Huge Life Update – 15.05.2021

Hello everyone!

I hope you are all healthy, safe, and hopefully vaccinated.

Do you still remember me? It has been months, I know. I’m a terrible blogger.

I think about blogging almost every day, but then life happens, and I never manage to write anything. You see, I love writing, but it is not something that comes naturally to me, meaning I have to kind of force myself to do it. Not that I hate it or anything, I’m just a super lazy writer. Does that make any sense? Probably not. Anyways, I better just get on with it instead of just making excuses for my absence.

I have so many updates that I’d like to share, so I’ll just leave you with a list.

1.Work

This is not really an update as I’ve been working for this company for two years now. I’m still working for a social media platform (Sorry I can’t tell you which), doing content moderation, which means I basically spend my shifts watching videos and seeing things I’d rather not see, but someone has to do it, right? Thank God I have a very strong stomach, though.

I will explain why in a second but I’m exclusively working the night shift right now, from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. You’ll probably think “poor you” but I actually prefer to work nights, so it’s all good.

2. Studies

I am finally finishing my degree, which I have either been slowly doing or putting off since 2011. I feel like a geriatric student at this point, as most of my colleagues is either 18 or early 20’s. Thankfully, due to covid and online learning, I don’t really have to interact with anyone besides the professors. I’m taking my two final courses (Related to my minor in English) and I cannot wait to finally be done with it.

Surprise, surprise. I have decided to finally do something about my dream of being a doctor, so I am (very) slowly climbing the health professional ladder. I’m now studying to be a Nursing Assistant. I have started the course in April and will be finishing and starting my internship in August. I am absolutely loving to learn about anatomy and have been studying super hard. I hope to get into nursing school next September. This is why I’ve been working nights as I have classes on Monday, Thursday, and Friday from 2pm to 6 pm.

3. Home

We have moved! We have rented a bigger house with a huge backyard as it was becoming quite crowded with both of us working from home full time. We finally have a guest room, which is basically my office, full of my stuff but with a sofa bed that can sleep two people. Rui got the garage which is big and comfortable. He calls it his man cave but it’s also the place where we store whatever we don’t use and can’t fit in the house as well as all the farming tools my husband keeps purchasing because according to him, he absolutely needs them. In his defense, we have a big ass backyard and new lawn which needs to be trimmed or mowed or whatever you do to lawn lol. Anyways, we are all happy with our new place, but we have to try very hard to ignore nosy neighbors (me), stray cats pooping all over our garden (Rui) and the neighbors’ chickens who jump into our property when they’re feeling suicidal (Rosa).

4. More Work

So apparently, I was feeling like I was not busy enough, so I have decided to go back to tutoring part time. One of my favorite things to do in the whole wide world is to tutor kids and help them pass their university admission exams and I miss it terribly, so I have found myself a couple of students.

5. Diet

I have been doing intermittent fast and eating a low carb, low sugar (processed), plant-based diet for the past month and a half. I have had many cheat days, hard days, and times when I have wanted to stuff myself full of chocolate, but I have managed to somehow keep it up most days. It is NOT easy at all, but I try to think of the benefits and about how happy I’ll feel once I have lost the weight. I think that it helps that I still eat whatever I want if I go out to dinner or to a party because it makes me feel less deprived or frustrated.

I have just realized that this will have to be a two-part post, because I’m not yet done with my updates and this is getting long enough already. I’ll be back soon with part two.

Love, C

Photo by monicore from Pexels

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Things I Don’t Buy or Spend Money On – Part I

Good morning everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well and ready for Easter, if you celebrate it. If not, I hope you’re ready for the weekend, after all, it’s Friday eve.

I’ve been seeing this topic a lot, both on blogs and YouTube channels and I thought I’d write about myself. I thought long and hard about the things I don’t spend money on (for different reasons) and I think I came up with a decent list.

Paper Towels

They’re too convenient, meaning I’d use them too much. They’re extremely wasteful and so I stopped buying them years ago because I’d never use something like a kitchen towel or cloth because the paper towels were right there and I could just toss them after using them.

Bottled Water

We drink tap water. I only buy bottled water if I’m out and about and forgot to bring water with me, which is stupid and wasteful. We do buy bottled water when we have guests because my mom and sister don’t like tap water. We also buy sparkling water because I drink it every day and you can’t get that from the tap, unfortunately.

