A Year in Review – 2024

Hi, everyone!

2024 has been quite the year, and I wanted to do something a little different for my recap. Instead of just a blog post, I’ve also put together a video where I reflect on the year while going through my photos. If you’re short on time, feel free to skip to the highlights below, but if you want the full, unfiltered version, check out the video (with subtitles) too!

Let’s dive in, season by season, into what made 2024 so memorable.

Winter (January – March)

Winter was a mix of cozy moments, work trips, and some challenging times.

January kicked off with time at home-building Legos, spending time with Janice and family, and catching up with friends. A highlight was hosting my buddy Tom and his wife, Rebecca, from New Hampshire. We gave them the NYC experience, including seeing The Lion King on Broadway, visiting the Brooklyn Promenade, and eating classic deli food on the Lower East Side. Later in the month, I traveled to Arizona for work, enjoying sunny weather while training with Stryker Medical.

In February, I headed to Boston for my company’s annual kickoff, which included workshops, a Celtics game, and lots of bonding with coworkers. Back home, things got chaotic when I watched my friend Jeremy’s Yorkie, Toby, while also taking care of a neighbor’s guinea pig. Let’s just say our apartment was lively!

March was bittersweet. While it should’ve been a happy month with Janice’s birthday, her grandmother’s declining health overshadowed the celebrations. We spent three weeks in Brampton, Ontario, where her grandmother sadly passed away. It was a difficult time, but being there for Janice and her family made all the difference. To decompress, we took a weekend getaway to New Paltz, NY, where we recharged and enjoyed the quiet.

Spring (April – June)

Spring brought a mix of fun with friends, family time, and some personal milestones.

In April, my Discord crew got together for one of our quarterly summits, this time in Ithaca. These meetups are becoming less frequent as life gets busier, but they’re always special. We spent the weekend gaming, catching up, and playing pool-classic summit vibes.

May was huge. It was our anniversary month, and while we had originally planned a trip to Japan for March, life had other plans. Instead, I decided to propose to Janice at home. I wrote her a postcard, something we’ve always done to document our travels, and used it to pop the question. She said yes! The ring, a cherry blossom-inspired design, was a nod to the Japan trip we’ll still take.

We also spent time outdoors, visited the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, and explored Woodstock, NY. Oh, and I joined my buddy Joe for a Longest Johns sea shanty concert, where the crowd’s singalongs made the night unforgettable.

In June, work trips picked up again, and I spent more time with family and friends. A smaller group of my Discord crew met up in Connecticut, and I hung out with my brothers a bit more, which was great.

Summer (July – September)

Summer was a mix of celebrations, travels, and incredible adventures.

July started with my birthday, where I finally got my dream laptop-the M3 Pro MacBook Pro (thanks, Janice!). We celebrated with family, cake, and, of course, a free Slurpee on 7/11.

For a break from city life, Janice and I spent a week in Shenandoah, Virginia, staying in a cozy A-frame cabin on a farm. Mornings were for coffee, and afternoons were for hiking or just hanging out with the cows. It was the perfect getaway.

August was packed with concerts, including Hootie & the Blowfish, Missy Elliott, and Childish Gambino. I spent a day fishing with my dad and visited Tom in New Hampshire to check out his new house. It was a busy but rewarding month.

September was the highlight of the year-our long-awaited trip to Japan! We explored Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, indulging in incredible food, visiting shrines, and even taking engagement photos at the iconic Shibuya Crossing. Kyoto, with its bamboo forests and orange shrine gates, stole our hearts, and we’re already planning to go back.

After Japan, we worked remotely from San Clemente, California, enjoying the beaches, the Pacific Coast Highway, and, of course, In-N-Out Burger.

Fall (October – December)

Fall brought tradition, nostalgia, and the holidays.

In October, we returned to Vermont for our annual month-long stay. The new house on the property was a treat, and we had a steady stream of visitors. We made the most of fall with hikes, pumpkin picking, and cozy nights by the fire.

November was a quieter month. I started collecting vintage iPods (yes, they’re considered vintage now) and rediscovered the joy of listening to music without distractions. Thanksgiving was split between Janice’s family in Long Island and mine in Connecticut-a tradition I’m grateful for.

December was all about the holidays. We decorated the apartment, added to my ever-growing vinyl collection (nearly at 100 records now!), and spent Christmas with both families. New Year’s was a quiet night in, reflecting on an amazing year.

Final Thoughts

2024 was a year of growth, change, and celebration. From our engagement to our travels in Japan, Vermont, and beyond, it’s a year I’ll always cherish. I can’t wait to see what 2025 has in store for me, Janice, and our family/friends.

Thanks for reading (or watching) my year in review. I hope 2025 brings prosperity, joy, and great things for you and your loved ones.See below for the large list of movies and shows that I watched through the course of 2024 as well as some photo highlights!

Here’s to a bright year ahead!

– Rich

Click here to view my 2024 Photo Highlights.

2024 Media Watched

TV Shows

Movies

Documentaries