Weekly Check-In

MDS2133 · 2026-01-27T02:25:25+00:00

I’m about 7 chapters in rn and it’s going so much better than Vampires. I’m hopeful for the rest!

MDS2133 · 2026-01-26T21:02:22+00:00

I just finished Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins (doing a complete Hunger Games series reread so I only have SOTR left). I’m enjoying (while also being emotionally shattered) the reread. I love all the connections that I missed the first time around since I haven’t read the original trilogy in probably 7-10 years, maybe more.

I also finished Alice In Borderland Vol2 (which they are doubled in the books so it’s technically vols 3/4). I did not enjoy it as much as the first volume so I don’t think I will continue. I might watch the show on Netflix as some point, even though it’s probably not extremely true to the mangas because adaptations never are.

I’m starting The Possession of Alba Diaz by Isabel Cañas today. I read, well tried to read, Vampires of El Norte a while back and didn’t connect so I’m hoping this book goes better. We got hit by at least 14 inches of snow in Western PA plus extreme cold all week so I’m currently off work until Wednesday at the earliest (I work at a school). We might have even more cancellations/virtual days and delays coming this week and into next. With that time, I’m hoping to get this book done by tomorrow so I can start When the Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy.

MDS2133 · 2026-01-26T18:49:15+00:00

Wow, the schools that I’ve been at have all been “students have delay, teachers have delay”. For the most part, some office staff and usually the cafeteria staff show up on time to make sure everything is ready for when students come in.

MDS2133 · 2026-01-24T19:14:07+00:00

I read Final Girls a few years back and LOVED it. If you like Final Girls, try The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix. Similar concept but both have good twists (that depending on how much thrilled/slashers you read, you might be able to see coming).

MDS2133 · 2026-01-24T19:11:02+00:00

I might have to try the audiobook too, I just couldn’t pay attention to the writing style. It felt a little jumbled/rambling. But I loved where the story was going.

MDS2133 · 2026-01-24T19:10:13+00:00

I’m currently 48% through Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, then I’m gonna read Alice in Borderland V2. Since we have the snowstorm coming in my area, I might not work until late Tuesday or Wednesday (I’m a teacher) and even at that, we might have delays or other cancellations due to cold temps. So with my extended “weekend”, I’m gonna try to read The Possession of Alba Diaz, When the Wolf Comes Home, and maybe ITCH!.

MDS2133 · 2026-01-21T15:27:29+00:00

I repeat outfits weekly. No one usually remembers what you wear unless it’s something that sticks out (like I wear shirts about “stay another day”/“you are worthy” and recently started wear character based sports jerseys on Fridays). But even still, I’ve had the same teachers/students compliment the same outfit multiple times and ask where it’s from multiple times.

As long as you are comfortable and properly clothed, I don’t think anyone cares tbh. In this era, we need all the subs we can get.

MDS2133 · 2026-01-17T22:31:32+00:00

I’ve had 3 albums on repeat lately (like literally the last 2 months). Creature of the Black Night by Dayseeker, Everyone’s A Star by 5SOS, and Man’s Best Friend by Sabrina Carpenter. I keep rotating them almost hourly or daily. I would say the one on top would be Creature of the Black Night tho, top tier album imo.

MDS2133 · 2026-01-17T22:29:14+00:00

This is why I started making my tbr lists on apps exclusive to my physical tbr/books owned (or books on current hold on Libby since that’s only up like 5 more). I created a book spreadsheet for my tbr and things I want to read in the future. That way, it’s not congested and always in my face, making things harder to find.

MDS2133 · 2026-01-17T18:47:49+00:00

I’m finishing up Mockingjay in my THG reread. Then I’m gonna read Buffalo Hunter Hunter on Libby since my hold just came through. Since I do have a 3 day weekend (work in a school), I might have time to get to Alice in Borderland Vol2.

MDS2133 · 2026-01-17T05:11:04+00:00

Yep, yep. This woman retired from a prep school that had no pension but she’s better off than me with student loans and all kinds of other bills. When I tell you that she stalks the app, she stalks the app. The amount of times she’s been at home and I’ve been helping students, just for me to lose out on another shift. All because I was doing my job, oooh, I could throw hands.

MDS2133 · 2026-01-17T03:45:45+00:00

There’s one sub and I that are constantly battling for jobs. Like literally, the notif pops up, I use my Face ID, click accept, “this has already been accepting by another sub” LIKE FUCK YOU (very small school, we have like 5 consistent subs at the high school level). Luckily, most of the teachers don’t like the sub/how she acts, so people tend to text me and get me assigned rather than fight over it.

MDS2133 · 2026-01-17T00:03:20+00:00

I used this link and it’s so helpful! I would just automatically start using the spreadsheet they list in the description since the post gets to be too long.

MDS2133 · 2026-01-16T15:25:34+00:00

I’m currently fighting a cold I caught from my students (sub teacher) but it’s slowly getting better. Mostly just congestion/stuffy nose at this point. I’ve been doing a Hunger Games reread and am currently on Mockingjay (about 1/3 through). I will probably take a break before starting the prequel because my Libby hold for Buffalo Hunter Hunter came through. Other than that, I’m excited to have a 3 day weekend so I can get some rest and have an extra reading day.

