March recap

After 1.5 months of quiet time at home with no travel, I had 2 trips in March, spent 1/2 of the time out of home. It felt disruptive but I am grateful for the ability to be there for Sofia’s swim trip, and surprisingly enjoyed my training in São Paulo and 1 day trip at Piaui. There is always something new and interesting to learn, even people/ideas that I knew before, but being out of the normal setup I get a new perspective.

BOOKS:

The running ground. I love a good running memoir and this one delivered. I started to realize runners are a special species and we get obsessed with details that nobody cares.

Shared prosperity in a fracture world. This is leisure read for a work related topic. I got excited with the first half of the book but it didn’t deliver as promised. It didn’t provide the answer I was looking for, but I appreciate more people started to ask the right questions.

Enough as she is. This is read during my time in Campo Grande, when I entered into a mini crisis about parenting a teen who is demanding independence. I enjoyed the read and felt validated in many ways.

Strangers. This is a hype book recently. I was not sure I’d like it, a book about privilege, divorce, affairs, nothing that I can relate to. Yet, I couldn’t put it down. It’s well written, engaging, and shows that emotional toll of a divorce no matter her/his economic status.

WATCHING:

Soulmates series. It’s an interesting idea. I like the first spisode the most and always cry at the last few minutes.

NEW PRACTICES:

Slimfit. The women only boutique gym that I started. I love it!!! I can’t believe I am saying that I love a strength workout class. But I truly look forward to go there. The classmates are all nice, the instructor super caring and funny, the circuits change often and I know it’s working the right muscles. I go there 2-3 times a week depending my travel schedules. In addition to enjoy time there, I feel less worried about strength workout in other days, reducing my mental stress around it.

The value of procrastination. I am realizing that if I don’t do something that I think I need to do, it’s likely because the format of doing that is not right. this happened with strength training, and I am glad I finally found the way I enjoy doing it. Other cases were similar. For example, I still haven’t booked our trip after summer camp. We had many ideas of what to do but I just didn’t feel ready to book it. Now I realize that it was because none of the ideas felt right. Finally, if I forget to write-down a to-do list, and nothing bad happens, it’s probably not a real to-do list.

FEELING:

I was “confused” for a bit my role as mom to Sofia. I am glad I paused and found a new ground.

I felt adventurous trying a new workout, indulgent to be paying for workouts that I could do at home for free. Yet, that’s an investment I am doing while enjoying the process.

Grateful (very) that running is progressing well, even surprised myself with a podium moment. Knee discomfort is not totally eliminated but I feel confident in managing it. Load management, strength training, proper fueling, seem to be working.

April is an even busier month. I already had two trips (one to Buenos Aires, one to Porto Alegre), and about to fly out this weekend for a week in DC. Since I’ll be there only for 4 full days, it will be packed. I am looking forward to enjoy DC runs, meeting with old colleague friends, and have productive work meetings, and visits to Trader Joes (always highlight of my US trips).