Happy New Year!

We’re now in 2024, after another year around the sun. COVID is still here to stay, although the world has pretty much returned to normal (or, at least, a “new normal”). We’re another year towards the halfway mark of the 2020’s, which is remarkable given I still think that 2020 was just a year or two ago…any case, we’re continuing full steam ahead!

I already mentioned it in my New Year’s post, but basically, 2023 was a year of big changes, both good and mixed. It wasn’t easy with such changes throughout the past year, and admittedly, I experienced many moments of anxiety. I will say, however, that I’ve gotten to the point that I’m slowly beginning to accept and embrace the changes, and I’m definitely in a better place than I was earlier last year.

As I did write, though, I had a lot of good things happen to me, too. For one, I moved in this past December with my partner! We’ve been together for almost two years at this point, and we finally make the big move to live together. So far, it’s been great. 🙂 I also got to (finally!) work from home and do some travel in 2023, with an international trip for my 30th birthday and a handful of trips in California with my partner and family throughout the year– stay tuned for the posts soon!

Any case, here’s a month-by-month breakdown of my 2023 year, photos included. Have a wonderful 2024 year ahead!

2023: My Year in Review

January

20230107_181152Light show to start off the year!

What a packed month! I rang in the New Year with my partner and from there, it was a busy January with at least something happening every week. From checking out a gorgeous light show to attending a friend’s wedding to going to job interviews, it was a long, but busy start to 2023.

February

20230209_195514Red velvet cookies for Valentine’s Day

February was also busy, and it was a short, intense month with more job interviews. To be honest, I had major anxiety, to the point of getting physically ill. Despite not feeling the greatest, I did have a lovely Valentine’s Day dinner with my partner, as we celebrated our first Valentine’s Day together.

March

20230322_113914Bibury in the Cotswolds, England

I started March with good news: I finally got approved for telework! It’d been a long time coming, but I was finally able to work from home, which has drastically improved my quality of life. I also took my big, international trip to England and France (and Luxembourg) for my 30th birthday. Couldn’t have asked for better places than to celebrate three decades on this Earth!

April

20230429_114219Grey day on Santa Monica Pier

Another busy month! I worked, but I also took a day off to chill at a resort in Laguna Beach with my sister. I also attended an outdoor book festival with my partner and basked in the now-warm spring weather. I revisited Santa Monica and Venice at the end of the month, enjoying the beaches and locals there.

May

20230527_200810Sunset in Cambria

I spent most of the month working , but I also spent plenty of time with my partner as we ate our way through LA (Japanese, Italian, Argentinian…). Got called into jury duty for the first time ever and took a trip with my partner’s family to the central Californian coast over Memorial Day weekend, where we saw the ocean, went wine tasting, and enjoyed plenty of food!

June

20230618_123421Views of Catalina Island

Pride Month! My partner and I attended a small Pride Parade in LA, and we had a couple of Farmer’s Market weekend outings. We also went on a long weekend to Catalina Island, which was our first couple’s trip together– very relaxing and easygoing while not being too far away from home!

July

20230730_184350Late afternoon in Manhattan Beach

One of the hottest months of the year, but it was the perfect opportunity for a few beach AND pool days– there’s nothing quite like relaxing by the water with a good book and a dip in afterwards. I had a few doctor appointments at the end of the month, but I’m glad that they were taken cared of (and yes, I’m healthy)!

August

20230807_101052Spanish-tiled views in Santa Barbara

I spent a long weekend in Santa Barbara for my partner’s birthday– we enjoyed taking the Amtrak from LA, and we had a wonderful time exploring the beach and historic Downtown. We also watched Barbie later in the month, which was a fun film with a good message on feminism.

September

20230922_090010(1)Homemade mooncakes

The summer heat wasn’t letting up, but in any case, I enjoyed a Labor Day weekend hike to Griffith Observatory with my family, and we also celebrated the Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋節) with some delicious homemade (and store-bought) mooncakes.

