Ringing in a wintery January 2025, after a December 2024 trip with Eurail.

Happy New Year! First, in the midst of the horrible wildfires impacting Los Angeles, let me start by sharing links to ways for donating funds or other items to those in need.

I’m sure you’re seeing articles and social media posts on how you can help but other suggested donation sources include the California Fire Foundation, the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, and World Central Kitchen, a frontline organization founded by chef José Andrés.

It’s weird to start a new year, too, under these circumstances. 2024 was an up-and-down year for me in both my professional and personal lives. I did get to see more of New York State (Finger Lakes and the Mohonk Mountain House) and crossing off Arkansas by heading to Little Rock for a conference.

I also visited Grenada for the first time and I returned to Rochester to watch the Solar Eclipse.

I returned to Rochester, New York, to witness the Solar Eclipse.

As for 2025, I’m off to a small start, with IMM NYC as my first big event. But I’m also trying something different. As each year is ushered in, I have friends who approach the new year by either creating vision boards or picking a focus word. I’m trying my hand at the latter.

My focus word is… focus. I want to continue my work but also focus more on what I want to accomplish this year. And I’ll get started on that vision board soon.

What do you hope to do in 2025?