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From One Step to 10K: How Small Choices Built a Resilient New Me After a Stroke

People can be characterized by the sum of their habits.

Everybody has habits, but not everybody chooses their habits. Every choice you make is a step toward forming a life-long habit. As such, making choices that lead you toward your desired destination is critical. So, the first step toward developing good habits is deciding where to end up.

 

After my stroke, I wanted to regain my lost mobility and lessen the burden on my wife I had become. The first step along this journey was to be able to take more than one step between resting. My wife helped immensely with this, and we went on daily walks around our Portland neighborhood.

At first, it was challenging as I had to concentrate on moving my legs. One of the things I lost from the stroke was unconscious control of movements. Walking required concentrating on activating the right leg muscles in the proper order, and doing this for more than a couple of steps resulted in neuro-fatigue, a term I learned during physical therapy.

Neuro-fatigue might be something you’ve experienced if you’ve ever spent a long late night studying for an exam the next day and felt exhausted despite being largely sedentary. This used to happen to me just from walking due to the concentration and mental effort this once simple act demanded. Counting my steps helped me maintain my focus on walking, and it also gave me a way to track improvement.

Initially, I would need to sit down and rest every 50 steps. Still, eventually, I was able to last the hour-long walk until we got home again. Now, I can run 10 kilometers without having to sit down midway. In my next posting, I’ll provide a more detailed description of how I built up to a 10k run.

 

If you want to achieve something, you’ve already taken the first step toward accomplishing it, but you need to take the next step. As I see it, the next step is to subdivide your path into small portions. In my walking, this was easy to determine; I just needed to try and put one more effort than I did on the previous walk. If I failed, I had to try that number repeatedly if necessary. Eventually, I would succeed, and I could increase my goal again.

Eventually, I discovered that what was once all I could manage was now merely halfway to my current goal. If you’re stumbling and trying to take your next step, try making your step smaller.

 

Remember the fable about the tortoise and the hare: slow and steady will win many races.

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Unbroken Spirit: Conquering Life Post-Stroke

Welcome, dear reader, to the birth of my blog. I am Brian Lempke, a 44-year-old American who, after discussing with my wife, has decided to share some of the techniques I’ve had to develop to improve myself. 2015, I suffered a right cerebral hemorrhagic brain stroke, nearly killing me. Luckily for my survival, my wife found me and called for an ambulance before I expired. Also, luckily, we happened to be living in Portland, Oregon, at the time, home to a very fine neurological hospital department at OHSU.

After my initial recovery, whereby I regained consciousness and formed some foggy memories of existence, I was transferred to the first of two stints in a rehabilitation unit where I was constantly assessed and underwent physical, occupational, and speech rehabilitation. Eventually, I recovered enough that I was transferred to another rehabilitation institute. This one had a more beneficial patient ratio, and I have much fonder memories of it. My days I was blurred through my daily life being coordinated by medical professionals who constantly assessed my cognitive and physical capabilities. At this time, I could barely stand, let alone walk. I was taught how to use a walker and given strength-rebuilding training.

Eventually, I was released to the care of my wife at home and began my true recovery process, which will be the focus of my blog. I used what I learned from the rehabilitation facilities, other doctors, nurses, and my errors. While there will likely always be after-effects of my stroke and some things that I cannot completely heal, in some ways, with my wife’s support, I’ve surpassed my pre-stroke self.

In this blog, I will detail the goals I set, the obstacles I encountered, and how I have worked to overcome them. If I could achieve the recovery I’ve enjoyed, others can do it and perhaps even better than I managed in my stumbling. Immediately after my stroke, my wife searched online for hints about what she could expect and how to help me. She couldn’t find much, so this blog may help others search as my wife did. I hope that some of my techniques can be used by those who haven’t suffered a stroke and won’t have as far to climb. I hope that my blog can provide you with some tricks and tips to help you along your self-improvement journey and provide some entertainment.

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Exciting News: Adding a New Voice to Our Journey!

Hey Everyone,

Guess what? I’ve got some exciting news to share! After having a good chat with my husband, we’ve also decided to include his thoughts and experiences in this blog. You might find his journey super inspiring, just like I do.

