As lots of you have got already learn, 2023 was a whirlwind of a yr. I don’t assume it was the BEST yr, nevertheless it was a mid yr. Not too unhealthy, not too good; it was simply within the center. Android Central’s Jerry Hildenbrand put it completely: everybody wants a mean yr each from time to time, and I can’t complain.
However with that, there have been a number of moments this yr that actually made me take into consideration how fortunate I’m to dwell 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 most important and most vital spotlight of my yr, and possibly my profession, was once I was requested to develop 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 all the time a foul 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 in regards to the enterprise facet of a publication. However, with the correct steering from so many EICs at Future (our mum or dad firm), my boss, and different actually vital folks, I figured it out.
However I believe what actually made my job extremely simple was my employees. Each single certainly one of them stepped as much as a stage 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 at this time 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 mentioned “No” to what I wished to realize for Android Central. I’ve realized so much from him, particularly pondering deeply in regards to the Android area and business, and he’s been by my facet since day one. Watching him develop into top-of-the-line managing editors has been a pleasure.
Thanks for trusting me, crew.
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 a good looking residing creature into our house, and whereas we had been very ready, we had no concept a number of the issues we’d expertise. Having a pet may be scary and generally extremely disturbing. 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. All the pieces remains 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 develop into a much more affected person individual.
Each butt wiggle, pet bounce, noises he makes, growls, zoomies, and heat cuddles after an extended day…all of it makes life so significantly 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 occupied with, it’s Motorola. It’s by no means been a model I discuss typically, neither is it a model I believe to inform folks about. However the glow-up that Motorola had this yr is like no different.
I’ll always remember, in the direction of the top of 2022, AC’s Nick Sutrich and Derrek Lee each spoke very negatively about Motorola’s haphazard telephone launches and the way lackluster its merchandise had 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 yr. The corporate’s improved software program promise, providing longer-term OS upgrades, and launching a number of the finest midrange telephones you may get in North America are only a few of its achievements. I used to be significantly impressed with the launch of the Razr Plus this yr.
Perhaps they learn our work, or perhaps they don’t, nevertheless it’s good to see Motorola develop and develop into such a enjoyable firm to look at. I can’t wait to see what’s in retailer for you subsequent yr.
Going to Korea
I’ve traveled an honest quantity in my profession, and this yr, Samsung invited me to affix them at Samsung Unpacked 2023 (foldable version) in South Korea.
I’ll be sincere: I might have watched the entire present from the consolation of my front room whereas I streamed it on my TV. However there’s one thing about going to a different nation, assembly folks in your business, and truly studying about one other tradition.
I met some actually enjoyable folks on the journey and acquired to fulfill 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 the whole lot a lot enjoyable.
Thanks for the expertise, Samsung!!!
Tears of the Kingdom & Hogwarts Legacy
I’m not a large gamer, and once I do recreation, I’m extremely choosy. So you possibly can solely think about my pleasure when Zelda Tears of the Kingdom and Hogwarts Legacy launched.
Through the pandemic, I picked up Zelda Breath of the Wild and fell in love. It was a recreation that taught me so much about endurance, perseverance, and exploring with out a purpose. It additionally taught me about going with the move and having fun with the generally sluggish tempo of a large gaming world. After 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 completed earlier than. The sport brings plenty of pleasure to my coronary heart and, I’m positive, to so many different folks.
I particularly wish to point out Hogwarts Legacy as properly. My husband and his finest buddy 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, nevertheless it was linked to the magical world of Harry Potter. The sport introduced again plenty of childhood reminiscences – from studying the books, pretending I used to be a witch, and watching the flicks. So many moments within the recreation had been thrilling, and to expertise it in an open-world fashion was actually stunning.
It virtually 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 develop into knowledgeable chef. I like cooking a lot. It calms me down, makes me really feel inventive, and I like feeding folks. This yr was no exception. I realized many various 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 the whole lot 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 yr was a really large studying expertise for me, particularly in my private life. I’m 34 years previous, and I’m not going to sit down right here and say I’m a monetary steward. I’ve struggled so much with turning into financially literate. However this yr, certainly one of my targets was to be financially sensible and perceive why saving is so vital.
I can proudly say that whereas I’m not excellent, I’m lastly getting it, and it feels so good (cries slightly).
Coming into my cozy period
I’m extremely fast-paced and a go-getter. I’ve grand desires and many issues I wish to accomplish, and I’ll do the whole lot I can to get there.
Sadly, that kind of persona can generally neglect to keep current. One factor I actually wished to realize this yr was getting into my cozy period. Each second that I do NOT take into consideration my targets, I wish to be sluggish. I wish to dwell a sluggish life, I wish to take heed 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 so much, and in the summertime, I took time to sit down outdoors and absorb the solar.
Dwelling a sluggish life once I’m not fast-paced has helped stability my thoughts and my soul. It has helped me to focus extra, assume clearly, keep current, and observe the issues round me extra. I encourage you to observe staying nonetheless.
Coming 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 function on this life?”
I do know that if there’s one factor my function is, it’s to assist folks. I can’t wait to study extra about myself subsequent yr.
A staple voice on CBC
I’ve wished to be a journalist since I used to be eight years previous, 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 wished to be on TV my complete life. It simply so occurs that a number of years in the past, I acquired to go on TV and radio in Canada so much. Nevertheless, this previous yr, I set to work extra intently with the Canadian Broadcasting Company and have become a staple voice speaking in regards to the tech business on radio and TV.
Being a number one voice within the tech area has been a useful expertise for me as a result of I’m able to break issues all the way down to listeners in a straightforward and digestible manner. As a journalist, this has been my greatest purpose. Generally, 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 avoid wasting the perfect for final. I READ 42 BOOKS THIS YEAR! I’m a HUGE reader as a result of I like to flee my actuality and bounce into completely different worlds. Going again to my cozy life, studying has helped floor me and keep relaxed.
Whereas I do learn so much, I’ve by no means learn 42 books in a single yr. Typing this makes me so proud as a result of I by no means thought I might obtain it.
Making an attempt to slender down which e-book is my favourite of the yr was barely arduous however not tough. It’s a e-book referred to as “Migrations” by Charlotte McConaghy.
The e-book is chilling and atmospheric and has a really deep that means about life, grief, and Mom Nature. I learn it in November, however it’s one e-book that I’ve not stopped occupied with, and I don’t assume I’ll cease occupied with 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 cannot cease occupied with Migrations! That mentioned, C.S. Fritz did one thing actually fascinating and added a QR code to the e-book so you could possibly take heed to a curated playlist whereas studying the e-book…now that’s GENIUS. I want all authors did this!
