Allyson Whipple

Tag: the best of it

  • The Best of It: Quick List Before Teaching Edition

    My mystery bag from BookWoman!
    1. My mystery bag from BookWoman was filled with some great poetry and poetry-inspired treasures.
    2. I managed to wax my legs at home without too much trouble.
    3. Fiona Apple’s new album is amazing.
    4. Spotify showing me that two of my other friends are listening to Fiona Apple’s new album at the same time that I am. (Okay, that’s also maybe a little creepy. But in quarantine, also comforting.)
    5. I managed to get everything I needed at just one grocery store this week.

  • The Best of It: Mondays Are Still Manic Edition

    Last night’s glorious dinner
    1. Keeping a to-done list to keep away the inner critic that says I haven’t done enough.
    2. My robe from Sudara arrived and I am totally in love with it. It’s nicer than some of my actual clothes and I just want to wear it all the time.
    3. I got a care package from Rigby Roastery, and it is delightful.
    4. Making a really tasty salad out of leftovers.
    5. Having an ongoing list of places I want to send my chapbook manuscript.

  • The Best of It: Carbs and Fat Edition

    Because sometimes you just want queso for dinner
    1. John made a perfect imitation of Kerbey Queso last night.
    2. He’s making fettucine alfredo for dinner tonight.
    3. Little Debbie Oatmeal Creme Pies.
    4. Buddha’s Brew Grape Lime Kombucha.
    5. We’re still able to eat well.

  • The Best of It: Friday Edition

    Korean Street Toast, using Maangchi’s recipe
    1. I am so grateful for how supportive and caring my department chair is. I am really lucky to work with him.
    2. Maangchi’s Korean street toast recipe is amazing. I made one of these for breakfast, and another for lunch.
    3. I’m officially done with three weeks of antibiotics for a serious sinus infection.
    4. Bates Eye Exercises are really helping with eyestrain from too much computer time.
    5. I’ve finally gotten my rubrics updates and grade books recalibrated to reflect the way the semester has changed.

  • The Best of It: Stimulus Edition

    Spicy chicken katsu sandwich with homemade slaw
    1. The spicy chicken katsu sandwiches from Bon Appetit.
    2. I got my stimulus check.
    3. I used my stimulus check to order a new dining room table.
    4. Getting takeout from Home Slice.
    5. Being able to order a turntable from End of an Ear and setting it up today.

  • The Best of It: Waiting for Lunch to Heat Up Edition

    This morning’s tea
    1. The Steeping Room has got its online sales side up and running. If you have the means and love tea, consider taking advantage of their sale and helping them stay afloat.
    2. Birthday money.
    3. So far I’m having fun with 1 Second Every Day
    4. My procedure for setting up online meetings with students has been working well!
    5. I had a lot of fun helping John record his class podcasts. It’s a delight that I can be part of the process.

  • The Best of It: Making Do Edition

    Breakfast tacos made with leftover relleno filling
    1. John gave me a solid home haircut.
    2. When leftovers become breakfast tacos.
    3. Being in a walkable neighborhood.
    4. John making pickles for the coming week.
    5. Having Buc’ee’s ground coffee in the pantry.

  • The Best of It: 36th Birthday Edition

    Birthday cannoli with pistachios and Luxardo cherries
    1. Two kinds of chile relleno for dinner tonight, made from scratch.
    2. The fanciest cannoli I’ve ever eaten, made from scratch.
    3. Being able to meet with the Austin Haiku Group via Zoom.
    4. A partner who will do his darnedest to make this a special day even under quarantine.
    5. Officially releasing my new yoga nidra EP on my website and major streaming services.

  • The Best of It: Creative Quarantine Edition

    Manuscript pages
    1. I have a new chapbook manuscript.
    2. I sent it to a chapbook contest.
    3. Tomorrow I’m hosting the Austin Haiku Group via Zoom, and am grateful we have a chance to get together virtually.
    4. I was asked to judge a contest in the Austin Poetry Society annual awards.
    5. I have three projects-in-progress right now, and I am enjoying working on all of them.

  • The Best of It: Music and Teaching Edition

    My beer stein being used for coffee
    1. Not setting my alarm clock.
    2. Being able to work on a nice dinner in stages throughout the day.
    3. Waking up to find a surprise disco playlist in my Spotify account.
    4. The playlist John has curated for his History of the Blues/Global Power of the Funk course at Texas State this semester.
    5. The way that the current situation has allowed my students and me to be more open with each other.