This year was the first full calendar year I spent chasing my post-grad school dreams and boy was it a doozy. Last year was mostly about dealing with a lot of change and this year was about facing the new challenges that came with it.
I faced a lot of professional and physical challenges this year, but they really made me grateful for the opportunities I have had in my life and the people I have been fortunate enough to have in my life. Onward to 2024!
Roses:
- Started volunteering at the local railroad museum. I attended several weeks of training to become a docent and then interpret exhibits and historical artifacts for visitors at the museum.
- Flew an airplane for the first time. After one work trip to the field, I hitched a ride with our CTO and got to take the yoke for a few minutes. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would ever have this opportunity.
- Hiked to the top of the tallest mountain in the continental United States. Along the way, spent many happy weekends preparing with my best friends. I even found my first mountain hot springs!
- Stayed connected (and re-connected) throughout the year via pancake brunches, coffee meetups, and hikes.
- Survived my (slightly) belated 10-year high school reunion.
- Volunteered at the 2023 Hackaday SuperCon and met some amazing people who continue to inspire me in my engineering journey.
- Visited family and grandparents who are still around at 90 and 89 years old!
- Finally paid off my car loan. I am officially clear of all long term debt and in a strong financial position to move into my next decade of life.
Thorns
- Corporate layoffs really sucked, even though I managed to keep my job amid the turmoil.
- My romantic life is still a roller coaster.
- I have less than 2 months left in my 20s and I’m getting nervous that 30 is right around the corner.
- I was inconsistent with my volunteer commitments. I really wanted to meet people and give back through volunteer opportunities, but my volunteer hours were the first tasks to be cut when other (mostly work) responsibilities piled up. There’s an optimal balance to strike here that I have yet to achieve.
- General loneliness persisted throughout 2023 despite efforts to find community through volunteering and other opportunities. Part of me regrets moving cities for a new job, but I still feel like I made the right decision 18 months ago. I experienced tremendous professional growth and established personal boundaries, but this did come at the expense of some important relationships.
- I gained weight. Most of this occurred after Mt. Whitney when I was less active and traveling more for work.
Buds
- Finally, slowly coming to terms with late 2021/2022 and a fresh chapter in 2024.
- 30th birthday extravaganza! I have exciting plans to celebrate to avoid being overly existential on my birthday.
- I have several potential opportunities for international travel in 2024 that I am very excited about. My passport needs some stamps!
- More professional growth opportunities.
