My Month in Review series continues. July was full of some incredible highs. Unfortunately, I also faced some major lows. While June flew by, I felt like July couldn’t end soon enough. In general I stayed busy with work, the thesis, my move and my grandfather. Yes, I know I complained about grad school and my thesis constantly this month. I know I complained about taking care of a grown man who can take care of himself, but who refuses to do so. I also know I complained about not being able to move until September. So here’s a summary of the other stuff!
Movies
TV show
Books
I have stopped keeping track of “Must Reads” because there are too many and I rarely read for leisure as a grad student. My leisure reading now consists of whatever items fall into my Google Reader. This summer, I chose ten books to read by September 1st: textbooks and fiction novels mostly. In July I read two books I’d read before, two books for school and a novel Ashley wrote.
Music
Surprise… another compilation from my favorite DJs and favorite Trance record label!
Favorite thing
Fresh, local food. From our garden to Farmer’s Markets and Co-Ops, summer brings with it fresh food of every sort: eggs, meat, goat’s milk, cheese, vegetables, fruit and canned goods.
Moments
My friends Melissa and JD came down from Newport News and we had breakfast on the beach. It was lovely. They brought their puppy, Alice. She was diagnosed with cancer recently. She’s only five human years old and it really broke my friends’ hearts to find out about the diagnosis. They are doing everything they can to make her comfortable and hoping for the best. She’s their baby and it is always hard to see friends going through difficult times.
I live HERE. I still can't believe I'm so close to such beauty.
Alice - her legs are shaved for the cancer treatments
My other friend Melissa (who lives in Alabama) flew to DC so she could drive down here with my friend Tamara. We’d been planning this girls’ weekend for some time. It was a welcome retreat from the hectic, stressful few weeks prior to their visit.
The dolphins have been so close to shore this summer!
with Tamara at the Boardwalk - Melissa made us do it!
I flew to Alabama to surprise my BFF for her baby shower. I loved walking into the house unexpected and hearing her say, “What are you doing in Huntsville?!” It was good to see Chris, Michelle, Chrissy and Emily. We all had a nerdy game night, had fun at the baby shower and spent some chill time together. I cleaned out my old room and I spent some time with my little brother.
with Michelle at her baby shower
being silly with my brother
Featured blogger
Ashley at Writing to Reach You. I know I haven’t featured a blogger for a few months, but this month I loved every single one of Ashley’s posts. She’s a grad student. She writes fiction and vlogs! She is kicking her debt‘s ass! She is basically just awesome.
I marked one of her posts as Unread in my Google Reader and went back to it multiple times: Why I Study Theology. I am a grad student who chose a very different academic path than theology, but I relate to Ashley’s desire to ask tough questions and to seek knowledge. The most beautiful thing about academia is that we all have different perspectives, experiences and passions that lead us down a particular academic path. Together we bring something unique to the table, yet we all share an intense passion for learning. I think it is important to talk about that passion. Some of us spend over 1/3 of our lives in school (pre-schoolers to PhDs to post-docs to professors), so maybe we should share with others what we know while keeping our hearts, minds and arms open to different perspectives. I admire Ashley for her dedication, grace, hard work and patience in the pursuit of her dreams.
Favorite posts
- Michael Formica – The Science, Psychology and Metaphysics of Prayer
- Barrie Davenport – How to Simplify When You Love Your Stuff (guest post at Zen Habits)
- Cate – Delegation: What Value Do You Place On Time? Time is a gift. How do we use it?
- Natalie – Ten Reasons People Stay Single On Purpose
- Jenn wrote a beautiful, personal post about how we have to Let It Be when we find ourselves in times of trouble.
- Grace – What Is Worth Your Time?
- Doniree – Anything and Everything. “How we do anything is how we do everything.”
- Cali landed back in my Google Reader with a bang (YES!) – Upward Iterations
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Movie and television show posters: impawards.com
Book photos: BarnesandNoble.com
Like I wasn’t already delighted to see my novel up there, I kept reading just to have my day made. Thanks so much Alex!
You are so welcome.
But really, thank YOU for writing such great posts that make me love being a blogger. You rock.
Great list! I loved Inception and The young victoria. I start the millennium trilogy this week!
Inception seriously blew my mind. I loved it. Also made me glad I already remember my dreams so well. I prefer my dreams to just be dreams, thank you very much.
I totally have that HCI book!
Here’s to a better August
Great review, I wish my month had been so nice. Mine was filled with petty drama, which I tried to avoid at all cost.
How is the Young Victoria? That, along with the Last Station are both in my netflix que, so I’m interested in hearing how it is.
Oh, and is that Farmer’s Market actually in Va. Beach or is it in a surrounding city i.e, Chesapeak, Norfolk?
I’m coming down to Va. Beach in a couple of weeks for a family reunion so I wanted to be sure I was able to squeeze a visit in. I heart farmer’s markets
The farmer’s market is on First Colonial Road between to Great Neck and Laskin. So it is in VA Beach. I liked The Young Victoria because it was nice to see a story about a queen other than Elizabeth for a change! The Last Station was really amazing just in terms of the kind of love they had for each other, if it is at all accurate. I am a fan of Tolstoy, so that makes a difference. My month was not all fun and games. I just like to showcase the things that made it good.
Alex, it is ALWAYS an honor to land here! I’ve bookmarked this page to return to so I can check out all the goodies you’ve highlighted here. I LOVE this feature on the Tao of Grad School!! Love you!
Aw thanks so much. Miss you, lady.
I loved The Young Victoria! Even E got into it, and that’s really saying something. I’m so glad you were able to surprise Michelle!
I’m so glad I went to see them, too. She was so surprised.
I thought The Young Victoria was great because we always see movies about Elizabeth or the Kings. It was nice to see an independent female character like her who still found happiness and love in her life. 
You’ve been busy, lady! And I love reading about all these things from this past month that have been awesome.
Happy August!
Happy August to you, too! I’m glad I made time to see my friends in July. Without them, I’d be a mess.