Books

I own a few books, I’d say about 50, which isn’t much at all. I used to buy books all the time when I was younger but I don’t anymore. I’d love to have a huge library and I might someday but for now, I try not to spend money on something I can borrow from the library. Also, books take space and need to be dusted and I’m trying to keep less stuff. I used to be one of those “e-books are a crime” people but not anymore. I have a Kindle Unlimited subscription for which I pay about 10 dollars a month and I do use it a lot. I’ve read 42 books in less than 5 months, meaning about 9 books a month which makes those 10 bucks worth it for me.

TV Subscriptions/Movies/TV Shows

We don’t pay for Netflix or Hulu or HBO or whatever is out there these days. We download stuff illegally, like we’ve been doing for the past 10/12 years. We know it’s not the most ethical thing to do but we would end up doing it anyway. Those subscriptions are extremely limited and you may not find anything you like or the one show you want to watch and which you proceed to download anyway. Don’t call the cops on us, please. We do have cable, which is quite cheap in our country and we only have it because your internet is cheaper if you have cable and because Rui does watch TV.

 Music*

We don’t buy CD’s or anything on iTunes or any music at all. *Instead, we have a Spotify family subscription.

Pre cut fruit or veggies

No way. Not even a bag of chopped lettuce or salad mix.

Gym Clothes

Rui does because he runs and so he needs a few specific things. As for me, on the rare occasions I move my ass, I wear old leggings and an old T-shirt. I only buy gym bras and swimming gear.

Magazines

I used to by a Cosmopolitan every month but I haven’t for years. We don’t buy newspapers either. I get a few free magazines with my Kindle Unlimited subscription and we can always read news online. I do feel guilty because I don’t support paper publications but it’s either that or the environment. And my wallet, let’s not be hypocrites.

What about you? Would you care to share your list?

Even better if you write your own post and link it back here.

I’m sure we can learn a lot from each other so…

What don’t you buy or spend money on?

 Love, Chey

If We Were Having Coffee – Part II

If we were having coffee…

I’d tell you that my hair is falling like crazy. I mean, I must have lost about 50% of my hair in the past year. I had some blood work done and it turns out I have an iron deficiency, meaning I’m close to being anemic. My doctor thought that might be the cause and that an iron supplement would stop my hair loss. Nope. Keeps falling. I have a dermatology appointment booked for this week and hopefully they’ll figure it out. Should I have gone about 6 months ago? Yes, but I procrastinate.

If we were having coffee…

I’d tell you I’m sort of suffering from adult acne. I never had any pimples as a teenager but I’ve been getting them for the past couple of months, mostly on my forehead. It’s not bad, just a few here and there (except for that one time a couple of months ago when it looked like I was having an allergic reaction which coincided with my first makeup trial for my wedding) but it bothers me that my skin is changing right now, at 27.

If we were having coffee…

I’d tell you that my best friend and maid of honor (sort of, that’s not exactly what we call it here, it’s like you have a pair of godparents for the bride and another for the groom. She’s my “bridal godmother”) is coming here to visit in June (she lives in Vienna and I never get to see her) and I can’t wait. I’m so excited and wish June would just hurry up and get here. She’s one of my absolute favorite people in the whole world and I miss her so much.

If we were having coffee…

I’d tell you Rui and I are attending a wedding in May and are very exciting. We’ll be among his friends from high school whom we happen to be very close with right now (life is very funny because we all ended up living in the same city, which is about 300 km away from where they all went to high school) so it will be so much fun. I should say they’re my friends too, otherwise they get mad. It’s so nice that we’ll share the year we got married with that couple.

If we were having coffee…

I’d tell you that it’s less than 6 months until our wedding. October 5th. We’re very excited. Everyone around us is very excited and looking forward to it. I’m so glad we decided to have a “big” wedding. I thought I’d be fine with a very small civil ceremony but I think I’d regret not doing something more traditional.

