It is a poorly-kept secret that I am a hot-blooded person and have deep passions, both for the things that I like and the things that I hate. In fact, my brother has compiled a running “hate list” of the various things that I truly loathe and disdain that he keeps on his phone; he’s fond of pulling it out at parties to amuse people with my various bête noires.
But since it’s Christmas, and since I have no shortage of people and things for which to be thankful, I thought I’d focus on the positives first. I came up with a list of 10 Things That I Loved about 2021. Granted, it was another rough slog of a year. But there were some decided pleasures and positives to reflect upon. And rest assured, the companion hate list is coming soon to a blog near you. But first, these were the ten highlights of the past year, at least for me.
- Our Book Club
My cousin just got married last week and, independent of each other, my brothers and I all mentioned in our respective toasts how much our pandemic book club has mattered to our ongoing emotional and psychological well-being. While an hour a week isn’t a lot, knowing that we have that time carved out each week to get together, catch up, discuss the book in question, and (sometimes) question the wisdom and intellectual fortitude of the person who selected that week’s offering.
For me personally, the highlight/coup of the year was finally getting the group to agree to read Dune, my favorite book of all time. Granted, the fact that the movie came out in October provided the necessary impetus to get my long-time suggestion over the finish line, but it was still incredible to be able to share the greatest science fiction story ever told with my best friends. They might not all have loved and cherished it as I do, but there was respect and appreciation despite the considerable 800-page undertaking. I truly appreciated their willingness to humor me as much as I appreciated sharing the literary and subsequent cinematic experience with them.
- Ted Lasso Season 2
Was Ted Lasso Season 2 as consistently ebullient as its inaugural run? No, it wasn’t. But did it bring me as much unadulterated joy and emotional satisfaction? You’re darn tootin’ Vladimir Putin! If you want more of my in-depth thoughts on the show, you can find them here at this blog post: The Simple Pleasure of Watching Ted Lasso.
This season dealt with far more nuanced, difficult themes that resonated me with even more deeply than the highly-affecting first season. I understand that some people felt that the show regressed a bit, and it’s fine to have different interpretations. But I felt that the show took big swings (the Beard episode) and made a concerted effort to grow, evolve, and change. It could have easily repeated the same tried formula from the first season, but it didn’t. I loved the risks it took and the depth and nuance it added to its characters and their relationships. That’s the mark of an outstanding show: it retains what delighted and entranced you in the first place while not resting on its laurels; it continues to challenge you. I adored every second of the Greyhounds’ push to redeem last year’s relegation tragedy and scrap for promotion to the hallowed lands of the Premiership once again. And from the various responses I received from the aforementioned blog post, I know many of you did too.
- Duke Basketball is Back!!!
While I realize that for many, if not most, college basketball fans, Duke having a rare off-year is a chance to revel in the Blue Devils’ pain and anguish. So what was perhaps a positive for most, was decided painfully for me. Of all my various sports teams and loves, Duke basketball reigns supreme in my heart. Seeing them struggle mightily amid all of the COVID challenges and miss the NCCA Tournament for the first time since my junior year (which was a loooong time ago, for those of you scoring at home) was decidedly difficult and frustrating.
Fast-forward to this year and a new ballyhooed class enters the Gothic Wonderland. Duke resumes its rightful place in the top 10 with statement victories over perennial heavyweights Kentucky and Gonzaga. I even got to attend the Gonzaga game in Las Vegas with my brother and see any number of old friends, including my college roommate. So much fun to have a highly-competitive, wildly-talented group to root on every week during the long winter nights. Go Duke!
- Going Back to Concerts
I forgot how much I love live music. There really is no substitute. And while I’m not my manic brother, who often attends a concert a week in DC, I do so love a great show. My other brother optimistically bought tickets to the Ohana Fest in Orange County months ago, and we kind of assumed it wouldn’t happen. But the miracle of the vaccines (more on that later) allowed us to congregate in large numbers again. And the show that for over a year couldn’t go on, finally did. And what a show it was. I finally got to see Pearl Jam, one of my bucket list bands, live, and they certainly didn’t disappoint.
Closer to home in Monterrey, I attended the Pal Norte Festival in Parque Fundidora—a splendid venue for a festival—over the course of two days and got to take in the Foo Fighters, Juanes, The Kooks, and Foster the People, among others—an epic line-up. Monterrey loves its rock music, and they know how to fest. I can’t wait for the next iteration in April, but this was a highlight of my Monterrey experience and getting to share it with local friends made it that much better.
- Going Back to Bars and Clubs
Continuing the theme of returns, the ability to re-enter bars and clubs was decidedly welcome. As those of you who know me know, I am a highly social animal. An avowed extrovert who seeks and enjoys the company of friends and strangers alike. So being able to have a beer in a bar with friends was a necessary tonic. And getting to shake my moneymaker at various clubs around Monterrey (and Tulum for that matter) released some seriously pent-up dancing energy. I am far from the world’s best dancer but what I lack in skill and rhythm, I try to make up for in enthusiasm and energy. And those were on display in the latter half of 2021 at an antro (club) near you.
- New Friends in Monterrey
I’m not going to lie, moving to a new city and country during a pandemic was perhaps not the best idea I’ve ever had. I knew it would be hard, and I tried to steel myself mentally for the experience and challenges ahead, but I don’t think I appreciated how truly difficult it would be to integrate socially during a time when no one wanted to meet new people. In fact, everyone was pointedly going out of their way to avoid new people. Understandably so, given the bizarre, unprecedented circumstances. So it was a rough first few months. Outside of work, I think I had all of three friends.
