Every week, I curate a list of the best links and articles to make you think and keep you informed. Enjoy!
Thoughts on this week: I can't believe we've been in school for a week now! I'm finally getting back into the swing of things and enjoying my students. It feels like time has passed so quickly!
What I’m Reading in real life: Caesar's Column is the book that we're talking about in class today. It's fascinating.
What I’m watching: Last week, I finally finished all three seasons of Fresh off the Boat, so I'm mostly watching Elementary.
What I’m listening to: I'm still digging The Pen Addict Podcast all these years later. Also, I've been revisiting the work of my favorite band, Rising Appalachia.
What else I’m digging: I'm loving my bullet journal set up from September, which you can check out here. I'm also loving some recent bujo accessories I bought, especially this super cute pug bookmark from Shop Paper Covers Rock.
My Writing
Three years ago: God is Good (Spiritual Uprising): This was a sweet memory to find in my blog archive.
Four years ago: Another Book Recommendation: Into the Depths (PP&P): I loved this book. Maybe I should pull it out for another read through.
What I have read lately:
Best Articles:
- 25 Ways We Are Getting Dumber (The Minimalists): I'm working on it. I get sucked in way too easily these days because I'm avoiding reality. Let's not do that!
We Are Not Materialistic Enough (Cait Flanders): I love this. So true!
Popery (Catholicism/Spirituality/Religion):
Why I Stopped Talking About Racial Reconciliation And Started Talking About White Supremacy (Feisty Thoughts): I found this article helpful, particularly the part about white Christianity suffering from a "bad case of Disney Princess theology." I also appreciated the discussion on why racial recognition is a bad theology: "Racial Reconciliation assumes an innocent reading of history. This is a term I learned from theologian Justo Gonzalez. An innocent telling of history is foundational to maintaining unjust and racist systems. " I think it's important to consider these things more and more given our current theological and political climate.
Mother is a Place (The Wine Dark Sea): This is a beautiful reflection.
Nuking the Modesty War, Part I: Control Yourself, Not Women (Barefoot and Pregnant): Because every time this comes up, I want to punch someone.
Why unspoken envy kills, and how mercy brings us back to life (Aleteia): Good Reminder.
Pens/Pencils/Stationery:
How a Japanese Pen Maker Anticipated the Writing-Tool Renaissance (Bloomberg): I was excited to see this article. I dream of owning a Nakaya someday.
Why the Key to Success Is as Simple as Pen and Paper (Inc): This is a great, short video of Rider Carroll, the creator of the bullet journal, explaining how using his method helps people be more successful and aware.
The Fountain Pen Companion: This is a neat little tool to help you keep track of your ink collection and share your collection info with others!
26 School Supplies Under $10 That Are Actually Worth Your Money (Buzzfeed): Great list!
Paperbacks (Reading, Books, and Writing):
- "Handbook For Mortals" Pulled From NYT's YA Best Sellers List After A Fascinating Book Twitter Investigation (Bustle): This is fascinating. I never thought about the politics of the Best Sellers List like this before.
- The Photograph That Helped Me Finish My Book (Lit Hub): I enjoyed this piece on how this photograph inspired the author to finish her work. I am constantly looking for inspiration to keep my going in my own research and writing. How do you inspire yourself?
Reporter was locked in mental hospital for 10 days, when her true identity was revealed, the doctors were shocked (Newsner): What a brave reporter!
It's An Edgar Allan Poe Dameron Cosplay, Complete with a BB-8 Raven (Nerdist): Perhaps my favorite cosplay of the year so far.
Benefits of a Mechanical Keyboard for Writers (No Wasted Ink): I'm looking into this as I go deeper into my writing.
Life in General:
Just So You Know, You Deserve To Be Happy (Thought Catalogue): This was really helpful for me. I sometimes forget that I deserve to be happy because I'm focusing so much on the negative.
The Gift of Presence, The Perils of Advice (On Being:) I struggle with this a lot because I always want to fix people's problems. Lately, though, as I've been immersed in my own sorrows, I have found that advice is seldom helpful, but presence always is. I'm so grateful to the friends who have stuck by me and sat beside me. I think this quote sums it up nicely: "Here’s the deal. The human soul doesn’t want to be advised or fixed or saved. It simply wants to be witnessed — to be seen, heard and companioned exactly as it is. When we make that kind of deep bow to the soul of a suffering person, our respect reinforces the soul’s healing resources, the only resources that can help the sufferer make it through." We all need this.
Coming Out As Fat (Ravishly): This is a great and important read.
How Zadie Smith Taught Her 7-Year-Old Daughter That Beauty Is A Waste Of Time (Huff Post): I love this.
Stop Sharing Those Feel-Good Cochlear Implant Videos (The Establishment): I am learning a lot more about ablism right now and I think this article is really helpful.
Fat Women Don’t Get To Be Androgynous (Huffpost): This is frustrating.
Learn How To Embrace Your Loneliness And You Won’t Feel It Anymore (Thought Catalogue): This is something I'm working on.
The Grace We’ve Always Wanted (Noisebar): I think every woman I know needs to read this.
My Mom Picked My Date Based on What their Apartment Looked Like (Buzzfeed): This sounds like a crazy idea, but it's so fun. I like the concept. (Don't get any ideas, Mom.)
I dressed like my skinny best friend for a week to prove style has no size (Revelist): Cute idea.
Sisters are doing it for themselves: the retired women who built their own community (The Telegraph): I LOVE THIS.
7 self-care rituals that take 15 minutes or less (The Art of Simple): All great ideas.
Art and Other Pretty Things:
Why the Mystery of the Met’s Unicorn Tapestries Remains Unsolved (Artsy): This is fascinating. Who would have thought it would be so hard to find out about these tapestries?
Academia, Education, and Teaching:
Things We Did Not Sign Up For. (Rate Your Students): This is an old post, but I can really relate to it sometimes. What are we doing to our students?
The most forward-thinking, future-proof college in America teaches every student the exact same stuff (Quartz): A lot like UD's education. I wonder how you can do this while still teaching social issues?
To my colleagues, on the death of their students’ grandmother(s) (Tenure She Wrote): This. Freaking this.
Simplicity and Minimalism:
I Was Ashamed of My Simplicity (Noisebar): I am always striving to get rid of things to allow for more careful simplicity. It's an ongoing process for a kid from a family of hoarders.
I Am Not Ambitious; I Crave A Slow Life, A Simple Life (Filter Copy): I so relate to this.
That Clutter In Your Home Used To Be Money (Retire Before Dad): Oh my gosh, this is such a good thing to think about.
Minimalist Wardrobe (Minimal Wellness): I am constantly obsessed with minimalist wardrobes, but due to my size, sensory issues, and the cost, I've never really curated the kind of wardrobe I would like. I enjoyed this article.
4 Steps Towards Sustainability (EcoNomad): These are harder than you would think, but great goals to have.
Parenting:
- Five Strategies for Handling Noise in Motherhood (Life on Purpose): I'm sure a lot of moms could use this article.
Parents Who Pay to Be Watched (The Cut): I can't imagine being this desperate. I feel for the families, but I also think this is a prime example of privilege in action.
'Dirt Is Good': Why Kids Need Exposure To Germs (NPR): Good info.
Children need unstructured play (The Art of the Simple): A great reminder for all of us.
Dogs:
Mourning Family Warns Other Dog Owners After A Day At The Lake Turns Deadly (I Heart Dogs): This is terrifying to me. I'll always be careful with Gary near the water.