Monthly Diary: January 2026

My monthly diary, a compilation of my meaningful experiences from the past month, will be published on my blog on the first day of each month. Occasionally, due to unforeseen circumstances, the monthly diary may be delayed by a day or two. Let’s delve into my new monthly diary of January 2026, which was set in Florida where I currently live seasonally. 

New Year 2026

2026 is a huge milestone year for me because I will be turning 30 this September. I kicked off the year with fresh energy and new resolutions that reflect how much I’ve grown and where I want to go next. My two biggest goals are to continue growing my remote career and to lose my belly fat so I can feel stronger and more confident. Along the way, I am grateful to be receiving many exciting opportunities and exploring many new adventures that motivate me even more. I am determined to be in great shape, both physically and professionally, by the time I celebrate my 30th birthday.

Fun Things in Naples, Florida

Sunday, January 4th - I attended the New Year's Art Fair at Cambier Park in the heart of Downtown Naples. The fair features the work of approximately 250 professional artists. Guests can explore a diverse array of mediums, including acrylic and oil paintings, ceramics, digital art, fiber, leather, glass, wood, and more.There are also some food trucks in the area. I got Strawberry Italian Ice from Rita's Italian Ice food truck- It's a chilled dessert that is made of real crushed ice mixed smoothly with a fruit puree- it's really healthy, smooth, and delicious! After art fair, I took a walk to Bistro 821 for dinner. It is one uof my favorite restaurants in the town. I got a cup of sweet potato bisque through the special menu - it was an excellent soup! It tasted like a butternut squash soup. Best soup I ever ate! I also had a glass of Chardonnay wine and caprese risotto with blackened chicken. 

Sunday, January 11th - I went to Paragon Theater to see The Housemaid starring Amanda Seyfried and Sydney Sweeney. It's a psychological thriller about a young woman with troubled past who becomes a live-in housekeeper for a wealthy family only to discover dark secrets and sinister motives within seemingly perfect household. I thought it was a very good movie but somehow it was dark and shocking. The lead actresses did a fantastic job on their roles. I rated the movie 9/10. 

Friday, January 16 - The weather in Naples was chilly and cool. It was 65 degrees high. I stayed home all day. I exercised and watched entertainment. I got Cheesecake Factory for dinner via DoorDash- it's one of my favorite restaurants. I had Baked Brie crostini, Avocado Toast, Italian Sausage and Mushrooms Rigatoni, and Creamy Triple Berry Cheesecake - it was a magnificent meal! That's my favorite thing to do during the chilly day. I was not just enjoying myself but also being in a positive mindset.   

Me eating delicious food from The Cheesecake Factory 

Monday, January 19 - My maternal cousin Karen and her husband were coming to the town for a few days. They spent time with me and my parents. We had a pizza and wings dinner party for College Football National Championship Game: Indiana versus Miami. Indiana is Number One Seed and they are widely favored to win the game. We watched the whole game. Indiana Hoosiers won! It was an exciting, historic game. We had fun together. I was also seeing social media posts about the bond between the quarterback and his mother who battles with Multiple Sclerosis- it went perfectly viral and what a beautiful and emotional moment!   

Wednesday, January 21 - I went to The Players Club for the first time. The country club is located only five minutes away from my house. My parents and I are the new members of the club and we are allowed to welcome our guests to the events. We attended the Pasta Night with my maternal cousin Karen. The interior dining room looks elegant.  I had a pineapple martini- it was delicious and sour! I also had a cup of Italian wedding soup, caprese salad, customized pasta with vodka sauce, and tiramisu. I enjoyed it a lot. I felt like I was involved in an upscale buffet.   

Thursday, January 22 - I got my new eyeglasses - COACH from LensCrafters. I love these eyeglasses..they look perfect!

Saturday, January 24 - I went to Brooks Bar & Grill for dinner, close to my family house. It is a new restaurant owned by Brooks Brothers, a local burger chain. I actually have been to Brooks Burgers. This was my first time visiting their new restaurant because they have an extended menu including two flavors of gourmet egg rolls and orecchiette pasta options. What an incredible extension! I had Reuben egg rolls, Orecchiette pasta carbonara with grilled chicken and a chocolate raspberry martini. What a wonderful dinner! The martini was so strong and sweet- it made me feel energized! I highly recommend the restaurant! 