October

20231019_170438Baking some pumpkin spice scones

Fall season arrived with cooler and cozier weather. I had (and took) a few days off from work just to rest and to shop, eat, and overall practice self-care. I also celebrated Halloween with my partner, as we dressed up as characters from the Gilmore Girls and I watched Halloweentown for the first time!

November

20231120_111239Views of Big Bear Lake

Days got shorter and colder this month; it amazed me that the sun set by 16h30! I spent a brief weekend getaway to Big Bear Lake with my family to take my mind off work, and I had not one, but two Thanksgiving gatherings with my partner and with my family. Lots of food and good company to welcome the holiday season!

December

20231224_200838Holiday lights

Last month of 2023 turned out to be very busy: I (finally!) moved in with my partner and went from celebration to celebration for Hanukkah, Christmas, and other family/friend gatherings. Lots of things to do, lots of people to see, and lots of food to be had. It was hectic, but I wouldn’t have it any other way– what a way to end the year!

How was your 2023? Let me know! Happy 2024, and let’s have a great year ahead!

— Rebecca

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Published by Rebecca

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

63 thoughts on “2023: My Year in Review”

  1. Sounds like a good year despite all the challenges and having to deal with anxiety. Lots of baking, I like that. The mooncakes look great! I know you are visiting some very exciting destinations at the moment, which means that you have gotten 2024 off to a good start.

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    1. Yes, my stepmother made those mooncakes! Very impressive, as they aren’t easy to make. I’m starting 2024 with a bang, but we’ll have to see if I can go anywhere else this year…thanks for reading, and have a wonderful year ahead, Leighton!

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  4. Hi Rebecca, my year went really well, the highlight of 2023 was my trip to China, I miss my Chinese students and the country itself. Another big news is my little sister has moved to London in 2023 which means I will go visit her there soon. Big changes, the year of dragon is only going to get better! Cheers!

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    1. The light show is at the botanical garden in Palos Verdes; it’s expensive, but worth seeing once! I haven’t heard of a holiday Posada, but I’ll look into it! Have a great new year!

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  11. On balance it sounds like a good year, despite the spell of anxiety. I’m glad that working from home is suiting you so well. I enjoyed all your photos from the Californian coast and also seeing Bibury, one of my favourite villages in the Cotswolds 🙂

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    1. 2023 was a year full of changes snd learning, but I got there in the end! Bibury was beautiful; I’ll recap it in a post to be up this spring! Thanks for your support, and Happy New Year!

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    1. Thanks, Elle! A year isn’t without its challenges, but it’s important to surmount them and come out stronger in the end. Wishing you a great 2024 ahead (and that overseas trip for you)!

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  16. Congratulations on moving in with your partner! I always see it as an important thing in our adulthood, for it teaches us how to compromise and to focus on what’s important. Wishing you a year filled with even greater adventures ahead!

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  20. Sounds like it’s been a busy year for you too, with a mix of challenges and adventures at home and abroad. Love July’s photo – the blue skies and beach scene transports me back to summer! Hope you’ve been able to recharge over the Christmas break. We had a Mandarin taster block for S2s in my school last autumn, and I tried mooncakes for the first time 🙂

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  22. Hoping you have an exciting and rewarding 2024! I will be travelling, must go to London to meet my new granddaughter, Sofía…..where else? Let’s see, several festivals not to be missed in the Peruvian Sierra and……. mmm……..who knows which way the wind blows. I am but a floating feather.

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  29. This is such a wonderful post, Rebecca. All your wonderful travel photos make me want to pack my bags and travel someplace new! I particularly love the sight of Catalina Island- it looks like a unique destination with many things to do, in addition to its history, natural beauty, and romantic atmosphere. I am glad to hear you celebrated your 30th birthday celebrations with an international trip. I look forward to reading all about your trip to Cotswolds especially as we plan on visiting it this summer. Happy New Year to you, Rebecca! May it bring you lots of memorable adventures 🙂 Aiva xx

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    1. Thanks, Aiva! Happy New Year to you, too! It was my first time in Catalina Island, as well as my first trip with my partner. The Cotswolds post will be out this spring, along with the rest of my England/France posts. It’s a beautiful and picturesque region of England, and I hope you have a wonderful time!

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