As a lot of you will have already learn, 2023 was a whirlwind of a 12 months. I don’t suppose it was the BEST 12 months, however it was a mid 12 months. Not too dangerous, not too good; it was simply within the center. Android Central’s Jerry Hildenbrand put it completely: everybody wants a median 12 months each occasionally, and I can’t complain.
However with that, there have been a couple of moments this 12 months that actually made me take into consideration how fortunate I’m to reside the life I do. I hope you take pleasure in my high 10 of 2023.
Changing into EIC of Android Central
I believe it goes with out saying that the largest and most vital spotlight of my 12 months, and possibly my profession, was after I was requested to change into Android Central’s editor-in-chief. And actually, it nonetheless feels surreal saying that.
As my mom likes to say, when it rains, it pours (not at all times a nasty factor!). All of it occurred actually rapidly, the transition from me being a managing editor to EIC. Up till that day, the one factor that I used to be actually good at was understanding what good content material was. I didn’t know something concerning the enterprise facet of a publication. However, with the correct steerage from so many EICs at Future (our dad or mum firm), my boss, and different actually vital folks, I figured it out.
However I believe what actually made my job extremely straightforward was my workers. Each single one in every of them stepped as much as a degree that went above and past my expectations. I’m eternally grateful for each single author and freelancer who believed in me and went together with the path and imaginative and prescient I’ve for Android Central.
Give me one second whereas I take a second to thank them: Nick Sutrich, Jerry Hildenbrand, Michael Hicks, Namerah Saud Fatmi, Patrick Farmer, Harish Jonnalagadda, Andrew Myrick, Jay Bonggolto, Vishnu Sarangapurkar, Nickolas Diaz, Brady Snyder, Sam Dunsinger, Ted Kritsonis, Christine Persaud, Chris Wedel, Nick Ransbottom, Rajat Sharma, Sam Contreras, Tshaka Armstrong, and Anthony Nash.
Lastly, I wouldn’t be the EIC I’m right now if it wasn’t for Derrek Lee, my managing editor. We’re like two peas in a pod, and Derrek by no means as soon as stated “No” to what I needed to realize for Android Central. I’ve realized lots from him, particularly pondering deeply concerning the Android house and trade, and he’s been by my facet since day one. Watching him change into top-of-the-line managing editors has been a pleasure.
Thanks for trusting me, group.
Jiggy turned 1
When you comply with me on social media, then you’ll know who Jiggy is. He’s our most particular, candy labradoodle, who we acquired in 2022. I’ve by no means had a pet in my life, and naturally, the preliminary expertise was very overwhelming for my husband and me. We introduced an exquisite residing creature into our dwelling, and whereas we have been very ready, we had no concept a few of the issues we’d expertise. Having a pet may be scary and generally extremely hectic. However what principally outweighs all of those emotions is the immense love and pleasure that comes with having a pet that actually unconditionally loves you.
My absolute favourite time with him is each morning. Every thing continues to be quiet, and other people haven’t absolutely woken up but. I get to spend alone time with him, and his candy nature has helped me change into a much more affected person individual.
Each butt wiggle, pet leap, noises he makes, growls, zoomies, and heat cuddles after an extended day…all of it makes life so a lot better. Jiggy turned one on September 4, 2023; we’re so blessed and grateful to have him in our lives. We love you, Jig!
Motorola’s progress
If there’s one firm that I truly can’t cease interested by, it’s Motorola. It’s by no means been a model I discuss usually, neither is it a model I believe to inform folks about. However the glow-up that Motorola had this 12 months is like no different.
I’ll always remember, in direction of the tip of 2022, AC’s Nick Sutrich and Derrek Lee each spoke very negatively about Motorola’s haphazard cellphone launches and the way lackluster its merchandise have been. We went to the extent of calling out the corporate for its complicated launches compared to its friends.
Each time I spoke about Motorola in 2022, I might facepalm. The corporate actually missed the mark.
Nevertheless, issues fully took a 180 this 12 months. The corporate’s improved software program promise, providing longer-term OS upgrades, and launching a few of the greatest midrange telephones you may get in North America are just some of its achievements. I used to be notably impressed with the launch of the Razr Plus this 12 months.
Possibly they learn our work, or perhaps they don’t, however it’s good to see Motorola develop and change into such a enjoyable firm to look at. I can’t wait to see what’s in retailer for you subsequent 12 months.
Going to Korea
I’ve traveled a good quantity in my profession, and this 12 months, Samsung invited me to affix them at Samsung Unpacked 2023 (foldable version) in South Korea.
I’ll be sincere: I may have watched the entire present from the consolation of my lounge whereas I streamed it on my TV. However there’s one thing about going to a different nation, assembly folks in your trade, and truly studying about one other tradition.
I met some actually enjoyable folks on the journey and acquired to satisfy Home windows Central’s EIC, Daniel Rubino, which was my first time assembly somebody from Future. It was exceptionally humorous as a result of we ended up each being on the identical flight to Korea, and that made every thing a lot enjoyable.
Thanks for the expertise, Samsung!!!
Tears of the Kingdom & Hogwarts Legacy
I’m not an enormous gamer, and after I do recreation, I’m extremely choosy. So you may solely think about my pleasure when Zelda Tears of the Kingdom and Hogwarts Legacy launched.