If we were having coffee…

I’d ask you if you’re married and then I’d ask about your wedding day and hopefully get some wedding advice 🙂

Love,

Chey

If We Were Having Coffee – Part I

If we were having coffee…

I’d tell you that I wear glasses now. Not always, but I need them to watch TV, go to the movies, drive (I don’t drive but if I did), etc. I’m short sighted and it’s not that bad but the glasses make a huge difference. First couple of times I wore them I keep taking them off and putting them on to see the difference. Literally. I think I began to see there was an issue, again literally, about 6 months ago. I could have been before that. I was at the movies and kept asking Rui if the screen was blurry or unfocused. It looked fine to him. Then it started to get worse while watching a movie or a TV show at home. Everything was blurry, even faces. And God help me if any letters or signs came on the screen. Then I was at work and it was hard to focus someone’s face at a distance. I could see them but their face was a blur. Same for street signs. I could go on. A couple of weeks ago I finally got tested and they confirmed I needed glasses. What a HUGE difference it makes. Do I think I look good wearing glasses? I mean, I don’t know yet. It’s weird. They keep getting dirty and I’m kind of obsessed with them being spotless. Rui thinks I’m crazy and that I’m going to end up scratching them from cleaning them too much.

Yes, I’m wearing pajamas. Don’t judge

If we were having coffee…

I’d tell you that I quit sugar. I won’t eat anything with added sugar or add sugar to my coffee or tea. I do eat sweeteners because I’m not that good. I have a major sweet tooth. I’ve had a slip up or two but one of them was accidental. I had no idea my stevia had added sugar. WTF? It’s very hard to be sugar free, honestly. Not in the sense that I’m constantly craving it because it has been easier than I thought but it’s definitely harder to find food you can eat. Your options get pretty limited. EVERYTHING has sugar. Why does BREAD need sugar? We are lucky that our bread, Portuguese bread, is not that sweet so we can find a few varieties with no sugar added but in general, most bread contains sugar. I’ve been getting creative and trying to come up with sweets and desserts with no sugar, using vanilla extract, applesauce, ripe bananas, coconut milk and cinnamon to add flavor. Sometimes I do use some sweetener as a substitute for sugar because again, most recipes ask for sugar. I’ve actually been trying to cook a lot more lately. Would you like a list of recipes? Some of them I find online and adapt, others I kind of make up myself. I’ve discovered this very easy 2 ingredient pizza dough: Flour and plain Greek yogurt. The pizza (I made the sauce too) turned out pretty yummy.

If we were having coffee…

I’d tell you that I began having my eyebrows threaded and I’m never going back! It’s the perfect method for me. It’s relatively painless (definitely less painful than wax or tweezers), natural and they look so perfect and well defined. The lady I go to is awesome! She has being doing this for 10 years and she only charges 8€. I had never tried it before because I thought it would be too expensive but I’m so glad I did.

Awkward photo so I can show you my eyebrows…

If we were having coffee…

I’d tell you I’ve been getting gel nails and it’s great. I bite my nails to the bone and they look so miserable all the time. Even when I paint them they still end up in my mouth. It’s a horrible habit and this seems to be the perfect solution for me. They last 3-4 weeks, they’re not terribly expensive and my hands look so much better. I instantly feel like a lady and more put together. I feel way more confident if my nails are done. It’s the third time I’ve got them done and they look more natural each time because my nails can grow freely since I’m not munching on them.

First time – I may or may not be sitting on the toilet here.

Second time – Looks kind of black but it is dark blue

Now – That’s my driver’s hand. I’m marrying him.

Now – The red is slightly sparkly but my shitty iPhone SE didn’t pick that up

If we were having coffee…

I’d tell you that we got our wedding bands last week. I absolutely love them!! I can’t wait to marry the love of my life so we can wear them together, even tough Rui has this phobia of getting a ring stuck on his finger and having to get his whole arm amputated. Or both arms. I’m serious, the guy can’t even try on a ring without asking “what if it doesn’t come off????” Now he’s gonna kill me because I’m sharing too much. Or maybe he won’t because if he tries I’ll put a very tight ring on each one of his fingers and watch him cry and call emergency services. Phobias are weird, aren’t they? I’m always afraid I’m gonna fall in the shower and die. I’m not 80 years old, but still. Don’t like to shower when I’m home alone.

I won’t show you our wedding rings yet so here, take a photo of our pupper begging for the hamburgers I was making for dinner.

If we were having coffee…

I’d tell you that between November 27th and today, I’ve read 41 books. I’m currently reading book 42 and 43 (yes, at the same time). I’m so in love with reading right now. My goal for 2019 is 100 books and I’ve only read 24 so far. Better hurry. Do you follow me on Goodreads? https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/25856029-cheila-cruz 

A few favorites from the past couple of weeks:

If we were having coffee…

I’d tell you about the movies I’ve watched lately and ask if  you’d seen any of them. If you’d like to check how I rated them you can follow me on Letterboxd: Chey23

Finally,

If we were having coffee…

I’d ask you to tell me all about you. What’s happening, what you’ve been doing, how’s life, what’s making you happy or sad. I’d ask all the things. I’d love it if you’d share what you’ve been up to in the comments.

