I’m pretty sure this is one of the most defining years of my life. I think it might be one of yours as well. But, 2020 started off, much like all the years that have passed…with great aspirations and intentions for the year ahead. In any realm (not quite sure this is the world I want to use, but I can’t think of the world right now) of my imagination, I could’ve never anticipated how the year would end up (and not just because of the pandemic) or how it would turn out.

This post isn’t intended to be a wrap up of the year (that’s coming up in 2 weeks). Look at that, look at me being all organized. Yes, I’m metaphorically patting myself on the back. But this post is about my 2020 hobbies. I’ve been making friends on the other side of the world…and like when you start dating someone or you are making new friends, you ask them what they do in their free time or what their hobbies are. So let’s do this!

2020 Hobbies

• Traveling – a hobby that has been severely diminished this year. My fancy destinations included Minneapolis and New York City. There’s been a lot of outdoor fun and just hanging with my social bubbles in each of the cities. Lots of board games and great food…along with the amazing company.

• Photography – when all I do is spend time outside, where it’s a bit safer, why not hone my skills (now, let’s just see if I can figure out these camera settings). I’ve also invested in the better phone camera now because tech toys. I’ve taken out my mirrorless DSLR for more outings. I really do enjoy it. It’s an Olympus Pen-EL 7 (and super portable.

• Writing – something I’ve always enjoyed doing. Usually it’s in the form of a story or a novel. This time, I’ve moved to blog writing, but I’d like to get back to writing fiction. Writing the two different types of works is a perspective shift, though I’m pretty sure they have the same voice because this is me we’re talking about after all.
• TV – I mean, I’ve always watched TV. It was “part of the job” when I worked in television advertising sales. After that, I just kept it up…and now it’s made a resurgence tenfold in my life. Most of the shows I watch are now in other languages (mainly Thai, Korean and Chinese). Thai for language immersion. Korean because who doesn’t need a little bit (a lot of bit) of drama in their lives. Chinese because I need a language break from the other two. English because I can watch or listen without exhausting my brain. And then, I switch it up with some Portuguese or Spanish…or any other languages because those shows on Netflix are great.

• Language – I’ve dived deep into this rabbit hole. I mean I’ve always tried to retain all the 7 years of French I had taken in school, but I really just don’t use it…and at this point I can find people to use it with, but I’ve gone the Asian languages route at the moment. Korean, a language I’m learning passively. You’re probably like…what?!?!. I’m using DuoLingo daily for this, but am not actively absorbing information. I’m learning through lots of repetition to the point where things are becoming familiar. I’m also consuming a ton of K dramas, but life. Thai is the other language I’m learning. That one is a much more active process. I was going to learn to just listen and speak, but during the pandemic and with the time on my hands, I took up learning to read and write (writing is so hard), but reading is becoming easier and easier each day. My best skill is listening though. Sometimes I even have to translate for my new friends (made through HelloTalk), though I’m sure they could just use an app. From my world, I translate a little bit different than the app because of my background with learning the language. Originally Lao was my first language and English, my second. I inherently grew up bilingual and understand the two languages differently and not through a book or whatever. So yeah, Thai is going well and I’m using Drops for vocabulary. I do really need to work on my speaking, but once I’m there…I think it’ll be even easier. As of right now, I’m constantly mixing my Thai, Lao and English. Hey, as long as people can understand me.

• Eating – at this point, if you’ve read any of my blog, I hope you’ve picked up on the fact that I’m definitely a foodie. Can that statement be an understatement? I love food and appreciate it. It’s not strict to any category…it just needs to be good. And this year, even in the midst of the pandemic, has allowed me to eat some pretty amazing food. Even though I couldn’t physically go and dine at Alinea, I got to experience just a little bit by getting take out from them. I’ve also been able to eat at a couple of other fancy Michelin stars this year, but sometimes the cheap food we get is also amazing. I found a Thai restaurant I really enjoy for delivery, Sticky Rice. And we love getting sichuan from MCCB.

• Music – in pre-pandemic life, I listened to music when I was commuting whether it be in a car or on a train or bus. Well, let’s just say those of transportation are not happening much at the moment. So, I’ve had to make a point to actually make time for some music in my life. My Spotify year end wrap up was pretty pitiful (941 minutes of listening…but that’s because I use Apple Music). Today, this is the song I’m leaving here: Good Vibes by HRVY, Matoma
• Cooking – now that I have a roommate, who is my Chicago bestie, I don’t have to cook for myself anymore. I’m not a big fan of cooking for myself, not am I all that good at it (I generally end up with lots of leftovers). And, I get to share some of my favorites foods (thought slightly modified) with some of my favorite peoples. Also, I did not jump into the bread making craze.

• Shopping – this was not an on-purpose hobby because really, I don’t need to acquire things before moving. But I’ve mainly been sticking to the replace old things…and small things that will fit in my suitcase. I’m sure I’ll still have to do another purge of things before I go.
• Reading – I want this to be more of a hobby but it’s moved it way down to the bottom of my list. I did finish reading The Death Class though. And when this whole thing started, I was reading an expat book that I was gifted. Sometime in November, I picked up the Crazy Rich Asians trilogy, but am working my way VERY SLOWLY through that. I am reading a lot of texts…does that count? They’re in Thai…so working on those skills.

• Content Creation – OMG, this is time consuming, but also kind of fun and enjoyable even while I say “THIS IS TAKING SO LONG” to writing this post at this very moment. But content creation has been for the following mediums: Instagram, YouTube…and this blog.