2025 Wrap-Up

1. What did you do in 2025 that you’d never done before?

Finished a huge research project * Had a month-long vacation in France

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I’m more of a “concepts of a plan” type of person when it comes to resolutions. I did a little better than 2024 in that I’m actually able to find my 2025 resolutions to review. I did well in the work-arena with a few projects. SMS and I have built a slightly larger friend group over the year, which is nice. My daily yoga streak continued for six months and then petered out to a few times a week. Every day is a lot, but there are benefits. At the same time, I feel like my back would sometimes hurt from being too limber (?). Ultimately though, I think 3ish times a week is the realistic sweet spot that maximizes benefits and allows me to fit in other types of workouts. My language focus was a little scattered this year, but I am inspired to keep up with French since I want to bring my nieces to France in ~15 years. In shorter term language goals, I want to brush up on Japanese for a Spring trip and focus a bit more on Spanish. I will make other resolutions for 2026 as well. One thing that did not work for me at all was having a “Word of the Year.” Definitely remembered it for about a week and then forgot until I looked at my list as part of the year-end review.

Also, I just learned of a project to sort photos. Every day, type in the date and sort/delete photos from that day only. By this time next year, I’ll be so much more organized in my mess of a photo app. Stick a pin in this one!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

No.

4. What countries did you visit?

France!

5. What would you like to have in 2026 that you lacked in 2025?

I don’t feel a lack, but I would like to grow my sense of community and local friend group. I should also work on staying in contact with my college friend group, which was a road paved with good intentions but little execution in 2025.

6. What dates from 2025 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

April 2, not because it was a big deal celebration but because I always remember my birthday. Can’t quite say that about 8 June, which is my wedding anniversary since SMS and I both forgot for most of the day back in 2022. July 29 was a big surgery date. September 1 was my thesis due date (with extension, lol).

7. What was your biggest achievement of the year? 

My research project. I know, I can’t stop talking about it but it was a huge effort and major time suck.

8. What was your biggest failure?

Nothing too terrible failed. Maybe a three-way tie among too much phone scrolling, not practicing my French as much as I wanted to pre-trip, and not curbing discretionary spending a bit.

9. Did you suffer illness or injury?

No. And I got a flu shot so I’m hoping to keep away the current “Mega-flu.”

10. What was the best thing you bought?

I had a lot of fun shopping in France- City Pharma, Sezane, and Nomesai were particular highlights.

11. Where did most of your money go?

[Repeat] Savings, vacations, rent and if you listen to SMS, wine.

12. What did you get really excited about?

My trip/mini-sabbatical to France! I also had some family time that was really important.

13. What song will always remind you of 2025?

I cannot tell a lie: The Fate of Ophelia.

14. What’s one thing you wish you had done more of?

The year was pretty full so no regrets, but in 2026, I’ll try to go to more live music events.

15. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Phone-scrolling. I’m going to establish more of an evening routine that involves no phone! [Verbatim from last three four years]

16. How did you spend Christmas?

SMS and I reunited Christmas Eve after a family-filled two days for me in Pensacola, FL. On Christmas Day, we went up to Napa for a long Christmas weekend mini-vacation.

17. What was your favorite TV program?

I don’t think I watched any TV this year. I am interested in watching Pluribus. Maybe Emily in Paris for brainless France fun. And my book club friends are really into Heated Rivalry but I don’t know about that one…

18. What were your favorite books of the year?

I read 50 total this year! I feel like it was a bit of a meh reading year, but I think this has more to do with my phone-influenced attention span issues than the quality of books read. But a lot more 4 stars this year than 5. BUT. Five star books include Bug Hollow by Huneven (love her work), What Kind of Paradise by Brown (get through the first 20% which is a bit boring and the rest is amazing), The Correspondent by Evans, Open Throat by Hoke, Heart the Lover by King, Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten.

19. What was your favorite music from this year?

Life of a Showgirl songs (Fate of Ophelia, Wood, CANCELLED!, Actually Romantic); Love Me to Heaven by the Jonas Brother was a Summer bop; 20 ans and Tout ou Rien by Marie-Flore; Reliquia by Rosalia

20. What were your favorite films of the year?

I watched Wicked (part 1) on the plane. Other than that, I don’t think I watched any movies. I do want to watch the new Knives Out.

21. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

45. I took the day off from work, but the real celebration was a three-day weekend two weeks later when we went to Indian Springs Resort in Calistoga. It was delightful.

22. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

I didn’t hang out at the apartment complex pool as much as I wanted to this Summer since I worked a lot of weekends on my project. I don’t know if that warrants “immeasurable” increases in satisfaction but I hope to have more pleasant Summer weekends in 2026.

23. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2024?

I kind of upped my game this year! Two of my closest friends from book club are pretty stylish so I updated my wardrobe a bit after losing some weight. I like my new things but this year, I’ll try to up my Summer wardrobe game. I’m so much better at Fall/Winter dressing. I may also need to get a new suit- maybe Veronica Beard. Pricy but such great quality.

24. What kept you sane?

SMS, family, friends, exercise, and vibe coding with perplexity.ai for statistical analysis help

25. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2025.

I feel so fortunate to have a wonderful family and good health. Here’s to always appreciating the former and the latter lasting as long as possible!