life update of august 2024

It’s practically the end of August, which means for all intents and purposes, the end of summer. To me, August is like golden hour, this bright moment right before the dark and cold descend. August surprised me, which is ironic because my word for the month was indeed surprise.

I got offered a 3 month internship for an online publication. It was very random and I’m very grateful to know what I’m doing for the next few months. It’s remote, so I’ll be based at home, but I may give you a little peek into my days if I ever report on an event in person.

Despite my value for stability, I’ve gotten the urge lately to want to travel. This ache for novelty. Perhaps it’s missing the mountains of Virginia, missing the life I used to have. One that had clearer markers for success. Where my friends were always a walk away. In the midst of that (and the need to escape my house sometimes), I’ve been doing solo trips to the city. Nothing too crazy. I pick a place and I go. I let myself wander to corners I have yet to explore. It touches that need for novelty in my own backyard.

With my internship lasting 3 months, I will start searching for full time work again in October. I want to get to the point where I can see my life before my eyes and know the contours of my days and weeks and months. But I realize I have to accept that these months and years will feel like fog to me with no clear direction. I do not have the answers I wished to have at this time. So I have to accept what I do have.

Other Updates

I have officially bought myself a new Bible. I’ve had my NIV since my first year of college, and I’ve loved it, but I wanted to try a new translation, something that would last me at least another 6 years. So I picked up the CSB from Hosanna Revival. It took a long time to get to me, but it’s absolutely worth it. 

I’ve turned 24. 24 feels like most of the old dreams I used to have have turned to ash, but the beauty isn’t quite here yet. Maybe I’ll dream new dreams. It’ll take some time to get there.

I finished Anna Karenina. War and Peace was more enjoyable for me, but I’m surprised at how much I loved reading about Levin and how hopefully Anna Karenina ended.

I am making a scarf for winter. I am halfway through it. With a scarf, I can at least see that the end is in sight.

A taste of August 2024 sonically

If I Strive I Can’t Keep Up by Torchbearers

• Torchbearers released this surprise EP while I was on my social media break. As a whole EP, it’s not as good as their earlier release of Eyes, but this song is stunning. Your eyes are enough for me, You see me when others don’t see me~

Can’t Help but Worship by Danny Gokey and Naomi Raine

• I love this song so much! It just hits so hard as a worship song. It’s lavish and grand and it works!!!

Here I Am (spontaneous) by Rachel Morley and Kory Miller

• I love spontaneous worship, and this song takes the cake. It’s reminiscent of Genesis 22, where Abraham says Here I Am (hinei). We don’t have to question God’s motives when we trust His heart.

At the Altar by Elevation Rhythm (Tiffany Hudson, Abbie Gamboa)

• This song is all over Christian TikTok. And I think the bridge is well-deserving of its publicity. Let your heart sing and tell Him you love Him. Don’t make it perfect just let it be honest. He can use anything, sit back and watch Him. There’s no waste at the altar.

I Will Wait by David Leonard

• For whatever reason, this song has come up in my mind over and over again this month. I won’t forget that Your hand will hold me, Your love sustains me through the wait. I will wait on You, Lord.

In addition to those songs, I’ve been getting back into podcasts.

Nowhere On Air is a weird, dear gem and I’m going to be sad when season 3 is over. It’s about a small town in Canada with some strange happenings, and Jess is the radio host leading the listeners through the journey.

I’ve just started Desert Skies, which is about the in-between place of Earth and the next stop in the great beyond. Very intriguing and wholesome.

In the realm of reality, we have Beautiful Anonymous, which I’ve recently returned to after some time of not listening. I enjoyed Hoagie Mouth, the live episode from Philly about what it means to adjust to the East Coast and particularly life in Philly. BA has been a long time favorite of mine, and I’ll have to do a blog post dedicated to it.

Let me know your life updates. If you’ve tried something new, if you’re returning to something you used to love.

Signing off,

Gigi