As we begin the second half of 2024 (boy, June has gone fast!), let’s take a look back at this first half in threes.
Spring definitely sprung and with it came some of the craziest weather we’ve experienced in quite a long time. From flooding rains in April to tornadoes in May and record heat and more twisters in June, it was never boring when you stepped outside. Here’s hoping we have a quieter rest of Summer and colorful Fall.
In Toastmasters we had a great contest season and I made some new friends along the way. In Greensburg, I led the way as club president. In the end, I learned our club had achieved Select Distinguished honors. Our division finishes President’s Distinguished. While this year was a more of a comeback than a rebirth, next year will be one where I go all in.
I attended my first in person conference since before the pandemic. I had fun but I felt like I was holding myself back. I enjoyed the time well spent with my District 13 family but felt sleep deprived. TLI was last week and I learned a lot. I’m taking on a lot in 2024-25 and that’s why I think this is the year I’m back. Look for more online and in person visits in the new Toastmasters year. Starting a new path and completing a few projects might have led us to President’s during my presidency.
I hit some milestones in June. I published and wrote my 600th blog post and did my 800th day of lessons on Duolingo uninterrupted. This month I focused on one language and will keep with that practice for the foreseeable future. At one point I was doing three or four languages in a week. As for now, I plan on keeping up my French. I began regularly doing Duolingo lessons in April 2022 by learning Spanish. Over time, I’ve begun to pick up friends on Duolingo and we compete on the weekly quests.
As the second half begins, I will still post content but I will be scaling back content to almost January and February numbers. This will give me some new hobbies to think about and more time spent outside. I will still post restaurant reviews and other things. July and August will be light going into the first week of September before picking up for Fall. Expect December to be a lot like this month. 700 may still happen but I’m not sure yet.
July begins the final installment for me in reading the Harry Potter series. I’ll be changing up my Hogwarts schedule and try to finish by the middle of August as opposed to early September. I started the series in mid-August so this way I’ll have it done in a year. My niece’s theme for her birthday party last year was Harry Potter.
One thing I’d like to get back to doing in July is reading some more inspirational authors and getting back into Scripture. That’s something I want to think about, especially in my upcoming social media downtime.
Finally, I’m not planning to spend as much time on social media as I have been. Mostly this applies to Facebook or Instagram. I’ll still post the links to my blogs whenever I publish them. I want to steer myself away from the negativity, especially as the presidential election nears. I’m going to limit myself to one or two days a week. Plus, the algorithm is too loopy in my opinion, especially on Instagram.
Happy second half of 2024 and Happy Birthday to me!
Stylish 🍒 