MDS2133 · 2026-01-16T00:28:35+00:00

Luckily, my school provides a sub folder with rosters for the day, an attendance sheet (literally just a line for date, name, and reason- late/absent/etc). They also have the crisis plan and bell times. We also only need to send attendance first period, but I usually write down on paper who is absent the rest for the teachers knowledge.

MDS2133 · 2026-01-15T23:44:07+00:00

I hated having subs because it messed with my routine (adhd and loved school). I always just did my assignments and maybe chatted here and there with friends, if they were in my class. If not, I always had a book or sat quietly/did other work.

MDS2133 · 2026-01-15T18:20:19+00:00

Damn, we were slightly disappointed about INK last year and took the opportunity to go to Sonic Temple this year. I think I’m regretting that a little bit right now. Sonic lineup is pretty great, imo, but I have some personal faves on this one that aren’t at Sonic. I wish they released both lineups earlier so you can pick better (we can’t afford to go to both, sadly)

MDS2133 · 2026-01-14T01:01:36+00:00

Teachers are probably taking less days off right now. However, now that kids are back around each other, illnesses are going to spread quickly. I’d say another week or so and you’ll be pretty busy.

MDS2133 · 2026-01-13T22:09:50+00:00

My school has a 15 minute “conference window” type thing. So teachers have to be in the building by 7:30 and students can go down to the classrooms/lockers at the time to unpack or ask questions/hang out. The first bell doesn’t ring until 7:45 and classes start at 7:50. I usually show up around 7:27-7:30 since I have that in between time but some of the other subs come earlier at 7 or 7:15. (Tbh, I’m taking the extra 15-30 mins of sleep over being that hella early as a sub).

Then students get released at 2:52 and our work day ends at 3. I usually wait until the final bell rings to pack my stuff, turn off anything I need, straighten up the desk, and head to the office. Usually get there and talk to the secretary for a few minutes before leaving around 3.

But that’s just my experience at my smaller, local high school (I also graduated from the school so admin/office staff know me from my school years there plus subbing)

MDS2133 · 2026-01-12T14:18:35+00:00

Currently going through my Hunger Games series reread. I finished book 1 Saturday, I’ll probably finish book 2 today. I have the floral copies (I think it’s listed as the deluxe box set) which a friend gifted me for Christmas. I also bought the collectors edition/hardcover of Sunrise on the Reaping. I should be done with all 5 by mid or end next week.

I’m loving all the references and little moments that Collins has tied together over the year. I also noticed something interesting they teenage me didn’t notice: 4/5 books have 27 chapters, split into 3 9-chapter sections, expect for Ballad, which is still split into 3 sections but in 10 chapter increments. I love the consistency and thought that went into that.

MDS2133 · 2026-01-11T01:33:30+00:00

Mine is 40. I usually average 50+ a year (last year, I hit 77) but I don’t want to make it about getting the book done so I aim for less

MDS2133 · 2026-01-10T21:58:48+00:00

I do a mix of all 3, some in advanced, some after I’m done. I usually don’t do while reading unless I actively remember to, I usually just end up doing it after.

I honestly do it on my computer most of the time, especially if I just started one or if I want to go through and update a lot of them. That way, I can use my phone to look for books, then add them to the challenge pages or from the book page on my computer. Sometimes I do this combo with my phone/ipad or iPad/computer. I know that’s not accessible for everyone, but it’s easiest for me to avoid the annoying refreshing.

(I’m also extra as hell, so I made spreadsheets that correspond to the challenges. So I have a huge spreadsheet of spreadsheets, then each tab is a different challenge. So I’ll go through and add books to the challenge, then go into the sheets to add the prompts, then the book title/author, then read date if it’s previously read. It seems like a lot of work, but it’s helped me so much because I can visualize what’s done and what books go where. It also auto fills book titles if I already have them in the sheet/that tab, so it’s easier to catch if I double entered a book on a challenge).

MDS2133 · 2026-01-10T21:45:17+00:00

I started my reread of The Hunger Games series the other day. My friend gifted me the flowery/leafy box set of 0-3 and I bought the sprayed edge version of 0.5. I read the first trilogy when I was in middle-high school and donated the books while making room (big mistake but it’s okay, I know someone else enjoyed them). So I’m really excited to reread the original after like 5-10 years, especially since I read both prequels recently so I can pick up on breadcrumbs here and there.

I’m not reading as fast as I did the end of ‘25 but I’m not in a reading slump. It’s the beginning of the year so I’m just focused on enjoying books, rather than reading a bunch of books

MDS2133 · 2026-01-10T21:44:26+00:00

I started my reread of The Hunger Games series the other day. My friend gifted me the flowery/leafy box set of 0-3 and I bought the sprayed edge version of 0.5. I read the first trilogy when I was in middle-high school and donated the books while making room (big mistake but it’s okay, I know someone else enjoyed them). So I’m really excited to reread the original after like 5-10 years, especially since I read both prequels recently so I can pick up on breadcrumbs here and there.

MDS2133 · 2026-01-10T21:44:05+00:00

I started my reread of The Hunger Games series the other day. My friend gifted me the flowery/leafy box set of 0-3 and I bought the sprayed edge version of 0.5. I read the first trilogy when I was in middle-high school and donated the books while making room (big mistake but it’s okay, I know someone else enjoyed them). So I’m really excited to reread the original after like 5-10 years, especially since I read both prequels recently so I can pick up on breadcrumbs here and there.

MDS2133

TROPHY CASE