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New Years Resolutions
Resolutions are always a great way to start off the year. Although some were forgotten about, most kept me pointed in the right direction. Generally, that's how most NYRs go (yes, that's a real acronym. Just believe me).
Read 24 books
24 books for '24 seemed like a great idea, but I fell very short. Books have included The Midnight Library, The Westing Game, 1984, A Court of Thorns and Roses, A Court of Mist and Fury, The House of Silk, Talent, Demon Copperhead, & Trust
Try out a new class each month
This was a great goal and really pushed me to try new things over the course of the year. I've taken some personal training, pottery, French (4 units down!), a tart making class, tennis lessons, and gymnastics. I've also taken on sewing projects and have explored the Adobe Suite for personal projects which I'll continue into 2025.
Try a new recipe each week
I didn't keep pace with 1 a week, but am happy and open-minded to take on new cooking challenges. Results have generally been good!
+5 lbs lean muscle, -5lbs body fat
My results fluctuated over the course of the year and I'll notch this one as a small step from success.
Run 500 miles (40 not in Chicago)
Loose estimates have me around 300 miles this year (~7:20 avg. pace), ~30 of which have been out of Chicago (Japan, Nebraska, New York City, Scotland)
Cousin Trip 2024
March
My cousins and I returned to Kansas City. 11 of us made the trek from across the midwest and enjoyed exploring more of the city we didn't see last time. I really value the time together with just the younger generations (sorry mom & dad & aunts & uncles) and can't wait for next year**!
** At Christmas, we decided we'll return to KC to complete the hat trick.
Japan is Marvelous
April
I travelled to Japan in March and April, spending 11 days across Tokyo, Hakuba, and Kyoto. It is an incredible country with a strikingly rich and diverse culture. It respects its heritage, but includes western ideas and modern technologies. I would love to return as soon as possible and hope that everyone with even a little interest can take the leap and experience it first hand.
Stops along the way
Tokyo
Shinjuku
Days 1+2
Shinjuku is a hub of energy and nightlife, the perfect spot to start.
Ramen shop, Tokyo Olympic Stadium, start of cherry blossoms season, Imperial Palace Gardens, Tokyo National Museum, Golden Gai, Asakusa Shrine, an exhibit on fish, omakase tasting menu
Hakuba
Days 3 + 4 + 5
A ski town in the Japanese Alps!
Skiing (obviously), beer tasting with some Aussies, and tasting lots of snacks from Lawsons (similar to 7 11)
Kyoto
Days 6 + 7 + 8
A modern city with a slow and traditional feel.
Beautiful cherry blossoms are all over, Nintendo store, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Fushimi Inari Shrine (the classic orange gates), Nara Deer Park (so cool), Ki No Bi Gin tasting
Sazuka
Day 9
A bit further out in the country, I went to the Japan Grand Prix in Sazuka. It's a legendary track and was a fantastic atmosphere (plus the beers were very cheap). It was exciting to see how passionate the fans are in Japan!
Tokyo
Shibuya
Days 10 + 11
Another stop in Tokyo to tackle some sights I didn't see the first time!
Shinjuku National Garden, SG Club, V2, Tsukiji Fish Market (I had the best bite of my lift here, a wagyu skewer), lots of vintage stopping in Ginza
Some Snapshots from Japan
NYC 2024
July
Back for the third time, a two college friends and I celebrated the summer (and her birthday, just a coincidence) in style. I worked out of my company's NY office and then the three of us partied in style with a handful of rooftops.
Scotland Adventures!
October
In October, the Chicago summer had (fortunately) not left us yet. However, I dove into fall by exploring the highlands of Scotland on a solo, nine day driving tour. This was a big departure from my past city-centric travels and I enjoyed the ability to slow the tempo of life. Embracing nature, taking in vistas, trying to stay dry. It was a wonderful trip and I will definitely adjust trips in the future to account for how much I enjoyed my time on the road in Scotland.
Stops along the way
Paris
Day 0
Making the Most of Flight Delays
Due to some flight delays, I had an eleven hour layover in Paris. I ventured into the city after arriving. I enjoyed some breakfast and wine at the Montmartre Wine Harvest Festival, explored the galleries of Le Louvre, and walked the Seine River before returning to the airport.
Edinburgh
Days 1 + 2
The Historic Castle on the Hill
Although arriving a day later than anticipated, I went on a walking tour of the historic Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle. I loved walking around the twisty roads of the city (I see all the inspiration JK Rowling got for Harry Potter). I also found my favorite cocktail bar to date: Panda & Sons.
Fort Williams
Days 3 + 4 + 5
Stepping into A Key Tourism Center
Fort Williams is a central tourism town from which I stayed twenty minutes south. On this stop, I hiked Ben Nevis, the tallest mountain in GB. It's just over 4,400 ft of elevation gain! I enjoyed some warm soup in Fort Williams afterwards.
Isle of Skye
Day 6 + 7 + 8
Mores Hikes and More Scotch
My third stop was on Skye, the largest island of the Inner Hebrides archipelago. I arrived by ferry and enjoyed more hikes (Old Man of Storr) and several distillery visits. A bit spread out, this is where I became comfortable behind the wheel.
Inverness
Days 9 +
Bonus Day 10
A Culture-Focused Ending
I originally planned to just stay in Inverness for a night, but was gifted with another day because of a flight cancellation. I toured Johnstons of Elgin, a very fancy wool mill, and the battlefield of Culloden. I rounded out the nights with live music in the city.
Ending Thoughts
As I look back upon the year, I am reminded of how fortunate I am to have experienced everything that I have. To travel around the world and embrace new cultures and ideas, only then to be excited to return and to reconnect with family and friends, I am humbled and ever grateful.
2024 has been a wonderful year. It has been one of growth and development and new possibilities. I am excited to see what 2025 brings and cannot wait to share it with all of you.
- Micah