Six Favorites of 2025

And just like that, the 2025 chapter is coming to an end. Before the clock strikes midnight, I’d like to share my six favorites from this year:

1. Book: Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro

I wasn’t expecting to like this book as much as I did. You can read my book review >> here.

2. Movie: Tron: Ares

There was a lot of hype surrounding this movie before its release, and I was honestly worried it might be a letdown. I went to watch it anyway because I’m a huge fan of cyberpunk. Plus, I’ve watched the previous two movies and enjoyed them. I’m going to have to say, I like this movie more than the other two.

3. Song: “Running to the Sea” by Chicane (feat. Paul Aiden) Album: The Place You Can’t Remember, The Place You Can’t Forget

4. Perfume: Shalimar L’essence (100th anniversary bottle pictured) by Guerlain

5. Local event: United States Air Force Thunderbirds Air Show in Pueblo, CO

6. Vacation: Royal Caribbean Ovation of the Seas Cruise to Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada

The ship was so big that we weren’t able to get a photo of the full thing, and it’s not even one of RC’s bigger ships.

We went on this cruise to celebrate daughter’s graduation from high school. Here she is surfing on the FlowRider.

Sunset on the ship facing Cabo San Lucas. It was an overnight stay. Day one there, we took a tour around town. On the second day, we walked the shopping strip and ate at a restaurant.

During our excursion in Ensenada, we visited a museum that was also a hotel, enjoyed lobster and churros, and then watched a woman make some amazing hot chocolate with Kahlua and fire.

2025 was a really busy year. There was a lot of things I wasn’t able to do, like paint more or take a lot more photos. There were sad moments, but I try not to dwell on them. On the flip side, there were exciting, happy moments, and those are the ones I try to hold on to.

Here’s to a new year and new beginnings!