So, March was another month? I don’t even really know what to say about it, but let’s just start with what I always start with – the books! I actually read quite a lot considering what my usual monthly average was the past years and I also think I picked some great books! Let’s see what we’ve got:
- Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo (3 stars)
I was on a roll when it came to the Grisha books and mostly read them in one day. Siege and Storm was not my favourite though. While I was never against Mal in the first book, the bad communication in this one drove me nuts. Still, the slow corruption of Alina Starkov had its draws and I generally enjoyed myself. - Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo (4 stars)
What a satisfying ending! There really wasn’t many ways this could have gone and I personally liked it a lot. The book really had no right making me as emotional as it did in those final pages. - Any Place But Here by Sarah Van Name (4 stars)
- King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo (3.5 stars)
- The Summer of Broken Rules by K.L. Walther (4 stars)
As per usual, click on the covers to get re-directed to Goodreads, where you are always welcome to add me as a reading buddy! My own reviews (where there is one) you’re able to find by clicking on the titles in the list above if there are posts for them.
I’ve been contemplating how to best tackle my life this past month. After some personal struggles as well as a lengthy recovery from dental surgery (still healing, but all good), I knew I couldn’t put off the Canada topic any longer – I had to act! Most of you know that there is little I want more than to go back to my beloved Vancouver. The only issue is – this pandemic! It has messed up literally all my plans, I have zero desire to travel anywhere in this climate, vaccine roll outs are slow where I live and my once so very open work permit now hinges on me finding a job offer before I actually get to enter the country anyway. I’ve been writing dozens of cold applications as well as trying to apply for jobs I saw online, even if they aren’t all in the industry I used to work for. It’s been a very frustrating process. Please, for those of you who care, keep your fingers crossed for me, because at this point, my dream coming true really is just a matter of ridiculous luck …
Should I not be able to secure a job offer before the end of June (and not get another extension for the visa), this is it. I can never apply for that work permit again (as you can only do so once and getting approved is seen as taking part, even if you never enter the country), which means I literally have to rethink my entire life plan, where I want to live and what I want to do. To say I’m panicking inwardly is the understatement of the century, because I really don’t want to give up on this, but I might have to come to terms with the fact that I have to (especially since I can’t keep doing nothing in Vienna … I need to work! I LOVE work!). Sorry for this very rambly and personal outburst …
As much as I’ve tried my best at *all of that*, I still haven’t gotten back any kind of motivation to keep doing anything creatively. I have posted a couple things on my art instagram, but I wasn’t really happy with any of it. I keep not enjoying the end result and it’s really demotivating. I hope I will get some inspiration/motivation back soon, because I’m tired of being tired.
MY FAVOURITE THINGS
Many of you have probably seen me freak out on Twitter about Shadow and Bone on the regular and I apologize in advance about the person I will become on April 23. However, to not just rehash my gushing from last month, I want to talk about my massive dilemma, because speaking of April 23 … that day is also the day of the final episode of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. (Links for the reviews to the first two episodes below!!!) I always, always enjoy Marvel content, but I didn’t expect to fall that hard for this particular show. Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan just have an incredible dynamic and the character work they’re doing is beautiful! I may also have gone on a slight binge of their interviews together …
Another thing I would like to highlight is Sofii @A Book. A Thought. and the incredible work she has done to compile a really extensive list of book bloggers. Especially with the blow bloggers received after finding out how willing publishing is to throw money at tiktokers (no shade to tiktokers!!! Go get that coin!), but still pay regular bloggers nothing but dust, I love to go on lists like that and support other bloggers with likes and comments whenever I can. It’s super handy. Click HERE to check it out!
MY OTHER POSTS
WANDAVISION + THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER REVIEWS/CONTENT
- WandaVision Episode 9 “The Series Finale”
- What to watch now that WandaVision is over?
