Just like that, it’s #2021!
#2020 felt like the longest and shortest year of my life. It brought many challenges, but it also brought us time to be introspective and appreciate who and what matters most...
It opened our eyes, it redefined our “comforts”, tested our limits, reset our priorities, it enhanced our focus- and need for mindfulness, and gratitude.
It reunited us with our #quaranteams, and ourselves. At times it was lonely, at times it was unique and cherished family time. Sometimes a rollercoaster of emotion, it divided us, and united us in unconventional times.
I found this 2020 Zoom Bingo and was amused and surprised that I almost completed a Full Card. As I reflected over each square, I thought about the challenges and joys of the last year. I thought I would share my experience of what 2020 and each of the silly boxes meant to me.
The first easy to check bingo box was Zoom Happy Hours- Unified Communication certainly won the day. #Technology brought us all together, no matter where we lived near or far, or social distanced we were around the world 🌎 whether WebEx, Teams, Zooms, Google, 8x8, Star2Star or GoToMeeting I was celebrating virtually via magicians, happy hours, webinars, conferences, wine tastings, comedians, game nights and holiday get-togethers and virtual celebrations.
Evidently I missed the memo on a Tye Dye Sweat Shirt ... but Florida weather is no place for winter attire, so I will gladly give that one up for Salt Life, Sunshine and Palm Trees.
Next was joining in Car Parades. We joined several, but we had to get creative when our baby girls Brooklyn and Cali turned 6 and 5 years old. We hosted two pretty fun local neighborhood car parades, complete with masks hand sanitizer and a golf cart. We also, collected videos from friends and family around the world- Africa, Australia, Europe, Canada, North and South America to celebrate with us. The videos will be a cherished keepsake for years to come.
This was Brooklyn's 6th Frozen Themed Birthday Parade on April 1 and Video
This was Cali's 5th Candy Land Themed Birthday Parade on December 29 and Video
We all became elaborate bakers, hey- they don't call it Covid 19 for anything. It was like the Freshmen 15+ for many of us as we were #safeathome. With no gyms, we became creative as a family as how to stay active- taking long walks on the beach, biking miles as a family, and running hundreds of miles!
Jay Biked 71 hours (50 miles every Sunday) the equivalent of biking from Florida to Canada, and continues on his journey, we shall see how far he can get.
I ran the longest I have ever with a half marathon, and then decided to run 100 miles straight. A huge victory as I used to joke I would only run if something was chasing me.
The girls had many fun memories biking around the lake looking for Alligators, Cheetahs and Giraffes. We never saw any of the above, but our search continues.
One of our greatest joys is year round visits to the beach, the peaceful sound of the waves, the feel of the cool sand beneath our feet, the beauty of the sunsets, the sand angels and castles, sea shell cultivating and cherished memories we make in our own little world.
Some months were much busier and more challenging than others. On Friday, March 14, 2020 Jay and I attended Brooklyn's first field trip of Kindergarten (ever) as proud chaperones - the Friday before the world "stopped" as it became known. That Monday, all of the children were sent home from school for remote learning... indefinitely. At that time, none of us knew for how long, or if they would return. In addition to my day job as full time VP of Global Channel and Digital Strategy at the JS Group , I was promoted to Remote Learning Home School Teacher of Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, Music, Art, Gym, Glorified Lunch Lady, and Evening Chef, Maid and tried my best to maintain balance, health, safety and struggled to find "me" time. It was a LOT, and at times, even with a great husband by my side... it was overwhelming- for all of us- but we all just kept swimming...and somehow we met our goals. As I am high risk due to my heart surgery two years ago- we are still home schooling, luckily my mom drove down to help us which has been a relief and a blessing.
Our Home Classroom:
Lala (my mom) and her prize students