Hello / Bonjour / 你好!

2021 is upon us, and I hoped you had a great (and safe) New Year’s celebration last week. What a ride the past year has been, especially with the start of a new decade. But alas, it’s one down and nine more to go, and we’ll have to see what this new year brings with COVID-19, a new US president inaugurated into office, and personal development in career and love.

But before we look forward to what 2021 has in store for us, it’s important to reflect on what has happened in the past year in 2020. Since starting my blog in 2016, I’ve dedicated each New Year to reflecting on my previous 12 months, to relive what had occurred and especially through my travels. However, this past year was different, as I didn’t travel at all. It was the first time in over five years that I stayed put in one place more-or-less, only leaving my city once (yet still staying within California) and otherwise staying home.

Of course, my lack of travel had much to do with COVID-19. It killed me not to be going anywhere in 2020, but looking back, I think it was for the best. Not only did it ground me in setting up my career for the first time in my life, but also gave me more time to sit back and think long and hard about what I want to do as I get older, in establishing roots and settling down (with the still-frequent travels I hope to take later down the line, of course). Plus, I was still able to explore more of Los Angeles, my hometown, and to see the good and the bad, but nevertheless all of its beauty.

Without further ado, here’s what happened in 2020:

2020: A Year in Review

January

20200105_142710Venice Beach (January 2020).

Carrying on with what I’d been doing the previous year in mid-December, I went out on a lot of online dates, which took me to places I never really explored in LA, including Venice Beach, West Hollywood, and El Segundo. None of the dates ended up working out, but regardless, I got to experience the appeal of the hot-spot places I went to (e.g. beaches, trendy cafes, etc.), especially from the perspective of me, a LA native.

February

20200229_150744The Last Bookstore in DTLA (February 2020).

I continued a bit more online dating into the earlier part of February, which took me to Culver City. I hadn’t been back there since the previous summer, and I really did enjoy a second go at it, especially with some of the best tacos and lattes I’ve had so far in LA. Also spent an afternoon hanging out with my friends in Rancho Palos Verdes and Downtown LA (DTLA), the latter which I’d never really explored before.

March

20200307_182324Views from Griffith Observatory (March 2020).

Reports of COVID-19 entering the US were becoming worse and worse each day. Yet, my cousin managed to visit me from Canada in early March, and we hung out. I checked out DTLA once more, as well as strolled Hollywood for the first time, and revisited Griffith Observatory after five years. It was my cousin’s first time in LA, and I think she had a good time. I celebrated my birthday at home at the end of March, and was subsequently laid off from my job a week later (thanks, COVID-19)…

April

20200427_082616Antelope Valley poppies (April 2020).

Getting laid off in the previous month was no fun, but I suppose it gave me a reason to be “fun-employed” as I stayed home and stayed safe. In the midst of applying to jobs and avoiding COVID-19, I still got to take a few day trips to other parts of LA with my family, albeit with social-distancing. I visited Antelope Valley for first time during poppy season, its fields of golden flowers abundant and intoxicating. Also experienced bioluminescent waves at the beach on the last evening of April, a rare phenomenon.

May

May was one of the idler months, as I remained at home and unemployed. I continued applying to jobs (and receiving rejections), and I started running again after over seven months. My previous job’s schedule had made it impossible to go out running, and the freedom not to be working odd hours made me healthier and fitter than I ever had been before.

June

20200611_102951Joshua trees at JTNP (June 2020).

Black Lives Matter 2.0 exploded at the start of the month; it was all I heard in the news. I’ll be honest and say that I got flack for expressing my views on social media, and that experience really shifted my perspective on what it means to be “liberal” and supportive of others out there (but I digress…). My family and I took a day trip to Joshua Tree National Park, a first for me: it was probably the only trip I took in 2020, albeit within my home state. Gorgeous rock formations and fascinating topography; JTNP is certainly a beauty. Also had a day in Koreatown and Hermosa Beach later in the month, which were lovely, too.