So here’s the deal: My husband had a cerebral brain stroke in April 2015. Yeah, it was a tough time for us. The stroke affected his mobility, especially on his left side, and his right side was weaker, too. For a while, even simple tasks like walking, eating, and going to the bathroom became enormous challenges for him. But here’s the amazing part: he started rehab in July 2015 and has come a loooong way since then.

Okay, he’s not exactly like he was before the stroke. He struggles with some things, but let me tell you, he’s way fitter now than he was after the stroke. Can you believe he runs 10K and does more than 20 pull-ups every single day? Yep, he’s a champ!

He was relatively young when he had the stroke, which might’ve helped his recovery. But here’s what is important: his progress wasn’t just because of his age or some magic overnight change. It took seven years of hard work and dedication. He practiced what the Japanese call “Kaizen,” which means making little improvements consistently over time.

So yeah, I asked him to share his thoughts, tips, and journey on this blog whenever he can. His experience and mindset could help and inspire many of you.

So stay tuned, and let’s give him a warm welcome!

Take care, everyone!

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From Packed Shelves to Digital Reads: My Ever-Evolving Book Journey

Every year, right after my birthday, I go through a little ritual: sorting out my books. Why right after my birthday? Well, because my loved ones know how much I adore books, I often get many of them as birthday presents.

When I think back to my younger days, especially my 20s, my love for reading was undeniable. There was this particular interest I had in books from North America. I was curious! I wanted to understand more about the people here, their way of life, and their traditions. So, each time I was getting ready for a business trip, I packed 3 to 5 books in my suitcase. It was my way of taking a piece of this newfound love with me wherever I went.

During my childhood, books were a common sight in my surroundings. Our house resembled a mini-library, with bookshelves occupying almost every nook and cranny. This love for books was not just limited to my home; even my paternal relatives had an abundance of books in their house, ranging from storage rooms stacked with books to proper libraries. It appeared as if my family had an insatiable appetite for books.

However, during a big move from Ontario to British Columbia, I finally realized the enormity of my book collection. The number of books I owned was mind-blowing. I even got a unique bookshelf for an 8×5 room to accommodate them. But seeing them all, I knew it was time for a change. I needed to declutter. It wasn’t an easy decision, but I gave away 45 boxes of books. I only kept those that I really loved and revisited often. And even though it felt good to free up space, giving away my books was bittersweet. There’s something magical about the touch and smell of an actual book.

To make reading more convenient, I transitioned to digital books. My first e-reader was a Sony, but I later switched to a Kindle Fire. With this device, I could have hundreds of books with me all the time, all in one place. A bonus was that my Kindle connected to my Goodreads account. Sometimes, I’d even get free books from there! Plus, whenever I stumbled upon a word I didn’t know, I could quickly check its meaning with the built-in dictionary.

When I later moved from Oregon to Tennessee, I was secretly glad I’d reduced my physical book collection. Trust me, relocating is way easier without heavy boxes of books. Now, a fun fact about my husband: while he didn’t own as many books as his parents, he valued and loved them just as much. I remember the shock on his face when he saw me giving away so many books. But over time, he understood my reasons. Both of us love books; even today, we buy them or get them as gifts. But we’ve made it a point to check our collection regularly. We give away the ones we believe might find a better home elsewhere. It is sharing the joy of reading.

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Diving into Darkness: A Reflection on Oscar Wilde’s ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray

For my fourth book in the Dark Academia reading list, I chose “The Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde. I decided on this book because Wilde’s name popped up in “Maurice,” which I had just finished. I had heard of Oscar Wilde before, but this was my first time diving into one of his books.

Before I start a new book, I like to learn about the author. It helps me understand their stories better.

Oscar Wilde was a fascinating person. He was a writer from Ireland who lived in the late 1800s, known for his unique writing style and vibrant personality. Wilde loved beauty and art, often dressing in fancy clothes and living a flashy lifestyle.

Wilde wrote some great plays, like “The Importance of Being Earnest,” “An Ideal Husband,” and “Lady Windermere’s Fan,” which are loved for their smart jokes, commentary on society during the Victorian period, and exploration of topics like marriage and social class.

However, Wilde’s life was sad when his relationship with Lord Alfred Douglas, Bosie, became public. When Bosie’s dad accused Wilde of being gay, Wilde took him to court, but the plan backfired, and Wilde was arrested instead.

