2016 [The Good]

It’s been a rough year. As my own little self-care exercise, and as I work on more formal year-end posts, here are nice things that happened in the last 12 months, in no particular order.

I saw Hamilton on Broadway.
I saw Hamilton in Chicago.
I spent two wonderful weekends in my dear New York City.
I bought a ticket to Paris.
La La Land and Moonlight and Kubo and the Two Strings and Moana and Sing Street
I paid my rent on time every month (aka every night of the year, I had a roof over my head).
The Cubs won the world series (and I actually made it to a game this season!).
I lost my keys (actually not good) but found them again.
My cat, still going strong 13 years on.
I got a new job.
I visited Lincoln Park Zoo and Brookfield Zoo.
I started seeing a therapist again.
I saw a live taping of both Wait Wait, Don’t Tell Me… and the FiveThirtyEight Politics Podcast.
I moderated Q&As with filmmakers and guests where audiences truly bonded with them.
I walked Oscar-winner Steve McQueen down a press line.
I planted peppers and harvested fresh eggs and got a sunburn working on my friend’s farm.
My cousin helped me get a real Christmas tree into my third-floor walk-up apartment.
I became a member at the Art Institute of Chicago (free art!).
My ears were filled with endless hours of awesome podcasts by intelligent, dedicated creators.
I drank a lot of great cocktails, really good gin and probably even more cheap wine.
I traveled to Austin and Minneapolis and Memphis.
I discovered I own Purple Rain on vinyl – and have a record player on which to enjoy it.
I ate Chicago’s best burger.
My niece started speaking in full sentences and it’s magical.
I hosted brunches – for great family, for great friends. Must host more brunches in 2017.
The cashier at Stan’s Donuts told me to see my day as a Grand Staircase – and keep struttin’ till I reach the top. And I did.
I baked cupcakes from scratch (and my coworkers loved them!).
I started the Couch to 5k program, because moving more is a must. Maybe I’ll finish it in 2017.
My cousin got married and I was lucky enough to be there to witness it.
I watched Penny Dreadful (three quick seasons!) and it’s great – highly recommend!
I sent 73 Christmas cards to friends and family in sixteen different states, handwritten.
I found the seed of an idea for a project for my future, and it’s very exciting.
Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life
The Hamilton Mixtape
I sang a lot of karaoke. Hopefully decently.
I finished and presented the 5 hand-stitched Christmas stockings I’d spent two years making.
Got to take my kid sister to the beach – twice. She was so happy.
I created and shared my 8th annual Christmas playlist, a little bit of holiday spirit in each track.
I woke up every morning, even on the days I wasn’t so sure I wanted to.