2023
2023 was a bad year for the blog. I only posted once. I journaled a lot in the first half of the year, and stopped trying in the second. Originally, I thought this would be a “throw-away year.” If I tried, maybe I could forget it.
The more I thought about it, the more I realized that there is no such thing as a “throw-away year.” I learned things about myself (especially when I didn’t want to). I traveled to new and old places. I made so many wonderful memories. Sure, there’s stuff I want to block out, but then I wouldn’t be the version of myself that I am today. I like this version of me.
So what happened this year? I graduated with my masters (after staying awake for 38 hours to write my capstone). I became a Revs season ticket member and I got on the jumbo screen a total of SEVEN times. I took 41 flights, most of them delayed. I spent $100 on body glitter and spent the year distributing it across friends and strangers alike. I’ve been called a “glitter dealer” or “glitter mommy.” Glitter is the medium through which I spread joy and I’m glad that there was so much of it in my year.
It wasn’t all glitter and rainbows, but that’s okay. I cried. A lot. I got into fights. I lost friends. I had my heart broken (in a couple of ways). I learned from the hard moments and I feel more capable than ever before. I have more happy days than sad ones.
When I thought about how I wanted to reflect on my year, I thought about my favorite things - songs, movies, pictures, etc. I decided that I want to share some of them with you:
Favorite Film: Cha Cha Real Smooth
This is a film about a recent college grad that goes home and becomes a party starter for bat mitzvahs. He ends up falling for a parent. I laughed. I cried. I smiled a whole lot. The main character’s rizz is off the freakin’ charts, and every character is so expressive. The entire film is wholesome, but I loved the two scenes where they talk about soulmates and what depression feels like. Please watch it, then call me so we can discuss.
Favorite Place: The Tree Farm
I got to visit the farm twice this year. Kaitlin and her family were kind enough to share their slice of California with me and it’s so special. I love waking up to the smell of trees every morning. I also like going upstairs each morning and sharing a cup of coffee while watching the sun stream in through the windows and being surrounded by all the leaves. I love feeling like time stands still and being surprised when each day ends. Everywhere you look, you can feel Kaitlin’s design influence. I’m so lucky to have seen Kaitlin’s curated spaces and they radiate warmth and elegance. I always feel so inspired there. It could not be more perfect.
Favorite Recipe: Brown Butter Rice Krispy Treats
Alex and I used to work together and she brought these Rice Krispy treats into the office once. I never stopped thinking about them. I think I made them four weeks in a row and I’d do it again.
Ingredients:
1 c (2 sticks) unsalted butter
1/2 vanilla bean
1/2 tsp kosher salt
9 c rice cereal
2 (10 oz) bags of mini marshmallows
Directions:
Spray 9x13 baking pan with butter or oil
Add butter to large sauce pan over low heat until it is brown
Once butter is browned, add salt and vanilla (seeds scraped out of the pod)
Mix in marshmallows and stir until homogenous
Turn off heat and add cereal - use a wooden spoon or rubber spatula to coat cereal evenly
Spread into pan and even out the top - cool at least one hour before cutting
Favorite Songs: I made you a playlist. Of course I did.
Pepas: I played this song when the clock struck midnight on new years. I have requested it on every dance floor I’ve been on and played it on the way to every soccer game. It’s the perfect hype song, every time.
Ranjha: I saw a wedding video of two Bollywood actors and lost my mind. I played this song about 100 times in a row, and it ended up being at the top of my Spotify wrapped. It feels really warm and celebratory - great feelings to hold on to.
Not Strong Enough: Boygenius came out with an almost perfect album and I got to see them perform this year. I chose this song, because I’ll always remember Thompson and I playing it on a loop through the roads of Virginia and screaming along to the lyrics.
The Grudge: This song cuts and describes how I felt for a lot of the year. Olivia Rodrigo really knows how to speak to love and loss, in a way that feels like she’s singing about/for me. I loved her new album as a whole.
Pulaski at Night: I went to a concert by myself for the first time this year. I saw Andrew Bird in Bozeman, MT. I absolutely loved him and can’t believe that he whistles like that in real life. I had to choose between this song or “Make a Picture.” I chose this song, because I didn’t expect it on the set list and was elated when I heard the first notes.
Now That We Don’t Talk: I had a friendship end abruptly this year, and this song speaks to that feeling of loss. It’s about the things you can’t say and won’t have a chance to ever again. It’s surprisingly upbeat for such bummer lyrics, which speaks to how I feel about the situation.
Get Him Back!: Olivia Rodrigo does it again. This song is genius. The double entendre. The pithy lyrics. The bridge of all bridges. This song speaks to an internal quarell - the push and pull of wanting what’s not good for you. It is catchy as hell.
Northern Attitude: I learned about Noah Khan through Olivia Rodrigo’s cover of “Stick Season.” I love his New England vibe and he’s really having a moment. He paired up with Hozier (one of my favorite white men), for this version of Northern Attitude. Their voices melt together like Brown Butter Rice Krispy Treats. The song captures that winter feeling. I also would put Hozier’s new album on your listening list - “Unknown” is a masterpiece.
People Watching: I only know about Conan Gray, because of Olivia Rodrigo’s tik toks. A theme! This song encapsulates how I feel at the end of the year and singing along feels cathartic.
I hope this gave you some insight to the year I’ve had. I can’t wait for the next one. Hopefully there will be more blogs in 2024.