Wilde was sentenced to two years of hard work and imprisoned from 1895 to 1897, when his health worsened. After his release, he lived in France but struggled with money and emotions.

Despite all this, Oscar Wilde’s work and personal life make him a significant figure in literary history. His writing continues to be praised for its cleverness, commentary on society, and artistic greatness.

Now, onto the book “The Picture of Dorian Gray.” It’s about a young man named Dorian Gray, who is incredibly handsome. The story starts when Dorian meets an artist named Basil Hallward, who is amazed by Dorian’s beauty and paints a portrait of him.

Influenced by Basil’s admiration and the cynical ideas of Lord Henry Wotton, Dorian wishes to stay young forever while his portrait grows old and shows his wrongdoings. This wish surprisingly comes true.

Following Lord Henry’s ideas, Dorian leads a life of pleasure and wrongdoings. Despite his increasingly wrong actions, Dorian keeps his outward beauty and charm, while his portrait becomes scarier as it reflects his wicked deeds.

As time passes, Dorian involves himself in various bad situations, harming others without consequences. His portrait becomes more and more hideous each day, reflecting his wrongdoings.

Terrified of his ugly portrait, Dorian tries to destroy it, but this ultimately leads to his downfall. In anger and guilt, he stabs the portrait, which causes his death, revealing an old, withered Dorian Gray.

“The Picture of Dorian Gray” is full of symbolism, suggesting that Wilde wanted to show the good and bad in everyone. Dorian starts as a pure character, but Lord Henry’s influence leads him to do wrong. Lord Henry symbolizes temptation and encourages Dorian to live a life of pleasure, representing the “bad” side.

On the other hand, Basil symbolizes morality and ethics. He appreciates the real beauty in Dorian and continues to care for him despite his wrong actions. Thus, Basil represents the “good” side. This idea of duality is central to the book, and Wilde suggests that every person has both good and bad in them.

The murder of Basil is a crucial turning point for Dorian, marking the moment when Dorian fully gives in to his darker impulses. By killing Basil, Dorian eliminates the possibility of turning back and fully embraces his sinful lifestyle.

However, in the end, Dorian’s remorse and self-destruction suggest that the struggle between good and evil continues within him until his last moments. This could indicate that Wilde believed in the chance of saying sorry and fixing mistakes, although it was too late for Dorian.

In conclusion, “The Picture of Dorian Gray” warns about the results of moral decay. The book shows how doing wrong can lead to a person’s downfall, as demonstrated by Dorian’s ultimate end. The ethical decisions of each character push the story forward and reveal Wilde’s views on the hypocrisy of Victorian society, the consequences of beauty over morals, and the need for a balance between being morally right and seeking pleasure.

The book in question is a short story. As an individual for whom English is not my first language, I found certain words quite challenging, which necessitated multiple checks with the dictionary to ensure an accurate understanding of the content. Also, I noticed that some paragraphs were exceptionally long.

Regardless, I found the book to be thoroughly enjoyable. It made me think, and I suspect it will stay with me for a long time. I appreciate books like this one that stimulate deep reflection. I was intrigued by elements of Jacobean tragedies that influenced the plot. As such, I’m excited to explore some actual Jacobean tragedies in the future.
As anticipated, the book has a dark tone. However, it offers a valuable opportunity to consider the moral compass of its characters and even our own.

My decision to delve into this book was inspired by its captivating plot and my desire to push the boundaries of my English comprehension and expand my literary experiences. The book’s ability to provoke profound thoughts and intense emotions makes it compelling. It invites readers to ponder the concepts of morality, enriching our intellectual journey. Without a doubt, this book is an intriguing choice.

I recommend this book to anyone looking for a story that challenges the mind and sparks curiosity. Dive into it and let it broaden your literary landscape as it has done for me. Trust me, and it’s a journey well worth embarking upon.

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Love, Identity, and Societal Norms: A Deep Dive into E.M. Forster’s ‘Maurice

After diving into the world of Dark Academia, I chose the novel “Maurice” by E.M. Forster. Plato’s “Symposium” gets quite a few shout-outs in this book. Thinking it would help me better grasp “Maurice,” I first read “Symposium” before I finished Forster’s novel.

