The year had already started on a sombre note. New Year’s Eve fireworks were cancelled because of the bushfires. Canberra had the worst air quality in the world on New Year’s Day with an index at 5185 in Monash (25 times above hazardous level). We were lucky to escape our burning country and spend some time overseas. Going to Los Angeles was a highlight. We did not know then that it would be the last time we would go on an airplane that year. We came back just after a major hailstorm that destroyed colleagues’ cars and of course when Coronavirus cases began to emerge both in the U.S. and in Australia. Nearly 2 months after Nicholas started year 8 and Catherine started year 4, we went into lockdown. Our Easter holiday plans were cancelled, and we missed out on going to Melbourne to meet our 2-month-old niece. We also did not get a chance to watch Harry Potter and the Cursed Child or see the penguins on Phillip Island. Nicholas and Catherine celebrated their birthdays virtually with friends and family on Zoom. All our interactions were moved online.
We were out of lockdown by the time winter arrived. There was some normality for the kids when they went back to school in person in term 3. However, Phil and I remained working from home and we had limited in-person social interactions outside. Our original winter holiday plans to go to the Gold Coast and Byron Bay also did not come into fruition but we managed to go away for a short time to the south coast. The rest of winter and spring was spent close to home. We did a lot of baking. Phil discovered how to make focaccia. I painted the kids’ rooms. We played family games including Among Us which I failed miserably and have not been asked to play again since. We found an art teacher who came to our house to give lessons to Nicholas and Catherine once a week during the second part of the year and their drawing skills improved. They also both ended their school years on a positive note. Phil's promotion to Professor began at the start of the year and kept him very busy, especially since working from home. The long hours took it's toll on me so I requested to reduce my work hours and now have Fridays off.
As restrictions eased, we were slowly able to move around more freely. We’ve since been out to eat a few times but mostly opting to take-away and eat elsewhere outside. The kids and I even went to the cinema for the first time after Christmas (it was empty). As the year came to an end, we found ourselves in more social gatherings. We threw an end-of-year party for the kids and their friends. We attended the neighbourhood holiday party and then we were meant to go to Sydney to celebrate with our friends. But that was also cancelled and we went to Merimbula instead for a shorter period. On the last day of the year, Phil went on a fishing adventure with our neighbour and caught a rainbow trout, we attended a New Year’s Eve party and we all stayed up until midnight. Three days later we discovered that Phil literally survived 2020 when he found out he had a snake bite from fishing. Yikes!
Although the past year has been bleak, we did have moments of pure joy and gratitude, and we are very lucky to have avoided the worst of COVID here in Canberra. I hope this new year brings brightness to us all.
Best of 2020
Watch
Movies (new and older)
Parasite, Big in Japan, American Animals, Soul, Klaus, Suburbicon, Enola Holmes, Inception, The Truman Show, Jason Bourne, Oblivion, Knives Out, Okja
Shows
The Good Place, After Life, Emily in Paris, Jimmy Kimmel Live, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Listen
Djesse Vol. 3: Jacob Collier, Think About Things: Dadi Freyr, Better Days: OneRepublic, Didn’t I: OneRepublic, Flowers & Superpowers: Wafia, No One Else Can Wear Your Crown: Oh Wonder, Exit This Earth’s Atmosphere: Camellia (N), Panic Room: Au/Ra (C)
Read
Just Like You: Nick Hornby, The Dutch House: Ann Patchett, Boy Swallows Universe: Trent Dalton, Dear Girls: Ali Wong, Let’s Pretend This Never Happened: Jenny Lawson
Eat
Raku, Biggie's BBQ, Lilotang, Briscola Italian, Gelato Messina (pear rhubarb), Thai Street Food, Orient Kitchen, Masala Hut, J&R Bakery (best lamingtons), Penny University (takeaway: 'Piallago' hash, tiramisu french toast, flat white and monkey business smoothie), Belluci's Manuka (takeaway dinner: Family Pack 1 - focaccia, calamari, 2 pastas, pizza and salad )
Play
Among Us, Cards Against Humanity (both editions), Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza, Emoji Action, Uno, Sushi Go
Go
Fly/Drive/Walk
Los Angeles (Disneyland, California Adventure, Universal Studios, NoHo Airbnb), Knightsbridge Canberra (Kingston), Malua Bay, Merimbula, Shepherds Lookout, Mulligans Flat, Bendora Dam, Cotter Bend
Lunch spots
Cooleman Ridge, Weston Park, Arboretum
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