“So, good news…I saw a dog today.”

― Buddy the Elf

December highlights

• completed in-person Buddhism course at SF Buddhist Center
• continued interviewing financial advisors
• paid off student loan (wohoo!)
• registered for first creative writing course (Intro to Fiction Writing)
• completed 3×31 challenge
• attended writing tutor volunteer training + became official volunteer for 826 Valencia
• Monterey Bay Aquarium day
• Ain’t Too Proud to Beg + Beetlejuice
• began 2022 review + 2023 planning
• annual Elf watching with family
• made natural garland to celebrate Winter Solstice + Yule
• completedd Ellie’s advent calendar
• started Italy planning
• enjoyed brunch at Foreign Cinema
• visited so many holiday markets
• 900th Peloton ride + shoutout by Emma
• took in all the holiday decor
• finally made the trek to Oakland via BART (survived the tunnel)
• hair cut + color
• completed many LEGO sets + one difficult puzzle
• consumed multiple holiday-themed drinks
• two vet visits for Ellie (grateful neither were serious)
• survived more layoffs (but heartbroken for friends who were impacted)
• enjoyed special Anchor Brewing holiday tour + tasting
• made my fist gingerbread house (and learned the wrong way to make royal icing)
• multiple dinners/get-togethers with friends
• finally tried out our sun paper
• visits to Museum of Craft and Design, SFMOMA, Asian Art Museum and the Exploratorium After Dark
• tried my first fire and ice experience (sauna + cold plunge)
• celebrated Christmas Eve with a guided walking tour, visit to Union Square and yummy dinner at Ernest
• enjoyed Christmas and NYE at home
• rang in 2023 literally via a 2,100-pound, 16th-century Japanese temple bell
• finished all in-progress books
• enjoyed a few weeks of time off for the holidays
• decided to take a holiday card break this year
• 120 workouts/33+ hours (cycling, yoga, strength, walks, hiking, stretching)
• rode 154 miles
• Peloton milestones: 200th walk; 30-day streak; 13k and 14k annual minutes
• one Trajectory of Life post

January intentions + looking forward

• no-sugar January
• get back to daily/weekly habit tracking
• begin five-year journal (daily reflection)
• start first creative writing course at CCSF
• host Denver friends
• prepare for Hawaii trip
• spend day with another visiting Denver friend
• reach out to one friend to make plans
• read two books
• January happiness calendar

open tabs

• Wondering what words first showed up in print the year you were born?
• Looking for your next read
• The case for the reverse bucket list
• Consider dining at a restaurant that pays fair wages to all employees
• Some good news, courtesy of science
• Books that make you think
• More book suggestions
• If you’re in San Francisco, these tours are great (and free!)
• If you’d like a different focus for the holidays next year
• Start here if you’re looking to simplify your life