“Maurice” takes us to England and introduces us to the main character, Maurice Hall, when he’s just a young boy. His mom and nurse teach him the basics until it’s time for him to go to public school. Even though the school’s not his thing, he’s great at studying. He does so well that he gets into Cambridge University.

While at Cambridge, Maurice meets a slightly older and super-smart student named Clive Durham. They start as friends, and over time, they fall in love – Maurice begins to understand and accept his feelings for other men, which he had struggled with because society frowned upon them.

Later, Maurice bumps into a gamekeeper named Alec Scudder and sparks fly. Their relationship is more about physical attraction and passion than his intellectual connection with Clive, showing Maurice’s growth in accepting his desires.

I’ve skipped over some parts of the story to avoid spoiling it for those who still need to read it.

E.M. Forster’s book “Maurice” makes you think about how people can love and connect. It seems you’re talking about the type of love Plato describes in his “Symposium.” That kind of love starts with a physical attraction, evolves into a deep soul-to-soul bond, and then moves towards appreciating the wisdom and timeless beauty beyond any person.

In the book, Maurice Hall and Clive Durham have a relationship mostly based on shared thoughts and emotions, much like the idea of Platonic love. They connect on an intellectual level and care a lot about each other. But Clive struggles with his feelings for men and sticks with what society wants. He ends up breaking up with Maurice and marrying a woman instead.

Maurice and Clive are students at Cambridge, so they’re on the same intellectual level. However, even though they have intense feelings for each other, their love doesn’t fully grow into the kind of love Plato discusses in “Symposium.” It’s not because they don’t understand each other but because of how they each deal with their feelings for the same sex, their identities, and what society expects from them.
Despite his feelings for men, Clive chooses to follow society’s rules. He breaks up with Maurice, denies his feelings, and marries a woman. The fear of what others might think and the challenge of accepting his true self hinder his ability to have a meaningful and enduring relationship with Maurice.

On the other hand, Maurice initially struggles with his feelings but eventually accepts them. This acceptance leads him to form a strong and passionate relationship with Alec Scudder. Their love is open and fiery, both physically and emotionally. Alec is a gamekeeper, and his lower social status allows him to break free from society’s expectations more than Maurice and Clive, which helps Maurice fully accept his feelings and identity.

Maurice’s relationships with Clive and Alec show the different stages of his journey to understand and accept who he is. The change from Clive to Alec also shows how Maurice goes from denying who he is to openly expressing his true self. In this way, “Maurice” explores how societal expectations, personal identity, love, and desire can interact.

Maurice and Clive’s relationship faces many challenges, mostly because of family and societal expectations. But there’s even more. In 1533, Henry VIII of England introduced a law that made homosexual acts punishable by death. Not too long ago, being gay was still illegal in England, like in many other parts of the world. The famous writer Oscar Wilde was even imprisoned for it in 1895. Although “Maurice” was published in 1971, it was written in 1913-1914, making it one of the earliest English books to discuss homosexuality in men openly.

The main things holding Maurice and Clive back from having a long-lasting love aren’t intellectual but emotional and societal. Even if they understood each other perfectly, they might not have been able to overcome societal expectations and fully accept who they were without being brave and open-minded.

In Plato’s “Symposium,” the highest level of love can last forever and even conquer death. I can’t help but think about how things might have ended differently. Suppose Clive and Maurice had fully accepted who they were and were brave enough to be open about their relationship. In that case, they might have overcome societal expectations and have a deep, lasting relationship. But they handle their identities and societal expectations differently, taking them down different paths.

Reading this book has widened my perspective on some ongoing social issues we face today. It’s like taking a walk in someone else’s shoes. Even though I may not have any issues with how people choose to love or who they love, it doesn’t mean these individuals don’t face their unique challenges.

Just because someone’s choices differ from ours doesn’t make their experiences less real or important. Understanding that each person’s journey is unique and filled with personal struggles that we might not always see from the outside is crucial. Reading “Maurice” has emphasized this point, and it’s been a good reminder always to be open-minded and understanding of others.

I’ve always considered E.M. Forster a writer who dives deep into big ideas like a philosopher does. After reading this book, he lived up to my expectations. Not only did he tell a powerful story, but he also got me thinking about some critical topics. So, if you’re in the mood for an entertaining book that gives you a lot to ponder, “Maurice” by E.M. Forster is definitely a great pick!

