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Lani

Hello all y’all! I’m participating in The Changing Seasons Challenge which is basically a monthly recap that I heard about through Sarah, who got it from Su.

If you’re interested in participating, here are the guidelines for The Challenge:

Version One (photographic):

Each month, post 5-20 photos in a gallery that you feel represent your month
Don’t use photos from your archive. Only new shots.
Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so that others can find them

Version Two (you choose the format):

Each month, post a photo, recipe, painting, drawing, video, whatever that you feel says something about your month
Don’t use archive stuff. Only new material!
Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so others can find them.

Thanks ladies for the inspiration!

—

July felt like every bit of the mid-year slump. I was a bug on its back trying to turn over.

First, the BF got sick and then against all our precautions, so did I. It was a doozy, too.

Next, our friend Patima visited, but the timing wasn’t so great, but we made the best of it, and she helped us a lot. Thank youuu!

pine tree branch on the beach — Walking along the beach and looking down. [Koh Chang, 2019]

Finally, we left for our island holiday on Koh Chang. Photos are from our short getaway which I had planned back in June when I was restless to get away.

Emerald Cove is one fancy hotel. Low season (rainy season) rates for the win.

The BF likes to look for critters to pick up. Mr. Crab was quick, but on that day, we were quicker.

While we walked along the beach, there were a few distant islands that followed us.

There was a wash along the beach that had all these hermit crabs! It was so fun to see all their different homes.

Other July notables were:

I bought reading glasses – and had to use them.
Brewing up with my mother, a family reunion next year in Tennessee.
Learned that I wasn’t a Leo Rising, but a Virgo Rising.

How was your July?

22 responses to “The Changing Seasons – July”

Marta

06/08

I look up at my photos from last month and it’s all baby, baby, baby xD I don’t want to bore everybody with that. This month should be different, I’m finally going to Spain in a couple of weeks!

Now that I think about it, I also bought glasses in July! But sunglasses, and with prescription lenses. My old ones were from like 15 years ago!!

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1. Lani
  
  07/08
  
  So far from what I’ve seen of people sharing, it’s every day stuff, and I rather like that. I feel like this is where the internet can shine. No picture perfect lifestyles, just people’s passions, like gardening.
  
  I’ve noticed you’ve been rather clever in hiding A’s face on social media. Can’t say that I blame you.
  
  Spain sounds lovely and grand!
  
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  1. Marta
    
    07/08
    
    Yep. It’s more fun to keep the mystery, hahaha. Also, the internet is where I don’t need to be a mum full time, so I want to keep it about me, not about him xD
    
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  2. Lani
    
    07/08
    
    There was an interesting article I read many years ago about a father who decided to pull all pics of his children off of social media. He made good points re: they don’t have a voice yet and he was already putting their faces everywhere. As adults, we consciously know what we are doing, but the next generation will have a huge amount of data on them before they’re even able to use these technologies. So I thought it had something to do with that. 😛
    
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  3. Marta
    
    07/08
    
    That too, hehe. Parents nowadays have to choose if they want to put their children on social media or not. Privacy is also one of my main reasons but I don’t like saying it out loud because I have many friends and acquitances who put their children all over social media and I don’t want them to feel I disapprove of them or anything.
    
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  4. Lani
    
    08/08
    
    I agree, it’s a sensitive subject, and a personal decision. It’s hard to know what all this data means for the future.
    
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jeremyjames

06/08

Hermit crabs! Don’t think I’ve ever found one of those little guys. Nice pics.

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1. Lani
  
  07/08
  
  Thanks 🙂
  
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Su Leslie

07/08

I did a double-take when I saw your hotel photo. It’s a dead ringer for one I stayed in in Tahiti — same architect (or hotel chain) I guess.

So good to see your July — welcome to The Changing Seasons.

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1. Lani
  
  07/08
  
  It did have a quality that felt recognizable. Not that I’ve been to Tahiti, but the surrounding mountains and tall palms made me feel like I was back in Hawaii. It probably is a chain, but it was a nice one!
  
  Thanks!
  
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The Changing Seasons, July 2019 | Zimmerbitch

07/08

[…] Lani at Life, the Universe and Lani […]

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kulturekween

08/08

I could never bring myself to touch insects and other small animals! I love to read people’s month recap, it makes me feel like we r friends IRL. I used to write a monthly recap on the blog, but for some reasons didn’t continue it 😦 My July has been a bit floppy as well. Glad that u r all better and that you went on a beautiful vacay. Btw, I am a Virgo rising. Now, do you feel like a Leo outwardly?

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1. Lani
  
  09/08
  
  Hmmm. I thought my Leo rising was an explanation for my sometimes outgoing personality. It seemed to explain some things, but now I know my INFJ personality traits explain it better. 🙄 My stepdad is a Virgo and had a huge impact on my upbringing so that is where I’m at, the extent of my exploration, will dive deeper later. Virgo Rising connection, yo!!!
  
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Sarah

09/08

How wonderful that you’re joining the Changing Seasons, Lani!! 😄 Such a cute crab! And the hermit ones are so lovely too! The hotel looks fab and the pool is just sooo cool! 😄 And I totally agree with what you said in reply to one of your comments – it’s sharing these for us normal everyday kind of pics and things what makes this challenge so wonderful! 😄 Looking forward to your next recap!

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1. Lani
  
  10/08
  
  Thanks, Sarah! You too! What will she fix next month? 😛
  
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  1. Sarah
    
    13/08
    
    Actually I changed some light switches! 😀 😉
    
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  2. Lani
    
    14/08
    
    Hahahaha.
    
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Jean

10/08

Lovely vacation!!!

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1. Lani
  
  10/08
  
  😀
  
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Behind the Story

10/08

The hotel looks like one I’ve stayed in somewhere. Can’t remember where. Nadi?
Love the pool and the little crab. My grandson was fascinated by the little crabs on the beach in Kauai and also the bigger holes all over the beach that we thought must be bigger crabs. The security guard told me scuttle into the lobby sometimes, and he carefully carries them back to the beach.
My July started out with my family in Kauai. The rest of the month was quieter and ordinary, which I find I like a lot. A few little summer parties: the homeowners’ assn. summer party and a delightful writers party and salon.

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1. Lani
  
  10/08
  
  It’s nice to mix things up a bit even though I, too, am a creature of habit and I love to be a homebody.
  
  Thanks for sharing your month!
  
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The Changing Seasons – August – Life, the Universe, and Lani

01/09

[…] July, August felt like I had something to prove. I plowed into teaching and writing projects as if all […]

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I’m Lani

Welcome to Life, the Universe, and Lani. I’ve been blogging about my experiences living abroad since 2009.

At this point, this site serves as an archive as I’m mostly active at No Girl is an Island 👉https://lanivcox.substack.com/ 🏝️where I have been both newslettering and continuing to craft personal essays on finding freedom in the fringes.

Thanks for stopping by, have a look around, and hope to see you over at No Girl is an Island.