As promised in my last post, Review 23 for 2023 List, I am sharing my TA-DA List for 2023. The first half of 2023 was amazing! I experienced some exciting adventures, developed some new relationships, and made some wonderful memories. The second half of the year presented some challenges and heartbreak with my mom’s dementia diagnosis mid-September and the death of my childhood best friend Shelly at the end of November. I may not have completed my 23 for 2023 list, dear reader; however, I kept myself busy by spending quality time with family and friends, working, traveling, reading, improvising, creating content, and taking care of my health, family, friends, and home.
TA-DA 2023
- Health (Dental Implant Crown; Bone Density Scan; Ultrasound; Biopsy; Cardiologist; Regular Crown; Yearly Eye/Dental appointments)
- Lunch dates, movie nights, dinner dates, and drink nights with friends and family
- Attended Plays (Sound of Music, Romeo and Juliet, OZ, To Kill a Mockingbird)
- Participated in various Readathons on Booktube throughout the Year
- Collabs with Kelsi (Old School April Readathon)
- Live Streams with Kelsi (books/movies: May, July, and October)
- Chills, Thrills, and Kills Book Club (run monthly with Kelsi; January-July)
- Buddy Read The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson/Zoom Meeting Discussions with Rachel (January-March)
- Anubis: Improv Level 3 8-Week Class (January-March)
- Helped Mrs. Billie with health-related issues (January-August; December)
- Helped Claire with Editing Assignments (January-November)
- Birthday Message Project (January-December)
- Kaitlyn’s Bridal Shower (January)
- Pokeno Sub (January and May)
- Created/Hosted Folklore February Readathon for my YouTube channel (February)
- Couples Shower for Kaitlyn and Marc with Barry, Sr. (February)
- Attended Gnarley Gras with Barry, Sr. (February)
- Auditioned for Clue at The New Octavians & got the role of Mrs. Peacock; unfortunately, play was cancelled (February)
- Orange Beach, Alabama trip with Barry, Sr. (February)
- Applied for my first Passport (February)
- Proctored/Supervised ACT at Southeastern University (February, April, and June)
- Kaitlyn & Marc’s Wedding with Barry, Sr., Andrew, & Barry, Jr. (March)
- Andrew’s Juried Art Exhibit at Southeastern University (March)
- Anubis: Improv Level 3 Showcase (March)
- International Honor Society Ceremony/Banquet for Andrew (March)
- Buddy Read The Midnight Library with Mary @ Booking Through Life (March/April)
- Anubis: Improv Level 4 8-Week Class (March-May)
- Annual Crawfish Boil (April)
- Created/Hosted Zombiethon Readathon for my YouTube channel (May)
- Zombie Awareness Month (May)
- Andrew’s Thesis Defense in Art History at Southeastern University (May)
- Anubis: Improv Level 4 Showcase (May)
- The Cure Concert in NOLA with Barry, Sr. (May)
- Andrew’s Graduation from Southeastern University (May)
- Duran Duran Concert in NOLA with Barry, Sr. (June)
- Scrapbooking (attended TAC Scrapbook Event with Shelly and Donna in June)
- Fr. Jamin’s Farewell Party at St. Margaret Church (July)
- Readings for Amityville ’74 at Columbia Theatre (July)
- Booktube Besties Retreat (July)
- The Producers Concert in NOLA with Barry, Sr. (July)
- Helped Mom with health-related issues (July-December)
- Lunch with cousin Danny and his wife Patty who were visiting NOLA (August)
- Started Title I Tutoring Job at Mater Dolorosa School (August)
- Guest on Margaret Pinard’s Fireside Chat (August)
- Volunteer at HGCS’s Book Fair (August)
- Sicily Trip with Andrew, Dad, Rachel, Lee, and Emma (September)
- Halloween Decor Shopping with Kelsi (September)
- Family Fall Fest at Nalco with Barry, Sr. (October)
- Livestreams with Andy @ Self Pub with Andy and Emma @ Emma Bennet (October/November)
- Visited Andrew at Library in Baton Rouge (November)
- Helped plan Shelly’s Funeral Mass at St. Margaret Church (December)
As you can see, dear reader, 2023 started off with lots of new adventures, opportunities to learn and grow, and treasured time making memories with family and friends. Even though the second half of the year did not go as planned, and I did not cross off every item on my 23 for 2023 list, I still feel like I made strides in 2023 towards creating a better life for myself. I will forever be grateful for the special friendship and bond I shared with Shelly and the memories we had made together since the 3rd grade. And, I am thankful that I still have time to make more memories with my mom. Life is not only short, unpredictable, and at times unfair, but it is also precious, beautiful, and at times full of adventure. Live life to the fullest and make every day count. Happiness!
“Live! Live the wonderful life that is in you! Let nothing be lost upon you. Be always searching for new sensations. Be afraid of nothing!” ~ Oscar Wilde
Note: Photo was taken by me at the villa I stayed at in Scopello, Sicily in Italy.
Wonderful to read about your 2023 adventures! A great Ta-Da list for sure!
Thanks, Rita! I appreciate you checking out my post.
When you list it all like that you realise just how much you’ve done, despite the perceived set backs. Great idea and bravo 👏🏾
Thanks! Gretchen Rubin came up with that idea a couple of years ago. I like it because it’s a good reflection of where your time goes. Also, opportunities come up later in the year that you don’t know about at the beginning of the year. In my case, sometimes it’s an improv/acting workshop or an audition for a play that turns into a role.
I just have too many interests that I want to do all at one time. I need to rein in this year and make certain aims a priority (health & fitness).