2024: Year in Review

Dec 31, 20247 min read

Updated: Jan 1

As we get ready to ring in the new year, I figured I’d share what the last twelve months have been like for me. I published my last Year In Review in 2021, and a lot has happened since. I've decided that I should attempt to do these every year, that way I could track my accomplishments and reflect on moments of joy so I can set new goals.

I started a new job at the end of 2023, so my year was filled with plenty of travel, hard work, and amazing opportunities—but not without the challenges of balancing work, life, and motherhood. For context, my son was an infant in the first half of the year and the second half a toddler and I'm in a long-distance relationship. So, yes, the challenges were very much *challenging*.

This year was replete with stress, anxiety, and depression so my number one goal is to prioritize my mental and physical health. I've started auditing my life and let's just say, I have work to do.

I'm going to always be a work in progress, but looking at things from a bird's eye point-of-view, I'm blessed. It's all a matter of perspective. Needless to say, I am proud of what I made of this year despite all that I've endured.

⏯️ If I could describe this year using a song, it would be The Climb by Miley Cyrus.

Here are the top 10 highlights of my 2024:

1. Parade day with frienddsss.

To open up the year, I was on the road with my friends in the true spirit of Crucian Christmas Festival. It was my return after forfeiting my place last year after finding out I was pregnant. I stayed at the Frederiksted Hotel to be closer to the festivities and not have to travel too far with my 6-month-old. That morning I had to go down the route once for work, then hurry back and change into my costume. It was a long day, however, I enjoyed the parade as I usually do. I'm sure going to miss it because that may have been my last parade for a while 🥲

2. Attended Theron Thomas Grammy Party in LA

Now this one was quite the highlight. I just started a new job and we got an invitation to sponsor a celebration honoring a Virgin Islander nominated for Songwriter of the Year at the Recording Academy's annual Grammy Awards. The answer for me was clear for two reasons: one, I always want to be on the right side of history and I hate missed opportunities, and two, the artist being honored was one-half of the duo that made me fall in love with rap music—the iconic Rock City?! Theron Thomas?! That would be a yes.

IYKYK, back in high school, circa 2007, I was the only person who listened to and believed in them. I knew every track on every mixtape. Talent recognizes talent, lol. I knew they were something special from day one (well, my day one because they'd been rapping long before I was introduced to them). I was happy to be a part of this momentous occasion.

Might I add that he sure did win the Grammy and is now the first and only black man to hold the title. Right side of history, Keev 😏.

This trip was also special because I got to bring my own Rock man to the party. Truth be told, although I had the check in hand, he knew the key players personally. I got to celebrate history in the making and he—well, he had a mini-reunion. Cute.

3. Celebrated my son's first birthday.

My sonshine turned one! 🥹. I opted for a classic-themed 1st birthday party: Primary colors and Elmo. 'Twas a fun-filled day. Two of my favorite gifts he got was a white Lexus with red interior, like mine 🥰, and magnetic letters for the refrigerator. We spent his actual birthday at the beach with dad. The full album is on FB, here. In 2025, I'll likely be posting more entries about motherhood and reflecting on the nightmare year I had.

4. Attended the first live show of the Good Up Podcast — and got some flowers!

Good Up Podcast is my favorite podcast ever. It's hosted by two beautiful Crucian women—Jeaiza and Deidre—and they discuss topics that are near and dear to me. They also have the personality, the chemistry, the recipe for engagement, and the metrics to back the claim that they are by all means a successful podcast. I was proud to join them on their first live show in Atlanta back in June. I am so proud of these ladies and what the podcast has grown to become and represent.

I was also honored to be one Jeaiza's persons spotted being good up on the Things We Learn About Our Bodies episode, released on March 12. If you listen to them, consider supporting the cause on Patreon. Funny enough, I brought flowers to signify the magnitude of the event and was given flowers for my support over the years. I see great things in their future.