This post is now longer than I intended. Anyways, if you do get to finish it, thank you for coming by and putting up with my randomness.

Love,

Chey

***All book and movie covers were stolen from google images***

***Spelling mistakes may be present because I don’t have glasses for my brain***

 

On Deleting Social Media

Good morning everyone!

I know I haven’t written in the longest time. Some of you might not even remember or follow me anymore. I want you to know that I miss you and think about blogging every single day. So much has happened. I’ve changed jobs again, not by choice, but it ended up being a blessing in disguise. We have set a wedding date too. I want to tell you all about it, all of it. But there’s just so much to say and I’m both busy and lazy and overwhelmed by how long it has been and all the changes. I’m also embarrassed because I haven’t been following your blogs at all, shame on me.

Anyway, I’m off topic here. I came to tell you about a decision I made yesterday, while in bed, before I fell asleep. I currently work in a PCI environment, meaning no phones or paper or anything that could potentially mean an information leak. Being without my phone for 8 hours feels extremely liberating. Honestly. I know some people can’t do it or get anxiety over it but I love it. I find myself not even bothering to check it at breaks or paying that much attention to it during lunchtime. When I do, however, there’s a ton of Facebook and Instagram scrolling to be done. I’ve realized I am spending a lot of my downtime just lurking around social media, because I don’t even post that much anymore. That is precious time I could spend reading blogs or books or news or doing anything but looking at pictures I even forget to like. Also, I’m no longer particularly fond of the attention nor do I need the validation of likes or selfies or filters. That’s not how I want to live my life.

I’ve only temporarily deactivated Facebook and Instagram because there’s memories there and I could change my mind eventually. I’ve permanently deleting Snapchat. As for Twitter, I’ve just realized I forgot about it. I haven’t gone there in a long time but I might just temporarily deactivate it as well. Do I want people to remember my birthday because Facebook tells them to? No. Those who matter, know my birthday. As for events, I told my friends and coworkers that they have to invite me personally or through messenger or WhatsApp (which I’m obviously keeping).

Keep in mind I’m not saying this is the right way to live. This is what’s right for me, right now. It feels awesome. But I might learn that I cannot live without social media or miss it terribly. I know for sure I’ll learn something.

Rui says I’m now on some list because it looks like I’m trying to disappear so my FBI agent and Mark Zuckerberg are now trying to understand what I might have done haha.

I would love for you to share your thoughts on social media. What’s your relationship with it right now?

Do you have any posts on this topic? If so, please leave your links in the comment section so we can all read it and discuss different views and opinions.

Thank you so much for stopping by.

Love, Cheila.

A Whole New Life: A month later – How I feel about my new job.

Oh my God, it’s been the longest ever…

I don’t even know how to start this post, honestly.

Hi?

How is everyone? I miss you all so much. I’m fine and happy and healthy.

I’ve finally managed to sit down and write a post. Or begin one, anyway. I have so much to tell you. That is, if you still remember me. I dropped the “I’m leaving my job that I love for somethings completely different” bomb about a month ago and have been pretty much MIA since. I wouldn’t blame you.

I went back and forth with the decision of changing jobs for many days, before I finally decided I would do it. I was so scared I would regret it and, while I do miss the kids, I am 100% sure I made the right decision. Thank God I took the job. I love it. I would have regretted it and I know it was exactly what I needed at that time. It has been a blessing.

It’s not a better job in a sense that I changed into a higher position. Quite the contrary, actually. Some people think I should be doing something else because my current job has nothing to do with what I’ve been doing for the past six years. I do not care. It is exactly what I need right now.

• I have much less responsibility than I’ve had in the past.
• There’s no work to take home.
• I work 8 hours and I’m done, no more (I’ve done twelve for years and I almost lost my mind from overworking) and no less (I’ve done sixteen hours a week for a few months and saying I was bored is an understatement).
• I work at an office full of people. I was self-employed, which literally means alone, for the longest time. I’m glad I get to see people every day.
• I get to help people and solve problems which you know I love doing.
• I have a fixed schedule. I work from 8 a.m to 5 p.m. You know I’m a planner and I like schedules. I have one hour for lunch and two very generous breaks throughout the day.  I take pleasure in being there early every single day. I like to get to work between 30 to 10 minutes before I have to be at my desk.
• I wake up early, which I like. I have to wake up between 5 and 5.30 a.m every day. Although it doesn’t always feel pleasant, I like to be an early riser. And I sleep so much better.
• I got to learn things I had never even thought about before. My brain was dying for some stimulation and its technical training has been it.