- TFATWS Episode 1 “New World Order”
- TFATWS Episode 2 “The Star-Spangled Man”
TV SHOW/MOVIE RELATED
THURSDAY MOVIE PICKS
- Oscar Winner Edition: Best Actor/Actress
- Movies That Haven’t Aged Well
- Fake Identity
- TV Edition: Opening Title Sequence
Life and Other Disasters 
The Canada situation sounds really hectic! Keeping all my fingers and toes crossed for you
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Thank you!! It’s so stressful and I have been told in no uncertain terms that I’m attempting something nearly impossible. Because of Covid, I have to have a job offer beforehand, but what reason does a Canadian business have to hire someone from abroad these days?? My initial work permit allowed me to enter the country and then look for a job while I was there … sigh … just gotta keep trying and sorry for this lenghty reply haha
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Yeah, we tried to get my now husband a workpermit to get him to NL. My dad wanted to take him on, but was only allowed to do so if no one else in the EU would be able to do the job. It stank. Luckily we got permission to get married later.
All these permits are really difficult to deal with. I can understand why, but it feels unfair.
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I’m glad it worked out for you and your now husband in the end though ❤ that’s awesome!
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Thank you 😘 I hope you will be as lucky!
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I wish you the best of luck on finding a job before June (or being able to extend your visa)!
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thank you, Savannah! I really don’t want to have to come up with a whole new gameplan for life haha
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You’re well connected in the book blogosphere, as I understand it. Do you have any Canadian contacts? Have you tried reaching out directly to any of them?
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My Canadian book blogging contacts aren’t really situated in the Vancouver area, but I obviously have friends there from when I used to live in the city. They can’t help me get a job though.
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Well is Vancouver the only option? Why not explore more options? Maybe you could reach out and just try your luck. It’s a long shot, but why not if it’s your biggest dream?
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Because Vancouver is my biggest dream. I’ve seen and been to several cities in Canada and it’s the only one I felt at home at. It’s where I would have the biggest support system, because I know the most people. It’s where I know my way around.
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Siege and Storm wasn’t my favorite either and I gave it three stars as well. I also have Ruin and Rising four stars too. I’m crossing my fingers for you and sending you positive vibes with finding work soon! ❤
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Seems we were pretty on par with the later Shadow and Bone books ahahaha I hope you might enjoy Rule of Wolves a little more than I did. 3.5 stars is not bad, but also not great.
And thank you!! ❤
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Thank you SO much for sharing the list, lovely!!! ❤️ without a doubt I think like you, book bloggers should be more respected and valued for our work 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻✨
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Thank YOU for putting the effort in and creating the list!!! 💛
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Hi Kat!! Hope you’ll be able to find work over here in Vancouver. Keeping my fingers crossed for you 🙂
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Hi Sophie! Thank you so much ❤ I can only hope haha
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Sending all the good vibes your way!
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Thank you, Nicole!!
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Sending you all the lucky vibes in the world!!! Surely, they should grant you an extension, especially under the circumstances that is Covid.
I love that you’ve basically ploughed through the entire Grishaverse in less than a week or so. That must be a record or something.
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Thank you so much, Lois! You’r the best ❤
I’m not sure the extension would help, unless it is not tied to the restrictive measures again. But we’re not there yet anyway …
Hahaha it took me WEEKS to read Rule of Wolves, but I did fly through the Shadow and Bone books. I loved them.
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Yooooo Kat, I’m really hoping that everything works out when you least expect it for your life plans. I can see how the pandemic killed a lot of the enthusiasm but I think your best option is to keep your head up and to keep on sharing your love and passion for what you do with potential employers. I hope it all works out in the end! Same for your art hobby. I’m convinced that ANYTHING you do is probably WAYYY too nice for everyone else in the world! Share it all, be proud of your art, and keep on growing in the things you love! Stay safe! 😀
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Thank you so much for your lovely comment, Lashaan!! I’m trying and I’m not giving up, but I might have to face reality eventually and accept that things won’t go my way haha Still, I appreciate your words of encouragement so much. They mean a lot to me!!
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I’m so sorry to hear that things are stressful! I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you that you get a job offer and can secure your visa! ❤ I’m VERY hyped for Shadow and Bone, I actually cannot believe that we’re finally getting the show, it feels like just yesterday when it was announced!
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Thank you, Caro. It’s unfortunately really not looking good but I’m not yet ready to accept that and move on.
Shadow and Bone is only two weeks away – surreal!
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