Happy New Year | Stephanie's Jan 2026

Happy New Year! I can’t believe the first month of 2026 has already passed, this month felt short and long at the same time with all the festivities that occurred. Let’s get into it — Stephanie 

---

Rang in the new year with my friends Pearl and Sadie, and I’m happy that I also got to celebrate with a boyfriend this year and I’m even happier to see that everyone got along! Reflecting back on my earlier 20s, NYE used to seem like this big thing and early planning of what event to go to, but as I get older - honestly a night with loved ones is all I really care for. Instead of having to be at a big thing, we decided to set a budget and hit up local bars that fell within it and had a blast. 

Work-wise - I had quite the bang to the new year and more wins than I thought (and more meetings and sleepless nights haha), from a number of launches, a bittersweet last webinar with my old product, going into the office more often than usual, and celebrating my company’s delayed winter holiday party - I am extra proud of all that was able to be done this month. I’m not one to like to talk about work work here but I must say my launches this month surprised me when it came to performance metrics, as well as the stakeholder partnerships that came along the way - making me feel like the sleepless nights were all worth it. The company party reminded me of how I’m proud to work here. And the stakeholders show me how I’d like to be a part of something bigger than my own projects. I’ve also got to have some real 1:1 heart to hearts with a couple coworkers and ex-coworkers here on this team which I never thought we’d reach this level of vulnerability, it’s bittersweet as it relates to the stress we’ve been feeling here.  With all that’s said and done here - I am motivated more than ever on exploring what my next play will look like this year. 

Friendships-wise, I was able to have my monthly catch ups with my friends which I love but I also feel like time is never enough with everyone lately! Some favorite memories include catching up with both Christinas, workout classes with Tammie, and celebrating Tiana’s birthday. Never a dull week each week, yet a month flies by and because I’m a floater it feels like I haven’t seen everyone in a hot minute because its only 1-2x a month. With that being said, I’d like to extra shoutout my time with Tammie and really ending the month with our bang with a 5:30am bodyrok class across the city (aka heading out at 4:40am lol), this hit a personal record for me and showed me how much of a day I can have and what I am capable of (Im not quite converted to the 4am club yet but this was a good first timer experience haha). I’d also like to shoutout celebrating Tiana’s birthday, it was awesome being there for her special day since she’s never had a birthday party with friends and that it was also nice to see Tammie and her partner there, my partner and myself, as well as see familiar faces from my childhood and new faces. It was especially heartwarming to see my partner become fast friends with the most wholesome people from childhood which ended up spurring new friendships later this month.

Romantic-relationships wise, this month we celebrated our 2 months which feels long and short at the same time too haha (long and short is such a oxymoron but that’s truly how I feel, when we’re together time feels long but then when I check the clock or calendar, I can’t believe how much time has passed). This month was full of dinner dates (eating out while also cooking in), museums, lego building, and while my partner does not have to besties with my friends, I must say it was extra heartwarming to see him get along well with my friends during New Years and Tiana’s birthday. Another highlight would be how we decided that every time we eat out and enjoy something, we will try to recreate it at home which has made dinner nights in with an extra kick. 

Family-wise, I’ve been trying to not only visit my parents regularly, but also visit my grandparents with them every other weekend. Visiting my grandparents as they’re in their 80s and 90s, always reminds me of how fragile life is and how important time together is. Seeing my mom do everything for my grandma lately is bittersweet - seeing how much my mom cares, but also how much its hurting her to see her mom like this. On a brighter note, this month I took my parents to Topgolf to introduce them to new activities - not sure why I didn't do so earlier, but it was so much fun seeing my mom try her best haha and my dad getting to flex his skills?? apparently he played a little bit of golf in his younger years. Usually my family and I go oout to eat and shop, but it was quite refreshing to introduce them to new activities and I hope to do more of this in the new year. Family is so precious. I’m extra in my feels because I spent most of the month watching When Life Gives You Tangerines, which depicted immigrant families and the love between parents and children so beautifully. 

On a personal-note, this has been a month of impromptu trying out new studios. Why is it that even when I am not initially intentional, January just becomes a month of doubling in on trying new workouts lol I love to see it though. From continuing to visit my hot pilates classes and CPY community classes, to trying out that 5:30am bodyrok class, to relentlessly taking a free bootcamp series at CPY, to checking out my local studios when CPY was booked which led to a nostalgic walk in the neighborhood. Less about the workout itself, trying new studios had me rediscover my city and create time for myself :’) which has been ever so important as I feel like lately I’ve had less time for myself as I enter a relationship. 

---

My pick of the month: When Life Gives you Tangerines 

This month I unexpectedly ended up watching this drama - per recommendation of my sister - and it truly got me so emotional with each episode. More than just another show to watch, the characters each represented life, especially immigrant life and children of immigrants so realistically. There was truly no villain in the show, other than the realistic unfortunate events that could happen in life itself. I loved watching the childhood love that blossomed into such a supportive yet warm love even until the end as the main couple aged over time, how they care so much about their children, the importance of family and finding partners who your family respects and vice versa - and how the children in return felt a strong sense of responsibility to make their parents proud. I also loved how the drama depicted regardless of your gender or age or financial circumstances - to go after your dreams. Watching this drama made me feel extra thankful for the family I have. 

I am writing this during the first week of Feb and I can say that it’s already been filled with fun, love, and lots of work haha. I can’t wait for the remainder of this month, from lunar new year, lots of love with family, friends, and loved ones,  to a much anticipated reunion! 

I hope you all have a loving Februrary~

Chat soon next in Feb,

Stephanie