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Unmasking ‘If We Were Villains: A Dark Dance Between Shakespeare and Suspense

The book “If We Were Villains” by M.L. Rio is an extraordinary tale that had me hooked from the start. After being captivated by “The Secret History,” this contemporary dark academic book seemed the perfect next step in my literary journey.

The story takes place in a prestigious Shakespearean acting program and follows a close-knit group of seven drama students. As they delve deeper into their roles, they become entangled in a web of deceit, fixation, and sorrow.

The story starts with our main character, Oliver Marks, who’s just finished a ten-year prison sentence for a crime that we have yet to learn. As the book goes on, we’re left wondering who’s pretending and who’s not — after all, everyone in the story is a skilled actor, making things even more exciting. There’s also a mystery around a student’s death. This element is cleverly added to the story, keeping us guessing what happened until the end of the book.

Like the iconic “Interview With The Vampire” by Anne Rice, “If We Were Villains” switches between two timelines: Oliver’s present reflections and the past that led up to the catastrophic night that forever altered his life.

We journey with Oliver back to his formative years at the Dellecher Classical Conservatory, a prestigious art school renowned for its rigorous Shakespearean program. He paints vivid portraits of his six fellow troupe members, each with unique personalities and talents. Their shared love for Bard’s works forges a close-knit group resembling a family.

Their commitment to the craft amplifies as the students dive deeper into their roles. They blur the lines between their on-stage personas and their actual selves, leading to tangled relationships filled with love, friendship, rivalry, and even betrayal. The intensity of these relations keeps the true happenings of the fateful night a mystery until the end.
However, no matter how expertly one can act, stress and tension inevitably surface when a catastrophe occurs in the group. This tragic event triggers a domino effect that irrevocably transforms their lives. Secrets come to light, loyalties waver, and the line separating truth from fiction becomes perilously thin.

The author does a great job of creating complex connections among the characters. Oliver’s flashbacks teach us more about what led to that tragic night. These memories show us how the group interacted with each other and the effects of their actions. As we get closer to the end of the book, the mystery grows more and more, leading us to the surprising truth behind why Oliver was imprisoned.

“If We Were Villains” is a densely layered and meticulously plotted novel investigating art’s power and the intricacies of human relationships. It explores the depth of loyalty, identity, obsession, and the cost of ambition, and all staged against a Shakespearean canvas of drama and tragedy.

While thoroughly engrossing, the book does lean heavily on Shakespearean references. While I recognized some, many others required additional research on my part. You’ll likely get more out of these intertextual connections if you’re a Shakespeare enthusiast.
Nevertheless, despite its darker themes, “If We Were Villains” is an excellent book I highly recommend to any passionate reader. It’s a compelling narrative, and its unique premise makes it a read that is hard to put down!

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Exploring the Dark Depths: The Secret History Unveiled

Hey there, fellow book lovers! Today I want to chat about a real page-turner that made waves in 1992. I’m talking about “The Secret History” by Donna Tartt. So, picture a bunch of college kids, noses buried in their classics textbooks, tucked away in the grand surroundings of Hampden College. But don’t let the mundane studies fool you – their lives are anything but ordinary!

I chose this book because I was curious to learn about this whole ‘dark academy’ business. It sure sparked my interest! While researching the topic, I stumbled upon this book, “The Secret History.” It seemed like a perfect fit, so I thought, “Why not give it a read?”

“The Secret History” dives into the hush-hush lives of a bunch of classical studies students at the fancy Hampden College and the scary road they find themselves on. Given that the book is classified as Dark Academia, I was sure the story would have a dark twist. Reading it felt like I was swirling around in a whirlwind of secrets, fixations, and moral chaos. It was like getting a sneak peek into the shadowy side of a top-notch school, all thanks to the author’s skill in spinning an enchanting tale.

The spotlight falls on Richard Papen, our lead character. He’s your everyday guy from a small Californian town who takes a leap of faith and heads off to Hampden College. But this is a challenging ride for him. Unlike most of his college mates from families with deep pockets, he’s just a regular guy hiding his not-so-flashy background. But the exciting part is that he struggles to fit in and find his place among the privileged that hooks us in.

