Where did 2024 go?

I recently bought a new laptop. And while I was cleaning up the old one, I realized we did a few things in 2024. So here is a blog post on those few things.

2024 was the year I discovered how fun and relaxing water colour painting can be.

It was also the year I discovered I am still bad at bowling.

And I rediscovered the beauty of rural Alberta (it’s all in the sky).

In June Kirby and I went to visit his dad in Fairview. And for the first time in maybe 20 years we did the trek through Edmonton and up to Joussard where I grew up.

The trip started in Edmonton and right down memory lane. We made a stop at the West Edmonton Mall. And let me tell you, parts of this mall have not changed at all. Which was really strange because it looked the same as my childhood eyes remembered, and yet everything was so much… smaller. And I couldn’t find the candy store. Such a tragedy.

Our next stop was Joussard. And this was yet another strange “everything is familiar but like I’m seeing it for the first time.” It’s really hard to describe. Anyway, for people who’ve never been to Joussard, these photos won’t mean anything. But here are the most recognizable landmarks.

Luckily my friend Shannon came to visit her folks while we were there so she could show us around town. She was quite possibly the least helpful tour guide (“oh wow Shannon, when did they put these sidewalks in?” “I don’t know, I’ve never noticed them before” – really hard-hitting sightseeing). It was nice to catch up with some of the only people I know still in Joussard.

Then we were off to visit Kirby’s dad in Fairview. We made a quick stop at the old ski hill I learned to ski on, Little Smokey.

Yes, this is a ski hill.

The drive to Fairview was nice. We got another dramatic welcome from the sky.

While in Fairview Kirby and Don took me on a tour of the surrounding area.

It was nice to see some of the places Kirby has always talked about. None of them are pictured here. But trust me, they exist.

Here’s more sky.

It was nice to see Don and spend time with him, even though it was a short visit. We were able to help go through some of his things and help him get ready for the warmer weather.

After Alberta we took it easy and hung out around home. We explored a demolition derby or two.

And we took my mom to Saratoga Springs for a Hootie and the Blowfish concert.

It was such a great show and always endlessly entertaining being in America (pre-Trump of course).

At the end of August I was back in Geneva for work. For a change I was there in the summer instead of winter, so my friend Jacquelyn and I went swimming in Lake Geneva. It was so beautiful! (and let’s not ask ourselves why no one else is swimming, only the two Canadians and mallard)

In October I was in Quito, Ecuador for work. The second highest capital in the world.

On my last day I did a tour of the city with two colleagues. We took the cable car to the top of one of the nearby volcanoes and then hiked to the summit. The altitude did a number on me.

But there were llamas dressed up for photo ops on the way down so it was all worth it. Here you can see me trying to restrain myself from hugging the llama to death. Whereas Lena looks like she’s being held hostage. She assured me she was having fun.

In November I was in Indonesia. It looked the same as it did last time.

And later in November I was in Victoria! I was meeting up with Nell and Kelly to go to a Sarah McLaughlin concert, which ended up being cancelled. But it was still a really nice week hanging with them and their kiddos.