Vacations 2025: a recap

Last day of vacation here, and I spent it in a bit of an odd mood. There was a massive cleanup of both the front and back yards, and I realized I was way more upset than I thought about losing so much greenery. It cast a bigger shadow over my mood than I expected, and honestly, I was pretty bummed out. Who knew losing this many plants and flowers would hit me so hard?

On a brighter note, I’m actually looking forward to heading back to work. This is the second year I’ve taken an extended summer vacation, and I can really feel the difference it makes. Coming back feels refreshing – I’m cheerful and motivated, which is amazing. There’s something special about having a job you genuinely enjoy and how it positively impacts your mindset and overall well-being.

So what did I actually do during my two weeks off? Honestly, sweet fuck all. My entire vacation consisted of enjoying my backyard, relaxing in the sun, reading, cuddling the cats, and having great conversations with my daughter. I think I really needed that “doing nothing” break. I’ve come to realize that a few times a year, I need these moments of pure relaxation to recharge both mentally and physically. With next fall shaping up to be pretty intense (work, Hackfest, and university!), I think my body knew it needed this downtime to get ready.

That said, I did manage to read quite a bit. I powered through six books and started a seventh that I’ll finish once I’m back at work. Visiting the library was incredibly soothing – it’s one of my favorite places in the world. There’s just something about being surrounded by books that feeds my soul.

I also took some time to think about upgrading my phone since my contract was up. I decided to go with the new Galaxy Flip 7 in pink coral, and I’m absolutely loving it! It reminds me of my beloved pink Motorola Razr from the 2000s and my HTC Dream – both flip phones I adored. Getting this new flip phone has brought back so many nostalgic memories and put me in a bit of a retro mood. So far, I’m completely smitten with it!