New Year’s Eve

The Good

So this is the last day to reflect on the year 2020. The good news is we all shared the craziness of surviving the mask and COVID era. Although it is far from over and will spill into 2021, we will not be alone in the new year’s struggles.

2020 did treat me somewhat good. Here are some awesome things that happened to me this year.

1. For the first time in years, I was no longer working in a crap job environment. I loved the job but disliked the office culture and lack of equity/equality.
2. In three months, I managed to get my paperwork and everything prepped for my cochlear implant. Mind-blowing!
3. I got the cochlear implant, and it was successful. For the first time in years, I heard again – no, wait, hear better than I ever had in my life.
4. I made it through school “again.”
5. I got the job I had my eye on for years and am now happy in my new career.
6. I have survived the COVID era so far.
7. We got a new puppy, “Uhtred,” a stinking cute pupper.
8. My oldest daughter bought her first home.
9. I finally got a new car! Good Impala!
10. I stayed in school and finished the semester. I wanted to drop out.

The Bad

The bad thing about this year was COVID. It has profoundly impacted people, and it changed so many things and affected businesses and the economy. This is certainly not an era I would want to repeat. I think about our previous ancestors who managed to escape this extreme pandemic. Crazy times and no one has a clue what the future holds. I don’t think we will be in the mask era forever or the new normal. We may be dealing with the pandemic for a few years.

Although my cochlear implant was successful, it also has some not-so-fun side effects. The dizziness seems to be the new normal for me personally, and that weird buzzing noise I hear time to time is not delightful!

The Ugly

COVID is the worst thing that happened this year. It is ugly and disruptive. It has affected how I teach dance and caused so much distance. It is evident from this year people are highly social. We have learned that although we are plugged into our devices, we thrive on interaction and physical presence. Massive social gathering is part of who we are. When we finally take a break from work and technology, we gather somewhere to have fun. I hope COVID does not hijack the new year. That would be a real bummer.

What are the ten good things that happened in 2020 for you?