November recap and December goals

November was a busy month. I had one work trip and two personal trips. It is so nice to be back home after being on the road so often. It makes me appreciate my bed, my quiet morning in the darkness, my beloved comforting bowl of oatmeal, and our cats. November also was the month that we had a full time helper, so going home was less stressful (no dinner to cook, clean and tidy house, organized closets). Lizzy did the impossible. I completed another year of NABLOPOMO even though some days just few lines. I attended 3 in person yoga class taught by a colleague wife who is certified and also a runner.

Books:

• Breackneck (audiobook). The best nonfiction of the year! Loved it.
• The Art of Spending Money: Simple Choices for a Richer Life. This is more a life philosophy than personal finance book, which is exactly what I expected. I agree with him in almost everything, which may not be the best thing as this shows confirmation bias. But I enjoyed reading it on the beach.
• The ten years affair. It was meh for me.
• Several books on menopause, confirming that HRT would be a viable path for me.

Movies/TV:

• One battle after another. An intense movie, heavy topics, and good acting.
• The beast in me (netflix series). An entertaining series, quite scary into human nature and what one is capable of. Claire has aged so much. I asked the girls if I look like her as we are close in age.

New recipes tried:

• Sourdough pizza
• lasagna
• red sauce chicken
• tahini chocolate vegan cookies
• vegan marble cake

Starting HRT. I am on the second week with all three meds. So far I noticed stable energy as the most noticeable effect.

December goals

• Finished 30 days of the way. I am on day 7 and enjoy the structured way to learn meditation.
• Starting a new strength plan which is targeted to women in 40s and older. It involves 3 days of full body strength workout of either 60 or 30 min, similar to Kae’s plan. The plan is for 12 weeks and I plan to use it at least twice before deciding to get the next level.
• Take supplements! I am not good at remembering it. Trying to have them in office and at home at display to remember.
• Finish my first Portuguese book.

Fun plans:

• Sofia and her friend will make cookies (4 types) to give to their teachers.
• I am hosting chinese food to two colleague families.
• Girls have a last swim competition.
• 5km race.
• We will spend Christmas eve at home with a tree and gifts! First time in like forever.
• Two birthdays: husband and me.
• Maybe a white elephant gift exchange with close colleague friends.