. 🤪

M is especially struggling as he lacks patience in many ways with many things. Sometimes he can be very very patient, but not when it comes to agreements that involve business or monetary transactions. 😬

So, it seems the Italian way is to charm you into agreeing to do a deal with them whether it is renovations for a kitchen, work on a car, or get permissions for structural changes on your property. The initial steps are very active so that one gets lulled into thinking action will be swift.

Then, happily everyone agrees with a statement, naively taken as a promise, of timeframes and what to expect. Hands are shaken. Smiles are shown. Friendly exchange considered to be a sign of satisfaction.

Yet… the time comes and goes… reality sinks in. The phrase “It’s Italy” with a 🤷🏽‍♀️ shrug of the shoulders is expressed as a way to soften the blow – it’s gonna require patience and more time than said out loud. 🤦🏽‍♀️

The cycle repeats itself with EVERY. SINGLE. THING.

We booked our kitchen to be installed this month back in April or May. We have yet to hear anything. Even our so-called friendly lawyer who introduced us to a new company has yet to follow through. We spend some days waiting around for an answer or update to no avail. Our cars have been in and out of the mechanics for a week or three weeks when it is a day-job at most.

It’s true, some of these things we could do ourselves, but we choose not to. Most we cannot. It’s also true that we accept and acknowledge that there is a “foreigner tax” on prices and even dealings/negotiations that require patience in the learning curve. However, the main fact is that Italians just work when it is convenient for them to do so regardless of who the client might be. The plus is that we realize we should not take it personally, but that doesn’t make it better time-wise when we want to get things done.

So, we wait. M makes calls, leaves messages, threatens to take business elsewhere and repeats his own cycle of frustration and angst. I wait. I ask unhelpful questions 😜 and nag because I can.

Probably, all of it will get done in time – just on Italian time. 🙄😅

~T 🔥🐉♋️

On the Tara-Train Track: WootWoot!

Going Mental No Responses »

Sep 082023

Well, I promised an update from earlier in the week and so here it is. 😁

The time both flew by and also felt just right in providing me the space/break needed to get myself resettled into a routine/rhythm. As I had hoped, I got ahead of schedule on things and two of three manuscripts are now out of my hands for the time-being. One more to go before the next wave begins. 😅

I’ve got ten days left before the online yoga course starts, but I’m feeling mostly prepped for it to start and ahead in my mental planning, so that is really all that matters.

M is back as well, so that actually has given me a bit of relief from the pressures of caring for the animals as well. 😬

The other night, one or both of the pups decided to demolish a tube/container of ant powder. The bits of it were scattered across the lawn and I have no idea how much they/she might have consumed. However, in the evening a little before bedtime, one of them (you can guess which one) decided to leave vomit all around the house. This obviously caused me concern, frantically searching on Google what to do, and worry setting in. Most information online said it should be fine, but still…. It was in the restless wee hours of the morning as I wondered if I was going to have to go to the vet again, that I realized: I am NOT cut out to care for other living creatures. I thought I didn’t have children because I didn’t want to pass on my sh*t to them psychologically, but also I didn’t have children because it is so freaking stressful to be responsible for another life!!!!! 😩

In the end, the dogs were fine. By morning, there was no sign of distress and no middle of the night accidents occurred, so there was nothing to worry about – I’m sure.

However, I am in awe of parents and single-parents once again. 🤯 I mean, I was just caring for dogs, which are like toddlers for a looooooong time, but whew! 🤣

Anyway, it definitely made me appreciate having a partner and that he is now back to take care of the stressful aspects. He’s had kids, so he’s already trained to manage these things! 😇

It’s Friday and I’m glad the week is over. It’s nice to have the man back, though it was also lovely to have the time to just get myself resorted. Lots of thoughts and other things have come up over the week, but will save that for another post.

Have a lovely weekend!!

~T 🔥🐉♋️

Game of Catching-Up

Going Mental No Responses »

Sep 042023

It’s an interesting phenomenon that one inflicts a sense of urgency and demand on oneself even when not in an office environment or surroundings where it is easy to pinpoint the source.

While my work from home fluctuates from trickles to tidal waves, I do not have what one would call “stressful” jobs as a freelance contract worker. On top of that, I have a very cushy home and personal life as there are no kids or relatives to raise my stress levels, even if I do have a tendency to complain about the man now and then.😝 Yet, for the last week or so I have felt stressed!

