Cliche but yes the year zoomed past, once again. Overall there wasn’t really any life milestones other than the fact that I am now halfway through my 30s, which in itself was a minor jolt to me - it always feels like we lost three years to Covid. I wasn’t as sentimental this time round, maybe a bit resigned, but I like to think that I am mostly living in the moment and not thinking much about what’s to come. Which may not necessarily be a bad thing I guess. 

So what else happened?

************ 

Work, well. March came and I was sorely disappointed. Angry, even. For about a month and maybe a bit more I had trouble concealing this (which probably wasn’t wise), and I did seriously consider just leaving it all behind. But as always with time the feelings dissipated, I got busy and before I know it I was slaving away again doing free labor. The damage was done though, and motivation wasn’t great for the rest of the year - I am definitely not proud of the effort I put into a couple of projects that I was tasked with. I was promised greater things next year but I have been restraining myself from even holding out hope - perhaps wary that my performance this year was not deserving of it. 

Here’s hoping that I can magically turn things around in the new year and restore that motivation, because as it stands, there are even more people looking up to me now and I always believe in setting an example. 

************ 

This is one of my favorite sections to write and especially this year because very early on, I had the entire year all planned out and even with that, I managed to add in a couple of impromptu ones, including one that I hope I never ever had to repeat. 

Leading the highlights was the finally revived Switzerland trip, along with the Suites flight. Miles game bearing its first significant fruit (I only claimed one Business flight last year to burn expiring miles, and boy what a good starter it was). And minimal regrets aside, it was hell of a good trip and I’d do it all over again. And frankly which trip wasn’t good?

In other news, made 4 trips to KL in total this year, reinforcing the idea that it was a great location for an affordable weekend getaway. Hong Kong I planned last year too and I had a good time pigging out there (and will do it again tomorrow lol). Bali with the BFFs is a rare one that made it out of a group chat and any time spent with these 4 is always something I cherish a lot. And of course the two standard trips back home. 

Had more redemptions secured for next year and even after I redeemed them…miles balance is still pretty healthy so expect more to come hehehe. Only limit is leave days I guess, and I would want to start expanding my horizon to other frequent flyer programs too. 

********** 

The wellness section, well there is sort of an update in that I have engaged a PT and is actively going for regular sessions. I suppose there’s progress in that I can lift a lot more than what I was able to at the beginning, although I don’t feel that it is showing much yet. Maybe that’s just because I don’t take pics and compare often, but I do have plans to get started on a strict diet regime to force those muscles to show lol. Had a small taste of this throughout the year trying to figure out what works best - tried nutrition plans which are costly and while enjoyable at first, I got bored of it and would probably not go back to it. Self prepared meals seemed to be the way to go and the goal is to get in decent shape before my next (bigger) trip messes things up - so I have sort of a 2 month window to try to get into a consistent habit. 

Skin wise, nothing to update but at my last visit doctor asked me if I want to consider biologics which…I think I will think about it. 

And the other health episode I had which was the colonoscopy to verify that everything is indeed okay, but that had me slightly worried for a while. Though I did fall sick a few times in the second half of the year which was kind of out of the norm, and I wondered for a while what contributed to it. I don’t know of course, but hopefully body stays strong. 

************ 

What I was a bit conscious of though, is the fact that I have been spending more than usual this year - multiple concerts, multiple impromptu trips, and the PT sessions actually do cost quite a bit. Throughout the year I was occasionally fighting off temptations to buy a car but logic (and wallet) took over and I reasoned that it really wasn’t a need. What I do want to do next year though, is to finally go through the master bedroom toilet makeover which was overdue, and the water logging issues underneath the tiles are getting worse so I think that’s forcing my hand. 

******* 

Social life. What social life? Hahahah. 

Section that I always say maybe next year is the year but it never happens. Had a couple of friends who are trying to pull strings but let’s just say…I don’t really know how to do this. 

So just let nature (and fate) take its course, I guess. 

********* 

Ok so that’s about it for 2024! Frankly I have some reservations about next year because of the whole 本命年 thing but, come what may. Things will work out.