Tag: 20 things

20 Things that Made My 2025

On By Alice StrathernIn Personal

It’s time to wrap up the year. Some great experiences made 2025 really special. It’s going to be a tough one to say good-bye to. Luckily, I got to make beautiful memories with the people I love, and this entry is a testament to everything that left a mark.

Here’s my 20 things:

  1. The miracle that it is to see my son grow. This year he started pre-school!
  2. Seeing my husband accomplish great things in many ways.
  3. Hello Meteor. This musician composes ethereal songs. You may close your eyes while listening and find yourself in another dimension. Here’s a playlist I made in case you’re curious.
  4. Finally putting all the links of the content I create on linktree. Something that stood out this particular year: I’ve talked more openly about my book on TikTok.
  5. Reading Leviathan by Paul Auster. I can’t believe I had not read this author before.
  6. Janet Jackson’s music. Simply. Mindblowing. Also, realizing that I’ve loved Fleetwood Mac’s music all my life. The album “Rumours” is one of my favourites now.
  7. Travelling to Victoria, BC for the first time with my family.
  8. Tasting the best poutine ever at Garrick’s Head Pub, in downtown Victoria, BC.
  9. Celebrating five years of running my e-newsletter.
  10. Going out more often. I got to meet a wonderful author, Samara Knight.
  11. Songs I didn’t know I was going to like: Out of my Body by Brain Tan. Pink + White by Frank Ocean. Hysteria by Def Leppard.
  12. Travelling to Seattle, Washington
  13. Going to Lumen Field to support the Seattle Seahawks.
  14. Being delighted with coffee and pastries at Storyville and Freya Bakery & Cafe in Seattle.
  15. Visiting Elliott Bay Book Company in Seattle.
  16. Visiting the Funko store in Everett, Washington.
  17. Reading more of Isabel Allende’s work.
  18. Staying in contact with my best friends throughout the year.
  19. Coming across Bon Chic on YouTube.
  20. Learning that, according to the yearly Spotify wrap-up, I’m 53 years old. I’m currently 37.

 

20 great things about 2023

On By Alice StrathernIn Inspiration

A great year is ending. Since 2020, I’ve been posting 20 things that have been making my year wonderful.

I’m really pleased to see that there’s a little bit of everything. This time, even food made it. Whoa. At the end of the day, experiences are what matters most. I’m glad I could capture most of them.

So here’s 20 great things about 2023.

  1. Celebrating my son’s second birthday
  2. Having my mom around for two months
  3. Creating art with my mom
  4. Playing my mom’s favourite childhood game with her
  5. Writing 100 pages of my new book
  6. Having fun in my writing classes and meeting some great and inspiring women.
  7. Seeing Depeche Mode live for the third time in my lifetime.
  8. This specific video from the concert. You can actually hear me scream!
  9. Enjoying Memento Mori, especially My Favourite Stranger and Soul with Me.
  10. Reading Eva Luna by Isabel Allende
  11. Reading Untamed by Glennon Doyle
  12. Getting to know Kurt Kobain through his personal diaries
  13. Trips to the zoo on Sundays
  14. Paul McCartney’s lyrics
  15. Tuna and salmon poke bowl
  16. Janet Jackson’s music
  17. Rediscovering some old songs I’ve always loved: Happy Together, Kiss the Rain, I Can Dream About You, The Hustle, Reasons, Hold Me Now, Don’t You Forget About Me.
  18. Sade’s music. Anything she sings is powerful.
  19. Alicia Keys’ music
  20. Discovering Neo Soul and Nu Urban Jazz.

20 things that made my 2021 interesting

On By Alice StrathernIn Miscellany, Personal

We’re just about to finish 2021, a year full of life-changing events. I’m grateful for all the experiences I had, and all the opportunities that came my way, especially for writing.

New priorities redefine the way I live my days, but there’s always a chance to make room for all the things that matter to me. I’m confident 2022 will teach me how to become better at it.

Here’s the list of 20 things that made my 2021 interesting.

  1. Getting pregnant and giving birth to a baby boy
  2. My mom’s visit for two months
  3. Publishing an article on women’s empowerment in Excelsior, one of the most prestigious newspapers in Mexico. (The article is available in Spanish only).
  4. Collaborating as a blogger in Apocrifa Art Magazine. I wrote about indie authors, creative entrepreneurship and writing life in general. (All articles are in Spanish).
  5. Taking a course on creative writing for the first time in my life. It was wonderful.
  6. This video on the importance of being yourself. It’s one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever watched on YouTube.
  7. Reading more in Spanish. This year I read El Amor en los Tiempos del Cólera, Ficciones, Cuentos Naturales, Plagio, La Ciudad Oculta 2, and Mucha Madre.
  8. Discovering the following musicians: Chet Baker Quartet, Debussy, and Vangelis.
  9. This song
  10. Finishing my book!
  11. Dave Gahan’s Imposter album
  12. Depeche Mode’s photo book
  13. A playlist I made to celebrate Mexico’s Independence Day
  14. Discovering that I want to explore folklore through dancing. Watching Amalia Hernandez’ ballet was inspiring.
  15. Deciding that, someday, I’d like to become a judge at the Olympic Games
  16. Playing Mario Kart again
  17. Meditation as a more regular practice
  18. Writing about beginnings
  19. Writing more in Spanish
  20. Buying books for my son