Meet Katarina Valancova Acevedo
Program Coordinator, Clinical Curriculum, Department of Academic Affairs
Describe your morning – what time do you get up, what do you do first, next and what is for breakfast?
I usually wake up at around 6 AM, just to give myself enough time for my morning coffee and news before work. I love this peaceful time of the day, while my husband and 5-year-old son are still sleeping and the house is so quiet. My little 10-year old dachshund Cammy and I always take at least few minutes to walk out to the back patio, check on my plants and look for hummingbirds that come to visit my hummingbird feeders so often.
Next, I usually call either my parents, sister or a friend in Slovakia (it is where I am originally from and the time difference puts them 9 hours ahead). We are all very close and even though we talk daily, we never run out of stuff to discuss.
As I am not a big breakfast person, my coffee or possibly a smoothie are my most common breakfast.
What happens next? What do you do for lunch?
Maybe it is my European roots but I absolutely love having soup for lunch. It might be 120 degrees outside, but a warm soup is always the most satisfying lunch. Staying home the last few weeks, it has been lot easier to stay on top of my meal prep for the week so lunches are all taken care of.
What do you do for dinner?
Dinner is usually prepared by me, unless time or schedule restrains call for takeout. Cooking is not my favorite, but I don’t like eating out too much and rather eat a homemade meal. My boys are luckily not too picky, but if it would be up to my son, we would be eating mac-n-cheese 24/7! 😊 Having dinner together is our no-screen family time.
How do you end the day and what time do you go to bed?
After my little one goes to bed and the house quiets down again, I often take out my mat for a bit of yoga. It is the one exercise that has proven to be so beneficial to me in so many ways over the years.
Bed time is usually around 11 pm.
What art are you doing and when do you do it?
I consider myself a DIY art&craft enthusiast. Throughout the years I have found so much joy taking on new projects involving drawing, painting, crochet, sewing, gift making and decorating. I have been lucky enough to plan and execute themed birthday parties, baby & bridal showers, even a wedding.
Pinterest has been my absolute favorite and I have learned so much from it.
Given that my son has been home for the last few months, I have been encouraging any sort of craft or art project he would be interested in. The biggest winner without a doubt has been rock painting. After finding a ladybug in our garden, he suggested we paint a ladybug. Hearing the birds in our tree, or buzzing bees around flowers, he suggested we needed to paint those as well. It has been such a fun activity for both of us.
I usually have few projects lined up, currently attempting to make an outdoor sun catcher windchime recycling some of my old materials. Also, I have been preparing to finally put together a T-shirt quilt blanket from my old race shirts.
What are you reading?
Right now, I am reading Breath, The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor.
Very interesting read, summarizing benefits of proper breathing through review of ancient breathing techniques and also modern research.
What are you streaming?
I just caught up with The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, just finished The Morning Show and Succession. My personal favorites and always-on-replay shows are Schitt’s Creek and The Office.
How are you feeling?
I feel good. I feel grateful for my health, now more than ever. COVID stay at home order has forced me to slow down, I have more time to enjoy and appreciate all things in life, spend more quality time with my husband and my little boy. There is more time for introspection, more time for my hobbies, resulting in much less stress, letting go of things that I cannot control.
What’s the first thing you’re going to do when the quarantine ends?
I will reschedule my flight to go see my family in Slovakia and give my mom and dad the biggest hug EVER!
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