Another year gone!

Writing in advance coz for the first time in forever I'll be spending both Christmas and New Year abroad so I won' t have time to write.

2018...also known as the year before the big 3-0. Thinking that I should have grand plans to, you know, hopefully achieve several life goals before turning 30. At least that was the plan, though in the end, as usual, got too comfortable and didn't even try really hard. Oh well.

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Contrary to the past couple of years - it was a happening work year. There was the re-org that shook up the entire division and I have a new manager and SM to report to - a bit of adapting needed. October and November are mostly taken up by Lornie. Then of course there's the project I was working on which was progressing painfully slow. Complained enough in the previous post so not gonna repeat it here, but here's hoping that the upcoming vacation will hopefully reset my mind and I come back putting more heart and soul into it.

That is, if I get to stay.

Next year will be an interesting work year, regardless. Either I will be settling into something new or spending the whole year preparing to settle into something new the following year.

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I admit that I have not been a good son this year. Didn't call home much, getting into arguments for no reasons that seem plausible at first but as I reflect, I could have done/said things differently. I don't know if work stress played a role in me taking it out on people whom I know would always stand by me...but it definitely is not right. So yep...need to right the ship.

Made one extra trip home outside the usual CNY/August trips for Dad's birthday - if I am turning 30 next year, my old man is turning 70 - so cherish, cherish.

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On a somewhat related note, probably next year is a good year to consider citizenship seriously. The occasional fleeting thought that crosses my mind when it comes to this is on how it will affect longer term plans - will it present challenges when it comes to taking care of my parents in future, or if they need to authorize me for anything? I honestly don't think so, but as a result I have been hesitating and  putting off application plans.

One thing for sure - I don't feel anything for the country I am holding citizenship of now, regardless of whoever reigning over it now. I spent all 29.5 years of my life living outside the country. I don't feel much about extended family and I think it's mutual - just being realistic here. So totally ready for a switch if I can get into the right frame of mind.

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If anything, it is just a nice place to travel to and spend. Dropped by for a couple of trips this year including my first solo trip in a while, which was incredibly relaxing. Apart from that, surprise surprise. I didn't travel at all (Bangkok didn't count). That explains why this blog is pretty dead this year hahaha coz I realize for the past few years (since Taiwan 2012, really) that it only becomes active when I post about trips. I am not quite sure why the lack of travel either. I have been championing for short trips but nobody seem quite interested so...meh.

I did have my sights on a year-end trip particularly since travel restrictions have been lifted (due to re-org lol) and it's happening so pretty much looking forward it! Andddd....*drum rolls* it's a sibling trip. Hopefully we don't come back to a 10 year cold war or something.

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I remember now that I wanted to write about SCSM 2018, but kind of forgot about it coz have been busy with Christmas shopping and some last minute trip planning but guess I will write about it here. SCSM was meant as a way to motivate myself to be a bit more active because, well, body is not getting younger. Signed up in May so I had like half a year to prepare for it, went for 10k coz Chris said it's just $10 more and I was like, screw this, let's see how far I can push myself. Ended up only heading to condo gym two months before, once a week, and only seriously started training a bit more like 2 or 3 weeks before. The end result? I exceeded my expectations. Didn't run throughout of course, struggled through the middle stages but surprisingly the last 2-3km was better than I thought.

So I really wanted to keep going after the race, as in hit the gym once/twice a week but I think I overexerted my knees and hips during the run (probably coz I have been training on treadmills and road running is a lot less forgiving) so I couldn't even walk properly for a week, much less train. So I guess I can only restart next year, and hopefully keep going.

Eating healthy isn't happening overnight but cutting off certain diets will be helpful I guess. Self-imposed a one year ban on bubble tea (my colleagues pointed out that it wasnt the most helpful since I was still drinking other stuff which are probably sweeter but oh well, baby steps) and I didn't exactly miss it so yep. Gonna try this approach on other stuff now.

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Housing wise, lease is coming to an end next year. In all likelihood, I will probably extend it but also be prepared to move out if owner tries to increase rental.

Tinkering with the thought of getting my first property...but funds still an issue given my firm belief of doing this independently without help. Unless it's buying together with someone else, of course, but that probably won't happen next year.

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Gave online dating a try, half-heartedly. Given how I suck at making small talk and conversing with people, especially knowing that there is a motive behind it (can't shake off the feeling), it obviously didnt turn out too well. Not that I tried very hard to begin with also so yep.

People around me, you are welcomed to introduce people to me (lol I think this is the most open I have been in this blog - desperate times?).

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2019. Here goes nothing.

Labels: milestones, thoughts, updates, wrapping up