Just like last year, so many special, happy moments and adventures happened in November that I just had to recap it!
NaNoWriMo
Like every year, I “unofficially” participate in National Novel Writing Month in November.
I say unofficially because the objective of NaNo is to write 50,000 words in your novel in a month, which is not my goal in November. During November, I am almost always still in the outlining phase of my current project and not ready to actually write yet—I prefer drafting during one of the Camp NaNos in April or July—so that’s why I say I “unofficially” participate.
So I’m still working on my novel during November and have a goal I’m shooting for, it’s just not the classic write-50k-words goal that most everyone has.
I believe NaNoWriMo’s term for unorthodox participants like me is “NaNo Rebel”. Noice!
So this month, I worked on my scene outline for my historical novel Warfare. My goal was 67 scenes by the end of December (so 67 scenes over two months), and I already had nine of those scenes outlined, so my November goal was really just to outline one scene a day.
You can read more about my historical novel Warfare on my author blog here!
I had a really fun time getting lost in my story world again. Not a few minutes after sitting down to work on it for the first time this month, I was filled with this strange sense of joyful affirmation in which I absolutely knew (again; I had no doubt before) that writing is what I’m called to do.
I document my writing progress on my Discord server and wrote:
(my “OMG” stands for “oh my gosh”, not the other one, btw)
There were lots of fun moments when working on the scene outline. I kind of want to share snippets but there’s way too many I want to share and this post will already end up long so I think I’ll just hold off for now. But if you’re interested, I can make another post about it.
By the 14th, my goal was getting hard to keep up with, not because of my motivation (I have extreme self-motivation) but because of my health.
I was definitely not reaching my goal of outlining one scene a day; not just because of my health, but also because there is a lot that goes into each scene. Sometimes I couldn’t get an entire scene with all of its many elements and plot complications outlined in one night.
By November 14th, I had managed to outline only eight scenes. While nowhere near my original goal, considering all the plot complications (thanks to my writing mentor for answering my questions) and enormity of the scenes and my iffy health, I’m really proud of myself. It took A LOT of effort to write even though I wasn’t feeling well.
(And just because I know some of you have expressed concern about this before, I’m not hurting my health further by pushing myself; ALL of my doctors are recommending that I push myself like this in order to get better. So I’m okay! :))
ANYWAY… what is this chaotic rant. The point is, I had a really good time getting lost in Warfare again—doing what I’m called to do again—and it made for some really special moments in November.
November 14th was the last time I worked on my scene outline because then we had…
November Vaca
VACATION!
With like, three days’ notice, we decided to go on a family vacation to the beach.
I’m a big sucker for keeping memories so I journaled about every single day so I wouldn’t forget it. :’)
Here’s a photo dump!
(I’m not watermarking them for the sake of time, but rest assured I do own the copyrights for every one and if you steal them… just ask my many enemies how sorry you’ll be. >:D)
Some notable moments include:
- Watching my brother play Breath of the Wild every night
- Drinking mochas every morning
- Burying my brother in the sand
- SO MUCH LAUGHTER AND HUMOR AND INSIDE JOKES THE ENTIRE TIME
- Some old man flirted with me and my sister… r u n
- Cooking and eating ramen noodles for myself, much to my family’s chagrin
- Cutting my foot on a seashell… lots of blood and throbbing and and limping down the beach trying to get back to the condo but then I cleaned it and the cut was so small it was laughable
- Waiting half an hour for a trolley at the bus stop, only to have it completely pass by us, then waiting another half hour for the next one, only to be denied access because we didn’t have masks :’)
Thanksgiving
A few days after we got home from the six-day beach vacation, it was Thanksgiving.
I gave myself a cute Thanksgiving hairstyle that looks nowhere near the Pinterest photo I found for it and makes me look ten years old:
Then I made a cute DIY Thanksgiving centerpiece for the table. RIP to the squirrels from whom I stole 20 acorns for it:
Kinda cute if I do say so myself. The fall-scented candle and gourds were from Walmart and the leaves and acorns were from my backyard. You should’ve seen me obsessively searching the grass for the acorns.
