2020 - Highlighting The Good in a Difficult Year

It's no secret - 2020 was difficult. Nothing test one's faith, patience and genuine happiness like a world-wide pandemic.

But despite the lows, the trials and feelings of helplessness, there was some good that came of 2020. Our family grew by one member, I accomplished my one goal for the year - buying a home - and I grew both personally and professionally throughout the year.

Now it is not lost on me, that this year brought tremendous sadness and suffering. Some went through the worst year of their lives. I pray, sympathize and hurt for those who lost loved ones and livelihoods. I write these highlights not to be disrespectful, but to remind myself to be grateful for the big and small things in life... as tomorrow is never guaranteed.

a new family member - dixie

A rescue from the state of Georgia, this beagle-mix pup became the newest addition to the Currie family. Initially starting life abandoned on the side of the road, Dixie now lives with my mom & dad in Nashville, keeping them young with all her shenanigans and misbehavior. She's the perfect fit for our family... and we're all in love. (And she's already managed to move from the dog bed to mom & dad's bed every night... #spoiled)

a new residence - bought my first house!

After years of living in an apartment, I finally bit the bullet and bought my first house. With the help of an incredible realtor & a quick decision based on a gut feeling, I purchased a new build on the edge of the Texas Hill Country.

​ I could not be happier with this little home I now call mine.

Last day of apartment living.

First day as a homeowner.

a new hobby - reading

As a kid, I did not particularly enjoy reading (I was a science geek through & through). But with so much alone time during quarantine, I picked up the hobby of reading thanks to my sweet friend, Leah. (Leave it to a teacher to know just what books to give you to make you fall in love with reading.)

​Where the Crawdads Sing, A Man Called Ove, My Sister's Keeper... just to name a few.

a career first - hurricane coverage

From a career standpoint, covering Hurricane Delta's landfall in Lake Charles, Louisiana was a highlight. To be able to be in the thick of it - to hear the howling of the wind, feel the sideways rain and to watch the water rise - it's an experience that a textbook can never give and a real-life understanding that will help me forecast the next storm.

But from a human perspective, this was a tough assignment - both physically and emotionally. Sitting in a car for 9 hours without real food (or a bathroom) is rough on the body... but doesn't compare to the toll of seeing homes, businesses and livelihoods destroyed, devastated by back-to-back hurricanes. To this day, I get sad knowing the long road to recovery that lies ahead for many Louisianans. They needed our prayers then... and still need them now.

new memories with familiar faces

Despite spending most of the year on lockdown, a few friends were able to squeeze in a visit to ATX. I loved seeing these familiar faces from Albuquerque and Lubbock. 

Here's to more memories in the years ahead...

family time

A cancelled spring break trip, flights suspended and holidays spent stuck inside.. despite it all, I'm grateful for the time I did get to spend with family. My sister earned her white coat from CU's School of Dental Medicine in February, my mom took my dad to New Orleans (pre-pandemic) for his 60th birthday in March, and we were all able to spend Christmas together after many COVID-tests and time in quarantine.

​Thank God for family - because I wouldn't survived this year without them.

My first full year in ATX

After moving to Austin in July 2019, this year marked my first full year in Central Texas. January to December - experiencing all seasons, all holidays, all that one can do despite a world-wide pandemic.

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2020 brought a lot of sadness, fear and frustration... but I choose to focus on the good, the growth and the blessings. All we can do is pray for those who are suffering, help where we can, live a grateful life and hope for better days ahead.

-KC