Greetings, Internet! I hope everyone is as safe and sane as can be. This week, I listened to hella Taylor Swift (“Speak Now”!), edited a dissertation chapter, and then realized how to restructure my dissertation! Daily summaries below!

July 7, 2023

• Happy Chocolate Day! I love made up days that celebrate my vices.
• Phone calls and emails, but things are moving along!
• Finally got a chance to start editing this chapter! Finally! I got about an hour of work in (I did a bunch of revising like two months ago, but had to take a break because stuff), but I think another week should be enough before I send this off to my advisor for a second go-around.
• Worked out with an SCI trainer! My legs are hella tight, but I blame the PMSing again.
• Accidentally put the bok choy in a part of my fridge that’s hella cold, so it kind of froze. Dangit.
• Why, yes, I am watching the Mets while I get ready for bed. Even into extras.
• Wordle: In four!
• Currently feeling: Should I order chocolate? I should order chocolate.
• Currently looping: Um, Taylor’s version of “Speak Now,” what else would I be listening to today? This is probably my favorite Taylor album. This, “1989,” and “Lover” are in my top three.

July 8, 2023

• Did the FES cycle. Watched an episode of Marvel’s “Secret Invasion.” Not bad so far. Olivia Colman is a delight.
• Tidied up the apartment a bit and did some laundry.
• My boyfriend’s here! We made turkey burgers.
• Why is my nose so stuffy all of a sudden? I was fine all day, and now this. So weird.
• Mets streak is definitely in danger tonight. But the game started at 10pm, so we’ll see how long I can stay up for this.
• Currently feeling: So stuffy. Does anyone else have this as a premenstrual symptom?
• Currently looping: I went through the entire daily Spotify Rock mix, at least as it was curated for me (so, lots of Hole, The Killers, and The Pretty Reckless). I was looking at a thing that was like, “Name the best album from the ‘90s, ‘00s, ‘10s,” and I have to say…Radiohead’s “OK Computer” (1997), Regina Spektor’s “Begin to Hope” (2005), and My Chemical Romance’s “Danger Days” (2010).

July 9, 2023

• Not so lazy Sunday! Watched a bit of Wimbledon, and dang, there are some sweet matchups coming for the quarterfinals.
• We trekked to an Apple Store without an umbrella, and oh boy, that was not the smartest idea. Got stuck in a downpour a block away from the store and made a run for it.
• Thankfully, we were able to get the thing I wanted to go there for, and hop on a bus to head back to the apartment. We got off the bus during a rain lull, and then made it back. Phew!
• Watched Tom Segura’s latest special, “Sledgehammer.” Very funny.
• Watched the latest “Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing,” and dang, kind of saw that elimination coming, but not really.
• Currently feeling: Grateful that we didn’t get completely drenched in the rain.
• Currently looping: More TayTay.

July 10, 2023

• Not so many phone calls today, so yay. Just waiting on some things to get sorted out.
• Worked out with an SCI trainer! I am so tired. Mostly because I got my period yesterday, and dang, my muscles are like, already sore.
• Worked on this dissertation chapter some more. Need to add more of The Rule of Saint Benedict.
• My boyfriend and I watched an episode of “Family Feud,” and it’s just so delightful.
• And then we watched “American Ninja Warrior.” Also delightful.
• I was so good at not spending last month. This month, less so. Whoops.
• Yay, Home Run Derby! Alas, Alonso wasn’t having a great day. Honestly, his season has been kind of inconsistent, so you know what? This tracks.
• I’m also a fan of bilingual reporters. How did it take ESPN this long to figure that one out?
• Currently feeling: So glad that I’m actually working on this dissertation chapter. And that there really is more stuff to add. I was worried that this chapter was going to be too short (i.e. under 30 pages), but now it’s looking like it’ll be slightly above 30 pages.
• Currently looping: More TayTay. It’s TayTay time.

July 11, 2023

• Did the FES cycle.
• Whilst taking a shower, a thought about restructuring my dissertation came to mind. And it was a decent idea! So naturally I got out of the shower and called a fellow scholar to get her opinion. And she was like, “Yeah! Sounds good!”
• I think I know how to restructure my dissertation into a real dissertation! HUZZAH!
• I know how to edit my chapters now!!
• My mother’s here! She brought bubble tea! And goodies from SF.
• Worked on an email to send to my advisor, and then got hella rambly. I might need to edit this thing down.
• Wordle: In five!
• Currently feeling: Yay, I know how to edit my dissertation!! I just have to see if my advisor agrees.
• Currently looping: Franz Ferdinand’s “You Could Have It So Much Better.” Great album, super underrated.

July 12, 2023

• Went to Push to Walk! And learned that they’re moving further north. Oh boy.
• Got bubble tea afterwards, because of course. Also, it’s ridiculously hot out and definitely bubble tea weather.
• Talked with someone about my dissertation reframing. I should email my advisor.
• Finally got around to watching Viola Davis’ “Hot Ones” interview, and dang, she’s amazing. I feel like I learned more about acting from her in one hot-wing-filled interview than I ever learned from watching more conventional acting interviews.
• Wordle: In three!
• Currently feeling: And I’ve emailed my advisor! We shall see what he says.
• Currently looping: The Sarah Jarosz playlist on Spotify.

July 13, 2023

• Did the FES cycle. Caught up with “Secret Invasion” and started the latest season of “Outlander.”
• The bathroom needs a new vanity. I have no idea if I can get one in time for when my bathroom gets repaired. Oh boy.
• I love that they’re playing all the “Mission Impossible” movies on cable. They’re so fun to have on in the background.
• More writing and editing!
• My mother and I watched a bit of “Star Trek: Into Darkness.” I haven’t told her that the alternative title for “Star Trek” is actually “Hotties in Space.”
• Wordle: In five!
• Currently feeling: Very much looking forward to seeing my bathroom fixed up.
• Currently looping: KT Tunstall’s “Drastic Fantastic” album, but also, Jack Black’s “Peaches” is a banger.

Thanks so much for reading! Stay safe, stay sane, and yay, I know how to restructure my dissertation!