A long time ago in an era known as the Covid-19 Lockdowns, I met Andy Nguyen on a berm above the Grand River in Brantford, Ontario.  We were looking or a California Gull and before finding it, I ran off to look for a Yellow-browed Warbler in Oakville.  Because Andy was wearing a mask, as it was back in Covid times, I did not recognize him the next time we met.   But after a while, we got to know each other and became good birding buddies here in Southwestern Ontario.  We birded many weekends and even drove out together to see a Grove-billed Ani in Perth County, Ontario in the fall of 2021. Since then we have both completed our own Big Years.  Andy took the opportunity in 2022 to do his own Ontario Big Year and learned a lot about, not just birding, but himself in the process.  Big Years are, of course, an adventure, but they also are a learning experience and can teach you a thing or two about yourself, in the process. So join me as we step back in time, to late 2021 and the Andy's adventures as he planned and executed his own Big Year.