I mean, sure, needing to complete edits on two full manuscripts ASAP, prep for an online yoga course, correct online assignments regularly, and try to write my own stuff while attempting to be social with staying guests–all while also maintaining the EPA duties that most wives carry out for their partners, could be deemed reasonable sources of stress. 😅

Still, I somehow feel weak for it.

Luckily, I believe the Universe heard me and saw me falling onto the path toward hysteria and meltdown, so I have been blessed with five glorious days of freedom from everything except what I want to do!

This means, I have spent most of the last 36 hours or so playing catch-up and working to get ahead of the game. My task list is looking more manageable and I would say that even my writing this the night before I am to publish it is a sign that I’m back on the “Tara-train track”. 😬 Although there is still a lot to get done, I think from tomorrow most things will be for future deadlines rather than ones past or ones looming. I do not like to work with pressure–never have and don’t intend to start now! 😁

So, with that, it’s about time for me to hit the hay to ensure I get my rest to be at my best productivity this week. I’ve got a mix of plans to see some friends and also enjoy some “me-time” activities. All that, plus work, so a girl needs her rest! 💜

~T 🔥🐉♋️

Autumnal Shifts

Going Mental No Responses »

Sep 012023

Summer used to be my favorite season. That was until anything hotter than about 85F turned me into a fiery devil! 👿 Last summer, we had determined that we didn’t want to be in Italy for the August hell 🥵 temperatures since we spent about two weeks living in one room of the house during the day as we couldn’t justify having the A/C on all day.

This summer, we had planned to be away in France where it is closer to the Mediterranean Sea and our days could be spent on the beach. We did that until mid-August when we needed to adjust our plans. One reason was that M got unexpectedly “homesick” for our house and a “normal” routine. The other was because our Peanut 🐶💜 was growing an abscess that needed operating on – they found a thorn stuck in her!

So, we have been back home in Italy since mid-August surviving the heat and trying to create “normal”, though we’ve had friends staying as we thought we were going to be away and they were our cat-sitters.

This week, though, the weather looks like it has turned. Big thunderstorms passed over us and dropped the temperatures. Now, the days are sunny staying under that 85F/30C range, which makes me a very happy camper!

Living in Japan made me appreciate the seasons more than I think I would have had I lived anywhere else. Most especially, fall/autumn became one of my favorite seasons. First, there is the relief that is felt from the dissipation of the summer heat. Then, there is the food that comes out in the fall! OMG, the food!

Although I might have to return to taking some allergy tablets to fight off the autumnal pollen, it is more than worth it for the rest of what the season brings. Here’s to a lovely next few months into the stretch toward the end of the year – already!!!

~T 🔥🐉♋️

Regrouping!

Going Mental 1 Response »

Sep 272022

We are guest-free now and it feels good. The house has been cleaned, beds are made with the pretense of readiness, and we are clearing our minds to create space for each other as we redefine our routines again.

For all of us who live in the area year-round, there seems to be a collective sigh of completeness as the autumn season begins giving us all a little respite from the heat, mosquitos, and pattern of drink, eat, sleep, repeat. While it is nice to have visitors, it is equally nice to have the quiet.

M and I are focusing on our health and fitness. He wants a “sober October” and I want to finally lose the extra four or five (8 to 10 lbs) kgs that never seem quite able to stay off even when I do manage to lose a couple. So, I’ll be eating better, drinking even less and hitting the gym and yoga more. Menopausal mid-tummy is proving to be a real threat and I want to have a handle on it rather than on me!

I am going to lay quiet the rest of this week (aside from a dinner out tonight) as I recover from a little cold and breathe! So, until October – my reader friends!

~T 🔥🐉♋️

Final Visitors

Going Mental 1 Response »

Sep 232022

This is just a short note as we are in the midst of our final visitors for the year. While we may open our doors for a day or two with pre-arranged visits, our hosting doors will officially be closed as of Monday. Family will be the only exception!

It has been fun and it has been interesting. However, non-stop turnover for six months since the end of March is more than enough, methinks. We have yet to have our own vacation and rest.

So, once we recover and settle a bit, we shall plan our winter months ahead and become visitors of others!

In the meantime, a few more days to go!

~T 🔥🐉♋️

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