March 2024 Reading List

March 2024 Reading List 📚🎧☕

Done:

All the light we cannot see by Anthony Doerr (Decided to re-read this before giving the mini-series a go. A brilliant but sad book imo.)

Current:

The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov (I gave up on the original version and switched to the English translation, Russian literature: 1, Me: 0)

To-read:

48 Laws of Power by Robert Green (I still haven't gotten around to finding the time to read this)

Beartown by Fredrik Backman ( I decided to restart reading it, as I was quite busy at the time and lost the hang of the plot)

女人就是要有钱/ Women just want money by 刘忆如 - Liú Yìrú (My first proper book in Chinese! This book appears to be a self-help/financial advice book and judging by the plot description it's definitely worth reading - I have an online copy for those interested btw! The target audience seems to be for those in their 30s so I guess I'm getting an early head start)

Classes have started so I'm taking this month easy whilst I try to ease back into my usual routine. But do feel free to recommend me some books for April please!

Growing up is being neutral at best about maths throughout school only to accidentally fall in love with it later on in life

Getting back on track after a slump

Life is non-linear as it turns out. Sometimes you're doing great and then all of a sudden you're completely thrown off and are struggling to get up.

It happens to pretty much everyone, and even though you can't really prevent a slump from happening, you can use this advice to help you get back on track

Make a list of what you have to do Sit down, make yourself some tea or coffee and just start writing what you need to do. Missed a deadline with that unfinished paper? Write it down, add a sub-bullet to ask for an extension/send an email explaining your circumstances to your professor/teacher (they're also human, chances are if you notify and explain the situation to them, they will do their best to help you).

Break down those tasks into sub-tasks. By simplifying and breaking down your tasks into smaller chunks you're not only making it easier to do them, but you're also helping yourself get rid of some anxieties or fears since that task now looks much easier and more manageable to accomplish.

Update or create a new routine. Whether your routine contributed towards this slump or not, its always good to update your routine as you grow and change. What may have worked then may not necessarily be appropriate or helpful now. We humans are creatures of change, it's only natural that we outgrow our past.

Take it slow when easing back into your routine. Going too fast can actually be counter-productive, because you should be naturally aligning yourself with it and not forcing yourself into something you're not completely ready to follow. Trying to overcompensate generally isn't a good idea, as putting extra pressure on yourself especially when you're just trying to get everything sorted may not end very well.

Write down your goals and dreams to help you get motivated. It may seem difficult and at times pointless to try and get back on track, and reminding yourself about your goals and aims can definitely encourage you to take the steps to getting back on track or starting over.

Talk to someone about what you're feeling and going through. Your school or uni have counselors and people who can help you get through this if you require help. You don't necessarily have to jump straight into it, just start with a friendly email briefly explaining the situation and go from there.

Indonesian Landscapes by Abdullah Suriosubroto

Thank you for the tag @gwendolynlerman!

Last song: After the Thunder by Ari Hest

Favourite color: red

Currently watching: I just started rewatching the Dynasty reboot (i swear it gets funnier and more off the rails everytime i watch it)

Spicy/savory/sweet: savory and a little bit of sweet

Relationship status: single

Current obsession: obsessing over whether or not to study another language as a hobby and which one (so far it's a tie between spanish, polish and hindi but who knows)

Tagging: @dearest-lula, @study-with-aura, @lillelily, @potentiallypolyglot, @ghiblilesb, @fireworks-too, @gdlavzo but no pressure!

Nine people I'd like to know better

I was tagged by @quatregats 💖

Last song: Bad Habits by Ed Sheeran

Favourite color: purple (currently wearing an all-purple outfit 💜)

Currently watching: Downton Abbey

Spicy/savory/sweet: savory or (not too) sweet

Relationship status: single

Current obsession: none actually, it's been a while since I've had one 😕

I tag @fluencylevelfrench, @lemonadeandlanguages, @marilearnsmandarin, @mediocrelanguagelearner, @pawprintedpages, @ruhua-langblr, @segledepericles, @sprachgefuehle, and @slavic-roots-western-mind (no pressure!).

So we got our class schedules today and it turns out that I'm in the same class as I was last semester, probably because I requested to stay in the same level in the survey that was sent out without actually thinking everything through.

To be fair, this survey was before I got my exam results back and honestly I think did pretty well for someone who was initially placed 2 levels below because I didn't do too great on my placement test (although I evidently redeemed myself on my swap out test).

This upcoming week we're allowed to try out other levels before either staying or doing the swap test to go to a higher level, which I might do if the next level is manageable.

I feel like the main issue is that despite being really out of my depth in the beginning, this level ended up being challenging enough, but what if the next level is too difficult and this level is too easy? I don't want to waste this semester, but I also want to thrive rather than try to survive and constantly be stressed out about studying.

I guess the upcoming week shall reveal its secrets so there's not that much sense in obsessing over it. I for one will try to make the most of the remaining days before classes start.

Have a good weekend everyone!