Then I ate three different kinds of pie like a responsible human being.
Later that day we went to Walgreens to get ice cream to top our pies off with. Shoutout to my brother for swinging the plastic bag back and forth which caused the ice cream carton to literally yeet out the bottom of it.
We were all like:
Black Friday Shopping
Thanksgiving night I had the brilliant idea of having a frantic adventure at the mall on Black Friday. It wasn’t as crazy as I thought it would be (sadly). I did get two pretzels though, and buy gifts for my mom. Shoutout to Icing for being a super cute mall store, can I get a gift card to there please?
We came home and watched The Mandalorian while I ate chocolate chip pancakes!
Family Movie Time
One of my favorite things to do is to watch movies/shows with my family. Preferably while eating. XD
This month we watched some cool stuff:
- Hello, Dolly! (1969)
- Titanic (ClearPlay filtered)
- Hidden Figures
- Robin Hood (TV series)
- The Mandalorian
- and some other random PureFlix movies we died laughing at because bad plot and quality
My Beautiful Homemade Mask
The picture says it all. Aren’t I just gorgeous?
I probably just gave you all blackmail to use against me when I’m a famous author but ok.
Election Night
I’m massively out of order because this was way earlier in the month, but on November 3rd I stayed up late to watch the election while eating plenty of delicious snacks and joining Discord VC with friends to stream polling sites and root for our candidate in ridiculous ways. (I stuffed a mini American flag in my hair)
I didn’t want to pull an all-nighter because I will get sick from lack of sleep so I just went to bed at like 3 AM. I know, I know, lame XD
Funny Discord Conversations
Discord in general isn’t really specific to November, but during November I’ve had some SUPER fun conversations and moments with my friends, and hilarious interactions with trolls on servers I moderate.
(Ninja_ is me)
(Madi is also me)
When I can’t get out of the house to make IRL friends, I’m really glad to live in the era of online friendships.
And I can’t WAIT to meet up with Olive one day.
Beautiful Music
If you know me, you know that music is a big part of my life! This month I listened to some amazing music:
- Kill My Vibe by Bad Party Heroes
- Celtic Trap on Audioblocks.com
- Montaña by Evan Craft, Sam Rivera, & GAWVI
- Renegade by Sam Rivera & Spencer Kane
- Superhero by Matthew Parker
- Showtime and Winning by Zauntee
- Severely by Xander Sallows & Ben Lawrence
- Sweatband by FF5
- Put On Your Sunday Clothes by Hello, Dolly! (1969 movie soundtrack)
- Lost Woods Trap Remix (YouTube)
- Breath of the Wild CG5 Trap Remix (YouTube)
- Song of Storms Trap Remix (YouTube)
- Song of Time Trap Remix (YouTube)
- We Three Kings and God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen by Tommee Profitt
- We 3 Kings by Matthew Parker
- The Very Best by Francesca Battistelli
- Lioness by Beckah Shae
I recommend all these songs!
Other Moments
- Adventure in the Air is officially one year old with 100 followers! Thank you all for providing me a place to share my random life adventures!
- Making cute cartoon versions of my book characters
- Eating lots of ramen and blue Gatorade
- Sending a birthday package to my friend
- Scheduling an appointment with a new healthcare professional that we think will really help me!
- Tripping the security alarm to our house because I am clearly a success at life XD
- I have to mention the tons of hilarious sibling inside jokes again, they’re just too good not to mention :’)
_
BAM, THAT WAS MY NOVEMBER IN A NUTSHELL. (Sorry again squirrels)
Now a lot of times I read recap posts like this and then get envious of other people’s seemingly problem-free lives, even though I know nobody’s life is perfect. So lest you think my November was all blue skies and butterflies… it wasn’t. Believe me, it wasn’t. As most of you know, I’m still dealing with health issues!
But I choose to focus on the good, and that makes me look back on November—and my life—with fondness.
How was your November? Have any plans for December? Did you know that International Ninja Day is December 5 and I will most definitely be making a post about it?
