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Infinite Country by Patricia Engel | Thoughts

   Published : 2021   ||    Format : print   ||    Location : Colombia ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆   What was it about the country that kept everyone hostage to its fantasy? The previous month, on its own soil, an American man went to his job at a plant and gunned down fourteen coworkers, and last spring alone there were four different school shootings. A nation at war with itself, yet people still spoke of it as some kind of paradise.. Thoughts : Infinite Country follows two characters - young Talia, who at the beginning of this book, escapes a girl’s reform school in North Colombia so that she can make her previously booked flight to the US. Before she can do that, she needs to travel many miles to reach her father and get her ticket to the rest of her family. As we follow Talia’s treacherous journey south, we learn about how she ended up in the reform school in the first place and why half her family resides in the US. Infinite Country tells the story of her family through the other protagonist, El

The Sunday Salon: One of the better weeks in a long time

The Sunday 
Salon.com

This has been one of those better weeks, busy yes, but good busy with several silver linings.


  • Family arrived on Friday night amid some flight delays that got them home later than planned. My brother-in-law and his wife were also visiting us this weekend (their first time here after their wedding in April) and they just left a couple of hours ago.
  • They brought so many delicacies from India that I'll have to watch my waistline for a good while. Not that I have a waistline anymore.
  • We also had so much fun this weekend. Last night, we went for bowling, where everyone but me bowled. Fine by me though, I'm not that good at bowling and would have just sulked all evening while everyone else racked up scores in triple digits. I can be very competitive even when I am not good at something.
  • We also spent this morning at the Smith Mountain Lake. Yours Truly stayed on the pontoon but almost everyone else rode the jet ski occasionally. Despite staying less than an hour from the lake, this was the first time we did any kind of boat rides there. Surprising, because everyone had so much fun today and want to do this more often.
  • Over this week, we finished painting and setting up the baby room, assembled the crib, washed all the baby clothes, and are now more or less ready for the baby to arrive. I am shocked at how huge the crib is. I know the baby is supposed to grow into it but it doesn't help make it feel smaller. Our family also gifted us plenty of baby clothes and I've been beside myself thinking how cute they look. Definitely hard to hunt for them in the laundry though.
  • Now that family has arrived to help with the baby, I have begun to feel some anxiety (okay, a lot of anxiety) about how our lives are going to change soon. Until now, the idea of our expanding family has been just that - an idea. I had completely romanticized versions of how I will be occupied with the baby - despite reading and hearing very different stories. Now though, those possibly fake visions have faded and for the first time, I'm beginning to realize that nothing is going to be the same again - of course, not in a bad way. I almost wished I had done more... stuff... before now, like traveled, seen the world, done more pet projects, read more, written more, achieved more at work, etc. I'm sure this is the anxiety speaking though.
  • I will be finishing 37 weeks on Wednesday - yet another milestone that had at one time felt so far away. At my last appointment, I hadn't dilated at all so the doctor thinks there's still plenty of time. But we know this kind of thing can change status at any time. From here on out, I'll be having a check-up every week.
  • On Thursday, the husband and I had a nice dinner date. Calling it a dinner date seems somewhat silly because we have such dinner dates a few times a week. What made this one special was that it was probably our last date alone - just the two of us before the family and the baby arrived.
  • Work-wise, I am beginning to offload my responsibilities next week and am looking forward to that. I've always loved staying busy at work and I love what I do, so it's not going to be easy stepping down. On the other hand, I am looking forward to some quiet time at work. Pregnancy hasn't been a difficult factor at work yet but overall, it has been a bit tiring and trying lately that being able to downsize at work is probably what I need.
  • Last night, we started watching episodes of The Strain. In case you are not aware, The Strain is a trilogy written by Guillermo Del Toro and has been adapted for the small screen. The second season starts next month but I had learnt of the TV show only last night. This book/show has one of the most dramatic openings I have ever read/watched - a plane lands at an airport with everyone on board dead. (Now that I think of it, even Nelson Demille's The Lion's Game has a similar beginning but has an entirely different cause.) So far, this show has been addicting and not super scary yet.
  • I finished The Truth According to Us last night (yay, finally!) and also started reading Intisar Khanani's Sunbolt which has one of the easiest-to-read beginnings ever in the fantasy genre. Usually, I have to read the first few pages of fantasy books a few times before I can get a foothold in the story's universe.
After the tiring but wonderful weekend, I'm all ready to call it a night. How has your week been?

