I finished reading Howl’s Moving Castle last night. Did I enjoy it? Yes. I am quite surprised by this. Why? I did not like Howl at all. His character was very flawed. But then again, all the characters in the book were all flawed – even Sophie. And I appreciated that. Sophie and Howl from the movie were softer. Good but a lot softer than their book counterparts. The plot in itself was also darker – way darker than the film. Understandable. The Miyazaki version did feel more childlike. The book has a very sinister undertone to it. I really liked it a lot. And yes, I also just found out that there were three books in the series. Well, more like there were two companion novels out to Howl’s Moving Castle so I want to buy them and read them all.

I did sleep pretty late last night just because I couldn’t put the book down on the last 150 pages. There were certain things that I wished were adapted into the film – like the magic fight scene between Howl and the Witch of the Waste. I wished I could have really seen that visually. But I mean, it’s all good. I enjoyed the film as it is. As I did the book.

My hun and I decided to hang out earlier today so he can hang out with his friend and play some video games. We were able to play some Stardew Valley. It was fun. I really enjoyed the relaxing nature of the game. And I appreciate the fact that my hun enjoys playing it with me as well. We did end up watching a couple of episodes of The Great British Baking Show and an episode of Bob’s Burgers. That episode of Bob’s relaxed me quite a bit and I started feeling quite sleepy.

I did end up taking a couple of hours of nap after that. And now, I am cooking some beef with veggies and white rice. I wish it would turn out well. My allergies have been pretty bad since yesterday, even when I woke up this morning my arms and thighs were full of welts. So I want to indulge in some Roma-proof food in the next few days.

Since I finished reading a book last night, I need to find a new read. Or maybe I should pick up Lamb again. I don’t know. I’m actually not sure what genre I am in the mood for right now. It could be fantasy since Howl’s Moving Castle is technically a fantasy novel. Not sure. I’ll give Lamb another go though. I hate having unfinished books on my bedside.

Today was another meh for me at work. I just worked on a project presentation that I have been neglecting for a good month. Not my fault. Well, I did procrastinate a bit. But for the most part, I’m just too damn busy and working on multiple projects at the moment. And I have been having issues with prioritizing and actually making time while at work to do them.

Hun and I did spend time earlier today. We talked for a bit. We found out that we have some differing views on a certain political thing. Well, I’m not sure if I can consider that political. I think more like a social topic. Honestly though, statistically, that was bound to happen. And as long as we are not pushing our opinions and beliefs in each other’s throats, then we should be fine.

We did end up watching an episode of The Great British Baking Show. It was fun. I like being able to talk to my hun and enjoy watching the show at the same time without worrying about missing anything. 

I’m pretty amped up right now. I just got back from being outside. The fire alarm went off earlier. Grabbed the dogs and vacated the building. There was no visible smoke from outside the building, no distinct smell. What was it? Over a burnt popcorn, apparently. I knew something burned when we were walking down the hallway towards the emergency exit. There was a distinct smell of burned food. I was thinking, that was it. And I was right. Burnt bag of popcorn that someone opened and then triggered the alarms. I cannot complain though. It was good to know that the newly installed fire alarm system works. 

The dogs are pretty amped right now too. Phoebe is doing her rounds. Paco wants to play. They did pretty well during the whole fire alarm fiasco. Paco was curious as to what was happening outside. Watching people. Watching the fire truck. And Phoebe stayed put. Didn’t squirm from being carried by Chris. I need to put together emergency bags for this kind of thing. Just a grab-and-go kind of thing. 

My hun will be doing a double tomorrow. So no hangout for us. But I do need to do a python class tomorrow. So that should be fine – I say this begrudgingly since I am so lazy to do it.

Today is another hot day here. At least the AC in the office is now fixed and we are not sweating. So that is a win for sure. Work was meh. The only eventful thing that happened was Uline decided to deliver my order of insulated boxes in a palette…A palette that did not fit in the elevator and I had to unload downstairs and carry to the lab a few boxes at a time. So no fun.

Hun and I got to hang out today. We just end up actually video chatting. It was really refreshing. It was really lovely. We just video chatted and watched someone’s stream on Twitch. We were talking and engaging in chat. Well, he was engaging in chat while I read his messages and replies there. 

Tomorrow, my hun and I will be hanging out again. Since he will be doing a double on Friday, it makes sense for us to hang out tomorrow while I do my class on Friday. Not sure what we’re doing tomorrow but I’m down to do whatever. It could be something like we did earlier and I’d be happy. 

Tomorrow morning will be pretty busy for me – meetings. Thursdays are normally like this for me. Mornings are typically packed with back-to-back meetings. So we shall see how my energy level is by the end of that.