holidays 2023

you walk into an atriumed courtyard that has been turned into a winter wonderland. somehow, the atrium reflects a night sky with twinkling lights strung across the iron grid above. young evergreen trees—douglas firs, you smell—paint this outdoor experience with greenery and sparkling white snow tips. five-foot-tall ornaments rest on the ground to mark benches for enjoyment as the faint singing of a caroler's group rings throughout the room.

traditions started this year

decorated with a real tree on december 5
opened presents on december 15
ate christmas dinner on december 24
spent christmas day with chosen family
spent new year's day reflecting on the year before

2023 in review

january	spent my birthday on the northern california coast
february	traveled to los angeles for opening day at the new super nintendo world at universal studios
march	laid off from my dream job
april	traveled to europe on a two-week transatlantic cruise
may	spent the month in spain, italy, and england
june	walked the famous santa cruz boardwalk
july	supported the local san francisco cabaret and burlesque scene
august	rollerskated in golden gate park and the church of eight wheels
september	moved from san francisco to seattle
october	adopted pepper from the local animal shelter and spent halloween with my chosen family in north carolina
november	played the animal crossing relay with the otters at the seattle aquarium
december	made my own traditions with my boyfriend and spent the christmas holiday with chosen family

32-bitmas

this year, the 32-bit cafe hosted a year-end holiday event! i'm excited to see everyone's submissions and how folks around the world celebrate the end of the year and holidays. this page is part of my submission, including these two pieces of pixel art i made:

for charm bracelets:

for the snowflake fall:

however you celebrate, if at all, i hope you had a wonderful end of the year. the world is better with you in it, and i hope 2024 is the year of you.