July

20200717_113326El Matador Beach, Malibu (July 2020).

Summer in LA was surprisingly temperate throughout July– if anything, it was actually on the chillier side (thanks, global warming?). I checked out Malibu with my family in the middle of the month, a first for me. It’s really one of the most-pristine spots in LA, by far! Also took a drive to Long Beach for an afternoon, as it is a trendy spot for Millennials to be for living and hanging out. July was the “beach month,” I explored these two destinations under breezy, Californian weather.

August

August ended up being quite the tumultuous month; I never would’ve anticipated it coming, but it did. I ended up getting hired for a seasonal job that had me outdoors, so I got to check out and enjoy my own backyard– although I ended up quitting barely three weeks later. I actually ended up getting my current, full-time government job towards the end of the month, at the same time a family emergency occurred. The end of August turned out to be stressful having to juggle my career transition and family issue, but eventually, it all worked out. Incredibly blessed that nothing bad happened afterwards, and I hope it remains that way!

September

Like May, the month of September was fairly mild. Nothing much happened, as I was in the process of starting my new job and learning the ropes along the way. Again, pretty uneventful month, and it was good to have that time to focus on my career.

October

20201009_125321Fish tacos (October 2020).

Buildup to the US Presidential Elections was in full-swing, beginning with the cringe-inducing debates and keyboard wars from my divided peers on Facebook. I voted early via mail-in ballot, which I’d never done before. In the previous years, I’ve either gone to the polls (2012) or voted overseas (2016). I’m usually not one for getting into politics, but this past election was so incredibly-heated that I ended up being sucked into the craziness of it all. Also had a food-filled day with some delicious fish tacos, craft coffee, and mochi donuts (yup, I’m a foodie).

November

20201101_171321Sunset after elections (November 2020).

I worked the election polls in the beginning of November. I also got to enjoy more food and the beach in the meantime. Biden won the 2020 presidential elections after almost a week of nail-biting count of votes. While part of me is relieved that we won’t have Trump for another four years, another part is apprehensive about the extent to which Biden will step up and change the nation. I have my doubts, but we’ll just have to wait and see…

December

Weather got chillier, daylight shorter, and my work schedule changed. Watched a few cute films and series to get into the holiday spirit, all the while staying healthy and working hard at my job. I only had a half day of work on Christmas Eve, and the full day off on Christmas, so I had a solid three-and-a-half-day weekend to enjoy at home with family. It was low-key, as we just had a nice dinner. We’ve more-or-less stopped giving each other gifts in the last couple of years, as we just bought presents for ourselves. Really, I believe that Christmas is more about company spent with loved ones over material goods, as I find that more fulfilling than anything else. ❤

…and that was my 2020 year in a nutshell. Overall, I’d have to say that it’s been one of my “weirder” years, as so much had happened, yet nothing much at all. After all, I was at home practically the whole time and didn’t travel, but I also had a lot going on with my career and family. There were a lot of highs and lows, but I think that as I get older, I am getting better at handling things when the going gets tough.

I suppose this change comes with experience. And even though COVID-19 is still around, I think something will have to give this year with that– even if it’ll take until the end of 2021 to see what happens. I’ve become more optimistic, and I think this new mindset ended up becoming the most-surprising aspect I’ve uncovered this past year. I still have my moody moments, but for the most part, I’m feeling rather content in what I’ve got so far: a solid career, a loving family and friends, and security in who I am (e.g. character, limitations, etc.). We can only move forward from here, and I can’t wait to see what happens– the good and the bad.

How was your 2020? Let me know! Stay safe, and here’s to a hopeful 2021. 🙂

— Rebecca

Published by Rebecca

Blogger, world traveler, poet, foodie, part-time penguin. Welcome!

