I always get kind of nervous to look back, in December, at the resolutions I had made for the year back in January. Usually, by now, I’ve completely forgotten what, exactly, I pledged to do with my twelve fresh months.
Oh, who am I kidding, I usually forget by February.
I was pleasantly surprised, though, this year, when I reread my 2018 New Year’s resolutions. Sure, there were things I knew I didn’t accomplish. I didn’t lose any weight or really cut down on sugar like I wanted to do. I mean, I guess I did lose some weight and did cut sugar back drastically when I hit the ground running in January. But then, come February, I got lazy again, I slipped, and I gained back what I had lost.
But there were other things I did make progress on. I had resolved to follow through with projects and finish the things I was already working on before starting something new. And I did great with that. I really focused on a handful of blog projects this year instead of leaping into new things and letting my mind wander. On this blog, for instance, I finished updating old content, replacing missing or too-small photos, and adding Pinterest images to all of my posts. Those projects took all year (hey, I’ve been blogging since 2006, I have a lot of posts) but, by breaking them into more manageable chunks with a task manager app, I was able to focus and finish some projects that have been on my to-do list for a very long time. And that focus helped: my blog traffic grew by over 50% this year over last.
I also wanted to make more money, and I did. I took on some freelance work this year that allowed me to make a little extra spending cash. With that money, though, came more things to work on, more things dividing my attention, more things that kept me, constantly, behind a laptop. So I’m considering cutting back next year. Because I’m not sure if more money is always worth less time. And I never feel like i have time.
All in all, 2018 wasn’t a bad year. It wasn’t a fantastic year, but it wasn’t bad. I just kind of was. I did, finally, get myself to travel again, if only to New York for the Fourth of July and a mini road trip to the Wisconsin State Fair but I hope to build that momentum into bigger things in 2019.
And, I suppose, the biggest thing I did this year was adopt my cats. My amazing, squishy, adorable cats. They are pretty much my world now and I’m pretty much OK with that.
But, contrary to what many of my friends believe, I did leave my apartment, and my cats, at least a few times over the past year. Looking back at 2018, here are some of my highlights from my year…
My sister got me a ticket for a Chicago pizza tour for my birthday. We visited four pizza places: Pizano’s Pizza and Pasta, Flo & Santo’s, Pequod’s Pizza, and Coalfire Pizza. While I think Pequod’s is the best deep dish in the city, Coalfire’s Pistachio Pesto pizza became my favorite thing.
Hannah Shaw AKA the Kitten Lady is a kitten rescuer who takes care of baby cats who might otherwise not have a chance at life. Her boyfriend Andrew is a cat photographer who has published a couple of books of cat photography. They were giving a talk at the The Catcade, an arcade-themed cat cafe in Chicago. My friend had an extra ticket that I swooped up and it was basically my dream day.
I hadn’t traveled anywhere in two years so my trip to New York was a big deal. Even if it was only for a few days and even if it was somewhere I’d already been a million times.
Summer festivals are my favorite thing about Chicago. This summer I went to Belmont-Sheffield Music Fest, Do Division Street Fest, Maifest, Square Roots Festival, Renegade Craft Fair, and the Lincoln Square German-American Oktoberfest.
Belmont-Sheffield Music Fest
Drinking a Virtue Cider Rose at Belmont-Sheffield Music Fest.
Belmont-Sheffield Music Fest.
Belmont-Sheffield Music Fest.
Do Division Street Fest.
Do Division Street Fest.
Do Division Street Fest.
Do Division Street Fest.
Maifest Chicago.
Maifest Chicago.
Maifest Chicago.
Maifest Chicago.
Maifest Chicago.
Square Roots Fest Chicago.
Square Roots Fest Chicago.
Square Roots Fest Chicago.
Poutine at Square Roots Fest Chicago.
Square Roots Fest Chicago.
Empanadas at Square Roots Fest Chicago.
Square Roots Fest Chicago.
Square Roots Fest Chicago.
Eating a giant ice cream sandwich at Square Roots Fest Chicago.
I took two classes so I’m really good at reading my cats’ tarot now.
I went to a wine and paint night.
I’ve always wanted to do a wine and paint night but never wanted to pay for one and end up with some crappy thing I painted. But my work hosted one for La Boheme with Pinot’s Palette so I got to attend for free and make a masterpiece.
La Boheme wine and paint night at Pinot’s Palette in Chicago.
La Boheme wine and paint night at Pinot’s Palette in Chicago.
La Boheme wine and paint night at Pinot’s Palette in Chicago.
La Boheme wine and paint night at Pinot’s Palette in Chicago.
La Boheme wine and paint night at Pinot’s Palette in Chicago.
I had a great skee ball season.
Our team ended up coming in second place in the league, but we had a great time all season long!
Skee Ball League at Sluggers in Wrigleyville.
Skee Ball League at Sluggers in Wrigleyville.
Skee Ball League at Sluggers in Wrigleyville.
Skee Ball League at Sluggers in Wrigleyville.
I went to all the Christmas bars in Chicago.
OK, maybe not all the Christmas bars in Chicago, but I did go to Christmas Club, Elf’d Up (where I met Buddy the Elf), and Homeslice.
Christmas Club Chicago Christmas bar in Wrigleyville.
Eggnog in a moose cup at Christmas Club Chicago Christmas bar in Wrigleyville.
Chicken and waffle cones at Christmas Club Chicago Christmas bar in Wrigleyville.
Christmas Club Chicago Christmas bar in Wrigleyville.
Christmas Club Chicago Christmas bar in Wrigleyville.
Christmas Club Chicago Christmas bar in Wrigleyville.
