2019 is a year of many events and a few life moments. I hope everyone has a chance to take a moment to review the year from a personal perspective. Here is my list of top events.
I am saddened to watch the months of unrest in Hong Kong from afar. If 2019 is the ultimate outburst of deep-rooted resentment for HongKongers, let’s hope 2020 will be a year of resolution and reconciliation.
My body has been noisy this year. My gastroenterologist considered me as a challenging patient after year-long stomach issue and multiple antibiotics. A procedure, followed by a surgery to remove gallbladder stones, may have addressed the root cause, or at least I hope. Unfortunately, a number of friends have run into various kinds of health issues, confirming “when it rains, it pours”.
I took a different job within the company for a change, working on ambient/voice computing. It is a mixed feeling of excitement, anxiety, uncertainty, challenges and of course, tons of learning. On the other hand, my spouse took a break from employment after all these years. It is a year of changes for us in our career.
We travelled to five countries Netherland (Amsterdam), Belgium (Ghent, Brussels, Bruges), UK (Wimbledon, London), Portugal (Lisbon, Madeira) plus a few places in the US (Indian Wells, LA, NYC). We had scores of wonderful moments including the fairy tale like city of Bruges, the best snack @Pastei De Belem (Portuguese Egg Tart), the mind-clearing hike @Madeira PR11.
Home improvements have been on a fast track. Within the year, our home had a new furnace, a new air conditioner, a new set of recessed lights, a new 300 sq. ft plus sunroom, and soon a new Tesla. This is how much extra time empty-nesters can have.
As tennis fans, my husband and I attended the Indian Well Tennis
. I vividly remembered seeing the ultimate champion Dominique Thiem outside of the hotel before the final, and he beat Federer in the final :(. For a tennis fan, attending Wimbledon is the pinnacle experience. We checked off this bucket list item and experienced the unforgettable 2-day Queue, and the surreal experience of watching Federer/Serena from the second row in the Center Court. 
As a parent, we had the proud moments of seeing our daughter graduating from college. She decided to move to NYC, and she got a job in Manhattan! We visited her in NYC and took the opportunity to watch US open.
We feel blessed that our family of four are all home during Christmas and New Year. We went to gym, and we have some relaxing moments together. Children are cooking dishes like Risotto, Katsu, Okonomiyaki for us. We had some meet up with family and friends.
As the year approaches its conclusion, I am immensely thankful for these moments in 2019.
It is almost time to check how many 2019 goals have been achieved, and set goals for 2020.
oliviatamccue 
Sounds like you had a year full of amazing adventures! Wishing you a very Happy New Year ❄️⛄ Aiva