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Lani

Changing Seasons & Discover Prompts [April + List]

April was…

// nice long chats with family and friends

// going to be what it was going to be whether I was okay with it or not

// blogging (almost) everyday!

April was discovering new perspectives from familiar things. [Looking up, Rayong, Thailand, 2020]

// cutting a lot of hair off (3-4 inches)

// hot, humid and rainy

// devouring more news, opening all the newsletters and books

// expanding and experimenting in the kitchen

// giving in to junk food splurges (chips, pastries, and more chips)

// finishing all of Taskmaster (Season 10 please!)

// figuring out my memoir’s theme (finally!)

// dreaming beyond this moment in time

// being interviewed for Damianne’s podcast (!!!) Changes Big and Small (I’d tell you to listen but I haven’t even yet because I’m scared to hear my answers and ramblings.)

Waiting for the artist to add color… [Rayong, Thailand, 2020]

This month I’ve combined Su’s monthly Changing Seasons with WP’s Discovery Prompts. It seemed like a happy marriage, and I didn’t want to blog more than I have already been doing! If you’re interested in participating in The Changing Seasons, here are the guidelines:

The Changing Seasons 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.
The Changing Seasons 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.

And don’t forget to link to Su’s monthly post.

See you next time. How was your April?

27 responses to “Changing Seasons & Discover Prompts [April + List]”

2summers

30/04

I can’t even remember when this month started. Most definitely the longest month of my life!

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1. Lani
  
  30/04
  
  It stands between the longest and shortest in many ways. Definitely got the most out of it, and now it’s done!
  
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Happy Panda

30/04

April has been weird. Getting used to staying in. Taking in all the bad news from across the globe and processing it while alone in my apartment – was stressful. Changing plans (I was supposed move cities this week) has caused some anxiety too! 🙈 But through it all I’ve ended each being grateful to everyone out there working during the crazy pandemic to make sure I can sit safely at home.

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1. Lani
  
  30/04
  
  Great point. Yeah, I can only imagine what it must have felt like to change moving plans. A friend of mine did it anyway which I thought was crazy, but she seems happy and fine. (She moved from Hawaii to Colorado)
  
  I’m cancelling travel plans, but in the scheme of things it’s nothing. But boy are we getting a dose of self-reflection, trust, and vulnerability right now!
  
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Damianne

30/04

Thank you so much for appearing on my podcast, Lani. I so enjoyed chatting with you. I cut out a little rambling but there really wasn’t that much. You’ve had such an interesting life! 🙂

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1. Lani
  
  30/04
  
  Thanks! I could say the same to you. Wish I could have asked you more questions. Maybe you should do a podcast where you answer questions!
  
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Su Leslie

30/04

You’re managing to be a lot more sanguine than me Lani. I’m full of admiration (and angst). I was quite happy in our little lock-down bubble but now that NZ has moved on, it all seems strange and yet familiar in lots of unwelcome ways.

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1. Lani
  
  01/05
  
  It felt like the first month folks were participating in social distancing and wearing masks. But just this week when we went shopping, we watched an employee pull down her mask to cough as she restocked the yogurts. And at the checkout a man came up behind me waiting for his turn, which is normal here, personal space doesn’t exist, but with COVID everyone is supposed to honor distancing!
  
  I think once Thailand starts to open up, folks will be back to the usual habits and that’s super frustrating because I don’t want to go back into lockdown again!!!
  
  As a global community, we’ll have some wins, but ‘nothing’s changed’ will prevail too. But we’ve got to keep trying, keep truckin’ along…
  
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  1. Su Leslie
    
    01/05
    
    Same here. I do wonder what it would take for people to get properly serious about change.
    
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The Changing Seasons, April 2020 | Zimmerbitch

30/04

[…] at Life, the Universe and Lani shares some thoughts and interesting images from her month in Rayong, […]

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Rebecca Moon Ruark

30/04

I love your mini memoir–and if that was all you accomplished in April, I’d say you came out alright! But it sounds like you did much more than that. Happy writing. So glad we met here.

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1. Lani
  
  01/05
  
  Yes, me too! I’ve met some great bloggers through this. Thanks 🙂
  
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Lynh

01/05

I like all your pictures but I can’t figure out the first one for sure. Is it a from-the-bottom-to-top view of an apartment complex? What is the purpose of those white frames?

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1. Lani
  
  01/05
  
  Yes, you’re correct, it’s me looking up. It’s strictly decorative as far as I can tell. The apt’s an interesting bldg, overall, for Thailand, by far the best place I’ve lived.
  
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Awonderfulsheep

01/05

Blogging almost daily! Deciding on a memoir theme! Interviewing in podcasts! Such a productive month!♡

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1. Lani
  
  01/05
  
  I tried to make the most of my free time. I feel like after this it’s going to be crazy adjusting to life on the outside again. Thanks, xo
  
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Reflections of an Untidy Mind

02/05

Love how you set out your month as a list, Lani. I don’t think I could remember what happened at the beginning of the month. Your comment about eating chips made me laugh. I confess I’ve eaten a few too. :O I hope Thailand has a good tracing system if things go pair shape as your lockdown restrictions are relaxed.

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1. Lani
  
  03/05
  
  We’re starting to relax, there are rules in place, domestic flights are starting up, so we’ll see. Even if we do see a spike I don’t think it will be nearly as bad as it has in other places. Quite remarkable considering how many Chinese tourists (let alone tourists) we’ve had at the beginning of the year. But there you have it. Take care and thanks.
  
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  1. Reflections of an Untidy Mind
    
    03/05
    
    It is remarkable, Lani. The Thai authorities did a great job picking up that first known case outside of China, and reacting swiftly. Take care yourself. I hope May is kinder to you.
    
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Sarah

03/05

Having nice long chats – check, doing funny stuff with my hair – check, junk food splurges – check. I think we had a pretty similar month this time. 😁

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1. Lani
  
  03/05
  
  Oh no you don’t. You’re baking in a real oven! I have this tiny thing that’s a glorified toaster oven. I hate it! I can’t wait to give it away and get a real one. Whaaaaaa!
  
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  1. Sarah
    
    04/05
    
    😂 I feel with you!
    
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PurplePumpernickel

08/05

Love the novel format of your post, Lani! and so poetic and you got some interesting captures too!
Thank you for sharing the ups and downs of your month …. my favourite takeaway: “dreaming beyond this moment in time”.

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1. Lani
  
  08/05
  
  It’s trying to balance being here and living beyond the moment. Thanks. xo
  
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artyplantsman

19/06

This is a great way of doing this! I am so impressed. The photos are fab too. I take it this is ‘chips’ in the American sense, rather than the British? Either way they make perfect comfort food!

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1. Lani
  
  19/06
  
  Yes, as much as I enjoy British-isms, I have yet to say crisps or jumpers or trousers or … 😀
  
  I do like knackered, splash out, dodgy, and gutted.
  
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  1. artyplantsman
    
    19/06
    
    😂😂😂❤
    
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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.