52 thoughts on “2020: My Year in Review”

  1. I’m glad you got to re-discover your hometown and the surrounding area. And you got a secure job! That’s good news. I’m sure you’ve had your difficulties too, sorry to hear about your family emergency. Have a happy 2021

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  2. Enjoyed your homey year in review. Despite your general lack of travel, there is still plenty here to whet my appetite, especially as L.A. is a city I’ve yet to explore, despite having been there 3-4 times for interviews. Have certainly made a note of El Matador Beach, Antelope Valley and The Last Bookstore. Where do I sign up for the fish tacos? Glad you survived 2020 Rebecca and hope you have a stupendous 2021 that more than compensates for the difficulties of the last year.

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    1. I hope you get to revisit LA someday! Solid choices of sites to visit; I would just be mindful that the Antelope Valley poppies are only in bloom from March to May, so hopefully, a visit can be well-timed! The fish tacos are from Ensenada Surf N’ Turf, and there are several locations scattered throughout LA and Orange Counties; it also serves ceviche, if you’re up for something adventurous! Hope you have a great 2021, too, Leighton!

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  4. 2020 was definitely a weird year. Its great you explored more of your home city, I’ve been grateful for that too. We are in another 3 months of full lockdown in the UK now though which is not a great start to 2021 being much better. Happy New year and thanks for sharing 😊

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    1. Yes, I’m glad to have visited more of my hometown, especially since I couldn’t really go anywhere else. Crazy that the UK is having another lockdown, and news of the variant strain isn’t helping…I’m sure you’ll make it through and hopefully, things will change for the better was we progress through this year. 🙂

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  5. Thank you for sharing your 2020 review with us Rebecca. The year has been strange for all of us, but like you I’ve adapted and tried to make the best of things, managing to get away whenever restrictions were lifted. Although I’ve visited the US west coast several times, I’ve not been further south than Big Sur/Carmel so it was fun to see your photos and hopefully I’ll get to LA at some point. Take care and let’s hope we can all start travelling again soon., Marion

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    1. Yes, I’m very impressed that you’ve managed to go out a bit in 2020! I hope you can return to California and visit the southern part (although I’ll say Big Sur/Carmel are gorgeous places, too!). Stay safe and hope you have a good 2021!

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  6. Difficult or different year? As long as we are not directly impacted by serious health or economic problems, ‘different’ should suffice. As always we adapt and your interesting series of photos speaks for itself in this respect.

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    1. You make interesting points. Factually so, every year technically is a “different” year, of course with its ups and downs. My 2020 was “difficult” in the sense of career struggles as I was trying to find a job during COVID-19. That said, it was challenging, in that regard. But I agree with you that we adapt and develop as a result of such adversities, and here’s to more challenges and knowledge as this year goes on.

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  7. “Weird” is a good way to describe 2020. I feel like there was so much going on and at the same time, every day felt the same. And as you described, lots of ups and downs 🤔

    I’m glad to hear that you made a lot of good out of the situation and managed to (re)discover your hometown. While we travel, we tend to neglect what our home base has to offer 😉

    Thank you for sharing your year in review. I am so glad that we got to meet through our blogs and am looking forward to learning more about you and your journey. Sending you lots of love and good thoughts to L.A. 💕

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    1. Yes, 2020 felt like a “twilight zone” kind of year (i.e. a reality that felt like a waking fantasy), especially when COVID-19 has affected practically everyone’s lives in the world. I believe it was good that the things that happened to me– getting laid-off, staying home, rediscovering LA– happened for a reason, as it forced me to step back and reevaluate my life goals and priorities as I get older. As I didn’t travel much in 2020 (nor will I do much in 2021), expect this year’s posts to be an eclectic blend of past travels, photo challenges, and new poems. Hope you join along for the ride!

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  8. The Last Bookstore in DTLA has gone straight to the places I want to visit!!! And that poppy field is just pure happiness in a photo.
    May 2021 be lighter for you, filled with California posts (please, please, please) and by the summer, who knows, maybe we’ll have an opportunity to visit safely places away from our homes!

