the sunday currently, volume 104.

scenes from a morning walk

I can't believe it's only been a week since last week's edition of The Sunday Currently - it feels like so much has happened! Between starting fall semester, hanging out with friends, and going to events, I feel like it has been about a month since my last post. But, I'm happy, because it also means I'm being more productive, which I love. Here's to even more productivity to come!

On this back-in-the-swing-of-things Sunday,  I am currently...

reading two books: Go Set A Watchman, by Harper Lee, and Triathlon 101: Essentials for Multisport Success, by John Mora. First off, I have GOT to finish GSAW, which means that a reading schedule needs to be constructed today. Jessica is probably wondering when she is going to get her book back! Secondly, I'm reading the triathlon book because I plan to compete in my first triathlon next year! My dad sent the book over to me this past week, and I'm enjoying learning more about it.

writing a long to-do list for today. school work, housework, workouts, etc. All good things, but things that need to be done. I'm hoping I can do it all today! Also, writing schedules for the week ahead, so that I can stay ahead!

listening to the old CDs that my parents sent over to me. My high school and college self had good taste in music, if I do say so myself. I am thinking of buying a new album soon, but I'm still deciding what that will be, as I'm sure in the future it will be what defines Fall 2015 for me. What albums would you suggest? Black Keys? Cults? Of Monsters and Men? Matt and Kim? Glass Animals' album, Zaba, is already one that defines Spring 2015 for me, so that amazing album has already been experienced. Please share you music suggestions in the comments!

thinking that Vanilla Cardamom coffee from The Fresh Market is one of the best things. What a perfect flavor coffee to bridge the gap between summer and fall.

smelling like... BROWN SUGAR AND FIG! Remember when I complained about Bath & Body Works in my last post [see: smelling]? And remember how I discovered my favorite scent was available online? Well, I ordered it. And I couldn't be more happy. I am concerned, however, that it is only available online, and that it was so steeply discounted. Does this mean it's going away forever? Who knows.

wishing for a week of low stress and high productivity. This is where the lists mentioned in this week's writing come in.

hoping we have a fun trip to the grocery store. Sundays are grocery shopping days in the Christy Household, and with the birth of our new let's-eat-more-meals-at-home policy, the weekly grocery trips suddenly have more [exciting!] meaning.

wearing workout clothes. Both Justin and I got up early this morning and took TBear on a long walk. I think all parties benefitted, and now we have a puppy sleeping under the table at which we are sitting and enjoying coffee. In short: what a great morning it's been.

loving that this one-hundred-fourth edition of The Sunday Currently is one of those ones where I write a whole lot. Those TSCs are always the more satisfying ones, especially when I go back and read it many months later. It's like a snapshot of my life at that very moment. Therein lies the beauty of these posts for me, and the entire reason I have brought them back to this blog.

wanting to get a tab back at the top of this blog for The Sunday Currently. Back in August 2014, when I wrote the Centennial TSC post, I took the tab off of my blog, since I would no longer be the flagship for these posts. Now that I am hosting again, I need some representation in this space. [And thus opens the can of worms that lies in taking this space to the "next level" - do I switch platforms? Do I redesign? Do I hire a professional designer to "brand" me? I don't know. Sometimes I feel like DIY'ed blogs have a more authentic feel. I want this space to remain authentic and homey and relatable. Any and all feedback on this matter is appreciated.]

needing feedback. And lots of it. See this week's wanting.

feeling content. Drinking coffee, writing this week's TSC post, petting Tahoe every once in a while, talking to Justin, gearing up to go to the grocery store, mentally creating a to-do list for school, etc. Contentment is such an interestingly simple feeling.

clicking Coffitivity. Danielle sent it over to me and told me about an article about how the sounds experienced in environments like coffee shops/cafes promote creative thinking. Love this concept, love this website. Also, hoping to soon be clicking the blogs of certain people in my life. They have expressed that they want to begin blogging, and I'm ready for that to happen!

Well, that's all for this week, folks. I hope you are all having a great, relaxing, productive weekend!

What are you doing? Link up and share below!

the sunday currently, volume 103.

the joy of birthday dinner

Oh, my lofty goals. I'll put up my TSC posts at 10 a.m. from now on, she said. It'll work, she said. I'm going to be on top of it, she said.

Let's be real. And let's keep the publishing time to noon on Sundays, ok?

Ok.

Now that we have that business out of the way, I can tell you that, as of yesterday, I am officially 29 years old. I had a birthday weekend in Raleigh, and it was wonderful. We had dinner last night at Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern, and it was absolutely delicious. Here's to 29!

