Travel and Blogging Recap: December 2019

Hey all people. In mild of the Coronavirus pandemic, it practically feels foolish to update you with what is likely on in my lifestyle. I’ll test to maintain this light. I hope you are keeping secure, balanced, and sane in these tricky instances.

Sorry I haven’t published a recap because, oh, December. Grad college has been intense — I’m getting 15 credits ideal now, so it is been rough to concentrate on nearly anything but school. The excellent information? I’m finished in June!

This winter, I have mostly stayed place in Ann Arbor. That being reported, I did consider two trips out west — Park City, Utah, to ski, and Calfornia to see pals.

Exactly where I’ve been:

• Park Metropolis, Utah (7 days)
• Traverse Town, Michigan (3 times)
• San Francisco, CA (6 days)
• LA (3 times)
• Ann Arbor, Michigan (the rest of the time)

Highs:

Snowboarding in Park Town. Above the holiday seasons, my spouse and children and I invested a 7 days skiing in Park Metropolis, Utah. It was pleasant. I felt really fortunate to be capable to ski and to consider a substantially-needed split from grad faculty.

Crafting a historical fiction novel. Right after numerous phony starts off creating guides (by which I indicate I began and give up creating at least 10), I imagine I have identified my style — historic fiction! I’m 80 web pages into my novel and it is been so much fun to study and compose. 1 factor that assisted immensely was The Artist’s Way, a e-book that qualified prospects you through a 12-action innovative recovery course. I recommend it to every person, unconditionally.

Expending spring break in California. As I’ve mentioned on this web site lots of, a lot of moments, San Francisco is my favorite city. So it was wonderful to shell out 5 times there catching up with mates and scoping out prospective neighborhoods (P.S. I’m pretty into Richmond and the Sunset). However the metropolis has transformed a large amount in the earlier 10 years, it’s nonetheless the place I see myself soon after graduation. (And if you know anybody employing for UX structure, I would be so grateful for an intro.)

Lows:

Coronavirus. This pandemic feels so surreal and is hard for so lots of factors. I’m hoping to do the socially accountable factor by remaining house and washing my arms frequently. I’m trying to continue to be good and not stress. I’m applying this chance to end my novel, browse a ton, and re-study piano. That becoming mentioned, I’m incredibly concerned about people in my daily life who are at danger, as perfectly as the general condition of the planet appropriate now.

Michigan wintertime. Actually, it sucks to reside in a spot wherever it hurts to wander outdoors six months out of the year. It’s just way too damn chilly in this article. Luckily, spring looks to be suitable all-around the corner.

Saying goodbye to Cape Town. I in no way announced this, but very last month I acquired a two-month internship in Cape City, South Africa in May well and June. I was SO excited about it. But yesterday, I obtained the information that the internship was canceled. It is a enormous bummer but pales in comparison to what other individuals are going by way of — so I’m trying to not experience sorry for myself.

Blogging Stuff

Well-known posts

Most well-known submit: Why Ditching My Dream Digicam Created Me Really like Photography Again – I was amazed this publish did so very well. It would seem several people today felt the very same way about mirrorless cameras!

Other posts printed because November:

Blogging visitors & money (February 2020):

My web site website traffic took a substantial hit in November owing to a Google update. Traffic is now getting an even greater strike owing to the coronavirus. Dips in my revenue like this make me grateful blogging is only a side-gig — I’m truly emotion for all bloggers and men and women who get the job done in the travel business ideal now.

February traffic: 47,375 web page views

September blogging income – $812.25

• Advertising – $693.36
• Affiliate revenue (Amazon) – $61.78
• Affiliate money (not Amazon): $57.11
• E book product sales: $.00

Observe that this is my blogging income prior to deductions or charges.

Preferred go through

The Overlooked Soldier by Man Sajer – This ebook will not be for every person, but I really liked it. This memoir follows the journey of Male, a 16-year outdated French boy who is drafted into the German military in WWII. However the book has a lot of violence, I actually savored Sajer’s introspection on getting a soldier and what it’s like living in wartime. He is an fantastic author, and writes really poetically about several subjects: “Peace has brought me quite a few pleasures, but nothing at all as strong as that enthusiasm for survival in wartime, that faith in really like, and that perception of absolutes. It generally strikes me with horror that peace is actually really monotonous. For the duration of the terrible times of war one longs for peace with a passion that is agonizing to bear. But in peacetime a person should never, even for an instantaneous, extended for war!”

Up upcoming:

Absolutely nothing, I guess? I was intended to go to my friend’s 30th birthday bash in Baja, Mexico, in April, but it appears to be like that will not be taking place. Graduation is also canceled.

How is your winter season likely? How are you managing/embracing this mad time? E book tips Particularly welcome.