I feel like this deserves a whole post but I’ve met some wonderful people. I know so many amazing human beings that I keep forgetting that there are even more beautiful ones out there. I can say I’ve made friends. Mostly guys. There’s this three crazy dudes (they obviously know who they are) and this wonderful girl. There are obviously others but I won’t get into it too much, for privacy reasons. I’m all over the place but some people are very private.

It’s funny how these people you meet just change something in you. And you don’t even know how to explain that to them. That’s how special they are.

I think I’m done for today. I could be here for hours, you know that.

I hope everyone is okay and I’m looking forward to talking to you all soon.

So much love,

Cheila.

Things I’m doing this weekend: 26.05.2018

– Go grocery shopping;

– Food prep for the week, which includes cooking;

– Laundry, always;

– Buy concealer, new reusable bottle and coffee cup/tea cup for work, hand sanitizer, makeup sponges, nespresso capsules (we have a machine we can use at work, just need to buy capsules, which is great and so cheap), gum;

– At home pedicure and manicure;

– Organize some notes/documents from work, because everything is new and there’s so much to learn and information coming from everyone and everything; I got a cute folder and I’m going to file everything and get it to look neat and pretty;

– Check up on a few friends;

– Tidy up a bit around the house;

– Get 3 gym bags ready for next week so I can just grab and go to the pool;

– Pick my outfits for the week and get them ready;

– Watch some episodes of a few shows, maybe a movie, listen to a few podcast episodes;

❤️

Major Life Changes

Hey everyone,

I’ve been MIA for a few weeks now as I haven’t feel like blogging and didn’t want to push it or do it because I feel that I need to. It has never been a task or a job and I really want to keep it that way.

I DO miss you all so much!

I’ve also been absent because I’ve had A LOT going on. I’ve been kind of working on a major 360. My life is about to change and I cannot wait to tell you about it. No, I’m not pregnant. People always assume that from women and I just wanted to get it out of the way. I’ll share very very soon, as soon as things are final and settled.

In the meantime, please remember me and maybe miss me a little?

Oh, and watch the Eurovision Song Contest. We’re hosting this year, which is really big for us. Go Portugal!

Love you all, always.

Chey.

❤️❤️❤️

Happy Happiness Day!! (Sorry about the redundancy) + 50 Things That Make Me Happy + What I’ve Got Going On Today: 20.03.2018

Happy Happiness Day, Everyone!! Are you happy? Hope so.

Today I’m sharing a few things that make me happy:

1. My small family, when they’re not acting crazy.
2. Rui.
3. Rosa.
4. My best friends.
5. My students.
6. This blog.
7. Books.
8. A good movie.
9. World and European Cups (Football), especially when my team in winning. Who am I kidding, ONLY when my team is winning.
10. The Oscars.
11. TV shows.
12. Food.
13. A clean house.
14. Shopping.
15. Sleep.
16. Loosing weight.
17. Days off.
18. Working.
19. When my students pass their tests, get good grades or get into university with my help.
20. Getting something in the mail.
21. True crime podcasts.
22. Gardening and beautiful flowers.
23. When I found something with a great price or discount.
24. Good hair days.
25. When I reach my step/water/fruit/vegetable goals.
26. My water fitness classes.
27. Babies.
28. YouTube videos.
29. Candy.
30. Good conversation.
31. Colorful stuff.
32. Stationary.
33. Finishing a to-do list.
34. Blogger friends and WordPress community.
35. Taking pictures.
36. Sunny days.
37. Rainy days.
38. When I make extra money.
39. Warm showers/baths.
40. The beach/countryside/mountains.
41. Throwing parties and feeding people.
42. Pink.
43. Coffee.
44. Those days when laundries dries outside in 30 minutes.
45. Free online courses.
46. Jokes/puns/quotes.
47. Cutting my own hair.
48. Massages.
49. Crochet and Knitting.
50. Cute things in general.

What about you? Can you tell me 3 things that make you happy?

---

Today is Tuesday, March 20th and the first day of Spring!!

