This year was different, that’s for sure… It became the norm to not see people in person, we found new ways to spend time with friends, we saw family and friends through our screens. Our commutes became the time between the kitchen table for breakfast and wherever we quickly set up a desk to get work done for “the next two weeks.”

There is plenty to celebrate in 2020 as well, and that is what I want to do here.

One of the biggest personal changes this year began in June when I interviewed with a company who gets its name from a fruit, but more on that in just a moment.

In July, I was fortunate enough to celebrate my birthday with some coworkers. (Finally it is socially acceptable to take your slice of cake and move 15+ feet away from every other person to enjoy your slice.)

Having some of my coworkers around at work to celebrate my birthday was bittersweet, as just a week before I had given my notice: I had accepted a job at Apple.

This year it has been difficult spending so much time at home, particularly since I used to travel dozens of times a year both near (NYC) and far (Las Vegas, San Francisco, Orlando, and more). But thankfully I was able to enjoy some time outside in Upstate New York with a few friends.

Even Thanksgiving was different this year; instead of traveling home to celebrate with family, my roommate and I (and his cat, Lena, too) had a small spread ourselves.

Of course, it’s not the holidays without some snow (❕ This claim is disputed…) and this year Mother Nature delivered. Here’s to hoping for a snowy Christmas as well!

Last, but not least, I want to leave you with a photo from last December (left) and this December (right).