2024 was a pretty awesome year. No major changes or big BIG life events — Ryan and I spent the year in our same Flagstaff apartment, working our same jobs, doing many of the same things we did in 2023 — but there were a few minor notable things that happened this year.
Here are a few of ’em.
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INDIA! FINISHING MY 300-HOUR YOGA TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAM
This is, obviously, the biggest accomplishment and highlight of my 2024. I spent a majority of this fall overseas in India, where I traveled to Rishikesh to complete a month of Yoga Teacher Training (week 1, week 2, week 3, Diwali break, week 4 and graduation).
After that, Ryan joined me, and the two of us spent a few more weeks traveling. We saw Anjuna, Pondicherry, Jaipur and, of course, Agra — where I got to see my first of the New Seven Wonders of the World: The Taj Mahal.
This was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime trip, and an experience I’ll be talking about for the rest of my life.
WORKING ON THE NORTHERN ARIZONA TYPE 3 INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM
My Public Information Officer (PIO) Type 3 task book was signed and certified (here’s what that means), and I spent my first summer (officially) rostered as the lead PIO on the Northern Arizona Type 3 Incident Management Team.
Wildfire work is my absolute favorite part of my career, so it was really exciting to be able to serve in this role in an official capacity for the first time ever.
ADOPTING OCHI
Ryan and I started our year on a low note when we unexpectedly lost Yukon back in February. However, we did end up adopting Ochi from the Maricopa County shelter a few weeks later, and he’s been a great source of joy in our household for most of the past year.
We’re excited for another year of his antics!
VISITING CHICAGO
I took a quick trip back to the Windy City earlier this year, and it was so nice to reconnect with friends.
I miss Chicago a ton, so it was nice to spend a weekend back home doing all the things I used to do.
MY FIRST DETROIT LIONS GAME IN ARIZONA (AND ALSO, THIS LIONS SEASON AS A WHOLE)
The coolest part of this experience was having my brother and sister fly in from Michigan for the game against the Cardinals here in Glendale.
This entire Lions season has been a highlight, though, to be honest.
PADDLE BOARDING THE COLORADO RIVER
This was another bucket list item: I paddle boarded a portion of the Colorado River (through Horseshoe Bend!) with some friends this past summer.
It was an absolute blast and I’m hoping to do it again in 2025.
BACKPACKING THE SONORAN DESERT
Ryan and I drove downstate earlier this year for a quick two-day, one-night backpacking trip through Sabino Canyon outside of Tucson.
It was a challenging hike but I loved every second of it (minus the blisters), and we’re hoping to get back down there this winter for a similar camping trip.
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So, those are the big ones! I did spend a good amount of time this year doing a lot of the usual: I explored new hiking trails with friends and Ochi, went on some paddle board adventures and took a few weekend trips in and around Arizona. I also spent a significant amount of time reading, gardening, receiving death threats from the DuoLingo owl, trying new recipes and hanging out at my favorite craft beer bars here in Flag.
If you’re really and truly interested, you can read my 2024 winter, spring, summer and fall recaps highlighting some of those minor moments.
Ryan and I have a few things we’re hoping to accomplish in 2025, so let’s go!
