Merry Christmas!

The year 2023 was a whirlwind adventure! I am grateful I was able to experience all the ups and downs (yes, even the downs can be good) of this past year, from new challenges at work to exploring new cities around the world. I count myself lucky that, throughout it all, I've had an incredible family and a set of friends to rely on and experience life with.

Instead of a card, I've decided to go GREEN (very on theme with Christmas, right?) and create a digital year-in-review. Scroll below to track my travels over the year and hear about just a few of the highlights.

January: Austin + New Orleans

The year started off with a bang (and lots of barbecue)! I spent almost a week and a half in Austin to assist with a recruiting experience hosted for UT Austin students and bond with my team. I followed that up with a solo weekend trip to New Orleans where I explored the unique architecture, saw the ... happenings of Bourbon street, and visited The National WWII Museum (highly recommended)!

February, March, April: Chicago

After Austin and NOLA, I settled into things in Chicago. I've lived in the Gold Coast for the past two years and find it to be a perfect location; it's central to work, friends, restaurants, and shops. During the colder months, I took a sewing class and stayed active at the gym. Starting in February, I started trading with a new team within my company PEAK6.

May + June: Europe

01 - Brussels

An energetic beginning...

I set off on my summer adventure through Europe with a stop in Brussels. I had been to Brussels when I was much younger, but this really felt like my first time there. I explored their auto museum, saw their marathon, explored the old town, and enjoyed listening to free concerts in the main square for their annual Jazz Weekend!

02 - Lugano

A relaxing lakeside retreat...

After Brussels, I flipped the switch and slowed things down. I took strolls along Lake Lugano, which is near the Switzerland-Italy border (think Lake Como). I enjoyed good restaurants and leisurely stops at coffee shops to journal and read.

03 - Zurich

The center of Swiss culture...

To get from Lugano to Zurich, I took a train through the mountains to Flüelen, a boat to Lucerne, and a final train trip up to Zurich. The travel itself was a top-10 life experience! With the dials for elegance and refinement turned up to 11, Zurich offered a walkable city, great art (Kunsthaus), and delicious food. It does a good job of balancing international finance with local culture.

04 - Barcelona

A non-stop Spanish adventure...

Okay, final stop, let's have fun! Barcelona was a non-stop adventure of exploring restaurants, boutique shops, and coffee all over. Sagrada Familia and grand parks! Add in world-renowned cocktail bars (Paradiso was #1 in the world, Two Schmucks) and the Spanish F1 Grand Prix! It was jam packed and a great way to wrap up Europe.

Photos from Europe

July: New York

I took a quick trip out to NYC for a friend's birthday (a budding annual tradition!). We caught up over dinner and explored Brooklyn on the weekend. I worked in our NY office (the picture is the view from our office) for a handful of days. Reconnecting with my NY-based coworkers was an extra sweetener for the trip.

August + September: Chicago (Pt. 2)

After a busy summer, I returned to routine in Chicago and tried to capture as much of the Chicago summer as possible. I played a lot of tennis with friends and defended my balcony from some rascal pigeons. I continued to indulge in Chicago's food scene and build out my rankings for the best Chicago burger.

October: Mexico + Cancun

In the fall, I took a trip south to Mexico City and Cancun. In CDMX, I experienced some of Día de los Meurtos celebrations (but unfortunately missed their parade). I stayed in the central and safe Roma neighborhood and loved how easy it was to walk to restaurants and bakeries around me. I went to the Mexico F1 Grand Prix (the crowd was very disappointed when the Mexico driver got out on the first lap). In Cancun, I watched some of the WTA finals (women's tennis) Finals as the event battled with on and off rain.

November + December:
Nebraska + Holiday Travels

The year of 2023 concluded by returning focus towards family and friends. Slowing life down (except for one more work trip to Austin) has allowed time and space to gather with loved ones. I'm grateful that I've been able to experience so much this year and cannot wait to embrace 2024 and all the twists it will inevitably bring.