On this it's-wonderful-to-be-settling-back-in-at-home Sunday, I am currently...

reading some items for school today. I have a quiz tomorrow, on the first day of fall semester! Also, still reading Go Set A Watchman. I didn't read a lick while in Shreveport, nor on my travels back east. I am going to craft a reading schedule today so that I can finish it by next weekend.

writing a long to-do list for today. Things need to happen. Things, like dyeing my hair, writing thank you notes, getting a little first-day-of-OT-school gift together for my buddy, etc. All fun, productive things, which I am looking forward to doing. The best kind of to-do list.

listening to Justin. Sometimes we are having conversations while I tap out these posts. Now, he's talking to Tahoe. Let's just say that TBear is relieved to have us all back under the same roof; specifically the roof that she is used to being under. She stayed at "her hotel" while we were away in Wyoming, and then I was gone in Shreveport for a week after that. Add in our weekend jaunt to Raleigh, and you have the perfect recipe for a dog in moderate distress. She slept like an absolute baby last night, and she seems to be pretty pumped that life seems to be going back to normal.

thinking that I am also glad to be back home and gearing up for fall semester. I LOVE THE FALL. It is my favorite time of year. The holidays are coming, dark nail polish time is coming, boots, sweaters, darker hair and makeup, football season, a chill in the air. What could be better? I was telling Justin all of this on our walk this morning. I think he agrees. Here's to fall!

smelling like Wild Madagascar Vanilla from Bath and Body Works, and loving it. Nobody tell them I said that, though, because then they will discontinue the scent, like they do with all of the good ones [ahem, Brown Sugar and Fig, I miss you]. WAIT A SECOND. Right after I typed that last sentence, I felt the need to Google Brown Sugar and Fig, just to make absolutely sure that was the name, and it looks like they brought it back! YAY. Sorry for what I said, Bath and Body Works [but you know it's true].

wishing for a wonderfully, relaxingly productive day. As soon as this post goes up, Justin and I are heading out to grab some lunch. Then, it's to-do list making time. Then it's checking off to-do list time.

hoping the semester gets off to a good start!

wearing my favorite workout pants from Tangerine, an Under Armor top, a mint and cream cardigan that my mom gave me while I was in town [it's the best when she cleans out her closet], and a scarf. Basically, my daily uniform.

loving being home and getting back into my routine. I value the ordinary.

wanting my parents to come visit me. And my sister to as well!

needing to get inspired. I feel it coming on.

feeling content. And that first-day-of-school feeling in my stomach. And loved, due to all of the birthday wishes I received yesterday. And happy. And calm. And all of those good things.

clicking The Sunday Secrets, as usual.

Here's to the beginning of a new semester tomorrow! And here's to blogging. It is giving me so much joy to be back here in this space.

What are you doing? Link up and share below. 

inspiration: found. searching for discipline.

serendipitous photographs  

My mom and I ran into a friend while out shopping today. 

We talked about so many things, and it felt so great to reconnect, but it struck me [as it always does when this topic comes up in real life conversations] when we talked about blogging.

She shared that she herself was interested in getting into blogging.

"My blog has been paid for for a few months now," she said. "But it's blank - there's no content."

I want her to start blogging. She's witty, she's funny - she has the BEST kind of dry humor. 

And it made me think. Maybe if I want her to blog so badly, I also want me to blog just as much. And I do. I want to be here. I miss sharing. I miss connecting. 

With the rebirth of The Sunday Currently, I've felt so much joy. That means something, doesn't it? Yes, it does.

Long live blogging. Long live the written word. Long live siddathornton.

the sunday currently, volume 102 | "the monday currently."

when in wyoming

[*Editor's Note: This is the very first edition of The Sunday Currently that is being published on Monday. What can I say? Life happens. See the bottom of this post for additional information on all future editions of TSC.]

Greetings from Shreveport! I know in last week's post, I said I would be coming to you from Wyoming, but we were having such a great time, I refrained from blogging. I did, however, write a few recaps in my journal while we were there, so I will be combing through those later this week to decide what to share here. For now, though, I will say this: Wyoming is absolutely beautiful, and I look forward to going back one day.

I arrived in Shreveport late Friday night, and I've stayed busy since then, with a trip over to Natchitoches on Saturday, as well as a visit to the Gem and Mineral Show yesterday. It feels great to be here, and I'm greatly looking forward to all the adventures that lie ahead for the rest of my stay.