Wow this post is 1.6k. I HAVE SO MANY WORDS.
P.S. Jesus loves you!
This was a great post!! Lovely. Sounds like you had so many fun memories in November. That “beautiful mask…” LOL…I may or may not have gone into Walmart with a diaper on my mouth because….there wasn’t a mask in the vehicle, and why not….. XD
Also, ahhh, what?? December 5th is my birthday AND Ninja day? This is crazy awesome. Thanks for letting me know!!
Hope your December is a million times better than your November. 🙂 <3
OOH A KEZIAH COMMENT. Deja vu because I had just finished reading your latest post. XD Thank you so so much, Keziah! Wow, your “beautiful masks” tops mine for sure. Too good. ??
WAIT THAT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY?? Happy early birthday! ??? Being born on such a great day is surely a sign of good luck. ?
Thanks so much again! I hope you have an awesome December, birthday, and Christmas! ?
Haha, thanks so much. XD
Yesss, thank you!! I’m pretty excited. We’re going to an airsoft fight and then dancing later…So maybe I can take a photo with my airsoft mask and call it a ninja outfit? XD We’ll see.
Have a lovely day!!! <3
AIRSOFT OOOH, I’ve never played before but if you get to wear masks and shoot people I bet it’s amazing ??
… out of context that sounds quite dark. ? XD
Have an awesome day! ?
Yeah!! I’ve only played it once (like, two weeks ago…LOL) but it’s super fun. And hey, I tend to have a *slightly* dark humor anyways, so…..Oh well. 🙂
I hope I can play one day! It sounds so exhilarating. XD
Yes!! You totally should. It’s quite fun.
That’s so cool, Madi! Ooh, a November vacation! Its always perfect to go to a beach during that time!!! You watch The Mandalorian? That’s awesome! Wish I could watch it. LOL 🙂 How are you doing?
Victoria
PS. Its like 30 degrees here. *shivers*
Thanks so much, Victoria! I’m doing good, how are you? And it’s super cold here too! ?
Hey Madi!!! I’m great. Finally it warmed up here.. brrr… BTW Long live Star Wars!!!! 🙂
V
I’m so glad it’s warmed up for ya! And Star Wars is awesome!
This post made me smile – big time.
Hurray! ?
My November was AWESOME!! I didn’t do NaNoWriMo, but I have been working on the best Novel Ive Ever Written. (yes, it deserves capital letters :))
I hope you have a super wonderful December!! (December is my favorite mouth)
P.S. No, I didn’t know that December 5th is Ninja day!! I love ninjas!!
YAYYY! That’s awesome! What’s your novel about?
Yesss, it’s the best day ?
You can check out the first chapter on my blog!
https://mygoldenshire.wordpress.com/2020/10/18/daughter-of-kings/
😀
You can check out the first chapter on my blog!
https://mygoldenshire.wordpress.com/2020/10/18/daughter-of-kings/
So sorry, did i do that comment twice, XD?
You’re fine! It never lets you know that your comment was accepted into moderation so some people definitely post twice XD
Yeah…thanks for telling me that!! 🙂
Also, thanks so much for following my blog! 😀
Of course!! 😀
MAY I SCREAM AGAIN ABOUT THE BEAUTY OF THE BEACH PHOTOS?? TOO BAD IMA DO IT ANYWAY XDD *SCREAMS*
Lovely post lovely recap some lovely memories yea? The ramen mention made me laugh bc I’m making some right now >:3
Can’t wait to meet you toooooooo ?
Most crazily, ~Olive
P.s. bRUH if Sean rlly read this post and clicked the links and figured it out– he’d get his wish and know my name ? lol
Beach: is nice
Beach photos with editing: *looks flawless*
WAIT YOU’RE MAKING RAMEN TOO??? HAHAHA SCORE. IT’S ALL PART OF THE CLAN
Come soon ???
P.S. That’s EXACTLY what I was thinking, only after I had already asked you. ???♀️ I am just so trustworthy with my friends’ private information, aren’t I. :disappointment:
????
