2024 Year in Review

Happy New Year, friends! Welcome back to my incredibly earnest annual tradition. As always, I hope you enjoy reading about the highs and lows of my year and the things I’ve learned, read, watched, and listened to along the way.

What did you do in 2024 that you’d never done before?

• Used AI
• Had an ultrasound 
• Went to an MLB regular season game
• Went to an NHL playoff game 
• Rode an e-bike
• Lost my passport 
• Spoke at an Executive Team meeting
• Rode in a self driving car
• Worked out with a personal trainer 
• Used lip liner

Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I failed miserably at my New Year’s resolutions this year, except for meeting my reading goal, but I always do that one. I intended to “curb my online shopping” and lol. I did ok at swimming on a regular basis until I started travelling in the fall and any kind of consistent fitness routine went out the window.

Instead of New Year’s Resolutions, let’s call these goals, shall we? I’m making three this year, plus my reading goal. So, four. #communicationsmath

1.     Buy less. I can’t believe I’m writing about this on the internet (because now I’ll actually have to do it), but I’m going to challenge myself to go for a year without buying any new clothes. I have so many clothes—way, way more than I need. In fact, I have more than I could possibly wear in a two-week period without multiple outfit changes a day. 

I’m giving myself a few passes or exceptions on this one. For example, it’s ok to buy new underwear and socks. I’m also not going to feel guilty about shopping if I’m on a trip somewhere outside of Canada, or if I magically change sizes significantly and need bigger or smaller pants. But generally speaking, I want to “shop my closet” more than anything else. The days of online shopping for a dopamine hit or because I saw something on Instagram need to end. It’s not good for me or the planet.

2.   Improve memorization. I’ve always been very bad at memorization, whether it’s music or scripture or anything else. This is not an aging thing – at the tender age of 20 I took a points deduction on my final music school recital so I could use charts instead of having to memorize the songs. I’ve always sucked at it. It’s an area I’d like to intentionally work at this year. I’m going to try to memorize an entire chapter of scripture and challenge myself to work up to using no charts when I play piano. Thoughts and prayers for me on this one please.

3. Increase lean muscle mass. I started working out with a trainer this fall. It’s been my first foray into strength training and although I’ve loved it, because of all the travelling and general busyness this season, I was incredibly inconsistent (sorry Michelle!). I’m looking forward to a more consistent workout routine as I head into the new year and building more strength. I’m not sure what my metric is going to be on this one—feeling stronger? Lifting more weight? I’ll ask Michelle.

4. Read 52 books. This year I exceeded my own expectations and read 60 books, but I’m going to keep my reading goal at 52 because I like the idea of a one-book-a-week pace. It’s always better to underpromise and overdeliver, right?

Did anyone close to you give birth?

My sister in law was a total superhero and gave birth to my nephew Caleb in February. It was another complicated labour but everyone is ok. Caleb has inherited the Schroeder white-blonde hair and my brother’s facial expressions. We love him to pieces.

Did anyone close to you die?

One of my close friends lost her baby boy this year. It’s the third time I’ve gone through this with someone I’m close to, and the grief never gets any easier.

What countries did you visit?

The U.S.

I was able to visit my parents in Phoenix twice this year, once in the spring and once in the fall. I have been to Arizona so many times now I’ve lost count—one of the many blessings of having parents who are snowbirds. 

In July Olga and I went to San Francisco because I got tickets to see Chelsea play Wrexham in a pre-season friendly at Levi’s stadium. We had one of the chillest trips ever and slept in most days, wandered the city, ate a lot of good food and bought winter jackets at a deep discount that we then had to figure out how to get back to Vancouver in our carry-ons. The football match was really fun although I was a bit disappointed that Chelsea drew with a League One team but whatever.

In September I went to New York for the first time (as an adult). Jacqueline and Shannon had bought tickets to go see Keane at Radio City Music hall, and I jumped on board even though I’m not a fan. We spent five glorious days wandering around the city, seeing a ton of Broadway shows and famous paintings. Everything about this trip was great: the company, the experiences, the food. I’d love to go back.

Banff

Obviously, Banff is not a country or even in another country. But it’s a global tourist destination, and it takes about nine hours to drive there so I think it counts. Douze organizes our annual end-of-the-school year trip at the best campground in the whole park (Two Jack Lakeside). It’s five glorious days of car camping next to a beautiful, glacier-fed reservoir with some of my oldest friends, and usually we get to have a real campfire because it’s early in the season and the bans aren’t in effect yet. This year we also fit in a trip to the Nordic Spa in Kananaskis.

