So, per my previous post…it’s December. We’re still in the midst of a pandemic, but we’ve made it through the year. Most of are still sane and intact, I hope. If you’re like me, you’ve probably ridden the sanity scale back and forth. For being social creatures, it’s been one VERY unsocial year.

Some of us are getting by with virtual events because, at the very least, you’re seeing other peoples faces. But if you’re like me, they’re probably not enough. You’re probably craving quality time (of the in person variety) and some physical touch. And if you’re really like me, you’re missing traveling like crazy. (Side note: my love language is QT.)

Though I’m still grateful for 2020. There are people I probably wouldn’t have met or spent as much time with hadn’t I been “stuck”. I’ve gotten to spend more time with new and old friends and I’ll forever be grateful and appreciative for that. I’ve developed deeper bonds and refresh some old connections. It’s just a very strange year, but I’m just going with it. I’ve been extremely lucky this year.

Sure I’ll have a year end wrap up come January 2021, but this is for all the humans (and I apologize for those that I’ve missed…it’s not that I don’t love you and think about you…but this post can’t go on forever).

1. My extended family that lives down the way and the reason I moved to Chicago. We can’t all be together, but our Zoom calls are still everything. I love and miss my family so much.

• 

• 

2. My MN social bubble, which includes my brothers (now ex-roommates, Matthew & Brent (+Elizabeth)) and some friends I made right before the pandemic hit (Jin & Lydia)…and then my cousin, First, who I don’t hang out with nearly enough, but one of the coolest kids I know.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

3. My NY social bubble, which is the same group as always (Rich & Emma, Doreen & Kwai, Rato & Joshua, Vineet & Upneet). I’m always so grateful for the times we get together and just hang out all night doing whatever and talking about whatever.

• 

• 

4. My ex-work colleagues. I miss these people…these people who’d I’d spend 5 days a week seeing or at least hearing their voices.

• 

• 

5. My roommate/wife/bestie/empty nester partner in Chicago. I don’t know if either of us would be sane without the other.

• 

• 

• 

6. My friends around the world that allow me to keep in touch at all hours of the day.

• 

• 

• 

7. My natur-ing buddy Ed. This year included so many outdoor activities like hiking and camping.

• 

• 

• 

8. Sue & wine, otherwise known as Sue Fitz. When we hang out…there’s a sense of normalcy in life again…sometimes it’s all about food and wine and fun memories. And we generally always forget to take a picture together. (So, the one below is legit from today.)

• 

9. My college roommates who I haven’t spoken to or seen in forever and now we’re all reconnecting.

• 

10. My Ladies Brunch group that had just started and grown to include an amazing bunch of ladies.

• 

So my holidays include me seeing familiar faces, but not in the way I’m used to seeing them. For Thanksgiving, it was a virtual call with my family and a friend (my nature adventure buddy) was kind enough to drop off a roasted turkey leg, mashed potatoes with gravy and corn bread.

As Christmas rolls around, I have no plans to see my family. The people I normally see are up in Minnesota and my family in Illinois are all staying in their pods. Rachana is leaving to spend the holidays with her sister (which hasn’t not done before) and so it’ll be just me Zooming with my family and Netflix-ing in bed. What are your holiday plans?

I hope you all stay safe and healthy.