Sunday, January 25 - I went to Freedom Park. The park features a boardwalk, swamp, and lake. It was a beautiful day at the park. Afterwards, I went to Mel's Diner for dinner - I had a strawberry spinach quinoa salad with grilled salmon- delicious and healthy. I have been to the restaurant. It's nostalgic and vintage. They serve a wide variety of comfort foods. The  restaurant is also open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

 

Monstrous Winter Storm 

The monstrous winter storm hit the United States during the third weekend of January and continued throughout the month. It severely impacted my hometown of Cincinnati, along with much of the country. The storm brought heavy snowfall, ice, and freezing temperatures. I was glued to social media, witnessing the chaos firsthand. I couldn’t help but react with shock and concern, especially when I saw that my hometown was expecting up to 14 inches of snow! It was a disaster! I’m so glad that I’m not in Cincinnati. I’m in Florida, where the temperature is a pleasant 80 degrees. In contrast, Cincinnati is experiencing a whopping 10 degrees. The temperature difference between the two destinations is a staggering 70 degrees. Despite Florida’s reputation for warm weather year-round, we do experience some chilly days during the winter. The weather in Florida is unpredictable, with fluctuating temperatures ranging from 39 degrees to 65 degrees throughout the last week of this month. I can’t help but feel a pang of sympathy for my family and friends who are caught in the midst of this winter storm. I want to assure them that everyone stays safe and warm. 

My Day Trip to West Palm Beach - Visit My Bestie and Her Family - Last Day of January 

On the last day of January, I embarked on a delightful day trip to West Palm Beach to visit my best friend Laura and her family. Their house is so nice. They have four beds and a refreshing pool. The house had undergone a recent renovation. 

I entered the house using my portable ramp. The ramp proved to be a reliable and accessible mobility tool, allowing me to navigate the house comfortably. While most interior areas are accessible, a few rooms, including the bathroom, are quite tight and small, posing a difficult challenge for my Convaid wheelchair. The wheelchair couldn't fit into those tight rooms. Despite this, I managed to walk well into the small bathroom with the assistance of two girls. 

The pool is a stunning feature of the house, with its expansive size and inviting patio seating. There are two lounge reclined chairs and a small table placed in the water, providing a perfect spot for me to transfer to the lounge chair with my water shoes. I couldn’t help but imagine us enjoying a refreshing swim in the pool this month.

This trip was particularly special as it marked my first time meeting my niece, Anastasia (Laura's daughter) in person. Even though I don't have any biological siblings, Laura is like a genuine sister to me and Anastasia is like a wonderful niece to me. I waited 5 long months to finally meet Anastasia in person since she was born. They are my chosen family. I gave Laura and Anastasia Christmas gifts. I was delighted to gift Anastasia a few baby outfits, including an adorable Auntie bodysuit. I also presented her with a stuffed animal that my best friend had gotten me a few years ago,  Laura and her family were equally touched by the thoughtful gifts and kindness, expressing their gratitude. Laura gave me a Christmas gift- I got a new smaller Annie Klein top handle purse which enables my iPad mini to fit into the purse. It's elegant. I love it so much. 

After our delightful time at Laura’s house, we decided to explore downtown West Palm Beach. We had a wonderful dinner at Eataly, savoring delicious Italian cuisine Eataly is a gigantic building consisting of a grocery store, two restaurants, and a few cafes. During dinner time, I had a Mojito Limone, Butternut Squash Bruschetta, Caesar Salad, Homemade Lasagna, and a Strawberry Gelato Sundae (Best Gelato Sundae I Ever Ate). I also tried a piece of homemade pizza my bestie ate and it was so delicious! I thought it was a magnificent meal. The place looks amazingly upscale. I love Eataly so much! The experience was filled with laughter and camaraderie, strengthening our bond as a family. I highly recommend Eataly to anyone who loves Italian food! 

I fall in love with my bestie, her family, and Palm Beach County. I always dreamed of going to Italy as a vacation destination because my bestie's husband's family is from Italy and my paternal great grandparents were immigrants from Italy. The connection leads me to learn Italian and explore Italy's culture and history. I am so grateful that I am able to get into my bestie's house. But I am disappointed that my Convaid wheelchair couldn’t fit into a few rooms, I am determined to say that I will purchase a narrow transport wheelchair in the future to accommodate those tight spaces. Additionally, I am planning to find my own home near Laura’s someday, ensuring that I have a comfortable and accessible living environment.

Overall, this day trip to West Palm Beach was a memorable experience, filled with love, laughter, and cherished moments with my best friend and her family. I am grateful for the opportunity to visit and create lasting memories. This is the most significant moment of my life! 🥰💖 

I am officially a chosen aunt! Me posing with my niece Anastasia, 🥰 

Me kissing my niece's face! 

Me with my bestie Laura and her daughter Anastasia 

Housemade Lasagna @ Eataly 

Me posing with a Strawberry Gelato Sundae. 

Me with my bestie, Laura, her mother in-law, her daughter Anastasia, and my caregiver, Amanda 

The past month has been great for me. It was filled with excitement, relaxation, fun, joy, laughter, positivity, and wellbeing. I am grateful for what I did during the past month. 😁🥰  

Thank you for reading my monthly diary. I hope you enjoy reading it. Let me know how you react to my monthly diary in comments below.

🩷 Marisa