2022 in review: highlights & lowlights

[meitachi]

I have been working on Year in Review meme over the past week or so, and realized I didn't love the questions. So I decided I'd create my own and just do the broad strokes overview -- which works better given that my memory for anything before December gets fuzzy anyway!


3 highlights from the year

1. A really lovely performance review and work affirmation from my supervisor in June, and the subsequent moving departments to Development in the fall along with her. I am extremely grateful for and do not take for granted my relationship with her; she's an excellent manager and one who trusts, respects, and believes in me. Having an advocate in your corner who works well with your work style and wants you to develop has been vital to my growth over the past 3-4 years at Asia Society, and a huge part of why I'm still there. Plus my really fantastic peer coworkers, many of whom are genuinely friends. (I am sad some have left, but do want the best for them; this place is not forever, for sure.)



2. Trip to the Azores with Sarah. God, my first trip to "Europe" (it's a bunch of islands in the Atlantic) was so nice. Gorgeous, gorgeous islands where you could go from the brach to the rim of a volcanic crater in 40 minutes, cows everywhere, lovely views and food/wine/sangria, and friendly to tourists but not overwhelmingly crowded... It was really nice to go with a friend, even if Kevin is sad he missed it. (Gotta go again!)



3. Getting more involved with NAPAWF Texas, and particularly doing GOTV doorknocking twice! I still feel like I want to do more direct activism, but being more civically engaged has definitely helped me feel more rooted in the (Asian American) community and like I'm doing something useful beyond doomscrolling. Twitter is hell anyway.

3 lowlights from the year

1. Trip to Calgary in late May/early June where my stress around work really carried into the trip and made it so much less enjoyable than it should've been. I love Calgary, and the one-day stop in Banff was absolutely essential for my mental health and a wonderful memory in that trip. But overall it was rough.



2. Trip to NC in October for my mom's 60th birthday. It was nice to see them and I don't regret the trip or the fun things we did (NC Museum of Art, State Fair, hiking) but, god, it was bad for my mental health. Seeing my mom find a way to melt down at least once a day, seeing the way she and my dad choose to coexist when it could be better, it was rough. I have had to accept over the years that I can't fix their issues for them.



3. Not getting back into regular exercise like I'd hoped; there were definitely time when stress from work (and/or politics and the world) got to me, and I know regular yoga or cardio would have helped. I just need to carve out those new neural pathways and make it a habit. I am planning to tackle this more directly, as I've signed up for a private pilates class with a couple friends starting in January. If we can build the habit, hopefully it'll get easier.

3 fannish highlights from the year

1. Live hockey games! One in DC in late Feb/early March, and one in St. Louis over Christmas break. Both times to see the Maple Leafs in person. I'm not as into hockey or the TML this season as last, but live hockey is still a really fun experience. I miss it. Also I still love one (1) hockey player: Mitch Marner.



2. KinnPorsche, which was extremely silly and iddy and pretty, and introduced me to Jeff Satur. The hyperfixation with this dude continues; he's so fucking pretty and he sings so well and yet my favorite version is him being goofy and giggly with Barcode and his other KP castmates/friends.



3. I finally acquired all current volumes of One Piece (1-100) at a steep discount from two eBay orders. It was always a someday goal, but the stars aligned and now I have full shelves! I'm determined to catch up with the Wano arc and onward, and someday I'll reread the whole damn thing at once. It still remains so good, even if I've soured significantly on the way Oda draws and treats women (and Sanji) post-timeskip.

3 recommendations from the year

1. Kareem Abdul Jabbar's substack; I've enjoyed his takes on everything from sports to politics to pop culture.



2. The Long Game by Rachel Reid, which was an absolutely fucking fantastic sequel to Heated Rivlary and which lived up to all my hopes and dreams. Ilya/Shane forever.



3. Everyone's probably already seen it, but Abbott Elementary was a delightful discovery this year and I have to tackle S2. It's nice to see something diverse and funny and warm, and also very funny. (Letterkenny's also released S11! It's not a specific rec from this year though since I've loved it in years past.)

3 hopes for 2023

1. Continue visits with friends -- whether traveling to see them (I don't think we have more weddings lined up, but there are lots of new babies!) or having them come visit us (Epik High, feel free to come back to Houston). Trips for hockey games and good eats, maybe visiting new places together. We have Scotland and Thailand in the plans for 2023, but maybe a new U.S. city would be fun.



2. Catch up on One Piece...and my TBR list. I'd like to make a significant dent to it before adding new books, I swear it's possible.



3. Continued growth in Development and learning best practices with fundraising, budget, etc. These are useful skills that are transferrable to other jobs, which is something I'm keeping in the back of my mind because, again, AST is not forever. I had an opportunity to become a director (and a couple of the new director hires are around my age) but, upon reflection, I didn't actually enjoy the job duties of directors and didn't want to disrupt the work relationships with friends/coworkers that have sustained me. But that means in the future I will be moving on, even if it's not next year but in another couple years or so. We'll also see where Kevin is with his job, because while he's not actively looking, he's actively open to a right fit somewhere else with a Ph.D. program in supply chain where he can mentor students. So, the future remains full of possibilities!

Comments

[merit]

This was more my colleagues versus family, but it seems some people don't want anything to change, despite a lack of happiness. Different dynamics than family, but difficult working environment at times.

I'm also loving Abbott Elementary :)

I hope you enjoy your travels in 2023!

[meitachi]

I get that it's what people get used to and they'd prefer the devil they know over the one they don't but yeesh, it just seems miserable to witness and seems miserable to live.

I'm excited for good travels (fingers crossed) in 2023!

[oliphaunts]

argh, I should've read this before embarking on MY year-in-review!! what if I just did another one. ha. anyway a year of highs and lows for you - hopefuly it evens out next year, and 100% on the professional growth/development (heh, development). it's so nice to have good performance reviews.

would you be looking within Texas (*violently suppressing the raised eyebrow*) or open to moving anywhere (like ... Calgary hahah I remember that convo).

I'll say one of the nice poins of this year was definitely reuniting with you and seeing Cyn! mini EF meet up ... ♥

[meitachi]

I guess I can't have a year of only highs! Also that isn't life. :(

We still love Houston, even if Texas sucks, so we'd like to stay, but basically open to anywhere depending on what job is open. Realistically, there are only so many academic positions open in the specific field in any given year, so that kind of dictates it.

Yes, it was nice to meet up in wherever-it-was Wisconsin!