I’m already thinking about longer, warmer days, sunny weather and my garden. The old lady in me is also excited about Spring cleaning and drying laundry outside in the sun. I’m definitely a fall girl, but Spring is a lovely season as well. To be honest, I do love all of the seasons. It’s great to experience the changes and different weathers throughout the year. We never get bored. At least I don’t. I do know quite a few people who complain if it’s raining, then complain if it’s hot, complain if it’s cold as well… I mean, never happy. Do you know any weather haters? I’m sure you do.

I woke up early and had breakfast with Rui. Toast and coffee with milk. I actually have two job interviews today (one of them is by Skype) and I decided I might as well get this eyebrows done and my hair professionally washed and blow dried, which I never do. You know by now that I cut my own hair (in layers, using a YouTube video which I can share) and was very happy and pleased when the hairdresser said the haircut was very well done. She asked me if I was a professional, ha! No way, I’m just good at following very simple, my-dog-could-do-it instructions.

You also know I do have a job already, but I must tell you I am actually quite bored of working sixteen hours a week. I’m used to a fast-paced rhythm and don’t really know what to do with myself sometimes. Yes, I have some freelance projects but it’s just not the same as having a work routine. We could obviously use the extra income as well, obviously. I won’t tell you what I’m interviewing for yet, but I’ll update you as soon as I know something, promise.

Well, now I need to get ready for my Skype interview which is at 12. It’s 11.19 a.m here.

Talk to you guys later. Thank you so much for coming by.

A Week + In The Life: 02.03.18 – 13.03.18 Journal and Updates

Happy Tuesday, everyone!!

I haven’t been blogging much since last week, have I? I thought I’d share a general update.

Friday: 02.03.18

I got off work at 8, as I do every Friday. I thought we could go and see The Post because I really wanted to watch all of the nominees for Best Picture before the Oscars, and it was the only movie that wasn’t available to illegally download. We checked a few places and decided where to go and to grab dinner first. There weren’t many options so Burger King it was. Just before eating, we realized we had gotten it wrong and that the movie session was at 10 p.m instead of 9.25 p.m and in a different place, ten minutes away. Oh, Well. No rush to eat. So we had our dinner and eventually decided we were too tired and lazy to go anywhere else. No movie. We headed home and went to bed.

Saturday: 03.03.18

I woke up late. I had plans to clean and such but it was raining and I didn’t feel like doing it. Rui had gone for a run and I asked him to bring snacks. I fell asleep again and had a long nap. When I woke up we decided to watch The Shape of Water, which I wasn’t so sure about to begin with, and ended up not liking that much. Rui really wanted to see it and actually liked it, though. We had popcorn, orange juice and strawberries. We watched Lady Bird and it was meh. It’s the perfect coming of age movie and I have nothing bad to say about it but it was just, I don’t know? Plain? Boring? I can see how it is a good, well-made film but the story is nothing special. We went to bed soon after because I was still very sleepy.

Sunday: 04.03.18

I woke up late again. We felt like going for coffee and a drive. I had the most delicious cake. We then went for a drive around this area we don’t know so well, just about ten to fifteen minutes from where we live. It’s this beautiful place where countryside meets the beach and it’s just breathtaking, really. We watched Call Me By Your Name and I loved it. Only thing to bother me was the title and the whole “call me by your name” thing. Why? Why would you ask someone to call you by their name? I get it, it was their thing. But why? I doesn’t make much sense to me. I did love the movie. I patiently waited for the Oscars ceremony to start (it begins at 1 a.m for me), while cuddling on the couch with Rosa. I knew I was pulling an all-nighter to watch the Oscars as I do every year. I’m not the most patient person so it is kind of boring to go through all of the breaks. I don’t know how you American friends do it with all the commercial breaks, really. There’s just so many. I went to bed once it was over but didn’t sleep at all because I had to be up at 7.30. As you probably know from my post, I am NOT happy about the winners.

Monday: 05.03.18

I was up at 7.30, no sleep and kind of mad about the Oscars. I’m not going to repeat myself and bore you to death because I’ve written a whole post about it. I’ll just tell you I was not very happy that The Shape of Water won Best Picture. I was expecting it to be between Call Me By Your Name and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri so I about died when the said “and the Oscar goes to… The Sha….” Rui, Rosa and his brother were sleeping but I yelled “What the fuck??!!” in the living room. I was that upset and surprised. It’s pretty funny now. I was too tired to write so I spent my time watching The Good doctor before I had to work. It was a calm day, though. I left work at 8 and slept early, like a baby.