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    1. You definitely need to visit The Last Bookstore and Antelope Valley (the latter blooms between March and May each year). I definitely have California posts and a few on my trip to Europe as a teenager coming up, so look out for them! Let’s see what 2021 brings…à bientôt, Véro!

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  9. You still got to see quite abit last year! That poppy valley looks incredible. I’m glad you’ve been able to find a stable job and are now feeling quite content- what a way to end the year.
    I flipping love fish tacos!

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  10. 2020 has been a strange year to say the least. I too wasn’t one of those lucky people who were able to travel before COVID-19 became a pandemic. It felt weird not to travel abroad, but this gave me more time to explore areas close to home, something I’ve never really done before. I’ve also had more time this year to slow down and think more closely about what I want out of my career and life and general. P.S. Antelope Valley looks marvellous with all the poppies. How beautiful!

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    1. Looks like we were in the same boat! I hope things have looked up for you, and here’s hoping 2021 gets better. Hope you can also visit Antelope Valley during the poppy season someday!

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  11. What a year indeed! Great summary and perspective of how our personal lives intertwine with global events! One of the few positives of this crazy year is rediscovering your local area. It was the same for us.I hope that 2021 will bring you a few good dates, a lot of fish tacos, and much travel, be it near or far!

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  13. Your year actually sounds eventful. And I agree with you saying the circumstances this year has positive effects, too. I am really glad you got to enjoy your hometown more and discovered new aspects to it and yourself at the same time. I hope the next year will be better and brighter for you. Happy 2021!

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    1. I’ve done a “year in review” post each year since 2017; it’s a great way to reflect on the past year and see how much has changed in one’s life and personal growth. Feel free to share your “year in review;” I’d love to read it!

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  16. I’m glad you were able to experience some positives despite the negatives this year has thrown. I also discovered a lot more things locally that I might not have seen if international travel hadn’t been risky/restricted! That’s also great that you got back into running! Being able to have the time to exercise is so important, especially during stressful times. Hopefully this year brings a lot more ups than downs!

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    1. I believe that no year only has positives or negatives, but a blend of both; it is important, however, how you choose to perceive it. Exploring locally has been something that I think many of us have experienced this past year, and we’ll most likely do the same this year. I used to run competitively in high school, and despite now working a 9-5 job, I do my best to squeeze in time to run when I can! Hope you have a great 2021, Camden, and I hope you’ll find something fulfilling after your lectrice contract ends!

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  17. Congrats on your career moves and thanks for being a poll worker! I’m also glad you got to visit Joshua Tree. I think you can understand why it’s my favourite place in America. I love it there! Not just the park, but the desert views outside of it, the people, the music festivals and the community values that still exist there.

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    1. Thanks, Alexis! 2020 was quite the ride, but thankfully, things are now settling down in my personal life. JTNP is a lovely part of California; I would’ve loved to have stayed overnight to stargaze. Perhaps next time!

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      3. That reminds me, I’m trying to come up to Apple Valley to visit those hot springs! I saw someone post about it on IG and asked them for directions.

        It would likely be a Friday, during the daytime. Would you be close enough or free?

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      4. That’s awesome you’re heading to California! Sadly, I won’t be close enough or available to make the trip up, but please do enjoy the hot springs for me. I’ve never been, so do report back on how it goes!

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  18. I love looking at the last twelve month, too. That way you know what you did well, the areas you could improve on and how you can go about planning for the next chapter of your life. One of the things I like to do the most, no matter how good or bad the year was, is looking back and celebrating all my achievements. Because no matter what you’ve managed to achieve, it is important to recognise and celebrate all the changes you have made. Wishing you a very Happy New Year, Rebecca. Take care 🙂 Aiva xxx

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    1. Couldn’t have put it better! I find that it’s important not only to acknowledge the accomplishments in the past year, but also reflect on the hardships and realize how much you’ve grown since then. I have no doubt this year will be another one of challenges and achievements, and I hope it goes well for you, Aiva!

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