Christmas Club Chicago Christmas bar in Wrigleyville.
Meeting Buddy the Elf at Elf’d UP Christmas Bar in Wrigleyville.
I celebrated Christmas Eve with my family.
Celebrating Christmas.
Celebrating Christmas.
Celebrating Christmas.
Celebrating Christmas.
Mozzarella bar.
Christmas dinner.
Celebrating Christmas.
Celebrating Christmas.
Christmas crafts.
Christmas crafts.
Opening Christmas presents.
Opening Christmas presents.
And Christmas with my cat family.
And I ate a lot of things.
A. lot. of. things.
French onion soup from Pearl Brasserie in Chicago.
Lobster mac and cheese and champagne from Pearl Brasserie in Chicago.
Lobster roll and clam chowder from Luke’s Lobster.
Short rib sandwich from Gideon Welles in Chicago.
Mimosa flight at Fork in Lincoln Square, Chicago, Illinois.
Chicken and waffles brunch at Fork in Lincoln Square, Chicago, Illinois.
Brushetta and Caesar Salad at Nick’s Pizza and Pub in Lincoln Square, Chicago, Illinois.
Giant cookie with ice cream at Nick’s Pizza and Pub in Lincoln Square, Chicago, Illinois.
Chinese New Year meal with friends.
Paczki day paczki.
Brunch buffet at Chief O’Neill’s Pub & Restaurant in Chicago, Illinois.
Brunch buffet at Chief O’Neill’s Pub & Restaurant in Chicago, Illinois.
All you can eat fish fry at Millie’s Supper Club in Chicago, Illinois.
Pie at Bang Bang Pie in Ravenswood.
Burger at Farm Bar in Chicago.
BBQ Chicken salad at Jerry’s Sandwiches in Lincoln Square.
Easter Brunch at Granite City.
Easter Brunch at Granite City.
Easter Brunch at Granite City.
Chicken wings at Crisp.
My friend Amanda’s Jane Austen brunch for her birthday.
Cider at Hopleaf for a friend’s going away party.
Mussels at Hopleaf for a friend’s going away party.
White Cheesus, Mary, and Joseph pizza with leek bechamel and whipped ricotta and the Abe Froman’s Fave pizza with sausage, spinach, and red pepper at Parlor Pizza.
S’mores Cooler Chocolate topped with a doughnut at Bombo Bar in Chicago.
5411 Empanadas in Chicago.
Burger at The Bad Apple in Chicago.
Cheese curds at The Bad Apple in Chicago.
Pancakes at Golden Nugget.
Mother’s Day brunch at Fork in Lincoln Square.
Mother’s Day brunch at Fork in Lincoln Square.
Mother’s Day brunch at Fork in Lincoln Square.
Mother’s Day brunch at Fork in Lincoln Square.
Bacon risotto at One North.
Fried Chicken sandwich at Lincoln Hall.
Honey Butter Fried Chicken.
Veggie Tacos at the Logan Square farmers market.
Doughnuts from the Dapper Doughnut for National Doughnut Day.
Milkshake from Potbelly.
Smoked meat platter with brisket, burnt ends, mac and cheese, and cornbread at Smoke Daddy.
Apple and fig pie at the Low Line Market in Chicago.
Chicken tamale at the Low Line Market in Chicago.
Elote corn at the Low Line Market in Chicago.
Grilled meat skewers at Boleo in Chicago.
Cocktails at Boleo in Chicago.
Croquettes at Boleo in Chicago.
Duck egg hash at Longman & Eagle.
Lobster tacos and angry calamari at Fish Bar in Chicago.
Guava cocktail at Fish Bar in Chicago.
Grilled cheese sandwich at Green City Market in Chicago.
Chicken sandwich at Dick’s Last Resort.
Lou Malnati’s pizza and beer on my friend’s rooftop.
Lou Malnati’s pizza and freedom of speach beer on my friend’s rooftop.
Fish tacos and cheese curds at Will’s Northwoods Inn.
Elote grits at Baker Miller in Lincoln Square.
Fruit pastry at Baker Miller in Lincoln Square.
Cider at The Northman on the river walk.
Tacos from El Comalito in Chicago.
Chocolate milkshake at Pick Me Up Cafe.
All you can eat sushi at Sushi Para II.
All you can eat sushi at Sushi Para II.
Friendsgiving dinner.
Pasta with prosciutto and tomatoes at The Pasta Bowl in Lincoln Square.
Dimo’s pizza before skee ball.
Dimo’s pizza before skee ball.
Dimo’s pizza before skee ball.
Thanksgiving dinner buffet at The Clubhouse in Oakbrook, Illinois.
Thanksgiving dinner buffet at The Clubhouse in Oakbrook, Illinois.
Thanksgiving dinner buffet at The Clubhouse in Oakbrook, Illinois.
Thanksgiving dinner buffet at The Clubhouse in Oakbrook, Illinois.
Jalapeño poppers at Homeslice Pizza in Chicago.
Mozzarella bread sticks at Homeslice Pizza in Chicago.
Pizza at Homeslice Pizza in Chicago.
The Frenchie grilled cheese and cheese curds at Cheesie’s Pub & Grub Lakeview.
Hi, I'm Val. I spent most of my 20s in a standstill, unable to pick which path in life I wanted to take. I wanted the nomadic life of a traveler but also wanted the husband, the condo, and the kitten. Unable to decide which life I wanted more, I did nothing. When I turned 30 I’d had enough of putting my life on hold and decided to start “choosing my figs.” So, I quit my job, bought a one-way ticket to Europe, and traveled for three years. Now I'm back in Chicago, decorating my apartment in all the teal, petting my cats, and planning my next adventure.
