2019 Year in Review
2019 was the year I explored Brooklyn. Starting with my prenatal classes, which took me to Prospect Heights; my hairdresser moving to Crown Heights; a bachelorette party in Greenpoint and Williamsburg; mommy-group took me all over Bed-Stuy and Park Slope and everything in between; and swim lessons in Tribeca (that's extra-northern Brooklyn). I even did a photo shoot in East New York. It was a good thing: my sons will forever call themselves "from Brooklyn", so it was time for me to stop being a borough snob.
I had a baby, which is to say I made a new human whom I love to bits in ways I never knew possible. I struggle with acting consistently, every day, with that deep love, but it's so there. (Like when I ignore the noises he's making to get my attention to instead update the Intarwebs.)
We did a bit of travel. I had a sleepover with my girlfriends in cool Brooklyn; we went to a wedding in Long Island; my reunion in Cambridge at a fancy hotel; most of a week at the shore and with my in-laws; a pre-back-to-work Disney cruise to Bermuda (loved Bermuda, have already picked the cruise I want to do there next, and the Disney part grows in my memories); and then a long trip in December with the older boys, including a cruise to Mexico and Honduras (loved our port stops, loved our room, started booking our next RC cruise while on board) and New Year's Eve at Disney (less of a fan, even though we rode a new Star Wars ride and had lunch at Be Our Guest).
My father-in-law died. I'm really glad we saw him in August, so that we could get that final reminder there was no him left by the Alzheimers.
We got wallpaper and new furniture for our bedroom, which looks gorgeous.
I can't believe I read less in 2019 than 2018, but I hit points in August and December where I just didn't want to read for weeks. OTOH, I also had long runs of non-fiction only, so I dunno what it all means. 37% were non-fiction, less than 2018 oddly enough, but it felt higher quality. My favorite book I read all year was the second, American Nations by Colin Woodard; he also wrote my favorite pirate book, The Republic of Pirates, but I can't bring myself to read any of his other books. I really really enjoyed Pat Conroy's South of Broad and Casey McQuiston's Red, White, and Royal Blue. Enjoying The Golem and the Jinni lead me to read The City of Brass, which I enjoyed much more before I learned S. A. Chakraborty is a white chick from NJ. For the first time I can remember, I didn't read a graphic novel all year, possibly because I forgot to look for new Ben Aaronovitch comics. The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs and 97 Orchard were also both excellent.
I have no idea how I did on last year's resolutions, to be more mindful of the mental states/cope of my nearest and dearest and to go easier on myself when I am imperfect.
Back in September, right before Jewish New Year, the universe started beating me over the head with the message to be more generous. I've had some success with my gratitude practice, but I've been terrible at turning my recognition of my own blessings into grace and kindness. I'm trying really hard this year though and it's already paying off. My other 2 resolutions for the year are to actually put some work into my face blindness, because I think it's hurting every part of my life, and to at some point during the year, either get back to a bodyweight squat or have a weight that starts with 11. I don't really care which I get.
This post was made on Dreamwidth & crossposted to LJ.
The dreamwidth post is here: https://katestine.dreamwidth.org/1384433.html and has
comments.
I had a baby, which is to say I made a new human whom I love to bits in ways I never knew possible. I struggle with acting consistently, every day, with that deep love, but it's so there. (Like when I ignore the noises he's making to get my attention to instead update the Intarwebs.)
We did a bit of travel. I had a sleepover with my girlfriends in cool Brooklyn; we went to a wedding in Long Island; my reunion in Cambridge at a fancy hotel; most of a week at the shore and with my in-laws; a pre-back-to-work Disney cruise to Bermuda (loved Bermuda, have already picked the cruise I want to do there next, and the Disney part grows in my memories); and then a long trip in December with the older boys, including a cruise to Mexico and Honduras (loved our port stops, loved our room, started booking our next RC cruise while on board) and New Year's Eve at Disney (less of a fan, even though we rode a new Star Wars ride and had lunch at Be Our Guest).
My father-in-law died. I'm really glad we saw him in August, so that we could get that final reminder there was no him left by the Alzheimers.
We got wallpaper and new furniture for our bedroom, which looks gorgeous.
I can't believe I read less in 2019 than 2018, but I hit points in August and December where I just didn't want to read for weeks. OTOH, I also had long runs of non-fiction only, so I dunno what it all means. 37% were non-fiction, less than 2018 oddly enough, but it felt higher quality. My favorite book I read all year was the second, American Nations by Colin Woodard; he also wrote my favorite pirate book, The Republic of Pirates, but I can't bring myself to read any of his other books. I really really enjoyed Pat Conroy's South of Broad and Casey McQuiston's Red, White, and Royal Blue. Enjoying The Golem and the Jinni lead me to read The City of Brass, which I enjoyed much more before I learned S. A. Chakraborty is a white chick from NJ. For the first time I can remember, I didn't read a graphic novel all year, possibly because I forgot to look for new Ben Aaronovitch comics. The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs and 97 Orchard were also both excellent.
I have no idea how I did on last year's resolutions, to be more mindful of the mental states/cope of my nearest and dearest and to go easier on myself when I am imperfect.
Back in September, right before Jewish New Year, the universe started beating me over the head with the message to be more generous. I've had some success with my gratitude practice, but I've been terrible at turning my recognition of my own blessings into grace and kindness. I'm trying really hard this year though and it's already paying off. My other 2 resolutions for the year are to actually put some work into my face blindness, because I think it's hurting every part of my life, and to at some point during the year, either get back to a bodyweight squat or have a weight that starts with 11. I don't really care which I get.
This post was made on Dreamwidth & crossposted to LJ.
The dreamwidth post is here: https://katestine.dreamwidth.org/1384433.html and has
comments.