Richard eventually finds his tribe – an intriguing group of classics students mentored by their charismatic teacher, Julian Morrow. Let me tell you this. This group of classics students isn’t just any study group; it’s super exclusive, but Julian sees something special in Richard and brings him into the fold.

Now let me introduce you to the group. There’s the brainiac, Henry Winter, who takes the lead. Then we have Francis Abernathy, the stylish one who’s also openly gay, adding a flair. Next are the twins, Charles and Camilla Macaulay, shrouded in mystery and lugging around some secret past. And, to stir up the pot, there’s Bunny Corcoran – wealthy, yes, but quite the annoying troublemaker.

As Richard starts fitting in, he peels back the layers of his new friends and discovers a world filled with hidden passions and peculiar obsessions. They all share an over-the-top fascination with ancient Greek culture, even attempting to resurrect wild bacchanals and secret rituals from the past.

Let me explain what “bacchanal” is. “Bacchanals” is a term that comes from ancient Greek and Roman times. You see, Bacchus was the Roman god of wine and merry-making, and the Greeks called him Dionysus. So, a bacchanal was originally a festive party held in honor of Bacchus, typically involving a lot of wine, dancing, and general revelry. Over time, the word “bacchanal” has come to refer to any wild, noisy party or celebration. Imagine a big, fun gathering with lots of music, dancing, and folks letting loose – that’s a bacchanal!

I believe that seeking knowledge is super crucial, but we’ve also got to be mindful of the results our actions can bring about. These folks were so intrigued by this ancient culture that they couldn’t simply leave it at curiosity. They felt compelled to dive right into it. However, this fascination started taking them down a risky path. They got caught up in the world of drugs, tricky mind games, and the fuzzy boundaries of right and wrong.

Things get terrible when Bunny, the group’s black sheep, threatens to spill all their secrets. Panicked, the group cooks up a sinister plan to deal with Bunny. During a trip, they commit a shocking act that spirals their lives out of control. But Bunny’s departure doesn’t bring relief; instead, it births a creeping sense of guilt that tinges on their every thought with paranoia.

In the wake of Bunny’s murder, Richard is tangled in a messy web of lies, betrayal, and a rapidly disintegrating group. Amid this chaos, he faces his role in Bunny’s death and the destructive aftermath of their actions. He grapples with his guilt, seeking redemption amongst the wreckage of their once close-knit group.

The wired thing them of all was Bunny acted so badly that I felt he deserved it. I was stunned by realizing a dark side of myself. Then, each character’s narrative and psychological development made me feel guilty about even thinking like that.

“The Secret History” pulls us into a world that feels both known and spooky, taking us on a deep dive into the shadowy aspects of human behavior and the harsh consequences of unchecked desires. Donna Tartt weaves this story with outstanding talent. Even though the theme is quite dark, I truly enjoyed reading this book. And hey, if you’re looking for a tale that will keep you on your toes and make you think, I’d recommend giving “The Secret History” a go!

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Busy Schedule, Exciting Plans for 2023 2nd Half 

Every year, I have the most free time from June to December. 

One problem is that We’ve been working a lot since our team is small – just five of us in our office, and I’m the only one handling the money matters. Considering we make more than $4M in monthly sales, you can guess how hectic it is. I’ve made a schedule to manage my time better based on what’s most important to me.

 My daytime job is like being the captain of a ship in unpredictable weather. As we operate our company with so few members, anything can impact all of us. If you’ve ever worked as an accountant, you might know what I mean – sometimes there’s too much work, and other times, not enough.

To smooth out my workload, I update our templates, do projects to automate some of the tasks, or create queries every month. I also ensure we follow the right rules to stay in line with SOX (a kind of business law). I mostly prepare for our yearly SOX audit, which takes place in July, April, and mid-May, until we start with a quarterly audit, budget, and consolidation report. This keeps me busy all year round, but I get a break from July to December. I will be tied up with Year End and preparing corporate tax returns between January to April. 

During this time, I’m always excited about planning how to spend my time till December, when I get swamped again. Here’s what I want to do this year:

    1. Travel: We decided to visit the Grand Canyon in October for about 4-5 days.
    2. Learn about Greek and Roman Literature: I want to do this from July to October.
    3. Earn more credits for my accounting designation by continuing my education from July to December.
    4. Keep November to December open: I might study Greek and Roman Literature or learn about King Arthur.

