I Submitted the Book for the Print Test. Then I Ate an Entire Bag of Chocolate Covered Pretzels.

I submitted Parenting Unpacked for the print test.

Which means in the next couple of weeks I will see what the physical book looks like for the first time. The actual object. Pages, cover, coffee ring marks and all. The thing that has existed in five versions and one very sweaty final review in a Swiss heatwave is about to become something you can hold.

I was trying to stay calm about this.

And then Dr. Débora Pasin posted this on her Instagram story.

“And while we wait for @jessicagabrielzyk’s new book, we celebrate this beautiful sunny Saturday in family.”

Screenshot from Dr. Débora Pasin's IG story.

I want to be honest with you about my reaction.

I’m on a diet. Let me start again. I was on a diet. And then I saw that story and I ate an entire bag of chocolate covered pretzels. Every single one of them.

Dr. Débora Pasin — linguist, PhD researcher, 28 years of experience helping professionals navigate foreign systems and foreign languages — is waiting for the book. She said so publicly. On a Saturday. While celebrating with her family.

I can’t wait for June 24th! And people are already waiting for it in a way that apparently requires emergency chocolate covered pretzels on my end.

I am fine. The diet resumes tomorrow. or maybe next Monday.

Jessica Gabrielzyk