The Beginning is Always Today: Returning from Hiatus

The beginning is always today.
--Mary Shelley

Hey, bookworms. I am both excited and anxious to announce that today marks the end of my nearly three-month hiatus. In late March, I halted click-clacking on my laptop keyboard to dedicate a greater focus to academics. I traded pleasure reading for textbooks; my idea notebook for exam study guides. Now, however, summer offers me a return to my comfortable click-clacking.

Today offers a homecoming.

Today promises fresh opportunities.

Today marks new beginnings.

I write these bold statements with determination and wary caution. I cannot predict the schedule of my slowly approaching school year, a thought that continues to loom over my ambitions. I can endeavor to create change in my book blogging and other projects today, though. And so I shall. 😄

Moving forward, I'll also reflect on my experiences during the hiatus. To clarify my sudden absence from the book blogging community, here are a few things I worked on throughout my break:

• I conquered finals. "Conquered" might be the wrong verb to describe my exam efforts, but I did work to achieve the best I could.😂
• I ran. Track season was my main extracurricular activity during April and May. Beginning in June, I started to add more distance in preparation for cross country season.
• I called some cues. In the late spring, I worked with my school's tech crew to call the sound cues for our annual musical. While I plan to audition for next year's cast instead of resuming the same job next year, it was a memorable experience.

• I gradually returned to piano. One of my New Year's resolutions for 2016 was to re-immerse myself in piano music as much as possible. This June, I've tried to play at least once a day.
• I screamed at my spluttering laptop. I knew the inevitable was approaching, but my personal laptop has officially gone kaput. Luckily, I've backed almost everything up on a family computer. I plan to blog from this device until I can save up the money for a replacement. 

An accurate depiction of how my laptop made me feel.😂

• I read the news. To satisfy another New Year's goal, I've endeavored to start my mornings by skimming the news. Sadly, I can't say this information has always been positive.
• I took some pictures. Specifically last month, I have slowly resumed activity on my bookstagram account. 

            

• I tackled some summer homework. I've finished a couple of assignments, but I'm hoping to complete all of my tasks by the end of this month.
• I read. Naturally. Comfortably. And it was awesome. After finals, I struggled to become invested in a pleasurable read. Maybe two-to-three weeks following, I discovered the requesting feature in my library's database. I haven't turned back.😂

Overall, the past few months have kept me on my toes. I'm hoping the summer will keep me just as busy with tasks I enjoy more.

In the following weeks, expect the unexpected. I can't wait for what's to come!

*exhales*

Welp, that was dramatic.

How's your summer so far?