A Spirited Panda Blog

Hello everyone!

Oh wow, I have been gone for a year now. I have spent all of 2024 working on myself, reading books, and working at my job. I have had days where my mental health was up and down, and I have had days where I was happy. I went to five concerts in total and went to Seattle for the first time in May. It was both scary and a great time there. My Partner even got a new job in security and has been doing a great job. We are moving into a house in a few months, so new things are happening this year.

When it came to my own body, I have gained so much weight. I wanted to improve my health and my mind. It started off just by working out, then I started injections of Ozempic. I am prediabetic, and it has helped so much. I was 289 and am now down to 247 after a year of working out. I’m still going strong, and I haven’t given up. I’m even going to the gym with my partner, so it’s a team effort.

I celebrated 2 years with my company in May. 2024 has been a year of being assertive and direct and standing up for myself. I deal directly with clients and the public, and my job has now been the best in my 15 years of working different jobs. I deal with room rentals and community events, and I have had the best time getting to know the many community leaders and charities in Spokane, Washington, and it is rewarding. I have days where it can be tiresome, but what job is perfect?

As far as reading goes, it has been excellent. I have read 37 books this year. I managed to do that by listening to audiobooks and reading before bed. My favorite books this year are Slew Foot by Brom, The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova, The Black Bird Oracle by Deborah Harkness, and A Portrait in Shadow by Nicole Jarvis. 2024 has been a good year for reading, and my new goal is to read 40 books for 2025. Also, my favorite genre is horror and fantasy, even though I can’t watch a horror movie without covering my eyes and reading without crying.

I haven’t been here because I am so busy, but I haven’t had the inspiration to write on my blog. I want to return to writing my book reviews as they make me happy. I love to read what other excellent writers have that they want to share with the world. Writing and getting my thoughts out feels good, and I want to make more room for that, so in 2025, I will be back to writing more book reviews. If you’re still here and following me, thank you for being a reader, and I hope 2025 will be a great and fulfilling year for us all.