Monthly Review | February 2026

WATCHED

• Survivor: Cook Islands, season 13 – I’m slowly working my way through past seasons of Survivor (I only started watching with season 41!), and this one had an insane premise: they separated the contestants into four tribes based on their ethnic groups (white, Asian, Black, and Hispanic). This season was released in the fall of 2006. A different time, to be sure!
• The Traitors US, season 4 – What a satisfying season of The Traitors! This is why I watch and love this show so much.
• The Amazing Race, season 8 – I’m also slowly working my way through past seasons of The Amazing Race, so I decided it was time to watch season 8. BJ + Tyler 4 ever!

In progress: Survivor 50, The Traitors UK (season 4)

LISTENED TO

• The Man in the Window (podcast) – This podcast is about the Golden State Killer, and it is creepy. I have not read I’ll Be Gone in the Dark, which is a true-crime book based on this serial killer, but the podcast was a great listen. (I could only listen during the daytime, though, ha. I’m such a wimp!)
• Shelf Respect (podcast) – I’m so happy that this show is no longer fully behind a paywall. While I believe in paying creators for their work, things get a little dicey for one’s finances when it seems like every podcast now has a Patreon subscription. I already subscribe to a handful of podcast Patreons, and couldn’t justify adding another one to my list at the time. But now, they’re releasing two free episodes every month, and I couldn’t be happier!

BOUGHT

• Office chair – This office chair was a long time coming, and I am so happy with it! I love that it’s pink, it glides so easily, and it’s comfortable. Eloise is less pleased with this office chair because there isn’t enough room for her to sit when I’m in it. Parenting fail, I guess.
• End table – Sometime in February, I became obsessed with the idea that I needed an end table for my living room. I couldn’t stop thinking about how nice it would really tie my living room together, and so I found this end table, and I love it. It was super easy to put together, too!
• Lamp – I love this lamp! I found it at Target. It’s so cute!

LOVED

• Our Super Bowl party – While the game itself was a snoozefest, we had a great Super Bowl party! It’s a small event – just my mom, my brother, my nephews, and me – but we had plenty of food to keep us busy! I thought the halftime show was incredible, and it was especially sweet to watch it with my nephews, who are half-Puerto Rican.
• Trivia nights – My mom and I started attending trivia on Wednesday nights. It’s just the two of us and our general knowledge is, ahem, not as thorough as it should be to win at trivia, but mostly, we’re there to have fun and laugh at ourselves.
• Galentine’s Day – I had the best Galentine’s Day! My mom, Bri, and I went out for dinner, and then we saw & Juliet at the Straz. It was an amazing show. I didn’t expect to be so moved by it!

LOATHED

• Joint pain – While I started on long-term medication for psoriatic arthritis in February, it’s going to take some time to see any sort of improvement. And even then, it might not be a strong enough dose to provide the relief I need! So I am in this trial period of figuring out the right meds and the right dose for my PsA, and I need to be patient. I’m still having joint pain (my left shoulder, my left ring finger, and my hips from time to time), and I’m still taking prednisone, which keeps the intense symptoms at bay. This is a slow process, though, and I’m trying to accept that.
• Other medical ailments – After getting bloodwork and X-rays done, my rheumatologist noted a few “extra” ailments I need to speak to my primary doc about (enlarged heart, possible Hashimoto’s diagnosis, and high thyroid levels). I don’t have the energy to deal with anything else, so I haven’t made an appointment yet.
• My eating habits – I first wrote “bad eating habits” and then realized I had just read a book about body image and not moralizing our food choices! See? My mind can still slip into fatphobia, even though I’ve been on an anti-diet culture/fat acceptance journey for a decade. What I want to say here is that I haven’t been nourishing myself in a way that makes me feel good. I really want to focus on hydration and getting more fruits and veggies into my days.

SUPERLATIVES

• This month’s chapter title: Let’s Make This House a Home
• Weather notes: It was pretty nice around here! We had some super cold (for Florida) days where my car even had a snowflake next to the temperature! And then we had some really nice, warm days in the 70s. It makes me excited for spring and wanting to spend some time at my pool!
• Favorite meal/snack: Girl Scout cookies!
• Something I learned: I was curious why Chip (my fur-brother) seems to delight in chewing holes in blankets. Is this anxiety or a nervous tic? According to ChatGPT, it’s a self-soothing behavior. It makes him feel calm, and it’s part of his relaxation routine. I told my mom that it’s a great business idea, though. Ever felt too hot while under a blanket, but then when you remove the blanket, you’re cold again? INTRODUCING… The Chip Blanket! With strategically placed holes, you’ll never be too hot OR too cold! 😉
• An unexpected delight: A wonderful present from Kim out of the blue! It was so thoughtful!

What chapter title would you give to February? What’s something you loved this month?