I am so sorry for only publishing one post in July but now I am officially back! I genuinely feel that the cold in the city is not ideal for my health because I was sick and my blog had to take the back seat. For the first time this year, I also did not read a book in a week because I simply went to sleep as I was too exhausted every single day! For this post, I will share my July camera roll to update you on the ‘exciting’ things happening in my life.
Nairobi Expressway Marathon 2023
I started my July running the Nairobi Expressway Marathon. I have to admit that this marathon annoyed me a little bit! It was pushed from March to June to July. I even lost psych for the race and my training plan was simply based on vibes as I thought it would be pushed again! The marathon kit collection was also a mess! They had no kit collection available on the day they told us to come collect our kit. I eventually picked my shirt but was disappointed with the quality of the tote bag and was generally not a fan of the green and pick shirt design.
Even though my pre-experience was not the best, the race organisers really redeemed themselves during the actual marathon. The weather was amazing and the route was even better. I had to do a slow jog to take some pictures and videos because everything was so beautiful. My time also improved by 3 minutes! I was going for 2 hours or less but managed to complete the marathon in 2 hours 3 minutes. I would not say I am disappointed with my time because I fell behind my training plan and was only doing easy runs instead of long and speed runs. My next half marathon will be the Standard Chartered Marathon in October. Stanchart is a very special marathon for me because it was the first marathon I ever trained for and led me to discover my love for running. I will start training for Stanchart in September so look forward to more training updates on my Instagram.
Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)
Are you new here? July was the best month for me because it’s everything that I truly love and love about being a woman. The Summer I Turned Pretty S2, Barbie and of course the latest re-recording by Taylor Swift. I loved all the songs but I am in love with this new version of Innocent, Haunted, Long Live, Back to December andLast Kiss. From the vault, I love Castles Crumbling and Foolish One! All the songs are about me! I am not even exaggerating! I suspect that Taylor Swift will be my top artist of the year again! I am such a proud Swiftie!
The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 2
AHH!!! This show is the show that keeps me sane at the moment. I love this show so much and would recommend it to anyone looking for a nice cute comfort young adult show. I read the books mid last year and shared my review but I strongly feel like the screen adaptation is way better than the books.
It’s about Belly who spends her summers at the Fisher’s beach house with Conrad and Jeremiah but one summer everything changes. Jenny Han also wrote the To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before series which I loved so I highly recommend this to romance girlies. The last two books were not the best. Belly became annoying and I thought her relationship with Jeremiah was too rushed. All that drama and conflict for that ending? I expected better from the entire trilogy. Also why is her nickname Belly? I understand the meaning of the nickname if you read the book but come on! I loved the first one but the last two weighed my overall score down.
The soundtrack is also so good and fits the show so well. I am a true Swiftie so I legit scream every time any of her songs plays during the show. I may have shed a tear when Last Kiss started playing! Truly one of Blondie’s best songs. The bridge is just WOW!! I was also excited when the show featured songs by One Direction, Bleachers, Olivia Rodrigo and Niall Horan! Also how amazing was the Hey Stephen song feature? I am so happy knowing that the show has been renewed for season 3!Their IG caption hinted it before the announcement. I truly cannot wait! I even reread the second book again just to keep up with the series.
Barbie
I also watched Barbie with my friend the week it came out and it was so amazing!! I loved it and yes I did cry! The soundtrack was so amazing! I loved the Billie Eilish song, Nicki Minaj + Ice Spice song and Charlie XCX song. I feel like Charlie XCX has the best movie songs! In Home, the animated movie with Rihanna, I loved her song Red Balloon so much! I love that her songs are so cheerful. Let’s also not forget Boom Clap in The Fault in Our Stars that catapulted her to fame.
The Bachelorette S20
I decided to watch this new season of The Bachelorette because the lead is a Black woman. I have a love hate relationship with this franchise but always find myself going back. The last season I watched was the Matt one then I lost interest halfway. I find that this particular season is going so fast!!! They eliminate so many people in one episode and all the locations are not that exciting. I was also rooting for John B but now I think I like Dotun. Brayden is too much and after his comment on Sean’s appearance, I cannot stop picturing Prince Charming in Shrek.
2023 Goodreads Reading Challenge
I know it’s been long but I am back and will continue with consistency! My plan is to share my reading reflections for July next week. I am more than halfway with my reading goal and cannot wait to share all my favorite 2023 books in December. I hope to always read one book every week to achieve my reading goal.