On this Monday edition of The Sunday Currently, I am currently...

reading Go Set A Watchman, by Harper Lee. I was unaware of the controversy until my mom told me about it two days ago.

writing in my Filofax and my Moleskine journal.

listening to the Mates of State Pandora station while I'm in Shreveport. Ever since May 2013, it's become a Shreveport tradition that I look forward to every time I visit. Right now, "Heart It Races," by Dr. Dog, is playing. I love this song, and it reminds me of some wonderful years that I spent here in my hometown.

thinking that I'm so happy to be in Shreveport right now! I love being here to spend time with my parents.

smelling the caramel Starbucks K-cup I just brewed. And the Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin lotion from Bath and Body Works that I slathered on a few minutes ago.

wishing I would have gotten up this early for all of the days we spent in Wyoming. It's currently 7:08 a.m., and I've been up now for about 30 minutes. In a little while, I plan to go for a run before getting ready for the day. When fall semester starts back up (a week from today, actually), I plan to be rising at 6:00 a.m. every morning. I've been working on my schedule for the semester, and I'm looking forward to getting into the groove. I am planning to begin training for my first triathlon soon, so I'm going to have to exhibit some discipline with my training schedule. Let the fun begin!

hoping to order my Travelers Notebook soon. I can't stop thinking about it. I will probably share my set-up once I order it and get settled into it.

wearing my already-beloved Jackson Hole t-shirt. I've worn it every day since we got it during our stay there (which I already miss).

loving that we took a day trip to Natchitoches on Saturday. I am already grappling with how to put my thoughts on the trip into words, but I may try to put both literal and figurative pen to paper about it soon. I will probably share it here, too.

wanting to drink my coffee soon. And also, to listen to the mix tape CDs from a few years ago, today. I'm pretty excited about the latter, actually. I found them in a box of old stuff (including my gymnastics trophies) that my dad had me go through last night.

needing a workout and a shower. Both of those things are coming, respectively, after this blog post is written and published.

feeling content. And happy - so happy - that I woke up early this morning. And suddenly lonesome for our cozy Wilmington apartment. And suddenly excited for whatever becomes our house once I have graduated school.

clicking The Sunday Secrets this morning. I didn't read them last week, which I regret. They have become part of my weekly routine, and I don't like to skip them! Also clicking? The Chic Sparrow website, because I'm pretty sure a purchase is in my future...

pssst: last week I talked about how there were going to be some changes to The Sunday Currently as we move forward. Here they are:

1) The Sunday Currently has its own Twitter account! Follow here to be alerted when a new TSC post has gone live, as well as to see your name "in lights" each week as I tweet out the twitter handles of all participants.

2) Each following edition of The Sunday Currently will be published by 10:00 a.m. eastern time.

3) Those who link up with The Sunday Currently will be shouted out on TSC's twitter account the following Tuesday, throughout the day. If you would like your twitter handle included, make sure it is easily accessible from your blog. I will search for about 2 minutes, then I will give up. True story.

That's all for now, folks. As always, thank you for linking up and carrying on TSC's tradition!

What are you doing? Link up and share below.

the sunday currently, volume 101 | back in business!

dinner last night at Mai Thai II

It is with absolute elation that I sit here typing these words to let you know that The Sunday Currently is back in business here on siddathornton. But, what about this, you may be asking. And this? Well, let me tell you a little story...

One afternoon - Wednesday afternoon, to be exact - I was reading through some of siddathornton's archives, getting all misty-eyed and nostalgic, when I had a thought. And then, as I walked TBear along our neighborhood road, I had more thoughts. I've been putting off starting up my new blog for reasons undetermined, and I just started feeling that pull back to this space. And, even though I'll be busy once school starts back up again at the end of August, surely I would have time for The Sunday Currently each Sunday? 

I am so grateful that, while I was away, Kristin kept the Sunday tradition going, and then graciously passed the torch back to me recently. It makes me so happy that others are excited about cataloguing moments that otherwise may go un-remembered. Because, really, that's what The Sunday Currently is all about, and the thing that I was missing so much in my life for these last few months.

Next week, I will have some announcements that involve a few minor changes to The Sunday Currently, but for now, I just want to revel in all the glory of doing these posts again.

So, on this travel Sunday, I am currently...

