Hi guys…Happy New Year 2026!

Photo credit: Freepix

Looking at my blog from last year and seeing what I wanted to accomplish, I pretty much accomplished about 90% of my goals. You can check out my 2025 Year in Review below.

Content Creation + Journalism

I have continued to grow both my personal TikTok and Instagram accounts as well as my SoCal Uncorked wine channel.

As far as my personal Instagram account, I started focusing more on San Gabriel Valley/Pasadena with some documentary type reels. Those seem to be doing well and I will continue doing more throughout 2026.

I went viral on Instagram for the first time with the 2026 Rose Parade. I think it’s because it was raining that day and viewers were curious how it turned out?

Aside from Rose Parade stories, I also posted a lot of 1-Year Eaton Fire content plus I did a huge story for Pasadena Weekly. I will continue reporting on Rose Parade, Eaton Fire and business-related stories throughout the year.

Photo credit: Arroyo Monthly

Photo credit: Pasadena Weekly

As far as my wine channel, my goal is to continue working with more brands for collaborations + partnerships. I really want to try and take it to the next level in 2026!

Travel

This is an area where I never or almost say where I am actually going to go and then I change my mind, LOL!

What I will say is I am going to the Dodgers Spring Training at Camelback Ranch in Arizona in March, heading up to Northern California in April to cover some wine regions for my wine channel, SoCal Uncorked, and taking a weekend in June to attend the NASCAR Street Races in San Diego.

Photo credit: MLB

Photo credit: Wine Enthusiast

Photo credit: NASCAR

As far as my fall trip – because you guys know I live for fall – one of two things are going to happen: either I will take a short fall trip to Spokane, WA/Glacier National Park/Coeur d’Alene, ID or I will head to Europe to see some Christmas Markets.

Photo credit: Renee Roaming

Photo credit: Vacations & Travel

Education + Becoming a Professor

For the fall/winter trips I mentioned, it really depends on if I get this University of Southern California part-time professor position with the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. I met the director a couple months ago and she mentioned she would put in a good word for me with the positions I apply for.

I would only do one night class during the Fall 2026 semester and I really want to help teach at the school! If I get a position, then I will have to be on USC’s academic schedule.

Photo credit: University of Southern California

Concert

As of me typing this, the only concert I plan on attending is Bruno Mars at SoFi Stadium. He hasn’t had a solo album out in a decade and he is on my bucket list of people to see…I can’t wait!

Photo credit: SoFi Stadium

Barre + 5Ks + Trails

I started participating in Bar Method classes last spring and I have been hooked ever since. My core and mind feel stronger and I have lost some weight.

I will reach 100 classes this spring and the people I met are amazing. I am excited to continue my exercise journey with them!

I participated in a few 5Ks last year and I am hoping to do a few more this year. I have already done the Altadena Forever 5K/10K Run supporting the Eaton Fire survivors but I am still looking into a couple more new ones.

As far as trails, I still want to hike the Bridge to Nowhere! That’s probably my biggest one. A lot of the other trails I wanted to do on the westside of LA were destroyed in the Palisades Fire.

I usually just go with the flow when it comes to trails now – I did a ton in 2024 and a few in 2025. It really depends on where I’m traveling or if one looks more interesting to me.

I still love hiking my local trails near my house, especially Lower Arroyo Seco!

Photo credit: All Trails

Health Update

As you guys know, in 2023 I took a cruise to Mexico and came back with Mal de Debarquement Syndrome (MdDS) which unfortunately, I am still trying to recover from almost 3 years later…I still can’t believe how long I have had this despite doing a gazillion different types of treatment!

I would say maybe I am 85% improved. All of the symptoms are gone except the 24/7 internal bobbing/floating sensations that also match what I see out of my eyes. It is way more tolerable than it’s every been but I am still not resolved!

Trust me, every day I wake up and I do not understand why I still have this or why it is taking so long! Nonetheless, I am going to try my damnedest to resolve this thing this year. I’m currently on a new type of medication that is working but slow…so we’ll see!

Photo credit: Dizzy and Vertigo Institute

And that’s my goals for 2026! What are you goals? 🙂