Karissa had a minor freakout last week when Canvas, the app her university uses for classes and assignments, got hacked. The timing could not have been worse, of course. She immediately started worrying about deadlines, missing assignments, and whether she would even be able to turn in her work. Thankfully, by the next day, everything was back up and running, and she was able to submit her assignments without any issues.

The first thing she did after realizing something was wrong was email all of her teachers. I thought it was kind of funny because I’m pretty sure the professors already knew the system was down before the students started flooding their inboxes. I can only imagine how many “Canvas isn’t working!” emails they received within the first hour.

Apparently, this is not even the first time Canvas has had security issues. From what I have read, they had been hacked a few times before. Ever since I started learning more about cybersecurity, stories like this hit differently. Before, I would have just thought, “Oh, the website is down.” Now I find myself wondering what kind of attack happened, how they got in, whether it was phishing, stolen credentials, malware, or some vulnerability nobody caught in time. This time with Canvas, it was a ransomware attack. It’s wild how many different ways attackers can compromise systems, websites, apps, and even huge organizations with entire IT departments dedicated to security.

The more I study cybersecurity, the more I realize how much of the digital world runs on people simply hoping everything keeps working. One weak password, one employee clicking the wrong email, or one overlooked vulnerability can create a huge mess. It really makes you think twice about online safety and how important it is to stay vigilant with anything digital. Strong passwords, two-factor authentication, software updates, and being cautious online do not seem optional anymore. They feel more like basic survival skills for modern life.

Yesterday was a good Mother’s Day. The day was relaxing while I played on my laptop, though “played on my laptop” is probably generous since I mostly just watched videos. I’m not sure my laptop could survive actual gaming; it’s definitely not built for that kind of stress. I’m still hoping I can get my computer running sometime again. I probably need to replace the case.

The kids made us dinner and cupcakes, which were really sweet, and everything turned out well. Later, Tommy and I went to his hockey game. After the game, we stopped by the store to pick up a few dinners for the next several days. Tonight we’re having chicken adobo. Even though I already know how to make it without a recipe, I decided to use one tonight anyway, just to try something a little different and see how it compares to the way I usually make it.

The seemingly popular word this Spring is “whimsy.” Everywhere I look, it’s “whimsy” outfits, “whimsy” aesthetics, “whimsy” decor. Entire lifestyles are being packaged and sold under the label of whimsy, as though it’s something you can order online and have delivered in two business days. It feels less about actually living whimsically, which is more of an ongoing mindset or practice, and more about purchasing the appearance of whimsy as an object or identity.

I understand why people are drawn to it. The world feels heavy lately. News cycles are exhausting, people are overwhelmed, and life often feels increasingly structured around stress, productivity, and survival. Of course, people crave softness, comfort, playfulness, and little pockets of magic. There’s something deeply human about wanting beauty and wonder when everything else feels dark and uncertain.

What irritates me is how quickly that desire becomes monetized. The internet takes something genuine and turns it into a shopping category. Suddenly, whimsy is no longer about slowing down to appreciate sunlight through the window, mismatched teacups, old books, handwritten notes, flowers growing through cracks in the sidewalk, or finding joy in ordinary moments. Instead, it becomes a curated collection of expensive dresses, cottagecore decor, pastel kitchens, and affiliate links.

Don’t get me wrong, I love mismatched teacups, old books, and handwritten notes. But there’s something ironic about feeling pressured to buy new things just to participate in a trend built around “whimsy.” The most meaningful forms of whimsy usually come from the personal and imperfect, not from purchasing the right aesthetic to prove you belong in it.

Real whimsy should come from imagination and perspective, not consumption. It should be about finding new ways to use and appreciate the things we already own, creating little rituals, noticing beauty in mundane routines, or allowing ourselves moments of silliness and creativity without needing to buy an entirely new aesthetic to validate it.

Social media trends often begin as ideas about how to live more meaningfully, but they almost always drift toward aesthetics over substance. The lifestyle itself becomes secondary to looking like the kind of person who lives that lifestyle. Eventually, the message stops being “find wonder in everyday life” and becomes “buy these five items to become whimsical.” And somehow that completely misses the point.

Okay, rant over. Now it’s time to get back to studying. I want to quiz myself on everything I’ve learned so far before moving forward. I don’t want all of the earlier material leaking out of my brain the second I learn something new. That’s an image.

It’s lunchtime, and I’m trying to eat and marinate the chicken for tonight’s dinner. Unfortunately, Alex mopped the floor and used so much water that it’s still soaking wet 15 minutes later. So now I’m stuck waiting around while hungry, which is frustrating because I need to get back to studying afterward, and I already feel behind on everything I need to do. I also still need to throw my clothes into the dryer. Timing today is just not on my side.

I finally made it into the kitchen and marinated the chicken for tonight. I also had some leftover pasta for lunch. Now it is back to studying.

I did more quizzes and watched some cybersecurity videos. I’m now going to put clothes away and then make dinner. Maybe make some tea too.