reading Go Set a Watchman, by Harper Lee. Many thanks to my friend, Jessica, for letting me borrow it.
writing in my Moleskine journal while traveling, as well. I am hoping to join the ranks of those with Travelers Notebooks soon, so I wanted to get the feel of Moleskines. I do not plan to buy an official Travelers Notebook, but rather one that fits Moleskine, Field Notes, and other various inserts.
listening to the incessant whoosh of our hotel room air conditioner. Justin is still sleeping. As I tap out this post, it is 6:51 a.m. in Charlotte. We don't fly out to Jackson until later today, but for whatever reason, I was up with the sun. I'm not complaining!
thinking that yesterday's shopping trip at Concord Mills was certainly a joy! I've always enjoyed the shopping trips with my family at its Texas counterpart, Grapevine Mills, and this trip definitely followed suit. I picked up some comfy cozy jeans and a "Wyoming-esque" scarf at Forever21, as well as a couple of "leggings tanks" from Gap. We also had some pretzel nuggets at Auntie Anne's, so really, what could have gone better?
smelling nothing at all recently. I've basically been sick since summer semester let out a little over a week ago. I don't understand why I get sick after every semester... but maybe it's stress-induced?
wishing we were already in Wyoming! I cannot wait to get to our home for the week and relax. Plus, as I tend to be a bit of an anxious traveler, the time spent waiting for our flight time to arrive always makes me nervous and unsettled. I am so excited to visit a state that I've never been to before, though, and it's very exciting to me that that is happening today.
hoping we have smooth, safe travels today. I'm looking forward to my cozy travel outfit, as well as a soothing, relaxing playlist.
wearing my standard hotel room pajamas: long sleeved t-shirt, long pajama pants, and fuzzy socks.
loving that we are officially on vacation, as of yesterday! I know that Justin is happy to have some relaxation time, and I am too!
wanting some hot coffee or tea. I think we are going to go get in a quick workout downstairs soon, then we will probably grab some breakfast.
needing to remember to relax this week. All last week, I was running around like a crazy person, trying to get our house in order, trying to do this, trying to do that. I need to remember what vacation is all about this week and really unwind so that I can come back to Fall Semester full-force.
feeling a little bit better this morning. I have had a cough and some congestion for about a week now, but luckily yesterday I picked up some medication and I'm already feeling on the mend. I need to make sure to stay hydrated today, though. I haven't been doing as well with that lately, and it always makes me feel better.
clicking nothing at the moment... any blog suggestions? Send 'em my way!

What are you up to today? Link up and share below!

Hope you all have a happy Sunday! Next time we chat, I'll be coming to you from beautiful Wyoming.

a mid-summer currently.

summer semester is over - let freedom ring

Today I am experiencing a huge pull to write again (and the logistics of my new blog have yet to be sorted out), and I thought I would scrawl out a quick little currently post. As some of you may know, I used to host a link-up called The Sunday Currently, where I shared what was going on in my life each week. Rather than try to write a from-scratch post today, I thought I would revert back to this old familiar favorite of mine. 

So, on this mid-summer day, I am currently...

READING nothing at this exact moment. If you would have asked me a couple of days ago, I would have told you all about the study guides I was reading in preparation for my final exams, but as it happens, those are now complete, and I am in this weird limbo land where I have nothing to do. I plan to start reading Go Set A Watchman, by Harper Lee, which my classmate Jessica has loaned out to me. I greatly enjoyed To Kill A Mockingbird, so I am looking forward to this new sampling of Lee's work.

WRITING is something that I need in my life. I have said this many times before, but it is ringing especially true this morning (or, well, afternoon). I find that every time I experience a major life event, I am pulled back to this space, and that is how I know that I a meant to continue blogging. 

LISTENING to the whir and clink of our ceiling fan, the stirrings of Tahoe every once in a while as she naps, as well as Justin as we discuss bill-paying and finances. Standard Saturday business around here.

THINKING that life is short, but sweet. I found out last night that a dear family pet has passed away, and though I am extremely sad over it, I know that she had a wonderful, full life. I will always miss her, and I am profoundly sad that she will not be there to greet me when I go home to Shreveport in August.

SMELLING like Cactus Verde lately, which is a perfume that I picked up in Anthropologie when we  visited Charleston in May. I love it.

WISHING I had gotten up early this morning, but I had a late night with friends, which is always worth it.

HOPING for a productive rest of the day, rest of the weekend, and entire next week! Soon, we jet off to Wyoming for a much-needed vacation, and I can't wait. And then, it's off to Shreveport.

WEARING scarves like it's my job. I think the summer scarf is an oft-forgotten and underestimated comfort.

LOVING my life and all of the people and animals in it. I take nothing for granted. I feel very, very lucky and blessed to be living this life. I am content, I am overjoyed. I am thankful.

WANTING something good for lunch. I wonder what we will end up feasting on? An afternoon pot of coffee wouldn't be too bad, either.

NEEDING a long, hot shower. I find that they are restorative and good for the soul. I need that today. Perhaps after my afternoon run and long walk with Tahoe?

FEELING nostalgic, emotional, sad, happy, and relieved all at the same time. 

CLICKING Lush's website a lot lately, filling my cart with wonderful bath goodies I hope to someday purchase, as well as Teavana's site, for the same - albeit tea-related - purposes. 

What are you doing? I know we haven't spoken in quite some time, but I would love to hear from you. I hope you all have a wonderful, safe, relaxing, productive weekend.