England

Last November (2023) Afed came home raving about a creative conference he attended in London and I bought a ticket for this year’s conference on a bit of a whim. It’s not like I need much of an excuse to plan a trip to London and a creative conference sounded like a good one.

One year later and a whole crew of friends ended up going to this conference. Tiff decided to join at the last minute and we had the unexpected joy of travelling to the U.K. together again (for the third time). I truly didn’t think we’d get a chance to travel like this again until her kids were much older.

The conference itself was wonderful and I left feeling very inspired. It was refreshing to spend time in worship with people from other countries, and experience church in a big, global (non-American) context.

Denmark

After the conference in London I spent four magical days in Copenhagen exploring Christmas markets and old castles. I discovered Gløgg, which is like the Danish version of Gluhwein. It’s a bit sweeter (maybe with different spices?), and is served with raisins and almonds. I spent a night wandering around Tivoli Garden in the lightly falling snow, and I’m here to tell you it’s the most Christmassy place on earth.

Sweden (for a day)

While in Denmark, I went on a day tour to Sweden which involved taking a 20-minute ferry across the straight from Helsingør to Helsingborg. There’s only so much you can do in one day, but I did manage to eat some whiskey-soaked Swedish meatballs and purchase a lot of Christmas ornaments. We drove back to Copenhagen across the Öresund Bridge, but it was foggy, dark, and raining and I fell asleep.

England, again

On the way home I spent a few more solo days in London. I wandered, went to a few exhibits, shopped, looked at Christmas lights, read next to the fireplace in a few pubs and saw a musical or play every night. It was heaven, my perfect vacation.

What would you like to have in 2025 that you lacked in 2024?

An Oiler Stanley Cup win, a partner, Chelsea Champions League football, a Canadian English spell check (a girl can dream), and world peace. This is the exact same list as last year but good things take time.

What dates and events from 2024 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

• Seeing James Acaster at the Vogue 
• Going to an Oilers playoff game with my brother. Even though they lost it was magical that we were able to go to a game together, because he happened to be visiting when the Oilers and Canucks were playing each other. 
• Renaissance Conference in London
• My birthday celebrations

Did you suffer illness or injury?

Overall, I’ve been very blessed with good health this year. Of course as I get older I’m noticing more aches and pains, and I was sick with Covid and then a cold for most of September but thankfully I managed to get healthy right before leaving for New York.

What was your greatest accomplishment?

It’s tough to put this into words, and it’s not an accomplishment in the traditional sense, but I feel like a much more settled person. My Mom and older friends always told me that I’d feel this way as I age—more sure of myself, more content with my life, less worried about what other people think. But of course you never really believe them until you experience it for yourself. 

This more settled person has been hard-won through a lot of small victories, baby steps and sanctification. There were moments of advocating for myself, admitting when I was wrong, facing fears, and walking through joys and sorrows holding tightly to the Lord. That may sound like normal life, but I think the accomplishment is that I like this person I’m becoming.

What was your biggest failure or struggle?

One recent failure sticks out because I ended up hurting a friend by not facing a tough conversation in the moment and allowing misunderstanding to fester into a bigger problem. Thankfully we were able to work it out, but it’s humbling and awful when you hurt someone you care about. 2024 has not been without challenges—health issues for people I love, grief, disappointments, opportunities that didn’t pan out—but overall when I think back it was easier, happier and lighter than some recent years.

What was the best thing you bought?

An old-school alarm clock so that I don’t have to keep my phone in my room at night. It’s been a real game changer for my sleep. A walking pad that fits under my couch so I can “go for a walk” even when I don’t feel like leaving the house. Also I finally got laser hair removal done this year and it’s the best thing ever. I’m mad at myself for waiting this long to do it. 

Honourable mention goes to all the theatre, concert, and sports tickets I bought this year, especially: 

• Chelsea vs. Wrexham in San Francisco
• Seeing David Tennant play MacBeth in the West End
• Oh Mary! and Suffs on Broadway
• Griff blowing my mind at the Commodore

Where did most of your money go?

Travelling, clothes and theatre tickets. I took a real “yolo” approach to spending money this year, and bought myself a lot of “birthday presents” and “Christmas presents”. I have no regrets but I do need to enter a more thrifty, thoughtful consumption era in 2025.

What did you get really, really, really excited about?