Here’s what my priority list looks like:

    1. Work: I mostly work from home except for Mondays. During my break, I won’t be working extra unless it’s really, really important.
    2. House chores: I spend about 0.5 to 1 hour on this. We usually clean the house on Saturday mornings unless we’re having a family get-together.
    3. Family gatherings: We don’t have them every day, but when we do, they’re usually on Saturday afternoons till early evenings.
    4. Exercise: I work out for about 0.75 hours each day.
    5. Piano: I practice for about 0.75 hours each day.
    6. Professional education: I dedicate an hour to this every day except Saturdays and Sundays.
    7. Greek & Roman Literature: I spend an hour reading up on this.

Time Schedule for 2023 2nd Half 

Last modified on Jun 25, 2023

I’ve blocked out my time for all these activities. 

    • Red blocks are for sleep – I will only change these if it’s a real emergency.
    • Green blocks are for other tasks. I’ll shuffle these around if something urgent arises based on my priorities.
    • Yellow blocks are for free time, which I usually spend reading or writing.

I’ve left some time open for writing because I’ve noticed that I struggle when I set aside time for it – it’s just a mental block. Instead, I’ll spend most of my free time writing or reading. I’ll probably use this time to write blog posts or read.

Every Sunday, I’ve blocked out an hour to review my schedule. If it seems too packed, I’ll tweak it. The hardest part for me is to stick to when I sleep and find enough time to read. I’m such a big fan of reading that I feel weird when I don’t get to do it. Whenever I feel stressed, reading is my go-to way to chill out.

I’ve left some wiggle room in my schedule, so I’ll manage just fine.

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A Dive into Dystopia: Four Must-Reads for Your Summer

Hey there, fellow bookworms!

Today, I want to take you through a few riveting yet chilling books I recently dove into. After I read Mistborn, I decided to explore 4 Dystopian books, which are 1984, Fahrenheit 451, The Brave New World, and finally, the Hunger Games. Some books scared me a lot because similar conditions may exist in some parts of the world. These novels fall under the ‘dystopian’ genre, which means they paint pictures of imagined worlds where things have gone wrong. These stories can be dark and depressing but are thought-provoking and offer incredible insights.

To kick off our exploration, we have George Orwell’s classic “1984.” Imagine a world where Big Brother always watches, and freedom is a dream. That’s the haunting reality in 1984. Orwell’s mastery in creating a world where individuality is crushed, and truth is manipulated had me gripping the book tight. It’s scary to think how his dystopian vision feels almost too real at times.

Next on our list is “Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury. In this fiery tale, books are banned, and ‘firemen’ burn them! Sounds crazy, right? Bradbury’s world made me appreciate our freedom to read, learn, and think. But it also made me ponder – what if knowledge and creativity became a threat? This book is a wake-up call, reminding us to cherish our intellectual freedoms.

Our third stop is “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley. This book is a cocktail of science and society gone wrong. Huxley presents a world where humans are bred in labs, conditioned to conform, and happiness is achieved through a drug called ‘Soma.’ The dystopia here is disguised as a utopia – a perfect world. But is it perfect if we’re stripped of emotions, relationships, and the essence of being human?

Finally, we have “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins to lighten our mood slightly. Yes, it’s a dystopian novel with thrilling adventure, resilient characters, and a glimmer of hope. Set in post-apocalyptic North America, the story revolves around Katniss Everdeen, a young girl forced to participate in a deadly televised game. Katniss’s bravery and humanity shine through despite the grim setting, making this an engaging read.

Each of these novels serves up a feast of thought. They might be set in fictional worlds, but they hold up a mirror to our society, forcing us to reflect on our values and choices. And that’s what makes them both terrifying and fascinating. They remind us that while dystopias are places we wouldn’t want to live in, we should still learn from them.

I hope this peek into my recent reads encourages you to explore these remarkable dystopian tales. They might not be the typical light-hearted summer reads, but I promise you, they’re worth it. So, get your hands on these books and let the reading adventure begin!

Remember, as you journey through these dystopias, feeling down is okay. After all, these are worlds where things have taken a wrong turn. But also remember to look for the lessons and the hope that often hides in these stories.

Happy reading!