BEYOND GRATEFUL FOR 2022
My year began by moving to Guatemala City for my husband’s job. Jimmie and I traveled with our 2 cats (Pipi and Raffi), my TT race bike, and a total 3 suitcases. Soon after arriving, we celebrated our 10-year wedding anniversary in Antigua, a 16th Century colonial city classified as UNESCO World Heritage site.
In April, our dearest fam-friends, Karen and Peggy, came to visit us and we couldn’t wait to show them the beauty of Guatemala. We took them to Lake Atitlan, a beautiful lake surrounded by volcanoes and tiny Mayan villages. We then relaxed in Antigua before our 2-day trek to summit Acatenango Volcano at 13,000 ft.
One of my goals while living in Guatemala was to support the local tri community. In May I raced in my first ever Central American triathlon. I raced El Pardon 70.3 in the Pacific Coast and won overall female. It was a brutally hot and humid race. Jimmie ran the run course and kept cheering for me, before I collapsed in his arms (literally and figuratively) at the finish line on the black sand beach.
Our lives in Guatemala were simple and we got to see a lot of Guatemala’s hidden gems. Due to visa expiration dates, I also got to travel to Belize for a short solo trip. By the end of July, we transitioned back to Baltimore. It was not an easy transition. Jimmie had to turn around and travel to his next work assignment in Mexico while I focused on hunting down a Kona qualifying slot at IRONMAN Maryland.
In September I raced in my 4th full-distance IRONMAN triathlon. IM Maryland proved to me what I am capable of at this distance. I came in 6th in my age group, though I did not get a slot to Kona. Only two slots were allocated to my age group, but I will be back baby with my best sherpa Jimmie! I could not have done it without his support. As a celebration, Jimmie surprised us with a Maine trip getaway where we both totally dreamed of moving to Maine one day.
In October we traveled for our first time to St. John’s to celebrate our dearest friend Peggy’s 60th birthday. We had an absolute blast celebrating Peggy and sharing a week with her closest friends.
The year included some loss and heartache as well. Jimmie’s uncle (affectionately known as “Punkle Rick”) passed away unexpectedly in June. Jimmie traveled from Guatemala to be with his family and celebrate his uncle’s beautiful life and legacy. At the end of November, my grandmother Edith passed away at 91 years old. My mom had been her caregiver for the past 2+ years. I traveled to France alone since Jimmie had to be in Mexico for work. The trip was emotional and yet so rewarding to be with my family. I got to reconnect with my brother that I had not seen for 5 years and my mom who I had not seen for 3.
As December rolls in and Jimmie has returned from Mexico as the project is starting to ramp up, we are both eagerly awaiting to find out when do we move there in 2023. The adventure continues in Latin America, and I honestly cannot wait for it to start. It is all about creating new possibilities in 2023. The year is yours to create!