Can you believe it’s almost 2025? And yet, January 2024 feels like forever ago. How’s your year? How are you right now? Are you hopeful? Disheartened? Neutral? Numb? Do you look to the new year with expectations or are you looking at it like it’ll lead to disappointment? Maybe you don’t see anything changing, better or worse.
I honestly, can’t really say how I feel about it myself. I guess I see the new year as the same old same old. I want to be hopeful, you know? Hopeful for big changes, but I was hopeful this year and what I hoped for didn’t happen.
But, what did happen? How was this year good and bad for me and for you?
January–Hunkered down from snow with movies and video games. First time nominated for employee of the month.
February–First time getting COVID. Lost several zoo animals. Finished a D&D campaign.
March–Births and arrivals of new zoo animals. First time going to ComicCon. Start a new D&D campaign. Start caring for gorillas.
April–Cheetahs arrive. Animal intros. Solar Eclipse! Finally bought a couch!
May–Visit a zoo I’ve never been to for a hoof trimming class. New cheetahs on exhibit! Zoo animal births. New family dog!
June–Lake week. Zoo animal losses and births. First time ever stung by a wasp…
July–Family member finishes my novel. Realm Makers Writing Conference!
August–Novel rejections. Tire trouble. Cheetah birthdays. Checked off with Gorillas. Zoo animal intros. Zoo animal births and deaths. ADOPTED A KITTEN!!!
September–Trim an animal’s hooves for the first time. Rent goes up…Zelda Echos of Wisdom released!
October–New RenFair. Advancement interview. Novel rejections.
November–Kitten wins a costume contest! Voluntary cheetah/leopard vaccines! A wedding.
December–Tire trouble. Movie nights. Lanterns. Lots of art. Christmas!
Looking back, I would not describe 2024 as a bad year. There was a lot of new experiences and a lot of good things. I’m thankful for 2024.
nikki diekemper 