• Mom finding an unopened jar of Trader Joe’s Spicy Italian Seasoning in the back of her cupboard 
• Seeing a James Acaster gig
• The Oilers playoff run (coincidentally this was also my biggest heartache)
• Planning for New York with Jacqueline and Shannon
• Seeing David Tennant play MacBeth 
• Going to Copenhagen for the first time
• An unexpected trip to London with my best friend

What songs will always remind you of 2024?

• Miss Me Too by Griff 
• King Jesus by Brooke Ligertwood
• Espresso by Sabrina Carpenter
• HOT TO GO! by Chappelle Roan
• Anything from Wicked

Favourite albums?

• Vertigo by Griff
• Up at Night by Stephen Dawes 
• Beethoven Blues by Jon Batiste 
• Lighter notes by Luca Sestak

Favourite podcasts?

• The Rest is Entertainment 
• Straight out of Cobham
• Off Menu
• …just realized all of these are U.K. based. How very on-brand.

Compared to this time last year are you:

• Happier or sadder? A bit happier.
• Thinner or fatter? A bit fatter.
• Richer or poorer? Slightly poorer.

What do you wish you’d done more of?

Exercising, turning off my phone, creative writing or playing the piano just for the joy of it.

What do you wish you’d done less of?

Scrolling, online shopping, eating chips, stressing about things beyond my control.

How did you spend Christmas?

I’m one of those lucky people who has two homes: one biological family in my hometown and one joined/accumulated family in the city where I live now. There are times when it’s hard to have your heart in two places, but it does mean you get two Christmases. 

To start, I spent four days in Edmonton with my family. I got to catch up with Douze and learn all the latest junior high kid slang, go to an Oilers game with my dad and brother and have lots and lots of Auntie Sarah time. It was a bit of a whirlwind trip, and not the most restful, but I loved getting to spend time with everyone. My niece and nephews are still at the age when everything about Christmas is so exciting and it’s delightful to be with them.

I flew back to Vancouver late on Christmas Day. On Boxing Day we had a very low-key Millerton Christmas, followed by a full-on friend family Christmas dinner on the 27th. I brought the stuffing like always because it’s my favourite part of turkey dinner and I don’t trust anyone else to make it right.

Did you fall in love in 2024?

No, but I didn’t lose hope and become cynical about it and that feels like a W in the chat.

What was your favourite TV program?

• Say Nothing (Disney+):  Based on the book by Patrick Radden Keefe, this show is about the IRA in the height of the Troubles. It’s dark and asks a lot of tough questions, but the acting is outstanding and the source material was one of the best books I’ve read in years. 
• The Gilded Age (HBO):  Hats! Rich people having romantical problems in olden times! Julian Fellowes! 
• Abbot Elementary (Disney+): This has joined the ranks of my half hour comedy comfort watches with New Girl and Brooklyn 99. 
• Slow Horses (Apple TV): 10/10. Gary Oldman as an aging sarcastic spy with dubious personal hygiene leads a band of spy agency rejects as they continuously save the day. One of the few times when the TV show is better than the books, although they’re not too shabby either. 
• Maxton Hall (Amazon Prime): Was this a very predictable, ridiculous teen romance? Yes. Was it strangely set in England with English character names but everyone inexplicably spoke German? Also yes. Was it objectively good? No. Did I still love it and watch it through twice (once when I was sick and wallowing)? You bet.
• One Day (Netflix): I just watched this over Christmas so it could be recency bias, but I loved it. Be forewarned it is Very Sad but also so beautifully done. Wonderful acting, lots of feelings and tears.

What were the best books you read?

I’m sad to report I didn’t have very many five star books this year. It was a year of quantity over knock-your-socks-off reading. As always you can check out the full list (of 60!) on Goodreads. Some favourites:

• Welcome to Glorious Tuga by Francesca Segal
• The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Septys 
• Unruly: The Ridiculous History of England’s Kings and Queens by David Mitchell
• From the Ashes: My story of being Metis, Homeless and Finding my Way by Jesse Thistle
• Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby van Pelt 
• Anonymous: Jesus’ Hidden Years by Alicia Britt Cole

What was your greatest musical discovery?

I rediscovered the jazz chords and scales that I haven’t played for years. There were a few jazz albums I had on heavy rotation and they inspired me to dust off some of the skills I learned long ago but never practice anymore. The creative conference I attended in London this fall made me want to prioritize time to be creative, whether that’s through music or writing.

What did you want and get?

• Tickets to see David Tennant play MacBeth 
• The Oilers to beat the Canucks in the playoffs 
• To see Griff live
• The perfect, holy grail, oversized, 90s cotton sweater

What did you want and not get?

