Looking back on 2024

Photo by Marcus Cramer on Unsplash

    2024 was the year I tried my best. In so many areas, in so many ways, I really, actually tried this year. I am proud of myself. And I'm really grateful to God for helping me. Wouldn't have gotten through the year without Him.

    There were three major highlights of my 2024.

    Firstly, around June, I got into Stray Kids. I can't fully explain how much these eight guys helped me, encouraged me, and inspired me during the last half of 2024. And, my goodness, did they make me laugh! 

    For New Year's, my older sister and I tried out one of those "if you play this song at exactly this time on new year's eve, you'll get this at midnight" tips from a fellow fan. It worked! And when the clock struck midnight, we began the New Year with Seungmin's epic high note in the song "Cover Me".

    Though I really wish I'd become a Stray Kids fan sooner—because I’d have liked to have been with them most of their journey—I think I found them exactly when I needed them. Stray Kids was my safe place in 2024. 

    I love them all so much.

    Secondly, in July, I started a new blog!! With Joy for The Work actually feels like how I intended it to, like a little, online home for myself. I’m so thankful for all I was able to accomplish here over the past several months, and I want to give a huge thank you to everyone who spent their time here with me in 2024! Whether you simply read quietly or you left a comment, I am thankful for you! <3 

    Last of all, I finished a manuscript I’ve been working on for five years!! I gush more about that particular project in this post here!

Now, then, onto the favorites!

Three Favorite Books

The Fireborn Epic by Gillian Brontë Adams

    I love this series so much so far!! Excitedly awaiting the final book in the trilogy! 

On Wings of Fire and Ash by Brittany Wang. 

    Very long, but very good. I’ll likely end up reading the next book. We'll see. 

Sky of Seven Colors by Rachelle Nelson. 

    Something about this book made it feel like it was published in 2014. It was something about the writing, I don't think it was the characters or the setting. I absolutely loved it! 

Three Favorite Movies 

(so many good movies this year, so hard to choose)

Damsel

The horror aspect of this film was just fantastic! It was such a great, nail-biting ride. I've an issue with the ending, but I enjoyed everything else.

World War Z 

    So, so nail-biting! This movie was like a video game in that it felt like it was made up of a bunch of mini-missions. Mission one: escape the city, mission two: head to South korea, mission 3: refuel the plane so we can take off and leave South Korea, etc., etc.

Godzilla Minus One

    There’s this scene where Godzilla is going after the main characters while they’re in a boat, and they're continually hitting him with stuff, and he just keeps coming, and it was so nerve-racking!!

Three Favorite Songs

(yes, I know, it's all Stray Kids, hehehe) 

"Neverending Story". The last minute and a half or so is just phenomenal! Han's high notes, and him and Seungmin singing together = <3 <3 <3

"Blueprint". This song was the anthem that kept me pushing forward as I embarked on the adventure of starting a new blog. It was summer, everything felt youthful and alive. And I was starting something new. Something I hoped would be beautiful in time. (it's a music video, so, if you listen, remember to turn on the captions)

"Hold On". I love the story the song is telling, the lyrics are so, so beautiful. I love the way the music flows. And the high note at 2:52.

~ ~ ~

    Well, that's my 2024 recapped! How was your 2024? Any favorite things you'd like to share?

    As always, thank you for spending your time with me, have a wonderful rest of your day, and go be epic!