The last month of the year was quiet yet productive. I decided to take a break from job apps given the expected holiday slump in the corporate world. Instead, I worked nonstop except Christmas Day in my 9-to-5 (more like 8-to-4) job . I still managed to get all my Christmas shopping done and prepared Christmas dinner, featuring a homemade lasagna with alternating layers of bolognese and bechamel (recipe courtesy of Bon Appetit). I’m surprised everything went according to plan without injuries or setting the house on fire. Cheers to that.

With the extra downtime, I was reminded of how laborious the job search can be. For once, I could actually read and watch a TV show without guilt. I started a new anime, Frieren, and finished two long-ass books. One was Empire of AI by Karen Hao, a nonfiction read that paints a gloomy picture of the past, present and future shaped by AI. The other was Babel, a historical fantasy by R.F. Kuang, which felt like Harry Potter meet languages, an apt premise given its title.

We also had a couple of snow days in the city.

The highlight of this month was spotting two types of birds that aren’t commonly seen in New York City. One was a red cardinal that was feeding on some cracker crumbs in front of a bench on my morning commute to work. I was running late but had to pause to take a few shots of the moment. It flaunted its vibrant red feathers, almost as if it were intimidating the other bird wanting to also partake in the feast.

A few days later, while taking my dog Ina on our morning walk in the park right across from our apartment, a blue jay flew across and perched on a tree branch. As I was documenting it, another one appeared. Two blue jays at once–I was mesmerized.

I never thought I’d be the person who appreciates birds, but after living in the city for almost 7 years, I’ve come to savor every drop of nature I can find. As I looked through the photos taken on my iPhone this year, I realized that bird-watching has quietly become a hidden passion of mine. I hope to explore this side of me more this year.

One of my resolutions for 2025 was to practice stillness. We Americans love to take pride in being busy–the Puritan mindset of working yourself to the bones is loud and deeply ingrained in every facet of our society. I used to struggle with sitting still and giving my body the rest that it deserved. I would swim at the crack of dawn three times a week, hit the climbing gym, and run 4 miles–all in the same week. No wonder why I was always tired and cranky.

This past year I became more intentional and realistic about how much energy I could invest in movement, checking in with myself about how stressed or depleted I felt from work and other commitments. Exercise is good but not worth breaking my body for. Health is a byproduct of good sleep, proper nutrition, managed stress, and gentle, sustainable movement. I also had to remind myself that I am exercising for me, not for anyone else.

So, here’s to 2026, a year of more stillness and quiet, new beginnings, and visits from birdies.