• The Oilers to win a Stanley Cup 
• Conor Gallagher to re-sign at Chelsea
• A cast iron frying pan
• To see a Premier League game

What were your favourite films of this year?

I’m becoming less of a movie girl each passing year.  I’m not sure what my deal is, either my attention span is shrinking or Hollywood isn’t making movies I’m interested in. I watched fewer than 20 movies the whole year and half of them were on planes. Here are the standouts from my very short list: 

• Dune Part Two: Saw this in the theatre with Chars and Christy after we finished reading it for book club. Became a member of the Zendaya fan club. 
• Flora and Son: Irish Bad Mom learns to play guitar and connect with her son. Irreverent and heartwarming. (Apple TV) 
• Fly Me to the Moon: A space rom com with a loose relationship to historical accuracy. (Apple TV – but watched on a plane) 
• The Bikeriders – Truthfully the story was kind of meh (and violent) but everybody looked really cool and Jodie Comer stole the show with her accent as always.  (Amazon, I think? I also watched this on a plane and it’s possible that made me like it more than the movie actually deserved) 
• Obviously I loved Wicked. I laughed, I cried, I did NOT sing along but I wanted to.

What did you do on your birthday?

It was a big birthday this year, and I felt almost as much angst about how to celebrate it as I did about the milestone. We put a lot of pressure on ourselves, don’t we? 

In the end, I had a lovely time celebrating. I felt loved, known, and extremely thankful for all the wonderful people in my life. Tiff, Chars, Grace and Steph threw a big party for me and everyone dressed up and wore fascinators. Ariana made me the best cake in the world. Lani took some beautiful photos to remember it. It’s likely the only time I’ll ever have a big party for my birthday because that’s generally not my vibe, but I’m glad we did it. It was nice to celebrate with all my nearest and dearest.

At work, my team held a surprise birthday high tea complete with fancy china and cucumber sandwiches. Shannon, Olga and Jacqueline took me for spicy Margaritas and a fancy mexican dinner on Granville Island. On my actual birthday I went swimming at Hillcrest with Chars and the boys in the morning, had a nap in the afternoon, and went out for dinner at Nook with my best gals. 

Even reflecting on it now, I feel like I’m supposed to have a profound observation about reaching this age milestone or some sage wisdom to offer up. I’m sorry to say that I don’t have a grand vision, or big dreams and ambitions for where my life will go from here. But having a simple, quiet, normal life is underrated, isn’t it?

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2024?

Overconsumption.

What kept you sane?

Jesus; counselling; prayer; venting, crying, and laughing with my friends; Tuesday night Happy Hours at the Magnet; voice memos.

Which celebrity or public figure did you fancy the most?

James Acaster, Lewis Hamilton, Conor Gallagher, Leon Draisaitl, and Anthony Boyle. Paul Mescal was being charming all over my social feeds during the Gladiator press tour and I didn’t hate it.

What issue stirred you the most?

I mean look, as a Canadian I’m a bit nervous about the whole “51st state” thing and the potential of our economy tanking in January and what feels like a big war brewing. But let’s agree not to talk about politics, shall we? I’ve been trying to keep my focus on my one “wild and precious life” and lifting my eyes to the hills this year. 

My prayers, heartache and donations have gone to the people of Gaza and Ukraine, and to those experiencing homelessness and addiction in the Downtown Eastside. I’ve been very aware of and affected by the immense suffering in the world this year. 

Who did you miss?

My brother and his family, Douze, Ava, Gramma Miller, Conor Gallagher.

Who was the best new person you met?

The only real new person I met this year was my nephew and the jury’s still out on him. Kidding. I love him even though he makes this face at me.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2024?

The only thing you can control is your own actions or reactions. You can’t control how other people act towards you, respond to you, or if they’ll understand you. I know this sounds like a very basic and obvious truth, but I’ve had to learn and practice it this year in new ways. I’ve been in some tough situations that were unfair or where I’ve been misunderstood, and I had to learn to leave the outcome completely up to the Lord. Most times it worked out, but occasionally it didn’t. At the end of everything, I’m accountable to God for how I act and respond, no matter how others see or treat me.

That feels like a funny note to end on, so let me conclude by saying thank you for reading this long, reflective debrief year after year. It’s a joy for me to write it, and I’d probably do it anyway, but it’s still lovely that so many friends ask me about it and tell me they’re looking forward to reading it. Please reach out because I’d love to hear how your year was. Happy New Year to you all.