I typically long for December, but truthfully this month was a lot harder than I expected or anticipated.
This month, I started a new job with Hospital Medicine. I worked nights for the first time, since I was a scribe prior to PA school. I didn’t get to attend any Christmas Eve or Christmas Day services, because I was working night shift. I had to rely on FaceTime to see my family. It’s been a tough year at best, but the holidays amplify everything. Feelings of loneliness, unmet expectation, fear of the unknown…I felt those emotions on a deep level this holiday season. Looking back over the past month, I know that there has been a lot of goodness and growth. God’s provision through this year has been so evident. But I still long for what could have been. I still wish that this year had been different. But in the infamous words of David Bowie, “Time may change me, but I can’t trace time.” So rather than dwelling on the should-haves or would-haves, I’m choosing to focus on the goodness of this past year and be thankful for that.
RECIPES I TRIED
Gimme Some Oven’s Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies
Liz Adam’s Blueberry Cinnamon Roll Breakfast Casserole
The Toasted Pinenut’s White Chocolate Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread Cookies
Loren’s Yeehaw Beer Chili
WHAT I BOUGHT
Adidas Court Master
Beautycounter Romantic Palette
Beautycounter Liquid Eyeshadow Set
Cheetah Slip-Ons
Pajama Set
Hot Tools All-In-One
Jayne + James Cross Necklace
Beautycounter Countertime Serum
MOVIES/TV SHOWS WATCHED
The Princess Switch: Switched Again
The Crown: Season 4
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey
The Knight Before Christmas
The Holiday
The Santa Clause
Runaway Bride
Ghosts of Girlfriends Past
White Christmas
Annie
It’s a Wonderful Life
Elf
The Greatest Showman
PLACES I TRAVELLED
Charleson, SC: Went to visit my grandparents at their assisted living facility. Hadn’t seen them since New Years of this year! Their facility went on lockdown after COVID hit, and there has been very limited access to family and visitors. We got a whole hour together to exchange Christmas gifts and reminiscence on the past few months. I sure do miss these two, but I’m thankful that their staff is taking such good care of them.
ONE FEAR I CONQUERED
I started a new job! More to come about this later in January. Effective December 1st, I started full-time with the hospital medicine group in my current hospital system. 2020 was the year of unexpected surprises and a job change in the last quarter was definitely a big one. But thankfully the Lord opened a door with hospital medicine and I seized it. Taking it one day at a time and learning a major lesson in humility every time I have to ask for help. They say when God closes a door, another one opens. This was my open door, and I’m really excited to see what lies ahead!
FAVORITE POSTS ON KITCHY LIVING
My favorite: 8 Ways to Find Joy This Christmas Season
Reader’s favorite: Crockpot Turkey Taco Chili
FAVORITE SONGS
Silent Night – NEEDTOBREATHE
Potential Breakup Song – Aly & AJ
Monster – Shawn Mendes, Justin Bieber
gold rush – Taylor Swift
Afterglow – Ed Sheeran
Beautiful Anyway (Acoustic) – Judah & the Lion
FITNESS UPDATE
This month I’ve been doing a lot of outdoor walks with the occasional yoga or HIIT workout, but not as often as I’d like. Whenever I’m in a season of transition, I fall off the bandwagon. I go into survival mode, and doing cardio is not something that I prioritize. I try to sleep, eat, and just stay alive. I think it’s healthy to go through seasons like that, as long as you’re exercising at least a few times each week. It’s okay to struggle a bit. We can’t prioritize all the things. I’ve been having to give my body a lot of grace the past few months. But thankfully at my new job, I get anywhere from 6,000-9,000 steps/day so even if I’m not scheduling exercise into my week, I’m getting a lot of LISS in.
kitchyliving.com 