Another year gone by, another December thinking about my New Year's resolutions/intentions. I had written a post much like this in 2022, and it's interesting to see which of my goals had stuck and which had fallen off. For better or for worse, putting it in writing makes it hard to avoid the reality of either these successes or failures.
What I wrote and hoped for in 2023:
Join Uri for part of his Europe bike trip= yes!
Become better at bike repair and maintenance= eh, debatable
Read more books for fun= yes! 51 books (thanks, commute)
Improve Spanish speaking skills= Nope
Try to beat my 2022 bike mileage= Not even close
Commute the 30 miles to work more often= does doing it twice count as more often?
Bike at least three 150 mi rides= Nope
Bike for 24 hrs= Nope
Try a race?= Nope (but the question mark gets me off the hook)
Cook more international meals= I think so?
Keep book club active= yes!
Publish my first paper at SUNY ESF= Almost! Two are in review!
I am not bothered by what I wasn't able to accomplish this year. Many of my lofty biking goals were to be done in the fall, a time that I didn't realize would be all-consumed by classes, teaching, research, and doing a painful commute each day to Syracuse. But, with the physical seasons also comes the seasonality of both adventure and work intensity, and I'm OK with that.
Regardless of falling short on some of my goals, the year was still full of excitement:
January
We went winter hiking, polar plunging, and did a lot of international cooking for Food Tour (where we cook meals from around the world, systematically from every country).
February
Our casual winter hiking/snowshoeing group, Club Foot, ramped up again, and we enjoyed some local hikes in the area. We also had a fun full moon hike with friends and did our annual February trip to the Adirondacks.
March
More winter camping with friends! I also biked the C&O canal ride from Washington D.C. to Pittsburgh for spring break which was an incredibly rewarding experience to do solo (detailed report here).
April
April was filled with academic adventures, but, most importantly, Uri successfully defended his Ph.D., and we celebrated with friends, food, bonfire, and music.
May
I geeked out over meeting Robin Wall Kimmerer at SUNY ESF (author of Braiding Sweetgrass). Uri and I got engaged (read about it)! And then, shortly afterward, Uri graduated with his Ph.D. from Cornell. We started the preparation for our bike tour in Europe to celebrate.
June
In mid-June, Claire and I joined Uri in Europe, and together we cycled from Geneva, Switzerland to Northern Germany following the EuroVelo bike trail system. We saw beautiful landscapes and met a lot of cool people.
July
Mid-July, I returned home and jumped back into research field work. The summer is a beautiful time in the Finger Lakes of New York, and I enjoyed cycling the region with friends.
August
Uri came home from Europe! We went to the Medieval Faire and took advantage of the last days of summer before classes started.
September
The semester ramped up to an insane level of work, and I took 4 classes: Forest Ecology, Traditional Ecological Knowledge, Environmental Justice, and Environmental Journalism. My brain sponged so much information, and I loved all of it. I also helped start a Bike Club on campus. The highlights of this month were, of course, Porchfest and seeing all of my talented friends play music. Uri and I also went to New York City to see Hozier at Madison Square Garden!
October
My field work in Ohio ended for the season. A few friends and I biked the Finger Lakes Overnighter which, in October, was muddy and incredibly challenging [for me]. My Forest Ecology labs took us to neat places in the area, and my friends had pumpkin-themed bike rides!
November
Uri and I did a weekend bike ride with ESF Bike Club, part of which was on the Erie Canal. During this ride, we spent the night at a Warmshowers host's house, and we bonded greatly with the retired, farming couple. They invited us back to their farm in the spring! Thanksgiving was also particularly special this year as Uri's parents met my own, and we shared champagne, toasting to family.
December
Part of the reason why I love Ithaca is because of its unique events for the locals, like the Rutabaga Curling Competition at the Famers Market. This month, we also took advantage of the $10/day downhill ski pass which I hadn't done in years. Christmas with my extended family also made the year special.
Looking back on 2023, month by month, makes me realize how rich I am. The best moments of my year have been shared with the kindest, most inspirational people. Notably, it's not work that we look back on and remember most (at least for me, though I love my job/school). We need to make the most of our time not working, spending time with the people we love and care about as often as possible.
Personal intentions and hopes for 2024
Life things
Get married! and (hopefully) have a great day regardless of the weather
Hobbies
Read at least 30 books
Get past beginner-level mandolin
Long Live Book Club
Keep ESF Bike Club active
Revive Food Tour (cook more international meals and learn about those countries)
Improve my Spanish
Athletics
Re-attempt the 24 hr bike ride
Ride 200 miles in a day
Complete more Winter 46ers in Adirondacks
Finger Lakes Hill challenge (bike the 50 hardest hills)
Vermont Super 8 bike race, maybe?
Spring Break bike tour, maybe?
Academics
Write 2 more academic papers
Pass my A-exam! (hopefully)
As much as I know it won't happen, I hope these next 12 months go more slowly than the last 12 did. Regardless, may the next year be filled with growth, grace, and love.
Happy New Years, everyone.
That was me, Aunt Judy
So wonderful to share in your life. You DO lead an exciting one. 😘😘