In the course of the pandemic, I picked up Zelda Breath of the Wild and fell in love. It was a recreation that taught me lots about endurance, perseverance, and exploring with out a cause. It additionally taught me about going with the move and having fun with the generally sluggish tempo of an enormous gaming world. Once I beat it, I performed it once more, and once more, and once more. When TOTK got here out, I took the Friday off to play – one thing I’d by no means achieved earlier than. The sport brings a number of pleasure to my coronary heart and, I’m positive, to so many different folks.
I particularly wish to point out Hogwarts Legacy as effectively. My husband and his greatest good friend helped construct my PC in 2023, and I’ll be sincere, it was a really daunting expertise for me, understanding that I now have a PC that may open the world of PC gaming. Taking part in Hogwarts Legacy has a particular place in my coronary heart as a result of not solely was it the primary PC recreation I performed, however it was related to the magical world of Harry Potter. The sport introduced again a number of childhood recollections – from studying the books, pretending I used to be a witch, and watching the flicks. So many moments within the recreation have been thrilling, and to expertise it in an open-world type was actually lovely.
It nearly made me really feel like I used to be actually going to high school at Hogwarts.
My culinary journey
If I wasn’t a journalist, I do know that I might have change into an expert chef. I like cooking a lot. It calms me down, makes me really feel inventive, and I like feeding folks. This 12 months was no exception. I realized many alternative issues, purchased my first Le Creuset, grew my knife assortment, and cooked many good meals.
In the summertime, I additionally hosted my first coursed meal occasion. I deliberate out a menu, prepped the week earlier than, and had every thing prepared the day of. It turned out extremely profitable, and extra importantly, I’ve to thank my sous chef: my beautiful husband.
Right here’s to 2024 having so many extra alternatives for cooking.
Changing into a monetary steward
This previous 12 months was a really massive studying expertise for me, particularly in my private life. I’m 34 years outdated, and I’m not going to sit down right here and say I’m a monetary steward. I’ve struggled lots with turning into financially literate. However this 12 months, one in every of my targets was to be financially sensible and perceive why saving is so vital.
I can proudly say that whereas I’m not good, I’m lastly getting it, and it feels so good (cries slightly).
Getting into my cozy period
I’m extremely fast-paced and a go-getter. I’ve grand goals and plenty of issues I wish to accomplish, and I’ll do every thing I can to get there.
Sadly, that kind of character can generally overlook to keep current. One factor I actually needed to realize this 12 months was coming into my cozy period. Each second that I do NOT take into consideration my targets, I wish to be sluggish. I wish to reside a sluggish life, I wish to hearken to calming music, and I wish to be nonetheless.
I found REALLY good music and, for my birthday, constructed my first Lego set. I learn lots, and in the summertime, I took time to sit down exterior and absorb the solar.
Residing a sluggish life after I’m not fast-paced has helped stability my thoughts and my soul. It has helped me to focus extra, suppose clearly, keep current, and observe the issues round me extra. I encourage you to apply staying nonetheless.
Getting into my sluggish, cozy period additionally helped me with different elements of my private life. I grew spiritually, grew to become extra in-tune with my greater self, realized to remain calm, and actually understood the query: “What’s my objective on this life?”
I do know that if there’s one factor my objective is, it’s to assist folks. I can’t wait to study extra about myself subsequent 12 months.
A staple voice on CBC
I’ve needed to be a journalist since I used to be eight years outdated, and I can’t start to precise how grateful I’m that I get to do what I like each single day.
Extra importantly, I’ve needed to be on TV my whole life. It simply so occurs that a couple of years in the past, I acquired to go on TV and radio in Canada lots. Nevertheless, this previous 12 months, I started working extra carefully with the Canadian Broadcasting Company and have become a staple voice speaking concerning the tech trade on radio and TV.
Being a number one voice within the tech house has been a useful expertise for me as a result of I’m able to break issues right down to listeners in a simple and digestible manner. As a journalist, this has been my greatest aim. Typically, know-how may be complicated to know, however having a platform just like the CBC to elaborate and discuss tech in depth has been fulfilling.
Studying 40 books/”Migrations”
I’ve to save lots of the most effective for final. I READ 42 BOOKS THIS YEAR! I’m a HUGE reader as a result of I like to flee my actuality and leap into completely different worlds. Going again to my cozy life, studying has helped floor me and keep relaxed.
Whereas I do learn lots, I’ve by no means learn 42 books in a single 12 months. Typing this makes me so proud as a result of I by no means thought I may obtain it.
Attempting to slim down which e-book is my favourite of the 12 months was barely exhausting however not tough. It’s a e-book known as “Migrations” by Charlotte McConaghy.
The e-book is chilling and atmospheric and has a really deep which means about life, grief, and Mom Nature. I learn it in November, however it’s one e-book that I’ve not stopped interested by, and I don’t suppose I’ll cease interested by it for a very long time.
Coming in second was “A Fig For All The Devils” by C.S. Fritz. This e-book would have been primary, besides I simply can’t cease interested by Migrations! That stated, C.S. Fritz did one thing actually attention-grabbing and added a QR code to the e-book so you can hearken to a curated playlist whereas studying the e-book…now that’s GENIUS. I want all authors did this!
