Random Round up: "By the Numbers" 2022 Highlights

At the end of each year, I do a "by the numbers" as part of my reflection that I do through Year Compass (which I HIGHLY recommend). You're able to download a guidebook that helps you close our the previous year while also then thinking about how you want to intentionally dream the new year. One of their prompts is going through your calendar and writing down important events, etc. For me, since I use my calendar and Notion to track the books I read, concerts I attend, shows I watch, etc. I figured that this random round-up could be some highlights from my 2022 "by the numbers" categories and some other highlights too. Enjoy! 

BOOKS READ: 54
My yearly goal is to read 50 books and usually, about half turn into my faves. But for 2022, there's no competition. She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan. is a master piece— scrumptious in its brutal intensity and who doesn't love a layered anti-hero narrative with sharp wit, a tight plot, and a gorgeous analysis of gender, gendered roles, fate, and societal expectations. I'm READY for the sequel and even as standalone, I'm in love. This quote *chef's kiss: ​“Denying desire only made yourself vulnerable to those who were smart enough to see what you couldn't even acknowledge to yourself.” ​

CONCERTS ATTENDED: 5
They were all amazing. Epik High (ALL the nostalgia), JHope at Lollapalooza (timing my move to Chicago!), Seventeen (아주 Nice!) and Lizzo (whew!). And, the PDT concert for BTS was special because it gave me a moment to spend time with family while also seeing a concert I originally had planned  before the pandemic. And like every Korean concert I've gone to in the states, of course I shed a tear. It hits different to hear hundreds of people singing in the language you grew up and represents home. 

TV SHOWS & KDRAMAS CONSUMED: 35
I'll do another post cause there are SO many I loved. Highlights include All of Us are Dead, Abbott Elementary, Little Women, Love Death and Robots. My top is a tie: Tomorrow and Extraordinary Lawyer Woo. The former is about grim reapers that tugged at heartstrings I didn't realize I had, with a richly melo plot with history and layers and redemption(ish). The latter was incredible in both the drama & acting regarding autism and law, but also in the subsequent conversations it sparked with friends & family.

MUSICALS & SHOWS WATCHED: 3
I didn't wind up going to a lot of shows or musicals in 2022. It's almost March and I've actually already gone to 5 in 2023 (perks of being in a place that does theatre week, woohoo!). The three that I'm counting were all so different, one was a dungeon and dragon type of interactive play (which was outside my wheelhouse but surprisingly fun), the other was a poetry reading (which I loved), and then this one. I've already seen Ka before but when given the chance, I'll always go again because it's so great, every time. 

OTHER BY THE NUMBERS? 
I traveled to 15 different cities in 2022, some of which were related to the 8 conferences I attended and the 8 weddings/unions I celebrated. Obviously the highlight across all the cities were the friends and families I got to see (and some GREAT food along the way: Baltimore crab cakes; LA omakase; San Diego tacos; Midwest apple fritters)— help, I'm drooling just thinking about them. Work-wise, some of these numbers included 4 peer-reviewed articles coming out, submitting 11 manuscripts where 6 were with students, getting 7 grants (I applied to wayyyyy more), with the largest work highlight being moving to a new city with a new job, Now, the only number I'm hoping I don't experience is the negative degrees, courtesy of Chicago winters!


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