I can’t believe we’re already in June and halfway through 2024. This year is flying by! I spent the first of the month playing tourist in Chicago and reflecting on the spring goals I set for myself.
Sunday Spotlights 21: Chicago Museums & Welcoming An International Friend
Making New Friends & Exploring The City
As prefaced in the introduction, I met a new friend through my other friend, Joseph. Our friend, Fahd is visiting from Lebanon and we’ve been showing him around the city. I have loved seeing the city through his eyes and exploring areas I haven’t been to or haven’t been to in a while.
Visiting MCA:
Over the weekend the three of us went to MCA, the Museum of Contemporary Art. Fahad and I were both first-timers. The exhibits were very thorough-provoking. Specifically, the Jafa exhibit is a spotlight on Black lives in America and Black history. It was very heavy and incredible to be immersed in. We felt like it was such a privilege to learn about the heartache and to be able to look away when it became too much because that is not everyone’s reality. MCA has a journaling and reflection section we participated in. I liked the space to help us process everything that was included.
Andersonville
We also spent the evening in Andersonville. The rain mixed with the aesthetic of a bookstore we were recommended, was everything! I’ll write another post on Andersonville if anyone is interested in spending the day there.
Checking In On My Spring Goals
Earlier in the week I sat down for an audit of my spring goals and turned it into a reel. With a little under two weeks left until the first day of Summer, I’m on track to reach all of them!
Preparing For This Week:
This week I’m continuing with the 75 Soft challenge (read more here). In addition to that, I have exciting projects that I’ll be developing. While I can’t go into those details yet, I can say how excited I am to enter the developmental phase. For months I was deep in planning and partnership discussion. Now it’s all coming together which is incredible to see how all of that planning and how my ideas have blossomed.
Last Week’s Favorites:
Now, for your dose of entertainment. Continue reading and listening for recommendations.
What I’m Watching:
If you follow me on Instagram or TikTok, you’ll know I recently watched Bridgerton Season 3 part 1 and Maxton Hall. Of the two, Maxton Hall was my favorite and I can’t stop thinking about the ending. It’s truly phenomenal. However, I’m biased because I love international romance dramas.
About Maxton Hall:
The German drama follows Ruby. She “unwittingly witnesses an explosive secret at the public school Maxton Hall; as a result, the arrogant millionaire heir James Beaufort has to deal with the quick-witted scholarship student for better or worse.” Stream on Prime Video.
What I’m Reading:
I’m waiting for my copy of This Time Next Year by Sophie Cousens to arrive from the library. This is our book club selection for the month and the adaptation premiers on Prime Video, June 3rd.
About This Time Next Year By Sophie Cousens
”Their lives began together, but their worlds couldn’t be more different. After thirty years of missed connections, they’re about to meet again… Minnie Cooper knows two things with certainty: that her New Year’s birthday is unlucky, and that it’s all because of Quinn Hamilton, a man she’s never met. Their mothers gave birth to them at the same hospital just after midnight on New Year’s Day, but Quinn was given the cash prize for being the first baby born in London in 1990–and the name Minnie was meant to have, as well. With luck like that, it’s no wonder each of her birthdays has been more of a disaster than the one before. When Minnie unexpectedly runs into Quinn at a New Year’s party on their mutual thirtieth birthday, she sees only more evidence that fortune has continued to favor him. The gorgeous, charming business owner truly seems to have it all–while Minnie’s on the brink of losing her pie-making company and her home. But if Quinn and Minnie are from different worlds, why do they keep bumping into each other? And why is it that each fraught encounter leaves them both wanting more?”
What I’m Listening To:
TTPD is still on repeat. Though, I did sprinkle Midnights into the mix the other day.
You Might Like:
- How To Get & Read Books For Free (Legally)
- I Challenged Myself To Live Sustainably For One Month – Here’s How It Went
Household Favorites:
I’m still enthralled by the Breville Barista Express Machine. I’ve officially found the ideal settings for my daily cuppa. And, it’s much less cleaning than I originally thought. I’m in a good routine already.
Looking To The Week Ahead:
As we enter a new week, I encourage you to stop and reflect. You can write this down on a piece of paper, use these as discussion points with friends/family/loved ones, think about this independently, or with your therapist. I’m trying to get better at carving out intentional space each week. This is my reminder to pause and think about what worked, what didn’t, and to set intentions for the days ahead.
This Week’s Intention/Mantra/Encouragement:
“Authenticity is a collection of choices that we have to make every day. It’s about the choice to show up and be real. The choice to be honest. The choice to let our true selves be seen.” – Brene Brown
Challenge:
Lean into the love, kindness, empathy, and consideration you may so freely offer to someone else.