Yo, Madi! It’s so AWESOME to hear from you! I’m so glad to hear about your progress on your writing project. I’ve been in a bit of a rut with mine for a couple of months and literally NOTHING’S been worked on since. 🙁 I miss it so bad, but at the same time I don’t have enough time to get back on track.
Happy Anniversary! One whole year is a big deal!
Btw, I’m going to start my own blog/channel/instagram, and I’m super excited about it! There are exciting things ahead!
Hope you enjoy your day!
Yooo! Aww, I’m so sorry! I hope you’ll be able to figure out and get back to it soon!
WOW, that’s amazing! I’d love to know when you make them so I can follow them!
Thanks so much for commenting! ?
I’ll let you know.
XD You probably don’t know who I am. I usually comment on all of your posts, but I forgot what I nicknamed myself! XD XD I was too excited to go find out from past posts of yours. Oh well. 😉
No probs. It’s fun commenting on your posts. The community on your blogs is so heartwarming. 🙂 ♥ ♥ ♥
I was confused at first until I looked at the email you used to comment, then I knew who you were. XD
Awwww! Thank you so much, I’m really glad you like it <3
This is an excellent post. I love your beautiful homemade mask.
And, ooh, I LOVE LOVE LOVE those beach photos! So pretty. I’m glad you’ve had a good month.
Ahhhh, Happy Blogaversary! *throws confetti*
I’m kind of a NaNo rebel, too, but in a different way. I just try and get more writing in than usual.
Thank you so so much, McKayla! And THANKS! NaNo rebels for the win XD How much writing did you do?
I think around 25-30 pages.
You go, girl!
awww this was SO much fun to read through and I love all the pix! sounds like you had a great november madi … here’s to a just as fabulous december! <3
power to the local dreamer ||-//
Aww thank you so much jul! ? Hope you have an absolutely epic December! ?
Awesome post! This was fun to read!! I recently started writing another book, and my goal is to finish it this time, lol.
Dec. 5 is my cousins birthday!
Hope u have a gr8 December! (I normally don’t abbreviate, so I don’t know why I did here *shrugs*)
-Haley
Thanks so much, Haley! Best of luck on writing your book, too! And happy early birthday to your cousin!
Hope you have a gr8 December too 😉
OOh, sounds like overall you had a nice November. I’m glad that you mention the “bad” parts of your life too. It makes you seem more human, you know?
It looks like the beach was really fun! We went to my grandparents for Thanksgiving, and that was pretty fun.
For sure! I’d never want someone to look at my posts and go “woah her life is so perfect” when it totally isn’t XD
Aww, that sounds so fun! Hope you had a great time with them!
I absolutely loved this post and hearing about your November and all the photos! 🙂 I’m so glad you got to go to the beach, the beach is the best! 😀 And yay for music, I’ll be sure to look all of those up! 🙂 I need to send you another music list, hehe xD
Sending hugs!! <3 <3 <3
Thank you so much, Livy! If you listen to any of the music, I hope you like it! Ooh, keep the music coming! 😉
Very fun post to read! Sounds like you had a good month!! 😀
Thanks a bunch, Caleb! Hope you had a great November, too!
WARFARE!! Oh gosh I loved reading that, thank you for reminding me about it. I’m glad you had a lovely month, what with its ups and downs. Also that mask is peak art — blackmail?? pffft never
much love to you and here’s to the next month <3
AWW I’m so glad you liked it!! Thanks for reading it! And I am glad you appreciate the beauty of my masterful mask :’)
Hope you have an amazing month! *hugs*
what a wild november. looks amazing 🙂 where did my caps go oh nooo
caps lock said sayonara ?
it for sure did
Also: the mandalorian forever
*yessss*
Those pictures are GORGEOUS!! Good luck with the book! I would like to read it!! I am glad you had tons of fun! Ps. it was my bday on 14th nov!
Thank you so much, Ashmita! I hope you get a chance to read my book one day because I’ll definitely try to publish it. ?
P.S. Happy late birthday! I hope you had a great one. ?