Comments

bermudaonion(Kathy) said…
It looks like the baby's room is shaping up nicely!
Belle Wong said…
Such exciting times ahead for you, Athira! It sounds like you had a great weekend. And now I really need to add The Strain to my to-watch list. I read the first book in the series and really enjoyed it but somehow never got around to reading the other ones.
I'm so happy for you. That room looks awesome. Stocked and ready. / Things are going to change. Life will forever become "before babies" and "after babies" but you are about to embark on such a huge intense love that I promise you won't mind. *hugs* Stay strong. Trust your instincts. Ride the wave.
Vasilly said…
Wow! You are so busy! When do you go on maternity leave? Isn't right now scary yet exciting?! I haven't dilated either but being the mom of four, I probably won't until right before labor starts. Good luck with this week. I hope you're able to relax a little.
biblioglobal said…
My mom says that she got her best bowling scores ever when she was pregnant with me!
Care said…
Love the blue and green room for the baby. AND we need to get to Smith Mountain Lake, too! We've been wanting to check it out. It's just over an hour and half for us, so says the map app.
We had a pretty productive weekend though not in the reading department. I am not in a reading mood at the moment, I guess.
BEST to you with the upcoming excitement.
JoAnn @ Lakeside Musing said…
Love the blue and green colors you've chosen... so bright and cheerful. I'm glad you had such a good week - very exciting times are ahead!
literaryfeline said…
The baby's room looks beautiful, Athira! I am glad you had such a productive and good week. I am glad your family arrived safely! I understand about dreams about what it will be like after the baby is born. :-) Hopefully you will have a smooth delivery and postpartum time. I know having your family there for support will help.
The baby's room looks amazing! It sounds like you've had a hectic week, so I hope you give yourself plenty of space to lie around and read and relax.
JoV said…
Sounds like an awesome week Aths! apologise for not reading and checking out your blog for so long, glad that you are still reading. :)
JoV (Bibliojunkie) said…
Congratulations on the baby too!
Darlene said…
I'm glad you had such a good week and the baby's room looks great!
Glad you had a great week! I love the colorful theme in the room. So bright and happy! And yay for bowling.
Athira / Aths said…
I now want to read the books. The series is very addicting. I wish now that more seasons were available. But the second season is just going to start next month.
Athira / Aths said…
I remember worrying so much that getting a dog was going to change our lives so much. And change it did, but in such a good way. I am sure it will be the same with the baby, so I am certainly looking forward to it. :-)
Athira / Aths said…
My maternity leave starts only after I deliver. I could start sooner but only for health reasons like I have been prescribed bed rest, etc. I just hope she arrives right after week 39.
Athira / Aths said…
Good to know! Next time, I will give it a try. This time, I was way too tired to move or lift much so I didn't dare try bowling.
Athira / Aths said…
I hope you get to check out the lake. I've always loved going there but never went there often enough. Hope that changes soon.
Athira / Aths said…
Thank you! I hope it goes smooth too. I am certainly glad that family is here to help.
Athira / Aths said…
I am certainly relaxing more than moving around. :-) I try to get the husband to do most of the work, haha!
Athira / Aths said…
Thank you for dropping by! :-) It has been a while, I hope you are doing great.
Athira / Aths said…
I am thrilled with how the colors came out. We were worried initially but decided to go ahead anyways.
christa @ mental foodie said…
Oh I am glad I haven't missed the baby news yet!!! Sorry I haven't visited for a while... was really taking a break from all blogs esp since I can't keep up with everything... you'll soon understand ;) Yes do sleep while you still can!! You'll still find 10min to read here and there, but 10min sleep is no where enough :p Good luck :)