And then, gradually, things began to open up. I joined the Monterrey expat Facebook group and met some super cool people. These people invited me to Halloween and birthday parties, and I therefore met more awesome people. I had enjoyed my professional experience from the start (though the return of in-person classes was most welcome—more on that in the next section), but getting my personal life going proved a greater challenge. And more challenging than any of the other sixteen countries to which I had previously relocated. But I feel like I’m on secure, steady social footing now and am very excited to return to Monterrey in January to pick up where my friends and I left off.
- The Return of In-Person Classes
Don’t get me wrong, I coped just fine in the Zoom era, probably better than most in fact. I already had training and experience teaching online and developing curriculum for that kind of learning format. So I was ahead of the curve in most respects. But it was still much more difficult and more of a slog, for both teachers and students alike. I, like most online teachers, stared at still photos or worse, white names on black backgrounds, as only 20-or-so percent of my students ever turned on their cameras at a given time. At times, it feels like you’re speaking into the ether, into the great unknown, with little idea if there is a real, breathing human recipient on the other end. Or what they’re doing on the other end: reading e-mails, texting, gaming, etc.
Going to back in-person classes, even at 50% attendance, made such an enormous difference. I finally got to meet and know my students and they me. While I still tried to do simulations, debates, and discussions on Zoom, they just weren’t nearly as effective online. So getting to do Socratic Seminars again where the students could look each other in the eye and gauge their reactions and body language was a game-changer. There were several times this semester when a student from a previous semester stopped me on campus to talk to me, and I had no idea who they were because they never turned on their camera. I’d like to think that won’t happen going forward. And that we’ll move from 50% to 100% in-person classes because the 50% that was online was still not as engaged as the other half. Here’s hoping that omicron or further variants don’t prevent a return to full classrooms and the full student experience. Because it’s so much better this way.
- A Boring President
Joe Biden has been president for all but 20 days this year (20 days, admittedly, during which an attempted insurrection transpired). And it has been relatively, blissfully boring. There aren’t the daily embarrassments of ludicrous statements, offensive tweets, or preposterous policy proposals. We are no longer the laughing stock of the developed world with a historically bad, unqualified dolt in the office. And this in and of itself is a tremendous, wholesale improvement.
To be clear, the Biden Administration has not been everything I, or many others, hoped it would be. There have been notable failures and shortcomings. And I would have liked to have seen bolder policy positions on a number of issues from democratic and human rights support abroad to ditching the filibuster to the protection of voting rights at home. But it has not been the calamitous shitshow that preceded it, and I am thankful that we have responsible adults back helming the ship. I wish we Democrats had done more with our brief stint in power (which I know we will regret come November), but it has been a welcome reprieve and shelter from the Republican storm and assault on our democracy and collective intelligence.
- Science
I know that I am hardly alone in my gratefulness for the astounding progress, ability, and wonder of our health and data scientists in crafting vaccines and pills to alleviate some of the burdens of this onerous pandemic and allow us, from time to time, a modicum of peace and normality. The unprecedented rapidity of a slew of effective vaccines was a godsend and a modern marvel. A testament to the wonders of science but also the scientists who worked tirelessly and imaginatively to deliver these miracle cures. We owe these scientists, but also the medical community at large, an enormous debt that we can likely never fully repay. But we can sing their praises when possible and laud their impressive, herculean efforts to get us back to full health and to keep us there.
Their work continues as the virus mutates (often because of lack of foresight and empathetic international leadership that has left billions unvaccinated), and thankfully, they have proven themselves up to the challenge at every juncture. We, as a society, could better help them through our willingness to take vaccines, wear masks, and follow the recommended guidelines. That there is resistance to clear science and non-partisan scientists remains infuriating. Too few in our society deem it necessary to follow simple instructions or clear guidelines, and this only prolongs our collective misery. But these pioneers, these Edisons, Einsteins, Newtons, and Salks, will continue to produce an impressive array of cures and wonders. I am thankful for their continued diligence and proven genius.
- Lasting Relationships Around the World
Finally, I am thankfully for all of you. My global community of friends with whom I’ve shared this crazy, fucked-up year. While COVID has at times isolated us, locked us down, and erected various barriers to our physical interaction, it has been heartening and reassuring to get messages from friends near and far inquiring how I am or just sending love my way. I have also tried to keep up with as many of you as I can, endeavoring to also send positive vibes (or at least entertaining blog posts) your way. I really enjoy seeing your Instagram stories, your Facebook posts, and your tweets as well as receiving texts or WhatsApp messages from so many of you. Whether it was friends I just left in Ecuador, former colleagues from Haiti, or family in the US, I have always felt loved and looked after, and that is in no small part due to your collective efforts.
Both this year and last have been trying for all of us, and I hope that you are coping as well as can be expected. It is entirely understandable to have struggled and suffered. To feel exhausted or emotionally spent. More than ready to be done with all of this pandemic bullshit and its attendant aggravations. I myself have spent a lot of that time physically alone because of my circumstances in Ecuador and then Mexico. But despite the recurring physical solitude, I rarely felt lonely or alone and that is a testament to you, my fantastic, unwavering international support network. Thank you for the strength, support, and sense of resilience that you continue to provide. Much love to all of you in this Christmas season and may you all also realize the many good things in your lives and appreciate the positives from an otherwise trying year.
Too Many Thoughts, So Little Time 