Tuesday: 06.03.18

I honestly don’t remember much about Tuesday. I pretty much only worked and had a very calm day. I was alone because there were few kids and my colleague was needed to help with French in a different room so it was just me and a few 9th graders, studying science, which I love.

Wednesday: 07.03.18

It was just me at work as well. The kids are all studying math so we only had three for Portuguese, which means only one of us was needed. My colleague got the day off and I got those three 9th graders. It was pretty chill. I left work at 7. We had pasta for dinner and watched an episode of This is Us.

Thursday: 08.03.18

My turn to have the day off!! My colleague handled the two kids we had for the day so I didn’t have to go to work. I slept and listened to podcasts for most of the day. Rui came home and wanted to take me out to dinner to celebrate International Women’s Day. I was pretty stupid and picked this greasy food truck where we had hot dogs. They were good, though.

Friday: 09.03.18

I’m at work but don’t have to actually do any work until 3 p.m. I’m about to go and look for some lunch because I didn’t pack any lunch today. I’ve watched an episode of Call The Midwife and I’ve written this post. That’s about it. We’re not doing anything tonight. I’m just cooking some easy pasta and that’s about it.

Saturday: 10.03.18

As usual, I woke up pretty late. I really wanted to clean the house but I don’t like doing it when there’s so many people trapped inside because it’s raining. I decided it wouldn’t happen and simply moved from the bed to the sofa. We watched Veronica, this Spanish horror movie I had read about before. It’s by Netflix and I had read it’s one of the scariest movies ever and that many people can’t even finish it. It’s quite popular right now too, have you watched it? It’s pretty good and scary as a horror movie should be but I didn’t find it that different and didn’t understand why someone would not be able to watch until the end.

Sunday: 11.03.18

I slept late and didn’t do much, to be honest. We felt like watching something and I was more inclined towards a documentary or series but we ended up watching this amazing film Monster (2003) about the infamous American serial killer Aileen Wurnos. Are you familiar with her story? Let me just tell you that the name of the movie is probably ironic, since she was the one surrounded by monsters and abusers her whole life. Yes, she did kill six to eight men but I cannot say how I would treat men later in life had I been sexually abused, assaulted, and prostituted by my grandfather to his friends at the age of eleven. One of her grandfather’s friends actually got her pregnant and she had to give her baby up for adoption. She was 13. Then he kicked her out of the house when she was 14. She had to live in the woods and begin working as a prostitute to support herself. She sold her body her entire life. They say she was raped and badly beaten by a client who was about to kill her, but managed she killed him in self-defense. Then her killing spree began and she ended up in prison, being executed by lethal injection in 2002. There’s no excuse to commit murder. You don’t go around killing people just because you had a difficult childhood. But in her case, I can honestly feel sorry for her. She was never loved, cared for or wanted. She was treated like garbage by men her entire life, since she was so young. There’s only so much your mind can handle before you snap. What do you think about this? Is she a monster or someone who took the most horrific forms of abuse for thirty years and simply had enough? I would love your opinion on this.

Monday: 12.03.18

Pretty uneventful. I woke up early but wasn’t feeling so well so I went back to bed. I woke up very late and met a friend for coffee before I had to go to work at 5. I left work at 7, came home, had dinner and laughed my ass off while watching Impractical Jokers with Rui and Brother. I then went to bed and listened to a few podcast episodes until I fell asleep.

Tuesday: 13.03.18 – Today

I got the day off from work. The kids are studying Chemistry and Physics and so they didn’t need both me and my colleague (we don’t work with Chemistry, Physics and Math). The same is happening on Thursday, the 22nd and she is staying home, while I’m going. I woke up late once again. I think I might need to decrease my sleeping medication, because I’m sleeping way too much and that usually means I need less of it.

I listened to a few podcasts, as I do every day. I’ve grown to love podcasts an audio books so much in the last few months. I took care of some laundry because there is always some laundry in desperate need to be done, especially when it has been raining for the past few weeks. I cleaned a little bit around the kitchen, decluttered our cleaning supplies cabinet and cleaned the bathroom. I’m sitting here having a snack and writing this post, just before I start dinner and close everything up (I opened all the doors and windows to let the house get some air). After dinner I’m having a shower and watching a few episodes of Divorce.

Random Picture Dump:

What have you been up to?

xx