As 2024 📅 comes to a close, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the highlights of the year. It’s been a year full of new experiences, milestones, and cherished moments. Here’s a glimpse into the journey:
First Full Year in Our Home 🏡
This year marked our first full year in the house, and it’s been nothing short of magical. We’ve been treated to an abundance of animal sightings right in our front and backyard—a constant reminder of the beauty of nature surrounding us. From playful foxes to majestic bear, our home truly feels like a haven.
Exploring Local Gems 🌍
We’ve thoroughly enjoyed discovering the charm of our local area through road trips to:
- Portsmouth: A picturesque town with its vibrant waterfront and quaint streets.
- Provincetown: A place full of coastal beauty and rich history.
- Camping in Vermont: A peaceful escape into nature, filled with serene landscapes and starlit nights.
These trips have made us appreciate the diversity and culture within driving distance of home.
Diverse Celebrations 🎉
This year was marked by a rich tapestry of celebrations, each bringing joy and togetherness:
- Diwali: The Festival of Lights filled our home with warmth and brightness.
- Hanukkah: A beautiful time to reflect and celebrate with loved ones.
- Passover Seder: A meaningful gathering filled with tradition and connection.
- Christmas: This season brought joy and creativity, as many of the gifts were tied to a newfound passion: woodworking!
A New Hobby: Woodworking 🎨
Speaking of woodworking, 2024 was the year I FINALLY started this hobby! The left piece below is the first to be built, a bench seat for the yard. And on the right is Julia, sanding down a refurbished piece to prep for a gift for her friend.
Staying Active with NAC and local events🏅
This year, I’ve been committed to staying active by attending weekly exercise classes at the NAC. A big shoutout to the amazing instructors who’ve kept me motivated and on track. I’m incredibly grateful for the community and support. We have also enjoyed the great reopening of the Iron Horse!
Sharing My Work 📄
In 2024, I managed to write a few blogs related to my team’s work, finally answering the perennial question from my in-laws: What exactly do you do? It’s been a fun and fulfilling way to communicate my professional journey in an engaging way (more on my LinkedIn page).
https://www.uber.com/blog/modernizing-ubers-data-infrastructure-with-gcp/
https://www.uber.com/blog/datamesh/
https://www.uber.com/en-NL/blog/query-gpt/
A Year with Pets 🐶
Our pets have been an integral part of our year:
- Aimee and Meero: They’ve settled in beautifully and bring so much joy to our days.
- Oscar and Daisy: The two goofy munchkins.
- Azrou: Saying goodbye to Azrou was a difficult moment, but we cherish the memories we shared.
Looking Ahead 🌟
As we step into 2025, I’m filled with gratitude for the experiences and growth 2024 brought. Here’s to another year of adventures, creativity, and cherished moments with loved ones. Cheers to the new year!
Namaste
Abhi Khune (with lots of help from ChatGPT!)
Abhiram Ganesh Khune
Musings by Abhi Khune 