One post a year - 2024 bring it on!

It is unbelievable that 365 days has flown by and the only post that I wrote in 2023 was the one on the first day of the new year! Ever since coming home, I have been rather busy and haven't had the time to blog! It is the one day of the year when I looked back at the resolutions that I set out in the previous year and assess how far I have gone!   

2023 Resolutions

1. Go to Mayday Countdown concert in 2023 Didn't go to the countdown concert but went to the 2024 Noah's Ark Concert which is a replay of the 2012 concert in Jan 2024!

2. Take my guitar to the next level - exams, electric guitar! Bought my electric guitar in end 2023 and I will be embarking on my guitar electric guitar journey this 2024, first step completed!

3. Spend more time with my mom/grandma/family Have been playing mahjong with my grandma on a monthly basis and visiting her for dinner from time to time! I have also been able to spend more time with my family - having breakfast with my parents twice a month, dinner with my nieces, trips with my sister, badminton with my cousins, Genting trip with my cousins, monthly meals with Doggie and Rattie and monthly gatherings with my cuzzies

4. Keep up my exercise regime, eat more fruits and less snacks! Badminton twice a week, eating blueberries regularly but have not been able to cut down on snacks! This is definitely something that I need to work on

5. Learn swimming Why is this so difficult? LOL

6. Show more patience to my loved ones especially my nieces and be the guiding light for them - stay positive and remember the good of the people around me - 心想好意 口讲好话 手做好事 脚行好路

7. Play less games, watch less YT (OMG! the amount of time I spent on YT is scary!)

8. Go on a trip with my nieces/ family (2022 going into 2023) Am glad we went to Japan together, then Korea with parents+sis, Desaru with nieces and bro/SIL and Genting with Cuzzies! Vietnam next year! 

I moved to a new job in 2023, had lots of uncertainties when I started and was not sure if I made the right decision. However, when I looked back, it was the best decision that I made! Banking was great, made me a very meticulous person, polished and ready for the corporate but the lifestyle was taking a toll on me and I felt fatigue honestly. I needed a change, needed a spark and to continue learning! 

2023 surprised me in a lot more different ways or rather I surpised myself:

• I visited Dubai back in Feb 2023 when I was on garden leave, such a nice feeling to see old friends, play badminton with them again and watch another live badminton competition and most importantly, visited Expo 2020! It was the most talked about event during my time living in Dubai 
• I got to see cherry blossoms again; in Japan then in Korea and it was so beautiful!
• Finger pick a full mayday song: 为你写下这首情歌, it was not easy but I did it after 2 months of learning and every time I saw the guitar between my travels
• Took a first class flight for the first time!
• Struck Uzbekistan, Tasmania and Seychelles off my bucket list! Seychelles was a place that I had always wanted to visit during my time in Dubai but never did it and I am glad I finally went. Tasmania was a destination that has been on my mind for a long time but I never went about making a plan, only that I was hoping to visit by 2024 and I am glad I did it towards the end of 2023 and counting down into 2024. Climbing Cradle Mountain was a challenge and I am glad I persevere and did it! Lastly, visiting Uzbekistan and appreciating the beauty of Central Asia was definitely amazing as well... Got to catch up with an old friend and reminisce about the times during our Masters
• Chairing the Alumni Network of my Masters programme: the Masters might not have been a game changer in terms of my career or academic achievements, but it definitely brought me a new perspective and enabled me to meet friends of different cultures and many of whom shaped my values and beliefs since. I reconnected with old friends - Serhiy, Tom, NM, Stepan, etc. Although I have always been in contact with Tom and NM on and off, I spoke with Tom again over VC for the first time and saw his face after 7 years. I do not know how to describe that feeling but I am really glad I found a friend in him. As for Serhiy, the hospitality that he showed me during my time in UA was unforgettable and for that, I am always thankful! 

In my new role, I constantly assessed myself and asked what do I hope to achieve in the next stage of my career. I need to move beyond sitting behind a computer and keeping silent. In my 8th month of work, my boss told me something that really boosted my confidence and made me realised who I am truly - I know how to take risks and be different. Going into 2022, I told myself I need to be back to the business of risk taking and am really glad someone saw that attribute in me and that was the reason I landed that job. I started more networking, speaking up more during meetings, etc. which is not something that I am shy of in the first place, just that 6 years in banking kinda silenced me. 

Going into 2024, I think there are new feats to be achieved: 

1. Buy a new loft - I have been on the search in 2023 but the general economic and market environment made it difficult for me to commit financially. The thought of having to give up 5% of short term interest in a peak housing market just made the transaction seem illogical. However, I have plans for 2024 and I need to commit
2. Snack less! 
3. Visit Tibet - it has also been a destination on my bucket list for a long time and it is time to get down to action
4. Practice the guitar more and get the electric guitar going!! Learn more songs this year as I only learnt 2-3 songs in 2023
5. Be happy

There will be more milestones as I will constantly evaluate myself throughout the year.