Happy Friday!!! It’s been so long since I’ve done a “Five Things Friday” post, so let’s remedy that.
1. I’ve been working at home since Wednesday, and will continue through next Tuesday. As a teacher, I never get to work from home, so this has been a unique experience. I have worked from home before, while I had a summer job, but it’s somehow different this time. I enjoy the fact that I can get up at 6:45 and be ready to work by 7:30 (I’m never ready that quickly on a normal day, since I have to shower, dress, and commute). I also love that I can “take a break” and go workout in the morning. The hardest part of working from home is the balance. It’s very easy to get lost online doing things other than working, but it’s also very easy to work well past the normal work hours. I’m not sure I’d do well with it on a regular basis, though. I need the distinction between work and home that comes with going in to work, even though I hate having to wake up so early. Most of all, I miss the human interaction that comes with teaching. But, it’s definitely been a great way to begin the new year, because I’ve gotten workouts in every day, and I’m starting habits that will last all winter (and year, but let’s start with one thing at a time).
2. I joined and started using Instagram. I’m still getting used to it, and have only posted one photo (my dinner last night), but I’m sure I’ll get the hang of it quickly and start posting tons of photos. If you’d like to follow me, I’m bellablogger. Leave me any tips and tricks for getting the most out of Instagram in the comments.
3. While I was really disappointed that Ben Affleck wasn’t nominated for an Oscar as best director for Argo, I am thrilled that Silver Linings Playbook has been. I loved that movie, and I think both Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence showed strong acting chops in the movie. If you haven’t seen it yet, go see it. On the Oscars note, I love that I’ve seen so many of the nominated films this year. Have you seen any of them? Which one was your favorite?
4. Tomorrow I’m going to my first Zumba class in months, and I’m really excited! My plantar fasciitis has gotten much better, and I’m hoping it lasts through the class. To continue my buddy workouts, I’m going with my friend Ani, which will make it even more fun. Plus, I can’t wait to wear my Zumba shoes!
5. Goal #8 for my 13 in 13 is to keep up with my Google Reader/blogs I read. I’ve done fantastic on it this week, and I’m proud to say that I’ve commented on nearly every post I’ve read. To me, commenting is as important as reading them, because that way I’m offering the blogger my support, encouragement, or advice. I’d much rather read fewer blogs but comment on most of them than the reverse. I know how much I appreciate it when people leave me comments (thanks, guys!), and I hope my comments mean as much when I write them.
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I have one addition to the Friday 5, and since it’s been so long since I’ve done one, I think it’s ok to sneak in a 6th.
Yesterday, this arrived in the mail:
Meghann @ LifeAfterSleeve (aka ScaleWarfare) sent me this card, and it completely made my day. Not only is Thoreau one of my favorite philosophers/writers, but that quote is also one of my favorites. It fits everything that’s going on with my life right now so perfectly, too. Does this girl know me, or what? Thanks so much, Meghann, that card absolutely made my day, and it’s got a prominent place on my fridge to remind me of my dreams, and of our friendship.
On a side note, Meghann sent me the card as one of her 52 in 2013. The basic ideas is to write down 52 ideas of things to do, some easy, some more challenging, and put them on different slips of paper and in some sort of container. Then, each week, she pulls out one of the sheets and completes that week’s task. I absolutely adore this idea, and I may do it next year. As it is, I may join in on some of her challenges this year.
Bella on the Beach 
Yes, I love that you always comment!!! 🙂 I will have to see Silver Linings – haven’t seen that one yet. And as a fellow work from home-r, I can say that missing the interaction is the biggest thing for me. I’m finding that if I get out and take lunch breaks in the real world I feel much less isolated!
Yes, that helps a lot. I need a reason to get out of my pjs!
So far, I’ve been doing either lunch workouts and/or taking Sofi for a walk. It helps.
Instagram is so fun (my handle is carrieseals96)! I have just gotten back into blogging and I’m trying to lend my support by commenting more! It is much more fun when you feel like you’re having dialogue with someone.
I haven’t even had a chance to look at the movie nominations this year, and I’m sure that I haven’t seen a lot of them since we get to the theater once in a blue moon! I will have to be on the lookout for some of them at Redbox!
I work from home one day per week, and that’s just right for me. I still work out before the crack of dawn, but with no need to clean up, I can get right down to work. Occasionally I’ll also do a yoga class at lunch or something since I don’t have to worry about showering and prettying up before I get back to work. That’s really one of my favorite aspects. I get home from working out at 6:40, I prep my breakfast, get things situated, and I am working by 6:50, eating breakfast at the same time. It’s awesome. But yes, I also have a tendency to keep working long after I would have left the office. I frequently work more than 12 hours on work from home days. Part of it is that I feel so much more productive without the phone ringing, people asking me questions, or overhearing other conversations. But I’m planning today to shut things down by 4 if I’ve gotten a reasonable amount done — and then hubby and I are going to a movie! (Zero Dark Thirty, haven’t seen the nominations so I don’t know if it’s up for anything, but he wants to see it.)
Zero Dark Thirty is nominated for Best Picture, among other things, I think. I think I’m going to try to see it next weekend, pending your review. It seems really intense, but if it’s worth the emotional investment, I’m up for it.
Hope you have a great Zumba class! I’ll look yo up on Instagram 🙂