Lately, I’ve been daydreaming about what I want to do in 2021. With the potential of being fully vaccinated by summer, the end feels near. At least, the end of staying at home and not traveling or seeing friends is near. So, in the spirit of this feeling of hopefulness for what lies ahead of us in the second half of the year, here’s what I’m looking forward to:
Getting vaccinated. I am so ready for my Covid vaccine! The rollout in Florida has been laughably terrible and I’m not sure when I will be eligible to get mine, but I am patiently waiting my turn. I signed up to be on a standby list for leftover Covid vaccines, but I’m not holding my breath that I’ll ever be contacted through that. However, as of today, my mom is finally eligible for her vaccine so hooray for that! She’s been ready to get her vaccine for a long time, so at least one person in my bubble will be fully vaccinated soon.
Restarting book club. Book club has been on hiatus since February 2020, and I miss it so very much. We’ve kept in touch with regular birthday surprises and random outside meetups here and there, but I miss having a standing monthly date with my book club girls. I know some book clubs have kept things going through the pandemic with either Zoom calls or outside meetings, but we had a tougher time coordinating schedules and the like during this unprecedented time. Thankfully, we’re coming back! We have our first official meeting on Wednesday and we’ll all be meeting in a park so it will be Covid-safe, of course. I’m just excited to see my girls again and catch up on each other’s lives and hopefully choose a book for all of us to read together in April. 🙂
Going on a vacation. My last vacation was in December 2019, so it’s been quite a long time since I’ve actually gotten away and I am desperate for it. Ideally, I’d love to go on a cruise sometime this year (nope, this pandemic has not made me anxious to cruise, especially as many cruise lines are now requiring all guests and crew members to be vaccinated), but even just getting away for a long weekend somewhere would suffice. My mom and I also have flight credits that we need to use by the end of the year so I’ve been thinking about where we might want to go. (We were planning to visit New Orleans, and we may still do that, but I’ve also been dreaming about other places to visit.) I just can’t wait to travel again!
The Olympics. While I understand why the 2020 Summer Olympics had to be canceled, I was still majorly devastated. I love the Summer Olympics so much! And I am super grateful that we’ll get to experience the Olympics in all of their glory this year. I’m counting down the days!
Dating. Remember how I made a goal to go on 24 dates in 2020? HAHAHA. Oh, pre-pandemic Steph. You had such hope for 2020! While I know many people have found ways to date during the pandemic, with Zoom and picnics and such, I couldn’t even think about dating. Now, it’s been over a year since I’ve been on a proper date and I find myself missing the excitement and hope that comes along with dating. (Not missing the disappointment and despair, though.) I’m excited to dive into the dating scene this year, especially once I’m fully vaccinated, and I’m crossing my fingers for love to find me.
Fun lady dates. Briana and I have had a standing monthly lady date since we were roommates back in 2015-2016. Like most things, of course, those lady dates were put on pause during the pandemic. In October, we both felt comfortable enough to bring them back into our lives, and I am so glad for it! Our lady dates in the past have consisted of dinner dates or at-home pizza-and-a-movie dates, which I love, but for some reason, we’ve decided to up the ante and have gone on some truly magical lady dates: visiting museums, a farm, the Strawberry Festival, etc. On our drive home from our last lady date, we made a list of all the places we want to visit: the zoo, the aquarium, kayaking, tons of museums, etc. I can’t wait to explore more of our area with her!
Pool days. I’m so grateful that my mom bought a house with a pool last year! I love lazily floating in a pool, but I don’t love how loud and busy my apartment’s pool can get. (I am approximately 85 years old.) And I especially wasn’t keen on visiting a communal pool during a pandemic! Last year, I loved going over to my mom’s for a dip in the pool, and I can’t wait for more pool days this summer.
Olive’s post-cancer party. If all goes according to plan, Olive should finish up her cancer treatment in July, and Mikaela has already said that she wants to have a big party to celebrate. And I, for one, cannot WAIT to celebrate this warrior baby when she finishes her treatment. I’m sending this out into the universe that Olive will have this post-cancer party. Nothing else is acceptable!
What are you looking forward to in 2021?
I miss the olive updates on Facebook but hope she is doing well! What a little warrior baby – and mama and dad!! They have been through something unimaginable! A celebration is warranted!
I am looking forward to going to the lake this summer. We only went once last year and it was super stressful as I dealt with some issues around others not respecting our Covid concerns. 🙁 Hopefully my family will be fully vaccinated by late spring. I’m also looking forward to introducing Will to family and friends. He has only met a handful of people which makes me sad! And lastly, I’m looking forward to Will sleeping better. He’s going through a sleep regression. He was up almost hourly on Saturday night. Eeks. I am too old for this! Parenting is a young parents game. Seriously. We went through this with Paul and it got better once we sleep trained but will is too young for that. 🙁
Man, get it together Florida with the vax! I got one here in SC — Thursday will be two weeks since I got it. I did fudge my essential worker status, but only because so many people (32% was the last stat I saw) in SC are passing on getting the damn shot. So, I went for it. Hope you get the same chance very soon!
Also I am dying for a vacation too in my mind but when I go to actually start with the logistics I get very passive about it because the effort required seems way more monumental. And also I think I got a little agoraphobic with being home so much. The idea of leaving it for even 2 nights seems like wayyy too much.
That sounds wonderful. Up here in Canada, the vaccine rollout has been very very slow. Like, I will be happily surprised if I’m vaccinated before Christmas. That said, WHEN I am vaccinated I am looking forward to travel, dinner with friends, and hugging people. I am a hugger and this whole six-feet-away-from-everyone thing was an adjustment. I wonder if I will still be a hugger? Hmmm. We shall see, I guess.
Ooo I love your list! I am especially excited you are having in person book club in April, about your lady dates, and of course, Olive’s party! AH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I totally hear you on the loud overcrowded pool. That is not my scene either. It’s great your mom has one, and can get her vax now!
I am looking forward to… drumroll please… GOING TO THE MOVIES! We love seeing movies in theater. I WILL see Fast and Furious 9 in the theater, even if I have to rent out the whole damn thing.
I can’t imagine being in close quarters yet on a plane or a ship, and I think it’ll take me awhile to feel comfortable with it.. but I’m looking forward to some weekend trips, like Pittsburgh & Columbus, to keep me feeling adventurous in the meantime!
I definitely look forward to getting vaccinated (hopefully soon – everybody over 15 should be eligible in CA on April, 15) and hopefully be able to travel again soon. I don’t feel comfortable yet (and it irks me a bit how many people are ready to travel again already… but that’s just me.)
I hope you get vaccinated soon, too. Has your mom been able to???
I would love to travel – at least a road trip – but it’s going to take me a while to feel comfortable with it. I’m kind of in San’s camp in terms of doing things. I just got my first vaccination today (literally) and I’m looking forward to quelling my anxiety somewhat, but not anticipating major changes just yet.
PLEASE share when Olive has her post-cancer party! I am sending ALL the good thoughts towards her and her family.
Finally, I’m envious of your access to a pool. And weather that allows you to use it. Ha!