I think I have juuuusttt enough odds-and-ends to fill a quick post about the random things I’ve done to entertain myself during the pandemic this winter.
WORK
Now that I’ve been pretty much onboarded, there’s not too much to do short of the normal day-to-day responsibilities of my job. Which… tbh, are few and far-between at the moment. It’s our slow season, so short of updating our website with snow-related road closures and writing press releases about prescription burns, I’m not doing too much (short of getting COVID vaccinated!).
Except, oh. FIREFIGHTER TRAINING?! Because, yeah, THAT WAS A THING.
DINING + FOOD
Well, everything in Flagstaff is still kinda new to me… so there have been a lot of new dining experiences! I’m still on my mission to visit every brewery in town. I made an in-person visit to Beaver Street after trying the takeout (gotta say, I love the beer but I’m not floored by the food), and I’ve been back to Lumberyard several times. It’s my new go-to when I have friends visiting from out of town. I also finally got around to trying Grand Canyon and Dark Sky.
I also finally got around to trying Lotus Lounge, Brandy’s*, Diablo Burger*, Satchmo’s, Fat Olives and Martanne’s.
*Have experienced takeout only, because, pandemic.
I’ve been slow to try a lot of the bars and restaurants here because again, pandemic, but when I do go I always wear a mask and sanitize everything and stay six feet away from everyone, which honestly is good life advice in general.
In non-restaurant news, I’ve been cooking at home a lot more because of the pandemic. I highly recommend this vegan mushroom and wild rice recipe and this tortellini soup recipe.
I’ve also been perfecting my mom’s chocolate chip cookie recipe, which has drastically been affected by Flagstaff’s altitude.
HIKING + OUTDOORS
Because of the snow and cold, I haven’t been as active as I’d like to be in and around Flagstaff. I can always just blame this on the pandemic. And I will.
HOWEVER, Jane and I did get a chance to go hiking on some new-to-us trails in Sedona. We took a weekend to hike Bell Rock and Yavapai Vista during golden hour. The experience did not disappoint.
I also recently visited the Cottonwood area and found some trails at Dead Horse Ranch State Park.
I also, of course, did some hiking and exploring during my New Year’s weekend trip to White Sands National Park in Alamogordo, New Mexico, and during my MLK weekend trip to Horseshoe Bend in Page.
I also went up to Utah for a weekend to hike Canyonlands National Park and Arches National Park.
SHOPPING (AKA: AFFILIATE LINKS!)
I’m back on my shopping bullshit! I recently bought some skinny jeans that fit (RIP Peace Corps weight!), this knit sweater in two different colors, these leather booties, this loose drape-y long-sleeved crop top, my favorite wide-brimmed fedora in two new colors (sand and heather brown), these cozy new slippers (order two sizes down!) and these cold-weather gloves.
I also branched out and bought (gasp!) non-skinny jeans, a new leather jacket and a ski jacket in case I ever do decide to venture up the mountain out my window.
I picked up some things from Madewell and Levi’s during January sales, and it’s the first time I’ve bought non-gym clothes since basically before Peace Corps. Wild, right?
MISC.
Oh boy… what else? I learned how to play — and sing (in its original language)! — a very basic version of “Щедрик” on my ukulele. (If you don’t know, “Shchedryk” is a traditional Ukrainian New Year’s carol. You may know it as “Carol of the Bells.”)
I’ve been watching a lot of TV, obviously. I recently had two of my coworkers, Ali and Jane, over to watch WW84 back in January. And, hockey is back! I haven’t kept up with hockey in years due to Peace Corps/ COVID, so it feels nostalgic to have the NHL back on my TV. When I’m not watching the Detroit Red Wings lose, I’ve been binging The OC.
Also, reading! I’ve been having trouble focusing on books so far this year because the pandemic and political news has absolutely shot my attention span, but I did set a Goodreads goal of 30 books for 2021. My sister got me a hardcover copy of Barack Obama’s latest for Christmas, so that was my first read of the year. I also read A Man Called Ove, The Glass Castle and Firefly Lane. I’d recommend all of them.
And, finally… dog sitting? One of my friends adopted a husky puppy and I’ve been spending a lot of time taking care of him.
Guys, meet Yukon!
He’s a troublemaker, but it’s been nice to have an excuse to go outside for a walk every day, and it’s been nice to have another being around my apartment given that COVID makes me feel a little stir-crazy and lonely sometimes.
・・・
So, that’s what I’ve been up to this winter here in Flagstaff! Not too much, but just enough for a quick little life update. I’m looking forward to taking advantage of the rest of winter now that we have snow, and — even though I feel bad saying it — I’m excited for warmer weather, because, well, hiking.
I know, I know. I live in Arizona. Warmer weather for hiking is always just a quick drive down the mountain!
Until next time!
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