Writings, Wanderings

May was a rather abysmal reading month for me. If you're looking at this list of five books and thinking that is about the norm for me so this being a low book-count month sounds off, full disclosure: most of these books were started in April or earlier (one was picked up for the first time back in 2018...) May marks the end of my school year and while my extracurricular responsibilities tapered off in the first half of the month, I was mentally burnt out. I am proud of this school year but I was too busy between work and my own life. Unfortunately, I drifted into reading fanfiction instead of novels which while fun doesn't add to my book totals. What I did read is a pretty random mix but here goes. The Lost Duke of Wyndham  by Julia Quinn. I really liked her Bridgerton series so I am always looking for another enjoyable read. I got this book at a library book sale along with another one of hers. While this one does not measure up to my favorite series, it certainly had i...

As the year draws a close ("Auld Lang Syne" is playing on my TV as I write this), I find myself reflecting on the big moments. Three stand out to me, not just because they were big but because they also forced me to face my fears. 1. Cuba.     I spent two weeks in Cuba as part of a summer program for teachers through the Stone Institute at Tulane University. The travel wasn't the scary part--it was being with a group of people I had never met. However, I was blessed with a roommate that got me and developed other friendships. By not letting my nervousness about meeting lots of new people get in my way, I got to experience Cuban culture from a different perspective than most tourists. I listened to lectures from a former diplomat, current teachers, women involved in the literacy program from the beginning of the Revolution, and a rap duo. I toured old Havana, a top art museum, a farm run by Hershey's company, Che's burial site, and the UNESCO city of...