5. Seeing Christina 🥹

After more than 5 years, I saw one of my closest friends, Christina. We met in college and she lives in the Bahamas. Simply put, she’s one of my favorite people ever. Our lunch date was so refreshing. She’s that one friend that no matter how long we go without talking to each other, we can pick up where we left off it’s like no time was lost at all. Every couple of days I mentally go back to that day. Things are going up for her because my girl just got engaged and I couldn't be happier 💍. She deserves.

6. I relaxed my hair.

This is an interesting one because it’s been about 4 months since I relaxed my hair and I still hate it. Maintaining my natural hair was such a challenge with my lifestyle and although it’s easier to deal with, I literally only wear it in a ponytail or bun. I fear my next step may be a pixie cut. I was natural for 5 years and I attempted to start locs when I was pregnant but I combed them out after 3 months. Another goal for 2025 is to start a healthy hair journey. I first need to find a salon and stylist to call home, then allocate the funds in the budget and set a realistic and consistent schedule. Ngl I kinda miss my natural hair 🥴

7. 73rd Miss Universe pageant in La Ciudad de México

I traveled to Mexico City for the first time to attend the 73rd Miss Universe pageant. It was a work trip but I spent every moment of it as if it were a vacation. Truthfully, I needed a break from the monotonous routine of my mom/work life.

The city was absolutely beautiful. The food was delicious and the people were warm and welcoming. I’m especially proud of how well I was able to communicate in Spanish. My proficiency is at an intermediate level so that reassurance made me want to pursue studying the language more. Sidebar: I took AP Spanish in high school and surprisingly scored a 2 on the exam for being a non-native speaker. I understand it well enough, but I want to become fluent in speaking.

The pageant was a great experience. Personally, the global representation put my being on this planet into perspective because these ladies came from all over the world to compete. They represented countries with populations in the thousands to billions. As a black woman, I was proud of Miss Nigeria’s presentation, having been aware of her journey to the international stage. Being in the presence of talented, successful, and poised women—all with individual stories—was heartwarming. I could see myself attending another Miss Universe pageant on my own. The energy in the arena was electric, and it was an incredible production. I'm glad I had the opportunity to attend.

8. Thanksgiving at the Williams'

Rayn and I spent Thanksgiving at the Williams’. My little sister invited us over and it was a great time. Her dad helped raise me, and I’ve always admired how he showed up for his kids against all odds. And they still consider me family, so why not? Also, why would I ever tell my sisterrr no? Lol. It was a good time with great people and delicious food.

9. Deleted Twitter 🐥 😱

I chuckle as I write this one because I never thought I'd see the day. I actually hated going on there ever since it became X, but I stayed because I love to write and express my thoughts. Over some years, the nature of the users had changed, and the ads and spam accounts became unbearable.

I was active for 14 years, and I’ve been through and done it all. I was the center of drama, tweets taken out of context, tweets ending up on FB, a relationship born from a DM, friendships developed from mutuals, friendships ending and making it to the TL, cyberstalking, subliminal messages, manifesting a pregnancy through a tweet 😅, intrusive thoughts that should’ve remained in the drafts, educational and informative threads on complex topics, love from strangers, hate from strangers—all on an intangible social media app that lives in the realm of cyberspace. After a situation where my tweets were involved in something that had nothing to do with me, I knew it was high time I gave it up. Not to mention those monitoring spirits 🧿

Don’t get me wrong, I loved Twitter but it was no longer fun. I haven't had the slightest urge to reactivate my account, so I know I'm standing on business for real this time. In a weird way, I'm relieved. Of courseeee I still might need to share some of my thoughts into the unknown so, I am on Threads. It seems a lot more peaceful on that side. Other than that, my thoughts will likely stay on this here self-titled website 🤗

10. Anytime I spent with my man, my man, my man.

I had to end with this because every time I saw this man, my nervous system was regulated, cortisol levels were down, and I felt safe and just all the way loved on. LDRs are hard, but we make it work. He's 10s across the board, green flags on the pole, 2 Hands 2 Heaven, 1 Corinthians 13 🤞🏾❤️