Poof. Another year gone. I know I say that so often that I can’t believe how fast the time goes, but it continues to be true.
Let me just say, I feel that 2022 was better in a lot of ways, but also worse in others. Sigh. Will there ever been more good than bad in this world? Bad things first: I could have really done without an egomaniac declaring war on a sovereign nation in the spring, mass shootings, climate challenges, and on a personal note, getting Covid.
But, this year was also good to me in many ways. I was finally able to travel home and see my family and also welcome them this summer here for our twice-postponed summer road trip. It was such a wonderful and precious time, we made so many memories that will forever live in my heart. I continued to be active and healthy (minus the bout with Covid in October), Jon turned 40, and I am so grateful for our little blogging community that has continued to thrive.
As per usual, I do a little round-up at the end of the year on my blog. It’s a nice way to reflect on a year, the highs and lows, and in-betweens.
January
In January, I recapped the things I wanted to do in 2021 and added a little ta-da list, things I didn’t anticipate but accomplished nonetheless (phrase courtesy of my blog friend Elisabeth). I shared my best purchases of 2021 (hint: the Peloton was high on that list!) and picked a new word for 2022. I also came up with a list of things I wanted to do in 2022 and participated in my first PeloFondo. I ended the month by sharing our 2021 spending report.
February
In February, I shared things that didn’t suck in 2021 because it’s always wise to look for the silver linings. But I also posted another blogging through the COVID19-crisis update and shared what was currently going on with me. To lighten the mood, I also put together a little birthday wishlist.
March
In March, I celebrated my birthday and had a surprisingly good day despite not being in a very celebratory mood in the days leading up to it. March was heavy and I shared my thoughts on the state of the world – two years later. I posted some thoughts on food spending and also summed up my month in a Currently post.
April
In April, I celebrated a different kind of anniversary. I showed you my 2022 Fringe Planner and a list of things that were saving my life. I also finally traveled to Germany over Easter to visit my family after 2.5 years and had the best time. I summed up the month in my Currently post.
May
In May, I participated in my 2nd PeloFondo. I also was surprised what I learned when I tracked my time for one week. I shared my thoughts on running + mental health and also recorded A Day in the Life. We also dealt with a water leak under the sink, I switched supervisors at work and the Pearl Jam concert that was finally rescheduled from 2020 ended up being canceled (yet again) because of Covid. What a bummer!
June
In June, I celebrated Global Running Day 2022. I made a list of current favorites. I talked about the weird feeling of time warp when traveling between time zones and my visit back home. I posted a list of summer fitness goals and what was currently going on with me.
July
In July, my family was here and that was all that mattered. We had a fantastic summer vacation together and I didn’t blog much, which I was totally ok with. I only posted a Currently post at the end of the month to check in with you guys after my family left.
August
In August, I tried to get back into a routine. I participated in the Power Zone Pack Ireland Map Race (one of many Peloton challenges that kept me motivated this year) and celebrated my One-Year Peloversary (can you believe it?). I shared a recipe for one of my favorite simple dishes that taste like home for me, Rheinischer Schnibbelskuchen, I started half marathon training, and randomly found out that I can pair my AirPods with our Smart TV. Mind = blown.
September
In September, I started writing my first recap posts of what will be many (Day 1 | The Arrival and Day 2 | Point Reyes) about my family’s visit this summer. I also revived an old feature post, sharing some things awkward & awesome.
I talked about staying vigilant as a runner, in light of the case of kidnapped and murdered runner, Eliza Fletcher. I also shared what was currently going on in my life (e.g. fieldwork).
October
In October, I finally got hit with Covid. I had known that it was only a matter of time, but I was surprised by it nonetheless (as I hadn’t done anything different, had been as careful as ever, and don’t know where I got it). It also impacted Jon’s 40th birthday celebrations, as I gave Covid to him on his birthday. I know! What a shitty present to give. However, he had just gotten boosted and almost had no symptoms – so there was a silver lining – and I felt mainly fatigued and got through it within 10 days (with no lingering symptoms, thank goodness).
I shared another summer recap (Day 3 | Muir Woods National Monument + Muir Beach). I also invited people to join me for NaBloPoMo 2022, not knowing what a roaring success it would be.
November
In November, I hosted NaBloPoMo 2022 and 15 (!) people joined me this year. I cannot tell you how exciting this was for me. As always, I started the month off by haring five things you might not know about me. I invited people to sign up for the 7th annual Secret Santa (Mug) Swap 2022. I shared a recipe for crunchy Buckwheat Granola and a “spruced-up” Ramen Bowl. Someone (I think Stephany) started a series of “Ask Me Anything” posts and a bunch of us jumped on the bandwagon and answered questions posed by readers: Ask San Anything Vol.1, Vol. 2, and Vol. 3. So fun!
I shared more German Idioms (a readers’ favorite being “Das ist nicht dein Bier.” (This is not your beer, meaning it’s none of your business.) and some of my current pet peeves. I also talked about a new, linguistic context of the term code-switching that applies to the switching between and mixing of different languages. I posted about my morning routine and also about the things I am not.
