It’s the week before Easter. Not that I celebrate that holiday anymore as non-religious has I’ve become, and especially now that my mother has passed away. She was the one we usually celebrated with flowers and chocolates and pastel-colored baskets. But I enjoy the energy of the week none-the-less. The trees are starting the blossom, the grocery store product sections feature asparagus and strawberries in abundance. Bunny butt cakes are a thing.

With all that said, my list this week has nothing to do the with holiday – just things that I have found interesting and/or are giving me joy this week:

(1) Coursera / Google Certification

So, I have access to Coursera through my employer and I’m super thankful for that. I’ve used them before for classes in AI and writing. But lately I’ve been getting certified in UX through a Google curriculum. This isn’t something I necessarily need. I have 20+ years in digital and am no strangers to wireframes and usability testing. But the technology evolves, the language shifts and the tools change. So, I’ve 4 courses into the 7 course program and it’s been really fun to refresh myself in the skill. I haven’t made wireframes and prototypes in over a decade so getting my hands dirty again has been enjoyable. I’ve been amazed at how 2 hours can disappear after I’ve been sucked into Figma on an assignment. And as I up-skill for whatever my next career chapter will be, this certification will certainly come in handy in one way or another.

What I really like is the self-paced, online format. I can do as little or as much as I want on any given week. And you know what? It’s fun to learn again!

(2) Fresh Thyme Market

I’ve been on a journey to find new places to shop during this new presidential administration and some of the company decisions that have been made about DEI. And while my local co-op (shoutout to Mississippi Market) still is our go-to for groceries, supplements, etc. – sourcing some products like toilet paper, laundry detergent and frozen meals has required some investigation for me. I love what Costco stands for, but our two-person household just doesn’t have the space to store larger sized quantities. So in my research online, it appears that Fresh Thyme us still “safe” given my personal requirements (although, please educate me if I’m wrong). There also happens to be a location on my drive home from the gym so it’s very convenient. So, I’ve been stopping there and have been pleasantly surprised. It never seems too busy or chaotic inside. I’ve discovered bamboo toliet paper because of them (and I like it!). They have some prepared food options like soup that my co-op doesn’t stock and their prices are a little cheaper on the frozen foods and protein cereal that I like. They also have a great section of Minnesota made body care which is super fun to shop. I have no idea why shopping here was not something I did before this February, but I’m loving them.

(3) My Bloom planner

I’m a digital girl, but I still use a paper planner. As much as I curate a to-do list in my outlook for work or in my notes app in my phone for personal, there is nothing like a succinct set of 3-5 items for the day written out so that I can cross them off when complete. I’ve been using a Bloom planner for about 3 years now. I like the 8″x10″ weekly view format. But even more, I love that the upfront offers planning for the year around all the important aspects of our lives, a place to build a vision board if you choose and even budgeting tools as well as ways to set monthly and weekly goals to track.

Every week, I use the weekly view to list what I need to do, what appointments are on my calendar and I track my healthy habits which are usually journaling, meditation, movement and mobility. I also love the monthly calendar view where I track all of our upcoming events like concerts and trips and dates with friends. And if you are a sticker person, they have a bunch of add-ons that you can purchase. Totally recommend!

(4) My library card

After I got the news my job was being impacted, I started thinking about areas where I could reduce my spending and, the truth is, I buy a lot of books. And have for the past decade or so. But then with all the reductions in federal funding that has been happening, I’ve also heard the request for more support of our libraries. So that seemed like a no-brainer to re-activate my library card. I hate to admit that I let my library membership lapse. It’s been so long, my old card number didn’t register online. But I went to my local branch (not even a mile from my house), got a new card in under 5 minutes and I’m so impressed with not just the books available but the Libby app access as well as the Innovation Lab, which I hope to take advantage of to either rent podcast equipment or 3D print something!

The SPPL has so much available. Since joining in February, I’ve read 6 (?) books and have another dozen or so on hold. And I’m supporting our library! And I’m saving money!

(5) The Pitt

You probably already know this, but this show is so good. ER was a fave back in the day which meant Noah Wylie as also a fave back then. I still haven’t gotten over Dr. Carter getting stabbed on Halloween. So when I heard about this show, I was so intrigued and excited. And boy does it deliver. The concept is very episode is an hour of a shift in one day. And beyond just how compelling the writing and characters are, the feat of how they filmed and timed all this to work is beyond me. It is intense. It often ends on a sad note every episode. But the character development is so strong. I also have so much more empathy (if that was possible) for our healthcare heros. I honestly do not know how they do what they do.

Also, it was my reminder that I need to schedule my bi-monthly blood donation!