For Thanksgiving, I contemplated the things that I am grateful for and shared a snapshot of my day. I reflected about demerits and gold stars for the month (post idea courtesy of Elisabeth) and shared five things you can do when life gets busy. And as always, I had fun sharing a Random Holiday Gift List.
December
In December, I posted a Holiday Gift Guide for Athletes. I joined my blog friend Erin, at The Speckled Palate, for her annual The Sweetest Season Cookie Exchange and shared the recipe for Vanillekipferl (Vanilla Almond Crescent Cookies). I shared little tidbits about my pre-Christmas to-do list (cards, gift shopping, creating a photo book!) and shared the lovely package that I received from my Secret Santa Julie.
I also shared the phrase between the years that we use in German (which is the time between Christmas and New Year’s). I hope it was a lovely time for you to wind down and reflect.
And that, my friends, wraps up my blogging year 2022. As always, thanks for being here. I love our little blogging community so very much and I can’t wait to see what 2023 has in store for all of us!
NGS
January 3, 2023 at 8:47 amWhat a lovely year for you. I keep looking at those photos of you with your family and you just look SO HAPPY to be with them. I’m so glad you were able to get to see them this year. Onwards to a wonderful 2023!
San
January 5, 2023 at 4:29 pmThanks so much, Engie. 2022 was good to me :)
Elisabeth
January 3, 2023 at 10:17 amI love these round-up posts. And your pictures are always so cheery and bright and warm and…just lovely!
Happy New Year, my friend. Best wishes for a wonderful 2023.
San
January 5, 2023 at 4:30 pmThanks so much, Elisabeth. 2022 gave me lots to smile about :)
Nicole MacPherson
January 3, 2023 at 11:35 amWhat a great year! Happy New Year, San!
San
January 5, 2023 at 4:30 pmHappy New Year, Nicole!
Tobia | craftaliciousme
January 3, 2023 at 1:48 pmso many good things in 2022. Almost makes you forget all the terrible world things.
I wish you a wonderful 2023 with many more memorable moments in it.
San
January 5, 2023 at 4:30 pmThanks so much, Tobia. I hope 2023 will be good to all of us.
Melissa
January 3, 2023 at 2:55 pmGreat post. I got to learn a bit more about you, being new to your blog.
Happy New Year! I look forward t following along in 2023.
San
January 5, 2023 at 4:30 pmThanks Melissa. So glad you’re part of this community now :)
Tanja Jordan
January 4, 2023 at 5:07 amStupid Covid had us cancle our plans on meeting up…. But guess what, 2023 is a new year and we do have a new shot!
Love your recap friend!
San
January 5, 2023 at 4:31 pmThanks friend. See you so soon!
Lisa of Lisa's Yarns
January 4, 2023 at 8:32 amI am glad that you finally got to see family in 2022! 2022 was overall a pretty good year for me and my family. I share your frustration over global events that happened, though. But it was a more “normal” year for us with travel, going to the library, seeing family, and going on a couples trip. So I mostly feel good about the year and more hopeful for 2023! It was also an epically bad year for financial markets so that impacted my day to day work and the nature of the client calls I did, but I figure 2023 can NOT be worse!
San
January 5, 2023 at 4:31 pmThanks Lisa. I agree that 2022 felt much more normal again… not completely, but quite a bit.
J
January 4, 2023 at 12:34 pmI ‘met’ you through your hosting NaBloPoMo, so I haven’t read most of these posts. What a good idea, to do a yearly wrap up. Perhaps I’ll do something similar in case some of my new blog friends want to check them out.
For now, I’m looking forward to reading some of these posts and learning more about you and your adventures! So glad you got in some great family time. That is one of the things that gives life meaning.
San
January 5, 2023 at 4:31 pmSo glad you’re here, Julie.
Kyria
January 4, 2023 at 3:26 pmWhen you look back, you realize that A LOT happened, even though sometimes during the year it does not really feel like that. I am sorry that you got COVID during John’s birthday. I actually just (finally) got it in December for the first (that I know of) time and then my brother (unrelated and about 3 weeks later) got it for the first time, but his was the week before Christmas, which was very sad. COVID don’t care ’bout no holidays!
San
January 5, 2023 at 4:32 pmCovid don’t care about nothing! I hope it wasn’t too bad for you – and now you can say, you got it over with! Happy New Year, Kyria. And thanks as always for your card.
Stephany
January 6, 2023 at 8:02 pmOh that’s so interesting that you gave Jon COVID on his birthday becaus I did THE SAME THING to my mom. She tested positive a few days before her birthday but still. I felt so terrible!
Aside from the COVID nastiness, it seems like 2022 was a wonderful year for you, especially with your big family trip! It must have been so nice to have your family with you for so long over the summer. <3
rachel
January 7, 2023 at 10:18 pmYou have a lovely blog and I’m so glad I found it! it’s so cool seeing your year condensed into a few lines and posts as well. I’m glad you got lots of family visits in this year.